Ibong Adarna-like bird spotted in Antique

A visitor of Semirara in Caluya, Antique spotted a bird that he compared to the fictional Ibong Adarna because of its beautiful features.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, the bird spotted was a golden pheasant.

"Ang ganda po ng kulay. May kulay asul, may kulay pula, may kulay yellow," Fireman Noynoy Filaro said. "Para po siyang lumabas sa aklat. Speechless po ako, kasi first time ko pong nakita ang Ibong Adarna in person."

Male golden pheasants are colorful, while female golden pheasants are brown in color.

"'Yung babae na ibon, batik-batik ang kulay na brown. 'Yung kaniyang dibdib at saka 'yung gilid ay buffed or blackish brown," said Dr. Carmela Española, an associate professor in UP Diliman Institute of Biology.

Just like the Ibong Adarna, the golden pheasant is also elusive.

"Kapag may mga bago siyang nakikita doon sa paligid niya, siya ay umaalis," Española said.

The island of Semirara houses an aviary and biodiversity conservation center, which is home to golden pheasants and other birds.

"Aviary is part of Semirara Biodiversity Conservation Center, which is a private facility. We are dedicated on preservation and protecting mining biodiversity in Semirara Island," said Dr. Pavel Hospodarsky, a bird specialist and consultant of the center.

"It is housing large number of wildlife, mainly birds. Altogether, we have about 360 individuals of wildlife."

Last year, another Ibong Adarna-like bird was spotted in Mt. Apo: the Philippine trogon.

"Ibong Adarna" is a Filipino epic poem about a legendary bird that has healing powers. However, the bird's song can put someone to sleep and turn them into stone.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News