My First Coron Sortie

[Tirso Paris]

I visited Coron with my wife Thelma for the very first time on June 25 to 28, primarily to celebrate our 41st Wedding Anniversary with tours around the beautiful islands and various attractions of Coron, and secondarily, to try my luck with fantastic birds of Palawan. For my wife’s sake, I tried to maintain the priorities although most of the time I was thinking of birds!

Thanks to Ely Teehankee for arranging the very able bird guide of Coron, Erwin Edonga, and giving me suggestions on where best to stay. Incidentally, just a couple of days before the trip, my Canon 7D stopped functioning! I was so desperate that I toyed with the idea of buying a new 5Dm3 camera body. I sought the help of Tonji Ramos, but it was not feasible to consummate a purchase before my departure. I simply resigned to the unthinkable idea of going to Coron without a camera! But thanks again to Ely for graciously offering his Canon 5Dm2 body so I may be able take pictures in Coron. I was so relieved and arranged to pick it up from his house early morning before our departure. At around midnight, however, I got word from a brother-in-law, who happens to own and operate Enchanted Kingdom, that I could bring along EK’s Canon 7D. Hooray!

With Typhoon Dindo battering Bicol and Luzon, Coron was rainy most of the duration of our trip which made visits to attractions quite a challenge. Birding under the rain especially under a forest canopy was quite difficult so many of my shots were taken with low shutter speeds.

Incidentally, Ramon Quisumbing was also in Coron the same time I was there as he was finalizing his purchase of the land by the Capayas Creek (described in his PBPF post). Hence, some of my captures of the Blue Paradise Flycatcher are similar to his. I missed taking close-up photos of the adult male and female of the Ruddy Kingfisher. However, I was able to take photos of the fledgling RKs which had left their nest.

There were a lot of other birds, some of them so frisky, that I failed to take good photos of. This simply means that I will surely come back to Coron.

All pictures were taken using a Canon 7D, EF100-400mm IS L USM lens, with tripod support, and under natural lighting.


Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymnis azurea)? - Female
2012-06-27 11:06, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1000, 400 mm




Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) - Adult Male?
2012-06-27 07:04, 1/25 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 500, 400 mm




Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) - Fledgling
2012-06-27 16:02, 1/40 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1000, 400 mm



Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) - Fledgling
2012-06-28 07:28, 1/4 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1600, 400 mm



Blue Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) - Male with insect prey
2012-06-2709:26, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 1600, 400 mm



Blue Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) - Chick
2012-06-2707:43, 1/50 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 3200, 400 mm




Blue Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) - Male feeding the chick
2012-06-27 09:26, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 1250, 400 mm




Blue Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) - Male
2012-06-27 09:27, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 1000, 400 mm




Blue Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) - Male
2012-06-27 09:28, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 2000, 400 mm




Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa)
2012-06-27 07:59, 1/60 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 1000, 400 mm



Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa)
2012-06-27 09:11, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 640, 400 mm




Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)
2012-06-27 08:13, 1/30 sec, Manual, F 5.6, ISO 2000, 400 mm




Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)
2012-06-27 09:17, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 2000, 390 mm




White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger)
2012-06-27 10:18, 1/60 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 125, 365 mm



White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger) - Juvenile
2012-06-27 15:35, 1/125 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 320, 380 mm



Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni)
2012-06-27 15:42, 1/125 sec, Shutter priority, F 6.3, ISO 400, 380 mm



Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni) - Fledgling?
2012-06-27 15:39, 1/125 sec, Shutter priority, F 5.6, ISO 200, 380 mm

[steve pryor]

Hi Tirso,
The Pitta is a Hooded Pitta.

The "female Hypothymis azurea" looks like a female Terpsiphone cyanescens. Always look at the bill strength, it is the first distinguisher for the two species. However, I would like Des's comments about the bill. The reason is that I am not used to seeing this much black at the superior bill base of the cyanescens. The bill looks too massive, too long to me for the Hypothymis. The shape of the nares of the hypothymis is rounded, here it looks oblong, and it looks like it is set into a depression that extends onto the lateral bill base of the upper mandible near the bill insertion. Looking at comp photos this feature looks better for the Terpsiphone. Further, this bill has a conspicuous "nail" (i.e. that little hook extending down from the tip of the upper mandible), and this feature should be also better for the Terpsiphone.

The FP is a juvenile (a fledgeling really). Will look later. Possibly the young of the Prionochilus.

[Jessar Inocencio (JOYiNO)]

wow...worth the trip sir Tirso inspite of the bad weather..you got amazing capture.I'm dreaming of going to Coron..Its on my list...Congrats!

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Great photos, Prof. Tirso! Those are the first photos I have seen of fledgeling Ruddy Kingfishers. They must have left the burrow right after I left for the airport. It was good to see you at Capayas Creek, even though the weather made birding challenging.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 1, 2012 17:49:23 GMT steve pryor said:

Hi Tirso,
The Pitta is a Hooded Pitta.

The "female Hypothymis azurea" looks like a female Terpsiphone cyanescens. Always look at the bill strength, it is the first distinguisher for the two species. However, I would like Des's comments about the bill. The reason is that I am not used to seeing this much black at the superior bill base of the cyanescens. The bill looks too massive, too long to me for the Hypothymis. The shape of the nares of the hypothymis is rounded, here it looks oblong, and it looks like it is set into a depression that extends onto the lateral bill base of the upper mandible near the bill insertion. Looking at comp photos this feature looks better for the Terpsiphone. Further, this bill has a conspicuous "nail" (i.e. that little hook extending down from the tip of the upper mandible), and this feature should be also better for the Terpsiphone.

The FP is a juvenile (a fledgeling really). Will look later. Possibly the young of the Prionochilus.

Thanks a lot Steve for correcting my errors and for your invaluable opinion and comments. I had simply relied on the bird guide's identification of the birds (except for the pitta which was a flagrant error of mine). Yes, let's see what Des has to say. Again, I want to express my profound gratitude.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 1, 2012 20:46:39 GMT Jessar Inocencio (JOYiNO) said:

wow...worth the trip sir Tirso inspite of the bad weather..you got amazing capture.I'm dreaming of going to Coron..Its on my list...Congrats!

Thanks Joy Ino! I think Coron is a birder's paradise and it should become better with independent efforts at protecting and enhancing the bird's environment like that of Ramon Quisumbing.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 1, 2012 21:43:09 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Great photos, Prof. Tirso! Those are the first photos I have seen of fledgeling Ruddy Kingfishers. They must have left the burrow right after I left for the airport. It was good to see you at Capayas Creek, even though the weather made birding challenging.

Thanks you so much Ramon. Congratulations on your purchase of the property where birds abound. We could look forward to more and productive birding in Coron in the years to come.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Jul 2, 2012 1:05:19 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Jul 1, 2012 17:49:23 GMT steve pryor said:

Hi Tirso,
The Pitta is a Hooded Pitta.

The "female Hypothymis azurea" looks like a female Terpsiphone cyanescens. Always look at the bill strength, it is the first distinguisher for the two species. However, I would like Des's comments about the bill. The reason is that I am not used to seeing this much black at the superior bill base of the cyanescens. The bill looks too massive, too long to me for the Hypothymis. The shape of the nares of the hypothymis is rounded, here it looks oblong, and it looks like it is set into a depression that extends onto the lateral bill base of the upper mandible near the bill insertion. Looking at comp photos this feature looks better for the Terpsiphone. Further, this bill has a conspicuous "nail" (i.e. that little hook extending down from the tip of the upper mandible), and this feature should be also better for the Terpsiphone.

The FP is a juvenile (a fledgeling really). Will look later. Possibly the young of the Prionochilus.

Thanks a lot Steve for correcting my errors and for your invaluable opinion and comments. I had simply relied on the bird guide's identification of the birds (except for the pitta which was a flagrant error of mine). Yes, let's see what Des has to say. Again, I want to express my profound gratitude.

Steve, I photographed the same bird and nest the same day. Tirso's photo does not show the bird's nape. Here is my photo of the back of the bird's head, which appears to show a black nape. Could female Blue Paradise-Flycatchers have black napes?

Having seen and photographed 5 BPFCs in the area over 4 days, I noted that this bird was noticeably smaller than the BPFCs. So, I also thought this was a female Black-Naped Monarch.

For your and Des' consideration.

[Ely Teehankee]

It looks like you had a good time of birding and honeymooning. Birds like these makes it worthwhile to go to Coron. I am happy to know that the Ruddy Kingfisher succeeded in hatching the eggs. Hopefully I will see them as adults when I get the chance to go to Coron. The last picture of the Palawan Flowerpecker could be the female. Well done Tirso & Mabuhay.

[Tirso Paris]

Thanks a lot Ely! According to Erwin, soon there will be 5 adult Ruddy Kingfishers in the area. I also hope to see the fledglings become adults soon. Thanks again Ely for everything.

[steve pryor]

Jul 2, 2012 1:17:39 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Jul 2, 2012 1:05:19 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Thanks a lot Steve for correcting my errors and for your invaluable opinion and comments. I had simply relied on the bird guide's identification of the birds (except for the pitta which was a flagrant error of mine). Yes, let's see what Des has to say. Again, I want to express my profound gratitude.

Steve, I photographed the same bird and nest the same day. Tirso's photo does not show the bird's nape. Here is my photo of the back of the bird's head, which appears to show a black nape. Could female Blue Paradise-Flycatchers have black napes?

Having seen and photographed 5 BPFCs in the area over 4 days, I noted that this bird was noticeably smaller than the BPFCs. So, I also thought this was a female Black-Naped Monarch.

For your and Des' consideration.

It probably is the female Hypothymis. The tone of the blue of the head is better for the Hypothymis. However, I would still like Des's observations about the bill. Maybe we just have a Hypothymis with a huge schnozz!

[des]

Steve, yes i would go with BNMonarch for the first one. It is a tough call though. BPFCs seem to have a longer head so the eye appears relatively more forward. I think this is just because the crest is longer and that gives them a bulkier nape. Female BPFCs tend not to have black on the forehead and chin and to lack the prominent rictal bristles, but these seem not to be 100% features. I agree it has a particularly large bill, perhaps the biggest around for that species. There seems to be some variability in bill shape and size within BNM. We need a lot more photos of both species of relevant subspecies posted to eg orientalbirdimages.org, to get a better impression of the natural variation and what is possible within each species.
Great set of photos and thanks for posting. Surely the first photos of fledgling Ruddy KF of the Palawan ssp. Is that a white patch in the primaries of the adult RKF, or is it an artefact?

[des]

It is possible that this is a relevant paper:
Greenberg & Danner (in press). The influence of the California marine layer on bill size in a generalist songbird. Evolution.
Keywords:
Allen's Rule;Heat Dissipation;Mediterranean Climate;Geographic Variation;Thermography
ABSTRACT
The hypothesis is tested that birds in hotter and drier environments may have larger bills to increase the surface area for heat dissipation. California provides a climatic gradient to test the influence of climate on bill size. Much of California experiences dry warm/hot summers and coastal areas experience cooler summers than interior localities. Based on measurements from 1488 museum skins, song sparrows showed increasing body-size corrected bill surface area from the coast to the interior and declining in the far eastern desert. As predicted by Newton's convective heat transfer equation, relative bill size increased monotonically with temperature, and then decreased where average high temperatures exceed body temperature. Of the variables considered, distance from coast, average high summer temperature, and potential evapotranspiration showed a strong quadratic association with bill size and rainfall had a weaker negative relationship. Song sparrows on larger, warmer islands also had larger bills. A subsample of radiographed specimens showed that skeletal bill size is also correlated with temperature, demonstrating that bill size differences are not a result of variation in growth and wear of keratin. Combined with recent thermographic studies of heat loss in song sparrow bills, these results support the hypothesis that bill size in California song sparrows is selected for heat dissipation.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Des, for the scientific info. It does get quite hot in Coron.

[steve pryor]

Hi Des,
Is the climate of the Palawan IBA essentially distinguishable from the rest of the Philippines?

I looked through the races and they are all separated only on the characteristics of the tone of the blue, and on the distribution of the zones of blue and white respect to one another. Quite a number of the races are insular and certainly this has an influence on the facility with which many of these races have been considered good races once described. In Phils, there are supposedly only two races, the nominate, and catarmanensis (deeper blue than the nominate). It is not inconceivable to me that the birds of the Palawan IBA might not be a separable race from the nominate if this bill size is reflected among the other birds of the IBA, and not simply an individual variation, i.e., just one particularly big snozzed female. Also to be considered is if there are noticeable differences within the IBA, i.e., Palawan -vs- Calamian group. I don't have access to the skins, and I can't do the morphometrics on the bill size, but you might have a look the next time you are near Tring. Certainly, this is a huge bill. I am wondering how this bill compares with other nominate race birds on the other islands.

The first time for me that I have been thrown off on any Hypothymis.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Steve, no problem, it happens to the best of us.

I did a search on BNMs in previous PBPF postings in the past 6 years, and the bills of some BNMs elsewhere were noticeably shorter and more pointed.

[Tirso Paris]

Thanks a lot Steve, Des and Ramon for your expert opinions and comments. I'm glad that this post has generated some scientific discussion on possible evolutionary developments among our local birds.

[Tirso Paris]

Jul 2, 2012 10:10:10 GMT des said:

... Is that a white patch in the primaries of the adult RKF, or is it an artefact?

Des, on the white patch of adult Ruddy KF, I took a burst of about 6 shots and they were all there (right photo). Prior to that, however, when its body was pointing eastward, I also took a shot but the white patch is not there (left photo). The white patch could not also be seen in Ramon's pictures and earlier PBPF posts. It could be just an artifact but it's puzzling as to how it got there.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Jul 3, 2012 1:13:55 GMT Tirso Paris said:

Thanks a lot Steve, Des and Ramon for your expert opinions and comments. I'm glad that this post has generated some scientific discussion on possible evolutionary developments among our local birds.

Thanks, Tirso. I put in "my 2 cents worth", but I am not an "expert" like Des and Steve.

[William Lim]

Excellent captures, Prof Tirso