Best Birdwatching Indonesia Location
The pristine forests and national parks of Raja Ampat, Sulawesi, and Sumatra are the best birdwatching Indonesia locations, with an astounding number of bird species waiting to be observed. Let’s take a look at just a few.
Raja Ampat
Red Bird of Paradise & Wilson’s Bird of Paradise
Raja Ampat is one of the only places in the world where you can view the incredibly rare Red Bird of Paradise, famous for its stunning red plumages and the colorful Wilson’s Bird of Paradise with its striking blue, red, black, and yellow feathers and curved tail.
There are 38 species of Birds of Paradise in Papua alone, with these two being the rarest. Endemic to Batanta, Waigeo, and Gam Island, both types feed on fruits and insects and play an important role in fruit seed dispersion.
There is also a wide range of eagles, egrets, herons, doves, cockatoos, lories, kingfishers, and parrots in Raja Ampat. The male Fruit Dove is fantastically colorful, as is the Nicobar Pigeon, with its beautiful prism of metallic blue, green, orange, and copper.
Other notable birds to spot while birdwatching Indonesia in Raja Ampat would include the Black Capped or Tri-Colored Lory, Blyth’s Hornbill, Waigeo Cockatoo, Rainbow Bee-Eater, Batanta Kingfisher, Waigeo Myna and so much more.
Read more: Guide to Planning Your Raja Ampat Trip
Sulawesi
Sulawesi and Halmahera of the Spice Islands are both home to Indonesia’s largest collection of endemic bird species. Approximately 70 species are recognized, while Halmahera has 24 endemic bird species. It is also home to the fabulous Wallace's Standardwing, one of the most amazing Birds of Paradise.
Maleo Senkawor
This critically endangered bird looks like a cross between a chicken and a turkey, but it can grow up to five times the size of a chicken. It has rose pink breasts, a blue crown and orange and green-rimmed eyes, a small head and large feet. Females lay their eggs in a deep hole in the sand and leave them to incubate through solar or volcanic heating.
Standard-winged Bird of Paradise
Also known as Wallace’s standardwing after British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, this striking bird is approximately 28 cm long - the male has a violet-and-lilac crown and emerald-green breast shield. Its most striking features are two pairs of long white plumes coming out from the bend of the wing.
Other unique and fascinating endemic birds you may spot in Sulawesi and Halmahera include the Black-necked Maleo, Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Sulawesi Dwarf Cassowary, and the Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle.
Sumatra
You’ll enjoy a rewarding birdwatching Indonesia experience in Sumatra, with over 400 species and 29 endemic species recorded throughout rich forests, mountains, lowlands, and coastal areas.
Sumatran Ground Cuckoo
Elusive and rare, this bird has a distinctive green plumage and will run away when spooked. It is easily identifiable via its distinctive green plumage, long broad tail, dark head, long legs, and bright blue, purple-pink, and turquoise markings around its eyes.
Graceful Pittas
A striking and small bird measuring 18cm with black coloring and reddish undertones with purple and crimson hues. The bird has vivid blue stripes running along the bottom of its wings and legs that are purple-blue or pale blue.
Other rare Sumatran birds that are also highly sought-after while birdwatching in Indonesia are Salvadori’s Pheasant, Schneider’s, and the Sumatran Cochoa.
Other endemic birds of Sumatra include the Sumatran (or Pale-headed) Frogmouth, Cream-striped and Spot-necked Bulbuls, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Treepie, Rusty-breasted and Sumatran Wren-Babblers, Shiny and Sumatran Whistling Thrushes and the Sumatran Green Pigeon.
