Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)

This is one of the birds species found in the Philippines. This heron belong to the Animal Kingdom, Phylum-Chordata, Class-Aves, Order-Pelecaniformes, Family-Ardeidae. With a scientific name of Ardea purpurea. The IUCN red list of threatened species classify these species are least concern. It does not approach the threshold of vulnerable. It has a wide range of distribution and can be seen across the globe.

These of purple heron photo is taken in Ebpanan Marsh, Maguindanao. Of which its common habitat are the wetlands. It has been observed that the species is always resting on the top of the water hyacinths. They rarely fly or transfer location. It is sometimes seen flying alone or in pairs. It feeds on frogs, insects, crustaceans, spiders, etc.
This is a large bird with length measurement up to 78-90 cm. And a wingspan of 120-152 cm.

Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)

This species belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum- Chordata, Class-Aves, Order- Anseriformes, Family- Anatidae. It's scientific name is Dendrocygna arcuata.

This bird species can be found in the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia. It has an extremely large range of distribution and does not approach the threshold of Vulnerable under the IUCN category. It is not threatened so does not need an immediate conservation concern. It not endemic to the Philippines.

The produce a loud whistling voice, where their name was derived. They mainly feed on grasses, waterlilies, water plants and occasionally insects and aquatic vertebrates.

This species is a pet of a local villeger in Ebpanan Marsh, Maguindanao. The species was caught in the thick water hyacinths of the marsh.

Pied Fantail (Rhiphidura javanica)

It belong to the Animal Kingdom, Phylum- Chordata, Class- Aves, Order-Passeriformes, Family- Rhipidura. Its scientific name is Rhipidura javanica with a common name of Pied Fantail. It is classified by IUCN as Least concern or its does not need immediate conservation intervention. So its is not threatened or endangered. Its is also not a Philippine Endemic.

This one of the common species of birds found in the Philippines. It has a wide range of population of Population and can also be seen in Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand.

It usually inhabits terrestrial areas. These photos was taken in a miniforest of MSU-Maguindanao. At around early morning.

These species love to fan out their long and beautiful tail. Their primary source of food is insects. They like to farage on the ground and catch insects.Their broadbill healps then catch insects even in the dark understory of the forest.

Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora)

Java Sparrow is categorized by IUCN as Vulnerable. Due to its popularity that catching and hunting of these species was widely done. Leading to the rapid decline of its population. The These Species was caught along the rice paddies of MSU-Maguindanao. These was caught using the bare hands around 11 pm. It was resting in the Mango tree near the rice paddies.

It belongs to kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Passeriformes; Family: Estrildidae. It was once thought to be endemic in Indonesia, However, they are also found in other parts of the World including Philippines. These species usually feeds on the grains and seeds. It usually frequents cultivated and open areas.

There are some of these Java sparrow in Durrell wildlife zoo in Jersey, United Kingdom. In the Jersey zoo when I obsserve them, their seemed to stand, very different from what is in the Philippines. Where its feathers are so stick to its body. These might be because of the low temperature in the temperate areas and warm temperatures in the tropics

White-Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

These White-Collared Kingfisher is caught at the mini-forest of the College of Forestry and Environmental Studies at MSU-Maguindanao. It was caught early morning in the opening towards the mini-forest. In one of the laboratory activity we have with my student. We caught these Kingfisher using a mist nets.

These species are categorized by IUCN as least concern or they do not need an immediate attention for conservation. However, if their habitat destruction will continue to increase, definitely its population will decline also.

It belongs to Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Coraciiformes; Family: Alcedinidae. It is also called Mangrove Kingfisher. It is not only found in the Philippines but although southeast Asia. These species can usually be seen along rivers, freshwater areas, and streams within the forests. It usually feeds on small crabs, insects, worms, snails,shrips, frogs, and lizards.