What is your favorite bird species?
Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx fallax)
What is your name, and where do you live?
My name is Ardhy, and I live in Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia. I’m a Birding Tour Guide and Birding Tour Leader in Indonesia. I’m also the founder / Owner of Indonesia Birding Tour.
Sulawesi Pitta ( Erythropitta celebensis )
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
Sulawesi, Halmahera, Maluku, West Papua, Papua, Sumatera, Jawa, Bali, and Flores
Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo)
How long have you been a bird guide?
Since 2010
Knobbed Hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix)
How did you get into bird guiding?
Invited by a friend who had previously been a birding guide in Indonesia because in Indonesia, there are still not many people interested in working as a birding guide.
Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher (Cittura cyanotis)
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
The best aspect is meeting with clients from various countries around the world and assisting them in observing the birds they want to see. Afterward, we discuss and share experiences and the birds that can be observed in their countries.
The worst aspect is Clients who don’t understand the field conditions for observing target birds, even though they’ve been explained before arriving. Furthermore, clients who want to see many target birds but don’t have much time.
Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis)
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?
- Sulawesi Pitta (Erytropitta celebensis)
- Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx fallax)
- Scacly-breasted Kingfisher (Actenoides princeps)
- Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo)
- Knobbed Hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix)
- Purple-bearded Bee-eater (Meropogon forsteni)
- Geomalia (Geomalia heinrichi)
- Blue-faced Rail (Gymnocrex rosenbergii)
- Black-headed Kingfisher (Actenoides monachus capucinus)
- Sulawesi Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus lanceolatus)
- Ivory-backed Woodswallow (Artamus monachus)
Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip
Birding North Sulawesi, Indonesia:
This tour will start from Manado International Airport, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. After tha,t heading to Tangkoko Nature Reserve, then to the Tomohon highland area, then to the Kotamobagu region, and back to Manado. Target birds to be observed are Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Maleo, Malia, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, etc. Typically, this tour takes 10 days and 9 nights, but it can be customized.
Green-backed kingfisher (Actenoides monachus)
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
To explore birding in Sulawesi, Indonesia, binoculars are essential. For documentation purposes, it’s best to bring a camera. The best time for birding in Sulawesi Indonesi,a is from March to October
Geomalia (Geomalia heinrichi)
If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?
They can contact us via Email and WhatsApp :
- E-mail info@indonesiabirdingtour.com or indonesiabirdingtour@gmail.com
- WhatsApp Number: +62 82194743434
Purple-bearded Bee-eater (Meropogon forsteni)
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
For birding tours in Indonesia, particularly in Sulawesi, Halmahera, and Papua, it’s best to communicate well in advance. Both private and group tours are often fully booked, as is accommodation, especially during July, August, and September. Our tour programs can be combined with tours in other regions, such as the Sulawesi + Halmahera or the Sulawesi + Halmahera + Papua.
Leave a Comment