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===Sorong=== | ===Sorong=== | ||
| − | 1. Sorong, the Raja Ampat Islands: Batanta Salawati, Waigeo and Misool, are the western most islands and are home to endemic [[Red Bird of | + | 1. Sorong, the Raja Ampat Islands: Batanta Salawati, Waigeo and Misool, are the western most islands and are home to endemic [[Red Bird of Paradise]] and [[Wilson's Bird of Paradise]] (Batanta-Waigeo). Sorong located on the west most part of the Papua region and owns the highest numbers of small islands. |
===Biak Islands=== | ===Biak Islands=== | ||
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===Manokwari=== | ===Manokwari=== | ||
| − | 3. Manokwari, the Arfak Mountains: The striking Arfak Mountains located on far east corner of the Vogelkop (bird's head) peninsula and ascended steeply behind the coastal town of Manokwari. Arfak rises to an elevation of 2.200m and because of its isolation, the area harbors 9 bird species found on the peninsula and nowhere else on this planet. Among the most amazing birds on the area are the [[Vogelkop Bowerbird]], an intelligent [[Vogelkop Gardener Bowerbird]], [[Arfak Astrapia]], [[ | + | 3. Manokwari, the Arfak Mountains: The striking Arfak Mountains located on far east corner of the Vogelkop (bird's head) peninsula and ascended steeply behind the coastal town of Manokwari. Arfak rises to an elevation of 2.200m and because of its isolation, the area harbors 9 bird species found on the peninsula and nowhere else on this planet. Among the most amazing birds on the area are the [[Vogelkop Bowerbird]], an intelligent [[Vogelkop Gardener Bowerbird]], [[Arfak Astrapia]], [[Brown Sicklebill]] and more. |
===Nimbokrang=== | ===Nimbokrang=== | ||
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===Wamen=== | ===Wamen=== | ||
| − | 5. Wamen, Jayawijaya, Lake Habema: The central highland of Papua, located in the main heart of New Guinea Island. The Lake Habema area, just below the central ranges is home to the most beautiful highland species such as the [[Macgregor Bird of Paradise]], [[Brown Sicklebill]] and other amazing birds. | + | 5. Wamen, Jayawijaya, Lake Habema: The central highland of Papua, located in the main heart of New Guinea Island. The Lake Habema area, just below the central ranges is home to the most beautiful highland species such as the [[Macgregor's Bird of Paradise]], [[Brown Sicklebill]] and other amazing birds. |
==Other Wildlife== | ==Other Wildlife== | ||
Revision as of 23:47, 19 August 2007
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Overview
"In such a country and among such a people, are found these wonderful productions of Nature, the birds of paradise, whose exquisite beauty of form and color and strange developments of plumage are calculated to excite the wonders and admiration of the most civilized and most intellectual of mankind, and to furnish inexhaustible materials for study to naturalist, and for speculation to the philosopher." Alfred Russel Wallace, The Malay Archipelago, 1869
Intoduction:
INDONESIA, with over 17.000 islands, makes this "island nation" the fourth richness country in the world, in terms of numbers of bird species (1.539 � 17% of the world�s total) and the first in bird species endemism. One of islands which support this abundant bird species is West Papua Province.
West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) is one the four "big" islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago and occupies the western half of the New Guinea Island land mass. On the eastern half of the island lies the country of Papua New Guinea. West Papua covers a total area of 416.000km2 and is the largest province of Indonesia. The combination of both sides result in what is called as the largest tropical island. The New Guinea Island, is the world second largest island.
West Papua (Irian Jaya) is 810km away from North Australia and 3,520 km from Indonesian capital city, Jakarta. It is an undiscovered world of pristine tropical rainforest with its eternal snow capped mountain ridges of more than 5,000 metres high.
The various topography of New Guinea area reflects the complex patterns of the bird distribution. From the whole 650 species recorded, 101 are endemics, where 39 are at Papua part, and are grouped into 8 Endemic Bird Area (Source by Birdlife International).
Birds
Notable Species
New Guinea is home to the most glorious birds on earth, among others are the elusive Birds of Paradise, Bowerbird, Cassowary, the world largest pigeon, Cockatoo and Vulturine Parrot.
Papua offers some of the best birding in the world. Located on the western half of the island of New Guinea, (the world's second most largest island,) Papua still provides many areas that await exploration. The province has several endemic birds, among others are the elusive Birds of Paradise, Bowerbird, Cassowarie, Kingfishers, Crowned Pigeon, Cockatoo and Parrot. The scientific community still targets and finds undescribed and new species of birds, flora and fauna in this part of the world.
Sites of Interest
Places to bird around West Papua:
Sorong
1. Sorong, the Raja Ampat Islands: Batanta Salawati, Waigeo and Misool, are the western most islands and are home to endemic Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Batanta-Waigeo). Sorong located on the west most part of the Papua region and owns the highest numbers of small islands.
Biak Islands
2. Biak Islands: Biak or the Geelvink islands are the mushroom shaped islands located above the neck of the Papua (The Cenderwasih Bay) supports 5 endemics species and other 3 shared only with its neighboring Numfor Island.
Manokwari
3. Manokwari, the Arfak Mountains: The striking Arfak Mountains located on far east corner of the Vogelkop (bird's head) peninsula and ascended steeply behind the coastal town of Manokwari. Arfak rises to an elevation of 2.200m and because of its isolation, the area harbors 9 bird species found on the peninsula and nowhere else on this planet. Among the most amazing birds on the area are the Vogelkop Bowerbird, an intelligent Vogelkop Gardener Bowerbird, Arfak Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill and more.
Nimbokrang
4. Nimbokrang, Jayapura: Nimbokrang is a transmigration settlement, some 65km west of Jayapura, the provincial city of Papua, has easy, good birding sites but very humid, yet is rich for lowland alluvial bird species to be mentioned are the Brown Collared Brush-turkey, the planet's largest pigeon species, the beautiful Vulturine Parrot as well as Birds of Paradise.
Wamen
5. Wamen, Jayawijaya, Lake Habema: The central highland of Papua, located in the main heart of New Guinea Island. The Lake Habema area, just below the central ranges is home to the most beautiful highland species such as the Macgregor's Bird of Paradise, Brown Sicklebill and other amazing birds.
Other Wildlife
The land is very rich in plantlife, many species of orchids and a paradise for marsupials, such as the Tree Kangaroo, Bandicoot, Ring-tailed possum, Cuscus and Wallaby.
Reptiles include many species of Snakes, Crocodiles, Sea Turtles such as the giant Leatherback Turtle, Frill-necked Lizard and Monitor Lizard and the longest Varanid species on the planet. Dugong may be found offshore and the Spiny Anteater inhabits the interior.
Insect life is abundant, many colorful Butterflies and hosts to over 800 species of spiders alone.
Site Information
The Province offers unspoilt, world-class underwater marinelife, according to CI marine survey 2001. The research was carried out around the Raja Ampat Islands, near Sorong, Papua, Indonesia.
Access and Facilities
To do
Contact Details
To do
External Links
For further information of bird list of the area, please visit the following link: www.papuabirdclub.com or contact [email protected]
Content and images originally posted by Kris Tindige
