Birding Tours in Rainforest of Manokwari

I offer birding tours for visitors who are interested in watching birds in lowland area of Manokwari and in lower montane forest of Arfak mountains.

Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

Susnguakti forest
In addition to watching birds in Lowland Region of Manokwari, visitors can watch Birds of Paradise in Lower Montane Forest of Arfak mountains. The target birds are: Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Birds of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) and Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus). There are also other birds such as Common Paradise Kingfisher (Common Paradise Kingfisher), and Hooded Butcherbird and even Dwarf Cassowary that we may watch if we go hiking and birding in lower montane forest of Arfak mountains. Visitors need to stay in our basecamp for 3 days to enjoy birding in this rainforest.
Manokwari Lowland Area

Variable Goshawk in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

The duration of birdwatching tour in lowland forest is 3 days. The target birds are: Little-ringed Plover, Little Egret, Willie Wagtail, Brahminy Kite, Blyth's Hornbill, Variable Goshawk, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, and etc. In the middle of the forest, there is no luxurious hotel or guesthouse, we need to stay in tents and do birding walks along the banks of Mesirokow river. The river is quite wide and flat. It is my best birding site in Manokwari regency of West Papua.

Booking
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read: Birding Tours in Manokwari

King Bird of Paradise

King Bird of Paradise in Susnguakti forest
Manokwari - West Papua

I saw King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) for the first time when I was guiding some European tourists in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. We spent 5 days/ 4 nights exploring the lowland rainforest in search of birds, wallaby, butterflies and colorful flowers. We saw two species of birds of paradise, i.e. Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), and King Bird of Paradise. Unfortunately, the sighting of King BOP was not very good because the bird was sitting on the branch of a tree above our head.

King Bird of Paradise in Susnguakti Forest
Manokwari - West Papua

When I guided a Chinese lady, and a couple from Australia in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, we were able to watch King Bird of Paradise for about one hour. It was mating season and I was able to make some pictures of the paradise bird.
The size of the bird of quite small making it more difficult for us to spot it in high tree. Fortunately, the red and white colours of the bird were significantly contrast to the surrounding green color of the leaves. To help us spot the bird, I hired young boy from the village. Usually young boy has got sharper eyes than old birdwatchers like us.
The best place in Manokwari to watch King Bird of Paradise is Susnguakti forest. It is located in the eastern region of Arfak mountains. I and local villagers built basecamp for tourists who want to watch Lesser BOP, Magnificent Riflebird, and King BOP. Visitors usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights in the forest of Susnguakti to watch these paradise birds and other wild animals that live in lower montane forest of Arfak mountains. written by Charles Roring