The Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao & Palawan) - Birdtour Asia
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The Philippines
(Luzon, Mindanao & Palawan)
17th February – 9th March 2019
Leader: Mike Nelson
Participants: Brent Beach, Wen and Connie Chuan, Jules Eden,
Paul Edmondson, Simon Gawn, André Weiss
Palawan Peacock-Pheasant © Mike Nelson / Birdtour Asia
With a steadily growing list of nearly 300 endemics it is no wonder the Philippines is high on most birders radars
and it is justly one of our most popular destinations with birders keen to visit the archipelago while reasonable
bird populations remain and while highlights like the stunning Palawan Peacock Pheasant are available. The
scheduled tour visits the main islands of Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan and over three weeks we racked up 162
endemics of the 322 species we had of which 11 were heard only. Beginning in Luzon we visited the mountains
of the Central Cordillera range where we had great views of Luzon and Benguet Grasshopper Warblers, Luzon
(Long-tailed) Grasshopper Warbler, Luzon Water Redstart, Scale-feathered Malkoha and several flocks which
contained Luzon Blue-headed Fantail and Chestnut-faced Babblers. It was then down to Subic Bay where night-
birding was successful with Chocolate and Luzon Boobooks showing well. Daytime birding here was also good
with Blackish Cuckooshrike, Philippine Falconet and Green Racquet-tails. Some stops around Manila netted us
Philippine Scops Owl and Philippine Eagle-Owl during the day as well as the sexy Ashy Thrush. Then off to Mount
Makiling where Spotted Wood Kingfisher stole the show. On to Mindanao we started in the heights of Mount
Kitanglad with some megas that included the huge soaring form of a Philippine Eagle, plus Apo Myna’s, Cinnamon
Ibon, Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove and Bukidnon Woodcock. Night-birds included Philippine Frogmouth and day
roosting Philippine Nightjar, and the Giant Scops Owl above our heads was a real stunner. We also visited another
site for Whiskered Flowerpecker, Cryptic Flycatcher, Southern Silvery Kingfisher and wintering Japanese Night
Heron then continuing on to PICOP via a Lina’s Sunbird pitstop. The lowland forest here is in bad shape but there
are still some good patches where we found Mindanao Blue Fantail, Short-crested Monarch, stunning Southern
Rufous Hornbill, Steere’s Pitta, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher and a brilliant pair of the seldom-seen Southern
Sooty Woodpeckers. We then made a coastal stop for Chinese Crested Tern on our return that also netted us
Chinese Egret. It was then off to Palawan to visit our old friend the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant whose at your
feet views was its usual staggering array of shimmering blues. Falcated Ground Babblers, Red-headed and Spot-
throated Flamebacks, Palawan Hornbills and Philippine Cockatoo all added to the array with Mantanani Scops
Owl, Spotted Wood Owl and Palawan Frogmouths rounding out the night-birding to finish up the tour.
Beginning in Manila we headed north via the ever shrinking Candaba Marsh where we managed to extract a few
Philippine Swamphens. We also located several White-shouldered Starlings wintering here as well as Barred and
Buff-banded Rails, Australasian Reed Warblers were common and vocal as were the hundreds of Purple Herons.
Squadrons of Black-crowned Night Herons seem to continually emerge from the bushes lining the banks here
and a small flock of Garganey was the only duck we managed here. Eastern Marsh Harriers coursed over the tall
grasses as Striated Grassbirds bellowed harshly from the tops of the stalks.
Luzon Bush Warbler and Luzon Flame-crowned Flowerpecker
From here a long drive north saw us in the Central Cordillera for a four-night stay. Some good roadside birding
over that time netted us some fine birds with flocks being a central part of the birding, a mix of Luzon Blue-
headed Fantails, Elegant Tit, Philippine Mountain Warblers, Chestnut-faced Babblers, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch,
and Green-backed Whistler all darting about and calling on many occasions. Mountain White-eyes, now lumped
with some of the Japanese White-eye subspecies to form Warbling White-eye were seen in good numbers – it’ll
take us a while to get our heads around that one! Turquoise Flycatchers would often sing out on open perches
and Mountain Shrikes overlooked the agricultural fields from chosen snags. A lone Brown-headed Thrush made
an appearance on the road one morning along with several Olive-backed Pipits. Smart Little Pied Flycatchers also
hawked for insects while the nectar feeders put on a good show with Luzon Flame-crowned Flowerpecker and
Luzon Metallic-winged Sunbird the standouts. We found a very showy Luzon Water Redstart foraging amongst
the rocks of a fast-flowing river and as the days warmed up raptors took to the skies with both Philippine Serpent
Eagle and Eastern Buzzards seen on several occasions. Two Asian House Martins was seen mixed with Daurian
(Red-rumped) and Barn Swallows as well and the many Ridgetop Swiftlets up here. Another stand out was a
lovely Scale-feathered Malkoha that foraged nosily through the canopy next to the road before gliding across and
down slope where we could see it perched in the boughs of a small tree. Noisy is one thing our next targets were
but showy is something they are not, but despite their skulking nature we managed great looks at Luzon and
Benguet Grasshopper Warbler and Luzon Shortwing, but the Luzon Grasshopper Warbler didn’t get the memo
about being a skulker as one of a pair launched out of a thicket and perched out on a small tree in the open for
a good few seconds before reverting to type and diving down into the undergrowth for some particularly good
views of this usually elusive brush slinker!
We left the cool mountain air behind and headed south to Subic Bay and the warm forests it holds. Arriving at
dusk gave us the chance to get right into some night-birding and a few minutes in we’d found a perched Chocolate
Boobook for the first of our targets. While taking in this stonker we could hear several duetting Luzon Boobooks
and soon enough had a pair close at hand showing very well. A full day here also gave us some good lowland
birding. We were greeted first thing by a chorus of Philippine Bulbuls and Coletos feeding in a huge flowering tree
and the metallic songs of Luzon Balicassiao let us know they were around. The bright plumage of Rufous-crowned
Bee-eaters shone in the early morning light as they would dart out from a snag to catch prey. Both Bar-bellied
and Blackish Cuckooshrikes announced their presence with some good views and not to be outdone on the noise
front were several Luzon Hornbill honking their kazoo like calls. Flashes of green were all around as Colasisi,
Blue-naped Parrot, Guaiabero and Green Racquet-tails were all seen and the wood boring drumming of White-
bellied, Northern Sooty Woodpeckers and Luzon Flamebacks echoed around us while all showed well. Further
flashes of green alerted us to several Philippine Green Pigeons feeding in the canopy of the surrounding trees
while overhead our first Grey-rumped Swiftlets merged with circling Chinese Sparrowhawks and a lone White-
bellied Sea Eagle. Another raptor sat atop a distant branch was a tiny Philippine Falconet which was augmented
by a further pair later on, all scoped nicely. As we walked the roadside, we also spooked a pair of Barred
Buttonquails that darted across the road. We were also tormented by Green-backed Tailorbirds singing all around
until eventually one shot across the road in front of us. We tried some night-birding again with Great Eared
Nightjars at dusk but a pair of Philippine Scops Owls refused to show. On the mammal front we spent a short
while at the huge Golden-crowned and Large Flying Fox roost with hundreds of bats draped from the branches
of several trees. Those few flying around put on a good display with translucent brown wings showing the long
bones supporting the fleshy wings.
Ashy Thrush and Philippine Eagle-Owl
The next day was spent in and around Manila starting at a local park where our target bird showed amazingly
well as a very cooperative Ashy Thrush gave us walk away views at close range. We also picked out a group of
Lowland White-eyes and the songs of Philippine Magpie-Robins led us to their location. Another noisy denizen of
the dark was giving us the run around until we found a Grey-backed Tailorbird perched above us in the base of
the canopy singing away. A cute little Pygmy Flowerpecker came down to say hi at one point showing very well,
while a salangensis Ashy Drongo, replete with white face mobbed an Eastern Jungle Crow. From here it was off
to another spot where a day roosting Philippine Scops Owl hunkered down in the heat of the day but still visible,
peering through a slit eye to check on us from time to time. After a wonderful lunch and some cross-town traffic,
we were at our last destination. Arriving in the late afternoon we took the time to do some birding getting a nice
pair of Luzon Pygmy Woodpecker and picking out the buzzy call of a Japanese Leaf Warbler gave us a chance to
examine its yellowish plumage before the grand stand entrance of our next target. With about ten minutes before
dusk a huge Philippine Eagle-Owl winged its way across the forest into a huge tree and perched up scanning the
area. Quickly ‘scoped in the Swaro we all took in the bird as it peered at us with menacing eyes and allowed us
to move around for better views as it sat uphill from us. What a majestic bird to end the day on. What was not
majestic was Manila’s famous traffic as we crept on to dinner and eventually our lodging at Makiling.
Our full day around Makiling was greeted by a chorus of Spotted Wood Kingfishers and though they were very
close it was too dark in the forest to appreciate them so we waited until later when there was better light. Walking
the road up to the mountain we picked out the beautiful song of a Luzon (White-browed) Shama and were soon
able to locate it singing from a perch. A pair of Buzzing Flowerpeckers lived up to their names with their
onomatopoeic call as they darted around above us joined by Red-keeled Flowerpeckers and a few Garden (Olive-
backed) Sunbirds. Some high-pitched notes above us let us know there was a group of Stripe-headed Rhabdornis
above us and we watched as these stripy canopy dwellers foraged about in the branches. A pair of Yellow-wattled
Bulbuls flew about around us eventually settling long enough for everyone to finally get on these very active
birds. We also found a Red-crested Malkoha creeping about in a huge vine tangle and as we moved down a trail
a bough close by dropped under the weight of what we first though was the malkoha we’d seen a few seconds
before, but as it turned out it was a stunning male Spotted Wood Kingfisher only five meters from us giving us
some stunning views. After lunch we were on the hunt for another kingfisher this time a Northern Indigo-banded
Kingfisher which we found in a tangle of branches overlooking a small pool in a nearby creek.
Eastern Grass Owl and Spotted Wood Kingfisher
Our last stop of the day was some open agricultural fields where we were greeted by some noisy Striated
Grassbirds and a Golden-headed Cisticola. While checking the grassy fields we flushed several Greater Painted
and Swinhoe’s Snipe and as we watch one of them got buzzed by a Peregrine Falcon which ended up showing
very well as it circled around a few times. Moving to another field we again walked around the grass for a bit
when a huge Eastern Grass Owl sprang up and circled us before moving to another area with less disturbance.
It did a few circles allowing us some brilliant views before we carried on in search of our so far elusive target.
Eventually with some patience we got a view of two Spotted Buttonquail scurrying across the path down the track
from us. Not totally satisfying we waited to see if we could get a return view. While waiting we picked out the
distant low “hooping” song of a Spotted Buttonquail in the neighboring patch of corn stalks. We could hear some
rustling and when it came to the edge it flushed up and headed right over our heads with rufous breast on show
for all to see.
It was now on to Mindanao and after our flight it was straight on to the base of Mount Kitanglad. With horses
loaded with our luggage up we began our hike up to camp. After a few minutes of settling into camp we were off
but proceeded no further than the end of our campsite and the edge of the forest before we were inundated with
a flock that consisted of Yellow-bellied Whistler, a very smart Black-and-cinnamon Fantail, loads of nectar feeding
birds; Olive-capped, Red-keeled, Buzzing, Fire-breasted and Pygmy Flowerpecker, Rufous-headed Tailorbird
along with Grey-hooded Sunbird all darting around with Philippine Mountain Warblers. But the real stars of this
flock were a pair of Cinnamon Ibons. As the light began to fade, we could hear the initial songs of Philippine
Nightjar and soon enough one came buzzing over our heads. We also picked up the croaking calls of Philippine
Frogmouths in the forest. The one sound we didn’t hear though was a Bukidnon Woodcock. We were all
considering this when a dumpy little form flew past on fluttering wings, Bukidnon Woodcock in stealth mode!
With those two out of the way it was then into the forest for the bleary-eyed looking Philippine Frogmouth and
after a bit of searching we found one perched across a mossy branch above us for as long as we like.
The next two days were spent hiking up the trails and across the agricultural fields of the mountain. Yellow-
breasted Fruit Doves called continuously around camp and we had some brilliant views as one perched close-by.
We also picked up Short-billed Brown Dove a bit higher up. A large flock of Mindanao Racquet-tail showed well
on a few occasions as we made our way up and we also had nice views of a pair of Buff-spotted Flamebacks. We
also picked up a Mindanao Pygmy Woodpecker one afternoon. A lone Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo was heard issuing
his piping call, in ever increasing volume and it flew in to inspect us, eventually to preen in the understory. We
also had our first Mindanao Hornbills with two pairs honking about us at the edge of some fields. It was here we
also ran into several Eye-browed Thrushes and Paddyfield Pipits. The higher reaches of the mountain allowed us
species like McGregor’s Cuckooshrike, Goodfellow’s Heleia (formerly Black-masked White-eye), we also had a
nice group of showy Apo Mynas and a lone Mugimaki Flycatcher.
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove and Cinnamon Ibon
We also managed to dig out a few skulkers we’d been hearing for a while with Mindanao (Long-tailed)
Grasshopper Warbler and ‘Mindanao’ Shortwing – part of the White-browed complex - both putting in
appearances. Another skulker was a Red-eared Parrotfinch that sadly didn’t linger and made its presence less
than conspicuous. We also had a brilliant encounter with a Giant Scops Owl on our second attempt. A pair was
heard calling and came very close to the edge of the forest one night. Its growling bark was loud and purposeful
but we only managed a Common Palm Civet in the tree it had been calling from. Our second attempt began at
dusk with two calling in opposing areas. Eventually one bird moved close and called a few times before falling
silent. We waited patiently in the darkness and we were beginning to feel a repeat performance from the previous
night when a low grunting began to emanate from the tree right above us. With our torches piercing the blackness
of the night we zoomed in on the fantastic owl sat on an open branch. He moved to a second location still showing
equally well before dropping back again further for a look over his shoulder before finally disappearing into the
night.
Raptors are a big feature on the mountain and we had a bevy of them with several Oriental Honey Buzzards one
chasing a Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle that put the sizes in perspective. Black-winged Kite, Grey-faced Buzzard,
Philippine Serpent Eagle, a juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk and a Brahminy Kite were all seen but the granddaddy
of them all put on a spectacular show for us. After some quality time spent scouring the mountains in front of us
and picking out many raptors it was just after the heat had really begun to rise that we picked out the massive
soaring form of a Philippine Eagle rising up on a thermal. With huge broad wings is ascended the mountain face
circling over the top and across the face drifting along till a preferred perch was selected and it swooped down,
alighting the huge boughs in the shade to peruse the forest for prey. We scoped it from where we were before it
moved on to complete a wonderful experience.
From Kitanglad we headed south to the foothills of Mount Apo, here we picked up great views of Whiskered
Flowerpecker and Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis as well as a lovely pair of Cryptic Flycatchers and on a small creek
we found the little gem of a Southern Silvery Kingfisher. We also visited a wintering location for Japanese Night
Heron which was rewarded with some excellent views of this usually tough bird.
We continued our tour round Mindanao with a stop in a remote valley for Lina’s Sunbird, which showed on several
occasions. We also had great looks at Goodfellow’s Heleia, the subspecies here, gracilis, showing a much more
extensive black mask. We also flushed an Island Thrush from a fruiting bush and also had a pair of Philippine
Cuckoo-Doves fly past and perch up briefly. We ended up in Bislig full of anticipation for our next few days in
PICOP.
Once a huge forest concession, PICOP is now over run with squatters cutting down the forest at alarming rates.
Sad as that may be there are still some good patches of forest left and it was here that we spent the bulk of our
time. We were rewarded on the long drives to get here with stellar views of stunners like Southern Rufous
Hornbill, Steere’s Pitta and Philippine Trogon. We spent some time picking through several flocks and were
rewarded with Mindanao Blue Fantail, Short-crested Monarch, Rufous Paradise-flycatcher, Philippine Leaf
Warbler, Mindanao Pygmy Babbler, Rusty-crowned Babbler and Brown Tit-Babbler. Amethyst Brown Doves were
quite conspicuous and after a short shower one morning we found a very bedraggled Black-chinned Fruit Dove.
We also had a much drier Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon booming across the canopy from a high perch. Other
canopy dwellers included a Philippine Oriole that was quite vocal and eventually gave good views. Mindanao
Yellowish Bulbul were conspicuous and common around the place as were several groups of Everett’s White-
eyes. Difficult to pick out but given away by its song was a Philippine Leafbird living up to its name and
disappearing into some similarly coloured foliage.
Giant Scops Owl and Japanese Night Heron
The cuckoo family was well represented here with Black-faced Coucals hooting away and a showy Black-bibbed
Cicadabird turned up one afternoon. A Violet Cuckoo perched out for us as did a Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo. We
took a little time down a side trail for a Little Slaty Flycatcher that performed very well and gave us all a chance
at some nice views. A couple of skulkers in a pair of Black-headed Tailorbird that danced all about us, and a very
vocal pair of Streaked Ground Babblers kept popping up into a small clearing as they arched their backs and sang
away. At many small red flowers and coconut blooms appeared Grey-throated, Purple-throated, Mindanao
Metallic-winged and Handsome Sunbirds to add a splash of colour. The striking red casque of a Writhed Hornbill
was a welcome addition and both Rufous-lored and Blue-capped Wood Kingfishers were coaxed into view. We
also had circling Steere’s Honey Buzzard to add to the raptor list and afternoon forays to some wet areas added
Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler, Wandering Whistling Duck, Philippine Duck and we even flushed up a few
Blue-breasted Quails. Night-birding was also rewarding with a pair of Mindanao Boobooks on either side of the
road and a brilliant Everett’s Scops Owl perched out above giving the the angry furrowed brow look down upon
us.
The most surprising of all though was as we were walking back our last afternoon when we flushed a pair of
Southern Sooty Woodpeckers up the trail to the back of the queue. Thankfully they landed and sat for ages as
the rest of us turned around and ran back up the trail to get to them. This rare woodpecker is not often seen and
it was a real treat to have both male and female on show.
The treats weren’t over yet though for we stopped on the way to the airport for some coastal birding with our
main target being one of the wintering Chinese Crested Terns. Scanning through all the Whiskered Terns, we
scoped a single bird. Sadly, some clam diggers walking along the beach spooked the bird and it was only after a
while that we managed to relocate the bird farther down the beach, back to relief and excitement! As we were
scanning here, we also picked up a pair of Chinese Egrets at the edge of the waves. We again got it in the scope
before heading to our flight back to Manila for the night before our early morning departure to Palawan.
Three days on Palawan were very rewarding. Our initial foray began with a pair of Yellow-throated Leafbirds
perched under the canopy, but we soon had Palawan Crow with its duck like calls flying around with the more
diminutive Palawan Flowerpecker close by, along with a brightly hued Lovely Sunbird. Bright colours continued
with a trio of Fiery Minivets and a pair of Spot-throated Flamebacks close at hand. An Asian Brown Flycatcher
soon leveled the proceedings only to be out done again by a very responsive and active pair of Palawan Tits
singing and darting about around us. We also encountered Sulphur-bellied Bulbul along the road here and the
beautiful song of White-vented Shama alerted us to his presence and he quickly showed flashing some white as
he flew but perched up for some good views.
Southern Rufous Hornbill and Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher
Philippine Cockatoo and Palawan Hornbill
A nice overview of some forest gave us the chance to pick out a group of Palawan Hornbills gliding across towards
us. They perched up and began to call back and forth to each other. Moving around a bit they flew towards us
for some excellent flight views. A distant white speck was indeed a Philippine Cockatoo that we scoped nicely
only for that view to be usurped moments later when one came flying past at close range. Speaking of close
range, the green bullet that was a Blue-headed Racket-tail came whipping past our position just feet from us and
with such speed that we didn’t even get bins up before it was past us heading for the horizon with only its metallic
song left in its wake. Two more passed in similar fashion a short while later but farther enough away that we had
a bit more time with them.
Further roadside birding gave us great views of foraging Red-headed Flamebacks but they were outdone the next
day by a quartet of noisy wing splaying Great Slaty Woodpeckers that hung around for ages. Stepping onto some
of the trails let us do some interior forest birding where we picked up the incessant call of Blue Paradise Flycatcher
that we soon located in the canopy above us foraging for food. Another forest chorister was a pair of Falcated
Ground Babblers that when finally located continued to babble on for ages and though they initially gave brief
but excellent views, they soon retreated to the cover of a gulley to continue the conversation between
themselves. A morning spent on the other side of the island gave us some hard work as a pair of very noisy but
reluctant Melodious Babblers eventually showed. We also had a Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher show briefly
along with some croaking Blue-naped Parrots and raucous Palawan Drongos. Our lunch stop also netted us a
lovely Copper-throated Sunbird.
Spotted Wood Owl and Mantanani Scops Owl
Night-birding was a bit hit-and-miss with Spotted Wood Owls seemingly vocal and numerous and we had great
views of them but the smaller stuff was keeping the hatches battened down, though we eventually got a Palawan
Frogmouth. Elsewhere our best spot of night-birding came with an amazing pair of Mantanani Scops Owls that
appeared before dusk with a rich rufous bird paired with a more classic grey morph. They hooted away for some
time till we departed to leave them to their night’s wanderings.
No trip to Palawan though is complete without a visit to one of its most famous avian residents, the male Palawan
Peacock-Pheasant that has been alive for seemingly ages. He was here again and doing his usual parade around
our feet often too close for cameras. A truly stunning bird and one to get while he is still ticking, for once this
handsome gentleman disappears it will once again become a near-mythical creature. We also had Tabon
Scrubfowl wailing away here, a lovely Hooded Pitta, some noisy Ashy-headed Babblers, Palawan Blue Flycatchers,
White-vented Shama and a group of recent or soon to be splits in Ashy-fronted [Olive-winged] Bulbul, Palawan
[Grey-cheeked] Bulbul, Palawan [Asian] Fairy Bluebird and Pale [Little] Spiderhunter to complete the tour.
Bird-of-the-tour:
1. Philippine Eagle
2. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant
3. Southern Sooty Woodpecker
4. Giant Scops Owl
5. Chinese Crested Tern
Steere’s Pitta
Elegant Tit and Luzon Water Redstart Green Racket-tail and Scale-feathered Malkoha Luzon Boobook and Chocolate Boobook
White-eared Brown Dove and Peregrine Falcon Stripe-headed Rhabdornis and Philippine Scops Owl Buzzing Flowerpecker and McGregor’s Cuckooshrike
Apo Myna and Buff-spotted Flameback Lina’s Sunbird and Whiskered Flowerpecker Cryptic Flycatcher and Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis
Goodfellow’s Heleia and Southern Silvery Kingfisher Sulphur-billed Nuthatch and Black-bibbed Cicadabird Coppersmith Barbet and Amethyst Brown Dove
Steere’s Honey Buzzard and Little Slaty Flycatcher Everett’s Scops Owl and Mindanao Blue Fantail Southern Sooty Woodpecker and Philippine Oriole
Red-headed Flameback and Palawan Fairy Bluebird
Great Slaty Woodpecker and Palawan Tit
Copper-throated Sunbird and Palawan FlowerpeckerPhilippine Frogmouth and Palawan Peacock-Pheasant
Philippine Nightjar
For information regarding our tours to Philippines please click here. Alternatively, please contact us via e-mail or
phone +44 1332 516254 regarding organising a custom tour to Philippines.Systematic List ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Philippine Duck Anas luzonica e Garganey Anas querquedula GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae Tabon Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii cumingii GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Blue-breasted Quail Excalfactoria chinensis lineata Palawan Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron napoleonis e CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Japanese Night Heron Gorsachius goisagi Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Striated Heron Butorides striata Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus [ibis] coromandus Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modestus Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae Western Osprey Pandion [haliaetus] haliaetus FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus philippensis Steere's Honey Buzzard Pernis steerei steerei e Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela palawanensis Philippine Serpent Eagle Spilornis holospilus Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi e Pinsker's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus [philippensis] pinskeri e Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Barred Rail Gallirallus torquatus torqatus Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis philippensis Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivacea e heard only
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea ocularis Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Philippine Swamphen Porphyrio pulverulentus e Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus GRUIFORMES: Turnicidae Spotted Buttonquail Turnix ocellatus e Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus [himantopus] himantopus CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius dubius Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus mongolus Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Bukidnon Woodcock Scolopax bukidnonensis e Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Common Redshank Tringa totanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Feral Pigeon Columba livia Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Philippine Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia tenuirostris e Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Mindanao Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba crinigera crinigera e heard only
White-eared Brown Dove Phapitreron [leucotis] leucotis e
Short-billed Brown Dove Phapitreron [leucotis] brevirostris e
Amethyst Brown Dove Phapitreron amethystinus e
Philippine [Pompadour] Green Pigeon Treron [pompadora] axillaris e
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus occipitalis e
Black-chinned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri e
Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon Ducula poliocephala e
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea aenea
Ducula aenea palawanensis
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus e heard only
Black-faced Coucal Centropus melanops e
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis viridis e
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris harringtoni
Red-crested Malkoha Dasylophus superciliosus e
Scale-feathered Malkoha Dasylophus cumingi e
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus mindanensis
Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus xanthorhynchus
Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus aheneus
Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus merulinus
Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis [sepucralis] sepucralis
Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris brachyurus heard only
Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus [lugubris] velutinus e
Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx pectoralis e
STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae
Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris amauronota
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
Giant Scops Owl Otus gurneyi e
Palawan Scops Owl Otus fuliginosus e heard only
Philippine Scops Owl Otus [megalotis] megalotis e
Everett's Scops Owl Otus [megalotis] everetti e
Luzon Scops Owl Otus longicornis e heard only
Mantanani Scops Owl Otus mantananensis mantananensis ne
Philippine Eagle Owl Bubo philippensis e
Spotted Wood Owl Strix seloputo wiepkeni
Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata palawanensis heard only
Chocolate Boobook Ninox [scutulata] randi ne
Luzon Boobook Ninox [philippensis] philippensis e
Mindanao Boobook Ninox [philippensis] spilocephala e
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae
Philippine Frogmouth Batrachostomus septimus e
Palawan Frogmouth Batrachostomus chaseni e
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis macrotisLarge-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus johnsoni
Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis e
APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae
Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata major
APODIFORMES: Apodidae
Ridgetop Swiftlet Collocalia insonota insonota e
Collocalia isonota bagobo
Grey-rumped [Glossy] Swiftlet Collocalia [esculenta] marginata e
Pygmy Swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes e
Philippine Swiftlet Aerodramus mearnsi e
Ameline Swiflet Aerodramus amelis e
Philippine Needletail Mearnsia picina e
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
Purple Needletail Hirundapus celebensis
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis pallidior
House Swift Apus [affinis] nipalensis
TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae
Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens ardens e
CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae
Common Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
Spotted Wood Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi lindsayi e
Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher Actenoides hombroni e
Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis gouldi
Brown-breasted [White-throated] Kingfisher Halcyon [smyrnensis] gularis e
Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli mindanensis e
Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis
Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa
Northern Indigo-banded Kingfisher Alcedo cyanopecta cyanopecta e
Southern Silvery Kingfisher Alcedo argentata e
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae
Rufous-crowned [Blue-throated] Bee-eater Merops [viridis] americanus e
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae
Southern Rufous Hornbill Buceros mindanensis mindanensis e
Palawan Hornbill Anthracoceros marchei e
Writhed Hornbill Aceros leucocephalus e
Luzon Hornbill Penelopides [panini] manillae e
Mindanao Hornbill Penelopides [panini] affinis e
PICIFORMES: Megalaimidae
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala haemacephala
Megalaima haemacephala mindanensis
PICIFORMES: PicidaeLuzon [Philippine] Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos [maculatus] validirostris e
Mindanao [Philippine] Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos [maculatus] fulvifasciatus e
White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis confusus
Dryocopus javensis multilunatus
Spot-throated [Common] Flameback Dinopium [javanense] everetti e
Buff-spotted [Greater] Flameback Chrysocolaptes [lucidus] lucidus e
Luzon [Greater] Flameback Chrysocolaptes [lucidus] haematribon e
Red-headed [Greater] Flameback Chrysocolaptes [lucidus] erythrocephalus e
Northern Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus [funebris] funebris e
Southern Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus [funebris] fuliginosus e
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys e
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus calidus
PSITTACIFORMES: Cacatuidae
Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia e
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae
Colasisi Loriculus philippensis philippensis e
Loriculus philippensis apicalis
Mindanao Racquet-tail Prioniturus waterstradti e
Blue-headed Racquet-tail Prioniturus platenae e
Green Racquet-tail Prioniturus luconensis e
Blue-crowned Racquet-tail Prioniturus discurus e
Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis ne
Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus e
PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae
Philippine Pitta Erythropitta erythrogaster erythrogaster ne heard only
Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida palawanensis
Pitta sordida sordida heard only
Steere's Pitta Pitta steerii e
PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae
Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea
PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata difficilis
Coracina striata striata
Coracina striata kochii
Blackish Cuckooshrike Lalage coerulescens e
Black-bibbed Cicadabird Lalage mindanensis mindanensis e
McGregor's Cuckooshrike Lalage mcgregori e
Mindanao [Black-and-white] Triller Lalage [melanoleuca] minor e heard onlyPied Triller Lalage nigra chilensis
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus
Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus gonzalesi
PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae
Green-backed Whistler Pachycephala albiventris e
Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis apoensis e
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus lucionensis
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach nasutus
Mountain Shrike Lanius validirostris validirostris e
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
Philippine Oriole Oriolus steerii e
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis chinensis
Oriolus chinensis yamamurae
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus leucophaeus
Dicrurus leucophaeus salangensis
Luzon Balicassiao Dicrurus [balicassius] balicassius e
Palawan Drongo Dicrurus [hottentottus] palawanensis e
Mindanao Drongo Dicrurus [bracteatus] striatus e
PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae
Mindanao Blue Fantail Rhipidura [superciliaris] superciliaris e
Luzon Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura [cyaniceps] cyaniceps e
Philippine Pied Fantail Rhipidura [javanica] nigritorquis e
Black-and-cinnamon Fantail Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea e
PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea azurea
Short-crested Monarch Hypothymis helenae e
Blue Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone cyanescens e
Rufous Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea cinnamomea ne
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
Palawan [Slender-billed] Crow Corvus [enca] pusillus e
Eastern Jungle [Large-billed] Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
Elegant Tit Parus elegans gilliardi e
Parus elegans elegans
Parus elegans mindanensis
Palawan Tit Parus amabilis e
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps
Yellow-wattled Bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus urostictus e
Pycnonotus urostictus philippensisPhilippine Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier e
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
Mindanao Yellowish Bulbul Ixos [everetti] everetti e
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
Daurian Swallow Hirundo daurica
PASSERIFORMES: Cettiidae
Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus philippensis
Rufous-headed Tailorbird Phyllergates [cuculatus] heterolaemus e
Luzon Bush Warbler Horornis seebohmi e
PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Japanese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus xanthodryas
Philippine Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus olivaceus e
Philippine Mountain Warbler Phylloscopus nigrorum flavostriatus e
Phylloscopus nigrorum benguetensis
Phylloscopus nigrorum danensis
PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae
Australasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis harterti
PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae
Luzon [Long-tailed] Grasshopper Warbler Locustella caudatus caudata e
Mindanao [Long-tailed] Grasshopper Warbler Locustella caudatus unicolor e
Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler Locustella ochotensis
Benguet Grasshopper Warbler Locustella seebohmi e
Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris forbesi
Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis tweeddalei
Megalurus timoriensis crex
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis tinnabulans
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis semirufus
Green-backed [Philippine] Tailorbird Orthotomus [castaneiceps] chloronotus e
Rufous-fronted [Philippine] Tailorbird Orthotomus [castaneiceps] frontalis e
Grey-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus derbianus e
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus
Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps e
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae
Pin-striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis woodi
Brown Tit Babbler Macronous striaticeps mindanensis e
PASSERIFORMES: PellorneidaeStreaked Ground Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis e
Falcated Ground Babbler Ptilocichla falcata e
Ashy-headed Babbler Malacocincla cinereiceps e
Melodious Babbler Malacopteron palawanense e
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae
Chestnut-faced Babbler Zosterornis whiteheadi e
Mindanao Pygmy Babbler Dasycrotapha [plateni] plateni e
Rusty-crowned Babbler Sterrhoptilus capitalis e
Goodfellow’s Heleia Lophozosterops goodfellowi goodfellowi e
Lowland White-eye Zosterops meyeni meyeni ne
Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti basilanicus
Yellowish White-eye Zosterops nigrorum innominatus e
Warbling White-eye Zosterops japonicus whiteheadi
Zosterops japonicus vulcani
PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae
Philippine Fairy Bluebird Irena cyanogastra e
Palawan [Asian] Fairy Bluebird Irena [puella] tweeddalei e
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae
Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys e
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis
Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor todayensis
Apo Myna Basilornis miranda e
Coleto Sarcops calvus calvus e
Sarcops calvus melanotus
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus
White-shouldered Starling Agropsar cineraceus
Stripe-headed Rhabdornis Rhabdornis mystacalis mystacalis e
Rhabdornis mystacalis minor
Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis Rhabdornis [inornatus] alaris e
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
Ashy Thrush Geokichla cinerea e
Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus kelleri
Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus
Brown-headed Thrush Turdus chrysolaus
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
Philippine Magpie Robin Copsychus mindanensis e
Luzon [White-browed] Shama Copsychus [luzoniensis] luzoniensis e
White-vented Shama Copsychus niger e
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
Palawan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis lemprieri e
Turquoise Flycatcher Eumyias panayensis nigrimentalis
Eumyias panayensis nigriloris
Luzon Shortwing Brachypteryx poliogyna e
Mindanao Shortwing Brachypteryx mindanensis eMugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki
Little Slaty Flycatcher Ficedula basilanica basilanica e
Bundok Flycatcher Ficedula luzoniensis luzoniensis e
Cryptic Flycatcher Ficedula crypta e
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni
Luzon Water Redstart Rhyacornis bicolor e
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata caprata
Saxicola caprata anderseni
PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae
Philippine Leafbird Chloropsis flavipennis e
Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis e
PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae
Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus olivaceus e
Palawan Flowerpecker Prionochilus plateni e
Striped Flowerpecker Dicaeum aeruginosum aeruginosum e
Whiskered Flowerpecker Dicaeum proprium heliosulis e
Olive-capped Flowerpecker Dicaeum nigrilore nigrilore e
Luzon Flame-crowned Flowerpecker Dicaeum [anthonyi] anthonyi e
Red-keeled Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe e
Buzzing Flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucum obscurum e
Dicaeum hypoleucum pontifex
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma cinereigularis
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus luzoniense
Dicaeum ignipectus apo
Pygmy Flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum palawanorum e
Dicaeum pygmaeum pygmaeum
Dicaeum pygmaeum davao
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
Grey-throated Sunbird Anthreptes griseigularis griseigularis e
Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata sperata ne
Leptocoma sperata trochilus
Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha
Garden [Olive-backed] Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis aurora e
Cinnyris jugularis jugularis
Grey-hooded Sunbird Aethopyga primigenia primigenia e
Lina's Sunbird Aethopyga linaraborae e
Luzon Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima jefferyi e
Mindanao Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima pulcherrima e
Lovely Sunbird Aethopyga [shelleyi] shelleyi e
Handsome Sunbird Aethopyga [shelleyi] bella e
Orange-tufted [Little] Spiderhunter Arachnothera [longirostra] flammifera e
Pale [Little] Spiderhunter Arachnothera [longirostra] dilutior e
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
Cinnamon Ibon Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus e
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
PASSERIFORMES: EstrildidaeRed-eared Parrotfinch Erythrura coloria e
White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis simillima
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus lugubris
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
White-cheeked Bullfinch Pyrrhula leucogenis lucogenis e heard only
Mammals
Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel Sundasciurus juvencus e
Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Golden-crowned Flying Fox Acerodon jubatus e
Large Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus
Asian Water Monitor Varanus salvator
Wagler's Pit Viper Tropidolaemus wagleri
Super Wolf Moon, Mount Polis
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