Lake Butig National Park

Birds

Lake Butig National Park also offers refuge to a variety of bird species, particularly those endemic to Mindanao’s montane forests and aquatic habitats. These birds depend on the park’s quiet lakeside areas and undisturbed slopes for nesting and foraging.

Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Mindanao subspecies)
This powerful and endangered raptor soars over the forest canopy in search of birds, squirrels, and small monkeys. It nests in tall trees and has a sharp, piercing call.

Mindanao Hornbill
Endemic to Mindanao, this fruit-eating hornbill nests in tree cavities and travels in pairs or small groups. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal in the park’s forest.

Philippine Duck
This endemic and vulnerable species may be found foraging along the lakeshore and wetlands, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small crustaceans.

Philippine Bulbul
One of the most commonly heard birds in the park’s mid-canopy, this vocal songbird feeds on fruit and insects and flits energetically through the trees.

White-eared Tailorbird (Mindanao endemic)
A secretive ground-loving warbler that weaves nests from plant fibers. It is often heard before it is seen, singing a high-pitched, rapid call in dense underbrush.

Rufous Hornbill (Possible presence)
Though declining, this large and iconic hornbill may persist in the region’s deeper forests. It feeds on fruit and nests in tree cavities, playing an essential role in forest ecology.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
A medium-sized raptor frequently seen gliding above ridgelines, it hunts snakes, lizards, and frogs in forest clearings and riverbanks, often emitting a distinctive whistled cry.

Barn Swallow
Seen near open water and lake edges, barn swallows catch flying insects in mid-air and may nest on nearby rock ledges or small structures.

Lowland White-eye
These energetic green birds forage in flocks through the lower canopy, feeding on nectar, fruit, and insects. Their soft calls and quick movements are common sights near fruiting trees.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (Mindanao race)
A tiny, tree-clinging woodpecker that taps along trunks and branches in search of beetles and larvae. It is often found in mixed flocks with other small forest birds.

Lake Butig National Park is a serene and significant natural refuge in Lanao del Sur—where forest, crater lake, and mountain meet to support a vibrant tapestry of Mindanao’s rare and endemic wildlife in one of the island’s lesser-explored ecological gems.

Popular

Lake Butig National Park, located in Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is centered around the serene crater lake of Lake Butig and its surrounding volcanic slopes and forested hills. The park, though lesser-known, provides important habitat for a variety of Mindanao’s native and endemic wildlife, particularly forest-dwelling mammals and reptiles adapted to montane and aquatic-edge environments.

Philippine Warty Pig (Mindanao subspecies)
This endemic wild pig is a key species of the park’s forested slopes. It forages for roots, fruits, and invertebrates and helps maintain soil health through its digging behavior.

Philippine Deer (Mindanao Brown Deer)
A nocturnal and shy browser, this deer feeds on grasses, leaves, and fallen fruit in the forest clearings and lakeside vegetation. It is most active in the early morning and dusk.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
Common in forest patches and near the lakeshore, this primate travels in troops and feeds on a diverse diet of fruit, leaves, crabs, and insects. It is well-adapted to both water and trees.

Mindanao Tree Shrew (Possible presence)
This small insectivorous mammal is quick-moving and found in undergrowth and along forested slopes. It feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar and may inhabit the park’s denser vegetation.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
This nocturnal mammal moves stealthily through the underbrush and trees, feeding on fruit, small vertebrates, and insects. It helps disperse seeds throughout the park’s forest.

Philippine Forest Rat (Mindanao endemic forms)
These native rodents are active at night, foraging along the forest floor for seeds and small invertebrates. They are important prey for birds of prey and snakes.

Tokay Gecko
Large and vividly patterned, the tokay gecko hides in tree hollows and rock crevices by day and becomes active at night. It feeds on insects, lizards, and small birds.

Water Monitor Lizard
Seen basking near the lake and streams, this large reptile is a skilled swimmer and predator. It feeds on fish, frogs, eggs, carrion, and occasionally small mammals.

Skinks (Various native species)
Fast and agile, these smooth-scaled lizards dart through rocks and forest leaf litter. They feed on insects and contribute to controlling pest populations in forested and open areas.

Reticulated Python
This massive non-venomous snake may inhabit denser vegetation near the lake and prey on birds, rodents, and small deer. It is rarely seen due to its secretive nature.

Birds

Lake Butig National Park also offers refuge to a variety of bird species, particularly those endemic to Mindanao’s montane forests and aquatic habitats. These birds depend on the park’s quiet lakeside areas and undisturbed slopes for nesting and foraging.

Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Mindanao subspecies)
This powerful and endangered raptor soars over the forest canopy in search of birds, squirrels, and small monkeys. It nests in tall trees and has a sharp, piercing call.

Mindanao Hornbill
Endemic to Mindanao, this fruit-eating hornbill nests in tree cavities and travels in pairs or small groups. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal in the park’s forest.

Philippine Duck
This endemic and vulnerable species may be found foraging along the lakeshore and wetlands, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small crustaceans.

Philippine Bulbul
One of the most commonly heard birds in the park’s mid-canopy, this vocal songbird feeds on fruit and insects and flits energetically through the trees.

White-eared Tailorbird (Mindanao endemic)
A secretive ground-loving warbler that weaves nests from plant fibers. It is often heard before it is seen, singing a high-pitched, rapid call in dense underbrush.

Rufous Hornbill (Possible presence)
Though declining, this large and iconic hornbill may persist in the region’s deeper forests. It feeds on fruit and nests in tree cavities, playing an essential role in forest ecology.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
A medium-sized raptor frequently seen gliding above ridgelines, it hunts snakes, lizards, and frogs in forest clearings and riverbanks, often emitting a distinctive whistled cry.

Barn Swallow
Seen near open water and lake edges, barn swallows catch flying insects in mid-air and may nest on nearby rock ledges or small structures.

Lowland White-eye
These energetic green birds forage in flocks through the lower canopy, feeding on nectar, fruit, and insects. Their soft calls and quick movements are common sights near fruiting trees.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (Mindanao race)
A tiny, tree-clinging woodpecker that taps along trunks and branches in search of beetles and larvae. It is often found in mixed flocks with other small forest birds.

Lake Butig National Park is a serene and significant natural refuge in Lanao del Sur—where forest, crater lake, and mountain meet to support a vibrant tapestry of Mindanao’s rare and endemic wildlife in one of the island’s lesser-explored ecological gems.