Philippine trogon

The Philippine trogon (Harpactes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. Primarily due to its plumage and colors, the bird has been associated with the mythical Ibong Adarna from Filipino epic poems. It is endemic to the Philippines.

Description
The males head and throat is black and its face is blue. The neck and mantle are brown, rump light brown with a rufous tail. The breast is light grey to pink, a red breast line and a paler red under pant. The females are duller in all colors.

Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

It is common in forest and secondary growth, and it is usually found alone or in pairs perched 5 to 10 m from the ground in a dark recess on a vine or branch in the understory.

In 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Soccsksargen recorded the endemic bird at forests around Mount Apo. On January, 2023, DENR-Davao Region spotted and took photos of the famous Philippine mythological bird. The male has bright colors while the female shows subdued shades of mustard-yellow underparts and an olive-brown head.

In April 22-27, 2024, the DENR found and captured 4 different Philippine trogons revered and called "Arak" by Obo Monuvu. It inhabits the 80,864-hectare Mount Apo Natural Park, Director Felix Alicer said.

Reproduction
It builds its nest in a hole in a dead tree 6 meters up. Its clutch size is 3 eggs.

Feeding
Not much is known, but, grasshoppers are plucked from branches. "They feed on insects and fruits and shelter in tree hollows. Being reluctant to people, they found bliss in the darker portions of our forests," DENR-Davao, Kemuel Libre Jr. said.