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INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest

INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest

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MUSCICAPIDAE<br />

Flores Jungle-flycatcher Rhinomyias oscillans: Easily seen again this year in the Flores highlands. A<br />

dependant fledged juvenile at Rana Mese was noteworthy. Endemic to Sumbawa and<br />

Flores. This and the next species are not typical Rhinomyias flycatchers and exhibit<br />

whistler-like behaviour. They should note be in the same genus as mainland South-East<br />

Asian species for example.<br />

Sumba Jungle-flycatcher Rhinomyias stresemanni: A better year than last with several seen on Sumba.<br />

A recent split from the previous species.<br />

Sumba Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa segregata: A pair and a single bird in different areas at<br />

Watumbelar. One of the pair was carrying food. One of the tougher Sumba endemics to<br />

see, and considered as Near-Threatened by BirdLife International.<br />

Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra: Four of these familiar little flycatchers were seen on<br />

the lower slopes of Gunung Mutis (clarae).<br />

Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria: Nigel picked-up a cracking male of the nominate<br />

race at Puarlolo, Flores.<br />

Sumba Flycatcher Ficedula harterti: What has so far been the toughest of the Sumba endemics turned<br />

out to easy again this year. It was the first endemic that we saw, and we looked at three<br />

birds and heard at least two more in total. It is not a Ficedula flycatcher, being more<br />

similar to the so-called Rhinomyias flycatchers of this region.<br />

Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni: Small numbers on Timor and Flores.<br />

Black-banded Flycatcher Ficedula timorensis: The first bird that we saw at Camplong, with a pair<br />

seen perched very well, several time. This striking little flycatcher is considered as Near-<br />

Threatened by BirdLife International.<br />

Timor Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hyacinthinus: The nominate race was common on Timor. Otherwise,<br />

only occurs on the islands of Roti, Semau, and Wetar. Its assignation to this genus seems<br />

dubious, and nothing about the bird says Cyornis, apart from colour.<br />

MONARCHIDAE<br />

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea: Quite common at Kisol, on Flores and Komodo<br />

(prophata).<br />

Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi: Regularly recorded on Sumba (sumbaensis) and on<br />

Flores (floris). We saw several white males. The song on Sumba, at least, is completely<br />

different to that of mainland South-East Asian populations.<br />

Flores Monarch Monarcha sacerdotum: At least three of these little-known and striking monarchs at<br />

Puarlolo, including a juvenile for the second year running. It is endemic to the western<br />

half of Flores and was only discovered in 1971 (described in 1973). It then disappeared<br />

for many years until fairly sizable populations were found in the 1990’s. It is considered<br />

as Endangered by BirdLife International.<br />

Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgatus: Occasional sightings on Sumba and Timor (nominate<br />

race).<br />

Broad-billed Flycatcher (B-b Monarch) Myiagra ruficollis: These odd boat-billed monarchs were<br />

commonly found this year on Sumba and Timor. Many were singing. The nominate race.<br />

RHIPIDURIDAE<br />

Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica (NL): John managed to see one at Benoa.<br />

Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris: The nominate race was one of the commonest forest birds on<br />

Timor. It does not adopt the characteristic fanned-tail posture of most fantails.<br />

Brown-capped Fantail Rhipidura diluta: This Sumbawa, Flores and Lomblen endemic was frequently<br />

seen in the highlands of Flores; the nominate race. Perhaps waggletail would be more<br />

appropriate!<br />

Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas: This recent split from Rufous Fantail R. rufifrons was common on<br />

Sumba (sumbensis) and on Timor and to a lesser extent Flores (semicollaris).<br />

18 <strong>Birdquest</strong>: The Lesser Sundas 20<strong>10</strong>

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