INDONESIA (REMOTE EASTERN) REP 10 - Birdquest

Tanimbar Crow Corvus latirostris: This split from Torresian Crow C. orru was only seen once and
heard once, at Lorulun, Yamdena.
TURDIDAE
Slaty-backed Thrush Zoothera schistacea: Not uncommon on Yamdena, with at least seven seen,
and many more heard. A Tanimbar endemic.
Fawn-breasted Thrush Zoothera machiki: This Tanimbar endemic was much more of a difficult
prospect. After Craig found a singing male, we spent much time trying to get views of at
least two restless birds along the stream at Kebun 45, Lorulun.
PARDALOTIDAE
Rufous-sided Gerygone (R-s Fairy Warbler) Gerygone dorsalis: Common on Yamdena, the nominate
race. One dependant fledged juvenile was seen.
SYLVIIDAE
Tanimbar Bush-warbler Cettia carolinae: One performed brilliantly at Lorulun, Yamdena, and it was
also commonly heard. Amazingly, the species was only discovered in 1985.
Buru Bush-warbler Bradypterus disturbans: Two or three showed at the higher levels, and others
were heard. Split from Chestnut-backed Bush-warbler B. castaneus of Sulawesi, due to its
distinctive voice.
Seram Bush-warbler Bradypterus musculus: Excellent views of a pair high up on Seram. Also split
from Chestnut-backed Bush-warbler. Apart from being vocally distinct, this form is also
very dark.
Gray’s Grasshopper-warbler Locustella fasciolata: Small numbers of this east Siberian migrant were
recorded on Buru, Pulau Pombo (between Ambon and Haruku), Kai Besar, Kai Kecil, and
Seram.
Australian Reed-warbler Acrocephalus australis: Scoped singing at Air Mandidi, east Buru. One or
two others were heard. Formerly lumped in Clamorous Reed-warbler A. stentoreus. The
race sumbae, which also occurs on Sumba and Timor in the Lesser Sundas
Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus: The race dumasi of this very widespread ‘species’ was
seen well on Buru (down to 412m asl.) and Seram. DNA studies have shown that it is not
remotely related to tailorbirds, and it is currently called Phyllergates cucullatus.
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis: Common on Buru, one on Ambon, and two on Seram.
Probably all borealis.
Buru Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus everetti: Common at the highest levels that we reached along the
Wamlana Logging Road. Formerly included in the strange ‘dumping-ground’ that was
Island Leaf-warbler P. poliocephalus.
Seram Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ceramensis: Common along the highest levels of the Trans-Seram
Highway. Also formerly lumped in Island Leaf-warbler.
Kai Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus avicola: A pair were seen well with at least two dependant fledged
young at 425m elevation, above Bukit Indah Mission, Kai Besar. Another split from Island
Leaf-warbler, and completely different to the forms on Buru and Seram.
Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis: About ten seen really well on Yamdena. An undescribed
form, but presumably similar to east Lesser Sundan timorlaoensis.
CISTICOLIDAE
Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-capped C) Cisticola exilis: The race rustica was seen many times on
Buru and Ambon. The voice in this region differs considerably from mainland Asian
forms.
18 Birdquest: Remote Eastern Indonesia 2010