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.
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:
No comments:
Post a Comment