On a tour built around two scops owls, this one, the cute Simeulue Scops Owl, came out as our -of-the-trip! (Pete Morris)

REMOTE SUMATRA EXPEDITION

30 JUNE – 15 JULY 2014

LEADER: PETE MORRIS

This tour was initially conceived as part of the push to find the ‘final 500’, as Birdquest strive to add to the 10,000+ seen on tours to date. There were not too many on offer, and the logistics to get to them were not completely straightforward, but we thought we’d give it a go anyway! After some careful planning and help- ful backup from agents and friends we were set… at least on paper! To make things a little tougher, the tour was added on to the four week Sumatra tour, and the two, back to back, made for quite an epic adventure! Thankfully, despite the odd hitch, the tour went very well indeed, and we managed to find just about all of the available specialities and new . Specific highlights included sensational views of both Simeulue and Men-

1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com After a little bit of effort, the superb Mentawai Scops Owl granted us some great views (Pete Morris) tawai Scops Owls, great views of the very rare Sumatran Laughingthrush and superb views of the rare Roll’s Partridge, while other great birds included the rarely seen Silvery Pigeon, the superb White-crowned Hornbill and a whole host of potential splits including Mentawai and Simeulue Serpent Eagles, Mentawai Malkoha and Sumatran Mesia to name just a few. And then there were the sensational Sumatran Orangutans and a Sun Bear to add a bit of interest.

Following on from the end of the Sumatra tour, and the post tour extension to Enggano, we once again began the tour by taking a flight back to Padang. On arrival we were informed of our first change of plan as the ferry across to Siberut in the Mentawai Islands had been cancelled due to the start of Ramadan. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as were able to spend a night in a comfortable hotel, before getting up early and jumping on our private speedboat across to Siberut. We arrived mid-morning and checked-in before beginning our explorations of this rather over-exploited little island. With so much destruction and hunting on the island, it was always going to be an uphill battle, and even when exploring further up river by canoe, we never really escaped the impacts of humans. That said, by exploring the fragments we could, we soon found our main targets. The endemic Mentawai Scops Owl was common, and though elusive at first, granted us many great views. Other distinctive island forms here included the excellent Mentawai Malkoha (already rec- ognized as a split from Chestnut-breasted Malkoha by Handbook of Birds of the World/BirdLife International), Thick-billed Green Pigeon (huge bill and no red bill-base here!), and very distinct forms of Ashy and Suma- tran Drongos (both likely splits), while other good birds seen during our exploits in the included Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, great views of the localized Malayan Hawk-Cuckoo, Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove, the rare Large Green Pigeon, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Green Broadbill, Crimson and Copper-throated Sunbirds and Yellow-eared Spi- derhunter. More widespread noted (many of which are represented by endemic ) included

2 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Distinct island forms, such as this tiny and well-marked Mentawai Serpent Eagle, were a feature of the tour (Pete Morris)

Pacific Reef Heron, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Pink-necked Green Pigeons, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey- rumped Treeswift, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Black-naped Monarch, Black-headed and Olive-winged Bulbuls and Ashy Tailorbird. We also managed to see the rare Pig-tailed Langur and Siberut Flying and heard the rare Kloss’s Gibbon. Sadly, local culture dictates that the hunting of primates is an integral part of life on these islands, so we considered ourselves lucky to encounter any primates at all!!

We then took a choppy speedboat across to the rather more civilized island of Sipora. Here, the habitat seemed to be in a better state, and was more easily accessible. Again we saw the endemic birds easily, includ- ing more great views of the Mentawai Scops Owl and Mentawai Malkoha, and we also managed an excellent sighting of the very distinctive Mentawai (Crested) Serpent Eagle. Other interesting encounters included a ju- venile Indian Cuckoo and our first Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. We left Sipora on the overnight ferry, in the luxury of comfortable air-conditioned cabins!

Once back in Padang, we had a fair bit of travel ahead. We flew up to Medan and overnighted in a very com- fortable hotel and feasted in a lavish restaurant, before taking a flight over to Simeulue. Simeulue is a popular island with surfers, and we took advantage of this, staying in a very pleasant surf camp and commuting to and from the birding sites. Again, was rife, though on this island the reason was that much of the native forest was being converted to oil palm plantations! Another ecological catastrophe, but fortunately fragments of habitat remained and these still held the species that we were after! Top of our hit list was the endearing Simeulue Scops Owl, and this cute little owl gave us little trouble, granting us fabulous views! Much of the rest of the time we devoted to finding the rare Silvery Pigeon, and although we did in the end get decent views of one, we never had the killer views we hoped for. Other good birds here included the distinctive Simeu-

3 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com lue (Crested) Serpent Eagle, great views of Simeulue Parrot (already recognized as a split from Blue-rumped Parrot by Handbook of Birds of the World/BirdLife International), the isolated local form of Great Eared Night- jar, the small and vocally distinct form of White-bellied (surely a likely split) and the plain-grey form of Ashy Drongo, so different from those further south in the Mentawai Islands. A nicobar Pigeon was a great surprise, allowing prolonged flight views, Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers were surprisingly common and other goodies here included Changeable Hawk Eagle, Ruddy and Little Cuckoo-Doves, Thick-billed Green Pigeon (red bill base here), numerous Green and Pied Imperial Pigeons, Violet Cuckoo, the local form of Red-breasted Parakeet, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Fiery and Scarlet Minivets, Slender-billed Crow, Oriental -Robin (surprisingly common here considering how heavily trapped they are in most areas) and more Copper-throated Sunbirds. All in all, it had been a good and successful visit to Simeulue, and we once again boarded the small plane to take us all the way back over to Medan. From Medan, we just had time to make our way into the high- lands and to Berastagi for an overnight stay.

We were up early the following morning and exploring the forested slopes of the impressive Gunung Sibayak. Many species typical of montane forest were present, and we enjoyed fine views of many of these. Large Niltava and Yellow-breasted Warbler were of interest as these were two species we had not seen on the main tour, and other good birds included several Orange-spotted Bulbuls, Speckled , Sunda Minivet, Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler, Sumatran (Streaked) Bulbul, some white-bellied Yellow-bellied Warblers, a pair of confiding Eye-browed Wren-Babblers, Black-capped White-eyes and a lovely flock of Blue Nuthatches. After a fine breakfast, we then moved on, embarking on the long drive to Gunung Leuser National Park. It was a pretty un- eventful drive, though we did note the high numbers of poor songbirds for sale along the roadside, a habit that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent here as the popularity of songbird competitions increases!

The stunning White-crowned Hornbill was one of the non-endemic highlights of the tour (Pete Morris)

We arrived at Ketambe late in the afternoon, and after settling into our rustic but comfortable lodge, we set off exploring, and were soon watching some excellent Sumatran Orangutans right above the road. A great start to our explorations of the park! We had just over four days to explore this large and impressive national park, and spent our time in three different areas. We spent a few sessions exploring the immediate vicinity of the 4 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Brown Wood Owl showed very well in Gunung Leuser National Park (Pete Morris) lodge and here we found several more Sumatran Orangutans, including a couple of impressive males, several groups of cute Thomas’s Leaf Monkeys, lovely White-handed Gibbons, and a Small-toothed Palm Civet, and each evening, thousands of fruit bats flew over. Around the lodge itself, we found Bar-winged Prinias and poor- ly-known Sumatran Babblers and once in the forest we were constantly serenaded by Great Argus pheasants, though these shy creatures refused to show. We did find a fantastic group of White-crowned Hornbills as well as numerous Wreathed Hornbills, Bushy-crested Hornbills, a smart male Diard’s , a couple of Rufous , the diminutive Buff-necked Woodpecker, a speedy Blue-banded Kingfisher, a pair of Rufous-winged Philentomas, numerous species of bulbuls, smart Grey-headed Babblers and Fulvous-chested Jungle-Fly- catcher. At dusk, Savanna Nightjars showed well around the hotel and nearby, we were delighted to get some fine views of Brown Wood Owl.

It took more effort to reach Gunung Kemiri, and here, we set up camp in the forest after a fairly easy walk through the foothills. Our prime target here was the Sumatran Laughingthrush, a species that has been deci- mated in numbers in recent years due to trapping. Fortunately we were in luck, and achieved some excellent views of a small flock on our first afternoon. Equally good was a stunning pair of Roll’s Partridges, another seldom seen bird that approached us and sang, just a few metres away! There were many other goodies too. Mixed flocks held gorgeous Long-tailed Broadbills, smart Crested Jays, Black-and-crimson Oriole, and hoot- ing Black Laughingthrushes. Colour was provided by Fire-tufted Barbets, Sumatran and Red-headed and Sumatran and Blue-masked Leafbirds, whilst other interesting species recorded here included Red-billed Malkoha, a feisty Sumatran (Collared) Owlet, Sumatran , Scaly-breasted Bulbul and Rufous-browed Flycatcher, whilst in the paddies we found a Cinnamon Bittern and a few Baya Weavers.

We also visited Kedah, a little further to the north, where we stayed for one night. Just around the lodge we found some amazing Red Giant Flying-, and a superb pair of Barred Eagle Owls. The following day

5 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com we undertook a fairly arduous walk up into the forest. This proved worthwhile in the end as we found a superb flock of the (now) rare Sumatran form of Silver-eared Mesia, and also came face-to-face with a Sun Bear!! Oth- er interesting sightings here included Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle, Black Eagle, Black-browed Barbet, Greater Yellownapes, a cute Pygmy Wren-Babbler, a confiding pair of Rusty-breasted Wren-Babblers, a juvenile Sun- da Robin, an unexpected Pygmy Flycatcher, and some smart Sunda Forktails along a stream.

After our final night at Ketambe, and after indulging in more Sumatran Orangutans, we made our way back to Medan for a night of luxury. As we passed through Berastagi, we noticed the sad sight of a locally-caught, tail- less Sumatran Laughingthrush in a tiny bamboo cage, a stark reminder of the problems the remarkable birds of this island face. As dusk fell, the hungry masses participating in Ramadan joined us in a fine restaurant where we enjoyed one final feast. All that remained was for us to make our way home, content that we had achieved our objectives. The trip had generally gone well, the birds performed, we saw some excellent and, best of all, as far as I was concerned at least, it was a little easier than anticipated!

On the front, it was Gunung Leuser’s Sumatran Orangutans that stole the show! (Pete Morris)

6 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com The small parvus form of White-bellied Woodpecker on Simeulue is one of several potential splits on this island (Pete Morris)

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g. it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

Conservation threat categories and information are taken from Threatened Birds of the World, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the sad status of the rarest 10% of the world’s avifauna, and updates on the BirdLife website: http:// www.birdlife.org/datazone/home (CR)= Critically Endangered, (E)= Endangered, (V) = Vulnerable, (NT) = Near Threatened.

Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were only recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (LO). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL).

For polytypic species, the subspecies seen on the tour, where known (or at least where I am fairly sure), is placed in pa- rentheses at the end of the species comment. Generally, species listed with trinomials are not currently split by the IOC.

Roll’s Partridge ◊ Arborophila rolli Brilliant views of a pair in Gunung Leuser NP, that showed at length. Ferruginous Partridge ◊ Caloperdix oculeus (H) A couple heard in Gunung Leuser NP [ocellatus]. Great Argus Argusianus argus (NT) (H) Several heard in Gunung Leuser NP, but despite effort, none seen [nominate]! Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas (NL) Five seen between Siberut and Sipora, Mentawai Islands.

7 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus(NL) One seen between Siberut and Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus A single flushed in Gunung Leuser NP. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus First seen at Medan Airport. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea First seen near to Medan Airport [manilensis]. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia A single on the drive to Ketambe [nominate]. Little Egret Egretta garzetta First near Medan Airport [nigripes]. Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra Seen at Siberut, Mentawai Islands, and on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus One at Gunung Kemiri, Gunung Leuser [hypoleucus]. Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Good views of one at Luan Baru, Simeulue Island [torquatus]. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [malayensis]. Mentawai Serpent Eagle ◊ Spilornis [cheela] sipora See note. Simeulue Serpent Eagle ◊ Spilornis [cheela] abbotti A total of four seen well on Simeulue Island. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 1 on Simeulue Island [vanheurni] and 2 in Gunung Leuser NP [limnaeetus]. Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus alboniger An adult behind Muara Siberut, Siberut, Mentawai Islands. Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Two juvs seen in Gunung Leuser NP [formosus]. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis A juv in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus 3 near to Sinabang, Simeulue Island [intermedius]. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Several seen. First seen on Siberut, Mentawai Islands. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus A few seen on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca (NL) One seen on Simeulue. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii A few seen on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres One on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii (NL) Six seen from the ferry between Siberut and Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus A few from the ferry between Siberut and Sipora, Mentawai Islands [anaethetus]. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana (NL) Two seen from the ferry between Siberut and Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Rock Dove Columba livia ‘feral’ Introduced vermin, colloquially known as Beaman’s Pigeon. Silvery Pigeon ◊ Columba argentina (CR) Seen well in flight on Simeulue Island. See note. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis A few seen on Simeulue [tigrina]. Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove ◊ Macropygia emiliana See note. Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps See note. Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Common in the Mentawai Islands and seen briefly on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Two at Medan Airport and also seen on Simeulue Island and a few in the north.

The impressive Gunung Sinabung erupted shortly after this photo was taken! (Pete Morris)

8 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Nicobar Pigeon ◊ Caloenas nicobarica (NT) See note [nominate]. Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Reasonably common in the Mentawai Islands and a few on Simeulue Island. Thick-billed Green Pigeon ◊ Treron curvirostra See note. Large Green Pigeon ◊ Treron capellei (VU) Three seen (good views of 1) on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [magnirostris]. Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Common in the Mentawai Islands and on Simeulue Island [consobrina]. Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia A couple seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Pied Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula bicolor Several in the Mentawai Islands and quite common on Simeulue Island. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (H) Heard several times on Siberut, Mentawai Islands. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis (NL) One seen on the drive to Berastagi. Red-billed Malkoha Zanclostomus javanicus One seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [pallidus]. Mentawai Malkoha ◊ Phaenicophaeus [curvirostris] oeneicaudus See note.

The distinctive Mentawai (formerly Chestnut-breasted) Malkoha and a juvenile Indian Cuckoo, both on Sipora (Pete Morris)

9 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Top, Malaysian Hawk-Cuckoo showed very well on Siberut, Mentawai Islands. Above Mentawai Scops Owl (left) and Simeulue Scops Owl (right) were the two stand-out birds of the tour! (Pete Morris)

Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis One on the slopes of Gunung Kemiri, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Mostly heard, one seen well on Simeulue Island. Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [fasciolatus]. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Reasonably common in the Mentawai Islands [threnodes]. Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis (H) A few heard on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Malaysian Hawk-Cuckoo ◊ Hierococcyx fugax Great views of one or two on Siberut, Mentawai Islands.

10 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus A juvenile seen well on Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Oriental Bay Owl ◊ Phodilus badius (H) Heard distantly in Gunung Leuser NP, 11/7. Mentawai Scops Owl ◊ Otus mentawi (NT) Great views of several on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. Simeulue Scops Owl ◊ Otus umbra (NT) Brilliant views of two on Simeulue Island. Barred Eagle-Owl ◊ Bubo sumatranus Excellent spotlight views of a pair in Gunung Leuser NP. Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica Great spotlight views in Gunung Leuser NP [myrtha]. Sumatran Owlet ◊ Glaucidium [brodiei] sylvaticum One seen in Gunung Leuser NP, others heard there. Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata A few heard on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [scutulata]. Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis Good views of three on Simeulue Island [jacobsoni]. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Great views at the lodge at Ketambe [nominate]. Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Common in the Mentawai Islands and seen on Simeulue Island [perlonga]. Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata A few seen well on Sipora, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Two forms noted: oberholseri in the Mentawai Islands and cyanoptila on Simeulue. Brown-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus See note [vestitus]. Sumatran Trogon ◊ Apalharpactes mackloti A male seen well in Gunung Leuser NP. Diard’s Trogon diardii (NT) A lovely male seen well at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [sumatranus]. Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii (NT) (H) Heard at Ketambe in Gunung Leuser NP. Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus A male seen in Gunung Leuser NP [flagrans]. Rufous-collared Kingfisher ◊ Actenoides concretus (NT) (H) Heard only in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella (H) Heard only in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis A couple seen in the Mentawai Islands [perpulchra]. Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris A few seen on Simeulue Island [chloropterus]. Blue-banded Kingfisher ◊ Alcedo euryzona (NT) A female seen in flight at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [peninsulae]. Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting A couple seen along the river on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca See note. Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus (H) Heard a few times in Gunung Leuser NP. Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis A few seen well on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus Good views of 3 at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris A few seen well in the Mentawai Islands [convexus].

Oriental Pied Hornbill showed well in the Mentawai Islands (Pete Morris)

11 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros (NT) (H) Heard a few times in Gunung Leuser NP. Helmeted Hornbill ◊ Rhinoplax vigil (NT) Heard a few times in Gunung Leuser NP. White-crowned Hornbill ◊ Berenicornis comatus (NT) Brilliant views of 3 at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Stunners! Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus Quite common in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Fire-tufted Barbet ◊ Psilopogon pyrolophus A few seen well in Gunung Leuser NP. Golden-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon (H) Many heard in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos (NT) (H) Heard a couple of times in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Black-browed Barbet ◊ Megalaima oorti A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henrici (NT) (H) 1-2 heard at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis Commonly heard in Gunung Leuser NP [duvaucelii]. Speckled Piculet innominatus A couple seen in Gunung Leuser NP [malayorum]. Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis Two seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. White-bellied Woodpecker ◊ Dryocopus javensis See note. Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha A pair seen in Gunung Leuser NP [mystacale]. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [vanheysti]. Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus Heard a few times in Gunung Leuser NP. Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki (NT) One seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus A few seen in the Mentawai Islands and over Simeulue Island. Simeulue Parrot ◊ Psittinus [cyanurus] abbotti (NT) See note. Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus (NT) A few seen well on Simeulue [pontius]. Red-breasted Parakeet ◊ Psittacula alexandri (NT) Quite common on Simeulue Island [cala].

The local form of Red-breasted Parakeet was common on Simeulue. (Pete Morris)

Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis (NT) Seen well on Siberut [siberu], and heard in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae Several seen in a mixed flock in Gunung Leuser NP[psittacinus]. Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus (H) Heard a few times in Gunung Leuser NP [harterti]. Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus (NT) (H) Heard at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea A couple heard on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus A couple seen in Gunung Leuser NP [intermedius]. Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhoptera A pair seen at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Green Iora Aegithina viridissima (NT) A few heard and seen in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata See note. Lesser Cuckooshrike Coracina fimbriata One on Siberut, Mentawai Islands and several on Simeulue Island [compta].

12 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Fiery Minivet ◊ Pericrocotus igneus (NT) A small flock seen well on Simeulue Island [trophis]. Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris A few in Gunung Leuser NP [montanus]. Sunda Minivet ◊ Pericrocotus miniatus A few seen well in a mixed flock at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus Quite common on Simeulue Island [minythomelas]. Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea A few heard and one seen well on Simeulue Island [nominate]. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach First seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [bentet]. Blyth’s Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aeralatus A few in mixed flocks in Gunung Leuser NP[cameranoi]. Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus (NT) A single female seen on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [mentawi]. Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Two forms: richmondi on the Mentawai Islands; mundus on Simeulue Island. Black-and-crimson Oriole ◊ Oriolus cruentus A few in Gunung Leuser NP [consanguineus]. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus See note.

Ashy Drongos present a taxonomic canundrum waiting to be unravelled! These birds are on Siberut, Mentawai Islands (Pete Morris)

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Quite common in the higher areas of Gunung Leuser NP {nominate]. Sumatran Drongo ◊ Dicrurus sumatranus (NT) See note. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Quite common on Simeulue Island [platurus]. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis A few. First seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [atrata]. Malaysian Pied Fantail (H) Rhipidura javanica Heard at the harbour south of Padang [longicauda]. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea See note. Crested Platylophus galericulatus (NT) Brilliant views of a lovely pair in Gunung Leuser NP [coronatus]. Sumatran Treepie ◊ occipitalis A few seen on Gunung Kemiri, Gunung Leuser NP. Slender-billed Crow enca Quite common on Simeulue Island [compilator]. Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Common on Gunung Sibayak and in Gunung Leuser NP [antioxantha]. Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus (NL) Three seen on Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Two forms: hyperemnus in the Mentawai Islands; nominate on the mainland. Scaly-breasted Bulbul ◊ Pycnonotus squamatus (NT) A couple seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [webberi]. Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster Common and widespread on the mainland [nominate]. Orange-spotted Bulbul ◊ Pycnonotus bimaculatus A few seen well high up at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi, [nominate]. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Common on the mainland and on Simeulue Island [analis]. Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus Common on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands [porphyreus]. Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Several seen at Ketambe, in Gunung Leuser NP. Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [sumatranus]. Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres A couple at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [tephrogenys]. Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger Several in Gunung Leuser NP [sericeus].

13 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Sumatran Bulbul ◊ Ixos [virescens] sumatranus Good views of a couple at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Cinereous Bulbul ◊ Hemixos cinereus One seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Reasonably common in the Mentawai Islands and on Simeulue Island [javanica]. Pygmy Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla A few heard and one seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [lepida]. Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris See note. Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus Seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi, and in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Mountain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus Seen at Berastagi, and in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps A few seen in mixed flocks in Gunung Leuser NP[muelleri]. Yellow-breasted Warbler ◊ Seicercus montis Great views at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi, and in Gunung Leuser NP [inornatus]. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Several heard and one seen on Simeulue Island [malaya]. Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [dysancrita]. Bar-winged Prinia ◊ Prinia familiaris Regularly seen in the lodge garden at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Also seen in the lodge garden at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [rafflesi]. Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps Two forms: concinnus in the Mentawai Islands; cineraceus on the mainland. Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus (H) A few heard in Gunung Leuser NP [occidentalis]. Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps A few seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [larvata]. Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala A pair seen well at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Spot-necked Babbler ◊ Stachyris strialata Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [umbrosa]. Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata (NT) (H) A few heard at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera A pair seen well at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [pyrrhophaea]. Golden Babbler Stachyridopsis chrysaea Fairly numerous in Gunung Leuser NP [frigida]. Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Macronus gularis A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler ◊ Napothera rufipectus Brilliant views of a pair in Gunung Leuser NP. Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler Napothera epilepidota Great views of a pair at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [diluta]. Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis (NT) Nice views of one at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre (H) Heard at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum Good views at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum (NT) Good views at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Sumatran Babbler ◊ Pellorneum buettikoferi (NT) Good views of a pair at the lodge at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [nigrocapitatum]. Sumatran Laughingthrush ◊ Garrulax bicolor (VU) Great views of a flock of 3+ (possibly 5), in Gunung Leuser NP.

Bar-winged Prinia and the rare Sumatran Laughingthrush in Gunung Leuser National Park. The latter the worst picture I’ve ever put in a tour report! (Pete Morris)

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Garrulax mitratus Not uncommon in the higher parts of Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Black Laughingthrush ◊ Garrulax lugubris Nice views of a vocal flock of 4 in Gunung Leuser NP. Silver-eared Mesia ◊ Leiothrix argentauris See note. Long-tailed Sibia ◊ Heterophasia picaoides A single in Gunung Leuser NP [simillima]. Oriental White-Eye Zosterops palpebrosus A pair seen at Kedah in Gunung Leuser NP [buxtoni]. Black-capped White-Eye Zosterops atricapilla A few at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi, and in Gunung Leuser NP [viridicatus]. Asian Fairy-Bluebird Irena puella A few seen lower down in Gunung Leuser NP [crinigera]. Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea Seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi, and in mixed flocks in Gunung Leuser NP [expectata].

14 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Two forms: pachistorhina in the Mentawai Islands; altirostris on Simeulue Island. Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Good views of a couple of pairs on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [batuensis]. Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus Quite common on Simeulue Island where introduced. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis Two forms: pagiensis on the Mentawai Islands; zacnecus on Simeulue Island. Rufous-browed Flycatcher ◊ Anthipes solitaris Great views of a few in Gunung Leuser NP.

The cute and confiding Rufous-browed Flycatcher showed well on several occasions (Pete Morris)

White-tailed Flycatcher ◊ Cyornis concretus (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊ Cyornis olivaceus Common in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Large Niltava Niltava grandis Several seen on the road at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [decipiens]. Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophris (H) Heard at Berastagi and in Gunung Leuser NP [nominate]. Sunda Robin ◊ Myiomela diana A juv seen well in Gunung Leuser NP [sumatrana]. Sunda Forktail ◊ Enicurus velatus A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [sumatranus]. White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti (NL) One seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Shiny Whistling Thrush ◊ Myophonus melanurus (NL) One seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni A few seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi [nominate]. Pygmy Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni Good views of an immature male in Gunung Leuser NP [sondaica]. Sumatran Leafbird ◊ Chloropsis media Brief but good views of a male at Gunung Leuser NP. Blue-masked Leafbird ◊ Chloropsis venusta (NT) Good views of a smart pair in Gunung Leuser NP. Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus (NL) One seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Common on the Mentawai Islands and on Simeulue Island. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [beccarii]. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum Two forms: batuense in Mentawai; simalurense on Simeulue Island. Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex A couple seen well at Ketambe in Gunung Leuser NP. Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Several in the Mentawai Islands and on Simeulue Island [nominate].

15 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Purple-naped Sunbird ◊ Hypogramma hypogrammicum One seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Van Hasselt’s Sunbird ◊ Leptocoma brasiliana Good scope views of 1 on Sipora, Mentawai Islands [mecynorhyncha]. Copper-throated Sunbird ◊ Leptocoma calcostetha Great views on Siberut, Mentawai Islands and Simeulue Island. Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP [ornatus]. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja Good views of a male on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Temminck’s Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii Plenty in the highlands, first seen at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Common in the Mentawai Islands [cinireicollis]. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys One seen well on Siberut, Mentawai Islands [nominate]. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Common [malaccensis]. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Good views of a few in Gunung Leuser NP [infortunatus]. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata A few in paddies in Gunung Leuser NP [fretensis]. Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla (NL) A couple seen from the car. White-headed Munia Lonchura maja Quite a few small flocks seen in the Mentawai Islands and on Simeulue Island. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus First seen at Medan Airport. Also several on Simeulue Island [malayensis].

Whiskered Treeswift on Sipora, Mentawai Islands (Pete Morris)

16 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Some rarely seen mammals: Pig-tailed Langur on Siberut; Thomas’s Leaf Monkey in Gunung Leuser and Siberut Flying-Squirrel (Pete Morris)

MAMMALS

Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor A couple seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Three-striped Ground Squirrel Lariscus insignis A few seen in Gunung Leuser NP Mentawai Three-striped Ground Squirrel Lariscus obscurus One couple seen on Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Mentawai Squirrel melanogaster At least six seen on Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Black-striped Squirrel (B-banded S) Callosciurus nigrovittatus A few seen on the mainland. Callosciurus notatus A couple around Ketambe. Fraternal Squirrel fraterculus A couple seen on Sipora, Mentawai Islands. Low’s Squirrel Sundasciurus lowii A few of these tiny squirells seen at Berastagi and Gunung Leuser NP. Siberut Flying Squirrel Petinomys lugens A couple seen very well at night on Siberut. Even flying! Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista Amazing seen well in Gunung Leuser NP. Huge wingspan! Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus An amazing, though brief, and most unexpected encounter in Gunung Leuser NP.

17 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Large Flying Fox (Malayan F F) Pteropus vampyrus Huge numbers seen leaving the roosts in Gunung Leuser NP. North Sumatran Leaf Monkey (Thomas’s L M) Presbytis thomasi Great views in Gunung Leuser NP. Cute! Pig-tailed Langur Nasalis concolor A fine view of an understandably shy individual on Siberut. Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M) Macaca fascicularis Very distinctive form on Simeulue, with white eyebrows. Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina A few on the road near to Berastagi. Sumatran Orangutan Pongo abelii Stunning views of several in Gunung Leuser NP, including some impressive males. Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossi (H) Heard on Siberut – though not accessible. White-handed Gibbon Hylobates lar Great views in Gunung Leuser NP. Siamang Hylobates syndactylus Another smart primate seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Eurasian Wild Boar Sus scrofa (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP. Indian Muntjac (Red M, Common Barking Deer) Muntiacus muntjak (H) Heard in Gunung Leuser NP.

Both the Simeulue (above) and Mentawai forms of Crested Serpent Eagle have been considered good species by some authors (Pete Morris)

NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST

The most up to date referenced taxonomic list referred to in the Tour Report is that of the IOC World Bird Names. Gill, F and Donsker, D Eds. 2014. IOC World Bird Names v4.3. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org

Mentawai Serpent Eagle Spilornis [cheela] sipora Brilliant views of an adult on Sipora, Mentawai Islands. A very small and chocolate coloured serpent eagle. Lots of white in the crown and a distinct band of white spotting across the breast. Great bird, and hard to find!

Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina Seen well in flight on Simuele Island. Not the views we’d hoped for but... Compared to the numerous small flocks of Pied Imps, this bird immediately stood out as grey, showed the dark goggle effect and a prominent darkish looking bill. Most noticeable was the different flight action. Appeared somewhat longer-winged with a deeper, more powerful wingbeat and a stronger more direct flight. Watched for some time but mostly flying powerfully away sadly.

18 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia emiliana We noted two different forms. A few of the form hypopercna were seen on Simeulue Island, whilst on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands, we saw the form elassa.

Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps We noted two different forms. A few of the form simalurensis were seen on Simeulue Island, whilst in Gunung Leuser NP we saw the form sumatrana.

Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica An immature seen well in flight at the quarry on Simeulue. Seen in the scope for some time as it flew around high up like a small fat goose! Tail dark, in fact whole bird appeared dark, but very distinctive shape!

Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra The Sumatran island forms of Thick-billed Pigeon are rather interesting and may well comprise of more than one species. On this tour we saw two distinct forms. The form smicrus, with a large bill that lacks the red base was reasonably common on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. The form haliplous was quite common on Simeulue Island, and here they show the normal red-based bill.

Mentawai Malkoha Phaenicophaeus [curvirostris] oeneicaudus Seen very well on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. Very distinct. Compared to Chestnut-breasted Malko- ha, darker with restricted dark chestnut on the breast, no chestnut on the tail etc. Surely a good split, and recognized as such in the recent Handbook of Birds of the World/BirdLife checklist.

Edible Nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus ‘Nest’ swiftlets were common on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. Some in the forest on Sipora were very dark and lacked pale rumps, so were presumably Black or Mossy Nest. A few seen on Simeulue with obvious pale rumps were presumably this species, but many large-looking all dark swiftlets were also seen there.

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca A single seen flying across the road on Sipora, Mentawai Islands, then many seen well on Simeulue Island and another seen briefly at Ketambe, Gunung Leuser NP. All were assumed to be the form rufidorsa which is sometimes split off as Rufous-backed Kingfisher.

Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers were surprisingly common on Simeulue (Pete Morris)

19 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com A male White-bellied Woodpecker on Simeulue (Pete Morris)

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis The distinctive small form parvus was quite common on Simeulue Island. Small with a short bill and a different voice and surely a potential split?!

Simeulue Parrot Psittinus [cyanurus] abbotti Many fly overs on Simeulue, and then good perched views, including decent views of a blue-headed male, and a female and an immature perched up in the scope. Recognized as a full species in the recent Handbook of Birds of the World/ BirdLife checklist.

Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata Two forms were seen. On Sipora, in the Mentawai Islands, we saw a male of the form sumatrensis while on Simeulue Island, we saw several of the form simalurensis.

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Probably one of the most complex taxonomic problems in this part of the world! We saw four forms which may well be parts of more than one different species! On Siberut, in the Mentawai Islands, we saw siberu which shows a massive white patch around the face. On Sipora, in the Mentawai Islands, we saw the form periophthalmicus which compared to the birds on Siberut, seemed to show some darker smudging in the pale face patch behind the eye. On Simeulue, we saw the form celaenus which is dark grey with a red eye, and lacks any white on the face!! Finally, on the mainland, we saw the form batakensis in Gunung Leuser NP. This form shows some white on the face, though less than the island forms! A complex puzzle for someone to unravel!

Sumatran Drongo Dicrurus sumatranus The fdistinctive form viridinitens was reasonably common on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. The voice is distinct, and this form is green-glossed, with distinct spangles on the breast, tail corners not really upturned etc. It may well be split off as a separate species, Mentawai Drongo.

20 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea We saw three forms on the tour. The form leucophila was reasonably common on both Siberut and Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. On Simeulue Island we saw several of the form consobrina while on the mainland, we heard the form prophata in Gunung Leuser NP.

Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris The distinctive form papilio was first seen well at Gunung Sibayak, Berastagi. Also seen in Gunung Leuser NP. Note that this form shows white in the centre of the underparts.

Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris Excellent views of a flock of about five at Kedah, Gunung Leuser NP. The form seen, rookmakeri is part of the Sumatran group of subspecies that show far more red in their plumage than mainland birds, and may merit specific status. These excellent birds were formerly common, but have been trapped out in a comprehensive way for the cagebird industry, and these were the first I’d seen for many, many years!!

The rare Sumatran form of Silver-eared Mesia in Gunung Leuser National Park, another potential split, and a fine dragonfly there (Pete Morris)

21 BirdQuest Tour Report: Remote Sumatra Expedition www.birdquest-tours.com