Lycocorax is derived from the Greek lycos, a wolf, and korax, a raven. Pyrrhopterus means red-winged, from the Greek pyrrhos, a flame or the colour red, and pteros, wing. We fly back to Manado on Sulawesi this morning and upon arrival we will transfer to the nearby Tangkoko-Dua Saudara National Park in time to enjoy our first birding in the area in the afternoon.
Upon arrival we will drive south-west to the town of Kotamobagu, our base for exploration for the next four nights. Night in Kotamobagu at the Patra Jasa Hotel. We shall base ourselves in the lowlands, making daily forays to the higher reaches of the park for some of the really special endemics of Sulawesi. Early this morning, we’ll go birding in the Salawati Forest, home of the King Bird of Paradise, Western Crowned Pigeon, and rarely seen Northern Cassowary.
In the afternoon we can enjoy additional bird watching in the area or some fantastic snorkeling in Weda Bay. For this reason, the IUCN Red List categorizes the paradise crow as a species of Least Concern. It is classified under Appendix II of CITES which insinuates that this species is not on the verge of extinction yet, but perhaps will be at risk in a few years unless trade and habitat destruction are reduced. Night-time forays should prove rewarding, with the surrounding grasslands and secondary forest home to some great nocturnal endemics; Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Minahasa and Sulawesi Masked Owl and Sulawesi Nightjar among them.
It’s possible this afternoon to go on another bird walk near the village of Waibon. We’ll depart this evening for the village of Sawingkrai on the south side of Gam Island. The maximum number of years for which this bird lives is approximately eight years. There have been some reports of them living extended lives, but on average the paradise crow has a five-year life expectancy. Statistics have been unable to assess the actual population of this species and its nominate subspecies.
The islands of Wallacea were surveyed most intensely by field ornithologists in the nineteenth century, and again in the 1990s. However, the status and habitat use of bird species on many islands remains unknown. This study examined birds in several natural and disturbed habitats on Lembata Island, Indonesia. A total of 78 bird species were recorded including six endemic to the Lesser Sundas, an additional three Wallacean endemics and a total of 27 resident forest species. Including published records, 91 bird species have been recorded for Lembata. Extrapolation from the cumulative number of new species in the 45 samples gave an expected Total Bird Richness of 103.4 species.
- A common species throughout its habitat range, the Halmahera paradise-crow is evaluated as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- Both sexes are similar; the female is slightly smaller than the male.
- The Halmahera paradise-crow also known as the silky crow, is a medium-sized crow-like bird-of-paradise.
- It is classified under Appendix II of CITES which insinuates that this species is not on the verge of extinction yet, but perhaps will be at risk in a few years unless trade and habitat destruction are reduced.
- A paradise crow egg is either gray-white or pale rose in color, with inconsistent blotches.
After lunch, we will check out of the Weda Resort and join our beautiful boat, the Katharina. Our tour leaders will give a safety briefing and, if time allows, we can go for another wonderful snorkel in Weda Bay. In the afternoon we will start the long overnight crossing east to Pulau Gebe, (pulau is the Indonesian word for ‘island’). The scientific name Lycocorax pyrrhopterus is a combination of the Greek terms ‘lycos’, which was a name for a jackdaw, ‘corax’ meaning ‘raven’, and ‘pyrrhopterus’, which means ‘red-winged’. Owing to its shimmery appearance, the bird is also known as the silky crow.
Diet
Gray tones can be found on the mantle and rump. The white patch on the inner part of the wings makes the identification of this species amidst its nominate subspecies pretty easy. The female is slightly smaller than the male. One of the few monogamous birds-of-paradise, this paradise-crow is endemic to lowland forests of Northern Maluku in Indonesia. The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.
Decorative print illustrating the Blood’s Bird of Paradise and the Lesser Bird of Paradise. This authentic print originates from ‘Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds’ by Tom Iredale. The breeding season is approximately December to June. The head is slightly glossy black-brown and the upper parts are lighter than the head. The upper plumage shines slightly, with a blue-gray shimmer that is most pronounced on the coat, with cinnamon-brown wings.
Flame-browed Myna are fairly common and Grosbeak Myna can often be found in good numbers in open country where they nest in large colonies. Also in open country we will scan for Sulawesi Swiftlet in the valley bottoms, and Sulawesi Serpent Eagle or Sulawesi Hawk Eagle soaring overhead. The elusive Small Sparrowhawk is a possibility while Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk is also at lower altitudes and Spot-tailed Goshawk often draws attention with its far-carrying calls.
The geographical distribution of this species is limited. Paradise crows are indigenous to Indonesia’s montane forests on the islands of Maluku Utara. The distribution of their population is relatively high in the lowland of Rau, Kasiruta, Bacan, and Morotai and is quite common in Halmahera.
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Unfortunately Maleo eggs suffer from high predation, predominately by humans, but it is hoped that on-going conservation work should help protect the birds at this site. The more open habitat here is ideal for Sulawesi Roller and White-necked and Short-crested Myna while grassy habitats throughout the area might produce the skulking Sulawesi Water-hen. Starting again before dawn, we can trek from the village of Sapokoren in search of the fabulous Wilson’s Bird of Paradise. Hopefully, we’ll be rewarded with views of its elaborate mating display on the forest floor.
In the evening there will be the option to drive further along the coast to visit the communal breeding grounds of the Moluccan Scrubfowl. With some luck we might hope to encounter one or more of these rare birds as they come down from the forests to lay their single egg on the beach. A typical paradise crow habitat is found in lowland regions. This bird also tends to inhabit montane forests and deep evergreen woods. They are often found setting their homes amidst shrubs and bushes in agricultural lands.
Midday, we cross over to the village of of Sapokren on nearby Waigeo Island. This afternoon, we have a second chance to see the Red Bird of Paradise dancing in the treetops. You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our free printable paradise crow coloring pages. All birds of paradise are said to evolve from a single crow-like bird from the 16th century. The exact speed at which these birds travel is unknown. Their light paradise crow feathers may contribute to their rapid wingbeats.
This entry was posted in Birding, Conservation, Guided tours, Travelling and tagged birding, Birding tours, birds, conservation, eco-tourism, guided tours, Halmahera, Indonesia, Lycocorax pyrrhopterus, Mehd Halaouate, Paradise Crow by Lena. The nominate form is a forest dweller, also found in gardens and forest edges. It prefers the taller trees of the forest interior and is not typically seen in the more open agricultural areas. The diet of the paradise-crow is composed mainly by fruit, with some supplement from arthropods, both of which are foraged mainly from dense canopy and middle foliage. The Halmahera paradise-crow is occurs on the Northern Maluku islands of Halmahera, Bacan , Kasiruta, Morotai and Rau. There are two subspecies, which occur in the following regions of Maluku.
The Paradise Crow is tolerant of mangroves, swamp, and montane areas and human disturbance to forest habitat while the Standardwing is less so. Both species are presently widespread and common on Halmahera and cannot be considered immediately endangered there, but populations on smaller Moluccan islands require study and regular monitoring. In the afternoon, following a short flight north to Palu in central Sulawesi, we head to one of IndonesiaÍs greatest national parks Lore Lindu for a four night stay in Wuasa village. This paradise crow is monogamous and oviparous, hence they procreate through spawning. The breeding seasons begin approximately in December and lasts until June, with an average of one egg per clutch. A paradise crow egg is either gray-white or pale rose in color, with inconsistent blotches.
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