What is your favorite bird species?
Bird of Paradise and Kingfisher
Lesser Bird of Paradise
What is your name, and where do you live?
My name is Eko Lesomar, and I live in Biak, Papua, Indonesia, a small island off the northern coast of mainland Papua.
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
Sorong Lowland, Jayapura / Nimbokrang, Waigeo Raja Ampat , Biak and Numfor Island
Red Bird-of-paradise
How long have you been a bird guide?
8 Years
Blue-black Kingfisher
How did you get into bird guiding?
At first, I taught myself by studying the birds and their habits in my area, using illustrated bird books and going out into the field to identify birds visually and by sound. From there, my interest in birdwatching grew, and I also had some clients come and then tried to accompany them on their trips.
Wilson’s Bird of Paradise
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
I love exploring and enjoying the beauty of beautiful birds, especially those found around my hometown/island, while also educating local communities about the importance of caring for the birds in their area. However, there are some aspects I dislike, such as the fact that some locals still kill birds for pets or food, and some are even sold to other parts of Indonesia and possibly around the world through certain people who sell animals, such as the Bird of Paradise and Lori species.
Geelvink Fruit Dove
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?
- Wilson’s Bird of Paradise
- Magnificent Riffle Bird-of-paradise
- Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise
- King Bird-of-paradise
- Red Bird-of-paradise
- Lesser Bird of Paradise
- Biak Paradise Kingfisher
- Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
- Geelvink Fruit Dove
- Papuan and Eastern Hooded Pitta
Magnificent Riffle Bird-of-paradise
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
Lesser Birds of Paradise and some Birds of Paradise are usually seen dancing in the morning at 6:00 am and in the afternoon at 15:30 pm. Not only Birds of Paradise, but several endemic birds such as the Biak Paradise Kingfisher, several types of lorikeets, and many other birds are easy to hear & see, except for several types of birds that are still the target of hunting, and disturbed habitats are very difficult to find.
Biak Paradise Kingfisher
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
You should bring a camera and spare batteries, binoculars, trekking shoes or rubber boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or sweater, a raincoat or umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a camera with a telephoto lens.
Papuan Pitta
If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?
They can call me at: (+62) 81240364457 or send a short message/chat to: (+62) 81248299411 and e-mail: info@discoverpapua-birding.com and el.birding@gmail.com
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
Come to Papua, Indonesia, and witness the beauty of the exotic birds found in this eastern Indonesian province. Papua is very safe to visit, and the locals are friendly and welcoming to foreign tourists.
Leave a Comment