Hornbill

Sulawesi's two species of hornbill demonstrate a unique example of different canopy use. The Red Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix, lives and feeds in the upper canopy, while the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill Penelopides exarhatus, occupies the lower canopy. Both species display an interesting egg-laying habit. The male, with the female's help, uses mud to seal the female inside the selected tree hole nest, leaving just a small slit to pass food to his mate. She remains enclosed while she incubates her eggs and raises her offspring until they are able to fly. During the nesting season of July to September males work hard supplying fruit to the demanding family. Figs are a crucial food source for these birds and waiting near a fruiting tree is the easiest way to observe them. The hornbill, in turn, plays a significant role in seed dispersal for the tree. The Red Knobbed Hornbill, called rangkong in indonesia and locally know as Allo, is probably the most obvious bird in the park. Depicted on the park logo, it is common in many areas and easy to locate, with its loud, raucous call and noisy wing-beat, as it flies above the canopy. Usually existing in pairs, it often gathers in larger groups in a fruiting tree. Sporting prominent red casques,and bright blue skin in the gular area at the base of the bill (which stretches to store fruit), the males have buff-coloured heads while the females are smaller and have a glossy black heard and neck. The bird is something called Burung tahun, the year bird. Its yellow bill has red stripes, and the bird supposedly grows ane new stripe per year. Large (104 cm), Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion; widespread and common, sometimes abundant. Inhabits primary lowland, hill and lower montane forest, and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest and remnant forest patches within extensive areas of cultivation; occasionally visits mangrove forest. Frequent the canopy. Forages in fruiting trees, often with other frugivores, including fruit pigeons, starlings and occasionally squirrels. Has been seen to drive Sulawesi Macaque from a fruiting fig tree in which the macaques were feeding. Feeds mainly on fruit (especially figs Ficus spp); also large insects,etc. The Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is the samallest of the hornbills and much harder to spot. A neat yellow and black bird, it lives in kin groups and defends its territory. Breeding is from April to July and older sons help the adult male provide food for the female and offspring. A small hornbill (53 cm). Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion. Widespread and locally moderately common, especially at lower elevations. Inhabits primary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest. Usually in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds, occasionally singly. Noisy and active; often difficult to observe. Flies through the forest. Feeds in the mid-canopy of fruiting trees. Other name Sulawesi Hornbill.

kacamata Laut

Yellow-bellied White eye; Small; All yellow underparts. Range: Sulawesi subregion, Moluccas (small island only) and W Lesser Sundas, Generally common; locally abundant (e.q. Tanahjampea and Besar). Inhabits secondary forest and open woodland, scrub, mangroves, cultivation, and village and urban garden. Lowland to 1000 (NCen Sulawesi), 1800m (S Sulawesi), 1500m (Lombok) and locally to 1200m (Main lowlands)(Flores). Usually in small flocks. Restless. Forages at all levels in the vegetation. visits fruiting trees. Other name: Moluccan White-eye. This picture from urban garden in the city of Palu (Central Sulawesi Province) at 9 July 2009. foto diambil pada tanggal 9 juli 2009 lokasi taman kantor Palu. Sangat umum ditemukan didataran rendah; sering terlihat dalam kelompok besar; kadang sedikit. menghuni hutan sekunder dan hutan terbuka, perdu, mangrove, lahan budidaya, pedesaan dan taman-taman kota. panjang tubuh sekitar 11 - 12 cm, tubuh bawah seluruhnya kuning, atas kuning keabu-abuan, ekor hitam agak kekuningan, lingkar mata putih.

Maleo

The Maleo, Macrocephalon maleo, is a member of the Megapodiidae family of mound builders or incubator birds. This family of birds is found from eastern Indonesia through to Polynesia and Australia but the Maleo bird itself occurs only in North; Central and Southeast Sulawesi. It has a striking black and white plumage with a rosy pink breast, erect tail and bare helmeted heat sources incubates its eggs; it commonly nests on sandy beaches jeated by the sun, hot springs or vulcanic vents.Within the park, nine nest sites are know. All are located near hot springs or on exposed river banks. Nesting sites are visited in the morning or evening by the birds and are communally used by many pairs. its a noisy affair as they select a location to lay a single egg. Both male and female dig with their strong legs and slightly webbed claws, taking turns once the hole becomes deeper. After laying her 11-30 cm, 240-270 gr egg, the pit is re-filled and several false pits dug to confuse predators (some may have also been started and discarded as temperature or soil moisture was found to be inadequate). The whole process can take up to six hours. Laying occurs all year round but at Lore Lindu there is a seasonal peak between December and January. The female lays and egg approximately every 8-10 days. No parental nurturing occurs and after about three months the chick hatches and spends a day or two scrambling to the surface. Unlike most helpless bird hatchlings, the Maleo chick can immediately fly into the forest. of all birds the Megapodes produce one of the most mature chicks on hatching, hence the need for a large-sized egg and long incubation period. Unfortunately, this also makes the egg susceptible to predators such as pigs, monitor lizards, and human. A combination of over-exploitation of the nesting sites for food and habitat loss due to agriculture is making the maleo increasingly rare. The best places to see these curios birds are at nesting sites at Saluki and Pakuli that are each used by over 50 pairs of birds.

Sulawesi Cicadabird

Sulawesi Cicadabird we founded at garden Dodolo village around 2 september 2008 in Lore Lindu National park. Widespread and locally moderately common on Sulawesi, single, in pairs and small groups. also in mixed-species foraging flocks. Incospicuous; gleans quietly but actively in the canopy and subcanopy. sometimes remains on the same perch for extended periods, permitting prolonged, clear views, inhabits primary and tall secondary lowland, hill and montane forest, lowland to 1770 m (Sulawesi)(Birds of Wallacea).

Purple-winged Roller

Coracias temminckii we founded an pair at 2 september 2008 in Salibu area Lore Lindu National Park. Large (30-35cm, widespread and moderately common, especially at lower elevation. Inhabits forest edge, swamp forest, tall secondary woodland, savanna, open scrub woodland and lightly wooded cultivation; occasionally primary forest. Sea level to 1150 m (Bird of Wallacea). Singly or in pairs, seldom in parties of up to seven birds.

Satanic Nightjar / Heinrich’s nightjar (Eurostopodus diabolicus)

Eurostopodus diabolicus is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it is known from mountain ranges in the north and centre of the island. Large (30-32cm), Entirely dark with a pale rusty-buff throat-band and inconspicuous small white mark on 4th primary (numbering commencing at outer wing); no white in tail. wing 207. It appears to be very small distributed and genuinely rare, although its nocturnal habits and associated difficulties in identification have probably led to it being overlooked.The sight records were of single, silent birds observed at dusk and dawn: (i)perched on a small branch c.0.5m above the ground at the edge of a road (King 1994); and (ii)sitting on a road in a partially open area on a ridge, (iii) hawking along the forest edge at a height of 1-35m, mainly 5-15m, and(iv)briefly passing at midstorey over a small partially open area (KDB & J.M.Diamond). Flight consisted of sailing on rather flat, rounded wings interspersed with occasional fluttering as the bird presumably attempted to catch flying insects; the tail looked shortish and square; and the eyes reflected yellow in the spotlight. Although it must have suffered from loss of habitat at lower altitudes, its recent discovery in montane forest suggests that it may be locally secure. It has been recorded in one protected area, Lore Lindu National Park,until now you can find easier in there if you are lucky. August 31’ 2008 we found a pair Satanic Nightjar sleeping on the nest edge street in Heliped Anaso Lore Lindu National Park.

Spotted Kestrel

Falco moluccensis This picture taked in Napu valley area Dodolo village around at 29 august 2008 the electric cable on road Napu - Besoa. A widespread resident. Generally moderately common to common, most frequent in coastal lowland areas; also locally in upland valleys, such as in Central Sulawesi. Inhabits Imperata grassland with scattered trees, lightly wooded cultivation, and the edges of primary and tall secondary forest; also occasionally along logging roads deep into forest, in clearing within forested areas, and in areas of human habitation (including the vicinity of towns). Small (28-38cm), Rich chestnut crown upperparts; heavily marked back and wings; grey tail; heavily spotted underparts; dark moustachial streak. Sometime hovers. Male: pale grey tail with a black subterminal band. Female: barred tail. Imm: like female but darker, more heavily barred with black; primaries browner; tail more rufous. (J.Coates; guide to the Birds of wallacea)