Djop Tabaranza and Ben Maputi in Tboli South Cotabato by Alain Pascua copy.jpg

Let’s Explore the Philippines!

Mabuhay! Welcome to the Philippines

With 7,641 islands of oceanic, continental, and volcanic origins, it is no surprise to anyone that the Philippines is considered a megadiverse country. The Philippines is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, many of which are unique and found nowhere else in the world. With 761 species of birds, 354 species of reptiles, 235 species of mammals, and 116 species of amphibians, the Philippines truly has exceptional biodiversity.

When it comes to birds, the Philippines is undoubtedly one of the most impressive, from the largest eagle in the world, the Philippine Eagle, to some of the most diminutive and colorful kingfishers on the planet, such as the Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher. With each island group being a distinct biogeographical region, there are simply too many birds to highlight in a single booklet. Luzon is home to two beautiful Malkoha species. The Western Visayas is one of the best places to see a wide variety of Kingfishers and Sunbirds. Palawan is home to the only Peacock-pheasant in the country. And the island of Mindanao has the most number of Sunbirds and Hornbills.

Nevertheless, we believe it is best to see them up close.

The Bird Finder Philippines Team during the 2024 Puerto Princesa International Bird Photography Race

Fresh From the Field

  • 2025 Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit

    We were once again invited by the SBMA Tourism Office and the Department of Tourism - Region 3 to conduct a short birdwatching tour across the rainforests of Subic Bay.

    View Trip Report

  • Bird Finder Cordillera Birding Exploration

    Bird Finder Philippines explored the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province to explore the numerous montane birding sites of the Cordilleras for our upcoming Signature Luzon Birding Tour and Special Luzon Birding Tour for 2026.

    View Trip Report
  • Three people smiling and taking a selfie outdoors in a forested area.

    2025 Solo Custom Tour in Bangkong Kahoy

    Before embarking on a month-long tour throughout the Philippine islands, Ms. Michele Burnat requested a custom day trip with Bird Finder Philippines to Bangkong Kahoy Valley on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw.

    View Trip Report
  • Two people observing birds with binoculars and a telescope on a rural road surrounded by greenery and trees.

    2025 Solo Custom Subic Bay Day Trip

    Bird Finder Philippines lead guide Djop Tabaranza took Mr. Nils and Ms. Arlene Fredriksen for a 1-day birding tour around Subic’s Rainforest, seeing a total of 60 bird species, with 27 species being Philippine endemics!

    View Trip Report
  • Group of people, including children, in camouflage and outdoor clothing, standing in a rainforest and using telescopic lenses on cameras to observe wildlife overhead.

    Asian Bird Fair delegates visit Sierra Madre

    We introduced birdwatching to the delegates of the 2024 Asian Bird Fair held in Las Pinas. Our Tour leaders conducted a day trip to the forests of the Sierra Madre, home to a plethora of Philippine endemic birds!

    View Trip Report
  • Three people in camouflage shirts and red baseball caps, two holding cameras, one holding a bird guidebook, standing in a forest with trees and green foliage.

    Bird Finder Philippines Wins Palawan Bird Race!

    Team Bird Finder became the overall champion of the 7th Puerto Princesa Underground River International Bird Photography Race. The team also got Best Action Photo and 2024 Birdman of the Year with Bird Finder Vinz Pascua.

    View Trip Report

  • BFP Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit

    Bird Finder introduced birdwatching to delegates of the 2nd Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024, at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and organized by the DOT - Region 3

    View Trip Report

  • 2024 Solo Custom Sierra Madre Tour

    Bird Finder Philippines found a gap in the typhoon and pushed on with a one-day solo birding tour for Mr. Bastiaan Slijpen from the Netherlands to experience the incredible bird diversity of the Southern Sierra Madre

    View Trip Report

  • Bird Finder Philippines at the 2024 Global Bird Fair

    The Philippines made a triumphant debut to the largest and biggest bird fair in the world – the Global Birdfair – through Bird Finder Philippines, last July 12-14, 2024 in Lyndon Top, Rutland, United Kingdom.

    View Trip Report

  • BFP joins the opening of La Mesa Ecopark

    After months of rehabilitation, La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City invited Bird Finder Philippines to participate in its initial walkthrough of the park's new areas. In a single day, our Bird Finders documented numerous Philippine endemics!

    View Trip Report

Here’s what you are missing out on

The Philippines is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, many of which are unique and found nowhere else in the world.

We are one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries.

With 761 species of birds, 354 species of reptiles, 235 species of mammals, and 116 species of amphibians, the Philippines truly has exceptional biodiversity.

Bird Finder Philippines actively supports conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices to preserve these valuable ecosystems for future generations.

A close-up photograph of a magnificent sunbird with vibrant red and blue plumage and a curved beak, perched on a branch
Close-up of a green Philippine Pit Viper snake with detailed scales, yellow eyes, and a tongue sticking out, with the text "354 Reptile Species" and a caption indicating the snake is a Philippine Pit Viper photographed by Djop Tabaranza.
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Close-up of a small mammal with brown fur climbing a tree trunk, surrounded by green leaves.

Philippine birds by the numbers

Close-up of a maroon-naped sunbird perched on a branch, with vibrant colors including blue, red, yellow, and purple feathers, accompanied by white text highlighting it as one of the first endemics in the world.
Close-up of a black-belted flowerpecker bird with a black head, white underside, and red patch on its side, perched on a branch with a blurred background.
Book cover with a close-up photo of a brightly colored Whiskered Treeswift bird, displaying blue, black, white, and brown plumage. The title reads '2022 Resident Bird Species' and the subtitle says 'Whiskered Treeswift.' The photograph is credited to Alain Pascua, 2025 by Birds in Focus, Inc.
Close-up of a Narcissus Flycatcher bird with black and yellow plumage, large dark eye, and a yellow patch on its head and throat, against a soft green background.
Close-up of a Philippine duck swimming in water with green background, with overlaid text about bird endemism in the 41st country.
Colorful North Philippine Dwarf-kingfisher perched on a branch.
A yellow-faced flameback woodpecker perched on a branch with blue sky in the background, with overlaid text about endangered woodpecker species and the 10 most in the world.
Cover of a book titled 'Endemic Hornbill Species: 10 in the World' featuring a close-up photograph of a hornbill bird with vibrant colors, a large curved yellow and red beak, and a black eye with a blue ring, against a soft blue sky background.

The birds of the Philippines are simply one of the most unique in the world. We have established that we have around 761 bird species recorded, but the most surprising thing about that number is that it also includes 274 species endemic to the Philippines!

We are fourth in the world in terms of bird endemism, just behind larger countries like Brazil, Australia, and Indonesia. Additionally, we are the world center of Hornbill (10 Species), Sunbird (16 Species), Woodpecker (9 Species) and Flowerpecker (14 Species) endemic species diversity, with a plethora of endemic subspecies unique to our country.

The Philippines’ own unique geography further expands our impressive numbers when we also consider our Resident and Migratory Bird Species.

We share a lot of bird species with our fellow Southeast Asian neighbors with an impressive 202 Resident Bird Species recorded. Our numbers in migratory species is all because of our strategic position in the most densly populated bird migration route, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, where we have recorded 285 Migratory Bird Species! We are certainly sure that there will be more and more bird sightings to be recorded.

A scenic view of a mountain in the distance with a forest and a body of water in the foreground during sunset.

Our Birding Sites

Luzon

Luzon is the largest and oldest island in the Philippines, adorned with stunning landscapes and forests. Luzon serves as the entry point for our guests with the capital, Manila. Our visit will cover various environments, including the Cordillera and Sierra Madre Mountains, Wetland habitats, and pristine Lowland Forests.

    1. Mt. Polis, Ifugao-Mountain Province

    2. Camp John Hay Nature Trail, Baguio City

    3. Mirador Eco-Spirituality Park, Baguio City

    4. Mt. Santo Tomas Peak, Benguet

    5. Avong Nen Romy, Benguet

    6. Canarem Lake, Tarlac

    7. Subic Bay Rainforest, Zambales-Bataan

    8. La Mesa Ecopark, Quezon City, NCR

    9. Palo Alto Lowland Forests, Rizal

    10. Southern Sierra Madre Mountains, Quezon

    11. Caylabne Bay Forest, Cavite

    12. Mt. Palay-Palay National Park, Cavite

    13. Mt. Makiling Forest, Laguna

    14. Bangkong Kahoy Valley, Quezon

    1. Batanes

    2. Pasuquin Beach, Ilocos Norte

    3. Saud Beach, Ilocos Norte

    4. Adams Forest, Ilocos Norte

    5. Paoay Lake, Ilocos Norte

    6. Baggao, Cagayan

    7. Malico-Imugan Mountains, Nueva Vizcaya

    8. Candaba Swamp, Pampanga

    9. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, NCR

    10. University of the Philippines Diliman, NCR

    11. Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park

    12. IRRI Research Farm, Laguna

    13. Villa Escudero, Quezon

    14. Naujan Lake National Park, Oriental Mindoro

    15. Sablayan Penal Colony, Occidental Mindoro

  • 41 Greater Luzon Endemic Species in Luzon

    82 Widespread Philippine Endemic Species in Luzon

A group of people wearing life jackets on a boat near a cave entrance surrounded by lush green trees and clear turquoise water

Our Birding Sites

Palawan

Palawan is faunistically most similar to Sundaland with its formation on the Sunda Shelf, but its own isolation led to highly distinct avifauna. Our 21-28 day tours will cover almost all of Palawan’s special endemics through a mix of roadside birding and bird photography hides across Puerto Princesa’s lowland forests.

    1. Puerto Princesa Undergound River National Park

    2. Bahile Lowland Forest

    3. Magarwak Forest Hide

    4. Irawan Eco Park

    5. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

    6. Tibor Private Hide

    7. Badjao Seafront Restaurant

    8. Princesa Garden Island Resort

    9. Napsan Birdwing Hide

    10. Napsan-Montible Road Forest

    1. Calauit Island National Park, Busuanga Island

    2. Capayas Creek Kingfisher Preserve, Coron Island

    3. Sabang Mangrove River

    4. Iwahig Prison Area

    5. Tubbataha Natural Park, Cagayancillo

  • 26 Greater Palawan Endemic Species in Palawan

    17 Widespread Philippine Endemic Species in Palawan

Lush green tropical forest with mountains in the background under a blue sky, some trees with bare branches.

Our Birding Sites

Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines and is one of the most complex in avifauna. Our trip will focus on searching for Mindanao’s elusive endemics and the majestic Philippine Eagle. In 21 or 28 days, participants will be birding along trails and bird photography hides across Mindanao.

    1. Mapawa Nature Park

    2. Intavas Trail, Mount Kitanglad

    3. Impasug-ong CEDAR Eco Park, Bukidnon

    4. Maputi Bird Preserve, Bukidnon

    5. Cinchona Forest Reserve, Mount Kitanglad

    6. PICOP Timberland Forest, Bislig City

    7. Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig City

    8. Philippine Eagle Center, Davao City

    9. Eden Nature Resort, Davao del Sur

    10. Mount Talomo, Davao, del Sur

    1. Camiguin Island

    2. Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao del Sur

    3. VPO Eco Reserve, Agusan del Sur

    4. Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan del Sur

    5. Mount Tagubud, Davao de Oro

    6. Malagos Watershed, Davao City

    7. Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga del Sur

    8. Kuden Lowland Forest, Sultan Kudarat

    9. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

    10. Mount Melibengoy Area, South Cotabato

  • 51 Greater Mindanao Endemic Species

    76 Widespread Philippine Endemic Species in Mindanao

A lush green mountainous landscape with an extensive lake and smaller ponds, surrounded by dense forest under a cloudy sky.

Our Birding Sites

Visayas

Our Visayas birding tours cover two faunal regions: the incredibly distinct Western Visayas and the Mindanao-adjacent Eastern Visayas. Birding across the Visayas will cover protected natural parks and bird photography hides. Our focus on the 28-day tour is the island of Negros, but we also offer custom tours on the other major islands of the Visayas like Panay, Bohol, and Cebu

    1. Sibalom Natural Park, Antique

    2. Tres Marias Farm & Bird Sanctuary, Iloilo

    3. Gawahon Eco Park, Negros Occidental

    4. Negros Forest Park, Negros Occidental

    5. Mambukal Mountain Resort, Negros Occidental

    6. Bayawan Nature Reserve, Negros Oriental

    7. Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, Negros Oriental

    8. EDC Geothermal Forest, Negros Oriental

    9. Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Bohol

    10. Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape, Bohol

    1. Romblon Island

    2. Tablas Island

    3. Tabunan Forest, Cebu

    4. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu

    5. Nug-as Forest, Cebu

    6. Liptong Woodland, Negros Oriental

    7. Siquijor Island

  • 19 Negros-Panay Endemic Species in Negros and Panay

    3 Cebu Endemic Species

    6 East Visayas Endemic Species in Bohol

    13 Greater Mindanao Endemic Species in Bohol

    78 Widespread Philippine Endemic Species in Negros, Panay, Cebu, and Bohol

Your Gateway to Premier Philippine Birding

Bird Finder Philippines, under Birds In Focus, Inc., specializes in exceptional birding and bird photography expeditions in the Philippines. We offer organized guided bird photography and birdwatching tours that focus on exploring and capturing the country’s diverse endemic bird species.

Our tours are designed to provide comfort, relaxation, and ample opportunities to observe and photograph stunning endemic birds in their natural habitat.

Bird Finder Philippines have knowledgeable guides who are passionate birders and have extensive knowledge of local bird species, their behavior, and their habitats. They help guests recognize and understand each bird species’ characteristics and ecological significance.

With well-planned itineraries and limited group sizes, we ensure personalized attention and ample space for observation and photography.

What are you waiting for?

Book a trip and embark on a journey to explore the Philippines with Bird Finder Philippines!

Three men in camouflage and outdoor gear operating a professional camera with a large telephoto lens in a lush green outdoor setting.
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Group of birdwatchers in camouflage and outdoor gear using binoculars and cameras in a dense forest.

Let’s Get Things Started

The following form is your inquiry so that we can prepare for your birding trip to the Philippines.

Additionally, you can also visit each of our different tours and read up on the different birding sites and sample itineraries via the “Our Tours” tab of our Navigation Bar.

Two wildlife photographers, one man and one woman, are photographing animals in a lush, green forest with large telephoto lenses.

Our Tours

No matter what kind of tour you choose, Bird Finder Philippines have knowledgeable guides who are passionate birders and have extensive knowledge of local bird species, their behavior, and their habitats. They help guests recognize and understand each bird species’ characteristics and ecological significance.

Signature Birding Tour Inquiry

Contact Us

  • www.birdfinder.ph

  • info@birdfinder.ph

  • FB: @birdfinder.bif

  • +63 9478906422

Our Partners

  • Optisan Optics
  • Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines
  • Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
  • Puerto Princesa City
  • 2x2 Holidays UK
  • Birding Direct
  • Rockjumper
  • Wildtour Vietnam
  • Wild Bird Club of the Philippines