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Infanta, Quezon

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A site that holds a special place in many Manila-based birders, Infanta is one of the most birded spots in the entire country. It’s a popular weekend destination because it hosts some spectacular birds that are difficult to find elsewhere while being only a 2-hour drive from Manila (but a 3-hour drive going back because of traffic). I first fell in love with birding during a trip to Infanta as a newbie in 2019 when I saw the Rufous Hornbill for the first time. It was storming that day, and the wind was threatening to blow us off the lookout point, but standing there draped in our ponchos and covered in mud, all we cared about was the flock of hornbills on the opposite mountains! To this day, even after encountering this species dozens of times, seeing the Rufous Hornbill brings the same joy I felt back then, and I try my best to make sure my guests get to experience and connect with them.

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As with most things in birding, the hornbills are far from guaranteed, but Infanta has so much to offer that missing them doesn’t feel all that bad. In recent years, local guides have set up hides, which means that at the very least, you’ll come home with some great views/shots of Ashy Thrush, Spotted Kingfisher (a fan favorite!), White-browed Shama, and the (formerly) elusive Bicol Ground-Warbler. Besides the hide birds, an arrangement of flowerpeckers (Bicolored, Orange-bellied, Olive-backed, Pygmy, and Buzzing) can often be seen feeding on hagimit fruits that bloom all along the highway. Doves are another highlight of Infanta. Yellow-breasted Cream-bellied Fruit-doves as well as White-eared and Amethyst Brown-Doves are common sights, but Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Luzon Bleeding-heart, and Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove also show up from time to time. In the right season (or if you’re lucky), the Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher also appears.

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The star of the mixed flocks in Infanta is the gorgeous Short-crested Monarch, although it’s infrequently seen. These flocks typically contain a mix of Blue-headed Fantails, Black-naped Monarchs, Elegant Tits, Citrine Canary-Flycatchers, Philippine Bulbuls, Yellow-wattled Bulbuls, and Philippine Fairy-Bluebirds. Numerous raptors like the Northern Philippine Hawk-Eagle, Philippine Serpent Eagle, and Rufous-Bellied Eagle can be seen either flying high up above the mountains or perched in the trees along the highway. If you choose to stay overnight, you have good chance to get Luzon Boobook, Philippine Scops-Owl, and the montane species Luzon Scops-Owl.
Although Infanta has sadly undergone major development in recent years, it’s still one of the best places to go birding if you’re staying in Manila. I recommend most clients staying in Manila to pair Infanta with Subic, which usually nets you a good chunk of the Luzon endemics. This is the favorite site of many local birders for good reason!

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