INDONESIA TOUR

SULAWESI (Celebes) / HALMAHERA

28 days

 

These exotic islands in central Indonesia showed us a grand time on our previous tours and we'll be repeating our route with some modifications to add a few birds. We expect over 250 species, many of which are known to only a few birders. The star attraction on Halmahera is the Wallace's Standardwing, which we expect to see, while on Sulawesi it is the Maleo, an endangered megapode, which we have a chance to see as well. Other fine birds that we should see are: Sunda Teal, 19-20 hawks and eagles (including Barred Honey-Kite, Sulawesi Serpent-Eagle, 4-6 accipiters, Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle and Gurney's Eagle), 7 very attractive fruit-doves, 6 imperial pigeons, 14-16 parrots (including White Cockatoo, 2 racquet-tails, and 3 hanging-parrots), Yellow-billed Malkoha, Goliath Coucal, 5-7 owls, Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar, 5 nightjars (including Diabolical and Sulawesi), 12-15 kingfishers, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, 3 hornbills, Red-bellied and Ivory-breasted Pittas, 8-9 cuckooshrikes, Great Shortwing, Rusty-backed Thrush (maybe), Sulawesi Thrush, Geomalia (maybe), Malia, some attractive flycatchers and monarchs, 5 whistlers, 4 flowerpeckers, 4 sunbirds, 6 white-eyes, 5 honeyeaters, 4 munias, 4 starlings, 4 very exotic mynas, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, and Paradise Crow. Accommodation will range from very basic to good. It is not a particularly rugged trip. Most (but not all) of our birding will be done along roads. You'll find the Indonesians very friendly and hospitable. Our food will be basic to tasty. If you'd like to see some of the world's least-known birds amidst spectacular scenery and tropical rain forests in the most diverse and fascinating archipelago on earth, you'll find this trip exciting and satisfying. Leader: Ben King.