Island effect endemics of Palawan.

Palawan island has 27 endemic bird species today. Its avifauna is different from the rest of Philippines because of its geographic links with island of Borneo during the ice age. Many of the Bornean bird species can be found in Palawan but did not cross over to the main islands of Philippines. Some have evolved into endemic and near endemic species over the millennium due to the island effect.

Typical lowland forest edge habitat in Palawan.

Here are a few endemics that look similar to the Malaysian species that I photographed during the two days of birding there. Many thanks to the affable Totic Failana, whose local knowledge and expertise helped to find these birds.

Palawan Sunbird female. It is the recent split of the Olive-backed Sunbird that got me to fly to Palawan to tick this sunbird which looks like our female Ornate Sunbird. The male has an orange breast band.

Palawan Flowerpecker resembles the Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker.

Pale Spiderhunter looking like the Spectacled Spiderhunter. This is the only spiderhunter in Palawan.

Ashy-fronted Bulbul was once con-specific with the Olive-winged Bulbul

Hard to separate the Philippine Pied Fantail and the Malayan Pied Fantail. This fantail is one of the few Philippine endemic that can be found in Palawan.

Spotted-throated Woodpecker was lumped with the Common Flameback complex.

The mostly black White-vented Shama does not have the white-rump.

Palawan Crow’s bill is not as big as the Large-billed Crow.

Palawan Drongo formerly considered to be con-specific with the Hair-crested Drongo.

Palawan Bulbul was formerly a subspecies of the Grey-cheeked Bulbul.

Reference: Maia Tanedo, Robert Hutchinson, Adrian and Trinket Constantino. A Naturalist Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. 2015 John Beaufoy Publishing Limited.