Lesser Sundas, Indonesia (Sumba, Roti, Timor, Flores and Komodo)

23rd July – 9th August 2012

Leader: James Eaton Participants: Jim Brettell, Dick Byrne, Michael Frost, Albert Low,

Ken Pickering, Wiel Poelmans and Dave Sargeant

Parrotfinch sp nov, Timor © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

The seldom-visited islands of the Lesser Sundas might produce a relatively small trip list of 247 species in three weeks but this includes an impressive 72 ‘Lesser Sunda’ endemics by visiting just five islands. The tour proved to be a most amazing, ground-breaking tour. Kicking off on Sumba the endemics performed impeccably, and

easily; both endemic boobooks, Sumba Cockatoo two beautiful pairs of Sumba Hornbills. We then ventured away from the well-trodden route and headed to the small island of Roti, to see ‘Roti Boobook’, an undescribed Phylloscopus warbler and several near-Timor endemics. Although many of Timor's endemics aren't quite so gaudy, Black-banded Flycatcher, Buff-banded Bushbird, an undescribed nightjar and Timor Sparrow were all greatly admired, as was our amazing discovery of a new species of parrotfinch to science! The long island of Flores proved exciting with Flores Monarch, Bare-throated Whistler, White-rumped Kingfisher, Wallace’s Scops Owl and Flores Hawk Eagle the most sought-after. The finale – a day trip to Komodo – lived up to expectations

with a huge Komodo Dragon bounding towards us as Yellow-crested Cockatoo's screeched overhead. Elegant Pitta, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Chestnut-backed and Chestnut-capped Thrushes and Black-backed Fruit Dove were just some of the other headliners. On top of all this, fine weather, tasty food and some interesting

cultural diversions all combined in this wonderful tour. As usual there were some twists to the tour, though for once not on the first day as our Merpati ‘Get the

Feeling’ flight to Sumba was more-or-less on time – a first for the tour! So following lunch shortly after arriving on Sumba we headed for the first patch of forest, even by the vehicle our first endemics appeared – a singing Apricot-breasted Sunbird and a male ‘Sumba’ Flowerpecker, a taxon totally different in both plumage and song from its current allocated species, Blood-breasted.

Birding the forest-edge turned up our first Red-cheeked Parrot, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Chestnut-backed Thrush feeding overhead, Oriental Honey Buzzard and our only Sumba Brown Flycatcher, an elusive canopy-dwelling endemic and gratefully received as this is often the last endemic we’re searching for on the island. Waiting for dusk to fall our first Red-naped Fruit Dove appeared in the distant foliage, then Mees’s Nightjar, a

Lesser Sundas endemic, appeared as the hoots of the Little Sumba Boobook – described as recently as 2002 – started up. It didn’t take long before a pair of the boobooks were flying around us in the spotlight on several

occasions though were a little reluctant to perch in view, and with jet-lag appearing to kick in we decided to leave them for the following evening.. We allowed ourselves 2½ days of forest birding, though with the fortune of finding a couple of good fruiting trees we cleaned up in exactly half the time! Our first day in the forest was superb; starting with a roadside pair of rumbling Sumba Boobook posing in the spotlight, peering down at us from an exposed perch. As daylight arrived with the chorus of Elegant Pittas, new species quickly ticked over; Yellow-spectacled and Ashy-bellied

White-eyes buzzed around us (both shared with other nearby islands), a pitta appeared for some of us, then a pair of Sumba’s most iconic and important endemic was found nestled deep in a huge fruiting tree – Sumba Hornbill – with the early morning sunshine glinting off the male golden mane. With the hornbill secured we relaxed a little, letting the birds come to us as we stood around for most parts of the morning – deep in the forest a Sumba Flycatcher paused at eye-level for us, an Elegant Pitta hopped around us, more Chestnut-backed Thrushes offered great views while back on the road, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher rattled away from

his usual perch during a coffee-break then a little further down the road Sumba Myzomela’s sang their buzzy notes, a pair of confiding Sumba Jungle Flycatcher sallied from roadside perches, and plenty of ‘Sumba’ Flowerpeckers sang away, showing off their distinct dirty flanks, huge red breast patch bordered by black and song that shows it is probably more closely related to Black-fronted and Red-chested Flowerpeckers (also lowland species) rather than the montane Blood-breasted it is currently lumped in with. After a lunchtime stroll in the nearby paddies, producing a Sumba Buttonquail – the first time we’ve encountered it in paddies and inland, and some Red Avadavats, we returned to the forest-patch of the previous

afternoon – great scope views of a calling Red-naped Fruit Dove, Wallacean Cuckooshrikes with Pale-shouldered Cicadabirds in tow (as is so often the case) before heading down to secluded spot where a pair of Little Sumba Boobook appeared in the spotlight before dusk had even fallen!

Little Sumba and Large Sumba Boobook, Sumba With two notable omissions from the previous day, we headed further afield, to a larger area of forest and a suitable vantage point. A pair of Sumba Hornbill distracted us upon arrival, and closer inspection revealed a marvellous fruiting tree, full of Sumba Green Pigeons! One down, one to go, and without having to break stride, a Sumba Cockatoo appeared along the same row of trees – meaning we had managed to see all of Sumba’s

specialities in just over a day. For the rest of the morning we looked at improving our views of all species – several more Sumba Cockatoo appeared, as did Eclectus and Great-billed Parrots, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Red-naped Fruit Dove, Marigold Lorikeets – for the first time the latter was not to be found perched, and only appeared twice as trapping continues to spiral out of control.

In the afternoon we belatedly greeted Kevin, who had just made it to the island due to international flight cancelations! This gave us a new incentive, as we attempted to see all the endemics all over again! Sumba

Jungle Flycatcher and Chestnut-backed Thrushes appeared once more, and at dusk another site revealed another Little Sumba Boobook! The following morning, after the Sumba Boobooks once more, we found the original pair of hornbills still enjoying what fruit remained in their tree, the Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher and Sumba Myzomela were on their usual perches and inside the forest we had wonderful, prolonged views of a feeding Elegant Pitta, a pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush and a pair of ground-feeding Sumba Flycatchers.

We were dealt our first logistical blow – our early morning flight to Timor would be delayed till the early afternoon, giving us ample time along the coast from Waingapu. In the afternoon we had fun with over 20 Sumba Buttonquail, attempting to run after them after they had been flushed, though usually being out-witted

for on the deck views! Brown Quail and a quartering Spotted Harrier also frequented the grasses, and a nearby marsh produced a vagrant Hardhead and Pied Heron from Australia, with more than 2000 Pale-headed Munia

coming in to roost. Returning to the marsh for dawn, we were greeted by a chorus of Australian Reed Warbler. A small channel beneath us held both Baillon’s and Spotless Crakes – the latter possibly only the third record in Wallacea. Purple Swamphens popped up all over the place as their young had all recently fledged, then hundreds of ducks and egrets took to the air, as a vagrant Swamp Harrier appeared over the reeds – we found this individual two years previous here, with peace seldom restored as it flew around the reeds and lake for some time. Walking around the lake, White-shouldered Triller fed among the tussocks, hundreds of Zebra Finch – also

appalling known as ‘Chestnut-eared Finch’ when split from the Australian birds – flittered about, a few resident and returning waders were present along the shoreline - pairs of Javan Plover chased each other, 19 White-headed Stilts, Long-toed Stint, Wood Sandpiper and Australian Pratincole were all relatively confiding before we headed back as the sun began to beat down on us, for our slightly delayed flight to Timor (a further delay!).

‘Roti’ Leaf Warbler and ‘Roti’ Boobook, Roti

Arriving on Timor with a couple hours daylight left, we rushed around the paddies near to Bipolo, along Kupang Bay, though it was blowing a gale. The weather rendered our chances of sparrows slim at best, but did produce plenty of Five-coloured Munia. We spent the early evening along the scrubby forest-edge, after an Australian Hobby zoomed by – chasing ‘the’ Yellow-crested Cockatoo away – the latter having been present here for at least 5 years and presumably an escape. We struck lucky with a near-adult Tricoloured Parrotfinch feeding on the roadside seed for several minutes. With dusk fast approaching we positioned ourselves for yet another

Ninox, this time a pair of Timor Boobook, a soon-to-be-split species from Southern Boobook, which flew

straight in over-head, calling away. This year our tour included an additional island, Roti. Situated just 12km off the south-western tip of Timor it holds several endemic taxa, some of which are very interesting, as we were to discover! Arriving in the late morning on the ‘fast’ ferry, we headed to the lusher, northern end of the island (with a brief stop for Australian Pelican) for some afternoon birding in the onshore howling gale. It took a while to find our stride but once we

found a suitable birding spot we were suddenly surrounded by good birds – Orange-banded Thrush were noticeably less shy than on Timor giving numerous good views, Red-chested Flowerpecker, Timor Bushchat, Fawn-breasted Whistler, Timor Oriole, Sumba Myzomela (no idea what they are doing on here!) and a flight-path used by at least 5 Timor Black Pigeons, one of which perched up nicely for us. In some taller trees we found a pair of the incredibly long-billed, yellow-throated endemic Phylloscopus that still awaits formal description, but given its distinctive appearance, and to a lesser extent vocalisation, this will surely become a new endemic.

Once again we hung around at dusk, for yet another Ninox split – we didn’t have to wait more than a few

minutes (with a most confiding Orange-banded Thrush keeping us occupied in the meantime) before a pair of the small, spot-breasted Roti Boobooks flew into a small dead tree, peering down at grumbling away at us for over 30 minutes before we left them to it – our decision to include this island was reaping rewards! The following morning we opted for a different birding spot, which again paid-off handsomely – Timor Figbirds,

Wallacean Cuckooshrike, more ‘Roti’ Leaf Warblers, and a pair of endemic tenkatei Northern Fantail – very different from the Timor birds with its streaked-breast and totally different vocalisations. Just as we left this site

an Olive-shouldered Parrot laboured noisily across the road. Walking through and beyond a small village more Timor Black Pigeons flew past and a couple more found feeding, as did two Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons with another two briefly later, Timor Orioles proved to be everywhere and the sweet song of Timor Bushchat were surprisingly different from the Timor birds, despite them supposedly being the same race and showing less

white in the wing.. A quick stop at a marsh on the way back proved popular with plovers – good numbers of Red-capped along

with two male Malaysian Plovers, Red-necked Stints, 49 Australian Pelicans and a flock of over 20 Indonesian Collared Doves. Our midday ferry even departed 10 minutes early – surprisingly efficient for Indonesia! When then had four nights on Timor, a little less than usual but with Roti being so productive it meant we didn’t need to bird some of our previous haunts. Attempting to cram in as much into a day as possible, our first full day on Timor was one of the finest of the whole tour – an early morning visit to Bipolo, before the winds got up gave up Timor Sparrow easily, with at least 12 including several immatures feeding on grain piles with Scaly-

breasted Munias. A short drive over to the dry, open forests of Camplong watershed, with just a few specific but highly-desired targets we concentrated on the bamboo thickets – first up was a pair of Timor Stubtail quietly feeding amongst the dry leaf-litter and hopping along fallen branches, then a pair of the inconspicuous Spot-breasted Dark-eye typically darting about before settling down for a preen, side-by-side. Finally, as we sat down in an open bamboo gulley a stunning male Black-banded Flycatcher revealed itself with its quiet, simple song, then repeatedly offered wonderful views of his pied plumage and contrasting rich chestnut mantle.

With so much early success we had lunch in our hotel in Soe before heading to a different forest patch, similar to Camplong. Almost immediately we stumbled across a fruiting tree, full of Figbirds, Rose-crowned Fruit Doves and a pair of Wallacean Cuckooshrike, a very short wait followed as a pair of Bar-necked Cuckoo Dove swung in towards us and alighting in the nearby canopy. For the rest of the afternoon we played with Timor’s most notorious skulker, Buff-banded Bushbird, or rather they played with us! Most unusual this year was their responsiveness, we must have hit them at just the right time of year, as we managed to lure in 7 different birds over a short period of time with our views getting progressively better as some even hopped around the canopy

or called from not-so-thick lantana scrub. As dusk slowly fell upon us, the distinctive calls of the, as-yet, undescribed nightjar emanated from the forest and we soon had one sallying in our beam overhead, shortly followed by a Timor Boobook, and on the walk back, another nightjar!

Timor Boobook, Soe and Black-banded Flycatcher, Camplong We had 1 ½ days on Mount Mutis, the site with Timor’s most difficult near-endemics. The howling gale was omnipresent on the long drive up the mountain but surprisingly we managed to find a small area sheltered from the wind and had an enjoyable mornings birding. Olive-headed Lorikeets were present in reasonable numbers and we managed multiple perched views in the canopy around us. Yellow-eared Honeyeater was typically the most numerous species, and it was great to get prolonged views of singing Timor Leaf Warblers, an interesting

comparison with the Roti birds we had seen the previous week – they really are nothing like each other! The pulses were raised every so often as we found a few Metallic Pigeons doing their best to impersonate the much rarer Timor Imperial Pigeon. Another bird surprisingly missing until now was Wallacean Drongo, though this race, densus, endemic to Timor, Wetar and surrounding small islands is best considered as ‘Timor’ Drongo, due

to its totally different body shape, jizz, dimensions and vocalisations, and we encountered a pair, typically high up in the canopy. After more of the same, including Plain Gerygone, Timor Friarbird, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, lots of Island Thrush, we headed to a lower part of the mountain for a very late lunch – only to be greeted by

incredibly thick fog and a total lack of birds! A return to the lower parts of Mutis the following morning proved much brighter, though the wind was in its element, making it tough to search for lorikeets – though we did hear a pair of Iris Lorikeet screeching through

the canopy, without stopping. A pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush appeared, at one point in the same view as an Orange-banded Thrush! With much of the same as the previous day, plus a Sunda Bush Warbler, we also finally encountered our first Black-backed Fruit Dove, a pair of which eventually settled to give good views.

Of considerable interest during our time on Timor was our discovery of a seemingly new species to science – an undescribed taxon of parrotfinch! At the current time we are unable to disclose full details of our sightings but

we can say that after James initially discovered, and photographed, two adults we encountered several individuals in a variety of plumages confirming our suspicions as to the birds distinctiveness. The bird superficially resembles Red-eared Parrotfinch which only occurs 2000km away in the Philippines but the facial markings differ significantly, as does the shape off the bill and tail. Work is on-going on this and we hope to have the species formally described in the not-so-distant future! Considering we had done so well during our spell on Roti and Timor, we had little to search for during the

afternoon, so we spent a couple of hours birding near to Soe again, encountering much of the same before heading back to Kupang to toast our weeks successes and looking forward to a brand new island and a bag full of new endemics!

Elegant Pitta, Kisol and Flores Hawk Eagle, Ruteng, Flores Quite incredibly, a flight to Ruteng in western Flores was not only not cancelled (like it is for our past few tours!) but on-time too! This enabled us to spend a productive morning on a nearby hillside, Golo Lusang, where an early highlight was the chorus of hundreds of Bare-throated Whistlers below us, and we had excellent

views of one belting out the ‘car-alarm’ song. To see just how good they are, check out a video by Lars Petersson from our tour two years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVY-C1UwlGs&feature=player_embedded.

For most of the morning we stood in the same spot, letting the birds come to us. This worked out quite well and as the sun peered round and eventually over us our list started becoming quite impressive, particularly with Columbids; the endemic grey-hooded race of Black-backed Fruit Dove, Barred and Ruddy Cuckoo Dove and a close, booming Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon. Flores Jungle Flycatcher sang by the roadside, as did Flores Leaf

Warbler, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Yellow-browed and Thick-billed Dark-eyes, yet another pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush, and Scaly-crowned Honeyeater – possibly Indonesia’s least impressive endemic! With a bit of time still left in the morning we walked down the road slightly little, finding an immoveable Black-backed Fruit Dove by the roadside when a huge raptor flew into the tree next to it though concealed, mobbed by ‘Western’ Wallacean Drongo’s, much to our surprise when the bird lifted back out it was a splendidly huge Flores Hawk Eagle! The bird swooped past us only to land in another, more open tree further down the road giving outrageously good views of this critically-endangered species.

After a hearty, chip-filled, rice-less lunch we headed down to the coastal lowlands, staying at Kisol seminary, for two-nights. We were surprised to find the single, cobbled track through great forest has been widened for future sand and gravel extraction, though it actually made for better birding, at least for the moment. After

fumbling around we eventually found a favourite trail that had disappeared in the widening, and with it Elegant Pitta and a cracking pair of White-rumped Kingfisher. With the light beginning to fade we headed out to find a

suitable night-birding spot, much to our surprise a Wallace’s Scops Owl was already calling and after it moved around a bit, within 10 minutes we had it staring straight down at us in the spotlight! Usually this species moves off after a few seconds but, for the first time, decided to remain for several minutes even allowing for photos of this rarely-encountered species. After the euphoria of this we had a quick look for Moluccan Scops Owl, though we only managed a fly-by with a

Mees’s Nightjar perched in the light. With a full day at Kisol to look forward to, we headed out early to secure views of the first important species, and this we did with surprising ease as two separate pairs of Chestnut-capped Thrush showed exceptionally

well, perching up trackside, even moving up into the canopy with another two birds later on, keeping up our 100% track record here. The birds appear to be getting more numerous and easier here, presumably due to the

reduction in bird-trapping here, let’s hope this continues… Moving on, several more common species popped up, including our first of many Flores Minivet and Black-fronted Flowerpeckers, a very showy Russet-capped Tesia feeding out in full view, Thick-billed Dark-eye, Black-naped Fruit Doves, Brown-capped and Arafura Fantail, and a pair of pesky Flores Crow, whooshing around us – definitely a much under-rated bird, and a personal favourite! With the sun beating down on us, it was a big surprise when an Elegant Pitta took little time to react to us, perching out on several unobscured branches, flying around us, even perching high in the canopy for over 20 minutes before we let him go!

After a long siesta we headed back out, not expecting much excitement though we did stop to enjoy a stationary Thick-billed Dark-eye singing his little heart out. Lucky we did, as some movement behind them revealed a flock of Flores Green Pigeons busy gouging themselves in a fruiting fig tree – a real bonus, as this is usually considered the most difficult of Flores near-endemics, though I (and the group!) may disagree on this now.. As dusk descended on us it wasn’t long before a Moluccan Scops Owl settled in the spotlight for us, and another

Mees’s Nightjar on the walk back, it had been another great day.

Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Komodo and Wallace’s Scops Owl, Flores With the lowlands complete we headed up to the hills pre-dawn for our first of several attempts at Flores Scops

Owl – once not such a difficult species but we’ve found it increasingly difficult as the years have passed, and this year we drew a blank, despite getting very close to it on this occasion, even calling overhead but the

foliage was so thick we just couldn’t find it – most frustrating. Spirits were up and recharged after another banana pancake and omelette field breakfast, and we spent the morning along the roadside. Our final dark-eye, Crested, was quickly found, giving great looks at this odd looking bird, with its sloping speckled forecrown. The early morning sunshine lit by the roadside bottlebrush beautifully, filled with endemic passerines, more Yellow-browed and Crested Dark-eyes, Flores Leaf Warbler,

Flores Minivets, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Brown-capped Fantail, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater – despite the crown being more speckled it’s difficult to think of a better name for such a dour bird – and a ridiculously confiding Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, here of one of the totally different, and vocally distinct montane races, offering a nice comparison with the Sumba birds from earlier in the trip. Moving further on, a perched Bonelli’s Eagle offered great looks, and we eventually tracked down a Sunda Cuckoo. The afternoon was spent in search of two of our remaining ‘endemics’, well, sure-fire splits anyway! The misty

weather always seems to help with locating perched parrots, and it worked a treat as it wasn’t long before 3 Leaf Lorikeets, an IOC split from Rainbow, were perched by the roadside, squawking at us before settling down to feed. A little further on, the next target briefly sang, though views were rather more brief as two male floris White-browed Shortwing flitted after each other before crossing the road when we expected them to.

After more pre-dawn night-birding we headed to some mid-attitude forest and very pleasant roadside birding, the roadside flowers, bushes and trees were full of the expected, Black-fronted and Golden-rumped

Flowerpeckers, Flame-breasted and Olive-backed Sunbird, Crested and Thick-billed Dark-eyes, Russet-capped Tesia, Flores Minivet, Golden Whistler, and a particularly co-operative Rufous-chested Flycatcher – Dave’s 8000th species! Though the lack of hanging parrots would mean we had something to look for on our final days! The afternoon was rather misty again, though we did bump into the provincial governor and had a good chat

about bird conservation in the region – let’s just hope he took some of it in! A pair of Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon were rather stupid in their habits, refusing to budge from open, roadside perches, given the amount of men with shotguns pass through the area, and it took us some time to flush them off! As dusk fell, we found another pair of Flores Scops Owl, this time they came in from a long way off, but at the decisive moment, just

when excitement reached fever-pitch, 10 huge, noisy lorry’s honked past us, and the owls weren’t to be heard again!

With the owls refusing to budge again we headed off down to the coastal lowlands once more, stopping at a nice patch of forest where Flores Monarch, only discovered in 1971, was to be found within minutes of our arrival, with a pair offering superb prolonged views as they buzzed around us, shortly followed by stunning views of another pair of Chestnut-capped Thrush. After yet more Crested and Yellow-browed Dark-eyes we headed down to Labuanbajo, for a short relax siesta at our beach-side hotel before we were off again. This time for Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, which we found almost as soon as we jumped out the vehicles, though views were

rather brief! Not to worry, as later on, along with Great-billed Parrots, another Elegant Pitta, several Ruddy Cuckoo Doves and more flowerpeckers we picked up one zipping towards and over us. We saved the best until last with a day dedicated to the trip to Komodo island, home of the immense Komodo Dragon. We were whisked across the Flores Sea in just over an hour by our speedboat that lacked the James Bond feel, but still felt great, though the only birds of note were both Greater and Lesser Frigatebird sailing

past. After a brief introduction to the history of the island and its dragons we were off into the bush. A thoroughly enjoyable morning was spent casually walking along the trails with all the species being habituated and tame – a notable contrast to the last three weeks. Lemon-bellied White-eyes, loads of Green Junglefowl and of course several Yellow-crested Cockatoo’s were present. Contrary to the rangers comments, the latter is definitely on the decline here, a sad tale for this critically endangered species at its only sizeable population in Indonesia (they are also clinging on in Timor-Leste). The dragons proved difficult to find in the bush, as it was mating season, until we found a huge female ambling along the trail in front of us! Eventually she settled down

and the cameras went crazy for her… back at the rangers station there were another four, hanging about the kitchen, including a couple of huge, 3-metre males weighing in excess of 80kg.

We arrived back in plenty of time to admire the sunset over the bay, along with plenty of Javan Plover (which

are increasingly annually here), and the first returning waders, though nothing particularly noteworthy yet. A final couple of hours birding on our final morning was quite amazing – within 10 minutes we had a singing Wallace’s Hanging Parrot perched, before flying straight for us, with the sun hitting his red rump nicely, then a pair of Flores Crow uncharacteristically perched out in broad daylight and yet another Flores Hawk Eagle perched across the road from us – what a way to finish off the tour!

It was time to bid farewell to ‘Nusa Tenggara’ and surprisingly the airline went against the norm and delivered us into Bali on-time, where most of the group headed up to Bali Barat for Bali Myna, while those left (all two of us!), headed to Serangan island for some wader-watching, hitting high-tide nicely with plenty of the common species and a small flock of early Oriental Plover.

Komodo Dragon, Komodo © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

For information regarding our scheduled tours to the Lesser Sundas please click here. Alternatively please

contact us via e-mail regarding organising a custom tour to the Lesser Sundas or elsewhere in Indonesia.

Elegant Pita and Chestnut-backed Thrush, Sumba (top) Eclectus Parrot and Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Sumba (middle)

Pale-shouldered Cicadabird and Wallacean Cuckooshrike, Sumba (bottom)

Sumba Buttonquail and Sumba Jungle Flycatcher, Sumba (top) Australian Pratincole and Zebra Finch, Sumba (middle) Northern Fantail and Timor Black Pigeon, Roti (bottom)

Timor Friarbird, Timor and Gould’s Brone Cuckoo, Sumba (top) Javan Plover, Bali and Spot-breasted Dark-eye, Timor (middle)

Bar-necked Cuckoo Dove and Buff-banded Bushbird, Timor (bottom)

Mees’s Nightjar and Chestnut-capped Thrush, Flores (top)

Flores Crow, Flores and Green Junglefowl, Komodo (middle) Blood-breasted Flowerpecker and Scaly-crowned Honeyeater (bottom)

Rufous-chested Flycatcher and Flores Green Pigeon, Flores (top) Yellow-browed Dark-eye and Flores Minivet, Flores (bottom)

Systematic Bird List

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae

Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas

PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

PELECANIFORMES: Sulidae Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

PELECANIFORMES: Fregatidae Great Frigatebird Fregata minor

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Pied Heron Ardea picata 'Eastern' Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae Little Egret Egretta garzetta Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra sacra Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata

Sunda Teal Anas gibberifrons Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Hardhead

FALCONIFORMES: Pandionidae Osprey Pandion [haliaetus] cristatus

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata timorloaensis

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Black Kite Milvus migrans affinis Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus intermedius White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Swamp Harrier Circus approximans Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster sylvestris Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus tjendanea

Accipiter fasciatus hellmayri

Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata renschi Flores Hawk Eagle Nisaetus floris

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Spotted Kestrel Falco moluccensis microbalia

Australian Hobby Falco longipennis hanieli

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora pallidior

Green Junglefowl Gallus varius

GRUIFORMES: Turnicidae Sumba Buttonquail Turnix everetti

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis philippensis

Australian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus orientalis Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis

CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae White-headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus mongolus Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus variegatus Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Sanderling Calidris alba Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Turnstone Arenaria interpres

CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus

Little Tern Sternula albifrons Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa

Gelochelidon nilotica affinis

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Metallic Pigeon Columba metallica

Indonesian Collared Dove Streptopelia [bitorquata] bitorquata Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall unchall Timor Cuckoo Dove Macropygia magna magna Ruddy Cuckoo Dove Macropygia emiliana emiliana Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps orientalis Timor Black Pigeon Turacoena modesta Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica Pacific Emerald Dove Chalcophaps chrysochlora timorensis Barred Dove Geopelia maugei Sumba Green Pigeon Treron teysmannii Flores Green Pigeon Treron floris Black-backed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus cinctus albocinctus

Ptilinopus cinctus conctus

Red-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus dohertyi Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina flavicollis Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanospilus melanauchen Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea polia Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rosacea Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon Ducula lacernulata sasakensis

PSITTACIFORMES: Cacatuidae Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea parvula

Sumba Cockatoo Cacatua [sulphurea] citrinocristata

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Marigold Lorikeet Trichoglossus capistratus fortis

Leaf Lorikeet Trichoglossus weberi Olive-headed Lorikeet Trichoglossus euteles Iris Lorikeet Psitteuteles iris iris heard only

Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi floresianus Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus m. megalorynchos

Tanygnathus megalorynchos sumbensis

Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus cornelia Olive-shouldered Parrot Aprosmictus jonquillaceus Wallace's Hanging Parrot Loriculus flosculus

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Sunda Cuckoo Cuculus lepidus

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis sepulcralis Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus whitei Gould's Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx russatus Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus malayana heard only

Australian Koel Eudynamys cyanocephalus everetti heard only

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis javanensis

STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae

Barn Owl Tyto alba sumbaensis

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Flores Scops Owl Otus alfredi heard only

Wallace's Scops Owl Otus silvicola Moluccan Scops Owl Otus magicus albiventris Sumba Boobook Ninox rudolfi Timor Boobook Ninox [novaeseelandiae] fuscus Roti Boobook Ninox [novaeseelandiae] rotiensis Little Sumba Boobook Ninox sumbaensis

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegelii Mees's Nightjar Caprimulgus meesi Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis

APODIFORMES: Apodidae Timor Swiftlet Collocalia [esculenta] neglecta

Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi linchi

Collocalia [linchi] sumbawae

Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus House Swift Apus [affinis] nipalensis

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis floresiana

Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa heard only

Collared Kingfisher Halcyon chloris chloris Sacred Kingfisher Halcyonsanctus santus Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Halcyon australasia australasia White-rumped Kingfisher Caridonax fulgidus

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Sumba Hornbill Aceros everetti

PICIFORMES: Picidae Sunda Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis grandis

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans concinna

Pitta elegans maria

PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Australasian Bushlark Mirafra javanica parva

Mirafra javanica timorensis

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica javanica

Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata striolata Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans timoriensis

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus albidus

Anthus rufulus medius

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata personata

Coracina personata sumbensis

Coracina personata floris

Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae melanops Pale-shouldered Cicadabird Coracina dohertyi White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii Flores Minivet Pericrocotus lansbergei

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae ‘Timor’ Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus densus densus

‘Western’ Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus bimaensis bimaensis

Dicrurus bimaensis sumbae

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Chestnut-capped Thrush Zoothera interpres

Chestnut-backed Thrush Zoothera dohertyi Orange-banded Thrush Zoothera peronii peronii Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus schlegelii White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana floris

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis fuscicapilla

Bar-winged Prinia Prinia familiaris

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Russet-capped Tesia Tesia everetti everetti

Timor Stubtail Urosphena subulata subulata Sunda Bush Warbler Cettia vulcania everetti Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis sumbae Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus everetti Olive-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus sepium Timor Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus presbytes presbytes ‘Roti’ Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus sp nov [Roti] Flores Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus [presbytes] floris Yellow-breasted Warbler Seicercus montis floris Buff-banded Bushbird Buettikoferella bivittata

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Flores Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias oscillans Sumba Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias [oscillans] stresemanni Sumba Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa segregata Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra clarae

Ficedula hyperythra volcani

Sumba Flycatcher Ficedula harterti Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria Black-banded Flycatcher Ficedula timorensis Timor Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hyacinthinus hyacinthinus Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis sejuncta

Culicicapa ceylonensis connectens

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata pyrrhonota

Saxicola caprata francki

Saxicola caprata fruticola

Timor Chat Saxicola gutturalis gutturalis

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris rufiventris

Rhipidura rufiventris tekansis

Brown-capped Fantail Rhipidura diluta Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas semicollaris

Rhipidura dryas sumbensis

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea prohata

Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi floris

Terpsiphone paradisi sumbaensis

Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgatus trivirgatus Flores Monarch Monarcha sacerdotum Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis ruficollis

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala orpheus Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis fulvotincta

Pachycephala pectoralis fulviventris

Pachycephala pectoralis calliope

Bare-throated Whistler Pachycephala nudigula

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla timorensis

Pnoepyga pusilla everetti heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea sulphurea

Plain Gerygone Gerygone inornata

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Cinerous Tit Parus [major] cinereus

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis convergens

Anthreptes malacensis rubigena

Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis ornata Apricot-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris buettikoferi Flame-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris solaris

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Golden-rumped Flowerpecker Dicaeum annae

Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile tinctum

Dicaeum agile obsoletum

Black-fronted Flowerpecker Dicaeum igniferum Red-chested Flowerpecker Dicaeum maugei maugei Blood-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum sanguinolentum hanieli

Dicaeum sanguinolentum rhodopygiale

Sumba Flowerpecker Dicaeum [sanguinolentum] wilhelminae Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker Dicaeum trochileum

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus unicus

Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus montanus Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris intermedius Ashy-bellied White-eye Zosterops citrinella citrinella Yellow-spectacled White-eye Zosterops wallacei Yellow-browed Dark-eye Lophozosterops superciliaris Crested Dark-eye Lophozosterops dohertyi subcristatus Thick-billed Dark-eye Heleia crassirostris Spot-breasted Dark-eye Heleia muelleri

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae Scaly-crowned Honeyeater Lichmera lombokia

Indonesian Honeyeater Lichmera limbata Yellow-eared Honeyeater Lichmera flavicans Sumba Myzomela Myzomela dammermani Black-chested Myzomela Myzomela vulnerata Streak-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga reticulata Timor Friarbird Philemon inornatus Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides buceroides

Philemon buceroides neglectus

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Timor Oriole Oriolus melanotis melanotis

Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis broderipii Timor Figbird Sphecotheres viridis

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach bentet

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus albiventer

Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus perspicillatus

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Flores Crow Corvus florensis

Southern Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor

Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus malaccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava flavidiventris

Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata guttata Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch Erythrura hyperythra intermedia Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor parrotfinch sp Erthrura sp nov Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata nisoria

Lonchura punctulata sumbae

Five-coloured Munia Lonchura quinticolor Pale-headed Munia Lonchura pallida Timor Sparrow Padda fuscata

MAMMALS Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto

Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa Rusa Cervus timorensis

Bird-of-the-tour 1 Chestnut-capped Thrush

2 parrotfinch sp nov 3 Roti Boobook 3= Black-banded Flycatcher 5 Timor Sparrow

Labuanbajo, Flores © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia

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