Birding in West Papua with Sultan Birding Indonesia
West Papua is one of the most exciting birding frontiers in the world, and Sultan Birding Indonesia offers expertly guided birding trips that put you face-to-face with some of the planet’s most spectacular avian species. Our birding tours in West Papua are designed for birders, nature photographers, and conservation-minded travelers eager to explore this wild and breathtaking corner of Indonesia.
Why Birding in West Papua?
As part of the vast New Guinea biodiversity hotspot, West Papua is home to over 700 bird species, including over 40 species of Birds-of-Paradise and countless regional endemics. The island’s untouched forests, remote highlands, and lowland jungles provide perfect habitats for some of the rarest birds on Earth.
Where We Bird in West Papua?
Sultan Birding Indonesia provides access to some of the top birding sites in West Papua, many of which are only reachable through local knowledge and deep logistics.
West Papua Birding Sites:
- Arfak Mountains (Manokwari) – legendary for Wilson’s and Western Parotia
- Tambrauw & Vogelkop Peninsula – remote forests with less-visited specialties
- Malagufuk Village – a lowland birding gem with excellent Birds-of-Paradise sightings
- Raja Ampat (Waigeo Island) – island endemics and coral coast beauty
- Nimbokrang (near Jayapura) – Papuan lowland rainforest specialties
- Snow Mountains (Baliem Valley, Wamena) – highland endemics and alpine habitats
- Biak Numfour – lowland and hill-forest remnants, Easy birding in the islands of the Geelvink Bay
- Fakfak Nature Reserve – Home for Southern Cassowary, Olive-yellow Robin, Magnificent Riflebird.
Target birds in West Papua
- Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus respublica) – a visual masterpiece
- King Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)
- Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus)
- Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleuca)
- Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise (Lophorina niedda) – known for its dazzling display
- Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata) – the ballerina bird
- Long-tailed Paradigalla (Paradigalla carunculata)
- Papuan Pitta, Palm Cockatoo, and New Guinea Harpy-Eagle
