Birdwatchers from various parts of the country and neighboring countries
will flock to Cebu on September 21 to spread the message of wildlife habitat
conservation and reinforce international efforts to save a rare endemic
species from extinction.

The bird under “death sentence” is the Cebu Flowerpecker, a tiny, blue-black
and white bird with a distinctive red patch on its back. It is unique to the
forests of Cebu and lives nowhere else in the world. If the last remaining
small patches of its forest habitat are not preserved, it will vanish forever.

To increase public awareness of the plight of the critically endangered bird,
the Cebu Flowerpecker has been chosen as the festival logo for the two-day
event with the theme “Just Watch, Don’t Catch!”

The festival opens on September 21 with lectures, photo exhibits, film shows,
art activities and face-painting for kids at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and
Casino. These will be followed by the 2nd Philippine Duck Forum, at which
conservationists and academics will spotlight efforts to save the endangered
endemic species. More…