🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Emergent dipterocarp trees are common nesting choices due to their height and strength.
Philippine Eagle nests are frequently positioned in emergent trees reaching 30 to 40 meters or more above ground. At such heights, access by ground predators is minimized. However, exposure to wind and lightning increases dramatically. Constructing and maintaining a stable platform at this elevation requires substantial effort. The height also provides a strategic vantage point over surrounding forest. Few birds commit to nesting so high while raising a single offspring. The vertical scale of parenting is extraordinary.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Forty meters approximates the height of a 12-story building. Raising a chick at that elevation introduces constant environmental stress. Storm gusts intensify with height, testing nest integrity. The risk-reward balance favors safety from terrestrial threats at the cost of atmospheric exposure.
Loss of tall emergent trees eliminates these high-altitude nurseries. Replacing such giants can take centuries. The Philippine Eagle’s nesting strategy ties reproduction to the tallest structures in the forest, making old-growth preservation indispensable.
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