Natural History Wanderings

Bird Life International reports on the new sightings of Timor Bush-warbler Bradypterus timorensis since two specimens were collected on Mount Mutis, West Timor, in 1932.  An article published in BirdLife’s online journal, Bird Conservation International, reported the rediscovery of the Timor Bush-warbler in Timor-Leste East Timor in 2009. A separate population was recently found on the island of Alor in Indonesia. They report that

“On Alor, at least 13 male bush warblers were heard singing from shrub and grass beneath woodland and forest edge at 859–1,250 m. On Timor, at least 40 males were heard from tall grassland at 1,720–2,100 m.”

The West Timor population’s habitat is threatened by high grazing and fires.The population on Alor appears tho have a much more stable habitat with no current threats. Read more at Timor Bush-warbler rediscovered | BirdLife Community.