If you are into birding and headed to Indonesia, then this article on bird watching in Flores would be of great interest to you.
I visited Flores three times from 2016 to 2018 to explore this amazing destination which is relatively unknown to the general tourism world.
Perhaps many may know or have heard of Komodo Island as this is currently one of the top places to visit in Indonesia.
I visited Flores three times from 2016 to 2018 to explore this amazing destination which is relatively unknown to the general tourism world.
Perhaps many may know or have heard of Komodo Island as this is currently one of the top places to visit in Indonesia.
Therefore, I wrote this article on bird watching in Flores for any serious birders who would like to increase their bird numbers.
Before I continue, I would like to confess that I am only a beginner bird watcher as I have been doing this only since 2008, mainly around Malaysia, especially at Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island.
Before I continue, I would like to confess that I am only a beginner bird watcher as I have been doing this only since 2008, mainly around Malaysia, especially at Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island.
Flores Bird Watching
My birding activities have taken me to many national parks, forest reserves, conservation's, shorelines, islands, and highlands. Even backyard birding is on my list at times.
In general, I may have seen over 500 to 600 species of birds in the last five years or so and in Borneo, perhaps around 300 to 400 plus birds.
As my job takes me to many places, I somehow manage to find the time to do some birding and in Flores, I was lucky to have time to explore some of the birding spots.
In general, I may have seen over 500 to 600 species of birds in the last five years or so and in Borneo, perhaps around 300 to 400 plus birds.
As my job takes me to many places, I somehow manage to find the time to do some birding and in Flores, I was lucky to have time to explore some of the birding spots.
Flores is located in the easternmost part of Indonesia, after Bali and Lombok Island and just before Papua Indonesia. To get here, the best possible way is by taking a flight.
I would recommend using Skyscanner for flights to Flores as it would narrow down the cheapest and easiest ways to fly here from anywhere in the world. Let us get to the birding in Flores.
Birding in Flores
I would recommend using Skyscanner for flights to Flores as it would narrow down the cheapest and easiest ways to fly here from anywhere in the world. Let us get to the birding in Flores.
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| A pair of pigeons seen at the Komodo National Park on Komodo Island |
There are at least 10 popular spots to do birding in Flores and the best place to start is no other than the town of Labuan Bajo in the west most part of Flores.
Labuan Bajo also serves as the main gateway to Komodo Island, where birding is also recommended. There are specialized bird guides found in this town and you can book them by getting in touch with some of the tour companies here.
Labuan Bajo also serves as the main gateway to Komodo Island, where birding is also recommended. There are specialized bird guides found in this town and you can book them by getting in touch with some of the tour companies here.
Labuan Bajo also offers some really nice hotels and resorts for your accommodations and the facilities are up to general tourist standards, or birding standards.
By saying this, I mean you will not find a Nikon Optics shop in Flores, so please bring all your equipment and spares if you have to.
By saying this, I mean you will not find a Nikon Optics shop in Flores, so please bring all your equipment and spares if you have to.
Bird Watching Spots in Flores
The entire island is literally bird-watchable as there is no major development whatsoever being done here.
However, there are a few notable places around Flores for bird watching which are listed from Labuan Bajo and heading outwards.
This means for those planning a short birding trip to Flores can just focus around Labuan Bajo areas.
Dolat Wetlands - Only 4 kilometres south of Labuan Bajo, you can come here twice a day. Spot 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 among the many birds here.
Potawangka Road - East of Labuan Bajo and 10 kilometres from the town area. Spot 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, Green Junglefowl, and many others.
Komodo National Park - This will be everyone's must-go place when you are in Flores and apart from seeing the Komodo Dragons, you will be in for a good bird watching experience here. Some of the park guides know quite a bit about the Komodo Island birds.
Lake Sano Nggoang and Nunang Village - Southeast of Labuan Bajo along the Flores Highway to Ruteng. Spot Wallace’s and Moluccan Scops-Owls, Glittering Kingfisher, Flores Crow, Flores Green Pigeon, Pacific Black Duck, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Elegant Pitta, Flores Minivet, Flores Monarch, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Yellow-ringed White-eye, Black-fronted Flowerpecker and many more.
Puarlolo - East of Labuan Bajo and easy to do as a day trip. Spot the famous Flores Monarch, Flores Crow, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Short-toed Eagle, Green Junglefowl, Thick-billed Dark-eye, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Chestnut-capped Thrushes, Russet-capped Tesia, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Rufous-chested Flycatcher and many others.
Golo Lusang and Danau Rana Mese Lake - South and East of Ruteng, en route to Bajawa. Spot the 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, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Pale-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Brown-capped Fantail, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Blood-breasted Flowerpecker and many other birds.
Poco Ranaka - East Ruteng near to Lake Rana Mese, chances to spot Bonelli’s Eagle, Chestnut-backed Thrush, White-browed Shortwing, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, and the Pygmy Wren-babbler.
Pagal - North of Ruteng and you can find Elegant Pitta, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Flores Green-Pigeon, White-rumped Kingfisher, Ruddy Cuckoo Dove, Brown-capped Fantail and Russet-capped Tesia, which have been recorded around here.
Kisol Village - Southeast of Ruteng. Spot 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, White-rumped Kingfisher, Elegant Pitta, Flores Crow, Russet-capped Tesia, Chestnut-capped Thrush.
Kelimutu National Park - Near Ende and Maumere, you can spot montane endemics like Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Green Pigeon, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Crested Dark-eye, Ruddy Cuckoo Dove and Five-coloured Munia. The best is to trek using the general path all the way to the peak. It takes about 20-30 minutes to trek up.
The entire island is literally bird-watchable as there is no major development whatsoever being done here.
However, there are a few notable places around Flores for bird watching which are listed from Labuan Bajo and heading outwards.
This means for those planning a short birding trip to Flores can just focus around Labuan Bajo areas.
Dolat Wetlands - Only 4 kilometres south of Labuan Bajo, you can come here twice a day. Spot 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 among the many birds here.
Potawangka Road - East of Labuan Bajo and 10 kilometres from the town area. Spot 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, Green Junglefowl, and many others.
Komodo National Park - This will be everyone's must-go place when you are in Flores and apart from seeing the Komodo Dragons, you will be in for a good bird watching experience here. Some of the park guides know quite a bit about the Komodo Island birds.
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| The beautiful five-coloured Munia in Flores |
Puarlolo - East of Labuan Bajo and easy to do as a day trip. Spot the famous Flores Monarch, Flores Crow, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Short-toed Eagle, Green Junglefowl, Thick-billed Dark-eye, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Chestnut-capped Thrushes, Russet-capped Tesia, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Rufous-chested Flycatcher and many others.
Golo Lusang and Danau Rana Mese Lake - South and East of Ruteng, en route to Bajawa. Spot the 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, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Pale-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Brown-capped Fantail, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Blood-breasted Flowerpecker and many other birds.
Poco Ranaka - East Ruteng near to Lake Rana Mese, chances to spot Bonelli’s Eagle, Chestnut-backed Thrush, White-browed Shortwing, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, and the Pygmy Wren-babbler.
Pagal - North of Ruteng and you can find Elegant Pitta, Wallace’s Hanging-Parrot, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Flores Green-Pigeon, White-rumped Kingfisher, Ruddy Cuckoo Dove, Brown-capped Fantail and Russet-capped Tesia, which have been recorded around here.
Kisol Village - Southeast of Ruteng. Spot 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, White-rumped Kingfisher, Elegant Pitta, Flores Crow, Russet-capped Tesia, Chestnut-capped Thrush.
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| One of the signboards at Kelimutu National Park, Flores |
What Kind of Birds Are Found in Flores?
Because Flores is an island and sitting between certain flyways, you can see lots of migrating birds here, during their flyby.
But Flores is also home to many endemics like the Flores Crow and Flores Green Pigeon just to name a couple.
Check the Flores Bird List below for endemics. Varieties include coastal birds, lowland birds, hill birds, sub-montane forest birds, montane birds, raptors and even unique birds.
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| A Rainbow Bee Eater spotted in Flores, near Labuan Bajo |
The bird list below is not complete but better than anything because there is no official list available out there.
The birds of Flores list here is provided by Burung Nusantara (http://burung-nusantara.org/) and a bird watching trip report.
Note the Flores birds in bold are an endemic while from No.1 to No.50 are mostly the star birds to spot.
- Green Junglefowl
- Orange-footed Scrubfowl
- Flores Hawk-Eagle
- Wallace’s Hanging Parrot
- Leaf (Rainbow) Lorikeet
- Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon
- Black-backed Fruit Dove
- Barred Cuckoo Dove
- Parzudaki’s (Ruddy) Cuckoo Dove
- Black-naped Fruit Dove
- Flores Green Pigeon
- Flores Scops Owl
- Wallace’s Scops Owl
- Moluccan Scops Owl
- White-rumped Kingfisher
- Cerulean Kingfisher
- Stork-billed Kingfisher
- Collared Kingfisher
- Elegant Pitta
- Flores Minivet
- Flores Crow
- Flores Monarch
- Flores Warbling-flycatcher (Russet-backed Jungle-Flycatcher)
- Trumpeting (Brown-capped) Fantail
- Bare-throated Whistler
- Chestnut-capped Thrush
- Chestnut-backed Thrush
- Flores (White-browed) Shortwing
- Pygmy Cupwing (Wren-Babbler)
- Russet-capped Tesia
- Flores Leaf-Warbler
- Scaly-crowned Honeyeater
- Wallace’s Heleia (Yellow-spectacled White-eye)
- Eyebrowed Heleia (Yellow-browed Dark-eyed)
- Thick-billed Heleia (Dark-eye)
- Crested Heleia (Dark-eye)
- Golden-rumped Flowerpecker
- Black-fronted Flowerpecker
- Flores (Blood-breasted) Flowerpecker
- Flame-breasted Sunbird
- Flores Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo
- Pale-shouldered Cicadabird
- Wallacean Cuckooshrike
- Pale-headed Munia
- Five-coloured Munia
- Black-faced Munia
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Timor Zebra Finch
- Bulwer's Petrel (Komodo)
- Streaked Shearwater
- Wedge-tailed Shearwater
- Red-throated Little Grebe
- Red-tailed Tropicbird
- Great Frigatebird
- Lesser Frigatebird
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Red-footed Booby
- Brown Booby
- Abbotts'Booby
- Great-billed Heron
- Purple Heron
- White-faced Heron
- Intermediate Egret
- Little Egret
- Pacific Reef Egret
- Cattle Egret
- Javan Pond-Heron
- Little Heron
- Rufous Night Heron
- Cinnamon Bittern
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Oriental Honey-buzzard
- Black-winged Kite
- Brahminy Kite
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle
- Chinese Goshawk
- Variable Goshawk
- Brown Goshawk
- Japanese Sparrowhawk
- Bonelli's Eagle
- Rufous-bellied Eagle
- Changeable Hawk-eagle
- Spotted Kestrel
- Wandering Whistling Duck
- Lesser Whistling Duck
- Sunda Teal
- Pacific Black Duck
- Buff-banded Rail
- White-browed Crake
- White-breasted Waterhen
- Common Moorhen
- Black-winged Stilt
- Pacific Golden Plover
- Kentish (Javan) Plover
- Greater Sand-Plover
- Whimbrel
- Common Redshank
- Common Greenshank
- Red-necked Stint
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Broad-billed Sandpiper
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Pomarine Jaeger
- Whiskered Tern
- Black-naped Tern
- Sooty Tern
- Greater Crested Tern
- Lesser Crested Tern
- Brown Noddy
- White-throated Pigeon
- Island Collared Dove
- Spotted Dove
- Ruddy Cuckoo-dove
- Barred Dove
- Green Imperial Pigeon
- Yellow-crested Cockatoo
- Great-billed Parrot
- Rusty-breasted Cuckoo
- Oriental Cuckoo
- Common Koel
- Lesser Coucal
- Large-tailed Nightjar
- Edible-nest Swiftlet
- Glossy Swiftlet
- Fork-tailed Swift
- Blue-tailed Bee-eater
- Common Dollarbird
- Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker
- Australasian Bushlark
- Barn Swallow
- Pacific Swallow
- Striated Swallow
- Grey Wagtail
- Richards Pipit
- Pale-shouldered Cicadabird
- White-shouldered Triller
- Black-naped Oriole
- Large-billed Crow
- Great Tit
- Flyeater
- Mountain Tailorbird
- Arctic Warbler
- Yellow-breasted Warbler
- Golden-headed Cisticola
- Zitting Cisticola
- Little Pied Flycatcher
- Black-naped Monarch
- Asian Paradise Flycatcher
- Common Golden Whistler
- White-breasted Wood-swallow
- Hill Myna
- Helmeted Friarbird
- Brown-throated Sunbird
- Olive-backed Sunbird
- Oriental White-eye
- Mountain White-eye
- Lemon-bellied White-eye
- Tree Sparrow
- Eurasian Coot
- Little Grebes
- Spectacled Monarch
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| An Orange-footed Scrubfowl spotted at Komodo Island, Flores |
When is the Best Time for Bird Watching in Flores?
Overall, the entire year is great for bird watching in Flores, but there is a rainy season from December to March and if you don't like the rain, avoid these months.
Also, in February, the seas have high waves as it is the peak of the monsoon season, so avoid mid-January to mid-March.
July to August is Komodo High Season, so Labuan Bajo will be pretty crowded and so will Komodo Island. If you do not like large crowds, avoid these couple of months.
How Much is Bird Watching in Flores?
Depending on the type of package you choose, the price of bird watching in Flores varies anywhere from US$1000 to US$2000 per person.
A couple of tour companies provide bird watching tours in Flores and for a 7 Day Bird Watching Package, the price is around US$1625.00 per person with a minimum of 2 persons.
However, for those who are on a budget, you can also do bird watching in Flores for less than the prices mentioned above. Probably for under US$1000 per person, but it would be mostly around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park.
If you are visiting this island in East Nusa Tenggara, do read my other article on things to do in Flores as it sheds some information about what else you can do around this beautiful island.
You should also read my other article on things to do in Labuan Bajo, as that is the most popular area in Flores.
For me, being a beginner birder, I use very basic equipment for this hobby, especially because I travel quite a bit, hence wear and tear plus damage is my main concerns.
My birding equipment is a Nikon D5100 DSLR camera with a 300mm Nikkor Telephoto Lens, an Omicron Barbet RF 8x32 Binoculars, a Cabin Zero Bag, and mid-range tripod.
The beauty of travelling from place to place in a short time is that you get to see multiple places, but for the serious birder, this would be frustrating.
Well, for my work, I only have very little time to bird watch or photograph, therefore I make the best of what time I have. And this is also one of the main reasons that I travel light, due to my work schedules.
I have to admit that I do not know most of the birds spotted during my trip here as I did not have the Flores Bird Guide Book.
I have ordered it and on my next birding trip to Flores, I will bring it along to identify all the birds. You can also visit my Facebook album on Flores birds, where I have posted more photos there.
Depending on the type of package you choose, the price of bird watching in Flores varies anywhere from US$1000 to US$2000 per person.
A couple of tour companies provide bird watching tours in Flores and for a 7 Day Bird Watching Package, the price is around US$1625.00 per person with a minimum of 2 persons.
However, for those who are on a budget, you can also do bird watching in Flores for less than the prices mentioned above. Probably for under US$1000 per person, but it would be mostly around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park.
If you are visiting this island in East Nusa Tenggara, do read my other article on things to do in Flores as it sheds some information about what else you can do around this beautiful island.
You should also read my other article on things to do in Labuan Bajo, as that is the most popular area in Flores.
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| One of the colourful bee-eaters spotted just outside of Labuan Bajo, Flores |
My Bird Watching Equipment
For me, being a beginner birder, I use very basic equipment for this hobby, especially because I travel quite a bit, hence wear and tear plus damage is my main concerns.
My birding equipment is a Nikon D5100 DSLR camera with a 300mm Nikkor Telephoto Lens, an Omicron Barbet RF 8x32 Binoculars, a Cabin Zero Bag, and mid-range tripod.
The beauty of travelling from place to place in a short time is that you get to see multiple places, but for the serious birder, this would be frustrating.
Well, for my work, I only have very little time to bird watch or photograph, therefore I make the best of what time I have. And this is also one of the main reasons that I travel light, due to my work schedules.
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| Omicron Binoculars, which I use for my bird watching. |
I have ordered it and on my next birding trip to Flores, I will bring it along to identify all the birds. You can also visit my Facebook album on Flores birds, where I have posted more photos there.
Conclusion
In general, Flores is one of the new places for bird watching as it is located far from the main commercial Southeast Asia region and closer towards Papua New Guinea.
With minor development happening around the island, flora and fauna are still considered to be rich all over the island.
And for anyone wanting to do bird watching in Flores, I strongly recommend you engage a good bird guide who speaks the local language.
And for anyone wanting to do bird watching in Flores, I strongly recommend you engage a good bird guide who speaks the local language.
