The Philippines;

Sierra Madre extension

5th – 10th March 2012

Leader: Rob Hutchinson

Participants: Mike Hunter, Kim Chuah Lim and Rob Tizard

Whiskered Pitta © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia

Perhaps the most desirable bird not seen on our scheduled tours is the enigmatic Whiskered Pitta, one of the

toughest of the spectacular pitta family to find by virtue of its inaccessibility in the remotest mountain

ranges of Luzon. The most reliable place to see the species, together with several other Luzon specialities,

are the remote Sierra Madre mountains of northeast Luzon. With this in mind two participants from our 2-

week tour, together with another ‘jewel-hunter’ from Singapore made the trip and successful found the

Whiskered Pitta together with Flame-breasted and Cream-bellied Fruit Doves, Blue-breasted Flycatcher,

Furtive Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Babbler, Luzon Striped Babbler, Rusty-faced Babbler, White-fronted Tit,

White-lored Oriole and Sierra Madre Crow. The extension included 17 species not seen on the main two-

week tour, all but 2 of them endemics.

Our adventure in the Sierra Madre looked rather precarious when we arrived at the airport to find that our

flight to the north of Luzon had been cancelled but we were soon booked on another flight and without

further glitches we were on our way just a few hours behind schedule. To reach the forests in these areas

unfortunately means quite a trek across virtually denuded hillsides but fortunately the delay meant we

weren’t doing this during the midday heat and we actually found some good bird activity. Pygmy

Flowerpeckers were common and denser areas of cover produced Luzon White-browed Shama. Blue-tailed

Bee-eaters and Black-naped Orioles added welcome splashes of colour but the highlight was undoubtedly

the two Spotted Imperial Pigeons which flew right overhead.

Philippine Fairy Bluebird and Cream-bellied Fruit Dove

Blue-breasted Flycatcher and Furtive Flycatcher

The next morning we set out for the main camp, initially along forest edge where we found Luzon Hawk

Eagle, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Ashy Minivet and Philippine Fairy Bluebird. As soon

as we got into scrubby bamboo-dominated forest our first major target soon appeared; a smart Furtive

Flycatcher moving around us and again we were impressed. Black-and-White Triller, Bar-bellied

Cuckooshrike and Blackish Cuckooshrike became abundant in the forest and White-lored Orioles and

Philippine Fairy Bluebirds were remarkably common. Arriving at our comfortable camp site in the heart of

the forest we soon found a feeding group which included Green-backed Tailorbird, Olive-backed

Flowerpeckers, Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler alongside core species like Blue-headed Fantail and Elegant Tit.

After lunch we set out to explore the nearby trails and our first feeding added Golden-crowned and Luzon

Striped Babbler. A female Spotted Wood Kingfisher was sitting quietly nearby and we were happy to find the

scarce novus race of Scarlet Minivet, a potential future split.

Spotted Wood Kingfisher and Whiskered Pitta

Rufous Coucal and Striped Flowerpecker

We had heard a Whiskered Pitta the previous evening which added extra excitement to our search for this

enigmatic species this morning and it wasn’t long before we heard our first but this one was just too far so

we moved on, adding Blue-breasted Flycatcher and calling in a Luzon Bleeding-heart before we finally again

heard the distinctive booming song of another Whiskered Pitta. This one was much closer but as we crept

closer it somehow gave us the slip, only to call further up the slope and steadfastly refused to budge. There

was only one thing for it, so up we went, carefully creeping up the slope until we were within range and set

about intensely scanning. It was the sharp eyes of Kim Chuah who first spotted the red glowing from the

undergrowth and with some carefully positioning we were all able to get views and even set up the ‘scope to

see the pitta pumping his chest during song bouts and with the diagnostic whisker fully on view. After this

success we were on a high for the remainder of the day during which Northern Sooty Woodpecker was

found, along with Philippine Trogon, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo and a very obliging Cream-bellied Fruit Dove

before finishing the day with a smart pair of White-fronted Tits.

We spent the next day on a higher trail and once again started with some pitta-chasing, this time the bird

was frequenting a gully on a downward slope, certainly not easy to move around but it was well worth it for

closer views than the previous day of this brilliant bird. As we continued up we finally found a Rusty-faced

Babbler in a suitable viewing area and some careful teasing everyone got views even though it typically

moved at super high speed so seeing much more than a blur was a challenge. A Flaming Sunbird was new

for the extension and a welcome pullback for Mike, then as we made our way back to camp we stumbled on

activity around a fruiting tree and the loud clapping wing-beats drew us to no less than four Flame-breasted

Fruit Doves.Our final full day began with Blue-breasted Flycatcher around the camp, followed by Yellow-

breasted and Cream-bellied Fruit Doves in the lower forests, where Furtive Flycatcher again showed well.

Rob T stuck it out here and eventually had views of the Sierra Madre Crow which we had heard earlier, while

the rest of us headed higher again and were more than happy with our best Whiskered Pitta views yet, an

obliging individual that bounced right around us allowing unobscured views. Another Luzon Bleeding-heart

was found during the pitta search before it was time to head out again to camp 1 to finish a wonderful trip

under a full moon with the evocative calls of Philippine Eagle Owl emanating from the distant forest slopes.

All that remained the following day was the trek back to civilisation and just one more key species to find.

Fortunately not long into our trek we scored as the distinctive song lead us to the recently split Philippine

Collared Dove. Also added were Brown-headed Thrush and Barred Rail, some nice perched views of

Philippine Green Pigeon and three flyover Spotted Imperial Pigeons. In the more forested areas a Spotted

Wood Kingfisher perched quietly, while a Rufous Paradise Flycatcher and surprise Luzon Striped Babbler

joined feeding flocks. Finally we passed a large lake where an impressive 224 Philippine Ducks were found.

The extension finished with 129 species of which 11 were heard only. Among them were no less than 70

Philippine endemics and 1 near-endemic.

Luzon White-browed Shama and Golden-crowned Babbler

For further information on Birdtour Asia tours to the Philippines please contact us via our e-mail or click

here for our scheduled departure tours.

Systematic bird list

PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Eastern Great Egret Ardea (alba) modesta

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Philippine Duck Anas luzonica e

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus philippensis

Philippine Serpent Eagle Spilornis holospilus e

Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii formosus

Luzon Hawk Eagle Nisaetus (philippensis) philippensis e

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys e

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus philippensis

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Barred Rail Gallirallus torquatus torqatus

Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivacea e Heard only

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Philippine (Pompadour) Green Pigeon Treron (pompadora) axillaris e

White-eared Brown Dove Phapitreron leucotis leucotis e

Amethyst Brown Dove Phapitreron (amethystinus) amethystinus e

Flame-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus marchei e

Cream-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus merrilli e

Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus occipitalis e

Black-chinned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri ne Heard only

Spotted Imperial Pigeon Ducula carola carola e

Philippine Cuckoo Dove Macropygia tenuirostris e

Philippine (Island) Collared Dove Streptopelia [bitorquata] dusumieri e

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica

Luzon Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba luzonica e

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus e

Luzon Racquet-tail Prioniturus montanus e Heard only

Colasisi Loriculus philippensis philippensis e

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Philippine Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus pectoralis e

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis (sepucralis) sepucralis

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus (lugubris) velutinus e Heard only

Common Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus mindanensis

Heard only

Scale-feathered Malkoha Lepidogrammus cumingi e

Red-crested Malkoha Dasylophus superciliosus e

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

Heard only

Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis viridis e

Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus e

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Philippine Scops Owl Otus megalotis megalotis e Heard only

Philippine Eagle Owl Bubo philippensis e Heard only

Philippine Boobook Ninox (philippensis) philippensis e Heard only

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis macrotis

Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis e Heard only

APODIFORMES: Apodidae Island Swiflet Aerodramus (vanikornensis) amelis e

Grey-rumped (Glossy) Swiftlet Collocalia (esculenta) marginata e

Purple Needletail Hirundapus celebensis

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata major

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens luzoniensis e

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis gularis

Spotted Wood Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi lindsayi e

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis americanus

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Luzon Hornbill Penelopides (panini) manillae e

Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax hydrocorax e

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala haemacephala

PICIFORMES: Picidae Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus validirostris e

Northern Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus (funebris) funebris e

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

Luzon (Greater) Flameback Chrysocolaptes (lucidus) haematribon e

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi e

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata striata

Blackish Cuckooshrike Coracina coerulescens e

Black-and-white Triller Lalage melanoleuca melanoleuca e

Pied Triller Lalage nigra chilensis

Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus

Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus novus

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

Philippine Bulbul Hypsipetes [Ixos] philippinus e

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Luzon Balicassiao Dicrurus (balicassius) balicassius e

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae White-lored Oriole Oriolus (steerii) albiloris e

Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis chinensis

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae Philippine Fairy Bluebird Irena cyanogastra e

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Sierra Madre (Slender-billed) Crow Corvus (enca) sierramadrensis e

Eastern Jungle [Large-billed] Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Elegant Tit Parus elegans elegans e

Luzon White-fronted Tit Parus (semilarvatus) semilarvatus e

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys e

PASSERIFORMES: Rhabdornithidae Stripe-headed Rhabdornis Rhabdornis mystacalis mystacalis e

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Rusty-faced Babbler Robsonius rabori e

Golden-crowned Babbler Sterrhoptilus dennistouni e

Luzon Stripe-Babbler Zosterornis striata e

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana poliogyna

Heard only

Luzon White-browed Shama Copsychus (luzoniensis) luzoniensis e

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata

Brown-headed Thrush Turdus chrysolaus

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus cebuensis luzonensis e

Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis tweeddalei

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris forbesi

Green-backed (Philippine) Tailorbird Orthotomus (castaneiceps) chloronotus e

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Bright-capped Cisticola Cisticola exilis

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Furtive Flycatcher Ficedula disposita e

Blue-breasted Flycatcher Cyornis herioti herioti e

Citrine Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Luzon Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura (cyaniceps) cyaniceps e

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Rufous Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea unirufa e

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea azurea

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis philippensis e

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus lugubris

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Wood-swallow Artamus leucorynchus

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach nasutus

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus lucionensis

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Coleto Sarcops calvus e

Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus

Introduced

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Grey-throated Sunbird Anthreptes griseigularis birgitae e

Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis jugularis

Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata henkei

Flaming Sunbird Aethopyga flagrans flagrans e

Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima jefferyi e

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus parsosi e

Striped Flowerpecker Dicaeum aeruginosum striatissimum e

Red-keeled Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe e

Buzzing Flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucum cagayanensis e

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma xanthopygium

Pygmy Flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum pygmaeum e

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Yellowish White-eye Zosterops nigrorum innominatus e

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

e = Philippine endemic species

ne = Philippine near-endemic species