PH among Top 5 countries with endemic bird species and many can be spotted at Masungi Georeserve

The activity is open to experienced birders, casual outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. 

The Philippines is among the top five countries in the world for endemic bird species, with hundreds of birds found nowhere else on Earth—a distinction shaped in part by the country’s thousands of islands and isolated habitats.

Iskolar ng Bayan, an online community and educational platform, highlighted the Philippines’ remarkable bird endemism on Sept. 6, citing figures from BirdLife International and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

A scientific study using BirdLife International data documented 259 endemic Philippine bird species, representing around 43% of the country’s resident avifauna at the time. More recently, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines’ 2025 checklist recorded 761 bird species nationwide, including 274 endemics, reflecting how counts can change as scientists recognize new species and revise classifications.

The Philippines also ranks among the countries with the most endemic bird species worldwide. A BirdLife infographic cited by Iskolar ng Bayan places it behind Indonesia (528) and Australia (354), and ahead of Brazil (258) and Peru (138).

Among the birds found only in the Philippines are the Luzon Bleeding-heart, Philippine Duck, Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Cebu Brown-Dove, and Mindanao Bleeding-heart. Many endemic species depend on forests for survival, making the protection of these habitats crucial to preserving wildlife found nowhere else.

For anyone who wants to learn more about Philippine birds in the wild, Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal is offering a “Birds & Breakfast” activity every weekend this September.

The 4- to 5-hour experience begins at 5:30 AM with a gentle morning stroll, birdwatching guides, binocular rentals, and an introduction to Philippine avian species. It concludes with a traditional Filipino breakfast in a garden setting and a lecture on Philippine birdwatching.

The ₱1,800 conservation fee includes access to the lowland park areas of Masungi Georeserve & Garden Cottages, morning coffee and hot chocolate, binocular rentals, a birdwatching guide for each group, breakfast with a choice of ube champorado or arroz caldo, fresh seasonal fruits, Kayumanis tea, and trail mix.

The experience is open to experienced birders, casual outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who simply enjoys spending time outdoors. Masungi notes that all birds and other wildlife are wild and free-roaming, so sightings cannot be guaranteed and may depend on weather, season, time of day, and natural animal behavior.

Those interested in joining can sign up through this link. Sign-ups are open until four days before the scheduled event.

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