·4 min read·By Adun Bahrum & Javana Field Team

The Javan hawk-eagle: Indonesia's national bird and why it is still endangered

A forest raptor found only on Java. How it became the national bird, how many pairs remain, what threatens it and how visitors can watch it responsibly.

#java#raptors#conservation

The Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a medium-sized, dark brown raptor of about 60 cm in length, with a long crest, a rufous head and neck, and heavy dark barring on the underparts. It lives only on the island of Java. Older field guides list it under the genus Spizaetus, so you may see either name.

A bird found nowhere else

The species is endemic to Java and is restricted to the forest that remains on the island. BirdLife International describes the population as very small and scarce because of this. The IUCN Red List classifies the Javan hawk-eagle as Endangered, and it is listed on Appendix II of CITES. Older species accounts report that it occurs at all altitudes but is most common between 500 and 1,000 meters above sea level.

How it became the national bird

On 10 January 1993, the species was declared Indonesia’s national rare animal. The decision is recorded as Presidential Decree No. 4 of 1993. The bird is often linked with the mythical Garuda, which is said to be part of why it became a national symbol. The declaration also had an unintended effect: a study in the journal Oryx argued that the extra public attention raised demand for the bird in the illegal pet trade.

How many are left?

Counting a rare forest raptor is difficult, so the numbers are estimates. A study published in 2023, based on habitat modeling and occupancy surveys, estimated 511 breeding pairs, up from 325 pairs in an estimate made in 2009. The same coverage noted that a conservation goal of raising the population by 10 percent from a 2019 baseline had not been met.

In December 2025, Indonesia marked three decades of conservation work for the species at a workshop in Bogor, West Java. Reports from that meeting describe real progress in knowledge since the early 1990s, and they note that the Red List category has not changed. They also say that a larger area of suitable habitat than previously thought suggests the situation may be somewhat better than feared. The bird is still Endangered.

What threatens it

The main threats are habitat loss from conversion of forest to agriculture and development, uncontrolled fire, and the isolation of the remaining forest patches. The pet trade is a further pressure, as described above. The 2023 study reported that most of its habitat is protected, but that forest degradation and isolation remain concerns.

Watching it responsibly

  • Keep a good distance, especially near nests and roosts. Never approach a nest, and do not flush a bird to get a closer look.
  • Do not use recorded calls to attract it. Birding ethics codes advise against playback for threatened species, and some parks and refuges prohibit it entirely.
  • Follow your guide and the park rules, and respect closed areas.
  • If you record a sighting, be careful about publishing the exact location of a nest or roost.

Want to see Javan forest birds with a guide who follows these rules? Send us an inquiry through the contact page.

Sources

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