Tag: swarovski

Yellow-throated Leafbird

Palawan is one of the major destinations for birding in the Philippines. It is distinctively different from the rest of the country in terms of avian diversity. The avifauna here is similar to that of mainland Asia with overlapping species like Black-headed Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha among others. The island of Palawan is a long strip of land that has several endemics as well, such as this stunning Yellow-throated Leafbird.

This Yellow-throated Leafbird is one of two endemic leafbirds in the Philippines. This leafbird prefers the canopy of trees, often seen feeding with mixed flocks composed of Hair-crested and Ashy Drongos, Fiery Minivet, Palawan Tit, and Lovely Sunbird.

Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis
June 2013, Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Video by Nicky Icarangal, JR.
Digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 95 HD, Panasonic GH3 with Swarovski TLS-APO Adapter

Mountain Shrike from the Cordilleras [HD]

The Mountain Shrike is a high elevation endemic found only in the islands of Luzon, Mindoro and Mindanao. It prefers clearings and open areas adjacent to montane forest and is a prolific hunter, preying on lizards, small mammals like rodents and shrews and frogs. It likes to perch on branches near clearings as these provide good vantage points while looking for prey.

These are recent videos of a nice pair from Mt. Polis taken during our recently concluded 2015 Tours. An older video from 2010 showing an immature Mountain Shrike can be seen here.

Mountain Shrike, Lanius validirostris
March 2015, Mt. Polis, Mountain Province, the Cordilleras, 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)