Sulawesi is a unique island. It is located in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago in the transitional region from the continent of Asia to the continent of Australia. This zone is often called Wallace region. The endemism of birds and other wildlife is very high compared to other islands in Indonesia. I personally have accompanied tourists to a a number of birding sites across Sulawesi.
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| Birdwatching in Sulawesi |
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| Some Birds from Sulawesi |
In South Sulawesi, birding sites that are good for birdwatchers include Karaenta, Ramang-ramang, and Malino highland. There, I saw Black-ringed White-eye, White-necked Myna, Common Kingfisher, Black-headed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pygmy Hornbill and Red-backed Thrush, and etc.
More unique birds could be watched if we go birdwatching in higher elevation forest of Sulawesi such as Minahasa highland. Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Black- Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker are some of the many birds that we could watch.
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| Ashy Woodpecker in North Sulawesi |
For North Sulawesi, more birding sites could be explored including Mount Mahawu, Sonder's forest, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Ambang, Maleo Sanctuary in Tambun and Dumoga Bone National Park. A lot of kingfishers could be found in Tangkoko. They are Great-billed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher. Other birds such as Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Myna, Finch-billed Myna, and Ashy Woodpecker could be seen there.
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| Sulawesi Hanging Parrot in Sonder of Minahasa Highland |
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| Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove in Sonder of Minahasa Highland |
The mountainous region of Minahasa from Tomohon to Sonder is the habitat of various species of birds such as Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Sultan's Cuckoo Dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Mountain White-eye, Sahul Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Slender-billed Crow, Cattle Egret, Little Egret. In general, visitors need to spend at least 2 weeks to explore the birding sites of this island and see birds of Sulawesi.
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| Ducula aenea at the outskirts of Manado city |
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| Black-naped Oriole in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland |
Flying Routes to ManadoThe entry point for taking birdwatching tour in Sulawesi can be Manado city first. There are regular daily flights between Manado city and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Balikpapan and Sorong city. They are served by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Citylink, Lion Air and Batik Air. There is also direct international flight from Singapore to Manado city served by Scoot Air.
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| Flying to Manado |
Booking
If you are interested in traveling to Indonesia to watch birds and wildlife in Sulawesi, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
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