Pithecophaga
/ˌpɪθɪˈkɒfəɡə/noun
A genus of large Philippine eagles, containing the Philippine eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi.
Did you know?The name was inspired by reports that the Philippine eagle preyed on monkeys, although its documented diet also includes flying lemurs, snakes, bats, and other animals.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πίθηκος (píthēkos)
“Ape or monkey”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-φάγος (-phágos)
“Eating or devouring; literally “eater””
19th Century
New Latin
Pithecophaga
“A taxonomic genus name formed from Greek píthēkos, “ape,” and -phágos, “eater””
1896
Scientific Latin
Pithecophaga jefferyi
“The species name formally applied to the Philippine eagle”
Modern English
English
Pithecophaga
“The genus containing the Philippine eagle”
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