Rainforest Birds in Lowland of Manokwari

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Tropical Birds

I often guide tourists to lowland forest area in Manokwari. We spend several days hiking, camping, birding and wildlife watching in tropical rainforest. My favorite destination is Mesirokow river or Susnguakti forest. In the middle of the jungle, there is no guesthouse, so we must stay in tents if we want to spend several days finding rainforest birds. From my previous trips in Mesirokow river, we were able to see Glossy Manucode (Manucodia ater), Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Beautiful Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus pulchellus), Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Golden Myna (Mino anais), and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Nightjar (which is usually seen at night) and etc.

Birding Optics

Celestron Hummingbird Micro Spotting Scope with ED lens

To watch these birds, visitors need do morning walks and late afternoon walks. Birds are usually active during that time. But riverwalk tour can also be carried out in the afternoon to increase the chance of seeing such birds as Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), and Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus).

To enhance birding experience, visitors need a good pair of binoculars preferably the ones that are made of ED lenses and Bak4 prism glasses such as Swarovski EL 8.5×42 or Canon 15×50 IS UD 4.5° and Swarovski SLC 10×42 WB. 

I personally bring more affordable binoculars such as the Visionking 10×42 mm and a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope.

Olive-crowned Flowerpecker

Watching tropical birds with a spotting scope in open space such as the Mesirokow river greatly improves the birdwatching experience of visitors. I used to guide 3 French birdwatcher who brought Swarovski ATX 30-70×95 spotting scope. The images of birds this device produced were clear and sharp even though the birds were sitting on the branches of high trees and were far from us. Unfortunately, this device was very expensive. Only serious birdwatchers who have got money that will buy that device.

For taking pictures, DSLR Camera with 600 mm super telephoto lens is highly recommended but a bridge camera such as Canon SX 60HS, Nikon Coolpix P900 will give good pictures of tropical birds in distant trees or in the other side of the river.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in lowland forest of Manokwari; Klasow valley of Sorong regency; The forest area near Sorong city and tropical jungle of Waigeo island in Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:
Watching Birds in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
Palm Cockatoo of Raja Ampat
Parrots in Waigeo island