Located between China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the 7,000-plus islands of the Philippines have almost 600-bird species of which an extraordinary 170-plus are endemic. Bird-Photo-Tours Asia’ Philippines expedition provides an opportunity to explore many of the most important birding areas of this vast archipelago. Our bird photography workshop will kick-off visiting the islands of Luzon, Negros and Bohol where we will search lowland and montane habitats for the special birds that each of these tropical islands has to offer. The group will then travel to Mindanao Island where we will search the forested slopes of Mount Kitanglad. This area is the most reliable location for the magnificent Philippine (Monkey-eating) Eagle. This gigantic raptor is often ranked as the world’s single-most desirable bird and we will spend time here looking for photographic opportunities to capture this magnificent bird-of-prey. Bird-Photo-Tours Asia will conclude its Philippines’ bird photography expedition on the island of Palawan and with its stunning beach scenery and treasure trove of endemic birds, there will be plenty more fabulous opportunities here awaiting the bird photographer.
Kingfishers: Spotted Wood Kingfisher / Northern Silvery Kingfisher / Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher / Blue-capped Kingfisher / Rufous-lored Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher
Woodpeckers: Luzon Flameback / Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker / Northern Sooty Woodpecker / Buff-spotted Flameback / Spot-throated Flameback
Owls: Chocolate Boobook / Luzon Boobook / Philippine Scops Owl / Luzon Scops Owl / Negros Scops Owl / Everett’s Scops Owl / Mindanao Scops Owl / Giant Scops Owl / Spotted Wood Owl
Sunbirds: Flaming Sunbird / Maroon-naped Sunbird / Magnificent Sunbird / Bohol Sunbird / Apo Sunbird / Grey-hooded Sunbird / Lina’s Sunbird
Hornbills: Rufous Hornbill / Visayan Hornbill / Mindanao Hornbill / Writhed Hornbill / Palawan Hornbill / Samar Hornbill
White-eyes: Yellowish White-eye / Mindanao White-eye / Warbling White-eye / Everett’s White-eye / Lowland White-eye
Flowerpeckers: Whiskered Flowerpecker / Olive-backed Flowerpecker / Orange-bellied Flowerpecker / Fire-throated Flowerpecker / Palawan Flowerpecker
Fantails: Blue-headed Fantail / Visayan Fantail / Visayan Blue Fantail / Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail / Mindanao Blue Fantail
Flycatchers: Rufous Paradise Flycatcher / Cryptic Flycatcher / Blue Paradise Flycatcher / Palawan Blue Flycatcher / Palawan Flycatcher / Mangrove Blue Flycatcher / Little Pied Flycatcher
Pittas: Philippine Pitta / Whiskered Pitta / Steere’s Pitta / Blue-naped Pitta / Western Hooded Pitta
Eagles: Philippine Eagle / Crested Serpent Eagle / Changeable Hawk Eagle / Grey-headed Fish Eagle / White-bellied Sea Eagle
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-4 Mindanao Island, Province of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro [3N, 2D, 5S]. Ferry to Cebu, domestic flight to Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao Island. Photographic Targets: Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher / Rufous Paradise Flycatcher.
Day 4-6 Mindanao Island, Province of Bukidnon, Valencia City [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 2-hours to Valencia City. Photographic Targets: Sulphur-billed Nuthatch / Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail / Warbling White-eye / Philippine Bulbul / Yellow-bellied Whistler.
Day 6-9 Mindanao Island, Province of Surigao del Sur, City of Bislig [3N, 2D, 5S]. Drive 6-hours to Bislig. Photographic Targets: Eastern Grass Owl.
Day 9-10 Mindanao Island, Province of Davao de Oro, Compostela [1N, 0D, 1S]. Drive 3-hours to Compostela. Photographic Targets: Island Thrush / Short-tailed Drongo / Yellow-vented Bulbul / Negros Leaf Warbler.
Day 10-11 Mindanao Island, Province of Davao de Oro, Davao City [1N, 0D, 1S]. Drive 3-hours to Davao City. Photographic Targets: Orange-tufted Spiderhunter / Cryptic Flycatcher / Japanese Night Heron.
Day 11 Departures. Drive 2-hours to Davao Airport, Domestic Flights to international connecting flights.
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has been living in Asia for over 15-years and in this time has conducted over 125 bird photography trips across the whole of the Asian continent ranging from Kazakhstan in the west, through India and China to Japan in the east, and from the Kamchatka coastline in the north to as far south as Indonesia. In China alone Nick has photographed to portrait-quality standard over 1,200 of China's bird species taking him to all of China's provinces as well as most of those nations bordering China. These bird photography trips have ranged in length from a few days to many months, including a three-month bird photography expedition to China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region, becoming quite possibly the most travelled foreigner in this region over the past decade. Nick has also conducted a four-month bird photography trek across the Himalayas, ranging from the Indian States of Ladakh and Kashmir in the west, into the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, then onto the Indian States of West Bengal and Sikkim, ending in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the eastern Himalayas. Nick has had his images published across numerous media channels including the BBC and Chinese state-owned media outlets, various bird magazines and journals including the Oriental Bird Club's BirdingASIA. He has his own website on the Birds of China and his book 'Portraits of the Birds of China' is due for publication in 2026. Furthermore, Nick has presented films on photographing birds both in Asia and Europe, has his bird images published across many social media platforms within and outside Asia, and has led a number of bird photography lectures and walks, particularly targeted at children. Consequently, Nick has accumulated significant experience of photographing birds within the Asian continent and this expertise has formed the backdrop to setting up Bird-Photo-Tours Asia, trips designed by bird photographers for bird photographers.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
