Animals: New species of colorful birds discovered in Indonesia

JAKARTA/DUBLIN – Scientists have discovered several new species of tropical sunbirds on remote islands of Indonesia.

Zoologists at Trinity College Dublin, working with a team of Indonesian researchers, have identified a previously unknown ‘Wakatobi sunbird’ (Cinniris infranatus) with a bright blue and yellow breast that inhabits the Wakatobi archipelago in East Sulawesi. That’s according to a new study published in the Linnean Society’s Journal of Zoology.

“The Wakatobi Islands are recognized as an Important Bird Area, but despite their importance, they have received little ornithological attention to date, the study said. Lead author Fionn Ó Markág said, “Small isolated islands like this have had their own evolutionary process, and the well-known case of the Galapagos Islands has therefore often formed distinct species.”

Previously unknown species

The researchers examined specimens previously thought to be green honeybirds (Cinniris jugularis) and silky honeybirds (Leptocoma sericea). They found that the individual belonged to a previously unknown species. So the greenback sunbird, for example, represents a superspecies that should be broken down into at least four species, according to the study. “This exciting discovery has important implications for our understanding of evolution in this biodiverse region,” he said.

Sunbirds – or sunbirds in English – live in tropical areas from Africa to Australia. They resemble the American hummingbird. Male sunbirds often have bright plumage with iridescent and metallic plumage that shimmers in the sun. These animal scars have been studied by zoologists for hundreds of years to name species, the authors say. About 140 species are currently recognized.

The study now takes into account DNA, song recording, body size and wingspan and shows that the sunbird family is far more diverse than previously thought. ‘It is surprising that there are still species waiting to be discovered in this region (…)’, says Ó Markág. “I am delighted that we have expanded the list of known species from this incredible part of the world.”