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Java

Javan Banded Pitta Hydrornis guajanus ©Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA Website

Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 158 million people, Java is the world’s most populous island, home to approximately 55.7% of the Indonesian population. Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, a city of 12 million people is on Java’s northwestern coast. The island lies between Sumatra to the west and Bali to the east. Borneo lies to the north, and Christmas Island is to the south. It is the world’s 13th largest island. It is surrounded by the Java Sea to the north, the Sunda Strait to the west, the Indian Ocean to the south and Bali Strait and Madura Strait in the east.

Java is almost entirely of volcanic origin; it contains 38 mountains forming an east–west spine that have at one time or another been active volcanoes. There are 112 volcanoes in all, 35 of which are active. The highest volcano is Mount Semeru at over 12,000 feet. The most active volcano in Java and Indonesia as a whole is Mount Merapi and is 9,610 feet tall. In total, Java has more than 150 mountains. Its mountains and highlands split the interior into a series of relatively isolated regions suitable for wet-rice cultivation; the rice lands of Java are among the richest in the world.  Java was the first place where Indonesian coffee was grown, starting. Today, coffe arabica is grown on the Ijen Plateau.

Bromo Mountains – ©Aprisonsan CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Java covers about 132,598.77 km2 (51,196.67 square miles) (including its offshore islands). It is about 1,000 km (620 miles) long and up to 210 km (130 miles) wide. The island’s longest river is the 600 km long Solo River, which rises from its source in central Java at the Lawu volcano, then flows north and eastward to its mouth in the Java Sea near the city of Surabaya. Its other major rivers are Brantas, Citarum, Cimanuk and Serayu.

The average temperature ranges from 22 °C to 29 °C; average humidity is 75%. The northern coastal plains are normally hotter, averaging 34 °C during the day in the dry season. The south coast is generally cooler than the north, and highland areas inland are even cooler. The wet season begins in November and ends in April. During that rain falls mostly in the afternoons and intermittently during other parts of the year. The wettest months are January and February. West Java is wetter than East Java, and mountainous regions receive much higher rainfall. The Parahyangan highlands of West Java receive over 160 inches annually, while the north coast of East Java receives only 35 inches annually.

Birding Java

Java is very biodiverse. Its natural environment is tropical rainforest, with ecosystems ranging from coastal mangrove forest on the north coast, rocky coastal cliffs on the southern coast, and low-lying tropical forest to high altitude rainforest on the slopes of mountainous volcanic regions in the interior. The Javan environment and climate gradually alters from west to east; from wet and humid dense rainforest in western parts, to a dry savanna environment in the east, corresponding to the climate and rainfall in these regions.

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma – ©Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA

Javan wildlife originally supported a rich biodiversity, where numbers of endemic species of flora and fauna flourished; such as the Javan rhinoceros, Javan banteng, Javan warty pig, Javan silvery gibbon, Javan lutung, Java mouse-deer, Javan rusa, and Javan leopard. With over 450 bird species and 28 endemics Java is a fabulous birding destination. There are about 130 freshwater fish species in Java and several endemic amphibians including 5 species of tree frogs alone.

Since ancient times, people have opened the rainforest, altered the ecosystem, shaped the landscapes and created rice paddy and terraces to support the growing population. Javan rice terraces have existed for more than a millennium and had supported ancient agricultural kingdoms. The growing human population has put severe pressure on Java’s wildlife, as rainforests have been severely diminished and confined to highland slopes or isolated peninsulas. Some of Java’s endemic species are now critically endangered, with others already extinct; Both Javan tigers and Javan elephants are now extinct. Being one of the most densely populated regions on Earth, human population has put severe pressure on Java’s wildlife.

Mount Salak – ©Muhammad Rusdi CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

There are, however, several national parks protecting the remnants of its fragile wildlife. These include Ujung Kulon, Mount Halimun-Salak, Gede Pangrango, Baluran, Meru Betiri, Bromo Tengger Semeru and Alas Purwo.

This page is sponsored by Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA

Top Sites

  • Alas Purwo National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    The last home of the tiger in Java this isolated park is great for Green Peafowl, both junglefowl and Banded Pitta.

  • Baluran National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Savannah like forests in east Java. Green Peafowl and Banded Pitta abound.

  • Carita

    Satellite View
    A small patch of degraded forest that is surprisingly good for some of the lowland forest Javan endemics.

  • Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    The spot for Javan montane endemics. Spend a few days exploring the different altitudes.

  • Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Lots of forest at mid to high elevations. Some good site options for some of the mid-altitude birds that are hard elsewhere.

  • Lumajang

    Satellite View
    Waterbirds and migrant waders on south coast of East Java.

  • Muara Angke (Jakarta)

    Satellite View
    Surprisingly good birding for the middle of Jakarta! Worth a morning just for Sunda Coucal.

  • Muara Gembong

    Satellite View
    A vast area of rice and fish ponds. Great for waterbirds, munias, Sunda Coucal and maybe Javan Lapwing.

  • Pamanukan

    Satellite View
    Coastal mangrove, fish ponds and rice. A good site for Javan White-eye, Javan Plover and munias.

  • Pelabuhan Ratu

    Satellite View
    On the south coast of west Java this little visited site has many of the lowland Javan specialities for those who like to explore.

  • Pulau Dua

    Satellite View
    Coastal mangrove and fish ponds. Can be good for waders and occasionally Javan White-eye.

  • Pulau Rambut

    Satellite View
    A boat trip out to the waterbird breeding colony, usually passing many Christmas Island Frigatebirds on the way.

  • Surabaya Coastal Environs

    Satellite View
    Waterbirds and migrant waders on the coast around Surabaya.

  • The Sunda Straits

    Satellite View
    Pelagic birding for migrant petrels and shearwaters and a chance of Indian Ocean rarities.

  • Ujong Kulon National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Pristine lowland forest, but hard to access. Home to the last Javan Rhino.
Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 613

    (As at May 2025)
Endemics

  • Number of endemics: 26

    Chestnut-bellied Hill Partridge Arborophila javanica
    Javan Coucal Centropus nigrorufus
    Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus
    Javan Wattled Lapwing Vanellus macropterus
    Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi
    Javan Scops Owl Otus angelinae
    Brown-throated Barbet Psilopogon corvinus
    Black-banded Barbet Psilopogon javensis
    Flame-fronted Barbet Psilopogon armillaris
    Volcano Swiftlet Collocalia vulcanorum
    Pied Shrike-babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis
    Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aenobarbus
    White-bellied Fantail Rhipidura euryura
    Rufous-tailed Fantail Rhipidura phoenicura
    Javan Green Magpie Cissa thalassina
    Javan Sunbird Aethopyga mystacalis
    White-flanked Sunbird Aethopyga eximia
    Javan Tesia Tesia superciliaris
    Pygmy Tit Psaltria exilis
    White-breasted Babbler Stachyris grammiceps
    White-bibbed Babbler Stachyris thoracica
    Grey-cheeked Tit Babbler Mixornis flavicollis
    JavanFulvetta Alcippe pyrrhoptera
    Rufous-fronted Laughing-thrush Garrulax rufifrons
    Spotted Crocias Laniellus albonotatus
    Javan Cochoa Cochoa azurea
Checklist

  • Avibase - Java

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Java Archipelago , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • Avibase - Java (main island)

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Java (main island) , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Bali, Sumatra and Java

    | By Tony Tilford | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2023 | Paperback | 224 Pages | ISBN: 9781472986870 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of Java, Sumatra and Bali

    | By Tony Tilford & Alain Compost | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2017 | Paperback | 136 pages, 250 colour photos, 1 colour map | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781472938183 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of the Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo, Sulawesi, the Lesser Sundas and the Moluccas

    | By Norman Arlott | William Collins (Harper Collins imprint) | 2018 | hardback | 416 pages, 179 plates with colour illustrations; colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780008102395 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NP Alas Purwo

    InformationSatellite View
    The park is located in Blambangan Peninsula at the southeastern tip of Java island, along the shore of strait across Bali. With an area of 434 km², the park is made up of mangroves, savanna, lowland monsoon forests and coral-fringed beaches. An internationally renowned surf break peels along the edge of the park at Plengkung on Grajagan Bay. Mount Linggamanis (322m) is also located in this national park….

  • NP Baluran

    InformationSatellite View
    The park is dominated by forest and savanna vegetation. The coastline is formed by irregular peninsulas and bays. Near the coast are living coral areas, sandbanks, and mudflats. The peninsulas are covered with mangroves, while other parts of the coastline are covered with swamp forest. The volcano is covered with lowland and upland monsoon forest. Avifauna in the park include the green peafowl, red junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, rhinoceros hornbill and lesser adjutant. Until 2010 there had been 155 species of bird recorded in the park, but following a bird photography competition in 2012, the number of species was revised to 196.

  • NP Gunung Gede-Pangrango

    InformationSatellite View
    …It evolved from already existing conservation areas, such as Cibodas Nature Reserve, Cimungkat Nature Reseve, Situgunung Recreational Park and Mount Gede Pangrango Nature Reserve, and has been the site of important biological and conservation research over the last century. Gunung Gede-Pangrango is inhabited by 251 of the 450 bird species found in Java. Among these are endangered species like the Javan hawk-eagle and the Javan scops owl.

  • NP Gunung Halimun-Salak

    InformationSatellite View
    Its mountain tops reach 1,929 metres and are often mist-shrouded, while its valleys are thought to hide much that remains to be discovered…

  • NP Karimunjawa

    InformationSatellite View
    There are about forty different bird species in the island, including the green imperial-pigeon, (Ducula aenea), yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) and red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri).

  • NP Meru Betiri

    InformationSatellite View
    Meru Betiri National Park has a varied topography reaching from a plain coast to highlands with an altitude of almost 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). eru Betiri National Park is known as the last habitat of the Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) which is now considered extinct, with the last sighting having been recorded in 1976.

  • NP Ujong Kulon

    InformationSatellite View
    The park encompasses an area of 1,206 km² (443 km² marine), most of which lies on a peninsula reaching into the Indian Ocean. The explosion of nearby Krakatau in 1883 produced a tsunami that eliminated the villages and crops of the coastal areas on the western peninsula, and covered the entire area in a layer of ash averaging 30 cm thick. This caused the total evacuation of the peninsula by humans, thereby allowing it to become a repository for much of Java’s flora and fauna, and most of the remaining lowland forest on the island. 240 bird species and a stronghold of javan Rhino.
Sightings, News & Forums
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Bird Photo Tours ASIA

    Tour Operator
    Bird-Photo-Tours Asia’ 23-day bird photography workshop takes in three of the Greater Sunda Islands, namely Bali, Java and Sumatra, offering the chance for close photographic encounters with some fabulous families of birds including Pheasants, Partridges, Pittas, Trogons, Kingfishers, Babblers, Wren Babblers, Flycatchers, Tailorbirds, Shortwings, Bulbuls, Flowerpeckers, Bush Warblers, Thrushes, Mynas, Frogmouths and Owls.

  • Bird Tour Asia

    Tour Operator
    The huge islands of Java and Sumatra (+Bali) share around 60 endemics, and we can hope to see the majority of these. Though many species are shared between the two islands, the landscapes are quite a contrast between the lush, green forests of Sumatra and the dry islands and volcanic mountains of west Java.

  • BirdQuest

    Tour Operator
    Java & Bali Tours

  • Birding Bali

    Local Tour Operator
    Offering custom, private guided birdwatching, tailor-made travel and birding photography trip in Bali and East Java

  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    Birding Tour Indonesia: Bali and East Java – Bali Myna and Other Rare Regional Specials

  • Birding Indonesia

    Local Tour Operator
    As part of the Greater Sundas Islands, characterized by the presence of Asian faunas, more than 500 bird species occur in Java and Bali.

  • Calidris Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    Java, Sumatra and Bali birding highlights include Christmas Island Frigatebird, Bali Myna, Javan Trogon, Schneider’s Pitta, Large Frogmouth, White-winged Duck, Javan Banded Pitta, Javan Flameback, Salvadori’s Pheasant, Graceful Pitta, Reddish Scops Owl, Javan Cochoa, Sumatran Trogon, Grey-breasted Partridge, Bonaparte’s Nightjar, Red-billed Partridge, Sunda Frogmouth, Sumatran Ground Cuckoo...

  • Krakatau Tour

    Local Tour Operator
    East Java Birding Tour

  • Naturalist Journeys

    Tour Operator
    Join Naturalist Journeys on this bird-filled and enlightening adventure to Indonesia, where we seek out the endemic species of the region including many of the most colourful and jewel-like birds with our trusted Southeast Asia expert, Nick Upton. This year, we've added two extra days to slow down and savor the birds.

  • Ornis Birding

    Tour Operator
    Bali Myna (Heyn De Kock) Javan Kingfisher (Heyn De Kock) Javan Banded Pitta (Heyn De Kock) Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher (Joshua Bergmark) Green Peafowl (Heyn De Kock) Grey-breasted Partridge (Heyn De Kock) Javan Frogmouth (Heyn De Kock) White-flanked Sunbird (Heyn De Kock) Pink-headed Fruit Dove (Heyn De Kock) Java Sparrow (Heyn De Kock) White-capped Munia (Heyn De Kock) Bali Myna (Heyn De Kock) Javan Kingfisher (Heyn De Kock) Javan Banded Pitta (Heyn De Kock) Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher (Joshua Bergmark) Green Peafowl (Heyn De Kock) Grey-breasted Partridge (Heyn De Kock) Javan Frogmouth (Heyn De Kock) White-flanked Sunbird (Heyn De Kock) Pink-headed Fruit Dove (Heyn De Kock) Java Sparrow (Heyn De Kock) White-capped Munia (Heyn De Kock) Bali Myna (Heyn De Kock) Javan Kingfisher (Heyn De Kock) Javan Banded Pitta (Heyn De Kock) Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher (Joshua Bergmark) Green Peafowl (Heyn De Kock) Grey-breasted Partridge (Heyn De Kock) Javan Frogmouth (Heyn De Kock) White-flanked Sunbird (Heyn De Kock) Pink-headed Fruit Dove (Heyn De Kock) Java Sparrow (Heyn De Kock) White-capped Munia (Heyn De Kock) Indonesia: Java & Bali Dedicated coverage of the most endangered birds in the Greater Sundas. Truly a last-chance to search out several rapidly declining species while they can still be easily targeted, with hopefully every other endemic bird from west to east as we explore the southern extremity of Asia.

  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Indonesia - Sumatra & Java

  • Vacation Indonesia Tours

    Tour Operator
    Vacation Indonesia Tours, owned by Nurlin Djuni & Darwin Sumang, is your gateway to Indonesia. We can immerse you in our culture, heritage and our extraordinarily diverse natural history. The Islands of Indonesia are justly famous for birdwatching. Over 372 species have been recorded and many are found nowhere else. Nurlin Djuni specialises in Birdwatching/Holidays Tours in Sulawesi, Halmahera, Papua, Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Lesser Sundas and Sumatera

  • WINGS

    Tour Operator
    Indonesia: Java and Sumatra

  • Zoothera Birding

    Tour Operator
    ...Maybe we need to look again for Sunda Thrush, Sunda Forktail or Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot but maybe just another view of a great bird like Javan Kingfisher or a chance to find the distinctive Javan form of Coppersmith Barbet...
Trip Reports

  • 2018 [03 March] - Rob Hutchinson - Java & Sumatra

    PDF Report
    An ever increasing number of recognised endemics make these two Indonesian islands even more attractive, and this custom tour targeted those, following a traditional birding circuit but with the exciting addition of the Mentawai islands. We began on Java where Gunung Gede-Pangrango was pleasantly free of the hoards of hikers that descend later in the year, and we racked up a great list of endemic; Javan Scops Owl at touching distance, Javan Frogmouth, Javan Owlet, Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Javan Trogon, Javan Crocias, Javan Cochoa, Crescent-chested and Whitebibbed Babblers, Flame-fronted and Brown-headed Barbets, Pygmy Bushtit and the spectacular Javan Kingfisher.

  • 2018 [07 July] - Mike Nelson - Sumatra and Java

    PDF Report
    All the tour participants had arrived a day early to take a boat into Jakarta Bay where the highlights were Christmas Island Frigatebird and Milky Stork and once we were all gathered the next day we set off east to an area of mangroves and rice paddies. First up was one our targets with little groups of White-capped Munias seen well in the surrounding paddies and on one of the bermswe found someJavan Plovers.

  • 2018 [08 Aug] - Matthew Kwan - West Java

    Report
    West Java holds many endemic avifauna goodies, of which many can be found at Gunung Gede, including the highly sought after Spotted Crocias and Javan Cochoa, the beautiful Javan Trogon, the Chestnut-bellied Partridge as well as the elusive Javan Woodcock. The list goes on and on...

  • 2018 [09 September] - Mike Nelson - Sumatra & Java

    PDF Report
    With a tasty list of endemics, it’s no wonder our West Java and Sumatra tour is very popular and our third tour this year didn’t disappoint, notching up a total of 341 species, including a fantastic crop of endemics and local specialties.

  • 2019 [05 May] - Carlos Bocos - Sumatra and West Java

    PDF Report
    Sumatra and West Java, one of the classic birding tours in Asia, was again an amazing journey through some of the best spots in the whole continent.

  • 2019 [07 July] - Ross & Melissa Gallardy - West Java, Banyaks, Simeulue, & Aceh

    PDF Report
    The decision was made to concentrate on a number of species that are unfortunately critically endangered.

  • 2019 [08 August] - Mike Nelson - Sumatra & West Java

    PDF Report
    The two huge islands of Sumatra and Java comprise half of the Greater Sundas. From steamy lowlands to high volcanic peaks these two islands boast over 80 endemic bird species, a number that makes them a priority for many avid birders.

  • 2022 [07 July] - Okamoto Keita Sin - Gunung Gede

    PDF Report
    I have visited Gunung Gede before twice (yes, I failed to clear the major targets twice) and was more or less familiar with the site. Nevertheless, Burung Nusantara was a useful resource, and trip reports from the following birders were helpful: Ross Gallardy and Sjoerd Radstaak.

  • 2022 [08 August] - Sin Yong Chee Keita - East Java

    PDF Report
    Our East Java leg was self-planned and comprised four members. Finding information on Alas Purwo and Meru Betiri were difficult due to the general lack of trip reports. Yann Muzika’s report from 2012 was helpful. Ample birding information regarding Ijen was available on Burung Nusantara, and it was my second visit so I was roughly familiar with the site.

  • 2023 [04 April] - Birdikari

    PDF Report
    Start birding by boat in river. Got 2 Purple Heron among dozens of Grey Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron. Also dozens of Javan Pond Heron, Little Egret, and Striated Heron for welcoming us on that gloomy morning. Unexpectedly, 1 Milky Stork showed up on top of mangrove quite far! But with my binoculars, Tom`s camera, and Patricia`s binoculars – it was clear one of main targets.

  • 2023 [06 June] - Joshua Bergmark

    PDF Report
    ...Our early start from Jakarta saw us arriving at Halimun-Salak National Park eager to begin the morning session. A pair of “Javan” Banded Broadbill and Black-thighed Falconet showed nicely before our first forest endemics appeared in the form of Javan Sunbird and White-breasted Babbler...

  • 2023 [07 July] - Charles Roring

    PDF Report
    The nearby Java island is also home to various species of beautiful birds including Sunda Minivet, Javan Fulvetta, Javan Tesia, Blue Nuthatch, and a lot more...

  • 2023 [11 November] - Desi Ayu T

    Report
    Half-Day Birding in Jakarta

  • 2023 [11 November] m- Oka Dwipo

    Report
    At least 140 lifer of bird species were seen in West papua and West Java in 12 days trip.

  • 2024 [08 August] - Bill Simpson

    PDF Report
    ...Drove to some rice fields a few miles north of the Jakarta Airport airfield and spent 4 hours in mosquito hell walking the wet fields and scanning through the large Munia flocks until we found a White-capped Munia, leaving by 10am. Carried on along the hot traffic-laden road to Cibodas doing the Botanical Gardens there from 4-7pm seeing a few good birds and getting some great views of Salvadori’s Nightjar and Javan Frogmouth after dark.

  • 2024 [08 August] - Oscar Campbell

    PDF Report
    Although a boat trip is by far the nicest and most relaxing way to birdwatch here, with a telescope it is also possible to see part of the bay (and quite some Milky Storks) from land, whilst the Taman Wisata area and a walk out to the edge of the bay nearby yielded a reasonable selection of west Javan coastal and mangrove species.

  • 2024 [08 August] - Tom Bird

    Report
    The island of Java in Indonesia was our destination for 6 days prior to leading another tour to West Papua.

  • 2024 [09 September] - Carlos Bocos

    PDF Report
    Our second Java and Sumatra tour was an absolute and resounded success. We harvested a mass total of 312 bird species, with 15 heard only, plus 27 species of mammals. We did well with the endemics, recorded 22 species of nightbirds and saw some endangered birds throughout like White-winged Duck and Milky Stork. A tour all about quality birds.

  • 2024 [09 September] - Pete Stevens

    PDF Report
    The major aims of this trip were to see Sumatran Orangutan and to see Komodo Dragons, other mammals were important as were, of course, birds. W
Other Links

  • Birding Near Jakarta

    Website
    I was working in Jakarta Indonesia recently and spent a Saturday at Bogor's Kebun Raya (Botanical Gardens) and two Sunday mornings at Muara Anke, close to Jakarta

  • Birding on Java

    Website
    A number of different locations with access details, checklists etc.
Blogs

  • Peburung Amatir

    BLOG
    BLOG by Imam from Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia…

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