by Karl James Gavero
What a rare sight! Seeing a Northern Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher at UP Diliman!
Initially, I was hesitant about birding at UP Diliman, but I had a strong gut feeling, which told me that I might get lucky and spot a lifer, so I decided to give it a try. I started birding at Emilio Jacinto St., near the iconic Oblation statue. My primary target that day was the Collared Kingfisher, a bird I’ve photographed before but never get tired of seeing. I also saw a couple of Eurasian Moorhen and a Striated Grassbird along the way.
As I was about to leave a guard approached me and told me that using a camera isn’t allowed without a permit, but rather, a cellphone camera. These rules I adhered to, as I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I then decided to head to Science Complex.
As I arrived at the Science Complex, I heard an unusual bird call. Being unfamiliar with it, I began searching for its source. I then saw this orange-red bird which caught my attention. As I started snapping photos, the elusive bird started to hide. As a result, all of my photos were dark. After it disappeared, I started to roam around the area, hoping to spot other species. I haven’t seen a different bird as time passed by other than the Collared Kingfisher.
I then decided to return to the spot where I first saw the orange-red bird. After waiting patiently, I saw the bird again. This time, I was able to capture clearer photos as the bird slowly revealed itself from the branches. As I reviewed my shots, the bird disappeared again. Not long after, I saw the bird on the opposite side of the tree I was looking. I was clueless at the time being, not knowing the species I had encountered.
Later that evening, I immediately transferred the photos and started searching for the information of the bird I encountered. The dark photos made it hard for me to identify the species. After some time, I already identified the bird, the Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher. Initially, I thought it was a Southern Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, which can be found in Mindanao and some parts of Indonesia.
Excited by my discovery, I decided to post about it in a birdwatching Facebook group. I also reached out to a bird expert I know, Ms. Maia Tañedo. She confirmed that it was indeed the Northern Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher and shared additional information about the bird’s distribution. Sir Cheta Chua also added more information about this bird. I was filled with excitement as I realized it was an uncommon bird and possibly a rare sighting for a bird like this to be seen at UP Diliman.
I was overwhelmed with excitement. Spotting the bird in a relatively less forested area of UP Diliman made the sighting more special. I was so mesmerized by the experience which made it unforgettable. I’m still in awe and amazed, an encounter I will never forget.