MAYA BIRD

In my recent trip to Central Philippine Adventist College, I was able to get some pictures of the Maya birds which were so abundant in the place. These charming creatures   were our graceful guest and cheerers  in some of our activities.

Maya is the Filipino common name for the Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus. This widely distributed Passeriformes species was only introduced to the country, but has adapted very well to its conditions. It is now arguably the most familiar bird in urban areas in the Philippines. As a result it is confused by most locals with maya pula, or the Black-headed Munia (Lonchura atricapilla), as the former national bird of the Philippines.

Prior to the declaration of the haribon or Philippine eagle in 1996, the maya pula (black headed munia)  bird was considered the Philippine national bird.