ILOILO CITY – Rare birds have recently been spotted in Iloilo City and Zarraga town, Iloilo province.
Foremost, a team from the Conservation and Development Division (CDD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) saw a Glossy ibis (scientific name Plegadis falcinellus) at a wetland in Hinactacan village of La Paz district in Iloilo City. The bird was found feeding, wading and flapping its wings.
“This is the second recorded stopover of Glossy ibis, a migratory bird that very rarely visits the country. It was found feeding and foraging in one of the wetlands,” said DENR-6 Regional Director Francisco Milla Jr.
When the CDD team proceeded to a wetland in Zarraga town, another group of rare birds were found. These were the Black-winged stilt, Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Little egret (Egretta garzetta), Perigrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Common tern (Sterna hirundo), Great egret, and Purple heron.
“These sightings of rare birds only show we have healthy wetlands in Iloilo. We encourage everyone to help preserve these precious natural species,” Milla added.
Meanwhile, preservation of wetlands is among the top priorities of DENR-6 in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.