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close| Location | Philippines, Region IV |
| Central coordinates | 121o 28.00' East 12o 44.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A2 |
| Area | 4,000 ha |
| Altitude | 100 - 1,000m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2001 |
Ornithological information Several of the threatened and restricted-range lowland forest species of the Mindoro Endemic Bird Area were collected in the Bongabong area in the past, with recent unconfirmed records of two of these species. If substantial areas of lowland forest are found to remain there, this IBA could prove to be one of the most important sites for the conservation of the highly threatened endemic lowland forest birds of Mindoro. The higher altitude forests on Mt Hitding could also support some of the endemic montane species.
Site description An area of forest lies inland from the road near to Bongabong, in the foothills below the eastern slopes of Mt Hitding. It was not visited during surveys in 1991, but when examined through binoculars from the road it appeared to be lowland forest. Very few signs of human encroachment were visible and the forest extended down to about 100 m altitude. Gradients were gentle on the lower slopes and forest extended to the mountain peak at about 1,000 m. There is thus a possibility that this is a surviving undisturbed forest extending from the lowlands to the mountain top.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippine Duck Anas luzonica | - | 2001 | present [units unknown] | - | A1 | Vulnerable |
| Spotted Imperial-pigeon Ducula carola | - | 2001 | present [units unknown] | - | A1 | Vulnerable |
| Black-hooded Coucal Centropus steerii | - | 2001 | present [units unknown] | - | A1 | Critically Endangered |
| Mindoro Hornbill Penelopides mindorensis | - | 2001 | present [units unknown] | - | A1 | Endangered |
| Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker Dicaeum retrocinctum | - | 2001 | present [units unknown] | - | A1 | Vulnerable |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | - | |
| Forest | - |
Other biodiversity This IBA is also likely to support some threatened mammals, including endemic subspecies of wild pigs.
Management considerations Commercial logging operations within Oriental Mindoro have been stopped for quite some time, and the canopy of the logged-over areas appears to have already closed. However, these stands are seriously threatened by the continuing commercial extraction of timber and kaingin. The Oriental side of Mindoro usually has a buffer of open canopy second growth forest or brush between the open canopy forest and openlands.
Protection status Not officially protected.
Conservation response Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats and the current status of the threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.
References Diesmos and Pedregosa (1995); Dutson et al. (1992).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mount Hitding. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013
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