Bird Photography Tour in Klabili and Waigeo

I have just completed a birding tour with an Australian photographer in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent nearly a week to do the tour. Birds of paradise were our main target but we also saw a lot of species of birds including Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blue Black Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Moluccan King Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Mimic Honeyeater, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Black Butcherbird, and etc.

Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher

The tour participant also enjoyed snorkeling at the house reef of the beach resort where we stayed. In the resort area, we watched and photographed a lot of birds too. There were Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Papuan Frogmouth, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Striated Heron, Willie Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Osprey, and etc. 

Raja Ampat in July, actually, is in wave season. However, I see that the wave is not so big. Tourists could still enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Perhaps, in August, the wind will be stronger. I hope that the weather in Waigeo will be just fine so that more visitors could still enjoy their holiday there.  

Also read:

• Birding in Sausapor, Klabili and Sorong City
• Birding Tour in Sorong and Tambrauw
• Birds in the Suburb of Sorong City

Birding in Sonder: A Hidden Gem in the Minahasa Highlands

Tucked away in the lush, mountainous region of North Sulawesi lies Sonder, a peaceful subdistrict in the Minahasa Highlands that is slowly gaining recognition among nature lovers—especially birdwatchers. While it may not yet appear on the mainstream birding maps of Indonesia, Sonder offers an exciting blend of montane forest species, agricultural landscapes, and traditional culture that makes it a must-visit for both amateur and seasoned birders.

Crimson Sunbird

A Landscape Made for Birding

Sonder sits at an elevation of around 700–900 meters above sea level, providing a refreshing cool climate and a variety of habitats—from clove and coffee plantations to forest edges and river valleys. These varied environments create ideal conditions for a wide range of bird species, particularly those adapted to highland ecosystems.

In the early morning, birding trails around Sonder come alive with the calls of endemic and migratory species. The quiet surroundings and lack of heavy tourism make it easier to spot and photograph birds in their natural behavior, without the disturbance often found in busier birding hotspots.

Avian Highlights of Sonder

Here are just a few of the birds you may encounter in and around Sonder:

• Sulawesi Myzomela (Myzomela chloroptera) – A small, vibrant honeyeater endemic to Sulawesi’s highlands, often seen sipping nectar in flowering trees.

• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker (Dicaeum aureolimbatum) – One of the more active and vocal highland birds, darting among fruiting trees and shrubs.
• Sulawesi Leaf Warbler
• Sulawesi Bush Warbler
• Snowy-browed Flycatcher
• Citrine Canary Flycatcher

• Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) – With its striking yellow plumage and musical calls, this oriole adds a tropical flair to the soundscape.
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis omissus) – A sought-after endemic species, usually found in the forest undergrowth.

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher

Sonder’s proximity to forested hills also provides a chance to encounter rarer species such as the Crimson-crowned Flowerpeckero r Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker (Mulleripicus fulvus), especially if you venture into more remote forest patches with a local guide.

Supporting Local Communities

Birding in Sonder is more than just spotting lifers—it's also an opportunity to engage with local communities. Many villagers are beginning to recognize the value of preserving biodiversity, and some are even open to hosting birders, offering homestay experiences and guiding services. By birding in Sonder, you directly contribute to a growing interest in ecotourism and conservation in the Minahasa region.

When to Visit

The best time to go birding in Sonder is during the dry season, typically from May to October. However, birding activity could be enjoyed all year round from January to December. Birds are usually active after a heavy rain to dry their feather. Visibility is also clearer and trails are more accessible. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the most bird activity.

How to go there?

• Fly from your country to Singapore or Jakarta or Denpasar of Bali. After that, take another flight to Manado city.
• Arriving in Manado city, visitors could continue their trip by car to Sonder town in Minahasa highland. 

Flight route to Manado city

Car route from Manado city to Sonder town

Where to stay in Sonder?

There are homestays in Sonder. Visitors could also stay in the nearby Tomohon town and then do birdwatching tours by car to Sonder town.

Tips for Birders

• Bring binoculars and a telephoto camera to capture the rich birdlife, as many species prefer staying in the canopy or dense foliage.
• Dress appropriately for cool mornings but be prepared for sunny afternoons.
• Hire a local guide—they often know the best birding spots and can help identify calls and behaviors.
• Respect private land and farmlands, as much of the best birding is near cultivated areas.
• This birdwatching tour in Sonder can be combined with trips to Mount Mahawu in Tomohon, Tambun Maleo Sanctuary and Tangkoko Nature Reserve with a duration of about 12 days.

Also read:

• Birding in Sonder
• Birds in North Sulawesi

Conclusion

Sonder may be small, but it holds big potential as a birding destination in the Minahasa Highlands. With its cool climate, welcoming communities, and rich biodiversity, it offers a peaceful and rewarding alternative to the more trafficked birding sites in Indonesia. Whether you're adding to your life list or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, Sonder is a place where birds—and birders—can truly thrive.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.