CLASSIC PHILIPPINES TOUR REPORT 2024

12 January - 3 February 2024

by Mark Van Beirs

The bird of the tour was without a doubt the magnificent Philippine Eagle that showed so very, very well to us on Mount Kitanglad on the island of Mindanao. We had to work (and wait) for it, but eventually one of the world’s most powerful and impressive eagles performed beautifully, both perched and in flight… a never to be forgotten experience! Our golden moments with a very well-behaved Azure-breasted Pitta will stay with us forever and the lovely Giant Scops Owl that gave itself up so nicely on Mount Kitanglad scored very well also. The Classic Philippines tour usually turns out to be quite a tough tour through a combination of short nights (there is a lot of nightbirding involved), rainy weather (which disrupts birding obviously) and several quite demanding hikes in muddy terrain. But, the reward was a fantastic variety of endemics or specialities like Philippine Duck, Philippine and Palawan Frogmouths, Black-faced and Philippine Coucals, Rough-crested and Scale-feathered Malkohas, Flame-breasted, Yellow-breasted and Black-chinned Fruit Doves, Philippine Swamphen, Plain Bush-hen, Bukidnon Woodcock, Chinese Crested Tern, Japanese Night Heron, Philippine Serpent Eagle, Pinsker’s Hawk-eagle, eight owl species, Philippine Trogon, Southern Rufous, Palawan, Writhed, Luzon and Mindanao Hornbills, Spotted Wood and Indigo-banded Kingfishers, four species of Flameback, Northern Sooty Woodpecker, Philippine Falconet, Red-vented Cockatoo, four species of Racket-tail, Philippine and Hooded Pittas, Mountain Shrike, and an excellent selection of Cuckooshrikes, Whistlers, Orioles, Drongos, Fantails, Monarchs, Tits, Bulbuls, Tailorbirds, Warblers, Babblers, White-eyes, Flycatchers, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sunbirds. Mammalwatching is always challenging in the Philippines but we managed to lay eyes on goodies like Northern Palm Civet, South Luzon Giant Tree Rat and Palawan Flying Squirrel.

The tour started in earnest upon arrival before dawn at the La Mesa Ecopark in the suburbs of Manila. This smallish park holds a patch of forest where several nice endemics can sometimes be seen. The first bird we heard was a rather distant Philippine Eagle Owl, but it would not budge, sadly. On our walk we found a cracking male Spotted Wood Kingfisher which offered very nice scope views. We admired a flock travelling through the canopy of some big trees, which held Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, several lovely Elegant Tits, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Arctic Warbler, Grey-streaked Flycatcher and Garden (Olive-backed) Sunbird, while introduced Variable Squirrels played about. We also noted Grey-rumped Swiftlet, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Philippine Pied Fantail, Brown Shrike, Large-billed Crow, Grey-backed Tailorbird, Philippine and Yellow-vented Bulbuls and Scaly-breasted Munia. Of the usually quite easily found Ashy Thrush not a sniff though. On the drive to the edge of the Candaba Swamp we saw lots of Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, Javan Pond Heron and Eastern Cattle Egrets while Pacific Swallows were active at a bridge. At an overlook we scanned the reedbeds and water hyacinth-covered marshes where we the main bird was a rare Philippine Swamphen. Other additions to the list included Wandering Whistling Duck, Garganey, Red-collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Whiskered Tern, Chestnut, Yellow and Black Bitterns, Purple and Striated Herons, Collared and Common Kingfishers, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Striated Grassbird, Crested Myna and Chestnut Munia. After a tasty lunch we continued our drive to famous Subic Bay, which is situated on the western side of the Bataan Peninsula (of WWII fame). Our first exploration of this former American base gave us nice endemics like Philippine Coucal, White-eared Brown Dove, Luzon Hornbill, Rufous-crowned Bee-eater, Luzon Flameback, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike and Coleto, next to more widespread species like Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Oriental Dollarbird, a fabulous White-bellied Woodpecker and White-breasted Woodswallows. We also admired an impressive roost of Golden-capped and Large Flying Foxes, and some Long-tailed Macaques. At dusk a Great Eared Nightjar showed quite well and the nightdrive produced cracking views of two Chocolate Boobooks.

Our full day in the well-preserved forest of Subic Bay, which survived the formidable 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, was quite birdy, but the almost complete lack of small birds was notable. We visited different venues in the area and added a good selection of species to the tally. Our predawn walk only gave us a cooperative Philippine Nightjar. During the course of the day we identified attractive Whiskered Treeswifts, skulking Rough-crested and Scaly-feathered Malkohas, Common Emerald Dove, Philippine Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Philippine Honey-Buzzard, Grey-faced Buzzard, Brown-breasted Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Northern Sooty Woodpecker (a drumming pair), a cute Philippine Falconet, Peregrine Falcon, Blue-naped Parrot, Guaiabero, lovely Philippine Hanging Parrots, Ashy Minivet (a flock), Blackish Cuckooshrike and a smart Stripe-headed Rhabdornis. After dusk we did a serious bout of nightbirding, but we only heard Luzon Boobook and Philippine Scops Owl.

The following morning, we had a very early start as we had a long drive to get to the Cordillera Central. It was mainly a travel day, which took us through the agricultural areas of central Luzon. The best bird was Northern Indigo-banded Kingfisher, which we observed at a rocky stream at the base of the Cordillera. Three of these attractively-patterned birds showed well in the scope. We also obtained good looks at Brown-breasted Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper. We arrived at our accommodation in late afternoon and picked up a few hill birds in the gardens. Ridgetop Swiftlet, House Swift, Lesser Coucal, Striated Swallow, Blue Rock Thrush, Luzon Metallic-winged Sunbird and Grey Wagtail appeared in front of our binoculars despite the drizzly conditions.
A rather early start took us to some prime forest habitat on the forested flanks of Mount Polis and our predawn search for the always hard to see Luzon Scops Owl was quite successful. We heard the little devil soon after arriving, and it took more than an hour before we finally connected with this tiny critter resulting in fair looks for all. At dawn we started walking along the road at the highest altitude (c1,900m) where nice cloudforest survives. It was slow birding, but eventually we observed goodies like Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, Green-backed Whistler, Blue-headed Fantail, Mountain Shrike, Mountain Tailorbird, Philippine Bush Warbler, Negros Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-faced Babbler, Warbling White-eye, Turquoise Flycatcher and Olive-backed Pipit. In late morning we drove to lower altitudes and admired the famous, picturesque Bayou terraced ricefields, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More birding at disused ricefields and forest edges gave us Philippine Swiftlet, the much-wanted Luzon Water Redstart, Pied Bush Chat, White-bellied and Chestnut Munias and Red Crossbill.

Another whole day on Mount Polis started in very misty conditions. We stood at a good overlook at the right altitude for the endemic Flame-breasted Fruit Dove and scanned the surrounding forested slopes intently. Eventually we managed all too brief flight views of this Luzon endemic. A party of eight Montane Racket-tails swooped past and landed in view for a short time. Further exploration produced a cooperative flock holding Green-backed Whistler, beautiful Blue-headed Fantails, Elegant Tits, Negros Leaf Warblers, Chestnut-faced Babblers, Warbling White-eyes and Turquoise and Little Pied Flycatchers. Three soaring and interacting Eastern Buzzards were fun to watch and an Olive-backed Pipit showed particularly well. In the afternoon we walked a track at lower altitude where we connected with White-eared Brown Dove (perched), Citrine Canary-flycatcher, attractive Sulphur-billed Nuthatches, Philippine Shortwing (glimpse only) and Bundok (or Thicket) Flycatcher. A bout of nightbirding in drizzly conditions didn’t produce anything.

The following day was a long travel day. We started long before dawn and drove most of the day south to the university town of Los Baños. An Osprey was the only bird of note on this long journey. Upon arrival in late afternoon, we birded a stretch of forest edge where we picked up Striped and Red-keeled Flowerpeckers. After dinner, we obtained brilliant views of a pair of very well-behaved Luzon Boobooks in the car park of the hotel.
The next morning, we drove up in a picturesque jeepney to the end of the road on Mount Makiling. We explored a nice trail, where we encountered a few leeches and later walked down along the track. Good birds included Rough-crested and Scale-feathered Malkohas, Philippine Serpent Eagle, Spotted Wood Kingfisher, cute Philippine Falconets and several Balicassiao. We heard a Luzon Bleeding-heart call a few times in the distance, but that was it… After a scrumptious lunch we visited the botanical gardens where the highlight was a cracking male Black-chinned Fruit Dove that posed so very well. Flaming Sunbird was another addition to the list. In late afternoon we wanted to visit our stake out for Spotted Buttonquail, but new regulations had come into place and we could only bird the surroundings, where we saw Pied Trillers and Golden-headed Cisticola, but of the buttonquails not a sniff. A bout of nightbirding gave us another well-behaved Luzon Boobook, a Northern Palm Civet and a cute looking South Luzon Giant Tree Rat, but the wanted Philippine Scops Owl didn’t want to show.
A morning flight took us from Manila to the town of Cagayan de Oro, situated on the northern coast of Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines. Upon arrival we transferred to our vehicles and drove for a few hours inland to the house of Carlito, eagle expert extra-ordinaire and organizer of our stay up Mount Kitanglad. We got our luggage organized and drove a short distance to the beginning of the track that leads to the famous Delmonte Camp. It only took a couple of hours walk, first through pineapple plantations and higher up through some nice submontane forest. Our main luggage was transported by several sturdy, sure-footed horses. On the rather muddy walk up we obtained nice looks at a pair of Southern Rufous Hornbills and a Buff-spotted Flameback. Upon arrival at the camp, we settled into our tents and as promised, at six o’clock in the evening we first heard and then saw the display flight of the Bukidnon Woodcock, a bird that will always have a special meaning for Birdquest. The roding bird showed well several times and after a lip-smacking dinner we did a bout of owling, which quite unexpectedly resulted in mega views of the usually hard to get Giant Scops Owl. This mega critter allowed excellent views for 5 minutes or so. Fantastic moments.

On our first full day on Mount Kitanglad, we first walked up to the famous eagle viewpoint, from where a very nice tract of montane forest can be seen. We stayed here for a good part of the day. It was really birdy as we picked up lots of nice montane species while waiting for the main bird to appear. And then suddenly, around one o’clock a large shape was observed flying low in the valley and disappeared within a minute. It was the eagle, but the views were a bit disappointing. Luckily, not much later, the eagle was found perched not too far away in a forest giant allowing marvellous scope views. The terrific bird of prey stayed for about 15 minutes allowing all of us exquisite views of one of the best birds in existence. Its magnificent crowned head and huge bill were a joy to admire. It then took off and treated us to 15 minutes of its impressive flight prowess as it circled and soared on upturned pinions. It was once harassed by a brave Grey-faced Buzzard, which looked minute in comparison. Magical, never to be forgotten moments. We already knew what the bird of the trip would be. Other raptors noted while waiting for the “plat de resistance” were Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard and Philippine Serpent Eagle. Goodies seen on our walk and wait included Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-eared Brown Dove (Short-billed), Black-winged Kite, Mindanao Rackettail, McGregor’s Cuckooshrike, the adorable Black-and-cinnamon Fantail, Black-naped Monarch, Long-tailed Shrike, Tawny Grassbird, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch (great looks), Short-tailed Starling, the fabulous Apo Myna, Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, lots of Eyebrowed Thrushes, Amur Stonechat and Olive-capped, Bicolored and Buzzing Flowerpeckers. We stayed for a while longer and then walked back to camp, as low clouds were coming in. Our nightbirding after dinner produced a lovely, bizarre-looking and much appreciated Philippine Frogmouth.

Next morning, we were hiking up the mountain again, but now with the aim to reach a high enough altitude for the localized Apo Sunbird. It took more than five hours of pretty hard going, but the group was determined and around midday we finally connected with a cracking male Apo Sunbird fluttering in the canopy of the moss and epiphyte covered trees. On the way up guide Carlito found a roosting Mindanao Scops Owl, which we could admire in all its glory as it looked angrily at the intruders. This cutie is never an easy bird to connect with. Other goodies seen today included Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove (for some lucky souls), Bukidnon Woodcock (flushed at our feet in the forest), Mindanao Hornbill, Hombron’s (or Blue-capped) Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Whistler, Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Mindanao White-eye, Philippine (or Mindanao) Shortwing and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. Owling in the evening didn’t produce a thing, sadly.

In the morning, we tried a nearby patch of seeding sunflowers, where Carlito sometimes observed Red-eared Parrotfinches, but luck was not on our side. We then packed up, said goodbye to our very hospitable hosts and started walking down the mountain. For the rest of the morning and the early part of the afternoon we drove south towards the town of Davao. In mid-afternoon we arrived at our hotel in the hills near Davao, where our man on the spot, Pete, welcomed us. Not much later he showed us a fabulous Japanese Night Heron in all its glory, as it was hunting for earthworms along a forest edge. A fantastic sighting of this exceedingly rare species. Out of this world! Dinner was quality and quantity, but then it started raining, so we had to postpone our nightbirding session.

Early the next morning our two minibuses took us to the Lake Agco area, on the slopes of Mount Apo, where we enjoyed some excellent birding. Active flocks with Warbling White-eyes, Elegant Tits, Arctic Warblers, Citrine Canary-flycatchers and Little Pied Flycatchers held a couple of diminutive Mindanao Miniature Babblers, which we could admire at close range. Their strange plumes and yellow-orange feet showed particularly well. We also had good looks at a localized Whiskered Flowerpecker here. Other interesting species included Crested Goshawk and Asian Glossy Starling, next to several species of flowerpeckers. After this successful visit we continued travelling south, to the forested slopes near the town of Tboli. A bit of waiting at the right spot produced cracking telescope views of c15 Mindanao Lorikeets as they were getting ready for roosting. We obtained magnificent views of this very threatened species. It should be noted that we hadn’t seen this bird for at least 25 years on Birdquest tours!! Philippine Swiftlets, Philippine Spinetails and a Mindanao Metallic-winged Sunbird added to our enjoyment overlooking superb precious pristine rainforest.

At dawn we were scanning the forested slopes of Mount Parker. A trio of very smart Yellow-breasted Fruit Doves were scoped for cracking views. Real jewels!! Several Scarlet Minivets (of the distinctive race nigroluteus, where the males look like females) appeared in the treetops to catch the first sunrays. A party of four Short-tailed Drongos showed well. Later we walked up a side trail and waited at a strategic spot for the very localized Tboli Sunbird to appear. This recent (sometimes) split from Apo Sunbird showed only briefly, however. A real pity. We did obtain nice looks at McGregor’s Cuckooshrike, Brown Tit-Babbler and Flame-crowned Flowerpecker. In late morning we retraced our steps towards Davao, where in late afternoon a bout of birding in the gardens of our hotel gave us an unobtrusive little Cryptic Flycatcher next to an Orange-tufted Spiderhunter and an Orange-bellied Flowerpecker. After dinner we walked about for quite a while but no nightbirds were heard or seen. A cute Geoffrey’s Rousette (a kind of fruit bat) was found hanging in the undergrowth.
A predawn walk finally produced excellent looks at a cracking Everett’s Scops Owl and just after dawn we observed the unobtrusive Cryptic Flycatcher again. An endearing Orange-tufted Spiderhunter performed beautifully too, as did an Everett’s White-eye.

After a rare sit-down breakfast, we made our way to the coastal town of Panabo, where our man on the spot had staked out a Chinese Crested Tern, but sadly it had flown minutes before our arrival. Luckily, we found it again, after some rather hectic scanning through the more common Greater Crested Terns. The heat shimmer and the receding tideline didn’t help, but eventually everyone obtained pretty decent views of the rarest of the 44 species of terns in the world. The total population is probably only about 200 birds!!! We added lots of new birds for the list here, as the mudflats were quite full of migrant waders like Pacific Golden and Grey Plovers, Kentish and Siberian Sand Plovers, Eurasian Whimbrel, Far Eastern Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. Other interesting species here included Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns, Javan Pond Heron and a rare Chinese Egret.

After midday we continued our travels northwards and in late afternoon explored the marsh adjacent to the airstrip at Bislig, where we observed Little Ringed Plover, Black Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Oriental Hobby (just as it was getting really dark) and Clamorous Reed Warbler. The highlight was an Eastern Grass Owl that we could observe quartering the edge of the airstrip as it was getting really dark.
On our first full day in the remaining lowland rainforests of PICOP (Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines) we experienced a dry morning and a very wet afternoon. New birds came quite fast and we had a great time observing specialities like Pygmy Swiftlet, Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, the impressive (Southern) Rufous Hornbill, Azure-breasted Pitta (fantastic eye-ball to eye-ball views), Black-bibbed Cicadabird, Philippine Oriole, Mindanao Blue Fantail, Short-crested Monarch (for a few lucky souls), Rufous Paradise Flycatcher, Yellowish Bulbul, the skulking Black-headed Tailorbird, Mindanao Pygmy Babbler, Philippine Leafbird, Pygmy Flowerpecker, Mindanao Metallic-winged and Handsome Sunbirds and Mindanao Squirrel.

Another full day in a different area of the old PICOP concession gave us Ameline Swiftlet, Black-faced Coucal, Philippine Green Pigeon, a perched Besra, Writhed Hornbill, Celestial Monarch (brief looks for some), Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Olive-backed Flowerpecker and Purple-throated Sunbird. In late afternoon we visited an area of rice paddies adjacent to an extensive marsh where Philippine Duck, Asian Palm Swift, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Barred Rail, White-browed Crake, White-breasted Waterhen, Pacific Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper (lots) and an early Eastern Grass Owl performed well.

On our last full day at PICOP we were fortunate enough to add a few specialities to the list before the heavens opened around midday. A couple of Blue-crowned Racket-tails zoomed nicely past our viewpoint and a Philippine Pitta showed briefly. We obtained nice looks at a Short-crested Monarch and Rusty-crowned Babbler and Philippine Jungle Flycatcher showed well in a mixed feeding flock. In the afternoon we tried a spot for the Southern Silvery Kingfisher, but the rain sabotaged our endeavours. We did get pretty decent looks at several Philippine Bush-hens.

Our final morning at the PICOP forests was totally ruined by continuous rain. We did however manage to see a much-wanted Philippine Trogon. We then said our goodbyes and drove south to the Compostela area. Because of heavy rains the road up the mountain had become dangerous, so we abandoned our initial plans and had a quiet afternoon recovering from our short nights at PICOP, while the rain kept falling.

In the very early morning, while it was still raining cats and dogs, our man on the spot did a quick recce of the road up to the mountain and decided that it wouldn’t be safe to drive up there so we changed plans and visited a nice stretch of coastal habitat where we did some “classical”, very enjoyable wader watching. As the tide was high the waders were flocked together and allowed excellent scope views. Pride of place must go to the party of Great Knots that showed so well. Several locally breeding Pied Stilts were foraging about and amongst the many Red-necked Stints we found two Broad-billed Sandpipers. Elegant Marsh Sandpipers were everywhere and we also noted Pacific Golden and Grey Plover, Kentish, Greater Sand and Siberian Sand Plovers, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits and many Curlew Sandpipers. Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns were roosting amongst the waders and from the nearby undergrowth we lured a secretive Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler into view. After this delightful intermezzo, we made our way to Davao airport and soon flew to Manila and onwards to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan.

On our first full day on Palawan, we visited the Irawan Ecopark, where we had a fabulous time observing an excellent selection of Palawan endemics like Palawan Drongo, Blue Paradise Flycatcher, Palawan Crow, Palawan, Sulphur-bellied and Ashy-fronted Bulbuls, Palawan Tit-babbler, Melodious Babbler (scope views of a singing bird), Palawan Flycatcher (brilliant), Yellow-throated Leafbird and Lovely Sunbird. We also found more widespread species like Crested Serpent Eagle, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird and Black-headed Bulbul. Several North Palawan Tree Squirrels were playing about in the larger trees. We visited two hides where Oriental Dwarf and Blue-eared Kingfishers, White-vented Shama and a cute Ashy-headed Babbler showed ever so well. At the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre we found an occupied nest of a Rufous Night Heron. After a sit-down lunch, we were treated to the spectacle of Philippine (Mangrove) Blue Flycatcher (male and female), Pale Spiderhunter, Brown-throated, Palawan and Purple-throated Sunbirds and Palawan Flowerpecker coming in to feeders in the garden of one of local guide Steph’s friends. In late afternoon we occupied the garden of a seafront Hotel where White-bellied Sea Eagle, Peregrine (of the northern race calidus) and a roost of some 20 Philippine Cockatoos were the highlights. The busy day ended with a visit to a small offshore island, where we were hoping to find the localized Mantanani Scops Owl. It took a while, but in the end, we obtained brilliant views of this little devil.

The second day on Palawan took us to the famous Napsan Road, where indigenous people protect a large tract of rainforest. Here, just before dawn we admired a fabulous Palawan Frogmouth and a Palawan Flying Squirrel. We had breakfast at a really nice viewpoint where goodies like Blue-headed Racket-tail, Red-headed and Spot-throated Flamebacks, Ventriloquial Oriole, Fiery Minivet, Ashy Drongo, Palawan Fairy Bluebird and Common Hill Myna obliged. Later we returned to the forest and tried to locate the endemic Falcated Wren-babbler, but we only heard it. A Palawan Tit was pure eye candy and on the return journey a few stops gave us Common Iora and Copper-throated Sunbird. After a bit of time off in the heat of the day returned to the Irawan Ecopark, where the only bird of note was a Plaintive Cuckoo. As dusk fell, we tried luring in a secretive Palawan Scops Owl. We heard it at close range, but it wouldn’t play.

We had received news that a Palawan Peacock Pheasant sometimes had been visiting a specific hide very early in the morning, so we thought we should give it a try. We did try, but nothing happened during the two hours that we sat totally immobile in the hide. For the rest of the morning we birded the surrounding forest, finding Palawan Hornbill (for some), Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Pygmy Flowerpecker. We had a much-appreciated leisurely afternoon, after all those extremely early mornings and after dinner we went out again to try to nail down the naughty, uncooperative Palawan Scops Owl. We heard it a couple of times at close range, but couldn’t spot it with the thermal camera, nor with the spotlight. A real pity. A sleeping Hooded Pitta provided some consolation.

On the final morning of the tour, we returned to the Napsan Road, where soon after dawn, we climbed a forested slope to get closer to our main target, the attractive, but reclusive Falcated Wren-babbler. It didn’t take too long to get good looks at this beautiful Palawan endemic. In the same are a pair of Palawan Blue Flycatchers performed. A last stop on the return journey gave us excellent views of several well-behaving Palawan Hornbills, the final bird of this rather exhausting tour.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.1) (this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created).

BIRDS

Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata

Garganey Spatula querquedula

Philippine Duck ◊ Anas luzonica Endemic. A few were seen on Mindanao.

Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus

Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis Nice observations at Subic Bay.

Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Heard-only

Philippine Nightjar ◊ Caprimulgus manillensis Endemic. Good views at Subic Bay.

Philippine Frogmouth ◊ Batrachostomus septimus Endemic. Terrific looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Palawan Frogmouth ◊ Batrachostomus chaseni Endemic. A splendid performance along the Napsan road on Palawan.

Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata

Grey-rumped Swiftlet ◊ (Philippine Glossy S) Collocalia marginata Endemic.

Ridgetop Swiftlet ◊ Collocalia isonota Endemic.

Pygmy Swiftlet ◊ Collocalia troglodytes Endemic.

Philippine Swiftlet ◊ Aerodramus mearnsi Endemic.

Ameline Swiftlet ◊ (Grey S) Aerodramus [amelis] amelis Endemic.

Ameline Swiftlet ◊ (Palawan S) Aerodramus [amelis] palawanensis Endemic.

Philippine Spinetail ◊ Mearnsia picina Endemic. Several excellent sightings.

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

House Swift Apus nipalensis

Black-faced Coucal ◊ Centropus melanops Endemic. It showed well at PICOP.

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Heard-only

Philippine Coucal ◊ Centropus viridis Endemic. Regular encounters.

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris

Rough-crested Malkoha ◊ (Red-c M) Dasylophus superciliosus Endemic. Regular on Luzon. Spectacular.

Scale-feathered Malkoha ◊ Dasylophus cumingi Endemic. A few on Luzon. Magnificent.

Asian Koel (Western K, Common C) Eudynamys scolopaceus Heard-only

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Heard-only

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo ◊ Surniculus velutinus Endemic. Good looks at PICOP.

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris

Rock Dove (introduced) Columba livia

Red Collared Dove (R Turtle D) Streptopelia tranquebarica

Spotted Dove (Eastern S D) Spilopelia chinensis

Philippine Cuckoo-Dove ◊ Macropygia tenuirostris  Several nice encounters.

Common Emerald Dove (Grey-capped E D) Chalcophaps indica

Zebra Dove Geopelia striata

Luzon Bleeding-heart ◊ Gallicolumba luzonica Endemic. Heard-only.

Mindanao Bleeding-heart ◊ Gallicolumba crinigera Endemic. Heard-only.

White-eared Brown Dove ◊ Phapitreron [leucotis] leucotis Endemic. Regular on Luzon.

White-eared Brown Dove (Short-billed B D) Phapitreron [leucotis] brevirostris Endemic. Regular on Mindanao.

Amethyst Brown Dove ◊ Phapitreron amethystinus Endemic.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans

Philippine Green Pigeon ◊ Treron axillaris Endemic. Regular sightings.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra

Flame-breasted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus marchei Endemic. All too brief looks on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus occipitalis Endemic. Scope views of this beauty on Mindanao.

Black-chinned Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus leclancheri Great looks at Mount Makiling.

Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula poliocephala Endemic. Heard-only

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea

Barred Rail Hypotaenidia torquata

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Eurasian Coot (Common C) Fulica atra

Philippine Swamphen ◊ Porphyrio pulverulentus Endemic. Nice looks at this speciality at the edge of the Candaba Swamp (Luzon).

White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

Plain Bush-hen ◊ (Philippine B-h) Amaurornis olivacea Endemic. Fair looks near Bislig (Mindanao).

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus A party of five at the Panabo waterfront.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P) Pluvialis squatarola

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii

Siberian Sand Plover (Mongolian P) Charadrius mongolus

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Regular at the edge of the Candaba Swamp (Luzon).

Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Far Eastern Curlew ◊ Numenius madagascariensis

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Black-tailed Godwit (Eastern B-t G) Limosa [limosa] melanuroides

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris c30 at Panabo. Always a great bird.

Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis

Bukidnon Woodcock ◊ Scolopax bukidnonensis Endemic. Nice display at our camp on Mount Kitanglad (Mindanao).

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Gull-billed Tern (Common G-b T) Gelochelidon nilotica

Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

Chinese Crested Tern ◊ Thalasseus bernsteini Fair looks at two at Panabo. The rarest of the 44 species of tern!!

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel A female showed well at Puerto Princesa.

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Non-leader.

Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis

Japanese Night Heron ◊ Gorsachius goisagi Cracking views near Davao. One of the hardest to see of the heron family. Great stuff!

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H) Nycticorax caledonicus

Striated Heron Butorides striata

Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Great Egret (Eastern G E) Ardea [alba] modesta

Intermediate Egret (Medium E) Ardea [intermedia] intermedia

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Chinese Egret ◊ Egretta eulophotes A single bird showed well amongst other egrets at Panabo.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Non-leader.

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus

Crested Honey Buzzard (Indomalayan H B) Pernis ptilorhynchus

Philippine Honey Buzzard ◊ Pernis steerei Endemic. Several nice encounters.

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela

Philippine Serpent Eagle ◊ Spilornis holospilus Endemic. A few sightings.

Philippine Eagle ◊ (Monkey-eating E) Pithecophaga jefferyi Endemic. THE BIRD OF THE TRIP. Fantastic views, both perched and in flight, of this truly enigmatic species on Mount Kitanglad.

Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle ◊ (South Philippine H-E) Nisaetus pinskeri Endemic. Nice looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus

Besra Accipiter virgatus Good looks of a perched bird at PICOP.

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

White-bellied Sea Eagle Icthyophaga leucogaster

Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus Regular encounters with this migrant.

Eastern Buzzard (Japanese B) Buteo japonicus

Eastern Grass Owl ◊ (Australasian G O) Tyto longimembris It showed well at dusk near Bislig.

Chocolate Boobook ◊ Ninox randi Perfect views at night at Subic Bay.

Luzon Boobook ◊ (Philippine B) Ninox philippensis Endemic. Exquisite looks at Mount Makiling.

Mindanao Boobook ◊ Ninox spilocephala Endemic. Heard-only. We tried…

Giant Scops Owl ◊ Otus gurneyi Endemic. Glorious views on Mount Kitanglad. A jewel.

Mindanao Scops Owl ◊ (M Highland S O) Otus mirus Endemic. Daytime looks at this cutie on Mount Kitanglad.

Luzon Scops Owl ◊ (L Highland S O) Otus longicornis Endemic. Fair views eventually of this always tough owl to see well at Mount Polis.

Mantanani Scops Owl ◊ Otus mantananensis Great looks on an islet near Puerto Princesa.

Philippine Scops Owl ◊ (Luzon Lowland S O) Otus megalotis Endemic. Heard-only

Everett’s Scops Owl ◊ (Mindanao Lowland S O) Otus everetti Endemic. A nice encounter near Davao.

Palawan Scops Owl ◊ Otus fuliginosus Endemic. Heard-only. We tried hard…

Philippine Eagle-Owl ◊ Ketupa philippensis Endemic. Heard-only. Too far away…

Spotted Wood Owl ◊ Strix seloputo Heard-only.

Philippine Trogon ◊ Harpactes ardens Endemic. A female showed in the rain on our final morning at PICOP.

Rufous Hornbill ◊ (Southern R H) Buceros [hydrocorax] mindanensis Endemic. Great looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Palawan Hornbill ◊ Anthracoceros marchei Endemic. The final bird of the tour showed well along the Napsan Road on Palawan.

Writhed Hornbill ◊ Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus Endemic. Excellent at PICOP.

Luzon Hornbill ◊ Penelopides manillae Endemic.

Mindanao Hornbill ◊ Penelopides affinis Endemic.

Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

Spotted Wood Kingfisher ◊ (Luzon S W K) Actenoides [lindsayi] lindsayi Endemic. Marvellous at the La Mesa Ecopark.

Hombron’s Kingfisher ◊ (Blue-capped K) Actenoides hombroni Endemic.

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis

Brown-breasted Kingfisher ◊ (White-throated K) Halcyon gularis Endemic. Regular.

Winchell’s Kingfisher ◊ (Rufous-lored K) Todiramphus winchelli Endemic. Heard-only.

Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca Beautiful from a hide on Palawan.

Indigo-banded Kingfisher ◊ (Northern I-b K) Ceyx [cyanopectus] cyanopectus Endemic. An excellent encounter at the base of the Cordillera on Luzon.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Rufous-crowned Bee-eater ◊ Merops americanus Endemic. Regular sightings.

Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker ◊ Yungipicus maculatus Endemic.

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

Spot-throated Flameback ◊ Dinopium everetti Endemic. Fine views on Palawan.

Buff-spotted Flameback ◊ Chrysocolaptes lucidus Endemic.

Luzon Flameback ◊ Chrysocolaptes haematribon Endemic.

Red-headed Flameback ◊ Chrysocolaptes erythrocephalus Endemic. Marvellous at the nesthole on Palawan.

Northern Sooty Woodpecker ◊ Mulleripicus funebris Endemic. Drumming away at Subic Bay.

Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus Four showed well on Palawan.

Philippine Falconet ◊ Microhierax erythrogenys Endemic. Regular encounters with this lovely species.

Oriental Hobby Falco severus One at dusk near Bislig.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Two encounters, both with the migrant race calidus.

Red-vented Cockatoo ◊ (Philippine C) Cacatua haematuropygia Endemic. 20+ showed well at Puerto Princesa.

Mindanao Racket-tail ◊ Prioniturus waterstradti Endemic. A few on Mount Kitanglad.

Montane Racket-tail ◊ Prioniturus montanus Endemic. Nice looks on Mount Polis.

Blue-headed Racket-tail ◊ (Palawan R-t) Prioniturus platenae Endemic. Scope views.

Blue-crowned Racket-tail ◊ Prioniturus discurus Endemic. Flight views at PICOP.

Blue-naped Parrot ◊ Tanygnathus lucionensis Regular encounters.

Mindanao Lorikeet ◊ Saudareos johnstoniae Endemic. Fabulous scope studies near Davao. A truly rare species.

Guaiabero ◊ Bolbopsittacus lunulatus Endemic. A few observations.

Philippine Hanging Parrot ◊ (Colasisi) Loriculus philippensis Endemic. Many excellent sightings.

Philippine Pitta ◊ Erythropitta erythrogaster Endemic. One showed briefly at PICOP.

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Excellent looks at the nominate and the palawanensis races.

Azure-breasted Pitta ◊ (Steere’s P) Pitta steerii Endemic. Magnificent views of this beauty at PICOP. The number two in the Bird of the Trip game.

Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus A few on Palawan.

Scarlet Minivet ◊ (Philippine M) Pericrocotus [speciosus] nigroluteus Several in south central Mindanao, where the males and females look alike.

Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus

Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata

McGregor’s Cuckooshrike ◊ Malindangia mcgregori Endemic. Great views on Mount Kitanglad.

Blackish Cuckooshrike ◊ Edolisoma coerulescens Endemic. Nice encounters at Subic Bay.

Black-bibbed Cicadabird◊ Edolisoma mindanense Endemic. It showed well at PICOP.

Pied Triller Lalage nigra

Green-backed Whistler ◊ Pachycephala albiventris Endemic. Several on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Yellow-bellied Whistler ◊ Pachycephala philippinensis Endemic. Regular on Mindanao.

Ventriloquial Oriole ◊ Oriolus consobrinus This near endemic was seen on Palawan.

Philippine Oriole ◊ Oriolus steerii Endemic. Very nice looks at PICOP.

Black-naped Oriole ◊ (Philippine B-n O) Oriolus chinensis

Palawan Drongo ◊ Dicrurus palawanensis Endemic. Regular on Palawan.

Balicassiao ◊ Dicrurus balicassius Endemic. Regular on Luzon.

Short-tailed Drongo ◊ Dicrurus striatus Endemic. Regular on Mindanao.

Ashy Drongo (Sooty D) Dicrurus [leucophaeus] leucophaeus

Mindanao Blue Fantail ◊ Rhipidura superciliaris Endemic. A regular of the flocks in the Mindanao lowland forests.

Blue-headed Fantail ◊ Rhipidura cyaniceps Endemic. The Mount Polis flocks usually held a few of these beauties.

Philippine Pied Fantail ◊ Rhipidura nigritorquis Endemic. Several encounters.

Black-and-cinnamon Fantail ◊ Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea Endemic. This cracker was a regular in the montane flocks on Mindanao.

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Short-crested Monarch ◊ Hypothymis helenae Endemic. Fair views at PICOP.

Celestial Monarch ◊ Hypothymis coelestis Endemic. All too brief looks for some at PICOP.

Blue Paradise Flycatcher ◊ Terpsiphone cyanescens Endemic. Excellent encounters on Palawan.

Rufous Paradise Flycatcher ◊ (Southern R P F) Terpsiphone [cinnamomea] cinnamomea Endemic. Regular in the Mindanao forests.

Mountain Shrike ◊ Lanius validirostris Endemic. A few encounters on Mount Polis.

Brown Shrike ◊ (Philippine B S) Lanius [cristatus] lucionensis

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach

Palawan Crow ◊ Corvus pusillus Endemic. Fairly common on Palawan.

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

Citrine Canary-flycatcher ◊ Culicicapa helianthea

Elegant Tit ◊ Pardaliparus elegans Endemic. This very attractive species was fairly common on Luzon and Mindanao.

Palawan Tit ◊ Pardaliparus amabilis Endemic. Exquisite views on Palawan.

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula

Palawan Bulbul ◊ Alophoixus frater Endemic. Regular.

Sulphur-bellied Bulbul ◊ Iole palawanensis Endemic. A few in the Palawan forests.

Philippine Bulbul ◊ Hypsipetes philippinus Endemic. Regular on Luzon and Mindanao.

Yellowish Bulbul ◊ Hypsipetes everetti Endemic. Fairly common at PICOP.

Yellow-wattled Bulbul ◊ Poliolophus urostictus Endemic. A few showed well at PICOP.

Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos

Ashy-fronted Bulbul ◊ Pycnonotus cinereifrons Endemic. Fairly common on Palawan.

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata

Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus

Rufous-headed Tailorbird ◊ Phyllergates heterolaemus Endemic. Seen well in the mountains of Mindanao.

Philippine Bush Warbler ◊ (Luzon B W) Horornis seebohmi Endemic. Good looks on Mount Polis.

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Negros Leaf Warbler ◊ (Philippine Mountain W) Phylloscopus nigrorum Endemic. Regular in the Philippine mountain forests.

Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus

Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler ◊ Helopsaltes ochotensis Excellent looks at this migrant at Panabo.

Long-tailed Bush Warbler ◊ (L-t Grasshopper W) Locustella [caudata] caudata Endemic. Heard-only on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Long-tailed Bush Warbler ◊ (Mindanao Grasshopper W) Locustella [caudata] unicolor Endemic. Heard-only in the mountains of Mindanao.

Benguet Bush Warbler ◊ (B Grasshopper W) Locustella seebohmi Endemic. Heard-only on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Tawny Grassbird Cincloramphus timoriensis

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis

Mindanao Miniature Babbler ◊ Micromacronus sordidus Endemic. Fantastic views at close range near Davao.

Trilling Tailorbird ◊ (Green-backed T) Orthotomus chloronotus Endemic. Heard-only at Subic Bay (Luzon).

Rufous-fronted Tailorbird ◊ Orthotomus frontalis Endemic. Heard-only at PICOP.

Grey-backed Tailorbird ◊ Orthotomus derbianus Endemic. Good looks near Manila.

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus

Black-headed Tailorbird ◊ Orthotomus nigriceps Endemic. This beauty showed well at PICOP.

Mindanao Pygmy Babbler ◊ Dasycrotapha plateni Endemic. Regular at PICOP.

Rusty-crowned Babbler ◊ Sterrhoptilus capitalis Endemic. A few at PICOP.

Chestnut-faced Babbler ◊ Zosterornis whiteheadi Endemic. Cooperative on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Mindanao White-eye ◊ Heleia goodfellowi Endemic. A few at the higher elevations on Mount Kitanglad.

Yellowish White-eye ◊ Zosterops nigrorum Endemic. Only seen near Banaue (Luzon).

Warbling White-eye (Mountain W-e) Zosterops japonicus

Everett’s White-eye ◊ Zosterops everetti A few in southern Mindanao.

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler ◊ (Palawan T-B) Mixornis [gularis] woodi Endemic. Regular on Palawan.

Brown Tit-Babbler ◊ (Stripe-headed T-b) Macronus [striaticeps] striaticeps Endemic. A few on Mindanao.

Melodious Babbler ◊ Malacopteron palawanense Endemic. Scope views of this Palawan speciality.

Ashy-headed Babbler ◊ Pellorneum cinereiceps Endemic. Eye-ball to eye-ball looks on Palawan.

Falcated Wren-Babbler ◊ Ptilocichla falcata Endemic. Good looks at this stunner on Palawan.

Palawan Fairy-bluebird ◊ Irena tweeddalii Endemic. A single sighting on Palawan.

Philippine Fairy-bluebird ◊ Irena cyanogastra Endemic. Heard-only.

Sulphur-billed Nuthatch ◊ Sitta oenochlamys Endemic. Superb views on Mount Kitanglad.

Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis

Short-tailed Starling ◊ Aplonis minor Regular on the Mindanao mountains.

Apo Myna ◊ Goodfellowia miranda Endemic. Regular on Mount Kitanglad.

Coleto ◊ Sarcops calvus Endemic. Fairly common on Luzon and Mindanao.

Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa A few on Palawan.

Crested Myna (introduced) Acridotheres cristatellus

Chestnut-cheeked Starling ◊ Agropsar philippensis A few were noted in a flock of Short-tailed Starlings on Mount Kitanglad.

Stripe-headed Rhabdornis ◊ Rhabdornis mystacalis Endemic. Several nice sightings.

Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis ◊ Rhabdornis inornatus Endemic. Good looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus Common on Mount Kitanglad.

Island Thrush ◊ (Mountain Blackbird) Turdus poliocephalus Heard-only.

White-browed Shama ◊ Copsychus luzoniensis Endemic. Heard-only.

White-vented Shama ◊ Copsychus niger Endemic. Fantastic views on Palawan.

Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta

Turquoise Flycatcher ◊ Eumyias panayensis

Palawan Blue Flycatcher ◊ Cyornis lemprieri Endemic. Nice looks in the Palawan forest.

Philippine Jungle Flycatcher ◊ (Rufous-tailed J F) Cyornis ruficauda Endemic. It showed well at PICOP.

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher ◊ (Philippine B F) Cyornis [rufigastra] simplex Endemic. Eye-ball to eye-ball looks on Palawan.

Philippine Shortwing (Luzon S) Brachypteryx [poliogyna] poliogyna Endemic. Brief looks on Mount Polis.

Philippine Shortwing (Mindanao S) Brachypteryx [poliogyna] mindanensis Endemic. Brief looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki

Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni

Palawan Flycatcher ◊ Ficedula platenae Endemic. Cracking looks at this beauty on Palawan.

Bundok Flycatcher ◊ (Thicket F) Ficedula luzoniensis Endemic. A male showed well on Mount Polis.

Cryptic Flycatcher ◊ Ficedula crypta Endemic. Nice views of this retiring species near Davao.

Luzon Water Redstart ◊ Phoenicurus bicolor Endemic. Perfect encounters on Mount Polis.

Blue Rock Thrush (Red-bellied R T) Monticola [solitarius] philippensis

Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata

Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri

Philippine Leafbird ◊ Chloropsis flavipennis Endemic. Regular at PICOP.

Yellow-throated Leafbird ◊ Chloropsis palawanensis Endemic. A few in the Palawan forests.

Olive-backed Flowerpecker ◊ Prionochilus olivaceus Endemic. Seen well at PICOP.

Palawan Flowerpecker ◊ Prionochilus plateni Endemic. Fantastic close-up views on Palawan.

Striped Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum aeruginosum Endemic. Seen well on Mount Makiling.

Whiskered Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum proprium Endemic. Nice views near Davao.

Olive-capped Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum nigrilore Endemic. Good views on Mount Kitanglad.

Flame-crowned Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum kampalili Endemic. Marvellous looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Bicolored Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum bicolor Endemic. Regular on Luzon and Mindanao.

Red-keeled Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum australe Endemic. Regular on Luzon and Mindanao.

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker ◊ (Grey-throated F) Dicaeum [trigonostigma] cinereigulare Endemic. Regular on Mindanao.

Buzzing Flowerpecker ◊ (Southern B F) Dicaeum [hypoleucum] hypoleucum Endemic. A few on Mindanao.

Pygmy Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum pygmaeum Endemic. Seen quite well on Mindanao and Palawan.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Fire-throated F) Dicaeum [ignipectus] luzoniense Endemic. Only seen on Mount Kitanglad.

Brown-throated Sunbird (Plain-throated S) Anthreptes malacensis Superb looks on Palawan.

Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma [sperata] sperata Seen well on Mindanao and Palawan.

Copper-throated Sunbird ◊ Leptocoma calcostetha A few on Palawan.

Olive-backed Sunbird ◊ (Garden S) Cinnyris [jugularis] jugularis  Regular on Luzon and Mindanao.

Palawan Sunbird ◊ Cinnyris aurora Endemic. This beauty was quite commonly encountered on Palawan.

Grey-hooded Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga primigenia Endemic. Regular on Mount Kitanglad.

Apo Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga boltoni Endemic. Nice looks at a male high up on Mount Kitanglad.

Tiboli Sunbird Aethopyga tibolii Brief looks near Davao. Not very cooperative.

Flaming Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga flagrans Endemic. Seen on Mount Makiling.

Metallic-winged Sunbird ◊ (Mindanao S) Aethopyga pulcherrima Endemic. A few on the Mindanao mountains.

Luzon Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga jefferyi Endemic. Several on Mount Polis (Luzon).

Lovely Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga shelleyi Endemic. Nice looks on Palawan.

Handsome Sunbird ◊ Aethopyga bella Endemic. Regular at PICOP.

Orange-tufted Spiderhunter ◊ Arachnothera flammifera Endemic. Good looks near Davao.

Pale Spiderhunter ◊ (Palawan S) Arachnothera dilutior Endemic. Superb encounters on Palawan.

Naked-faced Spiderhunter ◊ Arachnothera clarae Endemic. Brief looks at PICOP.

Cinnamon Ibon ◊ Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus Endemic. Regular on the Mindanao mountains.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced) Passer montanus

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra

Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Alaska W) Motacilla [tschutschensis] tschutschensis

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

White-cheeked Bullfinch ◊ (Philippine B) Pyrrhula leucogenis Endemic. Brief looks on Mount Kitanglad.

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Seen in flight on Mount Polis.

MAMMALS

Northern Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Seen at night on Mount Makiling.

Golden-capped Flying Fox (G-crowned Flying-fox) Acerodon jubatus Common at Subic Bay.

Geoffroy’s Fruit Bat Rousettus amplexicaudus One showed well near Davao.

Large Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus Very common at Subic Bay and on Palawan.

Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M) Macaca fascicularis

Variable Squirrel (introduced) Callosciurus finlaysonii

Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel Sundasciurus juvencus Regular in the Palawan forests.

Mindanao Squirrel (M Tree S) Sundasciurus mindanensis A single at PICOP.

Palawan Flying Squirrel Hylopetes nigripes Two sightings at night on Palawan.

South Luzon Giant Tree Rat Phloeomys cumingi This enormous rat was seen at night on Mount Makiling.

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

Philippine Rat Snake Coelognathus erythrurus Nice looks on Palawan.

Green Crested Lizard Bronchocela cristatella Seen well at PICOP.

Big-eyed Frog Pulchrana grandocula One near Davao.

Palawan Rock Frog Staurois nubilus Seen well in a stream on Palawan.