Birding the Philippines: Philippine Endemic Birds Galore!

The Philippines is one of the most biodiverse places in the world and has a high degree of endemism, which combines to make it one of the most exciting birding destinations in Southeast Asia. The country consists of over 7,600 islands, covering an area of over 115,831 square miles (300,000 square kilometers) in the western Pacific Ocean. Of the 768 species recorded across the archipelago (following AviList 2025 taxonomy), an impressive 266 species are endemic. These Philippine endemic birds include the national bird of the Philippines, the huge Philippine Eagle (historically referred to as the “Monkey-eating Eagle”), and probably the most-wanted bird for most visiting birdwatchers, the humongous eagle is a huge target on this small-group tour. The birding sites we visit on this Philippines bird tour means a small group is much more likely to be successful in finding the amazing endemic birds on offer. All our tours are small-group tours, but this is one destination where that fact is particularly important.

Lina’s Sunbird is only found on a few mountains on the Philippine island of Mindanao and will be targeted on our exciting Philippine birdwatching tour.

The Philippines is home to 18 endemic owls, nine endemic kingfishers (and another eight more widespread species), ten endemic hornbills, 13 endemic parrots, two endemic broadbills, one stunning endemic trogon, two endemic pittas (plus another near-endemic species), and 19 endemic pigeons (including some absolute belters!). In addition to the endemics, the Philippines, has become (during the northern winter) a fairly reliable place to find the Critically Endangered (IUCN) Chinese Crested Tern and Vulnerable (and globally hard-to-connect-with) Japanese Night Heron, and we will be looking for both of these important species on this Philippines birding tour.

Deforestation is a huge issue in the Philippines, and it is a major threat to the survival of many birds, ninety seven species are considered globally threatened by BirdLife International/IUCN. Time is fast running out for many of these unique and wonderful birds and so a visit to the Philippines is recommended sooner rather than later.

Japanese Night Heron would prove a very big non-endemic highlight on this Philippines birding tour.

With the above in mind, our small-group Philippine birding tour focusses on the Philippine bird endemics (and overwintering specials) of the three bird-rich islands of Mindanao, Luzon, and Palawan, with a long list of potential highlights, including some of the most highly sought-after birds in the world and some of the best birds in the Philippines.

Major tour targets on our Philippine bird tour will include Philippine Eagle (one of the aforementioned Critically Endangered species), Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Purple Needletail, Palawan Frogmouth, Philippine Frogmouth,Bukidnon Woodcock, Philippine Eagle-Owl, Giant Scops Owl, Mindanao Scops Owl, Green Racket-tail, Mindanao Hornbill, Luzon Hornbill, Rufous Hornbill, Philippine Trogon, Southern Silvery Kingfisher, Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Blue-capped Kingfisher, (Mindanao) Wattled Broadbill, Azure-breasted Pitta, Philippine Pitta, Celestial Monarch, Mountain Shrike, Apo Myna, Coleto, Ashy Thrush, Lina’s Sunbird, Cinnamon Ibon, and many more! We will utilize specialist local guides to make the most of our birding on each island and look forward to a great trip list packed with amazing endemic birds of the Philippines.

Luzon Boobook is one of many interesting owl targets while birding in the Philippines.