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Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

PACIFIC BLACK DUCK (Anas superciliosa)

Half a dozen birds along the Kulu River one afternoon, and a bunch seen along the dirt roads through the oil palm plantations, looking out of place as they were often where there was no apparent water.

Megapodiidae (Megapodes)

MELANESIAN SCRUBFOWL (Megapodius eremita)

A regional endemic, also occurring in the Solomons, and on Bougainville. We had some trouble at the nesting site along the hot river at Garu, where we flushed a couple but had unsatisfying glimpses of them. We lucked out the next afternoon along the Kulu River, where one strolled out onto the river bank and gave us some decent looks in the fading light.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

AMBOYNA CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia amboinensis carteretia)

This subspecies is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago. We saw one or two daily.

MACKINLAY'S CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia mackinlayi)

A smallish, very rusty cuckoo-dove found only on small, islands offshore from NB, apparently spreading to these islands fairly recently from the Solomons. Ann deftly spotted our first (of 4 birds) on Big Malumalu Island, perched beautifully in the open, a spot it returned to time and time again as we watched.

STEPHAN'S DOVE (Chalcophaps stephani)

A much easier species to see in New Britain than mainland PNG, and we regularly encountered these on the dirt roads through the palm plantations. Our first day we tallied at least 25 of them, with some fine views of these handsome doves.

NICOBAR PIGEON (Caloenas nicobarica)

A small island species ranging from Thailand east through the Solomons. This always seems to be a big target for folks here, and we did pretty well, seeing them mainly along the Kulu River, and getting some nice flybys, and some decent looks at a couple of perched birds, on our second afternoon there. Judy picked this as her favorite bird of the extension.

RED-KNOBBED IMPERIAL-PIGEON (PINK-NECKED) (Ducula rubricera rubricera)

The common imperial-pigeon of the main island, where we saw them in good numbers daily. This species is endemic to NB and the Solomons.

FINSCH'S IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula finschii) [E]

The ghostly call of this local species was heard emanating from the forest at Garu, but the bird just wouldn't budge. There was also a bird that flew over the Kulu River late one afternoon, easily told apart from the above species by the narrow white band through the tail, though I'm not sure anyone else got a decent look at it.

ISLAND IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula pistrinaria vanwyckii)

A small-island species, restricted to the Solomons and islands off the northeast of PNG. These were very common on Restorf and Malumalu islands in Kimbe Bay, and we had many beautiful looks at them there, and heard them calling constantly.

BISMARCK IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula melanochroa) [E]

A scarce endemic, and not one I really expected to see as it is mainly a bird of higher elevations than we normally get to. But this trip we visited a new (to me) road that reached slightly higher elevations on Mt Vege, and on our walk back down, local guide David spotted this very dark pigeon perched in a nearby tree, where we got some good scope views, and even a photo or two, before it took off. Amazingly this was one of three lifers for me on that particular outing!

YELLOWISH IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula subflavescens)

A fairly recent split from Pied and Torresian Imperial-Pigeons, this form is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago and Admiralty Islands. We saw a couple on Mt Vege and several on Malumalu Island, but the largest group was about 15+ birds in a large roost tree on the manager's house ridge above Haella.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

PIED COUCAL (Centropus ateralbus) [E]

We heard them more regularly than we saw them, but had some fine views of these handsome coucals a couple of times on Mt Vege and along the Kulu River.

VIOLACEOUS COUCAL (Centropus violaceus) [E]

The larger of the two endemic coucals here, these birds produce some marvelous sounds, though they can be tricky to see. We had a couple of fantastic encounters with them, and some superb sightings of a trio along the road at Garu, and a couple more along the Kulu River.

PACIFIC KOEL (ORIENTAL) (Eudynamys orientalis salvadorii)

We saw our only one on our first morning on Mt Vege. This subspecies is endemic to the Bismarcks.

SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx lucidus)

Our lone sighting was on our final morning at Walindi, when one popped up into a large bare tree above the restaurant alongside a couple of Brush Cuckoos.

BRUSH CUCKOO (BRUSH) (Cacomantis variolosus macrocercus)

Fairly common, though heard more often than seen. We did see a couple on our first morning on Mt Vege, including a young bird seemingly attended to by a pair of Black Sunbirds.

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET (Aerodramus spodiopygius noonaedanae)

Greatly outnumbered by the next species, but we saw a few each day, often mixed in with Uniform Swiftlets, but fairly easy to pick out by their darker coloring, more slender profile, and somewhat different flight. We had especially good views at the Kulu River where a couple of birds came down low to skim the water's surface.

UNIFORM SWIFTLET (Aerodramus vanikorensis pallens)

The common swift here, seen in good numbers daily.

Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)

MOUSTACHED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne mystacea aeroplanes)

Excellent looks at a family group perched over a clearing on our first morning on Mt Vege, then small numbers daily after that, including a couple right over the resort on our final morning. This subspecies is endemic to the Bismarcks.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

BUFF-BANDED RAIL (Gallirallus philippensis meyeri)

Jus a couple of birds flushed off the edge of the road as we passed through the plantations.

NEW BRITAIN RAIL (Gallirallus insignis) [E]

As there had been several recent reports of this enigmatic bird, I had high hopes that we might get lucky as well. So I was thrilled when Joseph announced that a rail had emerged onto the edge of the Kulu River. Unfortunately, the bird was bathing behind an arching log that emerged from the water, and all we could see through the scope were pink legs and a reflection in the water. I was not sure I could count it based on that! Luckily, it eventually emerged from behind the log and sauntered along the embankment in full view. This was the 4th lifer of our first day on New Britain, and my top bird for the extension.

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) [b]

A group of 5 birds were seen regularly on the mudflats in front of the lodge.

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) [b]

A large flock of ~75 birds was seen offshore of Restorf island.

GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii)

A couple of birds off of Restorf Island.

Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)

LESSER FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata ariel)

Most impressive was a group of 15 birds that flew over quite low as we left the dive shop.

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)

BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster)

Our chumming attempt during our boat trip had immediate results when a single Brown Booby appeared out of nowhere after we'd seen no birds at all during the cruise to deep water. And that was it. Not a single other bird came in, and we saw no birds on the return cruise either.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

LITTLE PIED CORMORANT (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

One perched on a fencepost along the highway near the Numundo farm, another seen along the Kulu River.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

BLACK BITTERN (Ixobrychus flavicollis)

New Britain might just be the best place to see this species, though there seemed to be fewer than usual this trip. We saw one during a stop in the palm plantations, then had good scope views of a couple along the Kulu River at the same time as our encounter with the New Britain Rail.

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

Three birds on the mudflats in front of the resort on our first day had doubled to 6 birds on the 3rd day.

PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra)

All 5 of the ones we saw were dark morph birds, and all were around Big Malumalu and Little Malumalu islands.

NANKEEN NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax caledonicus)

One seen in palm plantations near the Kulu River on our first afternoon.

Pandionidae (Osprey)

OSPREY (AUSTRALASIAN) (Pandion haliaetus cristatus)

Our lone sighting was of a bird flying over Big Malumalu Island.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

VARIABLE GOSHAWK (VARIABLE) (Accipiter hiogaster dampieri)

New Britain has 5 species of Accipiter, three of which are endemic. There are very few records of the 3 endemics in Ebird, and no photos at all, and no records in Ebird for Meyer's Goshawk on the island either. This species, however, is relatively common, and I suspect at least a few of those records of the others were misidentified Variables. We had fewer than usual, with just 4 sightings spread across three days.

BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) [N]

Quite common, and we saw a few each day, including a pair with young in the nest along the Kulu River.

Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)

GOLDEN MASKED-OWL (Tyto aurantia) [E]

A day-roosting bird the guides knew about could not be found, so we were forced to go looking for this poorly-known species the old-fashioned way, by driving around the palm plantations after dark. We were unaware when we began that this method had been unsuccessful as of late, but after a couple of fruitless hours, we came to that realization ourselves, and headed back to the lodge. When we emerged onto the highway, I was half asleep, but still had my spotlight pointed out the window, and by some miracle, I picked out the shape of a Tyto perched on an arching branch just in the first line of trees! It was a thrilling moment, and much appreciated by all who had joined me that night, with all 4 folks (Dan, Ann, Randy, and Ted) choosing it as their top bird of the extension.

Strigidae (Owls)

NEW BRITAIN BOOBOOK (Ninox odiosa) [E*]

One bird was heard in dense riparian scrub along the Kulu River. Another was calling just above the walkway after dinner one night, but by the time I got there with my flashlight, it had gone quiet and flown off, never to be heard again.

Bucerotidae (Hornbills)

BLYTH'S HORNBILL (Rhyticeros plicatus dampieri)

It was delightful to see so many of the huge, impressive birds here and we saw many each day. The highlight, though, was watching the passage of 51 hornbills flying across the Kulu River en route to a roosting site, late on our final afternoon.

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

COMMON KINGFISHER (COBALT-EARED) (Alcedo atthis hispidoides)

After missing this one on mainland PNG, it was nice to catch up with a few of them here. We saw them mainly along the Kulu River, but some of us also had one along the mangrove-lined channel near the dive shop.

NEW BRITAIN DWARF-KINGFISHER (Ceyx sacerdotis) [E]

This is one of the endemics that we expect to have to work hard for, but that was not at all the case this trip. As we walked along the track on Mt Vege on our first morning, one of these tiny kingfishers darted out of the forest on our left and into the plantation on the opposite side of the track, landing nearby on a fully exposed perch! I still can't believe how lucky we were, but I'll take it!

FOREST KINGFISHER (Todiramphus macleayii) [a]

A rare Austral visitor to New Britain. The local guides had found one near Numundo not long before we arrived, and we stopped in to add it to our island list. According to Joseph, this is the first sighting here in many years, and the most recent Ebird records from anywhere nearby are from the 1980's!

NEW BRITAIN KINGFISHER (Todiramphus albonotatus) [E]

I prefer the alternate name, White-mantled Kingfisher, but either way, this is a spiffy little bird. This species gave us more trouble than the dwarf-kingfisher this trip, and we just barely managed to pull out a single bird perched high in a roadside tree at Garu.

SACRED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus sanctus) [a]

Oddly our only one this trip was a bird essentially right next to the Forest Kingfisher along the highway near Numundo.

BEACH KINGFISHER (BEACH) (Todiramphus saurophagus saurophagus)

Primarily a small island specialist ranging from the Moluccas east to the Solomons. We had smashing views of the only ones we found, a pair on Little Malumalu Island.

MELANESIAN KINGFISHER (NEW BRITAIN) (Todiramphus tristrami tristrami)

Seen in small numbers daily, including a couple of birds over the mudflats right in front of the resort.

BLACK-CAPPED PARADISE-KINGFISHER (Tanysiptera nigriceps) [E]

Endemic to the Bismarcks. This bird gave us a lot of difficulty. We heard several at Garu, but no one managed to get more than a quick glimpse there. We finally fared better on a late afternoon visit to the Manager's House Road above Haella, where, after some considerable effort, we finally nailed this one down to a perch and got everyone an excellent look at it.

Meropidae (Bee-eaters)

RAINBOW BEE-EATER (Merops ornatus) [a]

Seen in reasonable numbers daily, including on the offshore islands during our boat trip.

Coraciidae (Rollers)

DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis crassirostris)

Just one sighting of a single bird on our first morning up Mt Vege.

Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)

BLUE-EYED COCKATOO (Cacatua ophthalmica) [E]

Fairly common and seen in good numbers each day.

Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)

BUFF-FACED PYGMY-PARROT (Micropsitta pusio pusio)

Though we heard them daily, we weren't having any luck seeing them, so we made a concerted effort to find them on the resort grounds on our final morning, and finally tracked a couple down in a tree just outside of the restaurant.

ECLECTUS PARROT (PAPUAN) (Eclectus roratus solomonensis)

Numerous and noisy. We saw these gorgeous parrots in big numbers every day.

SINGING PARROT (NORTHERN) (Geoffroyus heteroclitus heteroclitus)

My previous views of this species left a lot to be desired, so I was pleased that we had some fine scope views of up to half a dozen birds on our first morning on Mt Vege.

RED-FLANKED LORIKEET (Hypocharmosyna placentis pallidior)

The default small lorikeet here, these were particularly numerous on Mt Vege, with quite a few also at Garu.

RED-CHINNED LORIKEET (Vini rubrigularis) [E]

This species mainly occurs at higher elevations than the above species, but I was hoping that there might be some mixed in with the swarms of Red-flanked Lorikeets on Mt Vege, so I checked them carefully whenever I had the chance. My persistence finally paid off when I spotted three of these lorikeets perched in a tall bare tree near the road. The lighting wasn't great, but the scope views allowed a good comparison with some nearby Red-flanked.

PURPLE-BELLIED LORY (Lorius hypoinochrous devittatus)

Fairly common, with good numbers every day, but many of them were seen only in flight, and it took us some time to finally get some good scope views of perched birds, though we ultimately did.

COCONUT LORIKEET (COCONUT) (Trichoglossus haematodus massena)

Common and seen in good numbers daily.

Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)

ASHY MYZOMELA (Myzomela cineracea) [E]

Very few this trip, with just a single bird for some on Mt Vege, then a catch up bird near the Manager's House above Haella.

SCLATER'S MYZOMELA (Myzomela sclateri) [E]

A small island specialist, but not too hard to find once you get to these islands. We had just a couple of birds on Restorf, and about a half a dozen on Big Malumalu.

BLACK-BELLIED MYZOMELA (Myzomela erythromelas) [E]

Joseph knew of a flowering tree where these honeyeaters liked to feed on Mt Vege, so we pointed the scope at it (it was a bit far from the road), and with patience, managed to get everyone some good scope views of this striking bird, the first of my 3 lifers on that morning.

NEW BRITAIN FRIARBIRD (Philemon cockerelli cockerelli) [E]

One of the more common of the endemic Passerines. We saw small numbers of these daily, including right around the resort.

Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)

BARRED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina lineata sublineata)

The subspecies here is endemic to the Bismarcks. We saw just one pair, on our first morning on Mt Vege.

WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina papuensis sclaterii)

Like the above, this subspecies is also a Bismarck endemic, plus we also saw a pair on Mt Vege our first morning. We did have one other sighting of this one though, at Garu. It's worth keeping track of these subspecies as there's always the possibility they'll be split off in the future.

VARIED TRILLER (Lalage leucomela falsa)

Another cuckooshrike, and another endemic subspecies, though this one is restricted to New Britain and Umboi. We saw and/or heard at least a couple daily, including one bird on the resort grounds on our final morning.

COMMON CICADABIRD (MELANESIAN) (Edolisoma tenuirostre heinrothi)

With nearly 30 subspecies in 10 different groups, this species is almost certainly going to see some splits in the future. This subspecies is endemic to New Britain and one other small offshore island. We saw our only one on the first morning on Mt Vege.

Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)

BLACK-TAILED WHISTLER (Pachycephala melanura dahli)

Aka Mangrove Golden Whistler, this is found only on the small offshore islets here. We heard one singing on Restorf Island, but failed to see it there, but did manage to see a couple on big Malumalu Island after considerable time watching and waiting.

Rhipiduridae (Fantails)

NORTHERN FANTAIL (MELANESIAN) (Rhipidura rufiventris finschii)

Another species ripe for some splitting, with 20 subspecies spread across 11 groups. This subspecies is endemic to New Britain and a couple of small islands to the east. We had trouble seeing our first one on Mt Vege, fared better the next day with a couple at Garu, then found one singing right outside the restaurant at the resort on our final morning, getting great looks at that one.

WILLIE-WAGTAIL (Rhipidura leucophrys melaleuca) [N]

Very common and familiar, occurring pretty much everywhere. We saw them in good numbers daily, and even found some nests, one atop a stick that poked out of the Kulu River, another on the wire of a barbed-wire fence along one of the dirt roads in the palm plantations.

Dicruridae (Drongos)

SPANGLED DRONGO (BISMARCK) (Dicrurus bracteatus laemostictus)

This resident subspecies is endemic to New Britain and is sometimes treated as a full species. Never seems really numerous, so not too surprising that we saw just a single individual on the first morning up Mt Vege.

Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)

BLACK-TAILED MONARCH (Symposiachrus verticalis) [E]

I've tried for this species each time I've been to Garu, without so much as hearing it, so I was beginning to doubt they existed. So I was pretty excited to hear one calling inside the forest along the hot river at Garu. The bird wasn't especially responsive, and not at all easy to see as it stayed in thick tangles in the canopy, but eventually we all had some nice views of this handsome little bird.

SHINING FLYCATCHER (Myiagra alecto chalybeocephala)

Generally outnumbers the similar Dull Flycatcher, and we saw a small number of these on all but the first day, including right around the resort.

DULL FLYCATCHER (VELVET) (Myiagra hebetior eichhorni) [E]

More of a closed forest bird than the above, and generally a bit tougher to see. We had a couple of birds each at Mt Vege and Garu, and managed to get everyone on at least one of them, though the looks were usually quite brief.

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

BISMARCK CROW (Corvus insularis) [E]

A common species throughout, and we saw them daily in good numbers.

Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)

GOLDEN-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola exilis polionotus)

Dan spotted our only one as soon as we got out of the vehicle at Numundo, and the bird sat still long enough for all to see. This subspecies is endemic to the Bismarcks, and apparently is unique in lacking an eclipse plumage. There seem to be very few recent records from this region (Joseph claimed it was the first in some time) and this was a new island tick for me.

Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)

AUSTRALIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus australis sumbae)

At least three very vocal birds in the grasslands at Numundo, showing very well despite the heat.

Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)

PAPUAN GRASSBIRD (INTERSCAPULARIS/MAYRI) (Cincloramphus macrurus interscapularis)

Numundo is one of the best places to see this taxon, which is apparently a quite rare and local endemic subspecies in the Bismarcks. We had good looks at a couple of calling birds here. This lowland form is potentially a future split from the highland birds found on mainland PNG.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

PACIFIC SWALLOW (PACIFIC) (Hirundo tahitica ambiens)

There weren't a lot, but we did see small numbers daily, with especially good views along the Kulu River. This subspecies is endemic to the island.

Sturnidae (Starlings)

METALLIC STARLING (METALLIC) (Aplonis metallica nitida) [N]

One of the most numerous birds around, and we saw hundreds of them daily, including a couple of big nesting colonies (one on Malumalu Island).

SINGING STARLING (Aplonis cantoroides)

A single bird was perched on a high bare branch above the Kulu River, but was displaced when a large group of Metallic Starlings landed there. Once the flock of Metallic Starlings moved on, this bird went straight back up to its perch.

LONG-TAILED MYNA (Mino kreffti)

A common endemic, seen daily, with the largest group being about 30 birds amassing in a tree along the Kulu River in the late afternoon.

Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)

RED-BANDED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum eximium layardorum) [E]

Not uncommon, but can be a bit tricky to get a good view of as they seem to rarely sit still for long. We had at least a couple each day, and though we never had one sit still for long scope views for all, we did all manage to get decent looks of at least one somewhere along the way.

Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)

BLACK SUNBIRD (Leptocoma aspasia caeruleogula)

Seen daily, with especially good numbers at Garu.

OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (YELLOW-FACED) (Cinnyris jugularis flavigastra)

A pair at the resort on our final morning were the only ones we saw on the island.

Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)

BISMARCK MUNIA (Lonchura melaena melaena) [E]

About a dozen of these attractive endemic munias were seen nicely in the grasslands at Numundo.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) [I]

I think we saw these only at the airport as we were about to return to Port Moresby.

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MAMMALS

GREATER FLYING FOX (Pteropus neohibernicus)

This is apparently the flying fox species that occurs here. We saw them daily.

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Totals for the tour: 83 bird taxa and 1 mammal taxa