The Birds of Alabang Hills

Birds reported within the boundaries of Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. Birds in captivity and domestic birds are of course not included. Some of the pictures were taken in Alabang Hills while others were taken in the provinces around Manila. The pictures are mine except when otherwise specified.

Purple Heron, Tagak Ardea purpurea The Purple Heron was recorded once in the village in 2015

Little Egret, Tagak Egretta garzetta

A group of Little Egret nests and roosts in the vacant lot outside the Don Jesus gate. They are often spotted flying over Alabang Hills

Striated Heron, Bakaw, Bakaw Itim Butorides striatus One bird was once captured in a garden in Alabang Hills and later released outside the Village.

Black-crowned Night Heron, Lapay
Nycticorax nycticorax

A large population of Black-crowned Night-Heron nests and roosts in the vacant lot outside the Don Jesus gate, and birds are often spotted flying over Alabang Hills. Photo by Alex Loinaz

Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus An Osprey was once seen flying low over Alabang Hills, but it is a rare occurrence.

White-breasted Waterhen, Salikuak Amaurornis phoenicurus This bird has been spotted walking in vacant lots in Alabang Hills but is rare

Whiskered Tern, Kanaway
Chlidonias  hybridus

Flocks of Whiskered Terns can be seen flying fast and high over parts of Alabang Hills during typhoons. Not common in the Village.

Spotted Dove, Batobatong  de Kolyar Streptopelia chinensis Sometimes seen walking on lawns or perched on roofs in Alabang Hills but not common

Zebra Dove, Kurokurot, Batobatong Katigbe Geopelia striata Commonly seen walking on roads and lawns in Alabang Hills, flying to nearby roofs, bushes and trees when flushed.

Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri

A small population of this introduced species is resident in Alabang Hills. They are often seen flying in noisy groups over houses and gardens, or perched on wires and high trees

Philippine Coucal, Sabukot Centropus viridis It has been seen in bamboo and large trees in Alabang Hills, but is a rare occurrence.

Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus One was seen in October 2014 perched on a dead tree resting from its long migration journey, but it is considered an accidental occurence in Alabang Hills

Grey-rumped Swiftlet,  Langay-langayan Colocallia esculenta Groups of Grey-rumped Swiftlet are often seen flying low over vacant lots or high over gardens in Alabang Hills

White-throated Kingfisher, Tig-mamanuk Halcyon smyrnensis The White-throated Kingfisher is a rare visitor in Alabang Hills. Photo courtesy of www.birdwatch.ph (Wild Bird Club of the Philippines).

Collared Kingfisher, Salaksak, Kasaykasay
Halcyon chloris

Fairly common on trees, wires or fences in gardens in Alabang Hills.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Manunubing, Pirik-pirik
Merops philippinus

A pair of this bird has been seen perched on a wire in Alabang Hills, but it is a rare sight in the village. Photo by Graham Walter.

Coppersmith Barbet, Pok-pok, Tuk-tuk
Magalaima haemacephala

This bird is rather common in Alabang Hills perched on top of tall trees, and is more often heard than seen.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Patuktok, Karpintero-maliit Dendrocopos maculatus This bird can occasionally be seen and heard in tall tress in parks and gardens in Alabang Hills. Photo courtesy of www.birdwatch.ph

Pied Triller, Ibon-pare Lalage nigra It has been seen in trees in Alabang Hills but is uncommon. Photo by Alex Loinaz.

Yellow-vented Bulbul, Kulkul, Luklak, Malipago

Pycnonotus goiavier

It is very common in Alabang Hills, perched on trees, alone or more often in pairs or small groups. Photo by Alex Loinaz.

Black-naped Oriole, Kilyawan Oriolus chinensis Small groups are often seen on high trees in Alabang Hills, often calling loudly together. Their call and bright yellow plumage are unmistakable.

Large-billed Crow, Uwak Corvus macrorhynchos This bird is often observed perched in trees or wires in Alabang Hills, or flying overhead. Photo courtesy of www.birdwatch.ph

Blue Rock Thrush, Tuwang-batang
Monticola solitarius

This bird can occasionally be spotted from September to May in parks in Alabang Hills but is not common. Photo by Alex Loinaz.

Golden-bellied Gerygone, Pipit-bakaw
Gerygone sulphurea

This bird is often heard and sometimes seen in the morning in the trees of Alabang Hills. Photo by Alex Loinaz.

Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta This bird has been spotted in Alabang Hills, but it is a rare occurrence.

Philippine Pied Fantail, Maria Kapra Rhipidura javanica This bird is often seen in Alabang Hills gardens, telephone wires and trees, sometimes attacking other birds and even dogs when nesting.

White-breasted Woodswallow, Gitgit, Gikgik, Pagatpat Artamus leucorynchus It is sometimes seen perched on wires and feeding on insects in small groups in Alabang Hills, but is not common.

Long-tailed Shrike, Tarat San Pedro, Mamumugot Lanius schach This beautiful bird is a common occurence in Alabang Hills

Brown Shrike, Tarat, Pakis-kis Lanius cristatus Can be spotted in trees and bushes in Alabang Hills from September to May. It is an aggressive bird that has been seen attacking other birds.

Asian Glossy Starling, Galansiang Aplonis panayensis This bird has been seen in Alabang Hills but is uncommon in the village.

Crested Myna, Martines Acridotheres cristatellus This bird is fairly common in Alabang Hills perched on wires or in high trees, or walking in vacant lots

Olive-backed Sunbird, Pipit-parang, Tamsi
Nectarinia jugularis

This small bird is often seen fluttering around flowering trees and bushes in gardens in Alabang Hills. Photo of female by Alex Loinaz

Red-keeled Flowerpecker,  Pipit-puso Dicaeum australe It has been seen in Alabang Hills but is rare. Photo courtesy of www.birdwatch.ph

Lowland White-eye, Matang Dulong Zosterops meyeni Groups of Lowland White-eye have been observed in Alabang Hills but it is an uncommon occurrence.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Mayang-bahay Passer montanus It can be seen in every garden of Alabang Hills every day and needs no introduction.

Chestnut Munia, Maya Lonchura malacca Groups of Chestnut Munias can be seen from time to time in gardens or perched on wires in Alabang Hills.