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Bird A Day Feature by Sir Maki, Pola, Oriental Mindoro, Pola (2026)

14/01/2026

𝙱𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚕! 𝚂𝚊𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚘 𝚝𝚘 𝙵𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 #7, a nimble bird that thrives across watery wetlands and verdant grasslands. Explore nature’s flyers with Haring Ibon Discovery Cards and let curiosity take flight.

The 𝕐𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟 (𝐵𝑜𝓉𝒶𝓊𝓇𝓊𝓈 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓃𝓈𝒾𝓈) is a small, secretive heron species commonly found in wetlands across Asia, including the Philippines. It inhabits freshwater marshes, rice paddies, reed beds, mangroves, and swampy grasslands where dense vegetation provides excellent cover. True to its elusive nature, the Yellow Bittern is often seen alone, slowly stalking prey along the edges of shallow water or remaining motionless among reeds to avoid detection. It feeds mainly on small fish, frogs, insects, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates, using its sharp bill to strike swiftly and accurately.This species is easily recognized by its warm yellow to buff-colored plumage, chestnut-brown wings, and contrasting darker flight feathers. Males are generally brighter, with a glossy chestnut back and wings, while females and juveniles tend to be duller and more streaked, offering better camouflage. When threatened, the Yellow Bittern exhibits classic bittern behavior by stretching its neck upward and aligning its body with surrounding reeds, making it remarkably difficult to spot. During the breeding season, it builds a small platform nest of reeds and grasses hidden within dense vegetation, where the female lays several pale bluish eggs.

📌 Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Botaurus
Species: Botaurus sinensis
Authority: (Gmelin, 1789)

🔤 Common name: Yellow Bittern

🔬 Scientific name: 𝐵𝑜𝓉𝒶𝓊𝓇𝓊𝓈 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓃𝓈𝒾𝓈

🗺️ Range: Common (The species is frequently seen and widespread within its typical range. You have a high chance of encountering it.)

🌎 Distribution: Resident (Lives in the area all year; does not migrate.)

📏 Length: Approximately 35 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Least Concern (means that a species is not currently at risk of extinction. It is considered widespread, abundant, or stable in population, so there’s no immediate threat to its survival in the wild.)

Flowing gracefully along the serene banks of the 📍ᴘᴜʟᴀ ʀɪᴠᴇʀ-ʙᴀᴄᴜɴɢᴀɴ,ᴘᴏʟᴀ,ᴏʀɪᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ᴍɪɴᴅᴏʀᴏ

The P**a River in Barangay Bacungan, Pola, Oriental Mindoro, may be a modest waterway, but it plays an important role as a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Its banks are lined with patches of riparian vegetation, small wetlands, and nearby rice fields, creating ideal feeding and resting areas for a variety of water-associated birds such as egrets, herons, and kingfishers. Seasonal fluctuations in water levels and the presence of shallow pools also attract migratory waders and other transient species, making the river a quiet but valuable stopover for birds during migration. While not as renowned as larger wetland areas like Naujan Lake, P**a River still supports local bird biodiversity, offering opportunities for observation of both resident and visiting species. Its ecological significance extends beyond birds, contributing to the broader health of Oriental Mindoro’s watershed while providing a serene and natural refuge for wildlife within a largely agricultural landscape.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

11/01/2026

READY FOR ANOTHER WINGED WONDER? Mҽҽƚ Fҽαƚԋҽɾҽԃ Fɾιҽɳԃ #6-an adaptable little flier soaring from watery wetlands to lush grasslands with ease. Step into the world of birds with Haring Ibon Discovery Cards and discover something fascinating today.

The 𝙱𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔-𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚕 (𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓪 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓸𝓻) is a striking and rare wading bird known for its distinctive spoon-shaped bill and contrasting black face and pale body. It inhabits coastal wetlands, mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove areas, where it feeds by sweeping its bill side to side in shallow water to catch small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. This species breeds on rocky offshore islands in East Asia, particularly in parts of China and the Korean Peninsula, and migrates south during winter to coastal regions of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and parts of Southeast Asia, with occasional records in the Philippines. The Black-faced Spoonbill is globally recognized as Endangered due to habitat loss, wetland reclamation, pollution, and disturbance in both its breeding and wintering sites. Despite its low population, international conservation efforts, protected wetlands, and continuous monitoring have helped stabilize and gradually increase its numbers, making it a flagship species for wetland conservation in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

📌 Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Threskiornithidae
Genus: Platalea
Species: Platalea minor
Authority: Temminck & Schlegel, 1849

🔤 Common name: Black-faced Spoonbill

🔬 Scientific name: 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓪 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓸𝓻

🗺️ Range: Rare (A bird species that occurs very infrequently in a particular area and is seen only on very few occasions, often involving single individuals or very small numbers.)

🌎 Distribution: Migrant (It means that the bird does not stay in the area year-round. Instead, it travels seasonally between different regions for breeding, feeding, or survival.)

📏 Length: 70 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Endangered (species is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.)

Lying along the calm embrace of the
📍𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚

Bacawan Shoreline, located in Bacawan, Pola, Oriental Mindoro, is a coastal area facing Pola Bay that is primarily known for its fishing grounds and coastal habitats. While it is not formally recognized as a major bird sanctuary or an internationally important site for migratory birds, the shoreline lies within a coastal ecosystem that typically supports a variety of waterbirds and shorebirds. The presence of mangroves, seagrass beds, and shallow intertidal areas makes it a suitable habitat for birds to feed and rest. Although there are no specific scientific records documenting large flocks of migratory birds at Bacawan Shoreline, its proximity to wetland-rich areas like Naujan Lake National Park—which is recognized as a Ramsar site and supports both resident and migratory waterbirds—suggests that migratory species may occasionally use the shoreline during their seasonal movements along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Overall, Bacawan Shoreline contributes to the broader coastal ecosystem of Oriental Mindoro, providing shelter and feeding grounds for local and potentially migratory birds.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

08/01/2026

𝖤𝖸𝖤𝖲 𝖴𝖯—𝖧𝖤𝖱𝖤 𝖨𝖳 𝖢𝖮𝖬𝖤𝖲!𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖥𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽 #5 From watery wetlands to wide green grasslands, this smart little flier shows how birds can thrive in many homes. 𝖧𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖨𝖻𝗈𝗇 𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝖢𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗌 invites you to meet another exciting, feathered friend and learn something new!

The ᒪITTᒪE GᖇEᗷE (𝓣𝓪𝓬𝓱𝔂𝓫𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓾𝓼 𝓻𝓾𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓼) also known as the Dabchick, is one of the smallest diving birds in the world, measuring only 23–29 cm in length and weighing 120–220 grams. It has a compact, rounded body with short, pointed bill and legs set far back on the body, which makes it an excellent swimmer but a weak flier. During the breeding season, it displays dark brown plumage with a rich chestnut neck and cheeks, while non-breeding birds are duller brown with paler underparts. The Little Grebe is found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and parts of Australasia, favoring freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and marshes with dense aquatic vegetation for shelter and nesting.

📌 Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Podicipediformes
Family: Podicipedidae
Genus: Tachybaptus
Species: 𝓣𝓪𝓬𝓱𝔂𝓫𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓾𝓼 𝓻𝓾𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓼
Authority: Pallas, 1764

🔤 Common name: Little Grebe

🔬 Scientific name: 𝓣𝓪𝓬𝓱𝔂𝓫𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓾𝓼 𝓻𝓾𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓼

🗺️ Range: Uncommon (means that within its range, the bird is not seen very often. It’s present regularly, but sightings are relatively infrequent compared to common or abundant species.)

🌎 Distribution: Resident (Lives in the area all year; does not migrate.)

📏 Length: 27 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Least Concern (means that a species is not currently at risk of extinction. It is considered widespread, abundant, or stable in population, so there’s no immediate threat to its survival in the wild.)

Nestled amid the rich stillness of brackish wetlands📍 𝚂𝚎𝚊𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚆𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚛𝚎𝚊 𝚒𝚗 𝙱𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚑𝚊𝚗 and 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚊

The coastal area between Barangay Batuhan and Barangay Calima in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, includes an ecologically significant brackish wetland and mangrove-estuary system at the mouth of the P**a River where it meets Pola Bay. This dynamic ecosystem is shaped by the mixing of freshwater from the P**a River with saltwater from the bay, creating brackish conditions that support mangrove forests, tidal flats, and marshy shores typical of river deltas. Mangroves in this area include various native species that thrive in tidal and muddy substrates, providing essential nursery and breeding grounds for juvenile fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms, thus boosting local fisheries productivity and biodiversity. The tangled root systems of mangroves also play a crucial role in stabilizing sediments, reducing coastal erosion, buffering storm surges, and filtering pollutants from upland runoff, which enhances water quality and protects inland communities. These coastal forests are part of the broader mosaic of mangrove habitats in Oriental Mindoro, which experienced impacts from environmental disturbances such as the 2023 oil spill that reached mangrove zones in Calima and nearby localities, underscoring both their vulnerability and importance for conservation. In addition to their ecological functions, mangrove areas around Batuhan have been recognized locally as scenic landscapes-such as the Batuhan Mangrove Eco Park-which highlights the potential for ecotourism, environmental education, and community-based stewardship of wetland resources in Pola.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

06/01/2026

ᗯᗩIT-ᗪOᑎ’T ᗷᒪIᑎK! ᗷIᖇᗪ ᑎO.4 just touched down! Soaring from sparkling wetlands to endless grasslands, 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙗𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 unveils another breathtaking winged wonder.

The TUFTED DUCK (𝒜𝓎𝓉𝒽𝓎𝒶 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝒾𝑔𝓊𝓁𝒶) is a medium-sized diving duck easily recognized by the male’s striking black-and-white plumage, bright yellow eyes, and distinctive drooping crest or “tuft” at the back of its head. Females are more subdued, with dark brown plumage and a shorter, less obvious tuft. This species belongs to the family Anatidae and is widely distributed across Europe and Asia, breeding in freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, often with abundant aquatic vegetation. During winter, Tufted Ducks migrate southward, forming large flocks on lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters, and they are considered migratory in many parts of their range. As skilled divers, they feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates such as mollusks, insects,and crustaceans, as well as seeds and plant material.

📌 Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
Species: Aythya fuligula
Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

🔤 Common name: Tufted Duck

🔬 Scientific name: 𝒜𝓎𝓉𝒽𝓎𝒶 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝒾𝑔𝓊𝓁𝒶

🗺️ Range: Uncommon (means that within its range, the bird is not seen very often. It’s present regularly, but sightings are relatively infrequent compared to common or abundant species.)

🌎 Distribution: Migrant (It means that the bird does not stay in the area year-round. Instead, it travels seasonally between different regions for breeding, feeding, or survival.)

📏 Length: 43.5 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Least Concern (means that a species is not currently at risk of extinction. It is considered widespread, abundant, or stable in population, so there’s no immediate threat to its survival in the wild.)

Surrounded by the gentle serenity of lush fields📍𝗠𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀

The Maluanluan Ricefields in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, are part of the municipality’s rich agricultural landscape, where flooded paddies during planting seasons provide temporary habitats for various birds. These ricefields can attract waterbirds and waders, such as egrets, bitterns, and sandpipers, as well as common farmland birds like doves, sparrows, and small passerines that forage along field edges.The ricefields, wetlands, and nearby mountains create a mosaic of habitats that support both common and specialized bird species, making Pola and its surroundings a valuable area for birdwatching and wildlife observation.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

05/01/2026

🐦𝖲𝗍𝗈𝗉 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀! 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 #3 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽!
From sparkling wetlands to endless grasslands, 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙗𝙤𝙣 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 brings the wildest flyers straight to your screen. You won’t believe this beauty!

The GARGANEY (𝓢𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓵𝓪 𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓻𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓪) is a small migratory duck known for its long-distance journeys between its breeding grounds in Europe and western Asia and its wintering areas in Africa and South and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. It favors shallow freshwater wetlands such as marshes, lakes, flooded rice fields, and lagoons, where it feeds mainly on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. Males are easily recognized by their striking white crescent-shaped stripe above the eye, while females are more subtly patterned for camouflage.

📌 Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Spatula (formerly Anas)
Species: 𝓢𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓵𝓪 𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓻𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓪
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758

🔤 Common name: Garganey

🔬 Scientific name: 𝓢𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓵𝓪 𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓻𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓪

🗺️ Range: Uncommon (means that within its range, the bird is not seen very often. It’s present regularly, but sightings are relatively infrequent compared to common or abundant species.)

🌎 Distribution: Migrant (It means that the bird does not stay in the area year-round. Instead, it travels seasonally between different regions for breeding, feeding, or survival.)

📏 Length: 39cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Least Concern (means that a species is not currently at risk of extinction. It is considered widespread, abundant, or stable in population, so there’s no immediate threat to its survival in the wild.)

Cradled in the calm of nature’s embrace 📍𝙿𝚘𝚕𝚊 𝙱𝚊𝚢, 𝙿𝚘𝚕𝚊,𝙾𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚘

Pola Bay is a natural coastal bay located in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, characterized by mangroves, mudflats, and shallow coastal waters. These ecosystems support rich marine life and provide important ecological services for coastal communities. Because of its wetland features, Pola Bay plays a vital role for birds, particularly waterbirds. While it is not yet formally designated as a major flyway site, the bay is part of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, making it a suitable feeding, resting, and stopover area for migratory birds traveling through Mindoro. Together with nearby wetlands such as Naujan Lake and surrounding coastal areas, Pola Bay contributes to the conservation of both resident and migratory bird species, highlighting its importance in local and regional biodiversity.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

04/01/2026

Say hello to the 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇 in our 50 Birds,𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖠 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾! 🌿 From shimmering wetlands to sprawling grasslands, the 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙗𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 bring these magnificent birds right to your screen. 🐦✨

The 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐤 is one of the largest native ducks in the country and serves as a symbol of wetland conservation, making it the official flagship species of 𝖭𝖺𝗎𝗃𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝖭𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖯𝖺𝗋𝗄. The only endemic duck species found in the Philippines.

📌 Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Species: 𝓐𝓷𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓾𝔃𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪
Authority: Fraser, 1839

🔤 Common name: Philippine Duck

🔬 Scientific name: 𝓐𝓷𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓾𝔃𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪

🗺️ Range: Common (The species is frequently seen and widespread within its typical range. You have a high chance of encountering it.)

🌎 Distribution: Endemic (species is naturally found only in a specific place and nowhere else in the world.)

📏 Length: 53 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Vulnerable (means that a species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild if current threats continue.)

Set amidst the peaceful charm of
📍 𝖭𝖺𝗎𝗃𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝖭𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖯𝖺𝗋𝗄

Naujan Lake National Park, located in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, is the fifth largest lake in the country, covering an area of approximately 21,655 hectares. Established as a national park in 1956 and later designated a 𝖱𝖺𝗆𝗌𝖺𝗋 𝖶𝖾𝗍𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖨𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗂𝗇 1999 (𝖱𝖺𝗆𝗌𝖺𝗋 𝖲𝗂𝗍𝖾 #1008), it is recognized for its critical role in supporting both resident and migratory waterbirds. The lake provides essential feeding, resting, and wintering grounds for various species, including ducks, herons, egrets, and the endangered Philippine duck (𝓐𝓷𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓾𝔃𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪) making it an integral site within the 𝙴𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚜𝚒𝚊𝚗–𝙰𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝚕𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚢 (𝙴𝙰𝙰𝙵062) , a major migratory bird route extending from Arctic Russia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. Naujan Lake also supports local communities, including Mangyan indigenous groups, who depend on its resources for fishing and livelihood, while offering opportunities for eco-tourism activities such as birdwatching and boating. Despite its ecological importance, the lake faces challenges such as invasive species, water quality changes, and habitat pressure from human activities, highlighting the need for sustainable management and conservation initiatives to preserve its biodiversity and role in global migratory bird networks.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

03/01/2026

Meet the 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 of 50 bird species in our 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖠 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾! From wetlands to grasslands, 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙗𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 bring these birds closer to you. 🐦🌾

WANDERING WHISTLING DUCK is a wetland duck known for its whistling call, long legs and neck, and habit of traveling between wetlands.

📌Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae (waterfowl)
Genus: Dendrocygna
Species: 𝓓𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓻𝓸𝓬𝔂𝓰𝓷𝓪 𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓪
Authority: (Horsfield, 1824)

🔤 Common name: Wandering Whistling Duck

🔬 Scientific name: 𝓓𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓻𝓸𝓬𝔂𝓰𝓷𝓪 𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓪

🗺️ Range: Common (The species is frequently seen and widespread within its typical range. You have a high chance of encountering it.)

🌎 Distribution: Resident (Lives in the area all year; does not migrate.)

📏 Length: 42.5 cm

⚠️ Conservation status
IUCN & DENR: Least Concern (means that a species is not currently at risk of extinction. It is considered widespread, abundant, or stable in population, so there’s no immediate threat to its survival in the wild.)

Captured with the serene beauty of
📍 𝙱𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝙴𝚌𝚘 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚔

Batuhan Mangrove Eco Park is a mangrove forest sanctuary known for its old and rare mangrove trees and rich coastal ecosystem. It’s a great place to see unique mangrove formations and appreciate nature up close.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗋:

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝖺 𝖣𝖺𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗍𝗈𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗌, 𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖾𝖽𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒.

03/01/2026

𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓭 𝓪 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮!

Beginning today, I’ll be featuring either a 𝚆𝙴𝚃𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚘𝚛 𝙶𝚁𝙰𝚂𝚂𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙱𝙸𝚁𝙳𝚂 through the 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 - a beautiful way to learn, appreciate, and protect our feathered friends.

Each discovery card features:
📸 A stunning full-color bird photograph
🔤 Common name
🔬 Scientific name
🗺️ Range and distribution
📏 Length
⚠️ Conservation status
🌱 Rarity and habitat details

This Bird a Day Feature is made possible through the passion and creativity of the following individuals behind the 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑩𝑶𝑵 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔:

🎨 Designer & Illustrator: Vinz Pascua
📷 Photo Contributors: Alain Pascua, Vinz Pascua, Djop Tabaranza, Maia Tañedo
✍️ Writers: Djop Tabaranza & Maia Tañedo

Join me as we discover the richness of our wetland and grassland biodiversity, one bird at a time. Let’s learn, admire, and advocate for their protection.

🦅💚 See you tomorrow for our first featured bird!

Bird A Day Feature by Sir Maki

14/01/2026

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06/01/2026

05/01/2026

04/01/2026

03/01/2026

03/01/2026

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