It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!
by Oliver Carlos
While driving in eastern Laguna, I noticed for the first time a very tall monument. In my estimate, it’s no less than 50 feet tall. At the zenith of the concrete structure is a large eagle. The monument reminded me of our national bird, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which is also the largest of all eagle species in the world. I remember the first time I saw up close a real Philippine eagle, it’s more than 20 years ago, more than 20 kilometers away from the statue, it’s right in my hometown of Los Banos.
Years before the pandemic, I was able to visit the Center for Philippine Raptors (CPR) in UPLB. It’s located deep in the Makiling Botanical Garden (MBG). The place is a rescue and rehabilitation center for birds, specifically the birds of prey, or raptors. It’s like a zoo for the type of birds which swoop down from the air to grab their prey. Included in this type of birds are owls, hawks, and eagles. The specialty of the house in the CPR were a couple of Philippine eagles. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take a picture of the endangered birds because the caretaker said that the flash of the camera would affect the reproduction prowess of the Philippine eagles.
The Philippine eagle is also known as the monkey-eating eagle. It is the largest species of eagle in the world. The largest one measured by scientists was 3’5” in height, that’s more than 1 meter, or about the size of a Grade 1 pupil. Meanwhile, the longest recorded wingspan of the Philippine eagle was 7’3”, that’s the wingspan of a 7-footer NBA player!
Eagles are considered the king of all birds because they can fly the highest. It is said that an eagle can fly above the swirling clouds of a typhoon. They can fly the longest distances too. They can soar several kilometers with just a single flap of their powerful wings. Eagles also have super eyesight. They can spot their meal from high up in the sky, even if the prey is hidden in the canopy of trees. That’s why there’s an idiom “eagle-eyed” to refer to people with sharp vision. After spotting the monkey, rat, snake, or other small forest animal, eagles use their great speed in swooping down to get their live prey. Their speed is up to 160 kph, that’s the faster than an over-speeding car on the expressway!
Sadly, the Philippine eagle is a critically endangered species. There are just very few of them in the wild, and they are can be extinct if we don’t take effort in protecting them and their habitat. The main reason for their disappearance is the denudation of our forests. No trees, no homes for the eagles. Thus, we must save our forests as well.
Eagles are mentioned a number of times in the Bible. That means that there were many eagles in Israel thousands of years ago. They symbolize great strength in the way they were used in the Scriptures. My most favorite eagle verse is in the Book of Isaiah:
“The Lord gives strength to those who are tired. He gives more power to those who are weak… But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will be able to rise up as an eagle in the sky. They will run without needing rest. They will walk without becoming tired.” (Isaiah 40:29–31, ICB)
Do you feel tired and weary? Physically, mentally, and emotionally? Let’s claim this promise of God. It’s very clear in the first statement: God will give strength to those who are tired. We can receive it by just a simple and sincere prayer. Ask for it, and it will be given to you.
Today is the time to fly high like an eagle. Rise up above the storms of life. Soar long distances in your life journey with the power that God gives.
