Indonesia: West Papua - June 2026
Dates: June 21 - July 7, 2026
Leader: Scott Baker
E-bird
Total Species: 182 birds
Click Here to view list.
Overall Summary
Well, the inaugural VENT tour of West Papua was certainly an adventure! Happy to report that, despite some wild and (at times) challenging terrain and some last-minute flight changes (that did, in fact, cost us a day in the Arfaks), the overall experience was extremely positive. A big part of that was the quality of this intrepid group.
Over a period of 12 days, we completed a circuit that started on the island of Biak, targeting the 19 or so endemic birds that occupy this fascinating and reasonably well-serviced outpost of Geelvink Bay, around 50 km northwest of the Papuan mainland. Nice hotels, good roads, and great weather—we really enjoyed our time on Biak.
A few of the highlights I will mention include Geelvink Fruit-Dove, Biak Scops Owl, Biak Coucal, Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Biak Paradise Kingfisher, Biak Lorikeet, Biak Triller, and Biak Leaf Warbler, amongst the endemics, in addition to good views of Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove, Emperor Fairywren, and local endemic subspecies of Golden Monarch.
Some really good-quality birding. We finished up with the more recently split Biak Hooded Pitta at a hide as the sun was setting (and we had almost given up)—a memorable finale.
Next up, we headed for the Arfak Mountains. In many respects, the most important part of the tour. The Arfaks are a steep, densely forested, isolated mountain range that harbours a bunch of mega-birds.
Typically, at the top of any birder's wish list here are the Birds-of-Paradise (the BoPs). We encountered five species, including two endemics: the Western Parotia and Vogelkop Lophorina. We also recorded Lesser BoP and Crinkle-collared Manucode, and, most memorably, the Magnificent BoP in full display mode. An extraordinary performance that culminated in a successful coupling.
In addition to the BoPs, we had three species of Owlet-Nightjar (Feline, Mountain, and Vogelkop), White-breasted Fruit-Dove, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo, Black-eared (Arfak) Catbird, Mountain Peltops, Hooded Pitohui, and the unmistakable Masked Bowerbird—a dazzling endemic that frequented a fruiting tree close to our accommodation.
We were also fortunate to visit the elaborate bower of the Vogelkop Bowerbird—a 1.5-meter-wide, hut-like structure decorated with fruit, flowers, and coloured plastic—with the plain-plumaged and unassuming male in attendance. Perhaps the most celebrated courtship arena in the birding world.
Returning to the tropical lowlands, we spent two nights in Sorong, the largest city and capital of Southwest Papua, which provided both an opportunity to recalibrate and explore the lowland forest sites in relative comfort. This included lekking sites for the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, King Bird-of-Paradise, and, I would suggest, best of all, the Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise on a prominent snag in the early morning light.
For the final leg of our journey, we travelled by ferry from Sorong to Waigeo Island, gateway to the Raja Ampat archipelago—best known for its luxury dive resorts and pristine marine environment, attracting many international tourists. It is also home to several endemics, including two highly coveted BoPs.
We spent much of this time working the local hides, which included a communal lek tree for the Red Bird-of-Paradise. At one stage, we had an estimated nine full-plumaged adult males pulling moves and vying for attention, and we had front-row seats—one of those "David Attenborough" moments. The (near-endemic) and utterly unique Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise, however, proved a far more challenging subject, making a brief but much-appreciated appearance at the very last moment.
We wound things up on Waigeo at a more relaxed pace. Birding the forest trails and coastal areas (plus a boat trip to Mios Kon Island) produced some quality additions to the trip list, including Brown Crow, Palm Cockatoo, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Moustached Treeswift, Lesser Frigatebird, Grey-headed Goshawk, Beach Kingfisher, Great-billed Parrot, and Glossy-mantled Manucode.
Once again, thank you to everyone involved. West Papua is a truly special place—a complex and dramatic tropical landscape of astonishing diversity. Our list of almost 200 species included 19 pigeons, three owlet-nightjars, 10 kingfishers, and 12 Birds-of-Paradise, serving as a very satisfying introduction to this ornithological wonderland.
Day-by-Day Summary
June 25 - AM Flight from Makassar to Biak Is (arrive 7.00 am) Full day birding forest sites west of Kota Biak (Biak City)
June 26 - Full day on Biak. AM: return to forest west of Kota Biak/ eBird hotspot Wardo rd. PM Stakeout at B Hooded Pitta hide, Warsansan – north of Kota Biak.
June 27 - AM Flight from Biak to Manokwari, via Jayapura. PM driving to Maibri Birdwatching Ecolodge (Arfaks).
June 28 - Full day working hides & feed tables in Maibri.
June 29 - AM Maibri - roadside birding & forest trails. PM Drive to Manokwari.
June 30 - AM Flight from Manokwari to Sorong. PM South Sorong Mangroves.
July 1 - Birding the Sorong area. AM Klaso Woh Village (Klayli) PM TWA Sorong Forest / South Sorong Mangroves.
July 2 - AM Klafma Birdwatching (Sorong) – 12 BoP site. PM Ferry from Sorong to Waigeo Island.
July 3 - Full day on Waigeo. AM Wilson’s BoP hide (Aimas) PM Warkesi Forest Park.
July 4 - Full day on Waigeo. AM Red BoP hide (Waisai) PM Boat to Mios Kon Island
July 5 - AM Wilson’s BoP hide (Aimas) PM Ferry from Waigeo Is to Sorong
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Northern Common Cuscus
Waigeo Spotted Cuscus
Striped Possum
New Guinea Glider
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:
Littoral Whiptail
Skink Mangrove
Monitor Eastern Keelback
White-lipped Tree Frog