INDONESIA (REMOTE EASTERN) REP 10 - Birdquest

Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Halcyon australasia (H): We failed to set eyes on a bird calling from
tall trees at Lorulun, Yamdena (odites).
ALCEDINIDAE
Variable Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus: Good flight views for some, of one that dipped across the
road between Sawai and Wahai, north Seram. Judging by the sounds we heard, it was
feeding a fledged juvenile somewhere. This is the nominate race.
Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea: One flew past us a long the stream at Lorulun, Yamdena.
Subspecies ruficollaris.
Little Kingfisher Alcedo pusilla: At least two seen well in flight during our boat ride along the Salawi
River. Possibly a new record for Seram, though not unexpected. Presumably the
nominate race.
CORACIIDAE
Common Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis: A few resident pacificus on Yamdena.
BUCEROTIDAE
Blyth’s Hornbill (Papuan H) Aceros plicatus: This magnificent bird was common and easily seen
throughout the forests of Seram. The nominate race.
PITTIDAE
Blue-breasted Pitta (Red-bellied P) Pitta erythrogaster: Frequently heard on Buru (rubrinucha) and the
Kai Islands. We all had great views of a perched bird at Letfuan, Kai Kecil. Magnus said
he heard one near the highest point on the Trans-Seram Highway (piroensis), which
would be much higher than the previously recorded elevation for the species.
Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans: Commonly heard on Yamdena (vigorsii), and seen well, perched, on
several occasions.
HIRUNDINIDAE
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: Relatively large numbers on Buru (over 110 seen), but scarcer on
Yamdena and Seram.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica: Common in coastal areas (javanica).
MOTACILLIDAE
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis: Locally common, being noted on Buru, Ambon and
Yamdena. Male tschutschensis (simillima of Coates & Bishop is a synonym of this
subspecies) were certainly identified on the former two islands. Coates & Bishop lump
this form in Western Yellow Wagtail using the name Yellow Wagtail M. flava for the
enlarged species.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea: Surprisingly common on Buru and Seram. Also one on Kai Besar,
and two at Samawi, Kai Kecil. Coates & Bishop do not mention the Kai Is for this species.
Paddyfield Pipit (Oriental P) Anthus rufulus: Two at Makassar Airport, en route from Jakarta to
Ambon.
CAMPEPHAGIDAE
Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike Coracina personata: A handful of unimodus on Yamdena and two pollens
on Kai Kecil. These are two closely related, very dark forms that collectively show great
plumage and vocal differences from ‘typical’ Wallacean
Buru Cuckoo-shrike Coracina fortis: Four individuals of this endemic were seen at the higher levels
of Wamlana Logging Road, Buru.
16 Birdquest: Remote Eastern Indonesia 2010