Sketch a Philippine eagle in Davao City June 4

More than one important event is happening in Davao City on June 4. There's the "DU31" thanksgiving party for incoming President Rodrigo Duterte at the Crocodile Farm. Then there's the "Sining Agila: Live Sketch and Painting" featuring Davao's local artists.

"Sining Agila" is one of the events that will kick off the National Week of the Philippine Eagle, the country's national bird and a critically endangered bird.

The sketching of live birds on June 4 will be at the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) booth at the NCCC Mall in Davao City. On June 5, the sketching event will be held at the PEF exhibit area at the SM City Davao Annex.

A Philippine Wildlife Pride Parade will also be held on June 4 from the People's Park to NCCC Mall. Registration will start at 6:00 a.m. at the People's Park.

The Philippine Eagle (scientific name: Pithecophaga jefferyi) can be found nowhere else in the world but the Philippines. It can be found in the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

According to the website of the PEF website, only about 400 pairs of Philippine Eagles are remaining.

Philippine Eagles are large, majestic birds reaching around three feet in height. They also have the broadest wingspan among all the birds in the world, measuring seven feet.

The PEF said the distinct characteristics of Philippine Eagles are their "massive arched beak and long crown feathers."

They are also the only blue-eyed birds of prey in the world and their sharp eyes that can see eight times the distance than that of humans, PEF said.

They are solitary birds who are fiercely territorial, asserting their "ownership" of the areas where they reside in.

Philippine Eagles are also faithful to their partners, maintaining only one mate for life.

Parent eagles are protective of their young. The female eagle lays only one egg every two years because the parents wait for their offspring to manage on their own before reproducing. The breeding season is usually from July to February.

They can live up to 40 years if bred in captivity but might have a shorter life if left in the wild.

PEF manages the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC), an 8.4-hectare area at the foothills of Mt. Apo within the Malagos Watershed in Baguio District, Davao City.

Seven Philippine Eagles are on exhibit at the Center while the rest are kept in captivity.

People can support the foundation by donating anywhere from P100 to P5,000 or volunteering or adopting an eagle.

Among the adopted eagles are "Scout Binay," adopted by Vice President Jejomar Binay; "Arakan M.V.P. Eagle," adopted by PLDT; "Sinag" adopted by Philippine Airlines; "Enchanting Kabigting," adopted by Enchanted Kingdom, among others. — Veronica Velarde-Pulumbarit/AT, GMA News