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Susan Myers

Susan Myers has been birding and traveling in Asia for over thirty years now, something she can’t quite believe herself! She is passionate about Asia and its wildlife. She also strongly believes that the combination of incredible and diverse wildlife, ancient and fascinating cultures, and the best food in the world are unique to this amazing continent. For more than 20 years Susan has led tours throughout Asia, including countless trips to the Malay Peninsula, Borneo and Indonesia, over 30 tours to Vietnam, and many tours of India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Japan, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Burma and the Philippines, as well as Madagascar, West Papua, the Pacific islands and, of course, Australia. She is fluent in Japanese as well as Indonesian/Malaysian.

Susan was born in Melbourne to convict ancestry dating back to the establishment of the city, when her shoe-stealing forebearer was released from Port Arthur in Tasmania and came to Melbourne in 1836 to start a new life. She has been a birder and passionate naturalist since early childhood, running around barefoot in the Aussie bush chasing birds, lizards, and (a peculiar childhood interest in) aquatic insects. Her experiences in Asia started at an early age when a short trip to Singapore cast a spell on her, never to be broken. That first sighting of a sunbird in the tropical rainforest led to the purchase of King’s The Birds of South East Asia, which she obsessively memorized. After her university studies in biological sciences, she moved to Japan where she lived for four years, learning the language and studying the natural history and culture; she has traveled there regularly ever since. Those years in Japan and extended travel and birding all over the region further strengthened her deep love of the wildlife and culture of Asia. Susan has also worked as a scuba instructor on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, showing international visitors this marine wonder of the world.  She has published many papers and articles on ornithology and general ecology in a variety of respected magazines, scientific journals and books. She is the author of the revised edition Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, published in 2016, a general guide to the wildlife of South East Asia, and the recently published Bird Name Book, which has been voted as runner up best of 2022 by the ABA Birding Book Club. Susan’s deep affection for and appreciation of Asia and its wildlife, her language skills, and her understanding of the different cultures of this region ensure an enriching dimension to your tour.

Susan is also an accomplished photographer. You can enjoy her images of birds and other wildlife at susanmyersphotography.com

Upcoming Tours with Susan

Testimonials for Susan

Susan’s leadership was outstanding considering the non homogeneous group (age, fitness, bird knowledge, and abilities to see and hear what we were seeking). I felt the challenge of arranging for so many different means of transport, places to stay and food was well planned, managed, and executed. The support staff were gracious and responsive to our needs sometimes recognizing difficulties for us and stepping up to help and knowing what to do without our even asking. 

- Ted A. on Indonesia: The Moluccas

Susan put together an excellent tour. I would travel with her anywhere, and plan to!

- John R. on Indonesia: Java and Sumatra

This was a fantastic trip. The countryside is stunning and diverse. The birds bright and colorful, exotic and unusual. The frogmouths were something to behold. We must have spent an hour or more watching Golden Bowerbird mating dances. O'Reilly's really lives up to its hype and you too can have a Crimson Rosella sit on top on your head like Gavin's picture under the individual leader's description. I thoroughly enjoyed a whole day at the Great Barrier Reef, the long walks deep into the forest, the watch for a platypus sighting, the thrill of finally seeing the Cassowary, and luck of seeing the supposedly extremely shy Stripe Possum not being shy at all. At the end of the trip, you didn't want it to end. You were spoiled, you wanted Gavin and Susan to give you one more fantastic day of birding. 

- Tanya H. on Australia: Queensland and New South Wales

This is a tour I have wanted to do ever since I read about it many years ago. It was even better than I expected. The hotels, the food, the birds, all were exceptional. And I ate things I never in my life thought I’d be willing to try, and liked them. Susan knows the country and the people. Her language fluency helped us to experience Japan in more intimate detail and made it personal. Who knew a 7-11 in Japan could be such fun?!

- Sandra J. on Japan in Winter

Susan did a wonderful job as leader. I especially appreciated her determination to ensure that I (we) saw the endemic and resident birds of Japan. Not only is she an excellent birding guide, she also shares her knowledge of the larger environs, and conservation attitudes and policies inherent in Japan. Having her as a guide helped me considerably in better understanding Japan's natural and cultural history, including customs and norms.

- Meryl R. on Japan in Spring