Watching Magnificent Riflebird in Susnguakti Forest

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) is a species of birds of paradise that live in lowland and lower montane forest of New Guinea. The male one has got black feather all over its body that is decorated with triangular blue breast. There is a narrow yellow line feather below the blue breast. Because of these physical characteristics I like to call him Blue-breasted Paradise Bird. The birds are active in the mornings, and in the afternoons at his display or dancing site - usually a big hanging vine or a clean branch. He likes to perform courtship dance to attract his female bird.
Magnificent Riflebird makes calling sounds throughout the day. We can hear the sounds of this bird almost every where in the forest but it is very difficult to find him. Fortunately, I have seen the birds in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari.

Simple but comfortable tent

Early this month, I organized a birding tour for an Austrian couple who spent several days birding and wildlife watching with me.
We stayed in a basecamp in the middle of the jungle. There is no toilet. We used a small river near our basecamp to wash and clean our body. I prepared dome tents, mattrasses, towels, and pillows for them so that they could sleep comfortably in the forest. There were cooking and eating utensils that I and local villagers provided in the forest. All that my clients needed to bring were some dark clothing, anti-insect lotion, food, binoculars, and camera.
At night, we did some night walk to find cuscus possum, soa-soa lizard as well as birds that were sleeping on lower branches of trees. We saw Lesser Birds of Paradise and King Bird of Paradise during the day. Susnguakti forest of Manokwari is the natural habitat of butterflies, beetles, wild flowers, and a lot of unique plants.
I provide tours to Susnguakti forest for visitors who want to watch birds and wild animals. The duration in the forest is usually 3 days/ 2 nights. This rainforest tour can be combined with snorkeling tour at the beach of Manokwari.
Here is how to get here:

• Find an international flight that will bring you from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• After that buy plane ticket that will bring you to Manokwari city (the capital of West Papua province of Indonesia)
• I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and bring you to the forest.

If you want me to guide you traveling to Manokwari to watch birds, wild animals and also see coral reef environment, please, contact (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to: +6281332245180.

I am now trying to raise money so that I could buy binoculars which I could donate to villagers who will guide tourists in the forest. You could support this effort by clicking and buying the following illustration printed on various products such as t-shirt, cell phone case, tote bags, spiral notebook, and etc.

Male Lesser Bird of Paradise

Vector Art created by Charles Roring