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| A Report from birdtours.co.uk |
Philippines, Jan-March 2001,
Introduction
We spent the period between 17th January and 10th March birding in the Philippines, visiting sites on Luzon, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao. The Philippines is hard work. Good habitat is increasingly hard to find, even within the protected area network, and birds are heavily hunted and therefore at low densities and very shy. It is well worth the effort though as the rate of endemism is very high and the birds are fantastic. If you are thinking of ever going to the Philippines then do it now, birding here will only get harder and inevitably some species will be lost during our life-times. We used the excellent gen put together by Brian Gee and available from the Oriental Bird Club (try the website at www.orientalbirdclub.org or email mail@orientalbirdclub.org ).
We flew into Manila from Bangkok (£125 return with Egyptian Airlines - booked in Bangkok). Internal flights were all booked with PAL in the Philippines and were reasonably priced. We thank Tim Fisher for his help and assistance during the trip and also Rolf de By (and his Dutch crew) who kept us going on Mount Katanglad and urged us to go on to PICOP. Des Allen, Jon Hornbuckle, Raf Drijvers and David Fisher kindly supplied us with some useful tape recordings.
Site details
17/1 to 20/1 Mount Makiling (Luzon)
We arrived in Manila in the middle of a bloodless coup, lots of demonstrations
during which the president was eventually removed. Because of this we booked
our onward internal flights at the airport and then headed straight for Mount
Makiling which lies within the campus of a university about 2 hours south of
Manila. A great introduction to Philippine birding and we were fortunate to
meet Paul Aston (last seen at Nam Nao in 1989) on the bus who supplied us with
much gen on the country and its birds.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took a bus from the BLTB terminal to Los Baños (P51 - all prices in pesos
(P)). At Los Baños take a jeepney from the road that goes off right at the big
Jollibee burger house on the right. [As a quick aside never, unless in
dire emergency, be tempted to try a Jollibee burger.] Take a jeepney
going up to 'Forestry' (P4) and stay at the Forestry Alumni guesthouse near
the gate to the forest. This is not very pleasant but is all that is available
near the birding. We ate at the nearby canteen.
This site is not in Brian Gee's report. We visited it without much gen at all. We birded the Botanical Gardens and the trail/road to the top of the volcano. Surprise bird here was a single ashy-breasted flycatcher (there is just one previous report of this species at the site), easily the best bird of the 20+ new birds seen at this site. Generally birding here was frustrated by low densities of birds and their incredible shyness. Apparently spotted buttonquail is present on campus (see Aidan Kelly's report on the internet for more details).
22/1, 30/1 and 1/2 Puerto Princessa (Palawan)
We flew here with PAL after the new president took power and spent a few
spare days birding the coast close to our guesthouse. Good site for Chinese
egret and saw a few waders here.
23/1, 31/1 and 1/2 Balsahan Trail (Iwahig) and
Irawan (Palawan)
These two sites are fairly close together and both have forest that has
been heavily disturbed. We had trouble accessing the Balsahan Trail at first
(it is within a penal colony) so visited Irawan instead. Eventually we discovered
how to gain permission to visit the prison area and had a good 2 days at the
site. Irawan produced a number of good birds including Asian brown flycatcher
(vagrant), forest wagtail (vagrant) and our only blue paradise flycatcher of
the trip. The Balsahan Trail produced our only Palawan flycatcher and melodious
babbler records.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
As reported recently by John Gregory on the WorldTwitch website the management
at Iwahig Penal Colony have cracked down on birders wishing to walk the Balsahan
Trail. This site is important for nightbirds (best site for both the Scops-owl
and frogmouth), Palawan flycatcher and Melodious babbler - species which can
be difficult at St Paul's National Park. Access is still possible however by
contacting Arnel Mallari (a prison employee and birder) by mail well in advance
of your visit. Arnel knows the birds of this site and will accompany you on
the trail. Best to write to him at least one month in advance so he can make
the necessary arrangements - Arnel Mallari, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Puerto
Princessa City, Palawan, Philippines. You can also try ringing him at the weekends
on 433-39-20. We hired a tricycle for the pre-dawn 23 km trip from Puerto Princessa.
The flycatcher is best found between the second and third stream crossing -
a tape is useful for both this and the babbler.
The Irawan Catchment Project is about 12 km south of Puerto Princessa and is well-known to most tri-cycle drivers. Walk along the track which goes through disturbed habitat but can be good for birds. Take plenty of water - it is a long walk.
24/1 to 30/1 St Paul's National Park (Palawan)
We spent an enjoyable week here. Met Tim Fisher and some of his mates and
a hardcore crew of Japanese birders. Fantastic forest but very low densities
of birds which meant that things could be unbelievably slow. We managed a very
poor view of the peacock-pheasant by sitting under a mosquito net for 2.5 hours
one day out behind the accommodation. Enjoyed most of the other diurnal endemics
but failed to score with the frogmouth (heard on one night only).
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took a jeepney from Puerto Princessa to Sabang (P100 - tourist price)
which took a staggering 5.5 hours to cover just 70 kilometres. Book your accommodation
at the Park through the office on the pier at Sabang and then walk along the
beach to the Park (1 hour). The accommodation here is basic and you need to
take all your food with you. Store all food in the kitchen - the monkeys here
are bad. Alternatively you can stay at one of the Lodges just outside the park
and walk in every day.
We birded along the trail network. The area around the Underground River had calling peacock-pheasant and was the only place we saw the cockatoo. The small trail along the stream near the HQ was good for falcated wren babbler and we heard the frogmouth along here one night. The trail around the back of the HQ clearing is good for the pheasant.
3/2 Tabunan (Cebu)
We flew into Cebu City for a day visit to the flowerpecker site with two
of the women who run a local conservation NGO on Cebu. Perched high on the side
of the valley in scanty forest and after 5 hours were rewarded with superb views
of Cebu flowerpecker, down to just 2 metres. Also had black shama here but only
heard streak-breasted bulbul.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We flew to Cebu City from Puerto Princessa and stayed in a hotel there.
We contacted Sol at the CBCF (local conservation foundation) on 032 2317146
(email cbcf98@gsilink.com) and they
offered to accompany us to the Tabunan site for a day and introduce us to Oking
( a great guide on site). We payed P150 for motorbikes to Tabunan (each way)
and gave Oking P300. You can stay at Oking's if you have time for a longer stay.
Oking will ensure that you know where to go and will look after you on site.
4/2 to 9/2 Rajah Sikatuna National Park (Bohol)
A fantastic park but again low densities of birds made birding here very
slow on some days. Excellent accommodation though and we were well looked after
by John (the on-site ranger). Met up with a Dutch crew here who gripped us rigid
by seeing Mindanao bleeding-heart on their first day. Enjoyed good views of
red-bellied pitta and Steere's pitta as well as a load of other great birds
including rufous-tailed jungle-flycatcher, black-chinned fruit-dove, pink-bellied
imperial pigeon, streaked ground babbler and the incredible black-faced coucal.
It rained a lot when we were here, which made birding hard at times.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took the fast ferry from Cebu City to Bohol (P260) and jumped straight
on a bus to Bilar (near the park). Sundays is market day at Bilar so plenty
of food available then - we stocked up for the week and delivered our food to
John (duty ranger at the accommodation). Take a motorcycle taxi to the Park
accommodation at Logarita. John cooked for us in the evenings all week and we
slipped him some money when we left (P100/day). John will also shop for you
if necessary - he is a star. Check out his office before you leave - this guy
is seriously into machine guns and babes. Good accommodation available here
in the hostel (three double rooms at P50/night). Entrance fee P20.
Bird the network of trails and check out the logbook for the latest. There is a slight risk of bumping into armed guerrillas at this site - so be alert and take care.
10/2 to 15/2 Mount Katanglad (Mindanao)
Without a doubt one of the highlights of the trip in the Philippines. Superb
birding, albeit in very degraded habitat. Met the Dutch crew again and we had
some fine birding days together. The Philippine eagle egg had hatched three
days before we arrived so we were able to watch the small chick being fed by
the adult. Other highlights here included blue-capped wood kingfisher, Apo myna,
Apo sunbird, red-eared parrotfinch and Philippine frogmouth.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took the very slow overnight ferry from Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cagayan
de Oro (P385, currently Monday, Wednesday and Friday), from where we caught
a bus to Dalwangan (P45 - 2 hours). Here we found Carlito who organised our
stay at the Del Monte Lodge on Mount Katanglad. Carlito no longer accompanies
people up the hill since an unfortunate incident involving a dead logger. Instead
you will be accompanied by his very capable son-in-law (Akhe). We paid P75/night
plus P150 for a lift to the base of the hill and P300 for horse transport of
our baggage and food up and down the hill. Akhe can act as a guide (P250/day)
for some of the rarer birds and he is well worth the money for a couple of days
(or longer if you can afford it). The recently introduced permit to enter the
park is a rather steep P1050 for two. Akhe cooked for us every evening and looked
after the Lodge in our absence. The Lodge is getting a bit tatty but is still
serviceable. Avoid major tour group dates (Kingbird and Birdquest) as it is
difficult to get in here when they are in town. Do not be put off by all the
bad press that Mindanao gets, the areas around both Katanglad and PICOP are
safe. In fact we found Mindanao to be our favourite island in the archipelago
by quite a long way.
Bird the trail up the hill from the Lodge (get Akhe to show you the way). Make sure you get up into moss forest above 1800 metres for the sunbird and myna. Akhe can take you to a blue-capped wood kingfisher territory prior to dawn so you can tape it in. Nightbirds were excellent around the Lodge at night, including grass owl, Philippine frogmouth and roding Bukidnon woodcock.
18/2 to 20/2 PICOP (Mindanao)
The Dutch crew persuaded us that we just had to do this site, despite the
high cost. It was indeed well worth it and in the end we were able to team up
with Chris Goodie and Rick Lockwood, which helped to defray the costs and was
also excellent value. Rick had all the tapes and Chris proved phenomenal at
picking up birds perched high in trees. We did alright here but again got only
poor views of silvery kingfisher and dipped writhed hornbill. We did see some
great birds though including rufous-lored kingfisher, black-headed tailorbird,
little slaty flycatcher and short-crested monarch.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took the bus back to Cagayan de Oro from Dalwangan (P45 - 2 hours), then
bus to Bawean (P110 - 4 hours) and onto Mangagoy (P125 - 6 hours). Probably
not possible in one day by public transport. At Mangagoy we stayed at the Paper
Country Inn (P450/day) which was overpriced. You can stay inside the PICOP compound
at the cheaper Bislig Inn if you want. Access into the concession is only possible
by contacting Felizardo Goring (tel 086 6282123) - he will arrange jeepney transport
for you. We paid P2500 a day but the driver did know his way around.
The birding here is good but good areas change annually as the forest is cut, technically there is a reserve within the concession but squatters have invaded it so it will not last long. If it is dry you may be able to get your transport up the mountain on the concession which hold Lina's sunbird and cryptic flycatcher.
22/2 to 25/2 Quezon National Park (Luzon)
Not my favourite site - with many signs of recent degradation within the
park. Not the best accommodation either, we ended up sleeping in the kitchen
area of a roadside shop/café. But we did see some good birds here including
spotted wood kingfisher, indigo-banded kingfisher, Luzon bleeding-heart, metallic
pigeon and cream-bellied fruit-dove. Sadly also had untickable views of both
Rabor's wren-babbler and ashy thrush.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We flew from Cagayan to Manila (P2993). Then bus from BLTB terminal to Malicboy
(P131 - 4 hours). We stayed at the shop/restaurant (Merlam's) on the junction
into the park, run by Roberto Corpus and family. Very basic (P250 each for room
and board per day). Incredibly we were charged a daily permit fee for this park
- which appears to enjoy no protection whatsoever and is accessed easily by
all and sundry from a public road.
Bird the access road and the trail that starts on the left just before the carpark by the grotesque pond.
1/3 to 2/3 Angat (Luzon)
We arrived here by taxi from Manila and stayed a couple of nights in the
company guesthouse . Very poor and degraded habitat and we did not enjoy it
here much. We did see a few birds that were not recorded elsewhere though including
pygmy flowerpecker, white-lored oriole and flaming sunbird.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took a taxi (P600) all the way to the guesthouse at Hilltop (expect to
get lost). We left by jeepney from Hilltop to Norzagaray (P18) and then bus
to Cubao (P30). The guesthouse at Angat cost P500 per room and we used the cooking
facilities to prepare our own food. To book the guesthouse (essential) ring
Dr Joven Faralda on 09 213541. But check latest contact details. We found it
very hard work here, most big trees are gone and the birding has declined a
great deal in the last 10-15 years.
5/3 to 7/3 Mount Polis (Luzon)
Definitely the jewel in the crown as far as birding in Luzon goes. We had
a great time here based at Banaue. The rice terraces are spectacular. Visited
Bay-yo village for Luzon water-redstart and also picked up chestnut-faced babbler.
Spent the next two mornings taking pre-dawn motorcycles up to the summit where
we connected with Luzon racquet-tail, Philippine bush-warbler, green-backed
whistler and mountain shrike. We could also hear whiskered pitta calling in
the gullies but attempts to get into this incredibly dense montane forest were
thwarted.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
We took a bus from Cubao to Solano (P200 - 8.5 hours) and stayed there overnight.
Then jeepney to Lagawe (P29) and another onto Banaue (P17). Plenty of accommodation
here. Arrange for a motorcycle to take you to the top of Polis every morning
before dawn and spend one day at Bay-yu village down by the river for the water
redstart (get off bus after summit by flying saucer bus shelter and walk down
to the river by the village).
9/3 American Cemetery, Manila (Luzon)
Our last site in the Philippines was the obligatory visit to the American
Cemetery. Always sobering these places but a nice quiet place amongst the bustle
of metro Manila. Some great birds too, we connected with the lowland white-eyes
and barred rails with no problems.
Getting there, accommodation and birding the site
Get a taxi from central Manila. We just wandered around and caught up with
the specialities fairly easily.
Birds recorded in the Philippines
between 17th January and 10th March
Sites visited: Mount Makiling, Luzon (MK) 17/1 - 20/1, Puerto Princessa,
Palawan (PP) 22/1, 30/1 and 1/2, Iwahig (BT) and Irawan, Palawan (IR) 23/1,
31/1 and 1/2, St Paul's, Palawan (SP) 24/1 - 30/1, Tabunan, Cebu (TB) 3/2, Rajah
Sikatuna NP, Bohol (RSNP) 4/2 - 9/2, Mount Katanglad, Mindanao (KG) 10/2 - 15/2,
PICOP, Mindanao (PCP) 18/2 - 20/2, Quezon NP, Luzon (QNP) 22/2 - 25/2, Angat,
Luzon (AG) 1/3 - 2/3, Mount Polis, Luzon (MP) 5/3 - 7/3, American Cemetery,
Manila, Luzon (AC) 9/3. Birds in square brackets were heard only.
Purple heron Ardea purpurea PCP
Great egret Casmerodius albus PP
Eastern reef egret Egretta sacra PP, SP
Chinese egret Egretta eulophotes PP
Little egret Egretta garzetta PP
Little heron Butorides striatus IR, PP
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis widespread
Cinnamon bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus PCP
Wandering whistling duck Dendrocygna arcuata PCP
Philippine duck Anas luzonica PCP
Oriental honey buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus PP, KG, PCP,
QNP
Barred honey buzzard Pernis celebensis KG, PCP
Brahminy kite Haliastur indus RSNP
White-bellied sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Sabang,
SP
Crested goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus SP, BT
Grey-faced buzzard Butastur indicus BT, AG
Common buzzard Buteo buteo MP
Crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela [SP], BT
Philippine serpent eagle Spilornis holospilus [MK], [RSNP],
KG, PCP, QNP, [AG], [MP]
Philippine eagle Pithecophaga jeffreyi KG
Philippine falconet Microhierax erythrogenys KG, PCP
Tabon scrubfowl Megapodius cummingi SP
Red junglefowl Gallus gallus AG
[Palawan peacock pheasant] Polyplectron emphanum [SP]
Barred buttonquail Turnix suscitator PP
Barred rail Gallirallus torquatus AC
[Plain bushhen] Amauronis olivaceus [KG], [AC]
White-breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus PP, KG
White-browed crake Poliolimnas cinerea PP, BT
Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus PP
Greater painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis BT, PP
Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola PP
Asian golden plover Pluvialis fulva PP
Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius BT, PCP
Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus BT, PP
Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus PP
Greater sand plover Charadrius leschenaultii PP
Common greenshank Tringa nebularia BT
Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus PP
Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola BT
Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos PP, BT
Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis BT
Grey-tailed tattler Heteroscelus brevipes PP
Pintail snipe Gallinago stenura BT
Swinhoe´s snipe Gallinago megala BT, PCP
Common snipe Gallinago gallinago BT
Bukidnon woodcock Scolopax bukidnonensis KG
Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis PP
Long-toed stint Calidris subminuta BT
Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus BT
Pompadour green pigeon Treron pompadora PCP
White-eared brown dove Phapitreron leucotis [MK], RSNP,
PCP, [QNP]
Amethyst brown dove Phapitreron amethystine RSNP, PCP
Cream-bellied fruit-dove Ptilinopus merrelli QNP
Yellow-breasted fruit-dove Ptilinopus occipitalis [MK], KG
Black-chinned fruit-dove Ptilinopus leclancheri RSNP, QNP
Pink-bellied imperial pigeon Ducula poliocephala RSNP, PCP
Green imperial pigeon Ducula aenea SP, PCP
Metallic pigeon Columba vitiensis QNP
Philippine cuckoo-dove Macropygia MK, KG, AG
Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis widespread
Red turtle dove Streptopelia tranquebarica AC
Zebra dove Geopelia striata Palawan, AC
Emerald dove Chalcophaps indica IR, PCP, QNP
Luzon bleeding-heart Gallicolumba luzonica QNP
[Mindanao bleeding-heart] Gallicolumba criniger [RSNP]
Guiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus PCP, QNP, AG
Philippine cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia SP Two together
on 25/1.
Blue-naped parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis SP
Blue-crowned racquet-tail Prioniturus discurus TB, RSNP,
[PCP]
Blue-headed racquet-tail Prioniturus platenae SP
Mindanao racquet-tail Prioniturus waterstradti KG
Luzon racquet-tail Prioniturus montanus MP
Colasisi Loriculus philippensis MK, KG, PCP, QNP, AG
[Philippine hawk-cuckoo] Hierococcyx pectoralis [KG]
Plaintive cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus [MK], IR
Brush cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis TB, [RSNP], [KG], [MP]
Violet cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus PCP
Drongo cuckoo Surniculus lugubris [MK], BT, SP, IR, RSNP,
PCP, [QNP]
Scale-feathered malkoha Phaenicophaeus cumingi MK, QNP, AG
Chestnut-breasted malkoha Rhamphococcyx curvirostris SP, BT
Red-crested malkoha Phaenicophaeus superciliosus MK, QNP, AG
[Greater coucal] Centropus sinensis [Palawan]
Philippine coucal Centropus viridis MK, TB, [RSNP], [AG]
Lesser coucal Centropus bengalensis KG
Black-faced coucal Centropus melanops RSNP
Rufous coucal Centropus unirufus QNP, AG
Grass owl Tyto capensis KG, PCP
[Philippine scopsowl] Otus megalotis [MK], [RSNP]
[Giant scopsowl] Mimizuku gurneyi [KG]
Philippine eagle owl Bubo philippensis RSNP
Philippine hawk owl Ninox philippensis MK, [RSNP], [QNP]
Philippine frogmouth Batrachostomus septimus [RSNP], KG
[Palawan frogmouth] Batrachostomus chaseni [SP], [BT]
Great eared nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis [RSNP], KG
Large-tailed nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus PP
Philippine nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis RSNP, KG,
PCP Nest found at Katanglad at 1800 metres on 11/2 with one egg, two eggs the
next day. No previous breeding records in February.
Philippine swiftlet Collocalia mearnsi KG, MP
Glossy swiftlet Collocalia esculenta MK, Sabang, KG, QNP,
MP
Pale-rumped swiftlet Collocalia germani SP
Palawan swiftlet Collocalia palawensis PP, BT
Pygmy swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes MK, IR, Sabang, RSNP,
PCP, QNP, AG
Philippine needletail Mearnsia picina PCP
Purple needletail Hirundapus celebensis KG, PCP, Banaue, AC
Asian palm swift Cypsiurus balasiensis MK, AG
Whiskered treeswift Hemiprocne comata RSNP, PCP
Philippine trogon Harpactes ardens RSNP, PCP, [AG]
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis IR
Common kingfisher Alcedo atthis PP, SP
Indigo-banded kingfisher Alcedo cyanopecta QNP
Silvery kingfisher Alcedo argentata RSNP, PCP
Oriental dwarf kingfisher Ceyx erithacus SP
Stork-billed kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis IR, SP
White-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis PCP, QNP, MP
Rufous-lored kingfisher Todiramphus winchelli [RSNP], PCP
White-collared kingfisher Halcyon chloris PP, SP, AC
Spotted kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi [MK], QNP
Blue-capped kingfisher Actenoides hombroni KG
Luzon hornbill Penelopides manillae MK, QNP, AG
Mindanao hornbill Penelopides affinis RSNP, KG, PCP
Palawan hornbill Anthracoceros marchei near Sabang, SP
Rufous hornbill Buceros hydrocorax [MK], PCP, QNP, [AG]
Coppersmith barbet Megalaima haemacephala MK, TB, [KG],
PCP, QNP, AG
Philippine pygmy woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus MK, TB,
KG, AG
Sooty woodpecker Mulleripicus funebris PCP
Great slaty woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus SP
White-bellied woodpecker Dryocopus javensis RSNP, PCP, QNP
Greater flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus MK, RSNP, KG, PCP,
QNP
Common flameback Dinopium javanense IR, BT
Red-bellied pitta Pitta erythrogaster MK, RSNP,
PCP, [QNP]
Hooded pitta Pitta sordida SP
Steere´s pitta Pitta steeri RSNP, PCP
[Whiskered pitta] Pitta kochi [MP]
Barn swallow Hirundo rustica widespread
Pacific swallow Hirundo tahitica SP, AC
Striated swallow Hirundo striolata MP, Banaue
Bar-bellied cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata MK, PCP, QNP
Blackish cuckoo-shrike Coracina coerulescens QNP, AG
Black-bibbed cuckoo-shrike Coracina mindanensis PCP
McGregor´s cuckoo-shrike Coracina mcgregori KG
Black-and-white triller Lalage melanoleuca MK, KG, PCP, QNP
Pied triller Lalage nigra PP, TB, AC
Ashy minivet Pericrotus divaricatus QNP
Scarlet minivet Pericrocotus flammeus PCP
Philippine leafbird Chloropsis flavipennis PCP
Yellow-throated leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis IR, SP, BT
Common iora Aegithina tiphia IR
Black-headed bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps IR
Yellow-vented bulbul Pycnonotus goavier MK, KG, PCP, AC
Yellow-wattled bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus MK, RSNP,
PCP, QNP
Olive-winged bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus IR, SP
Grey-cheeked bulbul Alophoixus bres IR, BT
Sulphur-bellied bulbul Ixos palawanensis SP
Philippine bulbul Ixos philippinus MK, TB, RSNP, KG,
QNP, AG, MP Small recently fledged young at AG on 1/3.
[Streak-breasted bulbul] Ixos siquijorensis [TB]
Yellowish bulbul Ixcos everetti PCP
Ashy drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus PP, SP
Balicassiao Dicrurus balicassius MK, QNP, AG
Spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus IR, SP, BT, RSNP, PCP
Philippine oriole Oriolus steeri PCP
White-lored oriole Oriolus albiloris AG
Black-naped oriole Oriolus chinensis RSNP, PCP, QNP
Asian fairy bluebird Irena puella SP
Philippine fairy bluebird Irena cyanogaster MK, QNP
Violaceous crow Corvus violaceus BT
Large-billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos RSNP, QNP, AG
Palawan tit Parus amabilis SP
Elegant tit Parus elegans MK, TB, KG, QNP, AG
Sulphur-billed nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys MK, KG
Velvet-fronted nuthatch Sitta frontalis SP
Stripe-headed rhabdornis Rhabdornis mystacalis MK, PCP, QNP,
AG
Stripe-breasted rhabdornis Rhabdornis inornatus KG
Ashy-headed babbler Malacocincla cinereiceps SP, BT
Melodious babbler Malacopteron palawanense BT
Falcated ground babbler Ptilocichla falcate SP
Streaked ground babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis RSNP, [PCP]
[Rabor's wren-babbler] Napothera rabori [QNP]
Pygmy babbler Stachyris plateni PCP
Rusty-crowned babbler Stachyris capitalis PCP
Black-crowned babbler Stachyris nigrocapita RSNP
Chestnut-faced babbler Stachyris whiteheadi MP
Striped tit-babbler Macronous gularis widespread in Palawan
Brown tit-babbler Macronous striaticeps RSNP, KG, PCP
White-browed shortwing Brachypteryx montana [KG], MP
Oriental magpie robin Copsychus saularis [KG], PCP
White-browed shama Copsychus luzionensis MK, QNP, [AG]
White-vented shama Copsychus niger widespread in Palawan
Black shama Copsychus cebuensis TB
Luzon water redstart Rhyacornis bicolour MP
Pied bushchat Saxicola caprata near TB, Banaue, MP, AC
Blue rock thrush Monticola solitarius SP, QNP, MP
Scaly thrush Zoothera dauma MK
Island thrush Turdus poliocephalus KG, MP
Eye-browed thrush Turdus obscurus MK, KG
Golden-bellied gerygone Gerygone sulphurea AC
Arctic warbler Phylloscopus borealis TB, RSNP
Philippine leaf warbler Phylloscopus olivaceus RSNP
Lemon-throated leaf warbler Phylloscopus cebuensis QNP
Mountain leaf warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus KG, MP
Tawny grassbird Megalurus timoriensis KG, PCP, Banaue
Striated grassbird Megalurus palustris BT, KG, PCP,
AC
Oriental reed warbler Acrocephalus orientalis PCP
Mountain tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus MP
Rufous-fronted tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis RSNP,
PCP
Grey-backed tailorbird Orthotomus derbianus QNP, [AG]
Rufous-headed tailorbird Orthotomus heterolaemus KG
Rufous-tailed tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus IR, SP,
BT
Yellow-breasted tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis RSNP
Black-headed tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps PCP
Bright-capped cisticola Cisticola exilis PCP
Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidis BT, PCP
Philippine bush warbler Cettia seebohmi MP
Long-tailed ground warbler Bradypterus caudatus KG, MP
Rufous-tailed jungle flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda
RSNP, PCP
Asian brown flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica IR
Ashy-breasted flycatcher Muscicapa randi MK Single bird seen
briefly on 19/1. The bird was feeding low down in the crowns of small trees
in a dark part of the forest near a stream.
Grey-streaked flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta MK, IR, SP,
KG, PCP, AC
Mountain verditer flycatcher Eumyias panayensis KG, MP
Snowy-browed flycatcher Ficedula hypererythra KG
Little slaty flycatcher Ficedula basilanica PCP Single male
taped in on 19/2.
Palawan flycatcher Ficedula platenae BT
Little pied flycatcher Ficedula westermanni KG
Palawan blue flycatcher Cyornis lemprieri SP
Citrine canary flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea SP, MP
Pied fantail Rhipidura javanica PP, AC
Blue fantail Rhipidura superciliaris RSNP, PCP
Blue-headed fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps MK, QNP, AG, MP
Black-and-cinnamon fantail Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea KG
Rufous paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea PCP, [AG]
Blue paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone cyanescens IR
Black-naped monarch Hypothymis azurea MK, IR, RSNP, PCP, AG
[Celestial monarch] Hypothymis coelestis [PCP]
Short-crested monarch Hypothymis helenae PCP Male taped in on
20/2.
Mangrove whistler Pachycephala grisola SP
Green-backed whistler Pachycephala albiventris MP
Yellow-bellied whistler Pachycephala philippensis MK, RSNP,
KG, PCP, QNP
Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea widespread
Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava PP, BT, KG
Forest wagtail Dendronanthus indicus IR
Olive-backed pipit Anthus hodgsoni KG, AG, MP
White-breasted woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus near
TB, KG, QNP
Long-tailed shrike Lanius schach KG, MP
Brown shrike Lanius cristatus widespread
Mountain shrike Lanius validirostris MP
Short-tailed glossy starling Aplonis minor KG
Asian glossy starling Aplonis panayensis Palawan
Coleto Sarcops calvus MK, TB, PCP, QNP
Crested myna Acridotheres cristatellus N Luzon, AC
Apo myna Basilornis miranda KG
Hill myna Gracula religiosa IR, SP
Plain-throated sunbird Anthreptes malacensis MK, IR
Copper-throated sunbird Nectarinia calcostetha PP
Olive-backed sunbird Nectarinia jugularis MK, PP, PCP Birds
seen feeding young in nest on 22/1 at PP.
Purple-throated sunbird Nectarinia sperata IR, RSNP, PCP
Flaming sunbird Aethopyga flagrans AG, [MP]
Grey-hooded sunbird Aethopyga primigenius KG
Metallic-winged sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima RSNP, PCP, MP
Apo sunbird Aethopyga boltoni KG
Lovely sunbird Aethopyga shelleyi SP, BT, IR, TB
Crimson sunbird Aethopyga siparaja TB
Naked-faced spiderhunter Arachnothera clarae PCP
Little spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra IR, SP,
BT, PCP
Olive-backed flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus RSNP, PCP, QNP
Palawan flowerpecker Prionochilus plateni IR, SP
Striped flowerpecker Dicaeum aeruginosum KG
Olive-capped flowerpecker Dicaeum nigrilore KG
Bicoloured flowerpecker Dicaeum bicolour MK
Cebu flowerpecker Dicaeum quadricolor TB
Red-keeled flowerpecker Dicaeum australe MK, RSNP, PCP, QNP
Buzzing flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucum MK, PCP, QNP
Orange-bellied flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma MK,
RSNP, PCP, QNP
Fire-breasted flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus KG
Pygmy flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum AG
Lowland white-eye Zosterops meyeni AC
Everett´s white-eye Zosterops everetti TB, RSNP, PCP
Yellowish white-eye Zosterops nigrorum MK
Mountain white-eye Zosterops montanus KG, MP
Black-masked white-eye Zosterops atricapilla KG
Cinnamon ibon Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus KG
Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus widespread
Red-eared parrotfinch Erythura coloria KG
White-bellied munia Lonchura leucogastra MK, IR
Chestnut munia Lonchura malacca BT, PCP
White-cheeked bullfinch Pyrrhula leucogenis KG, MP
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