Philippine Eagle Center in Davao
Part of the Davao travel guide — see every topic in All Davao Guides.
The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines and one of the largest eagles in the world. It lives only in the forests of a few Philippine islands, and it is critically endangered. The Philippine Eagle Center, outside Davao City, cares for eagles and other wildlife and teaches visitors about saving them. It is a quiet, green and meaningful visit.
A rare and giant bird
The Philippine eagle has brown and white feathers, a strong grey beak and a crest of long feathers on its head. With its wings open, it can be about two metres wide. It hunts in the forest for animals such as flying lemurs, monkeys and snakes. A pair of eagles needs a large area of forest to survive, and they raise only one chick every two years. Because forests have been cut down and some birds are hunted, only a few hundred pairs are thought to remain in the wild.
The centre
The Philippine Eagle Center is run by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, a group that works to protect the eagle and its forest home. The centre is in Malagos, in the Calinan district of Davao City, in a cool, green area surrounded by trees. Paths lead past large enclosures where you can see eagles that cannot live in the wild, such as birds that were injured or born in the centre. Signs explain each bird's story. The centre also has other native birds and animals.
Conservation work
The foundation breeds eagles, rescues injured birds and returns some healthy birds to the wild. It also works with local and indigenous communities who live near eagle forests, helping them protect the trees and earn income in other ways. Research teams study wild eagles to understand how they live. Your entrance fee helps support this work. Many visitors leave with a better understanding of why forests matter for wildlife, water and people. Some programs also let visitors or companies adopt an eagle to support its care.
Visiting tips
Go in the morning, when the birds are often more active and the air is cooler. Speak quietly and do not tap the enclosures or use flash. Allow one to two hours for the visit. Nearby, the Malagos Garden Resort has gardens, a bird park and a chocolate museum about local cacao, which makes a good combined trip. The centre is about one hour or more from the city centre by car. Taxis, Grab and private cars can take you there. Ask your driver to wait, as return transport can be limited.
Philippine Eagle Center at a glance
| Getting there | Malagos, Calinan district; about one hour or more by car from central Davao |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime; check opening days and hours before you go |
| Cost | Entrance fee supports the Philippine Eagle Foundation |
| Best time | Morning, when birds are more active |
| Rules | Quiet voices, no flash, do not tap the enclosures |