Even the skies come alive at Apo Reef Natural Park, as winged creatures grace the islands and surrounding waters. Find them perched in trees, feeding along the beaches, or soaring overhead. The islands provide important resting, feeding, and nesting areas for resident and migratory birds.
A Global Migration Route
Situated along a major global bird flyway, the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), Apo Reef serves as a virtal stopover and seasonal habitat for migratory birds.
The Broader Avian Community
Beyond terns, Apo Reef Natural Park hosts a variety of bird species. Residing on the island is the famous Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) which is known for its vibrant blue, green, and gold plumage. When this cautious species unveils itself, it is quite a sight to behold. Another prominent species is the Mantanani scops owl (Otus mantanensis). This island dweller, with a size of around 18 cm long and a wingspan of 15.5 cm, feeds on insects. Due to its limited range and forest degradation, it is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, along with the Nicobar pigeon. New records for Apo Island include the Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta) and the Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata). The former is listed as Least Concern, while the latter is Near Threatened, each observed once, highlighting the island’s critical habitat role.
