In rural areas, the eagle also has a darker local nickname: Haribon (Haring Ibon – King Bird). While majestic, stories of the eagle snatching dogs, goats, and chickens don't exactly evoke the same warm nostalgia as a little brown bird on a fence post. So, to finally answer the question: The Philippine Eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ) was declared the national bird of the Philippines in 1995, replacing the Maya ( Lonchura atricapilla ).
For decades, the Maya (specifically the Lonchura atricapilla , or Chestnut Munia) held the title. It was officially declared the national bird of the Philippines in 1934 via Commonwealth Act No. 259, signed by then-Governor General Frank Murphy. For over 60 years, it was the undisputed avian symbol of the nation—small, resilient, and everywhere. ano idineklara bilang pambansang ibon ng pilipinas?
But that answer is a fascinating piece of national misinformation . In rural areas, the eagle also has a