Palawan Frogmouth — Photo: Susan Myers

The 7,000 islands of the Philippines hold an extraordinary 170 or more endemic bird species out of more than 600! With endemics such as Great Philippine Eagle, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Steere's Pitta, Blue Fantail, and Celestial Monarch, as well as some equally great non-endemics, the birds of the Philippines are without doubt some of the most exciting in the world!

This tour provides a unique opportunity to explore and bird the most important birding areas of this vast archipelago. Each island harbors its own spectacular endemics; some are showy, others skulking and shy, but all are very exciting.

On the main island we will especially look for the Luzon endemics and many other more widespread Philippine endemics—birds such as Philippine Hawk-Eagle, Luzon Bleedingheart, Rufous Coucal, Philippine Trogon, Sooty Woodpecker, Whiskered Pitta, Philippine Tailorbird, Blue-breasted Flycatcher, Rabor's Wren-Babbler, and White-fronted Tit. At the famed Mount Polis we will look for the Luzon montane endemics such as Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove, Chestnut-faced Babbler, Metallic-winged Sunbird, and Flame-crowned Flowerpecker.

The island of Palawan forms a bridge between the main Philippine islands and Borneo. The high limestone cliffs, pristine forests, and white sandy beaches of the World Heritage site, St Paul's National Park, are rich in birds like the stunning Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Palawan Hornbill, Falcated Ground-Babbler, and Blue Paradise-Flycatcher. A nocturnal foray will see us searching for Palawan Scops-Owl and the rather comical Palawan Frogmouth.

The southern island of Mindanao is home to yet more truly astounding birds and the anticipation will be at fever pitch! The area is rich in birds including 20 or so Mindanao endemics such as the legendary Philippine Eagle, Amethyst Brown-dove, Silvery Kingfisher, Mindanao Hornbill, Mindanao Wattled Broadbill, Steere's Pitta, Streaked Ground-Babbler, Black-headed Tailorbird, Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, Blue Fantail, Celestial and Short-crested monarchs, White-cheeked Bullfinch, Metallic-winged Sunbird, and Naked-faced Spiderhunter.

Excellent, comfortable hotels at most sites, and excellent fully serviced camping and lodge at Mount Kitanglad; excellent food; easy to moderate trail and easy roadside birding with some midday breaks; warm and humid in the lowlands, cool at the montane sites.