The avifauna of the Philippines include a total of 657 species, of which 214 are endemic, five have been introduced by humans and 52 are rare or accidental. Of these, 68 species are globally threatened.
Philippine Eagle
The National Bird of the Philippines, also known as the monkey-eating eagle. The Philippine eagle is one of the largest and most endangered eagles in the world. The raptor is currently documented on just four Philippine islands—Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte, and Samar. Scientists estimate that perhaps only a few hundred pairs remain in the wild.
With a wingspan of nearly seven feet and a weight of up to 14 pounds, the species, Pithecophaga jefferyi, casts an impressive shadow as it soars through its rain forest home. Its long tail helps it skillfully maneuver while hunting for its elusive prey, like flying lemurs or palm civets.
Luzon Bleeding-heart
It is one of a number of species of ground dove in the genus Gallicolumba that are called "bleeding-hearts". They get this name from a splash of vivid red colour at the centre of their white breasts. The Luzon Bleeding-heart is the species in which this feature is most pronounced, and on first sight it is hard to believe that the bird has not recently been wounded. A reddish hue that extends down the belly furthers the illusion of blood having run down the bird's front.
Red-vented Cockatoo
Also known as the Philippine Cockatoo. Red-vented cockatoos are small white cockatoos with a short white recumbent crest. The under-tail coverts are red and the beak is almost white with a small pink patch between the eyes and nares. They may be confused with the goffin’s cockatoo. The underside of the flight feathers are yellow. Red-vented cockatoos have become extremely rare and are considered the most endangered bird in the Philippines other than the Phillippine eagle. The range is now limited to a few of the smaller islands including Palawan which is it’s last stronghold. The species is heavily dependent upon coastal mangrove but also found in lowland forests. They feed on seeds, nuts, fruits and berries.
Also known as the Philippine Cockatoo. Red-vented cockatoos are small white cockatoos with a short white recumbent crest. The under-tail coverts are red and the beak is almost white with a small pink patch between the eyes and nares. They may be confused with the goffin’s cockatoo. The underside of the flight feathers are yellow. Red-vented cockatoos have become extremely rare and are considered the most endangered bird in the Philippines other than the Phillippine eagle. The range is now limited to a few of the smaller islands including Palawan which is it’s last stronghold. The species is heavily dependent upon coastal mangrove but also found in lowland forests. They feed on seeds, nuts, fruits and berries.
Philippine eagle-owl
A vulnerable species of bird belonging to the Strigidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines, where found in lowland forests on the islands of Catanduanes, Samar, Bohol, Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte and possibly Sibuyan. It is known locally as the “kuwago” or “bukao”.
A vulnerable species of bird belonging to the Strigidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines, where found in lowland forests on the islands of Catanduanes, Samar, Bohol, Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte and possibly Sibuyan. It is known locally as the “kuwago” or “bukao”.
Philippine Duck
A large dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is endemic to the Philippines. As few as 5,000 may remain. Overhunting and habitat loss has contributed to its decline. It has a black crown, nape and eye stripe, with a cinnamon head and neck. Rest of body is greyish brown with a bright green speculum. Its legs are greyish brown, and its bill is blue grey. It eats shrimp, fish, insects, and vegetation, and it frequents all types of wetlands.
A large dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is endemic to the Philippines. As few as 5,000 may remain. Overhunting and habitat loss has contributed to its decline. It has a black crown, nape and eye stripe, with a cinnamon head and neck. Rest of body is greyish brown with a bright green speculum. Its legs are greyish brown, and its bill is blue grey. It eats shrimp, fish, insects, and vegetation, and it frequents all types of wetlands.
Palawan Hornbill
Known as Talusi in the Filipino language, is a smallish (approximately 70 centimetres (28 in) long) forest-dwelling bird. Its plumage is predominantly black, with a white tail, a dark green gloss on its upper parts and a large creamy-white beak with a casque typical of the hornbill family. It emits loud calls which can be transcribed as kaaww and kreik-kreik. It is usually seen in pairs or small noisy family groups, and it has a communal roosting site. It is most usually observed in fruiting trees at the forest edge, but also feeds on insects and small reptiles.
Rufous Hornbill
Also known as Philippine hornbill and locally as kalaw (pronounced kah-lau), is a large species of hornbill. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it occurs in primary, mature secondary and disturbed forests on 11 islands: Luzon and Marinduque (race hydrocorax), Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Panaon, Biliran, Calicoan and Buad (race semigaleatus), Dinagat, Siargao, Mindanao (plus Balut, Bucas and Talicud) and Basilan (race mindanensis). It is still common locally, notably in the Sierra Madre of Luzon, but continues to suffer from substantial hunting pressure and widespread loss of habitat.
Rough-crested malkoha
The rough-crested malkoha or red-crested malkoha (Phaenicophaeus superciliosus) is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The rough-crested malkoha or red-crested malkoha (Phaenicophaeus superciliosus) is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.