As my maiden post in our newly-opened Asia Chapter, let me share some birding info on our islands.
No. of bird species - 614 (growing every year, as more data is generated in the field)
No. of endemics - 195
Many of the bird species ranging here have not been photographed yet in habitat, and that's why the few of us doing local bird photography are having a field day chasing rarities. :)
Here's sharing what I think is a female and/or immature endemic sunbird captured at Mt. Makiling (Laguna province) last November 2007. Up to now, taxonomy experts haven't established its ID yet, and this is probably because of the extreme deficiency of data/info on our birds, especially the females and immatures of many endemics.
Shooting info - 40D + 500 f4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, ISO 640, manual exposure, 475B/3421 support.
Sharp and well composed. The angle of the beak balances it nicely.
I was recently shooting in Malaysia. The female sunbirds are quiet similar in colour.
Philippines: A gold mine of rarities
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