See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/275020022

Birds of Malagos Watershed, Southeastern

Philippines

Article in Asian Journal of Biodiversity · December 2010

DOI: 10.7828/ajob.v1i1.101

CITATIONS READS
0 736

4 authors, including:

Geonyzl Alviola Julie Otadoy

Davao Doctors College, Davao, Philippines University of San Carlos
10 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS 8 PUBLICATIONS 2 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Jayson Carungay Ibanez

Philippine Eagle Foundation
76 PUBLICATIONS 140 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Research on Philippine Eagle habitat use, movement and mortality using satellite tracking View project

Small-holder agroforestry program to restore biodiversity habitats View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Geonyzl Alviola on 27 February 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Vol. 1 No. 1 December 2010 Asian Journal of Biodiversity
Asian Journal of Biodiversity
CHED Accredited Research Journal, Category A Art. #102, pp. 49-71
Print ISSN 2094-1519 • Electronic ISSN 2244-0461
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7828/ajob.v1i1.102

Birds of Malagos Watershed,

Southeastern Philippines
GEONYZL L. ALVIOLA
[email protected]
BERNADETTE I. DEL ROSARIO
[email protected]
Davao Doctors College, Davao City, Philippines

JULIE B. OTADOY
[email protected]
Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines

JAYSON C. IBAÑEZ
[email protected]
Philippine Eagle Foundation, Davao City, Philippines

Date Submitted: Feb. 4, 2009 Plagiarism Detection: Passed

Final Revision Complied: July 9, 2009 Original: 100%
Gunning Fog Index: 14.10 English Writing Readability: 39.08

Abstract - Mindanao is considered one of the richest islands
in the Philippines, due to high avifaunal biodiversity. Birds
play a vital role in determining the condition of certain areas.
The study is a morphological assessment of birds in Malagos
watershed, Baguio District, Davao City. It sought to identify
and classify the birds species; determine the distribution and
compare the taxonomic listing of birds with previous avian
surveys in the area. Using point count and mist netting effort,
54 species were identified belonging to 27 families. Three (3)
new families were added to the list of previous studies. It
included twelve Philippine endemic species, seven Mindanao
endemic species, 32 resident species and four species of birds
assessed as vulnerable and endangered. The area was also
36
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

considered disturbed because most of the observed birds were

usually found in open and cultivated areas. A comparative
study of three other avian surveys showed a steady increase
in the population from 1994 to 2002 but a decline in the
number of avian species was observed in the present study,
a negative trend which is associated with habitat destruction
and anthropogenic activities.

Keywords - biodiversity, birds, Malagos watershed,

avifaunal

INTRODUCTION

Mindanao is one of the major islands of the Philippine archipelago

which is located in the southern part of the country. It is considered as
one of the richest islands due to its high biodiversity in avifauna. The
island has a record of almost 341 species of birds that consist of 147
resident species, 93 migratory, 94 endemic species, and 14 migrant and
resident species (Kennedy, Gonzales, Dickinson, Miranda and Fisher,
2000). It is also the home of the majestic bird, the Philippine Eagle
(Pithecophaga jefferyi).
Many studies utilize the presence of birds in an area because birds
play a vital role in determining the condition of a certain environment.
It serves as an ecological and biological indicator that can provide
crucial information on the ecosystem (Crosby, 1998). However, the
distribution, diversity and community structure of most bird species
on small forest fragments, which are important and deemed necessary
for conservation, remains poorly studied. Regular bird survey in the
vicinity of the watershed or even in any area provide information
such as updated list of birds at any given point of time. This enables
environmentalists or conservation groups to compare records to
improve the management of wildlife in the area.
The assessment of birds at Malagos Watershed is useful to the
Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) for feedback to see if their conservation
efforts worked over time as compared to past studies on bird
conservation in the area. The community would then be aware of the
present ecological condition of the area. It is therefore the purpose of
37
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

this study to conduct an ecological assessment of birds in Malagos

Watershed, Baguio District, Davao City specifically to identify and
classify the species of birds; determine the distribution of bird species
in the protected area; and, compare the taxonomic listing of birds with
previous survey researches in the area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study site covers an area of 235.32 hectares. It lies along 70 10”
40.11’ North latitude and 1250 24” 36.05’ East longitude which is 32
km away from Davao City proper and approximately 5 km away from
Calinan proper (Fig. 1). A portion of the area was planted with bamboo
and coconut species, while some parts of the area showed primary
succession where vegetation like shrubs, ferns and grasses had grown.
At the mid portion of the watershed, a portion being preserved by
DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and
DCWD (Davao City Water District) purposely for the park, are trees
with an estimated height ranging from 10 – 60 ft tall. It was observed
that human settlement was slowly encroaching into the area. There
are 20 different organizations like schools, NGO’s and School Clubs
that help in the reforestation program for the watershed since 1990’s.
Aside from the rain, water supply within the watershed comes from
the Gumalang Creek and Cugan Creek (Fig. 1b).

38
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

Eight (8) point counts were established 200 m apart from each
other. Point count 1 was bounded by a stream of water and vegetation
present was mostly bamboo species, young growth trees and few
species of vine. During daytime, the area was dark because of the dense
vegetation. In Point Count 2, the soil was wet and soft. Vegetation like
shrubs, bamboo species, rattan and young growth trees were seen.
The site shows secondary succession. In Point Count 3, the area was
occupied mostly by shrubs, young growth trees and few individuals
of old growth trees. During the first visit around Malagos Watershed,
a group of fruit bats had inhabited the area 900 m to 1000 m away, but
later it was observed that fruit bats settled towards the middle portion
of the watershed. In Point count 4, rattan and Romblon species, young
growth trees and few old growth trees were found. The soil was wet
and very soft.
The area in Point count 5 had shrubs, young growth trees, some
rattan and some species of bamboo. A creek flowing from a higher
elevation to the middle portion of the watershed moisten the dry
leaves that covered the earth’s surface and provide a habitat for insects
and reptiles. Point Count 6, consisted of young growth trees, some
species of shrubs and species of rattan. The small stream of water from
point count 5 continues to flow into the area. It showed evidence of
primary to secondary succession due to fallen trees.
Point Count 7 is filled with young growth trees and some species
of ferns. Some species of bamboo had grown and a part was fully
occupied by tall species of grass near the electrical tower being
installed by National Power Corporation (NPC). A group of fruit
bats was sighted closer to the forest edge. Point Count 8 was a few
meters away from the human settlement, where growing trees and
some species of vines were present. A greater part of this area was also
rehabilitated and reforested by the Malagos Watershed Management.

39
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

Field Sampling and Materials

The bird survey was done using point count and mist netting
methods

Point Count Method

Eight (8) point counts were posted 200 meters apart from each other
which were accurately measured by a survey meter tape. Markers
were then placed in every point as guides. An observer stayed at each
point count within 15 to 20 minutes and counted the birds individually
while the researcher also identified the bird through their unique bird
call or actual sighting. A high powered binocular was used to observe
the kind of species that were seen within the point count. Birds flying
over the area were also included in the data and counted individually.
The process was repeated at dawn, middle of the day then late in the
afternoon at synchronized time and recorded on a data sheet.

Mist Netting Effort

Mist netting was used to capture birds that were shy but had flown
low in the understory. The nets used were 12m x 2.8m, 36 mm mesh
placed at varying distances and positioned pointing up to sky level
or ground level. To put up the nets, each end was tied and supported
with straight poles planted steadily on the ground depending on the
width of the net. With the aid of a digital camera, the exact appearance
of the captured bird was used to get a morphologic sampling. Then the
data were recorded. Extreme care was observed so as not to harm the
birds in the process of being freed.

Species Identification

Bird surveys were conducted daily for two weeks in September and
daily in November. Point counts started early starting from 0600 hr up
to 1700 hr. Birds were identified using a pair of binoculars and a Field
Guide to Philippine Birds (Kennedy, Gonzales, Dickinson, Miranda
and Fisher, 2000). Nets were opened daily from 04:30 hr to 17:00 hr

40
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

and at 30 minute interval the nets were checked to see captured birds.
Many kinds of birds came from different areas of Davao or Mindanao
to feed or build nests. To avoid repetition of recording samples, the
birds were marked by cutting a small portion of the claws using a nail
cutter before being released back to the environment.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Species Richness and Composition

A total of 556 species of birds in the Philippines was reported by

Kennedy, Gonzales, Dickinson, Miranda and Fisher (2000) and 827
species of birds were reported by Crosby (1998). The study identified
54 species using the point count and mist netting methods. Based on
the Silvatrop data, 12 out of 173 (6.93%) were Philippine endemics,
7 out of 102 (6.83%) were Mindanao endemics, 2 out of 152 (1.32%)
were migratory, 32 out of 385 (8.31%) were resident species, and 1 out
of 15 (6.67%) was both migrant and resident known to occur in a
fragmented forest.
Most of the birds under the families Nectariniidae, Estriidae,
Piccidae, and Pycnonotidae were commonly found in the open areas.
Rare or uncommon species of birds were also noted during the
survey, namely: Rufous-lored Kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli), Ruddy
kingfisher (Halcycon coromanda), Silvery kingfisher (Alcedo argentata),
Philippine dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus), Hodgson’s hawk-cuckoo
(Cuculus fugax), Black-faced coucal (Centropus melanops), Little slaty
flycatcher (Ficedula basilanica), Rufous paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone
cinnamomea), Naked-faced spiderhunter (Arachnothera clarae) and
Streaked ground babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis).
There were three vulnerable uncommon species that are considered
endemics namely: Rufous-lored kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli), Silvery
kingfisher (Alcedo argentata) and Little Slaty flycatcher (Ficedula
basilanica). These rare birds are primarily dependent on the quality of
the area (BIODAT, 2004) and the availability of the food item for their
life processes (Lefebvre and Poulin, 1996).
Since the forest fragment was too small for all the birds inhabiting
the area, the endemic species were threatened due to increased

41
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

competition for the food item and area of occupancy. Unchecked

hunting of birds for pet trades, conversion of forest land to agricultural
or residential areas, and mismanagement of protected areas are some
of the contributing factors affecting the avian population and their
survival. The most affected avian groups are the endemic species
because they are very sensitive to ecological change (Danielsen,
1994 cited by Crosby 1998). From the survey, there were 4 globally
threatened or vulnerable species based on the Red Data Book namely:
Rufous-lored Kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli), Silvery kingfisher (Alcedo
argentata) Fig. 2. Philippine dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus) Fig. 3
and Little slaty flycatcher (Ficedula basilanica) Fig. 4.

42
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

43
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

Comparative Survey from 1994 – 2004

Fig. 1 shows the 4 ornithological surveys conducted in Malagos

Watershed from 1994 – 2004.

Fig. 5. Number of Avian Species in Malagos

Watershed from 1994-2004.

The pioneering study of Banconguis (1994) provided an initial

taxonomic listing of birds observed in the area. Forty species of birds
and 20 families were accounted using the Mist Netting Effort. It was
followed by Mancke in 1999, a volunteer ornithologist who only
surveyed the Philippine Eagle Center (a part of the Malagos watershed)
using the bird watching method and recorded 45 species of birds and
26 families.
Templado (2002) used the line transect method in all areas and
recorded 68 species of birds ad 29 families. Fig. 5 shows a steady
increase in population of avian species from the 1994 to 2002 of avian
survey. Compared to the 2002 survey, the present survey showed a
20% decline in number of avian species.
There were 7 families of birds from the previous list of 3 surveys,
namely: Apodidae (Island swiftlet, Asian-palm swiftlet, Glossy
swiftlet, Philippine needletail and House swift), Oriolidae (Black-
naped oriole and Philippine fairy bluebird), Picidae (Philippine pygmy
woodpecker), Scolopacidae (Spotted redshank), Turnidae (Oriental

44
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

magpie-robin), Coraciidae (Dollarbird) and Hirundinidae (Pacific

swallow) which were not observed in the present study even when the
two methods were already used.
Three families of birds which were not present in the previous
studies were added to the list, namely: Raliidae (Barred rail and Plain
bush-hen), Dicruridae (Spangle drongo) and Psittacidae (Colasisi).
Despite the additional species, a general decrease in the number of
avian species was noted. This decrease could be due to the following
reasons: a) habitat destruction which leads to increase in demand of
land use, b) hunting of birds for food or for selling as pets, c) some
species of birds are shy and some of them are migratory (Lefebvre
and Poulin, 1996), d) continuous destruction of the environment by
converting the forest land into plantation, small time logging and e)
insufficient food resource per species.
Continuous forest fragmentation increases the amount of forest
edges, forest core decreases and vegetation composition and structural
changes may cause a negative effect on the population of sensitive avian
species (King, Griffin and Degraaf, 1996). Species that were mostly
affected are the uncommon and endemic species due to the following
reasons: a) fragments may simply be much too small for them to meet
their energy requirement and b) the structure may have been altered
sufficiently to reduce availability of prey or food items (Philip, Stouffer
and Bierrqoard, 1995). The decrease in land area signifies overlapping
of territories, increase in competition and predation of nest. When
habitat is altered too fast for resident species to adapt, some species
will disappear but some would favor the change (Ching 2004).
Other species present in the recent study are the following: Black
bittern (Dupetor flavicollis), Hodgson’s hawk-cuckoo (Cuculus fugax),
Pechora pipit (Anthus gustavi), Rufous paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone
cinnamomea), Plain-throated sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), Naked-
face spiderhunter (Arachnothera clarae), Philippine leaf-warbler
(Phylloscopus olivaceus) and Streaked ground-babbler (Ptilocichla
mindanensis). They were listed in the study for the following reasons:
a) previous researchers were not sure of their identity, b) some species
were migratory like the Brown Shrike (Kennedy, Gonzales, Dickinson,
Miranda and Fisher, 2000), c) they were just difficult to observe; and,
d) their discovery was accidental (Ching, 2004).

45
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

CONCLUSIONS

Using point count and mist-netting methods, this study accounted

for 27 families and 54 species of birds broken down as follows: 12
Philippine endemics, 7 Mindanao endemic, 2 migrants, 32 resident
species and 1 both migrant and resident species. Of the 54 species, 4 are
globally threatened birds namely Silvery kingfisher (Alcedo argentata),
Rufous-lored kingfisher (Halcyon winchelli), Philippine dwarf-kingfisher
(Ceyx melanurus) and Little slaty flycatcher (Ficedula basilanica).
There were 7 families of birds which were not observed namely:
Apodidae, Oriolidae, Picidae, Scolopacidae, Turnidae, Coraciidae and
Hirundinidae, but 3 new families of birds were added in the list namely:
Dicruridae, Rallidae and Psittacidae. Twelve species of birds were also
added in the list namely: Black bittern (Dupetor flavicollis), Hodgson’s
hawk-cuckoo (Cuculus fugax), Pechora pipit (Anthus gustavi), Rufous
paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone cinnamomea), Plain-throated sunbird
(Anthreptes malacensis), Naked-face spiderhunter (Arachnothera clarae),
Philippine leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus olivaceus), Spangle drongo
(Dicrurus hottentottus ), Colasisi (Loriculus philippensis), Barred rail
(Gallirall torquatus), Plain bush-hen (Amaurornis olivaceus) and Streaked
ground-babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis).
Comparing the previous 4 avian surveys, the 3 surveys (1994, 1999
and 2002) showed an increasing trend but in 2004 survey, the trend
was reversed and a decrease of 20% compared to 2002 avian survey
was noted.
Based on the avian survey, Malagos watershed is a highly disturbed
area. Out of 54 species in the study, only 40 species were classified as
common and 18 out of the 40 (45%) were commonly found in cultivated
areas, 5 were considered as solitary and found on forest floor. Nineteen
(19) endemic species were identified, 3 species of which were classified
as vulnerable and the rest were considered threatened as noted in the
Red Data Book (BIODAT, 2004).
The trend in the survey of the number of avian species showed a
relative increase from 1994 to 2002 and a decrease of 20 % of the species
in the 2004 study, a negative trend noted in the present study which is
associated with habitat destruction and anthropogenic activities.

46
Birds of Malagos Watershed,
Southeastern Philippines Alviolar, del Rosario, Otadoy & Ibañez

LITERATURE CITED

Baconguis, J. B.
1994 Ecosystematics study of some avian fauna found in Malagos
Forest Reserved, Baguio District, Davao City. Monograph.

BIODAT.
2004 Biodiversity of the Far Eastern Region: Abundance of nesting
bird dpecies. Retrieved October 24, 2004http://www.biodat.ru/
db/dv/bio3 e.htm.

Crosby, M.J.
1998 Avifaunal indicators for biodiversity conservation in an
archipelagic setting in sylvatrop. Birdlife International,
Wellbrook Court. United Kingdom.

Kennedy. R.S., P.C. Gonzales, E.C. Dickinson, H.C. Miranda and T.H.
Fisher.
2000 A guide to the birds of the Philippines. Oxford University
Press. Museum of Natural History of Science. Cincinnati
Museum Center.

King, D. I., C. R. Griffin, and R. M. Degraaf.

1996 Effects of clear cutting on habitat use and reproductive success
of the ovenbirds in forested landscapes. Conservation Biology.
10(5):1380-86.

Lefebvre G. and B. Poulin.

1996 Seasonal abundance of migrant birds and food resources in
Panamanian mangrove forest. The Wilson Bulletin. 108(4):748-
759.

Mancke, R.G.
1999 A paper on bird species in Malagos watershed. Philippine
Eagle Center.

47
Asian Journal of Biodiversity

Philip, C., Stouffer and R. O. Bierrqoard, Jr.

1995 Use of amazonian fragments by understory insectivorous
birds. Ecology. Philippine Red Data Book. 1994. Wildlife
Conservation Society of the Philippines.

Templado, C.
2002 Status of avifaunal diversity in Malagos watershed, Baguio
District, Davao City. Monograph.

Pursuant to the international character of this publication, the journal is listed

and indexed by the following agencies: (1) Thomson Reuters (ISI) Science Journal
Master List; (2) The Gale Group (USA); (3) Public Knowledge Project, a consortium
of Simon Fraser University Library, the School of Education of Stanford University,
and the British Columbia University, Canada: (4) E-International Scientific
Research Journal Consortium; (5) Philippine E-Journals; (6) Google Scholar; and,
(7) Philippine Journals Online.

48

View publication stats