INDONESIA’S LESSER SUNDAS TOUR REPORT 2026

5 - 23 August 2026

Craig Robson

Our latest Birdquest to Sumba, Timor, Rote, Flores and Komodo was another great success, with around 105 taxonomy-dependant Tenggaran endemics amongst our huge trip total of 262 species. Some of the top highlights this year included Black and Eucalypt Cuckoo-Doves, Sumba and Flores Green Pigeons, Timor Imperial Pigeon, Banded and Red-naped Fruit Doves, Sumba Buttonquail, Timor and Mees’s Nightjars, all nine owls, including the Sumba form of Eastern Barn Owl, and daytime views of Flores Scops Owl, the magnificent Flores Hawk-Eagle, Sumba Hornbill, White-rumped and Cinnamon-banded Kingfishers, Yellow- and Citron-crested Cockatoos, Jonquil Parrot, Sumba Eclectus, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Iris, Olive-headed, Marigold and Leaf Lorikeets, excellent perched views of both Ornate and Elegant Pittas, 3 endemic myzomelas, 6 endemic honeyeaters, 6 potentially endemic Campephagids including Little Minivet and the little-known Timor Cicadabird, Timor Figbird, Timor Oriole, 5 endemic whistlers including the vocally well-endowed Bare-throated, 3 endemic fantails, 3 potentially endemic drongos, Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher, Flores Monarch, Flores Crow, amazing views of Buff-banded Thicketbird, Timor Stubtail, Russet-capped Tesia, 5 endemic Heleias, the Endangered Tenggara Hill Myna, Chestnut-capped, Chestnut-backed and Orange-sided Thrushes, Wallacean Island Thrush, 6 endemic flycatchers including the smart Black-banded, Flores Shortwing, White-bellied Bush Chat, all 7 endemic flowerpeckers (taxonomy-dependant), Apricot- and Flame-breasted Sunbirds, both Tricolored and the recently discovered Timor (or Mount Mutis) Parrotfinch (including adult males), and Timor Sparrow.

The tour began with an early morning group rendezvous at Denpasar Airport, where we were joined by local bird-guide Mas Untung, who was with us for the whole trip. In no time at all, we were on the ground in Tambolaka, north-west Sumba, being picked up by our cars, and were then on our way along forested sections of the main highway towards our simple accommodation at Lewa. This year we had three and a half days to find our many targets on Sumba. Early morning at a vantage point overlooking a forested valley was one of the premier venues for the non-passerine specialities. Here we scoped marvellous Citron-crested Cockatoos and our only Sumba Eclectus, a female. Despite increasing traffic, there are still some very nice stretches of road running through extensive forests to the west of Lewa, and here we succeeded in finding the likes of Eucalypt Cuckoo-Dove, Red-naped Fruit Dove, Sumba Hornbill, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, many Marigold Lorikeets, Sumba Myzomela, Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher, the local form of Wallacean Cuckooshrike, Sumba (Tenggara) Whistler, Sumba Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo, Yellow-spectacled Heleia, Ashy-bellied White-eye, Sumba Brown, Sumba Jungle and Sumba Flycatchers, Sumba Flowerpecker, and Apricot-breasted Sunbird. A huge fruiting fig was attracting Sumba Green Pigeons, Chestnut-backed Thrush, and Tenggara (Thick-billed) Flowerpeckers. Our nocturnal activities were extensive. Great Sumba Boobook showed very easily on several occasions, but the sneaky Little Sumba Boobook was another matter. We eventually found a spot away from the road and succeeded in getting satisfactory views after much planning. The local form of Eastern Barn Owl (once considered a potentially distinct species) was seen hunting on the outskirts of Lewa. Our final day on Sumba was spent in the north-east of the island. Yumbu Grasslands was our first port of call, in search of Sumba Buttonquail. The second sweep was successful, and we ended up with several pretty good and close flight views of a pair. We moved on to Teluk Maujawa, a birdy coastal lagoon with fringing vegetation. A nice selection of shorebirds included a male Malaysian Plover, good numbers of Javan Plovers, a few Grey-tailed Tattlers, a couple of Great Knot, breeding Little Terns, and a very large loafing flock of Greater Crested Terns. A couple of Savanna Nightjars were flushed and we connected with a pair of Olive-backed Tailorbirds. A smart Spotted Harrier and large flocks of Pale-headed Munias were found in ricefields on the outskirts of Waingapu. In the afternoon we visited the freshwater wetlands of Menggitimbe. Wet areas were extensive this year, and we logged our first Wandering Whistling and Pacific Black Ducks, as well as a couple of Sunda Teal. Also of interest were several Dusky Moorhens, Australian (Purple) Swamphen, Australian Reed Warbler, and ‘Sunda’ Zebra Finch.

The following morning, we had an early flight to Kupang in west Timor. After arrival, we had time for a few hours birding at a nearby coastal spot, before checking-in to our hotel. The best bird was a ridiculously showy Buff-banded Thicketbird, an endemic that often takes many attempts to see well. There were other endemics here too, with Drab Swiftlet, Timor Friarbird, Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Plain Gerygone, Timor (Northern) Fantail, White-bellied Bush Chat and Red-chested Flowerpecker, as well as Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Barred Dove, Rainbow Bee-eater, Brown Honeyeater, Supertramp Fantail, and Broad-billed Flycatcher. In the afternoon we visited Bipolo Fishponds. Starting in the nearby dry ricefields, we were excited to spot a dozen Oriental Plovers and, moving to an are closer to the forest edge, we found good flocks of munias, including Five-coloured, amongst which were at least 40-50 excellent Timor Sparrows. The fishponds themselves produced small numbers of Far Eastern Curlew and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, as well as loads of Red-capped Plovers, and a single Australian Tern.

The neighbouring island of Rote was our destination the next morning, as we made our way to the ferry port. After a smooth journey of around two hours, we were picked up by our cars, dropped luggage at our hotel, and headed off to begin our explorations. This year we had a day and a half to track down our targets, and this proved sufficient. Almost all of our birding was done in the general vicinity of Lake Sotimori, in the north-east of the island. The strict endemics, Rote Boobook, Rote Myzomela, Rote (Northern) Fantail and Rote Leaf Warbler were easily and quickly found. The remainder of our time was spent front-loading species that are endemic to the Timor region (including Rote), in the form of Black Cuckoo-Dove, Banded Fruit Dove, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-crested Cockatoo (heard-only), Jonquil Parrot, Timor (Wallacean) Cuckooshrike, Fawn-breasted Whistler, Green Figbird, Timor Oriole, Timor Stubtail, Orange-sided Thrush, Timor Blue Flycatcher, and Flame-breasted Sunbird. Lake Sotimori itself was good this time, with significant numbers of Green Pygmy Goose, Hardhead, and Royal Spoonbill, as well as a couple each of Australian Pelican and Australasian Darter. Other good birds on Rote included Pacific Emerald Dove, Sunda Cuckoo, Pacific Koel, and impressive gatherings of Brown Boobies, Bridled and Black-naped Terns offshore.

After taking a morning fast ferry back to Kupang, we drove inland and up to the small town of Soe. The afternoon was spent at nearby Oelnasi, an area of monsoon forest 15km back towards Kupang. It wasn’t long before we heard the distinctive wolf-whistle of a Timor Cuckoo-Dove but unfortunately, this species was to prove extremely elusive over the next few days, with only fleeting flight views and brief perched views by the guides. We concluded that they were breeding at this time, rendering them shy and unresponsive. We did find many other important targets however, during several visits to this site: Great views of the recently described Timor Nightjar as well as Timor Boobook, Black-breasted Myzomela, Timor Heleia, Black-banded Flycatcher, and Tricoloured Parrotfinch to name a few. Perhaps our greatest success was locating a pair of the recently split Timor Cicadabird, a shy and little known species.

West Timor’s highest mountain, Gunung Mutis was our next port of call, as we left in the dark in our 4-wheel drive vehicle. A quick sortie around the trailhead area brought great views of the local form of Pygmy Cupwing, and our first looks at the Timor form of Wallacean Island Thrush. Moving down to Fatumnasi, we explored the lower montane levels after breakfast. We focussed hard on parrotfinches, and our patience paid off, with good looks at red-eared males of the recently discovered Timor (or Mount Mutis) Parrotfinch, as well as the more widespread Tricoloured. We also added Flame-eared Honeyeater, Timor Leaf Warbler and, while we ate lunch, a pair of Timor Flowerpeckers, another recent split, performed admirably.

We left early on our final morning in the highlands and, after a couple of hours driving, reached the lower slopes of Gunung Timau. The lovely peaceful Eucalypt forests here were full of birds at dawn, and we enjoyed great views of the elusive Timor Imperial Pigeon, both Iris and Olive-headed Lorikeets, Timor (Tenggara) Whistler, and Timor Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo. We continued on to Kupang after lunch.

After a short early morning flight the next day, we were in Ruteng, Flores. From the airport, we headed south-east to Borong on the south coast. A short break in the highlands at Danau Ranamese brought our first endemics, in the form of Little Minivet, Bima (Tenggara) Whistler, Flores Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo, Flores (Ashy-bellied) White-eye, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, and Golden-rumped Flowerpecker. Borong was our base for exploring the remaining forest at Kisol and Gunung Pacandeki. The big draw here is the Endangered Flores Hawk-Eagle, and thankfully this year we were treated to a lengthy and very satisfying encounter. Ashutosh picked the bird up distantly off the flank of the mountain, but it eventually came much closer, vocalised and performed partial display, and landed in trees at close and briefly very close range. Other highlights at Kisol were Metallic Pigeon, a male Tenggara (Variable) Goshawk, the striking White-rumped Kingfisher, a very obliging Ornate Pitta, quite a number of crazy Flores Crows, Russet-capped Tesia, and Black-fronted Flowerpecker. Nocturnal activities were highlighted by Mees’s Nightjar and Moluccan Scops Owl, while our concerted efforts to connect with the tricky Wallace’s Scops Owl remained unfulfilled.

We moved on to our hotel in Ruteng, and began our montane birding activities. Extensive forests and other habitats each side of Golo Lusang provided our primary area of focus. The dawn chorus of Bare-throated Whistlers was as impressive as ever, and several of these skulkers were seen well. Huge fig trees attracted two smart male Wallace’s Hanging Parrots, and we experienced a superb double-whammy on our first evening’s owling, with both Flores and Wallace’s Scops Owls seen well (the former was later to be seen at a day-roost also). Other specialities that we found at Golo Lusang were flyby Parzudaki’s (Ruddy) Cuckoo-Doves and Leaf Lorikeets, Sunda Honeyeater, Brown-capped Fantail, Eyebrowed and Flores Heleias, Flores (Timor) Leaf Warbler, Yellow-breasted Warbler, a male Flores Shortwing, and several recently split Flores Flowerpeckers. At a somewhat lower elevation, a morning along the Pagal to Gapong road brought us close views of a perched male Flores Green Pigeon, and we also added Crested Heleias.

There was another early start the next morning, as we travelled west for a dawn visit to Puarlolo, in search of the endemic Flores Monarch. The monarch performed well again this year, in two different spots, and it was nice to be able to observe them feeding unperturbed. Several Chestnut-capped Thrushes also showed well, along with a single Chestnut-backed. Further along the highway at a regular spot for feeding Leaf Lorikeets, we succeeded in getting scope views of this scarce endemic, while an additional stop produced a pair of the Endangered and much wanted Tenggara Hill Myna, the female of which was carrying a Boschma’s Flying Dragon! Continuing on to Labuan Bajo we had lunch and checked-in to our comfortable hotel. The afternoon was spent along the Potawangka Road, where four Great-billed Parrots were the highlight.

On our last day in the Lesser Sundas we made the journey to Komodo National Park. We boarded our boat at dawn and were already on the island after an hour and a half. A surprisingly confiding Great-billed Heron greeted us as we walked down the jetty. After being allotted our park guide, we were soon staring at several enormous Komodo Dragons, and a walk through the dry woodlands enabled us to get great views of Orange-footed Scrubfowl and Green Junglefowl, as well as Komodo’s most important bird, the Critically Endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo. Other good birds included a couple of tame Sunda Collared Doves, Pied Imperial Pigeon, and Lemon-bellied White-eye. Heading back to Labuan Bajo with our eyes glued to the sea, we had some stunning close views of Bulwer’s Petrels, as well as a pod of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. After lunch at out hotel we travelled inland towards Puarlolo and took a forest trail. Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon was the main target, and gave great scope views. Ken spotted another pair of Tenggara Hill Mynas.

Our last birding of the tour was a leisurely look at Labuan Bajo Fishponds. Cerulean Kingfisher was a nice addition to the trip list, and we got our best views of Black-faced Munias. A selection of other birds rounded-off the trip nicely for us, before we all headed off to the airport and went our separate ways.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR
1^st Flores Hawk-Eagle
2^nd Sumba Eclectus
3^rd Tenggara Hill Myna
4^rd Ornate Pitta
5^th Flores Scops Owl

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR
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 follows AviList v2025 (AviList Core Team 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025); this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created.
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

The species names and taxonomy used in the mammal list follow the mammal list on the iGoTerra website (www.igoterra.com). This list largely follows IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) taxonomy with just a few modifications. It is listed in family order, alphabetically by genera within families. Some alternative names are given in parentheses.

BIRDS
Wandering Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna arcuata   12 at Menggitimbe, Sumba and 100 at Lake Sotimori, Rote.
Green Pygmy Goose  Nettapus pulchellus   c.10 at Lake Sotimori.
Hardhead  Aythya australis   At least 14 at Lake Sotimori.
Pacific Black Duck  Anas superciliosa
Sunda Teal ◊  Anas gibberifrons   2 at Menggitimbe, 10 at Bipolo Fishponds, Timor, and 9 at Labuan Bajo Fishponds.
Orange-footed Scrubfowl ◊  Megapodius reinwardt   Best seen as usual on Komodo.
Green Junglefowl ◊  Gallus varius   Ditto.
Red Junglefowl (introduced)  Gallus gallus   Heard-only. Timor.
Brown Quail  Synoicus ypsilophorus pallidior   Three flushed on Sumba.
Little Grebe (Tricolored G) ◊  Tachybaptus [ruficollis] tricolor
Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis
Pacific Koel  Eudynamys orientalis   Many heard, but just one seen on Rote.
Little Bronze Cuckoo ◊ [Gould’s B C]  Chrysococcyx [minutillus] russatus   Endemic. Seen well on Timor & Flores.
Sunda Brush Cuckoo (Rusty-breasted C)  Cacomantis sepulcralis
Sahul Brush Cuckoo (Australian B C)  Cacomantis variolosus
Sunda Cuckoo ◊  Cuculus lepidus   First seen on Rote, then later on Flores.
Black Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Slaty C-D)  Turacoena modesta   Endemic. At least six seen on Rote & Timor; others heard.
Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall unchall   A couple near Ruteng, including a recently fledged juvenile.
Timor Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Barred-necked C-D)  Macropygia magna   Endemic. Several at Oelnasi but no perched view.
Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Parzudaki’s C-D)  Macropygia emiliana emiliana   One or two in flight on Flores.
Little Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia ruficeps orientalis   A couple on Flores, with one scoped.
Eucalypt Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Macropygia sp. nov.   Endemic. Well seen on Sumba; others heard there and Timor.
Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis tigrina
Sunda Collared Dove  Streptopelia bitorquata   Two seen nicely on Komodo.
Metallic Pigeon ◊  Columba vitiensis metallica   Widespread sightings.
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (introduced)  Columba [livia] var. domestica
Common Emerald Dove (Asian E D)  Chalcophaps indica indica
Pacific Emerald Dove (Green-winged Pigeon)  Chalcophaps longirostris timorensis
Sumba Green Pigeon ◊  Treron teysmannii   Endemic. A dozen logged across three days.
Flores Green Pigeon ◊  Treron floris   Endemic. A male was scoped near Ruteng. Ashutosh saw another at Kisol.
Barred Dove ◊  Geopelia maugeus
Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea polia
Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula rosacea   Seen very well on Rote and Timor.
Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula lacernulata sasakensis   A couple seen on Flores, with one scoped.
Timor Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula cineracea   Endemic. Great views of one at Gunung Timau.
Pied Imperial Pigeon  Ducula bicolor   Just one on Komodo.
Banded Fruit Dove ◊ (Black-backed F D)  Ptilinopus cinctus   Endemic. Timor (cinctus) & Flores (albocintus).
Red-naped Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus dohertyi   Endemic. A couple seen well on Sumba, and others heard.
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus regina flavicollis   Many sightings of this lovely subspecies.
Black-naped Fruit Dove  Ptilinopus melanospilus melanauchen
Buff-banded Rail  Gallirallus philippensis philippensis
Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus orientalis
Dusky Moorhen  Gallinula tenebrosa frontata   Around four noted at Menggitimbe, Sumba.
Purple Swamphen (Australasian S)  Porphyrio [porphyrio] melanotus  A couple at Menggitimbe,
White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus
White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus leucomelana
Pied Stilt (White-headed S)  Himantopus leucocephalus
Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola
Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis fulva
Little Ringed Plover  Thinornis dubius   Two on Rote.
Oriental Plover  Anarhynchus veredus   A dozen at Bipolo, Timor. Always nice.
Siberian Sand Plover  Anarhynchus mongolus   Just a single on Sumba.
Greater Sand Plover  Anarhynchus leschenaultii
Red-capped Plover  Anarhynchus ruficapillus   Good numbers at Bipolo Fishponds, with at least 30 counted.
Malaysian Plover ◊  Anarhynchus peronii   A single male at Teluk Maujawa, Sumba.
Javan Plover ◊  Anarhynchus javanicus   13 logged on Sumba, and another on Rote.
Eurasian Whimbrel (Siberian W)  Numenius [phaeopus] variegatus
Far Eastern Curlew  Numenius madagascariensis   Four at Bipolo Fishponds.
Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica   One at Teluk Maujawa, Sumba.
Terek Sandpiper  Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos
Grey-tailed Tattler  Tringa brevipes
Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola
Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia
Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres
Great Knot  Calidris tenuirostris   Two at Teluk Maujawa.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper  Calidris acuminata   Three at Bipolo Fishponds.
Curlew Sandpiper  Calidris ferruginea
Red-necked Stint (Rufous-n S)  Calidris ruficollis
Long-toed Stint  Calidris subminuta
Barred Buttonquail ◊ (Dusky B)  Turnix [suscitator] powelli   1 at Kisol died after being chased by a Variable Goshawk, and crashing into building!
Sumba Buttonquail ◊  Turnix everetti   Endemic. A pair were flushed multiple times at Yumbu, showing well.
Bridled Tern  Onychoprion anaethetus   Up to 90 or so in the Rote area.
Little Tern  Sternula albifrons   c.25 at Teluk Maujawa, Sumba, with 2 half-grown young noted; 8 at Menggitimbe.
Australian Tern (A Gull-billed T)  Gelochelidon macrotarsa   One quartering Bipolo Fishponds.
Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica   One at the river mouth south of Labuan Bajo.
Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida
Greater Crested Tern  Thalasseus bergii
Common Tern  Sterna hirundo longipennis   A couple with other terns off Rote.
Black-naped Tern  Sterna sumatrana
Bulwer’s Petrel  Bulweria bulwerii   At least 15 during the Komodo boat journey, with best ever views.
Lesser Frigatebird  Fregata ariel
Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster   Nine noted during the Rote trip.
Australasian Darter  (Australian D)  Anhinga novaehollandiae   Two at Lake Sotimori, Rote.
Little Pied Cormorant  Microcarbo melanoleucos
Little Black Cormorant  Phalacrocorax sulcirostris  Largest numbers at Lake Sotimori, with c.300.
Royal Spoonbill  Platalea regia   40 counted at Lake Sotimori, a wonderful sight.
Australian Pelican  Pelecanus conspicillatus   Two at Lake Sotimori.
Yellow Bittern  Ixobrychus sinensis
Pacific Reef Heron (P R Egret)  Egretta sacra
Little Egret (Black-footed E)  Egretta [garzetta] immaculata
Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H)  Nycticorax caledonicus   One at Lake Sotimori.
Little Heron  Butorides atricapilla
Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa
Great Egret (Eastern G E)  Ardea [alba] modesta
Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia
Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda
Great-billed Heron  Ardea sumatrana   A confiding bird on the beach at Komodo.
Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea
Timor Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus ritae   Endemic. Lovely flight views of a male near Soe, Timor.
Mees’s Nightjar ◊ (Sunda N)  Caprimulgus meesi   Endemic. A couple of sightings at Kisol, Flores.
Savanna Nightjar  Caprimulgus affinis kasuidori   Two flushed in daytime on Sumba.
Fork-tailed Swift  Apus pacificus
Tenggara Swiftlet ◊  Collocalia sumbawae   Endemic.
Drab Swiftlet ◊ (Timor S)  Collocalia neglecta   Endemic.
Edible-nest Swiftlet (White-nest S)  Aerodramus fuciphagus
Eastern Barn Owl  Tyto javanica delicatula   A flyby at Oelnasi, Timor.
Eastern Barn Owl ◊ (Sumba B O)  Tyto [javanica] sumbaensis   Endemic. A hunting individual near Lewa.
Great Sumba Boobook ◊  Ninox rudolfi   Endemic. Fantastic views of several near Lewa.
Rote Boobook ◊  Ninox rotiensis   Endemic. Amazing views of two on Rote.
Timor Boobook ◊ (Streaked B)  Ninox fusca   Endemic. One performed admirably at Oelnasi.
Little Sumba Boobook ◊ (Least B)  Ninox sumbaensis   Endemic. Great views eventually near Lewa; two seen.
Flores Scops Owl ◊  Otus alfredi   Endemic. Excellent encounters on Flores, by day and night. At least 2-3 seen.
Wallace’s Scops Owl ◊  Otus silvicola   Endemic. Tricky, but of two seen, one showed well near Ruteng.
Moluccan Scops Owl ◊  Otus magicus albiventris   Three were easily seen at Kisol.
Osprey (Eastern O)  Pandion [haliaetus] cristatus   One perched-up in mangroves as we left Komodo.
Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus hypoleucus
Pacific Baza  Aviceda subcristata timorlaoensis   One or two at Oelnasi.
Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental H B)  Pernis ptilorhynchus   One on Timor and two on Flores.
Flores Hawk-Eagle ◊  Nisaetus floris   One of our best years, with a lengthy encounter at Kisol; in flight and perched.
Variable Goshawk ◊ [Tenggara G]  Tachyspiza [hiogaster] sylvestris   Endemic. Several on Flores Kisol.
Brown Goshawk  Tachyspiza fasciata tjendanae   Two on Sumba.
Spotted Harrier  Circus assimilis   Great views of one hunting in ricefields on Sumba.
Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus intermedius
Black Kite  Milvus migrans affinis   Just one on Sumba.
White-bellied Sea Eagle  Ichthyophaga leucogaster
Sumba Hornbill ◊  Rhyticeros everetti   Endemic. Great views, with ten logged.
Oriental Dollarbird  (Common D)  Eurystomus orientalis
Rainbow Bee-eater  Merops ornatus
Blue-tailed Bee-eater  Merops philippinus
Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis bengalensis   Identified at Lake Sotimori, Rote and at Labuan Bajo, Flores.
Common Kingfisher ◊ (Hispid K)  Alcedo [atthis] hispidoides   Heard-only. Timor.
Cerulean Kingfisher ◊ (Small Blue K)  Alcedo coerulescens   One showed well at Labuan Bajo Fishponds.
Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis floresiana   Heard-only. One on Flores.
White-rumped Kingfisher ◊ (Glittering K)  Caridonax fulgidus   Endemic. Not uncommon on Flores; two seen well.
Sacred Kingfisher  Todiramphus sanctus sanctus
Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris chloris
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus a. australasia   Near-endemic. 2 seen on Sumba, and 1 on Timor.
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus moluccensis grandis   Several sightings on Flores.
Spotted Kestrel ◊ (Indonesian K)  Falco moluccensis microbalius
Peregrine Falcon [Australasian P]  Falco [peregrinus] ernesti
Yellow-crested Cockatoo ◊  Cacatua sulphurea   Excellent views on Komodo (occidentalis), with 15+. One heard in north Rote (parvula).
Citron-crested Cockatoo ◊ (Orange-c C)  Cacatua citrinocristata   Endemic. A handful on Sumba.
Jonquil Parrot ◊ (Olive-shouldered P)  Aprosmictus j. jonquillaceus   Endemic. 12 or so on Rote and 11+ on Timor.
Sumba Eclectus ◊  Eclectus cornelia   Endemic. A female was scoped on Sumba.
Red-cheeked Parrot  Geoffroyus geoffroyi floresianus   Many seen on Sumba and Flores.
Great-billed Parrot ◊  Tanygnathus megalorynchos   1 on Sumba (sumbensis), & 4 near Labuan Bajo (nominate).
Wallace’s Hanging Parrot ◊  Loriculus flosculus   Endemic. Two males seen exceedingly well near Ruteng.
Iris Lorikeet ◊  Trichoglossus iris iris   Endemic. At least ten of these little beauties at Gunung Timau, Timor.
Olive-headed Lorikeet ◊  Trichoglossus euteles   Endemic. Small numbers seen in the mountains of Timor.
Marigold Lorikeet ◊  Trichoglossus capistratus   Endemic. Large numbers seen on Sumba this year.
Leaf Lorikeet ◊ (Flores L)  Trichoglossus weberi   Endemic. Small numbers on Flores, with nice scope views.
Ornate Pitta ◊ (Wallace’s Elegant P)  Pitta concinna   Endemic. Many heard, and seen very well on Flores & Komodo.
Elegant Pitta ◊ (Temminck’s E P)  Pitta elegans maria   Endemic breeder. Two seen well on Sumba.
Plain Gerygone ◊ (Timor G)  Gerygone inornata   Endemic. Quite common on Timor and Rote.
Golden-bellied Gerygone (Sunda G)  Gerygone sulphurea sulphurea
Sumba Myzomela ◊  Myzomela dammermani   Endemic. Locally frequent on Sumba.
Rote Myzomela ◊  Myzomela irianawidodoae   Endemic. Common.
Black-breasted Myzomela ◊ (Timor M)  Myzomela vulnerata   Endemic. well seen in numbers at Oelnasi.
Timor Friarbird ◊  Philemon inornatus   Endemic. Scattered sightings on Timor.
Helmeted Friarbird ◊ (Tenggara F) Philemon [buceroides] buceroides   Endemic. Rote (nom.); Sumba, Flores & Komodo (neglectus).
Scaly-crowned Honeyeater ◊ (Sunda H)  Lichmera lombokia   Endemic. Frequently seen in highland Flores.
Brown Honeyeater ◊ (Indonesian H)  Lichmera [indistincta] limbata
Flame-eared Honeyeater ◊ (Yellow-e H)  Lichmera flavicans   Endemic. Particularly in the Timor mountains.
Streak-breasted Honeyeater ◊ (Timor Meliphaga)  Meliphaga reticulata   Endemic. Locally common on Timor.
Little Minivet ◊ (Flores M)  Pericrocotus lansbergei   Endemic. This little beauty was quite common on Flores.
Wallacean Cuckooshrike ◊ (Flores C)  Coracina [personata] floris   Endemic. Five noted on Flores.
Wallacean Cuckooshrike ◊ (Sumba C)  Coracina [personata] sumbensis   Endemic. A few seen well on Sumba.
Wallacean Cuckooshrike ◊ (Timor C)  Coracina [personata] personata   Endemic. Singles on Rote and Timor.
White-shouldered Triller ◊  Lalage sueurii
Pale-shouldered Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma dohertyi   Endemic. Seven noted on Sumba, and a couple on Flores.
Timor Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma timoriense timoriense   Endemic. Possibly a Birdquest lifer. A pair at Oelnasi, Timor.
White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus
Green Figbird ◊ (Timor F)  Sphecotheres viridis   Endemic. Several seen on Rote, including a male.
Timor Oriole ◊  Oriolus melanotis   Endemic. Two seen well on Rote.
Black-naped Oriole ◊ (Tenggara Golden O)  Oriolus [chinensis] broderipi   Endemic. A few on Flores & Komodo.
Bare-throated Whistler ◊  Pachycephala nudigula   Endemic. One of the birds of the trip, with its amazing voice.
Fawn-breasted Whistler ◊  Pachycephala orpheus orpheus   Endemic. Many sightings of this drab endemic.
Tenggara Whistler ◊ (Bima W)  Pachycephala [calliope] fulvotincta   Endemic. Several seen on Flores & Komodo.
Tenggara Whistler ◊ (Sumba W)  Pachycephala [calliope] fulviventris   Endemic. Frequent on Sumba.
Tenggara Whistler ◊ (Timor W)  Pachycephala [calliope] calliope   Endemic. A few seen on Timor.
Northern Fantail ◊ (Rote F]  Rhipidura [rufiventris] tenkatei   Endemic. Common enough.
Northern Fantail ◊ (Timor F]  Rhipidura [rufiventris] rufiventris   Endemic. Common.
Brown-capped Fantail ◊ (Trumpeting F)  Rhipidura diluta   Endemic. Frequent on Flores, mainly mountains.
Supertramp Fantail ◊  Rhipidura semicollaris   2 forms seen: sumbensis (Sumba); semicollaris (Flores, Rote & Timor).
Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Flores Spangled D)  Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis   Endemic. A handful on Flores & Komodo.
Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Sumba Spangled D)  Dicrurus [densus] sumbae   Endemic. Pretty common.
Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Timor Spangled D)  Dicrurus [densus] densus   Endemic. Always scarce, with just 3 at Timau.
Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea symmixta   Frequent on Flores and Komodo.
Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher ◊  Terpsiphone floris   Endemic. Many seen on Sumba & Flores.
Broad-billed Flycatcher (B-b Monarch)  Myiagra ruficollis ruficollis   Well seen on Sumba, Rote and Timor.
Flores Monarch ◊  Symposiachrus sacerdotum   Endemic. Four seen, including a fledged juvenile.
Spectacled Monarch (Australian S M)  Symposiachrus trivirgatus trivirgatus   One on Sumba and two on Timor.
Flores Crow ◊  Corvus florensis   Endemic. Quite common this year. Some good looks at this clever sneak.
Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C)  Corvus [macrorhynchos] macrorhynchos
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis connectens   Small numbers on Sumba and Flores.
Cinereous Tit  Parus cinereus cinereus   Ditto.
Olive-backed Tailorbird ◊ (Javan T)  Orthotomus sepium   A couple seen on the Sumba coast.
Zitting Cisticola (Double-zitting C)  Cisticola [juncidis] tinnabulans
Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-capped C)  Cisticola exilis lineocapilla
Australian Reed Warbler (Australasian R W)  Acrocephalus australis sumbae   A few at Menggitimbe, Sumba.
Buff-banded Thicketbird ◊ (Timor T)  Cincloramphus bivittatus   Endemic. Often heard; amazing views near Kupang.
Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla   One performed at Gunung Mutis (timorensis); also seen on Flores (everetti).
Pacific Swallow  Hirundo javanica javanica
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow (Striated S)  Cecropis [daurica] striolata
Timor Stubtail ◊  Urosphena subulata   Endemic. A few seen well on Rote. Frequently heard on Timor.
Russet-capped Tesia ◊  Tesia everetti   Endemic. Easily seen on Flores; an obliging member of the genus.
Mountain Tailorbird (M Leaftoiler)  Phyllergates cucullatus everetti   Showed well in Flores highlands.
Aberrant Bush Warbler ◊ (Sunda B W)  Horornis [flavolivaceus] vulcanius   Seen well on Timor (everetti).
Yellow-breasted Warbler  Seicercus montis floris   A few seen well in montane Flores.
Rote Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus rotiensis   Endemic. Several seen very well.
Timor Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus presbytes   Endemic. Ditto on Timor.
Timor Leaf Warbler ◊ (Flores L W)  Phylloscopus [presbytes] floresianus   Endemic. A few seen in montane Flores.
Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster
Eyebrowed White-eye ◊ (Cream-browed Heleia, White-b W-e)  Heleia superciliaris   Endemic. Seen well on Flores.
Crested Heleia ◊ (Dark-crowned White-eye)  Heleia dohertyi   Endemic. Ditto, at lower levels.
Timor Heleia ◊ (Spot-breasted H, Timor White-eye)  Heleia muelleri   Endemic. Some very good views on Timor.
Thick-billed Heleia ◊ (Flores White-eye)  Heleia crassirostris   Endemic. One seen well on Flores
Yellow-spectacled Heleia ◊ (Wallace’s H)  Heleia wallacei   Endemic. Widespread sightings; Sumba, Flores, Komodo.
Warbling White-eye (Mountain W-e]  Zosterops [japonicus] montanus   Upland Flores; montane Timor (neglectus).
Lemon-bellied White-eye ◊  Zosterops chloris sumbavensis   A few seen on Komodo and in Labuan Bajo.
Ashy-bellied White-eye ◊  Zosterops citrinella   Endemic. Common on Sumba and lowland Timor.
Ashy-bellied White-eye ◊ (Flores W-e)  Zosterops [citrinella] unicus   Endemic. The yellow-bellied form of Flores.
Tenggara Hill Myna ◊  Gracula venerata   A wonderful pair near Labuan Bajo, and then two more seen by Ken.
Short-tailed Starling  Aplonis minor
Javan Myna (introduced)  Acridotheres javanicus
Chestnut-capped Thrush ◊  Geokichla interpres   Great views of at least four individuals on Flores.
Chestnut-backed Thrush ◊  Geokichla dohertyi   Endemic. Seen on Sumba and Flores; best on the former.
Orange-sided Thrush ◊ (Orange-banded T)  Geokichla peronii   Endemic. Easily seen on Rote and Timor.
Wallacean Island Thrush ◊ (Timor I T)  Turdus [poliocephalus] schlegelii   Endemic. A few seen Mutis & Timau.
Sumba Brown Flycatcher ◊  Muscicapa segregata   Endemic. A good year, with three seen well.
Timor Blue Flycatcher ◊ (T Warbling-f)  Eumyias hyacinthinus   Endemic. Common on Rote and Timor.
Flores Jungle Flycatcher ◊ (F Warbling-f)  Eumyias oscillans   Endemic. Several seen and others heard.
Sumba Jungle Flycatcher ◊ (S Warbling-f)  Eumyias stresemanni   Endemic. Just a pair that showed well.
Flores Shortwing ◊  Brachypteryx floris   Endemic. Great views of a male at Golo Lusang.
Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni   Small numbers on Rote and Timor (mayri), and on Flores (hasselti).
Black-banded Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula timorensis   Endemic. This corker was best seen at Oelnasi.
Sumba Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula harterti   Endemic. Three showed on Sumba; good views.
White-bellied Bush Chat ◊ (Timor Bushchat)  Saxicola gutturalis   Endemic. Common on Rote and Timor.
Pied Bush Chat  Saxicola caprata   Sumba (francki); Rote & Timor (pyrrhonotus); Flores & Komodo (fruticola).
Thick-billed Flowerpecker ◊ (Tenggara F)  Dicaeum [agile] obsoleta   Endemic. 3 Sumba (tincta); 1 Timor (obsoleta).
Golden-rumped Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum annae   Endemic. Common on Flores.
Black-fronted Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum igniferum   Endemic. Common on Flores.
Red-chested Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum maugei maugei   Endemic. Common on Rote and Timor.
Flores Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum rhodopygiale   Endemic. 6 noted at Golo Lusang.
Sumba Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum wilhelminae   Endemic. Common.
Timor Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum hanieli   Endemic. A nice pair at Fatumnasi.
Brown-throated Sunbird (Plain-t S)  Anthreptes malacensis   Sumba (rubrigena) and Flores (convergens).
Ornate Sunbird  Cinnyris ornatus ornatus
Apricot-breasted Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris buettikoferi   Endemic. Common enough on Sumba.
Flame-breasted Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris solaris solaris   Endemic. Common on Timor and Flores.
Zebra Finch ◊ (Sunda Z F)  Taeniopygia guttata guttata   Endemic. Widespread.
Timor Sparrow ◊  Padda fuscata   Endemic. 40-50 seen on Timor, with many juveniles.
Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata   Sumba (sumbae); Rote, Timor & Flores (blasii).
Black-faced Munia ◊  Lonchura molucca propinqua   A few on Flores, including one nest-building.
Pale-headed Munia ◊  Lonchura pallida   Good numbers on Sumba, Timor and Flores.
Five-colored Munia ◊  Lonchura quinticolor   Near-endemic. Small numbers on Sumba, and 50+ on Timor.
Tricolored Parrotfinch ◊  Erythrura tricolor   Near-endemic. Seen well on Timor on multiple occasions; 20+.
Timor Parrotfinch ◊ (Mount Mutis P)  Erythrura sp. nov.   Endemic. 7+ at Fatumnasi, with some adult males.
Red Avadavat  Amandava amandava flavidiventris   Small numbers at Bipolo Fishponds, Timor.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus
Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus   Seen on Sumba (albidus), and Timor (medius).

MAMMALS
Wild Boar (Indian W B) Sus scrofa vittatus Several on Komodo, where it is considered an archaeophyte.
Timor Deer Rusa timorensis Small numbers on Komodo.
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops aduncus A small pod on the return journey from Komodo.
Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M) Macaca fascicularis
Brown Rat (introduced) Rattus norvegicus

REPTILES
Boschma’s Flying Dragon Draco boschmai
Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko
Flat-tailed House Gecko Hemidactylus platyurus
Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis At least eight of these famous giant monitor lizards on Komodo.

AMPHIBIANS
Asian Common Toad (introduced) Duttaphrynus melanostictus

BUTTERFLIES
Haliphron Birdwing Troides haliphrone naias Sumba.
Peranthus Peacock Papilio peranthus Kisol.
Mormon Papilio theseus Sumba.
Caper White Belenois java Labuan Bajo.
Three-spotted Grass Yellow Eurema blanda Widespread.
Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe Widespread.
Timor Gull Cepora laeta Fatumnasi.
Gull Cepora temena Endemic. Komodo.
Jezebel Delias oraia Endemic. Kisol.
Timor Jezebel Delias timorensis Endemic. Rote and Timor.
Orangetip Ixias vollenhovii Endemic. Rote and Timor.
Psyche Leptosia nina Widespread.
Tawny Coster Acraea terpsicore Sumba.
Straight Perrot Caleta rhode Kisol.
Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon Rote and Timor.
Lineblue Catopyrops rita Rote.
Long-tailed Blue (Pea B) Lampides boeticus Widespread.
White Hedge Blue Udara akasa Golo Lusang.
Timor Castor Ariadne timora Endemic. Rote.
‘Timor’ Lacewing Cethosia lamarckii Endemic. Rote and Timor.
‘Timor’ Emperor Charaxes orilus Endemic. Oelnasi.
Swamp Tiger Danaus affinis
Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Widespread.
Long-branded Blue Crow Euploea algea Timor.
Grey Glassy Tiger Ideopsis juventa Kisol.
Grey Pansy Junonia atlites Sumba and Timor.
Northern Argus Junonia erigone Timor.
Blue Pansy Junonia orithya Sumba.
Bushbrown Mycalesis mynois Endemic. Fatumnasi.
Common Sailer Neptis hylas Flores at least.
Smooth-eyed Bushbrown Orsotriaena medus Sumba.
Luzon Glassy Tiger Parantica luzonensis Sumba.
Common Leopard Phalanta phalantha Timor.
Common Lineblue Prosotas nora Sumba.
Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace Sumba, Kisol etc.
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Golo Lusang.
Malay Cruiser Vindula dejone
Pied Flat Tagiades japetus Sumba and Kisol.

DRAGONFLIES
Lara Damselfly Euphaea lara Endemic. Sumba.
Variable Wisp Agriocnemis femina Flores.
Common Bluetail Ischnura senegalensis Flores.
Threadtail Nososticta emphyla Endemic. Labuan Bajo Nursery.
Threadtail Nososticta selysii Endemic. Labuan Bajo Nursery.
Sprite Pseudagrion deflexum Oelnasi.
Blue Sprite Pseudagrion siamense Menggitimbe, Sumba.
Pale-spotted Emperor Anax guttatus Danau Ranamese, Flores.
Slender Skimmer Orthetrum sabina Widespread.
Chalky Percher Diplacodes trivialis Sumba at least.

PLANTS
Kashmir Tree Gmelina arborea Loved by myzomelas at Oelnasi.
White Bark Acacia Vachellia leucophloea Beautiful emergent canopy tree of Timor, favoured by many birds.
Whiteweed Austroeupatorium inulifolium Dominant invasive in Flores uplands. Home to Flores Shortwing.
Asiatic Butterfly Bush Buddleja asiatica Timor uplands at least.
Bottlebrush Orchid Goodyera procera Flores highlands.
Orchid Vanda perplexa Endemic. Komodo.
Balsam Impatiens platypetala Flores highlands.