Philippine Serpent-Eagle Spilornis holospilus Scientific name definitions

47–53 cm; male 603–672 g, female 691–1600 g (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); wingspan 105–120 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Medium-sized Spilornis, with short bushy crest, relatively short wings and long tail, yellow irides and lores ; overall very similar to S. cheela, with broad pale bar in tail and across remiges , but has underparts more uniformly coloured, with markings generally more clearly defined. Females average 6–16% larger than males (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Juvenile similar to juvenile S. cheela. Purported race panayensis said to be smaller and paler, but differences probably due to individual variation.

Philippine Is from Luzon S to Mindanao (excluding W islands from Calamians S to Balabac).

Riverine forest, forest edge and wooded hills; also in open country with scattered trees and cultivated areas. Mostly below 1500 but ranges up to 2500 m (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Observed feeding on snake, but no further information available; diet and habits presumably similar to those of S. cheela.

Common call a series of whistles followed by “pheeeeuw-pheeeeuw ” (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Very little known. Female with egg in oviduct collected in Apr.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Fairly common, but well-supported information on population trend and size lacking. Population estimate on basis of arbitrary breeding density of one pair/60 km² of suitable habitat would be 10,000 adults (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Apparent adaptability to open and secondary habitats suggests species not seriously threatened despite rampant deforestation throughout much of its limited range.