The Brahminy Kite in the Philippines: A Feathered Neighbor

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Christian Atienza, a resident of Mabini town in Batangas province, south of Manila, recently found himself with an unexpected gift from his neighbor - two young brahminy kites (Haliastur indus), locally known as lawin. The hatchlings were discovered by Philip Ramos, another resident who had been trying to release them back into the wild, but they kept returning to his home.

Atienza, who took care of the birds, is not an expert in wildlife conservation, but he knew that it was important to ensure their well-being and safety. With this in mind, he decided to turn over the hatchlings to a local authority or organization with expertise in caring for brahminy kites.

The brahminy kite is a common sight in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas where they can be seen soaring overhead or perched on power lines. These birds of prey are known for their striking appearance, with their white and brown plumage and distinctive forked tail.

However, despite their widespread presence, brahminy kites are still protected by law in the Philippines due to concerns over habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. The country has also been affected by illegal wildlife trafficking, which is a significant problem globally. In the Philippines, the illegal trade of wildlife is estimated to be worth $1 billion annually.

To combat this issue, the Philippine environment department is set to roll out an app called WildALERT, which aims to make it easier for citizens and enforcement officials to report wildlife crimes. The app will have a library feature that allows users to quickly identify and report species they encounter, even in areas with patchy internet reception.

In addition to reporting illegal wildlife trafficking, the app also aims to raise awareness about the importance of conservation efforts. With the help of technology, it is hoped that more people can get involved in protecting the country's unique wildlife, including the brahminy kite.

As Atienza's experience shows, even seemingly small actions, such as taking care of injured or orphaned birds, can make a big difference. By working together and staying informed about conservation efforts, we can help protect the brahminy kite and other endangered species in the Philippines.

Brahminy kite philippines