The Lesser Sundas - July 2017

In this ZOOTHERA adventure we visit the tropical paradise that is collectively known as The Lesser Sundas, and in particular Timor, Sumba, Flores, Roti and Komodo. These beautiful islands are home to an amazing number of endemics, which currently stand at around 70, including some of Indonesia’s rarest and least known species and are the most varied of the vast Indonesian archipelago which stretches across some 5000 kilometres. These islands are relatively undeveloped, thinly populated and seldom visited by birders but they give us access to some of the rarest birds on the planet. 

Australian Pratincole

Bare-throated Whistler

Black-fronted Flowerpecker (Flores)

Chestnut-backed Thrush

Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher

Starting on the arid island of Sumba which is the most isolated and least often visited and we have an excellent chance to find some of the world’s most critically endangered species such as Sumba Hornbill, Sumba Myzomela and Apricot-breasted Sunbird.

Elegant Pitta

Indonesian Honeyeater

Sumba Hornbill

Sumba Jungle Flycatcher

Then we visit the largest island, Timor with its dry grassland, acacia scrub and montane forest holds the greatest number of endemics and the avifauna more closely resembles those parts of northern Australia that lie not far away to the south. And we have now altered our original itinerary to visit Roti island, which despite its close proximity to Timor has four endemics and several endemic subspecies for us to find. We follow this with a visit to the elongated island of Flores and is certainly one of the most beautiful and idyllic in all of Indonesia. 

Moluccan Scops-Owl

Rusty-capped Tesia

Spotted Harrier

Zebra Finch (Timor)

Many of the rugged mountains of Flores are still covered with humid rainforest dotted by rumbling volcanos, and bisected by deep wooded valley and are home to such delights as Flores Lorikeet, Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Jungle Flycatcher and Flores Monarch amongst a wonderful variety of localised and endemic species. Everyone has heard of the island of Komodo and here among parched hills and dry gullies lives the rare and incomparable Komodo Dragon. 

The Mysterious Island of Komodo

There can be few wildlife experiences to compare with the sight of these unique beasts! 

Komodo Dragon

And the birds are pretty fantastic as well with Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Green Junglefowl and Yellow-crested Cockatoo present here. So if you fancy something a little different, birding far off the regular birding circuit and set amidst beautiful scenery then this is the tour for you.

Green Junglefowl

Yellow-crested Cockatoo