Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris) spotted in the southern portion of the garden, across the UPOU World Class and Multimedia Production Building
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) spotted in the UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N.
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Source: Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores
The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) kicked off 2026 with joyous news as the UPOU Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. (Growing Appreciation towards Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition) introduced a record of observed bird species situated at the UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, as of 07 April 2026.
This data has been verified through research findings conducted in March 2024 by the ZOO 146 (Ornithology) students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Findings revealed a total of 380 bird sightings with 29 species belonging to 23 families, and categorized based on residency.
| Category | Species |
|---|---|
| Endemic | Apodidae
Ridgetop Swiftlet (Collocalia isonota)
Dicaeidae Red-keeled Flowerpecker (Dicaeum australe)
Nectariniidae Garden Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) |
| Resident | Columbidae
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)
Rallidae Barred Rail (Hypotaenidia torquata) White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
Ardeidae Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)
Alcedinidae Brown-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon gularis)
Meropidae Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)
Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)
Oriolidae Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Pycnonotidae Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Locustellidae Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris)
Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
Estrildidae Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)
Corvidae Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorynchos)
Campephagidae Pied Triller (Lalage nigra) |
| Migrant | Hirundinidae
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Laniidae Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Ardeidae Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)
Laridae Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
Scolopacidae Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) |
| Introduce | Columbidae
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) |
In practice, permaculture scientifically showed the importance of creating and maintaining diverse and complex habitats even in a small area. FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N., as such, support avian assemblages and biodiversity which serves important roles in permaculture systems as pollinators and biocontrol agents for pest management.
This exciting initiative demonstrated that nature-based solutions, like FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N., can complement technological mitigation strategies while enhancing biodiversity within localized food systems, underscoring UPOU’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.
Written by: Raizza Anna Alforja • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz
Sustainable Development Goals
FMDS Socials