19 AUGUST – 04 SEPTEMBER 2023
Overview
This Papua New Guinea birding tour started and ended in Port Moresby and ran from the 19th of August 2023 to the 4th of September 2023. During our Papua New Guinea birding tour, we birded and stayed at some of the best birding sites in Papua New Guinea. Birding sites visited during this Papua New Guinea bird tour included Varirata National Park and the Pacific Adventist University campus near Port Moresby, Kiunga on the Fly River, Star Mountains, Kwatu Lodge, Mount Hagen (including Rondon Ridge Lodge and Kumul Lodge), Tari Gap, and Ambua Lodge. Each of the above destinations offered something different in terms of the habitats to explore and the birds present.
The exquisite King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise gave excellent views and was an extremely popular species during our Papua New Guinea birding tour.
We recorded 300 species on the tour (14 of these heard only) which followed on from our short New Britain birding tour. Usually, our New Britain birdwatching tour follows the Papua New Guinea bird tour, but this year it ran ahead of it, due to logistical reasons (see the New Britain trip report here). Trip lists for this Papua New Guinea tour follow the report. Birds-of-paradise were a big focus on the tour given they are some of the most incredible birds on the planet. We recorded 21 species of astonishing birds-of-paradise: Splendid Astrapia, Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Queen Carola’s Parotia, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Black Sicklebill, Brown Sicklebill, Black-billed Sicklebill, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Crinkle-collared Manucode, Magnificent Riflebird, Growling Riflebird, Greater Lophorina, King Bird-of-paradise, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, Greater Bird-of-paradise, Raggiana Bird-of-paradise, and Blue Bird-of-paradise. All of the above birds-of-paradise were seen, some foraging, and others displaying (including making some incredible sounds). Many species were photographed, and these photos appear throughout the report.
The striking Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia gave some great views during our PNG bird tour.
However, this Papua New Guinea bird tour wasn’t only about the spectacular birds-of-paradise, as the country hosts so many other exceptional birds and endemic bird families that we wanted to also look for. During this Papua New Guinea birding tour we enjoyed sightings of Salvadori’s Teal, Barred Owlet-nightjar, Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon, nine species of gorgeous fruit doves, including Beautiful Fruit Dove, Dwarf Fruit Dove, and Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Gurney’s Eagle, Papuan Harrier, Papuan Boobook, Blyth’s Hornbill, a dozen species of kingfishers, including Hook-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Little Paradise Kingfisher, Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, and Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, along with Rufous-bellied Kookaburra. Cockatoos and parrots featured heavily with almost 30 species logged, from the giant Palm Cockatoo to the miniscule, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, with numerous stunning and colorful birds in between, such as Papuan Eclectus, Stella’s Lorikeet, and Brehm’s Tiger Parrot.
A displaying male Raggiana Bird-of-paradise (the national bird of Papua New Guinea) put on a spectacular show for us, what a sight!
Further highlights included Flame Bowerbird, Emperor Fairywren, 25 species of honeyeaters including the boisterous duo of Belford’s Melidectes and Yellow-browed Melidectes, as well as Papuan Babbler, Loria’s Satinbird, Obscure Berrypecker, Tit Berrypecker, Eastern Crested Berrypecker, Mottled Berryhunter, Papuan Sittella, Regent Whistler, White-bellied Pitohui, Southern Variable Pitohui, Hooded Pitohui, Golden Monarch, Torrent-lark, Grey Crow, Lesser Melampitta, and Blue-capped Ifrit. However, the highlights didn’t stop there, with further special birds including numerous Australian robins, such as White-winged Robin, White-rumped Robin, and Black-sided Robin, along with Papuan Grassbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Island (Papuan) Thrush, Red-capped Flowerpecker, and Alpine Pipit.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 19th August 2023. Arrival in Port Moresby
Today was an arrival day in Port Moresby. We enjoyed our welcome dinner together and discussed what we were hoping to see on this Papua New Guinea bird tour.
Day 2, 20th August 2023. Flight between Port Moresby and Kiunga, travel to Tabubil
We took a morning flight out of Port Moresby to Kiunga. The flight made a brief touchdown on the island of Daru, where we noted several Australian Pratincoles. We then spent most of the afternoon driving north to the town of Tabubil, passing through some beautiful scenery. A couple of stops near our destination gave us sightings of Grey Crow, Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Variable Goshawk, Dusky Lory, White-shouldered Fairywren, Black Butcherbird, Hooded Butcherbird, New Guinea Friarbird, Yellow-faced Myna, and Torrent Flyrobin.
Day 3, 21st August 2023. Birding the Star Mountains near Tabubil
We awoke for an early breakfast with a Papuan Boobook showing in the garden. We then spent the day exploring the Star Mountains and had an awesome day of mid- and high-elevation birding, recording eight species of birds-of-paradise including: Splendid Astrapia (our main target), King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Queen Carola’s Parotia, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Black Sicklebill, Brown Sicklebill, and Greater Bird-of-paradise which were all seen, with Greater Lophorina heard only. A mega collection of birds and several certain tour highlights seen.
The gorgeous Queen Carola’s Parotia was one of the highlight birds-of-paradise of the tour.
Loads of other birds were seen across the day as we birded at a range of elevations. Some of the highlights included Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, Fairy Lorikeet, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Dusky Lory, Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Mountain Myzomela, Red-collared Myzomela, Mountain Honeyeater, Black-throated Honeyeater, Belford’s Melidectes, Black-breasted Boatbill, Mountain Peltops, Hooded Cuckooshrike, Grey-headed Cuckooshrike, Regent Whistler, Black Fantail, Friendly Fantail, Torrent-lark, Slaty Robin, Torrent Flyrobin, Island Leaf Warbler, and Island (Papuan) Thrush.
Day 4, 22nd August 2023. Birding near Tabubil and travel to Kiunga
We spent the morning birding near Tabubil and found some great birds. First up was a small group of roosting Great Woodswallows, quickly followed up with a pair of Salvadori’s Teals on a river, along with Torrent Flyrobins too. Nearby we found Tawny-breasted Honeyeater and over the course of the morning also found Scrub Honeyeater, Mimic Honeyeater, Long-billed Honeyeater, Plain Honeyeater, and Meyer’s Friarbird. Moving along a forest track we picked up Grey-headed Goshawk, Southern Variable Pitohui, White-rumped Robin, Golden Cuckooshrike, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, Grey-headed Cuckooshrike, Grey Crow, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Moustached Treeswift, White-crowned Cuckoo, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, Dusky Lory, Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot, and Pale-vented Bush-hen. We also had brief sightings of Glossy-mantled Manucode, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, and Magnificent Riflebird.
In the afternoon we drove back down to Kiunga, where a stop just outside of town allowed us to watch the incredible display of the stunning Greater Bird-of-paradise. A great end to another fantastic day’s birding in Papua New Guinea.
The simply spectacular Greater Bird-of-paradise gave a glorious display for us.
Day 5, 23rd August 2023. Birding the Kiunga area
We had a great day birding near Kiunga and racked up a long list of wonderful birds during our morning and afternoon birding sessions, including lots of gorgeous fruit doves, parrots, and some more birds-of-paradise too. Trumpet Manucode, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Greater Bird-of-paradise, King Bird-of-paradise, and Magnificent Riflebird were all seen (though some of these only briefly). Further color was provided by several stunning pigeons, including Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, and Dwarf Fruit Dove. Parrots ranged from the humongous Palm Cockatoo to the miniscule Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot and many in between, such as Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Papuan Eclectus, Red-cheeked Parrot, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot, and Double-eyed Fig Parrot. Several honeyeaters were seen, including Meyer’s Friarbird, and a wide range of other species, including multiple cuckooshrikes, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, cuckoos including Ivory-billed Coucal, Dwarf Koel, and Brush Cuckoo, Golden Monarch, Papuan Babbler, Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, Lowland Peltops, and possibly one of the flashiest of them all – Flame Bowerbird!
The gorgeous Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot (formerly called Orange-breasted Fig Parrot) showed well during the tour.
Day 6, 24th August 2023. Birding the Kwatu Lodge area
We left Kiunga after breakfast and took a boat trip along three different rivers to reach the remote and basic Kwatu Lodge. It was a fascinating journey giving us a glimpse of remote life in the region, especially when we explored Gusiore village. As we made our boat ride along Fly River, Elavala River, and Ketu River we found Collared Imperial Pigeon, Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pacific Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Palm Cockatoo, Yellow-streaked Lory, Papuan Hanging Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hooded Pitta, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Grey Crow, Emperor Fairywren, and Shining Flycatcher.
Some fruiting trees around Kwatu Lodge, our remote base for the night, held Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, and Metallic Starling. We enjoyed some time just sitting and watching the birds come to us, for a change!
In the afternoon our boat ride yielded excellent views of Oriental Dollarbird, Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, Azure Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra. We then visited a quiet and unexplored patch of forest, where we got great views of Little Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, White-bellied Pitohui, Golden Cuckooshrike, and Frilled Monarch. As we took the boat back to the lodge in the late afternoon, we saw a distant Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise briefly, along with Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, and Black-capped Lory. Then the rain started, and it poured down for most of the night.
We got some great views of Little Paradise Kingfisher while birding near Kwatu Lodge and a short while later also saw Common Paradise Kingfisher, which allowed for a good comparison.
Day 7, 25th August 2023. Birding the Kwatu Lodge area
We awoke to find the Ketu River water level had increased massively overnight. We enjoyed a memorable early morning birding session right off Kwatu Lodge, where we found a flock of at least five roosting Sclater’s Crowned Pigeons, these huge, attractive, and uncommon giant pigeons were a highly sought-after target and a real joy to see, even in the half light of dawn. We then moved a bit further along the river where we found the simply spectacular Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise and a short while later we were watching him go about a rather impressive bout of displaying. Two top birds right from the get-go!
A flock of Sclater’s Crowned Pigeons that had been roosting together. What an incredible sight, even in the near darkness!
After enjoying our two big targets we tried for a few other birds, but the rain soon started up again and remained heavy for a while longer. Despite the rain, we managed to see a Black-sided Robin and improve our views of Emperor Fairywren before the rain got even heavier and we retreated to Kwatu Lodge for some shelter and a hot drink. While waiting for an early lunch and during intermittent short dry spells, we focused our attention on the fruiting trees around the lodge, and in doing so found Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove, Pacific Koel, Large Fig Parrot, Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, Grey-headed Cuckooshrike, Golden Cuckooshrike, Black Cicadabird, Varied Triller, New Guinea Friarbird, Metallic Starling, and a young Raggiana Bird-of-paradise. It was a great way to spend an enforced weather break.
The remarkable sight of a displaying Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise.
After lunch it was time to get the boat back to Kiunga, however before that, since the rain had paused for a brief spell, we decided to try for one more bird that we had to abort looking for earlier due to the weather. After a sterling effort by our local team, we were able to get into position to see a gorgeous male King Bird-of-paradise at close range and low down. Satisfied with our haul from the river, we continued back to town (spotting another Raggiana Bird-of-paradise along the way). We arrived back at our accommodation in Kiunga and all enjoyed hot showers after our night in the jungle, but what a wonderful experience we’d had, packed full of great memories.
King Bird-of-paradise flew in and showed low down and well for us, although briefly.
Day 8, 26th August 2023. Transfer between Kiunga and Port Moresby
We enjoyed a relaxed breakfast and took our late morning flight from Kiunga (where the Australian Pratincoles were still in attendance) back to Port Moresby, where we spent the rest of the day at leisure and preparing for our next Papua New Guinea wilderness birding adventure.
Day 9, 27th August 2023. Transfer between Port Moresby and Mt Hagen
We had a morning flight from Port Moresby to Mt Hagen and then took the short drive to the picturesque Rondon Ridge Lodge, our base for the night. After lunch we explored the lodge, our first birding in the Papuan New Guinea Central Highlands, and found plenty of great birds, including three new birds-of-paradise, firstly Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, secondly Greater Lophorina, and finally, the incomparable Blue Bird-of-paradise (it was “just” a female, but was still spectacular).
This gorgeous female Blue Bird-of-paradise gave great prolonged views while feeding.
While watching the birds-of-paradise we also saw Stella’s Lorikeet, Yellow-browed Melidectes, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Red-collared Myzomela, Brown-breasted Gerygone, White-shouldered Fairywren, Red-capped Flowerpecker, Pied Bush Chat, Long-tailed Shrike, and Hooded Mannikin.
Day 10, 28th August 2023. Birding Rondon Ridge and Kumul Lodge
We had a wonderful day birding in the highlands with so many highlight birds to choose from. During the morning we took a walk up from Rondon Ridge Lodge to Rondon Ridge itself. It was a moderately tough hike (especially given all the rainfall overnight), uphill all the way, but the birds at the top sure made the effort worthwhile. The pick of the birds included adult males of five simply spectacular birds-of-paradise: King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise (see the trip report cover image), Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia (see photo in the trip report introduction), Brown Sicklebill, Black Sicklebill, and a bit lower down the mountain, a male Greater Lophorina, finally.
While our focus was on the above birds-of-paradise and the hike itself (the trail was rather slippery), we noted a few other good species along the way, including Brown-backed Whistler, Sclater’s Whistler, Mid-mountain Berrypecker, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Papuan Sittella, Island Leaf Warbler, Black-fronted White-eye, Papuan White-eye, Yellow-browed Melidectes, Ornate Melidectes, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Buff-faced Scrubwren, Papuan Scrubwren, Dimorphic Fantail, and Friendly Fantail.
Brown Sicklebill is another huge bird-of-paradise that gave excellent views during the tour. It was great to be able to compare this species with its close relative, the Black Sicklebill while both species fed in the same fruiting tree, along with Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia (all with King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise displaying in the tree above them)!
After lunch we took an informative drive across to the famous Kumul Lodge with our local team filling us in about all things Papua New Guinea. We noted Long-tailed Shrike, Pied Bush Chat, and Black Kite along the way.
Even without its long tail, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia is still an incredibly beautiful bird-of-paradise.
We arrived at Kumul Lodge in the middle of the afternoon and spent a few hours at the exceptional bird feeders. It was rather wet and cool, but plenty of birds were in attendance at the feeders, with several new trip birds seen, including another new bird-of-paradise – the gorgeous Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. Unfortunately, the two adult males had dropped (molted) their long tail feathers, but they still looked rather resplendent, and the females were impressive too, as they busily fed their fledged young. Brown Sicklebills were numerous and gave very close views, while also feeding young. Other species noted at the Kumul Lodge bird feeders included Brehm’s Tiger Parrot, Stella’s Lorikeet, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Island (Papuan) Thrush, White-winged Robin, Belford’s Melidectes, Common Smoky Honeyeater, and Friendly Fantail.
The rather colorful Stella’s Lorikeet gave us some great views at the Kumul Lodge bird feeders, and we also saw some of the dark-morph birds while birding in the nearby forest.
Day 11, 29th August 2023. Birding the Kumul Lodge area
We spent the morning birding near Kumul Lodge and after a short drive we took a steep hike up a gravel track to a specific spot to overlook a male Blue Bird-of-paradise display site. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any display activity, but we did get to watch the incredible male coming to a tree to feed a couple of times, giving prolonged views. Other birds distracting us while we waited for our target bird-of-paradise, included Mountain Kingfisher, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Stout-billed Cuckooshrike, Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove, Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Yellow-browed Melidectes, and Common Smoky Honeyeater.
An adult male Blue Bird-of-paradise busy feeding.
The drive back to the lodge gave us a sighting of Brown Falcon and then during the latter part of the morning we birded around Kumul Lodge, finding a pair of the famous Blue-capped Ifrit (a monotypic family and a poisonous bird too!). Strolling around the grounds we also found Eastern Crested Berrypecker, Tit Berrypecker, Mountain Mouse-warbler, Canary Flyrobin, White-winged Robin, Painted Tiger Parrot, and dark-morph Stella’s Lorikeet. The usual birds were present at the feeders and included Brown Sicklebill, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Rufous-naped Bellbird, Belford’s Melidectes, and Brehm’s Tiger Parrot among others.
The Blue-capped Ifrit, showing its blue cap!
In the afternoon we visited a different patch of forest and enjoyed loads of great birds, such as Loria’s Satinbird, Mottled Berryhunter, Lesser Melampitta, Blue-capped Ifrit, Tit Berrypecker, Eastern Crested Berrypecker, Streaked Berrypecker, Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Brehm’s Tiger Parrot, Plum-faced Lorikeet, and Orange-billed Lorikeet. We also enjoyed further sightings of King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, and Brown Sicklebill. Wattled Ploughbill was unfortunately only heard calling in the distance, but we couldn’t be too disappointed with all the fantastic birds we had just seen.
Brehm’s Tiger Parrot giving close views at the famous Kumul Lodge bird feeders.
Day 12, 30th August 2023. Kumul Lodge to Port Moresby
We had a brief morning walk around Kumul Lodge before it was time to drive back to Mt. Hagen and catch our flight back to Port Moresby. The morning walk was rather quiet, with the birds seemingly taking a while to warm up. We did however note a few good birds, such as Lesser Melampitta, Black-mantled Goshawk, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, and Brown Sicklebill. We then took our afternoon flight back to Port Moresby and spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing at our comfortable hotel.
Day 13, 31st August 2023. Birding Varirata National Park
We had a great day birding at Varirata National Park, a fantastic birding site near Port Moresby. The first bird we saw was one of our main targets, the national bird of Papua New Guinea, Raggiana Bird-of-paradise. We enjoyed watching six males displaying (see photo in trip report summary section), even though no females came in – yet another beautiful bird-of-paradise. After the bird-of-paradise-watching we relocated to a different part of the site, and in no time at all were watching two Brown-headed Paradise Kingfishers, an adult and a juvenile bird. After seeing these two target species, we walked along a road finding lots of other birds, such as Hooded Pitohui, Common Cicadabird, Barred Cuckooshrike, Black Cicadabird, Brown Oriole, Frilled Monarch, Grey Whistler, and Elegant Honeyeater.
Getting close views of the simply stunning Raggiana Bird-of-paradise was another highlight.
We changed areas within the park again and found ourselves watching a couple of fruiting trees, where we noted Beautiful Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Papuan King Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, and several other species. In the undergrowth we found Rusty Pitohui and in the trees in open woodland found Hooded Pitohui, Spangled Drongo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Yellow-faced Myna, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, and more. Not too far from the fruiting trees we found roosting Barking Owl and Barred Owlet-nightjar, as well as nesting Papuan Frogmouth. Overhead we had Pacific Baza, Brahminy Kite, Gurney’s Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Torresian Crow, and Grey Crow.
We saw this adult Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher while birding at Varirata National Park.
We then took a walk along a river and continued finding quality birds, including Crinkle-collared Manucode, Growling Riflebird, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Spectacled Longbill, White-faced Robin, Yellow-legged Flyrobin, Olive Flyrobin, Fairy Gerygone, Green-backed Gerygone, and Yellow-belied Gerygone.
Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher showed well during our afternoon river walk.
Day 14, 1st September 2023. Transfer between Port Moresby and Tari, and travel to Ambua Lodge
We took a morning flight from Port Moresby to Tari in the Papua New Guinea Western Highlands. On arrival in Tari, we took the short journey to Ambua Lodge, our base for the next two nights. After lunch we commenced our birding in the area, finding King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Brown Sicklebill, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Black-bellied Cuckooshrike, Grey Thornbill, Rufous-backed Honeyeater, and a few other species, though in general it was rather quiet.
Day 15, 2nd September 2023. Birding Ambua Lodge and the Tari Gap area
We spent the morning birding the Tari Gap area above Ambua Lodge and connected with some great birds. Some of the highlights included Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Brown Sicklebill, Black-billed Sicklebill, Lesser Melampitta, Loria’s Satinbird, MacGregor’s Bowerbird, Stella’s Lorikeet, Josephine’s Lorikeet, Goldie’s Lorikeet, Alpine Pipit, Eastern Crested Berrypecker, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Mid-mountain Berrypecker, Dimorphic Fantail, Friendly Fantail, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Island (Papuan) Thrush, Papuan Grassbird, Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Black-throated Honeyeater, Belford’s Melidectes, Yellow-browed Melidectes, and Regent Whistler.
Yellow-browed Melidectes is a large honeyeater and it is rather brash and noisy!
In the afternoon the clouds descended but the rain held off allowing us some birding time. We found a nice mixed flock and some more birds-of-paradise, including Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Brown Sicklebill, and King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise. Other birds noted during the course of the afternoon included Capped White-eye, Large Scrubwren, Buff-faced Scrubwren, Grey Thornbill, Brown-breasted Gerygone, Black-breasted Boatbill, Mid-mountain Berrypecker, Black-bellied Cuckooshrike, Great Woodswallow, and Loria’s Satinbird.
Day 16, 3rd September 2023. Transfer from Tari to Port Moresby
The original plan was for another day’s birding in the Ambua area, however just before the tour commenced, Air Niugini changed their flight schedules between Tari and Port Moresby, meaning we had to make some last-minute changes to our tour route. After a late breakfast, we made our way from the picturesque Ambua Lodge back to Tari. From Tari we took our flight back to Port Moresby, for the final group evening meal together.
Day 17, 4th September 2023. Port Moresby birding and departure
We had a final morning birding in the excellent Pacific Adventist University grounds, not far outside of Port Moresby city. We added plenty of new trip birds here, including Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australian Hobby, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Black-backed Butcherbird, Australasian Figbird, Golden-headed Cisticola, Singing Starling, and Grey-headed Mannikin.
We enjoyed excellent views of multiple Fawn-breasted Bowerbirds on our final day of birding in Papua New Guinea.
During our morning birding session, we also found several new waterfowl species, including Wandering Whistling Duck, Radjah Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Pied Heron, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australasian Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, and Comb-crested Jacana. On finishing our birding and returning to Port Moresby, this Papua New Guinea birding tour ended.
Bird List – Following IOC (13.2)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen. The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: VU = Vulnerable.
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae) | |
| Wandering Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna arcuata |
| Radjah Shelduck | Radjah radjah |
| Salvadori’s Teal | Salvadorina waigiuensis |
| Pacific Black Duck | Anas superciliosa |
| Grey Teal | Anas gracilis |
| Megapodes (Megapodiidae) | |
| Black-billed Brushturkey (H) | Talegalla fuscirostris |
| Orange-footed Scrubfowl | Megapodius reinwardt |
| Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae) | |
| Brown Quail | Synoicus ypsilophorus |
| Frogmouths (Podargidae) | |
| Marbled Frogmouth (H) | Podargus ocellatus |
| Papuan Frogmouth | Podargus papuensis |
| Owlet-nightjars (Aegothelidae) | |
| Barred Owlet-nightjar | Aegotheles bennettii |
| Treeswifts (Hemiprocnidae) | |
| Moustached Treeswift | Hemiprocne mystacea |
| Swifts (Apodidae) | |
| Glossy Swiftlet | Collocalia esculenta |
| Mountain Swiftlet | Aerodramus hirundinaceus |
| Uniform Swiftlet | Aerodramus vanikorensis |
| Papuan Spine-tailed Swift | Mearnsia novaeguineae |
| Cuckoos (Cuculidae) | |
| Ivory-billed Coucal | Centropus menbeki |
| Pheasant Coucal | Centropus phasianinus |
| Dwarf Koel | Microdynamis parva |
| Pacific Koel | Eudynamys orientalis |
| Channel-billed Cuckoo | Scythrops novaehollandiae |
| Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx ruficollis |
| Shining Bronze Cuckoo (H) | Chrysococcyx lucidus |
| White-crowned Cuckoo | Cacomantis leucolophus |
| Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo | Cacomantis castaneiventris |
| Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Cacomantis flabelliformis |
| Brush Cuckoo | Cacomantis variolosus |
| Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) | |
| Rock Dove | Columba livia |
| Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove | Macropygia amboinensis |
| Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove | Macropygia nigrirostris |
| Great Cuckoo-Dove | Reinwardtoena reinwardti |
| Pacific Emerald Dove | Chalcophaps longirostris |
| Stephan’s Emerald Dove | Chalcophaps stephani |
| Peaceful Dove | Geopelia placida |
| Bar-shouldered Dove | Geopelia humeralis |
| Cinnamon Ground Dove (H) | Gallicolumba rufigula |
| Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon | Goura sclaterii |
| Wompoo Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus magnificus |
| Pink-spotted Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus perlatus |
| Ornate Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus ornatus |
| Orange-fronted Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus aurantiifrons |
| Superb Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus superbus |
| Beautiful Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus pulchellus |
| White-bibbed Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus rivoli |
| Orange-bellied Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus iozonus |
| Dwarf Fruit Dove | Ptilinopus nainus |
| Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon | Ducula rufigaster |
| Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon | Ducula pinon |
| Collared Imperial Pigeon | Ducula mullerii |
| Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon | Ducula zoeae |
| Torresian Imperial Pigeon | Ducula spilorrhoa |
| Papuan Mountain Pigeon | Gymnophaps albertisii |
| Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae) | |
| Buff-banded Rail | Hypotaenidia philippensis |
| Dusky Moorhen | Gallinula tenebrosa |
| Australasian Swamphen | Porphyrio melanotus |
| Pale-vented Bush-hen | Amaurornis moluccana |
| Plovers (Charadriidae) | |
| Masked Lapwing | Vanellus miles |
| Jacanas (Jacanidae) | |
| Comb-crested Jacana | Irediparra gallinacea |
| Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) | |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos |
| Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae) | |
| Australian Pratincole | Stiltia isabella |
| Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) | |
| Australasian Darter | Anhinga novaehollandiae |
| Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) | |
| Little Pied Cormorant | Microcarbo melanoleucos |
| Little Black Cormorant | Phalacrocorax sulcirostris |
| Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) | |
| Australian White Ibis | Threskiornis molucca |
| Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) | |
| Nankeen Night Heron | Nycticorax caledonicus |
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata |
| Eastern Cattle Egret | Bubulcus coromandus |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba |
| Intermediate Egret | Ardea intermedia |
| Pied Heron | Egretta picata |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
| Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) | |
| Pacific Baza | Aviceda subcristata |
| Long-tailed Honey Buzzard | Henicopernis longicauda |
| Gurney’s Eagle | Aquila gurneyi |
| Variable Goshawk | Accipiter hiogaster |
| Brown Goshawk | Accipiter fasciatus |
| Black-mantled Goshawk | Accipiter melanochlamys |
| Grey-headed Goshawk | Accipiter poliocephalus |
| Papuan Harrier | Circus spilothorax |
| Black Kite | Milvus migrans |
| Whistling Kite | Haliastur sphenurus |
| Brahminy Kite | Haliastur indus |
| White-bellied Sea Eagle | Haliaeetus leucogaster |
| Owls (Strigidae) | |
| Barking Owl | Ninox connivens |
| Papuan Boobook | Ninox theomacha |
| Hornbills (Bucerotidae) | |
| Blyth’s Hornbill | Rhyticeros plicatus |
| Rollers (Coraciidae) | |
| Oriental Dollarbird | Eurystomus orientalis |
| Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |
| Hook-billed Kingfisher | Melidora macrorrhina |
| Common Paradise Kingfisher | Tanysiptera galatea |
| Little Paradise Kingfisher | Tanysiptera hydrocharis |
| Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher | Tanysiptera danae |
| Shovel-billed Kookaburra (H) | Dacelo rex |
| Rufous-bellied Kookaburra | Dacelo gaudichaud |
| Blue-winged Kookaburra | Dacelo leachii |
| Sacred Kingfisher | Todiramphus sanctus |
| Yellow-billed Kingfisher | Syma torotoro |
| Mountain Kingfisher | Syma megarhyncha |
| Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis |
| Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher | Ceyx solitarius |
| Azure Kingfisher | Ceyx azureus |
| Bee-eaters (Meropidae) | |
| Rainbow Bee-eater | Merops ornatus |
| Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) | |
| Australian Hobby | Falco longipennis |
| Brown Falcon | Falco berigora |
| Cockatoos (Cacatuidae) | |
| Palm Cockatoo | Probosciger aterrimus |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | Cacatua galerita |
| Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae) | |
| Pesquet’s Parrot (H) – VU | Psittrichas fulgidus |
| Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot | Micropsitta keiensis |
| Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot | Micropsitta pusio |
| Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot | Micropsitta bruijnii |
| Papuan King Parrot | Alisterus chloropterus |
| Papuan Eclectus | Eclectus polychloros |
| Red-cheeked Parrot | Geoffroyus geoffroyi |
| Blue-collared Parrot | Geoffroyus simplex |
| Brehm’s Tiger Parrot | Psittacella brehmii |
| Painted Tiger Parrot | Psittacella picta |
| Plum-faced Lorikeet | Oreopsittacus arfaki |
| Pygmy Lorikeet | Charminetta wilhelminae |
| Red-flanked Lorikeet | Hypocharmosyna placentis |
| Fairy Lorikeet | Charmosynopsis pulchella |
| Josephine’s Lorikeet | Charmosyna josefinae |
| Stella’s Lorikeet | Charmosyna stellae |
| Orange-billed Lorikeet | Neopsittacus pullicauda |
| Black-capped Lory | Lorius lory |
| Dusky Lory | Pseudeos fuscata |
| Yellow-streaked Lory | Chalcopsitta scintillata |
| Goldie’s Lorikeet | Glossoptilus goldiei |
| Coconut Lorikeet | Trichoglossus haematodus |
| Large Fig Parrot | Psittaculirostris desmarestii |
| Dusky-cheeked Fig Parrot | Cyclopsitta melanogenia |
| Double-eyed Fig Parrot | Cyclopsitta diophthalma |
| Orange-fronted Hanging Parrot | Loriculus aurantiifrons |
| Pittas (Pittidae) | |
| Papuan Pitta (H) | Erythropitta macklotii |
| Hooded Pitta | Pitta sordida |
| Bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae) | |
| Ochre-breasted Catbird (H) | Ailuroedus stonii |
| MacGregor’s Bowerbird | Amblyornis macgregoriae |
| Flame Bowerbird | Sericulus ardens |
| Fawn-breasted Bowerbird | Chlamydera cerviniventris |
| Australasian Wrens (Maluridae) | |
| Emperor Fairywren | Malurus cyanocephalus |
| White-shouldered Fairywren | Malurus alboscapulatus |
| Orange-crowned Fairywren | Clytomyias insignis |
| Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) | |
| Sooty Honeyeater | Melionyx fuscus |
| Rufous-backed Honeyeater | Ptiloprora guisei |
| Grey-streaked Honeyeater | Ptiloprora perstriata |
| Rufous-banded Honeyeater | Conopophila albogularis |
| Long-billed Honeyeater | Melilestes megarhynchus |
| Common Smoky Honeyeater | Melipotes fumigatus |
| Plain Honeyeater | Pycnopygius ixoides |
| Ruby-throated Myzomela | Myzomela eques |
| Papuan Black Myzomela | Myzomela nigrita |
| Mountain Myzomela | Myzomela adolphinae |
| Red-collared Myzomela | Myzomela rosenbergii |
| Meyer’s Friarbird | Philemon meyeri |
| New Guinea Friarbird | Philemon novaeguineae |
| Tawny-breasted Honeyeater | Xanthotis flaviventer |
| Puff-backed Honeyeater | Meliphaga aruensis |
| Mountain Honeyeater | Microptilotis orientalis |
| Scrub Honeyeater | Microptilotis albonotatus |
| Mimic Honeyeater | Microptilotis analogus |
| Graceful Honeyeater | Microptilotis gracilis |
| Elegant Honeyeater | Microptilotis cinereifrons |
| Black-throated Honeyeater | Caligavis subfrenata |
| Obscure Honeyeater | Caligavis obscura |
| Yellow-browed Melidectes | Melidectes rufocrissalis |
| Belford’s Melidectes | Melidectes belfordi |
| Ornate Melidectes | Melidectes torquatus |
| Australasian Warblers (Acanthizidae) | |
| Rusty Mouse-warbler (H) | Origma murina |
| Mountain Mouse-warbler | Origma robusta |
| Pale-billed Scrubwren | Aethomyias spilodera |
| Buff-faced Scrubwren | Aethomyias perspicillatus |
| Papuan Scrubwren | Aethomyias papuensis |
| Large Scrubwren | Sericornis nouhuysi |
| Brown-breasted Gerygone | Gerygone ruficollis |
| Large-billed Gerygone | Gerygone magnirostris |
| Yellow-bellied Gerygone | Gerygone chrysogaster |
| Green-backed Gerygone | Gerygone chloronota |
| Fairy Gerygone | Gerygone palpebrosa |
| Grey Thornbill | Acanthiza cinerea |
| Australasian Babblers (Pomatostomidae) | |
| Papuan Babbler | Garritornis isidorei |
| Satinbirds (Cnemophilidae) | |
| Loria’s Satinbird | Cnemophilus loriae |
| Berrypeckers, Longbills (Melanocharitidae) | |
| Obscure Berrypecker | Melanocharis arfakiana |
| Mid-mountain Berrypecker | Melanocharis longicauda |
| Fan-tailed Berrypecker | Melanocharis versteri |
| Streaked Berrypecker | Melanocharis striativentris |
| Spotted Berrypecker | Rhamphocharis piperata |
| Spectacled Longbill | Oedistoma iliolophus |
| Yellow-bellied Longbill | Toxorhamphus novaeguineae |
| Painted Berrypeckers (Paramythiidae) | |
| Tit Berrypecker | Oreocharis arfaki |
| Eastern Crested Berrypecker | Paramythia montium |
| Jewel-babblers, Quail-thrushes (Cinclosomatidae) | |
| Blue Jewel-babbler (H) | Ptilorrhoa caerulescens |
| Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler (H) | Ptilorrhoa castanonota |
| Boatbills (Machaerirhynchidae) | |
| Yellow-breasted Boatbill | Machaerirhynchus flaviventer |
| Black-breasted Boatbill | Machaerirhynchus nigripectus |
| Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies (Artamidae) | |
| White-breasted Woodswallow | Artamus leucorynchus |
| Great Woodswallow | Artamus maximus |
| Lowland Peltops | Peltops blainvillii |
| Mountain Peltops | Peltops montanus |
| Black Butcherbird | Melloria quoyi |
| Black-backed Butcherbird | Cracticus mentalis |
| Hooded Butcherbird | Cracticus cassicus |
| Mottled Berryhunter (Rhagologidae) | |
| Mottled Berryhunter | Rhagologus leucostigma |
| Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae) | |
| Stout-billed Cuckooshrike | Coracina caeruleogrisea |
| Hooded Cuckooshrike | Coracina longicauda |
| Barred Cuckooshrike | Coracina lineata |
| Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Coracina novaehollandiae |
| Boyer’s Cuckooshrike | Coracina boyeri |
| White-bellied Cuckooshrike | Coracina papuensis |
| Golden Cuckooshrike | Campochaera sloetii |
| Black-bellied Cuckooshrike | Edolisoma montanum |
| Grey-headed Cuckooshrike | Edolisoma schisticeps |
| Common Cicadabird | Edolisoma tenuirostre |
| Black Cicadabird | Edolisoma melas |
| Varied Triller | Lalage leucomela |
| Sittellas (Neosittidae) | |
| Papuan Sittella | Daphoenositta papuensis |
| Ploughbill (Eulacestomatidae) | |
| Wattled Ploughbill (H) | Eulacestoma nigropectus |
| Australo-Papuan Bellbirds (Oreoicidae) | |
| Rufous-naped Bellbird | Aleadryas rufinucha |
| Whistlers & Allies (Pachycephalidae) | |
| Brown-backed Whistler | Pachycephala modesta |
| Grey Whistler | Pachycephala simplex |
| Sclater’s Whistler | Pachycephala soror |
| Regent Whistler | Pachycephala schlegelii |
| Black-headed Whistler (H) | Pachycephala monacha |
| White-bellied Pitohui | Pseudorectes incertus |
| Rusty Pitohui | Pseudorectes ferrugineus |
| Arafura Shrikethrush | Colluricincla megarhyncha |
| Rufous Shrikethrush | Colluricincla rufogaster |
| Shrikes (Laniidae) | |
| Long-tailed Shrike | Lanius schach |
| Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios (Oriolidae) | |
| Australasian Figbird | Sphecotheres vieilloti |
| Southern Variable Pitohui | Pitohui uropygialis |
| Hooded Pitohui | Pitohui dichrous |
| Brown Oriole | Oriolus szalayi |
| Drongos (Dicruridae) | |
| Spangled Drongo | Dicrurus bracteatus |
| Fantails (Rhipiduridae) | |
| Willie Wagtail | Rhipidura leucophrys |
| Black Fantail | Rhipidura atra |
| Chestnut-bellied Fantail | Rhipidura hyperythra |
| Friendly Fantail | Rhipidura albolimbata |
| Dimorphic Fantail | Rhipidura brachyrhyncha |
| Rufous-backed Fantail | Rhipidura rufidorsa |
| Monarchs (Monarchidae) | |
| Spot-winged Monarch | Symposiachrus guttula |
| Golden Monarch | Carterornis chrysomela |
| Frilled Monarch | Arses telescopthalmus |
| Torrent-lark | Grallina bruijnii |
| Shining Flycatcher | Myiagra alecto |
| Crows, Jays (Corvidae) | |
| Grey Crow | Corvus tristis |
| Torresian Crow | Corvus orru |
| Melampittas (Melampittidae) | |
| Lesser Melampitta | Melampitta lugubris |
| Ifrit (Ifritidae) | |
| Blue-capped Ifrit | Ifrita kowaldi |
| Birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae) | |
| Glossy-mantled Manucode | Manucodia ater |
| Crinkle-collared Manucode | Manucodia chalybatus |
| Trumpet Manucode | Phonygammus keraudrenii |
| Short-tailed Paradigalla | Paradigalla brevicauda |
| Splendid Astrapia | Astrapia splendidissima |
| Ribbon-tailed Astrapia | Astrapia mayeri |
| Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia | Astrapia stephaniae |
| Queen Carola’s Parotia | Parotia carolae |
| King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise | Pteridophora alberti |
| Greater Lophorina | Lophorina superba |
| Magnificent Riflebird | Ptiloris magnificus |
| Growling Riflebird | Ptiloris intercedens |
| Black Sicklebill | Epimachus fastosus |
| Brown Sicklebill | Epimachus meyeri |
| Black-billed Sicklebill | Drepanornis albertisi |
| Magnificent Bird-of-paradise | Diphyllodes magnificus |
| King Bird-of-paradise | Cicinnurus regius |
| Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise | Seleucidis melanoleucus |
| Greater Bird-of-paradise | Paradisaea apoda |
| Raggiana Bird-of-paradise | Paradisaea raggiana |
| Blue Bird-of-paradise | Paradisornis rudolphi |
| Australasian Robins (Petroicidae) | |
| White-faced Robin | Tregellasia leucops |
| White-winged Robin | Peneothello sigillata |
| Slaty Robin | Peneothello cyanus |
| White-rumped Robin | Peneothello bimaculata |
| Black-sided Robin | Poecilodryas hypoleuca |
| Black-capped Robin (H) | Heteromyias armiti |
| Torrent Flyrobin | Monachella muelleriana |
| Yellow-legged Flyrobin | Kempiella griseoceps |
| Olive Flyrobin | Kempiella flavovirescens |
| Canary Flyrobin | Devioeca papuana |
| Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) | |
| Pacific Swallow | Hirundo tahitica |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica |
| Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae) | |
| Island Leaf Warbler | Phylloscopus poliocephalus |
| Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae) | |
| Australian Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus australis |
| Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae) | |
| Papuan Grassbird | Cincloramphus macrurus |
| Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae) | |
| Golden-headed Cisticola | Cisticola exilis |
| White-eyes (Zosteropidae) | |
| Black-fronted White-eye | Zosterops chrysolaemus |
| Capped White-eye | Zosterops fuscicapilla |
| Papuan White-eye | Zosterops novaeguineae |
| Starlings, Rhabdornises (Sturnidae) | |
| Metallic Starling | Aplonis metallica |
| Singing Starling | Aplonis cantoroides |
| Yellow-faced Myna | Mino dumontii |
| Golden Myna | Mino anais |
| Thrushes (Turdidae) | |
| Island Thrush | Turdus poliocephalus |
| Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) | |
| Pied Bush Chat | Saxicola caprata |
| Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae) | |
| Red-capped Flowerpecker | Dicaeum geelvinkianum |
| Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) | |
| Black Sunbird | Leptocoma aspasia |
| Olive-backed Sunbird | Cinnyris jugularis |
| Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) | |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus |
| Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae) | |
| Grey-headed Mannikin | Lonchura caniceps |
| Hooded Mannikin | Lonchura spectabilis |
| Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae) | |
| Australian Pipit | Anthus australis |
| Alpine Pipit | Anthus gutturalis |
| Total seen | 286 |
| Total heard only | 14 |
| Total recorded | 300 |
Reptile List
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Austro-American Side-necked Turtles (Chelidae) | |
| Jardine River Turtle | Emydura subglobosa |
| Total | 1 |
Mammal List
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Old World Fruit Bats (Pteropodidae) | |
| Great Flying Fox | Pteropus neohibernicus |
| Dasyures (Dasyuridae) | |
| Speckled Dasyure | Neophascogale lorentzii |
| Deer (Cervidae) | |
| Javan Deer | Rusa timorensis |
| Total | 3 |
Butterfly and Moth List
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Emperor and Giant Silk Moths (Saturniidae) | |
| Hercules Moth | Coscinocera hercules |
| Swallowtails and Parnassians (Papilioninae) | |
| Common Green Birdwing | Ornithoptera priamus |
| Ulysses Butterfly | Papilio ulysses |
| Purple Spotted Swallowtail | Graphium weiskei |
| Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) | |
| Great Eggfly | Hypolimnas bolina |
| Taenaris sp. | Taenaris cyclops |
| Total | 6 |
This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.
