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Magnificent birds of paradise (Cincinnurus Magnificus) photographer: Rhett Butler founder of Mongabay.com |
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Magnificent Bird of Paradise
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Magnificent birds of paradise (Cincinnurus Magnificus) photographer: Rhett Butler founder of Mongabay.com |
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Birds of paradise
were commonly found in the tropical rainforest of Papua. Now it is difficult to
find them because of continues hunting and deforestation. There are several
species of birds of paradise but the most famous ones in Arfak mountains are the
paradisaea minor and the cincinnurus magnificus which is also
called magnificent birds of paradise.
This
paradise bird species can be seen or watched in the Arfak mountains. They like
to fly down and dance on the canes that grow in the rainforest. Their dancing
stage is only less than one meter from the ground surface. Last week, I guided 7
Dutch tourists to the Kwau village of Arfak Mountains of Manokwari regency.
Most of these tourists can speak English. So, I didn't find any difficulties in
talking with them. There we saw how the indigenous people process the red fruit (pandanus
conoideus L) to make the extract of the fruit which is a very good medicine
to cure many kinds of diseases. This red fruit is a favorite fruit for the
magnificent birds of paradise.
We stayed at Hans Mandacan's house which was located around one kilometer from
the main road. Hans is an English speaking guide who lives in Kwau village. His
English is still very basic but I think it is adequate for having short
conversations with the tourists. There are ten places near the "tourist house" which tourists can
go to watch the magnificent bird of paradise. Hans had built 2 bird watching
huts for tourists. To attract the birds, he placed red fruit and forest banana.
Early in the morning,
at around 5.30 a.m. I and Hans guided the tourists to the huts. Because each hut
could only accommodate 4 tourists, we split them into two smaller groups of 3
and 4 tourists. After arriving in the huts we asked them to enter and stay
inside the huts until around 9 a.m. When the sunlight hit the ground of the
tropical rainforest, the male magnificent bird of paradise began calling their
females to attract them to the dancing stage. He would start to dance when he
saw the female birds seat on the branches of green vegetation near him.
This of bird watching ecotourism has attracted hundreds of tourists from all
corners of the world to Arfak mountains of Manokwari regency of West Papua.
Birds of paradise, together with other species of tropical birds, play very
important role in sustaining the
tropical rainforest preservation. Birds are the most effective seed
dispersers. They are able to bring the seeds of the fruits which they eat to far
away places and drop them there so that the seeds will grow again as new plants.
In other words, birds of paradise expand the size of the forest at the time when
human beings reduce it.
When to watch Magnificent Birds of Paradise
I recommend you to come to Kwau village of Arfak Mountains of West Papua province of Indonesia between May and July, and November and December. These are the months when the plants of pandanus conoideus L bear their red fruits which are the favorite fruits of the magnificent birds of paradise. The Dutch tourists who came in early December 2010 as you can see on the picture on the right managed to see the magnificent birds of paradise both females and male in the morning just less than five minutes walk from the tourists' house. If you are interested in traveling to the Kwau village of Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency of West Papua province of Indonesia to watch this beautiful magnificent birds of paradise, please contact me - Charles Roring - via my email: charlesroring@gmail.com. I will be happy to arrange your accommodation, and transport to the mountains.
Also read:
Manokwari Map | Where is Manokwari? | Souvenir Shops | Travel Attractions | Accommodation in Manokwari | Professional Guide
Travel Guide Manokwari
The following articles are my recommendation, stories and experience when guiding foreign tourists who come to Manokwari of West Papua to enjoy the beauty of its natural scenery and the hospitality of the indigenous people. This website is aimed at promoting eco-tourism in the region to create jobs among the indigenous people and awareness among us about the importance of protecting and preserving tropical rainforest that is now facing extinction due to rapid deforestation.
Happy Traveling
Charles Roring (click to e-mail me)
Tourist Guide
If you want to read more stories about travel in Manokwari of West Papua, you can see my other blogs at the following addresses:
Papuan Art and Culture Stories
My personal diary on Manokwari Eco-tourism activities
