moluccas - birdtour asia reports/birdtour asia...moluccas buru, ambon, seram, kai 2nd – 15th...

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Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2 nd – 15 th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo Laakso, John Lobel, Yann Muzika, Richard Rowland Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Seram © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia This tour through the Moluccan islands of Buru, Ambon, Seram and Kai pulls together a surprisingly high number of endemics in relatively comfortable conditions and easy walking throughout. We started on Buru this year which got us off to a great start with Buru Thrush, Buru Green Pigeon, Buru Pitta, Buru Racquet-tail, Buru Grasshopper Warbler, Buru Monarch and Buru Boobook the headliners, but with a fine supporting of other other Buru endemics. After a short stop in Ambon for the near-endemic Ambon White-eye, Seram was the next destination with a host more endemics like the stunning but rare Purple-naped Lory, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, both Bicoloured and Grey- hooded Heleia, Seram Honeyeater, and two rarely seen montane species; Blue-eared Lory and Seram Grasshopper Warbler. In the lowlands we found Seram Boobook and the stunning Lazuli Kingfisher eventually obliged while visits to small islands produced sightings of both Moluccan and Forsten’s Scrubfowl, Olive Honeyeater and the Critically Endangered Boano Monarch. We finished the tour on the Kai islands where we easily found the endemics; Kai Monarch, Kai Leaf Warbler, Kai Spangled Drongo, Kai Fantail, Kai Coucal, and both Kai Kecil and Kai Besar White-eyes. There we also some nice bonuses like Kai Cicadabird, Yellow-crowned Pygmy Parrot, Island Whistler, Pied Bronze Cuckoo and Papuan Pitta.

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Page 1: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai

2nd – 15th October 2016

Leader: Rob Hutchinson

Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo Laakso, John Lobel, Yann Muzika, Richard Rowland

Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Seram © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia This tour through the Moluccan islands of Buru, Ambon, Seram and Kai pulls together a surprisingly high number of endemics in relatively comfortable conditions and easy walking throughout. We started on Buru this year which got us off to a great start with Buru Thrush, Buru Green Pigeon, Buru Pitta, Buru Racquet-tail, Buru Grasshopper Warbler, Buru Monarch and Buru Boobook the headliners, but with a fine supporting of other other Buru endemics. After a short stop in Ambon for the near-endemic Ambon White-eye, Seram was the next destination with a host more endemics like the stunning but rare Purple-naped Lory, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, both Bicoloured and Grey-hooded Heleia, Seram Honeyeater, and two rarely seen montane species; Blue-eared Lory and Seram Grasshopper Warbler. In the lowlands we found Seram Boobook and the stunning Lazuli Kingfisher eventually obliged while visits to small islands produced sightings of both Moluccan and Forsten’s Scrubfowl, Olive Honeyeater and the Critically Endangered Boano Monarch. We finished the tour on the Kai islands where we easily found the endemics; Kai Monarch, Kai Leaf Warbler, Kai Spangled Drongo, Kai Fantail, Kai Coucal, and both Kai Kecil and Kai Besar White-eyes. There we also some nice bonuses like Kai Cicadabird, Yellow-crowned Pygmy Parrot, Island Whistler, Pied Bronze Cuckoo and Papuan Pitta.

Page 2: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

The tour began as we congregated in Ambon, some directly from our Moluccas extension and some from other birding trips, and we spent an enjoyable afternoon catching up on recent birding adventures before boarding the ferry to Buru in the evening. The ferry arrived in the early morning meaning that we were already on the Wamlana logging road in time to enjoy our breakfast just after dawn surrounded by Red Lories, Buru Racquet-tail, Buru Oriole, Buru Friarbird, Buru Flowerpecker, Buru Golden Bulbul, Pale Cicadabird and Claret-breasted Fruit Dove. All of the group seeing at least seven new birds during breakfast! The rest of the morning on the logging road continued in this fashion with several Moluccan King Parrots, Amboina Cuckoo Dove, Buru Myzomela, Buru White-eye, a perched up Pygmy Eagle, and a Buru Warbling-flycatcher warbling its delightful song at close range – proving why it’s actually Eumyias! The afternoon saw some torrential rain which greatly limited our birding but nonetheless we enjoyed perched views of Buru Mountain Pigeon and after dark we eventually teased a Buru Boobook into view and a juvenile Moluccan Scops Owl posed by the roadside.

Buru Boobook and Buru Grasshopper Warbler

Buru Green Pigeon and Buru Cuckooshrike

Page 3: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

We left early up the logging road the next morning making a stop on the way for much improved views of Buru Boobook, a pair of which came nice and low in the surrounding trees. After breakfast we hit on some good bird activity which included our first Mountain Leaftoiler (which was a tailorbird), Buru Fantail, Buru Leaf Warbler, and most importantly Buru Honeyeater. Improved views of Buru Myzomela, Drab Whistler and several Pale Cicadabirds kept us entertained but the real stars of the morning were a pair of very obliging Buru Grasshopper Warblers which sang and cavorted in full view. We finished the morning with a stop for a roadside bird flock which included another Buru Warbling-flycatcher and some cute Red-breasted Pygmy Parrots. In the afternoon we headed westwards along the coast only to be thwarted again by bad weather, even down in the lowlands. We battled on under our umbrellas though and our dedication was rewarded with fine views of perched Buru Green Pigeons which eventually livened up and flew to a nearby tree where there were joined by more, and more, until there was a total of 12 birds gorging on the fruits.

Seram Boobook and Moluccan Scops Owl

Grey-hooded Heleia and Bicoloured Heleia Our list of target birds was getting shorter and the next morning up the logging road gave us more, starting with a pair of Buru Cuckooshrikes, the female of which was sitting on a nest. A pair of Tawny-backed Fantails were

Page 4: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

finally located in a small feeding flock, buruensis Moluccan (Golden) Whistler was a nice insurance bird in case of future splits, and we had point-blank views of Buru Honeyeater feeding on flowers at eye-level inside the forest. Buru Thrush was heard on several occasions while never coming close enough to give views but ‘Buru Pitta’ performed much better, circling us a couple of times and offering some fine views. While watching the pitta two Black-lored Parrots erupted loudly from a tree above us and circled around into the forest but sadly we never relocated them as they settled quietly into the forest again. Our bad luck with the weather continued in the afternoon with another torrential downpour but fortunately it stopped just in time for us to tease out a pair of Buru Monarch, with Peregrine Falcon, Asian Emerald Dove and Pacific Koel new for the trip. We were focused on just one species on that last morning and although it took some time and involved some ‘adventurous’ trails, we finally got a great view of a Buru Thrush which fooled us by appearing almost overhead as we intently watched the nearby forest floor! With this beauty in the bag we could leave Buru satisfied, although we did make one last stop at a lake before jumping on the overnight ferry, and added many trip birds including Australasian Darter, both Australasian and Little Grebes, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorant, a surprise Little Kingfisher, and finishing with a migrant Oriental Plover.

Purple-naped Lory and Lazuli Kingfisher

Common Paradise Kingfisher and White-bibbed Fruit Dove

Page 5: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Another overnight ferry ride bought us back to Ambon where, keen as ever, we headed straight out for more birding! It was a very profitable few hours with multiple sightings of Ambon White-eye and Seram (formerly Ashy) Flowerpecker, excellent views of both Claret-breasted and Superb Fruit Doves, Island and Wallacean Monarchs, a perched Pacific Baza, and two recently proposed splits; Seram Spangled Drongo and Seram Fantail. We then took the fast ferry across to Ambon but rather than rest we were up on the bridge enjoying some seabird action with Bridled and Sooty Terns, Red-necked Phalaropes, Brown Noddy, Brown Booby, and Wilson’s Storm-petrels the bird highlights, although huge pods of Indo-pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphins leaping from the water and Short-finned Pilot Whales were equally thrilling.

Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher and Streak-breasted Fantail

Boano Monarch and Kai Monarch Once on Seram we headed north into the vast Manusela National Park and by mid-afternoon were enjoying our first walk through the lush montane forests although things were rather quiet in the drizzly conditions. There were new birds though with Seram Oriole an early highlight, Drab Honeyeater, Seram Mountain Pigeon, then a brilliant pair of Purple-naped Lories that flew in and posed in the ‘scope for us. Salmon-crested Cockatoo frustrated us with

Page 6: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

two brief flybys before finally sitting up and posing, occasionally raising its beautiful pink crest. In the late afternoon Seram Crow flew in to investigated giving a very animated and distinctive calling display, a bizarre Long-crested Myna posed on top of a dead snag and we logged our first Seram Imperial Pigeon. The next morning was again spent in the highest reaches of the road through the park and although bird activity was surprisingly low we still managed plenty of additions like Seram Leaf Warbler, Seram White-eye, Seram Golden Bulbul, Seram Friarbird, Seram Mountain Pigeon, Drab Honeyeater, and Streak-breasted Fantail. There were also old favourites like Moluccan King Parrot, more Seram Oriole, and examinata Drab Whistler. Our afternoon was thwarted by torrential rain with only a couple of Great-billed Parrots, a Long-crested Myna and a Channel-billed Cuckoo to show for our efforts. The next morning some of the group again birded around the higher parts of the road while others opted for a challenging walk to higher altitudes. Both groups scored with Seram Honeyeater, Grey-headed Heleia, and Blue-eared Lory, although the latter was only seen in flight in both locations. In addition, those making the tough walk up were rewarded with a pair of Seram Grasshopper Warblers and a stunning view of a male White-bibbed Fruit Dove. In the afternoon we visited two offshore islands, the first of which proved difficult in the pouring rain and only half of us saw Forsten’s Scrubfowl, although a Moluccan Scrubfowl perched up in a tree for all was a nice bonus. With Great-billed Heron and Australasian Ibis also added we moved on to a much smaller island which could be walked around in a matter of minutes. This is the favoured habitat of Olive Honeyeater though and we were quickly enjoying at least four individuals. In the late afternoon we managed to squeeze in some more forest birding and that proved a massive success with a Lazuli Kingfisher perched in full view the highlight although atriceps Moluccan Cuckooshrike was interesting. The day finished with Seram Boobook finally responding, giving us several views in nearby tress with wings drooped in threat-display. We spent a finally morning along the high road with Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher posing at the roadside to start things off, more excellent and prolonged views of both Purple-naped Lory and Salmon-crested Cockatoo, a Seram Myzomela visiting a favoured flowering tree, and by grilling any feeding flocks we saw at least two groups of Bicolored Heleia foraging in the canopy. Having driven around the the west coast in the afternoon we were all set the next morning for the exciting trip out to the island of Boano, nestled off the northwest coast of Seram and surprisingly rarely visited considering that it’s relatively straightforward to find the Critically Endangered Boano Monarch there. We found at least five monarchs including a pair feeding a juvenile during our short birding session, and Sooty Tern and Pomarine Skua added to the interest during the boat transfers. We then headed back to Ambon for a comfortable night and some indulgent western food, ready for the final part of our travels. A stop at a lake on the way to the airport produced a nice set of water-birds with some stunning close views of Comb-crested Jacana, and a mixed flock of Pacific Golden Plover and Little Curlew. The first afternoon on Kai Kecil was spent in a strip of coastal forest bordering a tropical white-sand beach, and we quickly made progress with the endemics with Kai Kecil White-eye, Kai Monarch, Kai Fantail (another split of Northern Fantail), and Kai Coucal all seen very well. Tanimbar Friarbird was common and vocal, some delightful Rose-crowned Fruit Doves, Varied Triller, Island Monarch, and an Island Whistler that just two of us latched on to.

Kai Besar White-eye and Kai Coucal A speed boat delivered us to adjacent Kai Besar island the following morning and we set off to the hillier centre of the island. We had literally just stepped off the bus when our first target appeared in the form of a group of Kai Besar White-eyes, the first of several groups during the morning. The keyensis form of Amboina Cuckoo Dove also appeared, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, and after a climb up into the hills we had a Kai Leaf Warbler giving a fine

Page 7: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

vocal performance above our heads. Our first Greater Frigatebirds greeted us as we arrived back to Kai Kecil, where in the afternoon we again headed to the coastal forests where we had more luck with the whistlers than the previous day; two Island Whistlers and a Grey Whistler, all seen well. Also new here were Australasian Figbird, Pied Bronze Cuckoo, Pacific Emerald Dove and some migrant Pacific Swifts. Our last morning was mostly relaxed roadside birding and there was plenty to see, with multiple sightings of Kai Cicadabird the highlight but there were also plenty of Kai Coucal, Pacific Baza, Channel-billed Cuckoo and an abundance of White-bibbed Fruit Doves. A brief foray into the forest finished the trip in style with an Orange-footed Scrubfowl and a pair of Papuan Pittas. Birds-of-the-tour

1. Buru Thrush 2. Salmon-crested Cockatoo 3. Bicoloured Heleia 4. Purple-naped Lory 5. = Buru Green Pigeon

= Island Whistler The tour finished with a total of 205 species (six of which were heard only) the 65 Moluccan endemics recorded included some of the regions most enigmatic and least-known species.

Buru Boobook and Buru Grasshopper Warbler

Buru Fantail and Buru Warbling-flycatcher

Page 8: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Channel-billed Cuckoo and Pacific Reef Egret

Seram Flowerpecker and Wilson’s Storm Petrel

Short-finned Pilot Whales and Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Page 9: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Comb-crested Jacana and Little Curlew

Oriental Pratincole

Purple-naped Lory and Moluccan King Parrot

Page 10: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Seram Crow and Seram Imperial Pigeon

Seram Fantail and Seram White-eye

Island Whistler and Kai Fantail

Page 11: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Kai Spangled Drongo and Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot

Kai Cicadabird and Kai Coucal

Systematic List

MEGAPODIDAE: Megapodes Moluccan Scrubfowl Eulipoa wallacei Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt Forsten's Scrubfowl Megapodius [reinwardt] forsteni M PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis tricolor Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons and Doves Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis halmaheira Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina Amboina Cuckoo Dove Macropygia amboinensis amboinensis Macropygia amboinensis keyensis Great Cuckoo Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii Barred Dove Geopelia maugei

Page 12: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica nicobarica Buru Green Pigeon Treron [pompadora] aromaticus M Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica Pacific Emerald Dove Chalcophaps longirostris timorensis Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus superbus Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina xanthogaster White-bibbed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus rivoli Claret-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus viridis Moluccan Imperial Pigeon Ducula perspicillata Seram Imperial Pigeon Ducula neglecta M Yellow-eyed Imperial Pigeon Ducula concinna Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor bicolor Buru Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps mada M Seram Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps stalkeri M CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos and Allies Australian Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus variolosus Heard only Moluccan Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis aeruginosus aeruginosus M Pied Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx crassirostris Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis orientalis Kai Coucal Centropus spilopterus M Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis javanicus HEMIPROCNIDAE: Treeswifts Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea confirmata APODIDAE: Swifts and Swiftlets Pacific Swift Apus pacificus Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta esculenta Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis moluccarum Seram Swiftlet Aerodramus ceramensis M CAPRIMULGIDAE: Nightjars Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegelii RALLIDAE: Rails Pale-vented Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccanus Heard only White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus leucomelanus Heard only BURHINIDAE: Thick-knees Beach Thick-knee Esacus neglectus CHARADRIIDAE: Lapwings and Plovers Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Siberian Plover (Lesser Sandplover) Anarhynchus mongolus Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii leschenaultii Oriental Plover Anarhynchus veredus JACANIDAE: Jaçanã Comb-crested Jaçanã Irediparra gallinacea SCOLOPACIDAE: Sandpipers, Snipes and Allies Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

Page 13: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Common Redshank Tringa totanus eurhinus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa melanuroides Little Curlew Numenius minutus Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus variegatus Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis GLAREOLIDAE: Pratincoles Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum LARINAE: Gulls and Terns Brown Noddy Anous stolidus pileatus Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii cristata Little Tern Sternula albifrons sinensis Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus anaethetus Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscata nubilosa Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus STERCORARIINAE: Skuas Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus OCEANITIDAE: Southern Ocean Storm-Petrels Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus FRIGATIDAE: Frigatebirds Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel SULIDAE: Gannets and Boobies Brown Booby Sula leucogaster PHALACROCORACIDAE: Cormorants and Darters Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae THRESKIORNITHIDAE: Ibises and Spoonbills Australian White Ibis Threskiornis moluccus ARDEIDAE: Herons Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus hilli Striated Heron Butorides striatus moluccarum Cattle Egret Ardea [ibis] coromandus Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra

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PANDIONIDAE: Ospreys Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus ACCIPITRIDAE: Hawks, Eagles and Allies Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata reinwardtii Aviceda subcristata pallida Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis malayensis Gurney's Eagle Aquila gurneyi Pygmy Eagle Hieraaetus weiskei White-bellied Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Chinese Goshawk Tachyspiza soloensis Varied Goshawk Tachyspiza hiogastra albiventris STRIGIDAE: Typical Owls Moluccan Scops Owl Otus magicus magicus Otus magicus bouruensis Seram Boobook Ninox [squamipila] squamipila M Buru Boobook Ninox [squamipila] hantu M BUCEROTIDAE: Hornbills Blyth's Hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus HALCYONIDAE: Wood Kingfishers Common Paradise-kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea boanensis Tanysiptera galatea nais Lazuli Kingfisher Todiramphus lazuli M Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris chloris Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus Little Kingfisher Ceyx pusilla pusilla Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis Alcedo atthis hispidoides CORACIIDAE: Rollers Common Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis orientalis FALCONIDAE: Falcons and Allies Indonesian (Spotted) Kestrel Falco moluccensis moluccensis Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti Falco peregrinus calidus PSITTACIDAE: Parrots, Lories and Cockatoos Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis M Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta keiensis Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii Red Lory Eos bornea cyanonothus M Eos bornea bornea Blue-eared Lory Eos semilarvata M Coconut Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus Purple-naped Lory Lorius domicella M Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis placentis Eclectus Parrot Elclectus roratus roratus Elclectus roratus polychloros Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi rhodops

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Geoffroyus geoffroyi keyensis Buru Racquet-tail Prioniturus mada M Black-lored Parrot Tanygnathus gramineus M Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorynchos affinis Moluccan King Parrot Alisterus amboinensis buruensis Alisterus amboinensis amboinensis PITTIDAE: Pittas Buru Pitta Erythropitta rubrinucha Papuan Pitta Erythropitta macklotii Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans MELIPHAGIDAE: Honeyeaters Olive Honeyeater Lichmera argentauris Buru Honeyeater Lichmera deningeri M Seram Honeyeater Lichmera monticola M Drab Myzomela Myzomela blasii M Buru Myzomela Myzomela wakoloensis M Seram Myzomela Myzomela elisabethae M Seram Friarbird Philemon subcorniculatus M Buru Friarbird Philemon moluccensis M Tanimbar Friarbird Philemon plumigenis M ORIOLIDAE: Old World Orioles Seram Oriole Oriolus forsteni M Buru Oriole Oriolus [bouroensis] bouroensis M Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti cucullatus PACHYCEPHALIDAE: Whistlers Island Whistler Pachycephala phaionotus Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex rufipennis Moluccan (Golden) Whistler Pachycephala macrorhyncha macrorhyncha Pachycephala macrorhyncha buruensis Drab Whistler Pachycephala griseonota examinata Pachycephala griseonota griseonota ARTAMIDAE: Woodswallows and Allies White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus leucopygialis CAMPEPHAGIDAE: Cuckooshrikes, Trillers and Minivets Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata pollens Buru Cuckooshrike Coracina fortis M Moluccan Cuckooshrike Coracina atriceps atriceps M Kai Cicadabird Lalage dispar M Wallacean Cicadabird Lalage amboinensis amboinensis Pale Cicadabird Lalage ceramensis ceramensis M Varied Triller Lalage leucomela keyensis RHIPIDURIDAE: Fantails Willie Fantail Rhipidura leucophrys melaleuca Buru Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] bouruensis M Seram Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] cinerea M Kai Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] assimilis M Streak-breasted Fantail Rhipidura dedemi M Tawny-backed Fantail Rhipidura superflua M

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DICRURIDAE: Drongos Buru Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus buruensis M Seram Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus amboinensis M Kai Spangled Drongo Dicrurus densus megalornis M MONARCHIDAE: Monarchs Island Monarch Monarcha cinerascens cinerascens Moluccan Monarch Myiagra galeata goramensis M Boano Monarch Symposiachrus boanensis M Kai Monarch Symposiachrus leucurus M Buru Monarch Symposiachrus loricatus M Wallacean (Spectacled) Monarch Symposiachrus trivirgatus nigrimentum CORVIDAE: Crows Seram (Slender-billed) Crow Corvus [enca] violaceus M Torresian Crow Corvus orru orru HIRUNDINIDAE: Swallows and Martins Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica PYCNONOTIDAE: Bulbuls Seram Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes affinis affinis M Hypsipetes affinis flavicaudus Buru Golden Bulbul Hypsipetes mysticalis M ZOSTEROPIDAE: White-eyes and Allies Bicoloured Heleia (Dark-eye) Heleia stalkeri M Grey-hooded Heleia (Dark-eye) Heleia pinaiae M Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus obstinatus Kai Besar White-eye Zosterops grayi M Kai Kecil White-eye Zosterops uropygialis M Seram White-eye Zosterops stalkeri M Buru White-eye Zosterops buruensis M Ambon White-eye Zosterops kuehni M PHYLLOSCOPIDAE: Leaf Warblers Arctic Leaf Warbler Seicercus borealis Buru Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] everetti M Seram Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] ceramensis M Kai Leaf Warbler Seicercus [poliocephalus] avicola M CETTIDAE: Bush Warblers Mountain Leaftoiler (Tailorbird) Pyllergates cuculatus dumasi LOCUSTELLIDAE: Grasshopper Warblers Buru Grasshopper Warbler Locustella [castaneus] disturbans M Seram Grasshopper Warbler Locustella [castaneus] muscula M Gray's Grasshopper Warbler Locustella fasciolata Heard only CISTICOLIDAE: Tailorbirds, Prinias and Cisticolas Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis rustica Heard only STURNIDAE: Starlings and Mynas

Page 17: Moluccas - Birdtour Asia Reports/Birdtour Asia...Moluccas Buru, Ambon, Seram, Kai 2nd – 15th October 2016 Leader: Rob Hutchinson Participants: Michael Frost, Ron & Sue Johns, Pirjo

Moluccan Starling Aplonis mysolensis mysolensis Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica metallica Long-crested Myna Basilornis corythaix M TURDIDAE: Thrushes Buru Thrush Geokichla [dumasi] dumasi M MUSCICAPIDAE: Chats and Flycatchers Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta Buru Warbling-flycatcher Eumyias addita M Turquoise Warbling-flycatcher Eumyias panayensis harterti Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra alifura Ficedula hyperythra negroides Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher Ficedula buruensis ceramensis Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Heard only DICAEIDAE: Flowerpeckers Seram (Ashy) Flowerpecker Dicaeum vulneratum M Buru Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrothorax M Salvadori's Flowerpecker Dicaeum keiense keiense M NECTARINIIDAE: Sunbirds Black Sunbird Nectarinia aspasia proserpina Nectarinia aspasia aspasioides Nectarinia aspasia chlorolaema Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis buruensis Cinnyris jugularis clementiae Cinnyris jugularis keiensis PASSERINAE: Sparrows Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ESTRILDINAE: Estrildine Finches Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa pinaiae Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca molucca M MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails and Pipits Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Mammals Moluccan Flying Fox Pterpus chrysoproctus Black-bearded Flying Fox Pteropus melanopogon Indo-Pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops aduncus Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus I Short-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala macrorhynchus

The tour finished with a total of 205 species (six of which were heard only) the 65 Moluccan endemics recorded included some of the regions most enigmatic and least-known species. Anyone interested in our scheduled tours to Maluku or elsewhere in Indonesia please click here for further information. Alternatively please contact us via e-mail if you would like to organise a custom tour to these superb areas.