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Raja Sikatuna/Bohol
- Philippines

In spite of relative close geographical distance Bohol island's fauna is quite distinct from that of our home Negros. To some degree it resembles the large southern island of Mindanao. Only few lowland forests remain today in this region and Raja Sikatuna is the only remnant on Bohol. It is a relatively large protected limestone area and holds a number of special and threatened species, not only birds but also - unusual in the Philippines - several mammal species. After 2 years of pandemia and super typhoon Odette at Christmas 2021, we had the chance to visit Bohol for three days in May 2022 and returned for another short stay in February 2025. We found the road between Logarita turnoff and Magsaysay clearing particularly productive. Silvery kingfishers are still to be seen on the river pools outside the park (turn right just after the bridge going from Bilar church to Logarita and Magsaysay). Concentrating on Bohol forest specialities we unfortunately failed locating broadbills, which is a good reason to return. During our stays days were mostly cloudy and light in the forest poor, so we used flash photography in some circumstances.

 

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philippine frogmouth, batrachostomus septimus
endemic, common nocturnal 
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philippine frogmouth,
during daytime birds remain totally still, purely relying on excellent camouflage
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short-tailed drongo, dicrurus striatus
endemic, common  and conspicious in forest and forest edge
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black-naped monarch, hypothymis azurea
common in forest
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samar hornbill, penelopides affinis samarensis
endemic e visayas,
restricted to mature forest, uncommon 
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samar hornbill
this female has lost a major part of its upper beak, but still seems to be able to survive
1288 750A5666c northern silvery kingfisher RS.JPG
northern silvery kingfisher, ceyx flumenicola
endemic e visayas
uncommon along clear rivers
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northern silvery kingfisher, ceyx flumenicola
endemic e visayas
uncommon along clear rivers
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rufous-lored kingfisher, todiramphus winchelli endemic s philippines
uncommon in forest canopy
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azure-breasted pitta, pitta steerii
endemic se philippines,
uncommon on forest floor and dense undergrouth
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rufous-lored kingfisher, todiramphus winchelli endemic s philippines
uncommon in forest canopy
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azure-breasted pitta, pitta steerii
endemic se philippines,
uncommon on forest floor and dense undergrouth
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visayan blue fantail, rhipidura samarensis
endemic e visayas,
uncommon in forest
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visayan blue fantail, rhipidura samarensis
endemic e visayas,
uncommon in forest
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black-faced coucal, centropus melanops
endemic se philippines,
uncommon in forest
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philippine trogon, harpactes ardens
endemic e philippines,
fairly common in forest
female 
black-faced coucal, centropus melanops
endemic se philippines,
uncommon in forest
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philippine trogon, harpactes ardens
endemic e philippines,
fairly common in forest
male 
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philippine trogon, harpactes ardens
endemic e philippines,
fairly common in forest
male 

Apart from rhesus  monkeys  (a group around the Magsaysay clearing is always waiting for peanuts) Raja Sikatuna is an excellent place to observe Colugos, philippine flying lemurs. These philippine endemics are restricted to the southern Philippines including Bohol island. They weigh up to 2 kg and a square shaped skin enables them to glide long distances from tree to tree. Diet is vegetarian and activity mostly nocturnal.

Another nocturnal species restricted to the southern Philippines is the philippine tarsius, a tiny purely carniverous primate. Even though they do occur in Raja Sikatuna small size, nocturnal habits and preference for thick vegetation make them very hard to spot in the wild. Thus the pictures shown here were taken in the Corella wildlife sanctuary, where a small number  of this iconic species are habituated to visitors.

philippine colugo
gliding lemur
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philippine tarsius 
a tiny nocturnal primate
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