Sulawesi Leads Indonesia with 159 Endemic Bird Species

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - The rugged landscapes of Sulawesi have officially been recognized as the nation’s primary stronghold for avian uniqueness. As of January 2026, the island hosts a staggering 159 endemic bird species, the highest count of any region in the Indonesian archipelago, solidifying its reputation as a global hotspot for biodiversity.

According to the latest "Birds of Indonesia 2026" report, the nation’s total avian diversity has reached 1,834 species. Out of this total, 538 species are endemic to the country, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Sulawesi’s dominance in this category highlights the island's critical role in global conservation efforts.

“Birds of Indonesia 2026 reports the latest developments in national bird diversity, with Sulawesi recorded as having the most endemic species, namely 159 types," said Communication Officer for Burung Indonesia, Meliza Laveda in a statement received in Makassar on Friday, April 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Following Sulawesi, the Maluku region follows with 117 endemic species. Java and Bali collectively host 80 endemics, while Papua records 75. Other regions include Nusa Tenggara with 62 species, Sumatra with 54, and Kalimantan with six.

However, this biological wealth faces a precarious future. The report also highlights a sobering reality: 159 bird species in Indonesia are currently threatened with extinction. This includes 29 species listed as Critically Endangered, 49 as Endangered, and 81 as Vulnerable.

Experts note that recent changes in the status of several species are often due to updated scientific data providing a more precise, and often more urgent, picture of wild population declines.

Burung Indonesia emphasized that the survival of these unique creatures depends heavily on addressing the "twin threats" of habitat loss and illegal poaching. Without sustained conservation interventions, the very species that make Sulawesi a world-renowned birding destination could vanish.

"The latest data reflects not only biological wealth but also global pressure on bird populations in Indonesia," Laveda added.

She stressed the importance of sustainable conservation efforts to mitigate the loss of habitat which remains the primary pressure on the sustainability of Indonesia’s endemic birds. ***