Philippine Fairy-bluebird
Irena cyanogastra
A medium-sized to fairly large bird of tall forest from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Black on the face, chest, and edge to the wing, with a blackish-blue body and pale blue crown stripe, wing patch, rump, and outer tail. Note the bright red eye. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Somewhat similar to Asian Glassy Starling or Blackish Cuckooshrike, but Philippine Fairy Bluebird has distinctive blue patterning on the upperparts. Song consists of medium-pitched whistled phrases, including distinctive “whip!” notes.
Identification
The Philippine fairy-bluebird (Irena cyanogastra) is a species of bird in the family Irenidae. It is endemic to the Philippines being found in the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Samar Leyte, and Bohol. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest. They are seen in mixed flocks along with Philippine bulbuls, Blue-headed fantails and other forest birds. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting for both food and pet trade.
Taxonomy
Genus: Irena; Family: Irenidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Irena cyanogastra
- Authority
- Vigors, 1831
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Irenidae
- Genus
- Irena
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Waved Woodpecker
Celeus undatus
Medium-sized woodpecker of rainforest. Note compact shape and uniform brown coloration with a pale bill. Often with mixed-species flocks, occurring from the mid-story to the canopy. Also occurs in lower-stature forests with sandy soils. Climbs trunks and large branches in typical woodpecker fashion; explores bark crevices and arboreal termite nests. Usually first detected by its distinctive nasal call. Superficially similar to Chestnut Woodpecker but is less richly colored and much smaller.
Kirk's White-eye
Zosterops kirki
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the completely yellow underparts and the broad white spectacles around the eye. Common in habitats with woody vegetation, including humid forest, plantations, woodland, scrub, and gardens. Usually found in hyperactive flocks. Very similar to Comoro White-eye, and they overlap at the lower reaches of the montane heath zone. Kirk’s White-eye is separated by being slightly smaller and brighter overall, especially on the yellow underparts and above the bill, and most importantly by the broader white eye-ring. The most common calls are a high-pitched, rising rattle and a descending “chew” note, which is also the main component of the quiet, chatty song.
Yellow-crowned Canary
Serinus flavivertex
Colorful seedeater with an olive-green back, black wings with two yellow wingbars, and a mostly yellow head and underparts. Females and immatures are duller, with more brown tones and streaking. Found in open montane habitats including grassland, cultivation, forest edge, and heath. The song is a high-pitched, twittering jumble. Similar to White-bellied Canary, but found in different habitat, has bolder wingbars, and lacks a moustache facial mark.
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