Birders often head to Maapon Itaas in Quezon, Philippines to witness the rich avifauna of the region. On August 25, 2025, Alexander Elias visited the site, reporting a notable sighting of 30 bird species in just over three hours of observation.

The trip, which was conducted as part of a traveling survey, yielded a range of species that highlighted the biodiversity of the area. Among the notable sightings were the Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, White-eared Brown-Dove, and Amethyst Brown-Dove, all of which have complex social structures and specific habitat requirements.

Waterbird enthusiasts may be interested in the presence of the Luzon Hornbill and Oriental Honey-buzzard, which are known for their feeding habits. However, the most striking feature of this report is the variety of forest interior species seen on the trip, including the Philippine Serpent-Eagle and the Red-crested Malkoha, which are highly specialized in terms of their foraging behavior and habitat preference.

On the other hand, some bird species may have adapted to live in urban environments, such as the Philippine Jungle Crow, which is known to thrive in areas with human activity. In this particular trip, at least 21 of these crows were spotted, emphasizing their resilience in a rapidly changing environment.

The sighting also included several species of passerine birds such as the Philippine Bulbul and the White-browed Shama, which are known to occupy specific niches within forest ecosystems. These species often have well-established social structures and specific behaviors, adding to the richness of the avifauna observed at Maapon Itaas.

The report suggests that this location remains an essential area for further birding studies, offering insights into the complex interactions between bird species and their environments.