In the Philippines, Palawan is listed as one of the key conservation sites, especially for birds, and is considered as one of the important Bird Areas (IBA) site of the country.  The province has at least 11 identified sites important for both bird studies and bird conservation.  The San Vicente-Roxas-Taytay forest is one of these areas.  It harbors Lake Manguao, which is listed as one of the priority areas for biodiversity research and conservation activities.  However, studies on birds of the lake are fragmentary and many species are yet to be identified.  Matillano (WPU) conducted the avifauna survey of Lake Manguao to fill the knowledge gap on avian species composition of the lake and its conservation status.  Results of the survey provided a sound basis for the conservation and protection of Lake Manguao, which has never been declared a protected area to date.  The survey was conducted from August 2005 to May 2006.

Findings

• During the survey a total of 126 species were recorded, wherein 24 were migratory species, 76 were resident, 14 were restricted range Palawan-endemics, 7 were Philippine endemic, and 5 had both resident and migratory populations.
• There were eight species listed under the vulnerable category of IUCN which included: the Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes); Falcated ground babbler (Ptilocichla falcate); Palawan flycatcher (Ficedula platenae); Palawan hornbill (Anthracoceros marchel); Palawan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum); Blue-headed racquet tail (Prioniturus plateni); Grey imperial pigeon (Ducula pickeringii); and Philippine duck (Anas luzonica).  Five species were recorded as near-threatened.
• The survey of the Philippine duck in the lake constituted the first record of this Philippine-endemic bird in Northern Palawan.
• Threats to birds included hunting for local consumption and curiosity.  Rampant poaching of the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo in the past led to its local extinction.  As to threats to avian habitat, kaingin farming and selective illegal ligging were the most common threats.

Survey results indicated that the lake has high avian species diversity.  Based on the criteria for IBA qualification, lake Manguao and its catchment will qualify as an important bird area for conservation.  The study strongly recommend that the lake and its catchment be declared as a local conservation area.

Source:Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.  Highlights 2006. Los Baños, Laguna:  PCARRD, 2007. 204p.