This article is specially written for those interested in birdwatching at Petulu Village in Ubud, Bali. Before you pack your cameras and birding equipment, you should know that Petulu is well known only for the egrets and maybe a few other common lowland birds like the bulbul, munia, and possibly some ducks.

White herons, known locally as kokoan, are a common and captivating sight in Bali. They are often seen gliding gracefully above rice fields or foraging for food in the muddy waters as farmers prepare for the next planting season.

Birdwatching at Petulu Village in Ubud

In actuality, several people come here to see the ‘White Heron’ phenomena by the hundreds, if not thousands, widespread in Petulu Village, just north of Ubud. So there is no birding, as you may have read on some other websites or blogs that claim Petulu is one of the birding locations.

Petulu Village, a quiet and traditional Balinese community, is renowned for its large colony of white herons. Every evening, the village comes alive as thousands of herons return to roost in the ‘pohon bunut wot’ trees, a type of fig tree with strong, flexible branches ideal for nesting.

The sight of the herons against the sunset sky is striking, with their white and amber feathers contrasting beautifully with the dark green foliage. A 2017 study recorded over 4,000 herons and 1,241 nests in the village, making it a unique and picturesque destination for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking a glimpse of Bali’s rich biodiversity.

In 2024, I paid a visit to the Eco Petulu Bird and Rescue Centre to understand more about what they did there, and since I was in the area, I decided to check out the birding at Petulu Village, which was just further up the road from the centre. Below are random photos taken while exploring this area.

Some Folk Legend About the Herons 

There is a myth in Petulu Village that the white herons are the reincarnated souls of thousands of Balinese killed during the anti-communist purge in the 1960s. According to villagers, the herons appeared precisely one week after a failed communist coup in 1965 and have returned every evening since.

While the myth is sensitive due to Indonesia’s history, a more official legend tells that in October 1965, the villagers performed a ritual to purify their community. Their prayers were answered when thousands of herons arrived in November, seen as a holy and blessed sign. The herons exclusively nest along a 400-meter stretch of trees by the village temples, never in the backyards, as it is considered unclean.

Best time to see the White Herons (Egrets)

• To catch the egrets returning to Petulu Village, arriving around 5 pm, just before sunset, is best.
• By 5:45 pm, most of the herons will have settled in the trees.
• You can park on the village’s north side, where a ticket booth is located.
• From there, walk south and head to a viewing platform on the first floor of the community centre.
• This spot offers a great view of the herons flying above the palm trees, with farms and rice fields in the background.

Conclusion

I hope this article has clarified any misunderstanding about birdwatching at Petulu Village in Ubud. It is clearly a location where you can see thousands of roosting egrets, or White Herons, as many call them. To see other bird species, you may need to visit different locations.