BirdingASIA 29 (2018): 109–113 109

INTRODUCED SPECIES Records of Grosbeak Starling Scissirostrum dubium from Kalimantan, Borneo, and its widespread occurrence on Java

ARIL MAGDA PRAWIRA, IMAM TAUFIQURRAHMAN, MUHAMMAD IQBAL & GUSTI WICAKSONO

Introduction subdistrict, Balikpapan city, when AMP observed Grosbeak Starling Scissirostrum dubium is a total of up to 40 birds. Most were perched on the endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia (Coates & Bishop branches of dead trees (Plates 1 & 2) and some were 1997, Feare & Craig 1999, Craig & Feare 2018), seen visiting a hole. Prior to this, on 5 May 2012 up where its population is declining due to ongoing to six birds had been reported by A. Wihardandi habitat fragmentation and destruction (BirdLife in Gn Dubbs, Pertamina housing complex, about International 2018). A recent study found that a 15 km south of the botanical garden (http://www. local population in Central Sulawesi had collapsed due to the loss of most of the remnant trees which Plate 1. A group of Grosbeak Starling Scissirostrum dubium roosting in a dead tree, Kebun Raya Balikpapan, East the birds used as their nesting sites (Maas et al. Kalimantan, Indonesia, 10 May 2016. 2015). In contrast, the species had already been reported in the wild elsewhere in Indonesia, particularly from Java, as an escapee (Partasasmita et al. 2009, Taufiqurrahman et al. 2015). Here we report field observations of the species from Kalimantan and various areas in Java. We also investigated the trading of the species and discuss the impact of this activity.

Observations Field observations were made by AMP in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, between 18 March 2016 and 25 February 2017, by IT in Yogyakarta, Java, during 2013–2016 and GW in Jakarta and

West Java during 2013–2015. MI collated data PRAWIRA from online bird-trading groups in South Sumatra

in October and November 2015. We also collected MAGDA further records of the species from other observers who shared their field observations (Table 1). Data ARIL from visits to local bird markets and published Plate 2. A pair of Grosbeak Starling using a nest-hole in a dead literature were also collated to obtain a more tree, Balikpapan Botanical Garden, East Kalimantan, 12 May 2016. complete review of the situation.

East Kalimantan, Borneo Observations by AMP in six areas of Balikpapan city and its surroundings during March 2016– February 2017 resulted in 10 sight records of Grosbeak Starling (Table 1, Figure 1). The first sighting was on 18 March 2016 when AMP observed two Grosbeak Starlings in Balikpapan city urban PRAWIRA forest. On 16 April 2016 four birds were observed in Bendali, about 5 km east of the first sighting. MAGDA The highest number was recorded on 10 May 2016

in Balikpapan Botanical Garden, Balikpapan Utara ARIL 110 Records of Grosbeak Starling Scissirostrum dubium from Kalimantan, Borneo, and its widespread occurrence on Java mongabay.co.id/2012/05/05/foto-jalak-tunggir- merah-kini-tidak-lagi-endemik-sulawesi/). These observations are the first records of Grosbeak Starling from Borneo; the species was not recorded by Smythies (1999), Mann (2008), Phillipps & Phillipps (2014) or Myers (2016). All the birds showed similar characters, with mostly Grosbeak Starling records dark grey plumage, darker on the wings and tail, long stiff red tips to the rump feathers, the massive and very strong bills were bright yellowish-orange Figure 1. Distribution of Grosbeak Starling in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Table 1. Records of Grosbeak Starling in Kalimantan and Java, 2005–2016. Date Location No. Source/observer(s) Sightings in East Kalimantan, Borneo 5 May 2012 Gn Dubbs, E. Kalimantan 6 A. Wihardandi in litt. 2012 18 March 2016 Urban forest, E. Kalimantan 2 AMP pers. obs. 16 April 2016 Bendali 2, E. Kalimantan 4 AMP pers. obs. 10 May 2016 Balikpapan Botanical Garden, E. Kalimantan 40+ AMP pers. obs. 12 May 2016 Balikpapan Botanical Garden, E. Kalimantan 15 AMP pers. obs. 10 July 2016 Bendali 3, E. Kalimantan 2 AMP pers. obs. 20 August 2016 Sungai Wain Reservoir, E. Kalimantan 4 AMP pers. obs. 20 November 2016 Manggar Reservoir, E. Kalimantan 6 AMP pers. obs. 17 December 2016 Grand City area, E. Kalimantan 3 AMP pers. obs. 16 January 2017 Bendali 2, E. Kalimantan 7 AMP pers. obs. 25 February 2017 Balikpapan Botanical Garden, E. Kalimantan 9 AMP pers. obs. Sightings on Java 2005 Mt Tangkuban Perahu, W. Java ? Partasasmita et al. (2009) 2009 Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 1 B. Setyawan pers. comm. 9 April 2010 Gn Salak, Halimun-Salak NP, W. Java 10 Sayogo (2013) 2012 Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta 2 A. A. Purwanto pers. comm. March 2012 Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta 3 S. Diniarsih pers. comm. 2013 Pronojiwo, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta ? M. Faradlina pers. comm. 2 June 2013 Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 1 B. Hermawan pers. comm. 21 August 2013 Cikaniki, Halimun-Salak NP, W. Java 1 GW pers. obs. 13 September 2013 Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 6 M. Erawan pers. comm. 15 October 2013 Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary, Yogyakarta 2 IT pers. obs. November 2013 Plasa Ambarukmo, Sleman, Yogyakarta 1 J. Setiyono pers. comm. 16 November2013 Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta 9 GW pers. obs. 18 November2013 Trawas, Pasuruan, E. Java ±10 B. Susetyo pers. comm. 2014 Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta 4 A. A. Purwanto pers. comm. 27 January 2014 Gn Patuha, Bandung, W. Java 1 Wahyuni Dewi pers. comm. 29 January 2014 Ancol, DKI Jakarta 2 GW pers. obs. 26 April 2014 Gamagiri, Bantul, Yogyakarta 1 Biolaska in litt. 2014 18 & 31 January 2015 Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, W. Java 1 H. Munandar pers. comm. 14 February 2015 Ragunan Zoo, DKI Jakarta 3 GW pers. obs. 19 February 2015 Monas, DKI Jakarta 6 GW pers. obs. 2 June 2015 Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta 1 A. A. Purwanto pers. comm. 27 September 2015 Sinolewah, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 6 A. Pramudihasan pers. comm. 22 September 2015 Kinahrejo, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 1 IT, W. K. Wibowo, N. S. Budi, W. F. Andono & P. Lansley pers. comm. 26 February 2016 Plunyon, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 2 IT & Kiryono pers. comm. 26 March 2016 Kali Kuning, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 1 A. A. Purwanto pers. comm. 30 March 2016 Plunyon, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 2 IT, M.A. Utomo, Hendrik & Rolf pers. comm. 24 July 2017 Plunyon, Gn Merapi NP, Yogyakarta 4 IT & J. Jossef pers. comm. BirdingASIA 29 (2018) 111

with a decurved upper mandible, and the legs and feet were yellow-orange. Grosbeak Starlings were also observed at Sungai Wain Reservoir, Manggar Reservoir and the Grand City area, Balikpapan, where AMP recorded four, six and three birds respectively (Table 1).

Java Grosbeak Starlings have been observed by IT in three locations in the Yogyakarta area. On 15 October 2013 two birds were in Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary, Kulon Progo district, feeding with Ruby- throated Bulbul Pycnonotus dispar on a Ficus tree. On 22 September 2015 a single Grosbeak Starling was seen in flight at about 1,000 m in Kinahrejo village, Gn Merapi National Park. On 26 February 2016 two Grosbeak Starlings were seen at Plunyon (830 m), about 3 km south of Kinahrejo. The birds were competing with Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis for a nest hole in a pine tree Pinus merkusii. On 24 July 2017 four birds were observed at Plunyon (Plate 3). GW observed the species in three locations in Jakarta Capital Region. On 29 January 2014 two were observed in Ancol, Jakarta’s largest and TAUFIQURRAHMAN

most popular recreational park. The birds flew into a Ficus tree and made a loud noise in order IMAM to disturb a group of Pink-necked Green Pigeon Plate 3. Four Grosbeak Starlings (left) perched on a dead pine tree used as a nest-site by Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis Treron vernans feeding in the tree. On 19 February panayensis, perched on the right, Plunyon, Yogyakarta, Java, 2015 six Grosbeak Starlings were feeding on a Indonesia, 24 July 2017. Ficus tree with Asian Glossy Starling, Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus and Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus at Monas (Plate Plate 4. Grosbeak Starling, Monas, Jakarta, Java, 19 February 4). GW had two sightings in Ragunan Zoo, the 2015. first on 16 November 2013, a group of nine birds, and the second on 14 February 2015, when three birds were seen.

Discussion On Borneo, alien avian species presumed to have originated from Java have been recorded in recent years (Iqbal et al. 2013, 2015, Prawira & Iqbal 2016), but the arrival of Grosbeak Starling in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, appears to be the first record of a species originating from Sulawesi. In its native surroundings the species spreads naturally at the forest edge and in lightly wooded areas; more common in modified habitats, and most frequently encountered in plantations, it is relatively uncommon in primary forest (Coates & Bishop 1997, Feare & Craig 1999, Craig & Feare 2018). The first birds were presumed to be escapees—the species is known to breed readily in captivity (Craig & Feare 2018). The rapid increase in numbers from six to 40 birds in the Balikpapan WICAKSONO area within four years may be the result of the

GUSTI species’s fecundity and natural ability to survive 112 Records of Grosbeak Starling Scissirostrum dubium from Kalimantan, Borneo, and its widespread occurrence on Java and establish itself, or simply more individual was found at Gawok traditional market, Sukoharjo escapees from an expanding captive population. regency, Central Java (Widodo & Arif 2017). In Java, the Grosbeak Starling also appears to Recently, 15 birds were found at Mataram bird be surviving well since it was first documented at market, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat (Asrori Mt. Tangkuban Perahu around 2005 (Partasasmita 2017). However, this may not show the real extent et al. 2009). It has so far been recorded at least 21 of the trade because of the increase in online times from 11 areas all over Java (Table 1, Figure 2). activity reported by Iqbal (2016), including a Of these, 15 are from various areas in Yogyakarta, Grosbeak Starling offered at $19 in the Sumatra- where it has been found in small flocks of up to 10 based Facebook trading group ‘Pasar Burung 16 birds from locations in the city to the conservation Ilir Palembang’. area of Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary and Gn Merapi National Park. Threats to native populations Little has been done to prevent or control the Trading spread of alien invasive species in Indonesia. The increasing numbers of Grosbeak Starling With the strong indication that feral populations being reported outside Sulawesi, at a time when have survived and become established, the it is declining on its native island, should raise Grosbeak Starling might threaten the populations deep concern. The species is threatened not only of local species. In the Merapi area, Yogyakarta, by natural causes, but also by anthropogenic it was observed competing for a nest hole with activities such as hunting for the cage-bird trade Asian Glossy Starling. Other species might also (Maas et al. 2015). In local bird pet forums, the be involved in competition for nest-sites, such Grosbeak Starling, known as rio-rio or jalak rio, as Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri, has had its own thread since at least 2008. (http:// Freckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos analis, www.kicaumania.or.id/forums/archive/index. Coppersmith Barbet and Javan Myna Acridotheres php/t-17467.html). Some people informed us that javanicus, all regularly observed in the area. they had purchased birds from bird markets or Further monitoring of the population of wild inter-island cargo boats. Grosbeak Starlings in Kebun Raya Balikpapan, Surveys of various bird markets reported the Kalimantan, and in the Yogyakarta area of Java, species’s occurrence (Table 2). At Pasar Burung where the species or colonies are already present, Sukahaji, Bandung, West Java, more than 50 birds is needed. were reported to be on display in 2010 (Albiansyah in litt. 2010); Chng & Eaton (2016) found a total Acknowledgements of 26 birds in Surabaya, Malang and Yogyakarta Our thanks go to Aghnan Pramudihasan, bird markets, and an unknown number of birds Asman Adi Purwanto, Bambang Setyawan, Budi Hermawan, Budi ‘Cak Boeseth’ Susetyo, Faradlina Figure 2. Distribution of Grosbeak Starling on Java. Mufti, Joko Setiyono, Ma’ruf Erawan, Siti Diniarsih and Wahyuni Dewi for their kindness in sharing their observations.

References Asrori, M. M. (2017) Burung-burung yang diperjualbelikan di Pasar Burung Kota Mataram, Lombok. Pp.107-110 in Prosiding Konferensi Peneliti dan Pemerhati Burung Indonesia 3 (KPPBI 3), 2–4 Februari 2017. Denpasar: Universitas Dhyana Pura. Grosbeak Starling records BirdLife International (2018) Species factsheet: Scissirostrum dubium. Accessed at http://birdlife.org on 31/05/2018.

Table 2. Records of Grosbeak Starling in bird markets. Date Market City No Source 2010 Sukahaji Bandung 50 Albiansyah in litt. 2010 22–24 June 2015 Bratang, Turi and Kupang Surabaya 21 Chng & Eaton (2016) 22–24 June 2015 Malang Malang 2 Chng & Eaton (2016) 22–24 June 2015 Pasty Yogyakarta 3 Chng & Eaton (2016) October–November 2015 ‘Pasar Burung 16 Ilir Palembang’ (online) Palembang 1 Iqbal (2016) February–October 2016 Gawok Sukoharjo Unknown Widodo & Arif (2017) 17–31 December 2016 Mataram Lombok 15 Asrori (2017) BirdingASIA 29 (2018) 113

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