KUKILA (E-Journal)

Reid, Chris

178 Shorts Communications KUKILA 9 
RECORD OF BORNEAN TREEPIE FROM KALIMANTAN BARAT 
By 
Chris Reid 
(Received 7 May 1997) 
[This record has been submitted as referring to Bomean Treepie Dendrocitta cinerascens, but it 
should be noted that the currently valid Indonesian checklist (Andrew 1992) recognizes only Sunda 
Treepie Dendrocitta occipitalis, of Sumatra and Borneo. However the Oriental Bird Club checklist 
(Inskipp et al. 1996) accepts the Bomean cinerascens and Sumatran occipitalis as full species, and we 
will be reconsidering this status. The species is also reported to occur commonly in the proposed Kayan 
Mentarang national park, Kalimantan Timur (S. van Balen pers. comm.) Ed.} 
Two Bomean Treepies Dendrocitta cinerascens were observed in the Muller Range, 
Kalimantan Barat, by myself and two guides from Nanga Bungan, Kapuas Hulu. The birds were 
observed on 25 December 1996 on the summit ofGunung Nahaloh, 1573 m (0°58'N, 113°44'E), which 
is the first major peak on the ridge between Sungai Tahanyan and Sungai Bara, a ridge that eventually 
leads to several points above 1700 m on the watershed between Sungai Kapuas in Kalimantan Barat 
and Sungai Mahakam in Kalimantan Timor. 
The birds were only briefly observed, for three minutes through dense moss forest, but were 
easily identified by the following combination of characters: large size (about size of European Magpie 
Pica pica), compared with nearby Sunda Cuckoo shrike Coracina larvata, mostly pale body, 
yellowish pink or salmon underparts and head, paler crown, dark wings and mantle with white lower 
margin to mantle, pale rump, and dark tipped tail (about apical third); 
large deep, parrot like grey bill (crown and bill forming continuous curve); long tail, about one and a 
third body length. Calls were not noted. The two birds on Gunung Nahaloh were flitting through the 
crowns and lower branches of dense stunted trees in moss forest, on the narrow and steep sided summit. 
This species is described as common in northern Borneo, and its presence in Kalimantan is 
indicated by Smythies (1957) who states that it occurs in "the Murut upcountry in N.W. Indonesian 
Borneo" but not in the Kapuas or Mahakam areas. The present observation represents a small but not 
unexpected extension southwards of the known range. My guides from Nanga Bungan, about 15 km 
west of Gunung Nahaloh, were familiar with the species, naming it kurvreheh. These people forage on 
the higher parts of the Muller Range for geharu, clamor and other forest products. 
In a thumbnail sketch made on the spot I noted a narrow white tip to the tail of one bird, a feature 
which is not indicated by MacKinnon & Phillipps (1993). There are no specimens of Bomean Treepie 
in the Bogor Zoological Museum and I have been unable to confirm this observation. 
The birds were observed during the course of an insect survey of Gunung Nahaloh, conducted 
as part of the general survey ofTaman Nasional Bentuang Karihun by Dr. Herwasono, Worldwide Fund 
179 1997 Shorts Communications 
for Nature, Jakarta. I thank Dr. Herwasono for the opportunity to participate in the survey. I also thank 
my guides, Mutan and Borare, without whom I would still be walking in circles in the Muller Range. 
References 
Andrew, P. 1992. The birds of Indonesia: a checklist (Peters' sequence). Indonesian Ornithological 
Society, Jakarta. 
Inskipp, T, N. Lindsey & W. Duckworth. 1996. An annotated checklist of the birds of the Oriental 
Region. Oriental Bird Club, Sandy, UK. 
MacKinnon, J. & K. Phillipps. 1993. A field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java andBali. 
Oxford Uni. Press. 491 pp. 
Smythies, B.E. 1957.An annotated checklist of the birds of Borneo. Sarawak Mus.J. 7:523 818+xv. 
Address: Co ooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology & Management, James 
Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, QLD 4879,Australia. 
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER
 
A new species for Indonesia
 
by 
Victor Mason 
(Received 15 May 1997) 
On a recent Bali Bird Walk, two of our guests, David and Shirley Hilton, alerted me to the 
presence of an all black oystercatcher which they said they had seen regularly over a period of three 
days, 7 to 9 April 1997, feeding on a breakwater, situated a few metres offshore, at Candi Dasa, a 
seaside resort in South east Bali. On 12 April I accompanied my informants to Candi Dasa early in the 
morning, and there, on the breakwater situated just in front of the lotus filled lagoon, was the bird in 
question, clearly a Sooty Oysercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus. We observed, photographed and 
video filmed the unusual visitor from 07.30 to 09.00. The tide was mid level and rising. 
The bird was all black, with all red, stout, blunt ended bill and fleshy pink legs. Outstanding 
feature was the orbital ring which was remarkably broad and yellowish (rather than reddish) orange. 
We watched as the bird constantly foraged for small molluscs of which there was an abundance. It was 
unmarked, without any sign of leg rings, flags etc. From all the evidence obtained and subsequent 
correspondence with R. Johnstone and J. Darnell with regard to provenance and taxonomy, I can 
confidently state that the bird we saw was an adult Sooty Oystercatcher H. fuliginosus of the race 
opthalmicus found in NorthernAustralia. 
It was diagnosed as adult on the basis of bill shape and colour: juveniles have bill tips (about 
one third of total length) dusky, and basally orange pink, and rather pointed (A. Hibi in Sonobe & Usui 
1993). Furthermore juveniles tend to have legs paler and of a greyish cast, whilst orbital rings appear 


English

Record of Bornean Treepie from Kalimantan Barat

Milton, G Randy

Kukila 1985 2(2) 
u n 
reeding by Hoogerwerf (1948. a) and a minimum 200 
rhis number had increased to 978 ( ± 230) in 1985 . 
bu ndant species on the island with an estfmated 3649 ( ± 
1ts that this is the most common specoes with at least 2500 
ow numbers during 1985 (less than 10 pairs) but possibly 
hite forms for E. garzetta. Harvey estimated a minimum 
·eeding by Hoogerwerf (1948 a) and estimated by Harvey 
tlation of 100 - 200 pairs. The numbers had declined to 
.976 and 1978 respectively (Wind) . The breeding popula-
'POrted by Hoogerwerf (1948 a) with a minimum estimate 
luring the 1985 nesting season an estimated 63 ( ± 42) 
most common breeding species, reported pr~sent by 
Harvey to have a minimum breeding population of 1000 
rs in 1985. 
ned Night-Heron 
Harvey in 1975 to be 500 - 700 breeding pairs. The 
reeding pairs. The actual population is probably in the up-
method is believed to have under-estimated the number. It 
(1 948 a) to be a common breeder numbering hundreds. 
e island (Hoogerwerf 1948 a) and last reported nesting in 
n6) . Roosts in small groups (2- 10) although a group of 
-headed Ibis 
jerwerf 1948 a) and in 1953 greater than 400 birds 
!d nesting in several sub-colonies on the island . Harvey 
in 1975 but by 1978 (Wind) only 41 birds were observed 
1 40 - 50 birds regularly roost on the island . 
~d to occur in 1941 (Hoogerwerf 1948 a) and breeding in 
eeding population is now estimated at approximately 40 
uvey. Both Hoogerwerf (1953) and Wind (1978) report 
oil] 
-loogerwerf 1948 b) with breeding occurring in 1951 and 
o recent records. 
Kukila 1985 2(2) 
APPENDIX 2. Addendum of additional species recorded by W. G . Harvey and D.A. Holmes 
(pers. comm.) between 1976 and 1980. Most of these were observed on the immediately ad-
jacent waters or mudflats of Banten Bay. With the exception of the iora, all are migrants or 
casual visitors. 
(The editors). 
Charadrius dubius 
Numenius madagascarensis 
Limosa lapponica 
Calidris tenuirostris 
Calidris alba 
Calidris subminuta 
Himantopus himantopus 
Glareola maldivarum 
Sterna bergii 
Sterna bengalensis 
Sterna dougallii 
Sterna sumatrana 
Sterna albifrons 
Gelochelidon nilotica 
Apus pacificus 
Aegithina tiphia 
Little Ringed Plover 
Eastern Curlew 
Bar-tailed Godwit 
Great Knot 
Sanderling 
Long-toed Stint 
Black-winged Stilt 
Oriental Pratincole 
Great Crested Tern 
Lesser Crested Tern 
Roseate Tern 
Black-~aped Tern 
Little Tern 
Gull-billed Tern 
Fork-tailed Swift 
Common lora 
NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MASKED FINFOOT 
HELIOPAIS PERSONATA 
IN INDONESIA 
by G . Randy Milton 
Received July 16 1985 
Introduction 
The distribution of the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata has been described by Ali & 
Ripley (1980). Baker (1929) . and Medway & Wells (1976) as ranging throughout north· 
eastern India. Burma. Thailand . peninsular Malaysia. and Sumatra . Throughout most of this 
range its status has been well documented : resident and rare for north-eastern India and 
Bangladesh (Ali & Ripley 1980) : resident. rare . but widely distributed in the flooded forest 
areas and swamps of Burma (Smythies 1953): and a nonbreeding but frequent visitor to the 
forested rivers of peninsular Malaysia. extending from the coast to the hinterland (Medway & 
Wells 1976) 
A detailed record has been prepared by Medway & Wells (1976) and Wells (1983, 
1982) of finfoot sightings, locations . and dates of occurrence in Malaysia. However its status 
and distribution in Indonesia is unclear. and is usually covered by statements similar to "oc-
curring as far south as Malacca (Malaysia) and Sumatra" (King eta/. 1975) . This information 
is inadequate for an area (Sumatra) that extends over 1965 km from north to south . 
Historical Records - prior to 1940 
Early records of this species in Sumatra have been confined to the northern half of the 
island . Schneider collected an adult (sex unknown) in nonbreeding plumage (housed at the 
41 
Kuki/a 1985 2(2) 
American Museum of Natural History, No: AMNH 5470) at Tanjung Bringin (original name) , 
northwest of Medan, on 3 Dec. 1898. Although the exact location was not recorded, it could 
have been the swampy region of Lower Langkat where Schneider collected most of his 
orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) between November 1897 and March 1898 (Schneider 1905) . 
Lying between the towns of Pura and Binjai, this area is now covered with oil palm planta-
tions. An earlier specimen (adult, sex unknown) was reported by Parrot (1907) to have been 
collected in 1895 but the exact date and localiiy were not identified. 
A female, housed at the Bogar Zoology Museum , (No: 13149) , was taken at Muara Tapoes 
Baroes (near Barus, West Sumatra) by G.de Haan on 24 Aprill939 . Further records include 
a female (no date) collected during the Vanderbilt Sumatran Expedition (1936 - 1939) near 
Medan . From the description in the article, the bird was probably collected on the Laboean 
River, halfway between Medan and the coastal town of Belawan (Schauensee and Ripley 
1936/1939). Robinson and Kloss (1923) report a bird collected by Jacobson in the Mt. Ophir 
district of Padang (West Sumatra) and one by de Beaufort and deBussy in the Medan district. 
Unfortunately, the dates and exact locations were not reported . There have been many addi-
tional studies of Sumatran birds at different locations prior to the 1940's: these are too 
numerous to list here but it is noted that none recorded the presence of the Masked Finfoot. 
Its secretive habitats and behaviour is surely one reason for the lack of records. 
Recent Sightings - since 1940. 
There is a paucity of information from these early sightings up to the present. In 
Hoogerwerf's (1953) valuable compilation of references related to Java (primarily) and In-
donesian 'ornithology, this species is not cited . Nor has this species been cited in recent 
Zoological Abstracts (1970 to present) with reference to Indonesian avifauna . 
The most recent records have been of birds on the Wai (River) Kanan fl owing through 
the Wai Kambas Nature Reserve (Lampung Province) . An adult female was seen on two oc-
casions, 16 Aprill983 (P. Andrew. pers.comm.) and 22 April 1984 (P . Andrew . D. Brad-
ford, H Buck, pers.comm.) swimming a short distance downstream from the Forestry Dept. 
(PHPA) post on the Wai Kanan. More recently , a reserve guard (Darmanta pers comm.) ac-
curately described an adult male occurring in the same location on 3 June 1985 . These 
sightings extend the period of known occurrence in Indonesia (early December to early June) 
to approximately the same as for Malaysia. Moreover they dramatically extends the finfoots' 
known distribution from the northern to the southern half of Sumatra. 
By contrast to Sumatra . coastal and riverine forests of Java have been intensively studied 
by mainly Dutch ornithologists, but no reference to finfoots has been found in the literature . 
Consequently, the sighting by the author of an adult male on 7 March 1984 is believed to be 
the first record for Java. The bird was skulking at the edge of the Rhizophora swamp in the 
nature reserve Pulau Rambut (5°58 'S. 106°42' E) in Jakarta Bay. 
Status 
Until additional information becomes available. the coastal and forested riverine habitat 
of Sumatra should be considered as this migrant's usual habitat in Indones ia . However the 
scarcity of records suggests that it occurs only in small numbers and has always been uncom-
mon. The Javan record is considered to be a vagrant beyond the normal limit of its range . 
Acknowledgments 
I wish to express thanks to the American . European . and Southeast Asian museums 
who responded to my request for information on Heliopais personata housed in their cullec· 
!ions. "fhis work was carried out under the World Wildlife Fund - Indonesia Program. Project 
1512 - Conservation Volunteer. 
42 
Kukila 1985 2(2) 
References 
Ali , S. & S .D. Ripley, 1980. Handbook of the birds oflndi 
of Bangladesh , Nepal, Bhutan , and Sri Lanka . Vo/2: 
snd ed. Oxford Univ. Press . London. 
Baker, E.C .S. 1929. The fauna of British India , including 
Taylor and Francis , London. 
Hoogerwerf, A. 1953. An ornithological bibliography haVJ 
of the birds of Java . 
Org. Sc . Res . lndon . Bull. 13-16: 168p. Jakarta . 
King, B., M. Woodcock , & E.C. Dickinson . 1975. A fie l 
Asia. Collins, London. 
Medway , L. & D.R. Wells. 1976. The birds of the Malay , 
survey of every species . H.F. and G . Witherby Ltd. 
Parrot, C . 1907 . Beitrage zur ornithologie Sumatras unc 
Zugrundelegung der von Dr Hagen auf Bangkt 
Abhandlungen der K. Bayer. Akademie der Wiss. ll 
Robinson , H.C . & C.B. Kloss . 1923. Revised list of the 
Mus. 8 : 319-362. 
Schauensee, R.M. de , & S .D. Ripley . Zoological results < 
Expedition. 1936-1939. Part I. Birds from Atjeh. , 
91 : 311-368. 
Schneider, G. 1905. Ergebnisse Zoologischer Forschur 
Saugetiere (Mammalia). Zoo/. Jahrb . (Abt. F. Syste 
Smythies, B.E. 1953. The birds of Burma. Oliver and 
Wells, D.R. i982 . Bird R~port : 1974 and 19_75. Mala 
Wells , D.R. 1983 Bird Report: 1976 and 1977 . Malay 
Address: World Wildlife Fund - Indonesian Program, I 
West Java, Indonesia. 
FIRST DOCUMENTED NESTING OF THE 
IN IRIAN JAYA 
by Anne D. Nash and Stephe 
Received April 29, 19 
Two nests of the Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoy, 
Merauke District in Southern Irian Jaya. The first rll 
on May 20 1984, at the Bugeran River {7°36 'S , 1~ 
Kimaan Island. The second nest, with two eggs, • 
Tabonji {7°32 'S, 138°50 'E) on the River Mangg 
island. These two nests represent the first documet 
of the Black Butcherbird in Indonesia . 
Kukila 1985 2(2) 
Jry , No: AMNH 5470) at Tanjung Bringin (original name) . 
98 . Although the exact location was not recorded , it could 
' Lower Langkat where Schneider collected most of his 
11:een November 1897 and March 1898 (Schneider 1905). 
and Binjai, this area is now covered with oil palm planta-
;ex unknown) was reported by Parrot (1907) to have been 
:e and locality were not identified . 
ology Museum, (No: 13149) , was taken at Muara Tapoes 
t) by G .de Haan on 24 Aprill939. Further records include 
1 the Vanderbilt Sumatran Expedition (1936-1939) near 
e article, the bird was probably collected on the Laboean 
ld the coastal town of Belawan (Schauensee and Ripley 
11923) report a bird collected by Jacobson in the Mt. Ophir 
tnd one by de Beaufort and deBussy in the Medan district . 
locations were not reported . There have been many addi -
at different locations prior to the 1940's; these are too 
i that none recorded the presence of the Masked Finfoot. 
r is surely one reason for the lack of records . 
tation from these early sightings up to the present. In 
1pilation of references related to Java (primarily) and In-
• is not cited . Nor has this species been cited in recent 
ent) with reference to Indonesian avifauna . 
been of birds on the Wai (River) Kanan fl owing through 
.ampung Province) . An adult female was seen on two oc-
'· pers .comm.) and 22 Aprill984 (P . Andrew. D. Brad-
ling a short distance downstream from the Forestry Dept. 
ore recently, a reserve guard (Darmanta pers. comm.) ac-
occurring in the same location on 3 June 1985 . These 
Ill occurrence in Indonesia (early December to ea rly June) 
la laysia. Moreover they dramatically extends the fi nfoots' 
!m to the southern half of Sumatra . 
I and riverine forests of Java have been intensively studied 
no reference to finfoots has been found in the literature . 
tuthor of an adult male on 7 March 1984 is believed to be 
vas skulking at the edge of the Rhizophora swamp in the 
' S. 106°42' E) in Jakarta Bay. 
comes available. the coastal and forested riverine habitat 
LS this migrant's usual habitat in Indonesia. However the 
:curs only in small numbers and has always been uncom-
·ed to be a vagrant beyond the normal limit of its range . 
e American. European . and Southeast Asian museums 
tformation on Heliopais personata housed in the ir collec-
:ler the World Wildlife Fund- Indonesia Program. Project 
Kukila 1985 2(2) 
References 
Ali , S . & S .D. Ripley, 1980. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan, together with those 
of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan , and Sri Lanka. Vo/2: M gapodes to Crab Plover. 
snd ed. Oxford Univ. Press. London. 
Baker, E.C.S. 1929. The fauna of British India , including Ceylon and Burma. Birds. Vol VI. 
Taylor and Francis , London. 
Hoogerwerf , A. 1953. An ornithological bibliography having particular reference to the study 
of the birds of Ja va. 
Org . Sc. Res . lndon. Bull. 13-16: 168p. Jakarta . 
King, B., M. Woodcock, & E. C. Dickinson. 1975. A field guide to the birds of South-East 
Asia. Collins, London. 
Medway , L. & D.R. Wells . 1976. The birds of the Malay peninsula . Vol V . Conclusion , and 
survey of every species. H.F. and G . Witherby Ltd. London. 
Parrot, C. 1907. Beitrage zur ornithologie Sumatras und der Insel Bangka mit besonderer 
Zugrundelegung der von Dr Hagen auf Bangka gesammelten Vogel. Aus den 
Abhandlungen der K. Bayer. Akademie der Wiss. II . KL.XXIV . Bd I. Abt. 
Robinson, H.C. & C.B. Kloss . 1923. Revised list of the birds of Sumatra. J . Fed. Mal. St. 
Mus. 8 : 319-362. 
Schauensee, R.M. de , & S.D. Ripley. Zoological results of the George Vanderbilt Sumatran 
Expedition. 1936- 1939. Part I. Birds from Aijeh. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 
91 : 311-368. 
Schneider, G . 1905. Ergebnisse Zoologischer Forschungs-reisen in Sumatra . Erster Teil. 
Saugetiere (Mammalia). Zoo/. Jahrb . (Abt. F. System) 23: 1-172. 
Smythies, B.E. 1953. The birds of Burma. Oliver and Boyd Ltd. Edinburg. 
Wells, D.R. i982. Bird Report: 1974 and 1975. Malgy Nat. J . 36: 6.1-85. 
Wells, D.R. 1983 Bird Report: 1976 and 1977. Malay Nat. J . 36: 197-218 
Address: World Wildlife Fund- Indonesian Program, P .O . Box 133, Bogar. 
West Java , Indonesia . 
FIRST DOCUMENTED NESTING OF THE BLACK BUTCHERBIRD 
IN IRIAN JAYA 
by Anne D. Nash and Stephen V. Nash 
Received April 29, 1985 
Two nests of the Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi were found on Kimaan Island, 
Merauke District in Southern Irian Jaya. The first nest, with one young, was found 
on May 20 1984, at the Bugeran River (7°36' S, 138°08' E) on tl)e western side of 
Kimaan Island. The second nest, with two eggs, was found on May 23 1984 at 
Tabonji (7°32' S, 138°50' E) on the River Manggumas on the north coast of the 
island. These two nests represent the first documented information on the nesting 
of the Black Butcherbird in Indonesia . 
43 


Notes on the distribution of the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata in Indonesia

Between 1988 and 1999 avifaunistic data were collected in the wetlands around Danau Jempang (Kutai, East Kalimantan) over a period of 40 months. A total of 90 bird species was found, including important breeding populations of various herons and the Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. Breeding was also noted for the Little Tern Sterna albifrons, which appears to be the first breeding record for Borneo. The bird communities of 6 habitat types are discussed and compared with other wetland areas in Kalimantan. Repeated forest fires, extensive land conversion plans, and the catching of herons and storks, indicate the need for an immediate conservation plan for one of Kalimantan's most important wetland sites and its avifauna. Some recommendations towards such a plan are given

Gonner, Christian

Birds of Lake Jempang and the middle Mahakam wetlands, East Kalimantan

Davison, G W. H

KUKILA 11: 47 50 
AVIFAUNAL AFFINITIES OF SOME ISLANDS IN THE JAVA SEA 
by 
G.W.H. Davison 
Various islands in the Java Sea, south of Borneo, were visited by Dr W.L. Abbott in 1907 during 
a collecting voyage written up by Oberholser (1917). Later, Chasen (1935) used the results to 
determine that the zoogeographical affinity of these islands lies with Java, not with Borneo. 
Consequently Smythies (1957, 1960) excluded the islands from his treatment of the birds of Borneo. 
The situation is a little more complicated than this implies, and here I use lists derived from 
Oberholser (1917), combined with my own visits to a few of these islands, to analyse the situation 
further. I made observations on Pulau Matasirih and P. Kadapangan on 15 October 1996, and on P. 
Marabatuan on 16 October 1996. The islands referred to are shown in Fig. 1, and lists for each island 
group are given in Table 1. Each of the islands has various names. Masalembu is also known as 
Salembu, Salembu Besar, Masalombo Besar and Kar Selembu. (Kar is an ancient word in South east 
Asia, possibly Sanskrit, meaning 'island' and applicable to many localities, such as the well known 
example Car Nicobar.) The Matasirih group is also known as Pulau Laut Kecil, and within this group 
Kadapangan is also known as Maradapan, and Kalambau as Kalangbahu. In old literature and maps a 
Dutch series of names is also available, for instance Arends Island is Karamian. There is therefore 
plenty of scope for mis labelling and misunderstanding. 
There are clearly many gaps in these lists. Oberholser was able to list only birds collected, 
presumably by shooting, without any field observations. Conversely, my visits were very brief and 
lacked any opportunity whatever for exploring away from the immediate coastline. Most of the 
differences between the lists for the various islands therefore lack significance because the species are 
known to range widely, for example the observations of seabirds, and of White bellied Sea eagle 
Haliaeetus leucogaster and Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus. Others lack significance because they are 
migrants which could occur on any island, for example Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica and Pacific 
Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva. 
Nevertheless, the lists are adequate to show several features. First, Masalembu has the closest 
affinity with Java. This is shown by the presence of Spotted Kestrel Falw moluccensis and White
shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii, which are absent from Borneo and the other small islands, and 
Oriolus chinensis which is resident on Java and of uncertain status on Borneo (very rare there, and 
either vagrant or introduced). Masalembu and Karamian support a faunal element in common with the 
Lesser Sunda Islands which consists of small island forms that appear to have spread westwards along 
the centre of the Java Sea, not directly from Java. They include the Yellow crested Cockatoo Cacatua 
sulphured. Pink headed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rosacea and Orange footed Megapode Megapodius 
reinwardt. 
The megapode is the only one of these species for which there is circumstantial evidence of 
occurrence on the Matasirih group. Oberholser (1917) wrote that "Megapodes were reported to Doctor 
Abbott, but no specimens were obtained by him". A specimen and other evidence were obtained from 
Masalembu and Karamian. During my visit to Matasirih villagers gave a name for megapodes, burung 
alas, but were otherwise not informative. Therefore, although it is likely that Orange footed Megapode 
14 48 Davison KUKILA 11 
has occurred on this island, which is easily within the bounds of its flying abilities (Jones et al. 1995, the 
evidence is not complete. 
Species that occur on Matasirih (nearer to Borneo) and not on Masalembu or Karamian (closer 
to Java) include the Large Green Pigeon Treron capellei, Red eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus, and 
Abbotirs Babbler Malacocincla abbotti. Each of these was described as an endemic subspecies by 
Oberholser (1917); respectively T. c. passorhina, A b. zaphaeus and M. a. sirensis. It is interesting, but 
of unknown significance, that only one species of Imperial Pigeon is known so far from each island, the 
Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor from Matasirih and Marabatium, and the Pink headed Imperial 
Pigeon from Masalernbu and Karamian. 
These differences make clear that the birds of Marabatuan and Matasirih are zoogeographically 
closest to those of Borneo, whereas those of Karamian and Masalenibu are closest to those of Java and 
the Lesser Sundas. As it happens, this coincides not only with proximity to Borneo and Java 
respectively but also with the administration of the various islands, whereby Marabatuan and Matasirih 
are part of the Kabupaten Dati II Kota Baru, administered from Kota Baru in Pulau Laut, South 
Kalimantan. 
Consequently, mention of the birds of Marabatuan and Matasirih is included within a 
forthcoming volume on the birds of Borneo (Smythies 2000). Since Abbott's visit, most of these islands 
have been exploited for timber, and the vegetation, though much of it can still be considered forest, is in 
many places of low stature and very tangled. Several of the islands have also been exploited for iron 
nodules. 
Acknowledgements 
I am grateful to Dr Linda Birch, Alexander Library, University of Oxford, for help with literature, Pak 
Kusaieng Dinding for transport, and Drs. Adiani of Kabupaten Dati H Kota Baru for assistance at 
Marabatuan. 
References 
Chasen, F.N. 1935. A handlist of Malaysian birds. Bull. Raffles Mus. 11: 1 389.

Jones, D., Dekker, R.W.R.J. & Roselaar, C.S. 1995. The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Oberholser, H.C. 1917. Birds collected by Dr. W.L. Abbott on various islands in the Java Sea. Proc. 

U.S. Nat. Mus. 54:177 200. 
Smythies, B.E. 1957. An annotated checklist of the birds of Borneo. Sarawak Mus. J. VII(9): 523 818. 
Smythies, B.E. 1960. 7he Birds o fBorneo. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh & London. 
Smythies, B.E. 2000, The Birds of Borneo. 4th edition. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota 
Kinabalu. 
Birds of an East Kalimantan logging concession2000 49 
50 C. Gönner KUKILA 11 
Table 1. Summary of birds recorded from various islands in the Java Sea 
(a) Oberholser (1917) 
(b) personal observations 
Masalembu Karamian Matasirih, 
Kalambau & 
Kadapangan 
Marabatuan 
and Denawan 
Fregata ariel (b) (b) 
Egretta sacra (b) (b) 
Butorides striatus (b) 
Ixobrychus eurhythmus (a) 
Haliastur indus (b) (b) 
Haliaeetus leucogaster (b) (b) 
Accipiter gularis (b) (b) 
Faico moluccensis (a) 
Megapodius reinwardt (a) (a) (a,b) ? 
Amauromis phoenicurus (b) (b) 
Gallicrex cinerea (a) 
Pluvialis fulva (a) 
Actitis hypoleucos (b) 
Sterna bergii (b) 
Treron capellei (a) 
Treron vemans (b) 
Ptilinopus melanospila (a) 
Ducula rosacea (a) (a) 
Ducula bicolor (b) (b) 
Caloenas nicobarica (b) (b) 
Cacatua sulphurea (a) 
Todiramphus chloris (a) (a) (a,b) (b) 
Hirundo rustica (b) 
Hirundo tahitica (b) (b) 
Motacilla flava (b) 
Lalage sueurii (a) 
Pycnonotus brunneus (a,b) 
Copsychus malabaricus (a,b) 
Malacocincia abbotti (a) 
Macronous gularis (b) 
Hypothymis azurea (b) 
Zosterops chloris (a) (a) (a,b) (b) 
Oriolus chinensis (a) (a) 
Dicrurus hottentottus (a) (a) (a) 
Artamus leucorhynchus (a) 
Address: WWF Malaysia, 49 Jalan SS23/15,47301 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. 


Avifaunal affinities of some islands in the Java Sea

Shepherd, Chris

KUKILA 11: 125 153 
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 
POMARINE SKIJAS IN TM STRAITS OF MALACCA 
by 
Andrew Crossland 
On 22 April 1997, a northward passage of Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus was 
observed at ca. 50 km SW of Pulau Penaag, Malaysia, from the Penang Belawan (Medan. Indonesia) 
ferry. The skuas were readily identified by their well developed blunt ended tail feathers. Individuals 
and small groups were noted, all flying north toward the Malaysian/Thailand coasts. Some birds 
occasionally followed the ferry briefly or harassed terns, but generally they ignored most distractions 
and flew low and steadily over the water on what appeared to be a determined migratory movement. 
Birds were seen in both Indonesian and Malaysian territorial waters. 
This skua is described as a sparse passage migrant off the west coast of the Thai Malay 
Peninsula between 23 March and 7 June (Wells 1999), but there we only three records from Sumatra 
(October to December) (van Mark & Voous 1988). 
References 
Marie, J.G. van & K.H. Voous. 1988. The birds qf Sumatra: an annotated check list. British 
Ornithologists Union Check list No. 10. Tring, UK. 
Wells, D.R. 1999. The birds of the 7hai Malay Peninsula. Volume One: Non passerines. Academic 
Press. 
A COMMUNAL ROOST OF HILL MYNAS IN NORTH SUMATRA 
by 
Chris R. Shepherd 
(Received 28 January 2000) 
th stDuring a bird survey between the 18  and 21  of February 1999 in the Sei Besitang region o f 
the Leuser Ecosystem, a communal roosting site of Hill Mynas Gracula religiosa was observed. 
The Sei Besitang River is situated on die cast side of the province of North Sumatra, very new 
the Aceh border. This large river flows in a north east direction and eventually empties into the Straits 
of Malacca. The area surveyed consisted of tall and medium height secondary forest, as well as open 
grassland near the river. There is currently a research/park ranger station being constructed in this area. 
The roosting site was at the edge of this open area. 
The communal roost of Hill Mynas was located within 500 meters of the camp (the 
research/forestry station was used as camp) in a stud of a few medium height trees at the edge of the 
river and at the edge of the open grassy area. Each morning flocks of these birds were seen flying out of 
126 Short Communications KUKILA 11 
the stand of trees and returning again in the late afternoon. The flocks consisted of up to 20 birds. Each 
morning approx. 35 50 birds were seen leaving this roosting area. During the day a few pairs and 
individuals were seen in the open forest in the surrounding area. 
Hill Mynas are trapped extensively throughout much of their range for the cage bird industry. 
While locals in the area were observed hunting Yellow vented Bulbuls Pycnonotus goiavier, as well as 
a few mammal species for food, there didn't seem to be any evidence of trapping cage birds. 
Hopefully, with the presence of park staff as well as researchers in the future at the research 
station, the existence of this roosting site will continue. The area is quite rich in birds and than 60 
species were observed during this short survey. Monitoring of the region should continue as there are 
likely to be many more interesting observations to be made. 
Acknowledgements 
The Leuser Development Programme, based in Medan, was very supportive of this survey. 
We would like to thank them as well as the European Commission and the Government of 
Indonesia as the funding agencies for the Leuser Development Programme. 
Reference: 
Mackinnon, J. and K. Phillipps. 1993. A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. 
Oxford University Press, New York 
Shepherd, C. R., Farina Dewi, H. Dasraf, M. Sheader, and D. Channon. 1999. Birds observed in the Sei 
Besitang Area. Lcuser Management Unit Publication No. 007/1999. Unpublished Report. 


A communal roost of Hill Mynas in North Sumatra

Mason, Victor

2000 Short Communications 135 
References 
Coates, B.J. & K.D. Bishop. 1997. A gul4e to the birds of Wallacea: Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser 
Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Dove, Queensland. 
Dickinson, E.C., R.S. Kennedy & K.C. Patkies. 1991. The birds of the Philippines. An annotated 
checklist. Tring, U.K: British Orn. Union (Check list no. 12). 
Grantham, MJ. 2000. Birds of Alas Purwo National Park, East Java. Kukila 11. 
MacKinnon, J. & K. Phillipps. 1993. Field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. 
Oxford, New York, 
Merchant, J., A.J. Prater, & P. Haymen. 1996. Shorebirds. an identifications guide to the waders of the 
world. Helrn, Landon 
Wells, D.R. 1999. The birds of the Thai Maloyan Peninsula. Volume One. Non Passerines. Academic 
Press. 
White, C.M.N. & M.D. Bruce. 1986. The birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser Sunda 
Wands, Indonesia). an annotated check list. London: British Om Union (Clieck fist no. 7). 
NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF LITTLE CORMORANT AT

NUSA DUA, BALI

by 
Victor Mason 
(Received 6 July 1999) 
The ponds which treat sewage from the Nusa Dua hotel complex are located west of the road 
running between Buala and Tanjung Benoa, near the hamlet of Celu, coordinates: 08°48'S, l15°14'E. 
Divided by wide, grassy bunds, they are bounded on two seaward sides by mangroves, and elsewhere 
by a screen of natural greenery. Situated in the ponds am numerous small islands, supporting a growth 
of trees, shrubs, reeds and grasses, which in turn support teeming bird life. It is a spectacular location. 
In fact six years ago the author recommended to the local office of the State Ministry of t that 
the site be gazetted a Wetland Reserve, considering its important population of waterfowl, including 
breeding Black crowned Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Javm Pond heron Ardeola speciosa, 
Egrets Egretta sp., Purple Heron Ardra purpurea, and little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax 
nelanoleucos. Unusual visitors have included Rufous Night heron N. caledonicus, Lesser Adjutant 
Leptoptilus javanicus, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcineflus, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, and 
Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris. And now little Cormorant P. niger. 
The area falls within the jurisdiction of Bali Tourist Development Corporation (BTDC), who 
have taken positive measures to prow this sanctuary, such as gating the bunds, although current 
construction of a by pass road skirting die southern edge has, at least temporarily, tended to disturb and 
diminish die resident population of waterfowl. 
A search of available literature (see Bibliography) reveals that Little Cormorant 
Phalacrocorax niger (sometimes combined with Pygmy Cormorant P. pygmaeus of Eurasia) is known 
from the Greater Sundas, including Java, but has not hitherto been recorded from the island of Bali. 
136 Short Communications KUKILA 11 
On a number of occasions during the latter half of 1998, while visiting the ponds, the author 
observed a good number of cormorants, predominantly Little Pied (which have bred in the locality), as 
well as one or two other all dark birds, clearly cormorants of another species. On the last such occasion, 
November 4, there were 22 cormorants present, all conveniently sitting together in a dead Auricula tree 
on one of the islets, and the author observed them closely over a period of 90 minutes, from 17.00 to 
18.30. From time to time a group of birds would sally forth, flying low over the water, some 
occasionally alighting to fish, always returning to their favoured perch. Of the 22 present, 20 were 
Little Pied Cormorants and 2 were all dark. Most noticeably, one of the black birds was somewhat 
smaller than all the other cormorants, both pied and black, which were similar in size. 
The larger of the two black birds was glossy with white patches on the ear coverts, rather round
headed, and with a relatively long, dark, hooked bill. The smaller bird was less glossy, with no obvious 
white patches, head flatter rather than rounded, and bill brownish, rather short and unhooked. 
After examining the various field guides, it was concluded that the all black birds were Little 
Black Cormorant A sulcirostris and Little Cormorant P. niger respectively. The latter sighting 
constitutes a slight eastward extension to the bird's previously known range; but it is quite probable that 
its occurrence in Bali is regular but overlooked. 
Acknowledgement 
Special thanks to Rolf Jensen who also reported the presence of a 'small' cormorant to me, thereby 
goading me into submitting this report. 
References 
Andrew. P. 1992. The birds of Indonesia. A checklist (Peters' sequence). Jakarta: Indonesian 
Ornithological Society. 
King, B.F., E.C. Dickinson & M.W. Woodcock. 1975. A field guide to the birds of South east Asia. 
London: Collins. 
MacKinnon, J. & K. Phillipps. 1993. A field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. 
Oxford, New York, Toronto: Oxford Uni. Press. 


Note on the occurence of Little Comorant at Nusa Dua, Bali

Grantham, M J

138 Short Communications KUKILA 11 
Hardhead is an irruptive migrant, breeding in southern Australia (August  December) and 
dispersing to northern Australia after heavy rains (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Vagrants have 
reached New Zealand, New Guinea and Indonesia (Marchant & Higgins 1990). In Indonesia, there 
is a successful breeding record from the Yang Plateau in East Java in May June 1937 (Kooiman 
1941), but there are no recent records from Java. There are two records from Wallacea (Coates & 
Bishop 1997), a male collected at Lake Lindu in Central Sulawesi 26 March 1917 (Riley 1924) and 
a male present on Flores from January to November 1990 (Verhoeye & Holmes 1999). Thus this 
record represents only a third record for Wallacea (and is also a somewhat unusual date). 
References 
Coates, B.J. & K.D. Bishop. 1997. A guide to the Birds of Wallacea. Sulawesi, The Moluccas and 
Lesser Sunda: . Islands, Ind*esla. Alderley: bove Publications. 
Kooiman, J.G. 1941. Vogels van het Ijang Hoogland. Irena 1: 9 18. 
Marchant, S. & P.J. Higgins (co ordinators). 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and 
Antarctic Birds. Vol. I Part B. Australian Pelican to Ducks. Melbourne. Oxford University 
Press. Riley, J.H. 1924. A collection of birds from northern Celebes. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 64(16):1
118. 
Verhoeye J. & D.A. Holmes. 1999. The birds of the islands of Flores: a review. Kukila 10: 3 59. 
MATSUDAIRA'S STORM PETREL 

SECOND RECORD FOR THE LOMBOK STRAIT

by 
Mark Grantham 
(Final draft received 7 March 2000) 
Whilst travelling from Lombok to Bali in the late afternoon of 12 September 1999, four 
medium sized petrels were seen. Firstly, a single Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii passed close to the 
boat, followed shortly after by two more birds together further west. All these birds showed the typical 
long winged, pointed tail appearance of this species, with an obvious pale covert bar on the upperwing, 
but showing no pale primary bases. Further west again, a single similar petrel passed the boat some 30
40m distant. As this bird banked towards the low sun, obvious white patches were seen on the 
upperwing at the base of the primaries. The tail shape of this bird was not noted, though the white 
primary bases are diagnostic of Matsudaira's Storm petrel Oceanodroma marsudairae. The flight 
pattern of this bird and the earlier Bulwer's Petrels was considered quite similar, though the 
Matsudaira's tended to bank more, without the upward loops of the Bulwer's Petrels. 
Matsudaira's Storm petrel breeds south of Japan, migrating through Indonesia to the Indian 
Ocean. Described by Coates and Bishop (1997) as a regular migrant through Wallacea, there are only 
two previous confirmed records from the Greater Sundas: a single bird in the Sunda Strait in 1994 (Bas 
van Balen in litt), and a single bird in the Lombok Strait on 31 May 1988 (Johnstone et al. 1993). 
Conversely, Bulwer's Petrel is considered regular in the Greater Sundas (MacKinnon and Phillipps 
1993) though rarely recorded in Wallacea (Coates and Bishop 1997). 
2000 Short Communications 139 
References 
Andrew. P. 1992. The birds of Indonesia. A checklist (Peters' sequence). Jakarta: Indonesian 
Ornithological Society. 
Coams, BJ. & KD. Bishop. 1997. A guide to the birds of Wallacea: Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser 
Sundir Islands, Indonesia., Alderley: Dove Publications. 
Johnstone. RE, S. van Balen & R.WX.J 'Dekker. 1993. New bird records for the island of Lombok. 
Kukila 6(2): 124 127. 
MacKinnon, J. & K. Phillipps. 1993. The birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Rdi. Oxford University 
Press, Oxford. 
NEW AND WTERESTING WORDS FROM WEST SUMBAWA 
by 
Mark Grantham 
(Final draft received 7 March 2000) 
In September 1999, the author visited several sites in West Sumbawa, notably the area around Taliwang 
(9 Selgember) and the southern slope of Gunung Olet Sangeges, from Semongkat to above Batu 
Dulang (10 11 Septernber). The following observations am all from this period, and include six new 
records for Sumbawa (cf. Coates & Bishop 1997). 
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 
Seldom recorded in Wallacea, three birds were seen in coastal mangroves south of Taliwang. These 
birds associated with Purple Heron Ardea purpurea in a possible mixed breeding colony. 
[Ed: Collin Trainor (in litt. to editor, 8 July ZOOO) has added the following further records of this 
species during 2000: one at Lake Taliwang an 19 May, one on fishponds c. 10 km west of Empang on 7 
May, and one at the freshwuer swamp 10 km north of Plampang on 7 July.] 
[Bittern sp. Lxobrychus sp.] 
A single bird was seen at dusk at Lake Taliwang, flying across the lake and into thick vegetation on a 
small island, some 40m distant. This bird, though seen in failing fight, showed a distinct pale patch on 
the forewing, contrasting noticeably with a darker mantle and flight feathers. The only Ixobrychus 
bittern in the region to show this distinctive plumage pattern is Schrenck's Bittern Lxobrychus 
eurhythmus, previously unrecorded from the Lesser Sundas. The Yellow Bittern I. sinensis has a similar 
wing pattern but would show a pale mantle. The only confirmed Wallacean records of Schrenck's 
Bittern are from Sulawesi, from early September to April. 


Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel second record for the Lombok Strait

Bostok, Neil

152 Short Communications KUKILA 11 
AUSTRALIAN AVOCET IN IRIAN JAYA 
by 
Neil Bostok 
(Received 1 October 1999) 
On the afternoon of 16 September 1992, at Wasur National Park, Irian Jaya, Alan Lewis and 
myself were scanning through a mixed wader flock roosting on the beach when we cam across a 
summer plumaged Red necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae. The following is a brief 
description: head and neck chestnut, bill black and slightly upturned, white orbital around the eye, body 
white with black wing coverts and wing tips, two black stripes down the centre of the back, legs pale 
bluish slate, tail white. It was observed at the roost for approximately one hour. 
Wasur lies on the south coast of the island of New Guinea, close to the border with Papua New 
Guinea. This appears to be the first record for both Indonesia and New Guinea (cf. Andrew 1992; 
Coates & Bishop 1997). 
Other species in the roost included one Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, 250 Black tailed 
Godwit Limosa limosa, 5 Bar tailed Godwit L. lapponica, > 100 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, I 
Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus, 10 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, 1 Red Knot C. 
canutus, Rufous necked Stints C. ruficollis, Sharp tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata, 2 Curlew Sandpiper 
C. ferruginea, and >20 White headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus. 
[This would also appear to be the first record for Asian Dowitcher from Irian Jaya, although this 
species has been recorded from Papua New Guinea, with two records quoted by Beehler et al. (1986), 
ed.]. 
References 
Andrew. P. 1992. The birds of Indonesia. A checklist (Peters' sequence). Jakarta: Indonesian 
Ornithological Society. 
Beehler, B.M., T.K. Pratt & D.A. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press. 
Coates, B. J. and Bishop, K. D. 1997. A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea Sulawesi, The Moluccas and 
Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Alderley: Dove Publications. 


Australian Avocet in Irian Jaya

Holmes, Derek A

182 OBITUARIES KUKILA 11 
CHUCK DARSONO 
(1930 1999) 
by 
Derek Holmes 
Born in 1930 at Belinyu, Bangka Island, somehow I have always associated Chuck Darsono 
with islands. I first met him on an island in 1975. Are were spending a week end on Pulau Dua (the 
nature reserve and waterbird breeding colony off the north coast of West Java). It was Chuck who 
organized our trip, and it was Chuck who had built the small 'guest house' and indeed the two watch
towers on the island (whatever the plaques on one of them may say now). None of this is surprising, 
because Chuck was a conservationist with a genuine concern for the wildlife of Pulau Dua, and he also 
included civil and mechanical engineering among his skills. As it turned out, it was Chuck who cooked 
our meals, and it was Chuck's innate hospitality and cheerful character that made it such a memorable 
weekend. Much was Chuck's mirth when I sank up to my navel in the soft new formed mud (the island 
was becoming joined to the mainland), but the roles were to be reversed on Pualu Dua several years 
later when I had to run for assistance to help Chuck, who had sunk to his chest. 
His enthusiasm for the birds (I should say, for fife itself) was infectious, and the seeds of our 
own concern for the birds of Indonesia were indeed nurtured by Chuck over that first weekend. Ever an 
entrepreneur, his main business during the time that I knew him was the export of primates for medical 
research in western countries, Japan and elsewhere. This led him at times to be a controversial figure, 
and he has been vilified by some, to the extent that he sought a public apology for the libelous 
accusations made in a book on animal smuggling published in USA and UK. His many friends, and he 
numbers well respected international conservationists among them, came strongly to his defense. I 
recommended he should seek a substantial sum in damages, but I believe he finally accepted a written 
apology and one dollar. I would have liked him to have sought that big sum, to be donated to 
conservation, but Chuck's honour had been satisfied. International recognition eventually came in 
1990 with the Senior Biology and Conservation Award from the American Society of Primatologists. 
Unlike others engaged in the primate trade, Chuck was very concerned that the (at that time) 
insatiable demand for primates for research would lead to serious depletion of natural stocks, 
exacerbated by so many captured animals never reaching their purported destination. Subsequent 
experience has shown that habitat destruction has probably superceded trade as the prime cause of 
population declines. However, Chuck's vision, through international encouragement, had already 
resulted in the establishment of a free range primate breeding facility on islands off the south coast of 
West Java (Pulau Thijil and Pulau Deli see van Balen & Holmes, Kukila, 1996, vol 8:117 126). The 
dream was eventually realized: the release of quarantined macaques to an island where they would 
multiply in sufficient numbers to supply the demand with healthy stock, without the need for further 
captures from the wild. The Pulau Tinjil facility was developed as a joint endeavour of the Bogor 
Agricultural University and University of Washington, while that on Pulau Deli was private. 
I have counted Chuck as a true and loyal friend throughout, as well as being a friend to Kukila, 
and to any conservationist who took the trouble to seek out the assistance (and the inevitable 
2000 OBITUARIES 183 
hospitality) of Chuck and his wife Shanti. These were never withheld. The nickname of "Chuckles", 
used by one of his American sponsors on Pulau Tinjil, so neatly summed up his character. Whatever 
worries he may have had over developing the island facilities, the warmth of his hospitality, his concern 
for his guests, and his infectious humour, always remained irrepressible. The sheer enjoyment of the 
occasional weekends spent on "Chuck's island will always remain a unique memory. 
Many of us last saw Chuck when he gave his daughter Anastasia's hand in marriage at a 
beautiful open air ceremony in Bali held against the sunset on September 18 1999. He passed away 
only a month later. We have all lost a. friend, and we offer our deepest condolences to his devoted wife 
Shanti, and children Anastasia and Richard. 


Chuck Darsono (1930-1999)

Dymond, Nick

Kukila 15 2011 89
First Records and Breeding of Red-legged Crake
Rallina fasciata in Timor, Lesser Sundas
NICK DYMOND
Springfield, Scousburgh, Shetland. ZE29JE, U.K. Email: dymonic03@yahoo.co.uk
Ringkasan. Meskipun tersebar luas dan dikenal sebagai penetap yang berbiak di Flores,
Tikusan Ceruling belum pernah dilaporkan ada di kepulauan Timor sebelumnya. Laporan
ini mendokumentasikan dua hasil pengamatan terhadap spesies ini pada bulan Februari
2009, yang pertama terlihat di kawasan hutan Bipolo, yaitu 1-2 burung dewasa dengan
dua anak yang bulu-bulunya sedang tumbuh baik dan yang kedua dari satu burung
terlihat pada hutam musim di Camplong, c. 25 dan 46 km timur Kupang, secara
berurutan.
The Red-legged Crake Rallina fasciata has a wide distribution from India
through Southeast Asia, and the Philippines, to the Greater Sundas, and many
parts of Wallacea (Coates & Bishop 1997). Across the Greater Sundas it is
considered to be resident, possibly augmented by northern winter visitors in some
regions. Breeding has been recorded in Sumatra and Java from January to April
(Sody 1930; Hoogerwerf 1949; Marle & Voous 1988). In the Lesser Sundas, it is
known to be resident on Flores, with clutches being recorded in February and
March (Schmutz 1978; Mees 2006; contra Coates & Bishop 1997). Elsewhere in
Wallacea its status is unclear, but it is considered to be a dispersive non-breeding
migrant to some islands, with records from April to December (White & Bruce
1986; Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Surprisingly, until now the species has not been
recorded from Timor (Coates & Bishop 1997; Trainor 2005; Trainor et al. 2008),
despite records from Kisar, off the eastern tip of Timor island, and even on
Ambon, much further east (White & Bruce 1986). In this report I provide details
of two separate observations of Red-legged Crakes in West Timor, Indonesia,
including a breeding record.
My first observation was made in the small remnant patch (c. 100 ha; 30 m
asl) of tall semi-evergreen lowland forest near Bipolo (Gibbs 1990; Noske 1996;
Noske & Saleh 1996), some 25 km east of Kupang, the capital of West Timor. To
the south of this forest patch lies an area of wet rice, and dry agricultural land lies
on all other sides. Although the forest is supposedly protected as a nature reserve
(Cagar Alam), there is no active management so domesticated cattle and feral
pigs browse throughout the forest and there is much evidence of timber and
firewood extraction.
The wet season (November-April) had started by the time of my visit, and
whilst there were few areas of standing water within the forest, some of the cattle
tracks were extremely muddy. At about 08:40 hrs on 5 February 2009 I was
slowly and silently birding along a narrow and fairly dry cattle track through
Kukila 15 2011 90
quite dense understorey when I heard a loud, unfamiliar non-passerine
vocalisation of which I managed to tape record 51s with my cassette-recorder
(Fig. 1). I later transcribed the vocalisation as a rapid “ked-ek…ked-ek…ked-ed-
ek...ked-ed-ek…ked…KED-EK…KED-EK …EK…EK…”, the upper case script
indicating an increase in volume and intensity of calls. A total of 57 such
disyllabic (or trisyllabic) calls were given during the recording, i.e. a little more
than one call per second. It sounded very close and probably on the ground, but
from my standing position I had little chance of seeing it so I dropped to my
haunches and, using my 10x42 Leica binoculars, carefully scanned through the
understorey. After a few minutes I suddenly spotted movement some 7-8 m
ahead of me in a dense patch of vegetation that was c. 20 cm high. Soon a bird’s
head briefly popped up; it was rich chestnut-brown with red eyes and a relatively
short pointed slate-coloured bill. Being well inside lowland forest I immediately
identified it as a Red-legged Crake, a species that I had seen on a number of
occasions at Khao Nor Chuchi in southern Thailand. The bird appeared very
agitated, and soon ducked down, but then re-appeared and ran a few metres
further away from me in less dense ground vegetation.
Judging by the behaviour of this adult and the intermittent anxious calling of
another bird from further away, I was not surprised to see two dull-brown, well-
feathered crake chicks trot after the adult. They were about two-thirds the size of
the adult and seemed to have paler throats. However the views were brief and
partially obscured, and there may have been more chicks, given that females are
known to lay three to six eggs (Taylor 1996; Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Of the
various vocalisations ascribed to the species my taped calls most closely match
the territorial call, described as a “loud series of nasal ‘pek’ noises” (Taylor
1996), except that the calls were disyllabic (Fig. 1). Moreover the territorial call
is purportedly only given at dawn and dusk during the breeding season (Taylor &
van Perlo 1998). Considering my closeness to the chicks, the vocalisation may
represent an alarm call.
Figure 1. Sonogram of Red-legged Crake near Bipolo, West Timor
(recording, N. Dymond).
Kukila 15 2011 91
At this stage my knees were giving up as I had been crouching almost
motionless for a long time, so I stood up and decided to try a short burst of
playback from my recording. One crake immediately replied very briefly from a
location well away from where the other adult and chicks had last been seen.
Then, I spotted it silently and stealthily picking its way through the ground
vegetation towards me. Through my binoculars I could see its chestnut-brown
head, neck and breast, red eyes and relatively short, pointed slate-grey bill, and
the diagnostic bold black and white flank bars and narrow buffy bars extending
across the wing-coverts. It came very close, perhaps no more than 3 m from me
and then, to my amazement it emerged out in the open on the cattle track and ran
away boldly, clearly revealing its bright red legs and feet. A few moments later I
spotted it repeating its stealthy approach, and then once more it emerged and
sprinted away down the track. I presumed this was a distraction display. I waited
a while, but neither saw nor heard any of the crakes again.
Four days later, on 9 February 2009, I was birding in the semi-deciduous
forest at Camplong (230 m asl), c. 46 km east of Kupang (Gibbs 1990; Noske
1996; Noske & Saleh 1996). At mid-morning I was sitting quietly on the main
track through the forest, when an adult Red-legged Crake emerged from dense
vegetation some 20-25m away and strolled cautiously across the track, only to
disappear into the dense vegetation on the other side. On this occasion no
vocalizations were given.
Conclusions
The absence of previous records of the Red-legged Crake from Timor may be
partly due to the fact that most birders and bird tours visit Timor during the dry
season (May to October), and most surveys avoid the wettest months (January
and February). Moreover, owing to their skulking, ground-dwelling habits, rails
are generally under-recorded. The status of rails is particularly poorly known in
Wallacea. For example, three rails have recently been added to the Timor
avifauna (Trainor 2005), but there have been no detailed studies, and little is
known of their residence or breeding status.
Although the breeding biology of this species is insufficiently known
(Taylor 1996; Taylor & van Perlo 1998), the closely related Red-necked Crake R.
tricolor is reported as having an incubation period of 18-22 days, and its chicks
still being downy, except for the wing feathers, at 4 weeks (Marchant & Higgins
1993). As the chicks at Bipolo were well feathered, one can assume that they
came from a clutch laid at least 7 weeks before they were sighted, i.e. mid
December 2008, or earlier. This is earlier in the season than expected from the
dates of Flores or Javan clutches cited above, but is consistent with the wet
season breeding of many Timorian birds (Noske 2003). Given the above breeding
record the species may be described more accurately as a breeding visitor to
Timor during the wet-season (November-May).
Kukila 15 2011 92
I thank Colin Trainor, Nick Brickle and Richard Noske for providing additional
references and improving the text of the paper. I am also grateful to Stephen Downing
and Bas van Balen for assistance with making the sonogram. The sonogram was
produced using the software RavenLite.
[Editor’s note. Since this paper was submitted, a further record for Timor emerged,
involving a single bird seen at Bipolo in March 2010 (Nick Brickle, pers. comm.), just 13
months after the author’s observations at the same location.]
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