Phalacrocoracidae/Anhingidae-cormorants and darters:
Wherever there are expanses of water-lakes, swamps and bays-you are likely to find these long-necked fish eaters. (6 species)
Sulidae-boobies:
These are the gannets of tropical seas. The brown booby is quite common; the other three species are much rarer, unless you visit the remote seabird islands in the Banda Sea (or Chrismast Island).(4 species)
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore
Pelecanidae-pelicans:
The great-white Pelican is only a vagrant, and the spot –billed now a very rare resident of coastal swamps in Sumatra. The Australian Pelican migrates to maluku and Nusa Tenggara; the sight of a flock loafing on a sand bar is unforgettable.(3 species)
Ardeidae-herons, egrets and allies:
White egrets and herons are still a familiar sight on Indonesia’s marshes and coasts. The smaller bitterns are largely migrants to Indonesia, but they are shy, hard to find inhabitants of dense marsh vegetation which is in itself becoming harder to find. Look out for the rare Great-billed Heron on coral flats. (22 species)
Ciconiidae-storks:
Storks are confined mainly to western Indonesia and all species are now very rare. However, the two rarest, Milky and Storm’s Storks, can be seen quite easily at Pulau Rambut (Jakarta Bay) and Way Kambas (Sumatra) respectively. (3 species)
Accipitridae/Falconidae-hawks, eagles and falcons:
Raptor enthusiast will find Indonesia a treat. Raptor population have drastically diminished on Java (probably due to excessive pesticide use) but are still strong elsewhere. The magnificient White-bellied Sea-eagle is a characteristics sight along coasts, but a sighting of Javan Hawk-eagle, Sulawesi Hawk-eagle or Gurney’s Eagle (in Halmahera or Irian Jaya) will be a highlight. In September and October large numbers of honey-buzzards and sparrowhawks migrate through Indonesia; Bali Barat is good place to watch them. Field identification marks of resident goshawks and sparrowhawks are poorly understood.(65 species)
Anatidae-ducks, geese and swans:
The resident duck population is swelled by migrants from northern winter, but accessible wetlands are few. The Sunda Teal, easily recognized by its bulbous forehead, is still common in western Indonesia. One of Indonesia’s top birding attractions is the near certainty of seeing the elusive and globally threatened White-winged Duck at Way Kambas in south Sumatra; in eastern Indonesia the stately White-headed Shelduck fills a similar niche along forested rivers, but is much more catholic in its choice of wetlands. (19 species)
