Tropical Birding and Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is one of the best marine environment in the world. It has got a lot of tropical islands that are surrounded by coral reef. Most visitors go there to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. They could see various kinds of marine creatures from the tiny pygmy seahorse and to big fish like manta and dolphins. 

Raja Ampat islands are also covered by tropical rainforest which is the habitat of a lot of species of fish including Red Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Hooded Butcherbird, Helmeted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, and a lot more. 

Red Bird of Paradise

Most visitors choose Waigeo island as their choice for birding. It is easy to reach the island because there are regular ferry service that go between  Sorong city and Waigeo. 

Visiting birders also need binoculars and camera with telephoto lenses. This will enable them to watch and take pictures of birds. 

In general visitors spend around 3 to 4 days in Waigeo to watch a lot of speciea of birds there. The birding trip in Waigeo could be combined with wildlife tour in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency or the forest at the outskirts of Sorong city. 

Red and Black Anemonefish

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

Also read:

• Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
• Traveling to Raja Ampat islands
• Birding and Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Birding Tour in Sonder of Minahasa highland
• Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Minahasa Highland

Birding Tour in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in the Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a peaceful and green area with farmlands, hills, forests, and mountain slopes. The weather is cool, and the landscape is beautiful. This makes Sonder a good place for birdwatching.

Warbling White-eye

There are a lot of species of birds that live in the forest, farmland and wetland of Sonder. Some of them are endemic to Sulawesi island. Visitors who enjoy birding can walk through the villages, along the small roads, and on forest trails. Most birdwatching activities are done early in the mornings or in the late afternoons when birds are more active.

Here are some of the many birds that can be seen in Sonder:

Endemic Birds (only found in Sulawesi and nearby islands):

• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Sulawesi Babbler
• Sulawesi Leaf Warbler
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Finch-billed Myna
• White-necked Myna
• Sulawesi Myna
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sulawesi Serpent Eagle
• Black-naped Fruit Dove
• Ashy Woodpecker
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Rusty-bellied Fantail
• Sulawesi Cuckoo
• Sulawesi Goshawk
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Pale Blue Monarch

Other Birds:

• Collared Kingfisher
• Sacred Kingfisher
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Barn Swallow
• Pacific Swallow
• Uniform Swiftlet
• Grey-rumped Treeswift
• Glossy Swiftlet
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Purple Heron
• Spotted Dove
• Brown Cuckoo Dove
• Emerald Dove
• Zebra Dove
• Black-naped Oriole
• Sahul Sunbird
• Crimson Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Yellow-vented Bulbul
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow
• Mountain White-eye
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Asian Glossy Starling
• White-eyed Spangled Drongo
• Peregrine Falcon
• Brahminy Kite

Sonder town in Minahasa highland

Birdwatchers who visit Sonder town can stay in homestays in the area. They can also join a local birding guide who knows the best places to see birds. A typical birding trip can last one to three days. Local people are friendly and often help visitors find the best paths.

In conclusion, Sonder is a good destination for birdwatchers who want to see Sulawesi’s unique birds in a quiet and natural setting. The area is easy to reach from Manado and offers a great experience for nature lovers.

After taking this tour, visitors continue their trip by flying from Manado city to Sorong city to watch birds of Paradise in its rainforest. 

Birding Tour in Klasow valley of Sorong Regency

In addition to birding tour in Sonder of Minahasa highland, I also offer birding tour in Sorong Regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia. The main targets include Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-black Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Western-crowned Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Ornate Fruit Dove, Papuan Eclectus, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Black Lory, and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, and etc. 

Papuan Eclectus (female) 

In general, visitors spend between 3 to 4 days in Klasow valley to watch tropical birds of New Guinea. Birds, insects, reptiles and mammals could be watched in the forest. 

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Minahasa and Sorong regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
• Birding walk in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
• Wildlife Tours in Rainforest of Sorong