INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest

MUSCICAPIDAE
Flores Jungle-flycatcher Rhinomyias oscillans: Easily seen again this year in the Flores highlands. A
dependant fledged juvenile at Rana Mese was noteworthy. Endemic to Sumbawa and
Flores. This and the next species are not typical Rhinomyias flycatchers and exhibit
whistler-like behaviour. They should note be in the same genus as mainland South-East
Asian species for example.
Sumba Jungle-flycatcher Rhinomyias stresemanni: A better year than last with several seen on Sumba.
A recent split from the previous species.
Sumba Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa segregata: A pair and a single bird in different areas at
Watumbelar. One of the pair was carrying food. One of the tougher Sumba endemics to
see, and considered as Near-Threatened by BirdLife International.
Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra: Four of these familiar little flycatchers were seen on
the lower slopes of Gunung Mutis (clarae).
Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria: Nigel picked-up a cracking male of the nominate
race at Puarlolo, Flores.
Sumba Flycatcher Ficedula harterti: What has so far been the toughest of the Sumba endemics turned
out to easy again this year. It was the first endemic that we saw, and we looked at three
birds and heard at least two more in total. It is not a Ficedula flycatcher, being more
similar to the so-called Rhinomyias flycatchers of this region.
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni: Small numbers on Timor and Flores.
Black-banded Flycatcher Ficedula timorensis: The first bird that we saw at Camplong, with a pair
seen perched very well, several time. This striking little flycatcher is considered as Near-
Threatened by BirdLife International.
Timor Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hyacinthinus: The nominate race was common on Timor. Otherwise,
only occurs on the islands of Roti, Semau, and Wetar. Its assignation to this genus seems
dubious, and nothing about the bird says Cyornis, apart from colour.
MONARCHIDAE
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea: Quite common at Kisol, on Flores and Komodo
(prophata).
Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi: Regularly recorded on Sumba (sumbaensis) and on
Flores (floris). We saw several white males. The song on Sumba, at least, is completely
different to that of mainland South-East Asian populations.
Flores Monarch Monarcha sacerdotum: At least three of these little-known and striking monarchs at
Puarlolo, including a juvenile for the second year running. It is endemic to the western
half of Flores and was only discovered in 1971 (described in 1973). It then disappeared
for many years until fairly sizable populations were found in the 1990’s. It is considered
as Endangered by BirdLife International.
Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgatus: Occasional sightings on Sumba and Timor (nominate
race).
Broad-billed Flycatcher (B-b Monarch) Myiagra ruficollis: These odd boat-billed monarchs were
commonly found this year on Sumba and Timor. Many were singing. The nominate race.
RHIPIDURIDAE
Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica (NL): John managed to see one at Benoa.
Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris: The nominate race was one of the commonest forest birds on
Timor. It does not adopt the characteristic fanned-tail posture of most fantails.
Brown-capped Fantail Rhipidura diluta: This Sumbawa, Flores and Lomblen endemic was frequently
seen in the highlands of Flores; the nominate race. Perhaps waggletail would be more
appropriate!
Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas: This recent split from Rufous Fantail R. rufifrons was common on
Sumba (sumbensis) and on Timor and to a lesser extent Flores (semicollaris).
18 Birdquest: The Lesser Sundas 2010