Palm Cockatoo of Raja Ampat

When I go birding in Raja Ampat, Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is my favorite bird to see. In Indonesia, we call it Kakaktua Raja. Raja means: King. This large parrot has got smoky black feather and big red patches on both sides of his or her cheek. In the mornings, the bird likes to fly to coastal area and land on the branches of catappa trees. Palm Cockatoo eat like to eat catappa fruits.

a couple of Palm Cockatoo at Warduwer beach of Waigeo

Closer look of the Palm Cockatoo

Because of his or her big size, Palm Cockatoo can easily be recognized when sitting and feeding on tropical fruits that grow along the beach of Waigeo island. This bird can also be identified by his or her unique whistling calls. 

When I walked along the Warduwer beach of Raja Ampat. I saw two of the  sitting on very high branches of a tree. I made some pictures of them from a distance and later a closer photograph of the Palm Cockatoo from a window between the branches of trees closer to me.

In addition to Palm Cockatoo, other birds that I often see at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island are Red-cheeked Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Brahminy Kite, Eastern Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Pinon Imperial Pigeon and etc.

I use a good pair of Visionking 10×42 mm binoculars and Canon 200D as my birding gear. For field guide book, I used Birds of New Guinea, second edition by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler. This is a very important reference for identifying birds that occur in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat as well as other regions in West Papua and PNG.
Warduwer beach of Waigeo island is not only a good site for birdwatching but also for snorkeling and freediving. I have done a lot of snorkeling activities at this beach, fish like Wobbegong, Stonefish, Anemonefish, Butterflyfish, Surgeonfish, and Damselfish are some of the many birds that make the coral reef of Warduwer as their natural habitat.

Marine Life at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island

If you are interested in taking a birding and snorkeling trip to Raja Ampat and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Afternoon Bird at Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

I did some birding walk today at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island. As usual I brought my camera the Canon 200D with Tamron 150-600 mm lens. It was quiet that afternoon. Only some birds that were seen in the air or on the branches of the trees.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon

Some Lesser Frigatebird flew over the beach when I came out of the water after snorkeling for around 1 hour. After changing my clothes, I walked slowly up a slope to higher. Some Willie Wagtail were playing on the leaves of pandanus tree. A Beach Kingfisher was flying very fast above my head and then disappeared into the forest. I kept on walking to the hill behind the beach. Here I saw a couple of Pinon Imperial Pigeon sitting quietly on a branch of a tall tree. I also saw Puff-backed Honeyeater in a shrub. Perhaps, the bird was looking for some insects to eat.

Helmetted Friarbird

As the sun went further to the west, I saw a fruit dove flying fast in front of me - too fast, I could not identify it. A couple of Black Sunbird was sitting on the top leaves of another tall tree.

Puff-backed Honeyeater

Raja Ampat is a nice place for birdwatching. I really enjoy my work here. I can watch birds and swim at the beach to see colorful fish and coral reef.

If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and staying in Raja Ampat Flow (RAFLOW) Resort at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Brahminy Kite

Still About Birding in Warduwer Beach

In my previous post Morning Bird Walk in Raja Ampat, I presented some photos of birds that I saw at Warduwer beach. There were more photos of birds that I made including the Red Bird of Paradise, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Blyth's Hornbill, Pacific Swallow, White-breasted Wood Swallow, Brahminy Kite.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon

I used Canon 200D and Tamron 150-600 mm to shoot all those birds. At around 06.00 to 07.00, the light was not fully bright. Warduwer beach was a tiny patch of land at the foot of a mountain range that stretches along the southern region of  Waigeo island. At its white sandy beach, spring water was flowing out of the ground. A beach resort was being built there. The construction works would be finished in September or October. Its name is Raja Ampat Flow Resort (RAFLOW).

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

WARDUWER BEACH was a very nice place for birding. Every time I go there, I always enjoy birding. That early morning time, I saw a Red Bird of Paradise was calling from a high branch of a tree. I shot him several time but could not make high quality pictures because he was inside thick leaves.

There were some Papuan Blyth's Hornbill sitting on the branches of a tall tree that morning. I could make a picture of the male whose had was clearly visible with white clouds as his background. 

Blyth's Hornbill at RAFLOW Resort Warduwer beach

When I rode motorcycle along the road between Waisai town and Raflow Beach Resort, I saw the White-breasted Woodswallow sitting on an electrical line. I stopped the motorcycle and shot the bird immediately. It was a nice shot so I was able to get clear picture of the bird.

White-breasted Wood Swallow

A Rufous-bellied Kookaburra was also sitting at the electrical line. I made a picture of him from a distance. After that I walked closer to the bird saw me and flew I away. I quickly aimed my camera to the bird. It was not a sharp picture but it could give us an idea of how his wings and body contour look like when flying. 

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra flying

I had a nice bird walk that morning at Warduwer Beach. For me, Warduwer beach of Raja Ampat is a good destination not only for beach lovers and snorkelers but also for birdwatchers. I have organized birdwatching, snorkeling and sightseeing tours in Raja Ampat for several years now.

Warduwer Beach in Waigeo island - RAJA AMPAT FLOW (RAFLOW) Resort

Coral Reef and Tropical Fish at Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

If you are interested in taking a holiday in Raja Ampat and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Morning Bird Walk in Raja Ampat

I am in Waigeo island now.  This morning I went to Warduwer beach to do some birdwatching. It was a nice birding walk. The first birds that I saw were a couple of Radjah Shelduck sitting on the dead branches of a tree near the beach. At first I did not notice them. I was trying to shoot a Sacred Kingfisher sitting on an electrical line. Shortly after shooting the kingfisher, I heard the calls of the Radjah Shelduck. I was able to make some pictures of them.

Radjah Shelduck in Waigeo island

Near the place where I stood, there was a dead tree. On top of its broken trunk, a Yellow-faced Myna (Mino anais) was sitting silently. I immediately aimed my camera at the bird and shoot. I could only make two photos of the bird. 

Yellow-faced Myna at Raflow Beach Resort - Raja Ampat

Blyth's Hornbill

As the morning got brighter, some Blyth's Hornbills, and Channel-billed Cuckoo, and Eclectus Parrots were flying in the sky. Around three of the hornbills landed on the branches of a tall tree behind me. It was not easy for me to shoot them because of backlight.

Channel-billed Cuckoo

I continued walking down the slope to Warduwer beach. This beach would be the location of Raflow Beach Resort. RAFLOW stands for Raja Ampat Flow. Here, at this beach, I was able to make some pictures of Eclectus Parrot. The Channel-billed Cuckoo was also within the reach my telephoto lens. So, I also made the picture of the bird.

Male Eclectus Parrot at Raja Ampat Flow Resort

There were also a lot of other birds that I saw that morning such as Red Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Spangled Drongo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Brahminy Kite, Pacific Swallow, White-breasted Wood Swallow, and Willie Wagtail. 

Because I am still staying in Waigeo island, I will be able to take pictures of other birds as well. 

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Raja Ampat and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Birds and Fish of Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat regency is now an emerging destination for tourists who like nature. Every day a lot of tourists go there to explore the natural beauty of its rainforest and coral reef.
As a tourist guide, I often accompany visitors on snorkeling, and birding tours to Waigeo, Kabui, Gam, Mansuar and even Arborek, and Piaynemo islands. The trip to this region is fascinating because we can see a lot of species of tropical birds and fish.

Red Bird of Paradise

One of my favorite birding and snorkeling site is Warduwer beach in Waigeo island. Here, the birds that we could watch are Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Brahminy Kite, Eastern Osprey, Lesser-crested Tern, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red Bird of Paradise, Blyth's Hornbill, Spangled Drongo, Beach Kingfisher, Dusky Scrubfowl, Olive-backed Sunbird, Singing Starling, Puff-backed Meliphaga, Torresian Crow, and a lot more.

Papuan Hornbill

Coral reef at Warduwer beach is in pristine condition. Various kinds of corals can be seen at this beach from brain, staghorn to table corals. They become the natural habitat of such fish as Three-spots Dascyllus, Pink Anemonefish, Butterflyfish, Sweetlips, Lionfish, Parrotfish, Wrasse, and a lot more.

Coral Reef in the waters of Warduwer beach - Raja Ampat

In addition to snorkeling and birding, a boat trip to karst islets inside Kabui bay will greatly enhance the experience of tour participants.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.