INDONESIA’S LESSER SUNDAS TOUR REPORT 2024

8 - 26 August 2024

by Dáni Balla

Birdquest’s highly successful tours to the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia was continued this year with all possible endemic bird species seen. We recorded 234 bird species during a 19-day long tour while visiting the islands of Sumba, Timor, Rote, Flores and Komodo, while no major flight delays or logistic issues occurred making the tour run as smoothly as possible. It is hard to summarize such a great tour, probably a nice way to do so is to list the birds here in taxonomic order which were nominated at the end of our journey in the TOP5 voting. Nominated species were Red-naped Fruit Dove, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Red-backed Buttonquail, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Rote Boobook, Flores Scops Owl, White-rumped Kingfisher, Leaf Lorikeet, Ornate Pitta, Bare-throated Whistler, Black-naped Monarch, Flores Monarch, Pygmy Cupwing, Rote Leaf Warbler, Yellow-ringed White-eye, Orange-sided Thrush, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black-banded Flycatcher, Flame-breasted Sunbird and Timor Sparrow. Interestingly, six different species were voted as nr.1 by eight of us.
After meeting each other and Bayu Hendra – our local guide and fixer – at Denpasar airport we checked-in to our flight to Waingapu on Sumba, where after landing we only had time to check the area where the next day birding was initiated.

Birding started by visiting the grasslands near Yumbu where the first small flocks of Sunda Zebra Finch were immediately observed and it did not take too long before flushing the first Sumba Buttonquail, which was followed by a few more individuals as we put more effort in it. Later morning we paid a visit to the nearby wetlands at Mengittimbe where Javan Plovers were found with the scopes, Australian Reed Warbler calling from the reeds, Wandering Whistling Ducks, Pacific Black Ducks were numerous and at the end we managed to find four Sunda Teals before moving on and aiming to the inner areas of Sumba Island. After a longer drive we had a lunch at Lewa village and started birding in the area later in the afternoon finding Apricot-breasted and Brown-throated Sunbirds, our first Sumba Jungle Flycatcher, Sumba Flowerpecker, a pair of Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher and we had incredible close scope views of an Elegant Pitta. Just before sunset we found our first Red-naped Fruit Dove perched in the open. Staying out we positioned ourselves in a wooded area where soon after we were looking at two Least (Lesser Sumba) Boobooks perched above us. As we were quickly finding the more difficult endemic Boobook we decided to try (Greater) Sumba Boobook which was showing well at another spot soon but was flighty.

A full day and another morning were spent finding birds in Tana Daru National Park, mostly birding along the roadside seeing most of the endemics of the island easily. A flowering bush in the morning let us have a good look at Sumba Myzomela, Sumba Flowerpecker (a recent split from Blood-breasted) and Apricot-breasted Sunbird. From a picturesque viewpoint we saw Sumba Green Pigeons flying by and even had one perched close providing some great scope views; the same point later turned out to be a stake out for Citron-crested Cockatoos, six of them staying around at the same time. With some effort we managed to see the tricky Sumba Flycatcher and got amazing views of the stunning Chestnut-backed Thrush. Some more Red-naped Fruit Doves, Sumba Jungle Flycatchers seen during the day while the local sumbensis form of Wallacean Cuckooshrike was seen in the scope as well. Other birds more easily seen were the fulviventris form of Rusty-breasted Whistler, sumbae Wallacean Drongo, connectens Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, tinctum Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Tenggara Flowerpecker), sumbaensis Supertramp Fantail and a Spectacled Monarch. In the afternoon a short trek took us to another viewpoint where we first had a distant Sumba Hornbill and after some time waiting and seeing a few more distant birds we had two flying close to us. Later a female Sumba Eclectus was spotted perched on a bare tree and Crested Honey Buzzard was seen soaring around.

The last morning here we were searching for Sumba Brown Flycatcher tirelessly, but the first bird was only seen by the leader and glimpsed by some. Eucalypt Cuckoo Dove, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Red-naped Fruit Dove, a Brown Goshawk (tjendanae) and a nice male Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher were seen to mention just a few of the more interesting species. Before losing hope, we tried one last patch of forest close to Lewa where finally we had a ‘fantastic looking’ Sumba Brown Flycatcher showing well – as said; being hard to find and finally succeeding with a bird can make even a drab one shine.
We drove back to Waingapu and later in the afternoon we went out to see Sumba Buttonquail one more time.

We had a morning flight to Kupang on Timor. Straight out to birding near Bipolo we got a few Timor endemics around during the day including Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Black-breasted Myzomela, Timor Blue Flycatcher and White-bellied Bushchat with some other good ones like Tricoloured Parrotfinch, ‘Timor’ Northern Fantail, Supertrump Fantail, Fawn-breasted Whistler, Red-chested Flowerpecker and lineocapilla Golden-headed Cisticola and our only Bonelli’s (Rensch’s) Eagle. The afternoon we spent ‘only 50 meters” from here walking along a dry riverbed seeing Little Bronze Cuckoo, Timor Friarbird, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove and glimpsing a Buff-banded Thicketbird. In the last hour we found a group of Brown Quails in the more open areas and got a Savanna Nightjar coming close.

We took the morning ferry to Rote seeing a Bulwer’s Petrel and dozens of Bridled Terns from the deck. Arriving at Rote we initiated birding at a roadside salt pan which was dry but still had a Red-capped Plover family and a few Little Terns. In the roadside vegetation we found our first Flame-breasted Sunbirds, Rote Myzomela and ‘Rote’ Northern Fantail, which fascinatingly looks more like Spotted Fantail of the Greater Sundas, than the closest Timor Northern Fantails. After lunch we got proper views of Rote Leaf Warbler with its strange long bill and moved on to the famous Sotimori Lake area for the rest of the day, on the way stopping to collect Green Figbird and seeing our first Orange-sided Thrush at a fruiting tree. The lake had some more widespread birds including Wandering Whistling Ducks, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants, White-browed Crake, Tricoloured Grebes and a few Whiskered Terns. Brown Honeyeaters calling everywhere along the road and finally a responsive Black Cuckoo-Dove was showing exceptionally well after some time. We had a Great-billed Parrot flying over and a glimpse of the first Jonquil (Olive-shouldered) Parrots here. The last few birds seen during the daytime were a few Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons around another fruiting tree.
As the sun set, we took our chance on Rote Boobook and found a responsive bird which stayed perched as long as we wanted. Another spot along the road had a Timor Nightjar calling back but staying far away from us forcing us to surrender as we still had a longer drive to reach our hotel.

As we saw all Rote endemics on the first day we started working ahead and trying some of the Timor birds before taking the ferry back. The morning started with two fighting Red-backed Buttonquails forgetting to run away from us. More Rote Myzomelas, White-bellied Bush Chat and Black Cuckoo-Doves were seen from our breakfast point. We lured in a pair of the tougher Timor Orioles as well. Walking down the road we finally found a cooperative Timor Stubtail and saw Orange-sided Thrush, Broad-billed Flycatcher and ‘Rote’ Northern Fantail again before departing to the ferry.

Arriving back to Timor we went back to Bipolo for birding in the late afternoon, this time we were concentrating on the open areas and easily found a small flock of Timor Sparrows joined by Pale-headed Munias and Sunda Zebra Finch.

Visiting the hotspot at Camplong was our next morning’s task where we found a flowering tree with a dozen Black-breasted Myzomela, a group of Streak-breasted Honeyeaters and a few Flame-eared Honeyeaters while a Brown Goshawk was tricked and called closer with a recording of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker… We lured out an Aberrant (Sunda) Bush Warbler from the undergrowth and also managed to put Buff-banded Thicketbird onto a more open spot where we had great looks at it. The main attraction, however, was the smart looking Black-banded Flycatcher which was showing exceptionally well putting himself on everyone’s top sighting when it came to summarizing the trip.
As we still had some time before a late lunch, we returned to the open areas of Bipolo once more and found Five-coloured Munias around a patch of reed and spotted two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers on flooded paddy fields.

A very early start made us arrive at Lelogama on the lower areas of Mt. Timau in the morning, where great activity made finding Spot-breasted Heleia easy and after a quick breakfast some other harder-to-see birds were also collected including Timor Cuckoo-Dove and Timor Imperial Pigeon saving some time on Mt. Mutis later on. Black Cuckoo-Dove was showing again and we had Iris Lorikeets perched nicely. Olive-headed Lorikeets were less cooperative and we only got views of them as they dropped from the canopy. Timor Stubtails, Timor Oriole and Friarbird all called around, Timor Blue Flycatcher was common, another male Black-banded Flycatcher turned up, we found Rusty-breasted Whistler, Wallacean Drongo and we lured in a nice Banded Fruit Dove and a Sahul Brush Cuckoo as well. Timor Leaf Warbler was heard several times and of course we found a few to see, while we also had nice views of Island Thrush, which was recently split and now is Wallacean Island Thrush in the region.

We reached Soé later in the afternoon and went out to Oelnasi for a late afternoon visit and mainly to stay longer and try for Timor Boobook. We spent the afternoon searching for Timor Cuckoo-Dove which we got nicely at the end. The Boobooks were responding but were quite flighty, once we had five individuals calling around but our frustration was beating new levels as none were visible. At the end it took some time to finally have one in the spotlight.

Using 4×4 vehicles we reached the Mt Mutis area next morning with the main aim to find the yet officially undescribed Timor Parrotfinch. During the first part of the morning walking along the dirt road we found several immature birds but only one adult female – having a small red ear-patch – was spotted as it was feeding young ones, the only male was flushed from the ground in a flock disappearing rapidly. Only a few Tricoloured Parrotfinch were hanging around and we also saw a pair of the neat Snowy-browed Flycatcher. Seeing Orange-sided, Chestnut-backed and Wallacean Island Thrush on the same tree was unique. We moved to the other side of the mountain where a slightly different habitat with more open rocky formations under the forest provided habitat for the local timorensis subspecies of Pygmy Cupwing which we had great views of. Warbling White-eyes were feeding around and at the end we finally found a Timor Flowerpecker (another new one after splitting the Blood-breasted complex recently).
Going back to Oelnasi once more in the evening we finally managed to see Timor Nightjar, found again a Timor Boobook and had great flight views of an Eastern Barn Owl pair.

From Soé we decided to go back to Mt. Timau for one more time and stopped on the way for breakfast where a roadside open forest habitat only gave another flight view of Olive-headed Parakeets but had another Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Tricoloured Parrotfinch and a closely perched pair of Jonquil Parrot. On the lower sections of Mt. Timau, we easily found Timor Flowerpecker and had several great views of Iris Lorikeet. A Wallacean Cuckooshrike was moving high in the canopy at one point here it is the nominate form. Higher up we had great vines again of Spot-breasted Heleias, Banded Fruit Dove, Timor Friarbird and Rusty-breasted Whistler.
A late afternoon visit to a viewpoint near Kupang where we had the coast in front of us only gave some distant views of a few widespread waders and a flying Nankeen Night Heron.

This time we decided to fly to Labuan Bajo unlike previous years. Arriving late morning we started driving up to the mountains stopping on the way in the Puarlolo forest area collecting the first few key species including Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Rusty-breasted Whistler (fulvotinca), Flame-breasted Sunbird, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Crested White-eye, the local yellow-bellied unicus form of Ashy-bellied White-eye and managed to see the endemic White-rumped Kingfisher. It took some patience but finally Chestnut-capped Thrush and Flores Monarch were showing well while two Ruddy Cuckoo-Doves came into the trees in front of us. After a long drive we arrived at Ruteng for the night.

In the morning, we were birding on the Golo Lusang road of higher elevation which descends down through protected cloud forest. Birding here was different in many ways compared to the previous habitats of the tour, we reached the fresh-green forests and were enjoying the cool morning temperatures of the area. Walking down the road the loud melodic song of Bare-throated Whistlers was filling the hillside, but seeing one was a harder task and we had to leave behind several individuals near the road while finally finding one which was visible. In the meantime, we had nice looks at Cream-browed White-eye, Flores Leaf Warbler, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Little Minivet and Scaly-crowned Honeyeater.

We reached a fruiting fig tree where the tiny Wallace’s Hanging Parrots were calling but it took some time to find them on the huge tree. When they left the tree, we realized that there were at least four individuals moving in the canopy and we were happy to see one or two sometimes. A Rufous-bellied Eagle was one of the last birds observed here before we left the area.
We descended down to the Kisol area, near the coast for a lunch and for a late afternoon birding seeing Flores Crow and an Ornate Pitta of the key birds here. We stayed out until dark and started our long-lasting story with Wallace’s Scops Owl. A Mees’s Nightjar crossed the sky above us in the spotlight for a few seconds and we had a short view of Moluccan Scops Owl but only heard the Wallace’s this time.

We came back in the early morning and were successful in finding Wallace’s Scops as soon as we got out of our cars. A fly by in the dark was all it gave so we walked further down the road to soon find another calling individual. This time the bird was quite responsive and crossed above us and even perched but just for a second. Fortunately, dusk was arriving and everyone got the silhouette of the bird clearly before it disappeared.
We had breakfast in the field and kept going on. Wallacean Drongos were common here, we saw several Black-fronted Flowerpeckers, a bunch of Black-naped Fruit Doves and a few Green Imperial Pigeons coming onto a big fruiting tree but no Green Pigeons.

Moving to a viewpoint where we had a good sight on the nearby hills, we waited for raptors to start moving. In the meantime, some nice Flame-breasted, Brown-throated and Ornate Sunbirds were all around, Cinereous Tit, Rusty-breasted Whistler and Pied Bush Chats were entertaining us but no movements made us change location. Stopping at another viewpoint we had a Variable Goshawk of the endemic sylvestris race moving around. After some time – just before giving up – the Goshawk alarming again and Frank spotted an adult Flores Hawk-Eagle just above us. The view we wanted and will not forget for sure.

Heading back to the higher elevations we stopped around Rana Mese for an afternoon roadside birding getting the great views of Metallic Pigeon, Russet-capped Tesia, Brown-capped Fantail, Little Minivet, Pygmy Cupwing, Warbling and Ashy-bellied White-eyes and finding some new ones for our tour such as Flores Flowerpecker, Little Pied and Rufous-chested Flycatchers. Waiting for sunset we got a responsive Sunda Cuckoo.
A short walk into the roadside forest and we got a response from a Flores Scops Owl with its weird crake-like call. It was responding close but hiding well. Sometime put into searching for the individual and repositioning ourselves we were staring at this incredible looking creature; stunning bird and one of the best-looking Scops! As walking back, a Wallace’s Scops Owl started haunting us. We tried again seeing just a flying silhouette.

The upcoming days we were trying our luck at a spot closer to Ruteng but all our efforts seeing Wallace’s Scops Owl better failed and the best ones still remained, some silhouettes flying by even when hearing four different individuals calling around us.

We visited Golo Lusang the next day and the day after in the afternoon again. Our main target left was Flores Shortwing which we tried twice to get everyone on the birds. Otherwise, the area being full of birds we enjoyed birding around and improved our previous views of Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Thick-billed Heleia, the always welcome Chestnut-backed Thrush while also got views of Banded Fruit Dove, Sunda Brush Cuckoo and a surprise Sunda Thrush was also glimpsed. On our last visit we finally managed to see the endemic Leaf Lorikeets here, which we struggled to find in other spots.

A morning visit to Pagal with its more open roadside forest we were lucky to rapidly find a nest-building pair of Flores Green Pigeon. Walking along the road we had great views of Tenggara Paradise Flycatchers, Sunda Pygmy Woodpeckers, Crested, Yellow-ringed, Ashy-bellied White-eyes, Black-fronted and Golden-rumped Flowerpeckers, Little Minivet, our first Pale-shouldered Cicadabirds and a few loud Black-naped (Tenggara Golden) Orioles.

Leaving the highlands we were heading back to Labuan Bajo stopping at Puarlolo once more and getting great looks of Flores Monarch and seeing again Chestnut-capped Thrush and a bunch of Black-naped Fruit Doves. Late afternoon we went to a close viewpoint where we had good views of the nearby hills from the edge of some green paddy fields. A wintering Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Green Imperial Pigeon, a Pacific Baza and Black-faced Munias were birds of interest here.

Early in the morning we departed the hotel to jump on a speed boat taking us to the famous Komodo Island. Arriving at the island before the heat kicked in wasn’t regretted and we could even finish our walk around the National Park before it really got warm. We did very well and saw all our targets easily such as more than a dozen Yellow-crested Cockatoos, a few Pied Imperial Pigeons, Sunda Collared Dove, some tame Green Junglefowl and Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Flame-breasted and Ornate Sunbirds and Lemon-bellied White-eyes. On the shore we found a Beach Stone-curlew pair mobbed by Large-billed Crows. Of course, probably the greatest attraction was seeing several individuals of the huge Komodo Dragons, some from extremely close distance.

Our last afternoon we drove to the hills above Labuan Bajo and from a dedicated viewpoint we were lucky to spot a pair of Tenggara Hill Mynas flying in the valley under us, later even seeing a third individual from a much closer distance. A nice male Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher hanging around and an Ornate Pitta crossing the road were notable moments besides great views of White-rumped Kingfisher which was perched eye-level for nearly twenty minutes entertaining us.
On the way back to Labuan Bajo we stopped and got Moluccan Scops Owl at the local stake out as the last bird of our successful tour in the region.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1. Black-banded Flycatcher
2. Flores Scops Owl
3. Flores Hawk-Eagle
4. Red-naped Fruit Dove
5. Bare-throated Whistler

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 Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.1).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa

Sunda Teal ◊ Anas gibberifrons Four individuals on Sumba.

Orange-footed Scrubfowl ◊ Megapodius reinwardt Several seen extremely well on Komodo.

Green Junglefowl ◊ Gallus varius Well seen on Komodo.

Brown Quail Synoicus ypsilophorus A group of six at Bipolo.

Timor Nightjar ◊ Caprimulgus ritae Endemic. Heard on Rote and seen at Oelnasi.

Mees’s Nightjar ◊ (Sunda N) Caprimulgus meesi Endemic. Heard on Sumba and seen at Kisol.

Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Seen from the car on Sumba and one came close at Bipolo.

Tenggara Swiftlet ◊ Collocalia sumbawae Endemic.

Drab Swiftlet ◊ (Timor S) Collocalia neglecta Endemic.

Cave Swiftlet ◊ (B) Collocalia linchi Denpasar airport.

Edible-nest Swiftlet (White-nest S) Aerodramus fuciphagus

House Swift Apus nipalensis

Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Non-leader sighting on Timor, otherwise heard-only.

Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis Heard-only.

Shining Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus Seen on Sumba.

Little Bronze Cuckoo (Gould’s B C) Chrysococcyx minutillus Endemic. Seen on Timor.

Sunda Brush Cuckoo (Rusty-breasted C) Cacomantis sepulcralis Seen well on Flores.

Sahul Brush Cuckoo (Australian B C) Cacomantis variolosus Several heard, seen on Sumba and Timor.

Sunda Cuckoo ◊ Cuculus lepidus Seen on Golo Lusang.

Rock Dove (introduced) Columba livia

Metallic Pigeon ◊ Columba vitiensis

Sunda Collared Dove Streptopelia bitorquata A few on Komodo.

Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis

Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Parzudaki’s C-D) Macropygia emiliana Several seen on Flores.

Timor Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Barred-necked C-D) Macropygia magna Endemic. One seen at Mt. Timau and one at Oelnasi.

Eucalypt Cuckoo Dove ◊ Macropygia sp. nov. Endemic. Seen on Sumba.

Black Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Slaty C-D) Turacoena modesta Endemic. A few were seen on Rote and a few more on Timor.

Common Emerald Dove (Asian E D) Chalcophaps indica

Pacific Emerald Dove (Green-winged Pigeon) Chalcophaps longirostris

Barred Dove ◊ Geopelia maugeus

Zebra Dove (introduced) Geopelia striata

Sumba Green Pigeon ◊ Treron teysmannii Endemic. A few seen on Sumba including a close scope viewed one.

Flores Green Pigeon ◊ Treron floris Endemic. A pair building nest found at Pagal.

Banded Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus cinctus Endemic. Seen on Rote and Timor (cinctus) and Flores (albocinctus).

Red-naped Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus dohertyi Endemic. Small numbers seen, a few very well.

Rose-crowned Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus regina Several seen on Timor (flavicollis).

Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanospilus

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea

Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula rosacea A few seen on Rote and one more on Timor.

Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula lacernulata One seen and several heard on Flores.

Timor Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula cineracea Endemic. One seen at Mt. Timau.

Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor Four individuals seen on Komodo.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Australasian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus

White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

Tricolored Grebe ◊ Tachybaptus tricolor

Red-backed Buttonquail ◊ Turnix maculosus Two males were seen fighting in front of us on Rote.

Sumba Buttonquail ◊ Turnix everetti Endemic. Several flushed near Yumbu.

Beach Stone-curlew (B Thick-knee) Esacus magnirostris A pair seen at Komodo.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii

Red-capped Plover Anarhynchus ruficapillus A female with chicks seen on Rote.

Javan Plover ◊ Anarhynchus javanicus A few seen on Sumba.

Eurasian Whimbrel (Siberian W) Numenius [phaeopus] variegatus

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus A small group at sea on the way back from Komodo.

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Two seen on Timor at Bipolo.

Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus Nearly a 100 seen from the ferry to Rote.

Little Tern Sternula albifrons

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana

Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Leader-only from the Rote ferry.

Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii One seen from the Rote ferry.

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis One seen on Sumba.

Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H) Nycticorax caledonicus One seen near the coast on Timor.

Pacific Reef Heron (P R Egret) Egretta sacra

Little Egret (Black-footed E) Egretta [garzetta] nigripes

Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus

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

Medium Egret Ardea intermedia

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental H B) Pernis ptilorhynchus Seen on Sumba and Timor.

Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata One seen on Flores.

Flores Hawk-Eagle ◊ Nisaetus floris Endemic. An adult bird crossing above our heads at Kisol.

Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii One seen on Flores.

Bonelli’s Eagle (Rensch’s E) Aquila [fasciata] renschi Endemic. One bird seen at Bipolo.

Chinese Sparrowhawk (C Goshawk) Accipiter soloensis One seen on Timor.

Variable Goshawk ◊ (Tenggara G) Accipiter [hiogaster] sylvestris Endemic. Seen at Kisol.

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus

Black Kite Milvus migrans

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

White-bellied Sea Eagle Icthyophaga leucogaster

Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica Two birds seen at Oelnasi (delicatula).

Sumba Boobook ◊ (Great S B) Ninox rudolfi Endemic. Two seen near Lewa.

Rote Boobook ◊ Ninox rotiensis Endemic. Great views of a roadside bird.

Timor Boobook ◊ (Streaked B) Ninox fusca Endemic. Several heard and finally two were seen at Oelnasi.

Least Boobook ◊ (Little Sumba B) Ninox sumbaensis Endemic. Easily seen at Tana Daru.

Flores Scops Owl ◊ Otus alfredi Endemic. Fantastic views of this extraordinary Scops on the first attempt.

Moluccan Scops Owl ◊ Otus magicus Seen twice on Timor (albiventris).

Wallace’s Scops Owl ◊ Otus silvicola Endemic. Only brief views during eight! attempts.

Sumba Hornbill ◊ Rhyticeros everetti Endemic. A few were seen flying and perched in the distance and a pair flying close.

White-rumped Kingfisher ◊ (Glittering K) Caridonax fulgidus Endemic. Several heard, seen twice, great views the second time.

Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus

Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher ◊ Todiramphus australasia Two seen in Sumba and a few heard on Timor.

Common Kingfisher ◊ (Hispid K) Alcedo atthis Two seen on Rote.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Yungipicus moluccensis Several seen on Flores (grandis).

Spotted Kestrel ◊ (Indonesian K) Falco moluccensis

Yellow-crested Cockatoo ◊ Cacatua sulphurea Endemic. Easily seen on Komodo, cc. 15 in total.

Citron-crested Cockatoo ◊ (Orange-c C) Cacatua citrinocristata Endemic. Great views on Sumba of a dozen.

Jonquil Parrot ◊ (Olive-shouldered P) Aprosmictus jonquillaceus Endemic. Fantastic views on Timor.

Sumba Eclectus ◊ Eclectus cornelia Endemic. A distant female scoped.

Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi

Great-billed Parrot ◊ Tanygnathus megalorynchos A single bird seen on Rote.

Iris Lorikeet ◊ Saudareos iris Endemic. Nice views on Timor at Mt. Timau.

Olive-headed Lorikeet ◊ Trichoglossus euteles Endemic. Poor views twice at Mt. Timau.

Marigold Lorikeet ◊ Trichoglossus capistratus Endemic. Close fly-by view on Sumba (fortis).

Leaf Lorikeet ◊ (Flores L) Trichoglossus weberi Endemic. Finally 3 seen very well at Golo Lusang.

Wallace’s Hanging Parrot ◊ Loriculus flosculus Endemic. Four of this tiny parrot seen on a fruiting tree at Golo Lusang.

Ornate Pitta ◊ (Wallace’s E P) Pitta concinna Seen well on Kisol.

Elegant Pitta ◊ (Temminck’s E P) Pitta elegans Great scope views on Sumba (maria).

Scaly-crowned Honeyeater ◊ (Sunda H) Sugomel lombokium Endemic. A few seen on Flores.

Sumba Myzomela ◊ Myzomela dammermani Endemic. Seen very well a few times.

Rote Myzomela ◊ Myzomela irianawidodoae Enemic. Several seen very well.

Black-breasted Myzomela ◊ (Timor M) Myzomela vulnerata Endemic. Several were seen, including a dozen on a single tree at Camplong.

Timor Friarbird ◊ Philemon inornatus Endemic. Seen well on Mt. Timau.

Helmeted Friarbird ◊ (Tenggara F) Philemon buceroides Endemic. Common on Flores.

Brown Honeyeater ◊ (Indonesian H) Lichmera [indistincta] limbata

Flame-eared Honeyeater ◊ (Yellow-e H) Lichmera flavicans Endemic. Common at higher elevations on Timor, a few seen lower down.

Streak-breasted Honeyeater ◊ (Timor Meliphaga) Territornis reticulata Endemic. Common lower down on Timor.

Plain Gerygone ◊ (Timor G, P Fairy Warbler) Gerygone inornata Endemic. Many seen and more heard on Timor.

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater) Gerygone sulphurea

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

Little Minivet ◊ (Flores M) Pericrocotus lansbergei Endemic. Several sightings on Flores.

Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae One seen on Flores.

Wallacean Cuckooshrike ◊ (Sumba C) Coracina [personata] sumbensis Endemic. Two scoped on Sumba.

Wallacean Cuckooshrike ◊ (Timor C) Coracina [personata] personata Endemic. One heard on Gn. Mutis and one seen at Timau.

Pale-shouldered Cicadabird ◊ Edolisoma dohertyi Endemic. After seeing the first at Pagal several more on Golo Lusang, Flores.

White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii

Fawn-breasted Whistler ◊ Pachycephala orpheus Endemic. Many seen.

Rusty-breasted Whistler ◊ (Bima W) Pachycephala [fulvotincta] fulvotincta Endemic. A few seen on Flores and heard on Komodo.

Rusty-breasted Whistler ◊ (Sumba W) Pachycephala [fulvotincta] fulviventris Endemic. Seen well on Sumba.

Yellow-throated Whistler ◊ (Timor W) Pachycephala [macrorhyncha] calliope Endemic. A few seen on Timor.

Bare-throated Whistler ◊ Pachycephala nudigula Endemic. Several heard and three seen on Flores. What a bird!

Green Figbird ◊ (Timor F) Sphecotheres viridis Endemic. One seen on Rote.

Timor Oriole ◊ Oriolus melanotis Endemic. A pair on Rote and a few on Timor.

Black-naped Oriole ◊ (Tenggara Golden O) Oriolus [chinensis] broderipi Endemic. A few seen on Flores.

Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Flores Spangled D) Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis Endemic. Common on Flores.

Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Sumba Spangled D) Dicrurus [densus] sumbae Endemic. A few seen only on Sumba.

Wallacean Drongo ◊ (Timor Spangled D) Dicrurus [densus] densus Endemic. Only few seen.

Brown-capped Fantail ◊ (Trumpeting F) Rhipidura diluta Endemic. Seen well several times on Flores.

Northern Fantail ◊ (Rote F) Rhipidura [rufiventris] tenkatei Endemic.

Northern Fantail ◊ (Timor F) Rhipidura [rufiventris] rufiventris Endemic.

Supertramp Fantail ◊ Rhipidura semicollaris

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher ◊ Terpsiphone floris Seen twice on Sumba (sumbaensis) and several times in Flores (nominate).

Flores Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus sacerdotum Endemic. Great views on West Timor.

Spectacled Monarch ◊ (Australian S M) Symposiachrus trivirgatus A few seen on Sumba.

Broad-billed Flycatcher (B-b Monarch) Myiagra ruficollis Several seen on Sumba and Timor.

Flores Crow ◊ Corvus florensis Endemic. Seen well at Kisol.

Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C) Corvus [macrorhynchos] macrorhynchos

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Seen on Sumba (connectens) and Flores (sejuncta).

Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus

Singing Bush Lark (Australasian Bushlark) Mirafra javanica Heard-only.

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced) Pycnonotus aurigaster

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata

Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans Several seen on Timor (timoriensis).

Pygmy Cupwing (P Wren-Babbler) Pnoepyga pusilla Great views at Gn. Mutis (timoriensis) and few seen on Flores (everetti).

Mountain Tailorbird (M Leaftoiler) Phyllergates cucullatus

Aberrant Bush Warbler ◊ (Sunda B W) Horornis flavolivaceus Seen at Camplong (everetti).

Russet-capped Tesia ◊ Tesia everetti Endemic. A few seen, otherwise heard everywhere on Flores.

Timor Stubtail ◊ Urosphena subulata Endemic. Seen on Rote, frequently heard on Timor.

Yellow-breasted Warbler Phylloscopus montis One seen briefly on Flores (floris).

Flores Leaf Warbler ◊ Phylloscopus floresianus Endemic. Several were seen well.

Timor Leaf Warbler ◊ Phylloscopus presbytes Endemic. A few seen well, more beard.

Rote Leaf Warbler ◊ Phylloscopus rotiensis Endemic. One seen exceptionally well, more heard.

Australian Reed Warbler (Australasian R W) Acrocephalus australis Seen on Sumba (sumbae).

Buff-banded Thicketbird ◊ (Timor T, B-b Thicket-warbler, B-b Bushbird) Cincloramphus bivittatus Endemic. Unexpected good views at Camplong, otherwise heard many times.

Zitting Cisticola (Double Z C) Cisticola juncidis Several seen on Sumba and Timor (fuscicapilla).

Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-capped C) Cisticola exilis A few seen on Timor (lineocapilla).

Cream-browed White-eye ◊ (Eye-browed Heleia, White-b W-e) Heleia superciliaris Endemic. A few seen in the higher elevation forests on Flores.

Crested White-eye ◊ (C Heleia, Dark-crowned W-e) Heleia dohertyi Endemic. Many heard and some excellent views on Flores.

Spot-breasted Heleia ◊ (Timor H, Timor White-eye) Heleia muelleri Endemic. Best seen on Mt. Timau.

Thick-billed Heleia ◊ (T-b Dark-eye, Flores White-e) Heleia crassirostris Endemic. A few seen well on Flores.

Yellow-ringed White-eye ◊ (Wallace’s Heleia) Heleia wallacei Endemic. Common on Sumba and Flores.

Warbling White-eye (Mountain W) Zosterops [japonicus] montanus A few on Timor and common in montane Flores.

Lemon-bellied White-eye ◊ Zosterops chloris Seen on Komodo and in the hotel garden in Labuan Bajo.

Ashy-bellied White-eye ◊ Zosterops citrinella seen on Sumba, Timor and Rote (nominate).

Ashy-bellied White-eye ◊ (Flores W) Zosterops [citrinella] uniqus The yellow-bellied form. Common on Flores.

Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor

Tenggara Hill Myna ◊ Gracula venerata Endemic. An unexpected species. Seen 3 from a viewpoint close to Labuan Bajo,

Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus A few seen on Sumba, where it is introduced.

Sunda Thrush ◊ Zoothera andromedae A flash seen twice as we lured it out from the forest on Flores.

Orange-sided Thrush ◊ (Orange-banded T) Geokichla peronii Endemic. Some nice views on Rote and Timor (nominate).

Chestnut-capped Thrush ◊ Geokichla interpres Endemic. Skittish birds seen on Flores.

Chestnut-backed Thrush ◊ Geokichla dohertyi Endemic. A few seen very well on Sumba, Timor and Flores.

Wallacean Island Thrush ◊ (Timor I T) Turdus schlegelii Endemic. Good views on Mt. Timau and Mt. Mutis.

Sumba Brown Flycatcher ◊ Muscicapa segregata Endemic. A hard one this year, one showing well finally.

Timor Blue Flycatcher ◊ (T Warbling-f) Eumyias hyacinthinus Endemic. Several seen and many more heard.

Flores Jungle Flycatcher ◊ (F Warbling-f) Eumyias oscillans Endemic. Eight logged, all good views.

Sumba Jungle Flycatcher ◊ (S Warbling-f) Eumyias stresemanni Endemic. Good looks of at least three individuals.

Flores Shortwing ◊ Brachypteryx floris Endemic. A few attempts and finally everyone got on the bird.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra One seen at Fatumnasi (clarae) and one at Golo Lusang (vulcani).

Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni One was seen on Flores (hasselti).

Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria A cooperative individual seen of this gem on Flores (nominate).

Sumba Flycatcher ◊ Ficedula harterti Endemic. Two individuals were logged, hard to get on.

Black-banded Flycatcher ◊ Ficedula timorensis Endemic. Brilliant views on Timor at Camplong and at Mt. Timau – a dream bird in the pocket for everyone.

White-bellied Bush Chat ◊ (Timor Bushchat, W-b Chat) Saxicola gutturalis Endemic. Several seen on Rote and Timor.

Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata Seen on Sumba (francki), Timor (pyrrhonotus) and Flores (fruticola).

Golden-rumped Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum annae Endemic. Common on Flores.

Thick-billed Flowerpecker ◊ (Tenggara F) Dicaeum agile Endemic. Seen on Sumba (tinctum).

Black-fronted Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum igniferum Endemic. Common on Flores.

Red-chested Flowerpecker ◊ (Blue-cheeked F) Dicaeum maugei Endemic. Several seen on Timor (nominate).

Flores Flowerpecker ◊ (Flores F) Dicaeum rhodopygiale Endemic. Only very few were seen on montane Flores.

Sumba Flowerpecker ◊ (Sumba F) Dicaeum wilhelminae Endemic. Common on Sumba.

Timor Flowerpecker ◊ (Timor F) Dicaeum hanieli Endemic. A few seen higher up on Timor.

Brown-throated Sunbird (Plain-t S) Anthreptes malacensis Seen on Sumba (rubrigena) and Flores (convergens).

Ornate Sunbird Cinnyris ornatus

Apricot-breasted Sunbird ◊ Cinnyris buettikoferi Endemic. Several were seen well on Sumba.

Flame-breasted Sunbird ◊ Cinnyris solaris Endemic, Common on Flores, Timor, Rote and Komodo.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

Sunda Zebra Finch ◊ Taeniopygia guttata Endemic. Widespread and locally common.

Timor Sparrow ◊ Padda fuscata Endemic. 15 logged at Bipolo.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

Black-faced Munia ◊ Lonchura molucca Seen on Flores and Timor.

Pale-headed Munia ◊ Lonchura pallida Seen on Sumba, Timor and Flores.

Five-colored Munia ◊ Lonchura quinticolor Near-endemic. Five (two adults and three juveniles) were seen at Bipolo.

Tricolored Parrotfinch ◊ Erythrura tricolor Near-endemic. Some great views on Timor.

Timor Parrotfinch ◊ (Timor P) Erythrura sp. nov. Endemic. At least 15 birds were seen at Fatumnasi, only one adult female perched and a male glimpsed.

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

MAMMALS

Eurasian Wild Pig (Indian W B) Sus scrofa

Javan Deer Rusa timorensis A few seen on Komodo.

Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M) Macaca fascicularis