What is your favorite bird species?

That is easy, of course, the answer is none other than “The Great Philippine Eagle” – the largest eagle species in the world.

What is your name, and where do you live?

I’m Djop Tabaranza from Metro Manila, Philippines. I am a wildlife biologist and the lead guide for Bird Finder Philippines.

What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?

Bird Finder Philippines offers tours in 4 major regions or islands in the Philippines, namely Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, and Palawan. But we can also customize tours for smaller islands such as Bohol, Mindoro, and Panay.

How long have you been a bird guide?

I have been guiding part-time since the 2000s, but took the major step as a full-time birdwatching and bird photography guide in 2020.

How did you get into bird guiding?

I have been guiding local and visiting foreign birders in some way for over 20 years. This is while working with conservation groups in the field. Sometime in 2018, a fellow bird photographer and a close friend approached me and offered to start a birding tour company with him. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?

Seeing the amazement in the eyes of young first-time birders when they see their spark bird clearly through binoculars or a scope. Or the happiness on my guests’ faces when they finally see their most sought-after birds, and their excitement when something unexpected shows up.

It breaks the heart to see the rapid degradation of natural habitats – forests, wetlands, and coastal areas throughout my country. It is becoming more challenging to find many of the endemic bird species.

What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?

The Philippines has 274 endemic bird species. Aside from country endemics, each major island or region has its own unique set of birds. It is difficult to choose just 5 among so many beautiful species, so I’ll give my top 2 for each island group.

Country endemics:

• The Great Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
• Philippine Trogon (Hapactes ardens)

Luzon Island:

• Whiskered Pitta (Erythropitta kochi)
• Scale-feathered Malkoha (Dasylophus cumingi)

Mindanao Island:

• Apo Myna (Goodfellowia miranda)
• Blue-capped Kingfisher (Actenoides hombroni)

            Negros-Panay Islands:

• Negros Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba keayi)
• Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica)

            Palawan Island:

• Palawan Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron napoleonis)
• Red-headed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes erythrocephalus)

Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip

Each of the 4 major regions can be covered in 7 to 10 days. Here is a sample for Luzon Island:

• Day 1 – Travel to Bankong Kahoy Valley
• Day 2 – Marilaque Highway, aka Infanta, which is part of the rich Southern Sierra Madre forests.
• Day 3 – Rizal Lowland Forests
• Day 4 – Subic Bay Forest Reserve
• Day 5 – Baguio City
• Day 6 – Banaue Rice Terraces
• Day 7 – Canarem Lake or Candaba Swamp
• Day 8 – La Mesa Ecopark

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?

• Pack light, breathable clothing suitable for birding, as daytime temperatures typically range around 30°C, while nighttime temperatures may drop to approximately 18°C, especially in higher elevation sites.
• Bring along rain protection gear as light drizzles to heavy downpours can occur in forested sites, especially towards the rainy season.
• Insect repellent is recommended in forested sites.
• Bring along hiking shoes with appropriate soles for trekking to ensure comfort and safety during outdoor activities.

If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?

They may contact us through email, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp/Viber:

• Email: info@birdfinder.ph, djoptabaranza@birdfinder.ph
• Facebook / Instagram: @birdfinder.bif ; @wild.philippines
• WhatsApp / Viber: +63 9478906422