The Philippines

In Search of the Monkey-eating Eagle

27 November to 12 December 2010

Leaders: Tim Fisher and Simon Boyes

Maximum of 12 clients (two leaders with more than six clients).

Cost £3,299 single room supplement £330

Within the 7,000 islands of the Philippines can be found about 600 bird species, with a remarkable level of endemism: 180 can be found nowhere else in the world. Among these, we can see various unique pigeons, parrots, coucals, malkohas, hornbills, kingfishers, tailorbirds, fantails, flowerpeckers, and much else. The Philippines are also home to one endemic bird family, the Philippine creepers or Rhabdornis and more famously to Asia's most massive eagle, the Monkey-eating or Philippine Eagle, second only in size to the Harpy Eagle of South America. These fascinating and beautiful islands have a more western culture than other oriental nations, with English being the national language. Deforestation is a continuing problem throughout the islands, which has led to a fragmenting and diminishing of many avian populations. However, thanks to our collaboration with long-term Manila resident and top ornithological guide, Tim Fisher, we are happy to offer this introduction to some of the most accessible and well-preserved conservation areas in the Philippines. In addition to the two principal islands of Luzon and Mindanao, we spend time on two smaller islands, Bohol and Palawan, which combine fascinating scenery and good bird populations. Our visit is made at the beginning of the dry season in the islands. In all, we can reasonably expect to see 100 endemic species. Our enjoyment of the tour will be enhanced by using the excellent Guide to the Birds of the Philippines, by Kennedy and other authors, including Tim Fisher.