A breeding pair of Philippine eagles was spotted nesting in the forests of Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

In a Facebook post on February 9, 2026, the municipal government confirmed the presence of the critically endangered species during a biodiversity survey conducted from August to September 2025.

“The assessment verified active nesting activity within a lowland dipterocarp forest at elevations ranging from 300 to 800 meters above sea level, underscoring the ecological importance of the area as a vital breeding habitat for the species,” the town government said.

Based on initial reports, a suspected nesting site was built on a large tagontongan tree, but the nest had been abandoned, based on further validation.

However, during continued field observations and reported eagle vocalizations, researchers discovered a newly established and active nesting site still on a tagontongan tree about one kilometer away.

Officials said the close proximity of the two sites suggests sustained territorial use and breeding behavior by the eagle pair within the same forest area.

Despite the finding, authorities reported that the nesting zone faces serious threats as human activities such as illegal logging, charcoal production, agricultural land clearing, plantation expansion, and hunting were documented only a few hundred meters from the nest site.

“These pressures pose substantial risks to the safety of the nesting eagles and the long-term viability of the habitat,” the municipal government said.

“The findings emphasize the urgent need for strengthened protection, enforcement, and community-based conservation efforts to safeguard this critical Philippine Eagle breeding area and preserve Gigaquit’s remaining forest ecosystems,” the town government added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) lauded the local government of Gigaquit for investing local resources to train and engage forest guards, sustain education campaigns, and elevate the Philippine eagle as the town’s conservation flagship – strengthening protection of the Baoy watershed and its limestone (karst) forests.

“This confirmed nesting pair highlights why Gigaquit is an emerging LGU leader for Philippine Eagle conservation in Surigao del Norte and the Caraga Region,” PEF said.