| Javan hawk-eagle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wild Javan Hawk-Eagle | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Nisaetus |
| Species: | N. bartelsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Nisaetus bartelsi (Stresemann, 1924) | |
| Synonyms | |
Spizaetus bartelsi | |
TheJavan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a medium-sized, dark brownraptor in the familyAccipitridae. It is the national bird ofIndonesia, where it is commonly referred to as the real-lifemodel for theGaruda Pancasila, which is also inspired byGaruda; a bird-like deity inHinduism and Buddhism. The scientific name commemorates theBartels family, who discovered it.
Because of the plumage variability ofSpizaetus eagles, the Javan hawk-eagle was not recognised as a full species until 1953. It was previously placed inSpizaetus.[2] A multi-gene phylogeny of aquiline eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) reveals extensive paraphyly at the genus level.[3]
The hawk-eagle is approximately 60 cm (24 in) long. Its head and neck are rufous and it is heavily barred black below. This majestic and intricately patterned eagle has a long, black crest on its head; this crest is held almost vertically and is tipped with white. The crown is black, topping a chestnut head and nape. The back and wings are dark brown, fading to a lighter brown tail which has wide cream stripes. The throat is creamy white with a black stripe, running to the whitish breast and underparts, which are heavily barred with chestnut. Juvenile birds are similar in colour, but have plainer underparts and a duller head.[4] The sexes are similar.
An Indonesianendemic, the Javan hawk-eagle occurs in humid tropical forests ofJava. Its range inEast Java includesSempu Island,Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park,Meru Betiri National Park andAlas Purwo National Park. It can also be seen in captivity in zoos likeKebun Binatang Bandung.[5]
The Javan hawk-eagle is believed to bemonogamous. The female usually lays one egg in a nest high on top of a forest tree. The diet consists mainly of birds, lizards,fruit bats and mammals.
It is one of the rarest raptors. Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range and hunting in some areas, it is evaluated asEndangered on theIUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1] It is listed on Appendix II ofCITES.
In February 2012, there were only around 325 pairs of Javan hawk-eagles living in the wild, mainly inMalangbong,West Java and some inEast Java. InCentral Java,Mount Merapi has been deforested by eruptions andDieng Plateau has been deforested by agriculture. The adaptation of the bird is very difficult due to their preference forRasamala trees and Javanese rats for their diet. Ideally the population should be 1,450 pairs and without conservation the eagle is predicted to go extinct by 2025.[6]
