White-headed Shelduck

Last month I guided 4 Czech tourist on a snorkeling and sightseeing tour in Raja Ampat. We visited numerous islands including Mansuar, Kri, Kabui bay and Fam islands. We saw a lot of frigate birds, shearwater and tern.

White-headed Shelduck in Raja Ampat

In our final day in Kri island, I saw a couple of big white ducks walking at the beach. It was close enough to me. So, I aimed my camera and shot them. At that time I did not know what species they were. When I returned home I opened my fieldguide book and was able to identify the birds. They were White-headed Shelduck (Tadorna radjah).
Raja Ampat regency is also the natural habitat of Red and Wilson's birds of paradise particularly in Waigeo and Gam islands.
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you want to do birdwatching in Raja Ampat.

Large Fig Parrot from Klasow Valley

There are a lot of species of tropical birds that live in Klasow valley. One with beautiful colors is called Large Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii).

I am surprized to see that it is only a small bird. I don't know why ornitologists add the word "Large" on its name.
I used to guide 4 French tourists in January 2016. In the afternoon before sunset time, we went birding around the forest clearing in Klasow valley. Suddenly some Large Fig Parrot flew to a tree in front of us and played there for around several minutes. It was a nice birding experience to see them. We used a spotting scope to watch them.
I hope that I will be able to see them again in my next birding trip to the valley.
If you are interested in taking a birding trip in Sorong regency of West Papua, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Pinon Imperial Pigeon

Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon) live in almost all lowland areas of New Guinea. It eats fruits from the forest. The indigenous Papuan people call it Kumkum.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon) in the forest of Klasow valley, Sorong regency - West Papua

This bird is often hunted as the source of protein by the indigenous Papuan people. In recent years the population of kumkum has been decreasing rapidly particularly near cities and towns due to sport hunting activities by city dwellers who use air gun. Such practice has to be stopped by local authorities if they are really serious in preserving tropical rainforest environment.
Watching birds in the jungle is often very difficult because birds are hidden behind branches and leaves of trees. So, the best spots to see birds are along the banks of rivers or forest clearings near a village that are created by local people as their vegetable or fruit gardens. To enhance birding experience in West Papua, birders need a good pair of binoculars, spotting scope and a field guide entitled "Birds of New Guinea."
If you are interested in taking a birding tour with me as your guide/ birding companion, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Golden Myna from the Forest of Sorong Regency

Here are the pictures of Golden Myna (Mino anais) that I saw in the lowland forest of Klasow valley. It is located approximately 60 kilometers in the east of Sorong city. The best time to find this bird is between 16.00 up to 18.30 local time in the clearing areas that are made by local villagers for their vegetable garden and housings.

Golden Myna in the forest of Klasow valley, Sorong regency - West Papua

Three Golden Myna in the forest of Klasow valley

A couple of Golden Myna look very romantic while waiting for sunset because they often kiss each other.
As a tour guide, I offer birding trips to Klasow valley and other parts in West Papua for birdwatchers who want to see birds of New Guinea. A customized trip can be prepared upon request with places such as Klasow valley, Tambrauw mountains, Numfor island, Manokwari and Raja Ampat will become the vocal points of the trip. There are a lot of other birds which visitors can see during the birding tour, some of them include Lesser Birds of Paradise, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove or Frigate birds and Blyth's hornbill.
For further info, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com