Lesser Birds of Paradise

This is perhaps the most sought after birds in the world. People have hunted the Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) since hundreds of years ago. Because of the continuous hunting, it is now facing extinction in several parts of New Guinea or West Papua forest. In 1980s, they could still be seen in the jungle of Table Mountain near Manokwari town. Today, I cannot see or watch the birds in that jungle anymore. Although Table Mountain is protected by the Department of Forestry of the Indonesian government, it is facing constant destruction from the town dwellers. Hunters carrying air guns like to go into the jungle of the mountain to shoot cuscus, soa-soa (monitor lizards) and birds.

Susnguakti Forest

Paradise bird in Susnguakti forest
of Manokwari

After searching the birds since 2010, finally, I was able to find their dancing site located in the territory of Susnguakti forest. It is a 1-hour ride from Manokwari town. There are four or five trees that have been chosen by the birds of paradise as the place where they perform courtship dance in the mornings and in the afternoons just before sunset. The trees stand on a hill with steep slope. I've got a blurred photograph of the male that I shot using Nikon Coolpix P500. I hope that I can make better pictures in the future. As a nature lover and eco-tourism enthusiast, I try to protect the area by offering birdwatching tours to tourists who want to watch birds of paradise. I hope that this environmentally friendly eco-tourism scheme will help local Papuan villagers generate alternative income that can replace their present livelihood.
Birds and Wild Animals

King Bird of Paradise

In addition to the Lesser Birds of Paradise, Susnguakti forest is also the natural habitat of King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Hooded Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Coconut Lorikeet, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Papuan Frogmouth.
Animals such as snakes, soa-soa monitor lizard, large ground brown skink, Papua Dragon Tree Lizard, blue-tailed lizard, Cruiser Butterfly (Vindula arsinoe), the Silky Owl Buterfly (Taenaris catops), Swallow tail blue mountain butterfly (Papilio ulysses) butterflies, beetles and fireflies can also be found in this forest.
A lot of species of plants in the jungle of this Arfak mountains including bamboos, big trees, orchids, and glowing mushrooms.

Also read:

• Vector Illustration of Lesser Birds of Paradise
• Sketch of Lesser Bird of Paradise
• Birds of Paradise Watching Tour

Lesser Paradise birds in Arfak mountains

A lot of birdwatchers and rainforest lovers go to Arfak mountains to watch paradise birds. There are several species that can be seen both in the lower and upper montane forests.

Lesser Birds of Paradise

Male and female Lesser Birds of Paradise

One of the most famous species of paradise birds is the Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). The birds can mostly be seen in lower montane forest. They like to gather in trees whose branches overlook sunrise. Early in the morning when the weather is clear, male Lesser BOPs fly to the trees to call their female counterparts. Morning sunlight makes their feather looks bright and colorful. The male birds of paradise will perform courtship dance to attract female lesser birds of paradise for mating. They jump from one branches to another. The branches that are used for the courtship dance have been cleared from twigs, leaves and moss. A recommended site for tourists who want to watch these paradise birds is Susnguakti forest. It is located in the south of Manokwari city approximately 1 hour ride and another 1 hour hiking into the jungle.

Lesser Birds of Paradise

To watch the paradise birds in Susnguakti forest, birdwatchers have to wake up early in the morning at around 4.30 a.m. After eating some food and drinking coffee or tea, they need to leave the their camp for the birding site. Crossing a small stream of cool water in a narrow ravine, they will slowly walk up steep slopes of the Arfak range. When the sun rises in the east from the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, the male lesser birds of paradise perch on the branches of the trees and begin calling their females. The "courtship dance show" lasts for about 3 hours from 6 to 9 a.m. They can also be seen in the afternoons at around 13.00 to 15.00. Birdwatchers need to bring a good pair of binoculars or a D-SLR camera that is powered with telephoto lens. The camera that I highly recommend for birdwathers is Canon PowerShot SX50 HS or Nikon Coolpix P600. It is a compact point and shoot camera that is powerful and affordable.
Other birds of paradise in Arfak mountains
In addition to the Lesser BOP, visitors can also see such species as King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Blyth's Hornbill and etc.

Vector Illustration of Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

I have just uploaded this vector drawing into my Redbubble online store that I created using Inkscape. It is a male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). The bird lives in tropical rainforest of New Guinea. As a tourist guide, I organize hiking and birding tours in the jungle of Klasow valley and Arfak mountains to watch the birds of paradise, cuscus possum and other wild animals that make the tropical rainforest of West Papua as their natural habitat. If you are interested in taking hiking and birding tour in the forest of Klasow valley of Sorong regency of West Papua - Indonesia, please contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise have to perform courtship dance to attract his female birds for mating. This dance is usually performed early in the mornings and in the afternoons before sunset. The dance performance has been an interesting tourist attraction. I have guided hundreds of nature lovers and birdwatchers on a hiking and birding trip in Arfak mountains for visitors who want to watch the paradise birds. The duration of the rainforest tour is usually between 3 to 4 days. We will stay in tents or the villagers houses (depending on the location that we are heading to). 

Birds of paradise and other birds are the guardian of the rainforest. They disperse seeds from the fruits that they eat throughout the forest. Tropical rainforest ecosystem is very important in our life because it absorbs CO2 gases which we emit every day from cars, motorcycles, and stoves. At the same time, the rainforest releases Oxygen which we breathe every second.

Now you could order this digital illustration as printed materials on various Redbubble products such as T-shirts, hoodie, iPhone case, and duvet cover or even Drawstring bag and spiral notebook. Please, click this Lesser Birds of Paradise in Redbubble for more info. 

Lesser Bird of Paradise - a pencil sketch

I have just created a pencil sketch of a male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). This is not a final drawing of the bird. I used Staedtler 2B graphite pencil to do the drawing.
I still have to refine it and add some colors using my Derwent Watercolour Pencils. I also plan to make the digital version of the sketch using Inkscape. I don't know how long it will take to finish the artwork. It can be 3 days or even 1 week. I cannot stay for a whole day coloring the sketch.

My pencil sketch of male Lesser Birds of Paradise 

In the previous article about Paradise Birds, I said that most of them live in tropical rainforest of New Guinea. They like to dance in the mornings and in the afternoon. They mate with many partners. Because of their beautiful feather, they have been hunted by human for centuries.
Paradise birds, together with other birds, disperse seeds of the fruits which they eat to all corners of the forest. This is a very important role in preserving rainforest.
Rainforest absorbs CO2 gases that we emit from our cars, motorcycles, stoves and cigarettes and at the same time releases Oxygen that we breathe every second. Therefore we must preserve rainforest, protect paradise birds and other wild animals in the jungle.

Watercolor Painting of male Lesser Birds of Paradise

As a tourist guide, I often organize birdwatching tour to the forest of Klasow valley in Sorong regency - West Papua province of Indonesia for birdwatchers who want to see birds of paradise and other tropical birds. If you are interested in taking a hiking and birding tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Here is the watercolor painting male Lesser Birds of Paradise which I have drawn and painted since three days ago. First, I created its sketch after studying the anatomy of the birds based on some photographs, drawings and videos. I also have seen the bird a lot of times when I guide birdwatchers in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, Klasow valley of Sorong regency and in Tambrauw mountains.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

After making the sketch, I added colors on to it using Derwent watercolourpencils. For his yellow head and neck, I used Deep Cadmium 6. For his dark brown chest, stomach and tail, I washed it with Burnt Yellow Ochre 60 in combination with Sepia 53 for the feather lines. I gave Kingfisher Blue 38 for the bill and Mineral Green 45 for the his throat.
The branch of a tree where the paradise bird was perching consisted of 2 main colors, i.e. Emeral Green 46 for the leaves and Bottle Green 43 for their lines. The wooden branch was colored with Burnt Yellow Ochre 60 and Copper Beech 61 for the bark lines. The legs of the bird were colored with Kingfisher Blue 38.
Because I used the picture for my Tropical Art Shop in Zazzle, I had to import the artwork into Adobe Photoshop and removed its background. So, it can be printed on a lot of products such as t-shirts, mugs, and towel.
I hope that all of you like this watercolor painting and are interested in ordering some products in my Redbubble Paradise Bird artworks too. Just click the drawing above to see my portfolios.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab A last week. It has got an S-Pen which I could use for drawing or digital painting. After making some sketches of basic shapes, I decided to draw a bird. I used Autodesk Sketchbook free edition to create the drawing.
I haven't bought the professional version of the application but I feel that the free edition is powerful enough to create complex drawings. The bird that you see in this post is called male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). It lives in the jungle of New Guinea particularly in the lowland and lower montane forests. Local people call it Burung Cendrawasih or Burung Kuning. Male birds are usually active in the mornings and in the afternoons. They compete one another to attract female birds for mating.
Paradise birds have been hunted since hundreds of years ago for their beautiful feather. It is important for us to protect them so that they will not extinct from their natural habitat. 

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

I have guided hundreds of tourists on various birding tours in tropical rainforest of West Papua. One of the main targets which they want to see is bird of paradise.
There are tens of species of paradise birds. The famous one is the Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). These birds live in lowland to lower montane forest and are usually active in the mornings and in the afternoons. To watch them, visitors need to wear a good pair of binoculars such as the 10x42 mm.
If you haven't seen the birds in their natural habitat, here is a photo print link from my zazzle store which you could click to see. It will be a good decoration for your room.

Birds of Paradise Photo Print
by tropicalart

Lesser Birds of Paradise can be watched in Klasow valley of Sorong regency, in Arfak mountains of Manokwari and in Tambrauw mountains. However, it is not the only bird species that visitors can watch. There are a lot of other birds and wild animals which visitors can see in the forest.

Lesser Paradise Birds

Lesser Paradise Birds (Paradise birds)

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) is an important bird species in West Papua. Its feather is used as head-dress in most traditional costumes of the indigenous Papuan people. Hunters kill the birds and sell them to wealthy city dwellers who put them as decoration in the living rooms of their houses. Although the population of paradise birds in the forest is still high, the number is shrinking rapidly because of logging, and conversion of forest into roads, as well as human settlements and farmlands.
To support indigenous Papuan people in preserving their tropical rainforest, birds and wildlife, I introduce ecotourism in West Papua particularly in such regions as Tambrauw Mountains, Arfak mountains, Sorong regency and Raja Ampat. Although the title of the post is Lesser Paradise Birds, actually, visitors who take the birding and wildlife watching tour with me will see more. The duration of the tour is 3 days to 2 weeks depending on the number of places that visitors plan to visit.
Other birds that visitors can watch include Twelve-wired Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Azure Kingfisher, and a lot more.
Visitors who want to take birding tour with me need to bring their own binoculars, and a D-SLR camera with telephoto lens.
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.
Also read:
Wildlife tour in Sorong regency of Indonesia
Birds of Paradise watching tour

A Digital Drawing of Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

I have just checked folders of my wildlife drawings to find any sketches or drawings that I haven't uploaded onto this blog. There are some of them. So, tonight, I upload a digital drawing of a Male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). This tropical bird lives in lowland and lower montane rainforest of New Guinea. It is a unique forest that is very rich with various species of trees, lianas, flower plants, bamboos and mushrooms. West Papua province of Indonesia where I live, this paradise bird has become an important target of observations among tourists whom I guide in the forest. 

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

I often organize tours for visitors to rainforest of Klasow valley of Sorong regency Tambrauw Mountains and Susnguakti forest in Manokwari. We spend 3 to 4 days hiking and exploring the forest to see birds, reptiles, insects, and some mammals. There are a lot of birds that we watch including Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Shining Flycatcher, Northern Variable Pitohui, Spangled Drongo, Eclectus Parrot, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Hooded Pitohui, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Helmetted Friarbiard, Superb Druit Dove, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Black-capped Lory, and etc.

Birding Equipment

To increase the chance of seeing colorful birds, I bring a Kinglux 20-60×60 mm spotting scope, a pair of Visionking 10×42mm roof prism binoculars, laser pointer. I also bring loudspeaker with a smartphone that contains the recording of bird sounds. Sometimes, I play some bird sounds to attract them.

When the birds are in close range, I use my camera to photograph them. They become my main reference when I make manual and digital drawings of birds that I present in this blog. 

Bird and Wildlife Art

My bird and Wildlife art is now available as prints on t-shirts, mugs, iPhone cases, stickers, spiral notebook, tote bags, pillows, and etc. Please, support this blog by buying some of them at this link:
Lesser Birds of Paradise
Bird of Paradise

Burung Surga Merah

West Papua A Little Heaven on Earth

I made a collage of pictures about what I do to make a living yesterday. But I did not arrange pictures of me doing somehing. I only wanted to show to people the vocal points. I am a tourist guide. I organize tours in the forest for people to see tropical birds. One of them that has become the main target of observation is Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). Locally, it is called Burung Cendrawasih. So, I arrange the picture of this beautiful bird on top of the collage. While traveling in the forest with tourists, I see unique tropical plants. There are big trees, shrub plants, lianas, but there are also small plants. The next photograph that I put in the collage is a small plant - terrestrial orchid flower.

Natural Attractions of West Papua's rainforest and coral reef

Besides guiding tourists in the forest, I also guide tourists swimming and snorkeling at sea. So, I put a picture of Blue Sea Star. Well, that's some of the attractions that I and my clients see when we explore the natural beauty of West Papua's rainforest and coral reef. It is really a little heaven that has fallen on earth.

Most tourists who want to spend their vacation in West Papua go to Raja Ampat. They need to take international flight from their country to Jakarta. After that, they need to continue their flight to Sorong city. Domestic airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Batik Air and Lion Air provide regular flight services to Sorong city. A lot of hotels can be found in the city including Swissbel hotel, Fave Hotel, Belagri, Kyriad M hotel and etc.

Visitors can take a rest in Sorong city for 1 night or continue their trip directly to Waisai town by fast passenger ferry. At port of Waisai, they can continue their trip to any beach resorts or homestay which they have booked in one of the many islands of Raja Ampat. And that's where their adventure begins. - written by Charles Roring

Also read:

Watching the Courtship Dance of Red Bird of Paradise

Drawing of Red Bird of Paradise

Watching Birds and Sea Turtles in Waigeo Island

Sketch of Lesser Bird of Paradise

I have visited Susnguakti forest several times since 2 months ago. I guided tourists from France, Germany, Belgium, Thailand, and Switzerland on a trip to watch the Lesser Birds of Paradise performing their courtship dance.. This is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. We spent between 3 to 4 days in the jungle to see birds, cuscus possum, and various kinds of unique tropical plants. Because I like art, I make several sketches of birds that I see in the forest. I have created some drawings of male Lesser Birds of Paradise using watercolour pencils. After that I redraw them using stylus on my Samsung Tab A. The application that I use is Autodesk Sketchbook.

There are other birds that we saw in the forest including Hooded Butcherbird, Blyth's Hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, King Bird of Paradise, Brown Cuckoo Dove, and a lot more.

Sketch of Lesser Bird of Paradise in watercolour

Add caption

I may also draw them in the future. My drawings are now available as prints on various redbubble products such as t-shirt, iPhone and iPad cases, canvas print, mugs, drawstring bags, tote-bags, and etc.

T-shirt with Drawing of Paradise Bird

Please, have a look at them at these links:

• Lesser Birds of Paradise (vector), 
• Watercolour painting of Lesser Birds of Paradise, 
• Drawing of paradise bird,
• Red Bird of Paradise

In the same website, there are also illustrations of flowers that I saw from rainforest such as Terrestrial Orchid, Red Hibiscus Rhododendron, lotus or Water Lily, Rain Lily (Zephyranthes rosea) and a lot more. 

I offer rainforest tour for anybody who wants to watch Red Bird of Paradise, and Wilson's Bird of Paradise in the forest of Raja Ampat. The tour can be combined with snorkeling and sightseeing trips by speed boat.  Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Lesser Birds of Paradise Art Drawings

I have created some artworks of Lesser Birds of Paradise that are now available as prints on several products such as mugs, t-shirts, tote bags, scarf, spiral notebooks, and a lot more. One of them is a manual painting entitled: Paradise Birds in Watercolor. The other is a vector illustration that I created using Inkscape entitled: Lesser Birds of Paradise. I also have another drawing of the male bird that

Vector illustration of a male Lesser Birds of Paradise by Charles Roring

I made using Derwent Watercolours. The title is still the same: The Lesser Birds of Paradise. Male bird has got more beautiful feather. They like to gather in the branches of a tall tree to dance for attracting their female counterparts. Please, have a look at the artworks at the above links.
As a tourist guide, I organize tours for visitors who want to watch the paradise birds in the forests of West Papua. In Raja Ampat islands there are Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. They can also be watched by visitors who want to spend their holiday in the tropical archipelago.

Watercolor Painting of Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest by Leo Charles Roring

Visitors need binoculars to watch birds. For taking photographs, bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900, Nikon Coolpix P1000 and Canon SX70HS can be used.
If you are interested in watching paradise birds, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti Forest

Here are pictures of Lesser Birds of Paradise that live in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari regency. It is part of lower montane forest of Arfak mountains. These Birds of Paradise are active in the mornings and in the afternoons. They become the main attraction for visitors who want to explore the biodiversity of West Papua.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest of Arfak range

The above pictures were made by Andre Aquino. I guided him and his friend Jens Wirth on a 4 day/ 3-night hiking, bird and wildlife watching in Arfak range. Because there was no guesthouse, we stayed in a basecamp.
Birdwatching tourism has become an alternative income generation for local villagers who live near the forest. When they see that they can get positive benefits from the forest through ecotourism, they will preserve their forest.

In addition to the Lesser Birds of Paradise, tourists who go trekking and camping in the forest can watch other birds such as Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hooded Butcherbird, Mimic Meliphaga, Blyth's Hornbill and a lot more.

The Susnguakti forest of Arfak mountains is the natural habitat of cuscus possum, dragon tree lizard, bandicoot and snakes. 

If you are interested in traveling to Indonesia for watching paradise birds in Susnguakti forest, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Related posts:
Lesser Birds of Paradise Art Drawings
Lesser Paradise Birds
Lesser Birds of Paradise

My Bridge Birding Camera

Lesser Birds of Paradise shot by Fujifilm HS50EXR

Most professional photographers use D-SLR camera with telephoto lens to take pictures of birds. However, they are very expensive and heavy. I have used bridge cameras for birding since 2010. The quality of photographs, may not be the best, but is good enough for bird identification and picture sharing on my blog and social media. My first bridge camera was Nikon Coolpix P500. I used it when I traveled to a lot of regions not only in West Papua but also in Indonesia. Later, when the camera could not function properly anymore, I bought Nikon Coolpix P600. It was a nice camera but had a very short life. I did not make a lot of pictures of birds with the P600. Now, there are Nikon P900 and Nikon P1000 on the market but I haven't tested them yet.

Grass flowers in Tambrauw Mountain

My Current Birding Camera

After using Nikon cameras for several years, I decided to buy a different camera from different brand. I bought a Fujifilm HS50EXR. After using the cameras for several years, I could say that this is my best choice. I have captured hundreds of good quality pictures of birds, butterflies, flowers and landscape scenery. The camera is not expensive compared to high end D-SLR camera. To take pictures of  birds, I have to turn the lens barrel manually. This saves the battery life of my camera. I often spend 3 days up to 2 weeks guiding visitors on a birding trip in the jungle of West Papua from the tropical rainforest of Arfak mountains to Klasow valley, to Raja Ampat. For that long trip, I always have 1 extra battery in the pocket of my bag. I also put the charging device and its cable in it. My Fujifilm HS50EXR allows me to take pictures of birds for several days in the jungle without recharging. I often mention this camera in my blog posts.

Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

I hope that Fujifilm will continue to upgrade this Finepix HS50 EXR camera by creating higher version with 50x or even 60x optical zoom. However, I am sad to read that the company has discontinued the production and further development this electronic product.

by Charles Roring

Watching Birds in Tambrauw Mountains

American birdwatchers in Tambrauw 

Here is the picture of American tourists and local people in the forest of Tambrauw regency who were watching nocturnal birds.  male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) in tropical rainforest of Tambrauw mountains. The bird can be found in lowland and lower montane forest. Visitors who want to go there can also see other birds such as Black Capped Lory, Forest Kingfisher, Egret, Variable Goshawk, King Bird of Paradise, Golden Myna, and a lot of species of birds that live in lower to upper montane forest areas of the regencies. Ayapokiar village, Ases valley and Mount Sakofsiah are important sites in Tambrauw Mountains which tourists can visit to watch birds and other wild animals as well as see interesting tropical plants.

As a tour guide, I can organize a birding trip for visitors who want to see rainforest environment and enjoy birding. I can guide single traveler and also groups of visitors. Because the cost of a chartered 4wd car is quite expensive, I suggest that birdwatchers come in a group of 2 to 4 people.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia
• Continue your trip to Manokwari city by taking a domestic flight
• I will meet you in Manokwari and organize your hiking and birding trip in Tambrauw Mountains

What to bring

In general, every birdwatcher knows what they should bring when going to the forest for birding such as a good pair of binoculars, spotting scope and tripod, laser pointer. For birding in Tambrauw mountains, a field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler is highly recommended.

Booking

Please, contact me by e-mail to: leororing@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp number: +6281332245180.

Tambrauw regency in Papua Barat province of Indonesia

Birding Tour in Manokwari

Cinnamon Ground Dove

Manokwari as Birding Destination
As a birding tour destination, Manokwari has got several areas that are suitable for birdwatching:Manokwari regency has been famous as the most important birdwatching destination in New Guinea island. As the largest tropical island in the world, New Guinea is divided into 2 territory. The eastern region is the independent state of Papua New Guinea and the western one is the territory of Indonesia called West Papua. There are 2 provinces in West Papua, i.e. Papua (with the capital of Jayapura) and Papua Barat (with Manokwari as its capital).
The Lowland Forest
This is the forest area which is the natural habitat of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Western Crowned Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Pesquet Parrot (which is very difficult to find), Friarbird, Beautiful Fruit Dove and the famous Lesser Birds of Paradise. Azure Kingfisher, King Birds of Paradise, Paradise Riflebird, Spangled Drongo, Eclectus Parrot and a lot more.

Arfak Mountains
Higher Montane Forest of Arfak Mountains has become a world class birding destination. Here, visitors are able to watch Western Parotia, Magnificent Birds of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird and Cinnamon Ground Dove.

The Lower Montane Forest of the mountains has got birds whose species are similar to the ones in low flat land area.
As a tourist guide, I could arrange a trekking tour in the jungle of Manokwari regency. During the tour, visitors will be able to stay in the jungle for several days to watch not only birds but also other wild animals such as cuscus possum and colorful butterflies.
Birding Gear
Most birdwatchers need a pair of binoculars to see birds. To enhance birding experience, I will also bring a spotting scope and a field guide entitled Birds of New Guinea written by Bruce Beehler and his friends. A D-SLR camera with telephoto lens will be a useful device particularly for taking pictures of birds in distant branch of a tree. Today, Nikon has manufactured a bridge camera with the highest optical zoom 83x. Its type is Nikon Coolpix P900. Because the birding activity will be done in tropical jungle, I will bring dome tents.

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

Snorkeling Tour
In addition to jungle tour, I can also organize a snorkeling tour for you if you want to see coral reef and tropical fish that live in Manokwari waters. Based on my personal observation, there are a lot of of species of fish that can be seen. Some of them are striped surgeon fish, trevally, damselfish, moorish idol, parrotfish, grouper, and anemonefish.

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta city (the capital of Indonesia)
• Fly from Jakarta to Manokwari by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Express Air, Sriwijaya Air 
• I could meet you in Manokwari city and organize your birding trip in the jungle.

Contact:
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in trekking and birdwatching in Manokwari.