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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Philippines, Jan-March 2001,

Phil and Charlotte Benstead, Norfolk, UK

phil.benstead@tesco.net

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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