Raja Ampat is celebrated for its incredible marine biodiversity, but those who look upwards into the jungle canopy will also be rewarded. With over 350 bird species found in the archipelago (and probably many more to be discovered), birders will be absolutely blown away with what they can see.

Papua Paradise Eco Resort on Birie Island is the perfect base for birdwatching adventures. From morning strolls on the jungle paths, read on to find out what birds you might see in the area.

Birie Island Birds

There is a wide variety of species of birds around Birie Island, all of which are protected. Most of these birds have become accustomed to the presence of humans thanks to the length of time Papua Paradise has been established on the island, so they are easy to observe.

One recent guest and author on the birdlife of New Guinea said “Birds we saw daily within a few steps of our cottage included among others: a Palm Cockatoo husking Beach Almond seeds; Willie Wagtails and sunbirds nesting on the buildings; Beach Kingfishers and a resident family of 10 Raja Shelducks along the shore; Spice Imperial Pigeons, Blyth’s Hornbills, Frilled Monarchs, and a family of Glossy Manucodes in the treetops; and two pair of Dusky Scrubfowl tending their nesting mounds. A walk along the Jungle Trail at dawn turned up other species.”

These guests were also really impressed with the knowledge of the staff at the resort, saying that although the resort caters mainly to divers, the staff were eager to accommodate birders too.

Birds of Paradise Tours

For dedicated birdwatchers, there are two unmissable tours from Papua Paradise. The first is the Wilson’s bird of paradise hike. A pre-dawn wakeup and short boat ride is followed by a hike through lush jungle and shallow streams. You will hunker down in a hide and watch out for the vivid turquoise crown, red and yellow plumage of the male Wilson’s bird of paradise. If you are lucky, you might get a special showing of his elaborate mating dance.

The Red bird of paradise is the second species you may encounter in this area. Again, an early morning wakeup and a short boat ride to a nearby island take you into their territory. A gentle sunrise hike with a knowledgeable local guide is the perfect time to learn more about the birds and other species you might spot along the way. You will wait in a small clearing, watching for flashes of the bright crimson and gold of these gorgeous birds before heading back to the resort for breakfast.

Sunrise in the Mangroves

There is no better place to be than in the mangroves for sunrise, watching all the birdlife wake up. Sip your coffee, enjoy the peace, and see if you can spot the Brahminy kites and white-bellied sea eagles, colourful kingfishers, sunbirds, and hornbills. Keen photographers will love this trip for the perfect lighting and backdrop to these beautiful species.

End the Day in the Mangroves

At the other end of the day, the Sunset Hornbill Tour is a spectacular show of nature’s beauty. Cruise through the mangroves listening for the beat of the wings of hundreds of Blythe’s hornbills coming into roost. As they settle into the trees quiet takes over once again. This is one of those moments that Raja Ampat shows off the untouched wilderness that defines the archipelago.

Whether you are a serious birdwatcher or just love nature, birdwatching in West Papua will not disappoint. Is this something that piques your curiosity? Take a look at our tours page or get in touch with our reservations team at reservation@papuaparadise.com