1. Hylocitrea, 林啸鹟, 橙脇嘯鶇, Hylocitrea bonensis, Hylocitrea bonensis, Kancilan Buah
The hylocitrea, also known as the yellow-flanked whistler or olive-flanked whistler, is a species of bird that is endemic to montane forests on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. It is monotypic within the genus Hylocitrea, and has traditionally been considered a member of the family Pachycephalidae, but recent genetic evidence suggests it should be placed in a monotypic subfamily of the family Bombycillidae, or even its own family, Hylocitreidae. A 2019 study found it to be a sister group to a clade containing the hypocolius (Hypocoliidae) and the extinct Hawaiian honeyeaters (Mohoidae), with the clade containing all three being a sister group to the silky-flycatchers (Ptiliogonatidae). The divergences forming these families occurred in the early Miocene, about 20-23 million years ago.
Our main target at Lore Lindu turned out to be not as tough as we expected. We managed to see it twice, and both sightings were not high up in the canopy. Unfortunately, the lighting wasn’t ideal, making the photos appear a bit dull—but still a great bird to observe!
It’s a huge bird with a brightly colored head. I missed it during my last trip, but this time I finally got to see two—moving around almost like pets, even with names! Really happy to finally see this massive and beautiful bird.
another new collection from Lombok, Indonesia 202412
1. White-tailed Tropicbird, 白尾鹲, 白尾熱帶鳥, Phaethon lepturus, シラオネッタイチョウ, Buntut-sate putih
#####
1. White-tailed Tropicbird, 白尾鹲, 白尾熱帶鳥, Phaethon lepturus, シラオネッタイチョウ, Buntut-sate putih
A medium-sized white seabird with black marks on the wings and a yellow beak. The long white tail streamers are visible from a great distance. Nests on coastal and inland cliffs on the main islands. Often seen flying over canyons and along cliffs. At sea usually flies high above the water. Calls are loud clucks and squawks. Smaller and more graceful in flight than Red-tailed Tropicbird [Ebird]
I just can’t help but share more of this lovely bird… under the hot sun, it’s such a beautiful sight to watch them soaring through the sky.
我忍不住再分享更多这只这么美的鸟… 在炽热的阳光下，看到它们在天空中翱翔真是太美了。
202412, Lombok, Indonesia
#####
One of the target birds can be found here, making it an incredibly beautiful location to observe this species. The view is breathtaking, and I hope to return again. While waiting for a better sighting of the bird, I was fortunate to also spot a Dugong, Green Turtle, and Spinner Dolphins. Watching this bird gracefully soar through the air is truly mesmerizing.
The dugong ( Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees. It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.
A typical pitta: plump, short-tailed, long-legged, and primarily terrestrial (sometimes perches up to call). Bright green above with electric blue shoulder patch and rump and black head with conspicuous pale brow. Underside golden-buff with black and bright red on the belly. Juvenile duller, with little blue in wing, an orange-tipped bill, and a pinkish belly. Resident in woodland, forest, scrub, and plantations in the lowlands and hills of the Lesser Sundas, from Lombok east to Alor. Formerly regarded as a subspecies of Elegant Pitta, to which it is very similar; Ornate averages more extensively black on the throat and lower belly, and has a fairly evenly divided rufous-and-white “eyebrow.” Also note Ornate’s whistled two-note call [Ebird]
After successfully getting all our target birds, we took it easy and birded along the main forest road. Suddenly, 3–4 of these Pittas started calling nearby, and one of them came as close as 10 feet from me!
This individual even stood out in the open for 2–3 minutes, giving us a fantastic natural encounter—not at a feeding station, but in the wild. A very different kind of excitement.
Hope everyone enjoyed this Lombok bird photography trip. And Imran—see you next time!
Finally had the chance to revisit this spot again. As usual, the Pitta was quite tame but didn’t make it easy for everyone to get a good shot. Still, I was lucky enough to get a satisfying photo.
Despite the light drizzle, we managed to photograph two of our main targets during this one evening session.
A special arrangement was made with Ramesh for a relaxing birding trip focused on collecting a few endemic species. As usual, pittas, owls, and woodpeckers were our primary targets. Upon arriving at the airport, we had a ~1.5-hour drive followed by a short walk to the feeding spot. After less than 15 minutes of waiting, the bird showed up beautifully, allowing for this “pre-poo” moment to be captured perfectly.
A small brown owl with feathered ear tufts and yellow eyes, restricted to Lombok. Mostly brown with scattered white and pale markings on wings, sparsely streaked underparts, and a clear “double” facial disk with both blackish and white borders. Found in various forests and plantations in the lowlands and foothills. Distinctive: the only small owl on Lombok, and the only owl there with ear tufts. Gives a single note song, “woot,” ascending slightly at the end [Ebird]
This is one of our main targets for visiting Lombok Island. It didn’t take long to spot the bird, but we had to wait patiently for a better photo opportunity.
Although it’s a common owl on Lombok, getting a clean shot still required some effort—but it was worth it!
这是我们前往龙目岛的主要目标鸟种之一。虽然很快就观测到它，但我们花了不少时间等待更好的拍摄机会。
尽管这只猫头鹰在龙目岛相对常见，但想要拍到干净漂亮的照片依然不容易——不过一切都是值得的！
202512, Lombok island, Indonesia
#####
update 202412
This special, quick, and relaxed trip to Lombok, Indonesia, focused on our second main target. We spotted a few birds, but only one came reasonably close and perched low. It resembled other scops-owls, offering another great sighting enhanced by modern technology.
3. White-tailed Tropicbird, 白尾鹲, 白尾熱帶鳥, Phaethon lepturus, シラオネッタイチョウ, Buntut-sate putih
A medium-sized white seabird with black marks on the wings and a yellow beak. The long white tail streamers are visible from a great distance. Nests on coastal and inland cliffs on the main islands. Often seen flying over canyons and along cliffs. At sea usually flies high above the water. Calls are loud clucks and squawks. Smaller and more graceful in flight than Red-tailed Tropicbird [Ebird]
I just can’t help but share more of this lovely bird… under the hot sun, it’s such a beautiful sight to watch them soaring through the sky.
我忍不住再分享更多这只这么美的鸟… 在炽热的阳光下，看到它们在天空中翱翔真是太美了。
202412, Lombok, Indonesia
#####
One of the target birds can be found here, making it an incredibly beautiful location to observe this species. The view is breathtaking, and I hope to return again. While waiting for a better sighting of the bird, I was fortunate to also spot a Dugong, Green Turtle, and Spinner Dolphins. Watching this bird gracefully soar through the air is truly mesmerizing.
A small finch with a striking white head and dark body. Rich chestnut brown above, with reddish tail and pale peach-washed underside. Juveniles much duller and browner, but usually show a paler head. Gregarious, found in terrestrial flocks, often with other finches, in open country such as marshes, croplands, grasslands and scrub, in the lowlands. Juvenile has a paler head and a noticeably smaller bill than juvenile Five-colored Munia. Gives weak, high-pitched “weee” and stronger, metallic “wit-wit-wit” notes [Ebird]
This munia is very common in the open areas of Lombok Island and can be spotted almost everywhere. It resembles the White-headed Munia but features a darker back and front.
It is a fairly common species found in Bali, Sumba, and Lombok, but this beautiful fantail is truly captivating. We were searching for the Five-colored Munia, but this bird appeared just before we could get a good look at the munia.
6. Golden-headed Cisticola, 金头扇尾莺, 黃頭扇尾鶯, Cisticola exilis, タイワンセッカ, Cici Merah
Tiny, sandy-colored bird with short tail and dark-streaked back. Breeding adult males have orange-gold crown. Song a thin, high-pitched, drawn-out buzzing. Inhabits grasslands of northern and eastern Australia, where perches prominently. In similar grassland habitats, Tawny Grassbird has much longer tail. Very similar Zitting Cisticola always has a streaked crown and a very different “tick-tick-tick” song but otherwise almost identical. [Ebird]
A small bird with a distinctive sequence of calls, often perched high to observe human activity, seemingly curious about us when we arrive at a new location.
This forest Kingfisher is probably one of the shyest I’ve ever encountered.
I tried photographing it during my last trip here but failed after several attempts. This time, we finally had a clear and prolonged view. Still, the bird remained very shy, making it challenging for everyone to get good shots.
A bit of a shame that some angles didn’t give a clear view, but still a rewarding sighting!
It’s not a lifer for most of us, as we’ve already seen it on Sumba Island. But this time in Lombok, we were just taking it easy when the ranger mentioned the bird was nearby.
We thought, “Why not?”—and that led to the toughest hike of the trip!
Thankfully, it paid off with a wonderful view of this beautiful Kingfisher.
10. Eastern Red-rumped Swallow, 金腰燕, 赤腰燕, Cecropis daurica, コシアカツバメ, LAYANG-LAYANG API BIASA, Burung Layang-Layang Api
update 202512
This is a common bird in Lombok, but it used to be quite a challenge to capture with DSLR back in the day. Now, with improved gear, it’s almost as easy as 1-2-3!
Distinct features: streaked throat and chest, plus a bright orange rump—such a striking little bird!
A very common bird in Lombok, but not always easy to photograph. This time, we were lucky—three individuals appeared to be sharing nesting territory, allowing us to capture some great close-range photos and videos.
Was this the final bird of our Lombok Bird Photography Tour? Possibly — and what a challenge it was! Extremely shy and not easy to capture on camera.
Still, it remains one of Indonesia’s remarkable country endemics — a true highlight despite the effort!
It was a fortunate moment while waiting for our target bird—we spotted a Dugong, a group of Dolphins putting on a show, and a few Green Turtles. Although they were at a bit of a distance, it was a joy to witness their display.
Stenostiridae, or the fairy flycatchers,[1] are a family of small passerinebirds proposed as a result of recent discoveries in molecular systematics.[2] They are also referred to as stenostirid warblers. [WIki]
An active little bird with a bright yellow belly and a pale-tipped fan-like tail. Most common in foothill and submontane broadleaf forests, where it forages energetically and acrobatically in the middle and lower levels, often with fulvettas, warblers, and other small passerines in mixed-species foraging flocks. Very similar in shape to fantails but much smaller, and actually more closely related to tits. Song is a series of high “tsit” notes interspersed with twitters and trills. Call is often repeated at length, akin to a song, but much simpler, a series of high “tsip” notes. [Ebird]
An active little bird with a bright yellow belly and a pale-tipped fan-like tail. Most common in foothill and submontane broadleaf forests, where it forages energetically and acrobatically in the middle and lower levels, often with fulvettas, warblers, and other small passerines in mixed-species foraging flocks. Very similar in shape to fantails but much smaller, and actually more closely related to tits. Song is a series of high “tsit” notes interspersed with twitters and trills. Call is often repeated at length, akin to a song, but much simpler, a series of high “tsip” notes.
update 202412
One of the most active birds, behaving much like a fantail. While it’s not a lifer for me—I previously recorded it in Northern Thailand—it’s still a challenge to spot here in Yunnan, China. Thankfully, luck was on our side, and we managed to witness it spreading its tail, giving us a few great moments for some good photo opportunities.
another “green pitta” almost can heard any where of “east Sumba” almost like other Pitta, so difficult to spot one even can heard many places
– 另一只绿色八色鸫，在东部几乎那都听到。可是与其他八色鸫一样都是听多过看。
#####
update 202401
– one of the main target, but know it is “feeding spot” it make we not worry of this bird to be photograph. after first night failed of owling, everyone seem tired next day and choose to go the “station”. When we arrive just after <30minute drive from ours hotel and walk less than 5 minutes, the local who manage the “hide” say bird already seen so immediate everyone getting ready the “big lens and camera”. without long wait we have very good view and picture but very quick one than stay near bush for quite some time before 2nd appearance and after 2nd round it stay nearby and I got this picture which I think I prefer this instead perfect view 😀
– a very beautiful appear at a very weird place where just near beach, dry area and strong wind. A small little pond attract so many of this bird keep coming.
– a very beautiful fruit-dove as usual, with overall white and red on back-head
– 有如其他果鸠，都漂亮。这只，很白头背带红。
update 202401
– we actually stop for other bird, and heard this bird calling and very soon Esli found one super high up but still make me shoot >10 frames for such a lovely bird. But after 30minutes waiting and checking. Actually Denny found one just so close and eye level … wow wow wow amazing beautiful spot and bird
– a common lowland beautiful small colorful dove at Sulawesi
– male with obvious white head, yellow, purple vented. Female overall green
– 苏拉威西蛮普通的果鸠
– 公鸟，头部白，颈黄。臀部黄紫。母鸟全身绿
update 202401
– another bird keep calling us while we looking for ours target, but I still really to see and photograph the fruit-dove which is so beautiful .. and share this because some one lazy move got the white background instead .. move move move .. choose choose choose
– small and noisy Kingfisher pretty common at East Sumba Island almost heard any where .. and saw few locations . region endemic here
– 小，漂亮的翠鸟。这区域的特有种。
update 202402
– ours 2nd target of the day after the beautiful Pitta. very soon we stop we heard and spot the bird and the bird around for almost whole day while we looking for other bird. It still around calling and appeal
– as other Boobook, the bird small and making a lot of noise
– looking for owl always my birding trip target, we spent first night with see it flying and calling non stop at casual spot. But 2nd night managed to have it just road side.want to revisit … hope can plan .. anyone ?
– very brightly colors Trogon and very similar to Javan Trogon.. it is so many colors put on this Sumatra endemic
– 颜色非常鲜艳，与爪哇岛的非常像是。苏门答腊特有种。
update 202512
2025 has been so hectic that I didn’t even get a chance to visit this place—I really miss both the location and its birds. This stunning endemic trogon from Sumatra remains one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in Indonesia.
– On the last day of the trip, the bird came incredibly close and low, but the heavy mist made it difficult to capture a clear shot. I attempted to photograph it in flight and managed to get a few shots, though the image quality suffered due to the mist and low light conditions.
– One of the primary reasons to visit Sumatra Island in Indonesia is to witness this incredible endemic species. I must say, you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of this bird when viewed through binoculars or a camera lens.
– Like other Trogons, it feeds incredibly quickly, finishing its meal in mere seconds.
– One of the primary reasons to visit Sumatra Island in Indonesia is to witness this incredible endemic species. I must say, you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of this bird when viewed through binoculars or a camera lens.
– During our 6-day photography trip, we encountered this bird multiple times. On the final evening, despite the misty weather, we were fortunate to see it flying around to feed. It was the perfect chance to capture some shots of it in flight (BIF). The new Canon R1 made photographing BIF much easier, even in the challenging jungle environment.
– It’s an incredibly striking bird, with colors that might seem mismatched but come together beautifully in a single species. Truly stunning, and it’s fairly common in Sumatra’s sub-montane and montane regions.
– Returning to the Center-East for a bird photography group, we were fortunate to spot this bird on the very first morning. A stunning male appeared, displaying a vibrant array of colors on its back.
– just another beautiful bird that we saw it before heavy rain. It was under the shade very dark. Bird color cannot been seen, push the ISO10000 at F9 shutter speed still 1/30s …
– it is going to end the Sumatra Birding tour here, it is enjoyable we only hit into rain end of the tour which is amazing. My 2023 end with the memorize trip here. But overall is wet, muddy and few places of landslides. As we just concentrate on west-center, we mostly at Sub-montane or Montane birding. I am mostly using CANON RF200800 and CANON R3 for rainforest environment. It is challenging with such long focal length with small aperture (will share more experience later regard the lens)
– this bird seem quite common any where here, we seen and heard almost any where even night roosting at montane area. Such a beautiful bird and hope to see the Java version soon (which I missed 16 years ago)
– another Christmas spend with my best guest, buddy .. this time choose have special target tour to Sumatra. After whole day travel, we arrived first birding accommodation from 4am – 4pm .. 1+ hour flight and ~7hours drive ..next day morning, we decided to change ours original plan for Ground Cuckoo, but I didn’t see one and only heard twice for almost whole day in a very lovely forest.
– this bird flying in-front of us while we waiting ours target and having ours hot tea session. What a beauty, still remember ~18 years ago I missed my Java trogon … and today see this very look a-like endemic of Sumatra ..
a very similar to Borneo Black-headed Pitta and Garnet pitta call and similar look. But it is an endemic to Sumatra island
– 与婆罗洲的黑头八色鸫，西马的榴红八色鸫非常像。叫声也很像。
update 202411
– this year seem not much luck on this bird, not that many sighting compare to last year and each sight very short time for picture opportunity. Luckily that still managed to have few click before it disappear.
– while we looking for the Ground-cuckoo, that area actually plenty of this Pitta. We saw one just 3-5feet from us stand there and cannot take any picture and this bird same just came to us and look at us .. beautiful moment even not a good picture compare to previous feeding station picture but it is a different satisfaction to find one wild..
– saw this bird yesterday while waiting ours target, the bird stand 5 feed at us looking at us and definitely not able to focus to have a picture. Today, go to the “easy side” but 2 landslides happen car cannot drive through, we birding and walk ~8km to reach. While we cooking coffee, the bird calling and came…
– active and moving within bushes and making various sharp, loud call
– 移动快在丛里，叫的蛮好听+响亮。
update 202312
– arrived the famous Tapan road, stop the first location as saw the whistling-thrush on the road and not long heard a not so familiar call and soon Dwi say it is a babbler and make some small effort to have it in view and not so open photo due to very lowlight. In the noon time very soon we have another chance to photograph it ..
– a very beautiful Ground-Cuckoo and it is as beautiful as the Bornean Ground-Cuckoo. it is shy, move fast on ground
– 非常漂亮的地鹃，就如婆罗洲地鹃一样的美。通常害羞+在地上快速走动
update 202412
Before I get busy again, I’d like to share an unforgettable moment from our photography trip to Sumatra. On Day 1, one of our members faced a “viewfinder” issue with the Canon R5 Mark II. While everything in the viewfinder appeared blurry, the AF points were still visible, and remarkably, every captured image was perfectly focused on the right subject—especially the bird’s eyes!
Shooting without a clear view through the viewfinder is no easy task, yet it’s incredible how this member managed to capture all the key targets with perfect bird-eye focus, relying entirely on the camera’s animal eye detection system. This even included the rare and stunning ground cuckoo.
在我再次忙碌之前，想分享我们苏门答腊摄影之旅中一个难忘的时刻。第一天，我们的一位队员的佳能 R5 Mark II 遇到了“取景器”问题。尽管取景器中的画面完全是模糊的，但自动对焦点仍然可见，令人惊讶的是，所有拍摄的照片都完美地对焦在目标上——尤其是鸟的眼睛！
– Last year, after searching for this beautiful bird for two days with another group, we were rewarded with an incredible view. From that experience, we learned that waiting patiently wasn’t enough—we needed to act quickly. Determined, we formed another group to return a year later. This time, on the first day, we only heard the bird but couldn’t catch a glimpse of it. However, on the second day, our efforts paid off with an amazing sighting of this rare and stunning endemic species of Sumatra. Happy for the group!
– no one can explain how excited we were when we got this super good view of this bird after 2 full morning waiting and this beautiful bird give us amazing view at the “not common” spot
– 很难讲诉我们当时的心情，等了2天后。这鸟在“鸟点”外出现。真的太美，兴奋。
20231225, Sg Penuh, Sumatra.
#####
update 202312
– one of ours Sumatra birding main target
– we spend 1 morning at “promising spot” but bird no show, and spend next morning again but just heard it 2 times. But luckily we make decision to walk around and finally with the Dwi sharing the behavior of the bird… manage to have good view and picture.
– a large and rare Pitta with overall blue and brown for male, large beak
update 202411
– One of our main targets for this trip, but it didn’t show up at the “feeding spot.” After waiting at two locations, it suddenly appeared not far away. Everyone quickly grabbed their gear, and although it remained tame, it never came to the feeding spot. Still, we were thrilled to see the female, especially since we missed it last year—though this year, we missed the male!
– a target bird, we found one while ours night birding after we got ours Rajah Scops-Owl. Happy to found one, before we heading to “feeding spot”. But we only have 2 chance which happen before enough light for better quality of picture.
– Any how it is 20th Pitta for guest…
– Am using new CANON RF200800 which is small aperture lens. But with a travel tripod assist, I managed to have most the picture hit on at ~1/10-1/30
as other Peacock-Pheasant, it is shy and look at the body feather pattern, this Peacock-Pheasant simply beautiful
update 202312
– as other Peacock-Pheasant, it is shy and not easy to have a good view in the wild. This pair of Sumatra endemic, will show up at one of the feeding station but this male will chase any bird that come close make us only saw the main target Schneider’s Pitta (2 times before light, 1 time night)
8. Sunda Forktail, 姬燕尾, 姬燕尾, Enicurus velatus, ヒメエンビシキチョウ
– as other forktail, a small and very shy bird. But it is a beautiful one with rufous head instead ovarall black-and-white.
– 与其他燕尾一样，都是很怕人。也很不一样，大部分燕尾都是黑+白
update 202312
– while we walking on the trail for Ground Cuckoo, this bird always infront us but keep a distance. We didn’t spent too much time for it as rushing for the main target
– overall bulbul, leafbird and most of the colorful birds, songbirds are very low density at west Sumatra
– 一只非常有条纹的鹎，整体呈灰色。
– 在苏门答腊，鹎，叶鹎，鸠都几乎很难看到。
update 202401
– the famous Tapan road had few landslides so we mostly walking at the road (~15-20km) but overall Bulbul, leafbirds, dove almost not heard or visible … but this endemic came down to feed berry while we have good view of ~12 Blue Nuthatch.
– as other frogmouth it should be nocturnal and always good to meet one in day time look cute.
– 蟆口鸱是夜行鸟，早上见到他绝对是兴奋的一克
update 20240108
– one of ours main target, but missed the night and morning version on day1. But got it on day 2 for both night and day version. It really look like Bornean Frogmouth with “short” tailed
a owl we always heard and wanted to see in Borneo, even it can be different sub-species or species (in future) but It is much easier here .. a small owl like other small and active in dark
– even it is high chance to find it’s roosting bird, but we always like to find the bird in night. Ours’ first morning, have a good try and the bird didn’t make any sound… I am amaze how I found it (haha, by the thermal camera.. found it once very near and 2nd time quite a distance)
– as other Wren-Babbler this one same moving really fast and active surprise it is not very shy. Moving in pair and bush fast
– 与其他鹪鹛一样动作非常快，草丛中跳来跳去，可是好像不是很害羞。
update 202401
– almost not possible to get the picture of this endemic bird with bird watcher … but lucky or not so lucky the main target is no show … while we waiting, I personal looking for this bird and lucky to have this better moment for photo and I actually got 3 in 1 frame.
– very common along the Tapan road, but just no luck to have better photo opportunity. Typical treepie call and big-long bird
update 202411
– A long brown bird with a metallic-sounding call.
– A relatively common Sumatran endemic, but slightly shy when approached for photographs. We were very fortunate to spot it resting and preening while searching for another target.
– saw so many of this bird but just dint get a chance to have good photo
– 蛮普通的见不停，可是每一次近点的。
202312, Tapan Road, Sumatra, Indonesia
15. Red-billed Partridge, 红嘴山鹧鸪, 紅嘴山鷓鴣, Arborophila rubrirostris, アカハシミヤマテッケイ, Puyuh-gonggong sumatera
a very beautiful dark, highland partridge, saw it move it pair
update 202401
– another bird suppose to hope come to feeding station but not, but we managed to heard and found the bird. Again this is another reason setup customize button for my R3 which can shoot in complex environment (just like this) point the focus points (I using 5 point) on to any part of the bird and eye will be lock focus ..very useful and suitable for people like shooting wildbird in move
16. Fire-tufted Barbet, 火簇拟鴷, 火簇擬啄木鳥, Psilopogon pyrolophus, アカフサゴシキドリ, TAKUR API, Burung Takor Api
update 202411
– This is one of the most common birds at Fraser’s Hill, Malaysia, but its beauty never fails to captivate me. I never tire of seeing or photographing it, even when we’re in Sumatra, Indonesia. My buddy and I were hiking to find other targets, with no much luck—only hearing calls without seeing anything. Then, this bird appeared, coming down low to feed, offering us a perfect opportunity.
– will be Sumatra again soon, this bird common at Fraser Hill and not that rare at Tapan road.
– 多几个星期就会到回苏门答腊，这鸟在马来西亚蛮普通。在哪Tapan 路夜蛮普通的。
202312, Tapan Road, Sumatra, Indonesia
17. Long-tailed shrike, 棕背伯劳, 棕背伯勞, Lanius schach, タカサゴモズ, TIRJUP EKOR PANJANG ASIA
update 202411
– A very common bird often found near urban areas, frequently making loud calls nearby.
– It’s our first bird sighting in Sumatra before we begin our long day at Mount Kerinchi. It stood right by the roadside as we walked up.
– 一种非常常见的鸟，经常出现在城市附近，时常在附近发出嘈杂的叫声。
– 在我们开始漫长一天之前，这是在苏门答腊看到的第一只鸟。当我们向上行走时，它就站在路边。
202411, Mount Kerinchi, Sumatra, Indonesia
18. Golden Babbler, 金头穗鹛, 金頭穗鶥, Cyanoderma chrysaeum, キガシラモリチメドリ, KEKICAU-KECIL EMAS
update 202411
– This active, tiny bird features a dark-streaked crown, a small black mask, and a vibrant golden-yellow body.
– After a successful first day, with nearly all our targets achieved, we ventured farther from the birding photography hide in search of more species. About 2 kilometers into the hike, as we decided to turn back, three of these birds appeared, feeding right in front of us and providing a perfect photo opportunity.
19. Marbled Wren-Babbler, 石纹鹪鹛, 石紋鷦鶥, Turdinus marmoratus, ウロコサザイチメドリ, KEKICAU-MURAI BESAR BUKIT
update 202411
– A large Wren-babbler that is highly vocal, active, and shy. It is one of the most thrilling birds to spot and photograph.
–
Another fortunate morning! After successfully spotting one of the main target Pittas, this bird, as always, actively looked for other interesting birds near the hotel.
20. Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, 纹胸鹪鹛, 紋胸鷦鶥, Napothera epilepidota, コサザイチメドリ, KEKICAU KENING PANJANG
update 202412
always one of my favorite bird to be seen or photograph. This is one I seldom meet at Malaysia but it is pretty common at Sumatra, Indonesia
这是一种我在马来西亚很少见到的鸟，但在印度尼西亚的苏门答腊挺常见的。”
202411, Danau Kaco, Sumatra, Indonesia
#####
update 202411
– A tiny and very shy bird that is difficult to get a good view of or photograph. Based on my sightings across Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, both Sumatra and Borneo offer slightly better chances of seeing this bird clearly. However, Sumatra seems to be the best place for capturing good photos. Without a doubt, the bird stayed long enough for me—even allowing me to record a video!
– It’s one of those tiny, mysterious birds that appears briefly and disappears just as quickly. Rare and shy, it’s often challenging to get a clear view. I photographed this bird in Sumatra last year, and this year, with the Photography group, we put in extra effort for a better shot. Finally, we were rewarded with some truly amazing moments with this elusive bird…
21. Salvadori’s Pheasant, 黑尾鹇, 黑尾鷴, Lophura inornata, クロウチワキジ, Sempidan Sumatera
Chunky pheasant endemic to Sumatra’s highlands and foothills. Male is dark iridescent blue, while the female is warm brown with a dark tail. Both sexes have short tails, bright red patches of bare facial skin, and pale bills with a faint hook. Forages quietly on the forest floor, typically singly, sometimes in pairs. Generally fairly quiet; deep “bwoop” contact calls sometimes given, and males give a wing-whirring display that can be audible at close range. [Ebird]
– One of the most striking pheasants, we missed the chance to photograph it last year. This year, however, the female appeared at a feeding spot around noon and lingered for a long time, showing no signs of leaving.
A large, front-heavy brown bird with a long, pale downcurved bill and a distinctive elongated head with a flat crown and a forehead tuft. Orange legs. Unmistakable males have a green-blue breast shield and long creamy-white plumes extending from the shoulders. Females are entirely earth-brown, lacking the shoulder extensions and shield. Immature resembles female. Found in canopy of tall forests in lowlands and foothills, confined to three islands in north Moluccas. Regularly sighted at known display sites. Very loud when displaying, giving raucous “WAA-WAA…” and “KEE-KEE…” notes. [Ebird]
update 202504
What a beautiful bird—one of the most easily accessible Birds-of-Paradise. I’ll definitely be visiting this site again soon. Can’t wait to see you once more!
– another trip another good view of this bird after longer wait compared to previous trips. I didn’t have best angle but still trying to show the beauty of this bird .. 8km bird .. worth ? YES definitely
– will share some funny video about this bird … may be finish this trip
– this a weird scene I seen, or I missed out anything before .. why the female is on top and I record few times ..
– another trip another good view of this bird after longer wait compared to previous trips. I didn’t have best angle but still trying to show the beauty of this bird .. 8km bird .. worth ? YES definitely
– will share some funny video about this bird … may be finish this trip
– 2nd trip to Halmahera 2023 and see you next week … never get bored to see it making noise and dance even the journey there bit challenge … I am coming
– lucky to see it display but not really full open view. capture video with 100p slowdown 50%
– 幸运的看到他在跳舞。可是没全露。可是还是记录下了。
###
another special tour, which has main target of this Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise.
It is a real good experience to be Halmahera, we just spend 3 nights. We easily got ours’ targets seen.
This is our main target, on 2nd morning. We hike 3.7km straight to the “hide” (on the way, we heard owlet-nightjar which is my favorite bird but we failed to see the bird and also rushing to the hide for main target.
Arrived before 6am, while every still dark. We can heard many of them already calling infront of us but just very brief view. after 30minutes, finally we got clear view of this amazing beautiful bird. But I still only got some extreme high ISO picture even with my CANON RF400mm F2.8.
Long story short, the birds stay for long and from ISO 25600 – ISO800, Managed to have perfect view of the bird and pictures… oohh video too .
Immediate of this target, we walking out and birding. There is another very good story to talk about “pick up service for the Pitta”
A small owl with ear tufts, a black facial border, yellow eyes, prominent black streaking on pale underside, and intricately patterned upperparts with conspicuous white wing markings. Occurs in gray and rufous forms. Adult’s crown is streaked; juvenile’s is barred. Inhabits forest and plantations within lowlands and foothills.[Ebird]
– pretty common across the center of Halmahera, almost can heard it’s call.
– cute and not that shy owl.
– 很特别的叫声，外表也不一样。蛮好看。
– 在哈马黑拉岛的特有种。几乎很普通，那都可以听到叫声。
– 可爱，也不很害羞的鸮。
update 202304
– first night, after heavy rain and long travel. we decided not look for the owl and owlet-nightjar. Next night, we didn’t spend much time to ticked this bird and Moluccan Owlet-nightjar at the same spot.
3. Ivory-breasted Pitta, 白胸八色鸫, 牙白胸八色鳥, Pitta maxima
A distinctive large, plump, short-tailed, long-legged forest bird with a black upperside and white underside, a striking red area on the lower belly, and a conspicuous silvery-blue shoulder patch. Juvenile duller, with buff on underparts. Shy, more often heard than seen. Usually found singly or in pairs in humid lowland and hill forest. Forages on the ground, but while calling often perches high in the understory or canopy. Very vocal; frequently given song is a mournful wolf whistle. [Ebird]
– 非常大的八色鸫。背部全黑。前部白+红。很特别。在这岛上，几乎那都听到这鸟的叫声。
update 202310
– arrived Halmahera, before anything go for this main target … due to long travel everyone seem tired but luckily the bird appear not that long compare to other waiting 😀 and it is huge in size, some with 800mm little bit suffer to take whole bird into frame
– 2nd trip to Halmahera coming soon, can;t visit this amazing place again. Hope get some better pictures of night birds this time .. and this Pick up service Pitta sure another highlight of the tour soon
– post this before I get busy months again. This is one of the most amazing experience on this trip. When day 1 arrived with heavy rain, after rain stop we did quick birding surrounding our homestay. when we walk near the river, owner say why not we go for quick try on the Pitta and keep mentioned “if the bird is nearby or little bit distance he can do pick-up service” !! (I am thinking pick-up service hmmm). But the bird came without long wait or any issue. (so we missed the pick-up service show)
– next day after Standardwing BOP, we walk back to homestay and pass by the Pitta spot. We would like to try for this pitta again for male. After long wait (~15minutes) , he say the bird is far lets’ him pick-up the pitta .. I was like hmm how ? But he walk into the bush and use whistler/call. After ~10minutes wait, we heard the bird call getting nearer and soon we saw him walking out from the bush. and you can see the Pitta is following him coming out from the bush (may be ~10-15m away) !!!!!! “pick up service”
4. Common Paradise-Kingfisher, 普通仙翡翠, 普通仙翡翠, Tanysiptera galatea, ラケットカワセミ, Cekakak-pita biasa
– A long-tailed kingfisher of lowland forests. White underparts and rump, dark blue upperparts with pale blue shoulder and crown. Long white tail with 2 extended central tail feathers ending in spatula tips. Sits still for long periods whilst slowly pumping its tail. Very similar to Little Paradise-Kingfisher, but Common Paradise-Kingfisher is larger, with a paler crown, white rather than blue outer tail feathers and a heavier bill. The safest way to separate, however is by vocalization. Heard more often than seen. Song, a rapidly accelerating and slightly rising series of dry notes. [Ebird]
One of the more common yet challenging birds to photograph is the kingfisher. Even though it often appears at feeding spots, we usually don’t have time to focus on it due to our busy shooting schedule. However, our local guide, Pak Wan, mentioned that it’s actually easy to spot near our hotel. So, we decided to spend a quick morning there after breakfast. To our delight, three kingfishers were flying around, and on several occasions, one even perched for us! The excitement of seeing them in flight had everyone in awe. It was absolutely worth it—even if we hadn’t managed a photo. But we did!
– a beautiful Kingfisher, even is common but shy for picture
– 蛮漂亮的翠鸟。虽然普通，可是还是不容易拍照。
202304, Halmahera, Indonesia
####
update 202304
– a beautiful Kingfisher, and for the first time feel such a beautiful bird such annoying. Each time the Pitta come near, this bird will fly from far to flush the Pitta away 🙁 no choice to wait and wait until it get bored.
– another “Red-bellied” pitta, and it classified as North Moluccan Pitta which is endemic of Halmahera.
– it is very near to Ivory-Breasted Pitta spot
– 另一只“红胸八色鸫”分出来的摩鹿加特有种。
update 202602
It is always the most rewarding and enjoyable experience to see a Pitta without using feeding. During our last visit to Halmahera, we were told that one Pitta was active in the area, even though it was not being fed. Still, everyone was excited to give it a try. The rule was simple: stay completely still, photograph only what appears in front of you, and make no movement or sound. After nearly two hours of patience, everyone was rewarded with great views and satisfying photos of this non-fed Pitta. Many thanks to my team for always placing their trust in me.
– the Bird making call on tree and stand there for so long ..
– 这鸟一直在树上叫。叫了好几个小时。
####
update 202310
– another “different look” North Moluccan which photograph at feeding station at Ternate Island
– a not very easy walk as keep going steep downward sloop
– 另一只北摩鹿加八色鸫，在不一样的岛拍的。样子有点不一样。这个喂食点，也不是太容易。。。一直往下走。
####
####
202304, Center Halmahera, Indonesia
6. Halmahera Boobook, 哈岛鹰鸮, 哈馬赫拉鷹鴞, ハルマヘラアオバズク, Pungguk maluku
– a small owl, found near forest here which call really funny like frog
– lovely and not so boring boobook.
update 202511
Years ago, we had to travel far to see this species, but now it’s being found much closer to regular birding areas. Still, it’s always a joy to see and hear it again — a wonderful Halmahera endemic owl.
– it is fun to trying to find this owl without knowing where it should be. We just trying ours’ luck and yes.. it is calling dusk and managed to have good view of it not too late of the night.
Another wonderful day in the field! It was raining on the way to the Standardwing display site, but the rain stopped just as we arrived. Right after watching the incredible display of the Standardwing, this little bird popped its head out to look at us—so adorable!
– a Halmahera endemic, overall pied like Kingfisher
update 202504
Night birding can be a bit challenging at times, but it’s been incredible to photograph 11 species of kingfishers over the past 7 days—including this special Halmahera endemic with food in its beak!
Medium-sized slender bird, pale gray above, white below, with a small dark bridge between the bill and eye (lores) and faint partial white eyering. Immature lacks distinct mask of Black-faced Cuckooshrike. Dark morph shows large but variable black bib and breast, mottled or barred at the edges. Inhabits eucalypt forest and other woodlands in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Call a high-pitched, two-note squeak. [Ebird]
This endemic kingfisher of Halmahera is fairly common, but we were lucky to enjoy an incredibly close encounter—especially for our lucky ladies’ group. Truly a beautiful bird!
14. Nicobar Pigeon, 尼柯巴鸠, 尼柯巴鳩, Caloenas nicobarica, ミノバト, MERPATI-EMAS BIASA
update 202507
While we were waiting for the pitta to come down—yes, it had been staying up in the treetops all day—we got a surprise visitor! Out of nowhere, this bird walked into view and gave us a chance for a record shot.
One of Halmahera’s common yet stunning endemics, with a lovely song to match. We encountered this beauty at several locations—it really seems quite widespread.
I’ve visited Halmahera a few times, and this species has always been a challenge to observe properly—my first sighting was just a quick flyby across the road. But today, luck was truly on our side. Despite expecting a full day of rain, we ended up getting great views of Kingfishers, Pitta, Fruit-Dove, and this special bird. It stayed in the open for a long time, and the close view made it look even more stunning.
After a failed attempt to see our main target due to heavy rain, we drove further to a drier location. Luckily, the rain had stopped, and we enjoyed a pleasant evening birding with several interesting species — including this beautiful male of a special endemic bird.
