Sonder town in Minahasa highland has increasingly become an alternative destination for birdwatchers who are interested in seeing birds of Sulawesi. There are birds in higher montane forest such as Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-faced Munia, and etc.
 |
| Sulawesi Scops Owl in Subdistrict Sonder |
Birds that live in lower montane forest of Sulawesi could also be seen in Sonder. The slope of Tounelet behind Siloam Hospital is still covered by a small forest. It is the natural habitat of such birds as Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Zebra Dove, Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed), Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Pale Blue Monarch, Sahul Sunbird.
 |
| Crimson Sunbird |
The outskirts of Sonder town is mostly covered by farm forest that is the habitat of Finch-billed Myna, White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Green Imperial Pigeon, Brown-throated Sunbird, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Crow, Sulawesi Myna, and etc.
 |
| Barred Rail |
In paddy field areas of Sonder, we could see Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Isabelline Bush-hen, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, and etc.
 |
| Sulawesi Hanging Parrot |
Where is Sonder?
Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The capital of the province is Manado city. It is surrounded by hills, rivers and valleys. Visitors who want to visit Sonder town can go by car from Manado city for 1 hour.
 |
| Sonder town |
 |
| Flight routes to Manado city |
 |
| Car route from Manado city to Tomohon and Sonder in Minahasa highland |
How to get there?
Forign visitors need to fly from their country to Singapore. There are regular flight service from Scoot Air between Singapore and Manado city. There are also flights between Guangzhou of China and Manado city of Indonesia.
For foreign visitors who fly to Jakarta or Denpasar of Bali, they could take domestic flights provided by such airlines in Indonesia as Garuda, Batik, SuperAirjet, Citilink and Sriwijaya Air.
 |
| Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon |
Where to stay?
There are homestays in Sonder town and hotels in Tomohon town which visitors can choose to stay.
The birding tour in Sonder can be combined with avifauna tour in Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Tangkoko National Park. The duration of this tour is approximately 1 week.
Booking
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Sonder and other parts of Minahasa Peninsula and want us to organize your trip, please, contact us by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
