Tags: Environment, Natural Wonders
By Anna Valmero
CALAYAN ISLAND, CAGAYAN— This island up north not only houses the famous endemic bird, the Calayan rail, but also offers refuge to the Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) — a bird which has never been seen in the country before.
Christian Perez, a French birdwatcher and a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), was able to take photos of the french-named Demoiselle crane during his exploratory trip to Sitio Longog, Barangay Magsidel Calayan in mid-May.
According to the International Crane Foundation, Demoiselle cranes are the smallest and the second most abundant of the crane species. Like other species, however, their population is still threatened by habitat loss and illegal pet trade.
It has been said that when the bird was first brought to France from the steppes of Russia, it was so named by Queen Marie Antoinette for its “delicate and maiden-like appearance.”
Perez had the same impression of the birds describing them as very mahinhin (the Tagalog equivalent of dainty or refined).
“The Crane is not shy and is easily approached to a distance of five meters. It spends most of its time in a small river bed in the main town of Centro, walking around in the nearby rice fields in the early mornings and late afternoons. Sometimes, the locals said it flies around over the rice fields and always returns to the same area, although I haven’t seen it fly myself. The people in the neighborhood have now ‘adopted’ the bird and are protecting it from any harm,” Christian tells loQal.ph.
Perez shares the Demoiselle crane he was able to photograph is one of three birds that visited the Island in October 2008, according to local Conrado “Totong” Duerme. “Of the three, the first was shot and eaten by the locals while the other one flew away, and the third one is said to be pinioned and was kept as a pet since,” he says.
This discovery would have meant a new bird record for Calayan and the Philippines, but there were earlier reports that these species were already discovered and reported to OBC Birding Asia by Carl Oliveros in 2009.
But whether it is a record or not, Perez stressed the significance of the discovery for it highlights the importance of the Philippines as a bird sanctuary and as part of the East Asian flyway. The wintering crane should have followed a different migration path from Siberia to South Asia.
For Mike Lu, WBCP president, the incident should inspire an increasing awareness among Filipinos on the importance of conservation and of taking care of living creatures.
“It is sad that the mindset of Filipinos is still not mature enough, that when we see something unusual, the tendency is to own it or eat it as with the case of the Demoiselle crane and other birds. There should be more education because discoveries like this is a country record and it was good that Christian was able to take photos of it,” says Lu.
Perez reported that there is rampant hunting and poaching of birds, including the endemic Calayan rail which was only discovered in 2004.
“You can tell if there is hunting if the birds are shy and seem to be afraid of humans. Back in Calayan, I tried to take from afar a photo of the whistling green pigeon but it flew away immediately. I’ve also heard that locals eat the Calayan rail while some are captured for pet trade,” shared Perez.
Through a partnership of the conservation group Isla and the local government, Perez hopes a protected habitat for these birds would be established soon in Calayan forests.
At present, there is a municipal ordinance that prohibits the capture and illegal trade of birds in the area, especially the Calayan rail. “Given the habitat of the birds is four hours walk deep into the forest, the ordinance though is difficult to enforce,” says Perez.
Encouraging Filipinos to visit the area for a nature walk or bird watching “would increase the awareness of the locals on the importance of taking care of the environment and to put pressure on the local government to do something about its conservation efforts,” he added.
How to get to Calayan Island:
Tuguegarao is about 485 kilometers north of Metro Manila and can be reached by air-conditioned bus such as DANGWA Transport, Baliwag Transit, Victory Liner, Aladdin Bus Company, Dagupan Bus Company, Deltra Bus Company and Nelbusco. Independent motorists may take the North Diversion Road and exit at Sta. Rosa Exit. From the mainland, take a boat to Calayan Island.
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