Birdwatching in Manokwari of Indonesia

Indonesia has been opened again for foreign visitors who are interested in traveling to this archipelago to see the beauty of its nature, the richness of its biodiversity and the uniqueness of its culture. For visitors who are interested in bird watching, and wildlife watching, Manokwari regency is now open for visitors too. 

Spanish visitors in Arfak range

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

Some places in higher montane forest have got guesthouses. There, visitors can enjoy hiking up the steep slopes of Arfak range to watch Western Parotia, Vogelkop Bowerbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise and a lot more. 

Lesser Birds of Paradise

In lower montane forest, very basic facility in the form of basecamp is available for visitors who want to watch Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise and Magnificent Riflebird. 

Lowland forest of Manokwari is the natural habitat of hundreds of species of birds including Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Variable Goshawk, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Willie Wagtail, Blyth's Hornbill, Brahminy Kite, Little-ringed Plover, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow-bee Eater, and etc.

Large-tailed Nightjar could be seen at night especially if we go birding along the sides of a river.

Visitors need to bring binoculars, camera with telephoto lens. A field guide book, Birds of New Guinea will be needed to identify other birds that visitors will see during their trip in the jungle. 

Day Trip is usually provided for visitors who don't have much time in Manokwari. However the short trip limits the number of wildlife that we could find in the forest.

White Orchid

Possum in the forest of Manokwari

Visitors will need to stay for at least 2 to 3 days in a homestay in the mountains in order to have higher chance of watching birds of paradise. 

Rainforest in West Papua is an interesting ecosystem, it is the habitat of various kinds of plants and animals. There are flowers and butterflies.  by Charles Roring (Whatsapp: +6281332245180).

Bird watching in Sorong regency's Forest of Indonesia

Sorong is the capital of Southwest Papua province of Indonesia. Its outskirt areas has got beautiful tropical forest. Tourists who go to Raja Ampat for snorkeling or scuba diving will need to fly to Sorong. 

There are forest areas, villages and town in the east of Sorong city that I and my clients like to visit for birdwatching and wildlife watching. Some of them include Mangrove forest of Sorong city, Ridge forest of Sorong, Sausapor town, Klabili village and Malagufuk village. They can be reached by cars. 

In Mangrove forest of Sorong city, we could see interesting birds such as White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Olive-backed Sunbird (now also called Sahul Sunbird) and Orange-breasted Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii). 

Orange-breasted Fig Parrot

There is something interesting about the Orange-breasted Fig Parrot. The word Cyclop in Greek Mythology is a race of giants from Sicily having but one eye in the middle of their foreheads. The word psittakos in Greek means parrot. The second part of the name is Gulielmitertii. In Latin Gulielmus means William and Tertius means The Third. According to wikipedia Gulielmus Tertius or William III (Dutch: Willem Alexander Paul Frederick Lodewijk) was King of the Netherlands and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1849 until his death in 1890.

There, visitors can walk along the sides of the road, go hiking up the slopes or explore the forest of Klasouw calley to watch such birds as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher Western-crowned Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Blyth's Hornbill, Blue and Black Kingfisher, Shining Flycatcher, Boyer's Cuckooshrike, Lowland Peltop, Red-bellied Pitta (now also called Papuan Pitta), Hooded Pitta, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird,  Northern Cassowary, and a lot more. 

There are also King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and a few other species of birds of paradise which visitors can see if they explore the forest of Sausapor town or Klabili village thoroughly.

Actually, Sausapor town, Klabili village and Gauksuak forest are not only attractive for bird watchers but also nature lovers. They can see various kinds of plants, and animals. There are insects, mammals, reptiles in the forest. Visitors can join local villagers who go to the forest to cut a sago tree for extracting its flour or do night walk to find wallaby, bats, possum and deer. Mothers can show how to make sleeping matrass and bags using pandanus leaves or other natural fiber.

There are flights that connect Sorong and big cities in Indonesia including Manado, Ambon Makassar, Denpasar and Jakarta. They are served by Garuda, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, and Batik Air. 

Accommodation

Visitors can stay in homestays that are owned by villagers. It is a basic accommodation, so the price is affordable. Buying foods and drinks in Sorong city prior to the trip is highly recommended. But villagers can also enjoy local food such as sweet potatoes, bananas, and vegetables prepared by the villagers. 

After spending time in Sorong, Gauksuak, Klabili and Sausapor, visitors can go back to Sorong city to continue their trip to Raja Ampat or to North Sulawesi to enjoy snorkeling or another birdwatching trip. 

Activities while in Sorong City

Returning to Sorong, visitors can stay in one of the many hotels such as Swissbel, Aston, Fave or Rylich Panorama, and then explore other attractions such as visiting traditional markets, going to Doom island,  having lunch and dinner in various eating houses in town, and etc. For visitors who have only 1 or 2 days in Sorong and do not want to stay in the village, they could still enjoy some birdwatching and sightseeing trip at the outskirts of Sorong.  There are day trip to forest area which visitors can book. 

Also read:

• Walking, Sightseeing and Birdwatching Tour around Sorong city
• Birding and Sightseeing Tour in Sorong city
• Tourist Attractions in Sorong city
• Birding in Mangrove Forest in Sorong city

Birdwatching at the outskirts of Sorong city

Birds that could be watched during the day trip include: Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Red-cheeked Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Eclectus, Sahul Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-browed Triller, Blyth's Hornbill, Gray Crow, and etc.

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

BIRDWATCHING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND OF NORTH SULAWESI

Visitors who want to continue their birdwatching tour can fly to Manado city and then enjoy birding in the highland of Minahasa. Flights between Manado city and Sorong city are available every day. They are served by Lion Air and TransNusa.

Some tropical birds in Sonder town of Minahasa Highland

Sonder town in Minahasa regency is the recommended base for the walking tours and birdwatching activities. There are a lot of birds that can be watched in and at the outskirts of Sonder town. Some of them include Chestnut Munia, Black-faced Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Finch-billed Myna, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Sulawesi Drongo, Slender-billed Crow, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Black-naped Oriole, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and etc.

Warbling White-eye in Sonder's farm forest of Minahasa highland

In higher elevation forest of Sonder town, more birds could be watched. There are Crimson Sunbird, Black-faced Munia, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Mountain (Warbling) White-eye, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and a lot more.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birwatching tour in Sonder town of Minahasa Highland and in the forest around Sorong city and want me to organize your tour, please contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Related Posts:

• Birding and wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Manado City: Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birds in North Sulawesi

Birdwatching in Indonesia

Indonesia has got thousands of big and small islands between Asia and Australia. These islands attract the attention of naturalists, biologists and birdwatchers to come and study the flora and fauna of this country. According to field guide book Birds of Indonesia by James Eaton, et al., there are 1,417 species of birds in Indonesia (not including New Guinea).

BIRDWATCHING IN MINAHASA OF NORTH SULAWESI

As the island with the highest endemism of avifauna, Sulawesi is a highly recommended destination for birdwatching visitors. Some of the unique birds which can be watched include:

Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Warbling White-eye, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Collared Kingfisher

• Ashy Woodpecker (Mulleripicus fulvus)
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker (Picoides temminckii)
• Gray-sided Flowerpecker 
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Citrine Canary Flycatcher
• Turquoise Warbling Flycatcher 
• Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia albicapilla)
• White-faced Cuckoo Dove
• Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Rock Pigeon
• Black-naped Fruit Dove
• Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove
• White-rumped Triller
• Sulawesi Scops Owl 
• Speckled Boobook
• Barred Rail
• Ruddy-breasted Crake
• Isabeline Bush Hen
• White-browed Crake
• Eastern Yellow Wagtail
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Mountain (Warbling) White-eye
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Eastern Cattle Egret
• Little Egret
• Great-billed Heron
• Gray Heron
• Pacific Reef Heron
• Purple Heron
• Purple-winged Roller
• Sulawesi-crested Myna
• Finch-billed Myna
• White-browed Crake 
• Chestnut Munia, 
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• Sahul Sunbird 
• Crimson Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Rusty-backed Thrush
• Collared Kingfisher
• Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher
• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
• Ruddy Kingfisher 
• Green-backed Kingfisher
• Great-billed Kingfisher
• Brush Cuckoo
• Sulawesi Pygmy Hornbill
• Knobbed Hornbill
• Blue-tailed Bee-eater
• Slender-billed Crow
• Gray-rumped Treeswift
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Black-naped Oriole
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Mountain (Warbling) White-eye
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• White-nest Swiftlet
• Sunda Teal
• and etc.

Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Pymy Woodpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove

Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia albicapilla)

Purple Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Brown-throated Kingfisher, Zebra Dove, Hair-crested Drongo, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Finch-billed Myna

Flight Route

The entry point for birdwatching in Minahasa highland is Manado city. Visitors need to fly from their country to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and after that they could continue by domestic flight to Manado city. 

There are direct flights from Singapore to Manado city served by Scoot Airlines. There are also flight from Guangzhou China to Manado city served by China Southern Airlines. 

Car route from Manado to Minahasa highland

Accommodation

Hotels are available in Tomohon town. They can be booked through booking.com or traveloka.com

Booking

If you are interested in traveling to Indonesia to enjoy nature, birdwatching, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City: Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding in Tangkoko
• Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Birding in West Papua

For birds in New Guinea region, readers can study them by reading such field guide books as Birds of New Guinea by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler, et al.; and Birds of New Guinea (including Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville) by Phil Gregory who said that there are 943 species of birds that are known to occur in New Guinea. Key highlights include: Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Palm Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Black Lory, Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta and a lot more. For birding sites, Sausapor town, Klabili village, Gauksuak beach as well as Waigeo island in Raja Ampat are the ones that can easily be accessed from Sorong city. 

With this abundant species of birds, Indonesia has now become the most important destination for birding visitors. From all the islands in this archipelago, I highly recommend 2 destinations, i.e. Sulawesi and West Papua. Sulawesi island is located in the transitional zone between the continents of Australia and Asia. The endemicity of birds in Sulawesi is the highest in Indonesia. For West Papua, the main attractions for visitors will be its Birds of Paradise. 

Although most of the islands in Indonesia have got birds that are different from New Guinea, for the islands such as Halmahera and Seram that are closer to West Papua province, they share some species with New Guinea. Some of them include Eclectus Parrot, Beach Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Great Cuckoo Dove, Blyth's Hornbill, and the migratory ones such as - Rainbow Bee-eater and Common Dollarbird.

I personally have guided tourists to visit some interesting rainforest sites in Mount Kerinci and Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra,  for Sulawesi island: Ramang-Ramang, Karaenta, Lore Lindu, Tangkoko, Mount Mahawu, Mount Ambang, and Tambun. Islands further to the east that include Ternate and Halmahera are also good destinations for birding. 

Inter-insular Trading and Introduced Bird Species

Inter-insular trading in Indonesia allows ships to carry people and goods between the islands. Birds are originally from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Malayan peninsula such as White-rumped Shama and Spotted Dove have now reached cities in West Papua. Some birds escape to the nearby forest. Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeet from West Papua have also reached Sulawesi and Java. However, they will not survive innthe forest because much of the forests in Java have been badly damaged. The introduced birds from West Papua may not be able to compete with local birds in Java in finding food inside the ever shrinking forest of the island. 

Birding in West Papua

Birding in West Papua is more challenging than birding in other islands of Indonesia. The birding sites in West Papua are often located in remote forest far from cities. Most often, birdwatchers need to use 4WD pick-up cars to reach them. Birdwatchers do not have a lot of choices for accommodation either. That's why, on the average, the cost of birding tours in West Papua is higher than in other islands of Indonesia. The target birds include Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Large Fig Parrot, Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Amboyna Cuckoo Dove, Palm Cockatoo, White-bellied Cuckooshrike and a lot more. 

Palm Cockatoo

Bird Watching in West Papua During Pandemic

There have been small number of tourists who travel to West Papua during pandemic. They enjoy birdwatching in the forest and snorkeling at sea. Arfak mountains are important birding destination in Indonesia because their forest is the natural habitat of a lot of endemic avifauna including Western Parotia, Vogelkop Bowerbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill, Long-tailed Paradigala and Vogelkop Superbird of Paradise. 

Endemic Birds of West Papua

Other birding sites that are also worth visiting including Teluk Wondama regency, Fef Town in Tambrauw regency, Klatomok village in Sorong regency and Waigeo island in Raja Ampat. 

Visitors who enjoy birding activities in West Papua often have to endure long walk in dense forest, hiking up steep slopes or walking along muddy path whose surrounding bush is infested with mosquitoes, and leeches. That's why I suggest that visitor bring insect repellent lotion and wear clothing that can protect their exposed skin from mosquito and leech bites. Because of long walk in the jungle, visitors may experience muscle stress in legs and backs. From my personal experience, the hiking has to be cancelled to prevent more injuries in the muscles. 

Drinking ion water, and eating salty instant noodle soup can resupply our body with liquid, minerals, and nutrients after a long hiking trip in the forest.

European visitors were taking rainforest tour in Manokwari

Birdwatchers need to bring their own devicee such as binoculars, spotting scope on a tripods (optional) and cameras, torch or flashlight.

Regular daily flight services between Manokwari (the capital of West Papua province) and major cities in Indonesia are provided by Lion Air, Batik Air, and Sriwijaya Air. 

International visitors who want to travel to Indonesia need to read the entry procedure from the official website of Indonesian immigration office at this address: imigrasi.go.id. Visitors must also follow strict health protocol during their trip to Indonesia. Because most of the birdwatching trip is conducted in remote forest, visitors will not interact with crowded people such as public areas in cities. 

After spending time in the forest to watch birds and other wild animals, visitors could enjoy swimming at the beach. There are a lot of coral reef sites in West Papua. Important marine protected areas include islands in Teluk Wondama Bay, and Raja Ampat. 

Swimming at the beach is considered as a good way to neutralize the itches on the skin of visitors caused by insect bites. 

Visitors need to bring their own mask, snorkel and swim fins. 

Some European visitors were enjoying snorkeling

These snorkeling device will allow them to see beautiful marine life at the beach.  This was written by Charles Roring.

I have created a number of drawings that readers can buy, in the form of t-shirts, mugs, cell phone cases, stickers, etc. to support this blog. Please, click the following pictures to visit the merchandise store and choose the products that you are interested in. Thank you for supporting this blog.

Colored pencil drawing of Lesser Birds of Paradise

Vector illustration of Lesser Birds of Paradise

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder

Wildlife Watching Tour in Wondama Regency

Wondama is a beautiful regency in West Papua province of Indonesia. It is a destination for visitors who like to explore the tropical rainforest that is the habitat of colorful birds, reptiles, mammals, and unique insects as well as the coral reef that is teeming with abundant marine life.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

The islands of Wondama regency are surrounded by pristine coral reef. To enjoy swimming and snorkeling there, visitors need to bring their own snorkeling device such as mask, snorkel and swim fins. Striped-surgeonfish, Moorish Idol, Butterflyfish and Anemonefish are some of the many fishes which visitors can see while snorkeling over the coral reef. 

After traveling around the beautiful tropical islands, visitors can go hiking in the forest of just a little outside Wasior town and its surroundings to see Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, and a lot more. There are cuscus possum, monitor lizard and deer in the forest of Wondama. Visitors need binoculars, spotting scope and camera with telephoto lens such as Nikon P1000 to take pictures of these animals.

To reach Wasior town, visitor can fly to either Jakarta, Denpasar, Surabaya or Manado city in Indonesia. After that, they could continue their trip to Manokwari city. Airlines such as Sriwijaya, Batik Air and Lion Air provide regular domestic flight services from the above cities to Manokwari. From Manokwari, visitors could go to Wasior town by passenger boat MV Margareth or by small passenger aircraft - the Cessna Caravan operated by Susi Air. 

Flight route to Wondama

At the moment, visitors who want to enter Indonesia need to undergo strict health protocol and procedures in order to visit Wondama. 

I hope that the situation will be improved in the future so that more visitors could travel to West Papua again. 

Please, support this blog by buying some merchandise that I offer in my redbubble shop in the form of drawings and vector illustration printed on such products as sticker, mug, t-shirt, skirt, bag, and etc.

Blyth's Hornbill - the symbol of eternal love

Digital Drawing of a male Lesser Birds of Paradise

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder