Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2009

Ectoparasites and the maintenance behavior of five Pinsker?s hawk-eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri Gould) in captivity at the Philippine Eagle Center were investigated. The presence of ectoparasites was examined by plumage brushing. Two of the birds were infested by two unidentified species of the feather mites that belonged to family pterolichidae. A total of 22 ectoparasites were collected 19 of which were found on the ventral surface on vanes of the primary wings and 3 mites were collected on tail feathers. An enthogram for the Pinsker?s hawk-eagle was developed in which 21 activities under general maintenance behavior were recorded. These behaviors were group into five categories namely: alert, grooming, comfort movements, locomotion and ingestive/excretory behavior. Standing had the highest frequency of occurrence 926.89%). Other general maintenance behaviours were also quantified as follows: perching (16.97%), preeing (12.82%), bathing (o.06%), scratching (0.95%), stretching (1.01%), body fluffing (1.01%), ruffling (0.32%), beak open (0.003%), beak gaping (0.76%), wing flapping (0.57%), hanging (0.38%), flying (18.43%), walking (10.67%), hopping (2.90%), hop flight (0.44%), gliding (1.01%), feeding (1.64%), drinking (0.19%), feaking (1.14%) and defecating (1.77%). It was observed that a remarkably large percentage of time is occupied by perching, preeing and locomotion in caged Pinsker?s hawk-eagles, since less time is spent in other activities such as foraging, than is the case in wild birds. The few parasite load of N. Pinskeri can also be accounted to their intense grooming habits