PAPUA NEW GUINEA

In Papua New Guinea, on one day we can marvel at the flamboyant plumage of a King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise or a Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, and on the next bear witness to the crazy antics of a treeful of displaying Raggiana Birds-of-Paradise.

Here we have chances to encounter rare species like Sclater's Crowned-Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Pesquet's Parrot, and jewel-like fairywrens. More than 100 endemics are found in Papua New Guinea, making every outing a treasure hunt.

From lush highland rainforests around Mount Hagen to lowland jungles near Kiunga and eucalypt woodlands in the southeast, every region offers its own specialties. Varirata National Park near Port Moresby is famed for its long list of incredible birds, from Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Barred Owlet-Nightjar, Frilled and Spot-winged monarchs, Growling Riflebird, several species of fruit-doves, and difficult-to-see birds such as Pheasant Pigeon, Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler, Papuan Pitta, and Painted Quail-Thrush.

In the highlands, during visits to a couple of fantastic locations, we can hunt for some of the most sought-after birds in the country, including birds from New Guinea's seven endemic families: Wattled Ploughbill, Mottled Berryhunter, Loria's and Crested satinbirds, Eastern Crested Berrypecker, Tit Berrypecker, Blue-capped Ifrit, and Lesser Melampitta.

Some of the rest of the long list of avian delights we can encounter here include Mountain Kingfisher, Black Pitohui, Archbold's and MacGregor's bowerbirds, Stephanie's and Ribbon-tailed astrapias, Greater Lophorina, Brown Sicklebill, Brehm's, Painted, Madarasz's, and Modest tiger-parrots, Plum-faced Lorikeet, Regent Whistler, and Short-tailed Paradigalla.

Night outings may feature Papuan Boobook, both Mountain and Feline owlet-nightjars, and some fascinating mammals, like cuscus and the arboreal ringtail possums.

In the lowlands and foothills, we are based out of Kiunga and Tabubil, in the west near the Irian Jaya border, and our exploration here opens up a huge diversity of additional bird species not found elsewhere. Near Tabubil, we will search for Shovel-billed Kookaburra, Obscure Berrypecker, Pesquet's Parrot, Carola's Parotia, Wallace's Fairywren, and Salvadori's Teal, among a broad cast of characters. From Kiunga, our boat trips along the Fly River and its tributaries bring us into the world of the impressive and regal Sclater's Crowned-Pigeon, Little and Common paradise-kingfishers, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise, White-bellied Pitohui, Blyth's Hornbill, a mind-boggling variety of fruit-doves and parrots (from tiny fig-parrots to huge and raucous Palm Cockatoos), and, for the fortunate, the spectacular Flame Bowerbird.

A visit to Papua New Guinea is also a rich cultural experience, and in terms of both its avifauna and its culture, it is arguably the planet's most distinctive and "different" destination accessible to birders.

Our Field Guides tour schedule includes a 19-day New Guinea itinerary and a 20-day combo tour sampling New Guinea and eastern Australia.

Photo credit: Our thanks to participant Linda Rudolph for the colorful head shot of Ribbon-tailed Astrapia at the top of this page.

We offer other AUSTRALASIA birding tours, too!