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Where do you want to go birding in the Philippines today?Come birdwatch with www.birdingphilippines.

im are the more experienced tour guide members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP). Birding Adventure Philippines takes pride in its extensive knowledge of the local birding sites and bird species which is second to none among its peers. The tours are organized by local birders with a birdwatcher’s interest in mind – seeing the most and the best of the Philippines. Since the guides themselves are the company owners, you are assured of personalized service with the aim of going the extra mile to ensure a great adventure at the least possible cost.

22/07/2024

Rest in Peace, Bob Kennedy ! The Philippine Birding Community lost a champion today. Our condolences to the family and friends of THE Robert Kennedy, one of the primary authors of The Field Guide to the Birds of the Philippines.

04/01/2024

A Naked-faced Spiderhunter drinking nectar from a Jade Vine. November 2023, PICOP, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao.

The Naked-faced Spiderhunter is a Philippine endemic found in most islands except Palawan. This species is the biggest among the sunbirds/spiderhunters of the Philippines. It was nice to observe them feeding at this Jade Vine, (I believe this is a) Strongylodon pulcher, also endemic to the Philippines, restricted to the islands of Leyte, Samar, Mindanao and Tawi-Tawi. The spiderhunter was actually protecting the food source against other species, mobbing the Handsome Sunbirds and other species trying to drink nectar from the flowers.

02/08/2023

: A pair of Flaming Sunbirds taking advantage of the break in the rain.
The Flaming Sunbird is a Philippine endemic sunbird occurring in lowland to middle elevation forests of Luzon and Catanduanes. Like most sunbirds, it is sexually dimorphic with male birds (on top) more colorful than females (below, partially hidden). They are tiny as you can tell from the size of this hibiscus flower and mostly feed on nectar. Occasionally, especially during breeding season, they catch spiders and small insects as protein source for their young.
Flaming Sunbird, Southern Sierra Madres, February 2023 during the Great Backyard Bird Count.

18/07/2023

Not as colorful as the Lovely Sunbird from yesterday, but this nesting Philippine Frogmouth is equally beautiful! The Philippine Frogmouth is a country endemic occurring in forests from lowlands to montane areas in most Philippine islands except the Palawan group.

This one decided to nest by the roadside in Corella, Bohol near the excellent Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. After a successful morning birding at the Tarsier Sanctuary and checking out the Philippine Tarsiers, we visited this nest. This nest was successful and the chicks fledged several weeks back.

Philippine Frogmouths are excellent night-time hunters of insects such as katydids, moths, among other prey. In the daytime, they camouflage well by looking like a broken tree stump or a big dead leaf.

17/07/2023

As the Philippine birding season winds down, I will try to return to posting bird and nature photos again daily (fingers-crossed!). This is from a recently concluded trip from a returning birder.

A Lovely Sunbird, Aethopyga shelleyi, a Palawan endemic. This one is from the lowland forests of Napsan, just outside the city of Puerto Princesa. This is a lovely male searching for food among the Cassava aka kamoteng kahoy, Manihot esculenta, planted by the roadside.

The Philippines is home to around 20+ species of sunbirds, most are endemic to the country.

06/07/2023

The Philippines is home to many colorful endemic pigeons like this (South) Cream-breasted Fruit-Dove, found only in the lowland to middle elevation forests of Southern Luzon. The different shades of green in contrast to its cream belly plus the yellow-tipped, deep pink bill, pink feet and the maroon-red patch on the wings make this forest denizen one of the most sought after pigeon species in the country. This one was photographed in the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains of Real, Laguna and Infanta, Quezon.

Its close relative from the northern parts of Luzon, the (North) Cream-breasted Fruit-Dove sports a brownish red patch on the crown.

05/07/2023

Going back to our forest birds, here is a Chocolate Boobook, an endemic species of hawk-owl found in the forests of Luzon, Marinduque, Mindoro, Negros, Mindanao, Bohol, Basilan and other smaller islands. This one is from the lowland forests of Subic Bay in Luzon Island.

The Chocolate Boobook is one of the larger hawk-owls, and like most owls from the Ninox genus, they lack the "horns" or ear tufts present in other owls. An excellent hunter, the Chocolate Boobook feeds on small rodents and bigger insects such as moths, katydids among others.

31/05/2023

Today is World Parrot Day! This is one of our favorite parrots: A Green Racquet-tail (Prioniturus lucionensis) climbing up a Cupang tree (Parkia timoriana).

The Philippines is blessed with 16 native species of parrots scattered throughout the archipelago. Some parrots like the Colasisi | Philippine Hanging Parrot and the Guaiabero can thrive in wooded urban areas but most of our parrots need a good and healthy forest to survive.

18/05/2023

Whachalookin' at hooman?

A Chestnut-faced Babbler, Zosterornis whiteheadi, feeding on the flowers of Deutzia pulchra. Mountain Province. Philippine Cordilleras, January 2023.
The Chestnut-faced Babbler is a middle to high elevation Luzon endemic inhabiting mossy forests. The scientific name is derived from ancient Greek words zoster, meaning "belt" and ornis meaning "bird" while the epithet whiteheadi pertains to John Whitehead, a British explorer and naturalist who travelled extensively in Southeast Asia during the 19th century.

Deutzia pulchra is a common shrub that grows in thickets, open areas and ravines in mossy forest from 1000-2400 meters with the Philippines and Taiwan as its native geographic range. The epithet "pulchra" means beautiful. We have observed not only the babbler, but other montane bird species like Luzon Sunbirds and Warbling White-eyes feeding on the flowers of this beautiful native shrub.
(Many thanks John Rey Callado for identifying the shrub!)

17/05/2023

We got lucky with this pair of Sulfur-billed Nuthatches, Sitta oenochlamys, feeding together on insects hiding in the lichen and other epiphytes growing on a Benguet Pine, Pinus kesiya.
Mountain Province, Philippine Cordillera, January 2023.

The Sulfur-billed Nuthatch is a Philippine endemic found mostly in middle to high elevation forests of Luzon, Mindanao and other islands except Palawan. It is one of the two nuthatch species found in the Philippines. It is more common in the higher elevations often joined by other species in a mixed flock. Similar to woodpeckers, it can climb up or down tree trunks with its very strong feet.

The next photo (swipe left) shows one bird catching an insect (maybe a small grasshopper?) hiding in the lichen.

There were lots of lichens growing on this native Benguet Pine, possibly indicating good, clean air quality in the area. Lichens are complex organisms of both algae and fungi growing together in a mutualistic relationship.

Sulfur-billed Nuthatch, Sitta oenochlamys
Mountain Province, January 2023.

10/05/2023

One of the Philippines' most gorgeous owls, the diminutive Visayan Scops Owl, found only in west Central Philippines, in the islands of Negros and Panay. This one is from the backyard of Tatay Eti Rene Vendiola in Liptong Woodland in Valencia, near Dumaguete in Negros Oriental. It feeds mostly on mice and lizards and other small vertebrates. Tatay Eti's efforts of rehabilitating the forest with native trees, putting up nest boxes for the owls and making his backyard wildlife-friendly has resulted to several successfully-fledged owls each breeding season.

Visayan (Negros) Scops Owl, Otus nigrorum
Liptong Woodland, Valencia, Negros Oriental
March 2023

02/05/2023

This is a Rough-crested Malkoha, one of Luzon's two species of endemic malkohas. This individual got lucky with its prized catch: a species of katydid in its lime-green bill. Malkoha means flower cuckoo, and most malkohas found in Asia have such spectacular head patterns. The Rough-crested, or sometimes called Red-crested, Malkoha lives in the lowland forests of Luzon, feeding on mostly insect invertebrates like katydids and caterpillars, and sometimes also small vertebrates such as lizards and snakes. One time, we have seen saw it successfully raiding a nest of an unknown bird species.

Rough-crested Malkoha, Dasylophus superciliosus
SBMA, April 2023

31/12/2022

Looking forward to more birds in 2023!

Happy Holidays and wishing all birders a very Happy New Year!

May 2023 be the year you see that most coveted lifer! Keep on birding!

Holiday Greetings from your friends at Birding Adventure Philippines!

24/11/2022

: An adult Rufous-bellied Eagle soaring above the blue skies of Abihao Point, in Catanduanes.

The Rufous-bellied Eagle is one of the several species of raptors or birds of prey that call the Philippines home. It lives on primary and secondary forests from lowlands to high elevation and feeds on a variety of prey such as rodents, snakes and lizards, sometimes even smaller birds.

Raptors play an important role in the environment by controlling other populations of wildlife, maintaing a delicate balance of predator and prey. Their soaring flights inspire freedom.

Rufous-bellied Eagle, Lophotriorchis kienerii
Uncommon Philippine resident
Abihao Point,Catanduanes
July 2022

14/11/2022

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo, a usually shy and uncommon endemic found in lowland and montane forests of the Philippines. This individual is frequenting a fruiting Balete/Ficus benjamina, a native species of fig, that is attracting a lot of caterpillars.

29/09/2022

Red-headed Flameback
Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
August 2022
There are 12 species of woodpeckers in the Philippines some restricted to specific island groups such as this Red-headed Flameback endemic to the islands of Palawan, Calamianes and Balabac on the western part of the Philippines. This one here is the male with its bright all red head and golden back. The Red-headed Flameback is classified as NEAR-THREATENED due to habitat loss. It inhabits the lowland to middle elevation forests and drills the soft wood for worms and other prey.

22/09/2022

A fierce-looking Mountain Shrike from a rainy trip to the Cordilleras. This is a high elevation Philippine endemic restricted to the mountains of Luzon, Mindoro and Mindanao. Locally PANAL | TALAL, it feeds on various prey such as lizards, snakes, insects, sometimes other small birds. It shares the local name with 2 other similar looking species of shrikes (the migrant Brown Shrike and the resident Long-tailed Shrike). June 2022, Mt. Data Hotel Grounds, Bauko, Mountain Province, Cordillera Autonomous Region, Philippines.

19/08/2022

Ending our week of Palawan endemic birds with the female Blue Paradise Flycatcher. This powdery blue endemic can be found in various habitats from mangrove forests, lowland forests, even in wooded urban areas. This one is from a very popular park in the city of Puerto Princesa, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm) in Irawan. Male Blue Paradise Flycatchers are all blue while females (like the one here) have a brownish back and tail.

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Videos

Digiscoping a Whiskered Treeswift with a @swarovskioptik_birding STX Spotting Scope. Digiscoping offers safe and non-intrusive ways of documenting nesting birds. This Whiskered Treeswift is nesting and the spotting scope's high zoom (70x max) coupled with the zoom of the camera phone (4x) can capture bird behavior without disturbing the birds. Sound on! You can hear Philippine Bulbuls,Coppersmith Barbets, Red-keeled Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Colasisi (Philippine Hanging Parrot, and Lowland White-eyes in the background. #birdingphilippines #birdsofthephilippines #wildbirdsofthephilippines #philippinebirds #digiscoping #seetheunseen

No panning needed! Black-headed Gulls adrift on the strong currents of the Pampanga River. During low tide, these Black-headed Gulls from Manila Bay go inland to rest on the mudflats and the shallow parts of the Pampanga River. This small flock is just a part of the thousands of Black-headed Gulls counted that day for the Asian Waterbird Census. Digiscoped with a Swarovski Optik Spotting Scope. #birdingphilippines #digiscoping #birdsofthephilippines #wildbirdsofthephilippines #philippinebirds #seetheunseen #SaveManilaBay #citizenscience

Today's snippet from the live backyard birding: A Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Yungipicus maculatus, chipping away at the soft wood of our Ylang Ylang tree, Cananga odorata. #birdingphilippines #backyardbirding #digiscoping #seetheunseen #swarovskioptik

White-lored Oriole

#FridayFeature: A Luzon endemic White-lored Oriole. This one here is Oriolus albiloris, found only in Western and Northern Luzon. More info on this bird here: http://www.birdingphilippines.com/2012/05/23/white-lored-oriole/ White-lored Oriole, /Oriolus albiloris/ Camp Sawa, Penablanca Protected Landscape, Cagayan, Luzon, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, Jr. / www.birdingphilippines.com with a Swarovski Optik ATM 80 spotting scope and a Canon Powershot S95. For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #endemic #whiteloredoriole

A moulting Philippine Cuckoo-dove

#MondayBlues: A moulting Philippine Cuckoo-dove rests on a tree after feeding on some berries. Philippine Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia tenuirostris May 2017, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines Video by Adrian Constantino / www.birdingphilippines.com Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 25-50x 80 spotting scope, Panasonic G85 with Swarovski UCA For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #endemic

A Pair of Celestial Monarchs

A Pair of Celestial Monarchs videoed in the wild. This is a pair of Celestial Monarchs, one of the most sought-after endemics of the Philippines. To see one in the wild is pure joy, to see two in one encounter is breathtaking. Celestial Monarch is found only in 4 islands, the islands of Luzon, Negros, Samar and Mindanao. This endemic species is usually found in mixed flocks together with equally impressive birds such as Short-crested Monarch, Rufous-crowned Babbler, Mindanao Blue Fantail among others. Celestial Monarch, Hypothymis coelestis PICOP, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines March 2017 Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 HD spotting scope, Panasonic G85, Panasonic 20mm F1.7 with Swarovski UCA. For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #celestialmonarch #endemic #mondayblues

Short-crested Monarch building a nest

#MondayBlues: This is one of the most good looking endemic birds of the Philippines: Short-crested Monarch building a nest in the forests of PICOP, Surigao del Sur. The Short-crested Monarch is endemic to the Philippines and is found in major islands except the Palawan group. It feeds mainly on insects and is almost always seen in a mixed feeding flock together with the equally beautiful Celestial Monarch, Rufous Paradise Flycacther, Black-naped Monarch, Hair-crested Drongos, Philippine Bulbuls and leaf-warblers and babblers in lowland forests. Important note: This bird was filmed with utmost care using long range digiscoping techniques so as not to disturb the nest-building process. Short-crested Monarch, Hypothymis helenae PICOP, Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, Jr. / www.birdingphilippines.com Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 25-50x 80 spotting scope, Canon Powershot S100 For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #shortcrestedmonarch #endemic #birdingmindanao

The Great Philippine Eagle

Last #WildWednesday we featured the Great Philippine Eagle enjoying the break from the heavy afternoon rain. Here he is again in a short teaser video, shaking off the water, looking around and watching. The Great Philippine Eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world. It is the only raptor that has striking blue grey eyes. The Great Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi January 2017, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Bukidnon Philippines Photo by Adrian Constantino Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 25-50x 80 spotting scope, Panasonic G85 with Swarovski UCA For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #haringibon #philippineeagle #endemic #wildwednesdays #seetheunseen #swarovskioptik

#MondayBlues: We start the week with this awesome video of a Yellow-throated Leafbird, one of the two endemic leafbirds in the Philippines. Video was made by our main guy Nicky Icarangal, Jr during one of our birding trips. This Yellow-throated Leafbird is a Palawan endemic and is usually found in lowland forests, most of the time in a mixed flock with Palawan Tits, Velvet-fronted Nuthatches, Fiery Minivets and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds. Yellow-throated Leafbird, Chloropsis palawanensis Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, Jr. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 30-70x 95 spotting scope, Panasonic GH4 with Swarovski APO-TLS adapter with RODE VideoMic Pro. For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #yellowthroatedleafbird #endemic #birdingpalawan

Luzon Flameback shot in 4k

#WildWednesday: This beautiful Luzon Flameback is endemic to the islands of Luzon, Polilio, Catanduanes and Marinduque and is one of the most colorful woodpeckers of the Philippines. Luzon Flameback, Chrysocolaptes haematribon Subic, SBMA, Philippines Video by Adrian Constantino / www.birdingphilippines.com Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 spotting scope, Panasonic G85 with Swarovski UCA For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #luzonflameback #endemic #wildwednesdays #digiscoping #seetheunseen #4k

Apo Myna

#WildWednesdays at Birding Adventure Philippines! Truly wild Apo Mynas in the high elevation mossy forest of Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao. These funky looking mynas are Mindanao endemics and can only be found in mountains above 1250 meters. They mostly travel in pairs or in small groups, foraging for small berries and fruits. They have melodious and metallic tinkling calls. Apo Myna, Basilornis miranda Video by Nicky Icarangal, Jr. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 spotting scope, Canon Powershot S95 with Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #apomyna #endemic #wildwednesdays #digiscoping

Luzon Scops Owl [HD]

We continue our Mt. Polis feature today with our #WildWednesdays. Check out this high elevation Luzon endemic: Luzon Scops Owl digiscoped in the montane forests of Mt. Polis, Mountain Province in the Philippine Cordilleras. This tiny owl measuring 18 cm is found only in Luzon usually in mountains around 1000 meters and above. Luzon Scops Owl, Otus longicornis Mt. Polis, Mountain Province, Cordilleras, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, Jr. / www.birdingphilippines.com Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 HD, Canon Powershot A95, Swarovski Universal Camera Adaptor Check out the whole video at our website at http://www.birdingphilippines.com/2014/06/14/luzon-scops-owl-hd/ For more Philippine birds, please visit our website at www.birdingphilippines.com. Like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/birdingphilippines/ Follow us in Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/birdingphilippines/ #birdingphilippines #luzonscopsowl #endemic #wildwednesdays

Shortcuts

Where do you want to go birding in the Philippines today?

Birding Adventure Philippines is a full service birding tourism company founded in 2006. Owned and operated by an all-Filipino team, Birding Adventure Philippines can provide you with the best birdwatching experience in the Philippines! Birding Adventure Philippines is headed by Nicky Icarangal, the premier Filipino bird guide with extensive experience in leading tours in the Philippines. With him are the more experienced tour guide members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP). Birding Adventure Philippines takes pride in its extensive knowledge of the local birding sites and bird species which is second to none among its peers. The tours are organized by local birders with a birdwatcher’s interest in mind – seeing the most and the best of the Philippines. Since the guides themselves are the company owners, you are assured of personalized service with the aim of going the extra mile to ensure a great adventure.