INDONESIA (REMOTE EASTERN) REP 10 - Birdquest

Cinnamon-tailed Fantail Rhipidura fuscorufa: Commonly seen on Yamdena, and endemic to the
Tanimbar Is and Babar. What was thought to be a nest of this species, with two blue eggs,
was found along the stream trail at Kebun 45, Lorulun.
Streak-breasted Fantail (Streaky-b F) Rhipidura dedemi: This neat Seram endemic was common
along the Trans-Seram Highway, with nearly 40 logged. One adult was seen feeding a
dependant fledge juvenile.
Tawny-backed Fantail Rhipidura dedemi: Endemic to the Buru highlands, this one proved much
harder to track down than the last species, but we eventually found very good numbers
singing along a new road that branched off the Wamlana Logging Road.
Long-tailed Fantail Rhipidura opistherythra: An unusual fantail that we saw well inside the forest on
Yamdena; a Tanimbar endemic.
Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas: Two markedly different races were seen, hamadryas, which was
common on Yamdena, and squamata, which was surprisingly scarce on the Kai Is, and
only seen in coastal forest near Oholililur Beach, Kai Kecil (three birds). More future
splitting on-the-cards.
PETROICIDAE
Golden-bellied Flycatcher (G-b Flyrobin, Tanimbar Flyrobin) Microeca hemixantha: This highly
distinctive species was not uncommon on Yamdena.
PACHYCEPHALIDAE
Island Whistler Pachycephala phaionotus: A scarce species, with just three seen in forest near
Ohoililur Beach, Kai Kecil. A predominantly small island species with a ‘remote’ range.
Grey-headed Whistler Pachycephala griseiceps: Seen on three occasions, with a total of six birds, on
Kai Kecil and Kai Besar (rufipennis). Coates & Bishop lump it in Grey Whistler P. simplex.
Common Golden Whistler (Golden Whistler) Pachycephala pectoralis: Regular scattered sightings,
but not seen on Kai. Subspecies buruensis on Buru, macrorhyncha on Ambon and Seram,
and fuscoflava on Yamdena. Some authors split-off a group of races as Banda Sea
Whistler P. macrorhyncha, including buruensis and macrorhyncha.
Wallacean Whistler Pachycepala arctitorquis: Fairly common on Yamdena (arctitorquis), with some
nice males seen. Like a colourless Common Golden Whistler. Coates & Bishop have it
lumped in White-bellied Whistler P. leucogastra.
Drab Whistler Pachycephala griseonota: Very common on Buru (examinata), but less so on Seram
(nominate).
ARTAMIDAE
White-breasted Wood-swallow Artamus leucorynchus: Widespread sightings, from all major islands
(musschenbroeki on Yamdena, but otherwise leucopygialis).
LANIIDAE
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach: Two at Jakarta Airport (bentet).
STURNIDAE
Tanimbar Starling Aplonis crassa: This unremarkable Tanimbar endemic was tolerably common.
Moluccan Starling (Island S) Aplonis mysolensis: Common on Buru, Ambon, and Seram (mysolensis).
Metallic Starling (Shining S) Aplonis metallica: Common on Buru, Ambon, and Seram, as well as the
Kai Is (metallica). We saw a large breeding colony of conjoined nests on Kai Dullah.
Long-crested Myna Basilornis corythaix: This amazing endemic was seen well on many occasions
along the Trans-Seram Highway; about 30 in all.
20 Birdquest: Remote Eastern Indonesia 2010