After birding around the East Nusa Tenggara area, I have compiled a list of birdwatching locations in Flores for anyone planning to visit one of Indonesia’s lesser-known areas.

Flores is a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting a diverse range of habitats and a rich avian biodiversity that is spread throughout the main island and its smaller islands. The island offers a rich experience due to its varied ecosystems and unique avian species.

Birdwatching Locations in Flores

For birders and photographers, Flores is home to a diverse array of bird species, including endemic and rare species. Some notable species include the Flores crow, Flores monarch, and the scaly-crowned honeyeater, which are spread throughout the island. Below are some of the noteworthy birdwatching locations in Flores:

• Dolat Wetlands: Located just 4 kilometres south of Labuan Bajo, Dolat Wetlands offers sightings of a variety of birds, including the Wandering Whistling Duck, Malaysian Plover, Mees’s Nightjar, Sunda Teal, Black-faced Munia, Beach Thick-knee, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Javan Plover, Flame-throated Sunbird, Crakes, and Rails.
• Potawangka Road: About 10 kilometres east of Labuan Bajo, this area is known for species such as Bonelli’s Eagle, Wallacean Cuckooshrike, White-rumped Kingfisher, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Zebra Finch, Flores Green Pigeon, Elegant Pitta, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Black-fronted Flowerpecker, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Black-naped Fruit-Dove, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, and Green Junglefowl.
• Komodo National Park: In addition to the famous Komodo Dragons, the park is excellent for birdwatching. Species found here include endemic birds of Komodo Island, adding to the unique experience and making it one of the best places in Flores.
• Lake Sano Nggoang and Nunang Village: Southeast of Labuan Bajo, along the Flores Highway to Ruteng, where you can spot Wallace’s and Moluccan Scops-Owls, Glittering Kingfisher, Flores Crow, Pacific Black Duck, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Elegant Pitta, Flores Minivet, Flores Monarch, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Yellow-ringed White-eye, and more.
• Puarlolo: Located east of Labuan Bajo, known for the Flores Monarch, Flores Crow, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Short-toed Eagle, Green Junglefowl, Thick-billed Dark-eye, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Russet-capped Tesia, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, and others.
• Golo Lusang and Danau Rana Mese Lake: South and East of Ruteng, en route to Bajawa, offering sightings of Flores Minivet, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Pacific Black Duck (lake area), Russet-capped Tesia, Wallace’s Scops-Owl, Black-backed Fruit Dove, White-rumped Kingfisher, Timor Leaf-warbler, and more.
• Poco Ranaka: Near East Ruteng, with chances to spot Bonelli’s Eagle, Chestnut-backed Thrush, White-browed Shortwing, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, and Pygmy Wren-babbler.
• Pagal: North of Ruteng, where you can find Elegant Pitta, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Flores Green-Pigeon, Ruddy Cuckoo Dove, Brown-capped Fantail, Russet-capped Tesia, and others.
• Kisol Village: Southeast of Ruteng, known for the rare Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Brown-capped Fantail, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Flores Green Pigeon, Flores Crow, Thick-billed Dark-eye, Black-fronted Flowerpecker, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Moluccan and Wallace’s Scops-Owl, Black-naped Fruit-Dove, Mees’s Nightjar, and more.
• Kelimutu National Park – Located near Ende and Maumere, it is home to montane endemics such as the Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Green Pigeon, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Crested Dark-eye, Ruddy Cuckoo Dove, and Five-coloured Munia, which can be spotted along the trekking paths.

These locations across Flores offer a diverse range of habitats, from wetlands to montane forests, providing birdwatchers with an exceptional opportunity to observe a wide array of bird species, including many endemics and rare birds. And if you’re lucky, maybe even some wildlife at these places.

How to Fully Enjoy Birding in Flores?

Hiring a local bird guide familiar with the area can significantly enhance your birdwatching experience. Bird guides know where to find specific bird species and can provide valuable insights into local birdlife, making it easier for visiting birders.

To move around Flores Island, you must spend at least a week there. Many locations are far apart, so the bird guide will likely drive from one destination to another.

When is the Best Time to Visit Flores for Birding?

The best time for birdwatching in Flores is during the dry season from May to September, when the weather is more predictable and bird activity is higher. However, birders should be prepared for any rain, just in case.

Overall, Flores experiences both wet and dry seasons; therefore, it is advisable not to plan your birdwatching trip there from October to February, when the chances of rain are significantly higher. Plus, the year-end is the high season for the island, and there will be a lot of visitors.

About Me

I have done birding in Flores, Komodo Island, Alor Island, Raja Ampat, and Sulawesi; therefore, I will share some of my experiences birding in East Nusa Tenggara under the Indonesia section. For more information about bird guides in Flores, please get in touch with us, as we can recommend some reputable options.

Read about my birdwatching at Komodo National Park, as I visited this place three times in just two years. Not only will you see the birds here, but you will also get a lifetime opportunity to see the incredible Komodo Dragons!

Conclusion

Birdwatching in Flores offers a beautiful opportunity to explore diverse ecosystems and observe unique bird species in their natural habitats. It’s a destination that combines adventure with the beauty of nature, making it a memorable experience for bird watchers and photographers.

I hope that you have found this article about birdwatching locations in Flores helpful and that you will plan a trip there to see some of the fantastic Indonesian birds. And while you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to see the incredible Komodo Dragons at the Komodo National Park.

The post Birdwatching Locations in Flores first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

Over the last seven years, since 2015, I have been fortunate enough to have birdwatched at Komodo National Park in Flores three times, all solo birding adventures with the help of the park rangers.

Komodo Island is renowned for the majestic dragons that roam freely on the three main islands that comprise the national park, located outside Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara. This place is also home to some interesting birds native to the region.

Birdwatching at Komodo National Park

In 2015, my first visit to the national park was purely for observation purposes, as I was writing a tourism article about visiting Komodo Island and asking the park rangers about birds. They told me that many foreigners, mainly from Europe, had been visiting Komodo Island for birdwatching.

This news got me all excited, and I asked my park ranger to also look out for any birds along our trek around the island. Sure enough, they showed me some of the star birds of the island, which include the Orange-footed Scrubfowl and Wallace’s Drongo, along our trek.

Three main islands make up the national park: Komodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island, which sits between the other two islands. All three islands have Komodo Dragons living freely, but the Komodo and Rinca Islands are the most popular.

Padar Island is more suited for the trek up to the peak and taking in the magnificent view of the entire national park from the summit. This location has been viral since 2015 as hordes of people made their way up to get that epic photo for social media.

There is no accommodation at the national park; therefore, everyone stays in Labuan Bajo, the main town where you will arrive via flight. From Labuan Bajo, you need to book a boat trip to either one or all of the islands to experience seeing the Komodo Dragons.

If you plan to stay longer here, I suggest exploring the island further for birding. You can also check out the article I wrote in 2017 about birdwatching in Flores, which covers most of the places I visited.

Types of Birding at Komodo National Park

There are two types of birding you can do here, and it all depends on your budget. For those who travel a long distance to get here, you may want to consider the second option, while some who live in the region can opt for a simple birding experience, like mine.

Easy Birdwatching at Komodo National Park – This is the cowboy option, which is budget-friendly. First, you need to book a boat to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo town. When you arrive at the park office on the island, you can arrange for one of the park rangers to be your bird guide. Ask for someone who knows about birds, because not all rangers are knowledgeable about them.

One of the rangers will follow and guide you throughout your birding at the park. There is no option for birding alone, as a ranger is always required to be with guests for safety purposes. You don’t want to be attacked by a Komodo Dragon while looking at birds. So, the only way is to have the ranger by your side, as he will be on the lookout.

Birdwatching Tour at Komodo National Park – This is where you book a specialised birdwatching tour to Komodo Island and use a proper bird guide who knows where and what birds to see and photograph. This option requires pre-booking before you arrive, so it’s essential to find a reputable bird guide for Komodo National Park.

This option is also on the higher-priced tier, where they pick you up, book the boat, pay the park fees and everything else. So, you don’t need to worry about the logistics as everything is pre-arranged. Just go with the flow, and let them know if you have a bird life. If you go looking for one in Labuan Bajo, I don’t think you’ll find any. However, rest assured that if you ask, everyone will claim they can do it just to get your business.

Birds of Komodo National Park

Overall, I had some luck during my three birding trips at Komodo National Park, as I saw most of the endemic birds there. However, all three times were the easy birdwatching options due to my work commitments. My primary focus was on the Komodo Dragons, and I sure had some interesting encounters with this prehistoric cousin of the dinosaurs.

Below is my simple bird list for Komodo National Park. It is not a comprehensive list, but the ones I can recall off the top of my head.

• Large-billed Crow
• Barred Dove
• Orange-footed Scrubfowl
• Green Imperial-Pigeon
• Brahminy Kite
• White-bellied Fish Eagle
• Black-naped Oriole
• Wallacean Drongo
• Flores Crow
• Singing Bushlark
• Spotted Dove
• Collared Kingfisher
• Chinese-crested Tern
• Golden-headed Cisticola
• Great-billed Heron
• Great Crested Tern
• Pacific Reef Egret

Birds of Komodo National Park

Below are random photographs taken around the three main islands that comprise the Komodo National Park. I visited all three on different days and took several photos, but with my old digital camera, most of the pictures did not turn out nicely. So, below are some of the best bird photos on Komodo Island.

I took all the bird photos above using my Nikon D5100 and a basic 18-300mm VR lens; therefore, the bird photography quality is not up to today’s standards. I am currently using a Canon R7 with a 100-500mm lens, and I will soon move to an RF 200-800mm lens.

Additional Information about Komodo Island

Before I conclude, you may want to read this article on Komodo Island for first-time visitors, as it provides some good information about this unique island and the majestic Komodo Dragon. And I also wrote about how to get to Komodo Island for anyone who wants to know more.

And finally, if you plan to spend a little more time around this part of Indonesia, I wrote an article about things to do in Flores, which is entirely commercial and targeted to general travellers who like to explore new places.

Conclusion

Being here since 2015 has opened my eyes to East Nusa Tenggara, and I have even managed to explore scuba diving at Alor Island and Raja Ampat during my active diving days. For the curious, you can read about my diving in Alor Island, a trip report similar to a bird trip report.

I hope this article has provided you with the necessary information for anyone planning to engage in birdwatching at Komodo National Park. Also, my last trip here was back in 2018; therefore, I believe it is time to make a proper birding trip to Komodo Island soon.

The post Birdwatching at Komodo National Park first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

Rumours suggest that direct AirAsia Labuan Bajo Flights could be available from Kuala Lumpur, but nothing has been announced as of 28 December 2023, when this article was written. Update July 2024: AirAsia has announced direct Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo Flights starting 3 September 2024.

This article comes at a time when more birdwatchers are starting to explore outside of their comfort zone. Indonesia has been one of the hot destinations for birdwatching since the country fully opened up after the pandemic. There is a recent update at the end of this article.

AirAsia Labuan Bajo Flights

Opening an AirAsia direct route from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo in Flores will please many Malaysians and other international travellers. This new route, with three weekly flights, also marks AirAsia’s first international flight to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

I have visited Labuan Bajo and the Komodo Islands thrice in the last seven years to explore, scuba dive, and do birdwatching at Komodo Island. I also trekked up to Padar Island twice before they made the proper walkway there. After the pandemic, I feel it is time to make another trip back there, possibly for an update.

Labuan Bajo is one of the up-and-coming tourism destinations that is gaining momentum not only from nature and eco lovers but also from the general tourist; thanks to social media, this is one of the must-visit destinations in Indonesia.

The small town of Labuan Bajo has also improved a lot of tourism facilities and infrastructure, catering to more tourists every year. While Labuan Bajo is no Bali, you can expect some of the best tourism experiences here, which are not commercialised.

During my last scuba diving trip here, I found time to do birdwatching in Flores as I explored several locations around the island on my 10-day trip. This was one of my best Indonesian birding experiences, which was all new to me.

Currently, AirAsia flies from three main cities to Labuan Bajo from Indonesia; therefore, there are plenty of connecting choices for travellers who visit multiple places or prefer to make several stops along their journey.

The direct flights are;

1. Surabaya to Labuan Bajo since August 2023
2. Jakarta to Labuan Bajo since June 2023
3. Denpasar to Labuan Bajo since May 2022

Here is an article about things to do in Labuan Bajo, which I wrote in 2016 and is still valid. Therefore, I hope to revisit and update the information. For those planning to see the Komodo Dragon, read this article on how to go to Komodo Island.

If this is your first time visiting this part of the world, I recommend you read this article on Komodo Island for first-time visitors. It shares a lot of information that can make your journey here more accessible.

If you are adventurous, here is an article on how to go to Mount Kelimutu to see the fantastic three-coloured lakes on Flores Island. The tri-coloured lake is one of the marvels that can only be seen on this island and requires a little more time than your regular 4D/3N trip. You probably need at least 5-7 days to fully cover this place to explore Flores.

And finally, please visit the official AirAsia website to make your flight bookings to Labuan Bajo, as the connectivity is now even more accessible with several flights and airlines flying here.

Update 5 February: AirAsia Labuan Bajo flights are rumoured to start in May or June 2024. This is excellent news, and now we can wait for the official announcement within the next few weeks or months.

Update 11 July 2024: AirAsia has officially announced the direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo, flying there three times weekly.

Conclusion

With the good news coming out in mid-2024, I would be happy to revisit this incredible place for several reasons: more exploration of the people, culture and wildlife, more birdwatching, and maybe even more scuba diving.

My main objective is to do more birdwatching in Labuan Bajo and the surrounding areas around Flores. This island is not fully explored, as the typical tourist has only heard about Komodo Island. There are more exciting places like Wai Rebo and Kelimutu National Park, to name a few, so I’m happy to hear about the direct AirAsia Labuan Bajo flights from Kuala Lumpur.

The post AirAsia Labuan Bajo Flights first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.