Mengenal Elang Jawa, Sang Burung Garuda #temansains

Summary

The Javanese Eagle, a medium-sized endemic bird from Java, is a symbol of Indonesia's national emblem, Garuda Pancasila. Once thought to resemble the American bald eagle, the bird's prominent crest was added to distinguish it. With a population of only around 600 to 1000 individuals, the species faces a significant threat of extinction due to habitat loss and exploitation. This eagle, known for its sharp claws and carnivorous diet, has an intriguing monogamous behavior and a tragic nesting pattern where the first egg hatches as a female, leading to sibling rivalry and even death. Its survival depends on conservation efforts to protect its dwindling habitats.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Javan Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia, and is believed to be one of the inspirations for the national emblem of Indonesia, Garuda Pancasila.
• 😀 A distinct feature of the Javan Eagle is the crest on its head, which is unique among eagles and is also depicted in the symbol of the Garuda Pancasila.
• 😀 The Garuda Pancasila emblem originally did not have a crest, but President Sukarno proposed adding one to differentiate it from the United States' bald eagle symbol.
• 😀 The Javan Eagle is scientifically known as *Nisaetus bartelsi* and has been known since 1820 when specimens were collected from Mount Salak by Van Holsen and Gold for a museum in Leiden, the Netherlands.
• 😀 The Javan Eagle is found only on the island of Java, from the Ujung Kulon National Park in the west to the Blambangan Peninsula in the east, including mountainous and coastal forest areas.
• 😀 Its natural habitat includes lowland forests and mountain regions at elevations up to 3,000 meters, where it nests in trees near water sources and open areas.
• 😀 The Javan Eagle is carnivorous, hunting reptiles, small mammals, and other birds using sharp talons to capture prey.
• 😀 This species is monogamous, with pairs staying together for life and both parents caring for the offspring in the nest, feeding them until they can fly at about 10 weeks old.
• 😀 A tragic behavior observed in Javan Eagles is that if the first egg to hatch is female, the sibling will kill it, and the parents usually allow this to happen.
• 😀 The Javan Eagle's population in the wild is critically low, with only about 137 to 188 breeding pairs, translating to an estimated 600 to 1,000 individual eagles, threatened by habitat loss and exploitation.

Q & A

What is the Javanese Eagle, and where is it found?

The Javanese Eagle (Elang Jawa) is a medium-sized eagle species endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia. It is found in various regions from the Ujung Kulon National Park in the west to the Blambangan Peninsula in the east of Java.

What distinguishes the Javanese Eagle from other eagles?

One of the distinctive features of the Javanese Eagle is its head crest, which consists of 2 to 4 long feathers, about 12 cm in length.

How does the Javanese Eagle relate to the national symbol of Indonesia?

The Javanese Eagle is said to be the inspiration behind the Garuda Pancasila, the national emblem of Indonesia. Initially, the Garuda did not have a crest, but President Sukarno proposed adding it to avoid resemblance to the emblem of the United States, which featured a bald eagle.

What is the historical background of the Javanese Eagle's discovery?

The Javanese Eagle was first documented in 1820 by Van Holsen and Gold, who collected two specimens from Mount Salak for the Leiden Museum in the Netherlands.

What is the primary habitat of the Javanese Eagle?

The Javanese Eagle primarily inhabits lowland forests, ranging from coastal areas like Ujung Kulon and Meru Betiri to mountainous forests at elevations of up to 2,200 meters, sometimes reaching 3,000 meters above sea level.

What do Javanese Eagles typically hunt?

The Javanese Eagle is a carnivore, preying on reptiles, small mammals, and other birds.

What unique behaviors are observed in Javanese Eagles regarding their offspring?

Javanese Eagles are monogamous, with each pair staying together for life. Both parents take turns caring for their young in the nest. However, if the first egg hatches a female chick, the second egg may be killed by the sibling, and the parents allow this tragic event to happen.

What is the population status of the Javanese Eagle?

The population of the Javanese Eagle in the wild is critically low, with an estimated 137 to 188 breeding pairs, equating to around 600 to 1,000 individuals.

What are the main threats to the survival of the Javanese Eagle?

The Javanese Eagle faces significant threats, including habitat loss and exploitation, which contribute to its endangered status.

What is the significance of the Javanese Eagle's role in the ecosystem?

As a top predator, the Javanese Eagle plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by controlling populations of smaller animals like reptiles and birds.