Tag: palawan

Philippine (Red-vented) Cockatoo

The Philippines only has one species of cockatoo: the Philippine or Red-vented Cockatoo. It used to be widespread and ranged in the major islands of the Philippines but the rampant poaching for the illegal pet trade as well as habitat destruction lead to its decline and is now declared as Critically Endangered. Currently, the best place to see the Philippine Cockatoos in the wild is in the island of Palawan, in Rasa Island. Access to the island is restricted and is managed by one of the Philippines' top conservation organizations, the Katala Foundation (http://www.philippinecockatoo.org/) This cockatoo was videoed eating Malunggay fruit (Moringa oleifera) in the Municipality of Narra, in mainland Palawan. The residents of Narra through the initiatives of the Katala Foundation planted Malunggay trees to provide additional food for the increasing number of cockatoos in the area. Very recently, the conservation efforts of the Katala Foundation and their partners in the local government of Narra won the 2015 GALING POOK awards, an award recognizing the top local governance programs in the whole Philippines. Thru the efforts of both the LGU of Narra and the Katala Foundation, former poachers of the Philippine Cockatoo were converted to deputized wildlife wardens and now act as guardians of the Philippines' only cockatoo as well as other wildlife in the area. From 23-25 wild cockatoos in 1998, the Rasa Island population has already plateaued at more than 200 individuals and some of them are now relocating to the Palawan mainland, hopefully to establish new populations. Definitely one of the successful conservation stories in the Philippines. Please do help save the Philippine Cockatoo. You can do your share by supporting the Katala Foundation here. Philippine (Red-vented) Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia June 2015, Municipality of Narra, Palawan, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 95 HD, Panasonic GH3 with Swarovski TLS-APO adapter. Some of the text are from the Katala Foundation.

Yellow-throated Leafbird

Palawan is one of the major destinations for birding in the Philippines. It is distinctively different from the rest of the country in terms of avian diversity. The avifauna here is similar to that of mainland Asia with overlapping species like Black-headed Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha among others. The island of Palawan is a long strip of land that has several endemics as well, such as this stunning Yellow-throated Leafbird. This Yellow-throated Leafbird is one of two endemic leafbirds in the Philippines. This leafbird prefers the canopy of trees, often seen feeding with mixed flocks composed of Hair-crested and Ashy Drongos, Fiery Minivet, Palawan Tit, and Lovely Sunbird. Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis June 2013, Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 95 HD, Panasonic GH3 with Swarovski TLS-APO Adapter Yellow-throated Leafbird

Palawan Scops Owl

This is a Palawan Scops Owl, an uncommon mainland Palawan endemic ranging in forest and forest edge. Just like a lot of the Philippines' owls, this one is poorly-known and few documentations about the breeding, behavior and ecology of this species exist. The Palawan Scops Owl prefers to stay in bamboo thickets and dense understory and often quite close to the ground. It is the only small eared owl in Palawan but sometimes the bigger and more rufous, small-island specialist Mantanani Scops Owl can also occur at times. Best way to locate this uncommon owl is by its very faint, hard to hear, snore-like harsh growl. Palawan Scops-Owl, Otus fuliginosus Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Palawan Scops-Owl

A calling Falcated Ground Babbler

This is a Falcated Ground-Babbler, one of the most gorgeous and most sought-after Palawan endemics. This lowland, uncommon and very secretive skulker prefers to stay near the ground in dense foliage, turning leaves and dried litter in search of small invertebrates and grubs. This endemic has a loud, conspicuous song consisting of melodious whistles and babbling notes will often respond to playback. Hear it for yourself. 🙂 Falcated Ground-Babbler, Ptilocichla falcata Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines Falcated Ground-Babbler