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Birding The Philippines10 February - 4 March 2000Participants:Marc Guijt
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 Philippine
Eagle, Mount Katanglad, Mindanao, February 12th 2000
(© Jan van der Laan) |
[JWW Note and Request: This is an excellent trip report, and I thank Jan for submitting it to Worldtwitch. I would be most interested in obtaining and posting directions to stakeouts in PICOP for Short-crested Monarch, Celestial Monarch, and Mindanao Broadbill in an addendum to this report, since the little remaining forest at PICOP appears to be doomed (the same can be said for the Philippines as a whole), and anyone who wants to see these birds needs to go NOW.]
From February 10th till March 4th 2000 Marc Guijt, Leo Heemskerk and me, Jan van der Laan, made a birding trip to the Philippines. Our main goal was to see the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle and next to see as many Philippine endemic species before it was too late.
Wed 9-02 19:30 hours flight KL807 (1599) with KLM from Amsterdam to Manila. Nothing special happened during the flight.
Thu 10-02 Arrival 19:05 hours at Ninoy Aquino Inl. Airport, Manila Luzon. Took taxi (free) to Philippine Village Hotel (one room three beds for $99). We met Birdquest led by Simon Harrap there in the hotel restaurant, who had terrible day at Quezon NP and had not seen a thing.
Fri 11-02 Early morning departure (5:05 hours) from Manila to Cagayan de Oro with Philippine Airlines PR181 (2448 Ps each), arrival at 6:35 hours; taxi to Dalwangan (1500 ps). At Delwangan, Carlito (whom I wrote in advance) told us we had to buy a permit at the DENR-office in Malaybalay. $ 15 each for a permit and the officials there told us we were allowed to stay for one night only. Also we had to sign a letter to promise we would - amongst other things - not to cut any trees! Next we had to buy all food supplies for 4 days plus three bottles of white wine, three live chickens, a white cloth of 1 meter and each person must have 9 coins of 1 pesos and 4 coins of a quarter. This was to please the Pandi people living in the Kitanglad National Park. Back at Carlito's we heard this was all nonsense. We were put in a tricycle (200 ps, special tourist price!) and for c 10 kilometres we drove through large pineapple fields. We stopped at a village, where the luggage was put on two horses. One of Carlito's daughters guided us with the two horses (100 ps for each horse) to the Del Monte Ecolodge in the Kitanglad NP [another website], a harsh hot walk for 2 hours. Finally we reached the lodge at around 15:00 hours. Drank some tea and installed our beds (available in the attic of the lodge). Next we did some birding until dusk. At one of the clearings we met an English birdwatcher named Pete. Pete had seen the eagle that day, but far away. First interesting birds were Black-headed Shrike, McGregor's Cuckoo-shrike, Elegant Tit, Streak-breasted Rhabdornis and Black-and-cinnamon Fantail. Carlito's daughter made dinner (spaghetti with tuna and tomato-sauce), which was not bad at all. In the evening we heard Great-eared Nightjars and in the middle of the night the Philippine Frogmouth.
Sat 12-02 When we awoke, a Bukidnon Woodcock was roding already. First in the morning we went to the site were Raf Drijvers had seen and heard Bagobo Babbler near the Lower Eagle View Point. We had some luck with bad views of a Blue-capped Kingfisher, but a pair of Rufous-headed tailorbirds was well seen. Then we went to the second site for the Bagobo Babbler and Blue-capped Kingfisher (see map 1). There we suddenly heard the cry of the Philippine Eagle, so we ran into the open and started scanning the forested slopes. Immediately Leo saw the beast sitting and we watched this magnificent bird for an hour. Also present there was a Philippine Serpent-Eagle and a probable Rufous-bellied Eagle. Next we went to the Higher Eagle View Point, where we had several White-cheeked Bullfinches, Cinnamon Ibons and lots of Mountain White-eyes. In the Mossy Forest above the Higher Eagle View Point we looked for the Apo Sunbird without success, so we went down again to the Lodge. On our way back we saw Olive-capped Flowerpecker and Naked-faced Spiderhunter. We arrived at the Lodge at about 17.00 hours, very exhausted. In the evening we saw several Great-eared Nightjars plus Bukidnon Woodcock and for a short period a Mindanao Scops-Owl was calling. Later at night the Frogmouth called again, but was not seen. In the evening it started to rain for a few hours, like it did every evening.
Sun 13-02 In the early morning we went to the 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, where we had bad views of Red-cheeked Parrot-finch. Again playing the tape of Blue-capped Kingfisher, but no luck. Then we went to the second BB-site and at the start of the Stream Trail our guide Akin heard the Blue-capped Kingfisher from the stream below. We went down, but this was a long walk down, so I stayed up and went to the Higher Eagle View Point. There I heard a Amethyst Brown-Dove and flushed it, seeing it flying away. Marc and Leo had more luck in the stream, seeing the Blue-capped Kingfisher, Mindanao White-eye, Flame-crowned Flowerpecker and good views of White-cheeked Bullfinch. We met again at the Mossy Forest above the Higher Eagle View Point and spent a few hours looking for Apo Sunbird, but no luck. It started to rain when we went down, so we stayed to shelter for the rain in a cabin at the Higher Eagle View Point. Two parrots passed, most probably Mindanao Racquet-tails and two Apo Mynas were seen well. After the rain stopped, we walked back. During the walk down, we saw a Japanese Sparrow-Hawk, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagler, Grey-faced Buzzard and the first Philippine Fairy Bluebirds. At night we heard the Mindanao Eagle Owl calling for a short period and managed to see the Frogmouth in the spotlights also for a short period.
Mon 14-02 In the morning we looked at the Lower Eagle View Point and both Bagobo Babbler-sites and the start of the Stream trail, but no sign of the Bagobo Babbler. Again a Blue-capped Kingfisher was seen and a Flame-crowned Flowerpecker. The Philippine Eagle was calling again, but was not seen. At 14:30 we left the lodge, leaving Pete behind. A lot of horses and luggage of Birdquest arrived. The large bottles of cold Coca Cola looked very tempting, but we managed to control ourselves. After a less then two hours walk (not so hard as the way-up) we arrived at 16.00 at Carlito's house in Delwangan. The taxi driver was already waiting and after a slow but pleasant ride we arrived at Cagayan de Oro at 18:00 hour. There we took the Grand City Hotel Canyon for 800 ps. Dinner at the Sea King Garden restaurant where we saw our first Black Rat freely and happily walking under the tables!
Tue 15-02 In Cagayan de Oro we took the bus to Trentum (150 ps, departure 9:00, arrival 16:00 hours). In Trentum we had to wait for several hours to wait for the bus to Bislig/Mangagoy. Just when we thought there would be no bus coming, the last bus to Mangagoy arrived from Davao. The bus had some trouble between Davao and Trentum. We departed at around 20:00 hours, and arrived at around 22:30 hours at Bislig/Mangagoy. In Bislig/Mangagoy we took the Paper Inn for 4 days (800 ps for a clean room with aircon and three beds).
Wed 16-02 In the morning we made arrangements with Felizardo Goring, whom we wrote in advance. It is absolutely vital you get into the concession through him. We paid 2500 ps a day for the jeepney he had arranged for us, but we thought his services were included. Later we found out we had to pay him too, but that was when we were already in Manila. Happily Tim Fisher gave him the 400 ps a day he his charging. Remember he is taking a non-paid leave from work. So we started immediately for the Silvery Kingfisher at Road 1 within the PICOP (Paper Industry Corporation of the Philippines) logging concession. After half an hour we found one bird and had good views of this most beautiful bird. After some birding at Road 1 (with Black-naped Monarch, Winchell's Kingfsher heard only, Philippine Leafbird, Large-billed Crow, Philippine Oriole, Black-bibbed Cicadabird, Scarlet Minivet, and Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher), we went to Road 1-4. There we heard an Azure-breasted Pitta, but could not get it into view. Other birds were Black-faced Coucal, Guaiabero, Philippine Falconet, Asian Glossy Starling, Olive-backed Flowerpecker, Red-striped Flowerpecker and Orange-bellied Flowerpecker. In the late afternoon we went to the old Bislig Airport. This is surrounded by paddies and produced good birds like Philippine Duck (the best place in the Philippines to see it is here), Wandering Whistling Duck, Collared Kingfisher, Philippine Coucal, Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler, Australasian Grass-Owl, Cinnamon Bittern, two unidentified Snipes and Golden-headed Cisticola. Dinner in the Paper Inn.
Thu 17-02 We rose very early (5:00 hours) and went birding first at Road 1, where we saw our only Black-chinned Fruit-Dove and next to Road 1-4 in the PICOP logging concession. We managed to see Rufous-lored Kingfisher very well and also stunning views of an Azure-breasted Pitta. Rest of the day was spent at Road 4 in search for Mindanao Broadbill, both Short-crested and Celestial Monarchs and hornbills, although we heard Rufous Hornbill only and saw some Mindanao Hornbills. Other birds seen or heard this day were White-bellied Woodpecker, Philippine Trogon, Black-faced Coucal (finally seen), Blue-crowned Racquet-tail (the characteristic call heard only), Philippine Needletail, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Barred Honey-buzzard, Philippine Falconet, Black-and-white Triller, Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Black-headed Tailorbird (heard only, a mega-skulker), Brown Tit-Babbler, Stripe-sided Rhabdornis, Buzzing Flowerpecker, Little and Naked-faced Spiderhunter.
Fri 18-02 Very early start (4:00 hours) to Mount Pasian, within the PICOP logging concession with four Hungarians of Saker Tours. We met Professor Olah and his son Janos Olah jr., only 23 years old but very promising. Mt Pasian was extremely rainy and windy. We arrived at about 8:00 and left at 11.00 hours. The road is too bad 5 km before summit, so you need to walk to the top. There are three stations with radio transmitters (booster stations). Apparently the best place to see Lina's Sunbird is between the second and third (the third is the summit, 1600 m). Note the transmitters are hardly visible when it is raining. Good primary forest, but few side trails. Birdquest and KingBird Tours also have had the Mindanao Shortwing here, but nothing was singing at the top. Other interesting birds were Cryptic Flycatchers (3), Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Metallic-winged Sunbird and Citrine Canary-Flycatcher, while Professor Olah saw a Flame-crowned Flowerpecker. Rest of the day was spent slowly driving along Road 6 back to Bislig. Road 6 has good patches of primary forest, but there is also a lot of logging. Best birds here were an incredible number of c 55 Writhed Hornbills, Rufous and Mindanao Hornbills, Crested Goshawk, Philippine Needletail, Purple Needletail, Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Guiabero, Black-faced Coucal, Philippine Serpent-Eagle, Barred Honey-buzzard, Philippine Falconet, Pygmy Babbler and heard-only Black-headed Tailorbirds. Again we returned at the hotel late in the evening, but now in front of the hotel was a crowd of about 200 schoolgirls screaming! Sadly, it was not for us, but for some soap-stars who also stayed in the same hotel…
Sat 19-02 In the morning we did some birding at Road 1-4, PICOP. Most interesting bird was a female Little Slaty Flycatcher, Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Rufous Paradise-flycatcher and Mindanao Hornbill. Around 9.00 hours we left with a mini-bus (bargained 1500 ps) to Davao. Next flight to Cebu with Cebu Pacific (5J-598 16:10 – 17:00 hours; 1649 ps). Night at the Elegant Circle Inn (900 ps) in Cebu City which proved to be not so elegant with a room full with cockroaches.
Sun 20-02 On Cebu we failed to get in contact Perla Magsalay and failed to find Tabunan Forest, so no Cebu Flowerpecker, Shama or Bulbul. Later we heard we should have contacted the DENR office in Cebu City. There is a DENR desk at the airport, and they can arrange transport and guides to Tabunan Forest. Disappointed by this we went to our hotel and collapsed (this time the Park Place Hotel for 1100 ps), waking up at 17:00 hours! In the evening in one of the numerous internet cafés, we learned a Franklin's Gull had been seen in the Netherlands, a new bird for Marc. Happily this bird stayed long enough for him to see it.
Mon 21-02 We took the Philippine Airlines flight PR245 (2532 ps) to Palawan, with an hour stop at Iloilod on Panay. Arrival at Palawan at 14:30 hours. Took a tricycle to downtown Puerto Princesa and checked in at the very nice Casa Linda for around 700ps for a room with three beds and aircon. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the mangroves of Garceliano Beach. Here we saw several shorebirds like Red-necked Stint, Greater and Lesser Sandplover, Pacific Golden Plover, Grey-tailed Tattler and the best bird of the day, a Chinese Egret. On our way back we taped out a Hooded Pitta in the scrub behind the village and several Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds. In town we had very good dinner (tuna, chicken, large shrimps and very cold beer) opposite the Casa Linda Hotel for almost nothing.
Tue 22-02 At 7:30 we took a van from Puerto Princesa, to Sabang (400 ps). After a three hour drive we reached Sabang. There we bought a permit at the DENR office and next went straight to Mary's Beach Resort, where we took two cottages, one with shower (250 ps) and one without (200 Ps). After a swim we went to St Paul NP. The first interesting bird was a Ashy-headed Babbler. Later we saw Tabon Scrub-fowl, Palawan Leafbird, Violaceus Crow, Hooded Pitta, and on our way back we saw at the bridge a pair of Philippine Cockatoos flying from the park towards the palm trees at Mary's Beach Resort.
Wed 23-02 In the dark we returned to St Paul NP. Whole day was spent at the Orange/Ridge Trail. Highlights were the Falcated Babbler, Palawan Hornbill, Palawan Blue-Flycatcher, Blue-winged Racquet-tail, Yellow-throated Leafbird. At midday we returned to Mary's Beach Resort for a swim and lunch. In the afternoon we returned to St Paul's. Leo and I took the Orange/Ridge Trail, while Marc decided to stay at the Ranger Station photographing.
Thu 24-02 In the morning we birded the Monkey Trail west of the Ranger Station in St Paul NP. Here the forest is very beautiful and considerable time was spent looking for the Peacock-Pheasant, but no luck. We managed to find Palawan Tit, Palawan Blue Paradise-Flycatcher, Palawan Flowerpecker, heard Palawan Racquettails and Hornbills flying over the canopy and saw Tabon Scrubfowl. In the afternoon we took a bus (400 ps) to Puerto Princesa. There we took the Casa Linda again and had dinner at the excellent restaurant opposite the hotel. We cancelled the arrangement with a tricycle drive for Iwahig, since we had enough of birding.
Fri 25-02 We took flight 2P 213 with Air Philippines at 12:00, arrival
at Manila at 13:10 hours (1998 ps), there we took a taxi to Angat
Reservoir for a terrible 2400 ps. We phoned the hotel the day before so we
managed to get into the Hilltop area without any trouble (National Power
Corporation, 09-213-541; note Mr T. Largo is not working there anymore). In the
evening at dinner the Birdquest tour jumped him. First words of Tim Fisher: "You
stole my bed". The rooms were overbooked, although I explicitly said we were not
members of Birdquest. But with some arrangement everybody was happy again. After
some talking with Tim Fisher and Simon Harrap (who had seen Luzon
Jungle-Flycatcher,
Whiskered Pitta
and Marche's Fruit-Dove at Mount Polis) we went to bed.
Sat 26-02 We rose before sunset (we heard Philippine Scops Owl and Philippine Hawk-Owl at the first 100 meters) to get to the clearing described in Brian Gee at the Angat Reservoir. For two hours we walked in the dark on the so-called Ridge Trail with the Birdquest tour, but Tim Fisher was not pleased with this and ordered us to stay behind, saying it was at that spot as good as anywhere. Indeed Spotted Kingfishers were calling, but this was more a lifeless bamboo desert, so we followed close behind. Just before the clearing (100 meters on the left hand site) I heard a flycatcher song that appeared to be the song of the Furtive Flycatcher. However, also the Birdquest group was there, tape luring this rare little known flycatcher. In the end we had all good views of this bird. After lunch the rest of the day along the Reservoir Trail produced slow birding, because cicadas making a lot of noise. Also illegal logging and drought had badly degraded the area. Tim Fisher announced this was the last time they would go there. We managed to hear or see Red-crested Malkoha, Rufous Hornbill, Blackish Cuckoo-Shrike, Balicassio, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Philippine Fairy-bluebird, White-lored Oriole (heard only), Blue-headed Fantail, Red-striped, Bicolored and Pygmy Flowerpeckers. Simon Harrap had taken the Reservoir Trail in the early morning and saw Ashy Thrush on the trail and Sooty Woodpecker. All shops were closed, the cook had left, but finally we managed to get some rice at one of the food stalls in the compound.
Sun 27-02 In the early morning we did a final attempt at the Reservoir Trail of the Angat Reservoir for Sooty Woodpecker and Ashy Thrush. Birds were extremely shy and few, so at 11:00 hours we stopped and at noon we took a jeepney to Bigte and from there the regular bus to Manila. In Manila we took the excellent hotel Robelle (1100 ps) in the Korean Quarter. In the hotel they had a Philippine Cockatoo saying hello. During dinner several attempts were made to count the fish in the aquarium, but we were not sure if there were actually 15 or 16!
We tried to make reservations for the bus to Banaue, but were advised that only night buses went there and back, so we decided to spend the rest of the holiday at Mt Makiling and to do Northern Luzon during another holiday when there is more known.
Mon 28-02 From Manila we took the bus to Los Baños. There we took the excellent hotel City of Springs Resort Hotel for about 1000 ps. Rest of the afternoon was spent looking over the Laguna de Bay which produced Yellow Bittern, Osprey, Whiskered Tern and Pacific Swallow.
Tue 29-02 Early morning we went to the University Campus where the entrance is to Mount Makiling. Nice forest and more specially, the birds are not shy and good to observe! We spent all day slowly walking till 1 km past the food stands. Good birds here were both species of Malkohas, Purple Needletail, Emerald Dove, Blue-headed Fantail, White-browed Shama (heard only), Striped Flowerpecker, Flaming Sunbird and Lovely Sunbird. On the University Campus we flushed a Spotted Buttonquail, an unexpected bonus. Also we visited the Museum of Natural History were we bought the booklet "Birds of Mt Makiling." In this book we read that Blue-banded Kingfisher is fairly common in the Botanical Garden. Also in the museum was one stuffed specimen of the Monkey-eating Eagle. Rest of the evening was spent swimming in the swimming pool of the hotel.
Wed 1-03 Before sunrise we were at Mt Makiling again, trying hard for Luzon Bleeding-Heart and Ashy Thrush, but no luck with this species. We finally got very good views of Spotted Kingfishers. We walked to the top of Mt Makiling where some good primary forest is still around. Interesting birds were Greater Flameback, Luzon Hornbill, Philippine Trogon, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Red-crested and Scale-feathered Malkohas, Asian Palm-Swift, Philippine Serpent-Eagle, Philippine Falconet, Ashy Minivet, White-browed Shama (finally very good views), Grey-backed Tailorbird, Stripe-sided Rhabdornis, Striped, Red-striped and Pygmy Flowerpeckers, Plain-throated and Flaming Sunbird. In the evening we returned to the hotel, where the rest of the evening was spent swimming.
Thu 2-03 Rain prevented an early start. Went to UPC at about 9.00 when it stopped raining. Spent all day birding at the Botanical Garden at the UPC at the foot of Mt Makiling. Highlights there were the good views of Blue-banded Kingfisher and the two Philippine Eagles in the raptor centre. They are half the size bigger compared to White-tailed Sea-Eagle in the next cage!
Fri 3-03 Very hard rain prevented another early start. Several Uniform Swifts above the hotel was the only thing worth to mention. Decided to go back to Manila. In Manila we checked into the Philippine Village Hotel, but this time it was more expensive ($110 for three).
Sat 4-03 In the morning we visited the American Cemetery in Manila. Lowland White-eye was common and several Barred Rails, Oriental Reed Warbler, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Grey-faced Buzzard, Mangrove Kingfisher, Pied Triller ended our birding on the Philippines. In the afternoon we went to the airport. Our plane departed in time (20.30 hours with flight KL 808). Quiet flight with nothing special.
Sun 5-03 Arrival at 7:05 hours at Schiphol, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
If you have any questions, remarks or whatsoever, please write or e-mail:
Jan van der Laan
Brouwerstraat 19
1814 HX Alkmaar
The Netherlands
j.laan@worldonline.nl
Leo Heemskerk
Prinses Irenelaan 8
1901 DJ Castricum
The Netherlands
lhe@bigfoot.com
Marc Guyt
J.W. Frisodreef 17
2224 BC Katwijk aan Zee
The Netherlands
agami_heron@hotmail.com
During our visit we had do identify birds with the outdated and very heavy Philippine Birds by John E. DuPont, 1971, Delaware Museum of NH. In the autumn the new guide was released and this is much better for identifying the Philippine endemics. So the following literature is vital:
The new field guide, Kennedy et al., A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines, was published after the trip, in August 2000.
[New since this report: Tim Fisher, A Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Philippines]
Philippine Birds, John E. DuPont, 1971. Delaware Museum of NH.
The Birds of the Philippines, Dickinson 1991. BOU.
Where to Watch Birds in South-East Asia, Nigel Wheatley 1996, Helm Publishers.
There are several trip reports available but the following two are essential:
Philippines, February – April 1997. Raf Drijvers 1997, privately published.
The Philippines Winter 1996/97. Brian Gee 1997, privately published.
[Other Philippine trip reports:
Jon Hornbuckle, January - March 1994
Vladimir Dinets: Tips for Naturalists Travelling in the Philippines, 2001
Peter Loud's Maps of the Philippines]
All major Air Companies have their own websites, where you can check the
frequently-changed schedules and fares. The most important are:
www.cebupacificair.com
www.philippineair.com
The order used is Sibley and Munroe 1993 with several additions as on Rolf de By's homepage, with the exception in splitting Vaurie's Flycatcher into Furtive and Cryptic Flycatcher. For Rolf de By's homepage, visit the following URL: Ornitaxa.com
We would like to thank the following people: Roy de Haas, Felizardo Goring, Tim Fisher, Carlito Mangagoy and his daughters, Boy (the taxi driver on Mindanao), Simon Harrap, Janos Olah jr., Marieke Wiringa for bringing us to the airport, Raf Drijvers for his very good tape, Jelle Scharinga, Danny Laponder, Arend Wassink, Arnoud van den Berg, Ray Ziarno, Arjen Brenkman, Aidan Kelly, Matthias Fehlow, Duncan Wilson, Desmond Allen and Bill Ruscher jr.
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Illegal logging at Road 1-4, PICOP Concession, Mindanao Philippines, February 2000
Map 1: Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
It is essential to write Carlito in advance. Also check the itineraries of the bigger bird tour companies like Birdquest and KingBird, otherwise the lodge is fully booked.
Carlito's address is:
Carlito Gayramara
Dalwangan, Malaybalay
Bukidnon province, Mindanao 8700
Map 2: PICOP logging concession, Bislig, Mindanao
Notes on a Birding Trip to PICOP, April 2000, by John Gregory
PICOP & Cebu trip report, February 2001, by Chris Gooddie
Map 3: Mt Pasian, PICOP logging concession, Bislig, Mindanao
To get into the PICOP area, write Felizardo well in advance and let the people at the Paper Inn contact him when you arrive. Felizardo's address is:
Mr Felizardo V. Goring
Camp Security Opns.
PICOP Resources Inc. (PRI)
Tabon, Bislig
8311 Surigao Del Sur, Mindanao
Map 4: St Paul NP, Palawan
Map 5: Mt Makiling, Luzon
To get to the entrance of Mt Makiling, ask for the Forestry. To hail a jeepney, put one finger up when you are at the entrance of the Campus to make clear you want to go to the Forestry. The Botanical Garden and the small Museum of Natural History are close.
I made no attempt to make a map the Angat Reservoir. The Angat Reservoir maps in Brian Gee's report and Raf Drijvers's report are very accurate.
Luzon with satellite islands (28):
1. Worcester's Buttonquail Turnix worcesteri († 1930's?)
2. Brown-banded or Luzon Rail Rallus mirificus († 1979?)
3. Luzon Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba luzonica
4. Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus marchei
5. Cream-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus merrilli
6. Luzon Montane Racquet-tail Prioniturus montanus
7. Green Racquet-tail Prioniturus luconensis
8. Red-crested Malkoha Phaenicophaeus superciliosus
9. Scale-feathered Malkoha Phaenicophaeus cumingi
10. Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus
11. Luzon Scops-Owl Otus longicornis
12. Luzon Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides manillae
13. Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi
14. White-lored Oriole Oriolus albiloris
15. Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae († 1961?)
16. Blackish Cuckoo-shrike Coracina coerulescens
17. White-browed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias insignis
18. Ashy-breasted Flycatcher (Negros† 1879?) Muscicapa randi
19. Furtive Flycatcher Ficedula disposita
20. Blue-breasted Flycatcher Cyornis herioti
21. Philippine Bush-Warbler Cettia seebohmi
22. Lowland White-eye Zosterops meyeni
23. Grey-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus derbianus
24. Luzon or Rabor's Wren-Babbler Napothera rabori
25. Golden-crowned Babbler Stachyris dennistouni
26. Chestnut-faced Babbler Stachyris whiteheadi
27. Luzon Striped-Babbler Stachyris striata
28. Long-billed Rhabdornis Rhabdornis grandis
Luzon and Mindoro (3):
29. Green-backed Whistler Pachycephala albiventris
30. Ashy Thrush Zoothera cinerea
31. Luzon Redstart Rhyacornis bicolor
Mindoro (7):
32. Mindoro Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba platenae
33. Mindoro Imperial-Pigeon Ducula mindorensis
34. Black-hooded Coucal Centropus steerii
35. Mindoro Scops-Owl Otus mindorensis
36. Mindoro Hawk-Owl Ninox (philippensis) mindorensis
37. Mindoro Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides mindorensis
38. Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker Dicaeum retrocinctum
Panay (1):
39. Panay Striped-Babbler Stachyris latistriata
Negros (2):
40. Negros Striped-Babbler Stachyris nigrorum
41. Negros Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus arcanus († 1953)
Panay and Negros (7):
42. Negros Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba keayi
43. Visayan Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides panini
44. Writhe-billed Hornbill Aceros waldeni
45. White-winged Cuckoo-shrike Coracina ostenta
46. White-throated Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias albigularis
47. Flame-templed Babbler Stachyris speciosa
48. Visayan Flowerpecker Dicaeum haemostictum
Luzon and Negros (3):
49. Spotted Buttonquail Turnix ocellata
50. Spotted Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi
51. Lemon-throated Warbler (+ Cebu) Phylloscopus cebuensis
Luzon, Panay and Negros (7):
52. Indigo-banded Kingfisher (+ Mindoro) Alcedo cyanopecta
53. Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps
54. White-browed Shama Copsychus luzoniensis
55. Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps
56. Yellowish White-eye (+ Mindoro) Zosterops nigrorum
57. Green-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura viridifacies
58. Flaming Sunbird Aethopyga flagrans
Luzon, Mindoro and Mindanao (4):
59. Philippine Duck Anas luzonica
60. Spotted Imperial-Pigeon (+ Negros) Ducula carola
61. Grey-capped Shrike Lanius validirostris
62. Striped Flowerpecker (+ Palawan & Cebu) Dicaeum aeruginosum
Luzon and Mindanao (6):
63. Whitehead's Swiftlet Collocalia whiteheadi
64. Short-crested Monarch Hypothymis helenae
65. Long-tailed Bush-Warbler Bradypterus caudatus
66. White-fronted Tit Parus semilarvatus
67. Flame-crowned Flowerpecker Dicaeum anthonyi
68. White-cheeked Bullfinch Pyrrhula leucogenis
Mindanao with satellite islands (29):
69. Kitanglad Woodcock Scolopax 'philippensis'
70. Mindanao Racquet-tail Prioniturus waterstradti
71. Mindanao Lorikeet Trichoglossus johnstoniae
72. Mindanao Scops-Owl Otus mirus
73. Mindanao Eagle-Owl Mimizuku gurneyi
74. Blue-capped Kingfisher Actenoides hombroni
75. Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides affinis
76. Writhed Hornbill Aceros leucocephalus
77. Mindanao Broadbill Eurylaimus steerii
78. Black-and-cinnamon Fantail Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea
79. McGregor's Cuckoo-shrike Coracina mcgregori
80. 'Philippine' Shortwing Brachypteryx 'philippensis'
81. Apo Myna Basilornis miranda
82. Slaty-backed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias goodfellowi
83. Cryptic Flycatcher Ficedula crypta
84. Zamboanga Bulbul Ixos rufigularis
85. Black-masked White-eye Lophozosterops goodfellowi
86. Cinnamon Ibon Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus
87. Rufous-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus heterolaemus
88. Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps
89. White-eared Tailorbird Orthotomus cinereiceps
90. Bagobo Babbler Trichastoma woodi
91. Rusty-crowned Babbler Stachyris capitalis
92. Red-eared Parrotfinch Erythrura coloria
93. Whiskered Flowerpecker Dicaeum proprium
94. Olive-capped Flowerpecker Dicaeum nigrilore
95. Grey-hooded Sunbird Aethopyga primigenius
96. Apo Sunbird Aethopyga boltoni
97. Lina's Sunbird Aethopyga linaraborae
Mindanao and Sulu Islands (2):
98. Dark-eared Brown Dove Phapitreron cinereiceps
99. Philippine Leaf-Warbler (+ Neg, Boh & Sam) Phylloscopus olivaceus
Mindanao, Bohol, Samar or Leyte (16):
100. Mindanao Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba criniger
101. Black-faced Coucal Centropus melanops
102. Philippine Needletail (+ Negros, not Bohol) Mearnsia picina
103. Silvery Kingfisher Alcedo argentata
104. Azure-breasted Pitta Pitta steerii
105. Blue Fantail Rhipidura superciliaris
106. Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shrike (+ Mindoro) Coracina mindanensis
107. Philippine Leafbird (Mindanao & Leyte) Chloropsis flavipennis
108. Little Slaty Flycatcher (not on Bohol) Ficedula basilanica
109. Yellowish Bulbul (+ Sulu Islands, not Bohol) Ixos everetti
110. Rufous-fronted Tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis
111. Striated Wren-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis
112. Brown Tit-Babbler (+ Sulu Islands) Macronous striaticeps
113. Pygmy Babbler (not on Bohol) Stachyris plateni
114. Miniature Tit-Babbler (not on Bohol) Micromacronus leytensis
115. Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis (Ma, S & N) Rhabdornis inornatus
Bohol, Samar and Leyte (3):
116. Samar Hornbill Penelopides samarensis
117. Visayan Broadbill Eurylaimus samarensis
118. Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis
Sulu Islands (3):
119. Sulu Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba menagei
120. Blue-winged Racquet-tail Prioniturus verticalis
121. Sulu Hornbill Anthracoceros montani
Siquijor, Romblon, Tablas and Cebu (1):
122. Siquijor Bulbul Ixos siquijorensis
Cebu (2):
123. Black Shama Copsychus cebuensis
124. Cebu Flowerpecker Dicaeum quadricolor
Luzon, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao (9):
125. Great Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi
126. Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus
127. Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx melanurus
128. Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus funebris
129. Black-and-white Triller (+ Mindoro) Lalage melanoleuca
130. Philippine Fairy-bluebird Irena cyanogaster
131. Celestial Monarch (+ Negros, not on Leyte) Hypothymis coelestis
132. Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys
133. Naked-faced Spiderhunter Arachnothera clarae
Luzon, Bohol, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao (11):
134. Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys
135. Philippine Scops-Owl (+ Negros) Otus megalotis
136. Philippine Eagle-Owl Bubo philippensis
137. Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens
138. Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax
139. Yellow-bellied Whistler (+ Siquijor) Pachycephala philippinensis
140. Yellow-wattled Bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus
141. Black-crowned Babbler (not Mindanao) Stachyris nigrocapitata
142. Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus
143. White-bellied Flowerpecker (+ Sulu Is.) Dicaeum hypoleucum
144. Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima
Palawan and satellite islands (17):
145. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron emphanum
146. Blue-headed Racquet-tail Prioniturus platenae
147. Palawan Scops-Owl Otus fuliginosus
148. Palawan Swiftlet Collocalia palawanensis
149. Palawan Hornbill Anthracoceros marchei
150. Blue Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone cyanescens
151. Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis
152. Palawan Flycatcher Ficedula platenae
153. Palawan Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis lemprieri
154. White-vented Shama Copsychus niger
155. Sulphur-bellied Bulbul Ixos palawanensis
156. Ashy-headed Babbler Malacocincla cinereiceps
157. Melodious Babbler Malacopteron palawanense
158. Falcated Wren-Babbler Ptilocichla falcata
159. Palawan Striped-Babbler Stachyris hypogrammica
160. Palawan Tit Parus amabilis
161. Palawan Flowerpecker Prionochilus plateni
More or less all islands except Palawan (24):
162. Philippine Serpent-Eagle Spilornis holospilus
163. Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivaceus
164. White-eared Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis
165. Amethyst Brown-Dove (not Mdoro, Panay) Phapitreron amethystina
166. Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove (not Panay) Ptilinopus occipitalis
167. Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula poliocephala
168. Blue-crowned Racquet-tail (not Panay) Prioniturus discurus
169. Philippine Hanging-Parrot (Colasisi) Loriculus philippensis
170. Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis
171. Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus velutinus
172. Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis
173. Philippine Frogmouth (not Cebu) Batrachostomus septimus
174. Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis
175. Grey-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia marginata
176. Rufous-lored Kingfisher(not Luzon) Todirhamphus winchelli
177. Philippine Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus
178. Philippine Oriole (not Luzon or Panay) Oriolus steerii
179. Balicassiao (not on Bohol or Mindanao) Dicrurus balicassius
180. Coleto Sarcops calvus
181. Philippine Bulbul Ixos philippinus
182. Stripe-sided Rhabdornis (not Cebu, Mdoro) Rhabdornis mysticalis
183. Elegant Tit (not Cebu) Parus elegans
184. Bicolored Flowerpecker (not Cebu, Panay) Dicaeum bicolor
185. Red-striped Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe
More or less all islands (7):
186. Philippine Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus philippensis
187. Philippine Cockatoo (rare) Cacatua haematuropygia
188. Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo (not Pan, Boh, Sam) Cuculus pectoralis
189. Pygmy Swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes
190. Philippine Swiftlet (not Panay, Cebu or Leyte) Collocalia mearnsi
191. Pygmy Flowerpecker (not Panay?) Dicaeum pygmaeum
192. Lovely Sunbird Aethopyga shelleyi
01. Tabon Scrubfowl - Megapodius cumingii
22-02 2 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 c 5 (heard only), Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 2 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
02. Wandering Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna arcuata
16-02 c 10 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
03. Philippine Duck - Anas luzonica
16-02 4 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
The old Bislig Airport is probably the most reliable site for this endemic duck, at least on Mindanao.
04. Spotted Buttonquail - Turnix ocellata
29-02 1 (female) University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
An unexpected observation. This bird was seen walking in some scrub on the campus and flew off when approached by us. The chestnut breastband was well seen, thus ruling out Barred Buttonquail.
05. Philippine Woodpecker - Dendrocopos maculatus
11-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
29-02 4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
06. White-bellied Woodpecker - Dryocopus javensis
17-02 1 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
24-02 2 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
07. Common Flameback - Dinopium javanense
22-02 2 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
08. Greater Flameback - Chrysocolaptes lucidus
14-02 2-3 Second Bagobo Babbler site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
01-03 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
09. Coppersmith Barbet - Megalaima haemacephala
Fairly common on Mindanao, Palawan and Luzon. The song is one of the characteristic sounds of the forest.
10. Palawan Hornbill - Anthracoceros marchei
23-02 2 (seen well) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 10 (heard only) Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
11. Rufous Hornbill - Buceros hydrocorax
17-02 c 3 (heard only) Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 (heard only) Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
4 (seen well) Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
26-02 c 3 (heard only) Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
12. Luzon Hornbill - Penelopides manillae
01-03 4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
13. Mindanao Hornbill - Penelopides affinis
13-02 c 3 (heard only) Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
17-02 c 5 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
c 5 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 3 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
14. Writhed Hornbill - Aceros leucocephalus
18-02 c 55 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
15. Philippine Trogon - Harpactes ardens
17-02 3 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
01-03 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
16. Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
21-02 2 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
23-02 2 at the stream near Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan; also on 24-02
17. Indigo-banded Kingfisher - Alcedo cyanopecta
02-03 1 (male) Botanical Garden of University at Los Baños, Luzon
In most books this species is illustrated with two pectoral bands, but it is better to describe the underside as completely blue with a heart-spotted orange patch on the breast and one larger orange patch on the lower belly, because the blue is more extensive compared to orange. This bird was seen well on rocks in the stream.
18. Silvery Kingfisher - Alcedo argentata
16-02 1 (twice seen well in roadside pool) Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 (passing by quickly) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
The pool at Road 1 was well known to Felizardo, our excellent guide at PICOP. One of the highlights of the holiday.
19. Rufous-backed Kingfisher - Ceyx rufidorsa
23-02 1 at the stream near Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
----. [Philippine Kingfisher - Ceyx melanurus]
26-02 1 Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
Very frustratingly, a kingfisher was calling loudly in flight in the forest far away from water, but was not seen.
20. Stork-billed Kingfisher - Pelargopsis capensis
11-02 1 between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, Mindanao
23-02 1 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
21. White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis
11-02 2 between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, Mindanao
16-02 2 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 3 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
22. Rufous-Lored or Winchell's Kingfisher - Todirhamphus winchelli
16-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 2 corner of Road 1 and road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 3 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
This species is very noisy and when using playback in their territory, without exception the birds will come closer. Depicted as shy birds in Fry's Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers, in reality they are aggressive and bold birds!
23. Collared Kingfisher - Todirhamphus chloris
16-02 1 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
21-02 2 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 3 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 6 Mary's Beach Resort and Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 4 Mary's Beach Resort and Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
29-02 1 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
04-03 1-2 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
24. Spotted Kingfisher - Actenoides lindsayi
26-02 c 4 (heard only) Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 5 (including very good views of a pair) Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
The birds of Mt Makiling reacted very good to the tape, one female flew above our heads within a meter!
25. Blue capped or Hombron's Kingfisher - Actenoides hombroni
12-02 1 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 1-2 Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 1 Start of Stream Trail/2nd Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad
All sightings were quick fly-by's. Apparently, the birds recognise tape recordings (or at least notice something is not right), as one bird flew in silently. When it saw us, it quickly flew away. Better views were obtained at the bottom of the valley, where one bird flew from one side of the stream to the other.
26. Blue-throated/Blue-tailed Bee-eater - Merops viridis/philippinus
11-02 1 seen from the car, somewhere between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, Mindanao
27. Philippine (Hodgson's) Hawk-Cuckoo - Cuculus (fugax) pectoralis
Regularly heard on Mt Kitanglad and at PICOP, Mindanao, with daily totals up to 5. Seen on 1-03 at Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon.
We follow the Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al 1997), where this species is split from Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo on morphological grounds (e.g. wing formula) and sounds.
28. [Omitted.]
29. Plaintive Cuckoo - Cacomantis merulinus
17-02 1 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
30. Rusty-breasted Cuckoo - Cacomantis sepulcralis
12-02 1 (hepatic phase) Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
01-03 1 (seen) Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
31. Drongo-Cuckoo - Surniculus lugubris
23-02 3-4 (heard only) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
32. Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo - Surniculus velutinus
Heard regularly at Mt Kitanglad and PICOP (Mindanao). Only seen at Mt Makiling, Luzon. The calls consists of 7-8 ascending whistling notes. Again, we follow the Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al 1997), where this species is split from S lugubris on morphological grounds (S velutinus has a velvety mantle and the tail is square-ended and juveniles of this species are uniformly rufous) and sound (S lugubris usually as 6 notes).
33. Red-crested Malkoha - Phaenicophaeus superciliosus
25-02 4 Angat Reservoir
29-02 c 10 Mt Makiling, Luzon
01-03 c 6 Mt Makiling, Luzon
34. Scale-feathered Malkoha - Phaenicophaeus cumingi
29-02 7 Mt Makiling, Luzon
01-03 1 Mt Makiling, Luzon
This weird looking bird is worth looking for. We had very good views of it.
35. Philippine Coucal - Centropus viridis
11-02 1 (seen) Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
Heard regularly at Mt Kitanglad and in the PICOP-area, Mindanao
35A. Lesser Coucal - Centropus bengalensis
16-02 1 (seen) Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
36. Black-faced Coucal - Centropus melanops
16-02 1 (seen, more heard) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 3 (seen, more heard) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
37. Philippine Cockatoo - Cacatua haematuropygia
22-02 2 seen from the bus between Puerto Princesa (45 minutes from there) and Sabang, Palawan
2 seen from the bridge at the entrance of St Paul NP, Palawan. The birds flew to the palm trees of Mary's Beach Resort, apparently to roost.
24-02 1-2 (heard only) Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan.
On 28th February we saw one in a cage in Hotel Robelle in Manila. The bird said 'hello' when we came near!
38. Guaiabero - Bolbopsittacus lunulatus
16-02 c 10 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
----. [Mindanao Racquet-tail - Prioniturus waterstradti]
13-02 2 Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao.
Two parrots were seen flying past the view point with square – not long pointed – tails. On Palawan we learned the racquets of this genus are not always obvious, or perhaps not present at all.
39. Blue-headed Racquet-tail - Prioniturus platenae
23-02 c 10 (seen) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 5 (heard only) Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
40. Blue-crowned Racquet-tail - Prioniturus discurus
17-02 1 (heard only) road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
41. Blue-naped Parrot - Tanygnathus lucionensis
22-02 4 St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 8 St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 3 St Paul NP, Palawan
42. Philippine Hanging-Parrot or Colasisi - Loriculus philippensis
Fairly common on Mindanao (Mt Kitanglad and PICOP) and Luzon (Angat and Mt Makiling), with daily total between 5-10 birds.
43. Grey-rumped (Glossy) Swiftlet - Collocalia (esculenta) marginata
Several authors lump this species into the large esculenta group. There are 4 races in the Philippines: isonota (Northern Luzon), marginata (Luzon south to Bohol and Leyte), septentrionalis (smaller islands north of Mindanao) and bagabo (Mindanao). At Mt Kitanglad this was the most common swiftlet. The form there, however seems closer to the esculenta-group, because they do not show lighter rumps. At Road 6, PICOP, Mindanao, several smaller swifts were seen hunting close above the road, some showing grey rumps, some showing uniform rumps. At Angat, a flock of c 5 birds was thought to be this species.
44. Philippine Swiftlet - Collocalia mearnsi
Several larger and browner swifts (c 10 birds) seen high above the valley on February 12th and 13th at Mt Kitanglad were identified as this species.
45. Pygmy Swiftlet - Collocalia troglodytes
The most common swiftlet, seen on every island, with daily totals up to 100. Typically feeding between the trees.
46. Palawan Swiftlet - Collocalia palawanensis
22-02 c 10 above the ridge at St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 c 25 St Paul NP, Palawan
c 20 above Puerto Princesa, Palawan
47. Grey or Island Swiftlet - Collocalia (vanikorensis) amelis
Uniform coloured swifts seen above Laguna de Bay, Los Baños on Luzon were thought to be this species.
48. Philippine Needletail - Mearnsia picina
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
This was one of the most beautiful birds of the trip. This bird looked more like Batman then any other bird!
49. Purple Needletail - Hirundapus celebensis
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
29-02 3-4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
50. Asian Palm-Swift - Cypsiurus balasiensis
01-03 4 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
51. Whiskered Treeswift - Hemiprocne comata
Fairly common ant Mt Kitanglad and the PICOP area, Mindanao
52. Eastern or Australasian Grass-Owl - Tyto longimembris
16-02 4 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
53. Mindanao Scops-Owl - Otus mirus
12-02 1 (heard only) Del Monte Lodge, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
This individual was calling for a short period and uttered only single notes, not the double notes as on Jelle Scharringa's CD-ROM. Calls were identical however. Another possibility is that the second note was inaudible.
54. Philippine Scops-Owl - Otus megalotis
26-02 1 (heard only) Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 1 (heard only) University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
55. Giant Scops Owl or Mindanao (Lesser) Eagle-Owl - Mimizuku gurneyi
13-02 1 (heard only) Del Monte Lodge, Mt Kitanglad Mindanao
The call of this bird was a rather sinister whroow.
56. Philippine Hawk-Owl - Ninox philippensis
26-02 1-2 (heard only) Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
57. Philippine Frogmouth - Batrachostomus septimus
Every night one bird was calling at the Del Monte Lodge, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao. When we did some effort to look for it (e.g. leaving the lodge!), it always became silent. We saw it on the evening of 13-02, its eyes reflecting in the torch
58. Great Eared-Nightjar - Eurostopodus macrotis
11-02 2-3 heard only, Del Monte Lodge, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
12-02 2-3 also seen, Del Monte Lodge, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao; also on 13-02
18-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
59. Large-tailed Nightjar - Caprimulgus macrurus
22-02 1 (seen) Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan; also heard on 23-02
60. Philippine Nightjar - Caprimulgus manillensis
14-02 1-2 (heard only) Del Monte Lodge, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
61. Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis
Only noted on Mindanao, where it was fairly common.
62. Red Collared-Dove - Streptopelia tranquebarica
04-03 c 10 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
63. Island Collared-Dove - Streptopelia bitorquata
Regularly observed on Mindanao and Luzon.
64. Philippine Cuckoo-Dove - Macropygia tenuirostris
Regularly observed on Mindanao and Luzon.
65. Emerald Dove - Chalcophaps indica
29-02 1 Mt Makiling, Luzon
66. Zebra Dove - Geopelia striata
11-02 3 Malaybalay, Mindanao.
Probably, most doves seen along roadsides were this species, but were not written down in the books. This species is introduced on the Philippines and is doing well.
67. White-eared Brown-Dove - Phapitreron leucotis
Fairly common at Mt Kitanglad, PICOP (Mindanao), Angat Reservoir and Mt Makiling (Luzon)
68. Amethyst Brown-Dove - Phapitreron amethystina
12-02 1 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 1 heard (4 notes: who-who-who-who) and shortly seen past the Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
Note that the sonogram in Forktail 11 (1995): 115 is swapped accidentally with that of Whiskered Pitta!
69. Pompadour Green-Pigeon - Treron pompadora
Common at PICOP, Mindanao (with 25 birds on a fruiting tree on Road 1 on February 16th) and - although less common - at Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
70. Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove - Ptilinopus occipitalis
Fairly common at Mt Kitanglad, PICOP (Mindanao), Angat Reservoir and Mt Makiling (Luzon). The call is a low whoo, whoo, lowest of doves on the Philippines.
71. Black-chinned Fruit-Dove - Ptilinopus leclancheri
17-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
72. Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon - Ducula poliocephala
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
73. Green Imperial-Pigeon - Ducula aenea
17-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 1 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
22-02 c 5 St Paul NP, Palawan; also on 23-02 and 24-02.
74. Barred Rail - Gallirallus torquatus
04-03 c 6-8 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon.
It is very odd to see this nice bird run between all the white crosses of the fallen American navy men.
75. Plain Bush-hen - Amaurornis olivaceus
13-02 1 (heard only) clearing before the 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
From 16-02 till 18-02 several were heard at PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao. One was crossing the road at dusk near Bislig, seen only by the Hungarians, who joined us on February 18th to Mt Pasian.
76. Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
16-02 3 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
77. BUKIDNON WOODCOCK - Scolopax 'bukidnoni'
Heard on every morning and evening and seen on the evening of February 12th and 13th, always one bird, but on the morning of February 14th we heard two birds at the first clearing. This species is discovered in 1993 by Simon Harrap and Tim Fisher on a Birdquest trip. The Natural History museum in Cincinnati apparently owns one specimen, collected somewhere in the 1950s. This particular bird stood model for the Woodcock illustration in DuPont's guide (Tim Fisher, pers. comm). There is still no official name for this species.
78. Swinhoe's Snipe - Gallinago megala
16-02 2 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao. Only seen in flight, the feet did not protrude behind the tail, therefore excluding Pintail Snipe - G stenura.
79. Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus
19-02 3 Bislig, Mindanao
21-02 c 10 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 2 at beach at Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan
80. Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
21-02 1 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
81. Common Sandpiper - Tringa hypoleucos
21-02 1 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
24-02 2 at beach at Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan
82. Grey-tailed Tattler - Tringa brevipes
21-02 5 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
23-02 2 at beach at Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan
83. Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres
21-02 1 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 1 at beach at Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan
84. Red-necked Stint - Calidris ruficollis
21-02 1 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
85. Pacific Golden-Plover - Pluvialis fulva
21-02 3 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
86. Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola
21-02 3 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
87. Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius
16-02 5 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
88. Mongolian Plover - Charadrius mongolus
21-02 c 15 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 c 5 Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang, Palawan
89. Greater Sandplover - Charadrius leschenaultii
21-02 4 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
90. Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus
Between 28-02 and 2-03 2-3 birds seen at Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon.
91. Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus
19-02 1 seen somewhere between Bislig and Davao, Mindanao
Seen daily (up to 10) at Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
92. Osprey - Pandion haliaetus
29-02 2 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
03-03 1 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
93. Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus
12-02 1 between Lower Eagle View Point and Higher Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
17-02 3 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
26-02 1 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
94. Barred Honey-buzzard - Pernis celebensis
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
95. Black-shouldered Kite - Elanus caeruleus
11-02 1 between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, Mindanao
96. White-bellied Sea-Eagle - Haliaeetus leucogaster
23-02 3-4 St Paul NP, Palawan
97. Crested Serpent-Eagle - Spilornis cheela
23-02 1 St Paul NP, Palawan
98. Philippine Serpent-Eagle - Spilornis holospilus
12-02 1 between Lower and Higher Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
01-03 1 Mount Makiling, Luzon
99. Crested Goshawk - Accipiter trivirgatus
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
100. Japanese Sparrowhawk - Accipiter gularis
13-02 1 (male, seen well) just north of the Higher Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
101. Grey-faced Buzzard - Butastur indicus
13-02 1 Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
04-03 2 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
102. Great Philippine Eagle - Pithecophaga jefferyi
12-02 1 (first-year bird) between Lower and Higher Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 1 (heard only) near the Lower Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
55 hours after departure from Holland, we found this young bird (which looks like an adult) when it was calling. We could observe this bird between 8:15 and 9:35 hours at a distance of ca. 300 meters. Then it disappeared behind the tree tops in the valley. The star bird of the holiday!
A pair bred successfully in 1999 opposite the Lower Eagle View Point. At the University in Los Baños we saw two birds in the raptor centre. Also there was a White-tailed Eagle and the Philippine Eagle was almost half a size bigger!
103. Changeable Hawk-Eagle - Spizaetus cirrhatus
13-02 1 between Del Monte Lodge and Lower Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
104. Rufous-bellied Eagle - Hieraeatus kienerii
12-02 1 (probably) between Lower and Higher Eagle View Point, Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 1 (immature) between Del Monte Lodge and Lower Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
105. Philippine Falconet - Microhierax erythrogenys
16-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 8 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6 near Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
01-03 2 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
106. Eurasian Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
18-02 1 (probably; could as well be an Oriental Hobby) Davao Airport, Mindanao
02-03 1 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
04-03 1 American Cemetery, Manila
107. Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
Seen in small numbers throughout.
108. Chinese Egret - Egretta eulophotes
21-02 1 (summer plumage) Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
109. Pacific Reef-Egret - Egretta sacra
21-02 2 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 4 beach between Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang and St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 2 Sabang Beach, Sabang, Palawan
110. Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
02-03 2 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
111. Great Egret - Ardea alba
Fairly common throughout, typically seen when travelling from one site to the other.
112. Great-billed Heron - Ardea sumatrana
23-02 1 St Paul Bay, St Paul NP, Palawan
113. Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
Common, seen daily when not in primary forest.
114. Striated Heron - Butorides striatus
21-02 1 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
23-02 1 beach between Mary's Beach Resort, Sabang and St Paul NP, Palawan
28-02 1 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
29-02 1 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
115. Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
02-03 1 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
116. Yellow Bittern - Ixobrychus sinensis
29-02 1-2 Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon
117. Cinnamon Bittern - Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
16-02 1-2 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
118. Hooded Pitta - Pitta sordida
21-02 2 (one seen close, the other heard only) Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 1 (seen briefly) St Paul NP
23-02 1 (heard only) St Paul NP; also on 24-2
119. Red-bellied Pitta - Pitta erythrogaster
17-02 1 (heard only) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
23-02 1 (heard only) Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
120. Azure-breasted Pitta - Pitta steerii
16-02 1 (heard only) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 (seen close for fifteen minutes) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
This individual sat motionless for fifteen minutes at a distance of 10 meters. This Pitta looks very angry and reminded us more as a forest kingfisher than as a cute shy bird like Pittas should be. Another highlight!
121. Golden-bellied Gerygone - Gerygone sulphurea
04-03 c 20 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
122. Asian Fairy-bluebird - Irena puella
23-02 1 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 5 St Paul NP, Palawan
123. Philippine Fairy-bluebird - Irena cyanogaster
13-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
16-02 c 10 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
26-02 2 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
124. Philippine Leafbird - Chloropsis flavipennis
16-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
1 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
125. Yellow-throated Leafbird - Chloropsis palawanensis
22-02 1 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 2 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
3 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 2 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
126. Brown Shrike - Lanius cristatus
Common in every habitat, even in hotel gardens. Some lucionensis were very greyish above, causing some confusion the first day, when we thought to have seen a Mountain Shrike at the first clearing on Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao.
127. Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach
Only seen on Mindanao, when several where seen between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, up to 5 seen daily at Mt Kitanglad. This is the black-headed race L s nasutus, which may be a good species in the near future.
128. Yellow-bellied Whistler - Pachycephala philippinensis
Common, seen on Mindanao and Luzon.
129. Slender-billed Crow - Corvus enca violaceus
22-02 3 Central Ranger Station, St Paul, Palawan
23-02 c 5 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 3 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
130. Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos
16-02 3 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 4 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 c 5 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
131. White-breasted Woodswallow - Artamus leucorynchus
11-02 c 15 Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
16-02 1 Road 5, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
2-3 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
19-02 3-4 seen somewhere between Bislig and Davao, Mindanao
29-02 2 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 1 University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
132. Dark-throated Oriole - Oriolus xanthonotus
23-02 1 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
133. Philippine Oriole - Oriolus steerii
16-02 c 10 Road 1 and Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 3 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 c 5 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
134. White-lored Oriole - Oriolus albiloris
26-02 1 (heard only) Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 1 (heard only) Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
135. Black-naped Oriole - Oriolus chinensis
16-02 1 at the corner of Road 1 and Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
136. Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike - Coracina striata
17-02 c 5 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 c 5 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
23-02 1 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
26-02 2 Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
29-02 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
137. Blackish Cuckoo-shrike – Coracina coerulescens
26-02 1 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
138. Black-bibbed Cicadabird (Cuckoo-shrike) - Coracina mindanensis
16-02 c 5 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
139. McGregor's Cuckoo-shrike - Coracina mcgregori
11-02 1 Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 c 20 Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 c 10 Mount Kitanglad, Mindanao
140. Black-and-white Triller - Lalage melanoleuca
17-02 c 10 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
141. Pied Triller - Lalage nigra
21-02 3 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
04-03 c 10 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
142. Ashy Minivet - Pericrocotus divaricatus
01-03 8 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
143. Scarlet Minivet - Pericrocotus flammeus
16-02 4 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
144. Blue-headed Fantail - Rhipidura cyaniceps
26-02 c 6 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 4 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
29-02 c 10 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 c 10 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
145. Black-and-cinnamon Fantail - Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea
11-02 6 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
12-02 c 25 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 c 30 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 c 10 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
146. Pied Fantail - Rhipidura javanica
21-02 c 5 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
147. Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus
22-02 1 Central Ranger Station, St Paul, Palawan
23-02 c 5 Central Ranger Station, St Paul, Palawan
148. Balicassiao - Dicrurus balicassius
Common at the Angat Reservoir and Mount Makiling, Luzon
149. Spangled Drongo - Dicrurus bracteatus
Common to very common on Mindanao and Palawan
150. Black-naped Monarch - Hypothymis azurea
16-02 3 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 2 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 4 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
26-02 3 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 2 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
29-02 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
151. Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone cinnamomea
16-02 1 Road 1, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 1 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
27-02 1 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
152. Blue Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone cyanescens
24-02 2 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
153. Eyebrowed Thrush - Turdus obscurus
At Mt Kitanglad, every evening and early morning roosting flocks of c 10-50 birds were seen.
154. White-browed Shortwing - Brachypteryx montana
Typically one bird was holding a territory at the first Bagabo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao. Seen daily between 12-02 and 14-02. The cryptic Shortwing at Mt Pasian was not observed, due to the very bad weather.
155. Grey-streaked Flycatcher - Muscicapa griseisticta
11-02 1 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
12-02 3 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 4 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
18-02 1 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
22-02 1 St Paul NP, Palawan
01-03 1 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
156. Mugimaki Flycatcher - Ficedula mugimaki
13-02 1 Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 1 Stream Trail/2nd Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
157. Snowy-browed Flycatcher - Ficedula hyperythra
13-02 1-2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao, also on 14-02
158. Little Slaty Flycatcher - Ficedula basilanica
19-02 1 (female) road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
Females of this lowland species are very difficult to separate from Cryptic Flycatcher, which is a strict montane species and is never seen at Road 1-4, which in turn is currently the best place to see Little Slaty Flycatcher.
159. Cryptic Flycatcher - Ficedula crypta
18-02 3 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
1 (either Ficedula crypta or Ficedula basilanica) Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
Currently Mt Pasian is THE place to see this rare endemic species. Despite the pouring rain and harsh wind we managed to see this cute little flycatcher.
160. Furtive Flycatcher - Ficedula disposita
26-02 1 Ridge Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
This birds was taped-out successfully by the Birdquest team. Seen for a short period, though well sound-recorded. Formerly called Vaurie's Flycatcher. This species is split into Furtive Flycatcher (rediscovered here at Angat in 1994) and Cryptic Flycatcher. These little Philippine flycatchers stay typically one meter above the ground in dense forest. Song is 5-note whistle, sie-siee, (pause) siee-sie-sieeuw (the last note falling) and reminded me of this annoying phrase in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
161. Little Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula westermanni
13-02 2 Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
162. Island Flycatcher - Eumyias panayensis
12-02 c 5 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao, also on 13-02
Most probably, this species is often confused with Little Slaty Flycatcher at Mt Kitanglad. Keep in mind Little Slaty is a lowland species and Island Flycatcher is not always as shown in DuPont's. We saw birds with underparts much paler than in DuPont's.
163. Palawan Blue-Flycatcher - Cyornis lemprieri
23-02 c 10 (2 seen well, others heard) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
164. Citrine Canary-flycatcher - Culicicapa helianthea
18-02 2 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
165. White-browed Shama - Copsychus luzoniensis
27-02 2 (heard only) Angat Reservoir, Luzon
29-02 2 (heard only) Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 3 (seen) Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
02-03 1 (heard only) Botanical Gardens, University Campus, Los Baños, Luzon
166. White-vented Shama - Copsychus niger
22-02 1 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 2 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 4 St Paul NP, Palawan
167. Short-tailed Starling - Aplonis minor
Seen daily at Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao with maximum of 6 birds.
According to Feare & Craig (Starlings and Mynas, 1999) on Mindanao this is a montane species, while the Asian Glossy Starling is a lowland species on the Philippines.
168. Asian Glossy Starling – Aplonis panayensis
16-02 c 5 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
169. Common Myna – Acridotheres tristis
10-02 4 Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia
170. Crested Myna - Acridotheres cristatellus
04-03 c 10 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
171. Apo Myna - Basilornis miranda
13-02 2 Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao. One of the best birds of the trip.
172. Coleto - Sarcops calvus
Common at PICOP, Mindanao, Angat and Mt Makiling, Luzon
173. Sulphur-billed Nuthatch - Sitta oenochlamys
12-02 c 10 Mt Kitanglad Mindanao; also on 13-02 and 14-02
18-02 1 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
29-02 4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
174. Elegant Tit - Parus elegans
Common at Mt Kitanglad and in the PICOP-area, Mindanao. Also common at the Angat Reservoir and Mt Makiling, Luzon. Typically, the main bird of feeding flocks.
175. Palawan Tit - Parus amabilis
24-02 c 8 St Paul NP, Palawan
176. Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
The most common swallow, seen daily on every visited island.
177. Pacific Swallow - Hirundo tahitica
Seen daily (up to 10) at Laguna de Bay, Los Baños, Luzon.
178. Striated Swallow - Hirundo striolata
11-02 1 (seen from the car) between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, Mindanao
02-03 3 (collecting clay) University Campus Soccer Field, Los Baños, Luzon
179. Yellow-wattled Bulbul - Pycnonotus urostictus
17-02 2 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
180. Yellow-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus goiavier
Common on Luzon and Mindanao.
181. Grey-cheeked Bulbul - Alophoixus bres
23-02 1 St Paul NP, Palawan
182. Sulphur-bellied Bulbul - Ixos palawanensis
22-02 2 St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 c 10 St Paul NP, Palawan, also on 24-02
183. Philippine Bulbul - Ixos philippinus
Common on Mindanao and Luzon.
184. Yellowish Bulbul - Ixos everetti
Common in the PICOP area, Bislig, Mindanao, with daily totals up to 20 birds.
185. Golden-headed Cisticola - Cisticola exilis
16-02 1 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
186. Lowland White-eye - Zosterops meyeni
04-03 c 30 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
187. Everett's White-eye - Zosterops everetti
17-02 c 5 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
188. Yellowish White-eye - Zosterops nigrorum
01-03 1 (at least) Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
All white-eyes (c 50) seen on Mt Makiling stayed high in the canopy, but were believed all to be this species.
189. Mountain White-eye - Zosterops montanus
Common at Mt Kitanglad from 12-02 till 14-02 and Mt Pasian on 18-02, Mindanao.
190. Black-masked or Mindanao White-eye - Lophozosterops goodfellowi
13-02 c 5 Stream trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 2 Lower Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
191. Cinnamon IBON - Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus
12-02 c 5 Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao, also on 14-02
13-02 c 5 Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao; also on 14-02
192. Long-tailed Bush-Warbler - Bradypterus caudatus
11-02 1 (heard only) 1st Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
12-02 1 (heard only) 2nd Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
1 (heard only) 1st Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao; also on 13-02
The birds on Luzon seems to have a 2 note song (tsr-trsieeee), while birds on Mt Kitanglad a single tsrieeeeee.
193. Middendorff's Warbler - Locustella ochotensis
16-02 c 10 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
194. Oriental Reed-Warbler - Acrocephalus orientalis
16-02 1 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
04-03 2-3 American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon
195. Rufous-headed Tailorbird - Orthotomus heterolaemus
12-02 2 (building a nest) 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao. However, not seen on one of the following days.
196. Grey-backed Tailorbird - Orthotomus derbianus
01-03 c 3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
One bird was seen very well. It responded both to the recording of Philippine Tailorbirds and Grey-backed Tailorbirds. One bird sang exactly as Philippine Tailorbird recorded on Negros on the excellent Raf Drijver's tape.
197. Rufous-tailed Tailorbird - Orthotomus sericeus
21-02 2 Garceliano Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 1 Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 2 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
198. Black-headed Tailorbird - Orthotomus nigriceps
17-02 1 (heard only) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
c 4 (heard only) Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 (heard only) Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
The two birds on Road 6 were frustratingly close, but did not come into view at all.
199. Arctic Warbler - Phylloscopus borealis
A total of c 5 birds was seen between 12-02 and 14-02 on Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
18-02 1 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
01-03 1 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
200. Lemon-throated Warbler - Phylloscopus cebuensis
27-02 1 Reservoir Trail, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
This species was probably overlooked. The same is true for the Philippine Leaf-Warbler, which we probably did see at PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao.
201. Mountain Leaf-Warbler - Phylloscopus trivirgatus
A total of c 10 birds was seen between 12-02 and 14-02 on Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
18-02 4 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
202. Tawny Grassbird - Megalurus timoriensis
12-02 1 (seen, more heard) 1st clearing, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao; also on 13-02 and 14-02.
203. Striated Grassbird - Megalurus palustris
Several were heard and 2-3 seen at Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao between 11-02 and 14-02.
18-02 1 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
204. Ashy-headed Babbler - Malacocincla cinereiceps
22-02 1 (seen) Entrance of St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 3 (1 seen, 2 heard) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 1 (seen) Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
205. Falcated Wren-Babbler - Ptilocichla falcata
23-02 1 (seen) Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
This Palawan endemic was singing on a log at a distance of 20 meters. Another highlight! This year the species proved to be difficult and several tour groups did not see one.
206. Pygmy Babbler - Stachyris plateni
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
207. Striped Tit-Babbler - Macronous gularis
23-02 c 10 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 10 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
208. Brown Tit-Babbler - Macronous striaticeps
17-02 c 10 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 c 5 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
19-02 4 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
209. Stripe-sided Rhabdornis - Rhabdornis mysticalis
17-02 6 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 c 30 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
29-02 3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 5 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
210. Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis - Rhabdornis inornatus
11-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
Between 12-02 and 14-02 c 20 birds were seen at Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao. Also one of our favourites.
211. Olive-backed Flowerpecker - Prionochilus olivaceus
16-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 1 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
212. Palawan Flowerpecker - Prionochilus plateni
23-02 2 Ridge/Orange Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 6 Jungle Trail, St Paul NP, Palawan
213. Striped Flowerpecker - Dicaeum aeruginosum
29-02 1 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 2-4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
214. Olive-capped Flowerpecker - Dicaeum nigrilore
11-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
18-02 2 Mt Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
215. Flame-crowned Flowerpecker - Dicaeum anthonyi kampalili
13-02 2 (pair) Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 1 (male) start of the Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
216. Bicolored Flowerpecker - Dicaeum bicolor
26-02 3 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 c 5 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
217. RED-STRIPED or RED-KEELED FLOWERPECKER - Dicaeum australe
16-02 2 (males in dispute with their bills held vertically) Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
26-02 c 5 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 c 5 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 c 3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
218. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker - Dicaeum trigonostigma
16-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 c 5 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
219. Buzzing or White-bellied Flowerpecker - Dicaeum hypoleucum
13-02 1 (male) Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
27-02 2-3 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 2-3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
After the release of the new Guide to the Philippines we found out we swapped the sightings of Buzzing Flowerpecker with the sightings of Bicolored Flowerpecker. According to the new guide the subspecies obscurum on Luzon is not black-and-white, but is more drab-coloured. The bird we saw at Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao was the subspecies pontifex, which looks like Bicoloured Flowerpecker, but with a finer and more pointed bill.
220. Pygmy Flowerpecker - Dicaeum pygmaeum
25-02 2-3 Hilltop, Angat Reservoir, Luzon
26-02 c 5 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
27-02 2-3 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 2-3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
221. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - Dicaeum ignipectus
12-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 c 5 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 2-3 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
Note that all above observations of flowerpeckers are just a fraction of all the flowerpeckers we have seen, but we were not able to identify, because these little birds stay high in the canopy and/or move about rapidly.
222. Plain-throated Sunbird - Anthreptes malacensis
01-03 2 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
223. Purple-throated or Van Hasselt's Sunbird - Nectarinia sperata brasiliana
21-02 4 Casa Linda, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
22-02 c 20 Sabang and St Paul NP, Palawan
23-02 c 10-12 Mary's Beach Resort and Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 6 Mary's Beach Resort and Central Ranger Station, St Paul NP, Palawan
25-02 2 Casa Linda, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
224. Olive-backed Sunbird - Nectarinia jugularis
12-02 c 5 Dalwangan, Mindanao
16-02 2 Road 1-4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
17-02 c 5 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
27-02 c 3 Angat Reservoir, Luzon
01-03 c 5 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
225. Grey-hooded Sunbird - Aethopyga primigenius
11-02 1 Del Monte Lodge, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
12-02 c 5 at the sign near the Lower Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 c 5 Lower Eagle View Point and Stream Trail, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
14-02 2-3 near the Del Monte Lodge, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
226. Flaming Sunbird - Aethopyga flagrans
29-02 4 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
01-03 3 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
227. Metallic-winged Sunbird - Aethopyga pulcherrima
18-02 c 10 Mount Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
228. Lovely Sunbird - Aethopyga shelleyi
22-02 4 Puerto Princesa, Palawan
23-02 c 20 St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 c 12 St Paul NP, Palawan
29-02 1 Mt Makiling, Los Baños, Luzon
At Palawan, one bird was displaying a few meters away on the ground, giving amazing views.
229. Lina's Sunbird - Aethopyga linaraborae
18-02 2 (1 male seen and 1 bird only seen in flight which uttered the same flight-call) between the second and third booster station, Mount Pasian, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
This Mindanao endemic was only first described in 1997. Good identification mark is the small yellow throat-stripe and the red and orange on the breast. We had good views of the throat, but did not see the yellow rump. Keep in mind it is always raining at this place, but the birds we see did not bother and are probably used to this weather.
230. Little Spiderhunter - Arachnothera longirostra
17-02 2 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
18-02 2 Road 6, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
23-02 6 St Paul NP, Palawan
24-02 2 St Paul NP, Palawan
231. Naked-faced Spiderhunter - Arachnothera clarae
13-02 2 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
17-02 2 Road 4, PICOP, Bislig, Mindanao
232. Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus
Very common, especially in towns and other human settlements.
233. Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava
Single birds (subspecies?) were seen at Mt Kitanglad, on the airstrip at Bislig and in the PICOP-area, Mindanao.
234. Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
Single birds were seen almost daily on every visited island.
235. Paddyfield or Oriental Pipit - Anthus rufulus
12-02 1 Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
04-03 c 5 American Cemetery, Manila Luzon
236. Red-eared Parrotfinch - Erythrura coloria
12-02 1 (heard only) 1st Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 c 5 (1 seen, more heard) 1st Bagobo Babbler-site, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
This Mindanao endemic utters a tiny and soft siet, siet and is very difficult to get into view. Most of the time one sees only a head or tail and next it is gone! This bird is probably common at borders of clearings.
237. Black-headed Munia - Lonchura malacca
11-02 2 Airport of Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
16-02 c 50 Bislig Airfield, Mindanao
19-02 c 10 Davao Airport, Mindanao
238. White-cheeked Bullfinch - Pyrrhula leucogenis
12-02 c 6 (mostly heard, seen badly) near Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
13-02 2 (seen well) Higher Eagle View Point, Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao
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Copyright © 1992-2012 John Wall |
