Flores

Flores is one of the islands in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, located east of Sumbawa and the Komodo Islands. As part of the Wallacea archipelago, Flores boasts a very rich species diversity, including avifauna.

Flores has eight endemic species and 30 endemic species to the Lesser Sunda Islands. The endemic species are: Flores Scops-Owl, Flores Shortwing, Flores Flowerpecker, Leaf Lorikeet, Flores Monarch, Wallace's Hanging Parrot, Flores Crow, and Flores Leaf Warbler. These species are found from the lowlands to elevations above 1,000 meters above sea level.

Some birdwatching locations in Flores include:

Mbeliling

Stretching from the western tip of Flores, Mbeliling is a mountain range that stretches east of Labuan Bajo. There are several birding spots along the Mbeliling range, from Melo, Puarlolo, to Sanonggoang. Key species in this region include: Flores Monarch, Southeast Hill Myna, Flores Hawk Eagle, and Flores Crow.

Ruteng

Ruteng is the highest city on Flores, situated on a plateau above 1,300 meters above sea level. Ruteng boasts a forest area, the Ruteng Nature Reserve, where almost all endemic species except the Flores Monarch can be found. Some birding locations around Ruteng include Golo Lusang, Ranamese, Ranaka, Karot, and Gapong. Key species in Ruteng include the Flores Scops-owl, Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Shortwing, Wallace's Hanging Parrot, Flores Green Pigeon, White-rumped Kingfisher, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, and Flores Minivet.

Kisol

70 km east of Ruteng, at an altitude of 200-300 meters above sea level, lies a lowland forest area on the southern coast of Flores. It is called Poco Ndeki. It is part of the region better known as Kisol. Some of the key species here include the Flores Crow, Flores Green Pigeon, Flores Hawk Eagle, Ornate Pitta, and Chestnut-capped Thrush.

Bajawa

Like Ruteng, Bajawa is a small highland town. Located at an elevation of 100 meters above sea level, Bajawa is surrounded by artificial eucalyptus forests, which are favorite habitats for Leaf Lorikeets, Friarbirds, and Honeyeaters. Besides eucalyptus, Bajawa is also well-known for its coffee. The coffee plantations in this area are home to Wallace's Scops-Owl, Moluccan Scops-Owl, Chestnut-backed Thrush, and Ornate Pitta. Besides birding, Bajawa also offers visits to exotic traditional villages such as Bena, Belaraghi, Luba, and Gurusina.

Kelimutu

In the middle of Flores, there is Kelimutu National Park, famous for its three-colored volcanic lake. Besides the exotic lake, Kelimutu National Park, with its highland forest, is a habitat for important birds such as the Flores Hawk Eagle, Flores Flowerpecker, Bare-throated Whistler, Eyebrowed Heleia, Flores Leaf Warbler, Leaf Lorikeet, White-rumped Kingfisher, Flores Scops-owl. Around Kelimutu National Park, there is the Flores Hawk Eagle conservation village, Wolojita village.

In addition to the diversity of avifauna species, Flores also boasts several flora and fauna attractions, including the Flores Giant Rat, Flores Beetle, and Flores Orchid.

As a volcanic island, Flores also boasts captivating views of the volcanoes scattered throughout the island. The diversity of tribes inhabiting this small island also adds to its uniqueness. Flores is also widely known for the discovery of Homo floresiensis, the hobbit from Flores.