While Mt. Kerinci is the highest active volcano in Southeast Asia at 3805m, most of the birdwatching is done between elevations of between 1600m to roughly 2000m. While there are a few branching paths you will take further into the forest, the majority of the time you’ll be searching on the main trail up the volcano. Besides the birds listed below, good chances of seeing Siamang gibbons, Sumatran Surili, and a variety of small mammals like the Sumatran Giant Squirrel and Niobe Ground Squirrel. Optionally, spend a morning taking a boat into the Rawa Bento wetlands for different species opportunities, with a return to Mt. Kerinci in the afternoon.
*Note that some other guides in the area frequently feed a few of the birds in one section of the volcano. We don’t agree with this practice. Please do not pressure our guides to feed wildlife – if you want guaranteed views of rare birds, please visit a bird atrium, not a National Park.
A sampling of endemics and other targets:
Schneider’s Pitta, Salvadori’s Pheasant, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Cochoa, Sumatran Wren Babbler, Sumatran Whistling Thrush, Sumatran Frogmouth, Shiny Whistling Thrush, Red-billed Partridge, Rufous-vented Niltava, Wreathed Hornbill, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sunda Bush Warbler, Rajah Scops Owl, and many more.
The Bukit Tapan road gives a great range of elevation, from roughly 1500m to 250m, so there is a wider variety of species available compared to the higher elevations of Mt. Kerinci. It’s also much easier to see and photograph them because of the abundant light allowed into the canopy by the road you follow, and the farther distances you can see. Of course, going along a road also unfortunately means you’ll occasionally be annoyed by trucks, cars and motorcycles. Besides the birdlife, other wildlife you may encounter are Siamang gibbons, Sumatran Surili, Southern Pig-tailed Macaques. If searching through the night, slow loris, flying squirrels, and a variety of civets are often encountered. There have even been sightings and close encounters with Sumatran Tiger on very rare occasions.
A sampling of endemics and other targets:
Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Cream-striped Bulbul, Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and many more.
While not as famous as the two previous locations, Hutan Adat Lempur is a new birding spot the local community has been developing, and we believe it has some of the best birding in the Kerinci region. Elevation is between 1000m to 1250m, but a great variety of bird species, as this area has been hit much less by bird poachers that Bukit Tapan. There’s also a chance to see the extremely rare Sumatran Ground Cuckoo – we’ve had quite a few sightings of a few different individuals. Besides birds, other wildlife one might encounter are a variety of reptiles, Colugo, Sumatran Porcupine, Slow Loris, Sun Bear, and even very rarely, Sumatran Tiger and other wildcats. If you go quickly enough, there’s a chance you’ll reach the beautiful blue Lake Kaco, although it’s a 3-4 hour trek of straight walking. Other nearby lakes for spotting a variety of wild ducks, like the Lesser Whistling Duck, are Danau Lingkat and Danau Nyalo.
A sampling of endemics and other targets:
Sumatra Ground-Cuckoo, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Bulbul, Cream-striped Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and many more.