Palawan's Plant & Forest
Explore Palawan’s lush plant life—from rare orchids and pitcher plants to mangroves and rainforests. Discover the island’s rich and diverse flora.
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Palawan's Wildlife
Palawan is part of Sundaland, which gives it a unique fauna and flora closely related to Borneo.
Endemic species include the Palawan peacock pheasant, Philippine pangolin, and Palawan birdwing.
Over 600 butterfly species also call Palawan home. Cleopatra's Needle houses 85% of Palawan's endemic animals, including several critically endangered species.
FAUNA OF PALAWAN
Birds of Palawan
Palawan Hornbill
Palawan is home to 279 bird species, 27 of them endemic to the Philippines, including the Palawan hornbill, Palawan peacock pheasant, Palawan scops owl and Palawan flycatcher.
The Palawan hornbill (Talusi in Filipino) is a forest bird about 80 cm (31 inches) long, with mostly black plumage, a white tail, dark green gloss on its upper parts and a large creamy white bill topped by a casque. Endemic to Palawan, it is one of nine hornbill species in the Philippines, and birdwatchers most often look for it in St. Paul’s National Park. It is usually seen in pairs or small family groups, feeding in fruiting trees at the forest edge, and it also eats insects and small reptiles.
The species has become rare and is now classified as vulnerable, with its population down by at least 20% in ten years because of habitat destruction, hunting for food and the live bird trade.
Palawan Peacock Pheasant
The Palawan peacock pheasant is a medium-sized bird, up to 50 cm (20 inches) long, found only in Palawan and featured prominently in the culture of the island’s indigenous peoples. The male is the showpiece, with an erectile crest, iridescent blue-violet and green-turquoise plumage and a tail marked with shimmering eye-like spots (ocelli). During courtship, he fans his tail, raises one wing and lowers the other, and vibrates his tail quills to make a loud rattling sound.
The female is slightly smaller and earthy brown, which keeps her well camouflaged among the branches and leaf litter. Both sexes have sharp spurs on their legs, used for defence and for scratching through the forest floor. Despite their shy nature, they are strong fliers, able to fly swiftly and for long distances.
Palawan Scops Owl
The Palawan scops owl is a small owl, about 19 cm (7.5 inches) long, found only in Palawan and a few nearby islands, including Balabac. It lives mostly in lowland forest but can also adapt to human-modified habitats as long as trees remain. You may find it in places such as the Underground River park, Iwahig and Mt. Mantalingahan.
Its upperparts are dark reddish-brown with fine black barring, its face is light rufous, and it has a pale collar on the back of the neck and orange-brown eyes. The species is rare, with a small population that is declining because of forest loss.
Palawan Flycatcher
The Palawan flycatcher is a tiny bird, about 12 cm (4.7 inches) long with a short tail, found only in Palawan. It lives in tropical lowland forest, a habitat now threatened by forest loss.
It has a rufous-brown head and upperparts, turning bright chestnut on the tail, with large dark eyes. Its throat is pale orange, deepening to brighter orange on the breast, while the belly is white.
Philippine Cockatoo
The Philippine cockatoo is a white parrot about 32 cm (12.6 inches) long, with a short crest and a patch of red feathers under the tail that gives it its scientific name. It lives in lowland forest, mangroves and coastal areas, nesting in tree cavities and feeding on seeds, fruit and nuts. It is often seen in small groups, and pairs mate for life.
It is critically endangered, mainly because of the illegal pet trade and the loss of nesting trees. Palawan is now one of its last strongholds, and Rasa Island, near Narra, is a protected sanctuary where former poachers now work as wardens. With luck, you may spot it flying over mangroves and coastal forest, especially in the south of the island.
FAUNA OF PALAWAN
Terrestrial Mammals of Palawan
Palawan Bearcat
The Palawan bearcat, or Palawan binturong, is a subspecies of binturong endemic to Palawan. It grows up to 1.4 m (4.6 feet) long, with white-fringed ears, long white whiskers and coarse, thick black-brown fur that camouflages it in the forest canopy.
Mostly nocturnal, it hangs from branches by its strong prehensile tail. It lives in thick lowland forest and eats both plants and animals, such as rodents and birds. It is generally docile, but its claws and teeth are sharp.
Palawan Leopard Cat
The Palawan leopard cat is a small wild cat, about the size of a domestic cat but more slender, with longer legs and webbed toes. Its tawny coat is marked with black spots, with a white chest and belly. It has two dark stripes on its small head and rounded black ears with a white spot in the centre. Its tail is about half the length of its body and ends in a black tip.
The species is now threatened by habitat loss.
Palawan Flying Squirrel
The Palawan flying squirrel (Hylopetes nigripes, locally called Bising) is a rodent endemic to Palawan, living in tropical dry forest. It is found mainly in the south of the island, where it is drawn to the many coconut trees to feed.
FAUNA OF PALAWAN
Palawan's Reptiles
Crocodiles
Crocodiles live in rivers and estuaries, where sea water meets fresh water, and attacks have been reported in several municipalities of Palawan. Captured crocodiles are taken to the Crocodile Farm in Puerto Princesa, which raises two species, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and the Philippine freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).
The farm aims to rescue and conserve both, especially the endangered C. mindorensis, and crocodiles play a crucial role in keeping wetland ecosystems in balance.
Tokay Gecko
The Tokay gecko, also called the giant gecko, is a nocturnal tree-dweller found in rainforests and on cliffs across Southeast Asia. It often adapts to human homes, roaming walls and ceilings at night to hunt insects. It is the second largest gecko species, at about 30-50 cm (12-20 inches), with large eyes and vertical slit pupils.
Males are brightly coloured, with a bluish or grey body and light yellow to bright red spots, while females are duller. Tokays are solitary and territorial, climb easily on vertical surfaces and have a powerful bite, strong enough to crack the shells of hard cockroaches.
Tokay Gecko
The Tokay gecko, also called the giant gecko, is a nocturnal tree-dweller found in rainforests and on cliffs across Southeast Asia. It often adapts to human homes, roaming walls and ceilings at night to hunt insects. It is the second largest gecko species, at about 30-50 cm (12-20 inches), with large eyes and vertical slit pupils.
Males are brightly coloured, with a bluish or grey body and light yellow to bright red spots, while females are duller. Tokays are solitary and territorial, climb easily on vertical surfaces and have a powerful bite, strong enough to crack the shells of hard cockroaches.
Palawan Spitting Cobra
The Palawan spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana miolepis), sometimes called the Palawan cobra, is a venomous snake found in Palawan and a few nearby islands. It is usually about 1 to 1.5 m (3.3 to 4.9 feet) long, with a glossy black or dark brown body, and sometimes a paler throat. When threatened, it raises the front of its body, spreads a narrow hood and can spit venom towards the eyes of an attacker from a distance of up to about 2 m (6.6 feet).
It lives in forest, farmland and areas near villages, and hunts mostly at dusk and at night, feeding on frogs, rodents, lizards and other small animals. It is shy and usually flees when it can, but its venom is dangerous.
FAUNA OF PALAWAN
Palawan's Butterflies
Palawan Birdwing
The Palawan birdwing (Trogonoptera trojana), also called the Tringle birdwing, is one of the largest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan of about 20 cm (7.9 inches). Endemic to Palawan, it is one of only two species in its genus and can be seen in the forests of Cleopatra’s Needle.
It flies all year round, and the male is recognisable by the narrower green bands on its hindwings.
Dr. Platen’s Birdwing
Dr. Platen’s birdwing (Troides plateni) is a large, striking butterfly found in Palawan, named after the German naturalist Carl Platen. It has velvety black forewings with pale veins and golden-yellow hindwings edged with black markings, and a wingspan of about 14 to 17 cm (5.5 to 6.7 inches). The female is larger and darker than the male.
It lives in lowland and hill forest, usually flying high in the canopy and coming down to feed on nectar at flowering plants. Its caterpillars feed on Aristolochia vines, which make them and the adults toxic to predators. Like other birdwings, it is threatened by forest loss and collecting, and it is protected under international wildlife trade rules.
Keep Exploring Palawan
More guides to help you plan your Palawan trip.
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Dive into Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Discover vibrant corals, sharks, turtles & more on a liveaboard trip in this marine paradise.
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Where to See Dugongs in Palawan
See gentle dugongs in Palawan’s clear waters! Discover the best places like Busuanga for ethical encounters and eco-friendly wildlife tours.
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Mount Cleopatra
Discover Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve—Palawan’s sacred mountain rich in biodiversity, ancient trees, and indigenous heritage. A hiker’s paradise!
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Underground River
Plan your visit to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get tips on tours, how to get there, best time to go, and what to expect.
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Trekking & Hiking in Palawan
Explore Palawan on foot! Discover top trekking spots like Cleopatra’s Needle, Mt. Mantalingahan, and jungle trails for nature and adventure lover
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