Real-life ‘Ibong Adarna’ thrives in Davao’s forests

MANILA, Philippines — A vividly colored bird endemic to the Philippines is drawing comparisons with the mythical Ibong Adarna as it continues to thrive in protected forests in Davao Region. 

The Philippine trogon (Harpactes ardens) has been recorded in the Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary and Mt. Apo Natural Park during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System activities, according to the DENR Davao Region.

With its striking plumage, the bird bears a resemblance to the Ibong Adarna, a legendary bird in Philippine literature known for its dazzling feathers and magical song.

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READ: ‘Ibong Adarna,’ 2 squirrel species sighted on Mt. Apo

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Male Philippine trogons have black heads, pink chests and vivid red bellies, while females have mustard-yellow and olive plumage, DENR Davao Region said.

The species is also known for its distinctive descending call, which begins at a faster pace before gradually slowing. The agency likened the sound to a horse’s neigh.

Measuring about a foot long, the Philippine trogon feeds on fruits and insects. Its diet allows it to help disperse seeds and regulate insect populations, contributing to forest regeneration and ecological balance, the environmental agency said.

A female Philippine trogon was also spotted in Mt. Apo Natural Park in 2023 during a biodiversity monitoring activity, a sighting that the agency said underscored the rich biodiversity of protected areas in Davao Region.

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The Philippine trogon is classified as an “Other Wildlife Species” under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 and is listed globally as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

The species is also protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which provides safeguards for wildlife and their habitats.

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While the Ibong Adarna remains a creature of folklore, the Philippine trogon offers a real-life counterpart in the country’s forests — a reminder, according to DENR Davao Region, of the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. /das