SULAWESI, MOROTAI & HALMAHERA TOUR REPORT 2023

12 July - 1 / 7 August 2023

by Dave Farrow

The classic Sulawesi and Halmahera tour that I first knew back in 1999 has undergone several changes over the years and goes from strength to strength despite the constant human pressure on the habitat. It is now expanded to include Morotai, and this year operated with an extension to the Moluccan islands of Obi and Bacan. We enjoyed good weather for the most part, were mostly free of mishaps, we managed to find nearly all of our desired targets and even added some. In the montane forests of Lore Lindu, we saw Satanic Nightjar, Speckled and Cinnabar Boobook, Red-eared Fruit Dove, Ornate and Yellow-cheeked Lorikeets, Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk, Great Shortwing, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Sulawesi Thrush and Malia, plus two Geomalia. In the north of Sulawesi, we saw Great-billed, Lilac, Sulawesi Dwarf, Green-backed and Scaly Kingfisher, Oberholser’s Fruit Dove, Maleo, Ochre-bellied Boobooks, Yellow-breasted Racket-tails, Great and Pygmy Hanging Parrots, Knobbed and Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Isabelline Bush-hen, Blue-faced Rail, Purple-winged Roller, Sulawesi Pitta, Matinan Flycatcher and Red-backed Thrushes. On Morotai we saw the eponymous White-eye and Friarbird, plus the island taxa of Halmahera Paradise Crow, Spangled Drongo and Ivory-breasted Pitta, while on Halmahera we did well with Moluccan Scrubfowl, Halmahera Boobook, Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar, Sombre Kingfisher, Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Moluccan Goshawk, Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, Moluccan King Parrot, Purple Dollarbird, Ivory-breasted Pitta, White-naped Monarch, and watched several Standardwing at a lek in the forest. On our extension we saw ‘Bacan’ Cream-throated White-eye and ‘Bacan’ Spangled Drongos, and on Obi we had a superb encounter with the Obi (or Moluccan) Woodcock, plus Carunculated Fruit Dove, Cinnamon-breasted Whistlers, Obi Paradise Crows, Obi White-eye, ‘Obi’ Northern Fantail, Obi Spangled Drongos, Obi Golden Bulbuls, North Moluccan Pitta and ‘Reddish-tinged’ Myzomela. Mammals seen on the tour included Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Obi Cuscus, Spectral Tarsier, Celebes Crested Macaque, Risso’s Dolphin and Bryde’s Whale. A special thanks to Jonas is due, for making it all run so smoothly.

Our tour began in Makassar, and once all had assembled, we set off along busy roads to Malino where would we spend our first night. It rained heavily, and as we gathered over our breakfast of fried rice and eggs, we feared today would be a washout. We headed out to where we would start a steep climb along macheted paths, to reach the forest on the ridge top. Some smart Piping Crows provided a nice start, but once in the forest the rain returned and we just got wet (plus there were many tiny leeches – a Sulawesi write-in!) We managed some brief looks at Lompobattang Leaf Warbler, Little Pied Flycatcher, but had little else to show for a difficult hike. Retreating to the town, we tried another place nearby where we saw Yellow-sided and Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Streak-headed and Warbling White-eyes, and Citrine Canary Flycatcher. We then headed for Makassar, where we had a late afternoon session on the fishponds where we found Javan Plover with well-grown juveniles, Pied Stilts, Whiskered Terns and skeins of Glossy Ibis, and were surprised to see many Nankeen Night Heron flying over. We found an epic roost of Streaked Weaver, Pale -headed and Chestnut Munias in a reedbed, while Australian Reed Warblers were singing loudly.

We spent a morning near to Makassar at Karaenta Forest, where we found our target of Black-ringed White-eye fussing about in a tall bamboo. A Sulawesi Pitta was glimpsed, and we had brief looks at Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, plus Great Hanging Parrot, Spotted Kestrels and Grey-rumped Treeswifts. At the foot of the hills, we saw our first Black Sunbirds and some nesting Streaked Weavers, before heading back to Makassar airport from where we flew northwards to Palu. From Palu we drove to Wuasa, and after nightfall we paused in hill forest en route where we could hear Cinnabar Boobook calling distantly.

Here in what remains of Lore Lindu National Park, in the remaining roadside forest we enjoyed a busy morning full of birds such as Superb and Red-eared Fruit Doves, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ornate and Yellow-cheeked Lorikeets, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Fiery-browed Starlings, Sulawesi Drongo, Cerulean and Pygmy Cuckooshrikes, Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Dark-eared Myza, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Ashy and Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpeckers. We walked part way up the Anaso track where we saw a roosting Satanic Nightjar in a clearing, plus Sulawesi Drongos, noisy but furtive Malia, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, and Sulawesi Leaf-warbler. In the afternoon we explored lower elevations where we found Rufous-bellied and Sulawesi Hawk Eagles, Lemon-bellied White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Swiftlet and Short-tailed Starlings. After dark we stood in an orchard and saw a noisy little Speckled Boobook.

Pre-dawn we searched for Cinnabar Boobook, which showed for an instant (he didn’t like the light!) then as the light came up, we saw Sulawesi Thrush and a Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk, before we began our ascent of the Anaso track once more. The single roosting Satanic Nightjar was still in the same place, Golden-mantled Racket-tails passed overhead in noisy flocks, and a quartet of Indonesian Serin flew over. Further up the mountain we found White-eared Myza, heard two Great Shortwing, and then saw two Geomalia feeding on the track in the middle of the day! This is only the third time I have seen it in 14 visits. We also found a perched Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, and managed to find the much-wanted Hylocitrea, not calling, hardly moving, as is typical, yet he just appears as if by magic. We plodded down the track again, the days when you could drive to the top now but a distant memory. On our way back we saw Turquoise Flycatcher, and a male Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, however another try for Sulawesi Masked Owl around the village was without success. A last morning here, pre-dawn owling began the day with a calling Cinnabar Boobook, then we found a skulking Great Shortwing, and on forest trails we finally had good looks at the unusual Malia. An Accipiter that was reacting strongly to calls of Sulawesi Goshawk turned out to be a Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk. We also found Gould’s Bronze Cuckoos and Black-crowned White-eyes, before departing to Palu. On the way we found Black-faced, Pale-headed, Chestnut and Scaly-breasted Munias in ripe rice crops, and in riverine scrub we saw Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, White-shouldered Triller, and disturbed at least six Savanna Nightjars, one of which stayed put for some lengthy viewing.

After a splendid seafood dinner, we took an early flight to Makassar and then Manado, from where we drove the short way to Tomohon. We headed up to the nearby Gunung Mahawu, where we met our local guides, and before long we were called to where they had found a Scaly Kingfisher, up a steep and sticky slope where we watched it sat in the misty forest. Hurrah! Always a tricky bird to find, so we were happy to get the extra help! Further explorations found Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eyes, Yellow-sided Flowerpeckers and Turquoise Flycatcher. We returned to the same place at dawn the next day, and the guides once again found us a Scaly Kingfisher, this time in better light. Next, we were taken to a blind where after a short wait, a gorgeous Sulawesi Pitta came bounding in and entertained us at close range. What a bird!

After all this fun, it was time to start driving and head west to our next stop at Kotamobagu, from where we headed out to the Maleo research station at Tambun. Our progress was slowed by flocks of Java Sparrows, Australian Pratincoles and a smart Greater Painted Snipe in the roadside paddyfields. On arriving at the site, a small patch of foothill forest with volcanically heated ground at its base, our guide Max took us into the fenced nesting area. It wasn’t long before we could hear the Chewbacca-like sound of the Maleos, gathering in the big trees. Soon we were enjoying some excellent views of this pink-bellied wonder, pacing back and forwards on a high branch. We also saw two running around in the nesting clearing (the first time I’ve seen that!) and visited the enclosed pens where the newly hatched maleo chicks are kept for a short time after hatching. We were allowed to release two of the chicks, actually not easy to keep hold of as they are amazingly strong and were fighting to get free, ready to fly straight from the egg! They quickly bolted for cover once released. What an incredible creature!

The next morning, we began on a stretch of forested road at Tapacolintang, where we encountered perhaps the busiest morning of birding on the whole tour! We began strongly with Channel-billed Cuckoo, Black-naped Fruit Dove, White-faced Cuckoo-Dove, Bay Coucal, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Ivory-backed Woodswallows, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi Cicadabirds, Black-naped Oriole, White-necked Myna, Sulawesi Crested Myna, White-eyed Spangled Drongo, Grey-sided and Yellow-sided Flowerpeckers, Crimson Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Great and Pygmy Hanging Parrots, Knobbed and Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, a swarm of Purple Needletail and some brief views of Oberholser’s Fruit Dove. In the afternoon we visited the remaining patch of forest at Toraut. As we waited for the raft to take us across the river, we found a Blue-faced Rail lurking in a riverside bamboo patch! Wow! A lifer for the leader! In the forest itself we saw Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, and in surrounding areas we saw Wandering Whistling Duck, Barred Rail and Oriental Darters.

The next morning, we headed in the opposite direction, to Gunung Ambang. We found the trail to be much improved, however the forest edge was further away! We plodded up the hill, finding a few birds such as White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove, Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, Yellow-billed Malkoha and Black-crowned White-eyes, plus we had our best looks at Malias as they ferreted about on mossy trunks. Our quarry here, the demure Matinan Flycatcher, gave itself up eventually, before the rain came in and we trekked down the hill again. In the afternoon we headed west once more, finding White-browed Crake and Dusky Moorhens on a roadside pond, while in paddyfields we saw several Greater Painted Snipe, Australian Pratincoles, and Wood Sandpiper. We returned to Tambun for the end of the day and saw a Green-backed Kingfisher hiding in the forest.

We drove across the island the next morning, to reach Tangkoko at the far eastern end. We paused to scan some forested slopes on our way in, where we found our only Purple-winged Roller of the tour and a handsome group of Grosbeak Starlings. We spent the afternoon taking a boat trip along the coast, where Black-naped Terns were feeding in the bay. Unable to cruise up the mangrove creek as planned due to excessive silting combined with a low tide, we waded ashore to the entrance of the creek. We found White-rumped Cuckooshrike, plus Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sacred Kingfisher and Pacific Reef Egrets. Our main target of Great-billed Kingfisher held out for a while, with a brief flyby at first, and then two posed well along the coast as we chugged back along the shoreline. At dusk we stood in a forest clearing where we saw Great Eared Nightjars, heard Sulawesi Nightjar, and saw an excellent Sulawesi Scops Owl that posed nicely.

A full day at Tangkoko is always fun, under the guidance of our guide Samuel and his helpers we walked into the main forest at dawn and soon began seeing great birds. In the gloom of the early morning, we saw several Philippine Megapode, followed by a male Green-backed Kingfisher, and then a Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher. We were shown a roosting pair of Ochre-bellied Boobooks, while Yellow-breasted Racket-tails bugled in the trees overhead. A trio of Spectral Tarsier roosting in a tree hole were enchanting, plus we saw two Sulawesi Bear Cuscus high in a tree. A trio of Red-backed Thrushes feeding on the forest floor were well received, and of course we saw troops of the famous selfie monkeys, the Celebes Crested Macaque. Later we explored a trail in a different location, and we guided to a cute little Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, plus we saw our third Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher of the day. In the late afternoon we saw Barred and Buff-banded Rails in a clearing, plus a splendid Isabelline Bush-hen. As dusk fell, we found two Sulawesi Nightjars, making feeding sorties from the ground but remaining totally silent.

A final morning at Tangkoko, and we headed up onto the viewpoint on the ridge. Swirls of Grosbeak Starlings were zipping in and out of the fruiting trees, as were Great Hanging Parrots, and eventually we had satisfaction with a couple of Pygmy Hanging Parrots. The wind was strong which kept things down but we saw a pair of Knobbed Hornbills, Azure-rumped Parrot, Golden-mantled Racket-tails, Green Imperial Pigeons and Grey-cheeked Green Pigeons. Further down the hill we tried to find Pied Cuckooshrike in tall windblown trees, but a vocal trio of birds stayed high and out of reach. A pair of Oberholser’s Fruit Doves were a welcome and unexpected surprise.
Moving to the Grand Luley resort for our last night on Sulawesi, along the mangrove boardwalk we had a stunning close view of a Great-billed Kingfisher, plus Sacred and Common (Hispid) Kingfishers, White-rumped Cuckooshrikes, Striated Heron and a Pink-necked Green Pigeon, plus squadrons of Pied Imperial Pigeons coming into roost in the late afternoon.

A day of multiple transport modes followed, with an early departure from our hotel by minibus to Manado airport, an early flight to Kao on Halmahera, a car journey to Tobelo, a bumpy speedboat ride to Morotai, another car ride to the foot of a logging track, and a dump truck to take us another 8km up into hill forest. Once there we found good bird activity, and we saw Spectacled Imperial Pigeon, Violet-necked Lory, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Great-billed Parrot, Dusky Megapode, Slaty (or Moluccan) Flycatcher, Northern Golden Bulbul, Gurney’s Eagle, Rufous-bellied Triller, and many Morotai Friarbirds whose drab appearance belies their melodic calls. A morning spent in the same forest was much quieter. We found a single Morotai White-eye, and three Gurney’s Eagle showed well, but our quest for the Morotai Ivory-breasted Pitta met with some difficulty. We encountered three birds, all very shy, and they never really showed despite the odd glimpse. Morotai of course was the home for 30 years of the last WW2 Japanese soldier, Teruo Nakamura, who emerged from his jungle hideout in 1974. I couldn’t help but wonder how many Pittas and Megapodes he ate during that time!

Returning across the water to Tobelo, after dinner we headed out to where we crossed in small canoes to a black sand beach. Here the Moluccan Megapode come to lay their eggs in the sand during the night, and it can be a long wait. Once all where ashore, we began our search, which lasted all of five minutes! A female Moluccan Megapode, disturbed from digging a hole for her egg, gave us some superb close views, an unexpectedly quick showing! We lingered a little longer and saw one other, before returning across the creek and driving back to our hotel.

The next day we enjoyed a welcome new method of reaching our next destination. Instead of the hot seven-hour drive to Subaim, we could take the new car ferry! Not only much faster, but it allowed for some leisurely seawatching from the deck in comfort. We saw a fantastic pod of 10 Risso’s Dolphin, plus numerous Spinner Dolphins, many Bridled and Common Terns and a Brown Booby. We arrived in time for lunch at our accommodation, and in the afternoon, we drove to the nearby Buli Road where the road passes through hill forest. Here we found Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeons, White Cockatoo, many Blyth’s Hornbill, Moluccan Eclectus, a remarkable roost gathering of Chattering Lory, and a Moluccan Goshawk sat in a roadside tree at dusk.

The next morning, we began early to reach the village of Foli further along the coast, along a bumpy road and then up a rough track, squeezed into the back of a pick-up truck, to visit the lek site of Wallace’s Standardwing Bird of Paradise (as it used to be known as…) We walked down a narrow trail in darkness, and as the first glimmer of dawn lit the sky, the loud cries began from the trees above us. The first males became visible, shaking their standards and fanning their epaulettes, as it became lighter, we could actually see three males and four females, all getting very excited, finishing up with a three-way of males having a dance-off. An excellent show.

Continuing our birding along the old logging track we saw Drab and Black-chinned Whistlers, Dusky-brown Oriole, Halmahera Spectacled (or Moluccan) Monarch, Dusky Myzomela, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Violet-necked Lory, though the Ivory-breasted Pitta calls taunted us mercilessly. After the midday lull, we headed up again, found a Common Paradise Kingfisher that posed in the open, plus Cream-throated White-eye, Moluccan and White-bellied Cuckooshrikes, Great-billed Parrot, clumsy Goliath Coucals, Grey-headed Fruit Dove and Sultans Cuckoo-Doves.

We returned to the Buli Road, with a pre-dawn session where we found a Moluccan Owlet-nightjar, then further up the hill we saw Moluccan King Parrot, ‘Halmahera’ Island Leaf Warbler, a Great Cuckoo-Dove that did a wonderful aerial display over our heads, Halmahera Paradise Crows and Chattering Lory. We found a small trail into the forest and following it for some way we eventually found an Ivory-breasted Pitta that showed reasonably well to all. Continuing along the road we found a vocal Sombre Kingfisher and an elegant Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove and had the curious sight of a Great-billed Heron flying over the forest at 500m a.s.l.! The rest of the day was much quieter, with owling after dark producing a Moluccan Scops Owl.

A second morning here began with a vocal Halmahera Boobook that never showed himself. After an al fresco breakfast, scanning across the logged forest we found Goliath Coucals, White Cockatoo and our first Blue-and-white Kingfishers, however all were swiftly ignored when suddenly a Purple Dollarbird appeared on top of a dead snag! Hurrah! Much joy all around. Further up the hill we found our first White-streaked Friarbird, Common Cicadabird, Moluccan and Halmahera Cuckooshrikes. We found a bijou little Blue-capped Fruit Dove, a distant perched Pygmy Eagle, and a fine male Shining Flycatcher. Along the roadsides in the afternoon, we found families of White-bellied Cuckooshrike and Blue-and-white Kingfishers, a flock of Moustached Treeswift, a Black Eagle, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Moluccan King Parrots, then as dusk fell, we had another look at Moluccan Owlet-nightjar, and finished up with a good view of the Halmahera Boobook that had eluded us earlier.

With another morning to play with, we returned to the Buli Road where we began scanning from a viewpoint, and soon found a pair of Purple Dollarbird flying to their favourite perch. They stayed in place for much longer today, making feeding sorties from the treetop, at times sharing their perch with Pied Imperial Pigeons. Nearby we found a vocal Moluccan Goshawk, and a buzz of activity in a fruiting tree included Chattering Lory, Moluccan King Parrots, White-streaked Friarbird, Halmahera Paradise-crow, Halmahera Cuckooshrike, Halmahera Spangled Drongos, and finally a White-naped Monarch that showed at length. Further down the hill we saw a remarkably confiding Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk and finished with a pink flowering tree full of Red-flanked Lorikeets and a Halmahera Flowerpecker. In the afternoon we bumped our way to Sidangoli, along the way seeing Oriental Dollarbird, a distant Beach Kingfisher, many Lesser Frigatebirds, and more Blue-and-white Kingfishers on the wires.

After crossing to Ternate, we visited the crater lake at Danau Tolire. Brush Cuckoo gave confiding looks, we saw Blue-capped Fruit Dove, several Shining Flycatchers, Rainbow Bee-eaters and a pair of Tricolored Grebe. From here to the airport, we waved goodbye to those leaving the tour, and began our extension with a relaxing afternoon until it was time to catch the ferry to Obi. Comfortable in simple cabins, we steamed through the night and arrived at Bacan island at 5am. After a simple breakfast on the quayside, we went for a walk, heading inland through coconut and secondary forest. We eventually found the Bacan Spangled Drongo, plus Shining Flycatcher, Moluccan Starlings and Blue-and-white Kingfisher, before it was time to scurry back to the ship and continue our journey. Scanning the sea as we went, only two birds were seen as we crossed to Bisa, a Bridled Tern and a Wilson’s Storm Petrel that gave us a good close view. The cetaceans were good, with many pods of Spinner Dolphin, and a pod of four or five Bryde’s Whales ‘logging’ on the surface, their blows visible from far. We had a brief stop at the island of Bisa, then on we went to Obi, arriving in heavy rain at 3pm. Our cars whisked us away to our comfortable guesthouse (unfortunately next to a large mosque) and once the rain abated, we headed out with the local guide. He took us to a place where we saw Cinnamon-breasted Whistler, Obi Paradise Crows duetting (quite a different character to the Halmahera birds) and an ‘Obi’ Cream-throated White-eye. As dusk fell, we positioned ourselves on a likely section of road and waited for our main target – Obi (or Moluccan) Woodcock. Soon after sunset we heard the distinctive trilling call, and sure enough, there was a roding Woodcock coming straight towards us, passing directly over our heads and calling as he did so. Amazingly it made at least ten passes over our position over the next 15 minutes, at one time joined by a second bird. Wow! You lucky people.

We began the next day full of high hopes, with another Obi Woodcock seen at dawn, then we followed a trail up a valley through secondary forest. We found our first Carunculated Fruit Dove, Obi Spangled Drongos, Obi Golden Bulbuls, Common Cicadabirds, plenty of Blue and White Kingfisher, Slaty (or Moluccan) Flycatchers, a Moluccan Cuckoo, Blyth’s Hornbills, Rufous-bellied Triller, and Halmahera Flowerpecker. It was very hot and humid, then the heavens opened just as we found some Spotted Whistling Ducks on a forest pond. Later we explored another area, with some brief looks at Pale-vented Bush-hen and Buff-banded Rails along the potholed roads, and in fruiting trees we watched a gathering of 30 or more Carunculated Fruit Doves. Obi Paradise Crows proved to be quite common, a rather comical and entertaining endemic.

The next morning, we headed along similar trails. We could hear many calling North Moluccan Pittas, and we managed to see one quite well. We found the ‘Obi’ Northern Fantail, ‘Reddish-tinged’ Myzomela, (a potential split from Dusky Myzomela), a cute, rotund Obi Cuscus sat snoozing in a tree, a pair of Pygmy Eagles, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Variable Goshawk and Seram Swiftlets. In the afternoon we explored along the ‘main’ road where we saw White-bellied Cuckooshrike, another ‘Reddish-tinged’ Myzomela, Slaty Flycatcher, plenty of Cinnamon-breasted Whistlers, and another Obi Cuscus, this time with a full pouch. At dusk we enjoyed another Obi Woodcock session, more muted than our first evening, with just six flyovers! Awesome.

The next morning, we attempted to do some final Obi birding, however one of the drivers drove partly off a narrow bridge and was left hanging over a ditch! We were stuck so we began walking back to town, eventually finding a truck that gave us a ride. After some breakfast and packing up, we made it to the port with time to spare, for our ferry to Bacan. After the inevitable delays we sailed onwards, first stop was Bisa (where we went ashore to get some tasty lunch items) then onwards across the open sea. We saw a large number of Bridled Terns on the crossing, plus a few Black-naped and Greater Crested Terns, and a couple apiece of Brown Noddy, Brown Boobies and Streaked Shearwaters. Arriving on Bacan with daylight to spare, we made our way up a forested track where we found the local ‘Bacan’ Cream-throated White-eye, before heading to our comfortable hotel.

Our last days’ birding took us once more up the forested track where we found plenty to look at, with Halmahera Golden Bulbuls, Halmahera Spectacled Monarch, Shining Flycatchers, a few Moluccan Starlings among the numerous Metallic, more ‘Bacan’ Cream-throated White-eyes, ‘Bacan’ Spangled Drongos, Blue-capped Fruit Dove, some nice Moluccan Hanging Parrots, and some lovely Moustached Treeswifts building a tiny next. Also, we found Red-cheeked Parrots and Violet-necked Lorys, a Moluccan Goshawk and White-streaked Friarbirds. A fine morning, in the afternoon we went for an exploratory drive around, trying to reach the distant forests visible on the nearby mountain, without much success. It was hot and quiet, and after one last dinner in a simple waterfront fish restaurant, we headed to our final ferry which took us overnight to Ternate.

We arrived in Ternate, after breakfast and a shower we headed up to the airport where the tour ended. As is usual, flights were delayed, confusion reigned, but we made it out eventually and headed homeward, happy with a successful tour around the islands of this fascinating region and its exotic avifauna.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

BIRDS

Spotted Whistling Duck ◊  Dendrocygna guttata  Nice to see this on Obi. Well spotted!

Wandering Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna arcuata

Sunda Teal ◊  Anas gibberifrons  non-leader.

Maleo ◊  Macrocephalon maleo  Wonderful encounters at Tambun.

Moluccan Megapode ◊  Eulipoa wallacei  A close view of one in the torch beam on Halmahera.

Philippine Megapode ◊ (Tabon Scrubfowl)  Megapodius cumingii

Dusky Megapode ◊ (D Scrubfowl)  Megapodius freycinet

King Quail (Blue-breasted Q)  Synoicus chinensis   heard-only.

Satanic Nightjar ◊  Eurostopodus diabolicus  Great views of a roosting bird at Lore Lindu.

Great Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis macrotis

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus

Sulawesi Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus celebensis  Good views of two on the ground at Tangkoko

Savanna Nightjar  Caprimulgus affinis

Moluccan Owlet-nightjar ◊  Aegotheles crinifrons  Two encounters on Halmahera, possibly two birds.

Grey-rumped Treeswift  Hemiprocne longipennis

Moustached Treeswift ◊  Hemiprocne mystacea  An airborne flock on Halmahera and watched nest-building on Bacan.

Glossy Swiftlet  Collocalia esculenta

Halmahera Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus infuscatus

Sulawesi Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus sororum

Seram Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus ceramensis  Seen on Obi.

Uniform Swiftlet  Aerodramus vanikorensis

Purple Needletail ◊  Hirundapus celebensis  Close low-level views of a large flock at Tapakolintang.

Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Bay Coucal ◊  Centropus celebensis  A few of these Sulawesi endemics in the north of the island.

Goliath Coucal ◊  Centropus goliath  An ungainly fellow, we saw a few on Halmahera.

Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis

Yellow-billed Malkoha ◊  Rhamphococcyx calyorhynchus 

Black-billed Koel ◊  Eudynamys melanorhynchus

Channel-billed Cuckoo ◊  Scythrops novaehollandiae  A single bird seen at Tapakolintang.

Little Bronze Cuckoo (Gould’s B C)  Chrysococcyx [minutillus] jungei  A trio at Lore Lindu entertained us.

Brush Cuckoo (Australian B C)  Cacomantis variolosus  Good views on Ternate, many heard on Halmahera and Obi.

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Sulawesi Brush C)  Cacomantis sepulcralis  Often heard, just a single seen at Lore Lindu.

Moluccan Cuckoo ◊ (M Brush C)  Cacomantis aeruginosus  One seen on Obi.

Moluccan Drongo-Cuckoo ◊  Surniculus musschenbroeki   heard-only

Rock Dove  Columba livia

Red Collared Dove (introduced)  Streptopelia tranquebarica

Spotted Dove (introduced)  Spilopelia chinensis

Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Macropygia doreya

Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove (Sulawesi C-D)  Macropygia [doreya] albicapilla

Great Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Reinwardtoena reinwardti  One on the Buli road made a superb aerial display over us.

White-faced Cuckoo-Dove  Turacoena manadensis   Some good looks at Tapakolintang

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica

Zebra Dove  Geopelia striata

Pink-necked Green Pigeon  Treron vernans

Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon ◊  Treron griseicauda

Red-eared Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus fischeri  At higher elevations at Lore Lindu.

Oberholser’s Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus gularis  Brief looks at Tapakolintang, good views of a pair at Tangkoko.

Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus bernsteinii  A personal favourite, we had superb looks at one on Halmahera.

Superb Fruit Dove ◊ (Western S F D)  Ptilinopus [superbus] temminckii

Superb Fruit Dove (Eastern S F D)  Ptilinopus [superbus] superbus   heard-only.

Blue-capped Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus monacha  So cute, and not uncommon, just too small to find quickly!

Grey-headed Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus hyogastrus

Carunculated Fruit Dove ◊   Ptilinopus granulifrons  An Obi endemic, we had good looks at a flock in a fruiting tree.

Black-naped Fruit Dove  Ptilinopus melanospilus

White-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula forsteni  Several seen well on Sulawesi, with a great call.

Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea

Spectacled Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula perspicillata  Also with great calls, on Morotai, Halmahera and Obi.

Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula basilica  The ‘rumbling tum’, quite a few seen on Halmahera.

Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊ (Obi I P)  Ducula [basilica] obiensis   heard-only.

Pied Imperial Pigeon  Ducula bicolor  Coastal on Sulawesi, inland on Halmahera.

Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula luctuosa  A Sulawesi endemic, we saw plenty at Tangkoko.

Sombre Pigeon ◊  Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa   heard-only, at Lore Lindu.

Barred Rail ◊  Hypotaenidia torquata

Buff-banded Rail  Hypotaenidia philippensis

Dusky Moorhen  Gallinula tenebrosa

Blue-faced Rail ◊  Gymnocrex rosenbergii  A great find of a rarely-seen bird, we were able to watch one running around in a bamboo thicket at Toraut.

White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Isabelline Bush-hen ◊  Amaurornis isabellina  Nice views of one at Tangkoko.

Pale-vented Bush-hen ◊  Amaurornis moluccana  A brief view of two on Obi.

Tricolored Grebe ◊  Tachybaptus tricolor

Barred Buttonquail  Turnix suscitator

Pied Stilt (White-headed S)  Himantopus leucocephalus

Javan Plover ◊  Charadrius javanicus  Adults and juveniles seen at Makassar saltpans.

Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis  Several seen on wet paddies near Tambun, unusual on the tour.

Moluccan Woodcock ◊  Scolopax rochussenii  As many as ten passes overhead by roding birds on our first evening on Obi, with two roding together on a couple of occasions.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

Grey-tailed Tattler  Tringa brevipes

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

Australian Pratincole  Stiltia isabella  Nice to see several of these in paddyfields near Tambun.

Brown Noddy  Anous stolidus  One seen as we crossed to Morotai, a few more between Obi and Bacan.

Greater Crested Tern  Thalasseus bergii

Little Tern  Sternula albifrons

Bridled Tern  Onychoprion anaethetus  Plenty en-route to Subaim, an extraordinary 120+ between Obi and Bacan.

Black-naped Tern  Sterna sumatrana  Nice views from our small boats at Tangkoko.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida

Wilson’s Storm Petrel  Oceanites oceanicus  A great look at one from the Bacan to Obi ferry.

Streaked Shearwater  Calonectris leucomelas  At least a couple seen between Obi and Bacan.

Lesser Frigatebird  Fregata ariel

Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster

Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster  Seen at Toraut.

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus

Cinnamon Bittern  Ixobrychus cinnamomeus  non-leader.

Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H)  Nycticorax caledonicus  At least 30 seen flying over at dusk on Massar saltpans.

Striated Heron  Butorides striata

Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa

Eastern Cattle Egret  Bubulcus coromandus

Great-billed Heron ◊  Ardea sumatrana  A big surprise to see one flying over the forest on the Buli road!

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

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

Little Egret  Egretta [garzetta] garzetta

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

Pacific Reef Heron  Egretta sacra

Osprey (Eastern O, Australian O)  Pandion [haliaetus] cristatus

Sulawesi Serpent Eagle ◊  Spilornis rufipectus  One soaring at Tapakolintang, the only one of the tour.

Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle ◊  Nisaetus lanceolatus

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis

Pygmy Eagle ◊  Hieraaetus weiskei  Seen well on Halmahera and on Obi.

Gurney’s Eagle ◊  Aquila gurneyi  Great views of three on Morotai, even shadowing our vehicle!

Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter trinotatus  A nice vocal example posed for us at Lore Lindu.

Variable Goshawk   Accipiter hiogaster  One seen on Obi.

Moluccan Goshawk ◊  Accipiter henicogrammus  Not uncommon along the Subaim to Buli road.

Dwarf Sparrowhawk ◊ (Small S)  Accipiter nanus heard only.

Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter erythrauchen  Excellent close and prolonged views on the Buli road.

Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter rhodogaster  A lively bird was seen in the forest at Lore Lindu.

Black Kite  Milvus migrans

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus

White-bellied Sea Eagle  Haliaeetus leucogaster

Ochre-bellied Boobook ◊  Ninox ochracea  Two at roost at Tangkoko were very nice to see.

Cinnabar Boobook ◊  Ninox ios  One at Lore Lindu didn’t like the light, a brief view only.

Halmahera Boobook ◊  Ninox hypogramma  Great views of one on the Buli road.

Speckled Boobook ◊  Ninox punctulata  Nice views of one at Wuasa.

Moluccan Scops Owl ◊  Otus magicus

Sulawesi Scops Owl ◊  Otus manadensis  Great views of one at Tangkoko.

Blyth’s Hornbill ◊  Rhyticeros plicatus

Knobbed Hornbill ◊  Rhyticeros cassidix

Sulawesi Hornbill ◊ (S Dwarf H)  Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus  Brief ones at Karaenta, good looks at Tapakolintang.

Purple-winged Roller ◊  Coracias temminckii  One at Tangkoko, the sole sighting on the tour.

Oriental Dollarbird (Common D)  Eurystomus orientalis

Azure Dollarbird ◊ (Purple D)  Eurystomus azureus  A highlight of our birding on the Buli road, a pair showed very well.

Green-backed Kingfisher ◊  Actenoides monachus  Singles at Tambun and Tangkoko.

Green-backed Kingfisher ◊ (Black-headed K)  Actenoides [monachus] capucinus  heard-only.

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher ◊ (Regal K)  Actenoides [princeps] regalis  Great views of two individuals on Gunung Mahawu.

Common Paradise Kingfisher ◊  Tanysiptera galatea  An unusually prolonged view of one sat in the open at Foli.

Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher ◊  Cittura cyanotis  Seen at Toraut, three more at Tangkoko.

Great-billed Kingfisher ◊  Pelargopsis melanorhyncha  A total of our at Tangkoko and Grand Luley.

Ruddy Kingfisher  Halcyon coromanda  One seen well at Tangkoko.

Blue-and-white Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus diops

Sombre Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus funebris  A vocal bird seen well on the Buli road.

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris

Beach Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus saurophagus

Sacred Kingfisher  Todiramphus sanctus

Common Kingfisher ◊ (Hispid K)  Alcedo [atthis] hispidoides

Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher ◊  Ceyx fallax  Always a favourite, we were lucky to be guided to one at Tangkoko.

Moluccan Dwarf Kingfisher ◊ Ceyx [lepidus] uropygialis  non-leader.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater  Merops philippinus

Rainbow Bee-eater  Merops ornatus

Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker ◊  Yungipicus temminckii

Ashy Woodpecker ◊  Mulleripicus fulvus

Spotted Kestrel (Indonesian K)  Falco moluccensis

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus  Distant dots at dusk morphed into a pair of these, on the Buli road.

White Cockatoo ◊  Cacatua alba

Moluccan King Parrot ◊  Alisterus amboinensis  A splendid pair seen several times, on Halmahera.

Golden-mantled Racket-tail ◊ (Sulawesi Racquet-t)  Prioniturus platurus

Yellow-breasted Racket-tail ◊ (Minahasa Racquet-t)  Prioniturus flavicans  A good look at these buglers at Tangkoko.

Moluccan Eclectus  Eclectus roratus

Red-cheeked Parrot  Geoffroyus geoffroyi

Great-billed Parrot ◊  Tanygnathus megalorynchos  Not uncommon in the Moluccas.

Azure-rumped Parrot ◊ (Blue-backed P)  Tanygnathus [sumatranus] sumatranus

Red-flanked Lorikeet ◊  Hypocharmosyna placentis  An attractive bird seen often in the Moluccas.

Chattering Lory ◊  Lorius garrulus  A pre-roost gathering of several dozen on Halmahera was a first for me.

Yellow-cheeked Lorikeet ◊  Saudareos meyeri

Ornate Lorikeet ◊  Saudareos ornata  A couple at Lore Lindu were the only ones seen.

Violet-necked Lory ◊  Eos squamata

Great Hanging Parrot ◊ (Large S H P)  Loriculus stigmatus

Moluccan Hanging Parrot ◊  Loriculus amabilis  Seen well on Bacan.

Pygmy Hanging Parrot ◊ (Small Sulawesi H P)  Loriculus exilis

Sulawesi Pitta ◊  Erythropitta celebensis  A wonderful individual watched at close range at Gunung Mahawu.

North Moluccan Pitta ◊  Erythropitta rufiventris  One seen on Obi, where common by voice.

Ivory-breasted Pitta ◊  Pitta maxima  After many hours spent trying, we finally had some reasonable views on Halmahera.

Ivory-breasted Pitta ◊ (Morotai P)  Pitta [maxima] morotaiensis  Glimpses of furtive birds on Morotai.

Dark-eared Myza ◊  Myza celebensis

White-eared Myza ◊  Myza sarasinorum

White-streaked Friarbird ◊ (Halmahera F)  Melitograis gilolensis

Dusky Myzomela ◊ (Moluccan M)  Myzomela [obscura] simplex

Dusky Myzomela ◊ (Obi M)  Myzomela [obscura] rubrotincta  ‘Reddish-tinged’ if you like.

Sulawesi Myzomela ◊  Myzomela chloroptera

Morotai Friarbird ◊ (Dusky F)  Philemon fuscicapillus  Common, noisy and melodic on our first outing on Morotai

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Sulawesi G, Flyeater)  Gerygone [sulphurea] flaveola

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus

Ivory-backed Woodswallow ◊  Artamus monachus  A pair at Lore Lindu, also seen at Tapakolintang.

Cerulean Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina temminckii

Pied Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina bicolor

White-rumped Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina leucopygia

White-bellied Cuckooshrike (Papuan C)  Coracina papuensis

Moluccan Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina atriceps  A distant pair on the Buli road, but close at Foli.

Sulawesi Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma morio 

Common Cicadabird ◊ (Obi C, Wallacean C)  Edolisoma tenuirostre

Halmahera Cuckooshrike ◊ (H Cicadabird)  Edolisoma parvulum  Several seen high on the Buli road.

Pygmy Cuckooshrike ◊ (Mountain Cicadabird)  Celebesica abbotti

White-shouldered Triller ◊  Lalage sueurii

Rufous-bellied Triller ◊  Lalage aurea

White-rumped Triller ◊ (Sulawesi T)  Lalage leucopygialis  Seen well at Tapakolintang, also at Tangkoko.

Sulphur-vented Whistler ◊ (S-bellied W, Yellow-vented W)  Pachycephala sulfuriventer

Black-chinned Whistler ◊ (Halmahera W, Moluccan W)  Pachycephala mentalis  Nice views on Halmahera and Bacan.

Drab Whistler ◊  Pachycephala griseonota

Cinnamon-breasted Whistler ◊   Pachycephala johni  Common on Obi, probably the main songbird there.

Dusky-brown Oriole ◊ (Halmahera O)  Oriolus phaeochromus

Black-naped Oriole ◊ (Sulawesi Golden O)  Oriolus [chinensis] frontalis

Sulawesi Drongo ◊ (S Spangled D)  Dicrurus montanus

Spangled Drongo ◊  (Bacan S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] sp./ssp. nov

Spangled Drongo ◊ (Morotai S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] morotensis

Spangled Drongo ◊ (Halmahera S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] atrocaeruleus

Hair-crested Drongo ◊ (White-eyed Spangled D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] leucops

Hair-crested Drongo ◊  (Obi Spangled D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] guillemardi

Willie Wagtail (W Fantail)  Rhipidura leucophrys

Northern Fantail ◊   Rhipidura [rufiventris] obiensis  One seen well on Obi.

Sulawesi Fantail ◊ (Rusty-bellied F)  Rhipidura teysmanni

Pale-blue Monarch ◊  Hypothymis puella

Moluccan Monarch ◊ (Halmahera Spectacled M, Wallacean M)  Symposiachrus bimaculatus

White-naped Monarch ◊  Carterornis [pileatus] pileatus  Just a single seen on Halmahera.

Moluccan Flycatcher ◊ (M Monarch, Slaty F)  Myiagra galeata

Shining Flycatcher ◊ (Moluccan S Monarch, Shining M)  Myiagra alecto

Piping Crow ◊  Corvus typicus  Seen well at Malino.

Slender-billed Crow ◊ (Sulawesi C)  Corvus [enca] celebensis

Long-billed Crow ◊  Corvus validus

Torresian Crow (Australian C)  Corvus orru  Seen well on Obi.

Halmahera Paradise-crow ◊ (Morotai P-c)  Lycocorax [pyrrhopterus] morotensis  A flyby glimpse was the only sighting.

Halmahera Paradise-crow ◊ (Halmahera P-c)  Lycocorax [pyrrhopterus] pyrrhopterus

Obi Paradise-crow ◊   Lycocorax obiensis  A totally different character to the above, with exotic calls.

Standardwing ◊ (Wallace’s S)  Semioptera wallacii  A great show at the Foli lek.

Hylocitrea ◊ (Northern H)  Hylocitrea [bonensis] bonensis  One seen well at Lore Lindu, lurking in a berry bush.

Citrine Canary-flycatcher ◊  Culicicapa helianthea

Northern Golden Bulbul ◊ (Halmahera G B)  Hypsipetes [longirostris] chloris

Northern Golden Bulbul ◊  (Obi G B)  Hypsipetes [longirostris] lucasi

Yellow-vented Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus goiavier

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo tahitica

Mountain Tailorbird (M Leaftoiler)  Phyllergates cucullatus

Sulawesi Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus nesophilus

Lompobattang Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus sarasinorum

Island Leaf Warbler ◊ (Halmahera/North Moluccan L W)  Phylloscopus [poliocephalus] henrietta

Australian Reed Warbler (Australasian R W)  Acrocephalus australis

Sulawesi Bush Warbler ◊ (S Grasshopper W, Chestnut-backed B W)  Locustella castanea

Malia ◊  Malia grata  Rather furtive at Lore Lindu, showing better at Gunung Ambang.

Tawny Grassbird  Cincloramphus timoriensis   heard-only.

Zitting Cisticola (Double Zitting C)  Cisticola juncidis

Streak-headed White-eye ◊ (Sulawesi Heleia, S-h Dark-e)  Heleia squamiceps

Warbling White-eye  Zosterops japonicus

Lemon-bellied White-eye ◊  Zosterops chloris

Black-crowned White-eye ◊ (B-fronted W-e)  Zosterops atrifrons

Black-ringed White-eye ◊  Zosterops anomalus  Seen at Karaenta forest.

Morotai White-eye ◊  Zosterops dehaani 

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Obi W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] sp./ssp. nov

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Halmahera W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] fuscifrons

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Bacan W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] atriceps

Sulawesi Babbler ◊  Pellorneum celebense

Metallic Starling  Aplonis metallica

Asian Glossy Starling  Aplonis panayensis

Moluccan Starling ◊  Aplonis mysolensis

Short-tailed Starling  Aplonis minor

Sulawesi Myna ◊ (S Crested M, Short-crested M)  Basilornis celebensis  Two at Tapakolintang.

White-necked Myna ◊ (Northern W-n M)  Streptocitta [albicollis] torquata

Fiery-browed Starling ◊  Enodes erythrophris

Grosbeak Starling ◊ (Finch-billed Myna)  Scissirostrum dubium  In good number at Tangkoko.

Javan Myna (introduced)  Acridotheres javanicus

Geomalia ◊  Zoothera heinrichi  A nice surprise to see this on the Anaso track.

Red-backed Thrush ◊  Geokichla erythronota  A trio at Tangkoko were a welcome sight.

Sulawesi Thrush ◊  Turdus turdoides  One seen well at Lore Lindu.

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis omissus

Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher  Eumyias hoevelli

Matinan Blue Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias sanfordi  An underwhelming fellow, seen at Gunung Ambang.

Turquoise Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias [panayensis] septentrionalis

Great Shortwing ◊  Heinrichia calligyna  Skulking as ever, we managed to see one near Lake Tambing.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra

Pied Bush Chat  Saxicola caprata

Yellow-sided Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum aureolimbatum

Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum nehrkorni  A single seen at Malino.

Halmahera Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum schistaceiceps 

Grey-sided Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum celebicum

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Black Sunbird ◊  Leptocoma aspasia

Olive-backed Sunbird (Sahul S)  Cinnyris [jugularis] frenatus

Crimson Sunbird ◊ (Sulawesi Crimson S)  Aethopyga [siparaja] flavostriata

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced)  Passer montanus

Streaked Weaver  Ploceus manyar  Plenty coming to roost at Makassar saltpans, also seen nesting at Bantimurung.

Java Sparrow (introduced)  Padda oryzivora  A flock of 25 near Kotamobagu.

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

Black-faced Munia ◊  Lonchura molucca

Chestnut Munia (introduced)  Lonchura atricapilla

Pale-headed Munia ◊  Lonchura pallida

Indonesian Serin ◊ (Mountain S)  Chrysocorythus estherae  A fly-over flock of four at Lore Lindu.

MAMMALS

Sulawesi Bear Cuscus  Ailurops ursinus  Three seen at Tangkoko, all high up in tall trees.

Obi Cuscus   Phalanger rothschildi  Two seen well on Obi, one carrying young in its pouch.

Bryde’s Whale  Balaenoptera brydei  A group of 4-5 seen quite well en route to Obi.

Risso’s Dolphin  Grampus griseus  Superb views of ten between Tobelo and Subaim.

Spinner Dolphin  Stenella longirostris

Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin   Tursiops aduncus

Moluccan Flying Fox   Pteropus chrysoproctus  Presumed to be this species on Obi.

Spectral Tarsier  Tarsius tarsier  A cute family of three at Tangkoko.

Moor Macaque  Macaca maura

Celebes Crested Macaque  Macaca nigra

Sanghir Islands Tree Squirrel   Prosciurillus leucomus  Seen at Tangkoko, with the whitish neck patch.

North Sulawesi Tree Squirrel  Prosciurillus murinus  The widespread little one.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Spotted Whistling Duck ◊  Dendrocygna guttata  Nice to see this on Obi. Well spotted!

Wandering Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna arcuata

Sunda Teal ◊  Anas gibberifrons  non-leader.

Maleo ◊  Macrocephalon maleo  Wonderful encounters at Tambun.

Moluccan Megapode ◊  Eulipoa wallacei  A close view of one in the torch beam on Halmahera.

Philippine Megapode ◊ (Tabon Scrubfowl)  Megapodius cumingii

Dusky Megapode ◊ (D Scrubfowl)  Megapodius freycinet

King Quail (Blue-breasted Q)  Synoicus chinensis   heard-only.

Satanic Nightjar ◊  Eurostopodus diabolicus  Great views of a roosting bird at Lore Lindu.

Great Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis macrotis

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus

Sulawesi Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus celebensis  Good views of two on the ground at Tangkoko

Savanna Nightjar  Caprimulgus affinis

Moluccan Owlet-nightjar ◊  Aegotheles crinifrons  Two encounters on Halmahera, possibly two birds.

Grey-rumped Treeswift  Hemiprocne longipennis

Moustached Treeswift ◊  Hemiprocne mystacea  An airborne flock on Halmahera and watched nest-building on Bacan.

Glossy Swiftlet  Collocalia esculenta

Halmahera Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus infuscatus

Sulawesi Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus sororum

Seram Swiftlet ◊  Aerodramus ceramensis  Seen on Obi.

Uniform Swiftlet  Aerodramus vanikorensis

Purple Needletail ◊  Hirundapus celebensis  Close low-level views of a large flock at Tapakolintang.

Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Bay Coucal ◊  Centropus celebensis  A few of these Sulawesi endemics in the north of the island.

Goliath Coucal ◊  Centropus goliath  An ungainly fellow, we saw a few on Halmahera.

Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis

Yellow-billed Malkoha ◊  Rhamphococcyx calyorhynchus 

Black-billed Koel ◊  Eudynamys melanorhynchus

Channel-billed Cuckoo ◊  Scythrops novaehollandiae  A single bird seen at Tapakolintang.

Little Bronze Cuckoo (Gould’s B C)  Chrysococcyx [minutillus] jungei  A trio at Lore Lindu entertained us.

Brush Cuckoo (Australian B C)  Cacomantis variolosus  Good views on Ternate, many heard on Halmahera and Obi.

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Sulawesi Brush C)  Cacomantis sepulcralis  Often heard, just a single seen at Lore Lindu.

Moluccan Cuckoo ◊ (M Brush C)  Cacomantis aeruginosus  One seen on Obi.

Moluccan Drongo-Cuckoo ◊  Surniculus musschenbroeki   heard-only

Rock Dove  Columba livia

Red Collared Dove (introduced)  Streptopelia tranquebarica

Spotted Dove (introduced)  Spilopelia chinensis

Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Macropygia doreya

Sultan’s Cuckoo-Dove (Sulawesi C-D)  Macropygia [doreya] albicapilla

Great Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Reinwardtoena reinwardti  One on the Buli road made a superb aerial display over us.

White-faced Cuckoo-Dove  Turacoena manadensis   Some good looks at Tapakolintang

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica

Zebra Dove  Geopelia striata

Pink-necked Green Pigeon  Treron vernans

Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon ◊  Treron griseicauda

Red-eared Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus fischeri  At higher elevations at Lore Lindu.

Oberholser’s Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus gularis  Brief looks at Tapakolintang, good views of a pair at Tangkoko.

Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus bernsteinii  A personal favourite, we had superb looks at one on Halmahera.

Superb Fruit Dove ◊ (Western S F D)  Ptilinopus [superbus] temminckii

Superb Fruit Dove (Eastern S F D)  Ptilinopus [superbus] superbus   heard-only.

Blue-capped Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus monacha  So cute, and not uncommon, just too small to find quickly!

Grey-headed Fruit Dove ◊  Ptilinopus hyogastrus

Carunculated Fruit Dove ◊   Ptilinopus granulifrons  An Obi endemic, we had good looks at a flock in a fruiting tree.

Black-naped Fruit Dove  Ptilinopus melanospilus

White-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula forsteni  Several seen well on Sulawesi, with a great call.

Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea

Spectacled Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula perspicillata  Also with great calls, on Morotai, Halmahera and Obi.

Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula basilica  The ‘rumbling tum’, quite a few seen on Halmahera.

Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon ◊ (Obi I P)  Ducula [basilica] obiensis   heard-only.

Pied Imperial Pigeon  Ducula bicolor  Coastal on Sulawesi, inland on Halmahera.

Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon ◊  Ducula luctuosa  A Sulawesi endemic, we saw plenty at Tangkoko.

Sombre Pigeon ◊  Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa   heard-only, at Lore Lindu.

Barred Rail ◊  Hypotaenidia torquata

Buff-banded Rail  Hypotaenidia philippensis

Dusky Moorhen  Gallinula tenebrosa

Blue-faced Rail ◊  Gymnocrex rosenbergii  A great find of a rarely-seen bird, we were able to watch one running around in a bamboo thicket at Toraut.

White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Isabelline Bush-hen ◊  Amaurornis isabellina  Nice views of one at Tangkoko.

Pale-vented Bush-hen ◊  Amaurornis moluccana  A brief view of two on Obi.

Tricolored Grebe ◊  Tachybaptus tricolor

Barred Buttonquail  Turnix suscitator

Pied Stilt (White-headed S)  Himantopus leucocephalus

Javan Plover ◊  Charadrius javanicus  Adults and juveniles seen at Makassar saltpans.

Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis  Several seen on wet paddies near Tambun, unusual on the tour.

Moluccan Woodcock ◊  Scolopax rochussenii  As many as ten passes overhead by roding birds on our first evening on Obi, with two roding together on a couple of occasions.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

Grey-tailed Tattler  Tringa brevipes

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

Australian Pratincole  Stiltia isabella  Nice to see several of these in paddyfields near Tambun.

Brown Noddy  Anous stolidus  One seen as we crossed to Morotai, a few more between Obi and Bacan.

Greater Crested Tern  Thalasseus bergii

Little Tern  Sternula albifrons

Bridled Tern  Onychoprion anaethetus  Plenty en-route to Subaim, an extraordinary 120+ between Obi and Bacan.

Black-naped Tern  Sterna sumatrana  Nice views from our small boats at Tangkoko.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida

Wilson’s Storm Petrel  Oceanites oceanicus  A great look at one from the Bacan to Obi ferry.

Streaked Shearwater  Calonectris leucomelas  At least a couple seen between Obi and Bacan.

Lesser Frigatebird  Fregata ariel

Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster

Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster  Seen at Toraut.

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus

Cinnamon Bittern  Ixobrychus cinnamomeus  non-leader.

Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H)  Nycticorax caledonicus  At least 30 seen flying over at dusk on Massar saltpans.

Striated Heron  Butorides striata

Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa

Eastern Cattle Egret  Bubulcus coromandus

Great-billed Heron ◊  Ardea sumatrana  A big surprise to see one flying over the forest on the Buli road!

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

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

Little Egret  Egretta [garzetta] garzetta

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

Pacific Reef Heron  Egretta sacra

Osprey (Eastern O, Australian O)  Pandion [haliaetus] cristatus

Sulawesi Serpent Eagle ◊  Spilornis rufipectus  One soaring at Tapakolintang, the only one of the tour.

Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle ◊  Nisaetus lanceolatus

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis

Pygmy Eagle ◊  Hieraaetus weiskei  Seen well on Halmahera and on Obi.

Gurney’s Eagle ◊  Aquila gurneyi  Great views of three on Morotai, even shadowing our vehicle!

Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter trinotatus  A nice vocal example posed for us at Lore Lindu.

Variable Goshawk   Accipiter hiogaster  One seen on Obi.

Moluccan Goshawk ◊  Accipiter henicogrammus  Not uncommon along the Subaim to Buli road.

Dwarf Sparrowhawk ◊ (Small S)  Accipiter nanus heard only.

Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter erythrauchen  Excellent close and prolonged views on the Buli road.

Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk ◊  Accipiter rhodogaster  A lively bird was seen in the forest at Lore Lindu.

Black Kite  Milvus migrans

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus

White-bellied Sea Eagle  Haliaeetus leucogaster

Ochre-bellied Boobook ◊  Ninox ochracea  Two at roost at Tangkoko were very nice to see.

Cinnabar Boobook ◊  Ninox ios  One at Lore Lindu didn’t like the light, a brief view only.

Halmahera Boobook ◊  Ninox hypogramma  Great views of one on the Buli road.

Speckled Boobook ◊  Ninox punctulata  Nice views of one at Wuasa.

Moluccan Scops Owl ◊  Otus magicus

Sulawesi Scops Owl ◊  Otus manadensis  Great views of one at Tangkoko.

Blyth’s Hornbill ◊  Rhyticeros plicatus

Knobbed Hornbill ◊  Rhyticeros cassidix

Sulawesi Hornbill ◊ (S Dwarf H)  Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus  Brief ones at Karaenta, good looks at Tapakolintang.

Purple-winged Roller ◊  Coracias temminckii  One at Tangkoko, the sole sighting on the tour.

Oriental Dollarbird (Common D)  Eurystomus orientalis

Azure Dollarbird ◊ (Purple D)  Eurystomus azureus  A highlight of our birding on the Buli road, a pair showed very well.

Green-backed Kingfisher ◊  Actenoides monachus  Singles at Tambun and Tangkoko.

Green-backed Kingfisher ◊ (Black-headed K)  Actenoides [monachus] capucinus  heard-only.

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher ◊ (Regal K)  Actenoides [princeps] regalis  Great views of two individuals on Gunung Mahawu.

Common Paradise Kingfisher ◊  Tanysiptera galatea  An unusually prolonged view of one sat in the open at Foli.

Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher ◊  Cittura cyanotis  Seen at Toraut, three more at Tangkoko.

Great-billed Kingfisher ◊  Pelargopsis melanorhyncha  A total of our at Tangkoko and Grand Luley.

Ruddy Kingfisher  Halcyon coromanda  One seen well at Tangkoko.

Blue-and-white Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus diops

Sombre Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus funebris  A vocal bird seen well on the Buli road.

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris

Beach Kingfisher ◊  Todiramphus saurophagus

Sacred Kingfisher  Todiramphus sanctus

Common Kingfisher ◊ (Hispid K)  Alcedo [atthis] hispidoides

Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher ◊  Ceyx fallax  Always a favourite, we were lucky to be guided to one at Tangkoko.

Moluccan Dwarf Kingfisher ◊ Ceyx [lepidus] uropygialis  non-leader.

Blue-tailed Bee-eater  Merops philippinus

Rainbow Bee-eater  Merops ornatus

Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker ◊  Yungipicus temminckii

Ashy Woodpecker ◊  Mulleripicus fulvus

Spotted Kestrel (Indonesian K)  Falco moluccensis

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus  Distant dots at dusk morphed into a pair of these, on the Buli road.

White Cockatoo ◊  Cacatua alba

Moluccan King Parrot ◊  Alisterus amboinensis  A splendid pair seen several times, on Halmahera.

Golden-mantled Racket-tail ◊ (Sulawesi Racquet-t)  Prioniturus platurus

Yellow-breasted Racket-tail ◊ (Minahasa Racquet-t)  Prioniturus flavicans  A good look at these buglers at Tangkoko.

Moluccan Eclectus  Eclectus roratus

Red-cheeked Parrot  Geoffroyus geoffroyi

Great-billed Parrot ◊  Tanygnathus megalorynchos  Not uncommon in the Moluccas.

Azure-rumped Parrot ◊ (Blue-backed P)  Tanygnathus [sumatranus] sumatranus

Red-flanked Lorikeet ◊  Hypocharmosyna placentis  An attractive bird seen often in the Moluccas.

Chattering Lory ◊  Lorius garrulus  A pre-roost gathering of several dozen on Halmahera was a first for me.

Yellow-cheeked Lorikeet ◊  Saudareos meyeri

Ornate Lorikeet ◊  Saudareos ornata  A couple at Lore Lindu were the only ones seen.

Violet-necked Lory ◊  Eos squamata

Great Hanging Parrot ◊ (Large S H P)  Loriculus stigmatus

Moluccan Hanging Parrot ◊  Loriculus amabilis  Seen well on Bacan.

Pygmy Hanging Parrot ◊ (Small Sulawesi H P)  Loriculus exilis

Sulawesi Pitta ◊  Erythropitta celebensis  A wonderful individual watched at close range at Gunung Mahawu.

North Moluccan Pitta ◊  Erythropitta rufiventris  One seen on Obi, where common by voice.

Ivory-breasted Pitta ◊  Pitta maxima  After many hours spent trying, we finally had some reasonable views on Halmahera.

Ivory-breasted Pitta ◊ (Morotai P)  Pitta [maxima] morotaiensis  Glimpses of furtive birds on Morotai.

Dark-eared Myza ◊  Myza celebensis

White-eared Myza ◊  Myza sarasinorum

White-streaked Friarbird ◊ (Halmahera F)  Melitograis gilolensis

Dusky Myzomela ◊ (Moluccan M)  Myzomela [obscura] simplex

Dusky Myzomela ◊ (Obi M)  Myzomela [obscura] rubrotincta  ‘Reddish-tinged’ if you like.

Sulawesi Myzomela ◊  Myzomela chloroptera

Morotai Friarbird ◊ (Dusky F)  Philemon fuscicapillus  Common, noisy and melodic on our first outing on Morotai

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Sulawesi G, Flyeater)  Gerygone [sulphurea] flaveola

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus

Ivory-backed Woodswallow ◊  Artamus monachus  A pair at Lore Lindu, also seen at Tapakolintang.

Cerulean Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina temminckii

Pied Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina bicolor

White-rumped Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina leucopygia

White-bellied Cuckooshrike (Papuan C)  Coracina papuensis

Moluccan Cuckooshrike ◊  Coracina atriceps  A distant pair on the Buli road, but close at Foli.

Sulawesi Cicadabird ◊  Edolisoma morio 

Common Cicadabird ◊ (Obi C, Wallacean C)  Edolisoma tenuirostre

Halmahera Cuckooshrike ◊ (H Cicadabird)  Edolisoma parvulum  Several seen high on the Buli road.

Pygmy Cuckooshrike ◊ (Mountain Cicadabird)  Celebesica abbotti

White-shouldered Triller ◊  Lalage sueurii

Rufous-bellied Triller ◊  Lalage aurea

White-rumped Triller ◊ (Sulawesi T)  Lalage leucopygialis  Seen well at Tapakolintang, also at Tangkoko.

Sulphur-vented Whistler ◊ (S-bellied W, Yellow-vented W)  Pachycephala sulfuriventer

Black-chinned Whistler ◊ (Halmahera W, Moluccan W)  Pachycephala mentalis  Nice views on Halmahera and Bacan.

Drab Whistler ◊  Pachycephala griseonota

Cinnamon-breasted Whistler ◊   Pachycephala johni  Common on Obi, probably the main songbird there.

Dusky-brown Oriole ◊ (Halmahera O)  Oriolus phaeochromus

Black-naped Oriole ◊ (Sulawesi Golden O)  Oriolus [chinensis] frontalis

Sulawesi Drongo ◊ (S Spangled D)  Dicrurus montanus

Spangled Drongo ◊  (Bacan S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] sp./ssp. nov

Spangled Drongo ◊ (Morotai S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] morotensis

Spangled Drongo ◊ (Halmahera S D)  Dicrurus [bracteatus] atrocaeruleus

Hair-crested Drongo ◊ (White-eyed Spangled D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] leucops

Hair-crested Drongo ◊  (Obi Spangled D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] guillemardi

Willie Wagtail (W Fantail)  Rhipidura leucophrys

Northern Fantail ◊   Rhipidura [rufiventris] obiensis  One seen well on Obi.

Sulawesi Fantail ◊ (Rusty-bellied F)  Rhipidura teysmanni

Pale-blue Monarch ◊  Hypothymis puella

Moluccan Monarch ◊ (Halmahera Spectacled M, Wallacean M)  Symposiachrus bimaculatus

White-naped Monarch ◊  Carterornis [pileatus] pileatus  Just a single seen on Halmahera.

Moluccan Flycatcher ◊ (M Monarch, Slaty F)  Myiagra galeata

Shining Flycatcher ◊ (Moluccan S Monarch, Shining M)  Myiagra alecto

Piping Crow ◊  Corvus typicus  Seen well at Malino.

Slender-billed Crow ◊ (Sulawesi C)  Corvus [enca] celebensis

Long-billed Crow ◊  Corvus validus

Torresian Crow (Australian C)  Corvus orru  Seen well on Obi.

Halmahera Paradise-crow ◊ (Morotai P-c)  Lycocorax [pyrrhopterus] morotensis  A flyby glimpse was the only sighting.

Halmahera Paradise-crow ◊ (Halmahera P-c)  Lycocorax [pyrrhopterus] pyrrhopterus

Obi Paradise-crow ◊   Lycocorax obiensis  A totally different character to the above, with exotic calls.

Standardwing ◊ (Wallace’s S)  Semioptera wallacii  A great show at the Foli lek.

Hylocitrea ◊ (Northern H)  Hylocitrea [bonensis] bonensis  One seen well at Lore Lindu, lurking in a berry bush.

Citrine Canary-flycatcher ◊  Culicicapa helianthea

Northern Golden Bulbul ◊ (Halmahera G B)  Hypsipetes [longirostris] chloris

Northern Golden Bulbul ◊  (Obi G B)  Hypsipetes [longirostris] lucasi

Yellow-vented Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus goiavier

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo tahitica

Mountain Tailorbird (M Leaftoiler)  Phyllergates cucullatus

Sulawesi Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus nesophilus

Lompobattang Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus sarasinorum

Island Leaf Warbler ◊ (Halmahera/North Moluccan L W)  Phylloscopus [poliocephalus] henrietta

Australian Reed Warbler (Australasian R W)  Acrocephalus australis

Sulawesi Bush Warbler ◊ (S Grasshopper W, Chestnut-backed B W)  Locustella castanea

Malia ◊  Malia grata  Rather furtive at Lore Lindu, showing better at Gunung Ambang.

Tawny Grassbird  Cincloramphus timoriensis   heard-only.

Zitting Cisticola (Double Zitting C)  Cisticola juncidis

Streak-headed White-eye ◊ (Sulawesi Heleia, S-h Dark-e)  Heleia squamiceps

Warbling White-eye  Zosterops japonicus

Lemon-bellied White-eye ◊  Zosterops chloris

Black-crowned White-eye ◊ (B-fronted W-e)  Zosterops atrifrons

Black-ringed White-eye ◊  Zosterops anomalus  Seen at Karaenta forest.

Morotai White-eye ◊  Zosterops dehaani 

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Obi W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] sp./ssp. nov

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Halmahera W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] fuscifrons

Cream-throated White-eye ◊ (Bacan W-e)  Zosterops [atriceps] atriceps

Sulawesi Babbler ◊  Pellorneum celebense

Metallic Starling  Aplonis metallica

Asian Glossy Starling  Aplonis panayensis

Moluccan Starling ◊  Aplonis mysolensis

Short-tailed Starling  Aplonis minor

Sulawesi Myna ◊ (S Crested M, Short-crested M)  Basilornis celebensis  Two at Tapakolintang.

White-necked Myna ◊ (Northern W-n M)  Streptocitta [albicollis] torquata

Fiery-browed Starling ◊  Enodes erythrophris

Grosbeak Starling ◊ (Finch-billed Myna)  Scissirostrum dubium  In good number at Tangkoko.

Javan Myna (introduced)  Acridotheres javanicus

Geomalia ◊  Zoothera heinrichi  A nice surprise to see this on the Anaso track.

Red-backed Thrush ◊  Geokichla erythronota  A trio at Tangkoko were a welcome sight.

Sulawesi Thrush ◊  Turdus turdoides  One seen well at Lore Lindu.

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis omissus

Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher  Eumyias hoevelli

Matinan Blue Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias sanfordi  An underwhelming fellow, seen at Gunung Ambang.

Turquoise Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias [panayensis] septentrionalis

Great Shortwing ◊  Heinrichia calligyna  Skulking as ever, we managed to see one near Lake Tambing.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra

Pied Bush Chat  Saxicola caprata

Yellow-sided Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum aureolimbatum

Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum nehrkorni  A single seen at Malino.

Halmahera Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum schistaceiceps 

Grey-sided Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum celebicum

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Black Sunbird ◊  Leptocoma aspasia

Olive-backed Sunbird (Sahul S)  Cinnyris [jugularis] frenatus

Crimson Sunbird ◊ (Sulawesi Crimson S)  Aethopyga [siparaja] flavostriata

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced)  Passer montanus

Streaked Weaver  Ploceus manyar  Plenty coming to roost at Makassar saltpans, also seen nesting at Bantimurung.

Java Sparrow (introduced)  Padda oryzivora  A flock of 25 near Kotamobagu.

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

Black-faced Munia ◊  Lonchura molucca

Chestnut Munia (introduced)  Lonchura atricapilla

Pale-headed Munia ◊  Lonchura pallida

Indonesian Serin ◊ (Mountain S)  Chrysocorythus estherae  A fly-over flock of four at Lore Lindu.

MAMMALS

Sulawesi Bear Cuscus  Ailurops ursinus  Three seen at Tangkoko, all high up in tall trees.

Obi Cuscus   Phalanger rothschildi  Two seen well on Obi, one carrying young in its pouch.

Bryde’s Whale  Balaenoptera brydei  A group of 4-5 seen quite well en route to Obi.

Risso’s Dolphin  Grampus griseus  Superb views of ten between Tobelo and Subaim.

Spinner Dolphin  Stenella longirostris

Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin   Tursiops aduncus

Moluccan Flying Fox   Pteropus chrysoproctus  Presumed to be this species on Obi.

Spectral Tarsier  Tarsius tarsier  A cute family of three at Tangkoko.

Moor Macaque  Macaca maura

Celebes Crested Macaque  Macaca nigra

Sanghir Islands Tree Squirrel   Prosciurillus leucomus  Seen at Tangkoko, with the whitish neck patch.

North Sulawesi Tree Squirrel  Prosciurillus murinus  The widespread little one.