Researchers in Indonesia have discovered a colourful new species of bird, but warned that the pace of development could threaten the diverse biology of the region.

A team of scientists from Trinity College, Dublin identified the Wakatobi Flowerpecker (Dicaeum kuehni) after many expeditions to the Wakatobi islands in south-east Sulawesi.

The researchers, led by PhD student Sean Kelly, found that the Wakatobi Flowerpecker is notably larger and genetically distinct from the grey sided flowerpecker that habits an area on the other side of a 27km stretch of sea.

Their findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE.