A review of the Sumba avifauna

Abstract

There were 41 additions to the Sumba avifauna between the publication of the White & Bruce (1986) check list of the birds of Wallacea. and Coates & Bishop (1997). Each of these is detailed, in addition to species that are scarcely recorded or not recorded at all in the current phase of field activity (1984 to 1997). The status of rare and little known breeding species (including some of the endemic taxa) is also described. A systematic list of all species recorded on Sumba provides information on habitat, status, recent breeding records and new migration dates. Comment is made on Sumba's ecology and current bird conservation activity. Appendices give details of recent ornithological visits, the range of regional endemics found on Sumba, and species regarded as threatened.