I had the possibility to do birding in Coron and Busuanga once I final visited that space of Palawan. After I returned to Palawan for a Balabac journey, I made certain to allot a day to do some birding in Puerto Princesa earlier than taking the journey. I availed of Totic’s Palawan Birding and Pictures to assist me spot the birds right here which got here extremely really helpful by associates. Palawan has round 27 endemic birds and listed below are my encounter with a few of them for a day of birding.
Birding in Puerto Princesa
Totic fetched me at my lodging close to Rizal junction as early as 4:30 AM. There was a drizzle that morning however circumstances for birding had been good. We had a rental automotive for our sortie. I had no particular goal chicken so Totic deliberate a basic itinerary the place we may {photograph} a few of the endemics in and across the metropolis. Areas in Puerto Princesa had been San Pedro, Bancao-bancao, Iwahig and Irawan.
Noticed Wooden Owl
Noticed Wooden Owl
(Strix seloputo)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Bancao-bancao, Puetro Princesa, Palawan
Palawan endemic, resident, unusual.
Thought-about as “endangered” by Palawan Council for Sustainable Improvement (PCSD).
That is the one giant owl present in Palawan.
This was our first goal chicken to identify on our day of birding at PPS. It was nonetheless on the metropolis fringes. My information, Totic, led me inside a small forested space close to a non-public residence the place there have been towering coconut bushes. He mentioned there was a few residents Noticed Wooden Owl. A number of moments later, we noticed a big chicken swoop by. Its wingspan was wonderful however on the identical time, it was silent on perching. Very stealthy for its dimension. Fairly difficult to {photograph} as they had been excessive up within the bushes and appear agitated. Totic mentioned, within the afternoons, they’re extra relaxed and would usually perch low. Nonetheless, a tremendous lifer to begin the day.
Copper-throated Sunbird
Copper-throated Sunbird
(Leptocoma calcostetha)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Badjao Seafood Restaurant, Puerto Princesa
Frequent. Palawan Endemic
Our second location is by the mangrove space at Badjao Seafood Restaurant. We had been on the lookout for the Frequent Iora which we noticed however was laborious to {photograph} as a result of lighting. There have been a few female and male sunbirds that will go down on a decrease perch and therefore, simpler to {photograph}. It was laborious to acknowledge the male although because it appears to be like virtually black.
Olive-backed sunbirds aurora
Olive-backed sunbirds aurora
(Cinnyris jugularis aurora)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa Palawan
This sub-species is Palawan endemic.
Olive-backed sunbirds are quite common however these Palawan sunbirds have distinct traits. The feminine has a darkish throat working in the direction of the stomach. The male is extra vibrant and has an orange patch on the higher stomach.
Pale Spiderhunter
Pale Spiderhunter
(Arachnothera dilutior)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan endemic
Ecstatic to see this primary time round. Bigger than common sunbirds.
Palawan Flowerpecker
Palawan Flowerpecker (feminine & male)
(Prionochilus plateni)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan endemic
Noticed a couple of of them particularly the favored “Marites” within the space, a feminine Palawan flowerpecker with an open beak.
Palawan Mangrove Blue Flycatcher
Palawan Mangrove Blue Flycatcher
(Cyornis rufigastra)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Least concern, resident.
This was an sudden customer in a yard chicken sanctuary of sunbirds and flowerpeckers. For the reason that location is by a mangrove space, it was a nice sight to see the intense blue and orange colours of a Mangrove Blue Flycatcher perch close by. A welcome lifer that morning.
Brown-throated Sunbird
Brown-throated Sunbird (female and male)
(Anthreptes malacensis)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Frequent. Resident
Good to see this one in a pair. Nonetheless a lifer on my checklist. The males, as normal, are extra colourful whereas the females are fairly drab. Amused to see them than the same old olive-backed within the neighborhood.
Pretty Sunbird
Pretty Sunbird
(Aethopyga shelleyi)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Irawan, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan Endemic
Discovered this vibrant chicken feeding on some nectar close by whereas I used to be photographing a Palawan hornbill. These sunbirds are solely present in Palawan.
Blue Paradise Flycatcher
Blue Paradise Flycatcher
(Terpsiphone cyanescens)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Irawan, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan endemic
I used to be capturing one other chicken when this one unexpectedly confirmed up. So I took a photograph of this gal who appeared to be a feminine with rufous underparts.
Palawan Hornbill
Palawan Hornbill
(Anthracoceros marchei)
2022.08.26
Irawan, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan Endemic
Categorized as susceptible and threatened.
After I used to work in El Nido, I noticed these birds usually throughout my walks alongside Corong-corong Seashore. I discover them fascinating. However I wasn’t into chicken pictures but so I simply marvel at these giant birds. They’re regionally known as “Talusi” within the native Cuyonon language and are one of many 11 endemic hornbills within the nation. In my latest journeys to Puerto Princesa and El Nido, I nonetheless noticed a whole lot of them across the islands. Although their presence and visibility appear lots, their conservation standing is classed as susceptible and threatened. Their inhabitants has decreased by 20% within the final 10 years. So in case you see them once more, be glad they’re nonetheless there. In a couple of years’ time, they could be fewer in numbers and fewer seen.
Rufous-tailed tailorbird
Rufous-tailed tailorbird
(Orthotomus sericeus) – subadult
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Irawan, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Loads of these little ones are on the conservation park.
White-vented shama
White-vented shama
(Copsychus niger)
2022.08.26
Iwahig, Puerto Princesa,
Palawan Endemic.
This white-vented shama was a bit shy, preferring to be distant, not like the one I encountered in Coron. Nonetheless has a beautiful tune name although.
Palawan Hooded Pitta
Palawan Hooded Pitta
(Pitta sordida palawanensis)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Iwahig, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Palawan race.
This was one other sudden lifer. We had been trying to find a special chicken however this confirmed up. A stupendous songbird. This was extra of a docu shot. Hoping to have a extra detailed magnificence shot of this chicken sooner or later.
Rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher
Rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher
(Ceyx rufidorsa)
2022.08.26
Iwahig, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Endemic. Unusual
Thought-about because the tiniest of the kingfishers within the nation. Most likely one of the vital vibrant as effectively. I first encountered this cute kingfisher on the slopes of Mt Hibok-hibok in Camiguin however wasn’t in a position to get a transparent shot. This one stayed just a little longer however fairly a distance. Will be very skittish and detects motion at a bigger perimeter. With its tiny dimension, it’s tougher to take a photograph. This one is already a really tight crop.
White-bellied Woodpecker
White-bellied Woodpecker
(Dryocopus javensis)
2022.08.26 (lifer)
Irawan, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Noticed a number of of them in Irawan however on excessive a perch.
I felt we had a really productive birding even when we didn’t spend the entire day as I used to be leaving that night. Totic was an excellent spotter. There have been birds we weren’t in a position to see just like the Palawan peacock-pheasant that determined to not present up. However that’s purpose to return. I had loads of lifers that day which I’m pleased with. Will replace this checklist if ever I do one other sortie in Puerto Princesa.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning journey photographer, author and blogger. His works has discovered print in publications reminiscent of Singapore Airways’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airways’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has additionally lent his experience to numerous organizations just like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Basis, Save the Kids and World Imaginative and prescient, contributing high quality photos for his or her advertising and marketing supplies.
