Endemic species of Mindanao

The island of Mindanao is home to a remarkable number of endemic species, found nowhere else in the world.

These observations highlight the uniqueness of the island’s ecosystems and the importance of their protection.

Many of these species are rarely seen in the wild and two of them are even new to science.

   Bagobo robin (Leonardina woodi)

   Mindanao forest dragon (Gonocephalus cf. sophiae)

   Blue-capped kingfisher (Actenoides hombroni)

   Mindanao scops-owl (Otus mirus)

   Apo myna (Goodfellowia miranda)

   Mindanao mountain brown deer (Rusa marianna nigella)

   Southern silvery-kingfisher (Ceyx argentatus)

   Azure-breasted pitta (Pitta steerii steerii)

   Undescribed jewel weevils (Metapocyrtus sp.)

   Black-and-cinnamon fantail (Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea)

Why this matters

Many of these species are highly specialized and some are found in restricted habitats. A few of them are now endangered by habitat loss, especially because of intensive agriculture (palm oil and other plantations). Most of Mindanao’s lowland species are now potentially threatened with extinction and declining at a fast rate.

Documenting them is essential to better understand and protect these ecosystems.

This is a selection of a small number of species amongst hundreds that I observed and photographed in Mindanao during my expeditions spanning from 2019 to 2025.

 

Other species from Mindanao can be found by browsing my Education resources.

 

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