Banda Sea Cruise

8th – 26th October 2018

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: Neil Bostock, Richard Clifford, Mike & Denise Coverdale, Mark Harper,
Andy Marshall, Dale & Helen Middleton, Simon Roddis and Matthew Wallace

Damar Flycatcher © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

The 4,000km long Indonesian archipelago, stretching east to west across three time zones, is host to more
than 300 endemic birds. With more than 18,000 islands, it is almost impossible to see all of those endemics,
and a considerable number are amongst the most difficult species on earth to see because they inhabit remote
islands where there are no airports and boat travel is both slow and unpredictable. Nowhere is this truer than
amongst the mainly volcanic islands that form the eastern arc of the Lesser Sunda islands. Indeed, whilst the
larger, species-rich Lesser Sunda islands of Flores, Sumba and Timor are easy to get to and are visited by
birders annually, the remote islands of Tanahjampea, Wetar, Alor, Pantar and a series of even smaller islands in
the Banda Sea including Damar, Pantar and Babar have been visited by almost no birders, and their fauna and
flora is only known through a limited amount of collecting that took place more than 100 years ago. Visiting
these islands by means of public transport would be a seriously difficult undertaking, requiring many months of
rough and uncomfortable travel. In 2011 however, Birdtour Asia pioneered a tour to the most ornithologically
interesting of these islands, and this year’s Banda Sea Cruise was the sixth such tour. The Banda Sea Cruise
provides a unique opportunity to look for the endemic birds of this region whilst living aboard our extremely
comfortable private ship designed specifically for touring the remotest islands of Indonesia and catering
exclusively for special-interest groups such as ours, in addition to divers seeking undisturbed coral reefs. Using
the ships speedboats, we were able to reach even remote pristine beaches where virtually no foreigner has ever
set foot (apart from our previous trips, of course!).
Given that many distinctive taxa in Wallacea are undoubtedly going to be split into newly recognized species in
the near future, this tour has been designed to not only include all the known endemics but also to seek out
likely ‘armchair ticks’. Hence the itinerary evolved to include Tanahjampea, Kalao, Kalaotoa, Pantar, Alor,
Wetar, Leti, Damar and Babar, and finishes on the rather more developed and better-known island of Yamdena,
in the Tanimbar Islands, at the far eastern end of the Lesser Sunda chain.
On our cruise this year, we sailed through the Flores and Banda Seas in calm waters daily, with very pleasant
birding, and a complete lack of hiccups even with the complex logistics involved. The stand-out highlights
include Tanahjampea Monarch, Tanahjampea and Kalao Jungle-flycatchers, Flores Sea Cuckoo Dove, Alor
Boobook, ‘Alor Myzomela’, several Wetar Ground Dove, Timor Imperial Pigeon, Iris Lorikeet, Kisar Friarbird,
Damar Flycatcher, all the Tanimbar endemics and Australasian Masked Owl.

Our intrepid group of travellers all converged from the UK to the popular holiday island of Bali. From Bali airport
a surprisingly punctual flight across to the not-so-sleepy port town of Labuanbajo, in western Flores saw us
gather on-board our wonderful yacht, the Lady Denok, our home for the next 14 nights as we traversed the
southern and eastern part of the archipelago. After the usual settling in, we set sail after lunch, heading north
to our first destination of Tanahjampea. As we entered the open seas our first pelagic species began to appear
with good numbers of Red-necked Phalarope, 30+ Bulwer’s Petrels, Streaked Shearwater, Wilson’s Storm-
petrel, several Long-tailed, and a single Arctic Skua, our first Red-footed and Brown Boobies along with our first
Bottlenose Dolphin’s and some feeding Spinner Dolphins, while a Green Turtle also reared its head (and
carapace).

Tanahjampea Monarch and ‘Flores Sea Pitta’

After a full night of sailing we arrived at the southern end of Tanahjampea before dawn. This island, off south
Sulawesi, is part of the five-island Flores Sea island cluster but ornithologically the most enticing as it’s home to
the single-island endemic, Tanahjampea Monarch. The monarch proved numerous, with our first even in the
coastal scrub shortly after putting our shoes on following our first beach landing. We instantly picked up a new
record for the Flores Sea islands too – Pink-necked Green Pigeon. Meeting our cluster of now familiar, trusted
‘guides’, we set off through the scrub, cashew plantations and countryside, enjoying the mix of teysmanni
Sahul Sunbirds, Lemon-bellied White-eyes, Supertramp Fantails, splendidum Red-chested Flowerpecker, Broad-
billed and Island Monarchs and male Tenggara Whistler. A non-responsive cuckoo dove was well compensated
by the appearance of a male ‘Tanahjampea’ Jungle-flycatcher, the first of six which showed well. This will
hopefully soon be elevated as a single-island endemic with another future split. Moving on, it wasn’t much
further when we found a vocal Flores Sea Cuckoo Doves that was soon perched overhead – these guys really
need to learn more about shyness if they want to live into old age. The cuckoo dove was the third, and final
important bird of the morning being endemic to the Flores Sea islands, it was another bird we sound recorded
for the first time on our inaugural cruise, and then published the split from the Bar-necked complex. Not More
than 20 metres further and we found an Elegant Pitta feeding right next to the track, and after a burst of
playback, discovered there were actually four birds right here, with outrageous views soon to follow – the first
time we’ve recorded it on Tanahjampea, this distinctive taxon, virginalis, being endemic to these Flores Sea
islands.

Very happy with our success in seeing all our targets during the first half of the morning, we returned to the
boat and decided to use our extra time to hop over to the island of Kalao, an island that bar a brief cockatoo
survey and our brief stop last year had not been birded since 1895, yet is home to a single endemic taxon. We
walked across the idyllic white beach, after a wonderful snorkeling session, said hello to the same elderly couple
as last year who were now joined by a further three families and went up the trail through the teak plantation.
It wasn’t long before we located the pair of ‘Kalao Jungle-flycatchers’, that we discovered the previous year,
currently subsumed under either Tanahjampea or Mangrove depending on which taxonomic list one follows, and
since its collection in 1985 has only been seen briefly in 2015, and our three pairs in 2017. A distinctive bird,
both vocally and on plumage, with the orange restricted to the lower flanks on the male, and orange extending
up to the breast on the female, they showed really well, as did the second pair that followed shortly after. We
also found several Orange-footed Scrubfowl, obviously not hunted here by judging by their tame manner.
In addition, we also saw another virginalis Elegant Pitta, some Flores Sea Cuckoo Doves, a fruiting tree with
over 100 Grey-cheeked Green Pigeons, a single Elegant Imperial Pigeon and our first Indonesian Kestrels.
Returning to the beach, a pair of Malaysian Plover fed along the tideline, while Denise saw a Great-billed Parrot.
A quite superb first birding day!

Travelling eastwards overnight, we dropped anchor off Kalaotoa ready for a mornings birding – an island we
spent the morning on in 2016, the first birders there since 1993. Opting for a different location to that visit, we
entered via the impressively large jetty that appears equipped for very little given the lack of ladders and
access, built at great expense for this community of less than 10 households. Flores Sea Cuckoo Doves were
common in the coconuts, a clear sign of the lack of hunting here. The avifaunal community is similar to the
yesterdays islands, but the Supertramp Fantail is a different race, shared with nearby Madu island, as is senex
Banda Sea Gerygone, which proved common and conspicuous throughout. We hit slightly higher ground, hoping
for forest but it’s clear Cashew plantations are of greater importance here, with great swathes of recently burnt
land. Tenggara Whistler also appeared occasionally, while our first Little Bronze Cuckoo also appeared. A Grey-
streaked Flycatcher was probably a new island record, while we recorded Elegant Pitta once again.
Unfortunately, it seems that the endemic race of Sunset Lorikeet is confined to the history books. After some
refreshing coconuts, it was back to the boat and the full days sailing down to the Lesser Sundas.

Kalao Jungle-flycatcher and Tanahjampea Jungle-flycatcher

Finally, we managed better sea-watching as we passed East Flores and Lomblen during our mornings cruise
over to Pantar. Proceedings started with a huge, fluking Blue Whale, before notching three single Heinroth’s
Shearwaters – tenth to twelfth record for Asia and Indonesia (and all bar one from our Indonesian cruises!),
then, finally an Aleutian Tern, followed by prolonged views of a really close, smaller Blue Whale. On top of that,
pick of the supporting cast were the 70-or-so Bulwer’s Petrels and three Long-tailed Skua.

The afternoon was spent on Pantar, birding a mix of mangrove, coconut plantation with scrub and sparse
eucalypt. Those that haven’t visited the Lesser Sundas previously had a few additional new birds including
Olive-headed Lorikeet, Indonesian Honeyeater, Flores Spangled Drongo (and who doesn’t love another dodgy
drongo split…) and Black-fronted Flowerpecker but pride of place went to the concinna Elegant Pitta perched
just off the ground for as long as we needed, noting all the plumage differences, and voice, from the previous
days. As dusk fell, the calls of two Alor Boobook began in the distance, and before long we had the first sat
above us in the spotlight, then further along the road, even closer views of a second.

From Pantar it was a relatively short journey to the neighbouring island of Alor where we anchored in the very
early hours of the morning before zipping across to the harbour and winding our way up the increasingly
potholed road into the highlands of the interior. This time all the vehicles almost made it without some of us
having to get out and walk up the steeper sections due to lack of clutch control. Eventually we scaled the ridge
and reached the Eucalyptus forest, and the very first bird we found was our target – ‘Alor Myzomela’, an
undescribed species only known from the highest parts of Alor, and most reminiscent of its Wetar counterpart.
An adult male, occasionally joined by his chum, buzzed around us for a good ten minutes before we continued
on to the next targets. Venturing down into a gulley, a pair of Alor Cuckooshrike appeared on the ridge, before
floating down to inspect us – this taxon, showing no sexual dimorphism and pale throat contrasts markedly with
the other taxa currently subsumed under the ‘Wallacean’ umbrella. A Sunda Grasshopper Warbler was then
lined-up, as it called below us, the only one of the entire day, which eventually ran rings around us, literally,
posing for a few precious seconds on a handful of occasions for most of us, otherwise a lot of mouse-like runs
and short flights were obtained.
From here on, it was a long pondering walk downhill with a hot sun right above us, and quiet birding, but we
managed to eek out a few bits-and-pieces including Sunda Bush Warbler, scoped Black-backed Fruit Dove,
more Black-fronted Flowerpeckers, Olive-headed Lorikeets, Drab Swiftlets, Tenggara Whistler (or Golden, or
Rusty-breasted depending on your taxonomic persuasion!) and Tree Martins. As it was getting really hot and
birdless we pulled the rabbit out the hat, with five Flores Green Pigeons lazing in a tree, digesting, a real bonus
for those that dipped it on Flores. Lunch in town, along with a bit of a siesta as the searing heat was really a bit
too much, with Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Brown Goshawk all appearing overhead, as did a really
distant Flores Hawk Eagle for some.
Birding the lower slopes in the afternoon was much birdier. First, a perched immature Varied Goshawk, then
several ‘Eucalypt Cuckoo Dove’ – an undescribed Macropygia that is currently subsumed within Little Cuckoo
Dove but with radically different vocalisations and more rufous wings, including scopes views (even if the bird
did have 18 branches in front of it!). Flores Green Pigeon appeared once more, a singing male, before we
switched to scanning mode in the late afternoon, eventually locating 10 Critically Endangered Yellow-crested
Cockatoo, still clinging on in their favoured valley, before calling it a day.

Sea-birding across to Wetar was fairly quiet, with just a single Sperm Whale blowing and some more Bulwer’s
Petrel. Pre-lunch we snorkeled off Reong Island, an idyllic island, with Bonelli’s Eagle and our first Pink-headed
Imperial Pigeons present. Carrying on to Wetar, we arrived early enough for an hours birding, Wetar Myzomela
being almost the first bird, showing well in the village-side cashew plantation, before carrying on to a greener
valley, picking up Timor Cuckoo Dove, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Barred Doves and Pacific Emerald Doves
around the village – highlighting the lack of hunting pressure here, and wetting the appetite for the following
day.

Alor Myzomela, Alor and Alor Boobook, Pantar

With all arrangements in place the previous afternoon, we set out well before dawn the next morning,
spotlighting two Wetar Scops Owl in the plantations first thing, and several Tenggara Whistlers found roosting.
As the light broke we entered our intended river valley surrounded by bird sound. We were well prepared for
our walk, much of which was wading along the shallow river as it navigated a deep forest-lined gorge, and far
from being a problem this added to the sense of solitude and adventure in this spectacular setting. Early
morning activity was instant, rewarding and exciting; as we entered the valley Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons
began appearing (we logged over 65 during the day), indeed despite a lack of obvious fruiting ficus pigeons
were abundant, over the course of the day we logged 22 Black-backed Fruit Dove, 20+ Pacific Emerald Dove,
19 Black Cuckoo Dove, nine Timor Cuckoo Doves, two Metallic Pigeon, single Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, close
views of a calling Timor Imperial Pigeon, but the icing on the cake were the eight Wetar Ground Doves. The
latter, the reason for us being here, culminating in three males and three females chasing each other around
and around, and around us, in a mass territorial pursuit, with females knocking each other to the ground just
metres away.
Walking up the gorge over the course of the morning is an exhilarating experience, as we waded up to knee-
deep through our river trail in the crystal-clear stream – where else in the world provides rivers clean enough to
drink at sea-level. Birds were positively abundant, for those of us who have previously birded West Timor, the
contrast couldn’t be more stark, over 20 Wallacean Cuckooshrikes and numerous Timor Spangled Drongo being
two obvious examples compared to possibly seeing a couple over the course of a weeks birding elsewhere. Back
to the endemics, Wetar Figbirds were prominent, as were several Wetar Orioles, still miraculously lumped with
Timor Oriole, Wetar (Crimson-hooded) Myzomela and Black-necklaced Honeyeater, in addition to Timor Leaf
Warbler and four Iris Lorikeet that took the liberty to fly into a bare tree beside us – though too briefly for us
all, fortunately the pair of Jonquil Parrot perched for considerably longer. After lunch in the shaded waterside
we made our way back to the boat, via our first Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher.

With the main birds all seen so well we spent our second day in another area, which was new for us too, getting
higher than usual we had a couple of wonderful birding sessions along the quiet roadside. Pigeon numbers were
insane, and the most notable group of birds during the course of the day, the numbers speak for themselves:
well over 200 Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons, 100+ Black-backed Fruit Doves, over 40 Black Cuckoo Dove, 30
Timor Cuckoo Dove, five Timor Imperial Pigeon (with another 20 heard!) and three Metallic Pigeon. In addition,
Iris Lorikeet was plentiful, including several scope views and of the surprisingly distinctive endemic race, though
despite large numbers of Olive-headed Lorikeet too, we only encountered a single Marigold Lorikeet. Eight
Bonelli’s Eagle over the course of the day highlighted the bounty for them, which likely includes introduced
Common Palm Civet, which we saw several of, and Northern Common Cuscus, which we also spotted.
Passerines were not forgotten in all this either, as Tricoloured Parrotfinch was a common feature throughout the
day, several Orange-banded Thrush appeared, and were a constant background song, in addition to all the
birds familiar to us from the previous day. To round off our time on Wetar, post-dusk night-birding resulted in
point-blank Wetar Scops Owl views once again, with three birds easily seen, and on our way back, we finally
spotlit Timor Nightjar, the vocally distinct ‘large-tailed nightjar’ that is restricted to Wetar and Timor, fluttering
for a short while in the spotlight before perching rather distantly for a slightly longer period before vanishing in
the woodland.

Timor Imperial Pigeon and Wetar Ground Dove, Wetar

It was time to continue to the east, to the string of small volcanic islands that lie in the Banda Sea. First up was
Leti, and what must be one of the hottest islands in Indonesia. After another snorkelling session for some, we
waited and waited till the edge had just been taken off the heat before making our way ashore to the friendly
village. It was an incredibly productive couple of hours in the sparse, degraded vegetation, picking up every
one of our potential targets with relative ease. Leti is one of three islands that host the Kisar Friarbird –
perhaps the country’s least inspiring endemic, but one of the most range-restricted and seldom-seen, and we
saw several of these jumping about their favoured Lontar Palms. Banda Sea Fantail, found on just a handful of
these islands was also conspicuous as well as the Supertramp Fantail that switched to elegantula, very different
in appearance from other races with its bright rufous upperparts and pale forecrown, but typically inquisitive.
Little Bronze Cuckoos appeared, being chased away by their host, Banda Sea Gerygone, and the race in the
Banda Sea islands was once considered a separate species, though differs little in retrospect. A vocal and
confiding Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher was also in the same tree, here with a broader supercilium than Wetar.
A male compar Fawn-breasted Whistler was next, a species which has has an interesting history – currently
regarded as just a hen-plumaged ‘Golden Whistler’ by most checklists, but also split as ‘Banda Sea Whistler’ by
Birdlife/HBW Alive. Genetics (and vocalisations) however demonstrate it to be more closely related to Fawn-
breasted Whistler from Wetar and Timor, unsurprisingly given the species appears larger and bigger-billed in
the absence of ‘Golden-types’ on Rote too. Migration was also noted, with Pacific Swifts passing overhead and a
flock of Oriental Plover flying past. As dusk descended on us several Savanna Nightjar began to call, with some
hawking around us, before the Banda Sea endemic race of Southern Boobook appeared within seconds of
trying, which unfortunately sounds and looks just like they do down under!
Another long sailing session towards Damar after dinner and through the following morning took us via a small
uninhabited island, Terbang Selatan, for some sensational snorkelling along a pristine coral reef that still
contains a never-ending list of fish of all colours, shapes and sizes, including Napoleon Wrasse over 150cm in
length. Four Ospreys, five White-bellied Fish Eagles and an Australian Pelican soared the skies for us staying
above the water too.
Shaped like a dinosaur’s head, with a steaming fumarole emitting discrete clouds of sulphur through a
hypothetical nostril, the island of Damar is about as exciting as it gets on the frontiers of Indonesian
ornithological history. For it is this island that hosts the endemic Damar Flycatcher, collected in 1898 but then
unseen until 2001, when Colin Trainor reached the island. Since then, only our Banda Sea Cruises have visited
Damar to see the bird – possibly the most remote island in terms of distance in the archipelago from a major
port and town, and thus as it came into view and we entered the dinosaur’s mouth it was with considerable
excitement. All too predictably, a couple of boat loads of lads from the Christian village on the north side of the
bay came over to inspect us, in their hope of obtaining some freebies, either cigarettes or alcohol, they weren’t
too fussed!

Southern Boobook, Leti and Southern Boobook, Babar

The hike up towards the islands interior takes one first through coconuts plantations, slash-and-burn forest,
and eventually into native forest, with wild nutmug, a lucrative cashcrop for the islanders. As soon as we hit the
forest, we heard the faint twinkle of song we were in deep anticipation to hear – Damar Flycatcher. A typically
furtive forest denizen, he soon appeared out of the shadows, singing from an open branch for us all to clap
eyes on. In the shade the bird appears rather black and non-descript but once a glint of sunlight hits, the
midnight-blue sheen the birds underparts can be seen to be littered in tiny white arrows. Satisfied, some
decided to escape the heat and enjoy the pleasantries of the boat for the afternoon while the rest of us
continued up and over the saddle into a larger expanse of forest. On the way up, Olive-headed Lorikeet dashed
overhead, our first Wallacean Whistler appeared, pair of Cinnamon-banded Kingfishers sat quietly, and a Timor
Cuckoo Dove also floated into view. Once inside the forest, the song of Golden Whistler was immediately heard,
with several calling before we located a male. The endemic taxon here, dammariana is a curious one, with
genetics pointing to it being a relict population of the Golden Whistler complex from Australia – the only one in
Asia. Another Damar Flycatcher came into view, before we headed back to the slope in the increasing heat
vying with Leti for the hottest island of the trip, via a white-tailed ottensis Black-backed Fruit Dove. Back on the
boat we toasted our success in seeing one of the most inaccessible birds on earth, and certainly high on all our
most-wanted lists, and bid farewell to the island as we headed off southeast to Babar.

We anchored off Babar in the early hours, perfect timing so that after breakfast we were back on terra-firma.
Several species are noticeably more obliging on Babar than any other island, presumably thanks to low-levels
of hunting of smaller birds and we had a really great morning of general birding. Even just a walk around town,
peering into people’s gardens we found a large flock of over 60 obliging Tricoloured Parrotfinch, the first of
many Banda Myzomela, a ridiculously obliging Orange-banded Thrush singing in a bare tree and a calling
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher. Along a mango tree-lined track, the first of several Cinnamon-tailed Fantail
appeared, the birds on Babar being vocally distinct from Tanimbar, hence an undescribed taxon present on the
island and yet another little-known taxon on this tour that requires further study. More thrushes, parrotfinches,
Little Bronze Cuckoo and fantails followed, before a splash of gaudiness was added with several Wallace’s Fruit
Doves found, with considerably poorer views of Banda Sea Monarch. Moving on to a lush, green gulley a vigorsii
Elegant Pitta was spotted on the rocks by the stream, holding out long enough for us all to get a view before
hopping off into the undergrowth. It was here that we found Babar Whistler, singing and displaying around us,
with females cock-tailed and bill upright in display. We then had a Timor Stubtail, a bird we surprisingly missed
on Wetar, come over and give us great views as he hopped about on a log just in front of us, while Banda Sea
Monarches performed better this time around.

Back out in the late afternoon, we birded the small patch of native, taller forest left near to town. Again, very
pleasant birding with excellent views of an array of species, including a fruiting tree containing several Black-
backed and Rose-crowned Fruit Doves, salvadorii Red-chested Flowerpecker, vocal Brown Goshawk at its usual
territory, and finishing the diurnal birding with excellent views of two Banda Sea Monarch gleaning nuthatch-
esque from the branches. Shortly after darkness we spotlit the goshawk roosting, and after a while soon had
the endemic taxon, cinnamomina, of Southern Boobook lit up on a low branch. A short drive further resulted in
excellent perched views of a couple of Barn Owl too.

The sea-crossing over to Tanimbar didn’t quite hit expectations but we still picked up a few bits. In the early
part, dolphins were prominent, including both Spinner and Pantropical Spotted. A small, logging cetacean
appeared to be a Pygmy Sperm Whale, but once on the open sea, the cetaceans disappeared. Red-tailed
Tropicbirds appeared, four in total, and we also had a Tahiti Petrel sat on the water.
We anchored off a small islet close to Yamdena, part of the Tanimbars in the evening, for one final feast on-
board our fine liveaboard.

Fawn-breasted Thrush and Slaty-backed Thrush, Tanimbars

Waking to yet another stunning sunrise, we cruised up to a tiny islet of scrub and Casuarina trees. As we
arrived we were welcomed by the resident Beach Thick-knees and Pied Oystercatcher (the latter a bit of an
Asian mega!), and loads of Pied Imperial Pigeons coming-and-going. After devising a cunning plan to search for
Tanimbar’s most difficult endemic, Tanimbar Scrubfowl, a bird we had found previously on the island, we got to
work. Expecting it to take some time, and allowing the full morning for the bird, it was nice to have a bird
perched up in a Casurina, in perfect light in the Swarovski ‘scope for a good 15 minutes. Tanimbars most
difficult endemic was our first under-the-belt. Among the throng of Pied Imps, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon
occasionally popped up, and our first Tanimbar Cuckoo Dove also appeared.

Heading towards Saumlaki, we stopped by a lone rocky outcrop, where Brown Boobies and Black-naped Terns
manage to breed despite the harvesting by fishermen (or likely they no longer breed given the lack of non-
adults) Spectacular views of the nesting birds here, along with Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds and one final
snorkelling session before it was time to say our goodbyes to the staff of the Lady Denok, whom couldn’t have
been more helpful and friendly, and set foot inside an actual hotel – out base for the next four nights, but first,
before the endemics came calling we paid a visit to the store selling Magnums ice creams!

With three full days on Tanimbar we had plenty of time to see the endemics. This was especially so when within
half an hour of our late afternoons birding after arrival we were watching a Fawn-breasted Thrush feeding just
in front of us on a track, the second of three difficult Tanimbar endemics. We picked off a few specialities in our
first couple hours – Tanimbar Triller and Oriole, Salvadori’s Flowerpecker, more Wallace’s Fruit Doves, three
Pied Bronze Cuckoos chasing each other, before finishing with a pair of Tanimbar Boobook grumbling above us.
It took us till mid-way through the second morning to complete the endemic set, with that accolade falling to
Tanimbar Bush Warbler, which kept reappearing while we enjoyed yet more Tanimbar Flycatchers and the
gorgous, sweet-singing Slaty-backed Thrush. Seeing all the endemic taxa took a little longer, and we finished
that on our third morning with the much sombre looking Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher. The endemics all
performed much as expected, though multiple views of several Fawn-breasted Thrush were noteworthy, close
views of Blue-streaked Lory in a fruiting tree, while Tanimbar Cockatoos were obviously breeding – with just
lone birds being seen throughout. Of the non-endemic highlights, vigorsii Elegant Pitta gave ridiculously
prolonged, close views, Tawny Grassbird was numerous, Great-billed Parrot showed several times, though
Torresian Crow and Eclectus Parrot just appeared once each, while we needed just three minutes from kick-off
for an Australasian Masked Owl to appear in the spotlight, peering down at us. Over by the airport, 32 Oriental
Plover and six Little Curlew were the highlights in a real Orient meets Australia as we encountered both Oriental
and Australian Pratincoles, along with three Masked Lapwing. On the nearby lake, that is unfortunately being
developed now, Spotted Whistling Ducks, Rajah Shelduck, Green Pygmy Goose and Hardhead fronted the
ducks, while 30 Eurasian Coot could be an Indonesian record (!).

Our time on Tanimbar brought this amazing adventure to a close and as we left the newly-constructed airport
(the control tower remains the same shell as in 2014!) we flew firstly to Ambon, and for those braving the
midday heat, Seram (Ashy) Flowerpecker and Black Sunbird, and continued onwards to the sprawling
metropolis of Jakarta for our onward travels home and a final dinner and toast to the fantastic memories of our
travels to some of the most remote islands in all of the Indonesian Archipelago.

Bird-of-the-tour

1: Damar Flycatcher
2: Slaty-backed Thrush
3: Wetar Ground Dove
4: Blue-streaked Lory
5: Elegant Pitta

Tanahjampea Monarch, juvenile, and Lemon-bellied White-eye, Tanahjampea

female Kalao Jungle-flycatcher and Flores Sea Cuckoo Dove

 Malaysian Plover, Kalao and ‘Flores Sea Pitta’, Tanahjampea

celebensis Supertramp Fantail and mimosae Supertramp Fantail

Banda Sea Gerygone, Kalaotoa and Broad-billed Monarch, Kalao

Alor Cuckooshrike and Flores Green Pigeon, Alor

Timor Cuckoo Dove and Black Cuckoo Dove, Wetar

Drab Swiftlet and Timor Fantail, Wetar

Iris Lorikeet and female Wetar Ground Dove, Wetar

Little Bronze Cuckoo and Banda Sea Fantail, Leti

Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher and Kisar Friarbird, Leti

Black-backed Fruit Dove, Damar and compar Fawn-breasted Whistler, Leti

vigorsii Elegant Pitta, Tanimbars and Wetar Scops Owl, Wetar

Banda Myzomela and Tricoloured Parrotfinch, Babar

 Babar Whistler, female and male, Babar

Timor Stubtail, Babar and Orange-banded Thrush, Babar

Supertramp Fantail, Babar and Cinnamon-tailed Fantail, Babar

Little Bronze Cuckoo, Babar and Beach Thick-knee, Tanimbars

Banda Honeyeater and Moluccan Whistler, Tanimbars

Tanimbar Boobook and Australasian Masked Owl, Tanimbars

 Blue-streaked Lory and Tanimbar Cockatoo, Tanimbars

Metallic Starlings and Tanimbar Spangled Drongo, Tanimbars

Whiskered Terns and Rajah Shelduck, Tanimbars

Wood Sandpiper and Australian Pratincole, Tanimbars

Oriental Plover and Little Curlew, Tanimbars

Charming Fantail and Shining Monarch, Tanimbars

 Wallace’s Fruit Dove and Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Tanimbars

Tanimbar Bush Warbler and Tanimbar Friarbird

Pied Bronze Cuckoo and Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Tanimbars

Seram Flowerpecker, Ambon and Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

Spinner Dolphin and Indo-Pacific Bottle-nose Dolphin

Long-tailed Skua and Red-necked Phalarope

Blue Whale, off Lomblen © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

Our liveaboard, Lady Denok © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

Uplands of Wetar © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

 Damar © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

Kalao © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

Pristine Gorge on Wetar © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia

 Reef while snorkelling © Richard Clifford

Reef while snorkelling © Richard Clifford

Systematic List

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata
Spotted Whistling Duck Dendrocygna guttata
Green Pygmy Goose Nettapus pulchellus
Rajah Shelduck Tadorna radjah
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
Hardhead Aythya australis

GALLIFORMES: Megapodiidae
Tanimbar Scrubfowl Megapodius tenimberensis
Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt reinwardt

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora raaltenii
Blue-breasted Quail Synoicus chinensis lineatulus
Green Junglefowl Gallus varius heard only
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Introduced

PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis tricolor
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus n. novaehollandiae

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis metallica
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina
Timor Cuckoo Dove Macropygia magna
Tanimbar Cuckoo Dove Macropygia timorlaoensis
Flores Sea Cuckoo Dove Macropygia macassariensis longa
Eucalypt Cuckoo Dove Macropygia sp nov.
Black Cuckoo Dove Turacoena modesta
Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica
Pacific Emerald Dove Chalcophaps longirostris timorensis
Barred Dove Geopelia maugei
Wetar Ground Dove Gallicolumba hoedtii
Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans
Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon Treron griseicauda
Flores Green Pigeon Treron floris
Black-backed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus cinctus cinctus
Ptilinopus cinctus everetti
Ptilinopus cinctus ottonis
Wallace's Fruit Dove Ptilinopus wallacii
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina xanthogaster
Ptilinopus regina roseipileum
Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanospilus melanauchen
Elegant Imperial Pigeon Ducula concinna
Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rosacea
Timor Imperial Pigeon Ducula cineracea
Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
Australian Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus variolosus
Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus jungei
Chrysococcyx minutillus salvadorii
Chrysococcyx minutillus rufomerus
Pied Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx crassirostris
Pacific Koel Eudynamys cyanocephalus picatus
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus malayanus
Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis javanicus

APODIFORMES: Apodidae
White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta esculenta
Collocalia esculenta minuta
Drab Swiftlet Collocalia neglecta perneglecta
Tenggara Swiftlet Collocalia sumbawa sumbawa
Linchi Swiftlet Collocalia linchi linchi
Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis moluccarum
Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus fuciphagus
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
House Swift Apus nipalensis

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegelii heard only
'Timor Nightjar' Caprimulgus [macrurus] sp nov.
Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus leucomelanus heard only
White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinerea cinerea
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio samoensis
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra australis

CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae
Beach Thick-knee Esacus magnirostris

CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae
Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Haematopodidae
Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles miles
Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii
Malaysian Plover Anarhynchus peronii
Oriental Plover Anarhynchus veredus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis
Little Curlew Numenius minutus
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae
Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella
Oriental Pratincole Stiltia maldivarum

CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus
Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus anaethetus
Aleutian Tern Onychoprion aleuticus
Little Tern Sternula albifrons sinensis
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana
Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis
Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

CHARADRIIFORMES: Stercorariidae
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus

PHAETHONTIFORMES: Phaethontidae
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Procellariidae
Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata
Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas
Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica
Heinroth's Shearwater Puffinus heinrothi

PROCELLARIIFORMES: Oceanitidae
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
SULIFORMES: Sulidae
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster plotus
Red-footed Booby Sula sula rubripes

SULIFORMES: Fregatidae
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel

SULIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae
Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea manilensis
Eastern Great Egret Ardea [albus] modestus
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia plumifera
Cattle Egret Ardea ibis coromandus
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Little Egret Egretta garzetta nigripes
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra sacra
Pied Heron Egretta picata
Javan Pond-Heron Ardeola speciosa
Striated Heron Butorides striata javanicus
Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus hilli

PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus hypoleucos
Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata timorlaoensis
Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis
Flores Hawk Eagle Niseatus floris
Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata renschi
White-bellied Fish Eagle Icthyophaga leucogaster
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus intermedius
Varied Goshawk Tachyspiza hiogaster polionotus
Tachyspiza hiogaster sylvestris
Brown Goshawk Tachyspiza fasciatus stresemanni
Tachyspiza fasciatus wallacii
Chinese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza soloensis

STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae
Australasian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae sororcula
Barn Owl Tyto alba delicatula

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
Wetar Scops Owl Otus [magicus] tempestatis
Tanimbar Boobook Ninox [squamipila] forbesi
Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae cinnamomina
Ninox novaeseelandiae moae
Alor Boobook Ninox [novaeseelandiae] plesseni

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis floresiana
Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus ruficollaris
Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa rufidorsa
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris chloris
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Todiramphus australasia australasia
Todiramphus australasia interpositus
Todiramphus australasia dammeriana
Todiramphus australasia odites
Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus sanctus

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae
Common Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis orientalis

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
Indonesian Kestrel Falco moluccensis microbalia

PSITTACIFORMES: Cacatuidae
Tanimbar Cockatoo Cacatua goffiniana
Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea occidentalis

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae
Blue-streaked Lory Eos reticulata
Marigold Lorikeet Trichoglossus capistratus flavotectus
Olive-headed Lorikeet Trichoglossus euteles
Iris Lorikeet Psitteuteles iris wetterensis
Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi geoffroyi
Geoffroyus geoffroyi timorlaoensis
Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorynchos megalorynchos
Tanygnathus megalorynchos subaffinis
Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus riedeli
Jonquil Parrot Aprosmictus jonquillaceus wetterensis

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae
Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans concinna
Pitta elegans virginalis
Pitta elegans vigorsii

PASSERIFORMES: Meliphagidae
Indonesian Honeyeater Lichmera limbata
Banda (White-tufted) Honeyeater Lichmera squamata
Black-necklaced Honeyeater Lichmera notabilis
Wetar Myzomela Myzomela kuehni
Alor Myzomela Myzomela sp nov.
Sulawesi Myzomela Myzomela chloroptera juga
Banda Myzomela Myzomela boiei annabellae
Kisar Friarbird Philemon kisserensis
Tanimbar Friarbird Philemon [moluccensis] plumigenis
Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides neglectus
Philemon buceroides buceroides

PASSERIFORMES: Pardalotidae
Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea
Timor (Plain) Gerygone Gerygone inornata
Banda Sea (Rufous-sided) Gerygone Gerygone dorsalis dorsalis
Gerygone dorsalis senex
Gerygone dorsalis kuehni
Gerygone dorsalis fulvescens

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
Wetar Oriole Oriolus [melanotis] finschi
Tanimbar Oriole Oriolus [bouroensis] decipiens
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis boneratensis
Oriolus chinensis broderipii
Wetar Figbird Sphecotheres hypoleucus

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis dammeriana
Moluccan (Golden) Whistler Pachycephala macrorhyncha fuscoflava
Tenggara (Golden) Whistler Pachycephala calliope arthuri
Pachycephala calliope everetti
Pachycephala calliope fulvotincta
Babar (Golden) Whistler Pachycephala [pectoralis] sharpei
Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala orpheus orpheus
Pachycephala orpheus compar
Wallacean Whistler Pachycephala arctitorquis kebirensis
Pachycephala arctitorquis arctitorquis

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus albiventer
Artamus leucorynchus musschenbroeki

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae
Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata personata
Coracina personata unimodus
Alor (Wallacean) Cuckooshrike Coracina [personata] alfrediana
Lesueur's (White-shouldered) Triller Lalage sueurii
Tanimbar Triller Lalage [atrovirens] moesta

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae
Charming (Long-tailed) Fantail Rhipidura opistherythra
Supertramp (Arafura) Fantail Rhipidura semicollaris semicollaris
Rhipidura semicollaris mimosae
Rhipidura semicollaris reichenowi
Rhipidura semicollaris elegantula
Rhipidura semicollaris hamadryas
Rhipidura semicollaris celebensis
Cinnamon-tailed Fantail Rhipidura fuscorufa
Timor (Northern) Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris pallidiceps
Banda Sea (Northern) Fantail Rhipidura [rufiventris] hoedti

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
Flores Spangled Drongo Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis
Timor Spangled Drongo Dicrurus [densus] densus
Tanimbar Spangled Drongo Dicrurus [densus] kuehni

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea prohata
Broad-billed Monarch Myiagra ruficollis ruficollis
Myiagra ruficollis fulviventris
Shining Monarch Myiagra alecto longirostris
Moluccan Monarch Myiagra galeata goramensis
Tanahjampea Monarch Symposiachrus everetti
Wallacean (Spectacled) Monarch Symposiachrus trivirgatus trivirgatus
Island Monarch Monarcha cinerascens cinerascens
Tanimbar (White-naped) Monarch Carterornis castus
Banda Sea Monarch Symposiachrus mundus

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach bentet

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
Southern Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Torresian Crow Corvus orru latirostris

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus cinereus

PASSERIFORMES: Petroicidae
Tanimbar Flyrobin Microeca hemixantha

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica javanica
Daurian (Striated) Swallow Cecropis daurica striolata
Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans timoriensis
Petrochelidon nigricans nigricans

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster heard only
Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus analis

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae
Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris intermedius
Ashy-bellied White-eye Zosterops citrinella harterti
Zosterops citrinella albiventris

PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae
Timor Leaf Warbler Seicercus presbytes presbytes
Sunda (Yellow-breasted) Warbler Seicercus [montis] grammiceps ssp heard only
 unknown

PASSERIFORMES: Cettiidae
Timor Stubtail Urosphena subulata subulata heard only
Urosphena subulata advena
Tanimbar Bush Warbler Horornis carolinae
Sunda Bush Warbler Horornis vulcanius kolichisi

PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae
Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis [ssp. Yamdena]
Sunda Grasshopper Warbler Locustella montis timorensis

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis constans
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis lineocapilla heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica circumscripta
Aplonis metallica metallica
Tanimbar Starling Aplonis crassa
Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor
Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
Fawn-breasted Thrush Zoothera machiki
Slaty-backed Thrush Geokichla schistacea
Orange-banded Thrush Geokichla peronii audacis

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta
Tanahjampea Jungle-flycatcher Cyornis djampeanus djampeanus
'Kalao Jungle-flycatcher' Cyornis djampeanus kalaoensis
Timor Warbling-flycatcher Euymias hyacinthinus kuehni
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni
Tanimbar Flycatcher Ficedula [dumetoria] riedeli
Damar Flycatcher Ficedula henrici
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata fruticola
Saxicola caprata pyrrhonota
Saxicola caprata cognata

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae
Black-fronted Flowerpecker Dicaeum igniferum
Red-chested Flowerpecker Dicaeum maugei maugei
Dicaeum maugei salvadorii
Dicaeum maugei splendidum
Seram (Ashy) Flowerpecker Dicaeum vulneratum
Salvadori's Flowerpecker Dicaeum keiense fulgidum

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
Ornate (Olive-backed) Sunbird Cinnyris ornatus ornatus
Sahul (Olive-backed) Sunbird Cinnyris clementiae teysmanni
Cinnyris clementiae clementiae
Flame-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris solaris solaris
Cinnyris solaris exquisita

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae
Sunda Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata guttata
Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor
Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata blasii
Five-colored Munia Lonchura quinticolor
Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca jagori Introduced
Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus malaccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis
Motacilla tschutschensis taivana
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea cinerea
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus medius

MAMMALS
Northern Common Cuscus Phalanger orientalis Introduced
Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Introduced
Grey Flying Fox Pteropus griseus (Wetar, Alor, Babar)
Black-bearded Flying Fox Pteropus melanopogon (Tanimbar)
Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis Introduced
Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus
Short-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
Spinner Dolphin Stenella longirostris roseiventris
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Stenella attenuata
Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops aduncus
Risso's Dolphin Grampus griseus

Fish
Striped Catfish Plotosus lineatus
Flyingfish spp.
Needlefish sp(p).
Blotcheye Soldierfish Myripristis murdjan
Violet Soldierfish Myripristis violacea
Whitetip Soldierfish Myripristis vittata
Tailspot Squirrelfish Sargocentron caudimaculatum
Giant Squirrelfish Sargocentron spiniferum
Trumpetfish Aulostomus chinensis
Tassled Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis argus
Flagtail Grouper Cephalopholis urodeta
Tomato Grouper Cephalopholis sonnerati
Honeycomb Grouper Epinephelus merra
(Brown-marbled) Grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
Blacktip Grouper Epinephelus fasciatus
Halfmoon Grouper Epinephelus rivulatus
Blacksaddle Coral Grouper Plectropomus laevis
Redfin Anthias Pseudanthias dispar
Scalefin Anthias Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Red-cheeked Anthias Pseudanthias huchti
Firetail Dottyback Labracinus cyclopthalmus
(Crescent-tail) Bigeye Priacanthus (hamrur)
Bluefin Trevally Caranx melampygus
Blue Blanquillo Malacanthus latovittatus
Longspot Snapper Lutjanus fulviflamma
Twospot Snapper Lutjanus biguttatus
Red Snapper Lutjanus bohar (subadult form)
Checkered Snapper Lutjanus decussatus
Black-banded Snapper Lutjanus semicinctus
(Pinjalo) Snapper Pinjalo (pinjalo)
Midnight Snapper Macolor macularis (adult to juvenile forms)
Diagonal-banded Sweetlips Plectorinchus lineatus
Striped Sweetlips Plectorinchus lessonii
Yellowtail Fusilier Caesio cuning
Lunar Fusilier Caesio lunaris
Blue and Gold Fusilier Caesio caerulaurea
Yellowback Fusilier Caesio xanthonota
Bridled Monocle Bream Scolopsis bilineata (adult, juvenile forms)
Doublebar Goatfish Parupeneus crassilabris
Manybar Goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus
Yellowfin Goatfish Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
Vanikoro Sweeper Pempheris vanicolensis
Topsail Chub Kyphosus cinerascens
Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabundus
Threadfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon auriga
Chevroned Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifascialis
Panda Butterflyfish Chaetodon adiergastos
Black-backed Butterflyfish Chaetodon melannotus
Reticulated Butterflyfish Chaetodon reticulatus
Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish Chaetodon baronessa
Redfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunulatus
Teardrop Butterflyfish Chaetodon unimaculatus
Oval-spot Butterflyfish Chaetodon speculum
Raccoon Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula
Brown Butterflyfish Chaetodon kleinii
Latticed Butterflyfish Chaetodon rafflesi
Speckled Butterflyfish Chaetodon citrinellus
Meyer's Butterflyfish Chaetodon meyeri
Ornate Butterflyfish Chaetodon ornatissimus
Saddled Butterflyfish Chaetodon ephippium
Double-saddle Butterflyfish Chaetodon ulietensis
Pyramid Butterflyfish Hemitaurichthys polylepis
Pennant Bannerfish Heniochus chrysostomus
Humphead Bannerfish Heniochus varius
Longnose Butterflyfish Forcipiger flavissimus
Big Longnose Butterflyfish Forcipiger longirostris
Three-spot Angelfish Apolemichthys trimaculatus
Pearl-scaled Angelfish Centropyge vroliki
Regal Angelfish Pygoplites diacanthus
Blue-girdled Angelfish Pomacanthus navarchus
Semicircle Angelfish Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Indo-Pacific Seargeant-Major Abudefduf vaigiensis
Scissortail Seargeant-Major Abudefduf sexfasciatus
Staghorn Damselfish Amblyglyphidodon curacao
Azure Damselfish Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Reticulated Damselfish Dascyllus reticulatus
Lagoon Damselfish Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon
Humbug Damselfish Dascyllus aruanus
Domino Damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus (juvenile)
Blackvent Damselfish Dischistodus melanotus
Blackbar Damselfish Plectroglyphidodon dickii
Blue-green Chromis Chromis viridis
Black-axil Chromis Chromis atripectoralis
Bicolour Chromis Chromis margaritifer
Ambon Chromis Chromis amboinensis
Spiny Chromis Acanthochromis polyacanthus
Lemon Damselfish Pomacentrus moluccensis
Scaly Damselfish Pomacentrus lepidogenys
Goldbelly Damselfish Pomacentrus auriventris
Chinese Demoiselle Neopomacentrus bankieri
Pink Anemonefish Amphiprion perideraion
Clark's Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii
Red and Black Anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus
Freckled Hawkfish Paracirrhites forsteri
Pixy Hawkfish Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
Squaretail Mullet Ellochelon vaigiensis
Barracuda sp.
Red-breasted Wrasse Cheilinus fasciatus
Tripletail Wrasse Cheilinus trilobatus
Humphead Wrasse Cheilinus undulatus (Napoleonfish)
Slingjaw Wrasse Epibulus insidiator (two forms)
Pacific Bird Wrasse Gomphosus varius (adult, subadult forms)
Thick-lipped Wrasse Hemigymnus melapterus
Checkerboard Wrasse Halichoeres hortulanus
Dusky Wrasse Halichoeres marginatus
Crescent Wrasse Thalassoma lunare
Sixbar Wrasse Thalassoma hardwicke
Bluntheaded Wrasse Thalassoma amblycephalum (two forms)
Jansen's Wrasse Thalassoma jansenii
Surge Wrasse Thalassoma purpureum
Sixstripe Wrasse Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
(Cockerel) Wrasse Pteragogus (enneacanthus)
Axilspot Hogfish Bodianus axillaris
Blackbelt Hogfish Bodianus mesothorax
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (adult, juvenile forms)
Black Spot Cleaner Wrasse Labroides pectoralis
Fourline Wrasse Stethojulis trilineata
Yellow-barred Parrotfish Scarus dimidiatus
Darkcapped Parrotfish Scarus oviceps
Palenose Parrotfish Scarus psittacus
Surf Parrotfish Scarus rivulatus
Greensnout Parrotfish Scarus spinus
Redlip Parrotfish Scarus rubroviolaceus (female)
 Tricolour Parrotfish Scarus tricolor (male, female)
Steephead Parrotfish Scarus microrhinos
Spotted Parrotfish Cetoscarus ocellatus (male, female)
Sandperch sp(p). Parapercis
(Seram) Blenny Salarias (ceramensis)
Fire Dartfish Nemateleotris magnifica
Twotone Dartfish Ptereleotris evides
Moorish Idol Zanclus cornutus
Foxface Rabbitfish Siganus vulpinus
Masked Rabbitfish Siganus puellus
Virgate Rabbitfish Siganus virgatus
Barred Rabbitfish Siganus doliatus
Scribbled Rabbitfish Siganus spinus
Lined Rabbitfish Siganus lineatus
Golden Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus
Striped Surgeonfish Acanthurus lineatus
Ringtail Surgeonfish Acanthurus auranticavus
Whitecheek Surgeonfish Acanthurus nigricans
Convict Surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus
Mimic Surgeonfish Acanthurus pyroferus
Palette Surgeonfish Paracanthurus hepatus
Brushtail Tang Zebrasoma scopas
Lined Bristletooth Ctenochaetus striatus
Paletail Unicornfish Naso brevirostris
Whitemargin Unicornfish Naso annulatus
Bignose Unicornfish Naso vlamingii
Orangespine Unicornfish Naso lituratus
Indo-Pacific Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus
Tuna sp(p).
Titan Triggerfish Balistoides viridescens
Clown Triggerfish Balistoides conspicillum
Orange-lined Triggerfish Balistapus undulatus
Gilded Triggerfish Xanthichthys auromarginatus
Black Triggerfish Melichthys niger
Pinktail Triggerfish Melichthys vidua
Redtooth Triggerfish Odonus niger
Spotted Boxfish Ostracion meleagris
Blackspotted Pufferfish Arothron nigropunctatus
Porcupinefish sp.

We recorded 257 bird species, including seven heard only

Sunset off the Tanimbars © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia