Philippines Birding

Day 1: Manila.
Welcome to Manila the bustling capital of the Philippines. The Philippines’ government, economy, education, and cultural hubs are all located in Manila. It is both the most densely populated area in the country and the world. Additionally, it serves as the primary airport for foreign visitors flying into the Philippines.

Because its economic networks were the first to span the Pacific Ocean and link Asia with the Spanish Americas via the galleon trade, Manila is regarded as one of the world’s original global cities.

Your dedicated guide will pick you up at the airport and you will be transferred to Villa Escudero and Plantation Resort which was established in the 1880s by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Dona Claudia Marasigan as a self-contained, operational coconut farm. It will take around 3 hours to get to the Resort.

This evening, we will enjoy our first dinner together and discuss our wonderful upcoming birding experience.

Day 2: Villa Escudero to Los Banos.
After a hearty breakfast this morning our birding starts in Villa Escudero, these are a few of the species we can see Common Koel, Philippine and Lesser Coucal, Grassbirds, Philippine Scops Owl, Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers. In addition, the Indigo-banded Kingfisher and, with luck, the Spotted Wood Kingfisher which are both endemic to the Philippines.

There is also an opportunity to go to the Bangkong Kahoy Valley which is situated between the Banahaw and Cristobal mountains, it is an approximate 30-minute drive from Villa Escudero. A few of the species you may spot are Citrine Canary-Flycatcher, Blue-headed Fantail, and, if you are lucky, Ashy Ground Thrush (Tropical moist montane forests or tropical moist lowland forests are the habitats where we will find these birds). After a great day of birding, we will continue to Los Banos, where we will overnight.

Day 3: Mount Makiling.
Following a scrumptious breakfast our next stop is Mount Makiling. Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, is situated within the 65 kilometres of Metro Manila and is an ASEAN Heritage Park. The Reserve covers an area of 4,244 hectares. Situated in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas on the Philippine Island of Luzon, this stratovolcano remains dormant. The peak is the highest point in the Laguna Volcanic Field, reaching a height of 1,090 meters (3,580 feet) above mean sea level. Although there has not been a documented historical eruption of the volcano, volcanism is still visible in geothermal characteristics like hot springs and mud springs.

On the slopes of this mountain, which borders Makiling University, we find some of the most attractive birds in the Philippines. Some unique birds, such as the Luzon endemic Spotted Buttonquail, can be found on the campus itself. The bizarre-looking Red-crested and Scale-feathered Malkohas and the aptly named Luzon Bleeding-heart and Ashy Thrush are two other stunning species that can be found there. We return to Manila after spending a day birding on the mountain and around the university and then check into our hotel.

Day 4: Tanay – Infanta – Real Sierra Madre Mountain.
An early morning pick up is on the cards today. As we are leaving at 05h00am, our breakfast will be on route. Today we are targeting the fantastic endemic birds at higher elevations.

In the Philippines, the Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range, extending more than 540 kilometres. The mountain range is home to some of the oldest forests in the Philippines. These magnificent forests, which include a vast lowland forest, a montane forest, and an old-growth dipterocarp forest, are some of the largest remaining forest blocks in the country. The mountain range is known for its amazingly rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including several endemic species. It is characterized by its unbelievably rugged terrain, dense forests, and steep slopes. It is an important ecological area and serves as a habitat for many endangered species and plays a crucial role in regulating the climate and water supply in the region.

These are some of the species we will be targeting: Amethyst Brown Dove, Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove, Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo, Philippine Fairy-bluebird, Bicol Ground-Warbler, Flaming Sunbird, and both Buzzing and Olive-backed Flowerpeckers. Flocks of birds that could be found along the road can include: Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Whistler, Yellowish White-eye, Elegant Tit, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, and Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler.

Also look out for the following species:

Philippine Coucal, Philippine Bulbul, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Coppersmith Barbet, Red-bellied Pitta, Red-crested Malkoha, Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Guaiabero, Pygmy Flowerpecker, White-browed Shama, Black-naped Monarch, Balicassiaos, White-throated Kingfisher and Glossy Swiftlet.

After a full day of fantastic birding, we return to our hotel to overnight.

Day 5: Manilla to Bislig City.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport after a hearty breakfast, for your 2-hour flight to Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. You will then drive from Davao to Bislig. This trip is about 200km and should take 4hr30.

After our arrival we could go birding at PICOP in the afternoon or evening, weather permitting.

Day 6-7: PICOP (Mindanao).
The Paper Industry Corporation of the Philippines had a concession in the area but sadly, even though the official logging is now finished, the area has recently seen widespread and well reported deforestation by illegal loggers.

Many lowland Mindanao specialties are still found at PICOP, including Writhed, Rufous and Mindanao Hornbills, Blue-capped, Rufous-lored and Silvery Kingfishers, Black-faced Coucal, Red-bellied and Steere’s (Azure-breasted) Pitta, Celestial, and Short-crested Monarchs.

Many dove and pigeon species, including Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeons, Amethyst Brown Doves, and Black-chinned Fruit-Doves can be found in the few surviving forest patches.

In addition, a wide range of species will be on our list of targets, including the Blue Fantail, Philippine Leaf Warbler, Philippine Oriole, Rusty-crowned Babbler, Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, and Pygmy Babbler.

Day 8: Lantapan.
After an enjoyable breakfast you will check out and travel the 340km to your next destination which is Lantapan fondly known as the “Vegetable Basket of Bukidnon”.

Over a thousand hectares of Cinchona trees can be found in the Cinchona Forest Reserve. The park is perfect for birding because it is located on Mt. Kitanglad, Lantapan, Bukidnon, which is over 1,000 meters above sea level.

Early evening birding in Cinchona Forest Reserve is on the cards, weather permitting, targeting these wonderful species Philippine Frogmouth, Mindanao, and Giant Scops-Owls.

Day 9-10: Cinchona Forest Reserve.
One of the largest raptors in the world, the Great Philippine Eagle, will be our primary target in this Reserve. With an estimated population of less than 500 birds, the Philippine Eagle is critically endangered and one of the rarest birds in the world. They are only found on 4 islands in the Philippines- Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. 

We will also be searching for the unusual-looking Apo Mynah, Grey-hooded Sunbird, Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Red-eared Parrotfinch, Black and Cinnamon Fantail, Cinnamon Ibon, Mindanao Ibon (also known as Black-masked White-eye), Yellow-bellied Whistler, and McGregors’s Cuckooshrike among other endemic species. To search for the high-elevation endemic Apo Sunbird, we will climb to an altitude of 1800 meters on at least one of the days.

Day 9-10: Cinchona Forest Reserve.
One of the largest raptors in the world, the Great Philippine Eagle, will be our primary target in this Reserve. With an estimated population of less than 500 birds, the Philippine Eagle is critically endangered and one of the rarest birds in the world. They are only found on 4 islands in the Philippines- Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. 

Day 11: Cagayan de Oro City.
Checkout is after your breakfast this morning. You will then travel to Cagayan de Oro City (known as the “City of Golden Friendship”), the trip of 122km should take around 2 hours and 45 minutes.

This afternoon your birding takes you to Mapawa Nature Park. There are about twenty breathtaking waterfalls in the area. Aside from waterfalls, it is home to numerous bright and stunning bird species, unusual mammals, and interesting amphibian and reptile species. There are 130 different species of plants and 150 different species of birds in the park.

A few of the species you are likely to connect with are Black-faced Coucal, Philippine Magpie-Robin, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Common Emerald Dove, Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, Plaintive Cuckoo, Black-naped Monarch, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and Philippine Hanging Parrot. 

Day 12: Cebu.
You will be transferred to Laguindingan Airport for your flight to Cebu, after a scrumptious breakfast and checking out. On arrival, you are dropped off at your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Established in 1565 as the convent of Santo Niño de Cebu, the Basilica of Santo Niño is a vast and revered church with a long history, it houses a statue of the Santo Niño, or Holy Child, presumably the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It is well worth a visit.

To experience the thrill of riding a horse-drawn carriage, known as a tartanilla, visit Cebu’s old quarters located on Carlock Street. When hailing a ride, do not forget to haggle the driver. 

Day 13: Olango Wildlife Reserve Sanctuary.
Three miles east of Cebu is the Olango island group. One of the four wetlands of international importance in the Philippines, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS) it is only reachable by speedboat from the city. The sanctuary is located southwest of Olango Island and is home to thousands of migratory birds. It comprises approximately 900 hectares of coastal habitat. Being a crucial resting place for migrating birds via the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, this has made the sanctuary especially well-known.

These are some of the birds we hopefully get to see Asian Dowitcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Barn Swallow, Brown Shrike, Chinese Egret, Collared Kingfisher, White-collared Kingfisher, Mangrove Kingfisher, Common Greenshank, Common Kingfisher, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew, Golden-bellied Fly-eater, Great Knot, Greater Sand Plover, Grey Plover (Black-bellied Plover), Grey-tailed Tattler (Polynesian Tattler), Gull-billed Tern, Kentish Plover, Little Egret, Olive-backed Sunbird (Yellow-bellied Sunbird), Pacific Swallow, Pied Fantail, Red-necked Stint (Rufous-necked Stint), Ruddy Turnstone, Striated Heron (Mangrove Heron, Little Heron, Green-backed Heron), Terek Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Whiskered Tern, Yellow-vented Bulbul (Eastern Yellow-vented Bulbul).

Following a fantastic day of wetland birding, you will return to your hotel to freshen up before a tasty dinner.

Day 14: Bohol.
This morning you are on your way to Bohol. The transfer will be from your hotel to the port where you will board a Fast Ferry to the island.

The tenth largest island in the Philippines is the Island province of Bohol, which is situated in the centre of Central Visayas. It is made up of 72 tiny islands encircling an oval-shaped mainland. The spherical Chocolate Hills, which stretch as far as the eye can see, are a strange topological wonder that is unique to Bohol. The central plains of the island are surrounded by an estimated 1,776 limestone mounds that rise to a surreal backdrop, appearing velvety green during most of the year and chocolate brown during the dry season.

This afternoon you will be birding around the magical Chocolate Hills. Look out for the following species: Philippine Trogon, Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Visayan Wattled Broadbill, and Yellow-breasted Tailorbird.

Only the southeast Philippine islands are home to the endemic Azure-breasted Pitta. Black-faced Coucal, Samar Hornbill, Northern Silvery Kingfisher, Philippine Oriole, and Philippine Fairy-bluebird are further potential species. We will look for Philippine Frogmouth and Philippine Nightjar after dark, and there is a chance we will spot a few nocturnal animals like Colugo, Philippine Flying Lemur, and tiny Philippine Tarsier.

You will be transferred to your overnight lodgings after another great day of birding.

Day 15: Rajah Sikatuna Park.
This is a popular spot for birders. Surrounded by plantations, deforested areas, and grasslands, this 9,000-hectare national park is distinguished by rolling hills with remnant natural forest on steep limestone terrain.

Rajah Sikatuna National Park is a favoured destination for birdwatchers, with recent sightings of threatened and restricted-range species from the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area. Notable among these are the Samar Hornbill, Visayan Broadbill, and Yellow-breasted Tailorbird, all three are endemic to the Eastern Visayas. The park is one of the few places where the endangered Mindanao Bleeding-heart and Azure-breasted Pitta have been observed recently. Bohol is home to five bird subspecies such as Streaked Ground-Babbler, Black-crowned Babbler, Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Whistler, and Metallic-winged Sunbird. The forests of Rajah Sikatuna National Park are crucial for their conservation.

Beyond birds, the park hosts six species of large mammals, including the Philippine Tarsier, Long-tailed Macaque, Philippine Flying Lemur, Malay Civet, Common Palm Civet, and Wild Pig. The park’s caves are also vital habitats for bats and Swiftlets.

Here are some bird species commonly seen in Rajah Sikatuna National Park: Silvery and Rufous-Lored Kingfisher, Philippine Frogmouth, Philippine Hawk-Owl, Brush Cuckoo, Black-faced Coucal, Philippine Trogon, Philippine Nightjar, Large-billed Crow, Philippine Coucal, Spangled Drongo, Drongo Cuckoo, Yellow-wattled Bulbul, and Pygmy Swiftlet.

Day 16: Tarsier Sanctuary, Bilar.
The Philippine tarsier, one of the tiniest primates in the world, is protected and preserved at the Tarsier Conservation Area, a sanctuary tucked away in the lush forests of Loboc, Bohol. These nocturnal animals, which are frequently barely bigger than a human fist, are a must-see for anybody interested in unusual wildlife because of their characteristic wide eyes and velvety fur. They are an iconic symbol of Bohol. Visitors have the rare chance to see tarsiers in their natural habitat and hear about the conservation efforts being made for this threatened species in this tranquil setting.

After enjoying a morning with these amazing little mammals, we will have lunch and proceed to Chocolate Hills for an afternoon of birding.

Day 17: Puerto Princesa.
After checking out we will catch a fast ferry to Cebu. Upon arrival in Cebu, you will be picked up from the port and transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Princesa. Once you arrive in Puerto Princesa, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

In the evening you will embark on an exciting owling excursion, where you will have the opportunity to observe nocturnal birds in their natural habitat. This unique adventure promises to be a memorable experience.

Day 18: St. Paul National Park.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park boasts a breathtaking karst limestone landscape, renowned for its remarkable geological formations. The park is home to a stunning underground river that meanders through a series of caverns before flowing directly into the sea. The lower portion of this subterranean river is influenced by ocean tides, creating a unique brackish water environment. This natural wonder not only offers awe-inspiring scenery but also supports diverse ecosystems, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

Eight of the thirteen recognized forest types are represented in the rich mosaic of species found above ground in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. These include mangroves, lowland evergreen forests, montane forests, riverine forests, beach forests, and forests over ultramafic and limestone soils. With more than 800 plant species, the park offers an amazing variety of flora and acts as an exciting sanctuary for plant enthusiasts.

The Long-tailed Macaque is the mammal most often seen in the park, which is home to 30 mammal species and 19 reptile species. With 252 different bird species, the park is especially well-known for its avian variety. Because of this, it is a fantastic place to go birding and view the variety of species found in the skies.

Many of the island’s rare species, including the Blue Paradise Flycatcher, Palawan Tit, Palawan Hornbill, Sulphur-bellied Bulbul, and Palawan Blue Flycatcher, should be found here, where birding can be surprisingly easy. Some, like the stunning Palawan Peacock-Pheasant and Falcated Wren-Babbler, could need more effort.

Spend the afternoon birding at either Balsahan Trail or Irawan Eco Park, each offering rich birding experiences in their unique environments. Balsahan Trail features a variety of bird habitats, while Irawan Eco Park provides a diverse range of avian species in a well-preserved natural setting. After a day of exploration, enjoy an overnight stay in Sabang, a picturesque coastal area known for its relaxing atmosphere and proximity to natural attractions.

Day 19: Irawan Entrance, Badajao and Canigaran Sites.
This morning after breakfast we will be on our way hoping to spot the target bird species for today such as the Melodious Babbler, Blue Paradise Flycatcher, and Spot-throated Flameback, each showcasing vibrant plumage and unique calls. You might also encounter the stunning Palawan Fairy-bluebird and the Rufous-backed Kingfisher, known for its striking colours. The Copper-throated Sunbird and Philippine Pied-Fantail add to the avian diversity, along with the elusive Palawan Spiderhunter and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. Keep an eye out for the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo, the rarely seen Spotted Wood-Owl, and the distinctive Palawan Frogmouth.

Day 20: Puerto Princesa area.
Today, we will explore a nearby area outside of Puerto Princesa with hopes of spotting the tiny Palawan Flycatcher, an endemic species rarely seen within the national park boundaries. Additionally, we will search for the aptly named Melodious Babbler, known for its distinctive calls despite its elusive nature. This excursion also provides another chance to observe many of the Park’s bird species. In an area featuring paddies and mangroves, we may encounter various species, including the impressive White-bellied Sea Eagle and the vibrant Stork-billed Kingfisher.

In the evening, we will fly back to Manila and transfer to our hotel. 

Day 21: Manilla.
Today you bid goodbye to the magnificent Philippines.

Check out of your accommodation and transfer to the airport for your flight home.