Watch This Philippine Eaglet Grow Up in Real Time
If Moo Deng has a livestream on YouTube, Chick #30 has daily videos on Facebook.
(SPOT.ph) Have you ever seen a baby Philippine Eagle before? Now’s your chance to witness a breakthrough in the conservation of this critically endangered species. Meet Chick #30—the cutest eaglet that might just make you forget about Moo Deng.
On November 11, Chick #30 hatched at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) in Eden, Toril, Davao City, following a 56-day incubation period. The eaglet is the result of a careful pairing between its parents, Pinpin and Sinag, through artificial insemination. This marks not only a significant win for the species but also a milestone as the first successful hatching at the new facility.
"The first successful hatching in the new facility is very important for us. The entire team was so elated when we saw it alive," Domingo Tadena, who manages the facility, told Agence France-Presse. "The artificial reproduction of the new chick gives hope... but it's way better to have forests where eagles can reproduce naturally and live freely—safe and protected."
Chick #30’s birth is even more special given the state of Philippine Eagles today. With fewer than 400 pairs left in the world, they are notoriously difficult to breed—some females have even been known to kill suitors they reject. That’s why every new eaglet, like Chick #30, becomes a symbol of hope for one of the rarest birds in the world.
Also read: LOOK: Philippine Eagles' Aerial Courtship at Mount Apo Captured in Photos
Philippine eagle Chick #30 is growing up on video
If the famous pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng has a 24/7 livestream on YouTube, Chick #30 is proving it can be just as much of a star. Every day at 5 p.m., the PEF drops new videos of the baby eagle, showing key milestones from first feedings to nesting adventures.
This is among the foundation’s initiatives to get people on board the fight to preserve the national bird of the country—and it’s working pretty darn well. Future episodes will also tackle eaglet-related questions users post in the comments section.
To start, here’s some ASMR from Chick #30’s first feeding. Within a week of its birth, the eaglet grew an additional 20 grams—from 152.81 grams to 173.66 grams.
Naturally, what goes in must come out. According to PEF, the white fluid is urate, which is a thick form of uric acid produced by the kidneys, while the black solid lumps are stool. Chick #30’s poop looks normal as can be—a sign of healthy digestion. You might want to skip this vid if you’re squeamish!
Now for bath time! The PEF team introduced Chick #30 to grooming by using damp cotton balls to clean its soft, downy feathers—a gentle start to what will eventually become a regular grooming habit.
Chick #30's gender has not yet been identified as of writing, as PEF confirmed. Determining the gender of a Philippine Eagle when it is still a baby is challenging since its done via visual inspection alone, and there are no apparent physical differences between male and female eaglets at such an early stage.
The PEF is also gradually introducing Chick #30 to new processes to nurture its natural instincts. As part of this effort, the eaglet is being exposed to a variety of nesting materials to help it learn the fundamentals of nest-building—an essential skill for its future as a healthy, independent eagle.
Chick #30 also likes to sunbathe for 15 to 20 minutes in the early morning.
The PEF has yet to decide whether Chick No. 30 will eventually be released into the wild or kept in captivity for breeding purposes.
For now, they’re focusing on the smaller but equally exciting decisions—like what should Chick #30’s name be? The PEF is inviting suggestions and, in response to online users clamoring for more content, has hinted at plans for a 24/7 livestream of Chick #30. We can’t wait!