CLASSIC SUMATRA TOUR REPORT 2025

28 July - 10 August 2025

Sjoerd Radstaak

This year’s Classic Sumatra tour focused on three major birding hotspots on this Indonesian island: the lowlands of Way Kambas NP and the hills and mountains of Kerinci-Seblat NP, in particular Tapan Road and Gunung Kerinci. Though this year turned out to be hard work and the weather wasn’t always on our side, we still managed to connect with many good birds in just twelve days. In Way Kambas NP, we found Large and Sunda Frogmouth, Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Malayan Crested Fireback and Rufous-collared Kingfisher at night. During the daytime we managed to find many of the Sundaic endemics like colourful Malayan Banded Pitta, uncommon Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon, intriguing Red-bearded Bee-eater, bold Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler and water-loving Black-and-red Broadbill – alongside a nice set of malkohas, babblers, trogons and beautiful woodpeckers like Orange-backed, Checker-throated and Banded. On Gunung Kerinci we connected with almost all endemics (except the difficult cochoa), having wonderful encounters with Red-billed Partridge, Sumatran Peacock Pheasant, Sumatran Trogon, Schneider’s Pitta, Salvadori’s Pheasant, Rajah Scops Owl, Rusty-breasted and Sumatran Wren Babbler. On the Tapan Road we enjoyed good views of Sumatran Leafbird, Sumatran Treepie, Marbled Wren-Babbler, Graceful Pitta and a nice set of endemic and range-restricted bulbuls: Cream-striped, Spot-necked, Sumatran, Grey-bellied and Scaly-breasted Bulbul. In between, we had some great moments with the best bird of the trip, the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo.

The tour began at the airport of Bandar Lampung. With some of us already there and others being delayed, nest-building White-headed Munias provided some much needed distraction. From there, we drove the short drive to the lowlands of Way Kambas NP. Upon arrival it was already dark, so we had dinner and an introductory round. The next morning we left at 4 AM, starting along the main track with night birding. We heard Sunda Frogmouth and Brown Boobook, but both did not come in. Just before dawn we heard another Sunda Frogmouth, when suddenly a Large Frogmouth started singing. It didn’t take long before we were all looking at this beast among the frogmouths! Sunda Frogmouth eluded us, but we enjoyed good views of Sunda Scops Owl and Sunda Colugo with a baby. By now it was almost light and we slowly picked up on more new birds like Banded Woodpecker, Sunda Crow and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. Unfortunately it started to rain, so we decided to have our packed breakfast first and then continue birding. In the drizzle we enjoyed Short-tailed Babbler (now lumped again together with the Bornean birds and no longer known as Mourning Babbler), a pair of Orange-backed Woodpecker, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Sooty Barbet, Red-crowned Barbet, White-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird and Chestnut-winged Warbler. Back at the lodge we had lunch, adding Plain, Crimson-breasted and Orange-bellied Flowerpecker to our list in the garden. Late afternoon we went back in and although afternoons can be slow at times, this time it was birdy, finding a pair of Checker-throated Woodpecker, Red-billed Malkoha, Red-naped and Diard’s Trogons, Buff-rumped and Buff-necked Woodpeckers and a female Banded Kingfisher! Above the track we taped in a showy Black-and-yellow Broadbill. A little further we enjoyed Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler and heard our first Malayan Banded Pitta, while on the main track we saw our first Red Junglefowl and Malayan Crested Fireback. Night birding was a bit slow, though we did see our first Brown Boobooks, heard Malaysian Eared Nightjar and Reddish Scops Owl and enjoyed Malaysian Slow Loris. Several Malayan Crested Firebacks were found roosting above the main track, a recurring event over the next few days.

The next morning we had a good start with a nice pair of Sunda Frogmouth in the garden! At dawn, Rufous-collared Kingfishers were the first birds singing and with the help of the thermal we soon found one perched at eye-level. After this, we birded the border road in the hope to find Hooded Pitta. While waiting for Hooded, Sjoerd was surprised to suddenly see a Malayan Banded Pitta at eye-level. It immediately dropped dawn and was only seen by some in the moments after. In the process we bumped into our only Malayan Black-capped Babbler. With the pitta seemingly gone, we decided to move on to the elephant sanctuary nearby. In this more open habitat we had our packed breakfast while enjoying some more common birds. After breakfast, we walked to the forest edge for a stake-out for Malayan Banded Pitta. Within minutes we were all enjoying good views of this amazing pitta(!) and after a while, continued birding in the forest. We picked up on a couple of new species here, including a pair of the local Malaysian Blue Flycatcher and two species of owl: Eastern Barn Owl and Buffy Fish Owl. At our lunch spot, we had good views of our only pair of Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker.

The afternoon was spent on a boat to search for White-winged Duck but despite not seeing our main target, we still had nice views of Black-and-red Broadbill, Lesser Adjutant, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Blue-eared and Stork-billed Kingfishers. However, best of all, we had excellent views of singing Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons – a species seen only in flight on most tours! On the way back, Malaysian Eared Nightjars were hunting above the river and replaced at the jetty by Large-tailed Nightjars. Almost dark now, Reddish Scops Owls started singing but we couldn’t lure them in. A Savanna Nightjar provided some distraction and another Sunda Colugo was found in the trees. On the drive out, we found a resting Malaysian Eared Nightjar and – even better – a Rufous-collared Kingfisher above the track!

Our last morning started early again, but night birding was slow and we didn’t see much. At dawn, we slowly started picking up on new birds like Blue-rumped Parrot, Black-bellied Malkoha, Little Green Pigeon, Rufous-tailed Shama, Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Rufous-winged Philentoma. Much appreciated was a Red-bearded Bee-eater which was seen nicely in the scope. Having seen most of the brown babblers already, a Ferruginous Babbler was highly appreciated and seen well. A nearby Chestnut-bellied Malkoha quickly moved on high in the canopy. At the clearing by the river, we enjoyed good views of a pair of Purple-naped Spiderhunter and – for some – the water-loving White-chested Babbler ( again lumped with the Bornean subspecies and thus no longer known as Malayan Swamp Babbler). It was time for lunch at the lodge before heading back in the park late afternoon. It didn’t get us much, though a Sunda Frogmouth found along the side of the road and a pair of Raffle’s Malkoha were highly appreciated. We tried one last time for Bonaparte’s Nightjar in the evening, but only found another Large Frogmouth. We decided to call it the day and went back to the lodge for dinner, packed our bags and went to bed.

The next morning we left early to catch our flight from Bandar Lampung to Jakarta. At Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport we did see three new trip species: Linchi Swiftlet, Sooty-headed Bulbul and Javan Myna. After the usual delay, we arrived in Padang late afternoon and were picked up by our driver. The next morning we left the hotel at six – all excited to start birding Gunung Kerinci. From the drop-off, we slowly climbed up to the forest and went straight to the hide for Schneider’s Pitta. Along the way we picked up on our first endemic: Rusty-breasted Wren Babbler. Once in the hide we waited in silence for the pitta to come, while enjoying Shiny Whistling Thrush, Lesser Shortwing and Snowy-browed Flycatcher. Every now and then all were chased away by Niobe Ground Squirrels. At one point, a Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant joined shortly, and a typical flock came in with Grey-throated Babbler, Golden Babbler and White-throated Fantail. After two hours we moved on and our local guide Dwi showed us a nice Sumatran Frogmouth! After this, we continued our way upwards but got distracted by a big flock comprising Large Niltava, Sunda Warbler, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo and both Warbling and Black-capped White-eye. In the meantime, a Sumatran Trogon decided to join in and we had good views of our first Black-browed Barbet too. At Base Camp we connected with another endemic: Red-billed Partridge. This beautiful partridge showed well and turned out not to be shy over the next few days. The afternoon was more quiet and rainy, only picking up on White-browed Shrike-Babbler (now re-lumped, formerly known as Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler here) and Brown-winged Whistling Thrush higher up. We spent the final hours of the day in the hide lower down, where a party of Large Niltava were present.

The next morning we started off in the hide, but waited in vain. We had better views of Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant and enjoyed the usual gang (including the family of  Large Niltava) before continuing our way to Air Minum. We did see more of the same, but also some new birds in the form of Sumatran Blue Robin, Fire-tufted Barbet and Eye-browed Wren-Babbler. On two occasions we heard Sumatran Wren Babbler and had silhouetted views at one point. Once at Air Minum, some of us decided to continue their way up to Camp Cochoa – a strenuous climb uphill. One of the species occurring higher up the mountain is the now split, the Sumatran Shortwing, and it didn’t take long before we heard one singing its typical song. Next was a group of all red minivets: Sunda Minivet. While climbing up we enjoyed Black-crested Sumatran Langur. This langur species only occurs here and we had prolonged views of a group of three feeding low down. Once at Camp Cochoa we had lunch and waited some time for the cochoa to come in, but it did not. We did see our first Indigo Flycatcher and had goods views of Sumatran Shortwing. As the rain came in again, we skipped night birding and walked straight out of the forest.

This morning, Jean-Francois went with Dwi to look for Rajah Scops Owl and Salvadori’s Nightjar. Despite it being dry, they came back empty handed. However, he did see Schneider’s Pitta from the hide just before dawn. The lucky ones who were up for another muddy climb up the mountain this morning did also enjoy good views of Schneider’s Pitta on the trail! Having now all seen the pitta, we continued our way up and slowly picked up on some new birds with both Little and Barred Cuckoo-Dove, a pair of Little Pied Flycatcher and a skittish Maroon Woodpecker. We had good views of Red-billed Partridge again. We had lunch at Air Minum, where we did see our first Sunda Owlet and – best of all – Dwi found us a pair of Salvadori’s Pheasant! This species used to be relatively easy to see at Kerinci, but since the start of this year have become more difficult. After this success, we were motivated to climb up to Camp Cochoa again. Shortly after, we enjoyed a good flock with our first Temminck’s Sunbird, Cinereous Tit and Grey-chinned Minivet. We continued for a bit, but with fog and drizzle coming in we decided to head back. The drizzle turned into torrential rain, so no night birding again. We still had one full day on this mountain, but decided to go for Sumatran Ground Cuckoo and Tapan Road first.

Today was a big day with one big target: Sumatran Ground Cuckoo. This enigmatic bird, once almost a mystery and only very rarely seen, but a few years ago a couple of these birds were found in the forests near Lake Kerinci. Ever since, the birds did become more habituated to humans and now it is almost guaranteed to see here. We left Kersik Tua early morning and arrived just after dawn at the hill forest. On arrival, some birds were already active and we quickly saw the other main target here: Ruby-throated Bulbul. This bird has become increasingly rare these days, mainly due to trapping. Also new for our list, but very common here, was Yellow-bellied Warbler, a bamboo-specialist. Inside the forest there weren’t many birds active, so we walked straight to the area for the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo. Once there, it turned out one of the birds was already there and we had an amazing time with this rather tame individual! After our main target bagged, we continued birding along the trail. Soon we found a nice open area with many new birds, best of all being a group of eight Black Laughingthrushes. It was hard getting everybody on them, with the birds being shy and quite high up. While hoping for better views, we picked up on other new birds like Sumatran Treepie, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and Black-and-crimson Oriole. Little further we saw our first (of many) Cream-striped Bulbuls. The rest of the morning was a bit quiet, but we still heard our first Graceful Pitta, saw a couple of Chestnut-capped Laughingthrushes, a perched Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, two Sumatran Green Pigeons and our first Hill Prinias. Walking out mid-afternoon, we drove straight to our hotel and did some birding from the roof terrace. This promptly resulted in several write-ins for this tour, as we did see Ruddy-breasted Rail, Wandering Whistling Duck and Purple Swamphen (all six swamphens now being lumped as Purple Swamphen in the new Avilist)! Next to these write-ins, we enjoyed nice views of a pair of Greater Painted Snipe, Slaty-breasted Crake and Black-winged Kite. A nice way to end our day!

The next morning we went straight for the famous Tapan Road. This mountain road winds through some good forest at mid-elevation and is mostly easy birding from the road. We started our day near the hide for Graceful Pitta, where Dwi would try to get it in. With him succeeding pretty quickly, it didn’t take long before we were all watching a neat adult Graceful Pitta. After taking lots of pictures, we moved on and birded along the road. Slowly we picked up on new species, having nice views of Spot-necked Bulbul, Fire-tufted Barbet and Sumatran Green Pigeon. Keeping an eye out in the sky resulted in Crested Serpent Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk Eagle and Rufous-bellied Eagle, plus a pair of Wreathed Hornbills! By the end of the afternoon we drove back to Sungai Penuh where we picked up on another write-in in the ricefields behind the hotel: Baya Weaver! In the afternoon the Tapan Road was rather quiet, but we enjoyed new birds like Giant Swiftlet and Green-billed Malkoha, and better views of Sumatran Flowerpecker and White-browed Shrike-Babbler. At dawn, we tried a bit of owling but the weather wasn’t great and we headed back to the hotel.

As we still needed Marbled Wren Babbler, we started at the hide again the next morning. While Dwi tried to lure it in, we enjoyed some roadside birding. Not many new birds, though we did enjoy proper views of Sumatran Treepie, Black-and-crimson Oriole and Sumatran Trogon again. Almost 45 minutes later we were picked up as the Marbled Wren-Babbler finally gave in. Ten minutes later we all enjoyed amazing views of not only Marbled Wren-Babbler, but also a pair of Graceful Pitta and Sunda Forktail this time! Back on the road again, we decided to check out a nearby flowering tree. Birds were plentiful and new birds included Grey-bellied Bulbul, Swinhoe’s White-eye, Cinereous Bulbul, Verditer Flycatcher and Yellow-eared Spiderhunter, but best of all was a male Sumatran Leafbird! This bird is now getting very rare as it is unfortunately heavily trapped these days. By now it was time for lunch. We were back in late afternoon, but this time didn’t get much except a huge family group of Southern Pig-tailed Macaque on the road.

Today was our last day on the Tapan Road, where we still needed to see Blue-masked Leafbird. We drove straight to the fruiting tree, where a Red-headed Trogon was our first new bird. Right next to it, we had scope views of a beautiful male Asian Fairy-bluebird. As the fruiting tree itself was rather quiet, we walked down and picked up on a couple of new species: Grey-breasted Spiderhunter, Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Whiskered Treeswift. A huge fruiting tree attracted several Scaly-breasted Bulbul (the best bulbul, in my opinion) – next to more Grey-bellied and Cinereous Bulbuls. Nearby we saw our first Sumatran Drongo, but also had good looks of Banded Broadbill while a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills flew over. Another fruiting tree attracted a nice pair of Blue-winged Leafbird, but also what we were looking for: Sumatran Bulbul. Not the best looking bulbul, but a rather uncommon endemic. While having lunch in a small village, we enjoyed Bar-winged Prinia in the garden. The afternoon didn’t get us much, though we now all connected with a couple of skulky Spot-necked Babblers. After this, we drove back to the hotel and packed our luggage to go back to Guning Kerinci for our very last day.

Today was a very early start for some, as we were still missing both Rajah Scops Owl and Salvadori’s Nightjar. We were dropped off by our van, walked up to the forest edge and were surprised to hear Salvadori’s Nightjar already singing at 4 AM! We had flight views in the torch, though it never landed close. We then turned our focus to Rajah Scops Owl, very surprised to have an immediate response and soon great views after! We tried for the nightjar again around dawn, while hearing some Sumatran Frogmouths singing in the background. On the trail hopped a Schneider’s Pitta and as it was getting light, we did enjoy the diminutive Pygmy Cupwing, a covey of Red-billed Partridges and a singing Sumatran Blue Robin here too. A Sumatran Wren-Babbler turned out to be very showy and we had prolonged views of a singing bird!  With the main targets already bagged before 8 AM, we continued our way to Camp Cochoa for another try for the cochoa. Despite waiting for hours, we never heard or saw the bird. One bird flock contained a couple of Blue Nuthatches, which were highly appreciated. Back in the hotel we had dinner, packed our luggage and went to bed.

The next day we headed early for Padang, all said goodbye and our Classic Sumatra tour came to an end. As said it was hard work at times – for sure – and we were a bit unfortunate with the weather, but in the end we succeeded to connect with most of the Sumatran endemics in the Kerinci-Seblat NP and saw a lot of the Sundaic endemics in Way Kambas NP.  We ended up seeing 235 bird species, including 72 star birds and four write-ins. Fourteen species were heard-only. Another 17 mammal species were recorded, including six star mammals.

TOP 5 BIRDS OF THE TOUR:

1. Sumatran Ground Cuckoo
2. Graceful Pitta
3. Red-bearded Bee-eater
4. Sumatran Wren Babbler
5. Schneider’s Pitta

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follow Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). 2025. IOC World Bird List (v15.1).

BIRDS

Wandering Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna arcuate  Write-in. At least 200 birds in a pool near Sungai Penuh.

Red-billed Partridge ◊  Arborophila rubrirostris  Endemic. Heard and seen few times at Gunung Kerinci.

Salvadori’s Pheasant ◊  Lophura inornata  Endemic. Near-threatened. A pair seen near Air Minum at Gunung Kerinci.

Malayan Crested Fireback  Lophura rufa  Seen on the track and resting at night at Way Kambas NP.

Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant ◊ (Bronze-tailed P-P)  Polyplectron chalcurum  Endemic. Seen in front of the hide at Guning Kerinci.

Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus  Seen twice at Way Kambas NP

Malaysian Eared Nightjar ◊  Lyncornis temminckii  Several seen in flight and one resting at Way Kambas NP.

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus

Savanna Nightjar  Caprimulgus affinis 

Salvadori’s Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus pulchellus  Near-endemic. One seen in flight at Guning Kerinci.

Large Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus auritus  Vulnerable. Seen twice at Way Kambas NP.

Sumatran Frogmouth ◊ (Short-tailed F)  Batrachostomus poliolophus  Endemic. Seen resting during daytime and more heard at night at Gunung Kerinci.

Sunda Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus cornutus  One pair seen at night and one more resting during daytime. Several more heard in Way Kambas NP.

Whiskered Treeswift  Hemiprocne comata

Giant Swiftlet ◊ (Waterfall S)  Hydrochous gigas  Near-threatened. Good views along the Tapan Road.

Plume-toed Swiftlet  Collocalia affinis

Edible-nest Swiftlet  Aerodramus fuciphagus

Silver-rumped Spinetail ◊  Rhaphidura leucopygialis  Leader-only.

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis

Sumatran Ground Cuckoo ◊  Carpococcyx viridis  Endemic. Critically endangered. One tame individual heard and seen at Danau Kaco.

Raffles’s Malkoha  Rhinortha chlorophaea

Red-billed Malkoha  Zanclostomus javanicus  One seen at Way Kambas NP.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus curvirostris  One seen at Way Kambas NP.

Chestnut-bellied Malkoha ◊  Phaenicophaeus sumatranus  Near-threatened. One seen at Danau Kaco.

Black-bellied Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus diardi  Near-threatened. One seen at Way Kambas NP.

Green-billed Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus tristis

Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii  Heard-only.

Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus  Heard-only.

Sunda Brush Cuckoo  Cacomantis sepulcralis  Heard-only.

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba [livia] var_domestica

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis

Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall  One seen well at Gunung Kerinci

Little Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia ruficeps

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica  Mostly seen in flight, one perched on the trail at Guning Kerinci

Zebra Dove  Geopelia striata                                                                                    

Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon ◊  Treron fulvicollis  Vulnerable.  A total of 25+ birds seen and heard along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Little Green Pigeon ◊  Treron olax  One female at Way Kambas NP.

Sumatran Green Pigeon ◊  Treron oxyurus Near-endemic. Near-threatened. Seen at Danau Kaco and along the Tapan Road.

Green Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula aenea  Near-threatened.

Slaty-breasted Rail  Lewinia striata  One or two in the ricefields near Sungai Penuh.

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio  Write-in. Few seen in a pool near Sungai Penuh.

Ruddy-breasted Crake  Zapornia fusca  Write-in. About 10+ seen in the ricefields near Sungai Penuh.

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Greater Painted-snipe  Rostratula benghalensis  A nice pair in the ricefields near Sungai Penuh.

Lesser Adjutant  Leptoptilos javanicus  Near-threatened. One frying over the river at Way Kambas NP.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa  Non-leader.

Great Egret (Eastern G E)  Ardea [alba] modesta

Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia

Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

Crested Honey Buzzard  Pernis ptilorhynchus  Leader-only.

Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela

Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus alboniger  One perched at Danau Kaco and one flying over the Tapan Road.

Changeable Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus cirrhatus  Leader-only.

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii  Near-threatened. One juvenile flying over the Tapan Road, together with a Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle.

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus

Eastern Barn Owl  Tyto javanica  One flushed and seen perched by some at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP)

Oriental Bay Owl ◊  Phodilus badius  Heard-only at Way Kambas NP.

Brown Boobook  Ninox scutulata

Sunda Owlet ◊  Taenioptynx sylvaticus  Heard and seen at Guning Kerinci.

Reddish Scops Owl ◊  Otus rufescens  Near-threatened. Heard-only at Way Kambas NP.

Rajah Scops Owl ◊  Otus brookii  Heard and seen at close range at Gunung Kerinci.

Sunda Scops Owl  Otus lempiji  Heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Buffy Fish Owl ◊  Ketupa ketupu  Seen at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP).

Barred Eagle-Owl ◊  Ketupa sumatrana  Near-threatened. Non-leader. Heard-only at Gunung Kerinci.

Sumatran Trogon ◊ (S Blue-tailed T)  Apalharpactes mackloti  Endemic. Seen at Guning Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Red-naped Trogon  Harpactes kasumba  Near-threatened. Seen twice and more heard at Way Kambas NP.

Diard’s Trogon  Harpactes diardii  Near-threatened. One seen and more heard at Way Kambas NP.

Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus  One seen along the Tapan Road.

Rhinoceros Hornbill  Buceros rhinoceros  Vulnerable. A pair flying over at some distance along the Tapan Road.

Oriental Pied Hornbill  Anthracoceros albirostris

Wreathed Hornbill  Rhyticeros undulatus  Vulnerable. A pair flying over the Tapan Road.

Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis

Rufous-collared Kingfisher ◊  Actenoides concretus  Near-threatened. Two seen (one resting at night) and more heard at Way Kambas NP.

Banded Kingfisher  Lacedo pulchella  A female was seen and one heard at Way Kambas NP and one more heard along the Tapan Road.

Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis

White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris

Blue-eared Kingfisher  Alcedo meninting

Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher  Ceyx rufidorsa

Red-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis amictus  One heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Blue-throated Bee-eater  Merops viridis

Fire-tufted Barbet ◊  Psilopogon pyrolophus  First seen at Guning Kerinci, better views along the Tapan Road.

Golden-whiskered Barbet  Psilopogon chrysopogon  Heard-only along the Tapan Road.

Red-crowned Barbet ◊  Psilopogon rafflesia  Near-threatened. One bird seen in a fruiting tree at Way Kambas NP.

Black-browed Barbet ◊  Psilopogon oorti  Heard and seen at Guning Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Black-eared Barbet  Psilopogon duvaucelii  One bird seen in a fruiting tree at Way Kambas NP.

Sooty Barbet ◊  Caloramphus hayii  Near-threatened. Several birds seen in a fruiting tree at Way Kambas NP.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus  One seen at Guning Kerinci.

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus moluccensis  A pair seen at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP).

White-bellied Woodpecker  Dryocopus javensis  One bird seen at Way Kambas NP.

Banded Woodpecker ◊  Chrysophlegma miniaceum  Several birds heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Checker-throated Woodpecker  Chrysophlegma mentale  A pair seen at Way Kambas NP.

Orange-backed Woodpecker  Chrysocolaptes Validus  A pair seen at Way Kambas NP.

Maroon Woodpecker  Blythipicus rubiginosus  Heard and seen at Danau Kaco and Guning Kerinci.

Rufous Woodpecker  Micropternus brachyurus Leader-only.

Buff-rumped Woodpecker  Meiglyptes grammithorax  Three individuals seen at Way Kambas NP.

Buff-necked Woodpecker  Meiglyptes tukki  Near-threatened. A pair seen at Way Kambas NP.

Blue-rumped Parrot  Psittinus cyanurus  Near-threatened. Seen in flight at Way Kambas NP.

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot ◊  Loriculus galgulus  Commonly seen in flight at Way Kambas NP.

Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae  About 5 seen in one flock at Guning Kerinci.

Black-and-red Broadbill  Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos  Several seen along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Banded Broadbill  Eurylaimus javanicus  Heard and seen at Way Kambas NP and along the Tapan Road.

Black-and-yellow Broadbill  Eurylaimus ochromalus  Near-threatened. Heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Green Broadbill  Calyptomena viridis  Near-threatened. Heard-only at Way Kambas NP.

Schneider’s Pitta ◊  Hydrornis schneideri  Endemic. Seen from the hide and on the trail at Guning Kerinci.

Malayan Banded Pitta ◊  Hydrornis irena  Near-threatened. One seen at the edge of Way Kambas NP and one more seen in the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP).

Graceful Pitta ◊  Erythropitta venusta  Endemic. Heard at Danau Kaco and a pair seen well along the Tapan Road.

Western Hooded Pitta  Pitta sordida  Heard-only at Way Kambas NP.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus hirundinaceus

Rufous-winged Philentoma (R-w Flycatcher)  Philentoma pyrhoptera  One seen and one heard at Way Kambas NP.

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus

Common Iora  Aegithina tiphia  Seen at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP)

Green Iora  Aegithina viridissima  Near-threatened. Seen at Way Kambas NP and one along the Tapan Road.

Fiery Minivet  Pericrocotus igneus  Near-threatened. Seen in a flock along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris  Seen at Guning Kerinci.

Sunda Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus miniatus  Near-endemic. One flock at Gunung Kerinci.

Pied Triller  Lalage nigra  One male seen at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP)

White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus  Few seen at Guning Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Black-and-crimson Oriole ◊  Oriolus consanguineus  Common at Danau Kaco and along the Tapan Road.  

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus remifer

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus

Sumatran Drongo ◊  Dicrurus sumatranus  Endemic. Heard and seen along the Tapan Road.

Ashy Drongo  Dicrurus leucophaeus

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis  Leader of most flocks at Gunung Kerinci.

Malaysian Pied Fantail  Rhipidura javanica

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea  Leader-only.

Crested Jayshrike  Platylophus galericulatus  Near-threatened. Heard-only at Danau Kaco.

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach

Sumatran Treepie ◊  Dendrocitta occipitalis  Endemic. Good views along the Tapan Road.

Sunda Crow  Corvus enca  Seen and heard twice at Way Kambas NP.

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis

Cinereous Tit  Parus cinereus  One in a flock at Gunung Kerinci.

Hairy-backed Bulbul  Tricholestes criniger

Ochraceous Bulbul  Alophoixus ochraceus  Several seen along the Tapan Road.

Cinereous Bulbul ◊  Hemixos cinereus  Several seen along the Tapan Road.

Cream-striped Bulbul ◊  Ixos leucogrammicus  Endemic. Common at Danau Kaco and along the Tapan Road.

Sumatran Bulbul ◊  Ixos sumatranus  Endemic. One seen along the Tapan Road.

Grey-bellied Bulbul  Ixodia cyaniventris  Near-threatened. Several birds along the Tapan Road.   

Scaly-breasted Bulbul  Ixodia squamata  Near-threatened. Several birds along the Tapan Road.

Ruby-throated Bulbul ◊  Rubigula dispar  Vulnerable. A few heard and seen at Danau Kaco.

Cream-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus simplex

Olive-winged Bulbul  Pycnonotus plumosus Leader-only.

Asian Red-eyed Bulbul  Pycnonotus brunneus

Spot-necked Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus tympanistrigus  Endemic. Good views along the Tapan Road.

Yellow-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus goiavier

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo javanica

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla  Commonly heard and few seen at Gunung Kerinci.

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris  Bamboo-specialist common at Danau Kaco.

Mountain Tailorbird  Phyllergates cucullatus

Aberrant Bush Warbler (Mountain B W)  Horornis flavolivaceus  Heard and seen at Gunung Kerinci.

Sunda Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus grammiceps  Near-endemic. In most flocks at Gunung Kerinci.

Mountain Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus trivirgatus 

Hill Prinia  Prinia superciliaris  Seen at Danau Kaco and along the Tapan Road.

Bar-winged Prinia ◊  Prinia familiaris.  Near-endemic. Near-threatened. Seen lower down the Tapan Road.

Yellow-bellied Prinia  Prinia flaviventris  Heard-only.

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird  Orthotomus sericeus  A pair heard and seen at Way Kambas

Ashy Tailorbird  Orthotomus ruficeps

Black-capped White-eye ◊  Zosterops atricapilla  The default white-eye at Gunung Kerinci

Warbling White-eye  Zosterops japonicus  A few seen at Gunung Kerinci.

Sangkar White-eye ◊  Zosterops melanurus  Vulnerable. See two times a small flock along the Tapan Road.

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis

Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler  Macronus ptilosus  Near-threatened. A pair heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum  Several seen in flocks with Grey-throated Babbler at Gunung Kerinci.

Chestnut-winged Babbler  Cyanoderma erythropterum  One seen and more heard at Way Kambas NP

Black Laughingthrush ◊  Melanocichla lugubris  A flock of 7-8 bird at Danau Kaco.

Sunda Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus bornensis  Heard-only at Way Kambas NP.

Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps  Seen in small flocks at Gunung Kerinci.

Spot-necked Babbler ◊  Stachyris strialata  Heard at Gunung Kerinci and seen twice along the Tapan Road.

Marbled Wren-Babbler ◊  Turdinus marmoratus  One seen heard and seen along the Tapan Road.

Sooty-capped Babbler  Malacopteron affine  Near-threatened. Seen twice and more heard at the Tapan Road.

Scaly-crowned Babbler  Malacopteron cinereum  One seen and heard at Way Kambas NP

Moustached Babbler  Malacopteron magnirostre  One seen at Way Kambas NP

Malayan Black-capped Babbler ◊  Pellorneum nigrocapitatum  One seen at the edge of Way Kambas NP.

Short-tailed Babbler  Pellorneum malaccense  Near-threatened. Heard and seen twice at Way Kambas NP.

White-chested Babbler ◊  Pellorneum rostratum  Near-threatened. Heard and seen along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Ferruginous Babbler  Pellorneum bicolor  Seen by non-leader at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP) and one heard and seen at Way Kambas NP

Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler ◊  Gypsophila rufipectus  Endemic. Seen twice and more heard at Gunung Kerinci.

Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler  Napothera epilepidota  Seen twice and more heard at Gunung Kerinci.

Sumatran Wren-Babbler ◊  Napothera albostriata  Endemic. Heard few times at Gunung Kerinci and seen best on the last day.

Brown Fulvetta  Alcippe brunneicauda  Near-threatened. A small flock along the Tapan Road.

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus mitratus  Near-threatened. Few birds seen at Danau Kaco.

Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella  One male seen along the Tapan Road.

Baya Weaver  Ploceus philippinus  Write-in. About 10+ in the ricefields near Sungai Penuh.

Blue Nuthatch ◊  Sitta azurea  Seen three times at Gunung Kerinci

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch  Sitta frontalis  One seen along the river at Way Kambas.

Asian Glossy Starling  Aplonis panayensis

Javan Myna  Acridotheres javanicus  Near-endemic. Vulnerable. Seen at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and en-route back to Padang on Sumatra (introduced)

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis  A pair seen along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Rufous-tailed Shama ◊  Copsychus pyrropygus  Near-threatened. One heard and seen at Way Kambas NP.

Rufous-vented Niltava ◊ (Sumatran N)  Niltava sumatrana  Heard-only at Gunung Kerinci.

Large Niltava  Niltava grandis  A family group in front of the hide at Gunung Kerinci.

Indigo Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias indigo  Seen few times at Gunung Kerinci.

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis turcosus  Near-threatened. A pair at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP)

Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis umbratilis  Near-threatened. Just one at Way Kambas NP.

Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis olivaceus  One seen and more heard along the Tapan Road.

Sumatran Blue Robin ◊  Myiomela sumatrana  Endemic. Heard and seen twice at Gunung Kerinci.

Sunda Forktail ◊ (Lesser Forktail)  Enicurus velatus  Near-endemic. A pair seen well along the Tapan Road.

Shiny Whistling Thrush ◊  Myophonus melanurus  Endemic. Commonly seen at Gunung Kerinci

Brown-winged Whistling Thrush ◊ (Sumatran W T)  Myophonus castaneus  Endemic. Seen a few times at Gunung Kerinci.

Lesser Shortwing  Brachypteryx leucophris  A few seen and more heard at Gunung Kerinci.

Sumatran Shortwing ◊  Brachypteryx saturate  Endemic. Few seen and more heard at the higher section of Gunung Kerinci.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra  Good views of 2 males at Gunung Kerinci.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni  A pair at Gunung Kerinci.

Lesser Green Leafbird  Chloropsis cyanopogon  Near-threatened. Leader-only at Way Kambas NP.

Blue-winged Leafbird  Chloropsis moluccensis  One at Way Kambas NP and a pair along the Tapan Road.

Sumatran Leafbird ◊  Chloropsis media  Endemic. One male at a fruiting tree along the Tapan Road.

Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker  Prionochilus percussus

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker  Dicaeum trigonostigma

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum

Sumatran Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum beccarii  Endemic. Seen at both Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker  Dicaeum cruentatum 

Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum trochileum  Near-endemic. Leader-only at the Elephant Training Center (Way Kambas NP)

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Temminck’s Sunbird  Aethopyga temminckii  Mostly seen at the Tapan Road

Purple-naped Spiderhunter  Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum  A pair seen at Way Kambas NP and one male along the Tapan Road.

Little Spiderhunter  Arachnothera longirostra

Yellow-eared Spiderhunter  Arachnothera chrysogenys  One seen along the Tapan Road

Grey-breasted Spiderhunter  Arachnothera modesta  Seen twice along the Tapan Road.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

White-rumped Munia  Lonchura striata

Javan Munia ◊  Lonchura leucogastroides  Near-endemic. Seen in the garden of our lodge at Way Kambas NP

White-headed Munia  Lonchura maja  Commonly seen, for the first time at the airport of Bandar Lampung.

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea

Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus

MAMMALS

Small-toothed Palm Civet  Arctogalidia trivirgata  Seen twice along the Tapan Road.

Southern Red Muntjac (Red M, Common Barking Deer)  Muntiacus muntjak

Sambar  Rusa unicolor  Vulnerable. Seen twice at Way Kambas NP.

Indonesian Short-nosed Fruit Bat  Cynopterus titthaecheilus 

Sunda Colugo ◊ (S Flying Lemur)  Galeopterus variegatus  Seen twice at Way Kambas NP.

Sumatran Treeshrew ◊  Tupaia ferruginea  Endemic. At least two seen at Gunung Kerinci

Malayasian Slow Loris (Sunda S L, Greater S L)  Nycticebus coucang  Endangered. Good views of one at Way Kambas NP.

Long-tailed Macaque (Long-tailed M)  Macaca fascicularis  Endangered.

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque  Macaca nemestrina  Endangered. Seen in groups of up to 25 along the Tapan Road.

Black-crested Sumatran Langur ◊ (Mitred Leaf Monkey)  Presbytis melalophos  Endemic. Endangered. Commonly heard and seen at Gunung Kerinci.

Sunda Silvery Langur ◊  Trachypithecus cristatus  Vulnerable. One seen along the river at Way Kambas NP.

Siamang ◊  Symphalangus syndactylus  Endangered. One seen and more heard at Gunung Kerinci.

Black-striped Squirrel  Callosciurus nigrovittatus  One seen along the Tapan Road.

Plantain Squirrel  Callosciurus notatus

Prevost’s Squirrel  Callosciurus prevostii  One seen at Way Kambas NP.

Niobe Ground Squirrel ◊  Lariscus Niobe  The default ground squirrel at Gunung Kerinci and alonf the Tapan Road.

Slender Squirrel (Sumatran Mountain S)  Sundasciurus tenuis  Seen higher up Gunung Kerinci.