Bali Barat National Park (BBNP) Day Birding Trip (Long post!)

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When: November 2025 Weather: Hot 28C

OM1mk2 Zuiko 150-400mm Pro

We had a day free after work and organised a day trip with Bali Birding Tours connecting once again with my guide, Hery, from previous trips. Hery is so successful now as head ranger of the park that he delegated the guiding to Dian. We were picked up at 4am (yes 4am!!) for the 3 hour 130km drive to the western tip of Bali where the BBNP is. We had mulled over the wisdom of doing this or a shorter 2 hour trip to Bedugul Botanic Gardens and in the end chose the iconic BBNP to look for its iconic birds….the outbound trip was quick, taking only 3 hours with our excellent driver Ferdinand and the last half was very scenic with the sea and beach on our left….we arrived at 7am to a welcome cup of coffee and snacks at the park headquarters where the Bali starling conservation program is……

A view of a bird enclosure in a conservation park, featuring two birds on a rooftop perch surrounded by greenery.
a few Bali Starlings were in this cage but many more were flying around us whilst we had coffee
A white bird with a blue face and beak foraging on the ground, alongside a black bird with an orange spot on its face.
The first bird we saw on stepping out of the car was the iconic Bali Starling….with the Javan Pied Starling behind it
A white bird with blue markings sitting on a log surrounded by greenery.
The amazingly beautiful Bali Starling or mynah with its blue facial skin around the eyes
Two Bali starlings perched on a branch, showcasing their distinctive white feathers and blue facial markings against a blurred green background.
Leucopsar rothschildi: the Bali Starling, the official bird of Bali
A white bird with black wing tips is perched on branches with green leaves and fruit, possibly in a tropical setting.
They were actively flying around
A person observes a white bird in mid-flight against a blurred natural background, highlighting the vibrant greenery of Bali.
and got quite close!
A bird with black and white plumage and orange markings on its face standing on the ground.
The less illustrious but still interesting Javan Pied Starling
Entrance sign of Taman Nasional Barat surrounded by greenery and trees.
we headed off to another part of the park…there are beautiful stone sculptures and edifices all over Bali…
A colorful bird with green plumage and a distinctive orange throat, perched on a small mound of earth amidst grass.
The blue tailed bee eaters were nesting on the ground in this field
A colorful bird with a green body and blue wings, perched on the grass while holding an insect in its beak.
breakfast time
A vibrant green and blue bird perched on a branch, surrounded by soft green grass.
even the back is beautiful with its blue and green hues
A patch of green grass with scattered leaves and a small stick in the foreground.
and behind a pile of branches….something stirred
Three camouflaged birds resting on green grass, blending into their surroundings.
A savannah nightjar with two chicks peering at us intently
A small bird perched on a green branch with flowers, set against a blurred background of greenery.
a female ornate sunbird
A close-up of a small bird perched on a branch surrounded by green leaves.
Javan Honey eaters were very busy…
A bird with outstretched wings perched among green leaves against a blue sky.
Javan or Indonesian brown honey eater
A small bird perched on a branch, surrounded by green foliage.
Honey eater
A bird in flight against a clear blue sky.
Pied Triller
A small bird perched on a log in a forested area, surrounded by green foliage and natural elements.
we then proceeded to the first of three hides to try for the Javan banded Pitta….the hides are well made, with plastic seating inside and perforations for our camera lenses….something fluttered onto the log..
A small bird perched on a log in a forest setting, surrounded by green foliage.
it was a Fulvous chested jungle flycatcher which was the first to show….

We waited patiently whilst the mosquitos tried to find a way past our clothing and insect repellent sprayed areas…..

A small bird perched on a log in a lush, green forest environment.
an olive backed tailorbird was the next….
A small bird standing on a log with a blurred green background, showcasing its blue-gray feathers and distinctive brown cap.
Olive backed tailorbird in the gloom…dark and challening shooting conditions
A small bird perched on a fallen log in a forest setting, surrounded by blurred green foliage.
and then another little brown job appeared….Horsefield’s Babbler
Two birds standing on a log, one holding a small insect, with a blurred green background.
Pair of Horsefield’s Babblers

After half an hour and hearing the pitta, we decided to move to Hide number 2…..

A colorful bird perched on a log amidst a lush, green forest background, showcasing its distinctive markings.
Within a minute or 2, our guide whispered Pitta!
A close-up of a colorful bird with a yellow head and striped green and brown body, perched on a log in a natural forest setting.
And there she was , the female Javan Banded Pitta!
A colorful bird perched on a wooden stump against a dark background, showcasing intricate patterns and vibrant plumage.
The female has a brownish coronal stripe down the top of its head whilst the male has a black stripe…we were also told that the female usually appears first…as she did in this case….
Two colorful birds in a dimly lit forest, one perched on a log and the other partially hidden behind it.
and that when the male appeared, the female would fly away……and it did exactly that! Here we can see the male appearing above on the trunk and as soon as the female sensed him, she took off flew to the left hastily…
A colorful bird perched on a wooden post in a forest setting, showcasing its distinct yellow and brown plumage with black stripes against a blurred green background.
leaving the stage for the male…here we can see the black coronal stripe clearly on the top of the head
A colorful bird standing on a log in a forested area, surrounded by greenery.
another distinguishing feature of the male is the blue black bib at the throat….not so obvious in the female…here we cacn just about make out a hint of blue in the dark bib
A colorful bird with a yellow and black head, perched on a log in a forested area.
the magnificent male Javan Banded Pitta….the tail is stunningly blue: Hydrornis guajanus
A skink climbing on a log in a forest, holding a small insect in its mouth.
in between, a friendly skink paid a visit
A colorful bird perched on a branch, illuminated by soft light, with bright orange feathers and a long beak.
And then this beautiful lifer appeared!
A vibrant bird with red and yellow plumage perched on a branch in a lush green environment.
A Rufous backed Kingfisher! Notice the beautiful violet tinged hair on top
A brightly colored bird perched on a branch in a lush, green forest setting.
posed willingly…the rufous backed dwarf KF is similar but has less colour than the black backed dwarf KF that we see in other parts on SE Asia
Two colorful birds perched on a branch in a lush green environment.
and a bonus! Another Rufous backed KF flew in! Mate or juvenile??
A pair of colorful birds perched on branches amidst lush greenery.
the smaller of the two dived down…
A vibrant orange kingfisher in flight, with another perched on a branch amidst a lush green background.
and returned….with food in mouth
A close-up photograph of a small bird perched on a branch, surrounded by greenery in a forest setting.
back to perch
Two birds perched on branches in a lush green environment, displaying colorful plumage.
feeding the chick?
Two vibrant birds perched on a branch in a lush forest, surrounded by greenery.
yumm
Two small, vibrant orange birds perched close together on a branch in a lush, green forest setting.
any more?
Two small, brightly colored birds perched on branches in a dense, green forest. The birds have orange and yellow plumage, blending into their natural surroundings.
replete
A bird perched on a log in a forested area, with sunlight highlighting its features.
a racquet tailed treepie also dropped in
A bird with black feathers and bright blue eyes perched on a log in a forested area.
racquet tailed treepie
A colorful bird with a red and green plumage peeking out from a tree hole against a clear blue sky.
by this time it was late morning…we moved on to another hide to look for the Caerulean KF but the birds were all resting by now…except the Coppersmith Barbet who was guarding his nest..
A colorful bird with a green body and red markings perched on a tree trunk against a clear blue sky.
javan coppersmith barbet
A colorful bird with a red head and green body peeks out from behind a tree trunk, surrounded by branches.
coppersmith barbet
A small yellow bird perched among green leaves and branches, surrounded by a natural setting.
common iora
A dark-colored bird perched on a branch of a tree, surrounded by green foliage.
last bird of the trip was the Ashy drongo

We birded for 5 hours, had a quick lunch in a local cafe and then set off on the long traffic laden journey back to Sanur…it took us about 4.5 hours. So Bali Barat National Park is certainly doable as a day trip from Sanur or Nusa Dua but it would be more relaxing if you overnighted there. Overall it was a most fruitful trip which we enjoyed…highly recommended but get a guide!

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