Sulawesi is home to the highest number of endemic bird species in Indonesia, with 159 unique species recorded as of January 2026. This information comes from a 2026 report published by Burung Indonesia, an organization focused on the nation’s avian diversity.
Meliza Laveda, a communications officer for Burung Indonesia, confirmed that the report offers the most recent developments in national bird diversity.
Across Indonesia, the country is documented to host 1,834 bird species in total. Among these, 538 species are endemic, meaning they are found exclusively within specific regions of the archipelago.
After Sulawesi, Maluku holds the second position with 117 endemic species. Java and Bali each recorded 80 endemic species, while Papua has 75. Nusa Tenggara accounts for 62 endemic species, Sumatra for 54, and Kalimantan for six.
The report also highlights increasing environmental pressures on Indonesia’s bird populations. Currently, 159 bird species nationwide are classified as threatened. This figure includes 29 species designated as critically endangered, 49 as endangered, and 81 as vulnerable.
Changes in the conservation status of several species are attributed to updated scientific data, providing a more accurate assessment of their populations in the wild. The report underscores the importance of ongoing conservation initiatives, particularly to combat habitat loss and hunting, which are identified as significant threats to the survival of Indonesia’s endemic bird species.
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