Originally, she was called Princess Maasim, a name bestowed upon her when she was discovered struggling in the waters off the coast of Maasim in Sarangani. Today, she is known as LDI and she’s regarded as “one of the most significant Philippine eagles in conservation history,” according to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
The PEF is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of the critically endangered Philippine eagle and its natural habitat, while also safeguarding the livelihoods and cultural heritage of indigenous communities. Its efforts encompass a variety of initiatives, including breeding and rescue operations, as well as educational and culture-oriented conservation programs.
“LDI was only about two years old when she was rescued—a juvenile at one of the most vulnerable stages of an eagle’s life,” PEF remarked, noting that she likely departed from her parents’ territories in search of her own habitat in the high forests of Mt Busa, renowned for its ridgelines, towering trees, and warm air currents rising from the ground.
Her wings were designed to elevate her above the mountains, not the waves. “For a soaring bird, air is both pathway and risk,” the PEF said. “Over land, warm air can lift an eagle across ridges. Over open water, that support disappears. A young bird that drifts too far from land can tire, lose lift, and fall.”
This was the fate of Princess Maasim. She was drenched, weary, and on the brink of death. Fortunately, she endured the harrowing experience. It so happened that some fishermen spotted her. They rescued the young eagle from the sea, granting her a second opportunity at life.
Her rescuer brought her to the PEF, which manages the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan. In that place, she transformed from merely a rescued bird into something much more significant.
The story of LDI is thoroughly recorded. However, what justifies her to be given such significance? It is due to her involvement in the conservation breeding program, serving as a vital genetic resource for one of the rarest eagles globally.
The Philippine Eagle, classified as critically endangered, is in a precarious position; specialists estimate that merely 400 of these remarkable birds exist in their natural habitat. This underscores the pressing necessity for enhanced conservation initiatives to avert their extinction.
“The Philippine eagle is both a national bird and a measure of forest health,” PEF explains. “To support one breeding pair, a landscape must still have enough forest, prey, nesting trees, and protection from disturbance. The species also breeds slowly, so every rescued eagle, fertile egg, and surviving chick represents years of care, science, patience, and hope.”
LDI’s conservation efforts started when she was paired with Tsai, a male eagle who also became one of the most important birds in the breeding program. Together, they became one of the program’s most productive natural pairs.
But before that happened, the male eagle had yet to court the female eagle. Courtship among these birds encompasses a variety of behaviors and rituals that are vital for the species’ survival. These behaviors consist of aerial displays, vocalizations, and the act of gift-giving, all of which are critical for attracting a female eagle.
According to PEF, the courtship process of the male eagle is intricate, necessitating both physical prowess and emotional engagement from the female. While the male eagle is required to showcase strength, agility, and resourcefulness, the female eagle tends to be more discerning, often seeking a male that is both strong and devoted.
“Their courtship was described in almost romantic terms: courtship feeding, where the male offered food to the female; mutual preening of each other’s feathers; nest-building together; and repeated bonding behaviors that eventually led to successful breeding,” PEF recalls.
From that bond emerged an extraordinary lineage of descendants: Gloria Victoria, Chick 17, Dakila, Hineleban, Pin-pin, Bighani, and Chick 23.
Chick 23 would eventually be recognized as Viggo. His likeness served as the basis for the Philippine Eagle illustration featured on the ₱1,000 polymer banknote. For countless Filipinos, this currency became their most frequent interaction with the national bird: characterized by a fierce gaze, a formidable beak, and a crest resembling a crown.
Dakila signifies a more subdued yet equally vital segment of LDI’s efforts. While Viggo brought the Philippine Eagle into the national spotlight, Dakila advanced the lineage within the breeding initiative itself. She is the mother of Bayani, PEF’s Chick No. 32.
LDI’s legacy now comprises three influential branches. The third is the insight gained from Chick 23’s release: an evaluation that enhanced the methods of raising captive-bred eagles to ensure their safe reintegration into the wild.
“One descendant became a national symbol. Another became a bridge to the future. And one difficult experiment helped improve the science behind future releases. Together, they show why rescue, rehabilitation, conservation breeding, and adaptive management matter,” PEF said.
Philippine eagles have a slow reproduction rate, as natural pairs typically produce just one chick every two years. In contrast, captive breeding efforts utilize both natural pairing and artificial insemination to aid in conservation efforts.
According to Animal Diversity Web (ADW), the breeding season for Philippine eagles takes place between October and December, which allows the chicks to hatch during the dry season from February to May.
Typically, the female lays one egg every two years, indicative of the species’ slow reproductive rate. The incubation period for the egg lasts about 60 days, after which the chick emerges covered in white down.
Fledging occurs around 7 to 8 weeks, with the young eagle achieving independence at approximately 5 months of age. This gradual development highlights the species’ vulnerability and the critical need for effective conservation efforts.
The Philippine eagle ranks as the second rarest eagle, following the Madagascar sea eagle. In terms of size, it surpasses the American bald eagle, making it the world’s second largest eagle, only after the Harpy eagle found in Central and South America.
This raptor was initially identified in 1896 by the English naturalist John Whitehead in Samar. He originally named it the monkey-eating eagle, believing it primarily preyed on monkeys, and assigned it the scientific name Pithecophaga jefferyi. This name is derived from two Greek terms: pitekos meaning “monkey” and phagien meaning “to eat.” The name Jefferyi serves as a tribute to his father, Jeffrey, who financed his expedition.
In 1978, the previous name was abandoned and replaced with its current designation through Presidential Decree No. 1732, following the discovery that monkeys constitute a negligible part of the bird’s diet.
The Philippine eagle, a magnificent bird, reaches a height of one meter, weighs between four to seven kilograms, and possesses a grip that is three times stronger than that of the strongest human, according to PEF.
Boasting a wingspan of nearly seven feet and capable of reaching speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour, the Philippine eagle can elegantly descend upon unsuspecting prey and seize it without losing altitude.
In contrast to humans, Philippine eagles are known for their monogamous nature. Once it has selected a partner, it is for keeps forever. “Once an eagle reaches sexual maturity – at around five years for males – it is bound for life with its mate. They can be seen soaring in pairs in the skies,” PEF states.
Initiatives to protect the Philippine eagle started in 1965, led by Jesus A. Alvarez, who was the director of the autonomous Parks and Wildlife Office at the time, along with Dioscoro S. Rabor, a key figure in the early conservation efforts in the Philippines.
Between 1969 and 1972, renowned American aviator Charles Lindbergh took the lead in a campaign aimed at preserving this bird, which he referred to as the “noblest flier.” During this timeframe, several significant laws were established.
In July 1995, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 615 naming the Philippine eagle as the country’s national bird (thus dislodging maya). He said that the eagle is found only in the Philippines and as such should be a source of national pride.
“If the national bird dies,” Ramos said, “so will all the country’s efforts at conserving its natural resources and treasures.”
