INDONESIA (REMOTE EASTERN) REP 10 - Birdquest

Ambon White-eye (Ambon Yellow W-e) Zosterops kuehni: Recorded in small numbers at three
different sites on Ambon; south and north-east of town. Eight seen.
Rufescent Dark-eye (Bicoloured White-eye) Tephrozosterops stalkeri: One or two were watched on
many occasions, feeding in a bird-wave by the Trans-Seram Highway. Higher up in the
forest strata than anticipated, and also in true-forest, rather than secondary growth or
scrub – as was suggested in the literature.
Grey-hooded Dark-eye (G-h White-eye) Lophozosterops pinaiae: This endemic was more easily
located than the previous species, in bird-waves at the highest levels along the Trans-
Seram Highway. Seen on four separate occasions, singly or paired; five or six birds in all.
PASSERIDAE
Tree Sparrow (Eurasian T S) Passer montanus: Fairly common to common around habitation
throughout (malaccensis). For some reason Coates & Bishop do not list it for Yamdena,
the Kai Is, or Seram, but we found it typically distributed in all of these places.
ESTRILDIDAE
Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca: Reasonable numbers on Buru and the Kai Is. (vagans).
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata: Occasional on Yamdena (nisoria), including a pair nestbuilding.
Five-coloured Munia Lonchura quinticolor: This striking munia was locally common on Yamdena. A
Lesser Sundas endemic.
Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla: Nearly 60 on Buru, and 35 on Ambon. The species does not
appear to have previously recorded from Buru, so the race is unclear (though presumably
brunniceps or jagori). On Ambon the race is brunniceps according to Restall (1996),
Munias and Mannikins.
MAMMALS
Common Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus maculatus: Seen well in the daytime on Kai Kecil, at the
escarpment forest near Ohoililur Beach.
Northern Common Cuscus Phalanger orientalis: One was seen well in the daytime on Seram, in the
Sawai lowlands.
Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus: A few on Ambon.
Black-bearded Flying Fox Pteropus melanopogon: Frequently seen on Buru, the Kai Is and Seram.
According to the best available reference, it is the only flying fox like this on the Kai Is,
whereas on the other islands, Moluccan Flying Fox P. chrysoproctus is another option.
Indo-Pacific Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops aduncus: Relatively small numbers when seawatching
off Buru, between Ambon and Haruku, and during the crossing from Seram to Ambon.
REPTILES
Pacific Blue-tailed Skink Emoia caeruleocauda: This widespread species was photographed on Kai
Besar.
Tockay Gecko Gekko gecko: Heard on Yamdena.
Lined Gecko Gekko vittatus: A couple of these stripe-backed large geckos were photographed on the
old wooden building at the lower edge of Manusela NP, Seram.
‘Buru’ Gliding-lizard Draco bourouniensis: One along the Wamlana Logging Road, Buru. A recent
split in the Draco lineatus complex, which is endemic to Buru, and perhaps also Ambon
and Seram.
22 Birdquest: Remote Eastern Indonesia 2010