WEST PAPUA’S VOGELKOP & RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS TOUR REPORT 2024

7 - 21 October 2024

by Dani Balla

The Indonesian side of New Guinea offers a great opportunity to experience some of the best birds on the planet and circumstances were much improved in recent years, thus the visiting birder has a chance to see so much – even on a relatively short tour as ours was – that once was never even thought of. This shortened itinerary is trying to give the quintessence of birds here. Thanks to the extensive and well organised hide system we had fantastic time here and observed no less than 15 species of Bird-of-paradise, from which we had astonishing views of displaying males of Vogelkop Lophorina, Wilson’s and Magnificent BoP, Black Sicklebill, King BoP, Twelve-wired BoP, Lesser and Red BoP. Of course, however they stole the show, we were not only concentrating on the Bird-of-paradise, but all the other specialties of the area so did we find Dusky Megapode, four Owlet-nightjar species including the least known Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar, Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove, the rarely seen Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Cinnamon Ground Dove, the huge Western Crowned Pigeon, Spice and Pied Imperial Pigeon, Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Rufous Owl, Hook-billed Kingfisher, the stunning Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blue-black Kingfisher and Little Kingfisher. We have seen a great set of parrots including Modest Tiger Parrot, West Papuan, Yellow-billed and the rarely seen Pygmy Lorikeet, Black-capped, Black and Violet-necked Lorys, Papuan and Eastern Hooded Pitta, Vogelkop and the glowing Masked Bowerbird, Papuan Treecreeper, Orange-crowned, White-shouldered and Emperor Fairywren, the rarely seen Tawny Straightbill, Cinnamon-browed and Vogelkop Melidectes. Some of the less interesting looking but no less good species as Perplexing, Vogelkop, Pale-billed and Grey-green Scrubwrens and Obscure Berrypecker were all seen. We got good views of the beautiful Goldenface and poor or short views of Spotted and Blue Jewel-babbler and Papuan Logrunner. The list of specialties seen is not complete without Rusty and Raja Ampat Pitohui, Waigeo Shrikethrush, Black Thicket Fantail, Golden, Hooded and Spot-winged Monarch, Torrent-lark, Brown-headed Crow and a set of Robins including Garnet, Ashy, Smoky, Black-throated, White-faced, White-rumped and Green-backed Robin and the endemic Olive-crowned Flowerpecker and Grey-banded Mannikin.

Our journey began in Manokwari where we met in the lobby of the Hotel Aston to soon depart towards the Arfak Mountains. The newly built road heading up the mountains made our first drive easy and smooth and soon we were birding on the roadside seeing the first birds on our tour including Arafura Shrikethrush, Black-fronted White-eyes, endemic Olive-crowned Flowerpeckers, the special Obscure Berrypecker, a loud pair of Frilled Monarch while the localized Black-chinned Monarch was responding deep under us but refused to came closer. We arrived at Maybri village and after a nice meal – not wasting time – we went birding to a roadside forest patch below the village finding Vogelkop Whistler, White-bibbed Fruit Dove and heard Pesquet’s Parrot in the valley under us. Later we visited one of the fantastic hides near the village. Our first ‘hide session’ in the dark forest only gave us few female Vogelkop Lophorinas and female Western Parotias complemented with the first Green-backed Robin moving around the hide showing nicely sometimes making the best way to survive the first rain of our tour.
Our full day around Maybri we started walking down to the Vogelkop Lophorina hide in the dark where some red fruit was also attracting birds. To our great surprise one of the first birds appearing was a male Magnificent Bird-of-paradise which – after taking its share from the fruit – started calling and also performed a few times for us on its nearby pole; female Magnificent BoPs, Vogelkop Lophorinas, Western Parotias and a Lesser BoP were changing each other on the fruit and suddenly a male Western Parotia turned up and stole the show for a few minutes before the local celebrity, the male Lophorina turned up stretching his shield and took a few berries from the huge fruit. We waited in the hide until the light rain stopped and slowly walked back to the village hearing Arfak Catbird and seeing Green-backed Robin, Black Fantail, Vogelkop Scrubwren, a few Goldenfaces, a Drongo Fantail, Black-breasted Boatbill and the locals showed us a fantastic looking Feline Owlet-nightjar on its day roost. Walking along the main road from Maybri we had a fantastic male Masked Bowerbird flying by us and found Mountain Myzomela, Island Leaf Warbler, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Capped White-eyes.
We paid a visit to the Magnificent Riflebird hide. A male was calling out loud in front of us for some time and even the walk back from the hide gave us some nice birds including the cute White-faced Robin. The last hide we tried in Maybri was for the Vogelkop Bowerbird, which did not turn up here while we were there but luckily birding the way back was fruiting and the localized Grey-green Scrubwren, Vogelkop Whistler, Capped White-eye and Goldenface were all seen.

Leaving Maybri we moved to Minggre, the next village further up the mountain. As soon as we arrived Arfak Honeyeater and Ornate Melidectes were seen and the area around our homestay later also had such great birds as Metallic Pigeon, Vogelkop Scrubwren and Sclater’s Whistler. Birding along the road we found our first Tit Berrypeckers and had fantastic views of Capped White-eyes and more Arfak Honeyeaters. We visited several hides around the village during our stay, including one facing a fantastic structure built by the Vogelkop Bowerbird, but the bird was not coming down while we were there although we got a Mountain Mouse-warbler and a male Fan-tailed Berrypecker moving around. Birding outside the hide we found the first Papuan Treecreeper, Rufous-naped Bellbird and Sclater’s Whistler. Seeing Drongo Fantail was not hard in the forest around and once we bumped into a feeding flock which had several Vogelkop Loghorina, Western Parotia and a male Black-billed Sicklebill, although it was not staying around for too long.
The definite highlight while staying in Minggre was visiting a hide where an unforgettable show by a male Western Parotia brought tears of joy to our eyes. The fantastic locals went out to find a roosting Mountain Owlet-nightjar for us and of course they did succeed.
Trying our luck with Vogelkop Lophorina was definitely worth it as after almost losing our patience the male appeared and put on a short partial but amazing show. Leaving the hide a Black Pitohui was seen well and another Green-backed Robin hopping around. Arfak Catbirds calling further away were frustrating as they were not coming closer and were staying out of reach for us.
Nightwalks around Minggre village produced nice views of Papuan Boobook, Feline Owlet-nightjar, Papuan Sugar Glider and Stein’s Cuscus.
A late morning visit further down to Dyubri village where the locals took us to a great forest and showed a Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar on its day roost and Dimorphic Fantail, Yellow-legged Flyrobin were seen and loud Lesser Bird-of-paradise were constantly heard from the trail.
For the afternoon we visited a forest patch near Kwau village. The birding here gave some extra birds for us including Papuan White-eye, Black-winged Monarch, a responsive pair of White-rumped Robin, Black-browed Triller and a Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar again on its day roost. Leaving the forest and having a more open view we saw a nice flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, our first Black-capped Lory, a Scrub Honeyeater, a distant Superb Fruit Dove and the splendid White-shouldered Fairywren.
A short walk on our last morning around Minggre we decided to go further down the road and had good views of a Pygmy Longbill, Arfak Honeyeaters, Red-collared Myzomela, glimpsed a Mottled Berryhunter and enjoyed great views of a Torrent-lark pair working themselves up along a stream.

After a late breakfast we said goodbye to the great team in Minggre and had a short drive to Syoubri village, where we met Zeth, one of West Papua’s most famous people, who was going to lead us up the hill to the German Camp for two nights stay. We spent some time organising (and preparing mentally) for the challenge we were facing trekking up the mountain. To our best luck we had a dry trail all up to the top, thus our challenge took much less effort (but still enough) from us. After reaching the top and having a short break we did some exploration in the mossy forest around the camp finding the first great birds including a Modest Tiger Parrot and got some initial looks at Ashy Robin, Cinnamon-browed Melidectes and Rufous-sided Honeyeater.
We left the camp in the dark and found roosting Ashy Robin and Vogelkop Bowerbird before reaching a blind on the hillside. The time we spent in the hide this morning was once again something we will always remember as we saw the enthralling Black Sicklebill on his display pole nut just calling but performing as well. After the Black Sicklebill experience the morning bird activity was still great in the forest and we found such great species as Pygmy Lorikeet, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot and a Lesser Ground Robin hopping on the trail before breakfast.
After a rapid breakfast we marched further up the hill to the area where the Arfak Astrapia was supposed to turn up and we were waiting in the area for the rest of the morning. Although, the Astrapia did not turn up, we had found some of the local goodies such as Smoky Robin, Garnet Robin, Yellow-billed and the amazing West Papuan Lorikeet, Marbled and Rufous-sided Honeyeater, Black-breasted Boatbill, Orange-crowned Fairywren, Regent Whistler and almost got a Papuan Logrunner which refused to come out from the cover of the dense undergrowth. Afternoon birding was a bit slower but still found some good ones including good looks at Mottled Berryhunter and Perplexing Scrubwren.
Our last morning on the mountain our group got divided and some went to enjoy the Black Sicklebill show again while others chose to give another try for the Astrapia. However, the Astrapia was not turning up, a Spotted Jewel Babbler was responsive and tricked us somehow as it literally walked to the speaker but left only leader-only views. Another addition to our list here were a nice pair of Ornate Fruit Doves and a Black-throated Robin, while a Papuan Logrunner also was hard to see, thus remained leader-only seen.
Reaching the camp, we rapidly packed and started descending down carefully. A hide on the way down was a main goal to reach in time where fruits were attracting some special birds. As we made it to the hide in perfect time we were lucky to almost immediately enjoy views of Vogelkop Lophorinas and Western Parotias and soon after a fantastic and rare Long-tailed Paradigalla was taking its share from the fruit. Continuing further down we stopped to lure in a calling Vogelkop Melidectes and spent some time locating a singing Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, which finally was showing nicely in the scope. We enjoyed a last meal with Zeth and his family and started driving to Anggi town. A recent landslide blocking the main road forced us to take an alternative route which was rougher but we enjoyed it in our great 4×4 vehicles. At Anggi we were investigating the reedbeds, finding Papuan Grassbird and later our main target, the Grey-banded Mannikin, which was harder to find than expected. After good views of the Mannikin we had a memorable drive in the pouring rain and dark back to Sorong – let’s just say that we were glad to all the engineers at Toyota building their pick-ups as capable as they were on this journey. Reaching Sorong, we enjoyed a long-awaited big sleep in a nice bed.

From Sorong we took the mid-day ferry to Waigeo seeing a few Black-naped and Common Terns, Greater Crested Terns, a few Lesser and one Greater Frigatebird on the way. On Waigeo we stopped to check a Grey-streaked Flycatcher perched near the road and saw some Papuan Eclectus before arriving at our hotel. To finish the day, we did some walk around the hotel after dinner and found a huge Papuan Frogmouth on its nest and two fantastic looking Waigeo Spotted Cuscus on a fruiting tree.
The reason probably all birders visiting Waigeo is to see the Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise, which is said to be the most beautiful bird on the planet. Excited in the morning we took a drive and a short walk in the dark to a hide, where the male was already calling for a female. We were fortunate soon and a dark bird came down close to the forest floor showing its ridiculously bright colours only if it was facing the right way – an incredible experience for anyone not just birders, we had to admit. We were lucky to see the male Wilson’s not just moving around but displaying as well for a female perching just above him on his display pole.
Leaving the hide, we found a noisy Hooded Monarch pair and while enjoying a coffee break at our cars we enjoyed a Common Paradise Kingfisher perched near the road.
Birding along the road we spotted a beautiful Golden Monarch and spent some time in cover from where we got unexpected good views of two Papuan Pittas and managed to finally locate a Hook-billed Kingfisher which we had great scope views of. After a midday break, we went back birding into the forest where, although afternoon birding was slow, we got great views of a Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and more Papuan Eclectus and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were also seen.
We finished the day at the Red Bird-of-paradise lek, where 4 males were putting on a short show for us in the late afternoon.
There was no question that we wanted to try the Wilson’s BoP the next morning again, however trying another hide was not paying off and we moved back to yesterday’s hide where the male only came down for a few seconds because of the rainy weather we were experiencing. During the morning birding in the forest, we collected the rest of the specialties including Raja Ampat Pitohui and Waigeo Shrikethrush and got some other good ones like Black-sided Robin, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Tawny-breasted, Puff-backed and Mimic Honeyeaters, Black Berrypecker and a small feeding flock had Northern Fantail, Fairy and Green-backed Gerygone, Frilled Monarch, Yellow-bellied Longbill and a few Spangled Drongos. Close to the forest floor we managed to spot the skulking Rusty Mouse-warbler and had short views of Brown-headed Crow in the canopy.
For the afternoon we got on a boat which took us to a small offshore island. One of the first birds we spotted were the noisy Olive Honeyeaters and after some search we managed to find Variable Honeyeaters and Island Whistler as well. A noisy Beach Kingfisher was easily found perched. Violet-necked Lory was one of the key specialties here we got good looks at and we also managed to lure in a Dusky Megapode. White-bibbed Fruit Doves here were of the moluccan prasinorrhous race and we heard Claret-breasted Fruit Dove as well. Walking back to leave the island we found a small flock of Lemon-bellied White-eyes.
On the way back we stopped to check a small island from the boat and we found good numbers of Spice and Pied Imperial Pigeons perched open in the warm afternoon lights. The last miracle we experienced that day were hundreds of Flying Foxes coming out from the mainland and flying low above the sea.
Checking out from Waigeo we had a last look at the Papuan Frogmouth on its nest and got Pied Imperial Pigeon and Hooded Butcherbird on the way to the ferry. The crossing back to Sorong was quiet birdwise as the heavy rain made birding almost impossible from the ferry. In Sorong a nice lunch was all we had time for before leaving towards the Klasov Valley.

After an almost two hours’ drive, we reached the entrance of the Klasov Valley, the boardwalk which led to Malagufuk village. The slippery wooden surface made us move slowly; thus, we were more likely noticing any birds on the way and luckily, we didn’t have to wait long before the locals in front of us spotted a Western Crowned Pigeon skulking on the ground near the path; we followed them until everyone had good views and continued our way towards the village. The wide boardwalk gave excellent opportunity to spot birds perched in the canopy and moving around so did we see a New Guinea Friarbird and a Brown Oriole perched next to each other letting us a good comparison of the two similar taxa, Coconut Lorikeets, a Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove, a Streak-headed Honeyeater were scoped, a roosting Rufous Owl was spotted, a Lowland Peltops, Rusty Pitohui and Black-sided Robin were all seen along in the forest and we have seen Black Lorys passing by a few times. Arriving at the village we spent some time scanning the treetops around and found Yellow-faced Myna and Boyer’s Cuckooshrike. After dinner, during a short night walk we found roosting Eastern Hooded Pittas, Rusty Pitohui and some night active animals including Brown Forest Wallaby and Sugar Glider.
We had to start very early in the morning and had a long walk in the dark to be on time for our next Bird-of-paradise session. In the dark morning, we started with a Marbled Frogmouth seen close to the village and we found a pair of roosting Papuan Pittas on the way. Just arriving in time to an observation platform from where we had a clear and relatively close view on a dry stick pointing above the canopy. Not much after sunrise the ‘owner’ Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise male appeared and started calling for a female. Although we did not see a female moving around, we were lucky to see the male practicing his skills a bit. Our morning was not finished here and after some time we moved on a bit to where Lesser Bird-of-paradise were calling loud and we followed them until having a great look at a fantastic male. When walking back we concentrated on another key species in that location the Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher – not less stunning than BoPs we were enjoying great views of a pair soon. Continuing the long walk back we stopped to try for a calling Pheasant Pigeon which did move but not to the right direction, thus we had no chance tracking it down. Almost reaching the village we flushed a Cinnamon Ground Dove from the trailside, but unfortunately it was only visible for the leader and some locals in the back as it rapidly flew by. We arrived back at the village for lunch and took a well-deserved short break in the hot midday. Afternoon we went back into the forest aiming to see Blue-black Kingfisher, but the birds were not active, however we luckily managed to see the tiny Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher and heard the Red-billed Brushturkey’s loud calls.
Our last morning in Malagufuk we started again in the dark and found roosting Yellow-gaped Honeyeater, Black Thicket Fantail and again a Hooded Pitta before the light reached the forest. We arrived at an elevated platform from where we hoped to see the show of King Bird-of-paradise. However, a full performance was not delivered this time, we had two males in the surrounding area and saw them calling and one did some practice movements for us at least, although higher in the dense canopy, but still enough to impress us. We came down from the platform because a Blue Jewel-Babbler started singing near-by. It felt like a miracle when we finally spotted the bird singing on a fallen log for a few minutes. We hardly believed this morning could be any better when on the way back we almost stepped on a pigeon walking on the trail immediately realising it is a Thick-billed Ground Pigeon which just landed behind us on the open trail and walked up the hill until it disappeared. After a short time back in the village we said goodbye to the locals and slowly left birding along the boardwalk, where Olive Flyrobin and the stunning Shining Flycatcher were new ones for the tour and almost at the end we bumped into a Red-cheeked Parrot at its cavity and a mixed feeding flock which had Southern Variable Pitohui, Rusty Pitohui, Spot-winged Monarch, a few Papuan Babblers, King Bird-of-paradise and even a rarely seen and seldom known Tawny Straightbill feeding between the leaves.

We had a smooth transfer back to our hotel in Sorong and after a refreshing break we still had time to visit a boardwalk in the mangroves nearby. At the mangroves Brown-backed Honeyeater was abundant and we found Sahul Brush Cuckoo, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, a Glossy-mantled Manucode, although the real gems we have seen here were Little Kingfisher and Emperor Fairywren, but no sign of our main target here, the Blue-black Kingfisher.
Our last morning, we still had a short time before our flights so we decided to visit another mangrove patch not too far from Sorong where after some struggle we finally saw the beautiful Blue-black Kingfisher and even collected some bonus species like Pale-vented Bush-hen, Barred Rail and White-browed Crake.
It was just 9 am when we got back to our hotel and had a nice breakfast to finish the tour.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1^st Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise & Western Parotia

3^rd Black Sicklebill

4^th Magnificent Riflebird

5^th Red Bird-of-paradise & Long-tailed Paradigalla

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.1).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS

Radjah Shelduck ◊ (White-headed S) Radjah radjah
Red-billed Brushturkey ◊ Talegalla cuvieri Endemic. Heard-only around Malagufuk.
Dusky Megapode ◊ (D Scrubfowl) Megapodius freycinet One seen on small island near Waigeo.
Marbled Frogmouth ◊ Podargus ocellatus One seen and a few heard at Malagufuk.
Papuan Frogmouth ◊ Podargus papuensis A bird seen on the nest on Waigeo.
Feline Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles insignis Several birds seen in the Arfak Mountains.
Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles wallacii A roosting bird in a cavity seen in the Arfaks.
Mountain Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles albertisi One bird seen roosting in the Arfak Mountains.
Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles affinis Endemic. A roosting bird in its cavity seen in the Arfaks.
Glossy Swiftlet (White-bellied S) Collocalia esculenta
Mountain Swiftlet ◊ Aerodramus hirundinaceus
Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis
Ivory-billed Coucal ◊ (Greater Black C) Centropus menbeki One seen at Malagufuk.
Black-billed Coucal ◊ (Lesser Black C) Centropus bernsteini Heard-only.
Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo ◊ Chrysococcyx ruficollis One seen near Syoubri.
White-eared Bronze Cuckoo ◊ Chrysococcyx meyerii One seen and a few heard in the Arfaks.
Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus Heard-only.
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo ◊ Cacomantis castaneiventris
Sahul Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus
Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral P) Columba [livia] var_domestica
Metallic Pigeon (White-throated P) Columba vitiensis
Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove (Brown C-D) Macropygia doreya Good views at Malagufuk.
Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Black-billed C-D) Macropygia nigrirostris Several sighting in the Arfaks.
Thick-billed Ground Pigeon ◊ Trugon terrestris One bird flushed and seen landing on the trail in Malagufuk.
Cinnamon Ground Dove ◊ Gallicolumba rufigula One bird flushed at Malagufuk.
Pheasant Pigeon ◊ Otidiphaps nobilis Heard-only at Malagufuk.
Western Crowned Pigeon ◊ Goura cristata A pair seen on the forest floor at Malagufuk.
Wompoo Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus magnificus Heard-only.
Pink-spotted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus perlatus
Ornate Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus ornatus A pair seen near German Camp in the Arfaks.
Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus
White-bibbed Fruit Dove ◊ (Mountain F D) Ptilinopus rivoli Several of these gems seen in the Arfaks (bellus) and a few of the Moluccan (prasinorrhous) form near Waigeo.
Claret-breasted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus viridis Heard-only.
Dwarf Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus nainus Four birds flying out from a tree near Sorong.
Spice Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula myristicivora Endemic. A good flock of cc. 30 birds seen close to Waigeo.
Rufescent Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula chalconota Heard-only.
Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula pinon
Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula zoeae Heard-only.
Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor
Papuan Mountain Pigeon ◊ (Bare-eyed M-P) Gymnophaps albertisii
Barred Rail Hypotanidia torquata One bird seen near Sorong.
White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus
Pale-vented Bush-hen ◊ (Rufous-tailed B-h) Amaurornis moluccana Seen well near Sorong.
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes
Little Tern Sternula albifrons
Papuan Treecreeper ◊ Cormobates placens A few seen and commonly heard in the Arfaks.
Emperor Fairywren ◊ Malurus cyanocephalus A pair seen close to Sorong.
White-shouldered Fairywren ◊ Malurus alboscapulatus
Orange-crowned Fairywren ◊ Clytomyias insignis A couple seen near German Camp.
Rufous-sided Honeyeater ◊ Ptiloprora erythropleura Endemic. Great views around German Camp.
Brown-backed Honeyeater ◊ Ramsayornis modestus Common in mangroves near Sorong.
Tawny Straightbill ◊ Timeliopsis griseigula A single bird seen in a mixed flock near Malagufuk.
Arfak Honeyeater ◊ (Western Smoky H) Melipotes gymnops Endemic. Common in the Arfaks.
Marbled Honeyeater ◊ Pycnopygius cinereus
Streak-headed Honeyeater ◊ Pycnopygius stictocephalus
Mountain Myzomela ◊ (M Red-headed M) Myzomela adolphinae A few seen near Maybri.
Red-collared Myzomela ◊ Myzomela rosenbergii
New Guinea Friarbird ◊ Philemon novaeguineae
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater ◊ Xanthotis flaviventer One seen on Waigeo.
Olive Honeyeater ◊ Lichmera argentauris Several seen close to Waigeo.
Puff-backed Honeyeater ◊ (P-b Meliphaga) Meliphaga aruensis A pair seen on Waigeo.
Mountain Honeyeater ◊ (M Meliphaga) Microptilotis orientalis Heard-only.
Scrub Honeyeater ◊ (S White-eared Meliphaga) Microptilotis albonotatus
Mimic Honeyeater ◊ (M Meliphaga) Microptilotis analogus
Yellow-gaped Honeyeater ◊ (Y-g Meliphaga) Microptilotis flavirictus A roosting pair found at Malagufuk.
Varied Honeyeater Gavicalis versicolor
Cinnamon-browed Melidectes ◊ Melidectes ochromelas Endemic. Many heard and a few seen around German Camp.
Vogelkop Melidectes ◊ Melidectes leucostephes Endemic. Heard a few and one seen coming down from German Camp.
Ornate Melidectes ◊ Melidectes torquatus
Goldenface ◊ (Dwarf Whistler, Pachycare) Pachycare flavogriseum Many sightings in the Arfak Mountains.
Mountain Mouse-warbler ◊ Origma robusta
Rusty Mouse-warbler ◊ Origma murina
Large Scrubwren ◊ Sericornis nouhuysi
Perplexing Scrubwren ◊ Sericornis virgatus A few seen and heard around German Camp.
Pale-billed Scrubwren ◊ Aethomyias spilodera Seen on Waigeo.
Vogelkop Scrubwren ◊ Aethomyias rufescens Endemic. Several seen well in the Arfak Mountains.
Grey-green Scrubwren ◊ Aethomyias arfakianus A group of three birds seen near Maybri.
Grey Thornbill ◊ Acanthiza cinerea One seen near Minggre.
Green-backed Gerygone ◊ Gerygone chloronota
Fairy Gerygone ◊ Gerygone palpebrosa A male seen in Waigeo.
Large-billed Gerygone ◊ Gerygone magnirostris
Brown-breasted Gerygone ◊ Gerygone ruficollis
Papuan Babbler ◊ (Rufous B) Garritornis isidorei A few seen in a mixed flock at Malagufuk.
Papuan Logrunner ◊ Orthonyx novaeguineae One seen briefly at German Camp.
Obscure Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis arfakiana Well seen near Dyubri.
Black Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis nigra One seen on Waigeo.
Fan-tailed Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis versteri A male seen at Minggre and a few others heard.
Pygmy Longbill ◊ (P Honeyeater) Oedistoma pygmaeum One seen near Minggre.
Yellow-bellied Longbill ◊ Toxorhamphus novaeguineae
Tit Berrypecker ◊ Oreocharis arfaki Good looks at a pair near Minggre and a few more on the way to German Camp.
Spotted Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa leucosticta One bird tricking us near German Camp.
Blue Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa caerulescens A singing bird observed near Malagufuk.
Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa castanonota Heard-only.
Yellow-breasted Boatbill ◊ Machaerirhynchus flaviventer
Black-breasted Boatbill ◊ Machaerirhynchus nigripectus
Lowland Peltops ◊ Peltops blainvillii
Mountain Peltops ◊ Peltops montanus
Hooded Butcherbird ◊ Cracticus cassicus
Mottled Berryhunter ◊ Rhagologus leucostigma Several heard and finally seen well at German Camp.
Stout-billed Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina caeruleogrisea
Barred Cuckooshrike (Yellow-eyed C) Coracina lineata Heard-only.
Boyer’s Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina boyeri
White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis
Golden Cuckooshrike ◊ Campochaera sloetii Heard-only.
Black-browed Triller ◊ Lalage atrovirens One seen near Kwau village.
Rufous-naped Bellbird ◊ (R-n Whistler) Aleadryas rufinucha
Piping Bellbird ◊ (Crested Pitohui) Ornorectes cristatus Heard-only.
Black Pitohui ◊ Melanorectes nigrescens
Island Whistler ◊ Pachycephala phaionata A few birds seen near Waigeo.
Vogelkop Whistler ◊ Pachycephala meyeri Endemic. Two seen near Maybri.
Sclater’s Whistler ◊ (Hill Golden W) Pachycephala soror
Regent Whistler ◊ Pachycephala schlegelii
Rusty Pitohui ◊ Pseudorectes ferrugineus
Arafura Shrikethrush ◊ Colluricincla megarhyncha
Waigeo Shrikethrush ◊ Colluricincla affinis Endemic. Seen well on Waigeo.
Southern Variable Pitohui ◊ Pitohui uropygialis Seen at Malagufuk.
Raja Ampat Pitohui Pitohui cerviniventris Endemic. Seen well on Waigeo.
Hooded Pitohui ◊ Pitohui dichrous
Brown Oriole ◊ Oriolus szalayi
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus
Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Northern Fantail ◊ Rhipidura rufiventris
Black Thicket Fantail ◊ Rhipidura maculipectus A roosting bird seen at Malagufuk and one singing bird near Sorong.
Black Fantail ◊ Rhipidura atra Common in the Arfaks.
Chestnut-bellied Fantail ◊ Rhipidura hyperythra A few seen near Maybri and one near Kwau village.
Friendly Fantail ◊ Rhipidura albolimbata
Dimorphic Fantail ◊ Rhipidura brachyrhyncha A few seen in the Arfaks.
Drongo Fantail ◊ (Pygmy Drongo) Chaetorhynchus papuensis Several seen in the Arfaks.
Black Monarch ◊ (Fan-tailed M) Symposiachrus axillaris One seen near Minggre.
Spot-winged Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus guttula Two seen near Malagufuk.
Hooded Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus manadensis A pair seen on Waigeo.
Black-winged Monarch ◊ Monarcha frater
Golden Monarch ◊ Carterornis chrysomela One seen on Waigeo.
Frilled Monarch ◊ Arses telescopthalmus A few seen during the tour.
Torrent-lark ◊ Grallina bruijnii A cooperative pair seen near Minggre.
Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto A few seen at Malagufuk and one near Sorong.
Brown-headed Crow ◊ Corvus fuscicapillus Near-endemic. A few seen on Waigeo.
Grey Crow ◊ (Bare-eyed C) Corvus tristis Heard-only.
Torresian Crow Corvus orru
Lesser Melampitta ◊ Melampitta lugubris Heard-only.
Glossy-mantled Manucode ◊ Manucodia ater A few on Waigeo and near Sorong.
Crinkle-collared Manucode ◊ Manucodia chalybatus Two near Maybri.
Trumpet Manucode ◊ Phonygammus keraudrenii A couple seen near Malagufuk.
Long-tailed Paradigalla ◊ Paradigalla carunculata Endemic. One seen above Syoubri.
Western Parotia ◊ Parotia sefilata Endemic. Seemingly common in the Arfaks. A male seen dancing!
Vogelkop Lophorina ◊ (Vogelkop Superb BoP) Lophorina superba Endemic. Several females and two males seen.
Magnificent Riflebird ◊ Ptiloris magnificus Two males seen.
Black Sicklebill ◊ Epimachus fastosus A male performing on its pole and a few more females seen.
Black-billed Sicklebill ◊ (Buff-tailed S) Drepanornis albertisi A male seen in a feeding flock near Minggre.
Magnificent Bird-of-paradise ◊ Diphyllodes magnificus A male performing and several females seen in the Arfaks.
Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise ◊ Diphyllodes respublica Endemic. A male seen displaying to a female.
King Bird-of-paradise ◊ Cicinnurus regius A displaying male and a few other seen at Malagufuk.
Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise ◊ Seleucidis melanoleucos A male seen displaying at Malagufuk.
Lesser Bird-of-paradise ◊ Paradisaea minor Several displaying males and females seen near Malagufuk.
Red Bird-of-paradise ◊ Paradisaea rubra Endemic. Four displaying males seen.
Lesser Ground Robin ◊ Amalocichla incerta A few seen around German Camp.
Green-backed Robin ◊ Pachycephalopsis hattamensis Several seen in the Arfaks.
Garnet Robin ◊ Eugerygone rubra A responsive bird seen near German Camp.
Canary Flyrobin ◊ Devioeca papuana Several seen in the higher Arfaks.
Olive Flyrobin ◊ (O Flycatcher) Kempiella flavovirescens A singing bird seen near Malagufuk.
Yellow-legged Flyrobin ◊ (Y-l Flycatcher) Kempiella griseoceps One seen near Duybri.
Yellow-bellied Flyrobin Microeca flavigaster An unexpected bird near Kwau village.
Ashy Robin ◊ Heteromyias albispecularis Endemic. Seen well at German Camp.
Black-throated Robin ◊ Plesiodryas albonotata One seen at German Camp.
Black-chinned Robin ◊ Poecilodryas brachyura Heard-only.
Black-sided Robin ◊ Poecilodryas hypoleuca Common on Waigeo and around Malagufuk.
Smoky Robin ◊ Peneothello cryptoleuca A couple seen around German Camp.
Slaty Robin ◊ (Blue-grey R) Peneothello cyanus
White-rumped Robin ◊ Peneothello bimaculata A pair seen near Kwau village.
White-faced Robin ◊ Tregellasia leucops Several seen in the Arfaks.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Island Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus
Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis
Papuan Grassbird ◊ (P Grass Warbler) Cincloramphus macrurus Seen near Anggi.
Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris A dozen seen near Waigeo.
Black-fronted White-eye ◊ Zosterops chrysolaemus A few seen on the first days.
Capped White-eye ◊ (Western Mountain W-e) Zosterops fuscicapilla Common in the Arfak Mountains.
Papuan White-eye ◊ Zosterops novaeguineae Seen near Kwau village.
Metallic Starling (Shining S) Aplonis metallica
Singing Starling ◊ Aplonis cantoroides
Yellow-faced Myna ◊ Mino dumontii A few seen around Malagufuk.
Olive-crowned Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum pectorale Endemic.
Black Sunbird ◊ Leptocoma aspasia
Sahul Sunbird ◊ Cinnyris frenatus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Streak-headed Mannikin ◊ Mayrimunia tristissima
Scaly-breasted Munia (introduced) Lonchura punctulata
Grey-banded Mannikin ◊ Lonchura vana Endemic. A small flock found near Anggi.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

MAMMALS
Common Echymipera Echymipera kalubu
Stein’s Cuscus Phalanger vestitus
Waigeo Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus papuensis
Reclusive Ring-tailed Possum Pseaudochirops coronatus
Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps
Brown Forest Wallaby Dorcopsis muelleri
Great Flying Fox (Bismarck F F) Pteropus neohibernicus