Complete List of Palawan's Avifauna Species | |
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Palawan Peacock Pheasant
The Palawan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron napoleonis) is endemic to the Philippines, found only on the Palawan Island. It is a ground-dwelling bird and inhabits the humid forests of the island. Just as any other peacock, only the males are a bright blue color with tail feathers decorated with large blue-green ocelli. The females are smaller than the males and are mostly a dull, dark brown. The Palawan Peacock Pheasant is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN list of threatened species due mainly to habitat loss from deforestation, and hunting for trade and local consumption.
Stork-billed Kingfisher
The Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) dwells in the trees of well-wooded areas near large bodies of water and is native to many regions of the tropical Indian Subcontinent. It is quite large and is very easy to recognize since it is flamboyant in color. The adult has a grey head, green back, and blue wings with a large, bright red beak and legs. There are 15 different races of this bird, the main difference being in plumage patterns and designs. It is extremely territorial as is often chases away large predators and feeds on small organisms such as crabs and rodents. It is classified as a Least Concern Species by the IUCN.
Palawan Hornbill
The Palawan Hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei) resides in the forests of Palawan and is endemic to the island. It consists of a predominantly black plumage with a white beak and tail, as well as a casque that is typical of the hornbill family. They usually travel in pairs or can be spotted in noisy parties since they share a communal roosting site. The Palawan Hornbill can also act as a bio-indicator due to its sensitivity to environmental changes. The ICUN has classified this bird as Vulnerable as a result of habitat destruction, hunting for food, and live bird trade.
Yellow-throated Leafbird
The Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) is another endemic bird of the Palawan Island and inhabits subtropical and tropical lowland forests. They have an easily identifiable green body and a yellow throat. However, its color acts as a form of camouflage since it makes the bird difficult to see in the canopies. They typically stay on forest edges and use their miniature frame to hunt insects and feed on small fruits. It is as of now a Least Concern Species since it is fairly common on the island.
Written by Bonnie Yang
Photos compiled by Brian Yang
Photos compiled by Brian Yang