Birding in Sulawesi Photo Gallery – February/March 2026
Birding in Sulawesi provides excitement with the high number of endemic species that occur on this large and strangely-shaped island within Indonesia. On our survey trip to the Minahasa pensinsula, in the north of Sulawesi, in early 2026 we found a very high number of the most exciting endemic birds and tested the logistics of leading tours here as part of a longer birding tour to this and other parts of Sulawesi along with the nearby island of Halmahera. On this page we present a range of birds from this year’s exploratory tour, in this birding in Sulawesi photo gallery, along with some accompanying notes.
Gunung Mahawu 21-24/02/26
Scaly-breasted Kingfisher 
Superb Fruit Dove 
Red-eared Fruit Dove 
Sulawesi Myzomela 
Black-crowned White-eye 
Turquoise Flycatcher
Within an hour of leaving the congested city of Manado birders can reach the forested slopes of Gunung Mahawu. Birding along quiet roads, tracks and trails gets birders into the habitat for a wide range of birds, including many of Sulawesi’s endemic species. In particular Gunung Mahawu has built a reputation as the best location to see the sought-after Scaly-breasted Kingfisher and this reputation was upheld in this successful visit. With some nice flocks of small birds, colourful fruit doves, night birds and the possibility of Sulawesi Pitta Gunung Mahawu will always feature on our birding tours to Sulawesi. Having lunch at the nearby Gardenia restaurant was also a real pleasure with stunning red Sulawesi Myzomelas feeding on flowers in the restaurant gardens.
Dumoga-Bone 26/02-1/03/26
Maleo 
Dumaga-Bone National Park is the largest area of forested wilderness in North Sulawesi, a half day journey from Gunung Mahawu and Manado. There are a number of access points to this area that harbours a mouth-watering selection of Sulawesi’s birds but one of the most anticipated is the Tambun Maleo Conservation Area. Here there is a hide overlooking an area frequented by this giant megapode which incubates its eggs using geothermal heat from the soil within which its deposits its eggs. negotiating the trails at Toruat gives birders another superb access point for a few days of birding here and on this visit we caught up with a splendid roosting Sulawesi Pitta.
Tangkoko 3-6/02/26
Green-backed Kingfisher 
Sulawesi Hornbill 
Rusty-backed Thrush 
Sulawesi Scops Owl 
Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher 
White-necked Myna
Tangkoko is one of the most accessible, enjoyable and bird-filled locations in Sulawesi, indeed, combined with its pleasant accommodation right within the birding zone, good food and collection of awesome species, it can claim to be one of the best birding sites in the whole of Southeast Asia. Even though this was an off-peak birding season trip a high number of the key endemics were seen, and seen well, which is a persistent feature of this wonderful place. A profusion of kingfishers, parrots, endemic mynas, some great night birding and other fantastic birds, this is a must-visit location for every birder and is always a good place to get shots for a birding in Sulawesi photo gallery.