Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Birding in Sorong Regency of Southwest Papua Province, Indonesia

Sorong regency has been famous as the main transportation and logistical hub for visitors who want to spend their holiday in Raja Ampat. There is a rainforest area outside Sorong city which is the natural habitat of a lot of species of plants and animals. Its name is Klaimis forest. It is one of the best birding destinations in Sorong regency for visitors who want to watch paradise birds and other tropical birds, as well as wild animals. 

birds of paradise and kingfisher in Klaimis forest of Sorong regency, Indonesia
Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Blue Black Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Lesser Bird of Paradise

Birds that can be watched in this rainforest area include Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Trumpet Manucode, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Blue-black Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Orange-bellied Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Ornate Fruit-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Great Cuckoo-dove, Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Black Butcherbird, Hooded Butcherbird, Gray-headed Goshawk, Variable Goshawk, Pacific Bazza, Brahminy Kite, Forest Bittern, Red-billed Brush Turkey, Eastern-hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Northern Fantail, Sooty-thicket Fantail, Emperor Fairywren, Lowland Peltop, Northern Cassowary, and a lot more.

Black-sided Robin (Poecilodryas hypoleuca)
Black-sided Robin

During the tour, birdwatching activities are conducted early in the mornings, in the afternoons and at nights. 

Visitors need to bring binoculars, usually the 8×42, 10×42 and 10×50 mm. Bringing a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod will greatly enhance the birding experience. 

In addition to birds, visitors could also see butterflies such as New Guinea Clipper, Great Eggfly, Blue Mountain Swallowtail, Common Green Birdwing, Sacred Tabby, Silky Owl, Cruiser Blue Tiger, Chetosia, and etc.

Mammals are mostly marsupial. We could watch them during night walks in the forest. There are dorcopsis, brown tree mouse, long-fingered trike, cuscus. There are also echina, fruit bat, deer, and wild pigs.

The duration of birding tour in this Klaimis forest of Sorong regency is usually between 3 to 4 days. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in this Klaimis forest of Sorong regency of Indonesia and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link.

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