Highlights
According to Alfred Russel Wallace, Sulawesi Island is a very special, ancient, and biologically anomalous island. Wallace identified it as a unique transition zone (Wallacea) with mixed Asian-Australian fauna and a high level of endemism, unlike Borneo. Sulawesi is a long-isolated “laboratory of evolution” with distinctive animals such as the anoa and babirusa.
Here are the main points of Wallace’s views on the nature of Sulawesi:
- An Ancient and Unique Island: Wallace concluded in his book The Malay Archipelago (1869) that Sulawesi is an ancient island separated from Asia and Australia, allowing for isolated evolution.
- Transition Zone (Wallacea): Sulawesi is located at the center of the Wallacea line. The fauna of Sulawesi is not a pure mixture of Asia or Australia, but a unique mixture that is different from the fauna west of the Wallace line (Kalimantan/Bali).
- High Level of Endemism: Wallace was impressed by the large number of endemic species, which are not found anywhere else in the world.
- The island of Sulawesi is one of the most interesting islands in Indonesia to visit, especially for bird lovers who want to observe them in the wild. Approximately 168 endemic bird species are recorded as living and found only on the island of Sulawesi. In total, there are approximately 580 species of birds that can be observed on the island of Sulawesi. These birds are scattered and inhabit the tropical rainforests of Sulawesi from the lowlands to the highlands.
Purple-bearded Bee-eater
Key Bird Species and Families
- Maleo: One of the endemic birds of Sulawesi Island, belonging to the Megapodidae family, lays eggs weighing 240 to 270 grams and digs holes in the soil and sand.
- Sulawesi Pitta: Endemic bird from the Pittidae family.
- Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher: Endemic species from the Alcedinae family. Sulawesi has six endemic Kingfishers ( Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Black-headed Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher ).
- Purple-bearded Bee-eater is an endemic bird that only lives in the highlands of Sulawesi Island from the Meropidae family.
- Sulawesi Hanging Parrot: This bird belongs to the Psittaculidae family and the Psittaciformes order. Besides the Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, there are also the Ornate Loorikeet and the Sulawesi Racquettail.
- Lompobattang Flycatcher: It is a bird from the Muscicapidae family that can only be found in the highlands of Sulawesi Island, specifically in the southern part of Sulawesi Island.
- Geomalia: It is a bird from the Turdidae family that can only be found in the highlands of Sulawesi Island.
- Sulawesi Scops Owl: It is a bird from the Strigidae family that inhabits the lowlands of Sulawesi Island. Several owls and boobook owls live in Sulawesi, including the Sulawesi Masked Owl, Minahasa Masked Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobook, and Cinnabar Boobook.
- Sulawesi Myzomela: It is a bird from the Meliphagidae family.
- Sulawesi Serpent Eagle: Birds of prey from Sulawesi are from the Accipitridae family. There are also the Sulawesi Hawk Eagle and the Sulawesi Ghosthawk.
- Piping Crow: It is a bird from the Corvidae family. There are three types of crows in Sulawesi, all of which are endemic to the island. The Sulawesi Crow and Banggai Crow are two types besides the Piping Crow.
Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher
Best Regions for Birding
North Sulawesi: Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mahawu Mount, Ambang Mount, and Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
North Sulawesi is a favorite place for birdwatchers and bird photography. In northern Sulawesi, there are three best locations to explore, namely Tangkoko Nature Reserve with its highlight birds, namely Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Roller, and Knobbed Hornbill. After Tangkoko Nature Reserve, there is also Mahawu Mount with its highlight birds, namely Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, and Grey-sided Flowerpecker. And finally, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park with its highlight birds, namely Maleo, Sulawesi Roller, Bay Coucal, and Blue-faced Rail.
South Sulawesi: Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park and Malino Mount
South Sulawesi boasts two prime birding locations to explore: Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park and Malino Mount. Sulawesi’s endemic birds, found only in the southern part of the island, are a highlight of both regions. These endemic birds include the Black-headed Kingfisher, Lompbattang Flycatcher, Lompobattang Leaf Warbler, Black-ringed White-eye, and Makassar Myna.
Central Sulawesi: Lore Lindu National Park, Oloboju Region, Peleng Island, and Libuun Taima
Central Sulawesi is also a great place for birding exploration. Lore Lindu National Park, located above 1,500 meters above sea level, is home to Geomalia, Satanic Nightjar, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Malia, Maron-backed Whistler, Cinnabar Boobook, Sulawesi Fantail, and Meyer’s Loorikeet. There’s also the Olobojo Birding Site, home to the Pale-headed Munia and Savanna Nightjar. Peleng Island is also home to the Banggai Crow, Banggai Fruit Dove, and Red and Black Thrush. Libuun Taima is home to the Maleo, which lays its eggs on the white sands of the beach.
Sulawesi Pitta
Best Birding Season
Indonesia has only two seasons: a rainy season from mid-October to early April, and a dry season from mid-April to early October. Therefore, the best time for birding in Sulawesi Island is April to October.
Black-ringed White-eye
Birding Trip Suggestion(s)
A birding exploration of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, can take from 5 to 15 days, depending on which area to explore.
- North Sulawesi – South Sulawesi -Central Sulawesi: Explore all the best birding spots on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi ( 12-15 Days )
- North Sulawesi: Tangkoko Nature Reserve ( 5 Days ), Tangkoko and Tomohon Mahawu Mount ( 7 Days ), Tangkoko Nature Reserve-Tomohon-Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park ( 10 Days )
- South Sulawesi: Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park and Malino Mount ( 5-6 Days )
- Central Sulawesi: Lore Lindu National Park & Oloboju Birding Site ( 5-6 Days ), Peleng Island & Libuun Taima ( 6-7 Days ).
Sulawesi Serpent Eagle
Practical Tips
- The island of Sulawesi is one of the safest regions to visit in Indonesia. Sulawesi has two international airports: Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar in the south and Samratulangi Airport in the north. Both airports have direct flights to Singapore.
- Accommodation in some areas for bird watching is quite good, except in the Lore Lindu area in Central Sulawesi, where rooms are still fairly standard due to their remote location, far from the city, and situated in a mountain valley.
- For bird photographers who need good and the best photo results, it is recommended to go to North Sulawesi because there are several locations that have hiding places for observation and photography.
- Some bird-watching locations in Sulawesi have varying degrees of difficulty. For a satisfying and comfortable exploration, it is highly recommended to use a local guide or birdwatching tour operator.
- Sulawesi cuisine is very diverse, but generally spicy. Breakfast can be adjusted, as some hotels sometimes prepare breakfast options that are safe for people from outside Sulawesi.
- Some places still require cash payments, so it is highly recommended to bring cash when exploring.
Maleo
Books
The Lynx guide is highly recommended.
Knobbed Hornbill
Links
10,000 Birds has shared information about birding in Indonesia. Information on Sulawesi, in particular, is still somewhat lacking. However, if you’d like more information and are planning a birding exploration on Sulawesi, you can check out the website below:
Togian Golden Bulbul
By Ardhy Toyadho
Ardhy Toyadho is a nature conservationist who has long been involved in tourism, particularly wildlife tourism, on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since 2010, he has worked as a bird guide on the island of Sulawesi and has introduced one of the Maleo bird conservation areas to the international community. With a vision to prevent the extinction of birds in Sulawesi, especially endemic species, he encourages people to stop hunting and campaigns against the killing of birds. He also invites people who used to work as hunters to work together in bird watching tours by inviting them.
Map: “Sulawesi topography plain” by RXerself is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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