Four new bird species recorded in Rizal's protected landscape

LUCENA CITY — Environmental authorities have expanded the wildlife inventory of the Pamitinan Protected Landscape (PPL) in Rizal with the discovery of four bird species not previously recorded in the area, according to the DENR's Calabarzon regional office.

The newly documented species include the Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus) and Philippine Frogmouth (Batrachostomus septimus), among two other species identified during recent surveys of the protected landscape. The findings underscore the ecological importance of the PPL as a habitat for native bird populations in the region.

The Pamitinan Protected Landscape, designated for conservation purposes, has long been recognized as a critical area for biodiversity in Calabarzon. The addition of these species to the area's documented fauna reflects ongoing monitoring efforts by the DENR to assess and protect the region's natural resources.

Environmental officials indicated that the expanded species list will inform future management and conservation strategies for the protected area, ensuring that habitat preservation efforts address the needs of the full range of wildlife dependent on the landscape.