Day 389: October 24, 2025 – Bitung, Indonesia
Tangkoko National Park is a lush tropical rainforest on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Three of us birders ventured out at 5 AM on 14-hour trek to chase birds in the jungle.
We spotted 44 species of birds, 36 of which were lifers for me.
But the stars of the jungle were the adorable tarsiers, a tiny primate found only in southeast Asia. I was aware they were the smallest primate, but I wasn’t expecting them to be this tiny: 3-6 inches long, about the size of a small bird. They are mostly nocturnal, sleeping inside tree trunks during the day and coming out at dusk, though we did spot one in daylight hours also. Their huge eyes are an adaptation to night vision.
Also spotted in the jungle was the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, which is not a bear but a marsupial. It’s called a bear because of its thick, bear-like fur.
Troops of Black Crested Macaque monkeys roamed the forest and beach, wrestling each other, climbing, grooming, and sometimes snatching things from us visitors.
They come equipped with their own butt pads, known as ischial callosities, calloused patches that help them sit comfortably on branches.
A lunch stop at the park lodge turned out to be a feast of freshly-prepared dishes, including the best tofu dish I’ve had in years.
23 responses to “Wildlife of Indonesia”
Love your wildlife adventures. We’re going to be in Bitung March 17 for one day! Envy you for having been able to stay longer 😉 That’s one of the many benefits of living on Villa Vie!
Would you be willing to share the name of the company or guide you used and contact info? It would be much appreciated! Love bird watching 😉
Many Mahalos & Safe Travels
Yes, I will look up the name of the tour I did and will let you know.
Hi Inger, I did the birdwatching tour through Lembeh Resort.
Web site: https://www.lembehresort.com/tours/birdwatching
Email: reservations@lembehresort.com
I’ve emailed a description of the tour to you. A tour guide from the resort took us to the park, and then once you get to the park, you have to use one of the designated park guides, the resort coordinates it with them.
Hope you enjoy Bitung!
The Tarsiers look like tree frogs wanting to be monkeys….. Love these pictures !!!
That’s a great description of them.
Such a colorful Racquet-tail and Kingfishers. And 31 other lifers! The Tarsiers are mini wonders. You three had quite the day in nature! ♥
Oh how I wish I could have been on that adventure with the three of you! I’ve loved bird watching ever since I was a child, and whenever I’m traveling outside the US, especially when on a cruise ship, I love to find local guides who know the best places to go. It’s how I’ve discovered most of the birds in my life list — which is pitifully small compared to your list. I’m happy for you that you have the two shipboard friends who share your interests. That makes it so much more fun and interesting. 🙂
What a paradise!
OMG – These pictures are spectacular! What a day you must have had. Glad to see you seem to have completely recovered from pneumonia 😁
It was definitely on the top 10 list of favorite days on this journey. And yes, my health is pretty much back to normal.
Best adventure yet.. so many beautiful birds!! I love birds!!! The Racquet tail!!! Wow!!! Just gorgeous! What a great adventure!!!!
As always… Thank You!!!
Great photos! And I want a tarsier as our next pet. Or maybe a dozen of them!
I would draw the line there. I’m ok with just watching them pop out of their tree hideaways. 😄
Amazing birds and pictures!
Thanks Sharon, glad you are enjoying them.
36 new birds in a day! Pretty amazing.
It was an excellent birding day.
Amazing photos of amazing birds and little guys!
It was an all-nature kind of day.
Tarsiers look like a weird cross of frog and mammal. Your bird photos are predictably spectacular. But I particularly identified with the black crested macaques—I think I look the same way when getting my back scratched. And…I also come with my own butt pad! 😆
Lol, yes the similarities between us and our monkey cousins is remarkable sometimes. And I LOVE “predictably spectacular!”
Tarsiers look like a weird cross of frog and mammal. Your bird photos are predictably spectacular. But I particularly identified with the black crested macaques—I think I look the same way when getting my back scratched. And…I also come my own butt pad! 😆
Extraordinary!