Brilliant & Bizarre Birds of Paradise

Few birds fire the imagination like the remarkable birds of paradise. Since 18th century reports first reached Europe of the shimmering courtship dances of these extraordinary birds, they have been high on any naturalist’s list of most coveted wildlife. However, of the more than 40 known species distributed from the Maluku Islands (Moluccas) to eastern Australia, most are either restricted to inaccessible highland areas of New Guinea or are found on remote islands. Seeing them has always been a major challenge. Until now. What better way to see the endemic birds of paradise of the Raja Ampat and Maluku archipelagos (Indonesia) than by island-hopping on a comfortable sailing vessel? Even better, why not combine the spectacular scenery and birds of these little-visited islands with snorkelling on many of their spectacular reefs?

Our exceptional new tour offers just this combination: birds of -paradise shimmering in the crown of tropical rainforest and vibrant marine fish shimmering over tropical reefs. Our adventures begin in West Papua, where from the port of Sorong we set sail on our vessel Katharina to the nearby archipelago of Raja Ampat. The next day we have our first rendezvous with birds of paradise: on the island of Gam we will visit a lek of the beautiful red bird of paradise. A second species, the oddly named glossy-mantled manucode, is also sometimes seen here. Setting off before dawn, the following day we will land on Waigeo and walk to a lek of Wilson’s bird of paradise. One of the most dazzling birds on earth, unlike many of its relatives, Wilson’s displays on the ground, allowing us to admire every detail of its multi-coloured plumage and its bizarre dance.

Next we sail to Batanta, for more adventures in the forest, and from here on to Salawati to visit a lek of the breathtaking king bird of paradise. Also here, though harder to see, four other birds of paradise and the imposing northern cassowary may be found. And that’s just the birds! Each day we hope also to snorkel over a reef and marvel at the region’s astonishing marine biodiversity.

Sailing between Raja Ampat and Halmahera in the Maluku Islands we stop at Gebe. Birds of paradise here are represented by the glossymantled manucode, but the forest is also home to a range of kingfishers, parrots, imperial pigeons and fruit doves. Making land on Halmahera we say goodbye to the Katharina and move for three nights to Weda Reef and Rainforest Resort. The forest here supports two of the westernmost birds of paradise: Halmahera paradise crow and the extraordinary Wallace’s standardwing. This last bird was named in honour of Alfred Russel Wallace, a great biogeographer and co-discoverer of evolution, who spent years exploring Indonesia in the 1850s and 60s.

If since the days of Zoo Quest you have longed to see birds of paradise in their natural habitat, our new Indonesia cruise is for you. Why not join our search for these stunning birds on beautiful, little known islands, combined with snorkelling over pristine reefs and dolphin watching as we sail?

Join us on our Raja Ampat's Bird of Paradise trip in 2020 or contact us for more information.