Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland, Snorkeling in Bunaken Islands of North Sulawesi

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa highland. It is a new destination for visitors who love exploring mountainous region whose land is covered by forest, and farmland.

Farm Tour -  Talking a walking tour along this farm area will allow tour participants to see various kinds of agricultural crops that are being grown by local farmers, meet local villagers in their daily life and watch birds and butterflies that thrive in the farm forest of Subdistrict Sonder. Local farmers grow vegetables, fruits, beans and grain such as: cabbage, spring onion, spinach, carrot, tomato, chilli, cucumber, pumpkin, chayote, rambutan, mango, avocado, rice, corn, peanuts, and red bean. They also grow agricultural industrial crops such as vanilla, clove, nutmeg and patchouli. 

Birdwatching Tour - Hiking, sightseeing, birdwatching are popular activities which tourists can do while spending their holiday in North Sulawesi. They could see various species of birds. Some of them are listed below:

Birds in the Farm Forest of Subdistrict Sonder

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

• Bay Coucal
• Black-billed Koel
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Hair-crested Drongo (White-eyed)
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sahul Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Crimson Sunbird
• Black Sunbird
• Gray-sided Flowerpecker
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Warbling White-eye
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Barred Rail
• Black-naped Oriole
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
• Pygmy Hanging Parrot
• Purple Heron
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Javan Pond Heron
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Barred Rail
• Buff-banded Rail
• Isabelline Bush-hen
• White-browed Crake
• Collared Kingfisher
• Finch-billed Myna
• Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Sulawesi Crow
• Black Kite, 
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• Eurasian Treesparrow, 
• Grey-rumped Treeswift
• Glossy Swiftlet
• White-nest Swiftlet
• Barn Swallow
• and etc.

European visitors were watching birds in Sonder of Minahasa highland

Butterfly Watching -The forest, dry farmland, wet rice field and waterfall areas of Sonder are the habitat of a lot of species of butterflies. Exploring these places on foot will allow tour participants to see such butterflies as Helena's Birdwing, The Clipper, Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Meyer's Jay, and etc.

Flowers and butterfly in Subdistrict Sonder

Butterflywatching and birdwatching at the Outskirts of Manado City

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It is the destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday in Bunaken Marine National Park and Tangkoko Nature Reserve or Minahasa Highland. 

Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly

Manado city itself is surrounded by villages, farmland and forest. For visitors who are interested in nature, they could enjoy hiking, butterflywatching and birdwatching at the outskirts of Manado city. Various species of butterflies could be seen at the farm forest of Manado city. They include Gigon Swallowtail, The Clipper, Helena's Birdwing, Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, and Lime Swallowtail. 

Blanchard's Wood Nymph

For birds, there are Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Pacific Swallow, Sahul Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Crow, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc. The duration of this butterfly watching and birdwatching tour is usually half day and can be extended to full day tour to other site of Manado city.

Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve

For visitors who are keen on watching more tropical birds of Sulawesi, they could spend 3 to 4 days of their holiday time in Tangkoko forest to watch birds and other wild animals of the nature reseve. 

As a tourist guide, I could organize an extended trip to Tangkoko Nature Reserve which is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes ride from Manado city depending on the road traffic condition. A lot of birds could be found in the forest of Tangkoko including Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, White-necked Myna,  Black-naped Fruit-dove, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail, Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, and etc.

Knobbed Hornbill

Marine Tour in Bunaken Islands

After taking the hiking, farm tour, butterflywatching and birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland, the tour will be continued to Bunaken Islands where visitors could walk along white sandy beach, swim in sea water and enjoy snorkeling over coral reef area.

A lot of marine creatures could be seen underwater including sea star, sea clam, sea cucumber, christmas tree worm, sea urchin, and various species of tropical fish such as grouper, parrotfish, wrasse, anemonefish, trevally, damsel, lionfish.

Nain Atol Sandbank

To take pictures of the marine life, tour participants need to bring an underwater camera such as Nikon W300, Olympus TG-7 or Go Pro camera. 

Tour participants can bring their own snorkeling equipment such as the mask, snorkel and fins. They could also rent it from dive centers in Bunaken. 

Marine Tour in Bunaken Islands

Flight Routes to Manado city

To take this birding tour in Sonder of Minahasa highland and snorkeling tour in Bunaken islands, tour participants need to fly to Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province. Direct flight from Singapore and Manado is served by Scoot Air. For visitors who fly from Guangzhou to Manado, the flights are served by TransNusa and China Southern Airlines. For visitors who are already in Indonesia, they can fly from any major cities in such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Ternate, and Sorong by Garuda, Lion Air, Batik Air, SuperAirjet, and Wings Air. 

Flight routes to Manado city

Booking - If you are interested in traveling to Manado city of Indonesia 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:

• Bird Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Bird List for Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Snorkeling At the Shore of Bunaken and Hiking Tour in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Marine Tour - Bunaken National Park is a famous destination for visitors who love swimming and snorkeling, it is the natural habitat of a lot of marine creatures from such tropical fish as parrotfish, moorish idol, butterflyfish, anemonefish and etc. Bunaken and its nearby islands are surrounded by coral reef. The nearest one is Siladen which is circled by white sandy beach and coral reef.

These islands can be visited by speedboats. Usually the duration of snorkeling tour in Bunaken lasts for 3 to 4 days. This can be combined with walking tour around the island to see how villagers live in their daily life. Birdwatching in Bunaken islands can be done to see such birds as Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Collared Kingfisher, Whimbrel, Black-naped Tern, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Sandpiper, and etc. 

Bunaken and Manado Tua islands as seen from the beach of Siladen island

Hiking Tour and Birdwatching in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Land Tour - Sonder is a small subdistrict town that is located in the middle of Minahasa Highland. It is surrounded by hills, flatlands, ravines, rivers and water falls. The forest and farmland of Sonder are the habitat of various species of birds such as Yellow-billed Malkoha, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Finch-billed Myna, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Pale Blue Monarch, Black-naped Oriole, Bay Coucal, and Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed), and etc. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul in Tounelet Slope of Sonder town

More birds could be seen if we go trekking to higher elevation farm forest of Subdistrict Sonder. There, we could watch Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and etc. 

Pale Blue Monarch

In addition to birdwatching, tour participants could also see various species of butterflies during the walking tour in Minahasa land. 

Meyer's Jay Butterfly in Sonder of Minahasa highland

The temperature in high elevation land of Sonder is often cold especially early in the mornings, and at nights, and during wind season. However, if the weather is good with bright sunlight, the air temperature of Sonder is quite warm, around 24 to 26 during the day. 

Hiking, birdwatching and butterfly watching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Tour participants can wear breathable clothing made of cotton. The trails in Sonder and its surrounding farmland and hills are easy to be explored. Hiking tour is usually conducted along the farm path and along roadside. 

See Agricultural Crops

During the hiking trip, tour participants can see villagers who are working in their agricultural land. They grow corn, carrot, red beans, papaya, banana, cabbage, tomato, spring onion and etc.

Corn, vanilla, papaya, clove and rice are agricultural crops in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour in Bunaken as well as a hiking and birdwatching tour in Subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts:

• Snorkeling in Bunaken: Exploring the Underwater Wonders of North Sulawesi
• Snorkeling in Bunaken, Hiking Tour in Minahasa Highland

Hiking and Birding Tour in the Farmland of Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency of Indonesia. It is surrounded by agricultural land, wet rice field, forest, and rivers. The best way to explore Sonder is by walking through its land and villages. There are 19 villages in Subdistrict Sonder. All of them have got their own unique natural attractions. There are several interesting sites for hiking, sightseeing, birding and butterfly watching in Sonder. The hill road that connects villages between Tomohon town and Sonder can be explored on foot expecially early in the morning. Along the road, tour participants could see teakwood, pine, jackfruit, coconut and durian trees. Villagers also grow food crops such as red bean, cabbage, banana. There are bamboo plants too. 

Hiking Road between Tomohon and Sonder

Food crops provide food not only for human but also animals especially birds. When visitors along the roadside, they could various species of birds such as Black-naped Oriole, Hair-crested Drongo, Black-billed Koel, Collared Kingfisher, Bay Coucal, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sahul Sunbird, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Crow, and etc. 

Bay Coucal

Tour participants need good binoculars to watch these birds. The standard sizes are 8×42 mm, 10×42 mm and 10×50 mm. Famous brands such as Nikon, Swarovski, Leica can be bought through stores that provide equipment for outdoor activities. If tour participants are interested in birdwatching, a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod will also be needed. 

Collared Kingfisher

Hair-crested Drongo

For tour participants whose hobby is taking pictures of plants and animals for social media, the most affordable device will be bridge camera. There are Nikon P1000, Canon SX70HS. Photographers usually bring heavier D-SLR or mirrorless cameras with telephoto lenses.

Hiking and birding in higher elevation forest will allow tour participants to see more tropical birds of Sulawesi such as Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, and etc.

Subdistrict Sonder also has got wet paddy fields areas. They are the habitat of grass birds and water birds such as White-browed Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Black-faced Munia, and etc.  

The duration of hiking, birding, butterfly watching in Minahasa highland is usually 3 to 4 days. This tour also includes walking tours in the villages to see the local Minahasan people live in their daily life.

Sonder of Minahasa highland

Booking

If you are interested in taking this hiking tour in Minahasa highland and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your tours, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Snorkeling in Bunaken and Hiking Tour in Minahasa Highland

Bunaken islands are located in the northwest of Manado city. It is an important destination for visitors who love snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin watching, and any marine tours. Bunaken, Siladen,  Manado Tua, Nain, are surrounded by coral reef which is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures from colourful tropical fish to sea star, urchin, and christmas tree worm.

White sandy beach of Bunaken

They could be seen if visitors swim in the blue seawater by wearing snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins. Scuba diving is a favorite activity for visitors who have got certificates of PADI, SSI or CMAS, NAUI, or SDI. For ordinary visitors who do not have scuba diving certificates, swimming and snorkeling are easier, safe and more affordable. 

Tropical Fish in Coral Reef of Bunaken Islands

The duration of stay for snorkelers can be as short as 3 days to 1 week. The snorkeling holiday in Bunaken island can be combined with birdwatching to see Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Sulawesi Crow and other sea birds such as Black-naped Tern, Pacific Golden Plover, Whimbrel and etc.

Mount Manado Tua, and some part of Bunaken island as seen from the white sandy beach of Siladen island

In addition to swimming and snorkeling holiday in Bunaken, visitors could combine it with tour to Minahasa highland where visitors could enjoy walking tour through farmland to see farmers working in their gardens, watch various species of birds and butterflies as well as see the Minahasan villagers in their daily life. 

If the sea is calm and the weather is good, a trip to Nain island will allow visitors to see the beautiful view of Nain Atol seascape. 

Hiking, Birdwatching, Butterfly Watching, Village Tour in Minahasa Highland

There are several interesting sites in Minahasa Highland. They can be explored in 3 to 4 days hiking, wildlife watching and sightseeing tour. Some of them are described as follows: 

Birds in Sonder's Farm Forest of Minahasa Highland

• Tomohon - this is a town in Minahasa that is the main gate for visitors who want to explore Minahasa highland. There are hotels, guesthouses in Tomohon which visitors could choose to stay. Local people in North Sulawesi call Tomohon as the town of education. There are schools and universities in Tomohon. 
• Mount Mahawu for hiking, sightseeing, birdwatching and butterfly watching. . For nature lovers, Mount Mahawu is an important of destination for watching and photographing such birds as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Myzomela and etc.
• Lake Linow is the site for sightseeing and birdwatching. There are birds such as White-breasted Waterhen, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Barn Swallow, Collared Kingfisher, Sunda Teal and etc.
• Sonder Farm Forest - This is an agricultural land of Subdistrict Sonder. Visitors could enjoy walking tour through this dry agricultural land to see various kinds of food crops that local farmers grow. There are corn, peanuts, banana, avocado, spring onion, red beans, tomato, cabbage which tour participants could see when doing walking tour in Minahasa. 
• Sonder Hill - This is the mountainous areas of Minahasa highland that is covered by farm forest. This is the site for nature lovers to see such birds as Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, and etc. Butterfly watching can also be done in Sonder hill. Various species of butterflies could be seen in the forest of the hill. They include Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Ghost, The Clipper, and Helena's Birdwing Butterfly, and etc.
• Paddy Field of Sonder - The terraces of rice field in Subdistrict Sonder are the habitat of various species of birds such as Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Javan Pond Heron, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, and etc.

Forest, agriculture land and waterfall in Minahasa highland

Butterflies in Sonder Farhighlan

Flying to Manado city

To enjoy snorkeling holiday in Bunaken islands as well as hiking, birding and sightseeing in Minahasa highland, visitors need to fly to Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. There are regular flights that connect Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. There are also flights that connect Manado and Guangzhou that are served by China Southern Airlines and Trans Nusa. Manado city can also be reached from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Ternate and Sorong city. These domestic flights are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air,  Super Airjet, Batik Air, and Trans Nusa.

ARJ 21 of TransNusa Airline at Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city

Traveling to North Sulawesi

Booking

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour in Bunaken islands and hiking, birdwatching and village tour in Minahasa highland, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Related Post:

• Snorkeling at the Shore of Bunaken, Hiking in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Snorkeling in Bunaken: Exploring the Underwater Wonders of North Sulawesi

Birds in Mount Mahawu

Mount Mahawu is located near Tomohon town of Minahasa highland. It is a favorite destination among birdwatchers who want to see tropical birds of Sulawesi especially the ones that live in higher elevation forest. 

Some Birds in Mount Mahawu

Here are some of the many birds which visitors could find in Mount Mahawu: Sulawesi Myzomela, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Citrine Canary  Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Red Jungle Fowl, Collared Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Isabelline Bush-hen, Bay Coucal, and etc. 

Mount Mahawu is located near Tomohon town. Tomohon is also called the town of flower. Every year, local government and the town dwellers of Tomohon celebrate Flower Festival which attract domestic and international visitors. 

Birding activity in Mount Mahawu can be extended to other areas in Minahasa highland such as Lake Linow, and Subdistrict Sonder.

Some Birds in Subdistrict Sonder

Subdistrict town Sonder is relatively a new birdwatching destination in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. Various species of birds could be watched in Subdistrict Sonder. Some of them are listed as follows:

• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• Collared Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Crimson Sunbird
• Sahul Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Purple Heron
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Glossy-swiftlet
• White-nest Swiftlet
• White-browed Crake
• Barred Rail
• Buff-banded Rail
• Zebra Dove
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
• Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo
• Sulawesi Crow
• Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed)
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Sulawesi-crested Myna
• Finch-billed Myna
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
• Pygmy Hanging Parrot
• Black-naped Oriole
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Sulawesi Bush Warbler
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Warbling White-eye

Black-crowned White-eye

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Mount Mahawu and Subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts:

• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Farmland Tours in Sonder Town
• Guided Birding Walk and Sightseeing Tour in Manado
• Tour Around The Farmland of Minahasa
• Farm Tour in Minahasa Highland

Birding in Tomohon of Minahasa Highland

Tomohon is a small town in the highland of Minahasa. It is surrounded by villages, mountains, and agricultural lands. 

Warbling White-eye

Tomohon is the recommended destination for visitors who are interested  in watching tropical birds of Sulawesi that live in higher elevation forest. The duration of birding activity in Tomohon and its surrounding forest is between 3 to 4 days. There are a few birding sites around Tomohon. 

Crater of Mount Mahawu

• Mount Mahawu - This is an important destination for birdwatchers and photographers who want to see Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and Sulawesi Pitta, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Black-crowned White-eye and etc. Visitors usually go by car or motorcycle to the forest of Mount Mahawu that is located near its crater. In general, the recommended time for birding is around 06:00 in the mornings. However, the top region of Mount Mahawu is usually covered by fog. The fog begin to disappear when sunlight starts to warm up to canopy of the forest causing the fog to evaporate. Visitors can start birding at around 08:00 if they want to avoid the fog. 

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

• Lake Linow - This is a volcanic lake that is locatee around twenty minutes drive from Tomohon. Birds that could be watched in and around the lake include White-breasted Waterhen, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, Barn Swallow, Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, and etc.

Birding in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency

• Subdistrict Sonder - This is another small town that is surrounded by mountains, hills, agricultural land and paddy fields. A lot of species of birds could be watched Sonder. In higher elevation forest, the species of birds are relatively similar. They include Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird. In lower montane farm forest, visitors could watch Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Crow, Sahul Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, and etc.

Water fall and flowers in Tincep

The waterfall area near Tincep village is the habitat of Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and etc. It is also great place to observe various speciea of butterflies. 

Accommodation

There are hotels, homestays which visitors could choose to stay when spending their birding holiday in Tomohon. 

How to reach Tomohon

Tomohon can be reached by car from Sam Ratulangi airport of Manado city.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Tomohon and its surrounding forest and farmland and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.  

Birding in Sulawesi's Minahasa Peninsula

The Peninsula of Minahasa is located in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. It is a popular destination for visitors who love to watch birds and other wild animals in tropical rainforest of Sulawesi island. There are several interesting sites for birding in this region. They are described as follows:

Green Imperial Pigeon

• The Outskirts of Manado city - This birding site is suitable for visitors who only have got limited time and want to enjoy an outdoor activity instead of staying all day in the hotel. It is the site to watch Sahul Sunbird, Pacific Swallow, Pale Blue Monarch, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc.
• Mount Mahawu is located near Tomohon town. It is the destination for visitors who want to see Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and Sulawesi Pitta. However, it is also the habitat of a lot of other birds including Superb Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye and etc.
• Lake Linow is located near Lahendong village in Minahasa Highland and is the natural habitat of a lot of water birds such as Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, Sunda Teal, Barn Swallow and etc.
• Subdistrict Sonder - This is a small town in Minahasa regency that is surrounded by hill forest, various agricultural trees, rice fields, rivers and water falls. Sonder is suitable for visitors who love easy birding. They can walk along a clear road, or walking path through farmland to watch such birds as Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Barn Swallow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo, Sulawesi Scops Owl, and etc.
• Tangkoko Nature Reserve is the habitat of a lot of tropical birds that live in lowland and lower montane forest such as Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, White-necked Myna, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Green Imperial Pigeon, and etc.

Birding activity could be carried out all year round. Visitors need to bring 8×42; 10×42 or 10×50 mm binoculars made by Nikon, Swarovski, Leica and etc. For bird photographer, they usually bring D-SLR or mirrorless camera with telephoto lens. 

Accommodation

In Tangkoko, there are homestays, lodges that are suitable for birdwatchers who want to stay for several days. In Minahasa highland, for birding in Mount Mahawu; Sonder; and Lake Linow, visitors could stay in a hotel in Tomohon town. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi of Indonesia and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birding in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat

I organize tours for visitors who are interested in exploring rainforest and watching tropical birds of Raja Ampat and North Sulawesi. Here is the program:

Birding, Swimming and Snorkeling in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

Day 1

You arrive at Domine Eduard Osok Airport of Sorong city. I or my team will meet you at the airport and organize your transfer to ferry harbor and then cross the sea by fast passenger ferry to Waigeo island. We need approximately 2 hours to reach it. 

Arriving at Waisai harbor, we will go by car to a resort located at the southern coast of Waigeo island. We may stop several times along the way to watch such birds as Papuan Eclectus, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra or White-breasted Woodswallow, and Pacific Swallow. We will check into the resort and then take a rest for around 1 or 2 hours depending on the time you need to restore your energy. 

We could do birdwatching inside the complex area of the resort to look for Mimic Honeyeater, Palm Cockatoo and Helmeted Friarbird. 

After lunch, you could enjoy swimming and snorkeling. 

Day 2

Wake up at 04:00 in the morning and make preparation. After having some coffee or tea, we will leave the resort at 04:30 by car for a forest area locates on the hill of Waigeo island. We will watch Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise until around 08:30. We will walk back to main road while looking for such birds as Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, and Blyth's Hornbill. 

We will return to resort by car again. Along the way, we could stop to fined birds such as Red-cheeked Parrot, Pink-spottee Fruit-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Pied Imperial Pigeon.

Back to the resort, we could take a rest or do easy birding to find Brown Oriole, Osprey, Pacific Reef Heron and etc.

During the day, tour participants could enjoy swimming and snorkeling. 

Night birding could be done to find such birds as Papuan Frogmouth, Marblee Frogmouth, or even the Hook-billed Kingfisher.

Day 3

We will do birding to find birds that we haven't seen such as Shining Flycatcher, Metallic Starling, Moustached Treeswift, and Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, and etc.

After lunch, we will return to Sorong city by ferry. Check into hotel, rest. 

Birding in North Sulawesi

Day 4.

We will go to airport and then fly to Manado city. Arriving at Sam Ratulangi Airport, we will continue our trip by car to Tomohon town. It takes around 45 minutes to reach it if the traffic is good. We will first go to Lake Linow to watch such birds as Little Egret, White-breasted Waterhen, Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Sunda Teal, Barn Swallow and etc.

Night birding could be organized along the slope of Mount Mahawu to look for such birds as Sulawesi Scops Owl and Speckled Boobook. 

Birds of North Sulawesi

Day 5

We will wake up early in the morning to find such birds as Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Turquoise Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, and etc. 

After that we will explore farm forest of Sonder to look for Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-faced Munia, Chestnut Munia, White-breasted Woodswallow, Gray Wagtail, Black Kite, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye.

We could also watch birds along the slope of Tounelet village to look for such birds as Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Black-naped Oriole, Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed), Sooty-headed Bulbul and etc.

Day 6

We will explore Mount Mahawu again to find Scaly-breasted Kingfisher or Sulawesi Pitta if we haven't seen it well. There are a lot of interesting birds in the morning such as Superb Fruit-dove, Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Red Jungle Fowl, and etc. 

We will watch birds along the rice field area to look for White-browed Crake, Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Collared Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern and etc.

As we go to lower elevation forest, we will look for Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher. Night birding could be conducted again to find Speckled Boobook. 

Day 7

We will check out of the hotel early in the morning for Tangkoko Nature Reserve. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach it depending on the traffic. A short stop at Temboan hill to watch birds such as Sulawesi Hornbill, Knobbed Hornbill, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove and etc. Check into a lodge. Rest. 

Afternoon birding along a big pond to look for Purle-winged Roller, Oriental Darter, White-breasted Waterhen, Little Egret, and etc.

Day 8

We will enter the forest of Tangkoko to look for Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, White-necked Myna, and etc.

There mammals such as Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Celebes-crested Macaque, Gursky's Spectral Tarsier.

Day 9

We will go to Naun river to look for Great-billed Kingfisher. In the same mangrove forest, we may also see other birds such as Gray-rumped Treeswift, Sulawesi Crow, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, White-rumped Triller, Pied Cuckooshrike, and etc.

Day 10.

Check out of the hotel

Transfer to airport

End of Tour

Sulawesi Scops Owl

This is the photograph of Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) which I took in at the farm area of Subdistrict town of Sonder. The bird was calling at dusk. I mimicked his sound several times and in less than 5 minutes he flew to and landed on the branch of a tree near me. 

Sulawesi Scops Owl

Because the tree was located at a the side of a road, the bird was disturbed by the sounds from humans and the lights of the nearby houses. He later flew to higher branches of another tree. Fortunately, I could follow him and was able to take some photos of him. Here is some info about the nocturnal bird:

The Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) is a small owl species found only in Sulawesi and nearby islands in Indonesia — making it endemic to the region. Here’s a detailed overview:
1. Taxonomy & Classification
Scientific name: Otus manadensis
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Genus: Otus — a group of small to medium-sized owls known as scops owls.
First described in 1872 by A. B. Meyer.
2. Physical Description
Size: Around 15–17 cm in length — about the size of a sparrowhawk, but fluffier.
Plumage: Brown, rufous, or grey morphs — this variation helps them blend with tree bark.
Streaked and mottled patterns for camouflage.
Ears: Possesses small “ear tufts” (actually feather tufts, not ears).
Eyes: Large and yellow to orange, well-adapted for nocturnal vision.
3. Distribution & Habitat
Range: Only found in Sulawesi, plus nearby islands like Lembeh, Togian, and Sangihe.
Habitat: Lowland and montane forests up to around 1,800 meters above sea level.
Often near villages, plantations, and forest edges.
Behavior: Often perches quietly in dense foliage during the day, making it hard to spot.
4. Behavior & Diet
Nocturnal — active at night, resting during the day.
Diet: Insects (moths, beetles, crickets), small lizards, and sometimes small birds.
Hunting style: Hunts from a perch, swooping down to snatch prey with talons.
5. Vocalization
Famous for its distinct “poo-poo-poo” or “whit-whit” calls, repeated at regular intervals.
Calls are often the easiest way to detect them during night birding.
Males and females call to defend territories and attract mates.
6. Breeding
Breeding season likely linked to the dry season.
Nests in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or natural hollows.
Clutch size is usually 2–3 eggs.
Both parents may take part in feeding chicks.
7. Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern — relatively widespread across Sulawesi.
Main threats: habitat loss due to logging, agriculture, and land conversion.
Adaptable to secondary growth and even semi-urban habitats, which helps its survival.
8. Birding Notes
Birders often find it by listening for its repetitive nighttime calls. A flashlight will reveal its bright reflective eyes.

If you are interested in taking a bird photo tour in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa and other sites in North Sulawesi, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Bird Photography Guide in Manado city
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Malawi and Sonder's Farm Forest
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Guided Birding Walk and Sightseeing Tour in Manado City of North Sulawesi

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It has got suburban areas that are still interesting for visitors who want to enjoy birdwatching. Tropical birds that could be watched during the walking tour include: Sooty-headed Bulbul, Glossy Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Sahul Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pale Blue Monarch, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Crow and etc. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul

In addition to birds, we could also butterflies, dragonflies and beetles in the farmland areas outside of Manado city. Some of them include: Celebes-banded Swallowtail (Papilio gigon), The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia), Blanchard's Wood Nymph (Ideopsis vitrea), Common Birwing (Troides helena), Brown Pansy (Junonia hedonia), Pale Blue Tit (Hypolycaena sipylus), Manado Yellow Tiger (Parantica menadensis) and etc.

Dragonflies usually sit on the tip of grass blades or leaves of creeping plants that grow near water. Some that can be seen during the tour are Manado Grasshawk (Neurothemis manadensis), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum serapia), 

Butterflywatching in the Suburb of Manado city

Manado city is the destination for tourists who want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming in Bunaken islands and Lembeh Straight. 

Most of scuba divers cannot fly back to their countries immediately after taking the dive tour. They usually need to stay for 1 day in a hotel in Manado city. This guided birding walk that is added with city tour allows them spend time doing activities that are more interesting than just spending all day in the room of a hotel.

Extended Tour

This birdwatching tour in the suburb of Manado city can be extended to 1 more week to explore birding sites in Minahasa highland and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. 

If you are interested in taking this birdwatching tour in Manado or even throughout North Sulawesi Province, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Sonder Bird
• Tangkoko Birding
• Tangkoko Bird List
• Tour Around the Farmland of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sulawesi's Minahasa Peninsula

Scaly-breasted Munia in North Sulawesi : The Charming Little Finch of the Grasslands

The Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), also known as the Spotted Munia or Nutmeg Mannikin, is a small, social bird found across tropical Asia. It has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Beloved for its gentle nature and striking plumage, this munia thrives in open habitats and is often seen in small flocks.

Scaly-breasted Munia

Physical Characteristics

The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small bird, about 11–12 cm in length. Its most distinctive feature is the scale-like pattern on its breast and belly, formed by dark-edged white feathers, giving the bird its name. The rest of the plumage is typically brown with a slightly reddish tinge on the head and back. Both males and females look similar, making sexing by appearance difficult.

Juvenile munias lack the scaly breast and are mostly dull brown with paler underparts.

Scaly-breasted Munia in Tomohon town

Habitat and Distribution

This species is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and southern China. It prefers grasslands, open woodlands, rice fields, and even urban gardens. Thanks to its adaptability, the Scaly-breasted Munia has become a successful colonizer of new areas where it has been introduced.

Behavior and Diet

Scaly-breasted Munias are gregarious, often seen in flocks feeding on seeds and grains. Their diet mainly consists of grass seeds, millets, and occasionally small insects. In agricultural areas, they are considered as pests due to their fondness for rice and other cereal crops.

They forage both on the ground and on grass stalks, often hanging upside-down to reach seeds. Their chirping and twittering are soft but constant when in flocks.

Breeding and Nesting

The breeding season varies depending on the region but often coincides with the monsoon or rainy season. Scaly-breasted Munias build a globular nest using grasses and other fine plant material, usually placed in bushes, trees, or even in man-made structures.

They lay 4 to 6 white eggs, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties. The young fledge in about 3 weeks, but families often stay together for some time afterward.

Conservation Status

The Scaly-breasted Munia is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a wide range, a stable population, and is abundant in many parts of its distribution. However, localized threats include habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.

Cultural and Ecological Importance

In many parts of Asia, the Scaly-breasted Munia is a popular aviary bird due to its calm demeanor and attractive appearance. Ecologically, it plays a role in controlling grass seed populations and serves as prey for birds of prey and small mammals.

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi Province in Indonesia, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Sonder Tours
• Sonder Bird
• Minahasa Highland Tour
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Birding in North Sulawesi of Indonesia

Sulawesi is a tropical island in the Republic of Indonesia. Geographically, it is located in the trasitional zone between the continent of Asia and the continent of Australia. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

According to burung.org website, as of 2024, Sulawesi has got the highest endemic birds in Indonesia with 169 species. As a comparison, we could see the number of endemic birds in 7 avifauna regions of Indonesia below:

• Sulawesi: 169 species
• Maluku: 126 species
• Nusa Tenggara: 108 species
• Java and Bali: 80 species
• Papua: 71 species
• Sumatra: 56 species
• Kalimantan: 6 species

It is not surprising to see that Sulawesi has become one of the most popular birdwatching destinations for visitors who travel to Indonesia. There are a number of birding sites in Sulawesi. 

North Sulawesi Province: 

• Mount Mahawu higher montane forest, and Sonder farm forest are 2 important sites in Minahasa Peninsula that have got a lot of tropical birds that are endemic to Sulawesi. Some of them include: Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Woodpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Pale Blue Monarch, Ashy Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, and a lot more.
• Tangkoko is the site in Minahasa Peninsula that is suitable not only for birdwatching but also for wildlife watching. Birds that can be watched in this nature reserve are the ones that live in lowland forest, lower montane forest, coastal area and mangrove forest. They include Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, and etc.. Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Celebes-crested Macaque and Gursky's Spectral Tarsier are some of the mammals that could be seen in Tangkoko.

Gursky's Spectral Tarsier

• Mount Ambang is a higher montane forest area in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia that is the habitat of Matinan Flycatcher. Tambun Maleo Sanctuary. Manado city is the capital of the province. It is also the entry point for visitors who are interested birding in this region. 

South Sulawesi Province: Karaenta, Ramang-ramang, Malino.
Central Sulawesi Province: Lore Lindu National Park
Gorontalo Province: Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (whose territory also covers the forest area of Bolaang Mongondow regency in North Sulawesi province)

Birdwatchers usually use 8×42 mm, 10×42 mm, or 10×50 mm binoculars with such brands as Nikon, Swarovski, Leica, Bushnell and etc. They may also bring a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod.

A lot of species of birds could be watched and photographed in Sulawesi. They include: 

• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Sulawesi Myzomela 
• Warbling White-eye
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Ashy Woodpecker 
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker 
• Ashy Woodpecker
• Sulawesi Leaf Warbler 
• Sulawesi Bush Warbler
• Knobbed Hornbill
• Sulawesi Hornbill
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo 
• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
• Collared Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher
• Green-backed Kingfisher
• Great-billed Kingfisher
• Ruddy Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher
• Purple-bearded Bee-eater
• Blue-tailed Bee-eater
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Gray-sided Flowerpecker
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
• Pygmy Hanging Parrot
• Yellow-cheeked Lorikeet
• Golden-mantled Racquet-tail
• Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail (also called Minahasa Racquet-tail)
• Sahul Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Crimson Sunbird
• Black Sunbird
• White-necked Myna
• Sulawesi Myna
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
• Black-naped Fruit Dove
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Ivory-backed Woodswallow
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia doreya albicapilla)
• Black-naped Oriole
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• and etc.

As a tourist guide, we could organize a birdwatching/ photography tour for visitors who are interested in birding and photography tour in this part of Indonesia. If you are interested in taking this tour whether as an individual or as a group, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi
• Bird Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder and Mount Mahawu of Minahasa Highland