Our journey to Sulawesi commenced exceptionally well, followed by a highly productive nocturnal exploration of Tangkoko Forest.
Recognizing that many of the species we might encounter here are likely endemic and found nowhere else on the planet, we opted to explore the vicinity of our homestay in search of intriguing wildlife prior to breakfast.
Before long, we observed our first endemic bird of the day: a Sulawesi Crow perched atop a bamboo pole, signaling its presence.
A movement in the brush opposite our homestay drew my attention, and upon closer inspection, I identified a bird with a greenish bill, yet another species endemic to Sulawesi.
As we proceeded to explore a river flowing behind our homestay, we spotted a Nankeen Night Heron.
Encouraged by our discoveries thus far, we were delighted to see another striking bird perched nearby on a dry tree branch: a White-necked Myna, characterized by its black plumage and broad white breast band and collar.
With the rising sun enhancing the lighting conditions, I was able to photograph an all-black Hair-crested Drongo. While this species is relatively common across many regions of Southeast Asia, the Hair-crested Drongo here is distinguished by its unique white eye, a feature not found in other areas.
A flock of Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons arrived, easily mistaken for the similarly appearing Pied Imperial Pigeon.
The spotlight shifted to the White-faced Cuckoo-Dove, also referred to as the Sulawesi Black Pigeon, following the departure of the Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons.
A brightly colored sunbird briefly caught my eye, and I managed to glimpse it. This sunbird bears a striking resemblance to the Ornate Sunbird or Garden Sunbird, and they are often classified as the same species, known as the Olive-backed Sunbird. However, the yellow sunbird observed here is now recognized as the Sahul Sunbird.
Just before we proceeded to breakfast, we encountered a Bay Coucal, yet another bird unique to Sulawesi.
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