Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA includes the forested sections of the mountainous Agustin Peninsula in the south-east of Mindanao. This long, narrow peninsula rises to a maximum altitude of 1,641 m at Tumadgo Peak. Extensive lowland and montane forests are shown on a recent forest cover map on the eastern side of the peninsula, extending southwards from the area around Tumadgo Peak and Tumadgo Point. A survey in 1997 located areas of selectively-logged lowland forest at 0-660 m within the Davao Enterprises Corporation concession at Cabuaya, selectively-logged lowland forest at 650 m at La Union and degraded lowland forest and selectively-logged montane forest at 665-1,100 m at Sergio Osmeña.
Several of the threatened and restricted-range species of the Mindanao and Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area have been recorded at Tumadgo Peak, and the extensive lowland and montane forests there are likely to support populations of many of these birds. Indeed, this IBA may prove one of the most important lowland forest sites in the EBA. The recent records of the Philippine Eagle suggest that Tumadgo Peak is an important part of the network of sites required to conserve this critically endangered species.
Non-bird biodiversity: The mammals present in the area are unknown.
This IBA includes the forested sections of the mountainous Agustin Peninsula in the south-east of Mindanao. This long, narrow peninsula rises to a maximum altitude of 1,641 m at Tumadgo Peak. Extensive lowland and montane forests are shown on a recent forest cover map on the eastern side of the peninsula, extending southwards from the area around Tumadgo Peak and Tumadgo Point. A survey in 1997 located areas of selectively-logged lowland forest at 0-660 m within the Davao Enterprises Corporation concession at Cabuaya, selectively-logged lowland forest at 650 m at La Union and degraded lowland forest and selectively-logged montane forest at 665-1,100 m at Sergio Osmeña.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
A combination of kaingin, commercial agriculture, illegal logging, mining activities and road construction are slowly reducing and fragmenting the remaining natural habitats in this IBA.
Philippine Eagle, parrots, hornbills and other wildlife are directly persecuted for food or the bird trade.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
A survey of the Philippine Eagle and other birds was completed in this IBA in 1997 by a team from the Philippine Eagle Foundation. They recommended that more comprehensive bird surveys should be done to select and delineate priority areas for strict protection, that community-based forest protection programs should be established among upland communities, and that care should be taken to minimize the environmental impacts of new roads and other infrastructure developments.
Not officially protected.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Hamiguitan (Tumadgo peak) (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-hamiguitan-(tumadgo-peak)-iba-philippines on 22/11/2024.
