by Kris Cu
The first time I saw a Philippine Pied Fantail hopping around my neighbour’s leaky garden faucet, I was 7 years old, and I ran over to my dad excitedly. I described to him a small, black and white bird diving into the water droplets. While it was simple in colour, I loved the way it moved and thought it was funny how this little bird had its own pamaypay-tail. My dad and I shared a simple but memorable moment as we described the bird’s captivating behaviour to each other.
It was this easy and accessible nature of birding that really got me hooked. The fact that you can observe birds from just about anywhere makes it really special and allows you to connect with the natural world wherever you may be. My dad realized this too and he joined the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines in 2004 to learn more about our native birds. I have fond memories of waking up at 4am and heading to Candaba Swamp to watch thousands of waterbirds gathering at sunrise.
But life isn’t always straightforward and just like the birds, my parents decided to migrate and move to Canada in 2012. I didn’t know I had to wait 13 years before I saw my favourite Fantail again.
Fast forward to 2025, I had the pleasure of bringing my wife back to the motherland. Birding was top of our agenda and Mike Lu kindly connected us with Ens Legaspi who guided us on a morning birding excursion at La Mesa Eco Park. We saw the classic Collared Kingfishers, Brown Shrikes and Coppersmith Barbets. We also managed to snag some lifers with the Lowland White-eye and “Oreo-coloured” Ashy Thrush.
My wife and I travelled further to Banaue, where we enjoyed hiking around the rice terraces and observed the Whiskered Treeswifts perching on the powerlines. Spotting a Blue-headed Fantail and Philippine Magpie-Robin along the trail was also a treat as we descended to Tappiyah Falls.
Our final destination was Palawan and we watched in awe as 3 Palawan Hornbills flew above us on one of our island-hopping tours. We also explored Lio early one morning, admiring the song of the Common Iora and the colours of the Palawan Drongo. Jason Apolonio was kind enough to identify the birds for us after we captured some photos.
But it was on our last day in Puerto Princesa at a local AirBnB where I felt truly blessed. Our accommodation had a garden and a leaky faucet nearby. And you would never guess who has hopping around it- a nesting pair of Philippine Pied Fantails. It was so surreal watching the same behaviour of my childhood bird, continuing as if nothing in the world has changed.
These are the memories I hold on to as my wife and I returned to Vancouver, Canada. I’m fortunate enough to be the Digital Media & Outreach Specialist for Birds Canada (a conservation non-profit organization) and to work as a birding and bird photography guide. I believe that birds have the amazing ability to develop an appreciation and love for nature that we all innately have; and I make it my goal to share my blessings and rekindle that passion with everyone I meet.
