Sulawesi Myzomela

The Sulawesi Myzomela: A Hidden Gem of Indonesia’s Avian Biodiversity

 

Sulawesi Myzomela was feeding on nectar of flowers

The Sulawesi Myzomela (Myzomela chloroptera) is a striking yet little-known bird species endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Belonging to the Meliphagidae family, commonly known as honeyeaters, this small bird plays a vital ecological role in the island's unique habitats. Its vibrant appearance and specialized feeding habits make it a fascinating subject for ornithologists and birdwatchers alike.

Sulawesi Myzomela in Sonder's Farm Road

Appearance and Identification

The Sulawesi Myzomela is a small, agile bird with a body length of approximately 11–13 cm. The male is typically more vividly colored, with bright crimson or scarlet plumage on the head and chest, contrasting with its darker wings and back. The female is usually duller, with more subdued red or reddish-olive tones. Both sexes have slightly decurved, slender bills—adaptations suited for nectar feeding.

Its energetic behavior, fast flight, and preference for the upper canopy often make it a challenge to spot, but its sharp, high-pitched calls can give away its presence in the forest.

A female Sulawesi Myzomela

Habitat and Distribution

As an endemic species, the Sulawesi Myzomela is found only on Sulawesi Island, part of Indonesia's Wallacea region. It inhabits a range of forest types, including:

Primary and secondary tropical moist lowland forests

Montane forests

Forest edges and degraded areas - This adaptability allows the species to persist even in habitats impacted by human activity, though it remains dependent on areas with sufficient flowering plants for nectar.

Diet and Behavior

True to its honeyeater family, the Sulawesi Myzomela primarily feeds on nectar, using its specialized tongue and curved bill to extract it from flowers. However, it also supplements its diet with insects and spiders, especially during breeding when protein needs are higher.

The bird is often observed flitting quickly between flowering trees, exhibiting territorial behavior by chasing away other nectar-feeding species. It plays an important role as a pollinator, contributing to the reproductive success of numerous native plants.

Breeding

Relatively little is known about the breeding behavior of the Sulawesi Myzomela, but like other honeyeaters, it likely builds cup-shaped nests in shrubs or trees. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs and may raise one or two chicks per season. More field research is needed to fully understand its reproductive biology.

Conservation Status

As of the latest IUCN Red List assessment, the Sulawesi Myzomela is classified as Least Concern (LC). This is due to its relatively wide distribution across Sulawesi and its presence in various habitat types. However, ongoing threats such as deforestation, logging, and habitat conversion for agriculture and development pose long-term risks.

Efforts to conserve the biodiversity of Sulawesi—including protected areas and community-based forest management—are crucial to ensuring the survival of this and many other endemic species.

Conclusion

The Sulawesi Myzomela is more than just a beautiful bird—it is a symbol of Sulawesi’s unique ecology and a reminder of the delicate balance within tropical ecosystems. Whether seen darting through the forest canopy or heard singing from afar, this vibrant honeyeater deserves more attention from scientists and conservationists alike.

Also read:

• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Tangkoko Bird List
• Birding and Photo Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Wildlife Watching and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding and Photo Tour in Tangkoko, Mount Mahawu and Sonder's Farm Forest

Birding in Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Sonder Forest of Minahasa Highland

I guided a British tourist in early October 2024 in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The first site that we visited was Lake Linow. We watched water birds that swam, walked and flew around the lake areas such as: Sunda Teal, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-backed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Barred Rail, Barn Swallow, Whiskered Tern, Javan Pond Heron, Uniform Swiftlet, Common Sandpiper.

   Sulawesi Pitta in Minahasa Highland

Crater of Mount Mahawu and birds that could be found in the area

In the afternoon, at 15:00, we continued our trip to Mount Mahawu where we walked up the stairs that led us to its crater. It was raining at that time, the stairs were slippery. Fortunately, when we reached its top, the rain stopped. 

We saw Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black Sunbird, Turquoise Flycatcher, Glossy Swiftlet, and a large flock of Warbling White-eye in trees at the edge of the crater.

When we walked down the slope to the parking lot, we saw Sulawesi Malkoha. We continued birding along the road of Mount Mahawu where we saw White-bellied Imperial Pigeon and Gray-sided Flowerpecker.

Warbling White-eye

The next morning, we watched Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-eyed Drongo and Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela still in the slope of Mount Mahawu. There was a Sulawesi Serpent Eagle that was soaring high in the sky above the forest area of the volcano. 

Rice field in Minahasa regency

We continued our birding tour to Subdistrict Sonder that late morning. We saw Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Gray-streaked Flycatcher, Sahul Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc. I saw a Pink-necked Green Pigeon and then a Stephan's Dove that were flying down fast from the forest down the slope of Sonder's hill to the farmland area.

In late afternoon, we went birding again along the slope of Mount Mahawu. This time the bird was relatively the same as this morning and yesterday. Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Turquoise Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and etc. There were more species that we could later add in our list, i.e. Superb Fruit Dove, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, and Sulawesi Scops Owl. 

Crimson Sunbird in Sonder's forest of Minahasa

The last day of our birding trip in North Sulawesi was conducted in Sonder of Minahasa regency. We saw Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Myna, Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Lesser Fish Eagle, White-browed Crake, Collared Kingfisher, Crimson Sunbird, and Yellow-billed Malkoha. We heard the call of Bay Coucal and Isabelline Bush Hen. Unfortunately, we could not see them. 

North Sulawesi is a highly recommended destination for birdwatching and sightseeing. 

Accommodation

Most tourists who travel to the highland of Minahasa chose Tomohon town as their place to stay. There are hotels and homestays that can be booked from the internet. 

Booking

If you are interested in traveling to Manado city and doing a walking tour for sightseeing or hiking for birdwatching, and butterfly watching, and want a guide to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Black-naped Oriole
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi

Birding in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi Indonesia

The Province of North Sulawesi is a beautiful destination for visitors who love nature. Its capital is Manado city. Birdwatching is one of the popular outdoor activities which tourists can do while visiting Manado. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot in Subdistrict Sonder

Some Birds in North Sulawesi

There are a lot of birding sites which are good watching avifauna of Sulawesi. Some of them are described below:

Some birds in Subdistrict Sonder

ITINERARY

• Day 1. When you arrive in Manado city, we will meet you at Sam Ratulangi airport and organize your transfer to a nearby hotel. You will take a rest for around 2 houra. After that we will organize a short tour for you by car to Talawaan Forest - this is a good site for watching birds that live in warm tropical climate such as Asian Short-tailed Starling, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi Crow, Green Imperial Pigeon, Little Egret, Sahul Sunbird, Brown Throated Sunbird, Glossy-swiftlet, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon in this area. The magnificent scenery of Manado city with the Bunaken islands could be seen from the coast of Manado city.

Spectral Tarsier

• Day 2 - 3. We will check out of the hotel and organize your transfer to Tangkoko Batu Putih Nature Reserve. This is a great destination for birdwatching. We will spend two days here. A lot of tropical lowland birds from Sulawesi island could be watched there. They include Yellow-billed Malkoha, Black-faced Munia, Red-backed Thrush, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Hornbill, Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, White-eyed Drongo, Purple Rolling, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi-crested Myna, and a lot more. 
• Day 4-6 We will continue our trip to Sonder where you will enjoy birding and sightseeing in it's hill forest, valleys and farmland. There are various species of endemic birds such as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and Gray-sided Flowerpecker could be watched in this region. Tomohon town is also the main gate to visit Mount Subdistrict Sonder. They are highly recommended destination for visitors who love watching birds. Visitors could go hiking and birding throughout the hills, slopes and paddy fields of Sonder to watch Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Purple Heron, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Barred Rail, White-browed Crake, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Subdistrict town of Sonder is surrounded by water. There are fish ponds and rice fields that provide food for birds. Visitors who love to see farmland can go to Sonder to enjoy its natural beauty. 
• Day 7. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you to Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city again where you will continue your trip to another destination or fly back to your country.

Birds in lowland forest of North Sulawesi

Crimson Sunbird

The entry point for taking a birding holiday in North Sulawesi is Manado city. Visitors can fly from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city. Regular daily flights between Manado city and Jakarta, Makassar, Denpasar, Surabaya, Sorong are served by Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air and TransNusa. 

There are international direct flights between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. 

Flight routes between Manado city and major cities in Indonesia

There are hotels in Manado city and Tomohon that can accommodate visitors who want to stay for a few days or weeks in North Sulawesi. 

Celebes-crested Macaque

If you are interested in traveling to Manado city to see its beautiful natural landscape and watch birds and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your trip, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read: 

Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve,  Mount Mahawu and Sonder's Farm Forest of Minahasa Highland

Collared Kingfisher in Minahasa Highland

This is the photograph of Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) that I saw in Tomohon town of Minahasa.  This bird can easily be found in paddy fields, dry farmland or forest edge. It eats grasshopper, spider, lizard, snails, frog, small fish, and etc. 

Collared Kingfisher

In agricultural area, this is a natural predator that most farmers like to keep because the bird helps them kill pests from their crops.

Villagers in Minahasa highland grow produce such as rice, corn, aubergine, papaya, coconut, peanut, green bean, kidney bean, carrot, cabbage, chilli, and etc.

Agricultural produce in Minahasa highland

They supply food to various towns, and cities in North Sulawesi, Maluku and West Papua such as Tondano, Tomohon, Langowan Manado, Bitung, Balikpapan, Ternate, Ambon, Sorong, Manokwari and Jayapura.

Agricultural commodities such as clove, nutmeg and mace, vanilla and copra are sent to factories which will further be processed into various kinds of products. 

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

Also read:

• Kingfishers in Minahasa
• Birds of Sulawesi
• Birds in Minahasa
• Hiking Tour and Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Sooty-headed Bulbul