Quick answer
IUCN status: EndangeredJavan hawk-eagle at a glance
The Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a bird in the family Accipitridae. Range in Indonesia: Java; occurrence on Bali documented in research published in 2025. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Java; occurrence in Bali was documented in research published in 2025. Diet: predator of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Nisaetus bartelsi |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Elang Jawa |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Range in Indonesia | Java; occurrence on Bali documented in research published in 2025 |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Native range | Endemic to Indonesia; Java and Bali records |
| Feature | Prominent crest |
| Habitat | Forested landscapes |
| IUCN status | Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 193 |
| Population | 300–1,200 mature individuals (2024 estimate) · BirdLife International DataZone — Javan Hawk-eagle species factsheet |
| Home range | Home ranges are estimated at 230–710 ha per pair · BirdLife International DataZone — Javan Hawk-eagle species factsheet |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles) · BirdLife DataZone |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Observance days | National Day of Love for Flora and Fauna (5 November) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Java; occurrence in Bali was documented in research published in 2025 · journal.ipb.ac.id |
In this guide (11)
Recognising a crested eagle
Adult Javan hawk-eagles have brown upperparts and paler patterned underparts. Young birds look different from adults. A crest alone does not establish identity because other eagles also have crests; consider overall shape, markings, and observation context.
Evidence: Cornell Lab eBird — Javan hawk-eagle ↗
An island endemic linked to forest
The eBird guide still summarises this eagle as endemic to Java. Widiyavedanta and colleagues (2025) report expert-verified photographs and occurrence surveys in Bali. This expands documented records; it is not an island-wide census or evidence of population recovery. Presence does not guarantee a visitor sighting.
Evidence: Cornell Lab eBird — Javan hawk-eagle ↗ · Widiyavedanta, Syartinilia & Mulyani (2025) — Javan hawk-eagle observations and habitat in Bali ↗
Young eagles still need their parents
Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park documentation follows chick development and dependence on parents. Leaving a nest does not immediately mean independence. Disturbance at breeding sites can therefore affect a process lasting much longer than the moment an egg hatches.
Monitoring goes beyond finding a nest
TNGGP’s 2020 account reports chick development and variation in annual monitoring results. Such observations concern particular places, periods and methods. Species-wide trends need comparable surveys; one chick growing successfully does not establish recovery across Java or Bali.
Protecting sensitive information
When sharing observations, avoid publishing nest coordinates or directions to breeding trees. Do not lure birds out for photographs. For suspected trade, preserve evidence safely and use official reporting routes; buying an animal for release can sustain demand.
Evidence: American Birding Association — Code of Birding Ethics ↗ · Nijman, Shepherd & van Balen (2009) — Javan hawk-eagle trade and conservation ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Javan hawk-eagle
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Nisaetus |
| Species | Nisaetus bartelsi |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Javan hawk-eagle
What is the scientific name of the Javan hawk-eagle?
The scientific name of the Javan hawk-eagle is Nisaetus bartelsi, in the family Accipitridae. In Indonesian it is called Elang Jawa.
What kind of animal is the Javan hawk-eagle?
The Javan hawk-eagle is a bird in the family Accipitridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles). It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the Javan hawk-eagle live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the Javan hawk-eagle in: Java; occurrence on Bali documented in research published in 2025.
The Javan hawk-eagle is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Java; occurrence in Bali was documented in research published in 2025. Source: journal.ipb.ac.id.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the Javan hawk-eagle eat?
The Javan hawk-eagle is a predator of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife DataZone.
How does the Javan hawk-eagle reproduce?
The Javan hawk-eagle reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the Javan hawk-eagle nocturnal?
The cited source records the Javan hawk-eagle as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the Javan hawk-eagle?
Key features of the Javan hawk-eagle, from this guide’s sources: Feature: prominent crest.
How large is the population of the Javan hawk-eagle?
300–1,200 mature individuals (2024 estimate). Source: BirdLife International DataZone — Javan Hawk-eagle species factsheet. Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.
What is the scientific classification of the Javan hawk-eagle?
Scientific classification of the Javan hawk-eagle: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Accipitriformes, family Accipitridae, genus Nisaetus, species Nisaetus bartelsi.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Javan hawk-eagle endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the Javan hawk-eagle is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the Javan hawk-eagle protected in Indonesia?
Is the Javan hawk-eagle protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 193).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the Javan hawk-eagle be kept as a pet?
No. Because the Javan hawk-eagle is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Compare with similar animals
Sources & references
- Cornell Lab eBird — Javan hawk-eagle ↗
- KSDAE / TNGGP — Tahapan perkembangan elang Jawa ↗
- Widiyavedanta, Syartinilia & Mulyani (2025) — Javan hawk-eagle observations and habitat in Bali ↗
- American Birding Association — Code of Birding Ethics ↗
- Nijman, Shepherd & van Balen (2009) — Javan hawk-eagle trade and conservation ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- BirdLife International DataZone — Javan Hawk-eagle species factsheet ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/javan-hawk-eagle/