PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Birdquest REP 13-ebook.pdf · Papua New Guinea is one of those absolutely ... the painted berrypeckers and the satin birds ... After a welcome but short nights

1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Papua New Guinea 1 2013 www.birdquest-tours.com

Our sightings of the incredible Southern Crowned Pigeon in the Kiunga area were simply amazing this year! (Nik Borrow)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

31 JULY – 16/20 AUGUST 2013

LEADER: NIK BORROW assisted by CHRIS KEHOE Papua New Guinea is one of those absolutely essential destinations for any travelling world birder. At least 708 species have been recorded from this, the worlds second largest island and it is also home to three endemic bird families; the berrypeckers, the painted berrypeckers and the satin birds as well as some strange creatures of ‘uncertain affinities’ such as the beautiful Blue-capped Ifrit, Wattled Ploughbill and the shy melampittas. There is also the added attraction of seeing representatives of what must be the most spectacular bird family in the world, the Birds of Paradise (or ‘BoPs’ to the initiated!). Our three week long trip was just enough time to get a mouth-watering taster for this amazing place and sample a selection of habitats from lowland swamp rainforest, hill and montane forest to small offshore islands. It must be said that PNG offers the visitor some extremely challenging birding as the birds are often shy, wary and frustrating moments with the many skulkers could reduce a grown man to tears! On top of this logistics are sometimes


rather shaky (always expect the unexpected) and the weather can really put a dampener on the birding at times as it can rain and rain in the highlands - actually it can rain and rain anywhere! It is also hot and humid in the lowlands where if unprotected by lotions, sprays and creams, the leeches, chiggers and mosquitoes can show no mercy. This year we had our fair share of wet weather along the Fly River and a 24 hour delay to Tabubil with a five hour wait while a broken road was repaired on the way to Ambua were the only logistical hiccups. One thing is certain; PNG is definitely not a place where one can expect to ‘clean up’ in a few weeks! Having said this, the birding rewards can be immense and we were treated to many magic moments. A Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher sat quietly inside the dark forest dressed in colours that appeared to illuminate the gloom at Varirata where we also watched a Barred Owlet-nightjar at its daytime roost and had an ‘Attenborough moment’ with the Raggiana BoPs. At Kiunga we witnessed an amazing male King BoP displaying to a female and also the shimmering and shivering displays of beautiful Greater BoPs. During our two days on the Fly and Elevala Rivers we ultimately got great views of enormous Southern Crowned Pigeons looking like some wonderful refugees from the hippy era and we also enjoyed the pole-dancing Twelve-wired BoP. In the cool mountain air at Kumul Lodge we enjoyed the Ribbon-tailed Astrapias and Brown Sicklebills coming to gorge themselves at the feeders. Whilst in the forest a mouth-watering close encounter with a male Crested BoP (or Satinbird) was truly memorable and we also enjoyed great looks at New Guinea Woodcock and Sooty Melidectes. Also in the highlands glorious male Blue BoPs vied for our attentions with the bizarre ‘antennae’ waving of the King of Saxony BoPs and exotic Crested and Tit Berrypeckers were also welcome discoveries. The extension to New Britain was thoroughly enjoyable with sightings of some stunning pigeons and also included daytime New Britain Boobooks, impressive Violaceous Coucals and island goodies such as the strange Nicobar Pigeon. We managed to record a very respectable 377 species of birds (of which 364 were seen) and 3 identifiable mammals.

We saw brightly coloured Raggiana Bird of Paradise (left) on our very first afternoon in Varirata National Park and watched them at the

display grounds the following morning. An Ornate Fruit Dove (centre) was a great find as was a showy male Dwarf Koel (right).

(Nik Borrow) The members of our keen BirdQuest group were quite clear about what they wanted from this tour. The shopping list was as many families (particularly the berrypeckers - both painted and otherwise - and the satin birds), paradise-kingfishers, jewel-babblers and of course, BoPs as possible - no mean order! It took two long plane journeys from London crossing all of Eurasia to reach the magical destination of Papua New Guinea and we arrived at Port Moresby in the early morning of the ‘third’ day and although obviously tired and jetlagged we were also eager to get started and shortly found ourselves driving up a scenic winding road that carried us through the open eucalyptus woodland that flanks Varirata National Park. Only one hour’s drive from the airport this was PNG’s first national park established in 1966 and officially opened in 1973. It covers an area of more than 1,000 hectares and rises to a level of some 800 metres above sea level. The day was quickly warming up but we found the heavyweight Blue-winged Kookaburra as we approached and the presence of some flowering and fruiting trees meant that activity was still going strong. Both Papuan Black and Mountain Myzomelas and Green-backed Honeyeater, Dwarf Longbill, Red-capped Flowerpecker and Black-fronted White-eye were all busy amongst the flowers. Pink-spotted Fruit Doves were in the fruits and we were fortunate to find a wonderful Ornate Fruit Doves along with Slender-billed and Great Cuckoo-


doves and the attractive Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon. A very vocal Dwarf Koel was tracked down and a Yellow-billed Kingfisher was lured out of the shadows. Moving inside the forest we increasingly realised that actually seeing birds in PNG is not always very straightforward. Many species are frustratingly shy and seem to have developed a distinct knack of somehow always being on the ‘wrong’ side of a cluster of leaves or obscured by a mossy bough. Some were no more than disembodied voices and others would offer a tantalising glimpse and then magically disappear without offering any clue as to where they had gone! The first of some confusing honeyeaters were seen but we only confidently identified Mimic Honeyeater. In a busy bird party the unassuming Black Berrypecker caused a little more interest being the first representative that we encountered of one of the endemic New Guinea families and it was accompanied by the poisonous Hooded Pitohui, Yellow-bellied Gerygone, Chestnut-bellied Fantail and Golden and Frilled Monarchs. A Sooty Thicket Fantail showed briefly and we entered a prolonged game of hide-and-seek with a secretive Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher that when seen literally glowed in the dim light of the forest understorey. Our first Raggiana BoPs were seen and there were also Spangled Drongo, Stout-billed and Boyer’s Cuckooshrikes, Brown Oriole and Yellow-faced Myna. In the late afternoon we moved back into the savanna where Uniform and Glossy Swiftlets fluttered overhead and a selection of parrots included Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked, Eclectus and Papuan King Parrot. The best discoveries of the afternoon were a family of White-spotted Mannikin in the company of Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and a splendid male White-bellied Whistler. We watched attractive White-throated Honeyeaters and strange New Guinea Friarbirds alongside White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Leaden Flycatcher, Lemon-bellied Flyrobin, and Hooded Butcherbird whilst a Forest Kingfisher put the finishing touches to the afternoon. We also noted Brahminy Kite, Pheasant Coucal, Brush Cuckoo, Oriental Dollarbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-shouldered Fairywren, Black-backed Butcherbird, White-breasted Woodswallow and Grey and Torresian Crows.

At Varirata National Park we saw the stunning Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher (left), a Barred Owlet-nightjar (centre) at its day roost

and also the handsome Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon (right). (Nik Borrow) After a welcome but short nights sleep we returned to Varirata at dawn and in the early hours we heard the loud crowing cries of the amazing Raggiana BoPs that were advertising their presence and ultimately led us nearer and nearer to their display trees where we watched a male shimmering and shaking. The previous days fruiting trees had now attracted Superb, Beautiful, Orange-bellied and Dwarf Fruit Doves. Tawny-breasted and Plain Honeyeaters were present and a Dusky Myzomela was another visitor to the flowers. A flock of Papuan Mountain Pigeons flew overhead and both Long-tailed Honey Buzzard and Variable Goshawk were seen. Moving on we entered the forest and followed a trail that initially frustrated with a pair of elusive Chestnut-backed Jewel-babblers successfully avoiding our gaze. An Azure Kingfisher was on the stream and bird parties held the pretty Goldenface (or Dwarf Whistler) as well as Fairy Gerygone, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Yellow-breasted Boatbill. Black Cicadabird, Grey-headed Whistler, Little Shrikethrush, Rusty Pitohui, Pygmy Drongo and Black-winged Monarch. We were also pleased to gain exceptional views of a quartet of Wallace’s Fairywrens. Rusty Mouse-warbler crept through the undergrowth, the pretty White-faced Robin clung to the vertical saplings and tiny Pygmy Longbills were overhead. The bizarre throbbing notes of a Crested Pitohui were heard and this shy bird was seen dashing past us apparently in response to playback


although the viewing opportunity was not repeated. The piercing whistles of a Northern Scrub-robin reached our ears and with a lot of patience we finally saw one bouncing past with cocked up tail although one had to be sharp-eyed to pick up the movement and we had a similar experience with a pair of Painted Quail-thrush. To finish our time at Varirata we were taken to see a sleepy and somewhat ‘impish’ Barred Owlet-nightjar peering out at us from its daytime roost hole.

At the PAU campus ponds Spotted Whistling Ducks (left) Australasian Swamphens (centre) and Plumed Whistling Ducks (right) all

showed well. (Nik Borrow) In the afternoon we paid a visit to the Pacific Adventist University campus with its little collection of ponds that usually support a good selection of species. Masked Lapwings were dotted across the dry lawns and also around the pools were numerous Australasian (or Black-backed) Swamphens, Dusky Moorhens and a few Australasian Grebes whilst groups of Pacific Black Ducks, Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks and numbers of Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants lined the banks. In particular we were hoping to find the less common Spotted Whistling Duck and we were pleased to find a gathering of at least 18 birds in the company of Raja Shelducks. Australian White Ibis, Nankeen Night Heron, Eastern Cattle, Eastern Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets and attractive Pied Herons were also present. The ubiquitous Willie Wagtail flaunted itself and other common species included Black and Whistling Kites, Peaceful Dove, Yellowish-streaked Lory and Pacific Swallow. However the star birds were arguably the plentiful Fawn-breasted Bowerbirds and the resident Papuan Frogmouths watched roosting in a particularly photogenic position and we marvelled at their amazing bills and cryptic plumage. Our time here was brought to an abrupt end a little earlier as intended as news came in that the airstrip at Kiunga had been closed and a visit to the airport was needed to juggle flights for the next day as we were supposed to have flown there first thing the following morning. In Papua New Guinea we were constantly and often quite gleefully told to “expect the unexpected” and we knew only too well that hiccups with logistics are not uncommon but despite Kiunga airport being closed we were able to swap our Kiunga flight for another to Tabubil which is ironically where we were supposed to be heading anyway and so we were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when we boarded the plane. Some hours later the smugness was wiped off our faces as we attempted to land three times at Tabubil and even got exceedingly low only to be thwarted by thick cloud at the last minute. The flight was then aborted and we flew to Wewak on the north coast before being taken back to Port Moresby for a somewhat sombre night in town. The next day we tried again and this time were successful and by lunchtime we found ourselves in the appropriately named ‘Cloudlands’ hotel in Tabubil having really only lost a morning’s birding time. Tabubil is situated in the forested foothills of the Star Mountains and this purpose-built town is home to one of the largest copper and gold mines of New Guinea. Although recently threatened by closure the mine has been given a new lease of life with the discovery of extra deposits and security has been increased with a fence built around the town that is taking on the feel of a walled fortress! This is normally a very wet area and we drove through low cloud and mizzle to the rushing streams at Ok Menga taking in our first Great Woodswallows along the way. This site is well known for a chance to see a resident pair of Salvadori’s Teal. Our success with this unusual duck in its own monotypic genus was after an hour’s wait hugely successful


with a pair watched preening and swimming in the swollen and fast flowing waters. At the lookout point for the teal we also found dapper little Torrent Flyrobins and nearby there was a super Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo posing for us and also Sacred Kingfisher, Scrub Honeyeater, Black Butcherbird, White-bellied Thicket Fantail and Black Sunbird. As the day closed a perched Pesquet’s (or Vulturine) Parrot was scoped and one or two others were seen in flight. A male Magnificent Riflebird flew past and perhaps more than a thousand Dusky Lorys dashed past winging their way to roost. As dusk fell a Shovel-billed Kookaburra mocked us by calling loudly from such dense cover that we had little hope of seeing it and ultimately it was only Nik that glimpsed a shadowy shape. We fared better with a Papuan Boobook caught in the torchbeam. We woke to a damp morning and departed for Dablin Creek. The track up the hillside here is very steep but amazingly the bus got us up most of the way. The weather was mostly kind to us and although dull and misty the morning turned out to be mostly dry. Unfortunately most of the vegetation on the lower slopes of the hillside has been cleared over the past years for farms and this is probably the reason for the slow demise of this site as the remaining standing trees at the edge of the upper forest also seem to be dead or dying. As there is really nowhere to go here a stand and wait policy is the name of the game and luckily the few standing trees nearby seemed to possess fruit and flowers and gradually a trickle of birds passed us by. The main successes of the morning included a Torrent-lark in the mist, some mouth-watering brief views of the rarely seen Greater Melampitta, the rather unimpressive but little-known Obscure Berrypecker that appears to be pretty easy to see here and a very fine Slaty-headed Longbill. The pretty Mountain Peltops was a popular find but the star bird appeared at the last moment in the form of a male and female Carola’s Parotia. Other species seen during the morning included charming little Orange-breasted Fig Parrots, Mountain and Long-billed Honeyeaters, Green-backed Gerygone, Grey-headed and Golden Cuckooshrikes, Northern Fantail, Crinkle-collared Manucode, Magnificent BoPs, White-rumped Robin and Island Leaf Warbler. After lunch we drove down the winding service road from Tabubil to the port town of Kiunga stopping en route to take in the interesting resident form of Little Ringed Plover that occurs here. In the Kiunga area we spent another rather dull morning along the Boystown Road that has these days been substantially upgraded and consequently very easy to drive with no fears of getting stuck as in past years. We arrived at the ‘bowerbird knoll’ watch-point just after it was getting light and we gathered on the top of the rise, jostled for position and then settled down to wait. The technique employed here is again simply ‘wait and see’ and gradually, species by species more new birds passed us as we waited for the main prize of the hoped for male Flame Bowerbird. The pace was a little bit slow and some of the views were distant or frustratingly brief as the birds flew past. Our first Papuan Spine-tailed Swifts and Blyth’s Hornbill were seen and there was a string of pigeons and parrots that included Bar-tailed Cuckoo-dove, Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon, Striated and Red-flanked Lorikeet and Double-eyed Fig Parrot. Both Meyer’s Friarbird and Lowland Peltops showed very well and after some time a female Flame Bowerbird alighted in the boughs of a distant bare tree for scope views. Leaving our watch-point we encouraged some electrically coloured Emperor Fairy-wrens to perform well, Streak-headed Honeyeater was seen and some Yellow-eyed Starlings were spotted amongst the more numerous groups of Metallic Starlings. By mid afternoon we found ourselves at the now famous ‘kilometre 17’ and its Greater Bird of Paradise display trees. Although the forest was somehow quiet we started well with good looks at Papuan Babbler and Variable Pitohui. A pair of Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeons appeared above us and we also got looks at Obscure Honeyeater, Yellow-bellied Longbill and Trumpet Manucode. Upon hearing the advertising cries of a male King BoP we eventually were treated to some fine views of this incredibly red bird displaying to a female from lianas in the dense canopy above our heads. After this success we were on our way to the Greater BoPs and although they never really got going at full steam their display was noisy and pretty impressive. In the late afternoon the Hook-billed Kingfishers began to call and some of us got glimpses as one shot to and fro between hiding places. This year we spent two full days on the Fly, Elevala and Ketu Rivers and stayed overnight at Samuel’s recently constructed Kwatu Camp. Fortunately, we were blessed with good weather on the journey out particularly as the trip is made in a small open-top fibreglass boat. We set off just after first light speeding on our way avoiding logs and branches through waters that looked like liquid mud. Many Collared Imperial


Pigeons were bursting out from the trees that lined the riverbanks and Shining Flycatchers flitted from low perches into the densely vegetated banks. Several Twelve-wired Birds of Paradise, Moustached Treeswifts and White-bellied Sea Eagles were seen on prominent perches and one tree bore the weight of some heavyweight Channel-billed Cuckoos whilst another held some fantastic Palm Cockatoos. Striated and Great-billed Herons were flushed up from the waters edge. Glossy-mantled Manucodes and Golden Mynas were occasionally seen, a Grey-headed Goshawk flew across our path and a chance stop allowed us to see the decidedly odd Long-billed Cuckoo and manage a flight view of a White-crowned Cuckoo in response to playback. During that afternoon and the following day we explored the swampy forest trying hard to avoid the numerous mosquitoes, leeches and invisible ‘chiggers’. Stumbling around in the mud forest we came across a noisy flock of White-bellied Pitohuis and a lengthy game of hide-and-seek resulted in great views of Common Paradise Kingfisher. A loose bird party included the attractive and strong-voiced Black-sided Robin, Rufous-backed Fantail and Spot-winged and Hooded Monarchs. At the end of the day we found our first huge Southern Crowned Pigeons. With their magnificent crowns raised they eyed us as we gazed at them and for the most part seemed content to let us stare so that we all were treated to some marvellous close views of these astonishing birds (with their outrageous hair-do and eye make-up!).

Orange-breasted Fig Parrots (left) were easy to see at Kwatu Camp. This Lowland Peltops (centre) allowed great views along the

Boystown Road. Common Paradise Kingfisher (right) was one of the prizes in the swampy forests along the Elevala River. (Nik Borrow) Our prolonged efforts at night birding drew a total blank with absolutely nothing seen or heard and despite the rain that fell through most of the night we began the following gloomy morning with a male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise dancing on his display pole and watched this bizarre bird advertise its presence in the early morning half-light. Our intention was then to take the boat to a purpose made blind overlooking a grove of Sago Palms where we had a chance to see the New Guinea Flightless Rail. Sadly this event was much delayed because of boat engine trouble and instead we had to rework the forest around the lodge. For all our effort there were few species to show although most people got views of a Blue Jewel-babbler and both Hooded Pitta and the unassuming Large-billed Gerygone were seen. By the time spare parts had arrived and the boat engine spluttered into life it was already well into the afternoon. We spent something over an hour in the hide but the rails were a “no show” and then the rain started again and it was a very long wet journey back to Kiunga as we sheltered from the prolonged downpour under ponchos and umbrellas. The early morning was dry and we found ourselves back on the Boystown Road. This certainly was not a waste of time as we all had scope looks at a perched male Flame Bowerbird and the remainder of the group caught up with a gorgeous Blue Jewel-babbler but then it was time to move on to somewhere completely different. The runway at Kiunga had been repaired and was open for business and a Nankeen Kestrel bade us farewell as our punctual plane departed for Mount Hagen from where a minibus conveyed us without hesitation up to the cool heights of Kumul Lodge and within the space of an hour, we found ourselves sitting on the lodge terrace overlooking the feeders where tame wild birds were all giving amazingly close-up views. This was a perfect antidote to the past few days. An embargo on hunting and the presence of the feeders have created a wonderful haven for birds and animals around the lodge that is located in beautiful montane forest overlooking Mount Hagen itself. Here it is refreshingly easy to see birds such as tame Brown


Sicklebills, Ribbon-tailed Astrapias, Belford’s Melidectes, Brehm’s Tiger Parrots, Sanford’s (split from Archbold’s) Bowerbird, Island Thrush, the striking White-winged Robin, Friendly Fantail, pretty Rufous-naped Whistlers, Common Smoky Honeyeaters and drab Grey-streaked Honeyeaters. Our afternoons were generally spent exploring the garden and trails around the lodge and although this didn’t produce many species, the quality was good. We were delighted to gain great views of New Guinea Woodcock on the trails and a pair of Forbes’s Forest Rail that visited the garden was a real surprise particularly as they seem to have chased out the more expected Chestnut Forest Rails! We enjoyed excellent looks at a Lesser Melampitta hopping around almost at our feet, close-up views of Sooty Melidectes and found the exquisite Crested Berrypecker and a pair of Crested Satinbirds at a fruiting tree. We also saw a female plumaged Wattled Ploughbill and admired wonderful Papuan Lorikeets that were frequenting fruiting and flowering Schefflera. Other species included Brown Quail, Bronze Ground Dove, Mountain Mouse-warbler, Large, Papuan and Buff-faced Scrubwrens, Fan-tailed Berrypecker. Yellow-billed Lorikeet, Brown-backed and Regent Whistlers, Black and Dimorphic Fantails, Canary Flyrobin, Papuan Grassbird, Mountain Firetail and Hooded Mannikin. At night we heard Mountain Owlet-nightjar but it was only Nik who glimpsed a shadowy shape.

Visitors to the feeders at Kumul Lodge included a male Brown Sicklebill (left), a male Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (centre) and Brehm’s Tiger

Parrot (right). (Nik Borrow) The next day we set off early in order to visit the Lesser BoP display area. During the past year a more substantial bridge had been constructed so that we could reach the trees where the birds were advertising and after a short walk down and up the valley we found ourselves watching this marvellous species through the scope. Whilst admiring these handsome creatures we also were treated to views of a male Magnificent BoP whilst flocks of Goldie’s Lorikeets flew overhead. Mountain Swiftlets now replaced the Uniforms in the skies overhead. A Brown Falcon looked on, colourful Ornate Melidectes were popular, Pied Bush Chats and Black-headed Whistlers were in full song and we also saw Brown-breasted Gerygone, Black-shouldered Cicadabird, Marbled Honeyeater and Papuan White-eyes but the real prize bird was a pair of Streaked Berrypeckers. Further down the valley we watched Long-tailed Shrike and several Yellow-breasted Bowerbirds darting through the casuarinas. Not surprisingly we were up early again the following day in order to get to a Blue BoP display area on time and climbed up one of the steep hillsides to gain a strategic viewpoint. Sadly there was no sight or sound from the bird although we did have scope views of an advertising male Superb BoP spreading his strange fan-like shields. Yellow-browed Melidectes and Red-collared Myzomelas were feeding in a flowering tree but there was little else to see and so we decided to cut our losses and moved back up the valley into forest that held some splendid King of Saxony BoPs and we watched a male crackling his static-electricity song and waving around those amazing antennae-like and marvellously unique feathers! A pair of Garnet Robins showed extremely well and we also were pleased to see Black-bellied Cuckooshrike and the attractive but


poisonous Blue-capped Ifrit.

Sooty Melidectes (left) was a great find at Kumul Lodge where the somewhat aggressive Belford’s Melidectes (centre) ruled the feeders.

An excursion to see Lesser Bird of Paradise (right) was a great success. (Nik Borrow) The next morning we were all set to move to the Tari area and due to the lack of scheduled flights we had opted to travel by road. We travelled in a coaster bus with bodyguards and at least in this way we would hopefully avoid unwanted delays and there should be a better guarantee of us actually arriving! It was estimated to take a long nine and a half hours drive albeit through some impressive scenery but with few stops (due to security reasons). Sadly not everything always goes smoothly in PNG and along the way we learned that the road was blocked somewhere ahead but at this point we were already past the point of no return and eventually we met up with a tailback of traffic that had been stuck on the road for the past two days. Our luck depended on which way one looked at the half empty glass but we all agreed that we were lucky that we had not arrived earlier because ultimately we only had to wait for five tedious hours while heavy duty diggers and graders filled and smoothed the broken road and the traffic flowed once more. We arrived at Ambua close to midnight and sunk into our beds with resounding sighs of relief!

A male Blue Bird of Paradise (left) poses at Ambua where this female Lawe’s Parotia (centre) was a frequent visitor to the garden. The

Mountain Kingfisher (right) was seen well after a prolonged struggle! (Nik Borrow) We had three full days in the Ambua Lodge area and our time was spent working the forests above the lodge as high as Tari Pass and also down below the lodge into Tari Valley. Despite a massive amount of


destruction of habitat and the widening of the road due to the laying of a gas pipeline we did pretty well here and during our stay we would pile into the lodge bus and were driven, either up (or sometimes down) the hill. Due mainly to the popularity of a fruiting tree, the gardens of the lodge itself were home to a trio of Stephanie’s Astrapias, Lawe’s Parotia, Loria’s Satinbird, Short-tailed Paradigalla and White-bibbed Fruit Dove all of which came to feed on a regular basis during our stay. Also a small group of Tit Berrypeckers was watched foraging amongst the ripening fruit and in close proximity the attractive Black-breasted Boatbill could be found. At a flowering tree close to the lodge we were delighted to find Black-throated Honeyeater with a small number of Fairy Lorikeets and we also noted Orange-billed Lorikeet. A fly-past Meyer’s Goshawk was a good sighting and although the birding pace was slow we also found Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Ashy Gerygone, Hooded Cuckooshrike, Mottled Whistler and Sclater’s Whistlers, Black Monarch, Slaty (or Blue-grey) and Black-throated Robins and Blue-faced Parrotfinch. On the picturesque heights of Tari Gap we watched a dapper male Papuan Harrier, a Fan-tailed Cuckoo was found and Plum-faced Lorikeets dashed overhead. Lower down we encountered Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo but we had to be up before dawn to find Archbold’s Nightjar as the evenings tended to be dominated by rain and low cloud which reduced visibility to nothing. We spent a lot of time battling with some skulkers but ultimately won the battle. Both Spotted Jewel-babbler and a pair of Papuan Logrunners walked right up to us and although a Lesser Ground Robin was much more nervous we all eventually managed good views. A pair of elusive Mountain Kingfishers eluded us for a long time but were eventually found sitting out in the open. Below the lodge further down into the valley filled with fortified fields and gardens we went to see if the regularly seen Sooty Owl was at home but sadly the bird was nowhere to be found. We did somewhat better in another garden and witnessed a truly memorable encounter with the brilliant Blue Bird of Paradise. We could hear the ‘reversing vehicle horns’ that advertised its presence and the tension mounted waiting for the bird to appear and when it did we found it to be perfectly illuminated by the early morning sun and exceptional views were obtained. On our final morning we just had enough time to look for a male Black Sicklebill before leaving for the airport and eventually spotted one on the opposite ridge and scope views were had by all of us before returning to Port Moresby.

During our second visit to the PAU ponds we found an Australasian Figbird (left), several brightly coloured Orange-fronted Fruit Doves

(centre) and had plenty of time to admire the Papuan Frogmouths (right). (Nik Borrow) Another punctual flight got us back in good time to revisit the ponds at the PAU campus. With rather more time to spare than our previous visit and no pressure we were able to enjoy some easy birding and add a number of species to the list including the stunning Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, as well as a pair of Green Pygmy Geese, Australian Hobby, Comb-crested Jacana, Pacific Golden Plover, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Australasian Figbird, Singing Starling and Grey-headed Mannikin. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the afternoon was the presence of a trio of Hardheads on one of the ponds. The next morning we were up very early and returned to Varirata National Park and arriving before dawn saw numerous Large-tailed Nightjars either resting or flushed off from the road. From the lookout the view


down towards Port Moresby was breath-taking and during the morning there seemed to be a lot more bird song than during our previous visit. We moved into the forest and spent some time allowing a skulking and virtually invisible Northern Scrub Robin to torment us. The frustration of this encounter was offset by the appearance of a stunning male Painted Quail-thrush that strolled around in the open in front of us allowing some amazing and memorable views. A fruiting tree was packed full of pigeons and Wompoo Fruit Dove was added to the list and our morning session ended with a pair of Growling Riflebirds in the branches of a bare tree that stayed around long enough for superb scope views. We collected our luggage from the hotel and checked in at the airport in good time for our flight to Hoskins on the island of New Britain. Once again we had no problems and the flight was actually slightly earlier than scheduled. We arrived on the island and reacquainted ourselves with a warm humid climate tempered by refreshing sea breezes and soon found ourselves being whisked along in a comfortable bus ticking off Bismarck Crow along the way to the wonderful Walindi Plantation Resort in good time to settle in for a four nights stay where our fine rooms overlooked the coral reefs and we enjoyed a really good evening meal. On our first morning we found ourselves out on a small diving boat heading out to some offshore islands in search of a few species that despite their proximity to the mainland are strangely restricted only to them. We first circled the islands that were full of Island (or Grey) Imperial Pigeons with a few Yellowish Imperial Pigeons whilst Eastern Ospreys soared overhead. However, it was extremely windy and the tide was very high on arrival and the hoped for views of Nicobar Pigeons on the beach did not happen as those that we saw were all either in flight or perched in the trees. We set anchor just by one of the islands and it wasn’t long before we added the pretty Sclater’s Myzomela, Island Monarch, Mangrove Golden Whistler and even Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-dove to the tally. A Beach Kingfisher was resident on this island and we all had several views of this striking beauty. Out over the choppy waters a few Lesser Frigatebirds and some distant Brown Boobies were seen. We had seen our main targets very quickly and there was time to enjoy some superb snorkelling in the crystal clear waters or simply wade ashore and explore one of the tiny islands on foot. After a fine picnic lunch the wind appeared to be getting stronger and the tide had hardly dropped at all! Nonetheless as we made our way back to the resort we managed to pick out Black Noddy, Crested, Black-naped and Common Terns along the way as well as Pacific Reef Heron.

Out in Kimbe Bay, Island Imperial Pigeons (left) were impossible to miss. Moustached Tree Swifts (centre) and the New Britain Boobook

(right) were seen well on Kilu Ridge. (Nik Borrow) In the late afternoon we turned our attention to the oil palm plantation and in a grassy field flushed several King Quail, and also saw Buff-banded Rail, Tree Martin, Clamorous Reed Warbler and Golden-headed Cisticola. As we drove through the endless oil palms Stephan’s Emerald Doves were common, Common Kingfishers were noted and we found a few Black Bitterns. On the edge of the plantation where there were small patches of remnant forest we found some of our first Bismarck endemics including the impressive Red-


knobbed Imperial Pigeon, noisy Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Purple-bellied Lory, New Britain Friarbird and Long-tailed Myna. The next two days were spent exploring the forests that surround the enormous oil palm estate at Walindi at Garu Wildlife Management Area where a driveable track runs through the remnant forest. Early in the morning the forest was alive with a cacophony of sounds from a chorus of parrots, pigeons, coucals and kingfishers but they fell silent very quickly and even some of the commoner species were a bit elusive this year. We were exceptionally lucky to get a brief view of a Black Honey Buzzard that flew across our path. Melanesian Megapodes were easy to see strutting along the road and we also saw plenty by walking a rough trail that led us into the egg laying area where numerous holes had been made into the sandy, thermally heated soil by the Melanesian Scrubfowl themselves and of course, by the people who burrowed after them on specified days of the week in order to harvest the eggs. A number of birds were flushed and some stayed frozen on their perches. The very handsome Finsch’s Imperial Pigeon took a little more time to lure into view but we saw several individuals. A pair of hulking Violaceous Coucal was watched hooting at each other and the smaller White-necked (or Pied) Coucal was also seen well. A trio of dapper White-mantled Kingfishers presented no problem to see but we had to push our way through the undergrowth to get inside the tangled forest in order to see a Black-capped Paradise Kingfisher that even so still took some time to locate. The diminutive Red-banded Flowerpecker and Ashy and Black-bellied Myzomelas were seen in small numbers and we saw the striking Black-tailed Monarch well and also a pair of Velvet Flycatchers. Unusually we struggled for Red-knobbed Fruit Dove but found several at the end of our very last afternoon. After a rain shower the Buff-bellied Mannikins finally showed well at this time, tiny Buff-faced Pygmy-parrots were fast disappearing tiny blips and other species seen during the stay included White-browed Crake, Song Parrot, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, White-rumped Swiftlet, Variable Dwarf Kingfisher, Barred Cuckooshrike, Common Cicadabird, Varied Triller and Olive-backed Sunbird. One afternoon we visited the now well-known staked out roost site of a pair of New Britain Boobook, which was a considerable relief and meant that we did not have to stumble around in the dark for ages looking for them! Thus the tour came peacefully to a close and over our final night celebrations we mused upon all the wonderful sightings that had contributed to the great success of this fantastic tour. The next morning we returned to Port Moresby in order to catch our international flight back to Singapore and onwards. This trip had been a superb introduction to the delights of New Guinea’s astonishing avifauna. We had barely touched the surface of this vast island yet we had seen an amazing selection of some of its most wonderful and eccentric birds and even been privileged enough to have indulged in some of our own personal ‘Attenborough-like moments’. Certainly the memories of those wonderful birds of paradise will last a lifetime and this unique and special corner of the world has to rate up there as one of those great world travel experiences. Go isi isi. Lukim yu.

An optional visit to a Sing-sing was a highlight of the tour at Ambua (Bob Newman)


The unusual Short-tailed Paradigalla was seen well at Ambua Lodge. (Nik Borrow)

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR 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). 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, DD = Data Deficient. BIRDS Black-billed Brushturkey ◊ (Yellow-legged B-T) Talegalla fuscirostris (H) Heard in the Kiunga area. Melanesian Megapode ◊ (M Scrubfowl, Volcano S) Megapodius eremita Excellent views on New Britain. Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora Seen in flight at Kumul Lodge. King Quail Excalfactoria chinensis Several were flushed and seen well in flight on New Britain. Spotted Whistling Duck ◊ Dendrocygna guttata 18 were present during our first visit. Plumed Whistling Duck ◊ Dendrocygna eytoni Good numbers were present at PAU ponds. Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Smaller numbers than usual at PAU ponds.


Raja Shelduck ◊ (White-headed S) Tadorna radjah 5 present at PAU ponds. Salvadori’s Teal ◊ Salvadorina waigiuensis (V) A pair seen easily and well at Ok Menga. See Note. Green Pygmy Goose ◊ Nettapus pulchellus A pair at PAU ponds. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Common at PAU ponds and also seen on New Britain. Hardhead Aythya australis 3 were seen at PAU ponds. Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 8+ at PAU ponds. Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 2 of these Australian visitors at PAU ponds. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (NL) Brian saw 1 at PAU ponds. Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis Small numbers were seen in the oil palm plantations on New Britain. Nankeen Night Heron (Rufous N H) Nycticorax caledonicus 1 at PAU and 2 on New Britain. Striated Heron (Green-backed H) Butorides striata A few on the Elevala River and 1 on New Britain. Eastern Cattle Egret Egretta coromandus Good numbers in the Port Moresby area and on New Britain. Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana A juvenile was seen well during our stay on the Elevala River. Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Small numbers at PAU, Kiunga and New Britain. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia 4 at PAU ponds. Pied Heron ◊ Egretta picata 6+ of this mainly Australian visitor at PAU ponds. Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 at PAU ponds. Pacific Reef Heron (Eastern R- Egret) Egretta sacra Small numbers in Kimbe Bay, New Britain. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Small numbers were seen in Kimbe Bay. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster 2 distant birds were seen in Kimbe Bay. Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucus Small numbers at PAU ponds and New Britain.

The striking Little Pied Cormorant was easily seen at the PAU ponds. (Nik Borrow)

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Common at PAU ponds. Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus Small numbers in Kimbe Bay. Pacific Baza (Crested Hawk) Aviceda subcristata Easy to see in the Kiunga area and on New Britain. Long-tailed Honey Buzzard ◊ (L-t B) Henicopernis longicauda Sightings at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Black Honey Buzzard ◊ (New Britain B) Henicopernis infuscatus A lucky sighting at Garu. Black Kite Milvus migrans Most common in the Mt Hagen area. Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus A few in the Port Moresby area. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Commonly encountered throughout the tour. See Note. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Sightings along the Fly River and on New Britain. Papuan Harrier ◊ Circus spilothorax A male was seen well at Tari Gap. Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster Commonly encountered throughout the tour. Grey-headed Goshawk ◊ Accipiter poliocephalus 1 seen in flight crossing the Elevala River. Meyer’s Goshawk ◊ Accipiter meyerianus 1 seen in flight above Ambua. See Note. Nankeen Kestrel (Australian K) Falco cenchroides Singletons of this visitor from Australia at Kiunga and Tari Gap. Australian Hobby Falco longipennis 1 seen by some at PAU ponds.


Brown Falcon Falco berigora Great views in the Minamba Valley. Forbes’s Forest Rail ◊ Rallicula forbesi Astonishing views of a pair at Kumul Lodge. See Note. Buff-banded Rail Rallus philippensis 5 seen on New Britain. White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea 2 flushed birds were seen on New Britain. Australasian Swamphen Porphyrio [porphyrio] melanotus Common on the PAU ponds and 1 on New Britain. Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Good numbers on the PAU ponds. Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles This distinctive lapwing was common and easy to see at the PAU campus. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 1 was seen at PAU ponds. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius A pair was seen between Tabubil and Kiunga. See Note. Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea Seen well on the PAU ponds. New Guinea Woodcock ◊ Scolopax rosenbergii At least 2 seen very well at Kumul Lodge. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1 was seen in flight on New Britain. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos Small numbers at Tabubil and New Britain. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Nik and Jake saw 1 at Walindi. Black Noddy Anous minutus At least 10 during the Kimbe Bay boat trip. Greater Crested Tern (C T, Swift T) Thalasseus bergii Seen in Kimbe Bay. Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus 1 seen by some in Kimbe Bay. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Small numbers, most in pristine condition were seen in Kimbe Bay. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Good numbers of the form longipennis were seen during the Kimbe Bay boat trip. Rock Pigeon (R Dove) Columba livia Feral or ‘table’ birds only. Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove Macropygia amboinensis Recorded throughout the tour at lower elevations. Bar-tailed Cuckoo-dove ◊ (Black-billed C-d) Macropygia nigrirostris Small numbers generally at higher elevations. Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-dove ◊ Macropygia mackinlayi 2 were seen during the Kimbe Bay boat trip. See Note. Great Cuckoo-dove ◊ (Long-tailed C-D) Reinwardtoena reinwardtii Four fly-by sightings of this large dove. Stephan’s Ground-Dove Chalcophaps stephani Easiest to see on New Britain. See Note. New Guinea Bronzewing ◊ Henicophaps albifrons (H) Heard only along the Boystown Road. Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida Easy to see at the PAU ponds. Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis A pair was seen at the PAU ponds. Nicobar Pigeon ◊ Caloenas nicobarica (NT) This unique pigeon was seen on islands in Kimbe Bay. Bronze Ground Dove ◊ Gallicolumba beccarii Chris saw 1 at Kumul Lodge. Pheasant Pigeon ◊ Otidiphaps nobilis (H) Sadly only heard at Varirata NP. Southern Crowned Pigeon ◊ Goura scheepmakeri (V) A fantastic showing this year around Kwatu Camp. Wompoo Fruit Dove ◊ (Magnificent F-D) Ptilinopus magnificus 1 seen briefly in Varirata. Pink-spotted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus perlatus A common bird at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Ornate Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus ornatus 1 seen well at Varirata. Orange-fronted Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus aurantiifrons Excellent views at PAU campus. Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus Sightings at Varirata, Dablin Creek and in the Kiunga area. Coroneted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus coronulatus (H) Heard at Varirata. Beautiful Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus pulchellus Sightings at Varirata and at Dablin Creek. White-bibbed Fruit Dove ◊ (W- breasted F-D) Ptilinopus rivoli Seen well at Ambua. Orange-bellied Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus iozonus Small numbers at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Knob-billed Fruit Dove ◊ (Red-knobbed F-D) Ptilinopus insolitus Ultimately seen well on New Britain. Dwarf Fruit Dove ◊ Ptilinopus nanus Singletons of these tiny fruit-doves at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula rubricera (NT) Easily seen on New Britain. Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula rufigaster Seen well in Kiunga and at Varirata. Finsch’s Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula finschii (NT) Excellent scope views on New Britain. See Note. Island Imperial Pigeon ◊ (Grey I P) Ducula pistrinaria Abundant on the offshore islands in Kimbe Bay. Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula pinon Small numbers were seen in the Kiunga area. See Note. Collared Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula mullerii Exceedingly common along the Fly and Elevala Rivers. Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula zoeae This handsome pigeon was seen well at Varirata and Kiunga. See Note. Torresian Imperial Pigeon ◊ Ducula spilorrhoa Seen well at the PAU campus. Yellowish Imperial Pigeon ◊ (Yellow-tinted I P) Ducula subflavescens (NT) Easily seen on New Britain. Papuan Mountain Pigeon ◊ Gymnophaps albertisii Both highflying flocks and perched birds were seen. Palm Cockatoo ◊ Probosciger aterrimus 4 were seen along the Elevala River.


Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita This noisy bird was seen well at Varirata and in the Kiunga areas. Blue-eyed Cockatoo ◊ Cacatua ophthalmica (V) Noisy and easy to see on New Britain. Pesquet’s Parrot ◊ (Vulturine P) Psittrichas fulgidus (V) Seen perched and in flight at Ok Menga. See Note. Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot ◊ Micropsitta keiensis (H) Heard in the Kiunga area. Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot ◊ Micropsitta pusio Poor flight views on New Britain. Yellowish-streaked Lory ◊ (Greater Streaked S L) Chalcopsitta sintillata Commonly seen in the Kiunga area. Dusky Lory ◊ Pseudeos fuscata Huge numbers were counted flying over Ok Menga one evening. Coconut Lorikeet ◊ Trichoglossus haematodus Common and easily seen throughout the tour. Goldie’s Lorikeet ◊ Psitteuteles goldiei Small numbers seen flying over Kumul Lodge and Tari Gap. See Note. Black-capped Lory ◊ Lorius lory Most numerous in the Kiunga area. Purple-bellied Lory ◊ (Eastern Black-capped L) Lorius hypoinochrous Common and easy to see on New Britain. Striated Lorikeet ◊ (Streaked L) Charmosyna multistriata 5 seen in flight along the Boystown Road. Red-flanked Lorikeet ◊ Charmosyna placentis Common in the Kiunga area and small numbers on New Britain. Fairy Lorikeet ◊ Charmosyna pulchella Small numbers seen well at Ambua. Papuan Lorikeet ◊ Charmosyna papou Good views of both colour morphs around Kumul Lodge and Ambua.

The beautiful Papuan Lorikeet presented no problems to see well. (Nik Borrow)

Plum-faced Lorikeet ◊ (Whiskered L) Oreopsittacus arfaki Small numbers were glimpsed in flight at Tari Gap. Yellow-billed Lorikeet ◊ Neopsittacus musschenbroekii Seen in the Minamba Valley and the Ambua area. Orange-billed Lorikeet ◊ Neopsittacus pullicauda Small numbers above Ambua Lodge. Brehm’s Tiger Parrot ◊ Psittacella brehmii The tame birds on the feeders at Kumul continued to delight. See Note. Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi A very common and noisy lowland species. Blue-collared Parrot ◊ Geoffroyus simplex (H) Heard only flying high over Dablin Creek. Song Parrot ◊ (Singing P) Geoffroyus heteroclitus Flight views on over Garu. Eclectus Parrot ◊ Eclectus roratus A splendidly common, stunningly colourful and frightfully noisy parrot. Papuan King Parrot ◊ Alisterus chloropterus This colourful but elusive parrot was seen at Varirata and Ambua. Orange-breasted Fig Parrot ◊ Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii Easy to see in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas. Double-eyed Fig Parrot ◊ Cyclopsitta diopthalma Scope views in the Kiunga area. White-necked Coucal ◊ (Pied C) Centropus ateralbus Seen well on New Britain. Ivory-billed Coucal ◊ (Greater Black C) Centropus menbeki (H) Heard in the Kiunga area. Violaceous Coucal ◊ Centropus violaceus (NT) Great scope views on New Britain. Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus Easily seen in the Port Moresby area. Dwarf Koel ◊ Microdynamis parva Fantastic views of a male at Varirata. Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis Seen in the Kiunga area. Channel-billed Cuckoo ◊ Scythrops novaehollandiae At least 6 were seen during the Fly River trip. Long-billed Cuckoo ◊ Rhamphomantis megarhynchos 1 seen and heard along the Elevala River. Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo ◊ Chrysococcyx ruficollis 1 seen well above Ambua. Shining Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus 1 on New Britain.


White-crowned Cuckoo ◊ (W-c Koel) Cacomantis leucolophus Poor flight view along the Elevala River. Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo ◊ Cacomantis castaneiventris Excellent views at Ok Menga. Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis Seen well at Tari Gap. Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Widespread sightings throughout the tour. Papuan Boobook ◊ (Jungle Hawk Owl) Ninox theomacha Great looks at singletons at Ok Menga and Km 17. New Britain Boobook ◊ (Russet Hawk-Owl) Ninox odiosa (V) A pair at their daytime roost on New Britain. Papuan Frogmouth ◊ Podargus papuensis The usual pair was joined by a third at PAU. Archbold’s Nightjar ◊ (Mountain M) Eurostopodus archboldi Seen well at night above Ambua. See Note. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus At least 12 en route to Varirata. Mountain Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles albertisi Only Nik saw a shadowy shape at Kumul Lodge. Barred Owlet-nightjar ◊ Aegotheles bennettii Seen well at a daytime roost at Varirata. Moustached Tree-Swift Hemiprocne mystacea A few in the Kiunga area and on New Britain. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Common and widespread. Mountain Swiftlet ◊ Aerodramus hirundinaceus Good numbers each day in the Ambua and Kumul areas. White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius Just 1 seen on New Britain. Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis Common to abundant throughout the lower altitudes during the tour. Papuan Spine-tailed Swift ◊ (P Needletail) Mearnsia novaeguineae Easy to get good looks in the Kiunga area. Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Most numerous in the Kiunga area. Hook-billed Kingfisher ◊ Melidora macrorrhina Glimpses in the Kiunga area. Common Paradise Kingfisher ◊ Tanysiptera galatea Seen well along the Elevala River. Black-capped Paradise Kingfisher ◊ Tanysiptera nigriceps With perseverance we saw 1 well on New Britain. Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher ◊ (B-capped P K) Tanysiptera danae Seen well at Varirata. Shovel-billed Kookaburra ◊ (S-b Kingfisher) Clytoceyx rex Only Nik saw a shadowy shape at dusk at Ok Menga. Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii Seen well at Varirata. Rufous-bellied Kookaburra ◊ Dacelo gaudichaud Seen well at Varirata and in the Kiunga area.

The male Rufous-bellied Kookaburra can be identified by the blue tail. (Nik Borrow)

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii Seen well at Varirata. White-mantled Kingfisher ◊ (New Britain K) Todiramphus albonotatus (NT) A trio seen well on New Britain. Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris 1 at PAU ponds and easy to see on New Britain. Beach Kingfisher ◊ Todiramphus saurophagus Just 1 seen in flight in Kimbe Bay. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus Scattered records of this non-breeding Australian migrant. Yellow-billed Kingfisher ◊ (Lesser Y-b K) Syma torotoro Seen well at Varirata and along the Boystown Road. Mountain Kingfisher ◊ (M Yellow-billed K) Syma megarhyncha A pair eventually showed well at Ambua. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Seen well on New Britain.


Variable Dwarf Kingfisher ◊ (D K) Ceyx lepidus Seen in flight on New Britain. Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus Glimpsed by some at Varirata. Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus First seen at Varirata but most numerous on New Britain. Blyth’s Hornbill ◊ (Papuan H) Rhyticeros plicatus Easily seen in the Kiunga area and on New Britain. See Note. Red-bellied Pitta ◊ (Blue-breasted P) Pitta erythrogaster (H) Heard in the Kiunga area. Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Brief views on the Elevala River. Spotted Catbird Ailuroedus melanotos (H) Heard along the Boystown Road. Sanford’s Bowerbird ◊ Archboldia [papuensis] sanfordi (NT) A female at the Kumul Lodge feeders. See Note.

This female Sanford’s Bowerbird was an occasional visitor to the Kumul Lodge feeders. (Nik Borrow) Flame Bowerbird ◊ Sericulus ardens Both male and females were seen along the Boystown Road. Yellow-breasted Bowerbird ◊ Chlamydera lauterbachi Seen well in the Minamba Valley. Fawn-breasted Bowerbird ◊ Chlamydera cerviniventris Easy to see at the PAU campus. Papuan Treecreeper ◊ Cormobates placens (H) Only heard above Ambua Lodge. Wallace’s Fairywren ◊ Sipodotus wallacii Excellent sightings at Varirata and Dablin Creek. See Note. Emperor Fairywren ◊ Malurus cyanocephalus An ‘electric’ pair along the Boystown Road. White-shouldered Fairywren ◊ Malurus alboscapulatus Widespread sightings and first seen well at Varirata. Tawny-breasted Honeyeater ◊ Xanthotis flaviventer Seen easily at Variata and in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas. Black-throated Honeyeater ◊ Lichenostomus subfrenatus Seen well above Ambua Lodge. Obscure Honeyeater ◊ Lichenostomus obscurus Seen well at Km 17. Mountain Honeyeater ◊ (Hill Forest Meliphaga) Meliphaga orientalis Easy to see in the highlands. Scrub Honeyeater ◊ (S White-eared Meliphaga) Meliphaga albonotata Seen easily in the Tabubil area. Mimic Honeyeater ◊ (M Meliphaga) Meliphaga analoga Most meliphagas seen were judged to be this species. White-throated Honeyeater ◊ Melithreptus albogularis Small numbers in the savanna at Varirata. Plain Honeyeater ◊ Pycnopygius ixoides Seen well at Variata and in the Kiunga area. Marbled Honeyeater ◊ Pycnopygius cinereus Good looks in the Minamba and Tari Valleys. Streak-headed Honeyeater ◊ Pycnopygius stictocephalus Singletons along the Boystown Road and Variata. Meyer’s Friarbird ◊ Philemon meyeri 1 scoped along the Boystown Road. New Guinea Friarbird ◊ Philemon novaeguineae Widespread sightings from lower areas of the main island. New Britain Friarbird ◊ Philemon cockerelli Easy to see on New Britain. Common Smoky Honeyeater ◊ Melipotes fumigatus Extremely common around Kumul and Tari. Sooty Melidectes ◊ Melidectes fuscus Great looks at a pair at Kumul Lodge. Yellow-browed Melidectes ◊ Melidectes rufocrissalis Easily seen in the Minamba and Tari Valleys. Belford’s Melidectes ◊ (B Honeyeater) Melidectes belfordi Common at Kumul Lodge and Tari Gap. See Note.


Ornate Melidectes ◊ (O Honeyeater) Melidectes torquatus Seen well in the Minamba Valley. Rufous-backed Honeyeater ◊ Ptiloprora guisei Seen below Kumul and in the Makara Lodge area. Grey-streaked Honeyeater ◊ (Black-backed H) Ptiloprora perstriata Easy to see at Kumul Lodge and Tari gap.

Grey-streaked Honeyeaters are regular visitors to Kumul Lodge. (Nik Borrow)

Long-billed Honeyeater ◊ Melilestes megarhynchos Glimpses at Dablin Creek and in the Kiunga area. Rufous-banded Honeyeater ◊ Conopophila albogularis Seen well at the PAU ponds. Ashy Myzomela ◊ (Bismarck M) Myzomela cineracea A few seen on New Britain. Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura 1 seen by some at Variata. Papuan Black Myzomela ◊ Myzomela nigrita Common at Variata. Mountain Myzomela ◊ (M Red-headed M) Myzomela adolphinae Seen at Variata and in the Minamba Valley. Sclater’s Myzomela ◊ (Scarlet-bibbed M) Myzomela sclateri Easy to see on the islands in Kimbe Bay. See Note. Black-bellied Myzomela ◊ (New Britain Red-headed M) Myzomela erythromelas A few sightings on New Britain. Red-collared Myzomela ◊ Myzomela rosenbergii Easily seen in the highlands. Green-backed Honeyeater ◊ Glycichaera fallax 1 seen well at Variata. Rusty Mouse-warbler ◊ Crateroscelis murina Typically skulking birds at Varirata and Tabubil. Mountain Mouse-warbler ◊ Crateroscelis robusta Somewhat easier to see than its lowland cousin. Pale-billed Scrubwren ◊ Sericornis spilodera Seen well at Varirata. Papuan Scrubwren ◊ Sericornis papuensis Easily seen in the highlands. Large Scrubwren Sericornis nouhuysi Easily seen in the highlands. Buff-faced Scrubwren ◊ Sericornis perspicillatus Easy to see in the highlands. Brown-breasted Gerygone ◊ (Treefern G) Gerygone ruficollis Easy to see in the highlands. Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris A few in the Elevala River area. Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster Easy to see at Variata and in the Kiunga area. Ashy Gerygone ◊ Gerygone cinerea Seen well above Ambua Lodge. Green-backed Gerygone ◊ Gerygone chloronotus Seen at Dablin Creek and heard elsewhere. Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa Seen well at Varirata. Goldenface ◊ (Dwarf Whistler) Pachycare flavogriseum Good views of this wonderful bird at Variata. Papuan Babbler ◊ (Rufous B, New Guinea B) Garritornis isidorei Small numbers seen well in the Kiunga area. Papuan Logrunner ◊ (New Guinea L) Orthonyx novaeguineae Wonderful views above Ambua Lodge. Loria’s Satinbird ◊ (L’s Bird of Paradise) Cnemophilus loriae Males and females seen at Ambua Lodge. See Note. Crested Satinbird ◊ (C Bird of Paradise) Cnemophilus macgregorii A pair was seen well in a fruiting tree at Kumul. Obscure Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis arfakiana (DD) Great views of this mysterious bird at Dablin Creek. Black Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis nigra Seen well at Varirata. Fan-tailed Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis versteri Easy to see in the highlands.


Streaked Berrypecker ◊ Melanocharis striativentris As usual fairly brief but seen well in the Minamba Valley. Dwarf Longbill ◊ (Plumed H, D Honeyeater) Oedistoma iliolophum Seen well at Varirata. Pygmy Longbill ◊ (P Honeyeater) Oedistoma pygmaeum A pair was seen at Varirata. Yellow-bellied Longbill ◊ (Green-crowned L) Toxorhamphus novaeguineae Several seen along the Elevala River. Slaty-headed Longbill ◊ (S-chinned, Grey-winged L) Toxorhamphus poliopterus Excellent views at Dablin Creek. Tit Berrypecker ◊ Oreocharis arfaki Very few and only at Ambua but seen well.

This superb male Tit Berrypecker was feeding in the fruiting tree at Ambua Lodge. (Nik Borrow) Crested Berrypecker ◊ Paramythia montium Excellent views in the highlands. Spotted Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa leucosticta 1 seen very well at Ambua Lodge. Blue Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa caerulescens 3 seen in the Kiunga area. Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler ◊ Ptilorrhoa castanonotus (H) Only heard at Varirata. Painted Quail-thrush ◊ Cinclosoma ajax 2 simply marvellous encounters at Varirata. Yellow-breasted Boatbill ◊ Machaerirhynchus flaviventer 1 at Varirata. Black-breasted Boatbill ◊ Machaerirhynchus nigripectus Seen well at Ambua. Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi Sightings at Varirata and the Tari Valley. Black-backed Butcherbird ◊ Cracticus mentalis Easily seen around Port Moresby. Hooded Butcherbird ◊ Cracticus cassicus Easily seen at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Lowland Peltops ◊ Peltops blainvillii Excellent views along the Boystown Road. Mountain Peltops ◊ Peltops montanus A pair at Dablin Creek. White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorhynchus Easily seen around Port Moresby and Kiunga. Great Woodswallow ◊ (New Guinea W) Artamus maximus Easy to see at Tabubil and in the highlands. Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae A few sightings in the port Moresby area. Stout-billed Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina caeruleogrisea Seen well at Varirata. Barred Cuckooshrike ◊ (Yellow-eyed C-S) Coracina lineata A pair on New Britain. Boyer’s Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina boyeri Small numbers at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. See Note. White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis First seen at Varirata in good numbers. Hooded Cuckooshrike Coracina longicauda Great views at Ambua. Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed C) Coracina tenuirostris A male was seen on New Britain. Black-shouldered Cicadabird ◊ (Papuan Cuckooshrike) Coracina incerta A male in the Minamba Valley. Grey-headed Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina schisticeps Seen well at Tabubil and in the Kiunga area. Black Cicadabird ◊ (New Guinea Cuckooshrike) Coracina melas Pairs at Varirata and Km 17. Black-bellied Cuckooshrike ◊ Coracina montana Small groups in the highlands. Golden Cuckooshrike ◊ Campochaera sloetii This beautiful bird was first seen at Dablin Creek. Varied Triller Lalage leucomela Most easily seen on New Britain. Wattled Ploughbill ◊ Eulacestoma nigropectus A female plumaged bird was seen at Kumul Lodge. Mottled Whistler ◊ Rhagologus leucostigma A male was seen above Ambua Lodge. Brown-backed Whistler ◊ Pachycephala modesta Easily seen in the highlands. Grey-headed Whistler Pachycephala [simplex] griseiceps Just 2 sightings at Varirata. Sclater’s Whistler ◊ Pachycephala soror Small numbers at Ambua Lodge.


Mangrove Golden Whistler ◊ (Black-tailed W) Pachycephala melanura Good views in Kimbe Bay. Regent Whistler ◊ Pachycephala schlegelii This stunning bird was easily seen in the highlands. Black-headed Whistler ◊ Pachycephala monacha Sightings in the Minamba Valley. White-bellied Whistler ◊ Pachycephala leucogastra Good looks at a male at Varirata. Little Shrikethrush (Rufous S T) Colluricincla megarhyncha Seen at Varirata and below Ambua. Variable Pitohui ◊ Pitohui kirhocephalus Seen well at Km 17. Hooded Pitohui ◊ Pitohui dichrous Great looks at Varirata. White-bellied Pitohui ◊ Pitohui incertus (NT) Good views of excitable birds along the Elevala River. Rusty Pitohui ◊ Pitohui ferrugineus Good looks at this pale-eyed bird at Varirata. Crested Pitohui ◊ Pitohui cristatus Flight views in response to playback at Varirata. Black Pitohui ◊ Pitohui nigrescens (H) Heard above Ambua. Rufous-naped Whistler ◊ Aleadryas rufinucha Seen well in the highlands. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Small numbers in the highlands. Australasian Figbird (Green F) Sphecotheres vieilloti Easy to see at the PAU ponds. Brown Oriole ◊ Oriolus szalayi Easily seen around Port Moresby and in the Kiunga area. Pygmy Drongo ◊ (Mountain D, Papuan D) Chaetorhynchus papuensis 1 seen well at Variata. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus Easily seen at Varirata and in the Kiunga area and again on New Britain. Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys This ubiquitous tail-waving bird was a familiar sight during the tour. Northern Fantail ◊ Rhipidura rufiventris A few seen at Dablin Creek and on New Britain. Sooty Thicket Fantail ◊ Rhipidura threnothorax Good looks at a very volatile bird at Varirata. White-bellied Thicket Fantail ◊ Rhipidura leucothorax Brief looks at Ok Menga. Black Fantail ◊ Rhipidura atra Just a few seen in the highlands. Chestnut-bellied Fantail ◊ Rhipidura hyperythra Easily seen at Varirata. Friendly Fantail ◊ Rhipidura albolimbata Common and easy to see in the highlands.

Friendly Fantails often lived up to their name at Kumul and Ambua Lodges. (Nik Borrow) Dimorphic Fantail ◊ Rhipidura brachyrhyncha Just 1 seen at Kumul Lodge. Rufous-backed Fantail ◊ Rhipidura rufidorsa 1 seen well along the Elevala River. Black Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus axillaris Just 1 seen at Ambua Lodge. Spot-winged Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus guttula Singletons seen well along the Elevala River. Hooded Monarch ◊ Symposiachrus manadensis Elusive birds along the Elevala River. Black-tailed Monarch ◊ (Bismarck Pied M) Symposiachrus verticalis Seen well on New Britain. Island Monarch ◊ Monarcha cinerascens A pair was seen well on one of the islands in Kimbe Bay. Black-winged Monarch ◊ Monarcha frater 2 sightings at Varirata.


Golden Monarch ◊ Carterornis chrysomela Males were seen at Varirata and along the Elevala River. Frilled Monarch ◊ Arses telescopthalmus A strikingly attractive bird seen well at Varirata and in the Kiunga area. Torrent-lark ◊ Grallina bruijnii 1 was seen on a foggy morning at Dablin Creek. Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula Just 2 at Varirata. Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto Seen along the Elevala River and again on New Britain. Velvet Flycatcher ◊ (Dull F, Lesser Shining F) Myiagra hebetior A pair was seen on New Britain. Grey Crow ◊ (Bare-eyed C) Corvus tristis Small numbers in Variata, Tabubil and Kiunga areas. Torresian Crow Corvus orru Seen around Port Moresby. Bismarck Crow ◊ (Island C) Corvus insularis Common on New Britain. Lesser Melampitta ◊ Melampitta lugubris 2 sightings and seen well at Kumul Lodge! Greater Melampitta ◊ Melampitta gigantea A real surprise sighting at Dablin Creek. Blue-capped Ifrit ◊ (B-c Ifrita) Ifrita kowaldi This poisonous bird was easily seen in the highlands. See Note. Glossy-mantled Manucode ◊ Manucodia ater Seen well in the Kiunga area. See Note. Crinkle-collared Manucode ◊ Manucodia chalybata Sightings in the Kiunga area and en route to Ambua. Trumpet Manucode ◊ Manucodia keraudrenii Seen well in the Kiunga area and at Varirata. Short-tailed Paradigalla ◊ Paradigalla brevicauda Excellent views at Ambua Lodge. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia ◊ Astrapia mayeri (NT) Easy to see at Kumul Lodge and Tari Gap. See Note. Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia ◊ Astrapia stephaniae A male and females only around Ambua Lodge. See Note.

A male Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia in full plumage at Ambua Lodge. (Nik Borrow)

Queen Carola’s Parotia ◊ Parotia carolae Both sexes seen distantly at Dablin Creek. See Note. Lawes’s Parotia ◊ Parotia lawesii Seen well in the fruiting tree at Ambua Lodge. See Note. King of Saxony Bird of Paradise ◊ Pteridophora alberti Seen well below Kumul and above Ambua. See Note. Superb Bird of Paradise ◊ Lophorina superba Males were seen in the Minamba Valley and at Ambua. Magnificent Riflebird ◊ Ptiloris magnificus A male in flight at Ok Menga. Growling Riflebird ◊ (Eastern R) Ptiloris intercedens Wonderful looks at a pair at Varirata. Black Sicklebill ◊ Epimachus fastuosus A male seen distantly seen below Ambua Lodge. Brown Sicklebill ◊ Epimachus meyeri First seen well at Kumul Lodge where they visit the feeders. Magnificent Bird of Paradise ◊ Cicinnurus magnificus Several females but we found a male in the Minamba Valley. King Bird of Paradise ◊ Cicinnurus regius A male was seen well displaying to a female at Km 17. Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise ◊ Seleucidis melanoleuca 7 sightings included a male on his display pole at Kwatu. Greater Bird of Paradise ◊ Paradisaea apoda Fantastic views of displaying males at Km 17. See Note. Raggiana Bird of Paradise ◊ Paradisaea raggiana Seen well at Varirata. See Note. Lesser Bird of Paradise ◊ Paradisaea minor Fantastic views of advertising males in the Minamba Valley.


Blue Bird of Paradise ◊ Paradisaea rudolphi (V) Astounding views of a male below Ambua. Ashy Robin ◊ Heteromyias albispecularis (H) Heard only above Ambua Lodge. Black-sided Robin ◊ (B-bibbed R) Poecilodryas hypoleuca 1 seen and singing loudly along the Elevala River. Black-throated Robin ◊ Poecilodryas albonotata Seen well at Ambua. White-winged Robin ◊ Peneothello sigillata Easy to see at Kumul Lodge where it was a garden visitor.

White-winged Robins are garden birds at Kumul Lodge. (Nik Borrow)

Slaty Robin ◊ (Blue-grey R) Peneothello cyanus Easy to see around Ambua Lodge. White-rumped Robin ◊ Peneothello bimaculata (LO) Only Nik saw this shy robin at Dablin Creek. White-faced Robin ◊ Tragellasia leucops A pair was seen well at Varirata. Torrent Flyrobin ◊ (T Flycatcher, River F) Monachella muelleriana Easily seen at Ok Menga and Minamba Valley. Canary Flyrobin ◊ (Montane F, C Flycatcher) Microeca papuana Seen well in the highlands. Lemon-bellied Flyrobin ◊ (L-b Flycatcher) Microeca flavigaster Easy to see at Varirata. Garnet Robin ◊ Eugerygone rubra A pair allowed prolonged looks below Kumul. Northern Scrub Robin ◊ Drymodes superciliaris Brief looks for everyone at Varirata. Lesser Ground Robin ◊ Amalocichla incerta It was hard work but we all got views up at Tari Gap. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Widespread sightings throughout the tour. Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans A few sightings of this non-breeding migrant from Australia on New Britain. Island Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus A few were seen in the highlands. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Easy to see on New Britain. Papuan Grassbird Megalurus macrurus Small numbers seen in the highlands. Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis Seen well on New Britain. Black-fronted White-eye ◊ Zosterops minor Only seen at Varirata. Papuan White-eye ◊ (New Guinea W-e) Zosterops novaeguineae Common in the Minamba Valley and at Ambua. Metallic Starling (Shining S) Aplonis metallica Abundant in the Kiunga area and on New Britain. Yellow-eyed Starling ◊ Aplonis mystacea A small flock seen well along the Boystown Road. Singing Starling ◊ Aplonis cantoroides A couple seen at the PAU ponds. Yellow-faced Myna ◊ Mino dumontii Easily seen around Port Moresby and in the Kiunga area. Long-tailed Myna ◊ Mino kreffti Small numbers on New Britain. Golden Myna ◊ Mino anais Small numbers along the Elevala River. Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus Easiest to see at Kumul Lodge. Pied Bush Chat (P Chat) Saxicola caprata Common in open habitats. Red-capped Flowerpecker ◊ Dicaeum geelvinkianum Commonly encountered on the main island. Red-banded Flowerpecker ◊ (Bismarck F) Dicaeum eximium Good looks on New Britain.


Black Sunbird ◊ Leptocoma sericea A common bird and easily seen in suitable habitat. Olive-backed Sunbird (Yellow-bellied S) Nectarinia jugularis Seen at Walindi Plantation Resort. House Sparrow (introduced) Passer domesticus Easy to see in the Port Moresby area. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced) Passer montanus Present at Port Moresby airport and elsewhere. Mountain Firetail ◊ Oreostruthus fuliginosus Seen well at Kumul Lodge. Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa A pair was seen by Ambua Lodge. White-spotted Mannikin ◊ Lonchura leucosticta An adult with young seen well at Varirata. Grey-headed Mannikin ◊ Lonchura caniceps Seen well at the PAU ponds. Hooded Mannikin ◊ Lonchura spectabilis Seen well at Kumul Lodge and in the Ambua area. Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax Small numbers seen at Varirata. Buff-bellied Mannikin ◊ (Bismarck Munia) Lonchura melaena Good numbers on New Britain. Australian Pipit Anthus australis A pair was seen on Tari Airfield.

A male Blue Bird of Paradise at Ambua. (Nik Borrow)


MAMMALS Agile Wallaby Macropus agilis Seen at Varirata. Great Flying Fox (Bismarck F F) Pteropus neohibernicus Seen along the Fly River and on New Britain. Domestic Pig (feral) Sus domesticus Running wild, running free – or were they? 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). 2012. IOC World Bird Names (v2.11). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org Salvadori’s Teal Anas waigiuensis Conte Adelardo Tommaso Paleotti Salvadori (1835-1923) was an eminent Italian physician and ornithologist. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus The name refers to Brahman the most absolute, abstract form of God in the Hindu religion. Meyer’s Goshawk Accipiter meyerianus Dr Adolf Bernard Meyer (1840–1911) was a German anthropologist and ornithologist collecting in the East Indies at the turn of the 19th Century. Forbes’s Forest Rail Rallicula forbesi Henry Ogg Forbes (1851-1932) was a Scottish explorer who retraced Wallace’s path in the Moluccas. He made some ill-fated expeditions in New Guinea and was meteorological observer in Port Moresby. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Many lists including IOC and Clements ignore this distinctive population but in 1938 Mayr split the race concerned from dubius as papuanus. Differences in plumage and voice noted by visiting birders suggest that this form may be worthy of specific status but there does not appear to be any further work on this subject. Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-dove Macropygia mackinlayi Archibald Mackinlay (1850-1924) was a Scottish explorer and naturalist. Stephan’s Ground-dove Chalcophaps stephani Honoré Jacquinot (1815-87) was a French surgeon serving onboard expeditions on the Coquille and the Astrolabe led by his brother, the explorer Vice-Admiral Charles Hector Jacquinot. Honoré collected the bird and he is believed to have asked Jacques Pucheran who described it in 1853 to name it after their father Étienne Stephan Jacquinot. Finsch’s Imperial Pigeon Ducula finschii Friedrich Hermann Otto Finsch (1839-1917) was a German ethnographer and naturalist who travelled widely. He was appointed Imperial Commissioner for the German colony known as ‘Kaiser-Wilhelmland’ that is now PNG. Pinon’s Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon L. Pinon was the wife of French explorer Captain Louis Freycinet. Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae Zoë was the wife of the French naturalist and author René Lesson (1794-1849) who described the pigeon in 1826. Pesquet’s Parrot (Vulturine P) Psittrichas fulgidus It is not known who Pesquet was but John Gould perhaps attributed the name to him. Goldie’s Lorikeet Trichoglossus goldiei


Andrew Goldie (1840-91) was a Scottish explorer and collector who lent his name to the Goldie River in New Guinea and discovered gold there. Brehm’s Tiger Parrot Psittacella brehmii Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829-84) was a German collector. Archbold’s Nightjar ◊ (Mountain M) Eurostopodus archboldi Richard Archbold (1907-1976) was an American zoologist and patron with a specific interest in Australasia. Blyth’s Hornbill (Papuan H) Rhyticeros plicatus Edward Blyth (1810-73) was an English zoologist and Curator of the Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Sanford’s Bowerbird Archboldia [papuensis] sanfordi Leyland Cutler Sanford (1868-1950) was an American zoologist. Wallace’s Fairywren Sipodotus wallacii Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913) was the great English naturalist, evolutionary scientist, geographer and anthropologist. Belford’s Melidectes Melidectes belfordi George Belford (died 1906) was the son of a Samoan chief who collected for Sir William McGregor, the Administrator and Lieutenant Governor of British New Guinea. Sclater’s Myzomela Myzomela sclateri Dr. Philip Lutley Sclater (1829-1913) and his son William (1863-1944) were British ornithologists who between them described no fewer than 913 species. It is not clear which one of them this whistler was named after. Loria’s Satinbird Cnemophilus loriae Dr. Lamberto Loria (1855-1913) was an Italian ethnologist who collected in New Guinea. Boyer’s Cuckooshrike Coracina boyeri Joseph Emmanuel P. Boyer (1815-?) was a French sea captain who explored in the area with Dumont d’Urville. Blue-capped Ifrita Ifrita kowaldi The highest levels of poisons (batrachotoxins) are generally present in the contour feathers of belly, breast and legs. These same toxins are found in most of the pitohuis and in Neotropical frogs of the genus Phyllobates. However, it seems (inexplicably) that not all individuals or indeed populations of ifritas and pitohuis are poisonous and the reason for the presence of these toxins has not yet been discovered. The species uncertain taxonomic position (perhaps even a monotypic family?) is perhaps reflected in the species scientific name, as ifrit is an Arabic word for spirit. Glossy-mantled Manucode Manucodia atra, Crinkle-collared Manucode M. chalybeata and Trumpet Manucode M. keraudrenii Manucode is derived from an old Javanese name, Manuk dewata meaning “birds of the gods”. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia Astrapia mayeri and Stephanie’s Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae Astrapia is derived from the Greek meaning a flash of lightening. Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae Princess Stephanie of Belgium (1864-1945) was the young wife of an unfaithful Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary. Queen Carola’s Parotia Parotia carolae Queen Carola of Saxony (1833-1907) was the wife of King Albert of Saxony. Parotia is derived from the Greek meaning a curl of hair by the ear.


Lawes’s Parotia Parotia lawesii Reverend William George Lawes (1839-1907) was a British missionary working in New Guinea. King of Saxony Bird of Paradise Pteridophora alberti Albert (1828-1902) was the popular King of Saxony from 1873. Meyer named the bird after him. Greater Bird of Paradise Paradisaea apoda The scientific name apoda (no feet) refers to the first skins of birds of paradise that were transported from New Guinea to Europe without their feet. This accepted abnormality led to theories of birds that led a completely aerial life, floating in paradise, and hence the family name. Raggiana Bird of Paradise Paradisaea raggiana Marchese Francesco Raggi was an Italian naturalist and collector in New Guinea in the second half of the 19th century.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Birdquest REP 13-ebook.pdf · Papua New Guinea is one of those absolutely ... the painted berrypeckers and the satin birds ... After a welcome but short nights