Philippines Overview

The Philippines is a deeply fragmented archipelago containing over 7,000 islands, leading to one of the highest rates of avian endemism on the planet. With over 700 recorded species—more than 240 of which are found nowhere else on Earth—it is a mandatory pilgrimage for serious world birders.

Key Habitats & Highlights

• Luzon (Mt. Makiling & Subic Bay): Excellent for the Scale-feathered Malkoha, Philippine Eagle-Owl, and the stunning Spotted Wood Kingfisher.
• Mindanao (Mt. Kitanglad): The stronghold of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, as well as high-elevation endemics like the Apo Sunbird.
• Palawan (St. Paul's Subterranean River): Shares fauna with Borneo, offering the Palawan Hornbill, Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, and Philippine Cockatoo.
• Visayas (Negros & Bohol): Highly threatened habitats harboring extreme rarities like the Visayan Broadbill and Steere's Pitta.

Seasonal Guidance

The best time to bird the Philippines is during the dry season, which broadly runs from November to May. December through March offers clear skies and peak activity for endemic species across Palawan and Mindanao. By June, the wet season begins, bringing typhoons and making remote mountain access treacherous or impossible.