INDONESIA (REMOTE EASTERN) REP 10 - Birdquest

THRESKIORNITHIDAE
Australian White Ibis (Australian I) Threskiornis molucca: At least 16 of these predominantly
Australasian birds in the coastal habitats around Sawai. It breeds on Seram.
ACCIPITRIDAE
Osprey Pandion haliaetus: One in Saumlaki Bay and three in coastal habitats near Sawai, north
Seram. According to Wink et al. (2004), genetic distances between subspecies of Osprey
(1.9-3.8%) are equivalent to, or greater than, those seen between members of several
closely related sister species within Aquila and Hieraeetus. This, combined with small but
consistent differences in plumage and morphology, led Wink et al. (2004) and Wink &
Sauer-Gürth (2004) to suggest that three species of Osprey could be recognised. The form
in Wallacea would be Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus, of Australasia. However, this
treatment has not yet been widely followed. The BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group for
example, chose not to follow Wink et al. because the molecular analyses were published
outside the peer-reviewed literature; the BTWG adopts the view that intrageneric genetic
differentiation alone is an unsatisfactory basis for species recognition and prefers to wait
for further validation before accepting this proposed split.
Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata: Two singles at Lorulun, Yamdena (timorlaoensis), two pairs on Kai
Besar (pallida), three along the Trans-Seram Highway in the Wahai region (reinwardtii),
and one at Ewang Tulahu, Ambon (reinwardtii). There is much variation amongst the
races of this species, and there is certainly the possibility of some future splits.
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus: Regularly seen (intermedius on Yamdena, and girrenera elsewhere).
White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster: Magnus spotted an adult over Pombo I, we had
immature birds at Lorulun, Yamdena and off Kai Besar, and a singleton in the Wahai
region, north Seram.
Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis: Two different birds in the lowlands of east Buru. Although probably
resident here, there do not appear to be any records from the island (or the Moluccas)
prior to those made during our first tour in 2008.
Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster: Two briefly in flight on Ambon and then four (including
scope views) on Seram (both chestnut-bellied nominate), and seven of the much paler
albiventris on Kai Besar and Kai Kecil. A pair of the latter where also seen at a nest on Kai
Kecil. It is hard to believe that these forms belong to the same species. Australian and
Tasmanian birds are now treated as a separate species: Grey Goshawk A.
novaehollandiae.
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis: Common in the highlands of Buru and Seram.
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus: One circling at Lorulun. Either the distinctive race renschi,
which some people are mooting as a distinct species, or a similar but currently
undescribed form. H. f. renschi is smaller and more heavily marked than its distant
mainland relatives.
Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides: Nice flight views of one over montane forest along the Trans-
Seram Highway. A very little known bird in this part of its range.
FALCONIDAE
Spotted Kestrel (Moluccan Kestrel) Falco moluccensis: Many observations of this widespread little
raptor on Buru and Seram (moluccensis).
Oriental Hobby Falco severus: Small numbers on Buru and Seram, with one seen catching a Pacific
Swallow.
Peregrine Falcon (Peregrine) Falco peregrinus: A large juvenile over cultivation at Flamboyan, Buru
was thought to be of a wintering form.
10 Birdquest: Remote Eastern Indonesia 2010