Bird Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu and Sonder's Farm Forest of North Sulawesi

A Trip Report by Charles Roring

Manado city - Temboan Hill - Tangkoko Nature Reserve

In late April 2025, I guided a Dutch photographer on 1 week bird photography tour across Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. I met my client at Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city and then continued our trip by car to Tangkoko Nature Reserve. It took around 2 hours to reach it. For the next 4 days 3 night s exploring the forest of Tangkoko, the coastal area of Batu Putih village, Temboan Hill, the man-made lake. There we watched and photographed a lot of species of birds. It was th first place that we stopped to watch and take pictures of birds. 

Lilac Kingfisher

Temboan Hill at the edge of Tangkoko Nature Reserve

For photographer, Temboan Hill is the most recommended site to visit. A D-SLR camera with 600 mm lens is the recommended device. There, we saw and photographed Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Gray-cheeked Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo. We spent several days walking inside the rainforest of Tangkoko which was the habitat of kingfishers. There were Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher. Ashy Woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Blue-backed Parrot, White-necked Myna could also be seen there. We tried to find Great-billed Kingfisher along the riverside but we were not so lucky. We saw the bird but it was impossible to take picture of the kingfisher. He was sitting on a big branch of a tree behind twigs and leaves. We could only see other birds such as Barred Rail, Little Egret and Nankeen Night Heron. The parking lot of Tangkoko was a good site for observing Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. We saw some interesting birds there too including Speckled Boobook, Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

At night, we saw and photographed Sulawesi Scops Owl. It was sitting on the branch of a tree near the birding lodge where we stayed. In the morning we saw Isabelline Bush-hen was swimming in a "little water pond" in the middle of the unpaved road that connected our birding lodge with the main road.

There was a man-made lake located between Temboan Hill and Batu Putih village where the birding lodges and homestays were. Oriental Darter, Purple-winged Roller, Slender-billed Crow, Little Grebe, Little Heron, White-breasted Waterhen were seen there.

Bird Photography Trip in the forest of Mount Mahawu

Tangkoko - Manado city - Tomohon - Lake Linow

We continued our trip to Tomohon town which was around 2 hours ride from Tangkoko. There were several birding sites that we visited during our 3 days/2 nights in Tomohon. Lake Linow was the first site that we went to after arriving in Minahasa highland. For water birds, we went to Lake Linow. 

We saw and photographed Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, Barn Swallow. We saw terns sitting on the other side of the lake. It was difficult to identify them, too far. We could not spent much time at the lake. Heavy rain started to cover the lake area and its surroundings. 

Lake Linow in Minahasa highland

Tomohon town - Mount Mahawu

In Mount Mahawu, we saw and photographed the famous Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, Warbling White-eye, Turquoise Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher and etc. Going to Mount Mahawu too early in the morning was not always a good idea. When we arrived there was strong wind, and the whole forest was covered by fog. In addition to Mount Mahawu, we also visited a restaurant that was surrounded by flower garden. Sulawesi Myzomela, Sahul Sunbird and Yellow-sided Flowerpecker were the birds that we saw there.

Sonder's Farm Forest

We also went to Sonder's farm forest, around 30 minutes drive from Tomohon town. We saw Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Black Sunbird, Yellow-billed Malkoha. On my previous trip to that site in one morning I saw Black Kite, Sulawesi Goshawk, Black-naped Oriole and White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Black-faced Munia, White-breasted Woodswallow. Sonder's farm forest was not a pristine forest but has got good open areas to watch and photograph birds. Actually there were several more birding sites in Subdistrict Sonder that we had not visited during this trip.

In our last day in Tomohon, we visited Mount Mahawu again in the afternoon. We saw the Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, and a lot of small birds that I have mentioned above. There was Superb Fruit-dove but he flew when we walked closer to photograph him. We left Tomohon for Manado city at around 10:00 a.m. Arriving at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, I said thank you, good bye to my client. 

This short trip report is written by Charles Roring from birdingsulawesi.com

Also read:

• Wildlife Watching and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland

• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Brown-throated Sunbird

This is the picture of Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis celebensis) that was taken in the small forest of Tounelet village in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency.  The bird, according to Wikipedia, has got a thick bill with an average length of 14 cm. It can be found in open forest, along the roadside where there are flowering plants or in coconut plantations. The bird likes the nectar of coconut flower. The male bird is more colourful than the female one. 

Brown-throated Sunbird

The Brown-throated Sunbird looks similar to Sahul Sunbird (Cynniris frenatus) whose habitat is the same. 

Sahul Sunbird

The tropical rainforest and farmland of North Sulawesi from Tangkoko Nature Reserve to Mount Mahawu and Sonder's forest are the habitat of various species of sunbirds such as Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, and Black Sunbird.

Crimson Sunbird

There are also a lot of other species of birds in Minahasa Peninsula which visitors could watch including Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Pitta, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Myzomela, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Ashy Woodpecker, Pygmy Woodpecker, and etc. 

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Sonder's forest, and Tincep's ricefield and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Wildlife Watching and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland 
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland

Sooty-headed Bulbul in the Farmland of Minahasa

In Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi, Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) is one of the most common birds that people can see in cities, towns and villages. 

In Greek, the term Pynonotus is formed from two words, i.e. puknos which means thick or compact; and nōtos meaning backed (nōton back). The term aurigaster consists of two Latin words: aurum meaning gold, and gaster meaning belly.

People in Indonesia call it Kutilang. According to e-bird, Sooty-headed Bulbul is considered as a sensitive bird. As a matter of fact, the bird is not sensitive at all in Minahasa peninsula.  

Sooty-headed Bulbul

The songbird is traded as caged bird in several parts of Indonesia because people like listening to their songs. Sooty-headed Bulbul. This bird helps farmers by feeding on insects in farmland areas. However, it can also be considered as pets because it eats fruit. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul in Sonder town of Minahasa regency

There are also other common birds that we can see in Minahasa highland especially throughout its small towns and villages. They include Eurasian Treesparrow, Sahul Sunbird, Slender-billed Crow, Cattle Egret, and Zebra Dove. 

As a tourist guide in Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi, I offer birdwatching tour for visitors who want to watch the avifauna of this region. 

Birdwatching is an interesting tourism activity for nature lovers. Visitors can watch various species of birds as well as other animals when walking in outdoor environment. 

Sonder town in Minahasa regency

The highland of Minahasa has got a lot of beautiful landscapes. Tour participants can enjoy birdwatching and at the same time seeing the beautiful nature of the highland.

If you are interested in exploring the farmland and forest Minahasa for birdwatching and sightseeing, please, contact me Charles Roring by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Warbling White-eye
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Collared Kingfisher 

Warbling White-eye

I often do birdwatching trip in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland. One of the birds that I see is Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). This is a small bird that likes to hop on the twigs of shrub plants that grow along the roadside of hills in Minahasa. 

Warbling White-eye

According to ebird, this bird can be found in Indonesian islands, the Philipines, coastal area of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korean peninsula and even upto Russian Far Fast.  In Wikipedia, it says that the bird is omnivorous meaning that it eats various kinds of food from berries to insects and seeds. Therefore, ecologically, the bird plays very important role as seed dispersers and as predator of small insects that are often considered by farmers as pest. So, this tiny bird is an unsung hero in agriculture. 

Warbling White-eye

In Minahasa highland, this Warbling White-eye lives in the mountains where the daily temperature is cools. 

The bird has got olive head, neck and wings with bright yellow throat and white-grayish underparts. It has got black pointy bill and white-eye ring. 

In addition to Warbling White-eye, other birds that I see during my birding walk in Minahasa highland include Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Drongo, White-eyed Drongo, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and a lot more. 

As a tourist guide, I offer birdwatching and butterfly watching tours to tourists who plan to visit Manado city in North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. 

If you are interested in taking a vacation to Indonesia and want to me organize your nature tour in Minahasa highland, you could contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Wildlife Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Hiking Tour and Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Butterflywatching in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding and Butterflywatching in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding and Photography Tour in North Sulawesi

Nature Tour Around Manado City

As a tourist guide, I offer nature tours around North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. The outskirts of Manado city consist of hills and farmlands. They are attractive for visitors who want to see beautiful nature, watch birds and butterflies as well as see wonderful view of the landscape or seascape around Manado city. Here are some of them:

Pasal Beach in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia

• Makatete Hills - located in the south of Manado city, this place can be reached by car or motorcycle. From Sam Ratulangi International Airport, it takes around 50 minutes to reach it when the traffic is not congested. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of Manado city while having a cup of tea or coffee with some fried bananas at the café that is built on the hill.

Makatete Hills are located in the south of Manado city

• Another site near Manado city that offers magnificent view of the sea and Bunaken islands is Mount Tumpa. Visitors could see Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Mantehage and Nain. In addition to enjoying the beautiful view of the seascape of Manado city, visitors could enjoy watching birds and butterflies of North Sulawesi in Mount Tumpa. There are such birds as Zebra Dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Red Jungle Fowl, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pale Blue Monarch, Slender-billed Crow, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Finch-billed Myna and etc. 

Tunan Waterfall

• Tunan Waterfall - This natural tourist attraction is located near Sam Ratulangi International Airport. It takes around half and hour to reach the waterfall. Visitors who want to visit this place need to wear rubber boots or sandals that have grips so that they could walk along the slippery concrete path. Green plants grow along both sides of the path. Various kinds of butterflies could be seen around the waterfall. 

Farmland in Talawaan village near Manado city

• Talawaan Farmland is the land area around Talawaan village. Local people grow various kinds of crops including papaya, avocado, coconut, corn, jackfruit and etc. Visitors could walk along the road to see the green crops,  as well as watch birds and butterflies around the area. Birds such as Green Imperial Pigeon, Collared Kingfisher, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Slender-billed Crow, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove could be watched in this area. 

Minahasa Highland Tour

Birds in Minahasa Highland

Collared Kingfisher

Extended Tour to Tomohon and other places of Minahasa Highland

There are still a lot of interesting places that we could see if we extend our tour to Minahasa highland such as Tomohon town, Subdistrict Sonder, Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Pine Forest, Tincep Village, Langowan, and etc. 

If you are interested in taking a land tour around Manado city and up to Minahasa highland, and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your trip, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts:

• Minahasa Highland Tour
• Birding in Mount Mahawu and Lake Linow of Tomohon Municipality
• Sightseeing and Birdwatching Tour in the Ricefield of Sonder

Minahasa Highland Tour

The highland of Minahasa is located in the Province of North Sulawesi. It is a beautiful destination for tourists who love nature and culture. There are volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, farmland, rice fields, rivers, valleys and a lot of villages. Most of the inhabitants of Minahasa highland work as farmers. They grow rice, corn, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, chilli, spring onion, rambutan, peanuts, clove, and a lot more. They also run pig fig and fish farming. 

Subdistrict town of Sonder

Visitors who are interested in spending their holiday time in Indonesia can travel to Minahasa highland. They need to fly from their country to Jakarta which is the capital of Indonesia. After that they could continue their trip by taking a domestic flight to Manado city. Airlines that provide regular flights between Manado and major cities include Garuda, Citilink, SuperAir Jet, Lion Air, Batik Air and TransNusa. It is the capital of North Sulawesi Province. After that, the next trip is by car. Most visitors go to Tomohon town. There are hotels and homestays in Tomohon which they can choose to stay. Another destination is Subdistrict Sonder. Visitors can stay in the homestays that are located in that small town. 

Minahasa Highland Tour

Visitors could enjoy hiking and sightseeing in Mount Mahawu. There are concrete stairs that lead visitors to its crater. There are also concrete paths that stretch along the slopes of the volcano. They can be used by visitors to explore plants, birds, insects, reptiles and mammals of Mount Mahawu. For visitors who love birdwatching. They could find Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Turquoise Flycatcher, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and etc. 

Another interesting site near Tomohon is Pine Forest. It has got pine trees that grow around the slopes of sulphuric pond. Visitors could enjoy soaking their bodies in the hot spring water of the sulphuric pond that, according to local people, is good for curing skin disease.

Flowers along the roadside of Tincep Village

The subdistrict of Sonder is surrounded by farmland. Visitors could enjoy farm tour in Sonder seeing rows of clove trees along the slopes of its hills or walk through paddy fields that look like green carpet in a valley between Sonder town and Tincep village. Visitors could enjoy birdwatching and butterfly watching in Sonder. There are some eating houses or small restaurants that offer grilled pork and tilapia fish with stir fried vegetables.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Crimson Sunbird

Barred Rail

Birds that could be watched in Sonder include the Black-naped Oriole, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Malkoha, Black Kite, Black-faced Munia, Chestnut Munia, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pale Blue Monarch, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, and a lot more. 

Lake Tondano

Another attraction of Minahasa highland is Lake Tondano. It is the place where visitors go to enjoy Minahasa spicy culinary at the restaurants that are built along the side of the lakes.

Statue of Ragey in Kawangkoan town of Minahasa regency

Kawangkoan is a small subdistrict town that is surrounded by farmlands. There are shops and restaurants that sell locally made baked cookies, rroasted peanuts, steamed buns, and etc. Restaurant and eating houses in Kawangkoan are also famous for their grilled pork.  In Minahasa the grilled pork skewer is called ragey. This delicious menu is available in most towns of the region.

Farmland in Minahasa highland

Booking

If you are interested in enjoying your vacation in Minahasa highland and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Birding Tour from Manado City (3 Days/ 2 Nights)

Manado City

Manado city is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It is the destination for visitors who want to go scuba diving in Bunaken, Siladen and Lembeh Strait. It is also the main gate for visitors who want to go to Tangkoko. 

Birding tour organized from Manado city to Minahasa highland

As a tourist guide, I offer birdwatching and sightseeing tour that starts from Manado city. The tour is suitable for anyone who is a beginner in birdwatching or has just taken-up birding as a hobby for 1 or 2 years. It is also good for birders who wants to visit North Sulawesi for the first time.

Turquoise Flycatcher

The duration of the tour is from 1 to 2 days for areas around the outskirts of Manado city and up to 1 week if the tour includes the highland of Minahasa and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Here is the program for a 4-day/ 3-night birding and sightseeing tour. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

• Day 1. We will meet you at the airport or a hotel in Manado city. We will organize your transfer to Tomohon town in the highland of Minahasa. Check into homestay. Rest. After lunch, We will start our birding activity by visiting Lake Linow which is located outside of Tomohon town. Birds that we could see in this place include Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, Sunda Teal, Barn Swallow and etc. Back to Tomohon town, return to hotel. Dinner. Rest. 

Birds in Lake Linow of Minahasa Highland

• Day 2. We will wake up very early in the morning at around 05:30. We will go by car to Mount Mahawu. We will have early breakfast and then go hiking up to slope to look for Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Red Jungle Fowl, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Myzomela, and etc. We will enjoy birding until around 09:00. After that we will return to Tomohon and visit traditional market. Lunch at 12:00. Back to homestay for rest. At 15:00, we will do birding at Pine Forest to look for Gray-rumped Treeswift, Black-naped Oriole, Collared Kingfisher and Barred Rail. Back to Tomohon before dark. Dinner at 19:00. Back to homestay, rest.

Black Kite

Crimson Sunbird

• Day 3. We will start at 05:00, our destination is Sonder's hill forest. It takes around 40 minutes ride from Tomohon to the hill. We will look for Crimson Sunbird, Black-faced Munia, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Superb Fruit Dove, Barred Rail, Black Kite, Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Superb Fruit Dove, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Collared Kingfisher, Black Kite, Sulawesi Crow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Black-naped Oriole, and etc. A stop at the small forest of Tounelet will allow us to find Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sahul Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Crow, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, and etc. 

We will continue to paddy field area in Talikuran to look for White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Purple Heron, Isabeline Bush-hen, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, White-breasted Woodswallow, Zebra Dove and Collared Kingfisher. 

We will have lunch in Sonder, take a rest and then continue birding at 15:00 to Tincep village where we will look for Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Myna, and White-rumped Triller. Back to Tomohon. Dinner, rest. 

Barred Rail

• Day 4. You will wake up early in the morning. We will transfer you to Sam Ratulangi airport of Manado city. End of the trip. 

If you are interested in taking the birding tour, and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Minahasa Land Tour

Minahasa is a regency in the Province of North Sulawesi of the Republic of Indonesia. It is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing beautiful natural landscape, farmland and flower garden; watching colorful birds, butterflies; or walking through terraces of rice fields. Minahasa highland has got mountains, hills, lakes and waterfalls that are worth visiting.  

Minahasa Peninsula is an interesting destination for visitors

The tour usually starts from Manado city. We will meet participants at a hotel or at the airport. After that we will transfer them to a hotel in Tomohon town or a homestay in Sonder town.

The first place that we will visit is Lake Linow. It is a volcanic lake that is the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Sunda Teal, White-breasted Waterhen, Barred Rail, Barn Swallow, and etc. Sulphuric steam can be seen at the coast and on the surface of the lake. The steam is hot and can be dangerous. So, visitors cannot come closer to it. Lake Linow is surrounded by hills. The scenery is beautiful and tour participants can enjoy its view. 

White-breasted Woodswallow, Pale Blue Monarch, Crimson Sunbird, Collared Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul

Another interesting site that visitors can see around Tomohon is Mount Mahawu and Pine Forest. The forests in these places are the habitat of butterflies and birds. Visitors could go hiking up the slopes of Mount Mahawu to its crater or walk down the slopes to enjoy birdwatching. A lot of species of birds could be seen in these places including Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Turquoise Flycatcher and Crimson Sunbird and etc.

Palm Sugar from Minahasa

Visitors who are interested in agrotourism can explore farmlands with various kinds of agricultural produce such as palm sugar, vegetables and fruits. Farmers grow rice, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, kangkung, papaya, mango, rambutan and various other crops in their farmland.

Agricultural crops in Minahasa (corn, vanilla, clove, papaya and rice)

The next place to visit is Tincep village that is famous of its colorful flowers along the roadside and the waterfall. Before entering Tincep, visitors could see rice fields on both sides of the road. After exploring Tincep village, visitors could enjoy the view of waterfall that is surrounded by steep cliff. 

Flowers in Tincep Village

Local shops in Kawangkoan town offer roasted peanuts and locally made snacks for visitors to buy. Another important destination in Minahasa is Langowan is a town in Minahasa that is surrounded by extensive rice fields. 

Pulutan village is also another interesting place to visit by tour participants. Earthenware products are produced by villagers in this area.

Booking and More Info

To take the tour, visitors need to fly to Manado city in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia.

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

Also read:

• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding and Photography Tour in North Sulawesi
• Wildlife Watching Trip in Minahasa

Some Photos of Birds from My Birding Walk in Subdistrict Sonder

Here are some photos of birds that I took while doing birding walk in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency. 

Barred Rail in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency

The first picture is Barred Rail. This is a ground walking bird. When I took picture of this bird, it was walking on the branches of a small tree at a roadside. It was an unusual scene for the Barred Rail.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

The second picture is Sulawesi Hanging-parrot (Loriculus stigmatus). The bird was perhaps feeding on lichens of a tree in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency. I was standing on the frontyard of a villager's house that is on a hill. This allowed me to take some pictures of the bird on trees that stood at the frontyard of the house.

White-browed Crake

White-browed Crake is a very shy bird. I frequently see them walking through paddy fields in search of food. Yesterday, I tried to walk closer to take pictures of them. Unfortunately, they moved into denser rice plants. 

Scaly-breasted Munia

These three small birds that were sitting on a twig of a tree were Scaly-breasted Munia. They were considered as pests by farmers who cultivate rice in paddy fields. 

There are more birds that we can watch in Minahasa highland. I will continue to update this blog with more articles of birding in this region. 

Finch-billed Myna

If you are interested in visiting Minahasa regency in Indonesia for sightseeing, birdwatching, butterflywatching and farm tour, and want a guide to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

• Birdwatching and Photography Trip in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Hiking Tour and Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Birds of Sulawesi
• Birding and Photography Tour in North Sulawesi

Hiking Tour and Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa

Most visitors who travel to North Sulawesi want to spend their holiday doing scuba diving and snorkeling in Bunaken, Siladen and Lembeh Strait. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of other tourist attractions in the region. One of them is the natural landscape, flora and fauna of the mainland Sulawesi. The highland of Minahasa is a beautiful destination for visitors who love hiking, birdwatching, butterflywatching or wildlife watching in general. 

Walking tour in Sonder town of Minahasa Highland

Sonder town in Minahasa regency is a good destination. It is a recommended base for visitors who want to explore the nature, and culture of the Minahasan people. Sonder has got forest, farmlands and rice fields and villages which tourists can visit. 

Terraces of Paddy Fields in District Sonder of Minahasa

The small forest of Tounelet Slope in Sonder is the habitat of various species of birds including Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Slender-billed Crow, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sahul Sunbird, Slender-billed Crow, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Collared Kingfisher, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Eurasian Treesparrow, and etc. 

Farmlands, and villages in District Sonder of Minahasa

In the rice field areas of Sonder, visitors could walk along the road to enjoy the beautiful view of the agricultural land with the background hills and mountains of Minahasa. Birds such as Barred Rail, Cinnamon Bittern, Black Bittern, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Eastern Yellow Wagtail and White-browed Crake are some of the birds that can be watched in the area. 

More birds could be watched in the forest. They include such birds as Crimson Sunbird, Mountain White-eye, White-faced Cuckoo Dove.

Walking Tour Routes

Hiking trails to a lot of directions of Minahasa can be organized for visitors. One that is good for watching birds and butterflies is the route of Sonder to villages of Rambunan - Sawangan - Pinaras - Rambunan and then back to Sonder. Another interesting route for sightseeing is Sonder - Tincep - Kengkang Waterfall - Timbukar (by White Water Rafting) - Tangkuney. After that visitors can return to Sonder by car. 

Tincep is the village of flowers and butterflies

Tincep is a village that is famous for its colourful flowers, butterflies, water birds and and ricefields. Short trails for guided walking tour and birdwatching can be organized around Sonder farmlands. The walking tour route from Tounelet village to Lalek Forest - Talikuran village and back to Tounelet village is good for sightseeing. 

Tincep village, flowers and waterfall

Lalek forest is also suitable for nature lovers who want to see forest and farmland as well as birds and butterflies. Trees in this forest are tall and are the habitat of Black-naped Oriole, Hair-crested Drongo, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Hair-crested Drongo, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove Yellow-billed Malkoha, and a lot more.

Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon

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

Also read:

• Walking Tour in the Farmland of Sonder Town of Minahasa
• Nature Tour in North Sulawesi
• Manado City Tour
• Tour around the farmland of Minahasa
• Trip to Minahasa Highland