BIRD FAMILIES (3)

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)

BIRD FAMILIES(2)

Phaethontidae-tropicbirds:
These beautiful, white seabirds, with their long, central tail streamers, breed in small numbers on sea cliffs along the south coasts of java and Bali and also in eastern Indonesia. They are rarely seen at sea in Indonesia. (2 species)
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore

Fregatidae-Frigatebirds:
Common along the coasts of the archipelago, frigatebirds are unmistakeable: large, with black body, long-bowed, pointed wings and forked tail. The Lesser is the commonest species, but identification of immatures is headache-bring notes from specialist seabird guides if you want to be sure.(3 species)
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore

Bird Family

Casuariidae-cassowaries:
These very large, 1-m tall, flightless birds inhabit the forest of Irian Jaya. The Southern Cassowary is also found on Seram, where it was presumably introduced long ago.(3 species)
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore

Procellariidae/Hydrobatidae-petrels and shearwaters:
Indonesia is generally poor in seabird and no good sea-watching sites are known, although the Sunda Strait, between Sumatra and Java, has potential in the autumn. Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel and Matsudaira’s Storm petrel are the species most often seen from inter-island ferries.(15 species)
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore

BIRD FAMILIES

Bird Families
The following section gives a brief introduction to some of the main bird families and groups found in Indonesia (for a full checklist see Practicalities); like all field guides and lists, it is ordered in taxonomic sequence. The purpose of this sequence is broadly to highlight evolutionary relationships: it starts with bird families that are the oldest in evolutionary terms and ends with the most “modern”
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore

Transportation and Travelling In Birding Indonesia

The energy-sapping heat and humidity are the biggest problems facing birders, especially when newly arrived. Whether searching for pheasants on Mt Kerinci, wader watching on the Brantas delta or enjoying birds-of-paradise in Papua, the chances are that you will be sweating copiously. Other discomforts are relatively minor or controllable and you can wander around pretty much anywhere without fear of violence and attack. Indeed, if it were not for the accident risk on poorly maintained and recklessly driven public transport, Indonesia would rank as one of the safest countries in Asia for tourists.
Taken from Jepson, P, 1997, Birding Indonesia, Periplus Editions. Singapore