Tag: parrot

Philippine (Red-vented) Cockatoo

The Philippines only has one species of cockatoo: the Philippine or Red-vented Cockatoo. It used to be widespread and ranged in the major islands of the Philippines but the rampant poaching for the illegal pet trade as well as habitat destruction lead to its decline and is now declared as Critically Endangered. Currently, the best place to see the Philippine Cockatoos in the wild is in the island of Palawan, in Rasa Island. Access to the island is restricted and is managed by one of the Philippines' top conservation organizations, the Katala Foundation (http://www.philippinecockatoo.org/) This cockatoo was videoed eating Malunggay fruit (Moringa oleifera) in the Municipality of Narra, in mainland Palawan. The residents of Narra through the initiatives of the Katala Foundation planted Malunggay trees to provide additional food for the increasing number of cockatoos in the area. Very recently, the conservation efforts of the Katala Foundation and their partners in the local government of Narra won the 2015 GALING POOK awards, an award recognizing the top local governance programs in the whole Philippines. Thru the efforts of both the LGU of Narra and the Katala Foundation, former poachers of the Philippine Cockatoo were converted to deputized wildlife wardens and now act as guardians of the Philippines' only cockatoo as well as other wildlife in the area. From 23-25 wild cockatoos in 1998, the Rasa Island population has already plateaued at more than 200 individuals and some of them are now relocating to the Palawan mainland, hopefully to establish new populations. Definitely one of the successful conservation stories in the Philippines. Please do help save the Philippine Cockatoo. You can do your share by supporting the Katala Foundation here. Philippine (Red-vented) Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia June 2015, Municipality of Narra, Palawan, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 95 HD, Panasonic GH3 with Swarovski TLS-APO adapter. Some of the text are from the Katala Foundation.

Blue-naped Parrot feeding on a Narra seed

This video shows the Blue-naped Parrot feeding on a seed of a native and an indigenous tree, the Narra Tree or Pterocarpus indicus forma echinatus. The Narra Tree is the national tree of the Philippines and is a large deciduous tree that is fast growing and very sturdy. It has bright yellow flowers and is now commonly seen in villages but difficult to see in the forest as it is a prized hardwood species. Blue-naped Parrots are Philippine near-endemics that can be reliably seen in Subic in Luzon and in Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Outside the Philippines, there is a small population living in a small island near Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. They are fruit-eaters and love to feast on Macaranga sp fruits as well as other types of figs and seeds. Most of the time, you can see them in small flocks, family groups of 3-6 birds flying or feeding together in the lowland forests of Subic and Palawan. They are cavity-nesters and sometimes time-shares with other woodpeckers like the Luzon Flameback, other parrots like the uncommon Green Racquet-tail and other birds like Coleto.
A Narra Tree (Pterocarpus indicus) in bloom
A Narra Tree (Pterocarpus indicus) in bloom
This highlights the need to plant more indigenous and native trees to attract our native birds! Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis December 2015, Subic, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines Video by Adrian Constantino Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 HD, Panasonic G3 with Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter Blue-naped Parrot

A Pair of Guaiaberos

This is a pair of Guaiaberos inspecting a possible nest hole in La Mesa Ecopark, one of the remaining green spaces within Manila. Guaiaberos are endemic green parrots that can be found only in the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. They are voracious fruit eaters preferring the fig tree locally known as "Tibig" (Ficus nota) and the Macaranga tree. They are usually seen in singles or in pairs but when the Tibig or Macaranga tree is fruiting, sometimes they can be seen in big flocks of 20 or more together with other frugivores like White-eared Brown Doves and Philippine Green Pigeons. The Guaiaberos' all green plumage blends well with the surroundings but they can be easily detected by their high pitched calls given in flight or when feeding. The male Guaiabero has aqua blue lores, cheeks and chin and collar while the female has an almost green head with a yellowish gold collar. They build their nests in abandoned termite mounds in the big branches of trees. A Pair of Guaiaberos, Bolbopsittacus lunulatus March 2014, La Mesa Ecopark, Quezon City, Manila, Luzon, Philippines Video by Adrian Constantino Digiscoped with a Swarovski 80 ATM HD, Panasonic G3, Panasonic 20 mm F1.7 lens, Swarovski UCA (Universal Camera Adapter) Guaiabero

Green Racquet-tail feeding its young

Here is a video of a Green Racquet-tail feeding its young in the lowland forests of Subic in Zambales, Luzon. There are six endemic racquet-tail parrots in the Philippines, and the Green Racquet-tail is the smallest. It can only be found in the island of Luzon, with Subic Bay as the most reliable site. Young birds or immatures still lack the characteristic "raqcuets." With their all green plumage, these birds are tough to spot in the canopy. Like its cousin, the Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail (seen feeding on flowers here), the Green Racquet-tail also has screeching, high pitched calls when perched and when in flight. Green Racquet-tail feeding its young, Prioniturus luconensis June 2013, Subic, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines

A feeding Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail [HD]

This is a Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail (Prioniturus montanus waterstradti) digiscoped feeding in the excellent mountains of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It is one of the six endemic racquet-tail parrots of the Philippines. This parrot is restricted to the high elevation mountains usually above 1000 meters of Mindanao. Previously lumped with Montane Racquet-tail, recent studies split this species into two: Luzon Montane Racquet-tail and Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail. Racquet-tail parrots are characterized by the extra elongated black shafts that end with blue black spatules or "rackets." Immature birds have very short or no rackets. Often seen in flight and given away by their noisy, raucous calls. Mindanao Montane Racquet-tail, Prioniturus montanus waterstradtii Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR. Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATM 80 HD, Canon Poweshot S100 with Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter.    

Colasisi (Philippine Hanging Parrot)

This is a video of a pair of Colasisis, sometimes called Philippine Hanging Parrots. They are the smallest parrots in the Philippines with an average length of only 6 inches. These cute, little green bullets are found in most islands in the Philippines (except Palawan). They live in a variety of habitats; from lowland forests up to 1000 meters, mossy forests up to 2500 meters, even in wooded parks and gardens in the cities. Both male and female have red patches on the forehead but only the males have a red patch on the breast while the female has blue patches near the eyes. These parrots feed on blossoms and juices from flowering and fruiting trees like coconuts, bananas, fig trees, and this rambutan tree in the video. Colasisi (Philippine Hanging Parrot), Loriculus philippensis October 2011, Quezon City, Philippines

Leaving the nest…

Trinket Canlas shares the joys of backyard birding ... (A cross-post from fellow Birding Adventure Philippines' blogger Trinket Canlas) i absolutely love seeing (& watching of course) fledglings with their parents in the garden! it means that the cycle of life is still in motion, and that my neighborhood is still a welcome place for the birds. this year, the pied fantails seem to have only one fledgling... there's only one persistent young bird continuously badgering its parents. it's amusing how they would fly in circles around our house, taking off to the right and appearing a minute later from the left! a couple of years ago, there were 5 fledglings in hot pursuit of their dad/mom! it must be a never ending "feed me! feed me!" for these committed parents. but this young one has learned fast and has become quite an expert in snatching flies and other goodies from just above the grass. its graceful maneuvers are mesmerizing, with loud clicks of the wings (beak? i could never figure it out) with each turn. still, nothing beats begging for free food from mom/dad!
Pied Fantails
Pied Fantails - An immature (on the right) begging the parent for food
right on time for rambutan season, adri & i were delighted to see this pair of Colasisis feasting voraciously on the first fruit to ripen! as with every year, these little parrots were oblivious to our staring eyes. little wonder, since their red and green blend perfectly with the rambutan tree. it's difficult to spot them once they land if not for their noisy chatter which gives them away! adri had a grand (and intense!) photo op last weekend with this pair. the immature bird playfully lives up to its name of Philippine Hanging Parrot.
Colasisis
Colasisis playing - Mother (right) savouring a rambutan while child playfully hangs on a branch
i suppose these fledglings will stay with their parents for a few more weeks after leaving the nest, learning to find food and avoid predators and interact with others of their kind: survival camp for the birds. and the cycle continues... Happy birding everyone! Continue reading "Leaving the nest…"