New distributional ranges for Melanesian birds

Abstract

New island records are presented for Melanesia. Most are from 11 months’ fieldwork in 1997–98, with other records from fieldwork in 1990 and a few other recent unpublished records. Whilst most records are of migrants or species previously overlooked, a number of waterbirds and grassland species appear to be expanding their ranges. The most notable records are of possible new subspecies of Lonchura tristissima on Umboi and Todiramphus chloris on Anuta; the proved breeding of Gallinula tenebrosa on New Britain; the presumed breeding of Gallicolumba jobiensis and Monarcha infelix on Tong and Ducula finschii on Lavongai; migrant Bulweria bulwerii at several sites in north Melanesia and Fregata andrewsi in the Solomon Islands; and vagrant Aythya fuligula and Oriolus sagitattus on New Britain.