PNG Endemic Families

This intensive 6-day tour near Mt Hagen is tailored for dedicated birders aiming to see at least one species from all seven bird families found only in New Guinea. Target species include berrypeckers, the Blue-capped Ifrit, Mottled Berryhunter, Wattled Ploughbill, Lesser Melampitta, and key satinbirds. By focusing on two highly productive sites, the trip offers a strategic, efficient way to “clean up” New Guinea’s endemic families in a single, targeted adventure.

Every tour is run in collaboration with Sicklebill Safaris, our trusted partners in delivering world-class birding across Papua New Guinea. For more information about this tour, please contact Sue, Phil or Rowan at info@s2travel.com.au

Species that you would expect to see:

Crested Berrypecker – A vibrant, fruit-loving bird found in New Guinea’s montane forests.
Tit Berrypecker – Small and active, often flitting through the canopy in search of berries.
Blue-capped Ifrit – Known for its striking blue crown and unusual toxin in its feathers.
Mottled Berryhunter – A secretive forest bird, rarely seen outside highland rainforest.
Wattled Ploughbill – Recognisable by its lime-green plumage and fleshy wattles.
Lesser Melampitta – Elusive and ground-dwelling, often heard before it’s seen.
Brehm’s Tiger Parrot – A beautifully patterned parrot, named for its striking “tiger” stripes.
Blue Bird of Paradise – An unmistakably elegant Bird of Paradise with vivid blue plumes and graceful tail streamers.
White-winged Robin – A high-altitude forest bird with striking black-and-white contrast.
Stella’s Lorikeet – A colourful parrot with vibrant greens and fiery reds, often seen in noisy flocks.

Crested Satinbird – A dazzling canopy-dweller with brilliant plumage, often found in montane forests.
Loria’s Satinbird – A striking, highland bird with velvety black and rich chestnut tones.
Fan-tailed Berrypecker – Agile and energetic, usually spotted feeding in the upper canopy.
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia – One of the world’s most spectacular Birds of Paradise, with impossibly long tail ribbons.
Brown Sicklebill – Known for its dramatic curved bill and loud, machine-gun-like call.
Lesser Bird of Paradise – A golden-plumed beauty with an elegant display dance.
Smoky Honeyeater – Famous for its bare facial skin, which changes colour when excited.
Mountain Firetail – A charming finch with bright red underparts, found in alpine grasslands.
Regent Whistler – A melodious highland songbird with bold yellow and black markings.
Belford’s Melidectes – A large, vocal honeyeater of the mountain forests, often heard before it’s seen.