'Remote' Philippines
27th February - 19th March 2011
Leader: Rob Hutchinson
Participants: Tony Davis, Les Holliwell, Magnus Jaderblad,
Markus Lagerqvist, David Miller and Yvon Princen
Mindoro Boobook, Siburan © Robert Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia
This tour was undoubtedly as tough as they come, even by Philippine standards! The rewards for our efforts were great however as we found some of the rarest, most endangered, little known and highly desirable birds on the planet. We began the tour on Mindoro with all the expected lowland endemics like Mindoro Hornbill, Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker, and some excellent bonus birds including Spotted Imperial Pigeon, Black-bibbed Cuckooshrike and Blue-crowned Racquet-tail. Moving on to Mindanao, the beautiful montane forests of Mount Apo yielded Goodfellow’s Jungle Flycatcher, Whiskered Flowerpecker, Bagobo Babbler and a surprise flock of Mountain Serin. Then it was the lower elevation forests of Siteo Siete where we joined a very select band of birders to have seen Mindanao Miniature Babbler, with Cryptic Flycatcher, White-eared Tailorbird, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher and Mindanao Boobook as a supporting cast.
Our next destination was a trek to Mount Victoria on Palawan where a three day expedition bought us Palawan Striped Babbler along with many other Palawan endemics.
Our next stop was the island of Tablas which has been rather neglected until now by visiting birders despite hosting several recent or upcoming splits; Tablas Drongo, ‘Tablas’ Bulbul, ‘Tablas’ Boobook and some distinctive Variable Dwarf Kingfishers among others.
Next it was on to a very wet Panay where the heavy rains caused our only problems of the trip. We made it up a very wet Mount Madja-as and found the Panay Striped Babblers with some determined searching which made the trip very worthwhile! Unfortunately the heavy rains which even closed some of the local airports also meant that the rivers were too dangerous for us to visit Sibaliw as planned. It was very disappointing but we made some amends by making two visits to a site with Walden’s Hornbills where in addition to great views of the hornbills we added Visayan Rhabdornis and Visayan Shama.
The endangered Black-hooded Coucal showed unusually well after much searching at Siburan on Mindoro, whereas Mindoro Boobook gave itself up easily along with two other species of boobook within 30 minutes during our first night-birding of the tour!
On the first morning an early flight delivered us to San Jose in the south of Mindoro and a few hours of bumpy roads delivered us to Sablayan on the west coast. After lunch we headed along more bumpy roads into the nearby Siburan prison. We began at Lake Labuao where two Pied Harriers were spotted overhead as soon as we left the vehicles. The lake itself held a nice selection of water-birds including 19 Philippine Ducks and overhead were Purple Needletails and three Steere’s Honey Buzzard. For the real targets here we waited until the weather started to cool down a little then set off for the forest edge to find a good area to scan. Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Luzon Balicassiao and the dark mindorensis race of Philippine Coucal were first to appear then we found a huge fruiting tree which saw a steady passage of interesting birds. Mindoro Hornbills (unique among the ‘Tarictics’ in not having a female-type plumage) showed up in several small groups and we were thrilled to find the rare Spotted Imperial Pigeon visiting in good numbers. Bar-bellied Cuckooshrikes, also of the race mindorensis were viewed as potential splits (both sexes here lack any barred belly) and the recently proposed split of ‘Mindoro’ Bulbul could be seen to differ in plumage from the Philippine Bulbuls elsewhere and its very distinctive calls were noted. Blue-crowned Racquet-tails were common by voice but showed only in flight whereas Blue-naped Parrot showed well and after some persistence a calling Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon was finally located. We stayed out at the forest until dark and were well rewarded with some fantastic night-birding; as dusk approached both Savanna and Great Eared-Nightjar took to the skies and a short while later we bumped into a Northern Boobook emerging to feed at the forest edge. A short while later a Chocolate Boobook responded to our playback from a great distance but soon approached to give several close views perched on the nearby banana plants. While watching this we heard the distinctive calls of Mindoro Boobooks – our big target – begin to emanate from nearby so we made our way inside the banana plantation to their favoured tall trees and soon had them in the spotlight overhead. Three species of boobook in our first half hour of night-birding was a great start!
The next morning began well on the forest edge where Palawan Crow (a better name needed for a bird that is equally common on Mindoro!) and Black-and-white Trillers were new. We were then led through some tough limestone hills by our guides purporting to know the way into prime habitat, before we realised we were going nowhere fast and headed out again to the forest edge. Our first Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker provided some welcome relief before we headed again into the forest. The rest of the morning was concentrated on finding Black-hooded Coucal, but despite finding a close calling bird it remained stubbornly hidden in the bamboo and wasn’t accessible so we headed off empty-handed. In the afternoon we concentrated on a different forest area closer to the lake. Here we had our best views yet of Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker, more Blue-crowned Racquet-tails and further looks at Spotted Imperial Pigeon.
Our big remaining target was again the Black-hooded Coucal on the final day, and although they were heard on the first trail we birded, they were not particularly close and soon went quiet. Several White-bellied Woodpeckers, Philippine Falconet and Blue-crowned Racquet-tail provided some compensation before we tried a different area along a (almost) dry river-bed. Fortunately this proved more successful and some distance up the river we could hear the deep booming calls of the coucals. As we approached it was clear that pairs of the birds were calling to each other from either side of the river and as we positioned ourselves between them it wasn’t long before one of the birds appeared in a thick canopy before flying in to call from an open branch in the telescope.
Our intended forest-edge birding in the afternoon didn’t produce much new except for a probable fly past Philippine Collared Dove before the heavens opened and we retreated back to the vehicles and onwards to San Jose in the rain. The next day was a long travel day which saw us returning to Manila before continuing to General Santos in southern Mindanao and a long drive up to Mount Apo where we arrived in the evening.
Access to the Geothermal power station at Mount Apo is not easy with security very tight and even though we had obtained permission to enter, we still had to hang around the next morning for the manager to grant access. Fortunately good birds were available outside the compound and these included one of our targets – Whiskered Flowerpecker – which gave nice views. Also here we noted our first Cinnamon Ibon, Elegant Tits and some had views of a Long-tailed Ground Warbler which we called in.
Two birds restricted to the higher mountains of Mindanao are Apo Sunbird and Goodfellow’s Jungle Flycatcher. While the sunbird is seen on our regular Philippine tours, the jungle flycatcher which we found on Mount Apo is rare and was one of the tour highlights.
Once inside the Geothermal station we headed straight for ‘site H’ in the compound where our clearing was surrounded by slopes of mossy forest. Apo Myna were immediately conspicuous, a Philippine Cuckoo Dove, several Island Thrushes and 2 fly-over Mindanao Racquet-tail were also noted. The highlight though was a group of Mountain Serins perched in tall trees then frolicking nearby with at least 5 birds present. The serins here are quite distinct from the birds on nearby Sulawesi (Indonesia) with yellow rather than orange colouration and it seems quite possible that they might be found to be endemic in coming years.
Much of the rest of the day was spent along the Macadac forest trail which passes through some wonderful tall mossy forest. White-browed Shortwings were calling already and two were seen, a juvenile Philippine Trogon was cooperative and we had amazing eye-level views of Apo Sunbirds feeding on trailside flowers. Flocks here contained Black-and-cinnamon Fantail, Cinnamon Ibon, Elegant Tits, Yellow-bellied Whistler and Black-masked White-eyes flying over. Other new species were Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Amethyst Brown Dove, Black-masked White-eye and a Bagobo Babbler heard at close range but typically not seen. The highlight looked to be Mountain Shrike until late in the afternoon a beautiful Goodfellow’s Jungle Flycatcher hopped up in front of us and most people had good views.
We had been asked to leave the complex by 6pm but our departure was fortuitously delayed by slow moving trucks blocking the road so we spent the extra time owling and found a calling Mindanao Scops Owl which was frustratingly flushed by noisy traffic before we had a chance to locate it.
Next morning began at site H again, where highlights were varied; an Olive-backed Pipit, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Philippine Coucal, Mindanao Racquet-tail, Philippine Cuckoo Doves and a pair of Mountain Shrikes. Mindanao Lorikeets were heard just briefly and not seen but diligent scanning did produce 3 White-cheeked Bullfinch.
Taking to the Macadac trail again, obliging Black-masked White-eyes were an early highlight, Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Apo Sunbird and a pair of Snowy-browed Flycatcher. Bagobo Babbler was again calling well and was seen by some of us as it hopped along a log before disappearing again and cementing its reputation as one of the planets most skulking birds. We again located the Goodfellow’s Jungle Flycatchers for more great looks at these unobtrusive birds. Final new bird of the morning was an obliging Metallic Pigeon before we made the drive south and west to Lake Sebu, our base for the next four nights.
A short drive above Lake Sebu lies the small settlement of Siteo Siete and excess to some exciting mountain birding. Our first birding stop did find some new birds such as Philippine Oriole, Olive-backed Sunbird, Rusty-crowned Babbler, Philippine Leaf Warbler and Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, but it was sad to see so much recent forest clearance to fuel the local charcoal industry which had eliminated some territories of our target birds. Undeterred we headed higher into the forest finding new additions like Mindanao Pygmy Babbler, Handsome Sunbird and striking yellow-and-black nigroluteus Scarlet Minivets. The White-browed Shortwings at these lower altitudes have a distinctively varied staccato song, and some of us had glimpses as they skulked in the understory.
Throughout the tour there were many excellent endemics to see besides our mega rare targets. Mountain Shrike was found at Mount Apo while this female Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher was actually a new bird for most of the group despite being regular elsewhere on Mindanao.
Taking lunch at a strategic clearing yielded more Scarlet Minivets, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, an obliging Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis and some productive flowers hosted both Olive-capped Flowerpecker and Naked-faced Spiderhunter. We had not walked much further when we bumped into another bird group and diligent scanning of the canopy found two tiny canopy dwellers which were confirmed as the ultra-rare Mindanao Miniature Babbler, which showed well for some while others missed out for the moment.
As we made our way back down in the mid-afternoon, we finally had a response to our Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher recording and it was soon found perched nearby for some great looks. A pair of Philippine Trogon were nice but we finished the day in style when a group of no less than seven Mindanao Miniature Babblers were found including some scope views of preening birds flaunting their erectile feathering!
Two species of scops owl and a boobook were heard the next morning but none came close and the main excitement came in daylight; good bird activity near the forest edge included Pygmy Flowerpecker, several Philippine Leaf Warblers and a pair of Buff-spotted Flamebacks (one of several recent splits from the Greater Flameback complex). Best birds though were an active Cryptic Flycatcher and a pair of White-eared Tailorbird, a skulker that we all finally connected with. Switching trails we were able to find plenty of frugivores, including Amethyst Brown Dove, and both Mindanao and Rufous Hornbills. The ‘lower’ form of White-browed Shortwing was again seen, albeit very elusive and another Cryptic Flycatcher was found before we headed down to explore the area around Lake Sebu. This turned out to be a great move because we were able to bird from the shelters during a rainy afternoon and find some nice birds. Philippine Swamphen was the highlight which was even new for some of the tours Philippine veterans. Besides that Philippine Duck, many Javan Pond Herons and Red-keeled Flowerpecker were seen.
With most of our targets already in the bag we set out to explore further into the mountains on our last day. We started though with another owling session and managed to tempt the Mindanao Boobook into view although sadly for a short time and some people were unlucky to have the bird blocked by leaves before it left again and were left with only a Philippine Colugo as compensation. Once daylight arrived we set off deep into the lush forests and although our hopes of the rare Mindanao Brown Dove were not realised we did see a nice selections including Mindanao Hornbill, Amethyst Brown Dove, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, Philippine Falconet and others. As soon as we got into the lowest patches of montane forest we encountered a different form of White-browed Shortwing, these birds sounding like birds from Mount Kitanglad in Bukidnon (and indeed responding to the sounds of that species), but sounded very different to the birds we had heard lower down at Siteo Siete, and indeed those at Mount Apo – a fascinating species complex! Also in the montane forests we found Apo Sunbird, Cinnamon Ibon and other typical montane birds including a small group of McGregor’s Cuckooshrikes at our highest point. Another late afternoon around Lake Sebu had much the same water-birds including the Philippine Swamphen again, besides several Red-keeled Flowerpeckers in the lodge garden.
The next day was a travelling day as we returned to General Santos for our flight to Manila and connection to Puerto Princesa on Palawan where we spent the night in anticipation of the next mega rare bird we were set to search for.
A drive of nearly three hours bought us to the start point of our trek into the vast mountainous spine of Palawan, and in particular our chosen route to higher altitudes; the trail leading to Mount Victoria. Much of our first day was taken with the long trek up to our camp, making no less than 15 river crossings before we arrived at our camp area in the late afternoon, where our team of guides and porters worked wonders to produce a remarkably comfortable camp for our two-night stay. There were birds along the way of course and several Palawan endemics seen included Spot-throated Flameback (split from Common Flameback), Palawan Drongo, Lovely Sunbird, Palawan Flowerpecker and Palawan Bulbul (a very recent split from Grey-cheeked Bulbul).
There is much of taxonomic interest throughout the Philippines and while birds like Rufous-headed Tailorbird (left) which were formerly lumped with more widespread species are now widely accepted as full species, other such as this very distinctive nigroluteus Scarlet Minivet are surely likely to be split in the future.
The next day we set off further up the mountain, keen to get high enough to find our target bird. There were plenty of distractions along the way and these started with Ashy-headed Babblers and noisy Great Slaty Woodpecker just above the camp. Continuing higher we added Palawan Blue Flycatcher but Blue-headed Racquet-tails were only heard.
When we reached the first ridge of montane forest, an unfamiliar call caught Robs attention and after some patient playback it was with much excitement (and relief!) that we were enjoying views of our first Palawan Striped Babbler which sat preening and posing for some minutes allowing us all wonderful views and pleasing photos. A slow walk further along the trail produced new birds such as Yellow-breasted Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Palawan Tits, and several more Palawan Striped Babblers. The biggest bonus came when a couple of calls betrayed the presence of Falcated Ground Babblers, and after something of a battle one of them popped right out on an open branch for long enough to enjoy his fine plumage before disappearing again into a gully. A Red-bellied Pitta also teased us, circling several times but never showing well before we finished the evening back at camp again with a calling frogmouth that didn’t want to show.
A tough 3 day expedition to Mount Victoria on Palawan was rewarded with fantastic views of Palawan Striped Babbler, a bird seen by so few people that our group of six probably doubled the number of birders ever to have seen it!
The next day we made our way down the mountain again, making the same 15 river crossings before driving back to Puerto Princesa and enjoying the chance to dry out our clothes in a Manila hotel.
Early the next morning we were on our way again, this time boarding a small prop plane for our flight to Tablas in the Romblon island group. Tablas has long been neglected by birders because its distinctive taxa were only recognised at subspecies level. This is changing now though and birders should be attracted by the newly recognised Tablas Drongo, Tablas Bulbul and others such as the boobook which should soon be elevated too. The level of deforestation on Tablas was clearly evident on our transfer to San Agustin, from where we would access some of the little remaining forest protected within Dubduban Watershed. Our first afternoon excursion into the forest found the ‘Tablas’ Streak-breasted Bulbul to be common with a pair seen well at the forest edge just the first of several recorded. Inside the forest proper we had our first sightings of skittish Tablas Drongos, with its elongated tail feathers, which is now widely recognised as a full species. White-vented Whistler was common by voice with at least two seen, a Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove gave fine views and a Rufous-lored Kinfisher was perched just overhead. Our owling session after dark was frustrating with only occasional distant calls of ‘Tablas’ Boobook before we called it quits. We were of course out again the next morning for another try and this proved successful with views of at least one ‘Tablas’ Boobook. As it became light the Rufous-lored Kingfishers came to life and we picked up one in the spotlight, then a Philippine Hawk Cuckoo was called in and seen by some before we headed again for the forest. Tablas Bulbuls were again much in evidence, there were several more sightings of the spectacular lyre-tailed Tablas Drongo. This time we also managed views of a very vocal and active pair of Variable Dwarf Kingfishers (another potential split!) before it was time to drive south and take our charter boat across the water to nearby Caticlan, on the way passing the popular holiday-island of Boracay, as we headed for the rather less relaxing Central Panay Mountains. The mountains of the Philippines are not the most hospitable places in the world and don’t give up their birds easily at the best of times but during our visit to Mount Madja-as over the next two days the rain was absolutely torrential for much of the time and the climbing and birding extremely hard. Our waterlogged ‘camp’ for the night at nearly 1000 meters was far from salubrious but with some good humour and a little Tanduay Whiskey we made it through the night and were absolutely delighted to find a confiding group of Panay Striped Babblers the next morning before we headed down the mountain, with Markus particularly happy to join the very select crew of birders to have seen all the striped-babblers of the Philippines.
The mountains of the Philippines are not the most hospitable places in the world and don’t give up their birds easily at the best of times but during our visit to Mount Madja-as over the next two days the rain was absolutely torrential for much of the time and the climbing and birding extremely hard. Our waterlogged ‘camp’ for the night at nearly 1000 meters was far from salubrious but with some good humour and a little Tanduay Whiskey we made it through the night and were absolutely delighted to find a confiding group of Panay Striped Babblers the next morning before we headed down the mountain, with Markus particularly happy to join the very select crew of birders to have seen all the striped-babblers of the Philippines.
After a drying out session we were hoping for better weather the next day but that wasn’t really the case and it was a few hours of wet walking in the pouring rain before we reached our target area. Almost immediately we found what we were looking for; Walden’s Hornbills – one of the most threatened hornbills in the world – were not yet nesting but we instantly found three birds in the area although they didn’t stick around for long. We then spent some time hoping for them to return which they didn’t but a couple of Visayan Rhabdornis were excellent compensation. We then stumbled upon a superb viewpoint with panoramic views across the hillsides which our local guides had failed to inform us about despite our earlier enquiries. We did still have enough time though to enjoy two more views of the hornbills flying across the far hillsides before it was time for us to leave down again. Unfortunately we were now to discover that the rains (which had even closed local airports due to flooding) had dealt us a hefty blow with the rivers along which we were to access Sibilaw now dangerously swollen and will no other way for us to access the forest. It was a disappointing blow but we made the most of it by visiting the nearby fishponds for a good selection of water-birds and a return visit to the nearby forest where after a battle we had nice gooks at the male Visayan Shama.
It had been a fantastically rewarding tour, maybe more ‘extreme’ than ‘remote’ in parts but we had certainly been rewarded with sightings of some of the rarest and most endangered birds of earth.
It is surely only a matter of time before ‘Tablas’ Bulbul is recognized as a full species from the Streak-breasted Bulbul complex and Rufous-lored Kingfisher was also a nice find on that island.
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 | ||
| Javan Pond Heron | Ardeola speciosa | ||
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata | ||
| Eastern Cattle Egret | Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus | ||
| 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 philippensis | ||
| Steere's Honey Buzzard | Pernis steerei winkleri | e | |
| Brahminy Kite | Haliastur indus | ||
| White-bellied Sea Eagle | Haliaeetus leucogaster | ||
| Eastern Marsh Harrier | Circus spilonotus | ||
| Pied Harrier | Circus melanoleucos | ||
| Besra | Accipiter virgatus confusus | ||
| Accipiter virgatus quagga | |||
| Crested Goshawk | Accipiter trivirgatus extimus | ||
| Grey-faced Buzzard | Butastur indicus | ||
| Philippine Serpent Eagle | Spilornis holospilus | e | |
| Rufous-bellied Eagle | Hieraaetus kienerii formosus | ||
| FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae | |||
| Philippine Falconet | Microhierax erythrogenys | e | |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | ||
| GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae | |||
| Red Junglefowl | Gallus gallus philippensis | ||
| Palawan Peacock Pheasant | Polyplectron napoleonis | e | Heard only |
| GRUIFORMES: Rallidae | |||
| Barred Rail | Gallirallus torquatus torqatus | ||
| White-browed Crake | Porzana cinerea ocularis | ||
| Plain Bush-hen | Amaurornis olivacea | e | Heard only |
| White-breasted Waterhen | Amaurornis phoenicurus | ||
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | ||
| Philippine (Purple) Swamphen | Porphyrio (porphyrio) pulverulentus | e | |
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae | |||
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | ||
| Pacific Golden Plover | Pluvialis fulva | ||
| Kentish Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | ||
| Lesser Sand Plover | Charadrius mongolus mongolus | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae | |||
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | ||
| Common Redshank | Tringa totanus | ||
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | ||
| Green Sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | ||
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | ||
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | ||
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | ||
| Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae | |||
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus (himantopus) himantopus | ||
| CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae | |||
| Great Crested Tern | Sterna bergii | ||
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybridus | ||
| COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae | |||
| Philippine Green Pigeon | Treron (pompadora) axillaris | e | |
| Pink-necked Green Pigeon | Treron vernans | ||
| White-eared Brown Dove | Phapitreron leucotis leucotis | e | |
| Phapitreron leucotis brevirostris | |||
| Phapitreron leucotis nigrorum | |||
| Amethyst Brown Dove | Phapitreron (amethystinus) amethystinus | e | |
| Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus occipitalis | e | |
| Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon | Ducula poliocephala | e | |
| Spotted Imperial Pigeon | Ducula carola carola | e | |
| Green Imperial Pigeon | Ducula aenea aenea | ||
| Metallic Pigeon | Columba vitiensis griseogularis | ||
| Philippine Cuckoo Dove | Macropygia tenuirostris | e | |
| Philippine (Island) Collared Dove | Streptopelia [bitorquata] dusumieri | e | |
| Red Collared Dove | Streptopelia tranquebarica | ||
| Spotted Dove | Streptopelia chinensis | ||
| Zebra Dove | Geopelia striata | ||
| PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae | |||
| Mindanao Lorikeet | Trichoglossus johnstoniae | e | Heard only |
| Guaiabero | Bolbopsittacus lunulatus | e | |
| Blue-naped Parrot | Tanygnathus lucionensis | ne | |
| Blue-crowned Racquet-tail | Prioniturus discurus mindorensis | e | |
| Prioniturus discurus whiteheadi | |||
| Blue-headed Racquet-tail | Prioniturus platenae | e | |
| Mindanao Racquet-tail | Prioniturus waterstradti | e | |
| Colasisi | Loriculus philippensis | e | |
| Loriculus philippensis philippensis | |||
| Loriculus philippensis apicalis | |||
| CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae | |||
| Large Hawk Cuckoo | Cuculus sparverioides | Heard only | |
| Philippine Hawk Cuckoo | Cuculus pectoralis | e | |
| Oriental Cuckoo | Cuculus optatus | ||
| Plaintive Cuckoo | Cacomantis merulinus merulinus | ||
| Rusty-breasted Cuckoo | Cacomantis sepucralis | ||
| Asian Drongo-Cuckoo | Surniculus lugubris minimus | ||
| Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo | Surniculus (lugubris) velutinus | e | |
| Common Koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus mindanensis | ||
| Black-hooded Coucal | Centropus steerii | e | |
| Lesser Coucal | Centropus bengalensis | Heard only | |
| Philippine Coucal | Centropus viridis viridis | e | |
| Centropus viridis mindorensis | |||
| Black-faced Coucal | Centropus melanops | e | Heard only |
| STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae | |||
| Eastern Grass Owl | Tyto longimembris amauronota | ||
| STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae | |||
| Mindanao Scops Owl | Otus mirus | e | Heard only |
| Mantanani Scops Owl | Otus mantananensis mantananensis | ne | Heard only |
| Philippine Scops Owl | Otus megalotis everetti | e | Heard only |
| Giant Scops Owl | Mimizuku gurneyi | e | Heard only |
| Northern Boobook | Ninox japonica | ||
| Chocolate Boobook | Ninox randi | ne | |
| Tablas Boobook | Ninox (philippensis) spilonota | e | |
| Mindanao Boobook | Ninox (philippensis) spilocephala | e | |
| Mindoro Boobook | Ninox (philippensis) mindorensis | e | |
| CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae | |||
| Palawan Frogmouth | Batrachostomus chaseni | e | |
| CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae | |||
| Great Eared Nightjar | Eurostopodus macrotis macrotis | ||
| Philippine Nightjar | Caprimulgus manillensis | e | Heard only |
| Savanna Nightjar | Caprimulgus affinis | ||
| APODIFORMES: Apodidae | |||
| Island Swiflet | Aerodramus (vanikornensis) amelis | e | |
| Palawan Swiftlet | Aerodramus (vanikornensis) palawensis | e | |
| Philippine Swiftlet | Aerodramus mearnsi | e | |
| Germain's Swiftlet | Aerodramus germani | ||
| Glossy Swiftlet | Collocalia esculenta bagobo | ||
| Collocalia esculenta subsp. Palawan | |||
| Grey-rumped (Glossy) Swiftlet | Collocalia (esculenta) marginata | e | |
| Pygmy Swiftlet | Collocalia troglodytes | e | |
| Purple Needletail | Hirundapus celebensis | ||
| Asian Palm Swift | Cypsiurus balasiensis pallidior | ||
| APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae | |||
| Whiskered Treeswift | Hemiprocne comata major | ||
| TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae | |||
| Philippine Trogon | Harpactes ardens ardens | e | |
| CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae | |||
| Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis bengalensis | ||
| Indigo-banded Kingfisher | Alcedo cyanopecta nigrirostris | e | |
| Variable Dwarf Kingfisher | Ceyx lepidus margarethae | ||
| Stork-billed Kingfisher | Pelargopsis capensis gouldi | ||
| White-throated Kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis gularis | ||
| Rufous-lored Kingfisher | Todirhamphus winchelli mindanensis | e | |
| Collared Kingfisher | Todirhamphus chloris | ||
| Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher | Actenoides hombroni | e | |
| CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae | |||
| Blue-throated Bee-eater | Merops viridis americanus | ||
| Blue-tailed Bee-eater | Merops philippinus | ||
| CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae | |||
| Mindoro Hornbill | Penelopides mindorensis | e | |
| Visayan Hornbill | Penelopides panini | e | |
| Mindanao Hornbill | Penelopides affinis | e | |
| Walden's Hornbill | Aceros lwaldeni | e | |
| Rufous Hornbill | Buceros hydrocorax mindanensis | e | |
| Buceros hydrocorax hydrocorax | |||
| PICIFORMES: Capitonidae | |||
| Coppersmith Barbet | Megalaima haemacephala haemacephala | ||
| Megalaima haemacephala mindanensis | |||
| Megalaima haemacephala intermedia | |||
| PICIFORMES: Picidae | |||
| Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker | Dendrocopos maculatus validirostris | e | |
| Dendrocopos maculatus fulvifasciatus | |||
| Great Slaty Woodpecker | Mulleripicus pulverulentus | ||
| White-bellied Woodpecker | Dryocopus javensis | ||
| Buff-spotted (Greater) Flameback | Chrysocolaptes (lucidus) lucidus | e | |
| Spot-throated (Common) Flameback | Dinopium (javanense) everetti | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae | |||
| Red-bellied Pitta | Pitta erythrogaster propinqua | ||
| Hooded Pitta | Pitta sordida sordida | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae | |||
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | ||
| Pacific Swallow | Hirundo tahitica | ||
| Striated Swallow | Cecropis striolata | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae | |||
| Australasian Bushlark | Mirafra javanica | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae | |||
| Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike | Coracina striata difficilis | ||
| Coracina striata mindorensis | |||
| Black-bibbed Cuckooshrike | Coracina mindanensis elusa | e | |
| White-winged Cuckooshrike | Coracina ostenta | e | Heard only |
| McGregor's Cuckooshrike | Coracina mcgregori | e | |
| Black-and-white Triller | Lalage melanoleuca melanoleuca | e | |
| Pied Triller | Lalage nigra chilensis | ||
| Scarlet Minivet | Pericrocotus flammeus nigtoluteus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae | |||
| Philippine Leafbird | Chloropsis flavipennis | e | |
| Yellow-throated Leafbird | Chloropsis palawanensis | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae | |||
| Yellow-vented Bulbul | Pycnonotus goiavier | ||
| Yellow-wattled Bulbul | 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 saturatior | e | |
| Hypsipetes [Ixos] philippinus guimarasensis | e | ||
| Mindoro Bulbul | Hypsipetes [Ixos] mindorensis | e | |
| Tablas Bulbul | Hypsipetes cinereiceps | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae | |||
| Sunda (Ashy) Drongo | Dicrurus (leucophaeus) leucophaeus | ||
| Luzon Balicassiao | Dicrurus (balicassius) balicassius | e | |
| Visayan Balicassiao | Dicrurus (balicassius) mirabilis | e | |
| Palawan Drongo | Dicrurus (hottentottus) palawanensis | e | |
| Mindanao Drongo | Dicrurus (bracteatus) striatus | e | |
| Tablas Drongo | Dicrurus (bracteatus) menagei | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae | |||
| Philippine Oriole | Oriolus steerii | e | |
| Black-naped Oriole | Oriolus chinensis chinensis | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae | |||
| Asian Fairy Bluebird | Irena puella tweeddalei | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae | |||
| Palawan (Slender-billed) Crow | Corvus (enca) pusillus | e | |
| Eastern Jungle [Large-billed] Crow | Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Paridae | |||
| Palawan Tit | Parus amabilis | e | |
| Elegant Tit | Parus elegans elegans | e | |
| Parus elegans mindanensis | |||
| PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae | |||
| Velvet-fronted Nuthatch | Sitta frontalis | ||
| Sulphur-billed Nuthatch | Sitta oenochlamys | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Rhabdornithidae | |||
| Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis | Rhabdornis [inornatus] alaris | e | |
| Visayan Rhabdornis | Rhabdornis [inornatus] rabori | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae | |||
| Bagobo Babbler | Leonardina woodi | e | |
| Ashy-headed Babbler | Malacocincla cinereiceps | 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 | ||
| Palawan Striped Babbler | Strachyris latistriata | e | |
| Brown Tit Babbler | Macronous striaticeps | e | |
| Mindanao Minature Babbler | Micromacronus (leytensis) sordidus | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae | |||
| White-browed Shortwing | Brachypteryx montana ssp. nov. (Panay) | ||
| Brachypteryx montana ssp. nov. (Mindanao) | |||
| Brachypteryx montana mindanensis | |||
| Philippine (Oriental) Magpie Robin | Copsychus (saularis) deuteronymus | ||
| Visayan Shama | Copsychus (luzoniensis) superciliaris | e | |
| White-vented Shama | Copsychus niger | e | |
| Pied Bushchat | Saxicola caprata | ||
| Blue Rock Thrush | Monticola solitarius philippensis | ||
| Island Thrush | Turdus poliocephalus kelleri | ||
| Eye-browed Thrush | Turdus obscurus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae | |||
| Golden-bellied Gerygone | Gerygone sulphurea | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae | |||
| Yellow-breasted Warbler | Seicercus montis xanthopygius | ||
| Arctic Warbler | Phylloscopus borealis | ||
| Philippine Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus olivaceus | e | |
| Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus cebuensis luzonensis | e | |
| Mountain Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus nigrorum mindanensis | ||
| Phylloscopus nigrorum nigrorum | |||
| Phylloscopus nigrorum petersoni | |||
| Tawny Grassbird | Megalurus timoriensis tweeddalei | ||
| Striated Grassbird | Megalurus palustris forbesi | ||
| Grey-backed Tailorbird | Orthotomus derbianus | e | |
| Mountain Tailorbird | Orthotomus cuculatus philippensis | ||
| Rufous-headed Tailorbird | Orthotomus (cuculatus) heterolaemus | e | |
| Rufous-tailed Tailorbird | Orthotomus sericeus | ||
| White-eared Tailorbird | Orthotomus cinereiceps | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae | |||
| Long-tailed Ground Warbler | Bradypterus caudatus unicolor | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae | |||
| Goodfellow's Jungle Flycatcher | Rhinomyias goodfellowi | e | |
| Grey-streaked Flycatcher | Muscicapa griseisticta | ||
| Mountain Verditer Flycatcher | Eumyias panayensis | ||
| Eumyias panayensis nigrimentalis | |||
| Eumyias panayensis nigriloris | |||
| Mugimaki Flycatcher | Ficedula mugimaki | ||
| Snowy-browed Flycatcher | Ficedula hyperythra | ||
| Cryptic Flycatcher | Ficedula crypta | e | |
| Little Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula westermanni | ||
| Palawan Blue Flycatcher | Cyornis lemprieri | e | |
| Mangrove Blue Flycatcher | Cyornis rufigastra philippensis | ||
| Citrine Canary Flycatcher | Culicicapa helianthea | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae | |||
| Pied Fantail | Rhipidura javanica | ||
| Blue Fantail | Rhipidura superciliaris | e | |
| Luzon Blue-headed Fantail | Rhipidura (cyaniceps) cyaniceps | e | |
| Black-and-cinnamon Fantail | Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae | |||
| Rufous Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone cinnamomea unirufa | e | |
| Terpsiphone cinnamomea cinnamomea | |||
| Blue Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone cyanescens | e | |
| Black-naped Monarch | Hypothymis azurea azurea | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae | |||
| Mangrove Whistler | Pachycephala grisola plateni | ||
| White-vented Whistler | Pachycephala homeyeri homeyeri | ||
| Yellow-bellied Whistler | Pachycephala philippinensis | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae | |||
| Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | ||
| Eastern Yellow Wagtail | Motacilla tschutschensis simillima | ||
| Oriental (Paddyfield) Pipit | Anthus rufulus lugubris | ||
| Olive-backed Pipit | Anthus hodgsoni | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae | |||
| White-breasted Wood-swallow | Artamus leucorynchus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae | |||
| Long-tailed Shrike | Lanius schach nasutus | ||
| Mountain Shrike | Lanius validirostris hachisuka | e | |
| Brown Shrike | Lanius cristatus lucionensis | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae | |||
| Short-tailed Starling | Aplonis minor todayensis | ||
| Asian Glossy Starling | Aplonis panayensis | ||
| Coleto | Sarcops calvus | e | |
| 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 | |
| Olive-backed Sunbird | Cinnyris jugularis aurora | ||
| Cinnyris jugularis jugularis | |||
| Purple-throated Sunbird | Leptocoma sperata trochilus | ||
| 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 | |
| Crimson Sunbird | Aethopyga siparaja magnifica | ||
| 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 | |
| Bicolored Flowerpecker | Dicaeum bicolor | e | |
| Whiskered Flowerpecker | Dicaeum proprium | e | |
| Red-keeled Flowerpecker | Dicaeum australe | e | |
| Visayan Flowerpecker | Dicaeum haematostictum | e | |
| Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker | Dicaeum retrocinctum | e | |
| Buzzing Flowerpecker | Dicaeum hypoleucum pontifex | e | |
| Orange-bellied Flowerpecker | Dicaeum trigonostigma | ||
| Fire-breasted Flowerpecker | Dicaeum ignipectus apo | ||
| Pygmy Flowerpecker | Dicaeum pygmaeum palawanorum | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae | |||
| Everett's White-eye | Zosterops everetti basilanicus | ||
| Mountain White-eye | Zosterops montanus parkesi | ||
| Zosterops montanus vulcani | |||
| Zosterops montanus ssp. nov. (Panay) | |||
| Black-masked White-eye | Lophozosterops goodfellowi goodfellowi | e | |
| Cinnamon Ibon | Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus | e | |
| PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae | |||
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae | |||
| White-bellied Munia | Lonchura leucogastra | ||
| Black-headed Munia | Lonchura atricapilla | ||
| PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae | |||
| Mountain Serin | Serinus esterae ssp. nov. | ||
| White-cheeked Bullfinch | Pyrrhula leucogenis steerei | e | |
| Mammals | |||
| Philippine Pygmy Squirrel | Exilisciurus concinnus | e | |
| Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox | Pteropus pumilus | e | |
| Large Flying Fox | Pteropus vampyrus | ||
| Philippine Flying Lemur | Cynocephalus volans | e | |
| Long-tailed Macaque | Macaca fascicularis |
266 species recorded, of which 12 heard only
126 Philippine endemics (9 heard only), plus 3 ‘near-endemics’
Click here to download the report as a pdf
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.
