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A further record of the Isabela Oriole (Oriolus isabellae) from Baggao, Cagayan Province, Northern Philippines
Kim van der Linde (1996)
Forktail 11: 17
On September 8, 1994 Mansarong, Baggao, Cagayan province, I observed a large mixed flock of birds, comprising about a dozen of species, including some orioles. They were feeding in some fruiting trees along a logging road. An oriole landed on a branch about 6 m away. In full sunlight I could clearly see that the lores and chin were yellow. A second bird, farther away, also showed yellow lores and chin and I concluded that both birds were Isabela Orioles.
Mansarong is a small settlement at the edge of the forest, where small-scale agriculture is practised. The vegetation structure is quite diverse, with patches of remaining forest, agricultural fields, scrubland and gardens. The bird composition is made up of forest species (i.e. Philippine bulbul Ixos philippinus and cuckoo-shrikes Coracina ), as well as those of the more open habitats (i.e., Yellow-vented bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier and Black-naped oriole Oriole chinensis).
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range, which is still covered with forest, stretches from north to south along the Pacific coast of Luzon. It covers about 50% of the Northern provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. It is a important stronghold for many rare species, including the Isabela Oriole.
See also: Gamauf A & Tebbich S (1996) Re-discovery of the Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae. Forktail 11: 170-171.