Lesser Sundas (Sumba, Roti, Timor, Flores & Komodo)

8th – 25th September 2015

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: Jan-Joost Bouwman, Howard Ackford, Chris and Mandy Farman, Peter Maaskant, Chris Quispel, Martin Painter

Flores Scops Owl © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

The Lesser Sundas once again delivered a fascinating tour across the islands of Sumba, Roti, Timor, Flores and Komodo, with amazing sets of island endemics on each. We began on Sumba with a clean sweep of endemics including a trio of smart night-birds; Little Sumba and Sumba Boobook, and Mees’s Nightjar, the extremely rare Orange-crested Cockatoo, a fortunate sighting of Sumba Green Pigeon, three unimaginatively named flycatchers; Sumba, Sumba Jungle-, and Sumba Brown, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, our first Elegant Pitta, Sumba Buttonquail, and many more. A change of islands brought us to the scarcely explored island of Roti where in addition to our first ‘Timor endemics’ we found the fascinating ‘Roti Leaf Warbler’, ‘Roti Myzomela’ and the magnificent ‘Roti Boobook’ besides tricky species like Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Timor Black Pigeon and Olive-shouldered Parrot. Back on Timor proper we found all our desired endemics with particularly good views of Black-banded Flycatcher, Spot-breasted Dark-eyes, Timor Cuckoo Dove, Timor Stubtail, ‘Timor Nightjar’ and Buff-banded Bushbird. Higher in the mountains we were thrilled to find the undescribed parrotfinch species discovered by James during our 2013 tour, both Iris and Olive-headed Lorikeets and the distinctive race of Pygmy Cupwing.

Flores was our last major island and another flood of new endemics included Flores Green Pigeon, Flores Hawk Eagle, Flores Minivet, Leaf Lorikeet, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Monarch and many more. Night-birds were thrilling with Wallace’s Scops Owl surpassed by our bird-of-the-trip Flores Scops Owl which was seen both at night and at day-roost. The tour finished with a typically enjoyable visit to Komodo where Yellow-crested Cockatoo and Green Junglefowl were the bird highlights but could barely compete with a hulking 3-meter long Komodo Dragon walking right towards us! After arriving in Bali we began the tour with a short flight across to Sumba that was surprisingly punctual. Our first destination was a rather warm late morning stomp through the grasslands, with several decent flight views of 10 Sumba Buttonquail, and many Australasian Bushlark. A nearby brackish marsh was full of life and a few species unlikely to be seen elsewhere on the tour – a pair of Hardhead, several Javan Plover (including chicks), write-in Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, White-headed Stilt, White-browed Crake, Purple Swamphen and several migrant Australian Pratincole. Next up was a rather non-descript patch of scrub on the edge of town where we found a couple of tailorbirds which had been discovered here just a few years previously. They looked and sounded very much like Olive-backed Tailorbirds, though how they have got here is anyone’s guess – introduced or gone-under-the radar native, and it was a good insurance bird should they turn out to be distinct, as tailorbirds were not previously known east of Lombok. Packing as much as possible into our first day, we ended up in a mosaic of forest patches and grasslands, picking up our second endemic – 3 canopy-dwelling, easily-missed Sumba Brown Flycatchers, before hanging around until dusk when a Mees’s Nightjar hawked in the spotlight, only to be cast-off as a pair of Greater Sumba Boobook randomly flew into view, duetting side-by-side. Finally, we enjoyed superb views of a Little Sumba Boobook right overhead, a species described as recently as 2002, having previously been thought an undescribed Otus. Not a bad start at all!

Sumba Hornbill and Sumba Myzomela, Sumba

With night-birding over on the island so quickly, we could enjoy the diurnal birding after a good nights sleep. A Red-naped Fruit Dove, preening and calling in the scope in the early morning sunshine was a perfect start to the day as we enjoyed a productive spell as many desired birds were soon on the checklist – Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Yellow-spectacled Dark-eye, Apricot-breasted Sunbird, Ashy-bellied White-eye, Spectacled Monarch, a brilliant male ‘Tenggara’ Paradise Flycatcher, Metallic Pigeon, then the more difficult species began to appear – a pair of Sumba Green Pigeon flew-in for scope views (our first of 6), Sumba Jungle Flycatchers by the roadside (also our first of 6 during the morning), Sumba Flycatcher and roadside Chestnut-backed Thrush for some of us. Wanting more, we headed randomly inside the forest. Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher posed on a bare-branch, then a pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush sat together on the same branch before further down the road we finally all got views of Sumba Flycatcher, typically furtive in the under-storey, allowing scope views. After a much needed siesta, the nearby rice fields held Pale-headed Munia and Sacred Kingfisher, while we returned to the forest once more in the afternoon. The mission of this session was Elegant Pitta, of which we found 3, including scope views. Afterwards we headed to a clearing in preparation for the evenings event, with several Edible-nest and Collocalia swiftlets – the birds on Sumba are actually an undescribed taxon, with the whole Glossy/Cave complex currently under review, watch this space! After having more than our fill of swiftlets, a pair of regal Sumba Hornbill flew-in, landing in a bare-tree before flying low, right over our heads to their roosting tree. Ready at a different clearing the next morning, shortly after sunrise, a pair of Sumba Hornbill kicked off proceedings. Green Imperial Pigeons were numerous and eventually we found a couple of Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons after hearing several – a species only added to the islands avifauna last year. Eclectus Parrot and several excellent views of Marigold Lorikeet were had before the Orange-crested Cockatoos finally began to appear. We

probably saw at least 8, though the views were a bit too distant, so much so that a cheer rang out across the valley when the orange crest finally became discernible! Broad-billed Monarch sang around us, and we flushed both Sumba Buttonquail and Brown Quail. In the afternoon we had two targets in mind. The first, sumbaensis Wallacean Cuckooshrike showed really nicely, as 4 appeared around us. The family of Sumba Brown Flycatcher were still around though a Rusty-breasted Cuckoo did little other than call continuously and flash by us, back-and-forth. Our last target, the endemic race of Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (or Canary-tit, as it’s actually more closely related to Paridae than Muscicapidae) appeared right at the death. Finally, a Mees’s Nightjar hawked and circled around us in the spotlight at dusk for a perfect ending to the day. Having cleaned up on the islands endemics we spent the final morning attempting to better our views of a few select species. This worked out nicely, as not only did we get Orange-crested Cockatoos perched close by and flying overhead, Great-billed Parrots perched and more Brown Quail, brief hornbills but we also got some new species, most interesting was the Tawny Grassbird chacking as it gradually worked its way to the top of the grass stems. Another 3 Sumba Brown Flycatchers, all singing, was also noteworthy. It was then time to head to the airport, via some very impressive pizzas, and fly eastwards to the island of Timor, with a number of Australian Pratincole on the runways at either end. Arriving in Kupang we only had an hour to play with, so opting for a patch village grove it was amazing just how much we picked up – Timor Friarbird, Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Black-chested Myzomela, Red-chested Flowerpecker, Sunda Zebra Finch, ‘Timor’ Northern Fantail and, best of all, Timor Sparrow.

Roti Boobook and Roti Fantail, Roti

The next morning we took the fast ferry across to the island of Roti, lying just 12km southwest of mainland Timor, this small island nevertheless holds much of interest with several distinct taxa soon to be elevated as full species together with a host of difficult Timor endemics. From the ferry, Bulwer’s and Wilson’s Storm Petrel were both logged, along with Brown Booby and several tern species. Driving out on the first afternoon felt very Australasian with 92 Australian Pelican, Australasian Darter, White-headed Stilt, Grey Teal and Red-capped Plovers lining the shoreline – joined by Timor Blue Flycatcher, several Broad-billed Monarch, Timor Bushchat and even more bizarrely, a Pacific Emerald Dove. Once in a more forested area we found several Fawn-breasted Whistler and our first Flame-breasted Sunbird and Timor Oriole. Our first target, ‘Roti Myzomela’, currently subsumed under Sumba due to its similar appearance was in full song – revealing why it’s such a distinctive bird. Next was distinctive ‘Roti Leaf Warbler’ with its remarkably long bill – yet another undescribed species restricted to the island. Our first of several Olive-shouldered Parrots also appeared, perched distantly before flying across the road. As the heat began to finally subside a pair of confiding tenkatei Northern Fantails buzzed around us (Roti Fantail, surely!) before we located a beautiful Timor Black Pigeon that allowed prolonged scope views before it was time to move on and wait for darkness. It took considerably longer than expected, but the tension was finally broken by the rumbling calls of a Roti Boobook, which performed brilliantly once framed in the torch beam. We headed to a different area the next morning where a viewpoint with an excellent vista hosted a succession of excellent birds. First to appear was a singing Timor Bushchat (a very common bird in this area), then another Roti Myzomela buzzing around us, followed by a gorgeous Orange-banded Thrush in full song in the scope and another Janquill Parrot. Moving on to a more forested area, we picked up more Roti Leaf Warblers, another Timor Black Pigeon – this time an immature, excellent views of Timor Stubtail, yet more Janquill Parrots, and finally, prolonged views of a calling Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon. This drew our short but very productive visit to Roti to a close, and we headed back on the delayed ferry to Kupang once more.

With just a couple of hours at our disposal in the afternoon we visited a fertile river valley close to Kupang. Streak-breasted Honeyeater (or better named Timor Meliphaga) were abundant and birdlife in general was good. Timor Stubtail belayed its usual elusive nature by remaining motionless on several perches while even better was, on two separate occasions, Buff-banded Bushbird allowing good views. An immature Timor Sparrow appeared briefly while Common Kingfishers and rufiventris Northern Fantail, so different from the Roti birds, were noisy and conspicuous. After another excellent meal and comfortable night in Kupang we set off the next morning to begin our forest birding at Camplong. Even before we were parked up, an Orange-banded Thrush was feeding in the middle of the road – we found more visiting a fruiting tree shortly after our field breakfast. Timor Bushchats were in full song, Fawn-breasted Whistler appeared yet again before we entered the forest, striking gold quickly with yet more prolonged views of Buff-banded Bushbird. A pair of Spot-breasted Dark-eye were found, calling and feeding just overhead, though it took much longer before we laid eyes on a beautiful male Black-banded Flycatcher that took an age to eventually coax out of the denser understorey. While doing so a Timor Boobook was flushed, and we also found our first Timor Leaf Warbler, and repeat views of Black-chested Myzomela. Another notable sighting was the Wallacean Drongo – the much larger, longer-tailed version, ‘Timor Drongo’, that’s a scarce bird in West Timor. In the afternoon we visited another area of dry forest, Timor Bushchats welcomed us into the forest and it didn’t take too long to find our diurnal target of the area – Timor Cuckoodove, as it perched in an open tree giving nice scope views. After enjoying views of a couple of new birds, Little Bronze Cuckoo and the wonderful Black-backed Fruit Dove, we settled down for dusk to descend. Even before it was dark we had a Timor Boobook in view, spotlight not even required at this point. The undescribed nightjar on the island, ‘Timor Nightjar’ floated over the canopy above us, calling its unique vocalisation, not ideal views but we could return again.

‘Timor Parrotfinch’ and Timor Flowerpecker, Timor

The next morning we were on the road well before dawn for the short but bumpy and painfully slow drive up to Gunung Mutis. We started this time at slightly lower elevations, enjoying our extensive picnic breakfast of omelette and banana pancakes, as usual as the sun rose and the air filled with bird sound and Olive-headed Lorikeets perched above us. Walking along a pleasant open track through the forest good numbers of Island Thrush and Yellow-eared Honeyeaters were logged and we soon heard the characteristic high pitched calls of the new parrotfinch species which was found by James as recently as 2013 on our Birdtour Asia tour. It took some time but eventually we pinned down the occasional bird for brief perched views before culminating in locating 5 birds in a mixed feeding flock with 3 Tricoloured Parrotfinch – talk about striking gold! Between these moments we enjoyed repeated views of Metallic Pigeons, ‘Timor Flowerpecker’ – part of a four-way split of Blood-breasted, Sunda Cuckoo, 4 Chestnut-backed Thrushes perched in the same view and superb views of Iris Lorikeet, making our morning well and truly complete. Moving to higher elevations, on an even more terrible road, it was hot and sunny but we soon found the distinctive timorensis Pygmy Cupwing hopping around among some mossy boulders, and suffering vertigo as it ventured up above head height. Yet more Metallic Pigeons were perched or flying around, with just a very distant Timor Imperial Pigeon heard, a Little Cuckoo Dove flew-away from us and another parrotfinch appeared briefly before the flight path of roosting Olive-headed Lorikeet got underway above us, meaning it was our time too. Having seen all but Timor Imperial Pigeon some of us were keen for better views of Timor Nightjar predawn, which we had, as it swooped down nearly taking our hats off. We spent the morning concentrating on improving views of any of the specialities, with the pick of the morning going to the pair of Black-banded Flycatcher that continually

circled us, even perching in the canopy overhead to sing. Rose-crowned Fruit Dove was common, Timor Figbird conspicuous, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher appeared again and a male Timor Oriole also showed up. Returning in the late afternoon after a long siesta we had a Black-chested Myzomela almost touching the ground, another ‘Timor Drongo’, though the fruiting tree we had high hopes for failed us, leaving us to make do with a pair of Timor Boobooks peering down at us at dusk. With another day to kill on Timor we headed to an area of coastal paddy fields. Shortly after breakfast we fortuitously found our main target, a pair of Red-backed Buttonquail failing to jump over the irrigation channel allowing brilliant views of the red nape (not back) before they finally scurried off. Next on the agenda was Five-coloured Munia, small flocks of which were soon found, though the paddies were not ideal so the numbers of munia were quite low, but did contain a single Pale-headed Munia and several Red Avadavat. Feeding in the paddies were good numbers of waterbirds – 3 Royal Spoonbill, several Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Long-toed Stints and White-faced Herons. In the afternoon, those not enjoying Mojito’s and a swim in the pool returned to the nearby river valley where we enjoyed close scope views of both Timor Friarbird and Orioles, along with a final farewell to many of the more numerous endemics we had enjoyed over the past few days, as well as Brown Quail and more Red-backed Buttonquail.

Chestnut-backed Thrush, Sumba and Chestnut-capped Thrush, Flores An early flight the next morning delivered us to yet another major new island, landing in Ruteng nestled in the highlands of Flores where a whole new set of endemics awaited. We wasted no time in heading up into the nearby highlands and quickly enjoyed success with two ‘Flores Shortwings’ close to roadside giving ample chances to appreciate the vocal and plumage differences from the vastly over-lumped White-browed Shortwing with which it currently resides. Next up we visited our favourite spot in the mountains and let the birds come to us – they came thick and fast, and it took an hour before we could finally sip our morning coffee. Dainty Flores Minivets, trumpeting Brown-capped Fantails, ‘Flores Flowerpecker’ – soon to be split from Blood-breasted, and a nice comparison to the Timor and Sumba birds from earlier in the trip, Scaly-crowned Honeyeaters, even a pair of Leaf Lorikeets in perfect sunlight that nearly took our heads off as they whizzed up the gulley straight to us, Rufous-bellied Eagles, Chestnut-backed Thrush, a fine Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon quietly sat in the undergrowth, ‘Flores Wallacean Drongo’, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, and a male Bare-throated Whistler belting out his ear-splitting chorus. With the heat rising we enjoyed the air-con as we weaved our way down to the steamy lowlands at Kisol. In spite of the overcast weather we teased out some great initial sightings including our first Flores Crow with its bizarre calls and fast whooshing flight and nice scope views of a roadside Flores Green Pigeon. At nightfall a Mees’s Nightjar hawked overhead in the spotlight and a Moluccan Scops Owl sat and called while being scoped, though Wallace’s Scops Owl was conspicuous by its absence. Early next morning was a quiet night birding session but the diurnal birding was electric! We started off with a Chestnut-capped Thrush, a species so rare now due to trapping, flying back-and-forth around us but never perching. A flock of some 15 Flores Green Pigeons sat motionless by the roadside before exploding into the forest – very wise. Deeper inside the forest another Chestnut-capped Thrush appeared but this time boy did it show well – perching in full view, at times even with the chestnut cap glistening in the sunshine, perfect. Not wanting to miss the main performance, we positioned ourselves at our trusted viewpoint that has remained reliable since we discovered it back in 2005 and sure enough, though later than usual (and after a couple of immature Bonelli’s Eagles briefly raised alarm) a superb female Flores Hawk Eagle finally rose up from the valley, circling slowly up on the hillside thermals before disappearing over the ridge. Satisfied with the performance we spent a little bit of time back in the forest, picking up the vocally distinct concinna Elegant Pitta sat calling.

With our targets at Kisol under the belt we headed back up to the highlands. Crested Dark-eye and Ruddy Cuckoo Dove were new for us though our first effort with Flores Scops Owls typically ended in frustration – we would be back! When we did, once again the bird tantalised us behind some improbably wide leaves! We decided to try a different bird at dawn and it typically appeared in the spotlight within minutes of arrival, absolutely brilliant. Topping that, returning later in the morning we managed to locate the little rufous owl roosting, offering some of the best views of the species since it was rediscovered by Rob and James in 2005, when the vocalisations were unknown. On top of this we enjoyed a great morning – Crested Dark-eye, eye-level Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Bonelli’s Eagle, Little, Barred and Ruddy Cuckoo Doves, good numbers of Metallic Pigeons, excellent looks at a pair of Russet-capped Tesia feeding ABOVE eye-level, more Flores Minivet and a singing Flores Jungle Flycatcher. With 3 high-altitude targets remaining we spent the afternoon in search of these, all of which were easily found – good numbers of Yellow-browed Dark-eye, a fine male ‘Flores’ Blood-breasted Flowerpecker and Flores Leaf Warbler. On top of that, another Bare-throated Whistler appeared, as did a male albocintus Black-backed Fruit Dove, a nice comparison with the snow-white Timor birds. At dusk a Wallace’s Scops Owl called close, but once again we would have to wait for the following day. Returning predawn it didn’t take long for a Wallace’s Scops Owl to appear in the spotlight, unfortunately it lingered for just a few, but crucial seconds before fleeing. After a bit of waiting and walking we eventually found it, or another flying overhead to perch and even call, in the spotlight for prolonged views of this huge Otus. Dawn on the road was impressive – 10 Chestnut-backed Thrush and a ‘Flores Shortwing’ hopping back-and-forth.

White-rumped Kingfisher and Wallace’s Scops Owl, Flores

Birding lower down for the day we picked up a pair of White-rumped Kingfisher while still scoffing down our pancakes and omelettes which allowed scopes views for everyone present, including a local policeman. The same couldn’t be said for the Wallace’s Hanging Parrot that zipped by, with just James witnessing the green plumage! We had an enjoyable day, walking down the road, observing rural life in this coffee-growing area. Birds were abundant – Thick-billed and Crested Dark-eyes, more minivets, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Whistlers, Modest, Black-fronted and Golden-rumped Flowerpeckers, another Chestnut-capped Thrush, a single Flores Green Pigeon and in the late afternoon we finished off with another pair of White-rumped Kingfisher. For the first time in a while, night birding was not required! We then began the drive down to the western lowlands for our next base in Labuanbajo but there was an important stop to be made en-route because the mid-elevation forests at Puarlolo are famous as the easiest place to see the endemic Flores Monarch. Fortunately, the monarch is not uncommon at this location and we had excellent views of a pair shortly after breakfast. A fruiting tree held 3 Chestnut-capped Thrush, Thick-billed and Crested Dark-eyes and inside the forest another Black-backed Fruit Dove and beautiful pair of Asian Paradise Flycatcher appeared. We also tried a different patch of forest, probably unbirded before, where we discovered two more pairs of Flores Monarch, and another White-rumped Kingfisher and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo before we weaved our way down to beachside side lodge to almost relax. In the afternoon just Peter was fortunate enough to clap eyes on a Wallace’s Hanging Parrot zipping over while the rest of us could enjoy 16 Great-billed Parrots. Our last full day of the tour was one of the most eagerly anticipated as we boarded a speedboat before sunrise for the spectacular ride across to Komodo Island, land of the immense Komodo Dragon. Lesser Frigatebird, Greater Crested Terns, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Red-necked Phalaropes all enlivened the hour-long journey and once on the island we enjoyed a succession of confiding Green Junglefowl before an immense Komodo Dragon casually wandered into view, walking straight past us on her way to the beach, shortly followed by another huge beast that came for a drink. Yellow-crested Cockatoos also appeared here, this critically endangered species continues to cling on here at one of just a handful of sustainable sites now. Several more common species appeared – the orange-tinged Black-naped Orioles, Golden Whistler, Lemon-bellied White-eyes before we wandered over to the

rangers quarters where another 8 dragons loafed under the shade. To complete the morning we anchored off a sandy beach for 90 minutes of fantastic snorkelling above a beautiful coral reef with thousands of small to large fish dazzling around us. After a late lunch we wandered back over to the nearby forest to enjoy more Great-billed Parrots and great looks again at a Flores Crow, but no hanging parrot again, leaving us on tender hooks for a final mornings birding. The Wallace’s Hanging Parrot couldn’t have timed itself better. Just after arriving at our usual mornings spot we waited 15 minutes, just for the sun to appear behind us when this tiny bullet appeared from our right, and gave us a slow motion pass with the sun glistening off its green body and blood red tail – the full suite of Flores specialities was now complete enabling us to enjoy and relax for the rest of the day, arriving back into Bali in the afternoon to toast to one of our most successful tours of this region.

Komodo Dragon, Komodo © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

Bird of the trip 1) Flores Scops Owl 2) Sumba Hornbill 3) Flores Hawk Eagle =4) Green Junglefowl =4) ‘Timor Parrotfinch’

Little Sumba Boobook and Greater Sumba Boobook, Sumba

Sumba Brown Flycatcher and Sumba Jungle Flycatcher

Sumba Cockatoo and Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Sumba

Timor Black Pigeon and Jonquil Parrot, Roti

Timor Boobook and Iris Lorikeet, Timor

Timor Myzomela and Spot-breasted Dark-eye, Timor

Arafura Fantail and Black-banded Flycatcher, Timor

Flores Monarch, Flores and Orange-banded Thrush, Roti

Flores Green Pigeons and Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Flores

Black-fronted Flowerpecker and ‘Tenggara’ Modest Flowerpecker, Flores

Flame-breasted Sunbird and sumbawae Cave Swiftlet, Flores

Lemon-bellied White-eye and Yellow-spectacled White-eye

Yellow-crested Cockatoo and Green Junglefowl, Komodo

Flores Hawk Eagle and Flores Crow, Flores Systematic List

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Sunda Teal Anas gibberifrons Grey Teal Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Hardhead Aythya australis

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora pallidior

Coturnix ypsilophora raaltenii

Green Junglefowl Gallus varius

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis metallica

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 longirostris 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 Timor Imperial Pigeon Ducula cineracea heard only

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Sunda Cuckoo Cuculus lepidus Oriental/Himalayan Cuckoo Cuculus optatus/horsfieldi Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis sepulcralis Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus whitei Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus malayana heard only

Australian Koel Eudynamys cyanocephalus everetti Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis javanensis

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 Pacific Swift Apus pacificus

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae 'Timor' Nightjar Caprimulgus [macrurus] sp nov

Mees's Nightjar Caprimulgus meesi

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea cinerea

Australian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus orientalis

CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae White-headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Red-capped Plover Anarhynchus ruficapillus Javan Plover Anarhynchus javanicus Lesser Sand Plover Anarhynchus mongolus mongolus Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii Oriental Plover Anarhynchus veredus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus variegatus

Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 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 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Red-necked Stint Ereunetes ruficollis Long-toed Stint Ereunetes subminuta Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae Red-backed Buttonquail Turnix maculosus sumbana

Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator powelli Sumba Buttonquail Turnix everetti

CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae

Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Little Tern Sternula albifrons Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Oceanitidae

Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

PELECANIFORMES: Sulidae Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

PELECANIFORMES: Fregatidae

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel

PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae

CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Casmerodius [albus] modestus Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx 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 Striated Heron Butorides striata

PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata timorloaensis

Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis Black Kite Milvus migrans affinis Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus intermedius White-bellied Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Variable Goshawk Tachyspiza hiogaster sylvestris Brown Goshawk Tachyspiza fasciatus wallacii

Tachyspiza fasciatus hellmayri

Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata renschi Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii formosus Flores Hawk Eagle Nisaetus floris

STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba delicatula Heard only

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Flores Scops Owl Otus alfredi

Wallace's Scops Owl Otus silvicola Moluccan Scops Owl Otus magicus albiventris

Greater Sumba Boobook Ninox rudolfi Timor Boobook Ninox [novaeseelandiae] fuscus Roti Boobook Ninox [novaeseelandiae] rotiensis Little Sumba Boobook Ninox sumbaensis

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Sumba Hornbill Aceros everetti

PICIFORMES: Picidae

Sunda Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis grandis

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis floresiana

Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris chloris Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus santus Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Todiramphus australasia australasia White-rumped Kingfisher Caridonax fulgidus

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis pacificus

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

Spotted Kestrel Falco moluccensis microbalia

PSITTACIFORMES: Cacatuidae Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea parvula

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

Tanygnathus megalorynchos sumbensis

Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus cornelia Jonquil Parrot Aprosmictus jonquillaceus Wallace's Hanging Parrot Loriculus flosculus

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans concinna

Pitta elegans maria

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae Scaly-crowned Honeyeater Lichmera lombokia

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

Philemon buceroides neglectus

PASSERIFORMES: Pardalotidae

Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea sulphurea Plain Gerygone Gerygone inornata

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Timor Oriole Oriolus melanotis melanotis Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis broderipii Timor Figbird Sphecotheres viridis

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala orpheus

Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis fulvotincta

Pachycephala pectoralis fulviventris

Pachycephala pectoralis calliope Bare-throated Whistler Pachycephala nudigula

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus albiventer

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata personata

Coracina personata sumbensis

Coracina personata floris Pale-shouldered Cicadabird Lalage dohertyi White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii Flores Minivet Pericrocotus lansbergei

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae 'Timor' Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris

'Roti' Northern Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] tenkatei Brown-capped Fantail Rhipidura diluta Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas semicollaris

Rhipidura dryas sumbensis

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

'Timor' Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus [densus] densus 'Flores' Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis 'Sumba' Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus [densus] sumbae

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 Monarch Myiagra ruficollis ruficollis

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach bentet

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Flores Crow Corvus florensis Southern Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos

PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis sejuncta

Culicicapa ceylonensis connectens

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Cinereous Tit Parus [major] cinereus cinereus

PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae

Australasian Bushlark Mirafra javanica parva

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica javanica

Barn Swallow Hiundorustica Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata striolata Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans timoriensis

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster

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 Dark-eye Heleia wallacei Eyebrowed Dark-eye Heleia superciliaris Crested Dark-eye Heleia dohertyi subcristatus Thick-billed Dark-eye Heleia crassirostris Spot-breasted Dark-eye Heleia muelleri

PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae 'Roti' Leaf Warbler Seicercus sp nov [Roti]

Timor Leaf Warbler Seicercus presbytes presbytes Flores Leaf Warbler Seicercus [presbytes] floris Yellow-breasted Warbler Seicercus montis floris

PASSERIFORMES: Cettiidae Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus everetti heard only

Russet-capped Tesia Tesia everetti everetti Timor Stubtail Urosphena subulata subulata

PASSERIFORMES: Pnoepygidae Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla everetti heard only

Pnoepyga [pusilla] timorensis

PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae

Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis sumbae

PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae Timor Thicketbird Buettikoferella bivittata

Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis inquirendus

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis fuscicapilla

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis lineocapilla Olive-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus sepium

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor

Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus Introduced

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Chestnut-capped Thrush Geokichla interpres

Chestnut-backed Thrush Geokichla dohertyi Orange-banded Thrush Geokichla peronii peronii Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus schlegelii

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Flores Jungle Flycatcher Eumyias oscillans

Sumba Jungle Flycatcher Eumyias [oscillans] stresemanni Sumba Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa segregata Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra clarae 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 Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata pyrrhonota

Saxicola caprata fruticola

Timor Bushchat Saxicola gutturalis gutturalis

Saxicola gutturalis ssp nov [Roti]

Flores Shortwing Brachypteryx montana floris

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Golden-rumped Flowerpecker Pachyglossa annae

Modest Flowerpecker Pachyglossa modesta tincta

Pachyglossa modesta obsoleta

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

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: Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava flavidiventris

Sunda Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata guttata Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch Erythrura hyperythra intermedia heard only

Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor Parrotfinch sp (Timor) Erythrura sp nov Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata nisoria Five-coloured Munia Lonchura quinticolor Pale-headed Munia Lonchura pallida Timor Sparrow Lonchura fuscata

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus malaccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus albidus

Anthus rufulus medius

MAMMALS

Large Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Introduced

Indo-Pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops aduncus Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa Introduced

Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis Introduced

REPTILES Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis

Tockeh Gecko gecko House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus

249 species recorded including 6 heard only

Raja flippin’ breakfast pancakes! © Mandy Farman

The tour recorded a total of 249 species of which only 6 was heard only. For further information on our tours to the Lesser Sundas or other Indonesian destinations, please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours.