A black sunbird feeds on flower nectar
“Another favourite are the black sunbirds that flit from tree to tree while feeding on flower nectar. This attractive little bird is only found in Papua New Guinea and eastern Indonesia and is almost the local equivalent to a hummingbird”
by the area’s topside wildlife. Staying at Lissenung Island Resort, we are surrounded by critters day and night, with the resort also home to a male eclectus parrot pet called Kermit, who is far easier to observe than his wild relations, especially as he likes to join guests for meals. Birdwatching is actually
very rewarding around the small islands of Kavieng, with plenty of sea birds, shore birds and forest birds to be seen. Over our week we see ospreys, frigates, herons, terns and crows, along with two species of kingfisher perched in the trees looking for prey. Our favourites are the beach kingfishers, which are
all-white with blue wings. We generally hear their distinctive calls well before we see these attractive birds in their tree perches near the water’s edge. Another favourite are the black sunbirds that flit from tree to tree while feeding on flower nectar. This attractive little bird is only found in Papua New Guinea
and eastern Indonesia and is almost the local equivalent to a hummingbird. The most unusual bird to look for around Kavieng is found on the ground, often digging in the sand, the Melanesian megapode, which is only found in the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands.
VOLUME 41 2025
34
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog