Philippine Shortwing

Pretty member of the waxbill family that has a massive, conical bill. Males have a black belly and females a spotted one, and both sexes show an all-red head. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, thickets, and secondary habitats. Usually in pairs or small groups, in areas with thick undergrowth, and usually some grass. Sometimes on roads and paths. Vocalizations include a quiet “schpit” call and a rarely-heard whistled song. Similar to Grant’s Bluebill, but separated by all-red head. Male similar to male Black-bellied Seedcracker, but separated by its black tail and its red-and-blue rather than all-blue bill.

A small, mostly gray swiftlet, paler beneath with a pale throat and darker cap. White rump varies from white to pale gray. Occurs over a wide range of habitats up to 1900 meters of elevation. Similar to both Uniform Swiftlet and Mayr’s Swiftlet, but smaller, with a paler rump. Main call is a pleasant twitter, “twee-twee-chew-chew.”

Small owl lacking ear tufts, with chestnut mantle and pale belly with streaked flanks. Crepuscular and diurnal, occurring singly or in pairs in wet rainforest, or neighboring woods. Chestnut back and streaked flanks of Chestnut-backed Owlet separate it from the similar Jungle Owlet, and Chestnut-backed also prefers the wetter region of the island. Call is a series of barbet like “kurr-kurr-kurr” notes, often followed by harsh “kao-kao” yaps, similar to Jungle Owlet, but slightly lower-pitched.