Author: Adri Constantino

Luzon Scops Owl [HD]

Measuring only 7 inches, the Luzon Scops Owl is one of the smallest scops owls in the Philippines. It is found only in the high elevation montane forests of Luzon, above 1000 meters and overlaps with its bigger and more common cousin Philippine Scops Owl. They have been observed to nest on tree cavities made by woodpeckers. You can hear it giving its characteristic two-syllable whistle in this video. This is a digiscoped video using a Swarovski 80 ATM HD spotting scope. Imagine what you can do with your DSLR and your 600 or 800 mm lens! Luzon Scops Owl, Otus longicornis January 2014, Mt. Polis, Ifugao, Luzon, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. luzon-scops-owl

Black-hooded Coucal

The Black-hooded Coucal is one of the 6 species of coucals found in the Philippines. It is the Philippines rarest endemic coucal and can only be seen in Mindoro, a small island southwest of mainland Luzon. The field guide describes it as a secretive skulker, and prefers the dense vines and foliage of the lowland forests in Mindoro. The call is a a loud and resonating Hoot hoot hoot hoot hoot similar to that of a Black-faced Coucal, another endemic that ranges only in Mindanao, Samar,Leyte and Bohol. Birdlife International classifies this bird as "Critically Endangered" as the lowland forests in Mindoro are rapidly disappearing due to illegal logging and slash and burn farming. The best reliable site for this Coucal is in Siburan where some lowland forest is still present within a penal colony and prison farm. Entry to the Siburan Penal Colony is restricted and requires a permit and prior arrangement with the Prison Superintendent. Black-hooded Coucal, Centropus steerii February 2014, Siburan, Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, Philippines black-hooded coucal

Short-crested Monarch [HD]

Two of the most sought-after birds on any birding trip to the Philippines are our two endemic monarchs, Celestial Monarch and Short-crested Monarch. The Celestial Monarch is definitely a very-good looking bird (see our video here) and is always a candidate for the bird of the trip but others prefer its equally gorgeous cousin: the Short-crested Monarch. To kick off the new birding year, we would like to share our video of a Short-crested Monarch pair starting to build their nest. Short-crested Monarch, Hypothymis helenae March 2013, PICOP, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines short-crested monarch

Rufous-fronted Tailorbird [HD]

The Philippines is one of the countries in the world with very high biodiversity when it comes to tailorbirds. In the new and updated list of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, we have 11 tailorbird species, with 8 species endemic to the Philippines. The one featured here is a Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, endemic to the islands of Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol and satellites. Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Orthotomus frontalis March 2013, PICOP, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines rufous-fronted-tailorbird

Maroon-naped Sunbirds [HD]

Check out the feather details on these Maroon-naped Sunbirds, Aethopyga guimarasensis digiscoped in Balinsasayao-Danao Twin Lakes during one of our birding tours this year. The Maroon-naped Sunbird is a Guimaras, Negros and Panay endemic inhabiting the lowlands up to 1350 m. It is characterized by the fiery (thus flaming) orange splashes on its yellow belly. It was a windy and foggy morning when we were digiscoping these sunbirds in Lake Balinsasayao, Negros but the sweet and newly-blossomed hibiscus flowers were so tempting, the active little birds did not mind the wind, the fog and the birders oooh-ing and aaah-ing just a few meters from them. Maroon-naped Sunbird, Aethopyga guimarasensis (Formerly Flaming Sunbird, Aethopyga flagrans) January 2013, Balinsasayao-Danao Twin Lakes, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Green Racquet-tail feeding its young

Here is a video of a Green Racquet-tail feeding its young in the lowland forests of Subic in Zambales, Luzon. There are six endemic racquet-tail parrots in the Philippines, and the Green Racquet-tail is the smallest. It can only be found in the island of Luzon, with Subic Bay as the most reliable site. Young birds or immatures still lack the characteristic "raqcuets." With their all green plumage, these birds are tough to spot in the canopy. Like its cousin, the Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail (seen feeding on flowers here), the Green Racquet-tail also has screeching, high pitched calls when perched and when in flight. Green Racquet-tail feeding its young, Prioniturus luconensis June 2013, Subic, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines

Philippine (Negros) Scops Owl

This is one of the Philippines' smallest scops owl: the nigrorum race of the Philippine Scops Owl, Otus philippensis nigrorum endemic to the islands of Negros and Panay. Philippine Scops Owls are excellent nocturnal hunters, preying on insects, lizards, small mammals such as rodents, shrews and sometimes small birds. Other taxonomists treat this race as an entirely different species called Negros Scops Owl. Aside from the morphological differences from the Luzon race and the Mindanao and Bohol race, the call of this Negros Scops Owl is also different. ** UPDATE (April 2016) The Philippine Scops Owl has been split into three: this one here is called Negros Scops Owl, the Luzon birds are still called Philippine Scops Owl and the birds from Mindanao and Bohol are called Everett's Scops Owl. Philippine (Negros) Scops Owl, Otus philippensis nigrorum Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines

A feeding Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail [HD]

This is a Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail (Prioniturus montanus waterstradti) digiscoped feeding in the excellent mountains of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It is one of the six endemic racquet-tail parrots of the Philippines. This parrot is restricted to the high elevation mountains usually above 1000 meters of Mindanao. Previously lumped with Montane Racquet-tail, recent studies split this species into two: Luzon Montane Racquet-tail and Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail. Racquet-tail parrots are characterized by the extra elongated black shafts that end with blue black spatules or "rackets." Immature birds have very short or no rackets. Often seen in flight and given away by their noisy, raucous calls. Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail, Prioniturus montanus waterstradtii Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 HD, Canon Poweshot S100 with Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter.    

A troupe of Rufous Coucals [HD]

Described in the Philippine field guide as an uncommon skulker, the Rufous Coucal is a Luzon-only endemic inhabiting the understory of lowland forests, usually associated with bamboo and thickets. They travel in small groups and their raucous and raspy staccato calls often give their away their presence. The easiest place to look for them will be Subic Bay, a short two-hour drive from Manila. Rufous Coucal, Centropus unirufus November 2012, Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines Thanks for watching! Rufous Coucal