Sonder is a small subdistrict town in the Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It is a peaceful and green area with farmlands, hills, forests, and mountain slopes. The weather is cool, and the landscape is beautiful. This makes Sonder a good destination for birdwatching.
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| Warbling White-eye |
There are a lot of species of birds that live in the forest, farmland and wetland of Sonder. Some of them are endemic to Sulawesi island. Visitors who enjoy birding can walk through the villages, along the small roads, and forest trails. Most birdwatching activities are done early in the mornings or in the late afternoons when birds are more active.
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| Some of the birds which visitors could see in Minahasa Highland |
Here are some of the many birds that can be seen in Subdistrict town of Sonder and its surroundings:
- Sulawesi Myzomela
- Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
- Sulawesi Drongo
- Sulawesi Babbler
- Sulawesi Leaf Warbler
- Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
- Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
- Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
- Mountain Tailorbird
- Finch-billed Myna
- White-necked Myna
- Sulawesi Myna
- Sulawesi Scops Owl
- Black-naped Fruit-dove
- Ashy Woodpecker
- Yellow-billed Malkoha
- Rusty-bellied Fantail
- Sulawesi Cuckoo
- Sulawesi Goshawk
- Black-crowned White-eye
- Pale Blue Monarch
- Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
- Collared Kingfisher
- Sacred Kingfisher
- White-breasted Woodswallow
- Barn Swallow
- Pacific Swallow
- Uniform Swiftlet
- Grey-rumped Treeswift
- Glossy Swiftlet
- Little Egret
- Cattle Egret
- Purple Heron
- Spotted Dove
- Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
- Emerald Dove
- Zebra Dove
- Black-naped Oriole
- Sahul Sunbird
- Crimson Sunbird
- Brown-throated Sunbird
- Sooty-headed Bulbul
- Yellow-vented Bulbul
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow
- Warbling White-eye
- Chestnut Munia
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Asian Glossy Starling
- Sulawesi Serpent Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Brahminy Kite
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| Sonder town in Minahasa highland |
Birdwatchers who visit Sonder town can stay in homestays in the area. They can also join a local birding guide who knows the best places to see birds. A typical birding trip can last one to three days. Local people are friendly and often help visitors find the best paths.
Other birding sites in Minahasa Highland are Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Lake Tonado. More birds could be seen in these areas including Superb Fruit-dove, Red-eared Fruit-dove, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher and etc.
Sonder is surrounded by agricultural land. Farmers grow various kinds of food of crops such as corn, peanuts, tomatoes, banana, papaya, rambutan, avocado, durian, spring onion; as well as industrial agricultural crops such as vanilla, clove, and coconut.
In conclusion, Sonder is a good destination for birdwatchers who want to see Sulawesi’s unique birds in a quiet and natural setting. The area is easy to reach from Manado and offers a great experience for nature lovers.
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Minahasa, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
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