Birdwatching areas - Sangihe and Talaud islands, Indonesia

by Jim C. Wardill and Jon Riley, from OBC Bulletin 29, May 1999.

The remote Sangihe and Talaud islands are situated in the Celebes Sea between Sulawesi and the Philippine island of Mindanao. At the northern limit of the fascinating Wallacean biogeographical region, the islands are home to nine endemic species, five of which are endangered. Sangihe has little natural forest left and there are two key sites: Talawid in the north of the island is a good area for parrots, whilst Gunung Sahengbalira in the south is the only extensive area of forest left on Sangihe and has populations of four endangered endemic species, including two found only at this site. Talaud is a less developed and more remote archipelago. The largest island, Karakelang, has extensive areas of protected forest, supporting important populations of parrots.

The islands can be visited year round, but the most productive time is during the drier months between April and September; the wet season from September to March can make the steep terrain very challenging. Below we give access and accommodation details for the island's key sites, along with notes on the more interesting species.

Access and accommodation
The islands are accessible from Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi, which is served by international Silk Air flights from Singapore. In early 1999, flights to Sangihe and Talaud had fallen victim to the country's economic crisis and it was only possible to reach the islands by boat.

From Sulawesi
Ferries depart from Manado harbour at 6 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening for the 12 h crossing to Tahuna, Sangihe. Ferries to Beo, Karakelang, Talaud and Lirung depart from Manado every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The Pulo Teratai and the Valentine travel direct, the journey to Beo taking approximately 20 h; the Agape Star travels via Tamako and Tahuna, adding six hours to the journey time. Return ferries from Tahuna, Sangihe, are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at 6 p.m.; from Talaud on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. It is advisable to buy tickets at the harbour in the morning to ensure a place to sleep on these crowded boats. The KM Tilongkabila, which has luxury cabins, sails through the islands once every 28 days. It leaves Bitung, North Sulawesi, sails directly to Talaud and then returns to Bitung via Tahuna, before heading on to Gorontalo. Schedules and tickets are available from PELNI: Jl. Sam Ratulangi 7, Manado (telephone 0431-862844).

Sangihe
The infrastructure on Sangihe is well developed with good roads, hotels and international telephone links. Tahuna, the capital, is the transport hub and buses to all towns on the island can be found at the new bus station on Jalan Makaampo; one can also charter mikrolets (blue minibuses) to anywhere on the island for approximately US$10. In Tahuna stay at the Hotel Nasional, Jalan Makaampo, (telephone 0432-21185/21462). There are many places to eat, the best probably the Marina Coffee House next door to Hotel Nasional. Food and supplies are available in Tahuna for trips to Talawid and Gunung Sahengbalira. Perhaps the star bird on Sangihe is the Cerulean Paradise-flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi that was recently rediscovered by the Action Sampiri team. People wishing to search for this species should first contact the local office of Action Sampiri which will be opening soon.

Gunung Sahengbalira
The easiest way to get to this site is from Tamako (regular bus from Tahuna, a two-hour journey). Accommodation is available at the Rainbow Losmen in Lilipan B village which can be reached by minibus from Tamako; ask for Frets Pangimangen. Rooms with breakfast cost c. US$3 single or c. US$5 double, with full board for c. US$3 extra per person per day. Frets knows how to reach the forest on Sahengbalira and will organise guides or porters for you. Narrow trails lead into the forest and a path runs along most of the top of the ridge. The area of forest remaining on Gunung Sahengbalira is probably no more than 400 ha and to reach it is a two-hour climb.

Birds
Most species occur in the plantations surrounding the forest and it is certainly worthwhile birding them, particularly for skulking, understorey birds like the uncommon Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster and Hooded Pitta P. sordida which is heard and seen regularly, and the occasional Lilac-marked Kingfisher Cittura cyanotis.

Common species in the area include Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanospila, Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula concinna, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove Macropygia amboinensis and Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis. Sometimes mixed-species flocks can be seen, usually comprising Yellow-sided Flowerpecker Dicaeum aureolimbatum, Grey-sided Flowerpecker D. celebicum, Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis and Black Sunbird Nectarinia aspasia. Overhead can be seen Moluccan Swiftlet Collocalia infuscata, Glossy Swiftlet C. esculenta and migrant White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus.

The endangered endemic Sangihe Hanging Parrot Loriculus catamene (local names: lungsihe/kurehi) is seen regularly, usually in small groups flying fast overhead. Listen for the high-pitched tseee tseee flight call. The newly described endemic Sangihe Scops Owl Otus collari (local name: burung hantu) is also relatively common in both plantations and forest, and is best located by listening for its down-slurred whistle in the hours after dusk.

Possibly the commonest species in forest is the beautiful Elegant Sunbird Aethopyga duyvenbodei (local name: salumisi bamburaeng) which can be seen at all altitudes. There are occasional sightings in the forest, but the easiest place to see the sunbird is in old, scrubby plantations close to the forest edge.The recently rediscovered endemic Sangihe Shrike-thrush Colluricincla sanghirensis (local name: sohabe chocklat) is only known from sub-montane forest above c. 700 m on the Gunung Sahengbalira ridge. It is not uncommon and has been seen in quite large flocks, but can be surprisingly elusive. Birds are active throughout the day and a good strategy is to follow the ridge-top path and listen for their distinctive chweeep chweeep calls, not unlike young chickens.

In addition to the endemic species there are a number of very distinct and rare subspecies confined to the mountain. The Sangihe race of Golden Bulbul Alphoixos affinis appears to be restricted to the ridge forest where it is often very vocal. Other specialities, known only from specimens and a few sight records, include the endemic subspecies of Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx fallax sangirensis and the well-marked subspecies of Black-crowned White-eye Zosterops atrifrons nehrkorni. These birds can be very difficult to see and, again, much patience is required.

Talawid
Birding is in plantations and forest patches around the villages of Talawid and Talawid Atas, northern Sangihe. Talawid is reached by bus to Kendahe and accommodation is with Ali and Hety at the school in Talawid Atas; pay approximately US$6 a night and bring your own food. Ali will guide you to the best sites, including a Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorynchos roost; pay US$6 per day.

Birds
Although lacking the true forest specialists of Gunung Sahengbalira, many commoner species can be seen more easily at Talawid, together with others absent from the south. Raptors are well represented with Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus common, White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster rare, Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis common whilst on migration between October and March, and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus rare and only at higher altitudes. In the undergrowth both pitta species are quite common, but Hooded Pitta is especially easy to see, as is Lilac-marked Kingfisher.

The main reason to visit Talawid is to search for the rare Red-and-blue Lory Eos histrio (local name: sumpihi). This beautiful parrot is endemic to Sangihe and Talaud, but the population of the nominate Sangihe race is extremely small, and lories have only been seen at Talawid; birds were recorded in 1995, but absent from the site in 1996, and should be looked for in both forest patches and in plantations.

Small remnant forest patches attract many pigeons and parrots to Talawid. In addition to species listed for Gunung Sahengbalira Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon Treron griseicauda, Pink-necked Green Pigeon T. vernans, Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor and Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis are all very common, whilst Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica is seen regularly along the trails. Azure-rumped Parrots Tanygnathus sumatranus are commonly heard at night, and this is the best site for Sangihe Hanging Parrot on the island. Sulawesi Owl Tyto rosenbergii occurs in the plantations and Sangihe Scops Owl is also to be found here. Sunbirds and flowerpeckers are common and Elegant Sunbird is also seen regularly. Talawid is also a good site for the endemic race of Sulawesi Cicadabird Coracina morio salvadorii, which can be elusive at Gunung Sahengbalira.

Mammals
At both sites the endemic Rosenberg's Squirrel Callosciurus rosenbergi is very common and easily seen (and heard). Endemic races of Sulawesi Tarsier Tarsius spectrum and Sulawesi Small Cuscus Strigocuscus celebensis can be seen, but both are mainly nocturnal.

TALAUD
The best birding is on the largest island, Karakelang, using the capital Beo as a base. Catch the ferry direct to Beo; if travelling on the PELNI ferry to Lirung, catch a connecting boat or bus, otherwise the ferries all call in at Beo. On arrival, contact the Beo PHPA officers who guard the 22,000 ha hunting reserve in the centre of the island; the office is a short walk from Beo harbour. The officers will arrange accommodation in a local house, whilst food and other supplies are available at Beo market. Almost all of Talaud's best birds can be seen in the plantations and forest to the south of Beo: simply follow the road. To enter the reserve and enjoy some excellent forest birding negotiate with the PHPA. Recommended sites include Lobo, Awit and Rae: trek inland for a day from these villages and set up camp. Away from the forest, migrant waders and other shorebirds are often seen around the coast and seabirds are seasonally numerous offshore.

Birds
Philippine Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii and Red-bellied Pitta are very common in all forest and secondary areas, a good site for the former species being the tiny Sara islands between Karakelang and Salibabu. Rarer forest-floor species on Karakelang include the newly described Talaud Bush-hen Amaurornis magnirostris (local name: tambing-tambing), the Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica and the rarely seen Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus.

Rails are heard regularly in marshy areas, a good site is just south of Beo; Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis, Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivacea, White-breasted Waterhen A. phoenicurus and Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio have been observed, but perhaps most interesting is the newly described Talaud Rail Gymnocrex talaudensis (local name: tu-a). This species can be seen from the road, but only the most fortunate observers will need much time and patience to see this very shy bird. Three species of swiftlet are believed resident on Talaud: Moluccan and Glossy Swiftlet are common and there are unconfirmed records of Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis.

Of the five kingfisher species, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis is found along rivers and in coastal areas; Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda occurs in forest and plantations, especially in winter; Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sancta is a regular migrant visitor; and Collared Kingfisher T. chloris is common in coastal habitats and plantations. Of most interest to the visiting birder will be the intriguing endemic Talaud Kingfisher T. enigma (local name: sieeta hutan) which can be found easily in forested areas. Often seen along rivers or perched in the mid-storey, it differs from the very similar Collared Kingfisher not only in its choice of habitat, but also by its smaller size and shorter bill and tail.

Karakelang now supports the only viable population of the Red-and-blue Lory (local names: sampiri/luring) which is still common on the island, especially in the north, but is threatened by habitat loss and trapping. Other parrots are common in forest, but occur in plantations too, including Golden-mantled Racquet-tail Prioniturus platurus, the endangered Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis, Azure-rumped Parrot and Great-billed Parrot: Talaud is the only place in the world where three Tanygnathus parrot species co-exist.

Four species of Ducula pigeon can be seen: Green Imperial Pigeon D. aenea and Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeon are very common in forest; the threatened small-island specialist, Grey Imperial Pigeon D. pickeringii is uncommon, but most records have come from secondary forest south of Beo; the fourth species, Pied Imperial Pigeon, is rare. Common species in both plantations and forest include the following, all represented by endemic subspecies: Sulawesi Cicadabird, Rufous Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Black Sunbird, Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti, Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis and Black-naped Oriole. Another small island specialist, the Island Monarch Monarcha cinerascens seems to be restricted to forest, where pairs and small groups are noisy and conspicuous.

Along coasts Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii and White-bellied Sea Eagle are all resident, whilst Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus and Greater Sand Plover C. leschenaultii are both regular in winter; in all, nineteen species of wader have been recorded. Other winter visitors to the islands include von Schrenck's Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus, Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus, Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus, Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius, Gray's Warbler Locustella fasciolata, Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis and Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta.

Many passage migrants pass through Talaud and noteworthy species recorded to date include Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum, Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus, Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi and Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus. The waters around the islands can produce interesting seabird records, with Wilson's Petrel Oceanites oceanicus, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus and Black Noddy A. minutus seen in recent years.

Conservation
As members of Action Sampiri, the Sangihe and Talaud conservation project, the authors have been involved in developing conservation awareness amongst communities on Sangihe and Talaud. Visiting birdwatchers can make a positive contribution to these initiatives. For example, trying to explain to local people that you have travelled to the islands especially to see the unique and special birds found there may encourage people to protect birds for the next visitors. We would encourage birdwatchers to employ local guides or porters and pay good daily rates; Action Sampiri pay at least US$5 per day. In this way some economic benefit is noticed by villagers on the island. All sites, particularly Gunung Sahengbalira, are very sensitive to disturbance. On Sahengbalira please keep to the existing trails, avoid clearing vegetation or lighting fires in the forest, and remove all rubbish.

Opportunities to make further discoveries about the islands' birds still remain. The authors will be working on Sangihe and Talaud through 1999 and early 2000 and would be happy to advise or assist any visitors to the islands, and grateful for any records sent to the address below. Anyone wishing to see some of Indonesia's rarest species and enjoy a unique birding experience in a dramatic setting is well advised to head for the enigmatic islands of Sangihe and Talaud.

Bibliography

1. Coates, B. J. & Bishop K. D. (1997) A guide to the birds of Wallacea: Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Queensland, Australia: Dove Publications.

2. Lambert, F. R. (1997) Field assessment of the conservation status of Red-and-blue Lory Eos histrio in Indonesia. Bangkok, Thailand: IUCN.

3. Lambert, F. R. (1998) A new species of Gymnocrex from the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. Forktail 13: 1-6.

4. Lambert, F. R. (1998) A new species of Amaurornis from the Talaud Islands, Indonesia, and a review of taxonomy of bush hens occurring from the Philippines to Australasia. Bull. B.O.C. 118: 67-82.

5. Lambert, F. R. & Rasmussen, P. C. (1998) A new Scops Owl from Sangihe Island, Indonesia. Bull. B.O.C. 118: 204-217.

6. Riley, J. (1997a) Conservation on the Sangihe and Talaud islands, Sulawesi, Indonesia. OBC Bull. 25: 19-23.

7. Riley, J. (1997b) Biological surveys and conservation priorities on the Sangihe and Talaud islands, Indonesia. Cambridge, UK: CSB Publications.

8. Riley, J. (1997c) The birds of Sangihe and Talaud islands, North Sulawesi. Kukila 9: 3-36.

9. Riley, J., Hicks, D. & Wardill, J. C. (1998) The taxonomic status of Halcyon enigma on the Talaud Islands, Indonesia. Bull. B.O.C. 118: 113-117.

10. Wardill, J. C. & Hunowu, I. (1998) First observations of the endemic subspecies of Black-fronted White-eye on Sangihe, North Sulawesi. OBC Bull. 27: 48-49.

11. White, C. M. N. & Bruce M. D. (1986) The birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda islands). BOU Checklist No. 7. London: BOU.

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