Leader: Rob Hutchinson

Participants: Gerard Ouweneel, Adrie van der Heiden, Adriaan Dijksen,

Rob Burgmans, Gert Huijzers and Bart Huijzers

Philippine Frogmouth, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson/Birdtour Asia

Our two-week trip around the main Philippine islands of Mindanao, Palawan and Luzon gave a great
snap-shot of the unique bird life in this biodiversity melting pot.
The magnificent Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle was the most anticipated bird of the tour and we were not disappointed by our views of a magnificent pair in the picturesque mountains of Mindanao – soaring, perched and even carrying its meal of Philippine Flying Lemur out across the valley.
More than 220 endemic species have evolved on these islands – an exceptional total for such a small archipelago – and we recorded more than half during this tour including many of the most spectacular. We recorded two members of the endemic rhabdornis family – an important target for listers of bird families, beautiful views of three species of racquet-tail parrots, 13 kingfishers including a stunning Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher, picture book views of Red-bellied, Hooded and Steere’s Pitta, and other special birds such as displaying Bukidnon Woodcock, Philippine Frogmouth, Philippine Cockatoo and the stunning Palawan Peacock Pheasant.

All participants took the opportunity for a few days of acclimatization at Los Banos prior to the tour and some relaxed birding on nearby Mount Makiling during this time produced some nice sightings including wintering Ashy Minivet, Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Colasisi, Philippine Fairy Bluebird and both endemic Malkoha’s – the bizarre Red-crested and spectacular Scale-feathered.
On our first morning of the tour proper we flew early to Cagayan de Oro in north Mindanao and after breakfast overlooking the glassy waters of Cagayan Bay where we saw a fly-by Osprey, we continued south driving as far as Damitan Village in the foothills of the Kitanglad Mountain range. In the fine sunny weather we could already see the forested mountains close by, home to the national bird of the Philippines, the magnificent Philippine Eagle. A walk up through the pineapple and other mixed agricultural fields delivered our first of several commoner species including Coppersmith Barbet, Colasisi, smart nasutus Long-tailed Shrikes and Striated Grassbirds before we arrived at our rustic camp, idyllically situated in a grassy clearing with forest patches and giant bamboo all around. After lunch we spent a relaxing afternoon walking through the clearings and forest patches above the Lodge. A pair of Philippine falconets was seen distantly as were a group of Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis in a distant treetop which were joined by a smart McGregor’s Cuckoo-shrike.

Apo Sunbird (left) and Red-eared Parrotfinch (right) – Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao

We eventually located a calling Rusty-breasted Cuckoo for nice views but a Philippine Hawk Cuckoo was less obliging with flight views the best we could muster. One particularly productive group of trees gave us several Elegant Tits, Mountain Verditer Flycatcher, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-and-cinnamon Fantail and Sulphur-billed Nuthatch. Other new endemics were a single Black-masked White-eye, Grey-hooded Sunbird and Olive-capped Flowerpecker – all restricted to mountains in Mindanao – and on the way back down to the lodge Mindanao Hornbills obligingly yapped from the tree tops for excellent scope views. As dusk approached a Philippine Nightjar showed on an open branch next to the clearing and a short while later as graceful Great Eared Nightjars swooped overhead, a distinctive rattled called saw us scanning the sky for roding Bukidnon Woodcocks. They gave several brief views before passing right over our position, at just a few meters above head height and perfectly captured in the spotlight.
The following day we were again greeted at dawn by the roding woodcocks and after a substantial breakfast we set off up the mountain in eager anticipation. Our first stop was in an area of sunflowers and other wild flowers, a favoured feeding spot for the otherwise shy Red-eared Parrotfinch and we were lucky to enjoy great views of one sitting out in the early morning sunshire as he munched on seed heads. Continuing onwards we added Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Mindanao Drongo and Mountain Leaf Warbler.
Before mid-morning we arrived at an ideal viewpoint with wide open views across a forested valley, with the magnificent Kitanglad mountains as a backdrop. As we scanned, Philippine Serpent Eagle and Changeable Hawk-Eagle and philippensis Oriental Honey Buzzard were the first raptors on show before the cry of “EAGLE!” went up and we all quickly spotted the bird – a huge Philippine Eagle – soaring around the hillsides opposite. It soon perched again and over the next hour we were able to savour this magnificent bird as it perched and soared before being joined by a second bird. Our time here also produced our first distant views of Apo Myna but as we climbed higher we enjoyed much closer views of those bizarre Apo Myna’s with their wacky filamentous hairstyles, Brown Tit Babbler, Yellow-bellied Whistler, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, a shy Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, and at our highest point a pair of Apo Sunbirds gave nice views as they came close overhead.

Philippine Nightjar family, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson/Birdtour Asia

Philippine Nightjar, at night (left) family group at day roost (right), Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao

At one stop and thanks to our sharp-eyed local guide Carlito, we were privileged to see a Philippine Nightjar complete with two cute fluffy juveniles roosting near the trail which proved extremely photogenic and a group of three Mindanao Montane Racquet-tails screeching overhead while watching the nightjars was a big bonus. A few Short-tailed Glossy Starlings and even a wintering Mugimaki Flycatcher provided further excitement and a group of Black-masked White-eyes gave nice views of this sometimes difficult species to complete a successful day before rain closed in during the late afternoon.
We started walking early the next morning and our first bird was an elusive Long-tailed Ground Warbler which sang as it circled us but was very hard to view even when it sneaked across the trail nearby! We tried several spots in the hope of finding a Blue-capped Wood-Kingfisher before one was spotted flying up silently into a nearby tree and we gradually found better and better viewing points until finally it could be watched unobscured. Continuing on again to higher elevations we again found calling White-cheeked Bullfinches but only saw them flying overhead.
Other new birds added during the day were White-eared Brown Dove, a diminutive Violet Cuckoo and we also had further excellent views of Apo Myna, several Mindanao Montane Racquet-tails and our best views of McGregor’s Cuckoo-shrike.
We again had good spotlight views of two Bukidnon Woodcocks at dusk and in the evening when most were already sleeping a Philippine Frogmouth was found along a nearby trail and amazingly it stayed long enough for those who wished to be risen from their sleep and dress in plenty of time to enjoy the bird as it sat, perfectly captured in the spotlight at just a few meters range. A perfect belated end to the day.
The next day we managed a little early morning birding near the camp before retracing our steps to Damitan and making the long drive around the north coast of Mindanao then south again, arriving after dark at Bislig town on the east coast.
We left early the next morning heading for the logging concession of PICOP, still the most accessible place to search for Mindanao’s very special inhabitants. A stop for Little Slaty Flycatcher produced a calling bird but no view prior to a heavy rain shower although Philippine Green Pigeon and Black-naped Oriole were new.

Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher (left) and Philippine Frogmouth (right), Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
© Rob Hutchinson/Birdtour Asia © Tour Participant Bart Huijzers

As we headed into the forest rain was falling but almost immediately we heard a calling Mindanao Bleeding-heart. We tried hard to get close but it slipped away unseen as the rain increased. The rest of the morning continued wet with frequent showers but this turned out to be a blessing as bird activity was high and we encountered several exciting feeding flocks. Core species such as Blue Fantail, Rufous Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Whistler, Rusty-crowned Babbler and Mindanao Drongo were conspicuous but we also found Mindanao Pygmy Babblers, Philippine Leaf Warbler, Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Olive-backed Flowerpecker, smart Short-crested Monarchs and a Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher. Star prize however went to a pair of Celestial Monarchs – one of the Philippines most desirable endemics and one which has become increasingly difficult to see this year as deforestation at PICOP continues apace. We enjoyed nice views and were even privileged indeed to witness the male excitedly extending his powder blue crest.
Other highlights were a single female Philippine Trogon, a smart Steere’s (Azure-breasted) Pitta which eventually showed well to all and a Philippine Leafbird singing from tall trees in a forest clearing.
We spent lunch time and the early afternoon at a large clearing in the forest which proved very productive and here we had our first brief views of Black-faced Coucal, another Philippine Trogon, an obliging Writhed Hornbill and a fine family group of Rufous Hornbills. A flyover Steere’s Honey Buzzard, Philippine Serpent Eagle and two Philippine Hawk Eagles completed a good raptor line up alongside a single Crested Goshawk during the morning and several charming Philippine Falconets. Also in the sky were Philippine Needletails and the forest edge added Handsome Sunbird, Violet Cuckoo, Yellowish Bulbul and Philippine Oriole.
An opportunistic stop in the late afternoon completed the day in style with Black-chinned Fruit-Dove, Amethyst Brown-Dove and mega views of Blue-crowned Racquet-tails drawn in by fruiting trees and an unusually cooperative Black-headed Tailorbird which came right into the open in a nearby tree.
Further along the road two distant Black-and-white Triller were found, completing an excellent first day in the lowland forests of Mindanao.

Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher (left) and Silvery Kingfisher (right) – PICOP, Mindanao

The next day we followed a similar routine but began with some pre-dawn night-birding which produced a Mindanao Boobook calling in the spotlight but a Chocolate Boobook was less obliging and we only saw him flying past in the light before resuming calling but never came close again.
Another morning search for the elusive Little Slaty Flycatcher was a little more successful with a few short views and calling Rufous-lored Kingfisher and Philippine Drongo Cuckoo were seen briefly. As we drove along the vehicle was soon stopped for us to enjoy a group of our first Bar-bellied Cuckooshrikes which gave good scope views unlike the accompanying Black-bibbed Cuckooshrikes.
Almost the first bird we saw upon entering the forest was a Red-bellied Pitta which although elusive was seen nicely by all. Thereafter our forest walk was much quieter than the previous day with no sign of the exciting feeding flocks but we did tape in an Amethyst Brown-Dove for good scope views and the Steere’s Pitta was seen again. One small feeding flock held Metallic-winged Sunbird which was new.
Our lunch break at a different forest clearing gave close Steere’s Honey Buzzard, three Chinese and one Crested Goshawk. We again saw Philippine Needletail and had good looks at two fly-by Writhed Hornbills, and two very distant Pygmy Flowerpeckers.

The afternoon was a welcome change of scenery with a stop at a roadside pool produced stunning Silvery Kingfishers and then the final hours were spent on the disused airfield near Bislig. A tramp around the short grassland here produced the hoped for Blue-breasted Quail and by using the jeepney roof as a mobile hide to view the adjacent marshes we found Philippine Duck, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon, Yellow and Black Bitterns, Watercock and Swinhoe’s Snipe.
A single Rufous-necked Stint and 3 Kentish Plover found the runway an ideal high tide roost spot.
We also added Pink-necked Green Pigeons, Oriental Reed Warblers, Golden-headed Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Pied Bushchat, Lesser Coucal and Plaintive Cuckoo.
As dusk approached we scored two impressive Eastern Grass Owls quartering the grasslands.

Chinese Egret – Puerto Princessa, Palawan Malaysian Plover – St. Pauls NP, Palawan

We headed further into the concession the next morning and birded along one of the less disturbed logging tracks which still retains much nice forest in the vicinity. An elusive pair of Streaked Ground Babblers called excitedly but gave only glimpses as they skittered through the undergrowth. A distant Philippine Drongo Cuckoo sang from a high snag and we added colourful Scarlet Minivets, Handsome Sunbird and Naked-faced Spiderhunter to our tally. A small feeding flock did contain Mindanao Pygmy Babblers and we had better looks at Everett’s white-eyes.
A sharp high pitched called drew attention to a flash of colour as a Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher zoomed overhead. Fortunately after a short wait the bird returned and eventually gave stunning views as it sat nearby for a prolonged time but sadly a calling Mindanao Bleeding-heart at the same stop couldn’t be tempted closer.
Our lunchtime rest was accompanied by Oriental Honey Buzzard, Crested Goshawk, Philippine Hawk Eagle and Philippine Serpent Eagle. We all finally enjoyed nice views of Yellow-wattled Bulbul which had teased us in previous days with continual calling but only brief glimpses, this time they performed brilliantly, even displaying to one another with crests raised and white-tipped tails spread and waved madly. Mindanao and Writhed Hornbills were again on show and as we started to drive away a big surprise in the midday heat was a Barred Rail parading in full view in the road!
In the evening we again returned to the disused airfield at Bislig where we again enjoyed great views of the bitterns and ducks but a male Watercock gave improved views and White-browed Crakes on a marshy pond were new. Other birds new from the previous day were a single Asian Golden Plover and a smart Little Ringed Plover of the resident race dubius (a potential split with its distinctive features and call?).
Towards dusk we positioned ourselves closer to the flyway of the Grass Owl and had much closer views than the previous evening. We finished with a Philippine Nightjar feeding over the runway as we left at dusk.
On our final morning we again headed out pre-dawn but could not find Chocolate Boobooks on this occasion. A fine Philippine Frogmouth did oblige and was worthy compensation. Shortly after dawn a Philippine Drongo Cuckoo and Greater Flameback gave nice views and a vocal Rufous-lored Kingfisher posed in the scope. The remainder of the morning produced further nice perched views of Blue-crowned Racquet-tail, stunning Black-chinned Fruit-Dove, Black-and-White Trillers, a Barred Rail again obligingly feeding on the roadside and our best views yet of the stunning Black-faced Coucal before we headed back to Bislig for a long American breakfast. In the afternoon we drove south to Davao and were pleasantly surprised when our flight back to Manila was right on time.

The next morning we flew out to Puerto Princessa on Palawan and quickly appreciated the rather more relaxed and tropical atmosphere as compared to Manila. Our first stop was the nearby foreshore and mangroves but we were a little unfortunate to arrive at high tide when the vast majority of birds had been forced away. Fortunately our main target was seen present with several Chinese Egrets roosting on the posts offshore and with searching we also located Grey Plover, Greater Sand-Plover, Whimbrel and Grey-tailed Tattler roosting in the mangroves and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, Pied Fantail and Oriental Reed Warbler. Immense Stork-billed Kingfishers were well appreciated as they sat in dead trees.

With longer than usual to explore the nearby scrub we found some big bonuses in the form of obliging Blue Paradise Flycatchers (our first Palawan endemic), colourful Hooded Pitta and a lone Chestnut-cheeked Starling – an uncommon wintering bird in the Philippines.
After an excellent lunch in the town we continued on our way towards Sabang. Our first stop along the way was in an area of mature mangroves where we quickly enjoyed views of Little Spiderhunter, Purple-throated Sunbird and Copper-throated Sunbird. Later in the journey we enjoyed a fine breeding plumaged Chinese Pond Heron before making several stops along the road, walking along the more interesting sections and this proved highly worthwhile as we added Palawan Flowerpecker, Palawan Drongo, Yellow-throated Leafbird and Sulphur-bellied Bulbul to our endemic tally and also Thick-billed Green-Pigeons, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Asian Drongo Cuckoo, Common Flameback and a fly-over Oriental Hobby. Our last stop was the most productive as we found three of the most difficult Palawan endemics in quick succession – firstly an obliging pair of Palawan Tits were tracked down by their distinctive calls, then as we enjoyed these a Blue-headed Racquet-tails screeched as it flew overhead and finally a single Palawan Hornbill was spotted by Rob B. in trees on the nearby limestone cliff and gave prolonged scope views for all. Fiery Minivet and Black-headed Bulbul were also added. Shortly after we arrived a Large-tailed Nightjar was spotted perched on the fence posts of the rice fields next to the lodge and the intrepid even braved the wet rice fields to get some nice photos.
The next morning we took an outrigger boat out along the coast just after dawn and soaked in the breath-taking scenery of St. Pauls National Park with unbroken forest stretching from the highest hill tops down to the white sandy beaches and spectacular limestone rock formations.
Our first stop was the ranger station at the famous ‘Underground River’ and we arrived just as the sun hit, creating a hive of activity. A Ruddy Kingfisher was calling strongly as we arrived and we wasted no time in getting this stunning, and often elusive, forest Kingfisher into view. More birds followed in quick succession; Bold-striped Tit Babbler were new, Rufous-backed Kingfishers shot through the forest like red bullets, Blue-headed Racquet-tails gave superb scope views perched in a bare trees with delicate spoon-tipped racquets on show and we couldn’t resist teasing another Hooded Pitta into view for stunning views. A charming group of Ashy-headed Babblers appeared close by but these were immediately ignored as soon as the star of the show was spotted – the male Palawan Peacock Pheasant was strutting his spectacular costume in the undergrowth nearby and we all watched mesmerized as this stunner come to point blank range. Having had our fill of the peacock pheasant all finally had good views of Tabon Scrubfowls scratching in the leaf litter and a particularly confiding White-vented Shama before it was time to move on to our next stop. Boarding the boats again we headed back along the coast with particularly close views of four dark morph Pacific Reef Egrets roosting on offshore rocks. Our next stop was the Central Park Station where we were greeted by a singing Shelley’s Sunbird which gave great views. We had no joy finding Falcated Ground Babblers but did find some exciting fruiting trees with Yellow-throated Leafbirds, Asian Fairy Bluebirds and impressive Blue-naped Parrots. Making our way on foot across the next headland was profitable with excellent looks at Palawan Blue Flycatchers and as we reached the next white sandy beach a pair of Malaysian Plovers gave perfect views.
The waiting vans with air-conditioning and cold drinks were most welcome as we were whisked back to the lodge. Our rest time at lunch also produced excitement with a fortunate White-breasted Waterhen rescued from a snare in the nearby fields and great views of Painted Snipe, including a stunning female. A stunning Chestnut-breasted Malkoha in trees next to the Lodge produced a minor ‘twitch’.
In the afternoon we headed back towards Puerto Princessa stopping long enough to get great views of a group of Ashy-headed Babblers bouncing around excitedly in the undergrowth nearby. In a late addition to the itinerary we stopped in Honda Bay and took a fishing boat out to a distant tropical island where a late afternoon walk produced many Pied Imperial Pigeons, an impressive Great-billed Heron feeding on the mudflats and a Great Crested Tern offshore. As dusk fell our main target became vocal and soon after we were watching a smart Mantanani Scops-Owl in the spotlight – a small island species which is justly regarded as a Philippine specialty being difficult to find on the small islands off Borneo where it also occurs.
The next morning started early and we reached our rather unconventional birding destination – Iwahig Penal Colony – just as the sun was rising. We started on the challenging Balsahan Trail, this habitat is perfect for the remaining Palawan endemics and we did well. It wasn’t long before we heard the quiet song of a Palawan Flycatcher and were fortunately that this individual betrayed its usually elusive nature and gave repeated close views. Further along the trail we finally got views of Melodious Babblers although everyone seemed rather underwhelmed by these drab birds after investing so much time to see them! Much more impressive were the group of immense Great Slaty Woodpeckers then gorgeous Eastern Hill Myna. As the bird activity dropped in the heat we headed for the nearby rice fields where birds were still conspicuous and we indulged in Long-toed Stints, Rufous-necked Stints and summer plumaged Whiskered Terns among others while Crested Serpent Eagles circled lazily overhead.
It was then time to head south to the small seaside town of Narra with a fine buffet awaiting us. After a short rest in the heat of the afternoon we headed to the harbour, boarding our large boat and set of for an enjoyable afternoon cruising around Rasa Island offshore. Rasa Island is a stronghold for the endangered Philippine Cockatoo and we enjoyed prolonged views of these but also a nice perched Peregrine Falcon of the dark resident race ernesti, an Osprey and a Great-billed Heron lumbering past.

Palawan Hornbill – St Pauls NP, Palawan Philippine Scops Owl – Mount Makiling, Luzon
© Rob Hutchinson/Birdtour © Tour Participant Gert Huijzers

The next morning we skipped our intended birding spot having already enjoyed great views of Palawan Flycatcher and instead spent some more time at the Iwahig rice fields which were again very productive. Long-toed and Rufous-necked Stints were seen in even greater numbers than the previous day and we also added to our tally with Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Ruff, a smart breeding plumaged Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and best of all a stray Temminck’s Stint (maybe one of the two birds seen during our February tour). White-browed Crake and Watercock were new from the previous day and a Cinnamon Bittern perched in the open for the photographers. Soon it was time to depart for the airport for our slightly delayed flight back to Manila. After a late lunch on arrival we headed immediately for Los Banos and not wanting to lose any time headed straight for nearby Mount Makiling. Our first stop was a stretch of river on the nearby university campus where a short wait produced the hoped for male Indigo-banded Kingfisher perched on rocks and a small party of Lowland White-eyes feeding in nearby trees. Moving on to a nearby grassland we soon found nice Barred Buttonquail and the endemic Spotted Buttonquail, both giving great views feeding in the open on the track. Still full of enthusiasm we didn’t let the failing light stop us so armed with spotlights we headed for the forest. At dusk the gruff notes of a Philippine Scops Owl could be heard and we took up a strategic position and within moment there he was staring back inquisitively at us with huge orange eyes – awesome! Moving to more open forest we could hear the yapping sounds of Philippine Boobooks which were easily attracted closer and then located overhead with their whole bodies pumping as there gave their energetic song duet.

We set off pre-dawn the next morning to be in the best habitat by dawn and this worked well. We soon managed to attract a stunning Spotted Wood Kingfisher, which was actually the first of an amazing five individuals seen during the morning. A calling Philippine Hawk Cuckoo was also attracted in several times, gliding overhead with a distinctive accipiter-like silhouette but he was shy and perched views were only brief. White-browed Shamas were giving their wonderful varied, fluty song and we were glad to see this striking bird extremely well.
Luzon Bleeding-hearts were vocal but typically elusive with only the leader getting views of two birds as he attempted to persuade the birds out of their gullies and towards the group.
Returning to Manila we had time for some sightseeing, with some members of the group getting a privileged tour of the American Embassy Security Department, before we finished the tour with a delicious seafood meal with the bright flights of Manila as a lively backdrop.

Our final harvest totalled 292 species of which 9 were heard only. Most importantly these included 121 species found only within the Philippine archipelago and four others which extend only just beyond its boundary.

Click here to view the Systematic Bird List

Click here to download the report as a pdf

For further information on Birdtour Asia Custom Tours to the Philippines please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours.