Lesser Sundas, Indonesia

Systematic List

16th – 29th July 2006

Leader: James Eaton

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Birds marked with an astrix (*) are endemic to the Lesser Sunda islands

Lesser Frigatebird fregata ariel
Komodo; 1 from the speedboat to Komodo

[Frigatebird sp fregata sp]
Timor; a distant bird over Kupang Bay
Komodo; 2 from the speedboat were possibly Greater Frigatebird f. Minor

Gull-billed Tern gelochelidon nilotica
Timor; 8 at Bipolo

Black-naped Tern sterna sumatrana
Komodo; 20+ on the crossing

Little Tern sterna albifrons
Timor; 2 in Kupang Bay

Greater Crested Tern sterna bergii
Timor; 2 in Kupang Bay
Komodo; several from the boat

Little Pied Cormorant phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Timor; a single at Bipolo
Flores; 9 at Danau Ranamese

Great-billed Heron ardea sumatrana
Komodo; 1 on the beach

Purple Heron ardea purpurea
Sumba; 1 flew over the forest and 1 flew over Yumbu

White-faced Heron egretta novaehollandiae
Timor; several of this austalasian species at Bipolo

Great Egret egretta alba
Timor; Several at Bipolo

Intermediate Egret egretta
Sumba; several near Kupang

Little Egret egretta garzetta
Timor; Recorded at Bipolo
Sumba; recorded at Kupang

Cattle Egret bubulcus ibis
Odd sightings throughout

Pacific Reef-egret egretta sacra
Komodo; several

Javan Pond-Heron ardeola speciosa
Occassionally seen

Oriental Honey-buzzard pernis ptilorhyncus
3 birds together at Camplong

Black-winged Kite elanus caeruleus
Timor; 1 at Bipolo

Black Kite milvus migrans
Timor; several at Bipolo
Sumba; several at Tambolaka airstrip and Yumbu

Brahminy Kite haliastur indus
Sumba; several at Tambolaka airstrip and Yumbu

Short-toed Eagle circaetus gallicus
Sumba; 1 soaring over the forest at Lewa

Bonelli's Eagle hieraaetus faciatus
Timor; Camplong 1 imm
Flores; a superb adult being harrassed over the airport at Ruteng

*Flores Hawk-Eagle spizaetus floris
Flores; great views of this huge eagle near
Kisol as it dwarfed the mobbing Peregrine overhead. This distintive species was recently split from Changeable Hawk-Eagle s. Cirrhatus and may well be critically endangered

Spotted Harrier circus assimilis
Sumba; a quartering pair upon our arrival in Lewa and a single showed nicely at Yumbu

Brown Goshawk accipiter fasciatus
Timor; an immature perched up at Bipolo
Flores; an adult near Labuanbajo

Variable Goshawk accipiter novaehollandiae
Sumba; a pair perched in the forest near Lewa. This species is not listed for Sumba in Coates & Bishop yet this is the second site that the leader has recorded this species on Sumba. The birds resembled the widespread sylvestris race

Pacific Baza aviceda subcristata
Timor; a single at Bipolo
Sumba; a single near Lewa

Spotted Kestrel falco moluccensis
Regularly recorded throughout

Peregrine falco peregrinus
Flores; seen twice, once at Ruteng once at Kisol, both times mobbing eagles, Bonelli's and Flores Hawk respectively

Sunda Teal anas gibberifrons
Timor; 4 at Bipolo
Flores; 20+ near Labuanbajo

Brown Quail coturnix ypsilophora
Sumba; 7 at Yumbu

Green Junglefowl gallus varius
Sumba; heard near Lewa
Flores; female at Kisol, also heard
Komodo; common

*Sumba Buttonquail turnix everetti
Sumba; this species completed the set of Sumba endemics for us with several seen well in flight Near Yumbu

Orange-footed Scrubfowl megapodius reinwerdt
Sumba; recorded near Lewa
Komodo; 2 showed well

White-breasted Waterhen amaurornis phoenicurus
Timor; Single at Camplong

Red-capped Plover charadrius ruficapillus
Timor; A lone male at Bipolo

Common Sandpiper actitis hypoleucos
Timor; pair at Bipolo

Whimbrel numenius phaeopus
Flores; small numbers near Labuanbajo

Beach Thick-knee esacus neglectus
Flores; 1 near Labuanbajo

Island Collared Dove streptopelia bitorquata
Komodo; 3

*Barred Dove geopelia maugei
Timor; Several showed well at Bipolo, also heard at Camplong
Sumba; 2 at Yumbu
Flores; heard at Kisol
Komodo; very common

Spotted Dove streptopelia chinensis
Common throughout

Metallic Pigeon columba metallica
Timor; Several observed on Gunung Mutis

Barred Cuckoo-Dove macropygia unchall
Flores; 4 seen at Golo Lusang also heard elsewhere around Ruteng

Little Cuckoo-Dove macropygia ruficeps
Timor; 2 on Gunung Mutis
Flores; reguarly heard in the Flores highlands

Emerald Dove chalcophaps indica
Timor; single en-route to Camplong of the longirostris form, a potential australasian split
Sumba; several near Lewa of the oriental form indica
Flores; several at Kisol

Green Imperial-Pigeon ducula aenea
Sumba; common near Lewa
Flores; common in the lowlands
Komodo; common

Pink-headed Imperial-Pigeon ducula rosacea
Timor; 8 feeding in a small fruiting tree at Bipolo were particularly confiding.

Dark-backed Imperial-Pigeon ducula lacernulata
Flores; 1 at Poco Ranaka

*Timor Imperial-Pigeon ducula cineracea
Timor; Great perched views were had of a wary bird at Gunung Mutis of this seldom-seen species.

Black-backed Fruit-Dove ptilinopes cinctus
Timor; Following a single elusive bird at Gunung Mutis, a fruiting tree at Bipolo held at least 15 of these beautiful birds with some great views had by all.

*Red-naped Fruit-Dove ptilinopes dohertyi
Sumba; several cracking scope views of these most beautiful birds near Lewa, including 3 feeding in a fruiting tree and several perched atop dead snags, another Sumba endemic

Black-naped Fruit-Dove ptilinopus melanospila
Sumba; common near Lewa
Flores; several at Kisol and Potawangka

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove ptilinopus regina
Timor; At least 10 offered great views at Bipolo and at Camplong 2 pairs seen and several others heard

*Sumba Green-Pigeon treron teysmannii
Sumba; completing our set set of Sumba fost endemics, 3 birds finally gave scopes views as they called nearby

Marigold Lorikeet trichoglossus fortis
Sumba; several of this distinctive recent split from Rainbow Lorikeet gave prolonged views near Lewa

*Flores Lorikeet trichoglossus weberi
Flores; 3 flew low over Golo Lusang also heard at Poco Ranaka. Seen twice at Kisol

*Olive-headed Lorikeet trichoglossus euteles
Timor; On Gunung Mutis nice views were had of a perched bird with others heard. Up to 50 at Bipolo gave some great perched views in between noisly darting overhead.

Yellow-crested Cockatoo cacatua sulphurea
Komodo; several of this critically endangered species on Komodo

Great-billed Parrot tanygnathus megalorynchos
Sumba; reguarly seen flying over the forest canopy, calling loudly near Lewa
Flores; 3 at Potawangka

*Olive-shouldered Parrot aprosmictus jonquillaceus
Timor; Good views of a single perched bird
 and later another gave a Brief fly-by.

Red-cheeked Parrot geoffroyus geoffroyi
Timor; A pair showed briefly at Bipolo
Sumba; occasional sightings near Lewa
Flores; Seen at Kisol, Puarlolo and Potawangka

*Wallace's Hanging-parrot loriculus flosculus
Flores; 1 frustratingly brief fly-over at Potawangka

Sunda Cuckoo cuculus lepidus
Flores; 1 at Danau Ranamese and also regularly heard in the area

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo cacomantis sepulcralis sepulcralis
Sumba; Close encounters with 2 separate birds near Lewa. The birds in Indonesia are a potential split, 'Indonesian Cuckoo'
Flores; heard throughout

Brush Cuckoo cacomantis variolosus
Heard at Camplong

Shining Bronze Cuckoo chrysococcyx lucidus
Sumba; several of this australasian visitor near Lewa

Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo chrysococcyx russatus
Timor; At Camplong several encountered and regularly heard giving its frustrating Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher-like trill!

Common Koel eudynamys scolopacea
Komodo; 1

Eastern Grass Owl tyto longimembris
Sumba; 1 flew in silently at dusk and perched close giving great views near Lewa, also heard the next evening

*Little Sumba Boobook ninox
Sumba; this recently described species gave great views as it duetted from a nearby perch pre-dawn

*Sumba Boobook ninox rudolfi
Sumba; after frustratingly hearing them in the pre-dawn session near Lewa we obtained stunning views of a bird in the evening right at the death as we were already packing up to leave

*Timor Boobook ninox fusca
Timor; Camplong a pair showed well perched on exposed branches overhead as they did their 'walking on a tight-rope' impression, spreading their wings as they called. This endemic is best treated as a separate species from Southern Boobook n. novaeseelandiae

*Flores Scops-Owl otus alfredi
Flores; Eventually we obtained eye-level views of this beautiful rufous owl as it duetted with its partner near Ruteng with at least 1 other pair heard.
This species was virtually unknown until we rediscovered it in 2005 after just 2 records since 1896 and recorded its previously unknown vocalisations.

*Wallace's Scops-Owl otus silvicola
Flores; Several fantastic views of 1 at Kisol after a surprsingly short wait for this wary and unpredictable owl. Also heard near Ruteng

Moluccan Scops-Owl otus magicus albiventris
Flores; Whilst searching for the previous species at Kisol we were lucky enough to come across a single perched close and low hunting at Kisol and later the bird responded
Well to tape allowing us yet more views

*Mees' Nightjar caprimulgus mees
Sumba; 1 sallied overhead near Lewa as it gave its distintive calls. Recently split from Large-tailed Nightjar c. Macrurus
Flores; heard at Kisol

Savanna Nightjar caprimulgus affinis
Timor; 1 sitting on the road at dawn  near Bipolo

Edible-nest Swiftlet collocalia fuciphaga
Flores; Common at Kisol and elsewhere

Glossy Swiftlet collocalia esculenta
Common throughout

*White-rumped Kingfisher caridonax fulgidus
Flores; Great close views of a perched bird showing off its white rump before turning round resulting in a frantic rush for the digiscopers amongst us

*Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher halcyon australasia
Timor; Superb prolonged views of a mating pair at Bipolo particularly pleased the photographers.
Sumba; heard twice near Lewa

Collared Kingfisher halcyon chloris
Common throughout usually near the coast

Sacred Kingfisher halcyon sancta
Timor; 3 near Kupang
Komodo; 1

Common Kingfisher alcedo atthis
Timor; a single near Kupang

*Sumba Hornbill rhyticeros everetti
Sumba; 3 glided across the forested ridgetop near Lewa. Later the same day the distintive rattling call of this species was heard before we quickly located a pair perched in a nearby tree,we then watched them tree-hopping along the ridgetop for 5 minutes

Blue-tailed Bee-eater merops philippinus
Flores; a few at Potawangka

Rainbow Bee-eater merops ornatus
This australasian winter visitor was common throughout

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker dendrocopos moluccensis
Flores; 2 at Kisol and 1 at Poco Ranaka

*Elegant Pitta pitta elegans
Sumba; 4 sightings in total near Lewa of this common but elusive species
Flores; 1 seen briefly at Kisol and reguarly heard. Several surprisingly good flight views as 1 bird continually flew across the road in response to playback

Australasian Bushlark mirafra javanica
Sumba; Abundant at Yumbu

Pacific Swallow hirundo tahitica
Occasional sightings throughout

Striated Swallow hirundo striolata
Timor; several at Bipolo

Tree Martin hirundo nigricans
Timor; several at Bipolo

Paddyfield Pipit anthus novaeseelandiae
Timor; several on Gunung Mutis
Sumba; several at Yumbu
Flores; several near Labuanbajo

Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike coracina personata
Timor; A pair on Gunung Mutis

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike coracina novaehollandiae
Timor; 1 at Bipolo

*Pale-shouldered Cicadabird coracina dohertyi
Sumba; a few near Lewa
Flores; pair at Poco Ranaka

White-shouldered Triller lalage sueurii
Common in the coastal lowlands

*Flores Minivet pericrocotus lansbergei
Flores; several small parties of this delightful species throughout

[Sooty-headed Bulbul pycnonotus aurigaster]
Timor; several around Kupang Airport, presumed escapes

*Greater Wallacean Drongo dicrurus densus
Timor; 2 briefly at Camplong, a single at Gunung Mutis and finally prolonged views of 1 at Bipolo

*Lesser Wallacean Drongo dicrurus
Sumba; regular sightings of this distintive split from Greater Wallacean Drongo near Lewa
Flores; regular encounters
Komodo; common

*Timor Oriole oriolus melanotis
Timor; Nice views of a vocal pair at Camplong and a singing male at Bipolo

Black-naped Oriole oriolus chinensis
Sumba; several near Lewa
Flores; 3 near Potawangka
Komodo; 2

*Timor Figbird sphecotheres viridis
Timor; At Camplong a single female and immature male and several, including some fine males, at Bipolo

*Flores Crow corvus florensis
Flores; several encounters at Kisol of this vocally amazing but incredibly secretive corvid! 1 and others heard at Potawangka

Large-billed Crow corvus macrorhynchos
Seen throughout

Great Tit parus major
Timor; recorded at Gunung Mutis and Bipolo
Komodo; 2

Pygmy Wren-babbler pnoepyga pusilla
Timor; the vocally and morphilogically distinct timorensis race was regularly heard with a few seen on Gunung Mutis. A good candidate as a future split, Timor Wren-babbler
Flores; 1 seen, many heard near Ruteng

Pied Bushchat saxicola caprata
Common throughout

*White-bellied Chat saxicola gutturalis
Timor; 2 pairs of this oddly placed Timor endemic at Camplong

*Orange-banded Thrush zoothera peronii
Timor; At Camplong this sweet songster gave several superb, close views. A single was also observed in the company of the following species on Gunung Mutis.

*Chestnut-backed Thrush zoothera dohertyi
Timor; Eventually everyone got good views of a pair at Gunung Mutis
Sumba; several stunning views of this usually shy species near Lewa, including scope views of a bird feeding on the roadside
Flores; a single flushed off the track at Poco Ranaka
The birds on Sumba are noticeably distinct from other races I have encountered in having a fufous wash on the lower flanks, extending across the belly and an indistinct chestnut rump. Surely the birds on Sumba are of a different taxon to elsewhere on the Lesser Sundas

Chestnut-capped Thrush zoothera interpres
Flores; A pair put in several brief shows at Kisol with everyone eventually obtaining unobscured views of this shy zoothera. Especially pleasing given the current crash of zoothera's within the region for the cage bird industry

[Sunda Bush-warbler cettia vulcania]
Timor; heard at Camplong and Gunung Mutis

Clamorous Reed-warbler acrocephalus stentoreus sumbae
Timor; 1 near Kupang and heard at Bipolo. Birds within the region are sometimes considered to form a separate species with the australasian populations, Australian Reed-warbler a. Australis

*Buff-banded Thicket-warbler buettikoferella bivittata
Timor; A single bird showed well twice as it ran along the ground between bamboo clumps with 2 other brief encounters. Also heard at Bipolo

Zitting Cisticola cisticola juncidis
Regularly recorded in the coastal lowlands

Golden-bellied Geygone gerygone sulphurea
Flores; seen near Labuanbajo

Plain Gerygone gerygone inornata
Timor; Common throughout

*Russet-capped Tesia tesia everetti
Flores; brilliant prolonged views of a displaying male wing-flicking at Kisol. Also seen at Ranamese and Puarlolo

*Timor Stubtail urosphena subulata
Timor; Great views of this skulker at Camplong, also heard at Bipolo.

Mountain Tailorbird orthotomus cuculatus
Flores; common near Ruteng

*Flores Leaf-warbler phylloscopus floris
Flores; common in the Ruteng area

*Timor Leaf-warbler phylloscopus presbytes
Timor; Common on Gunung Mutis

Oriental White-eye zosterops palpebrosus unicus
Flores; this yellow-bellied race was commonly encountered in the Flores interior

Mountain White-eye zosterops montanus
Timor; common on Gunung Mutis
Flores; Common near Ruteng

*Yellow-spectacled White-eye zosterops wallacei
Sumba; common near Lewa
Flores; common throughout
Komodo; common

Yellow-bellied White-eye zosterops chloris
Flores; seen near Labuanbajo
Komodo; several active parties

Ashy-bellied White-eye zosterops citrinellus
Timor; commonly encountered quick moving flocks
Sumba; recorded near Lewa

*Yellow-browed Dark-eye lophozosterops superciliaris
Flores; regularly seen around Ruteng

*Crested Dark-eye lophozosterops dohertyi
Flores; singles at Danau Ranamese and Puarlolo

*Spot-breasted Dark-eye heleia muelleri
Timor; singles on Gunung Mutis and Camplong

*Thick-billed Dark-eye heleia crassirostris
Flores; great looks of a flock of this giant Sylvia-like species at Kisol and a single near Potawangka, also heard

*Flores Jungle-flycatcher rhinomyias oscillans
Flores; a singing bird at Danau Ranamese showed particularly well

*Sumba Jungle-flycatcher rhinomyias stresemanni
Sumba; 4 near Lewa

*Sumba Brown Flycatcher muscicapa segregata
Sumba; 4 near Lewa of this tricky species

Snowy-browed Flycatcher ficedula hyperythra
Timor; common at Gunung Mutis

*Sumba Flycatcher ficedula harterti
Sumba; a singing bird perched up and later another brief single

Little Pied Flycatcher ficedula westermanni
Timor; recorded on Gunung Mutis
Flores; common around Ruteng

*Black-banded Flycatcher ficedula timorensis
Timor; a single of this cracking but frustratingly elusive bird at Camplong, amazingly everyone managed to get on the bird before it predictably vanished

*Timor Blue Flycatcher cyornis hyacinthinus
Timor; several nice looks at all 3 sites visited on the island

Asian Paradise-flycatcher terpsiphone paradisi
Sumba; several near Lewa
Flores; several at Kisol and Potawangka

Black-naped Monarch hypothymis azurea
Flores; common in the lowlands

*Flores Monarch monarcha sacerdotum
Flores; Fine views of a single in the late afternoon at Puarlolo of this much wanted species

Spectacled Monarch monarcha trivirgatus
Occasional sightings throughout

Northern Fantail rhipidura rufiventris
Timor; Common throughout

Arufura Fantail rhipidura semicollaris
Timor; This recent split from Rufous Fantail was recorded throughout
Sumba; seen occasionally
Flores; recorded at Kisol and Potawangka

Grey-headed Flycatcher culicicapa ceylonensis
Occasionally recorded throughout

*Fawn-breasted Whistler pachycephala orpheus
Timor; Commonly encountered throughout

Golden Whistler pachycephala pectoralis
Timor; Seen on Gunung Mutis and regularly heard here and at Camplong
Sumba; Common near Lewa
Flores; Common throughout

*Bare-throated Whistler pachycephala nudigula
Flores; We visited the natural ampitheatre at Golo Lusang to listen to the cocophony of the dawn chorus of this marvelous species. Also seen at Poco Ranaka and Danau Ranamese

White-breasted Wood-swallow artamus leucorhynchus
Timor; several at Bipolo

Black-faced Wood-swallow artamus cinereus
Timor; 2 at Bipolo

Long-tailed Shrike lanius schach
Timor; 1 at Kupang airport

Short-tailed Starling aplonis minor
Sumba; 2 near Lewa
Flores; Occasionally recorded

[White-vented Myna acridotheres cinereus]
Sumba; presumed escapes at Yumbu

*Timor Friarbird philemon inornatus
Timor; A few at Bipolo

Helmeted Friarbird philemon buceroides
Timor; Reguarly recorded at Camplong and Gunung Mutis
Sumba; Recorded near Lewa
Flores; regularly encountered

*Streak-breasted Honeyeater meliphaga reticulata
Timor;Common Timor endemic

*Scaly-crowned Honeyeater lichmera lombokia
Flores; common around Ruteng

*Yellow-eared Honeyeater meliphaga flavicans
Timor; Another common Timor endemic

*Sumba Myzomela myzomela dammermani
Sumba; 4 males and 2 females of this dazzng bird near Lewa

*Black-chested Myzomela myzomela vulnerata
Timor; Some nice views at Camplong at Gunung Mutis

Brown-throated Sunbird anthreptes malacensis
Sumba; several
Flores; several

Olive-backed Sunbird nectarinia jugularis
Flores; Common

*Apricot-breasted Sunbird nectarinia buettikoferi
Sumba; common endemic near Lewa

*Flame-breasted Sunbird nectarinia solaris
Common throughout

*Golden-rumped Flowerpecker dicaeum annae
Flores; 4 at Golo Lusang and many at Potawangka.

*Black-fronted Flowerpecker diceaum igniferum
Flores; 4 at Kisol and 1 at Potawangka
Komodo; 2 males

*Red-chested Flowerpecker dicaeum maugei
Timor; reguarly sighted at Camplong

Blood-breasted Flowerpecker dicaeum
Timor; 2 at Gunung Mutis
Sumba; Common near Lewa

Tree Sparrow passer montanus
Very common throughout

Zebra Finch taeniopygia guttata
Occasionally encountered throughout

Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch erythrura hyperythra
Flores; 1 showed briefly at Poco Ranaka

Scaly-breasted Munia lonchura punctulata
Common throughout

Black-faced Munia lonchura
Sumba; a small party at Lewa
Flores; Regular encounters throughout

*Five-coloured Munia lonchura
Timor; at least 400 at Bipolo
Sumba; 15 at Yumbu

Pale-headed Munia lonchura pallida
Timor; a few at Bipolo

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