West Papua, New Guinea

9th July – 5th August 2017

Leader: Rob Hutchinson

Participants: Richard Clifford, Les Holliwell, Erkki Holopainen, Steve Lowe and Martin Painter

Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia

We began the tour in Sorong where our birding sessions gave a nice selection of lowland birds, and a major bonus in the form of a stunning Blue-black Kingfisher. After adding a nice selection of New Guinea birds near Sorong we started our serious birding on Waigeo. The Wilson’s and Red Birds-of-paradise were obvious favourites here but we also had fantastic experiences with a group of Western Crowned Pigeons, and were glad to see Raja Ampat Pitohui, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Marbled Frogmouth and Papuan Boobook among others. The Arfak mountains were quite wet but this certainly didn’t unduly dampen the birding and in our week there we found Western Parotia, Masked Bowerbird, Black and Black-billed Sicklebill, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Arfak Astrapia, Mottled Berryhunter, and both Feline and Mountain Owlet Nightjars at their day-roosts. An afternoon trip higher into the mountains was a great success with a flock of Grey-banded Mannikin, a new Birdtour Asia bird! Flying across to Sentani an afternoon in the grasslands easily found Grand, Hooded and Chestnut-breasted Mannikins before we flew into the central ranges the next morning and up into the Snow Mountains. It was rain rather than snow that accompanied much of our stay but that didn’t stop the birds performing with highlights like McGregor’s Honeyeater, Splendid Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill including a fine male, Snow Mountain Mannikin, Snow Mountain Quail, Greater Ground Robin, Papuan Logrunner and Chestnut Rail. At night, Archbold’s Nightjar and New Guinea Woodcock both performed brilliantly. Back down in the steamy lowland of Nimbokrang we had the toughest birding of the tour but also some of the greatest rewards; Pale-billed completed our Sicklebill clean sweep while Magnificent Riflebird, King and Twelve-wired swelled the bird-of-paradise list. Salvadori’s Fig Parrot was another excellent localised find while the highlight must surely have been the fantastic views we had of a pair of Shovel-billed Kingfishers. Once again the night-birding delivered with Papuan Hawk Owl rewarding our efforts and patience.

We finished the tour as usual on the Geelvink Bay island of Biak where we got a clean sweep of endemics including tough ones like Biak Scops Owl, Biak Monarch, Biak Leaf Warbler, Biak Coucal and Biak Scrubfowl, besides the more common, but no less spectacular Biak Paradise Kingfisher, Geelvink Imperial Pigeon, Geelvink Fruit Dove, Biak Triller, Biak White-eye and more. We also saw a number of former subspecies which HBW have recently elevated as full species; Biak Hooded Pitta, Biak Fantail and Red-brown Myzomela. We were so keen to get out that even on our arrival day when we should have been recovering from jetlag we couldn’t resist a short afternoon outing. The first stop was quite with only Olive-crowned Flowerpecker of note, although not to be sniffed at as it’s only found in this northwest corner of New Guinea. The second stop was much more profitable with a Collared Imperial Pigeon passing over and perching nicely just after arrival. Not much later a distinctive call alerted us to a mega nearby and a short burst of playback gave us a Blue-black Kingfisher pass by literally meters in front of us. It disappeared into deep cover, calling occasionally but not showing much sign of obliging when suddenly it popped out onto an open branch for fantastic views of one of the tours’ star birds. Nothing was going to beat this as the highlight of the day but we did also find Brown-backed Honeyeater, Large-billed Gerygone, many Rainbow Bee-eaters, fly-by Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Eastern Koel, and a relatively obliging Black Thicket Fantail in the last of the daylight. We began our first full day in the steamy lowland forests outside Sorong with a nice selection of lowland New Guinea species like Frilled Monarch, Black-browed Triller, Grey-headed Cicadabird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Yellow-faced Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Moustached Treeswift, Grey Whistler, Yellow-bellied Longbill, Tawny-breasted and Long-billed Honeyeater, and the spectacular Palm Cockatoo. The male of a pair of Emperor Fairywrens was particular popular, a pair of Double-eyed Fig Parrots seemed to be investigating a potential nest hole, and we had open looks at both Black-billed and Ivory-billed Coucals. In the afternoon we took the comfortable fast ferry across to Waigeo, one of the famed Raja Ampat islands. Arriving in time for some brief roadside birding we were rewarded with fantastic Swaro ‘scope views of a Brown-headed Crow calling loudly, through its huge bill as it studied us with amazing blue eyes. Flock of Lesser Frigatebird passing overhead and a Australian Ibis looked rather incongruous over the forest, while Hooded Butcherbird, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Great-billed Parrot and a remarkable gathering of nearly 70 Yellow-faced Mynas looked far more at home.

Blue-black Kingfisher and Yellow-breasted Boatbill

The following day was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour. It began with an early start and excellent views of Marbled Frogmouth and Papuan Boobook quickly secured. Then, after coffee and breakfast, we headed to a nearby hide perfectly positioned overlooking the display ground of Wilson's Bird-of-paradise. It wasn't long before the owner made the first of several visits, each allowing prolonged views as he manically cleared his masterpiece in the hope of impressing a passing female, a reward that his hard work certainly deserved. This bird with its blue brains bulging from his head, iridescent green tone to the black underparts, glimmering red mantle and wings, bright blue legs and perfect curly tail feathers, is frequently touted as one of the worlds best birds, and we were happy to have appreciated its magnificence in person. Having soaked in the views for a few hours with Cinnamon Ground Dove as a bonus, we spent the rest of the morning on some pleasant roadside birding; a fruiting tree held a small group of the aptly named Beautiful Fruit Dove, and several Red Bird-of-paradise, alongside female Wilson's and our first of many Raja Ampat Pitohui. Some small-bird flocks including the fantastic Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Little Shrike Thrush and Golden Monarch. A calling Western Crowned Pigeon was a frustrating miss, which a mixed flock of Green-backed, Yellow-bellied and Fairy Gerygones, or a small group of Black Berrypeckers, didn’t fully dispel! The hides were quiet in the early afternoon but as things began to liven up we set out again and this time struck gold with a party of four Western Crowned Pigeons prancing along the trail ahead of us, stopping occasionally to perform an amazing display with wings spread wide. Eventually, they got bored of walking and flew up into the nearby trees where the performance continued as they wandered up and down the boughs mumbling their low-pitched song.

Brief Grey-headed Goshawk, Pygmy Eagle and, after much effort, perched views of Yellow-billed Kingfisher to finish the day. Another fantastic bird-of-paradise performance was waiting after a short trek up a nearby hill at dawn the next morning, as the raucous calls increased in intensity, and the light improved, more and more Red Birds-of-paradise appeared in the canopy overhead, building themselves until a frenzy of activity with plumes and spectacular tail extensions shaking frantically until they reached a crescendo with the arrival of a female who selected her favourite and we were treated to an intimate display of affection and a long mating session. Clearly this was going to be the highlight of the morning but we spent an enjoyable few hours of roadside birding which added the distinct fusciventris race of Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, a flushed Dusky Scrubfowl, an elusive Black-sided Robin, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Great Cuckoo Dove, Brown Oriole, some very vocal Brown-headed Crows, a skulking Rusty Mouse Warbler, and another pair of Black Berrypeckers. We encountered some nice feeding flocks with Spot-winged and Frilled Monarch, the bizarre Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Yellow-bellied, Green-backed and Fairy Gerygones. In the afternoon we took a respite from the mosquitoes and took a boat trip around the spectacular landscape of small limestone islands along the coast. Black-naped Tern, Great-billed Heron and Rajah Shelduck were nice, but the impressive Spice Imperial Pigeons with distinctive protruding bill knobs were the highlight.

Marbled Frogmouth and Papuan Boobook

Western Crowned Pigeon and Red Bird-of-paradise

Our final morning on the island was spent enjoying many of the same birds; the Wilson’s Birds-of-paradise again put on a stellar performance, his diligent cleaning attracting a harem of five females, sending into a frenzy of activity and a full display which can’t fail to have impressed their admiring eyes. Also from the hides was a close Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, and in the forest we had more satisfying looks at Black-sided Robin, and another Western Crowned

Pigeon performing well. We finished the morning at a flowering tree near our resort on the coast where a couple of Ruby-throated Myzomelas joined the feeding Spotted Honeyeaters. In the afternoon we took the ferry back across to Sorong ready for our flight across to Manokwari the following morning. Met by our team with 4WD’s laden with supplies, we headed off immediately into the imposing Arfak Mountains. Even in the heat of the day our stop along the way proved a great success, the highlight being the extremely localised Obscure Berrypecker. Spot-winged Monarch and Marbled Honeyeater followed, then a fruiting tree which attracted Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, Northern Variable Pitohui and a stream of colourful fruit doves with Mountain, Claret-breasted and Dwarf noted. Our arrival into our friendly village base was followed not long after by a low flyby New Guinea Eagle which chose to land on an open branch drying its wings in full views, what a start! Unfortunately, that was to be the afternoon highlight, with heavy rain frustrating us for the remainder.

Vogelkop Bowerbird and his bower

Bronze Ground Dove and Black-throated Robin

Sadly, the wet weather was still with us as we set off pre-dawn the next morning, settling into hides overlooking the Western Parotia dancing grounds at dawn. The wet weather reduced activity but both hides were visited by parotias, a female from one, and an immature male producing his amazing ‘ballerina dance’ at the other. After this we set off up the mountains in increasingly pleasant weather with several Vogelkop Whistlers, a pair of Red-breasted Pygmy Parrots, Black-breasted Boatbill and Brown-breasted Gerygone, while overhead Long-tailed Buzzard and Pygmy Eagle enjoyed the warm weather. Brief sightings of Vogelkop Scrubwren and Fantailed Monarch, a calling Mottled Berryhunter and then a mega sighting of Long-tailed Paradigalla, just in time before the rain arrived again and much of the walk up to our camp was wet and bird-less although a brief respite during lunch allowed us to add Black Pitohui and Orange-crowned Fairywren. In the afternoon we spent some time in hides watching a male

Vogelkop Bowerbird as work on his amazing bower, with meticulous attention to details ensuring that everything was perfectly in place and colour coordinated. The day finished with several Ashy Robins, and an unusually obliging Rufous-naped Bellbird. Our team headed by Shita and Benny had set up an amazing camp, and after another delicious meal, we settled in for a surprisingly comfortable night. We were in place in hides before dawn awaiting one of New Guinea’s most amazing spectacles the next morning, and sure enough in the half light, a near meter long Black Sicklebill arrived and took up position atop a nearby stump. After much posturing and loud calls he launched himself into a series of displays over the next 45 minutes; transforming himself into a giant ‘cobra’ and rocking his whole body back and forth. When he eventually returned to the canopy we continued our birding, quickly adding Rufous-sided Honeyeater, Papuan Treecreeper, Black-throated Robin, Garnet Robin, Papuan Flyrobin and a colourful pair of Moluccan King Parrots. As we slowly made our way to higher altitudes a pair of Smoky Robins performed well whereas a Mottled Berrypecker was very brief, active groups of Papuan Sittellas were in the canopy, another Rufous-naped Bellbird, both Plum-faced and Yellow-billed Lorikeets, Tit Berrypecker, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, and Zeth showed us a Bronze Ground Dove sitting on a nest. It was also Zeth who found us a young male Arfak Astrapia, while both Black Pitohui and several elusive Cinnamon-browed Melidectes shared the canopy. A Spotted Jewel Babbler distracted us on the way back for lunch, and we managed to tease it out onto the path a couple of times. The afternoon was mostly rainy again but we had fabulous views of both Mountain and Feline Owlet Nightjars roosting to finish the day in style. Another morning session at higher altitudes produced repeat views of many of the same birds including Arfak Astrapia and brief but good views of Papuan Logrunner were new, before we headed back down the slippery slope again with a nice Lesser Ground Robin for some of us along the way. The rain started again as we took our picnic lunch but we stuck out the afternoon and birded between the showers and had some great sightings; Long-tailed Paradigalla were again active and we managed to tease out good views of two Mottled Berryhunter, now a very desirable bird on this tour, rarely being seen in PNG and now elevated to monotypic family status. Modest Tiger Parrot, Large Scrubwren, several Western Smoky Honeyeater and Vogelkop Melidectes swelled the list before we completed our trek back down to base with a nice feeding group along the way that included a number of female Western Parotia, Papuan Sittella, and the decidedly uninspiring (Both in name and appearance!) Grey-green Scrubwren. A cloudy start did little to help bird activity the following day and that included our target – Black-billed Sicklebill - which called for a short while after dawn then not again. Arfak Catbird (a recent split from Black-eared) was heard but not seen, although Perplexing Scrubwren was some consolation. Once we got out on the roadside the cloudy conditions worked in our favour though, with a hive of activity. A pair of Black-bellied Cicadabird were the first of several, a bunch of Papuan Mountain Pigeons set out nicely, and while checking out another mystery pigeon a male Masked Bowerbird flew right in from of us, gliding across the valley. The action continued with Goldenface, Pygmy Drongo (not a drongo at all, in fact a fantail), Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, a pair of Moluccan King Parrots, beautiful Ornate Melidectes, both Elfin and Red Myzomelas, New Guinea White-eye, Mid-mountain Berrypecker, and a small fruiting tree attracting the attention with many Mountain Fruit Doves, Western Parotia, Hooded Pitohui.

Feline and Mountain Owlet-Nightjar

With another afternoon of heavy rain settling in we decided to try something completely new, setting off into the mountains on a terrible road which our vehicles and drivers made look easy. As we approached one of the highland villages, a small group of birds on the roadside verge attracted our attentions, and sure enough it was a small group of Grey-banded Mannikins. This mannikin which is found only in these highest parts of the Arfak Mountains has been seen by very few birders due to the inaccessibility of the area previously, and so we soaked in the views of up to 50 of these attractive little birds before heading back to base, all (including Rob and Birdtour Asia!) with a new bird under the belt. Starry skies accompanied into the forest the next morning and it continued into a beautifully sunny dawn. This worked wonders with the Black-billed Sicklebill now calling perfectly and after a while we tracked it down for wonderful views. Perplexing Scrubwren was again enjoyed, this time in better light, and a Fairy Lorikeet was picked out in the canopy overhead. Another session along the road was quieter than yesterday in the blazing sun but Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo was new, and it kindly drew our attention to a Yellow-legged Flyrobin before promptly chasing it out of the tree. Another fine set of honeyeaters were noted, this time including a Mountain Meliphaga, and typically the Arfak Catbirds chose to become active during the thickest mist so it was almost impossible to see any plumage colour but at least we manage views unlike the Blue-collared Parrots which teased us by calling overhead but completely invisible through the mist. In the afternoon our attempts to see Magnificent Birds-of-paradise at their display grounds were again thwarted by rain although Grey-green Scrubwrens and White-faced Robin were nice to see.

Black Sicklebill and Grey-banded Mannikin

We split our efforts the next morning, with some heading straight to a hide overlooking the display area of Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, where they were treated to an amazing performance of a male displaying to no less than four admiring females as another immature male made attempts to interrupted the events, drama fit for a soap opera! Meanwhile the rest of us had an equally impressive performance from a pair of White-striped Forest Rails, the male of which twice sat in the open as he belted out his long song sequence at full volume. Green-backed Robin and Grey-green Scrubwrens were welcome catchups for those who had missed out previously and Hooded Pitohui and Western Smoke Honeyeater showed well. We then did a quick switch around allowing everyone to enjoy both the bird-of-paradise drama and the forest rail performance. We spent the last few hours again out on the upper reaches of the road and before the rain arrived again had a male Masked Bowerbird flyby, both New Guinea and Black-fronted White-eyes, Forest and Mountain Meliphaga, and Stout-billed Cuckooshrike. Our final Arfak birding – along the lower parts of the road as we headed back to Manokwari – was once again in rain but a group of Boyer’s Cuckooshrikes were seen, larger numbers of Black-fronted White-eyes, Northern Variable Pitohui, and a tree full of the delightful Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, all manically gleaning up and down the main branches. This bought to an end our Arfak adventure and we made full use of out luxurious Manokwari hotel to dry out all our gear! The next morning, we took a flight across the endless forest of northern West Papua, touching down in the decidedly hot and sunny city of Sentani. When the weather started to cool in the afternoon we headed out into the nearby

grasslands where we found our main targets within minutes of arriving as Grand, Hooded and Chestnut-breasted Mannikins were feeding almost together, along with good numbers of Crimson Finch. Further wandering along the grassland flanked roads produced good numbers of Rainbow Bee-eaters, a Lesser Black Coucal, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, several Streak-headed Honeyeaters, White-shouldered Fairywren, two flushed King Quail, a distant Fawn-breasted Bowerbird and an obliging Peregrine Falcon. Two sightings of Cinnamon Bittern were also significant, representing a major range extension according to the ranges offered in the field guide.

White-striped Forest Rail and Hooded Mannikin

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and Grand Mannikin Another major change of scenery saw us flying south to the city of Wamena the following day, once again crossing vast areas of untouched forest before landing in the famous Baliem Valley. We were soon heading up into the surrounding mountains, our first stop being for a group of roadside Black-breasted Mannikins, another mannikin with a very restricted range. Another longer stop in the lowest forest areas gave us a couple of Baliem Whistler (a recent split which once again has a very small range), the scarce Streaked Berrypecker, Common Smoky Honeyeater, some dapper Ornate Melidectes and a flyover immature Black-mantled Goshawk. Another stop at the highest altitudes of the road saw the rain increase but we still found our first Mountain Firetails, New Guinea Thornbill and Subalpine Robins. We arrived at our camp as the rain became torrential giving us chance to settle in, but even though it was still pouring we headed out at dusk more in hope than expectation of night-bird action, to be rewarded by a pair of Archbold’s Nightjar hawking at dusk. We again had no joy with the woodcocks in the rain the next morning and so set out on the drive towards Lake Habbema. The weather improved a little as we get out on our walk and after a pair of Papuan Grassbirds we were soon enjoying a delightful flock of more than 20 Snow Mountain Mannikins. As we walked further we added several Black-throated and Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Short-bearded

Melidectes and the gorgeous Painted Tiger Parrot. Once at our appointed spot it was just a few minutes before we scored our first MacGregor’s Honeyeater flying across with orange wing flashes and glowing orange wattle. We then located their favourite feeding trees and enjoyed some prolonged views of this spectacular honeyeater which was once believed to be a bird-of-paradise. In the same area were Western Crested Berrypecker, Orange-billed Lorikeets and two spectacular Splendid Astrapia. On the nearby lake several Salvadori’s Teal accompanied the commoner Eurasian Coot and Pacific Back Duck. We sat out the heaviest of the midday rain before heading off in the mid-afternoon and although conditions were rather misty we still managed more sightings of both MacGregor’s Honeyeater and Splendid Astrapia. We finished our diurnal birding with a slow drive along the road back to Lake Habbema and on our return scored our target with a pair of Snow Mountain Quail shuffling along the road verge before crossing ahead of us. The rain had stopped by dusk and the timing proved perfect as New Guinea Woodcock gave us some excellent flybys and Archbold’s Nightjar twice came and perched nearby to capped a wet but very successful day. Much of the next day was spent in the wonderfully mossy forest at the top of the nearby valley and although bird activity was low in the dull overcast conditions, the things we did see performed perfectly. We began with a pair of Greater Ground Robins that hopped along along mossy boughs almost within touching distance, then a male Chestnut Forest Rail that sang in full view for us. Brehm’s Tiger Parrot appeared briefly whereas Lesser Melampitta eventually hopped around in the open and finally, a pair of Papuan Logrunners sang and ran around in full view for us all. In the open shrubs at the top of the valley a pair of Lorentz’s Whistlers gave themselves up and we logged another immature Splendid Astrapia and another MacGreger’s Honeyeater, this time at closer range than the previous day. We finished with some birding along the highest section of the road where a pair of White-winged Robins approached very closely in the mist, a pair of raucous Hooded Cuckooshrikes were called in and some of us enjoyed a brief Sooty Melidectes. We finished as usual with a night-birding session with the Archbold’s Nightjar perching besides us and the New Guinea Woodcock giving a perfect flyby in the torch at dusk before dropping in for views on the deck a few minutes later.

Mountain Firetail and Black-mantled Goshawk We drove down to some slightly lower altitudes the next morning stopping along the way for a group of five Great Woodswallows huddled together for warmth on a high snag. At our first stop things took a while to get going in the cold overcast conditions although there were still good numbers of Yellow-billed and Plum-faced Lorikeets around. Things started to warm up with the appearance of the first of several Splendid Astrapia, Fantailed Cuckoo, then Brown Sicklebill; initially a female but a while later a spectacular male that sat, perched and preened in full view, even stretching out his iridescent epithets. A calling Archbold’s Bowerbird frustrated us but a wander along the nearby road added Mountain Swiftlets overhead, and after several brief flybys we finally pinned down a Blue-faced Parrotfinch coming down to drink at a pool. We spent the rest of the morning walking the highest parts of the road, mostly in heavy mist, again seeing Mountain and White-winged Robin, New Guinea Thornbill, a Papuan Harrier floating through the mist, and eventually located a pair of Sooty Melidectes that all saw. The afternoon was a bit of a washout but we rescued it with a late afternoon drive along the road when a pair of Snow Mountain Quail performed by the roadside just a few hundred meters from camp! On our last morning in the mountains we birded in the lowest sections of forest, again taking some time for things to get going but when it did we logged more Baliem Whistler, Sultan’s Cuckoo Dove and at long last the diminutive Grey Thornbill. Island leaf Warblers were singing well while in the understory Buff-faced Scrubwren appeared. The main highlights though were a Mountain Kingfisher which eventually perched close by, and then the rarely-seen Slaty-headed Longbill that posed perfectly for us. We finished the afternoon in more relaxed fashion close to Wamena town with some large flocks of Black-breasted Mannikin, Buff-banded Rail, Great Woodswallow soaring overhead, and a couple of male Superb Birds-of-paradise prancing around in the treetops with their iridescent breast shields erect.

MacGregor’s Honeyeater and Snow Mountain Mannikin

Greater Ground Robin and Chestnut Forest Rail

Brown Sicklebill and Lesser Melampitta

Papuan Logrunner (male and female)

Snow Mountain Quail (male and female) In was then time to fly back to the lowlands and head into the steamy lowland forests of the north around the bustling trans-migration settlement of Nimbokrang. Our first excursion into the forest began with a feeding group containing Rusty Pitohui, Grey-headed Cicadabird, Little Shrike-thrush and a Coroneted Fruit Dove for some. A little further on a pair of Buff-faced Pygmy Parrots unfortunately left rather promptly as we made our way up to a viewpoint where we enjoyed very close views of Golden Monarch, a brief Meyer’s Friarbird, flyover Brown Lory, and nicely perched Orange-bellied and Pink-spotted Fruit Doves, Pinon and Zoe Imperial Pigeons, and fast flying Papuan Spine-tails. We moved to another spot at dusk in time to see Papuan Nightjar show well overhead, several flyby Spotted Whistling Ducks, and a Papuan Hawk Owl which sadly called just briefly before vanishing. The forests of Nimbokrang offer some of the toughest birding around, as we discovered the following morning as we battled muddy trails and hungry mosquitoes, with night-birding drawing a blank and a Hook-billed Kingfisher responding but only seen in silhouette. The rewards were good though with a fabulous performance from displaying Lesser Bird-of-paradise, multiple Ochre-collared Monarch, brief Puff-backed Meliphaga and Black Cicadabird. Unfortunately, a calling Blue Jewel Babbler gave us the slip but we did see both White-bellied and Sooty Thicket Fantails. A finally highlight for the morning was a calling New Guinea Eagle which responded to playback by drifting majestically over the canopy. In the afternoon we went off-piste to a former stake out for Salvadori’s Fig Parrot, and although their favoured tree had seen better days, we were delighted to find at least 3 investigating potential nesting holes. Moving on we made a roadside stop for some amazing low-flying Papuan Spinetailed Swifts and Spotted Whistling Duck in much better light than previously, and a Black Butcherbird in full song as it flew by, before we finished the day with the Papuan

Nightjar again performing overhead, then another frustrating battle with the Papuan Hawk Owl which called only very briefly on a couple of occasions, but just when all looked hopeless a final scan with the torch found this fantastic owl sitting on a nearby branch studying us quietly, and we all enjoyed fabulous looks. Shovel-billed Kookaburra is notoriously difficult to see, so it wasn’t with great expectation that we entered the forest well before dawn the following day, and although the excitement increased as we heard at least two calling in the nearby forest in the dark, they typically quietened down as dawn approached. Today though we were lucky as we managed to keep their interest and with a pair calling loudly from the canopy we were able to get several good looks at the pair over the next few hours, indeed it’s hard to imagine just how elusive, indeed almost impossible, it is to find this immense bird when not calling. With this great success under our belt we spent some time in a productive area of forest edge where there was still plenty of activity in the overcast conditions. Tan-capped Catbird gave unusually good views here, Dwarf Koel hung around for long looks, a group of Papuan Babblers appeared, and their was a good mixed flock with Papuan Cicadabird, close views of Ochre-collared Monarch, Black-browed Trillers and more. Our afternoon session began with a family of rather grumpy-looking Papuan Frogmouths at day roost, and then a decidedly livelier pair of Buff-faced Pygmy Parrots. We then made our pay up for another session at the viewpoint where there was again plenty of activity; Boyer’s Cuckooshrike sat out nicely, as were both Zoe and Pinon Imperial Pigeons, while a Dwarf Fruit Dove doing likewise gave an extreme size comparison! Smaller birds also provided interest although the highlight – the diminutive Pygmy Longbill, New Guinea’s smallest bird – was never likely to make it into the tour top-5! The bird we had really been waiting for though was Pale-billed Sicklebill which had been calling regularly from all around us, seemingly without wanting to show. Just as it seemed to be getting too late, with rain again threatening, it finally appeared. A perfect female sicklebill perched perfectly on a rattan stem where she remained for more than 10 minutes as we soaked in the views of this rather restricted bird-of-paradise.

Shovel-billed Kookaburra and Lesser Bird-of-paradise

Pale-billed Sicklebill and Papuan Hawk Owl

Most of the group spent much of the next day on a mission to find crowned pigeons, unfortunately without success as this species continues to get harder and harder to see, but they were able to pad out the trip list with Nankeen Night Heron and Dusky Moorhen as some consolation. Rob and Martin meanwhile started the day watching a Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise patiently atop his display post until his patience was finally rewarded by the appearance of a female. This sent him into a frenzy of activity as he danced up, down and around his pole in a performance that couldn’t have failed to impress her. After the show had finished we trekked further into the forest where the King Bird-of-paradise weren’t quite so easy to see today and it took quite some hours of neck-straining before we could enjoy the male in all his splendor, a dapper red and white bird-of-paradise with perfect pair of disks adorning his long tail streamers. With Rufous-backed Fantail also new for the trip we completed a successful morning and in the afternoon started with one of the easiest targets of the trip, as a pair of Torrent Flyrobin were found within moments of getting out of the car. The rest of the afternoon was spent at a pleasant viewpoint where Spectacled Longbill and Lowland Peltops were new finds, many Black-capped Lories passed by, and a smart male Salvadori’s Fig Parrot perched up.

Ochre-collared Monarch and Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise Our last day in the area began very early, trekking though some lovely rainforest in the dark to be in place at dawn. Sure enough, just as dawn arrived we heard the advertising call of a male Magnificent Riflebird and by sneaking through the undergrowth we managed to position the ‘scope perfectly so that we could all have several views of him on his display perch. With yet another bird-of-paradise under the belt we made our way slowly back, picking up Papuan King Parrot, Olive Flyrobin, Coroneted Fruit Dove, and another Rufous-backed Fantail as we went. A pair of Puff-back Meliphaga responded well to playback and gave nice views of the full range of features for this tricky species, and one of the many calling Red-legged Brush Turkeys gave us some sort of views before vanishing. Happy with an excellent set from our four days here we headed back to Sentani for an afternoon of recharging before our final leg of the tour, and a whole new set of endemics, on the islands of Biak and Numfor. With our flight into Biak arriving almost on time we took advantage with an hour of birding before lunch. Even under the baking sun this proved very profitable with our first group of Biak White-eyes appearing just moments after leaving the cars, then a pair of Biak Trillers. Hot on their heels came Long-tailed Starlings, before the beautiful Geelvink Fruit Dove turned up, a long-anticipated landmark lifer for Steve which is now considered separate from the distant population on the Solomon Islands. In the afternoon we walked a beautiful forest track and found good activity levels including a group of noisy but spectacular Biak Paradise Kingfishers chasing each other around the canopy, a diminutive Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, a group of Biak Gerygone, and a gorgeous Biak Monarch, a species which used to be one of the hardest endemics to see on the island! We then spent some time calling out a pair of Biak Coucal, getting some reasonable looks at this incredibly skulking species. We finished the diurnal birding with a roadside stop which yielded our first Black-winged Lories, Biak Black Flycatcher and Pacific Baza, before heading on to some night-birding which proved rather frustrating as a Biak Scops Owl called only infrequently and never came close, although a Biak Glider emerging at dusk alleviated the disappointment somewhat. The next morning we were to head over to the neighboring island of Numfor and the forecast had looked promising but it soon became clear that conditions had changed and the decision was made early in the journey to abandon the trip on safety grounds, a good decision as a renewed forecast did indeed show worsening sea conditions in the coming days. With extra time on Biak we headed out again, getting fantastic views of a pair of Biak Lorikeets and enjoying some open wetland birding where Beach Kingfishers were positively abundant, along with many trip birds like Eastern Osprey and a selection of water-birds. The afternoon session included some excellent forest roadsides where many of the endemics again appeared with highlights including yet another pair of Biak Coucals, a luminous pair of Golden Monarch, several shy Geelvink Imperial Pigeons, excellent views of feeding Black-winged Lories, two flyby Red-fronted Lorikeets, and an amazing display of Great Cuckoo Dove, performing loop-the-loops in the sky above us. In the late afternoon we headed for another forest trail where we met with great success as a calling Biak Scrubfowl proved very responsive,

firstly flying up into a tree and later almost flying into us as it took flight down the track. This success continued after dusk as a Biak Scops Owl soon settled for fabulous long looks in the torchlight.

Geelvink Fruit Dove and Biak Hooded Pitta

Biak Paradise Kingfisher

We hadn’t left ourselves too much to look for the following morning but they did include some elusive ones that required plenty of time. Biak Monarch were again in evidence as we waited for our first target and it took some time before the Biak Leaf Warblers finally became vocal and we were then treated to several views of a pair of this distinctive birds, with large pale bills, orange legs and very high-pitched song, until recently lost within the over-lumped Island Leaf Warbler complex but now justly recognized as a full species. There were again several Biak Paradise Kingfishers on offer but our next highlight were a pair of Biak Hooded Pittas which we were able to watch for a prolonged time as they fed, postured and called from the open track, and in exactly the same spot we again found the shy Biak Scrubfowl, twice flying up into nearby trees to pose for us. Also here were two taxa that HBW have recently elevated to full species status; Biak Fantail from the striking Biak version of Northern Fantail, and a female of Biak Cicadabird which differs considerably from Common Cicadabirds elsewhere. An afternoon along the roadsides was very birdy and we again found the Biak Cicadabird, more Great Cuckoo Doves performing their energetic aerial display, Biak White-eye, Biak Triller, and at long last nice ‘scope views of Claret-breasted Fruit Dove and Superb Fruit Dove. Unfortunately Red-fronted Lorikeet again frustrated with flyby views yet again. A final morning stake out of a flowering tree didn’t attract any Red-fronted Lorikeets either but we did get our best views yet of Geelvink Imperial Pigeon, perched Black-capped Lory, Little Bronze Cuckoo, and some amazing interactions between at least three pairs of Biak Paradise Kingfishers. We finished the tour with another recent HBW split, the rubrobrunnea form of Dusky Myzomela which they propose to split as Red-brown Myzomela.

Biak Monarch and Biak Scops Owl

The tour recorded a total of 367 species of which 18 were heard only. These included an impressive 238 New Guinea endemics, of which 50 are found only in West Papua. For further information on our tours to West Papua, please contact us via our e-mail or click here for our scheduled departure tours. Bird-of-the-tour

1 = Black Sicklebill 2 = Magnificent Bird-of-paradise 3 = Shovel-billed Kookaburra 4 = Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove 5 = Wilson's BOP = Biak Scops Owl = Papuan Hawk Owl = White-striped Forest Rail = Grey-banded Mannikin

Spice Imperial Pigeon

Red Bird-of-paradise

Northern Fantail and Frilled Monarch

Smoky and Blue-grey Robin

Rufous-naped Bellbird and Vogelkop Bowerbird

Papuan Treecreeper and Long-tailed Buzzard

Mid-mountain Berrypecker, male and female

Crimson Finch and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

Grey-streaked Honeyeater and Orange-cheeked Honeyeater

Lorentz’s Whistler and Hooded Cuckooshrike

Grey-streaked Honeyeater and Island Thrush

New Guinea Thornbill and White-winged Robin

Black-breasted Mannikin

King Bird-of-paradise (Male and female)

Papuan Frogmouth and Dwarf Koel

Shovel-billed Kookaburra and Lesser Bird-of-paradise

Tan-capped Catbird and Golden Monarch

Biak White-eye and Emperor Fairywren

Biak Lorikeet and Black-winged Lory

Biak Black Flycatcher (Female and male)

Biak Scrubfowl and Biak Cicadabird

Geelvink Imperial Pigeon and Hooded Butcherbird

Great Cuckoo Dove and Biak Triller

Systematic List CASUARIIFORMES: Casuariidae Northern Cassowary Casuarius unappendiculatus NG Heard only ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Spotted Whistling Duck Dendrocygna guttata Raja Shelduck Tadorna radjah Salvadori's Teal Salvadorina waigiuensis NG Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae Wattled Brushturkey Aepypodius arfakianus arfakianus NG Heard only Red-billed Brushturkey Talegalla cuvieri cuvieri WP Heard only Red-legged [Collared] Brushturkey Talegalla jobiensis jobiensis NG Dusky Scrubfowl Megapodius freycinet Biak Scrubfowl Megapodius geelvinkianus WP GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae King Quail Excalfactoria chinensis Snow Mountain Quail Anurophasis monorthonyx WP PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Nankeen Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Striated Heron Butorides striatus Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Eastern Great Egret Casmerodius modesta Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Pacific Reef-Egret Egretta sacra SULIFORMES: Fregatidae Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata obscura

Long-tailed Buzzard Henicopernis longicauda NG New Guinea Harpy-Eagle Harpyopsis novaeguineae NG Pygmy Eagle Hieraaetus weiskei Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster leucosomus Accipiter hiogaster misoriensis Black-mantled Goshawk Accipiter melanochlamys melanochlamys NG Accipiter melanochlamys schistacinus Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter poliocephalus NG Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus papuanus Papuan [Swamp] Harrier Circus [approximans] spilothorax NG Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus girrenera White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Chestnut Forest Rail Rallicula rubra klossi NG White-striped Forest Rail Rallicula leucospila WP Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis randi Rufous-tailed Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccana moluccana Heard only Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis Heard only Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Eurasian Coot Fulica atra CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae New Guinea Woodcock Scolopax rosenbergii NG Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus variegatus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida javanicus COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia Int Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Int Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia nigrirostris Sultan's Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia doreya doreya Macropygia doreya balim Amboyna Cuckoo-dove Macropygia amboinensis maforensis Great Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii griseotincta Reinwardtoena reinwardtii brevis Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica minima Stephan's Emerald Dove Chalcophaps stephani stephani Cinnamon Ground Dove Gallicolumba rufigula rufigula NG Bronze Ground Dove Alopecoenas beccarii beccarii Western Crowned-Pigeon Goura cristata minor WP Victoria Crowned-Pigeon Goura victoria beccarii NG Heard only Wompoo Fruit Dove Ptilinopus magnificus poliurus Pink-spotted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus perlatus plumbeicollis NG Orange-fronted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus aurantiifrons NG Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus superbus Coroneted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus coronulatus geminus NG Beautiful Fruit Dove Ptilinopus pulchellus pulchellus NG Mountain Fruit Dove Ptilinopus bellus NG Geelvink [Yellow-bibbed] Fruit Dove Ptilinopus [solomonensis] speciosus WP Claret-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus viridis salvadorii Ptilinopus viridis pectoralis Ptilinopus viridis geelvinkianus Orange-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus iozonus jobiensis NG Ptilinopus iozonus humeralis Dwarf Fruit Dove Ptilinopus nainus NG Spice Imperial Pigeon Ducula myristicivora Geelvink Imperial Pigeon Ducula geelvinkiana WP Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rufigaster rufigaster NG Heard only Ducula rufigaster uropygialis (Heard only) Pinon Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon pinon NG Collared Imperial Pigeon Ducula mullerii mullerii NG Zoe's Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae NG Papuan Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps albertisii albertisii

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Greater Black [Ivory-billed] Coucal Centropus menbeki menbeki NG Lesser Black [Black-billed] Coucal Centropus bernsteini NG Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianus propinquus Heard only Biak Coucal Centropus chalybeus WP Dwarf Koel Microdynamis parva grisescens NG Eastern Koel Eudynamys orientalis rufiventer Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae novaehollandiae Long-billed Cuckoo Chrysococcyx megarhynchus NG Heard only Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo Chalcites ruficollis NG Shining Bronze Cuckoo Chalcites plagosus White-eared Bronze Cuckoo Chalcites meyerii NG Heard only Little Bronze Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus misoriensis Chalcites minutillus poecilurus White-crowned Cuckoo Caliechthrus leucolophus NG Heard only Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis castaneiventris arfakianus Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis excitus Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus infaustus STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa arkafi Heard only STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Biak Scops Owl Otus beccarii WP Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha NG Papuan Hawk-Owl Uroglaux dimorpha NG CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus ocellatus Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis papuensis CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Papuan Nightjar Eurostopodus papuensis NG Archbold's Nightjar Eurostopodus archboldi NG Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegalii APODIFORMES: Aegothelidae Feline Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles insignis NG Mountain Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles albertisi albertisi NG APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea mystacea APODIFORMES: Apodidae Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta nitens Collocalia esculenta numforensis Collocalia esculenta amethystina Mountain Swiftlet Aerodramus hirundinaceus hirundinaceus NG Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis waigeuensis Aerodramus vanikorensis steini Aerodramus vanikorensis yorki Papuan Spinetailed Swift Mearnsia novaeguineae buergersi NG CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis waigiouensis CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Hook-billed Kingfisher Melidora macrorrhina macrorrhina NG (Heard only) Melidora macrorrhina jobiensis Melidora macrorrhina waigiuensis (Heard only) Common Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea galatea Biak Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera [galatea] riedelii WP Shovel-billed Kookaburra Clytoceyx rex rex NG Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud NG Blue-black Kingfisher Todiramphus nigrocyaneus nigrocyaneus NG Beach Kingfisher Todiramphus saurophaga saurophaga Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus sanctus Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro torotoro Mountain Kingfisher Syma megarhyncha wellsi NG Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx [lepidus] solitarius NG

Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azurea lessonii CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae Blyth's Hornbill Aceros plicatus ruficollis Aceros plicatus jungei FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti PSITTACIFORMES: Cacatuidae Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus goliath Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita triton PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta keiensis chloroxantha Geelvink Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta geelvinkiana misoriensis WP Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta pusio beccarii Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii bruijnii Brown Lory Chalcopsitta duivenbodei duivenbodei NG Violet-necked Lory Eos squamata squamata Black-winged Lory Eos cyanogenia WP Coconut [Rainbow] Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus Biak Lorikeet Trichoglossus rosenbergii WP Black-capped Lory Lorius lory lory NG Lorius lory cyanauchen Lorius lory jobiensis Red-fronted Lorikeet Charmosyna rubronotata rubronotata NG Fairy Lorikeet Charmosyna pulchella pulchella NG Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou WP Stella's Lorikeet Charmosyna stellae NG Plum-faced Lorikeet Oreopsittacus arfaki arfaki NG Oreopsittacus arfaki major Yellow-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus musschenbroekii musschenbroekii NG Orange-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus pullicauda alpinus NG Brehm's Tiger-Parrot Psittacella brehmii intermixta NG Painted Tiger-Parrot Psittacella picta lorentzi NG Modest Tiger-Parrot Psittacella modesta modesta NG Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi pucherani Geoffroyus geoffroyi minor Geoffroyus geoffroyi mysoriensis Blue-collared Parrot Geoffroyus simplex simplex NG Heard only Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorynchos megalorynchos Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus biaki Eclectus roratus polychloros Moluccan King Parrot Alisterus amboinensis dorsalis Papuan King Parrot Alisterus chloropterus moszkowskii NG New Guinea Vulturine Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus NG Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma diophthalma Salvadori's Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris salvadorii WP PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Papuan Pitta Erythropitta macklotii macklotii Erythropitta macklotii habenichti (Heard only) Biak Hooded Pitta Pitta [sordida] rosenbergii WP Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida novaeguinea Heard only PASSERIFORMES: Ptilonorhynchidae White-eared Catbird Ailuroedus buccoides buccoides WP Heard only Tan-capped Catbird Ailuroedus buccoides geislerorum NG Arfak Catbird Ailuroedus melanotis arfakianus WP Archbold's Bowerbird Archboldia [papuensis] papuensis WP Heard only Vogelkop Bowerbird Amblyornis inornata WP Masked Bowerbird Sericulus aureus NG Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera cerviniventris PASSERIFORMES: Climacteridae Papuan Treecreeper Cormobates placens placens NG

Cormobates placens inexpectata (Heard only) PASSERIFORMES: Maluridae Emperor Fairywren Malurus cyanocephalus cyanocephalus NG Malurus cyanocephalus mysorensis White-shouldered Fairywren Malurus alboscapulatus alboscapulatus NG Malurus alboscapulatus aida Orange-crowned Fairywren Clytomyias insignis insignis NG PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae Ruby-throated Myzomela Myzomela eques eques NG Myzomela eques primitiva Red-brown Myzomela Myzomela [obscura] rubrobrunnea WP Red Myzomela Myzomela cruentata cruentata Elfin [Mountain] Myzomela Myzomela adolphinae NG Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii rosenbergii NG Rufous-sided Honeyeater Ptiloprora erythropleura erythropleura WP Grey-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora perstriata praedicta NG Plain Honeyeater Pycnopygius ixoides ixoides NG Marbled Honeyeater Pycnopygius cinereus cinereus NG Streak-headed Honeyeater Pycnopygius stictocephalus NG Spotted Honeyeater Xanthotis polygramma poikilosternos NG Xanthotis polygramma septentrionalis Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer fusciventris Xanthotis flaviventer philemon Meyer's Friarbird Philemon meyeri NG Helmeted [New Guinea] Friarbird Philemon buceroides novaeguineae NG Long-billed Honeyeater Melilestes megarhynchus megarhynchus NG Melilestes megarhynchus stresemanni Giant Wattled [Macgregor's] Honeyeater Macgregoria pulchra NG Western Smoky [Arfak] Honeyeater Melipotes gymnops WP Common Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus goliathi NG Brown-backed Honeyeater Ramsayornis modestus Black-throated Honeyeater Caligavis subfrenata subfrenata NG (Heard only) Caligavis subfrenatus utakwensis Sooty Honeyeater Melionyx fuscus occidentalis NG Short-bearded Melidectes Melionyx nouhuysi NG Cinnamon-browed Melidectes Melidectes ochromelas ochromelas NG Vogelkop Melidectes Melidectes leucostephes WP Belford's Melidectes Melidectes belfordi kinneari NG Ornate Melidectes Melidectes torquatus torquatus NG Melidectes torquatus nuchalis Varied Honeyeater Gavicalis versicolor sonoroides NG White-eared [Forest] Meliphaga Meliphaga montana montana NG Mountain Meliphaga Meliphaga orientalis facialis NG Mimic Meliphaga Meliphaga analoga NG Yellow-gaped Meliphaga Meliphaga flavirictus crockettorum NG Puff-backed Meliphaga Meliphaga aruensis sharpei NG Orange-cheeked Honeyeater Oreornis chrysogenys WP PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae Goldenface Pachycare flavogriseum NG PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae Rusty Mouse-warbler Crateroscelis murina murina NG Crateroscelis murina capitalis Mountain Mouse-warbler Crateroscelis robusta peninsularis NG Crateroscelis robusta sanfordi Pale-billed Scrubwren Sericornis spilodera ferrugineus NG Papuan Scrubwren Sericornis papuensis buergersi NG Perplexing Scrubwren Sericornis virgatus imitator NG Large Scrubwren Sericornis nouhuysi cantans NG Sericornis nouhuysi nouhuysi Buff-faced Scrubwren Sericornis perspicillatus NG Vogelkop Scrubwren Sericornis rufescens WP Grey-green Scrubwren Sericornis arfakianus NG Brown-breasted Gerygone Gerygone ruficollis ruficollis NG Gerygone ruficollis insperata Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris cobana Gerygone magnirostris conspicillata Gerygone magnirostris affinis

Biak Gerygone Gerygone [magnirostris] hypoxantha WP Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster leucothorax NG Gerygone chrysogaster neglecta Grey Thornbill Acanthiza cinerea NG Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronotus cinereiceps Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa palpebrosa New Guinea Thornbill Acanthiza murina NG PASSERIFORMES: Pomatostomidae Papuan Babbler Garritornis isidorei isidorei NG PASSERIFORMES: Orthonychidae Papuan Logrunner Orthonyx novaeguineae novaeguineae NG Orthonyx novaeguineae dorsalis PASSERIFORMES: Melanocharitidae Obscure Berrypecker Melanocharis arfakiana NG Black Berrypecker Melanocharis nigra pallida NG Mid-mountain Berrypecker Melanocharis longicauda longicauda NG Fan-tailed Berrypecker Melanocharis versteri versteri NG Melanocharis versteri meeki Streaked Berrypecker Melanocharis striativentris axillaris NG Spectacled [Dwarf] Longbill Oedistoma iliolophus affine NG Pygmy Longbill Oedistoma pygmaeum pygmaeum NG Yellow-bellied Longbill Toxorhamphus novaeguineae novaeguineae NG Slaty-headed Longbill Toxorhamphus poliopterus maximus NG PASSERIFORMES: Paramythiidae Tit Berrypecker Oreocharis arfaki NG Western Crested Berrypecker Paramythia olivacea WP PASSERIFORMES: Psophodidae Spotted Jewel-Babbler Ptilorrhoa leucosticta leucosticta NG Blue Jewel-Babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens neumanni NG Heard only PASSERIFORMES: Machaerirhynchidae Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer albifrons Black-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus nigripectus nigripectus NG Machaerirhynchus nigripectus saturatus PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus leucopygialis Great Woodswallow Artamus maximus NG Lowland Peltops Peltops blainvillii NG Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi quoyi Hooded Butcherbird Cracticus cassicus cassicus NG PASSERIFORMES: Rhagologidae Mottled Berryhunter Rhagologus leucostigma leucostigma NG PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Stout-billed Cuckooshrike Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua NG Boyer's Cuckooshrike Coracina boyeri boyeri NG White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis papuensis Hooded Cuckooshrike Coracina longicauda grisea NG Geelvink Cicadabird Edolisoma [tenuirostre] meyerii WP Papuan Cicadabird Edolisoma incerta NG Grey-headed Cicadabird Edolisoma schisticeps schisticeps NG Edolisoma schisticeps reichenowi Black Cicadabird Edolisoma melas melas NG Black-bellied Cicadabird Edolisoma montana montana NG Black-browed Triller Lalage atrovirens NG Biak Triller Lalage leucoptera WP PASSERIFORMES: Neosittidae Papuan Sittella Daphoenositta papuensis papuensis NG Black Sittella Daphoenositta miranda frontalis NG PASSERIFORMES: Oreoicidae Rufous-naped Bellbird Aleadryas rufinucha rufinucha NG

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae Black Pitohui Melanorectes nigrescens nigrescens NG Vogelkop Whistler Pachycephala meyeri WP Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex griseiceps Pachycephala simplex jobiensis Sclater's Whistler Pachycephala soror soror NG Baliem Whistler Pachycephala balim WP Lorentz's Whistler Pachycephala lorentzi NG Regent Whistler Pachycephala schlegelii schlegelii NG Rusty Pitohui Pseudorectes ferrugineus leucorhynchus NG Little Shrike-thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha affinis Colluricincla megarhyncha melanorhyncha Colluricincla megarhyncha idenburgi Colluricincla megarhyncha megarhyncha Northern Variable Pitohui Pitohui kirhocephalus kirhocephalus NG Raja Ampat Pitohui Pitohui cerviniventris WP Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous NG PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Brown Oriole Oriolus szalayi NG PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus carbonarius PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys melaleuca Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris gularis Biak Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] kordensis WP Sooty Thicket Fantail Rhipidura threnothorax threnothorax NG Black Thicket Fantail Rhipidura maculipectus NG White-bellied Thicket Fantail Rhipidura leucothorax leucothorax NG Black Fantail Rhipidura atra atra NG Friendly Fantail Rhipidura albolimbata albolimbata NG Dimorphic Fantail Rhipidura brachyrhyncha brachyrhyncha NG Rhipidura brachyrhyncha devisi Rufous-backed Fantail Rhipidura rufidorsa rufidorsa NG Pygmy Drongo Chaetorhynchus papuensis NG PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Fantailed (Black) Monarch Symposiachrus axillaris axillaris NG Spot-winged Monarch Symposiachrus guttula NG Biak Monarch Symposiachrus brehmii WP Golden Monarch Carterornis chrysomela melanonotus Carterornis chrysomela kordensis Carterornis chrysomela aurantiacus Ochre-collared Monarch Arses insularis NG Frilled Monarch Arses telescophthalmus batantae Biak Black Flycatcher Myiagra atra WP Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto chalybeocephala PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Brown-headed Crow Corvus fuscicapillus megarhynchus NG Grey Crow Corvus tristis NG Torresian Crow Corvus orru orru PASSERIFORMES: Melampittidae Lesser Melampitta Melampitta lugubris lugubris NG Melampitta lugubris rostrata PASSERIFORMES: Paradisaeidae Glossy-mantled Manucode Manucodia ater NG Jobi Manucode Manucodia jobiensis NG Trumpet Manucode Phonygammus keraudrenii Long-tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla carunculata carunculata WP Arfak Astrapia Astrapia nigra WP Splendid Astrapia Astrapia splendidissima NG Western Parotia Parotia sefilata WP King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise Pteridophora alberti alberti NG Heard only Superb Bird-of-Paradise Lophorina superba feminina NG Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastuosus fastosus NG

Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri albicans NG Black-billed Sicklebill Drepanornis albertisi NG Pale-billed Sicklebill Drepanornis bruijnii NG Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise Diphyllodes magnificus magnificus NG Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise Diphyllodes respublica WP King Bird-of-Paradise Cicinnurus regius coccineifrons NG Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca NG Lesser Bird-of-Paradise Paradisaea minor NG Red Bird-of-Paradise Paradisaea rubra WP PASSERIFORMES: Petroicidae Ashy Robin Heteromyias albispecularis albispecularis Black-sided Robin Poecilodryas hypoleuca steini NG Black-throated Robin Poecilodryas albonotata albonotata NG Poecilodryas albonotata griseiventris White-winged Robin Peneothello sigillatus quadrimaculata NG Smoky Robin Peneothello cryptoleuca cryptoleuca WP Blue-grey (Slaty) Robin Peneothello cyanus cyanus NG Peneothello cyanus atricapilla White-faced Robin Tregellasia leucops leucops Green-backed Robin Pachycephalopsis hattamensis hattamensis WP Torrent Flyrobin Monachella muelleriana muelleriana Papuan (Canary) Flyrobin Devioeca papuana NG Yellow-legged Flyrobin Kempiella griseoceps occidentalis Olive Flyrobin Kempiella flavovirescens cuicui NG Garnet Robin Eugerygone rubra rubra NG Subalpine (Mountain) Robin Petroica bivittata caudata NG Greater Ground Robin Amalocichla sclateriana occidentalis NG Lesser Ground Robin Amalocichla incerta olivascentior NG PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster Int PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae Island Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus poliocephalus Phylloscopus poliocephalus giulianettii Biak' Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus misoriensis WP PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae Papuan Grassbird Megalurus macrurus alpinus NG PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis diminutus PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Black-fronted White-eye Zosterops atrifrons chrysolaemus Zosterops atrifrons rothschildi Biak White-eye Zosterops mysorensis WP Capped White-eye Zosterops fuscicapilla fuscicapilla NG New Guinea (Papuan) White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae novaeguineae NG PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica metallica Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides Long-tailed Starling Aplonis magna magna WP Moluccan Starling Aplonis mysolensis mysolensis Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumontii NG Mino anais orientalis PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus versteegi PASSERIFORMES: Tmuscicapidae

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata belensis Saxicola caprata aethiops PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Olive-crowned Flowerpecker Dicaeum pectorale pectorale WP Red-capped Flowerpecker Dicaeum geelvinkianum misoriense NG Dicaeum geelvinkianum obscurifrons PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Black Sunbird Leptocoma sericea cochrani Leptocoma sericea sericea Leptocoma sericea maforensis Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis frenatus PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Int PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus pallidus NG Crimson Finch Neochmia phaetonevangelinae Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa sigillifer Streak-headed Mannikin Lonchura tristissima tristissima NG Grand [Great-billed] Mannikin Lonchura grandis destructa NG Grey-banded Mannikin Lonchura vana WP Hooded Mannikin Lonchura spectabilis mayri Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax sharpii WP Black-breasted Mannikin Lonchura teerinki WP Western Alpine [Snow Mountain] Mannikin Lonchura montana NG PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Alpine Pipit Anthus gutturalis wollastoni NG MAMMALS

Red-bellied Marsupial Shrew Phascolosorex doriae Biak Glider Petaurus biacensis NG Endemics NG = New Guinea Endemic WP = West Papua Endemic Int = Introduced / non-native Species Heard = Species heard only [Heard] = Subspecies heard only