West Papua Birding Trip Report November 2025

Tour Leader: Nick Upton

Dates: 2th – 8th November 2025

Lowland Peltops - West Papua Birding Trip Report

West Papua Birding Trip Highlights: The following list contains species that had a high visual impact, displayed some type of interesting behaviour or were just enjoyed for some personal reason; often there is something about a bird that appeals that is hard to define.

  • Dusky Megapode
  • Marbled Frogmouth
  • Papuan Frogmouth
  • Moustached Treeswift
  • Channel-billed Cuckoo
  • Spice Imperial Pigeon
  • Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
  • Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
  • Variable Goshawk
  • Papuan Boobook
  • Blyth’s Hornbill
  • Common Paradise Kingfisher
  • Beach Kingfisher
  • Yellow-billed Kingfisher
  • Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher
  • Little Kingfisher
  • Palm Cockatoo
  • Papuan Eclectus
  • Black-capped Lory
  • Black Lory
  • Papuan Pitta
  • Eastern Hooded Pitta
  • Emperor Fairy Wren
  • Yellow-breasted Boatbill
  • Lowland Peltops
  • Golden Monarch
  • Frilled Monarch
  • Magnificent Riflebird
  • Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise
  • King Bird-of-Paradise
  • Lesser Bird-of-Paradise
  • Red Bird-of-Paradise
  • Golden Myna

Summary:

The above list of highlight species seen on this brief West Papua birding trip is one that was achieved without too much arduous hiking or staying in low-quality accommodation, in fact these bird sightings can be replicated for most birders with decent levels of mobility. More top quality birds were seen on this short exploratory birding trip than had been expected, reflecting the quality of the habitats and birding here. Beginning in Sorong and visiting nearby mangroves we were introduced to the birds of West Papua and connected with some real gems in Emperor Fairywren and Little Kingfisher. Following on from that a mind-boggling day spent in the extensive forest around the tiny settlement of Malagafuk turned up more spectacular birds than had been imagined with species such as Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird-of-Paradise and Papuan Pitta were just a few of the incredible birds seen. A more relaxing morning in forest close to Sorong on the following day provided a bounty of Fruit Doves before taking the boat to a very beautiful and peaceful Waigeo Island. Staying in a charming little resort on the coast we spent three full days exploring the birds of the island. High bird abundance was a feature here with various parrots, doves and pigeons being common with the undoubted highlight being an early morning encounter with displaying Red Birds-of-Paradise viewed at eye-level. Departing this incredibly bird-rich area was difficult but we will be back for a more extensive tour.

Join us on our next birding tour to West Papua. See the full itinerary and book here – West Papua Birding Tour.

Field Guide

Birds of New Guinea by Phil Gregory, published by Lynx Edicions. Of the two field guides available for this region this Lynx Edicions field guide is by far the most portable for travelling and use in the field. With a sweat-proof vinyl cover it also holds up to the humid conditions in Papua too. This field guide contains the most up-to-date taxonomy too and although the illustrations are good, it is also worth owning the Helm guide to the region for reference too as the plates in that publication display a greater range of plumages for some species.

Day 1; 2nd November – Arrival Sorong – Sorong Mangroves

After a long, overnight, transit in Makassar airport, from Bali, we arrived at Sorong airport at 6am in the morning to begin this West Papua birding trip. Being a small, but modern, airport baggage was dealt with swiftly and we met our driver/helper with no trouble and with check in time at the hotel being much later the journey proceeded directly to Sorong mangroves This is a well-established birding site that others had said could be very challenging to see anything much at all. With much expectation we started by walking down a quiet track through the mangroves as the main entry road was full of locals doing their morning exercise and indeed, things were pretty quiet from the outset. Two birds that were very obvious throughout the time in the mangroves were the charismatic Willie Wagtail, darting around all over the place, and Brown-backed Honeyeater which proved to be very abundant.

Emperor Fairywren - West Papua Birding Trip Report

Scanning bare trees for birds perching out in the open revealed little but a high-pitched call from the mangroves turned out to originate from a Large-billed Gerygone. There were quite a lot of bird calls originating from the mangrove forest but its dense nature made it very hard to see into. A little “pishing” eventually teased out a nice male Shining Flycatcher, a species that would be seen several time s i the mangroves, but a bit of random call-playing resulted in one of the most spectacular sightings of the morning; a pair of wonderful Emperor Fairywrens. The Fairywrens and Shining Flycatchers seemed to be aggravated by each other making for prolonged views of both but few other birds emerged from the dense mangroves although a Long-tailed Honey-buzzard flew overhead. However, a little further along the track persistence paid off with a bit of luck; the piping call of a Little Kingfisher preceded its arrival on a nearby mangrove sapling. This can be a difficult bird to see so it was a nice encounter.

As the sun was already getting quite intense the boardwalk seemed to offer some shade and the prospect of finding birds within the mangrove forest. Along a creek a couple of Common Sandpipers were busy while in the treetops there was a commotion created by some White-bellied Cuckooshrikes having a bit of an altercation but putting on a good show. Along the boardwalk itself things were quiet but another Shining Flycatcher was seen and a second Little Kingfisher flashed by but the only other bird seen well was Rusty Pitohui which was in a party of four birds.

After this a walk along the road through scrubby habitat added birds such as Pacific Swallow, Scaly-breasted Munia and White-breasted Woodswallow but with fatigue setting in and the sun becoming very hot we headed to the hotel where the staff were able to allow an early check in after a short wait and a good rest was enjoyed.

In the afternoon we went to another area of mangroves, a little further south where there was extensive access along a track. Although there looked to be a lot of potential it turned out to be a bit disappointing although a perched Pacific Baza was a highlight. There were more Brown-backed Honeyeaters, Willie Wagtails, Shining Flycatchers and a single Eastern Yellow Wagtail in a grassy patch but many birds were heard and not seen as they refused to leave the shady mangrove forest. A flock of Metallic Starlings was new as were a few Pacific Golden Plovers on another wet grassy patch but with a long day ahead on the following day we decided to head back to the hotel, seeing a pair of Torresian Crows along the way as sun was setting.

Day 2, 3rd November – Malagafuk

Leaving the hotel at 5am breakfast was eaten along the way, but with a new road surface the journey only took one and a half hours with arrival very shortly after first light. There we met the local guide from the village of Malagafuk who would prove invaluable for the duration of the day who quickly asked if a Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise was of interest! Not having to be asked twice we walked a short distance, maybe as much as one hundred metres, into the forest to a blind. Peering through one of the viewing holes there was a male Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise just sitting on a perch, at first giving a front view and then the back. Shortly after this, a female arrived and an amazing display ensued for a short time. With the show over we started walking along the boardwalk to the village through some magnificent forest. The boardwalk is 3.3 kilometres long and makes walking through virgin forest as easy as walking down the street which is wonderful for birding. Like any forest birding, things were not easy but at the same time not so difficult either with the walk punctuated with birds such as Brown Oriole in the canopy, a Glossy-mantled Manucode entering a nest, Blyth’s Hornbill overhead, Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove, a singing Olive Flyrobin and a close up view of a very smart Black-sided Robin.

Frilled Monarch - West Papua Birding Trip Report

Of course there were a few birds that got away too with a Blue Jewel Babbler calling but not coming close enough to see this much-wanted bird and a Golden Cuckooshrike flying away before a “tickable” view was obtained. However, the local guide took us off the boardwalk for a short distance to point out a male King Bird-of-Paradise high in the canopy. Pleased with this fantastic bird it was made clear that there would be better views later, which was a surprise indeed. Despite several attempts to spot a calling Yellow-billed Kingfisher glimpses of movement as it flew away was all that was seen, but more success with this bird would come later in the trip. Papuan Babblers were more obliging as we walked further down the boardwalk but another magical moment was about to happen. After hearing some commotion in the mid-storey we spotted a pair of Frilled Monarchs displaying to each other and while the bird looks nice in illustrations when it is in full display mode the male is something special. As we watched this show the birds came closer and closer, at one point a few metres away at eye-level but they were also very active, constantly moving. Eventually we left them to it and continued towards the village with Grey Crow, Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon and Spangled Drongo added before taking a welcome coffee and snack break at the village.

Malagafuk village was a very pleasant spot with just a handful of rustic houses and attractive gardens set in a clearing in the forest. Flowering and fruiting trees had potential for more birds at a better time of the day but there were plenty of Helmeted Friarbirds around and a Blyth’s Hornbill feeding in a low tree even at this time of the day.

It was approaching lunchtime but local guides were implying that it was still a good time for birding so off we went down a very muddy trail coming across a pair of Black Cicadabirds very soon after leaving. An attempt at seeing Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher resulted in just some calls as a bird flew away but a distraction was created immediately after when we located a small group of Black-capped Lories feeding just above us with a single Black Lory in attendance. It was very nice to see both of these attractive birds at close range. Slogging through more mud we spotted the footprints of a Cassowary but unfortunately, not the owner, but a magical moment was about to occur with another amazing bird. We heard the call of a Papuan Pitta and played a short burst in answer. Not really expecting to get more than a glimpse it was a real shock when the bird appeared really close to us and allowed me to take the sort of photos that are normally only obtained from a hide at a feeding station. Incredible! Perhaps even more incredibly an Eastern Hooded Pitta then arrived, more typically for a pitta calling from thick undergrowth but giving excellent views through binoculars nonetheless. Two pittas and two birds-of-paradise in a morning was more than had been expected on what was a recce day out to check the location’s suitability for various types of birders and there was still half a day to go here.

Papuan Pitta - West Papua Birding Trip Report

After piling along the muddy trail back to the village it seemed like it should be time for lunch break but apparently it would be better to have lunch while watching King Birds-of-Paradise. Ok then. By this time trudging along another muddy trail in humid conditions was tiring but a lovely Wompoo Fruit Dove was followed by a Little Shrikethrush for a couple of brief rest stops before reaching a wooden tower in the forest. It was quite a steep and slippery ladder climb to the top and certainly not suitable for everyone but from around 5-6 metres up no less than three male King Birds-of-Paradise could be seen resting. Those who decided not to climb up the ladder could see the birds from below and when they began to display the front row seats to the show were definitely up the tower but from the ground level it could be seen well enough too. A rain shower ensued giving time to have some lunch but this was disturbed by the arrival of a pair of Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfishers.

After an hour’s rest and viewing of the King Birds-of-Paradise the news was that we would walk further along the trail, ankle-deep in mud. Hardly the best news but more Birds-of-Paradise were the promised reward so off we went. it actually wasn’t too far before we arrived at what seemed like a random place in the forest but from the canopy came the sound of Lesser Bird-of-Paradise. The trees were very tall so it wasn’t so easy to spot the birds but we got quite a few good views of this spectacular bird flashing its tail around but every time the camera was ready, the bird would move so no photos despite much effort. It was a wonderful half an hour of watching yet another amazing bird though.

Incredibly at this point we were not finished, the guide had another appointment for us and another muddy walk terminated at the muddiest hide ever. Sitting down on a plastic chair, sinking into the sludge didn’t seem very appealing but all was forgotten when Magnificent Riflebird flew onto what is apparently its favourite log to call from. It is a much bigger bird than was expected and the volume of its call was unbelievable; this one was definitely turned up to eleven! The way that a green throat would flare up and catch the sunlight as the bird called was amazing but when the female arrived, wow! The dance of the Magnificent Riflebird was not only mesmerising to the female but to anyone who watches it and was a moment that made the walking through muddy trails definitely worth it.

Back at Malagafuk village it was time for a late afternoon coffee and snack break but, of course, this is also a good time for birding and the fruiting and flowering trees began to fill up with birds providing great views of Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, a very smart Golden Myna and a Large Fig Parrot all in the same tree. Higher up it was harder to get a good view of Red-flanked Lorikeet but Metallic Starling and Helmeted Friarbird were not shy. With the day drawing to a close we walked back down the boardwalk getting more views of Large Fig Parrot and adding Coconut Lorikeet to the list. A Pacific Baza perched out in the open for us but a calling Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise was not as obliging; that one will have to wait for the return trip. As the light was failing we reached the road where our ride was waiting so after thanking our guide we made the journey back to the hotel for a much-needed shower and then dinner to close a wonderful, but long day. So much was packed into a long day on this recce trip to see what could be achieved on a more expansive tour in the future and at least two full days will be included at Malagafuk, not only to see more birds but to see them at a more manageable pace.

Day 3, 4th November – TWA Forest – Waigeo Island

Yellow-faced Myna - West Papua Birding Trip Report

After yesterday’s long day, there was time for breakfast at the hotel before making a short drive to a patch of forest known as TWA (Taman Wisata Alam (Nature Tourism Park in English)) just outside of Sorong. The first stop was next to a viewing tower. The tower gave a nice view over the forest but few birds were visible apart from a few fly-past Red-cheeked Parrots so walking along the track seemed like a better plan. Things started off slowly but the call of Sahul Brush Cuckoo gave that bird away while a Yellow-faced Myna sat next to it. A tiny parrot came flying across the track and conveniently perched in a spot amongst the foliage where it could be a seen; a Double-eyed Fig Parrot. I got a few fairly poor photos of this one before it flew away but a noisy Rufous-bellied Kookaburra was the next distraction of the morning; the first of many over the course of the trip.

Walking further along the track attention was drawn to a small group of Cuckooshrikes. With plenty of options available it was essential to take a good look at these birds and they proved to be Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, a single male and two females, bouncing around in the foliage, gleaning for insects. As these birds flew away a Helmeted Friarbird emerged but it was the strange call of a Trumpeting Manucode that was most exciting; quickly finding this bird blasting out its call from a dead branch.

Things were already getting quite hot and another battle with a calling Yellow-billed Kingfisher was once again lost but an Olive-crowned Flowerpecker turned up to provide incredible views, below eye-level. In truth it isn’t the flashiest bird in this part of the world but one thing we have learned in birding is that a crippling view of any species is an excellent experience as this was. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo made a noisy flypast but things were already getting a bit slow until we came across a large tree by the side of the road that was full of pigeons. Taking a careful look we could see Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove and Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, a marvellous collection! Given that in many places doves and pigeons are very nervous it was a surprise that they hung around and allowed some nice photographs to be taken. At this point we turned around and walked back until reaching the main road but along the way there were plenty more birds including some tiny Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrots that could be approached closely and a couple of Black-browed Trillers as well as the customary Willie Wagtails. With the heat building and the birding slowing by mid-morning we drove back to the hotel to take a shower and pack to be ready for the ferry journey before having lunch.

Arriving at the harbour the boat was boarded and the staff checked the tickets and showed people to their seats. The “VIP” tickets resulted in fairly comfortable seats in an air-conditioned section that nevertheless was overcrowded due to bags and boxes of supplies being piled up near the doors but the two hour journey was bearable enough. At the small ferry terminal we were met by our next team and driven the short journey to Raflow Resort, stopping to take in a perched Moustached Treeswift. The accommodation was a very nice little resort, next to the sea and surrounded by trees that, as the sun set, attracted a good number of birds including a very impressive Hooded Butcherbird. Other species included Helmeted Friarbirds, Glossy-mantled Manucode and a pair of Claret-chested Fruit Doves. After a nice dinner some night birding was the next thing to do and with the assistance of a thermal imager a roosting Rufous-bellied Kookaburra was located before finding a spectacular Papuan Frogmouth which allowed prolonged views. Shortly after this the call of Papuan Boobook could be heard a little down the road so a short walk was followed by a scan with the thermal imager which quickly revealed the Boobook; a very successful session!

Day 4, 5th November – Waigeo Island

Red Bird-of-Paradise - West Papua Birding Trip Report

The first full day on Waigeo Island involved an early start, in the dark, in order to get to an important spot; a stakeout for Red Bird-of-Paradise. Driving along the road in the dark revealed another fantastic Papuan Frogmouth sitting on a roadside wire, allowing for some nice photographs to be taken and a little further along a Papuan Nightjar flew up off of a forest road. Arriving at the appointed spot we met a local ranger and hiked uphill, on a stepped forest trail, for around one kilometre before reaching a large tower hide. This one was very well-made with a ramp/ladder that was easily negotiated so that birders of most physical abilities could access it. With a view of the forest canopy there were several bare trees that would obviously be attractive to displaying Birds-of-Paradise so the wait began. It did not take long for the first sounds of our target bird could be heard nearby and as it got light the first performance began on one of the nearby trees with a single male calling and fluffing his tail out for five minutes or so. However, as the light began to hit the tree things got really exciting with two males repeatedly jumping around on the bare tree and trying to outdo each other as they whizzed around, rotated and hung upside down to be as impressive as possible. This craziness in the otherwise peaceful forest was exactly the sort of scene that makes travelling to this far-away part of the world worth the effort.

After the conclusion to this wonderful show we had yet another failed attempt at spotting Yellow-billed Kingfisher although the spectacular Common Paradise Kingfisher was more compliant, settling in view for short periods, several times. A screen looking down into a dark area of forest provides the chance to spot Dusky Megapode foraging and luck was with us giving nice views of this dark bird in the dark leaf litter. As we descended the “staircase” there were also a few small birds, mostly high in the trees feeding on flowers but a few were low enough to see properly with the first Spotted Honeyeaters of the trip and a Ruby-throated Myzomela, with both species showing well as they took nectar. A Pygmy Longbill was also added to the bird list.

Back out on the road we continued birding with the high-pitched singing that could be heard in the forest being tracked down to its source: Green-backed Gerygone. A Brown-headed Crow flew past and a Black-capped Lory flew past while at another stop, along the road a bit, turned up a perched Little Bronze Cuckoo on top of a large tree being dwarfed by two accompanying Blyth’s Hornbills. With things already heating up and activity much-reduced we drove downhill to Airport Bay to take a look at what might be present as the tide receded.

Coconut Lorikeet - West Papua Birding Trip Report

Only a little mud was exposed here but this still attracted a gathering of waders with the expected Pacific Golden Plovers and Eurasian Whimbrel being accompanied by a Terek Sandpiper and a Grey-tailed Tattler among others. A Collared Kingfisher stood out from the crowd, perched upon a bare branch but a bit of scanning also revealed two Beach Kingfishers, a much more range-restricted species and a very welcome sighting. In roadside vegetation a male Shining Flycatcher put on a nice performance while over the airfield a Pygmy Eagle was hunting. A short drive along the road and we stopped at a large fruiting tree where, although no new species were added to the list, good views were obtained of Papuan Eclectus, Blyth’s Hornbill and Glossy-mantled Manucode while Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, White-breasted Woodswallow and colourful Coconut Lorikeets gave good photographic opportunities. After this we returned to Raflow Resort for a rest before lunch but there was still time to take in a pair of Claret-breasted Fruit Doves and a walk onto the jetty revealed plenty of Great Crested Terns and a few Common Terns.

After lunch a well-earned rest was taken before going out again in the late afternoon. We drove a full loop of the forest road through Warkesi Forest Park, taking the remainder of the afternoon to walk sections of the road before driving on to the next spot. At first it was still a bit too hot for much activity but Dollarbird allowed us to get really close before spotting a more distant Lowland Peltops, a very handsome bird indeed but a little distant; better was to come with this species. A Papuan Cicadabird flew overhead and landed in a tall tree before we spotted a juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle perched in a bare tree. However, in a patch of moist forest that enveloped the road we were finally to have a magic moment with what had proven to be an elusive species. Having, yet again, heard the call of a Yellow-billed Kingfisher we used a little call playback and this time the bird flew in and landed in a small tree close by. It was still quite difficult to spot but once we had connected with it we were treated to prolonged views and even some photos.

As the sun began to dip birds came out to sit on exposed perches with Pinon’s Imperial Pigeons, Bluth’s Hornbills and a superb experience with a Lowland Peltops perched very close to the roadside and oblivious to us while it was hunting for insects. This was one of those birds that whilst not one of the most talked-about birds was, at the same time, one that had stood out as one that was much-desired before the trip began so it was great to have such excellent views of it. There was one more stop along the way, before making a visit to a convenience store for some cold drinks, where what we initially assumed to be a distant hornbill turned out to be a Palm Cockatoo which flew right overhead providing a wonderful end to the day.

Day 5, 6th November – Waigeo Island

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - West Papua Birding Trip Report

Today was another early start for another very special bird; Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise. Our drive took us to a location close to the main town where we were told the normal access route was closed and that we had to wade across a stream and scramble up a bank before walking along a fairly flat trail to a hide. Here we sat waiting for the first light and the bird. And we waited, and waited, and waited. A Northern Fantail turned up but eventually we had to admit defeat and that no Bird-of-Paradise was coming. A little disappointing but exactly what this recce trip was about. It turned out that there had not been any sightings for a few weeks and that the tour would need to run at a different time to include this priority species. Phoning around the guardians of other hides confirmed this from all other stakeouts too and it turned out that even with the road closure there was a much simpler, if slightly longer, route to the hide; valuable information for future visits.

Walking back out there were a few birds along the way including a close Brown Oriole, a singing Olive Flyrobin and a couple of Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters feeding on flowering trees. A Frilled Monarch join a Ruby-throated Myzomela and there were more of the birds that were becoming very familiar like Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and Papuan Eclectus, but overall it was a fairly deflating morning so we decided to go somewhere different to look for something else. Having identified the location on eBird we went to a local sports field where, in the adjacent pond, we found a small group of Spotted Whistling Ducks which did not seem too bothered about our presence, although we were very quiet and moved slowly to get into position to see them. In the trees nearby we added Singing Starling while overhead several Long-tailed Honey-buzzards were circling alongside Brahminy Kites and a White-bellied Sea Eagle. It was, by now, very hot indeed but a glimpse at the football field revealed a few waders for inspection. Several Pacific Golden Plovers were easily identified but a couple of smaller birds required close examination and, consequently, turned out to be Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. In the blast of overhead heat some good photographs of this smart little shorebird were obtained; quite satisfying.

A quick stop at Airport Bay didn’t reveal much more than yesterday, although five Red-necked Stints were new, before retreating to Raflow Resort for a break until the late afternoon.

Variable Goshawk - West Papua Birding Trip Report

For the afternoon session we decided to go birding along the coastal road from Raflow Resort. This resulted in a lot of nice views of many of the birds previously seen but also a few nice new ones too. Fruiting trees were attracting plenty of doves and pigeons including a flock of over thirty Pied Imperial Pigeons which are always nice birds with their white plumage contrasting against the dark green foliage of the forest. However, the most exciting of these birds were three Spice Imperial Pigeons in a low fruit tree in the garden of another resort. These birds are quite outstanding with their rhinoceros-like protuberance on the base of their bills and another of those birds that stands out when flicking through the pages of the field guide for Papua.

A Pacific Reef Egret on a jetty was a nice addition as was an Osprey and when a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo landed on a distant tree it looked like a decent photo opportunity. That it was, but not of a cockatoo, at closer examination this white bird turned out to be the rare white morph of Variable Goshawk. Getting closer the views of this remarkable bird were far improved and the photos turned out quite well. Another Palm Cockatoo was great and a fly-past Great-billed Parrot was also good but as the sun dipped below the trees we headed back to Raflow Resort where a Beach Kingfisher was waiting for us before another nice dinner of fresh, grilled fish.

Day 6, 7th November – Waigeo Island

Rather than sit in another hide where a Bird-of-Paradise probably would not arrive we decided to check out what type of birding experience being out on the Warkesi Forest Park road in the early morning would be presented. It was actually a little slow until the sunshine started to hit the trees, being in shade for quite some time after first light. Finding a giant fruiting tree there was an amazing number of Blyth’s Hornbills feeding within it foliage. At least thirty of these magnificent birds were counted as they flew in and out creating a really impressive scene. In roadside trees we tracked down a Wompoo Fruit Dove and a female Superb Fruit Dove and saw another Lowland Peltops in the distance. As we were walking along the road the raucous squawking of Channel-billed Cuckoo rooted us to the spot as two of these incredible birds flew past us calling; a magnificent sight.

It seemed like a good time to walk along a forest trail to look for different types of birds and things worked out pretty well, finding several flocks of small birds feeding together. Frilled Monarchs and Northern Fantails were obvious and plentiful alongside Spotted Honeyeater and Ruby-throated Myzomela but attention was drawn straight to the shining yellow of Yellow-breasted Boatbill. This was one of the most-wanted of the smaller birds that are regularly seen in this area and it was quickly followed by a male Black Berrypecker. The fast-moving activity of these types of flocks makes it much harder to spot individual birds than the larger birds we had been seeing perched out in the open from the road, but the effort was really rewarded when a beautiful Golden Monarch put in an appearance. This small bird activity lasted a good amount of time and was topped off with a Long-billed Honeyeater.

Back on the road it was hot and bird activity had decreased but patience paid off as we located a Raja Ampat Pitohui, its grey head announcing its arrival as it fed in vines. Being an endemic to this small region it was a very pleasing bird to see before returning to Raflow Resort for lunch.

For the afternoon we returned to the same area, if this time a little tired from the collective effort over the course of the trip and it seemed that the birds were a little weary also with low levels of activity. Oppressive cloud had been building up and rain looked likely and in these conditions things are often quiet. There were plenty of the commoner birds around, in fact every papaya tree seemed to have a flock of Papuan Eclectus Parrots attracted to it and a close Pygmy Eagle in flight was nice but it was decided to cut things short and go back for a shower and dinner. However, once it had become dark the thermal imager came into its own again tracking down a roosting Red Bird-of-Paradise and a Mimic Honeyeater this way.

Day 7, 8th November – Waigeo Island – Sorong

The plan was to use the final morning on Waigeo Island for birding close to the accommodation and to indulge in photography rather than hunt for new species other than one: Marbled Frogmouth. Getting out before first light saw only a few steps taken before a downpour! Waiting until this stopped there would only be a short time of darkness remaining to locate this species so as soon as the rain ceased the hunt started. Having arrived at a suitable patch of habitat within the resort grounds a bit of call playback was used and a Marbled Frogmouth immediately flew in and rested on a wire! Point-blank views were obtained and as I fumbled for the camera the heavens opened again and the bird flew back into the forest and the resort restaurant provided a refuge from the rain while eating breakfast. This was possibly the shortest nocturnal birding session ever, but still with a positive result.

Moustached Treeswift - West Papua Birding Trip Report

The rain did stop as it was getting light so birding could resume and with good numbers of birds. A Grey-tailed Tattler sat on the jetty while Lesser Frigatebirds flew overhead and a Beach Kingfisher perched in a nearby tree. Along the road a group of Moustached Treeswifts put on a wonderful display and allowed for some great photos. Shining Flycatcher did the same thing followed by Coconut Lorikeets, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Glossy-mantled Manucode and a Red Bird-of-Paradise, most likely the one found roosting at night. A Dusky Megapode was found on the edge of the resort property as it scratched around in some bare soil in the forest. In fact there were a lot of birds, all of which had already been seen on the trip, and it was good to get such good views of so many of them. Eventually heat and tiredness meant the end of birding and it was time to get ready to take the boat back to the mainland after lunch.

On the two hour trip back to Sorong the front outdoor deck was accessed with some clambering over bags and people. It wasn’t easy to spot birds but several Great Crested Terns and Lesser Frigatebirds were seen but pride of place went to a Streaked Shearwater cruising in front of the boat for a while which was nice having got poor views of a flock of these birds resting on the water.

On arrival at Sorong ferry terminal it was just a case of a short taxi ride to the hotel, a refreshing shower and a nice dinner before the prospect of the journey home on the subsequent day.

Bird of the Trip

  1. Magnificent Riflebird
  2. King Bird-of-Paradise
  3. Papuan Pitta
  4. Red Bird-of-Paradise
  5. Frilled Monarch

It is quite obvious from this list that visual impact and overall experience was an overwhelming factor in choosing these birds for the top five birds of the trip. All of the above birds were seen extremely well and most put on very memorable displays that leave an indelible impression on the mind. All of the above were superb and could easily have been voted as number one on most other birding tours.

Sorong Mangroves: Close to the town of Sorong are several roads/tracks that access fairly large areas of coastal mangroves, including one area with a mangrove boardwalk trail. Patches of coastal scrub and coconut plantations add some diversity to this area and a few viewpoints provide access to the sea. Key species include Little Kingfisher and Emperor Fairywren.

Malagafuk: A small, traditional village deep within mature forest accessible via a 3.5 kilometre long boardwalk which provides top-quality birding. Local vilagers provide guiding for a set fee and from the village muddy trails take birders to key areas for some of the region’s most exciting birds. The number of high-quality species here is very high with highlights including King Bird-of-Paradise.

TWA Forest: The closest area of forest to the town of Sorong a dirt track provides access to several kilometres of habitat where a good selection of West Papua’s commoner forest species can be seen; a good site for a variety of fruit doves and pigeons in the early morning.

Raflow Resort: A very pleasant, but simple, small and locally-run resort on the coastline and surrounded by forest patches and mature gardens/plantations. Bird abundance here is high in the early morning and late afternoon and a good location for night birding.

Warkesi Forest Park: Part of an extensive area of forest and hosting a full suite of the avifauna of the island interior. Accessible via a very quiet forest road, several dirt tracks and some forest trails, this area is the prime focus of birding on the island where there are also several stakeouts for some of the most sought-after birds including Red Bird-of-Paradise.

Airport Bay: A small coastal bay with a very lightly used airstrip on the landward side of the coastline, adjoining a mangrove-lined channel and forest patches. At low tide a small area of mud flats are exposed with mangrove clusters and concrete structures that provide a roosting area for shorebirds at high tide. A key location for Beach Kingfisher.

The sites at which each species were seen are coded as below;

  • Sorong Mangroves: SM
  • Malagafuk: M
  • TWA Forest: TWA

  • Raflow Resort: RR
  • Warkesi Forest Park: WFP
  • Airport Bay: AB
  • Sorong/Waigeo Ferry: SWF

During this West Papua birding tour 136 bird species were seen.

SPECIES

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Spotted Whistling Duck

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae

Dusky (Scubfowl) Megapode

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

Papuan Nightjar

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae

Marbled Forgmouth

Papuan Frogmouth

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae

Moustached Treeswift

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Glossy Swiftlet

Uniform Swiftlet

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Channel-billed Cuckoo

Little Bronze Cuckoo

Sahul Brush Cuckoo

Oriental Cuckoo

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Feral Pigeon

Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove

Black-billed (Bar-tailed) Cuckoo Dove

Spice Imperial Pigeon

Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon

Pied Imperial Pigeon

Wompoo Fruit Dove

Superb Fruit Dove

Orange-fronted Fruit Dove

Pink-spotted Fruit Dove

Orange-bellied Fruit Dove

Claret-breasted Fruit Dove

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

Barred Rail

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Pacific Golden Plover

Siberian Sand Plover

Eurasian Whimbrel

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Red-necked Stint

Terek Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Grey-tailed Tattler

Common Greenshank

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

Whiskered Tern

Common Tern

Greater Crested Tern

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae

Streaked Shearwater

SULIFORMES: Fregatidae

Lesser Frigatebird

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae

Little Heron

Eastern Cattle Egret

Great Egret

Plumed Egret

Little Egret

Pacific Reef Egret

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

Osprey

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Pacific Baza

Long-tailed Honey-buzzard

Pygmy Eagle

Variable Goshawk

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Brahminy Kite

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

Papuan Boobook

BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae

Blyth’s Hornbill

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Dollarbird

CORACIIFORMES: Alceniniidae

Common Paradise Kingfisher

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra

Collared Kingfisher

Beach Kingfisher

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher

Little Kingfisher

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae

Palm Cockatoo

Sulphur-crested Sulphur

Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot

Moloccun King Parrot

Papuan Eclectus

Red-cheeked Parrot

Great-billed Parrot

Red-flanked Lorikeet

Black-capped Lory

Black Lory

Coconut Lorikeet

Large Fig Parrot

Double-eyed Fig Parrot

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Papuan Pitta

Eastern Hooded Pitta

PASSERIFORMES: Maluridae

Emperor Fairywren

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae

Brown-backed Honeyeater

Long-billed Honeyeater

Streak-headed Honeyeater

Ruby-throated Myzomela

Papuan Black Myzomela

Helmeted Friarbird

Spotted Honeyeater

Tawny-breasted Honeyeater

Puff-backed Honeyeater

Mimic Honeyeater

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

Green-backed Gerygone

Large-billed Gerygone

PASSERIFORMES: Pomatostomiidae

Papuan Babbler

PASSERIFORMES: Melanocharitidae

Black Berrypecker

Yellow-bellied Longbill

Pygmy Longbill

PASSERIFORMES: Machaerirhynchidae

Yellow-breasted Boatbill

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

White-breasted Woodswallow

Lowland Peltops

Hooded Butcherbird

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

Boyer’s Cuckooshrike

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

Papuan Cicadabird

Black Cicadabird

Black-browed Triller

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

Rusty Pitohui

Little (Arafura) Shrikethrush

Raja Ampat Pitohui

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Brown Oriole

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Spangled Drongo

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

Northern Fantail

Willie Wagtail

PASSERFIFORMES: Monarchidae

Golden Monarch

Frilled Monarch

Shining Flycatcher

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Brown-headed Crow

Grey Crow

Torresian Crow

PASSERIFORMES: Paradisaeidae

Trumpet Manucode

Glossy-mantled Manucode

Magnificent Riflebird

Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise

King Bird-of-Paradise

Lesser Bird-of-Paradsise

Red Bird-of-Paradise

PASSERIFORMES: Petridicidae

Olive Flyrobin

Black-sided Robin

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Yellow-vented Bulbul

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Pacific Swallow

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Metallic Starling

Singing Starling

Yellow-faced Myna

Golden Myna

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Olive-crowned Flowerpecker

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

Black Sunbird

Sahul Sunbird

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

PASSERIFORMES: Estrilididae

Scaly-breasted Munia

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

SCIENTIFIC NAME

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Dendroygna puttata

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae

Megapodius freycinet

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

Eurostopodus papuensis

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae

Podargus ocellatus

Podargus papuensis

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae

Hemiprocne mystacea

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Collocalia esculenta

Aerodramus vanikorensis

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Scythrops novaehollandiae

Chalcites minutillus

Cacomantis variolosus

Cuculus optatus

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Columba livia

Macropygia doreya

Macropygia nigrirostris

Ducula myristicivora

Ducula pinon

Ducula bicolor

Megaloprepia magnifica

Ptilinopus superbus

Ptilinopus aurantifrons

Ptilinopus perlatus

Ptilonopus iozonus

Ptilonopus viridis

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

Gallirallus torquatus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Pluvialis fulva

Anarhynchus mongolus

Numenius phaeopus

Calidris acuminata

Calidris ruficollis

Xenus cinereus

Actitis hypoleucos

Tringa brevipes

Tringa nebularia

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

Chlidonias hybrida

Sterna hirundo

Thalasseus bergii

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae

Calonectris leucomelas

SULIFORMES: Fregatidae

Fregata ariel

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae

Butorides atricapilla

Ardea coromanda

Ardea modesta (alba)

Ardea plumifera

Ardea garzetta

Egretta sacra

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

Pandion cristatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Aviceda subcristata

Henicopernis longicauda

Hieraaetus weiskei

Tachyspiza hiogaster

Ichthyophaga leucogaster

Haliastur indus

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

Ninox theomacha

BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae

Rhyticeros plicatus

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Eurystomus orientalis

CORACIIFORMES: Alceniniidae

Tanysiptera galatea

Dacelo gaudichaud

Todiramphus chloris

Todiramphus saurophagus

Syma torotoro

Ceyx solitarius

Ceyx pusillus

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae

Probosciger aterrimus

Cacatua galerita

Micropsitta keiensis

Alisterus amboinensis

Eclectus polychloruos

Geoffroyus geoffroyi

Tanygnathus megalorynchus

Hypocharmosyna placentis

Lorius lory

Chalcopsitta attra

Trichoglossus haematodus

Cyclopsitta desmarestii

Cyclopsitta diopthalma

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Erythropitta macklotii

Pitta novaeguineae

PASSERIFORMES: Maluridae

Malurus cyanocphalus

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae

Ramsayornis modestus

Melilestes megarhynchus

Pycnopygius stictocephalus

Myzomela eques

Myzomela nigrita

Philemon buceroides

Xanthotis polygrammus

Xanthotis flaviventer

Meliphaga aruensis

Meliphaga analoga

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

Gerygone chloronata

Gerygone magnirostris

PASSERIFORMES: Pomatostomiidae

Garritornis isidorei

PASSERIFORMES: Melanocharitidae

Melanocharis nigra

Toxorhamphus novaeguineae

Ordistoma pygmaeum

PASSERIFORMES: Machaerirhynchidae

Maechaerirhynchus flaviventer

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

Artamus leucorynchus

Peltops blainvillii

Cracticus cassicus

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

Coracina boyeri

Coracina papuensis

Edolisoma incertum

Edolisoma melas

Lalage atrovirens

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

Pseudorectes ferrugineus

Colluricincla megarhyncha

Pitohui cerviniventris

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Oriolus szalayi

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Dicrurus bracteatus

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

Rhipidura rufiventris

Rhipidura leucophrys

PASSERFIFORMES: Monarchidae

Carterornis chrysomela

Arses telescopthalmus

Myiagra alecto

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Corvus fuscicapillus

Corvus tristis

Corvus orru

PASSERIFORMES: Paradisaeidae

Phonygammus keraudrenii

Manucodia ater

Ptiloris magnificus

Diphyllodes magnificus

Cicinnurus regius

Paradisaea minor

Paradisaea rubra

PASSERIFORMES: Petridicidae

Kempiella flavovirescens

Poecilodryas hypoleuca

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Pycnonotus goiavier

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Hirundo javanica

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Aplonis metallica

Aplonis cantoroides

Mino dumontii

Mino anais

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Dicaeum pectorale

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

Leptocoma aspasia

Cinnyris jugularis

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Passer montanus

PASSERIFORMES: Estrilididae

Lonchura punctulata

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Motacilla tschutschensis

SITES SEEN

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

WFP

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae

WFP

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

WFP

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae

RR

RR, WFP

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae

RR, AB

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

M, RR, WFP

SM, TWA, WFP, RR

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

WFP

WFP

TWA

M

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Various locations

M

WFP

RR

TWA, M, RR, WFP

RR, WFP

M

WFP

TWA, WFP

TWA

TWA, M, RR, WFP

RR, WFP

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

SM

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

AB, SM, WFP

AB

RR, AB

WFP

AB

AB

SM, AB, RR

AB, RR

AB

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

SWF

RR

RR, SWF

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae

SWF

SULIFORMES: Fregatidae

RR, WFP, SWF

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae

AB, RR

SM

SM

WFP

SM, RR, AB

RR

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

RR

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

SM, M

SM, WFP

WFP, AB

RR

WFP

AB, WFP

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

RR

BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae

TWA, M, WFP, RR

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

WFP

CORACIIFORMES: Alceniniidae

WFP

TWA, RR, WFP, AB

RR, AB

AB, RR

WFP

M

SM

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae

RR, WFP

M, TWA, WFP, RR

TWA

WFP

TWA, M, RR, WFP, AB

TWA, RR, WFP

RR

M

M, WFP

M

M, WFP, RR

M

TWA

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

M

M

PASSERIFORMES: Maluridae

SM

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae

SM

WFP

TWA

WFP

TWA

M, RR, WFP

WFP

WFP

M, WFP

SM, WFP, RR

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

WFP

SM

PASSERIFORMES: Pomatostomiidae

M

PASSERIFORMES: Melanocharitidae

WFP

WFP

WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Machaerirhynchidae

WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

SM, WFP, RR

WFP

RR

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

TWA

SM

WFP

M

TWA

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

SM

M

WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

M, TWA, WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

M, TWA, RR, WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

WFP

SM, TWA, RR, WFP, AB

PASSERFIFORMES: Monarchidae

WFP

M, WFP

SM, AB, RR, WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

WFP

M

SM, AB, RR

PASSERIFORMES: Paradisaeidae

TWA

M, RR, WFP

M

M

M

M

WFP, RR

PASSERIFORMES: Petridicidae

M, WFP

M

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

SM

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

SM, RR, AB, WFP

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

SM, M

WFP

M, RR, WFP

M

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

TWA, WFP, RR

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

WFP, RR

SM, M, WFP, RR

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

SM

PASSERIFORMES: Estrilididae

SM

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

SM

Join us on our next birding trip to West Papua. See the full itinerary and follow the links to book – West Papua Birding Tour.