The Philippines
9th – 24th January 2011
Leader: Rob Hutchinson
Participants: Ken Archambault, John Archer, Mark Bibby,
Peter Bundgaard Jensen, Nick Davies, Henrik Læssøe and Graeme Spinks.
Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Mount Makiling, Luzon © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia
The Philippines hold the largest number of endemics for its land area of any country in the world, and with its forest disappearing at an alarming rate, the islands are justifiably very popular with people keen to appreciate the incredible diversity before as soon as possible. Our first tour of 2012 (out of four) was an intense 16-day endemic-packed bonanza, taking in the major islands on Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan to optimise the number of endemics possible. Our resulting total of 134 endemics demonstrated our success but far more important were the outstanding views of so many of our target species.
We began with an early morning flight south-east across the archipelago to Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao. As we drove towards Mount Kitanglad the likes of Brown and Long-tailed Shrikes proved nice roadside distractions but a flock of more than 50 Purple Needletails zooming by at ultrasonic speed were more significant. Our accommodation here is a comfortable tented camp with a rustic lodge building for eating and washing, perfectly adequate and adding to the expedition feeling as we come here to find the most famous bird of the islands; the Philippine Eagle. Even the area around the lodge is productive and within a few hours Black-shouldered Kite, Colasisi, Philippine Coucal, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Philippine Bulbul and Philippine Swiftlets had all been seen. After lunch we made our first exploration of the trail heading up the mountain and new birds continued to come; Elegant Tits, Philippine Leaf Warbler, Black-and-cinnamon Fantail and McGregor’s Cuckooshrike in an exciting feeding flock plus Crested Goshawk, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Cinnamon Ibon, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Grey-hooded Sunbird and teasing fly-over views of Striped-breasted Rhabdornis. Walking back down to the lodge added Arctic Warbler, Short-tailed Starling, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Rufous-headed Tailorbird and Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove for a superb introduction to Philippine birding!
Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis and Philippine Eagle, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
© tour participant Mark Bibby and Rob Hutchinson
All was not finished for the day however, hoping for Bukidnon Woodcock to appear in flight around the clearings at dusk so we were rather taken aback when two birds appeared feeding on the nearby forest trail well before dark and we were able to follow them in the spotlight for some minutes before they wandered off into the undergrowth, privileged to have enjoyed such amazing views of this special bird that was first discovered in this very clearing just 18 years previously. In true Birdtour Asia style we were still not done, so it was a stunning Philippine Frogmouth after dinner that finished the day, a bizarre, hair creature which allowed study down to just a few meters.
The Philippine Eagle – National bird of the Philippines – is often one of the most wanted birds for visitors and this group was no exception, so our first full day on the mountain was to target this bird. As we made our way up the mountain there was plenty more to see and one of the first treats as the sun rose were a pair of Red-eared Parrotfinch gorging on sunflower seeds. Grey-hooded Sunbird, kampalili Flame-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Mountain Leaf Warbler and Mugimaki Flycatcher were all added, while Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis was a new bird family for everyone. Arriving at an ideal viewpoint with views over the forest we set about scanning the skies and forest for own target but it was philippensis Oriental Honey Buzzards and Philippine Serpent Eagle that were first to rise. After a couple of hours a Philippine Eagle could be heard calling from the fair hillsides and not long later it was found perched, a little distant but allowing most features to be seen. Fortunately these views were surpassed when another eagle appeared circling overhead for quite magnificent views. With such early success we opted to continue higher and as we reached another viewpoint, yet more distant flight views of the eagle were had! In the highest forests along the trail we were delighted to find a male Apo Sunbird, a Mindanao Racquet-tail flew over, 2 McGregor’s Cuckooshrikes, 2 Yellow-breasted Fruit Doves and another Philippine Cuckoo Dove was seen before we happily made our way down to the lodge.
Overnight a Giant Scops Owl visited the clearing but sadly didn’t stick around as people rushed to see, so we reconvened at breakfast for another wander up the mountain. First new bird was a White-browed Shortwing hopping on the track in the half-light, then a Buff-spotted Flameback (a Greater Flameback split), White-eared Brown Dove and Little Pied Flycatcher as we climbed higher. First mega to appear were two White-cheeked Bullfinch, several Apo Myna then a Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher which flew around several times but was shy and not seen by everyone. When we again reached the higher forest Amethyst Brown Dove was new, several Mindanao Racquet-tails showing well around fruiting trees, Cinnamon Ibon, Black-masked White-eyes, Yellow-bellied Whistler and a pair of Apo Sunbirds again present.
Bukidnon Woodcock and Philippine Frogmouth, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
© Rob Hutchinson
Apo Sunbird and White-cheeked Bullfinch, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
© tour participant Nick Davies
During our picnic lunch another Mindanao Racquet-tail passed over, several Apo Myna and a single White-cheeked Bullfinch showed but then the weather closed in so we trudged back down to the lodge it was there we found the next new birds; a Bicoloured Flowerpecker and ernesti Peregrine over. At dusk a Philippine Nightjar was successfully spotlighted in flight and the Bukidnon Woodcock again down on the trail.
Brief birding next morning was highlighted by two Rufous-headed Tailorbirds before it was time to head down the mountain again, logging Black-shouldered Kite and Purple Needletails, before the rest of the day was taken with the long drive around to Bislig on the east coast of Mindanao, and our base for exploration of the former PICOP logging operation.
Although it is saddening to bird in heavily degraded forest often with a background sound of chainsaws, the birds are still performing at PICOP and the excitement on our first morning was palpable. Writhed Hornbills, Mindanao Hornbills, Philippine Drongo Cuckoo, Philippine Oriole, Guaiabero, Philippine Leafbird, Yellow-wattled and Yellowish Bulbul and the increasingly rare Naked-faced Spiderhunter were all seen while Philippine Falconet utilised dead snags, Philippine Serpent Eagle and Crested Goshawk were overhead. More difficult birds also performed like the smart Black-faced Coucal, Buff-spotted Flameback and pleasing views of a pair of Black-headed Tailorbird.
A nearby patch of forest often known as ‘Monarch Wood’ lived up to its name when an active feeding flock contained both a male Celestial Monarch and a pair of Short-crested Monarchs! Other members of the flock were Rusty-crowned Babbler, Mindanao Pygmy Babbler, Handsome and Metallic-winged Sunbirds, Yellow-bellied Whistler, Olive-backed Flowerpecker and Rufous-fronted Tailorbird. Finally a smart Philippine Fairy Bluebird performed before we retired for lunch at a nearby clearing.
First port of call in the afternoon was a small pond where the regular Silvery Kingfisher was found along with a surprise Cinnamon Bittern. We then drove back to Bislig and spent the remainder of the day at the disused airfield where Swinhoe’s Snipe and Blue-breasted Quail were quickly found in the grassy margins. In the nearby marshes were Philippine Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck, White-browed Crake, Greater Painted Snipe and Watercock but the highlight came at dusk when no less than four Eastern Grass Owls passed closely overhead.
Philippine Trogon and Steere’s Pitta, PICOP, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson
Short-crested Monarch and Yellowish Bulbuls, PICOP © Nick Davies and Rob Hutchinson
In the same area of forest the next morning we had a more select set of birds to concentrate on and this began well with a pair of Rufous-lored Kingfisher, with views gradually improving and culminating in great looks. Next a Blue-crowned Racquet-tail passed over but the absolute highlight were stunning and prolonged views of a Steere’s Pitta which showed for as long as we wanted and allowed good photos.
We continued in this area finding Blue Fantail, a pair of Black-headed Tailorbird giving unusually prolonged views and very close, albeit typically fleeting views of Streaked Ground Babbler.
Philippine Hawk Eagle was new overhead before we again moved on to ‘Monarch Wood’. Another pair of Philippine Hawk Eagles showed here but the real interest was in the forest where we found Black-chinned Fruit Dove, a pair of Philippine Trogon, Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Scarlet Minivets (the races on Mindanao are a likely split) and a pair of showy Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatchers. There was again some flock activity and we again found Short-crested Monarch and Mindanao Pygmy Babblers.
In the afternoon we staked out a clearing where we were rewarded with the hoped for Writhed and Rufous Hornbills together with Philippine Falconets. Our night-birding aspirations were cut short by a rain storm with only two Asian Palm Civets to show for our efforts.
The next morning didn’t start well with a vehicle breakdown delaying our arrival at the forest but once we got there we quickly started making amends with Rufous Paradise Flycatcher, Blue Fantail, Olive-backed Flowerpecker and Philippine Leaf Warbler appearing in quick succession. Black-and-white Trillers were also new and it was nice to see Steere’s Pitta again just off the trail. A big surprise came a short while later when a pair of Mindanao Boobooks called close by the track and were quickly located at their day-roost for fabulous views! Another feeding flock contained many of the same species as before, plus a pair of Short-crested Monarch. As we made our way further along the track Everett’s White-eye, Bar-bellied and Black-faced Cuckooshrikes were new and we again found more Black-and-white Trillers and Short-crested Monarchs. Our big target along here though was Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher which we had been trying hard for throughout with no sign but Rob encouraged (or dragged?!) the group far along to a previous territory where shear persistence finally produced a response and a female kingfisher was greeted with great delight and relief!
We finished the day with Philippine Nightjar but still no Chocolate Boobook.
Mindanao Boobooks, PICOP, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson
The next morning we made our way to Butuan for our morning flight back to Manila and in no time at all we were efficiently transported to the lush surroundings of the university campus at the base of Mount Makiling. In no time at all we had found a pair of Indigo-banded Kingfishers on the small river there with Lowland White-eyes and Red-crested Malkoha in the adjacent trees also new for us as Striated Swallow, House Swift and Purple Needletail performed overhead. We spent the last hours of daylight at the nearby grasslands getting excellent views of Spotted and Barred Buttonquails as well as a Plain Bush Hen quickly crossing the path.
The next morning we were up on the mountain before dawn to see a pair of Philippine Boobook. After dawn we wasted no time in finding a singing male White-browed Shama followed by a male Philippine Trogon and Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler. Two big targets then fell, firstly a pair of Spotted Wood Kingfishers that shot overhead several times but gave fine perched views in between flights and a fine Scale-feathered Malkoha, surely the most bizarre member of this family. A Grey-backed Tailorbird frequented its favoured tangles nearby and further up the mountain we took a small side trail for excellent views of another White-browed Shama, more Luzon Hornbill and Red-crested Malkoha. Our afternoon searches for Flaming Sunbird didn’t meet with success so we headed back for more looks at Indigo-banded Kingfisher and even larger numbers of Lowland White-eyes on the campus, then at the grasslands more views of the resident buttonquails and an Ashy Minivet passing through. We finished today at a productive area of rice fields where a nice selection of water-birds included White-browed Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Yellow and Cinnamon Bittern, a brief Blue-breasted Quail and no less than 12 Greater Painted Snipe.
Indigo-banded Kingfisher and Spotted Wood Kingfisher © tour participant Mark Bibby and Rob Hutchinson
Our final morning on the mountain began with a close fly-past Ruddy Kingfisher and another two Spotted Wood Kingfisher, one of which gave excellent prolonged views. Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Metallic-winged, Grey-throated and Handsome Sunbirds kept the ball rolling before staking out a promising which finally produced a nice male Flaming Sunbird. With this final target under the belt we were soon on the road again and headed for Subic Bay.
We made excellent time and arrived in Subic with time for a full afternoon of birding. Blackish Cuckooshrike soon appeared and we paid careful attention of the resident Blue-throated Bee-eaters which might well be split in the future. Many of the roadsides here are almost devoid of traffic and thus provide excellent birding. Our afternoon wander already gave many target species including a raucous flock of Rufous Coucal, Luzon Flameback (a split of the Greater Flameback complex), a Luzon Hawk Eagle and at least three Green Racquet-tail and as we made our way to the hotel, a Philippine Nightjar perched on the road as we headed back to the hotel.
We were out again night-birding the next morning at Subic and were finally rewarded when our bogey bird began calling distantly but a fine Chocolate Boobook soon came swooping in to be enjoyed in the spotlight.
Once it became light the excellent birding continued with Green Racquet-tail in a fruiting tree, Luzon Flameback, Sooty Woodpecker, plenty of Philippine Green Pigeons and Blackish Cuckooshrikes, and a typically skulking Green-backed Tailorbird. Then it was time to drive back to Manila for our flight to the tropical island of Palawan where we arrived in time to see Large-tailed Nightjar before retiring to our hotel.
Early the next morning we began our Palawan birding along the Balsahan trail with six more Large-tailed Nightjars on the way. Even before we entered the trail a group of Palawan Hornbills were spotted over the parking area and once inside the forest we added Blue Paradise Flycatcher and a short while later one of our main targets; a Palawan Flycatcher skulking low in the bamboo with a Pechora Pipit creeping along the ground nearby. It didn’t take long for our other target to be found, a Melodious Babbler singing from the thickets and we could settle down to enjoy the other new birds on offer which included a few Rufous-backed Kingfishers, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Asian Drongo Cuckoo and Chestnut-breasted Malkoha. As we left we also added Sunda Drongo and Black-headed Bulbul along the access road and Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt in the rice fields.
A brief visit to Garcelliano Beach unfortunately coincided with high tide and the best we could muster were a few Pacific Golden Plover and Grey-tailed Tattler roosting in the mangroves. After lunch back in Puerto Princesa we started making our way towards Sabang but with several birding stops along the way, the first of which at an area of mature mangroves gave the expected Copper-throated Sunbird among the commoner Purple-throated Sunbirds. A walk along a forested roadside gave us Sulphur-bellied Bulbul, Dark-throated Oriole and Spot-throated Flameback (a split from Common Flameback) before we finished the day at a nice viewpoint with three noisy Great Slaty Woodpeckers the highlight.
White-browed Shama and Green Racquet-tail © Rob Hutchinson and tour participant Mark Bibby
The next morning found us boarding outrigger boats for a long anticipated trip into the heart of St Pauls National Park. The reason for the excitement was undoubtedly the presence of a certain male Palawan Peacock Pheasant. He certainly didn’t disappoint giving nice views as he called deep in the forest and giving some very natural photo and video opportunities.
In the same general area were Pin-striped Tit Babblers, White-vented Shama and Tabon Scrubfowl which took some tracking down but showed well. We then moved to a different part of the park and hiked over a steep ridge where our target bird – Falcated Ground Babbler – was frustratingly only heard but a confiding immature Red-bellied Pitta and a male Palawan Blue Flycatcher did show themselves. Once we reached the beautiful white-sand beach at the end of the walk we were able to relax in the beautiful surroundings as we watched a pair of Malaysian Plovers resting on the rocks offshore.
In the afternoon we again birded along the roadsides and added Thick-billed Green Pigeon and Grey-cheeked Bulbul at our first stop, then Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Common Hill Myna and two fly-over Blue-headed Racquet-tails at the next stop.
We waited along the road until after dusk and found a Palawan Scops Owl perched right at the roadside but didn’t manage to call in any of the Palawan Frogmouths that were calling so after dinner we went searching around our resort and found a brilliantly hairy frogmouth posing in the spotlight.
Some of us were out again before dawn for more views of the Palawan Frogmouth but the birding began in earnest on the edge of the park with three Palawan Hornbills, Common Hill Mynas, Stork-billed Kingfisher and the Malaysian Plovers again on their favourite beach.
As we made our way into the forest we were soon stopped in our tracks by Falcated Ground Babblers calling a little further along the trail. We positioned ourselves carefully and true to form they came creeping in, at high speed of course but in this case we were lucky as they kept coming for a long time allowing most of us to get good views of these elusive critters. Flushed with success we went in search of our missing targets and along the roadside we finally scored with at least four Palawan Tits together with a surprise Blue-and-white Flycatcher. In the afternoon we finished with a relaxing afternoon at the viewpoint where a Palawan Hornbill showed nicely if a little distant and we finally got satisfying views of Blue-headed Racquet-tails before heading back to Puerto Princesa for the night.
We finished the tour the next morning with a ‘twitch’ down to Narra in search of Philippine Cockatoo but were thwarted by heavy rain during our limited time available, nevertheless we had a brilliant tour with many memorable highlights, and we made our way back to Manila for a well deserved rest!
Palawan Frogmouth and Palawan Scops Owl, St. Pauls NP, Palawan
© Rob Hutchinson and tour participant Nick Davies
Palawan Peacock Pheasant and Palawan Blue Flycatcher, Palawan © Rob Hutchinson
For further information on Birdtour Asia tours to the Philippines please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours.
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Systematic Bird List
| CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae | |||
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | ||
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | ||
| Eastern Great Egret | Ardea (alba) modesta | ||
| Intermediate Egret | Egretta intermedia | ||
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | ||
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata | ||
| Eastern Cattle Egret | Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus | ||
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | ||
| Cinnamon Bittern | Ixobrychus cinnamomeus | ||
| Yellow Bittern | Ixobrychus sinensis | ||
| ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae | |||
| Wandering Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna arcuata | ||
| Philippine Duck | Anas luzonica | e | |
| FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae | |||
| Western Osprey | Pandion (haliaetus) haliaetus | ||
| FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae | |||
| Oriental Honey Buzzard | Pernis ptilorhynchus palawanensis | ||
| Pernis ptilorhynchus philippensis | |||
| Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis | |||
| Steere's Honey Buzzard | Pernis steerei steerei | e | |
| Black-shouldered Kite | Elanus caeruleus | ||
| Brahminy Kite | Haliastur indus | ||
| Crested Goshawk | Accipiter trivirgatus palawanus | ||
| Accipiter trivirgatus extimus | |||
| Crested Serpent Eagle | Spilornis cheela palawanensis | ||
| Philippine Serpent Eagle | Spilornis holospilus | e | |
| Philippine Eagle | Pithecophaga jefferyi | e | |
| Changeable Hawk Eagle | Nisaetus limnaeetus | ||
| Luzon Hawk Eagle | Nisaetus (philippensis) philippensis | e | |
| Pinsker's Hawk Eagle | Nisaetus (philippensis) pinskeri | e | |
| FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae | |||
| Philippine Falconet | Microhierax erythrogenys | e | |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus ernesti | ||
| GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae | |||
| Tabon Scrubfowl | Megapodius cumingii cumingii | ||
| GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae | |||
| Red Junglefowl | Gallus gallus philippensis | ||
| Palawan Peacock Pheasant | Polyplectron napoleonis | e | |
| Blue-breasted Quail | Coturnix chinensis lineata | ||
| GRUIFORMES: Turnicidae | |||
| Barred Buttonquail | Turnix suscitator | ||
| Spotted Buttonquail | Turnix ocellatus | e | |
| GRUIFORMES: Rallidae | |||
| Buff-banded Rail | Gallirallus philippensis philippensis | ||
| Barred Rail | Gallirallus torquatus torqatus | Heard only | |
| White-browed Crake | Porzana cinerea ocularis | ||
| Plain Bush-hen | Amaurornis olivacea | e | |
| White-breasted Waterhen | Amaurornis phoenicurus | ||
| Watercock | Gallicrex cinerea | ||
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae | |||
| Greater Painted Snipe | Rostratula benghalensis | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae | |||
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | ||
| Pacific Golden Plover | Pluvialis fulva | ||
| Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius curonicus | ||
| Charadrius dubius dubius | |||
| Malaysian Plover | Charadrius peronii | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae | |||
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | ||
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | ||
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | ||
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | ||
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | ||
| Grey-tailed Tattler | Heteroscelus brevipes | ||
| Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | ||
| Pintail Snipe | Gallinago stenura | ||
| Swinhoe's Snipe | Gallinago megala | ||
| Common Snipe | Gallinago gallinago | ||
| Bukidnon Woodcock | Scolopax bukidnonensis | e | |
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae | |||
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus (himantopus) himantopus | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae | |||
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybridus | ||
| COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae | |||
| Thick-billed Green Pigeon | Treron curvirostra | ||
| Philippine (Pompadour) Green Pigeon | Treron (pompadora) axillaris | e | |
| White-eared Brown Dove | Phapitreron leucotis leucotis | e | |
| Phapitreron leucotis brevirostris | |||
| Amethyst Brown Dove | Phapitreron (amethystinus) amethystinus | e | |
| Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus occipitalis | e | |
| Black-chinned Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus leclancheri | ne | |
| Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon | Ducula poliocephala | e | |
| Green Imperial Pigeon | Ducula aenea aenea | ||
| Ducula aenea palawanensis | |||
| Philippine Cuckoo Dove | Macropygia tenuirostris | e | |
| Spotted Dove | Streptopelia chinensis | ||
| Zebra Dove | Geopelia striata | ||
| Emerald Dove | Chalcophaps indica | ||
| Luzon Bleeding-heart | Gallicolumba luzonica | e | |
| PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae | |||
| Guaiabero | Bolbopsittacus lunulatus | e | |
| Blue-naped Parrot | Tanygnathus lucionensis | ne | |
| Green Racquet-tail | Prioniturus luconensis | e | |
| Blue-crowned Racquet-tail | Prioniturus discurus | e | |
| Blue-headed Racquet-tail | Prioniturus platenae | e | |
| Mindanao Racquet-tail | Prioniturus waterstradti | e | |
| Colasisi | Loriculus philippensis philippensis | e | |
| Loriculus philippensis. apicalis | |||
| CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae | |||
| Philippine Hawk Cuckoo | Cuculus pectoralis | e | Heard only |
| Plaintive Cuckoo | Cacomantis merulinus merulinus | ||
| Rusty-breasted Cuckoo | Cacomantis (sepucralis) sepucralis | ||
| Violet Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus xanthorhynchus | Heard only | |
| Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus amethystinus | |||
| Asian Drongo-Cuckoo | Surniculus lugubris minimus | ||
| Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo | Surniculus (lugubris) velutinus | e | |
| Common Koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus mindanensis | ||
| Scale-feathered Malkoha | Lepidogrammus cumingi | e | |
| Chestnut-breasted Malkoha | Zanclostomus curvirostris harringtoni | ||
| Red-crested Malkoha | Dasylophus superciliosus | e | |
| Greater Coucal | Centropus sinensis | ||
| Lesser Coucal | Centropus bengalensis | ||
| Philippine Coucal | Centropus viridis viridis | e | |
| Black-faced Coucal | Centropus melanops | e | |
| Rufous Coucal | Centropus unirufus | e | |
| STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae | |||
| Eastern Grass Owl | Tyto longimembris amauronota | ||
| STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae | |||
| Mindanao Scops Owl | Otus mirus | e | Heard only |
| Palawan Scops Owl | Otus fuliginosus | e | |
| Philippine Scops Owl | Otus megalotis megalotis | e | Heard only |
| Otus megalotis everetti | |||
| Giant Scops Owl | Mimizuku gurneyi | e | |
| Chocolate Boobook | Ninox randi | ne | |
| Philippine Boobook | Ninox (philippensis) philippensis | e | |
| Mindanao Boobook | Ninox (philippensis) spilocephala | e | |
| Spotted Wood Owl | Strix seloputo wiepkeni | Heard only | |
| CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae | |||
| Philippine Frogmouth | Batrachostomus septimus | e | |
| Palawan (Javan) Frogmouth | Batrachostomus (javensis) chaseni | e | |
| CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae | |||
| Great Eared Nightjar | Eurostopodus macrotis macrotis | ||
| Large-tailed Nightjar | Caprimulgus macrurus | ||
| Philippine Nightjar | Caprimulgus manillensis | e | |
| APODIFORMES: Apodidae | |||
| Island Swiflet | Aerodramus (vanikornensis) amelis | e | |
| Palawan Swiftlet | Aerodramus (vanikornensis) palawensis | e | |
| Philippine Swiftlet | Aerodramus mearnsi | e | |
| Glossy Swiftlet | Collocalia esculenta bagobo | ||
| Collocalia esculenta subsp. Palawan | |||
| Grey-rumped (Glossy) Swiftlet | Collocalia (esculenta) marginata | e | |
| Pygmy Swiftlet | Collocalia troglodytes | e | |
| Philippine Needletail | Mearnsia picina | e | |
| Purple Needletail | Hirundapus celebensis | ||
| House Swift | Apus [affinis] nipalensis | ||
| Asian Palm Swift | Cypsiurus balasiensis pallidior | ||
| APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae | |||
| Whiskered Treeswift | Hemiprocne comata major | ||
| TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae | |||
| Philippine Trogon | Harpactes ardens luzoniensis | e | |
| Harpactes ardens ardens | |||
| CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae | |||
| Common Dollarbird | Eurystomus orientalis | ||
| CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae | |||
| Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis bengalensis | ||
| Indigo-banded Kingfisher | Alcedo cyanopecta cyanopecta | e | |
| Silvery Kingfisher | Alcedo argentata argentata | e | |
| Rufous-backed Kingfisher | Ceyx rufidorsa | ||
| Stork-billed Kingfisher | Pelargopsis capensis gouldi | ||
| Ruddy Kingfisher | Halcyon coromanda | ||
| White-throated Kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis gularis | ||
| Rufous-lored Kingfisher | Todirhamphus winchelli mindanensis | e | |
| Collared Kingfisher | Todirhamphus chloris | ||
| Spotted Wood Kingfisher | Actenoides lindsayi lindsayi | e | |
| Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher | Actenoides hombroni | e | |
| CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae | |||
| Blue-throated Bee-eater | Merops viridis americanus | ||
| Blue-tailed Bee-eater | Merops philippinus | ||
| CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae | |||
| Luzon Hornbill | Penelopides (panini) manillae | e | |
| Mindanao Hornbill | Penelopides (panini) affinis | e | |
| Writhed Hornbill | Aceros leucocephalus | e | |
| Palawan Hornbill | Anthracoceros marchei | e | |
| Rufous Hornbill | Buceros hydrocorax mindanensis | e | |
| PICIFORMES: Capitonidae | |||
| Coppersmith Barbet | Megalaima haemacephala haemacephala | ||
| Megalaima haemacephala mindanensis | |||
| PICIFORMES: Picidae | |||
| Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker | Dendrocopos maculatus validirostris | e | |
| Dendrocopos maculatus fulvifasciatus | |||
| Northern Sooty Woodpecker | Mulleripicus (funebris) funebris | e | |
| Great Slaty Woodpecker | Mulleripicus pulverulentus | ||
| White-bellied Woodpecker | Dryocopus javensis | ||
| Luzon (Greater) Flameback | Chrysocolaptes (lucidus) haematribon | e | |
| Buff-spotted (Greater) Flameback | Chrysocolaptes (lucidus) lucidus | e | |
| Spot-throated (Common) Flameback | Dinopium (javanense) everetti | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae | |||
| Red-bellied Pitta | Pitta erythrogaster propinqua | ||
| Pitta erythrogaster erythrogaster | |||
| Hooded Pitta | Pitta sordida palawanensis | ||
| Pitta sordida sordida | |||
| Steere's Pitta | Pitta steerii | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae | |||
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | ||
| Pacific Swallow | Hirundo tahitica | ||
| Striated Swallow | Cecropis striolata | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae | |||
| Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike | Coracina striata difficilis | ||
| Coracina striata striata | |||
| Coracina striata kochii | |||
| Blackish Cuckooshrike | Coracina coerulescens | e | |
| Black-bibbed Cuckooshrike | Coracina mindanensis mindanensis | e | |
| McGregor's Cuckooshrike | Coracina mcgregori | e | |
| Black-and-white Triller | Lalage melanoleuca minor | e | |
| Pied Triller | Lalage nigra chilensis | ||
| Ashy Minivet | Pericrocotus divaricatus | ||
| Scarlet Minivet | Pericrocotus flammeus gonzalesi | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae | |||
| Philippine Leafbird | Chloropsis flavipennis | e | |
| Yellow-throated Leafbird | Chloropsis palawanensis | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae | |||
| Common Iora | Aegithina tiphia | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae | |||
| Black-headed Bulbul | Pycnonotus atriceps | ||
| Yellow-vented Bulbul | Pycnonotus goiavier | ||
| Yellow-wattled Bulbul | Pycnonotus urostictus urostictus | ||
| Pycnonotus urostictus philippensis | |||
| Ashy-fronted (Olive-winged) Bulbul | Pycnonotus (plumosus) cinereifrons | e | |
| Palawan (Grey-cheeked) Bulbul | Criniger (bres) frater | e | |
| Sulphur-bellied Bulbul | Iole palawanensis | e | |
| Philippine Bulbul | Hypsipetes [Ixos] philippinus | e | |
| Yellowish Bulbul | Ixos everetti everetti | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae | |||
| Sunda (Ashy) Drongo | Dicrurus (leucophaeus) leucophaeus | ||
| Luzon Balicassiao | Dicrurus (balicassius) balicassius | e | |
| Palawan Drongo | Dicrurus (hottentottus) palawanensis | e | |
| Mindanao Drongo | Dicrurus (bracteatus) striatus | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae | |||
| Dark-throated Oriole | Oriolus xanthonotus | ||
| Philippine Oriole | Oriolus steerii | e | |
| Black-naped Oriole | Oriolus chinensis chinensis | ||
| Oriolus chinensis yamamurae | |||
| PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae | |||
| Philippine Fairy Bluebird | Irena cyanogastra | e | |
| Asian Fairy Bluebird | Irena puella tweeddalei | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae | |||
| Palawan (Slender-billed) Crow | Corvus (enca) pusillus | e | |
| Eastern Jungle Crow | Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Paridae | |||
| Palawan Tit | Parus amabilis | e | |
| Elegant Tit | Parus elegans mindanensis | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae | |||
| Velvet-fronted Nuthatch | Sitta frontalis | ||
| Sulphur-billed Nuthatch | Sitta oenochlamys | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Rhabdornithidae | |||
| Stripe-headed Rhabdornis | Rhabdornis mystacalis mystacalis | e | |
| Rhabdornis mystacalis minor | |||
| Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis | Rhabdornis [inornatus] alaris | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae | |||
| Ashy-headed Babbler | Malacocincla cinereiceps | e | |
| Melodious Babbler | Malacopteron palawanense | e | |
| Falcated Ground Babbler | Ptilocichla falcata | e | |
| Streaked Ground Babbler | Ptilocichla mindanensis | e | |
| Mindanao Pygmy Babbler | Sterrhoptilus (plateni) plateni | e | |
| Rusty-crowned Babbler | Sterrhoptilus capitalis | e | |
| Pin-striped Tit Babbler | Macronous gularis woodi | ||
| Brown Tit Babbler | Macronous striaticeps | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae | |||
| White-browed Shortwing | Brachypteryx montana mindanensis | ||
| Philippine (Oriental) Magpie Robin | Copsychus (saularis) deuteronymus | ||
| Luzon White-browed Shama | Copsychus (luzoniensis) luzoniensis | e | |
| White-vented Shama | Copsychus niger | e | |
| Pied Bushchat | Saxicola caprata | ||
| Eye-browed Thrush | Turdus obscurus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae | |||
| Arctic Warbler | Phylloscopus borealis | ||
| Philippine Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus olivaceus | e | |
| Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus cebuensis luzonensis | e | |
| Mountain Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus nigrorum flavostriatus | ||
| Clamorous Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus stentoreus harterti | ||
| Tawny Grassbird | Megalurus timoriensis tweeddalei | ||
| Megalurus timoriensis crex | |||
| Striated Grassbird | Megalurus palustris forbesi | ||
| Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler | Locustella ochotensis | ||
| Green-backed (Philippine) Tailorbird | Orthotomus (castaneiceps) chloronotus | e | |
| Rufous-fronted (Philippine) Tailorbird | Orthotomus (castaneiceps) frontalis | e | |
| Grey-backed Tailorbird | Orthotomus derbianus | e | |
| Rufous-headed Tailorbird | Orthotomus (cuculatus) heterolaemus | e | |
| Rufous-tailed Tailorbird | Orthotomus sericeus | ||
| Black-headed Tailorbird | Orthotomus nigriceps | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae | |||
| Bright-capped Cisticola | Cisticola exilis | ||
| Zitting Cisticola | Cisticola juncidis | ||
| Long-tailed Ground Warbler | Bradypterus caudatus unicolor | e | Heard only |
| PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae | |||
| Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher | Rhinomyias ruficauda samarensis | ||
| Grey-streaked Flycatcher | Muscicapa griseisticta | ||
| Mountain Verditer Flycatcher | Eumyias panayensis nigriloris | ||
| Mugimaki Flycatcher | Ficedula mugimaki | ||
| Snowy-browed Flycatcher | Ficedula hyperythra | ||
| Palawan Flycatcher | Ficedula platenae | e | |
| Little Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula westermanni | ||
| Blue-and-white Flycatcher | Cyanoptila cyanomelana | ||
| Palawan Blue Flycatcher | Cyornis lemprieri | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae | |||
| Pied Fantail | Rhipidura javanica | ||
| Blue Fantail | Rhipidura superciliaris | e | |
| Black-and-cinnamon Fantail | Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae | |||
| Rufous Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone cinnamomea cinnamomea | e | |
| Blue Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone cyanescens | e | |
| Black-naped Monarch | Hypothymis azurea azurea | ||
| Celestial Monarch | Hypothymis coelestis | e | |
| Short-crested Monarch | Hypothymis helenae | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae | |||
| Yellow-bellied Whistler | Pachycephala philippinensis philippensis | e | |
| Pachycephala philippinensis apoensis | |||
| PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae | |||
| Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | ||
| Eastern Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla tschutschensis simillima | ||
| Oriental (Paddyfield) Pipit | Anthus rufulus lugubris | ||
| Pechora Pipit | Anthus gustavi | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae | |||
| White-breasted Wood-swallow | Artamus leucorynchus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae | |||
| Long-tailed Shrike | Lanius schach nasutus | ||
| Brown Shrike | Lanius cristatus lucionensis | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae | |||
| Short-tailed Starling | Aplonis minor todayensis | ||
| Asian Glossy Starling | Aplonis panayensis | ||
| Coleto | Sarcops calvus | e | |
| Crested Myna | Acridotheres cristatellus | ||
| Apo Myna | Basilornis miranda | e | |
| Common Hill Myna | Gracula religiosa palawanensis | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae | |||
| Plain-throated Sunbird | Anthreptes malacensis paraguae | ||
| Grey-throated Sunbird | Anthreptes griseigularis griseigularis | e | |
| Anthreptes griseigularis birgitae | |||
| Copper-throated Sunbird | Leptocoma calcostetha | ||
| Olive-backed Sunbird | Cinnyris jugularis aurora | ||
| Cinnyris jugularis jugularis | |||
| Purple-throated Sunbird | Leptocoma sperata | ||
| Flaming Sunbird | Aethopyga flagrans flagrans | e | |
| Grey-hooded Sunbird | Aethopyga primigenia primigenia | e | |
| Metallic-winged Sunbird | Aethopyga pulcherrima | e | |
| Apo Sunbird | Aethopyga boltoni malindangensis | e | |
| Lovely Sunbird | Aethopyga (shelleyi) shelleyi | e | |
| Handsome Sunbird | Aethopyga (shelleyi) bella | e | |
| Naked-faced Spiderhunter | Arachnothera clarae clarae | e | |
| Little Spiderhunter | Arachnothera longirostra dilutior | ||
| Arachnothera longirostra flammifera | |||
| PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae | |||
| Olive-backed Flowerpecker | Prionochilus olivaceus | e | |
| Palawan Flowerpecker | Prionochilus plateni | e | |
| Olive-capped Flowerpecker | Dicaeum nigrilore nigrilore | e | |
| Flame-crowned Flowerpecker | Dicaeum anthonyi kampalili | e | |
| Bicolored Flowerpecker | Dicaeum bicolor | e | |
| Red-keeled Flowerpecker | Dicaeum australe | e | |
| Buzzing Flowerpecker | Dicaeum hypoleucum pontifex | e | |
| Orange-bellied Flowerpecker | Dicaeum trigonostigma | ||
| Fire-breasted Flowerpecker | Dicaeum ignipectus | ||
| Pygmy Flowerpecker | Dicaeum pygmaeum palawanorum | e | |
| Dicaeum pygmaeum davao | |||
| PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae | |||
| Lowland White-eye | Zosterops meyeni meyeni | e | |
| Everett's White-eye | Zosterops everetti basilanicus | ||
| Mountain White-eye | Zosterops montanus vulcani | ||
| Black-masked White-eye | Lophozosterops goodfellowi goodfellowi | e | |
| Cinnamon Ibon | Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae | |||
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae | |||
| Red-eared Parrotfinch | Erythrura coloria | e | |
| White-bellied Munia | Lonchura leucogastra | ||
| Scaly-breasted Munia | Lonchura punctulata | ||
| Black-headed Munia | Lonchura atricapilla | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae | |||
| White-cheeked Bullfinch | Pyrrhula leucogenis steerei | e | |
| Mammals | |||
| Mindanao Squirrel | Sundasciurus mindanensis | ||
| Asian Palm Civet | Paradoxurus hermaphroditus | ||
| Short-tailed Mongoose | Herpestes brachyurus | ||
| Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox | Pteropus pumilus | ||
| Large Flying Fox | Pteropus vampyrus | ||
| Long-tailed Macaque | Macaca fascicularis | ||
Bird of the tour:
1 = Palawan Peacock Pheasant |
3 = Steere’s Pitta |
283 species recorded including 7 heard only.
134 Philippine endemics, including 2 heard only, plus 2 ‘near-endemics’
Philippine Eagle, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia
For further information on Birdtour Asia tours to the Philippines please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours.
