Throwback to 2022: a Javan Whistling Thrush from one of my first birding trips in Indonesia.

These birds only live at higher elevations on the islands of Java and Bali, but they are quite a common site on the hiking trails at Gede Pangrango National Park, where this photo was taken.

Despite their name, Whistling Thrushes are actual a genus of Old World Flycatchers.

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Sunda Forktail / Meninting kecil
Halimun Salak National Park

This bird lives between 600-2,000 meters above sea level on the islands of Sumatra and Java. It feeds on aquatic insects and snails in rocky streams in the mountains.

I was lucky to have the opportunity to spend three nights in a homestay right next to a stream in Halimun Salak National Park. These birds would come and forage right in front of us every day!

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Bali Myna / Jalak Bali
West Bali National Park, Indonesia

The only bird endemic to the island of Bali, it is critically endangered. There are captive breeding and release programs on the island, but it is still under pressure from the caged bird trade.

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Small Blue Kingfishers
Bali, Indonesia

These birds were in a small patch of mangrove swamp I found while out on a walk. It seems like it was probably the remnant of a much larger forest, like the ones in nearby West Bali National park. While mangroves are protected in Indonesia since 1990, many forests are still in danger due to development and farming.

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Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Bali, Indonesia

This bird is found in many countries in South and Southeast Asia, but the subspecies found in Sumatra, Java, and Bali has distinct coloration, including a completely blue tail.

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Long-tailed Shrike / Bentet kelabu
Bali, Indonesia

I watched a pair of these birds outside the window where I was living for weeks. Every day I saw them forage and bring food back to their nest. I got this photo on the day before I moved from that place.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious when I left, knowing that Long-tailed Shrikes are considered threatened in Bali in large part due to the cage bird trade. I hope this pair were able to watch their young grow up and fly on their own.

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A Javan Bulbul / Brinji gunung (Ixos virescens)

This species only lives in the highlands of Java. I saw this one during a hike in Gede Pangrango National Park.

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Garuda Pancasila, the Javan Hawk-Eagle, showing its characteristic crest.

I was lucky to briefly see this species as I looked up after hearing a cacophony of warning calls from other birds.

The national bird of Indonesia, it is endemic to the heavily-populated island of Java. It is an endangered species and usually only seen in Java’s national parks. This one was seen near Gede-Pangrango National Park in West Java.

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A Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher with a fresh-caught meal for its family.

These tiny, colorful kingfishers live in forest throughout the island of Sulawesi. Though they are currently evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN, their population is declining due to habitat loss.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit Tangkoko Nature Reserve recently, and this was one of the first species I saw. Two adults were flying around catching insects to feed to their chick, perching very nicely after each catch.

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