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

29th September – 15th October 2015

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: Ashby Chadburn, Michael Duffy, Jim Fritzhand, Karin Grillo, John Lobel, Chuck and Jacqui Probst, Bob Proniwych.

Sumba Hornbill, Sumba © 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, our first Elegant Pitta, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Sumba Buttonquail, and many more. A change of islands bought 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 Timor Black Pigeon. 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, though Iris Lorikeet was briefer than desired.

Flores was our last major island and another flood of new endemics included hour-long views of Bare-throated Whistler belting out its car-alarm melody, Flores Green Pigeon, Flores Hawk Eagle, allopreening Leaf Lorikeet, perched Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Monarch and day-roosting Flores Scops Owls. The tour finished with a typically enjoyable visit to Komodo where Yellow-crested Cockatoo and Green Junglefowl were the bird highlight, but could barely compete with huge Komodo Dragons walking right towards us! After arriving in Bali we began the tour with a short flight across to Sumba in the late morning. Our first destination 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. Following lunch we visited a large brackish marsh, full of life, and a few species unlikely to be seen elsewhere on the tour – a pair of Hardhead, Javan Plovers, Australian Pelican, White-headed Stilt, Purple Swamphen and a flock of migrant Oriental Plover sat motionless in the afternoon heat. A stomp through the grasslands produced some excellent flight views of Sumba Buttonquail, and even on-deck views for some of us as one bird cowered behind a rock.

Sumba Brown Flycatcher and Sumba Flycatcher, Sumba Our first predawn vigil of the tour had us spotting the wrong owl initially as a Barn Owl had flown in exactly where the Ninox was supposed to. Fortunately, after having our fill of this fine Tyto we soon had the Greater Sumba Boobook rumbling above us in the spotlight. Just as the sun peeked through the canopy a male Sumba Hornbill was suddenly perched by the roadside, before flying back-and-forth around us – what a start! Further along the road we soon picked up a singing Sumba Myzomela while a family of Pale-shouldered Cicadabird were busy picking off insects either side of the road. A calling Red-naped Fruit Dove was soon picked up and ‘scoped in the early morning sunlight. Apricot-breasted Sunbird and both Yellow-spectacled and Ashy-bellied White-eyes were commonly found before further big-hitters followed with a pair of Chestnut-backed Thrush sat motionless inside the forest. Back on the roadside, during a coffee break our first Sumba Flycatcher was, typically, feeding unobtrusively on the forest floor, tail slowly pumping. The other two endemic flycatchers soon appeared also, first our first of 3 pairs of Sumba Jungle, then a pair of canopy-dwelling Sumba Brown Flycatcher that made a concerted effort to drop down to offer great views. After siesta we picked up a few new additions, most notably a male Sumba Green Pigeon – our only perched view, and sumbensis Wallacean Cuckooshrike. Overhead sumbawae swiftlets were numerous – though, to be precise the birds on Sumba are actually distinct from this taxon and are an undescribed taxon. After another pair of Red-naped Fruit Dove dusk was greeted by two Mees’s Nightjars floating overhead and shortly afterwards we had scope views of a vocal Little Sumba Boobook, a species described as recently as 2002, having previously been thought an undescribed Otus. A landslide the following morning prevented us birding where we had planned so we opted for a different site. The first bird of the morning was a perched Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, a species we have only found in this one locality on the island, though it is surprisingly common among the larger numbers of Green Imperial Pigeon. Other than a Green Junglefowl feeding in clear view, another single male Sumba Hornbill, our first Broad-billed Monarch and a couple of very distant Orange-crested Cockatoos the morning was quiet. Moving to a different locality we had a couple of brief flyover Marigold Lorikeet, more Sumba Myzomela, yet another single male hornbill (this was becoming a theme after the pairs on the previous month’s tour – hopefully the females are nested up) and finally a fantastic perched Elegant Pitta that gave walkaway views. The afternoon was a quiet affair given we had now cleaned-up on all the island’s specialities so we did some casual roadside birding, picking up extra views of several species, including singing Sumba Brown Flycatcher, flyover Marigold Lorikeets and a wary Orange-footed Scrubfowl flushed up into a tree.

Having seen all 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 and flying at closer range, but also wonderful numbers of Great-billed Parrots (at least 8) and Eclectus Parrot including one group of 13 – the most we have ever seen in a single flock on the island. Yet another lone male Sumba Hornbill breezed by in perfect light, and a Pacific Baza performed his butterfly display flight using the thermals right in front of us. 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 Kupang runway. 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 – Indonesian Honeyeater, Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Red-chested Flowerpecker, ‘Sunda’ Zebra Finch, ‘Timor’ Northern Fantail and, best of all, a perched adult Timor Sparrow.

Roti Boobook, Roti © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

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 Petrel, Pomarine Skua and Brown Booby were logged, along several tern species. Once in the forest (better description would be degraded scrub!) we picked up several of our targets in quick succession – ‘Roti’ Fantail, Myzomela and Leaf Warbler – the latter two currently undescribed while the former a sure-fire split from the over-lumped Northern complex. Species also occurring on Timor were also seen well, notably Plain Gerygone, Timor Oriole, Timor Blue Flycatcher (which is clearly not a Cyornis, but a Eumyias), Timor Bushchat and Fawn-breasted Whistler. Black-faced Cuckooshrike, a scarce Austral migrant, was also found as was a beautiful singing Orange-banded Thrush. In a different spot our reliable Timor Black Pigeon from every past trip popped up within seconds for prolonged views as the sun began to set. The main event on the island took quite some time, but the tension was finally broken by the rumbling calls of a Roti Boobook, which performed brilliantly, giving us a right stare, summed up perfectly by Bob - ‘who woke me up, wait a minute, I’m an owl, I should be up!’. The next morning was more of the same, after Red-capped Plovers the forest produced much the same as the previous afternoon with added bonuses being ‘Timor’ Wallacean Drongo and personata Wallacean Cuckooshrike. The vocally distinct myzomela, currently subsumed within Sumba performed particularly well, often giving its unique flight display right overhead. 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 (better named Timor Meliphaga) were abundant and birdlife in general was good. Buff-banded Bushbird belayed its usual elusive nature by allowing exceptional views on multiple occasions, with the pair even found preening, and later on another individual sat in an open bush. Red-backed Buttonquail and Brown Quail were both found feeding in the noisy leaf-litter and in addition we found Timor Friarbird, Five-coloured Munia and plenty of rufiventris Northern Fantail, so different from the Roti birds. After another excellent meal and comfortable night in Kupang we set of the next morning to begin our forest birding at Camplong. During our field breakfast Timor Figbird, Timor Bushchats, Sunda Bush Warbler, several Timor Orioles and yet more Timor Blue Flycatchers appeared. Ducking inside the forest we soon had our sights set

on the thin, high-pitched song of Timor’s most striking endemic, Black-banded Flycatcher. The first male we came across proved rather furtive, especially compared to the second male, that sat up on the edge of a bamboo clump, timing of which was perfect as after the flycatcher flew off, in came a Timor Stubtail, completely oblivious to our presence as it hopped in amongst the leaf-litter in search of food. Our first of several Black-chested Myzomela and Cinnamon-banded Kingfishers also appeared, as did a group of chirpy Spot-breasted Dark-eyes. In the afternoon we headed to a different area of dry forest, a couple more bushbirds appeared (we saw a whole bunch of them during our time on Timor between us all!), as well as the usual endemics we were now accustomed to then at a clearing the specialities started to appear again – both adult and juvenile Black-backed Fruit Dove, Timor Cuckoo Dove, and a Timor Wallacean Drongo. As dusk approached we managed to coax two ‘Timor Nightjars’ to hawk overhead in the spotlight, uttering their distinct vocalisations, the birds on Timor (and Wetar) being an undescribed species errornously placed within schegelli Large-tailed Nightjar, followed by a pair of Timor Boobooks to round off a great days endemic-hunting.

Black-banded Flycatcher and Wallace’s Hanging Parrot

The next morning we were on the road well before dawn for the short but bumpy and painfully slow drive up to Gunung Mutis. After enjoying our extensive picnic breakfast of omelette and banana pancakes we were walking along a pleasant open track through the forest. Good numbers of Island Thrush and Yellow-eared Honeyeaters were logged when suddenly two male ‘Timor Parrotfinch’ were perched besides us, allowing half of us excellent, though brief views of this undescribed species we found actually on our 2013 tour. It took some time but eventually we pinned down a green-bodied female, feeding in the leaf-litter with 4 Tricoloured Parrotfinches in the afternoon. Between these moments we enjoyed repeated views of ‘Timor Flowerpecker’ – part of a four-way split of Blood-breasted, Olive-headed Lorikeet, Metallic Pigeons, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Timor Drongo, Friarbird and Oriole, calliope Golden Whistler then just as the sun began to set, finally we heard the squawk of Iris Lorikeet with two flashing overhead, then a few minutes later Raja picked up two perched by the track which some of us got on to just in the nick of time before they were off into the distance! Most of us returned the following morning and we again picked up the female ‘Timor Parrotfinch’ mixed in with the Tricoloureds, while Brush Cuckoo, Bonelli’s Eagle, a brief Olive-shouldered Parrot (fortunately we’d all seen it on the Banda Sea tour) and Little Pied Flycatcher were new to the list. A forest fire, presumably set deliberately to allow for grazing bellowed on the opposite hillside – frustrating to see as the landscape here is so different to how it should look naturally. In the afternoon we returned to the lowlands and birded the dry forest again, Black-banded Flycatchers were much in evidence with a couple heard and prolonged views of a singing male were had. Timor Figbirds were also conspicuous, though the males, which must be outnumbered by female 10-1, were less so. At dusk once more, Timor Boobook gave lovely views as he called overhead. With another day to kill on Timor we headed to an area of coastal gallery forest and paddy fields. Olive-shouldered Parrots attempted to divert us from breakfast while once we were full and coffee-filled we headed into some bamboo scrub, finding a pair of Timor Stubtail perching above eye-level for exceptional views, along with yet more Black-banded Flycatchers – two pairs, both of which gave prolonged views, feeding antbird-like, clinging low onto thin trunks, pouncing on their prey. Otherwise, it was fairly quiet bar the obligatory honeyeaters and more bushchats so we headed to the paddies where Australian Pratincoles were common. Keeping the Aussie-feel we found 4 Pied and 2 White-faced Herons, macrotasra Gull-billed Tern, Australasian Reed Warbler, Australian Pelicans and a single Royal Spoonbill. Waders were represented by Long-toed and Red-necked Stints and even a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Which rounded off our time on Timor nicely! 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, enjoying a Bonelli’s Eagle en-route, and quickly enjoyed success with a male ‘Flores Shortwings’ close

to the roadside giving ample chances to appreciate the vocal and plumage differences from the vastly over-lumped White-browed Shortwing with which is currently resides, which was quickly replaced by a Russet-capped Tesia sharing the same perches. 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, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, albocinctus Black-backed Fruit Dove, Flores Leaf Warbler, trumpeting Brown-capped Fantails, Yellow-browed Dark-eye, Scaly-crowned Honeyeaters, several Leaf Lorikeets flying around only perching once the mist swirled around, ‘Flores Wallacean Drongo’, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, and a male Bare-throated Whistler belting out his ear-splitting chorus though the bird itself was rather distant and in the mist! We arrived late in the steamy lowlands at Kisol due to the roadworks en-route. Leaving us little time for anything except Mees’s Nightjars and Moluccan Scops Owls!

White-rumped Kingfisher and Elegant Pitta

Early next morning was a quiet night birding session but the diurnal birding was electric! We started off with Chestnut-capped Thrush, a species so rare now due to trapping, flying back-and-forth around us, occasionally perching – it was hard to work out if there were 2, 3 or even 4 birds! Further on, we found 2 groups (3 and a 2) of the bizarrely elusive Flores Crow, a personal favourite. 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 a superb Flores Hawk Eagle finally appeared over the ridge, in hot pursuit of 3 White-bellied Fish Eagles and managing to see them off. 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, followed by a more prolonged perched view of a Chestnut-capped Thrush, crown glistening in the sun and to top the morning off, a White-rumped Kingfisher sat motionless, peering across at us. With our targets at Kisol under the belt we headed back up to the highlands. Crested Dark-eye was new for us though our first effort with Flores Scops Owls typically ended in frustration, though this was largely because we were in the forest when two Wallace’s Scops Owl flew into the canopy above us, leaving us well and truly ‘wooded’! Birding all morning at Golo Lusang in the sunshine was most enjoyable, starting with perhaps the best day of the trip with 90 minutes of non-stop scoping of a Bare-throated Whistler belting his car-alarm song out continuously (they do this for over 4 hours, seemingly without taking breath!) during breakfast, see http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/bare-throated-whistler-pachycephala-nudigula/adult-male-full-song for video taken at the scene. We then strolled down the long, winding road taking in much of what we had seen previously, but also picked up ‘Flores Flowerpecker’ – soon to be split from Blood-breasted, and a nice comparison to the Timor and Sumba birds from earlier in the trip, before we located a pair of Flores Scops Owl roosting in the dense foliage, peering through the leaves at us – this would have considerably extended our sleeping hours if it wasn’t for Wallace’s Scops Owl frustrating us throughout the week, twice picking up Barn Owl as scant consolation! Almost as astonishing was finding a Golden-rumped Flowerpecker that actually flashed it’s golden rump at us (only the second time in 100s of observations James has witnessed this!). With a couple of hill-forest targets remaining in the area off we went. It’s amazing the sheer coincidences that so often happen in birding, exactly where we parked our vehicles just so happened to be next to a fruiting tree, that during the 5 minutes we were there contained a Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, we were able to watch it slowly, but deliberately pick up the fruits with one foot, test its ripeness, then either throw it to the ground or carry on eating it (see how, here http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/flores-hanging-parrot-loriculus-flosculus/adult-male-feeding)! While watching this emerald green gem a Flores Green Pigeon flew by completing our targets around here within five minutes, though being the purists we are, we wanted perched views. For the rest of the afternoon we picked up the same species as previously – Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Whistler, Black-fronted and Golden-rumped Flowerpeckers, an amazing White-rumped Kingfisher calling at the roadside (see http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/white-rumped-kingfisher-caridonax-fulgidus/adult-calling for a video of our views),

and to top of the day, 25 minute views of an Elegant Pitta calling above the road (it was a video-manic day today, the bird can be viewed here – http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/elegant-pitta-pitta-elegans/adult-facing-away-then-turning-around-facing-forward-calling-poopi). Returning to the same area the next morning it was over breakfast that a Flores Green Pigeon once again flew by, only this time landing in the shade of a fig tree, falling asleep until the sun hit when it gradually woke up! We had an enjoyable morning, walking down the road, observing rural life in this coffee-growing area. Birds were abundant to begin with – Thick-billed and Crested Dark-eyes, more minivets, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Whistlers, Modest, Black-fronted and Golden-rumped Flowerpeckers and yet another White-rumped Kingfisher. Some of us went out in the afternoon when Flores Leaf Warbler, Flores Shortwing and Leaf Lorikeets again appeared before a bit more night-birding, post-dinner. We then began the drive down to the western lowlands for our next base in Labuanbajo (after yet more night-birding!) stopping for breakfast in a eucalyptus plantation that was full of Leaf Lorikeet, we eventually found several pairs allopreening in a roadside tree for walkaway views. A more important stop was to follow because the mid-elevation forests at Puarlolo are famous as the easiest place to see the endemic Flores Monarch. Fortunately, the monarch is still quite numerous at this location and we had excellent views of a bird within minutes of arrival at our ‘new’ site. A small fruiting palm held at least 3 Chestnut-capped Thrush offering stunning views, even flashing their bubblegum-pink legs! We then we weaved our way down to our beachside side lodge to almost relax, with just a few shorebirds picked up during our afternoon stroll along the beach.

Chestnut-capped Thrush and Flores Monarch, Flores Our last full day of the tour was one of the most eagerly anticipated of the tour as we boarded a speedboat before sunrise for the spectacular rise across to Komodo Island, land of the immense Komodo Dragon. Lesser Frigatebird, Roseate, Common, Black-naped and Greater Crested Terns, White-bellied Fish Eagle, Red-necked Phalaropes and even a Pied Imperial Pigeon (first time we’ve seen it on this tour) all enlivened the hour-long journey. From the jetty we already had 15 Yellow-crested Cockatoo in view, and two dragons sunning themselves on an exposed hill. Once on the island we enjoyed a succession of confiding Green Junglefowl before an immense Komodo Dragon was found lying down by the drinking pool – we found several of these awesome beasts during our morning. Yellow-crested Cockatoos also appeared for closer looks – we logged at least 25, 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, Variable Goshawk, Flame-breasted Sunbirds, ridicously confiding Green Imperial Pigeons and Barred Doves. To complete the morning we anchored off a sandy beach for an hour 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 our best ever views of Flores Crow, a hawking Mees’s Nightjar and spot-lit our final White-rumped Kingfisher of the trip! The tour recorded a total of 249 species of which only 3 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. Bird of the trip 1 = Sumba Hornbill 2 = Bare-throated Whistler 3 = Chestnut-capped Thrush 4 = Elegant Pitta 5 = Black-banded Flycatcher

Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Komodo and Flores Crow, Flores

Oriental Plover and Elegant Pitta, Sumba

Sumba Jungle Flycatcher and Sumba Myzomela, Sumba

Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, male and female, Sumba

Sumba Hornbill and Little Sumba Boobook, Sumba

Timor Cuckoo Dove, Timor and Timor Black Pigeon, Roti

Roti Myzomela and Roti Fantail, Roti

Timor Thicketbird, Timor and Timor Bushchat, Roti

Australian Brush Cuckoo and Little Bronze Cuckoo, Timor

Paddyfield Pipit and Timor Friarbird, Timor

Timor Boobook and Tricoloured Parrotfinch, Timor

Black-chested Myzomela and Spot-breasted Heleia, Timor

Russet-capped Tesia and Flores Shortwing, Flores

Mountain White-eye and Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Flores

Mountain White-eye and Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Flores

Flores Leaf Warbler and Flores Scops Owl, Flores

Yellow-spectacled Dark-eye and Flores Minivet, Flores

Black-naped Oriole and Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Komodo

Systematic List ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Sunda Teal Anas gibberifrons 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

PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis tricolor

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis metallica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina 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 Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Sunda Cuckoo Cuculus lepidus

Oriental / Himalayan Cuckoo Cuculus optatus / saturata Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis sepulcralis Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus whitei Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus malayana 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 Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea cinerea Australian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus orientalis Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

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

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Red-necked Stint Ereunetes ruficollis Long-toed Stint Ereunetes subminuta Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Ereunetes acuminata Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae Red-backed Buttonquail Turnix maculosus floresiana

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 Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Roseate Tern Sterna douglasii Common Tern Sterna hirundo Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Stercorariidae

Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae

Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii

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

CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Pied Heron Ardea picata 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 Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus

PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata timorloaensis Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 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 tjendanea

Tachyspiza fasciatus hellmayri

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

STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba javanica

Tyto alba sumbaensis

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Flores Scops Owl Otus alfredi

Wallace's Scops Owl Otus silvicola Heard only 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

Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa 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

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 megalorynchos sumbensis Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus cornelia Olive-shouldered 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 Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae melanops Pale-shouldered Cicadabird Lalage dohertyi White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii Flores Minivet Pericrocotus lansbergei

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae 'Timor' Northern Fantail Actinodura cyanouroptera

'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 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

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

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 Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Cettiidae Aberrant Bush Warbler Horornis flavolivacea everetti

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

PASSERIFORMES: Pnoepygidae Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla everetti Heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis sumbae

PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae

Timor Thicketbird Buettikoferella bivittata

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 Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 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 franki

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 modestus tincta

Pachyglossa modestus obsoleta

Black-fronted Flowerpecker Dicaeum igniferum Red-chested Flowerpecker Dicaeum maugei maugei 'Timor' Flowerpecker Dicaeum [sanguinolentum] hanieli 'Flores' Flowerpecker 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 Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor Parrotfinch sp (Timor) Erythrura sp nov Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata nisoria

Lonchura punctulata sumbae

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

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus malaccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus albidus

Anthus rufulus medius

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

MAMMALS

Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto Black-bearded Flying Fox Pteropus melanopogon Large Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Indo-Pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops aduncus Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis

REPTILES Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis

Tockeh Gecko gecko House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Water Monitor Varanus salvator bivittatus Green Turtle Chelonia mydas

249 species recorded including 3 heard only

Komodo Dragon, Komodo © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia