Brazil - March-April 2008 trip report - Rio State - Serra dos Tucanos Lodge - Birding the Americas Trip Report Repository

Birding the Americas Trip Report and Planning Repository

Return to the Main Index
Return to the South America Index
Return to the Brazil Index

BRAZIL - Rio de Janeiro State - Serra dos Tucanos Lodge

18 March - 29 April 2008

by Blake Maybank

In March and April 2008 our Maritimes Nature Travel Club went to the Serra dos Tucanos Lodge in the Rio de Janeiro State of Brazil. There are already many fine trip reports on-line detailing the delights of this wonderful eco-lodge, but our adventure was different in a couple of respects.

1) - Because there was so much interest in this trip among our group, and because the lodge can only house a maximum of 12 guests, we went in three different groups.

2) - Each group stayed two weeks, a longer time that the typical commercial tour. Within this two week period we were offered four full-day excursions and four half-day excursions, leaving three full days for birding around the lodge, or organising special trips elsewhere. And as it turned out each group chose to spend a day with our lodge guide exploring new areas for future excursions. We found this fun, and the Lodge owners found this useful, as the commercial tours never have such free days built into their schedule, and during the busy austral summer season the Lodge staff do not have time to do scouting on their own.

This report does not offer a detailed review of this fine lodge -- it is sufficient to say that all three of our groups greatly enjoyed the facility and praise the staff. We recommend the Lodge to you. Thumbs Up!

Because our group members visited the same trails on multiple occasions during the three trips, I was able to chart out each group’s species list on comparative tables, to provide a useful perspective regarding the similarities and differences among the different lists.

During our stay there were a succession of low pressure weather systems that passed over our area, bringing periods of cloud and rain. Because of the flexibility built into our schedule we were able to alter our itinerary to ensure the best weather possible for various excursions (at least to a point).

Our guide for almost all our excursions was Pete Forrest. He was knowledgeable, good natured, and hard-working, and we enjoyed him as a leader. He, in turn, quickly came to enjoy our relaxed approach to birding, with no-one applying too much pressure to keep finding birds, and, most importantly, no-one becomming sulky or tempramental when, as sometimes happens, a bird is missed by some or all of the group.

Pete, having worked at the Lodge for several years, returned home to England in 2009. Andy, who co-owns the Lodge with his wife, Cristina, is also an experienced, capable, and affable guide (and host), and he guided some of our group around the grounds on separate occasions.

Photos

Links to the Scenic photos from all our excursions accompany each site's description.

A selection of my flora and fauna photos from the Brazil trip are available as follows:

birds
butterflies & moths - identified (tentatively)
butterflies & moths - unidentified
other invertebrates

dragonflies & damselflies
flowers
mammals
herptiles

(and here is a selection of Brazilian Sunrises - for all you early rising birders.)

Site Descriptions and Bird Lists:

São Paulo Airport
Serra Dos Tucanos Lodge
Theodora Trail
Cedae Trail
Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Macae de Cima Trail
Sumidouro area - Three-toed Jacamar excursion
São Lorenzo Road
Pico de Caledonia Trail
REGUA (Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu)
Bamboo Trail
Sumidouro Exploratory Trip

Ararruama (Coastal Rio de Janeiro state)

Rio de Janeiro City

Portão Azul and Rio Antbird Excursion

São Paulo Airport list – 18 March

The groups arrived on different itineraries, but the first group enjoyed (endured?) a long lay-over at São Paulo airport, which allowed some exploration of the buildings, runways, and a forested and grassy area that bordered a surprisingly small parking area. Mind you, the airport is surprisingly small as well.

Species List:

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Southern Caracara

Chimango Caracara *

Southern Lapwing

Eared Dove

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Rufous Hornero

Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher

Cliff Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Blue-and-white Swallow

House Sparrow

Orange-headed Tanager *

Sayaca Tanager

Rufous-collared Sparrow

* = unique trip sighting

16 Species

Serra Dos Tucanos Lodge

“The gardens and trails around the lodge provide excellent birding opportunities.

To date we have recorded over 200 species within the grounds,

of which 60+ are endemic to the Atlantic rain forest!”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

We spent a lot more time birding around the lodge than most visitors, and the second group was witness to the arrival of a large army ant swarm, which spent two days near (and passing through!) the lodge, and was attended by many birds. Our advice regarding birding at the Lodge is simple -- don't give it short shrift.

Some lodge photos are here.

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge	Dates			Comments
	March 18 - 31	April 02 - 15	April 18 - 29

Black Vulture	X	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X	X
Rufous-thighed Kite	X			Better View Desired
Crowned Eagle		X
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle	X
Southern Caracara		X
Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail	X	X	X
Southern Lapwing			X
Violaceous Quail-Dove		X
Maroon-bellied Parakeet	X	X	X
Plain Parakeet	X	X	X
Squirrel Cuckoo	X	X	X
Tawny-browed Owl		X	X
White-collared Swift	X
Gray-rumped Swift	X	X	X
Saw-billed Hermit	X	X	X
Rufous-breasted Hermit	X
Reddish Hermit	X
Sombre Hummingbird	X	X	X
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird	X	X	X
Black Jacobin	X	X	X
Frilled Coquette	X	X	X	1 lone female throughout
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X	X	X
Glittering-throated Emerald	X
Brazilian Ruby	X	X	X
Surucua Trogon	X	X	X
Ringed Kingfisher	X
Amazon Kingfisher	X
Rufous-capped Motmot		X	X
Crescent-chested Puffbird	X	X	X
Spot-billed Toucanet	X	X	X
Channel-billed Toucan		X	X
White-barred Piculet	X	X	X
Yellow-eared Woodpecker	X
Blond-crested Woodpecker	X	X	X	one resident pair at feeders
Tail-banded Hornero	X
White-browed Foliage-gleaner				Apr. 1 (between groups)
Black-capped Foliage-gleaner	X	X
White-eyed Foliage-gleaner		X	X
Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper	X	X	X	one indiv. throughout
Plain Xenops	X	X
Streaked Xenops		X
Thrush-like Woodcreeper		X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X	X	X
White-throated Woodcreeper		X	X
Planalto Woodcreeper		X
Lesser Woodcreeper	X	X
Scaled Woodcreeper	X
Spot-backed Antshrike			X
Variable Antshrike				Apr. 1 (between groups)
Spot-breasted Antvireo	X	X	X
Plain Antvireo		X	X
Star-throated Antwren	X	X	X
Ferruginous Antbird		X
Scaled Antbird	X	X	X
Streak-capped Antwren		X
White-shouldered Fire-eye		X	X
Black-cheeked Gnateater	X	X	X
Rufous Gnateater		X
Blue Manakin	X	X	X
Pin-tailed Manakin	X		X
Gray-capped Tyrannulet	X	X	X
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant			X
Sepia-capped Flycatcher	X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher		X
Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant		X
Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher	X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X	X	X
White-throated Spadebill	X	X	X
Whiskered Flycatcher	X	X	X
Masked Water-Tyrant	X	X	X
Long-tailed Tyrant	X	X
Social Flycatcher	X	X	X
Great Kiskadee	X	X	X
Streaked Flycatcher	X
Boat-billed Flycatcher		X	X
Tropical Kingbird		X	X
Gray-hooded Attila	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard			X
Crested Becard	X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X	X	X
House Wren	X	X	X
Yellow-legged Thrush		X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X	X	X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X	X	X
White-necked Thrush	X
Red-eyed Vireo	X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Violaceous Euphonia	X	X	X
Orange-bellied Euphonia	X	X	X
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia	X	X	X
Blue-naped Chlorophonia	X	X	X
Golden-crowned Warbler		X
Bananaquit	X	X	X
Ruby-crowned Tanager	X	X	X
Black-goggled Tanager	X	X	X
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager	X	X	X
Hepatic Tanager	X
Brazilian Tanager	X	X	X
Sayaca Tanager	X	X	X
Azure-shouldered Tanager		X	X
Golden-chevroned Tanager	X	X	X
Palm Tanager	X	X	X
Green-headed Tanager	X	X	X
Red-necked Tanager	X		X
Burnished-buff Tanager	X	X	X
Blue Dacnis	X	X	X
Green Honeycreeper	X	X	X
Double-collared Seedeater	X
Saffron Finch	X		X
Buff-throated Saltator	X	X	X
Black-throated Grosbeak		X
Crested Oropendola	X		X
GROUP TOTALS =	83	82	73
Species Unique to Each Group	19	14	4
Species Common to All Groups	55 Species
LODGE CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	113 Species

Theodora Trail

“After a 20 minute drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the Theodoro Trail.

Commencing at 1100 m elevation, this path offers superb birding.

The entire length of this gradually descending trail used to be part of the old

Cachoeiras - Nova Friburgo railway line and in places still remains surfaced with asphalt.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

This trail is close to the Lodge, and is visited by most groups. As the comparative table below shows there is a large diversity of potential species, but each outing had a very different mix of species.

Trail photos are here.

Theodora Trail	Dates			Comments
Theodora Trail	Mar. 20	Apr. 03	Apr. 28	Comments
Black Vulture			X
Picazuro Pigeon	X
Ruddy Ground-Dove		X
Maroon-bellied Parakeet	X		X
Plain Parakeet			X
Scaly-headed Parrot			X
Squirrel Cuckoo	X	X
Scale-throated Hermit	X	X	X
Black Jacobin	X	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X		X
White-throated Hummingbird	X	X	X
Brazilian Ruby	X
Surucua Trogon			X
Spot-billed Toucanet	X
Channel-billed Toucan		X	X
White-barred Piculet	X	X
Yellow-browed Woodpecker	X	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail			X
Red-eyed Thornbird			X
White-browed Foliage-gleaner		X
Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner	X
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner		X
White-collared Foliage-gleaner		X
Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper		X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper			X
White-throated Woodcreeper	X
Lesser Woodcreeper		X	X
Black-billed Scythebill	X
Spot-backed Antshrike		X
Giant Antshrike	X	X
Variable Antshrike	X
Plain Antvireo	X	X	X
Rufous-backed Antvireo		X	X
Star-throated Antwren	X	X	X
Bertoni’s Antbird	X		X
Ochre-rumped Antbird			X
Streak-capped Antwren		X
White-shouldered Fire-eye	X	X
Brazilian Antthrush			X	Teased into view for the entire group.
Rufous Gnateater			X
Mouse-colored Tapaculo	X
Blue Manakin	X	X	X
Pin-tailed Manakin	X	X	X
Greenish Schiffornis	X
Gray-capped Tyrannulet		X
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet	X
Oustalet’s Tyrannulet		X	X
Sepia-capped Flycatcher			X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher	X		X
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant			X
Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher		X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher		X	X
White-throated Spadebill		X	X
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant	X	X
Great Kiskadee		X	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard	X	X
White-winged Becard	X
Blue-and-white Swallow		X	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush			X
Pale-breasted Thrush			X
Rufous-crowned Greenlet			X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia			X
Tropical Parula	X
Golden-crowned Warbler		X	X
White-rimmed Warbler	X	X	X
Bananaquit		X
Rufous-headed Tanager			X
Ruby-crowned Tanager			X
Black-goggled Tanager	X	X	X
Sayaca Tanager		X
Azure-shouldered Tanager	X	X	X
Golden-chevroned Tanager			X
Green-headed Tanager		X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X	X
Blue Dacnis			X
Buffy-fronted Seedeater			X	Several singing, and quite unexpected
Uniform Finch			X
Saffron Finch	X	X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X	X	X
GROUP TOTALS =	37	42	47
Species Unique to Each Group	12	12	19
Species Common to All Groups	11 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	80 Species

Cedae Trail

This is the closest trail to the Lodge, and heads through tall forest downhill to a stream, which it than parallels for some distance. The trail is actually an access road for a water supply service. Once again there was a considerable difference in the species lists between the groups.

Photos from the trail are here:

Cedae Trail	Dates			Comments
Cedae Trail	Mar. 25	Apr. 09	Apr. 22	Comments
Maroon-bellied Parakeet		X
Plain Parakeet		X
Scaly-headed Parrot	X
Squirrel Cuckoo	X	X	X
Smooth-billed Ani		X
Saw-billed Hermit	X	X	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X	X	X
Versicolored Emerald			X
Black-throated Trogon		X
Surucua Trogon	X	X	X
Saffron Toucanet	X
Channel-billed Toucan	X		X
Yellow-eared Woodpecker		X
Yellow-throated Woodpecker	X
Yellow-browed Woodpecker	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail			X
White-browed Foliage-gleaner		X
Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner		X	X
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner	X		X
White-eyed Foliage-gleaner	X		X
Tawny-throated Leaftosser			X
Plain Xenops	X
Streaked Xenops	X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X		X
White-throated Woodcreeper	X
Lesser Woodcreeper	X	X	X
Spot-backed Antshrike	X	X	X
Spot-breasted Antvireo	X	X	X
Plain Antvireo	X	X	X
Star-throated Antwren	X	X	X
Ferruginous Antbird	X	X
Streak-capped Antwren	X	X
White-shouldered Fire-eye	X		X
Black-cheeked Gnateater	X	X	X
Bare-throated Bellbird	X
Blue Manakin	X	X	X
Oustalet’s Tyrannulet	X
Sepia-capped Flycatcher		X	X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher			X
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant			X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X	X	X
White-throated Spadebill	X	X	X
Whiskered Flycatcher			X
Great Kiskadee			X
Black-tailed Tityra	X	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard	X
Blue-and-white Swallow		X	X
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush			X
Red-eyed Vireo		X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia		X	X
Tropical Parula	X	X	X
Golden-crowned Warbler	X	X	X
Bananaquit		X
Rufous-headed Tanager	X		X
Ruby-crowned Tanager			X
Black-goggled Tanager	X	X	X
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager	X
Sayaca Tanager		X	X
Golden-chevroned Tanager	X
Palm Tanager	X		X
Green-headed Tanager	X		X
Red-necked Tanager	X	X	X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X
Green Honeycreeper	X
Black-throated Grosbeak		X	X

GROUP TOTALS =	44	35	42
Species Unique to Each Group	11	7	9
Species Common to All Groups	18 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	67 Species

Serra dos Órgãos National Park
(web sites here and here)

“The drive to this National Park in Teresopolis takes approximately 45 minutes.

The National Park is split into two sections, the lower and upper. We begin at the lower park.

We then return back to the vehicle and drive for a further 20 minutes to the upper section of the park.
Depending upon weather conditions we hope to take the higher trail

within the park for the remainder of the day.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

For each of our groups the trip to and from the National Park took longer than the 45 minutes, as we stopped when opportunities presented themselves, especially at a site simply called the “Fish Ponds”. The “en route” sightings are separated from the species noted at the National Park.

Photos from the park are here:

Serra dos Órgãos National Park	Dates			Comments
Serra dos Órgãos National Park	Mar. 29	Apr. 08	Apr. 25	Comments
Species recorded in transit in agricultural lowlands, including a stop at the Fish Ponds
Capped Heron			X
Cocoi Heron			X
Great Egret	X	X	X
Snowy Egret	X	X	X
Cattle Egret	X	X	X
Striated Heron	X		X	Fish Ponds
Black-crowned Night-Heron	X			Fish Ponds
Black Vulture	X	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X	X
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture		X
Savanna Hawk	X	X	X
Roadside Hawk		X	X
Southern Caracara	X	X
Yellow-headed Caracara	X	X
Limpkin	X	X		Fish Ponds
Common Moorhen			X	Fish Ponds
Wattled Jacana	X	X		Fish Ponds
Southern Lapwing	X	X	X	Fish Ponds
Solitary Sandpiper			X	Fish Ponds
Picazuro Pigeon		X	X
Ruddy Ground-Dove	X	X	X	Fish Ponds
Smooth-billed Ani	X	X	X
Ringed Kingfisher		X	X	Fish Ponds
Amazon Kingfisher	X
Rufous Hornero		X		Fish Ponds
Tail-banded Hornero	X		X	Fish Ponds
Masked Water-Tyrant	X	X		Fish Ponds
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant	X	X	X	Fish Ponds
Cattle Tyrant	X	X		Fish Ponds
Blue-and-white Swallow	X	X	X
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	X	X	X	Fish Ponds
Chalk-browed Mockingbird	X		X	Fish Ponds
House Sparrow			X
Chestnut-capped Blackbird	X		X
GROUP TOTALS =	24	23	24
Species Unique to Each Group	2	2	5
Species Common to All Groups	12 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	34 Species
Species recorded in Serra dos Órgãos National Park (Note: the total for the second group was much lower due to heavy rain during our exploration of the upper road)
Dusky-legged Guan	X
Plumbeous Pigeon			X
Gray-fronted Dove			X
White-eyed Parakeet		X
Maroon-bellied Parakeet	X	X	X
Blue-winged Parrotlet	X		X
Plain Parakeet	X	X	X
Scaly-headed Parrot			X
Blue-bellied Parrot			X
Squirrel Cuckoo			X
White-collared Swift			X
Ashy-tailed Swift	X
Saw-billed Hermit			X
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X		X
White-throated Hummingbird			X
Black-throated Trogon		X	X
Rufous-capped Motmot	X	X	X
Spot-billed Toucanet		X
Saffron Toucanet	X
White-barred Piculet		X	X
Yellow-eared Woodpecker	X	X
Yellow-throated Woodpecker	X	X
Yellow-chinned Spinetail	X
Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner		X
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner	X	X
White-eyed Foliage-gleaner		X
Plain Xenops			X
Thrush-like Woodcreeper			X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X	X	X
White-throated Woodcreeper		X	X
Lesser Woodcreeper	X	X	X
Scaled Woodcreeper			X
Giant Antshrike	X
Tufted Antshrike			X
Spot-breasted Antvireo	X
Plain Antvireo			X
Star-throated Antwren	X	X
Salvadori’s Antwren		X
Streak-capped Antwren	X
White-shouldered Fire-eye	X
Mouse-colored Tapaculo			X
Sharpbill	X
Black-and-gold Cotinga			X
Blue Manakin	X	X	X
Pin-tailed Manakin			X
Rough-legged Tyrannulet		X
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet			X
Sepia-capped Flycatcher			X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher			X
Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant		X	X
Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant			X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X	X	X
White-throated Spadebill		X
Whiskered Flycatcher	X	X
Long-tailed Tyrant			X
Social Flycatcher		X	X
Great Kiskadee	X	X	X
Tropical Kingbird	X	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard		X	X
White-winged Becard	X	X
Crested Becard	X
House Wren	X	X	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X		X
Common Waxbill	X
Red-eyed Vireo		X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Violaceous Euphonia	X		X
Orange-bellied Euphonia	X
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia			X
Golden-crowned Warbler		X	X
White-rimmed Warbler	X
Bananaquit	X	X
Chestnut-vented Conebill		X	X
Brown Tanager			X
Rufous-headed Tanager	X
Yellow-backed Tanager	X	X
Flame-crested Tanager	X	X	X
Black-goggled Tanager	X		X
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager		X
Sayaca Tanager	X	X	X
Azure-shouldered Tanager			X
Golden-chevroned Tanager	X
Palm Tanager	X
Green-headed Tanager	X
Red-necked Tanager	X
Brassy-breasted Tanager		X
Burnished-buff Tanager		X
Buffy-fronted Seedeater			X
Temminck’s Seedeater	X	X	X	A life bird for our guide.
Double-collared Seedeater			X
Saffron Finch	X		X
Buff-throated Saltator	X		X
Green-winged Saltator	X
GROUP TOTALS =	50	41	55
Species Unique to Each Group	21	11	25
Species Common to All Groups	12 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	95 Species

Macae de Cima Trail

“After a 30 minute drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the track towards Macae de Cima.
Depending upon weather conditions we may leave the minibus

and take a gentle walk or the minibus will accompany us for the next few hours.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

This was a pleasant walk along a road that leads to Macae de Cima. Since most of the road passes alongside agricultural fields, houses, and disturbed forest, I had thought each group’s species mix would be similar, but they were surprisingly different.

Photos taken while on the trail are here:

Macae de Cima Trail	Dates			Comments
Macae de Cima Trail	Mar. 22	Apr. 10	Apr. 26	Comments
Brown Tinamou		X	X
Black Vulture	X	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X
Rufous-thighed Kite	X
Bicolored Hawk	X
Mantled Hawk	X	X
White-rumped Hawk		X
Black Hawk-Eagle			X
Southern Caracara	X
Southern Lapwing		X
Gray-fronted Dove	X
Maroon-bellied Parakeet	X	X
Scaly-headed Parrot	X	X	X
Squirrel Cuckoo		X
White-collared Swift		X
Saw-billed Hermit	X
Scale-throated Hermit		X
Plovercrest			X
Violet-capped Woodnymph		X	X
White-throated Hummingbird	X	X	X
Brazilian Ruby		X
White-barred Piculet			X
Yellow-browed Woodpecker	X	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail	X	X	X
Pallid Spinetail	X	X	X
Red-eyed Thornbird			X
Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner			X
White-collared Foliage-gleaner	X	X
Sharp-billed Treehunter		X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X	X
Lesser Woodcreeper		X
Variable Antshrike	X	X	X
Rufous-backed Antvireo			X
Star-throated Antwren			X
Ochre-rumped Antbird		X
White-shouldered Fire-eye		X
Brazilian Antthrush	X
Rufous Gnateater		X	X
Bare-throated Bellbird		X		Distant Views
Blue Manakin	X	X	X
Pin-tailed Manakin			X
Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin			X
Gray-capped Tyrannulet			X
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet	X	X	X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher		X	X
Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant		X	X
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher	X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X		X
Whiskered Flycatcher	X
Cliff Flycatcher	X
Social Flycatcher	X
Great Kiskadee	X	X	X
Boat-billed Flycatcher	X		X
Tropical Kingbird	X	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard			X
Blue-and-white Swallow		X	X
House Wren	X	X	X
Yellow-legged Thrush	X	X	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X	X	X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X
Red-eyed Vireo			X
Rufous-crowned Greenlet	X	X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia		X
Golden-crowned Warbler	X	X	X
White-rimmed Warbler	X		X
Bananaquit			X
Ruby-crowned Tanager	X	X	X
Black-goggled Tanager		X	X
Sayaca Tanager		X	X
Azure-shouldered Tanager			X
Golden-chevroned Tanager		X	X
Palm Tanager		X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X	X	X
Burnished-buff Tanager		X
Blue Dacnis	X		X
Double-collared Seedeater		X
Uniform Finch	X	X	X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X	X	X
Green-winged Saltator		X
Crested Oropendola			X
GROUP TOTALS =	41	50	47
Species Unique to Each Group	12	16	15
Species Common to All Groups	19 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	81 Species

Three-toed Jacamar excursion in Sumidouro area

“Many birders who visit south-east Brazil go in search of the endemic Three-toed Jacamar.

On this full day excursion we visit several sites where this bird is regularly found.

Along the way we pass through a variety of habitats and cover a fair distance (200 km)

stopping regularly en-route to look for other species.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

Note: this excursion often includes a stop in the "Portão Azul" excursion area, usually late in the day. The day-list species total was quite high for each group, but there was plenty of diversity.

Click here for some Sumidouro landscape photos.

Jacamar outing in Sumidouro area	Dates			Comments
Jacamar outing in Sumidouro area	Mar. 23	Apr. 04	Apr. 21	Comments
Tataupa Tinamou	X		X
Whistling Heron	X
Capped Heron		X
Great Egret	X	X	X
Snowy Egret		X	X
Cattle Egret	X	X	X
Striated Heron	X
Brazilian Teal	X	X
Black Vulture	X	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X	X
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture			X
Rufous-thighed Kite	X
Savanna Hawk	X	X	X
Roadside Hawk	X		X
White-tailed Hawk	X	X	X
Southern Caracara	X	X	X
Yellow-headed Caracara	X	X	X
Aplomado Falcon	X		X
Dusky-legged Guan		X		Portão Azul
Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail	X			Heard only
Ash-throated Crake	X	X	X
Blackish Rail	X	X
Common Moorhen	X
Red-legged Seriema	X	X	X
Wattled Jacana	X		X
Southern Lapwing	X	X	X
Rock Pigeon	X	X
Picazuro Pigeon	X	X	X
Plumbeous Pigeon			X
Ruddy Ground-Dove	X	X	X
Gray-fronted Dove	X
White-eyed Parakeet	X	X
Scaly-headed Parrot		X	X
Squirrel Cuckoo		X	X
Smooth-billed Ani		X	X
Guira Cuckoo	X	X	X
Striped Cuckoo		X
Barn Owl	X		X
White-collared Swift	X	X
Gray-rumped Swift		X		Portão Azul
Ashy-tailed Swift	X	X
Planalto Hermit	X	X
White-vented Violet-ear		X
Glittering-bellied Emerald	X	X	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph		X
Sapphire-spangled Emerald	X
Ringed Kingfisher			X
Amazon Kingfisher		X	X
Three-toed Jacamar	X	X	X
Black-necked Aracari		X
White Woodpecker	X	X
Yellow-eared Woodpecker			X
Campo Flicker	X	X	X
Rufous Hornero	X	X	X
Tail-banded Hornero	X	X	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail	X
Yellow-chinned Spinetail	X	X	X
Common Thornbird	X	X	X
Scaled Woodcreeper		X	X
Black-billed Scythebill			X
Giant Antshrike	X
Tufted Antshrike			X
Chestnut-backed Antshrike		X
Variable Antshrike	X
Plain Antvireo		X
Star-throated Antwren		X
Ferruginous Antbird		X
Spot-breasted Antvireo		X
Blue Manakin		X	X
Yellow-bellied Elaenia		X	X
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet			X
White-crested Tyrannulet	X
Yellow Tyrannulet	X
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher	X
Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher	X	X	X
Common Tody-Flycatcher		X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher			X
Bran-colored Flycatcher			X
Cliff Flycatcher			X
Yellow-browed Tyrant			X
Masked Water-Tyrant	X	X	X
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant	X		X
White-rumped Monjita	X
Streamer-tailed Tyrant	X	X	X
Long-tailed Tyrant	X		X
Cattle Tyrant	X
Social Flycatcher	X	X	X
Great Kiskadee	X	X	X
Boat-billed Flycatcher		X	X
Variegated Flycatcher	X
Tropical Kingbird	X	X	X
Brown-crested Flycatcher		X	X
Green-backed Becard	X
Gray-breasted Martin			X
Brown-chested Martin			X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X	X	X
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	X	X	X
Tawny-headed Swallow		X
Black-capped Donacobius	X	X	X
House Wren	X	X	X
Chalk-browed Mockingbird	X	X	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush		X	X
Pale-breasted Thrush			X
Creamy-bellied Thrush			X
Curl-crested Jay		X
House Sparrow	X	X	X
Common Waxbill	X	X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Hooded Siskin	X
Golden-crowned Warbler			X
Bananaquit	X		X
Chestnut-vented Conebill			X
Magpie Tanager			X
Ruby-crowned Tanager	X		X
Black-goggled Tanager			X
Brazilian Tanager			X
Sayaca Tanager	X	X	X
Golden-chevroned Tanager		X	X
Palm Tanager		X	X
Brassy-breasted Tanager		X	X
Gilt-edged Tanager		X		Portão Azul
Burnished-buff Tanager	X	X
Blue Dacnis	X	X
Pileated Finch		X	X
Blue-black Grassquit	X	X	X
Double-collared Seedeater	X	X	X
White-bellied Seedeater	X
Uniform Finch			X
Saffron Finch	X	X	X
Grassland Sparrow		X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X	X
Chestnut-capped Blackbird	X	X	X
White-browed Blackbird	X	X
Shiny Cowbird		X
Crested Oropendola		X
GROUP TOTALS =	80	86	85
Species Unique to Each Group	18	19	20
Species Common to All Groups	40 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	132 Species

São Lorenzo Road

(called High Altitude Excursion (lower section) on the Lodge’s website)

“On this excursion we head off towards Nova Friburgo for a 50 minute drive before our first stop

where we will look for White-tailed Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Hepatic and Cinnamon Tanager.

We continue our journey for a short distance where we then leave the minibus
and start our day's walk at an altitude of approximately 1600 metres.
We spend the remainder of the day on this trail.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

A benchmark species for this hike is the Swallow-tailed Cotinga, a species which becomes seasonally more difficult to view as March gives way to April – breeding has finished, and the birds depart for their wintering areas. The reduced species total for our third outing was due directly to the unusually strong winds we encountered that day, which kept many birds hunkered down.

Photos illustrating the area are here.

São Lorenzo Road	Dates			Comments
São Lorenzo Road	Mar. 21	Apr. 11	Apr. 23	Comments
Brown Tinamou			X
Black Vulture	X	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X
White-tailed Kite	X
Tiny Hawk			X
Rufous-thighed Hawk		X
Crowned Eagle		X
Roadside Hawk	X	X	X
White-tailed Hawk	X	X	X
Black Hawk-Eagle	X
Southern Caracara	X		X
Yellow-headed Caracara	X	X
Aplomado Falcon	X	X	X
Dusky-legged Guan		X	X
Southern Lapwing	X	X	X
Picazuro Pigeon	X	X	X
Plumbeous Pigeon	X		X
Ruddy Ground-Dove	X
Gray-fronted Dove	X
White-eyed Parakeet	X
Maroon-bellied Parakeet			X
Squirrel Cuckoo	X		X
Burrowing Owl	X	X	X	Nesting birds
White-collared Swift	X	X	X
Plovercrest		X	X
Glittering-bellied Emerald	X	X	X
White-throated Hummingbird	X
White Woodpecker		X
Yellow-browed Woodpecker		X	X
Campo Flicker	X	X	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail		X
Chicli Spinetail	X		X
Pallid Spinetail	X	X	X
Red-eyed Thornbird	X	X	X
Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper		X	X
Streaked Xenops	X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X
Scaled Woodcreeper	X
Large-tailed Antshrike	X	X	X
Rufous-capped Antshrike	X
Variable Antshrike	X	X	X
Dusky-tailed Antbird	X
Mouse-colored Tapaculo		X
Swallow-tailed Cotinga	X		X	Distant views - 3rd group
Planalto Tyrannulet	X	X
Gray-capped Tyrannulet		X
White-crested Tyrannulet	X
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet	X
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet	X	X
Gray-hooded Flycatcher			X
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher	X	X	X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X
Cliff Flycatcher		X
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant	X	X
Velvety Black-Tyrant		X
White-rumped Monjita		X	X
Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant	X	X
Social Flycatcher	X		X
Great Kiskadee	X	X	X
Boat-billed Flycatcher	X	X	X
Variegated Flycatcher	X
Tropical Kingbird		X
White-winged Becard		X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X
House Wren	X	X	X
Chalk-browed Mockingbird	X	X	X
Yellow-legged Thrush	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush		X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X	X	X
Creamy-bellied Thrush	X
Rufous-crowned Greenlet		X	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X	X
Blue-naped Chlorophonia		X
Golden-crowned Warbler	X		X
White-rimmed Warbler	X	X	X
Bananaquit	X
Cinnamon Tanager	X	X
Chestnut-headed Tanager	X
Black-goggled Tanager		X	X
Sayaca Tanager		X
Golden-chevroned Tanager	X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X	X	X
Burnished-buff Tanager	X
Double-collared Seedeater	X	X
Uniform Finch	X
Saffron Finch	X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X	X	X
GROUP TOTALS =	63	52	42
Species Unique to Each Group	22	13	3
Species Common to All Groups	24 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	87 Species

Pico de Caledonia Trail

(called High Altitude Excursion (upper section) on the Lodge’s website)

“This excursion is aimed at seeing the small number of endemics that exist above 1800 metres. Our day begins
with an hour's drive as we aim to drive as high as possible towards 2000 metres in altitude. This depends heavily
upon the weather and road conditions. Once at our destination we leave the transport behind for the remainder
of the day and start our day's birding. As we gain altitude and continue our walk up a steep road we see a change
in the habitat, small stunted trees surrounded by bamboo and other low vegetation.
Almost at the summit we hope to encounter the endemic Itatiaia Thistletail, recently discovered in this area.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

One of the groups decided against this trip, due to the exertion required -- at the end of the road, after a security checkpoint, one faces a climb of 667 steps to the communications towers near the summit, and the Thistletail, predictably, is near the top. The first group reached the towers in thick fog, and we were unaware that a rough trail continued up a short distance to the actual summit, indicated by a benchmark. The second group, unimpeded by fog, reached the actual summit.

The first group, despite mist and fog for most of their hike, had the larger species list by a considerable margin, though in compensation the second group enjoyed clear unencumbered views from the summit.

Lots of scenic photos are here.

Pico de Caledonia Trail	Dates		Comments
Pico de Caledonia Trail	Mar. 28	Apr. 12	Comments
Brown Tinamou	X
Black Vulture	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X
Rufous-thighed Hawk		X
Crowned Eagle	X
White-rumped Hawk		X
White-tailed Hawk		X
Black Hawk-Eagle	X
Squirrel Cuckoo		X
White-collared Swift	X
Plovercrest	X	X	Confiding views
White-throated Hummingbird	X
Brazilian Ruby	X
Itatiaia Thistletail	X	X	Fine views both trips
Rufous-capped Spinetail	X
Chicli Spinetail		X
Tufted Antshrike	X
Variable Antshrike	X
Rufous-backed Antvireo	X
Rufous-tailed Antbird	X	X
Dusky-tailed Antbird	X
Brazilian Antthrush	X	X	heard only
Blue Manakin		X
Rufous Gnateater	X
Mouse-colored Tapaculo	X	X
Black-and-gold Cotinga	X	X	Close views on 1^st trip
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet	X
Serra do Mar Tyrannulet	X	X
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher	X
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant	X	X
Velvety Black-Tyrant	X
Great Kiskadee		X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X
Creamy-bellied Thrush	X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X
Blue-naped Chlorophonia	X
Golden-crowned Warbler	X
White-rimmed Warbler	X
Diademed Tanager	X	X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X
Bay-chested Warbling-Finch	X	X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X
Yellow-green Grosbeak	X
GROUP TOTALS =	38	20
Species Unique to Each Group	25	7
Species Common to Both Groups	13 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	45 Species

REGUA

“On this excursion we visit a local nature reserve - Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu (REGUA).

Established in 2002 this large wetland restoration project has been very successful

in the amount of species that it has attracted.

The reserve also protects a large amount of forest within the local area

and employs rangers to ensure that species on the reserve are safeguarded.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

The participants on the first trip had elected a private post-trip extension to REGUA, so this group didn’t do a day-trip there.

Photos (part of a larger set) are here, here, here, and here.

REGUA Excursion	Dates		Comments
REGUA Excursion	Apr. 07	Apr. 24	Comments
Least Grebe	X	X
Capped Heron	X	X
Great Egret	X	X
Cattle Egret	X	X
Black-crowned Night-Heron	X	X
Black Vulture	X	X
Turkey Vulture	X	X
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture	X	X
Savanna Hawk	X	X
Roadside Hawk	X	X
Black Hawk-Eagle		X	Fly-over
Southern Caracara	X	X
Yellow-headed Caracara	X	X
Purple Gallinule	X	X
Common Moorhen	X	X
Wattled Jacana	X	X
Southern Lapwing		X
Picazuro Pigeon	X	X
Ruddy Ground-Dove	X	X
White-tipped Dove	X	X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	X
Squirrel Cuckoo	X	X
Smooth-billed Ani	X	X
Guira Cuckoo	X	X
Tropical Screech-Owl	X		At day roost.
Pauraque		X
White-collared Swift		X
Rufous-breasted Hermit	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X
Rufous-tailed Jacamar	X	X
White-barred Piculet	X
Green-barred Woodpecker	X
Rufous Hornero	X	X
Tail-banded Hornero	X	X
Yellow-chinned Spinetail	X	X
Chestnut-backed Antshrike		X
Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike	X
White-flanked Antwren		X
White-bearded Manakin	X	X
Planalto Tyrannulet		X
Yellow-bellied Elaenia	X	X
White-crested Tyrannulet		X
Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher		X
Common Tody-Flycatcher		X
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher	X	X
Euler’s Flycatcher	X
Fuscous Flycatcher		X
Yellow-browed Tyrant	X	X
Masked Water-Tyrant	X	X
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant	X	X
Social Flycatcher		X
Great Kiskadee	X	X
Boat-billed Flycatcher	X	X
Variegated Flycatcher	X
Tropical Kingbird	X	X
Short-crested Flycatcher	X	X
White-winged Becard		X
Gray-breasted Martin	X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X	X
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	X	X
Long-billed Wren	X	X
House Wren		X
Chalk-browed Mockingbird	X	X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X
House Sparrow		X
Violaceous Euphonia	X	X
Bananaquit	X
Chestnut-vented Conebill	X	X
Yellow-backed Tanager		X
Flame-crested Tanager		X
Brazilian Tanager	X
Blue Dacnis	X	X
Green Honeycreeper		X
Swallow-Tanager	X	X
Blue-black Grassquit	X	X
Lined Seedeater	X
Saffron Finch		X
Grassland Sparrow		X
Buff-throated Saltator		X
Chestnut-capped Blackbird	X
Red-rumped Cacique		X
Crested Oropendola	X
GROUP TOTALS =	60	66
Species Unique to Each Group	15	23
Species Common to Both Groups	44 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	82 Species

Bamboo Trail

“The Bamboo Trail starts practically opposite the Theodoro Trail.

As its name suggests, this trail runs through an expanse of native bamboo,

and leads gradually up to an altitude of 1450m elevation.

This provides a great opportunity to get into some good primary forest.”

Description from the Serra dos Tucanos website

The modest rigours of this trail (a wet stream crossing, and muddy sections), and the preference for small groups due to the difficult viewing conditions imposed by the thick forest, meant that only two of our groups chose to do this hike.

Scenic photos from the Bamboo Trail are here.

Bamboo Trail	Dates		Comments
Bamboo Trail	Mar. 27	Apr. 13	Comments
Brown Tinamou	X	X
Black Vulture	X	X
Rufous-thighed Kite	X
Black Hawk-Eagle		X
Barred Forest-Falcon	X		heard only
Picazuro Pigeon	X	X
Ruddy Ground-Dove	X
Gray-fronted Dove		X
Red-capped Parrot	X		heard only
Maroon-bellied Parakeet	X
Scaly-headed Parrot		X
Squirrel Cuckoo		X
Gray-rumped Swift		X
Scale-throated Hermit	X
Black Jacobin	X
Plovercrest	X
Violet-capped Woodnymph	X
Surucua Trogon	X
Saffron Toucanet		X
White-barred Piculet	X
Yellow-eared Woodpecker		X
Yellow-browed Woodpecker	X	X
Rufous Hornero	X	X
Rufous-capped Spinetail	X	X
Pallid Spinetail	X	X
Red-eyed Thornbird		X
White-browed Foliage-gleaner	X	X
Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner	X
White-collared Foliage-gleaner		X
Pale-browed Treehunter		X
Tawny-throated Leaftosser	X
Sharp-billed Treehunter	X	X
Streaked Xenops		X
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	X	X
White-throated Woodcreeper		X
Lesser Woodcreeper	X	X
Scaled Woodcreeper		X
Giant Antshrike	X		heard only
White-bearded Antshrike	X
Variable Antshrike	X	X
Plain Antvireo	X	X
Rufous-backed Antvireo	X	X
Star-throated Antwren	X	X
Bertoni’s Antbird	X	X
Ochre-rumped Antbird	X	X
White-shouldered Fire-eye		X
Brazilian Antthrush	X	X	heard only
Rufous Gnateater	X	X
Mouse-colored Tapaculo		X
Slaty Bristlefront	X		heard only
Spotted Bamboowren		X
Sharpbill		X
Hooded Berryeater	X	X
Black-and-gold Cotinga	X		heard only
Bare-throated Bellbird	X		heard only
Blue Manakin	X	X
Pin-tailed Manakin	X	X
Greenish Schiffornis	X	X
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet	X	X
Sepia-capped Flycatcher	X
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant	X
Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant	X	X
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher		X
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	X
White-throated Spadebill	X
Whiskered Flycatcher	X	X
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant	X	X
Great Kiskadee		X
Boat-billed Flycatcher		X
Tropical Kingbird		X
Large-headed Flatbill		X
Gray-hooded Attila	X
Chestnut-crowned Becard		X
White-winged Becard		X
Crested Becard	X
Blue-and-white Swallow	X
House Wren	X	X
Yellow-legged Thrush		X
Rufous-bellied Thrush	X	X
Pale-breasted Thrush	X
Red-eyed Vireo		X
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	X	X
Golden-crowned Warbler	X	X
White-rimmed Warbler	X	X
Bananaquit	X
Black-goggled Tanager	X	X
Azure-shouldered Tanager		X
Brassy-breasted Tanager	X	X
Blue Dacnis	X
Double-collared Seedeater	X
Uniform Finch	X
Saffron Finch		X
Rufous-collared Sparrow	X	X
GROUP TOTALS =	65	63
Species Unique to Each Group	30	28
Species Common to Both Groups	35 Species
CUMULATIVE TOTAL =	93 Species

Sumidouro Exploratory Trip – 26 March

This was an expedition to determine the feasibility of alternate routes through the hilly Sumidouro region. Pete chose an unpaved road that, due to recent rains, provided a slightly unnerving driving experience. But we managed to not get bogged down, and saw new countryside. Not too many birds, however. We unanimously agreed the new route was not feasible.

Species List:

Tataupa Tinamou

Capped Heron

Great Egret

Cattle Egret

Striated Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Savanna Hawk

Roadside Hawk

Southern Caracara

Yellow-headed Caracara

American Kestrel

Red-legged Seriema

Southern Lapwing

Rock Pigeon

Picazuro Pigeon

Plumbeous Pigeon

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Gray-fronted Dove

Blue-winged Macaw *

White-eyed Parakeet

Squirrel Cuckoo

Smooth-billed Ani

Guira Cuckoo

White-collared Swift

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Ringed Kingfisher

Amazon Kingfisher

White Woodpecker

Campo Flicker

Rufous Hornero

Tail-banded Hornero

Chicli Spinetail

Variable Antshrike

Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher

Masked Water-Tyrant

Gray Monjita

White-rumped Monjita

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Long-tailed Tyrant

Cattle Tyrant

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Variegated Flycatcher

Tropical Kingbird

Short-crested Flycatcher

Blue-and-white Swallow

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

House Wren

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Pale-breasted Thrush

House Sparrow

Bananaquit

Sayaca Tanager

Blue-black Grassquit

Double-collared Seedeater

Saffron Finch

Grassland Sparrow

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Shiny Cowbird

* unique trip sighting

62 Species

Ararruama (Coastal Rio de Janeiro state) - 16 April

During the interval between the second and third groups Pete and I undertook a day-trip to the Ararruama coast of Rio state. This was an area that the Lodge had run trips to, until it became a less safe area to visit, at least during the austral summer when the beaches attracted large crowds. A key species for this trip was the endemic Restinga Antwren, which lives (secretively) in the coastal, and endangered, Restinga habitat.

Our visit was out-of-season and we saw few people, and experienced no difficulties. We were fortunate to witness a significant north-bound off-shore migration of larids and jaegers, the latter new for Pete's personal Brazil list. Among the jaegers we saw one that seemed a good candidate for Long-tailed Jaeger, but as this would have been only the third Brazil record we left it off the list, as our sighting was brief, and I could not obtain a photo.

A few scenic photos of the area (part of a larger set) are here, here, here, and here.

Sighting List:

Manx Shearwater *

Brown Booby *

Neotropic Cormorant

Magnificent Frigatebird

Great Egret

Little Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

Cattle Egret

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Roseate Spoonbill *

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Southern Caracara

Yellow-headed Caracara

Common Moorhen

Southern Lapwing

Semipalmated Plover *

Spotted Sandpiper *

Solitary Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs *

Lesser Yellowlegs *

Sanderling *

Semipalmated Sandpiper *

Kelp Gull

Royal Tern *

Sandwich Tern

Pomarine Jaeger *

Parasitic Jaeger *

Black Skimmer *

Picazuro Pigeon

Plain-breasted Ground-Dove

Ruddy Ground-Dove

White-tipped Dove

Smooth-billed Ani

Burrowing Owl

White-tailed Goldenthroat *

Green Kingfisher

Restinga Antwren *

Hangnest Tody-Tyrant

Social Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Gray-breasted Martin

Brown-chested Martin

Blue-and-white Swallow

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

House Wren

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Common Waxbill

Double-collared Seedeater

Saffron Finch

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

* = unique trip sighting

53 Species

Rio de Janeiro City – 20 April

Only one group chose a day-trip to Rio de Janeiro, and while the focus was on cultural and historic attractions, there was some birding as we passed along the edges of the harbour, and birds were also noted "en passant" from our visit to "Cristo Redentor" (Christ the Redeemer statue) and the Botanical Gardens.

Scenic photos from the Rio trip are here.

Species List:

(Rio de Janeiro Harbour and approaches)

Brown Booby

Neotropic Cormorant

Magnificent Frigatebird

Cocoi Heron

Great Egret

Little Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

Cattle Egret

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Roadside Hawk

Yellow-headed Caracara

Kelp Gull

Sandwich Tern

Ringed Kingfisher
Masked Water-Tyrant

Cattle Tyrant

Social Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Tropical Kingbird

(Christ the Redeemer)

Velvety Black-Tyrant

Blue-and-white Swallow

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

(Botanical Gardens)

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail

Common Moorhen

Southern Lapwing

Picazuro Pigeon

Ruddy Ground-Dove

White-tipped Dove

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Plain Parakeet

Smooth-billed Ani

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Channel-billed Toucan

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker *

House Wren

Rufous-bellied Thrush

House Sparrow

Common Waxbill

Violaceous Euphonia

Tropical Parula

Bananaquit

Rufous-headed Tanager

Flame-crested Tanager

Sayaca Tanager

Palm Tanager

Green-headed Tanager

Red-necked Tanager

Double-collared Seedeater

Saffron Finch

* = unique trip sighting

50 species

Rio Antbird & "Portão Azul" Outing – 27 April

This was an exploratory outing. The first objective was to explore the "Portão Azul" area first thing in the morning rather than last thing in the afternoon, which typcially occurs after the Three-toed Jacamar excursion in the Sumodouro area. The second was to make an attempt to view the endemic Rio Antbird. We knew this latter goal was a long shot, as it was not the antbird's breeding season, and we were unsuccessbul. But the morning outing to Portão Azul was a success, and we encountered four species new to the Lodge excursion list. Such was our success that the Lodge now offers the Portão Azul as part of its regular offerings.

Species List:

Brown Tinamou

Tataupa Tinamou

Least Grebe

Whistling Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Cattle Egret

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Brazilian Teal

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Savanna Hawk

Roadside Hawk

White-tailed Hawk

Southern Caracara

Yellow-headed Caracara

American Kestrel

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail

Common Moorhen

Red-legged Seriema

Wattled Jacana

Southern Lapwing

Rock Pigeon

Picazuro Pigeon

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Scaly-headed Parrot

Smooth-billed Ani

Guira Cuckoo

White-collared Swift

Scale-throated Hermit

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Violet-capped Woodnymph

White-throated Hummingbird

Amethyst Woodstar

Surucua Trogon

Three-toed Jacamar

White-barred Piculet

Rufous Hornero

Tail-banded Hornero

Pallid Spinetail

Common Thornbird

Red-eyed Thornbird

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Dusky-tailed Antbird

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Blue Manakin

White-bearded Manakin

Planalto Tyrannulet

Highland Elaenia

Yellow Tyrannulet

Gray-hooded Flycatcher

Hangnest Tody-Tyrant

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Crested Black-Tyrant

Masked Water-Tyrant

White-headed Marsh-Tyrant

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Social Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Tropical Kingbird

Short-crested Flycatcher

White-winged Becard

Blue-and-white Swallow

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

House Wren

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Pale-breasted Thrush

White-necked Thrush

House Sparrow

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Hooded Siskin

Golden-crowned Warbler

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Sayaca Tanager

Burnished-buff Tanager

Blue Dacnis

Blue-black Grassquit

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Double-collared Seedeater

Uniform Finch

Half-collared Sparrow

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

86 species

SUMMARY

The complete bird trip list of 341 species (including scientific names), in PDF format, is available in two different formats.

The concise version (63 KB) showing just the list of species, is HERE.
The full version (1.4 MB), indicating each sighting for each species, is HERE.

Note: the common scientific names, and the order of their presentation, are ca. 2008 - subsequent taxonomic changes have not been incorporated.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this report.

Blake Maybank
White's Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada
Maritimes Nature Travel Club