Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Monjita
Latin: Xolmis irupero
Other: Noivinha (Br) • Viudita blanca común (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Monjitas

The White Monjita is a familiar site in the open country of Rio Grande do Sul, often perched near roads. In Brazil, it lives mostly in the very south with another colony in the north east. Its range also extends into Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.

The White Monjita is easily recognisable for being all white but for iris and extremities.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Sooty Tyrannulet
Latin: Serpophaga nigricans
Other: João-pobre (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrannulets

The Sooty Tyrannulet has no strong features, no white supercilium, is greyish-brown with light throat and front, pale wing bars, quite a long tail, which is often cocked.

The Sooty Tyrannulet lives, often near water, in southeastern South America including the southern states of Brazil.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Headed Marsh Tyrant
Latin: Arundinicola leucocephala
Other: Freirinha (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The White-headed Marsh-tyrant male has a dark body and white head. The female is browner with more brown on the head and a light chest and belly. They live in marshes in much of Brazil and other South American countries.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Spectacled Tyrant
Latin: Hymenops perspicillatus
Other: Viuvinha-deóculos (Br) • Pico de plata (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Spectacled Tyrant is easy to recognise by its conspicuous yellow eye-ring. The individual below is probably an immature male, the adult male is predominantly black (above) and the female is brownish with light belly.

The Spectacled Tyrant is principally found in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, also the other subtropical South American countries.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Browed Tyrant
Latin: Satrapa icterophrys
Other: Suiriri pequeño (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Yellow-browed Tyrant is found throughout much of South America east of the Andes. It is resident in the north-east of Brazil and migrates to the southern states in the Brazilian summer and to the west in the winter. It is distinguished by its yellow brow and two pale wing stripes.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Correndera Pipit
Latin: Anthus correndera
Other: Caminheiro-de-espora (Br) • Cachirla común (Es), Bailarín chico, Caminante, Agachadera
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

The Correndera Pipit lives in southern South America, in Brazil including parts of Rio Grande do Sul and Parana. Here seen on wet pasture.

Note two striking white stripes on back, white throat, two well-defined stripes (malar and moustachial) running diagonally from bill, the latter has some dark marks on edges, and chest is strongly marked.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Gilded Hummingbird
Latin: Hylocharis chrysura
Other: Gilded Sapphire • Beija-flor-dourado (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

Photo: monacoeye • Mostardas, RS, Brazil • November 2009

This Gilded Hummingbird was singing merrily near the marshes of Lagoa do Peixe. In addition to southern Brazil, its range is Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina.

Distinguishing features are a slightly decurved black-tipped red bill, yellowish chin, green body, off-white underparts, brownish-coppery wings and tail.More photos...

Photo: monacoeye • Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Hornero
Latin: Furnarius torridus
Other: Red Ovenbird • João-de-barro (Br) • Hornero (Es), Alonsito
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros, Ovenbirds, Spinetails
Range: E, SC, SE South America, incl Brazil
Similar:

The Rufous Hornero was one of the most common birds in the area I visited near Lagoa do Peixe. The Rufous Hornero lives in southeastern South America, including the southern states of Brazil. It is the national bird of Argentina, where it is widespread.

The Rufous Hornero is named after the ovenlike mud nests it builds. Its Brazilian name means John-of-Mud, the Spanish name means Ovenbird.

Rufous Horneros change nest every year, either building a new nest or repairing an old one. Old nests are also often used by Saffron Finches.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Wren Like Rushbird
Latin: Phleocryptes melanops
Other: Bate-bico (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros etc.

Photo: monacoeye • Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil • November 2009

The Wren-like Rushbird is small, lives in marsh rushes and looks very much like a wren with its upturned tail. It lives in southeastern South America, including parts of Rio Grande do Sul and Parana in Brazil.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Common Miner
Latin: Geositta cunicularia
Other: Curriqueiro (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros • Ovenbirds

This Common Miner was seen on the beach near Mostardas. Note dark markings on chest.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Firewood Gatherer
Latin: Anumbius annumbi
Other: Cochicho (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros etc.

The Firewood Gatherer lives in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southeastern Brazil. It has its own genus, but is in the same family as spinetails and the Rufous Hornero.

It is distinguished by black malar spotting (line running diagonally from bill below eye) and white throat and supercilium. Seen here near marshland and abandoned old wooden shacks. Pecking for insects in top of posts.

Photo below not yet confirmed…

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Chinned Spinetail
Latin: Certhiaxis cinnamomeus
Other: Curutié (Br), João-do-brejo • Curutié rojizo (Es)
Family: Furnariidae • Spinetails

The Yellow-chinned Spinetail lives throughout most of Brazil and much of South America from Trinidad to Argentina.

This spinetail is distinguished, as its name suggests, by its yellow chin. It has reddish-brown irises, black bill, white supercilium, it is greyish behind eyes, with a dark line through eyes, white chest and belly, dark legs and is all-rufous on its back and upperside of wings and top of head.

These Yellow-chinned Spinetails were seen around the marshes in southern Brazil. The individual below is building a stick nest in marsh reeds. Eventually it will be spherical, with a vertical tubular entrance. The bird was not too shy, flying to bring back sticks.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Olive Spinetail
Latin: Cranioleuca obsoleta
Other: Arredio-oliváceo (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Spinetails

The Olive Spinetail is found in Argentina and Paraguay, and in Brazil, in Rio Grande do Sul and Parana.

There are a great number of Spinetails in Brazil, which all look fairly similar. Note shape and colour of bill, rufous wing coverts, pale chest and belly. Photo taken in low forest near marshes.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Guira Cuckoo
Latin: Guira guira
Other: Anu-branco (Br) • Pirincho (Es), Coco guira, Serere
Family: Cucuilidae • Cuckoos

The Guira Cuckoo is unmistakeable by its pale spiky haired appearance - the Sid Vicious of the bird world. Its long tail has a very broad brown band bordered by white, but the two central feathers are all dark. Irises are yellow or orange.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Dark Billed Cuckoo
Latin: Coccyzus melacoryphus
Other: Papa-lagarta-acanelado (Br)
Family: Cucuilidae • Cuckoos

The Dark-billed Cuckoo is found in much of South America, including all of Brazil, though it only migrates to Rio Grande do Sul in the austral summer.

It is in the same genus as the Lizard Cuckoos, which eat lizards. This group of new world cuckoos are generally not brood-parasitic.

The Dark-billed Cuckoo has a distinctive yellow chest and belly, a grey-brown cap which runs below the eye to bill level, and brown back and upperside of wings. It is grey-white on the side neck area with a fully black bill.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Green Barred Woodpecker
Latin: Colaptes melanochloros
Other: Pica-pau-verde-barrado (Br) • Pájaro carpintero real (Es)
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers

This Green-barred Woodpecker was easy to hear but not so easy to photograph. Found in the southern countries of South America.

The Green-barred Woodpecker is identified by its red cap at the back of the head, and black cap from near bill to behind eye. Light spotted breast and dark yellow-green and black back.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Monk Parakeet
Latin: Myiopsitta monachus
Other: Quaker Parrot • Caturrita (Br), Catorra, Cocota • Cotorra monje (Es), Cotorra argentina, Cotorrita verdigris
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots

The Monk Parakeet is seen here in its true wild location, the south of Brazil, Argentina etc. However there are many other large feral populations, living elsewhere in Brazil, USA etc.

Identified here by its blue wings. It has a light face and chest.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Long Winged Harrier
Latin: Circus buffoni
Other: Gavião-do-banhado, Tartaranhão-do-brejo (Br) • Aguilucho grande, Aguilucho de Azara, Gavilán planeador (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Long-winged Harrier was one of the more common birds of prey in the Lagoa do Peixe area. It lives in southeastern Brazil and neighbouring countries, migrating higher up South America in the winter, when it can be found as far north as Belem.

There are two types of Long-winged Harrier in Brazil, a light and a dark form, both of which were present near Mostardas. The pale form, above with frog, has a white belly and much white on underside of wings.

In the dark form, the light areas are replaced by black in the male and brown in the female. Both have rings round the neck, and a white face, with some dark around the eye. The tip of the bill is dark. The dark bars on light wings give the impression of small squares drawn on the underside of the wings.

Wings are long and swept back in a v-shape with long fingers.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Cinereous Harrier
Latin: Circus cinereus
Other: Gavião-cinza (Br) • Peuco, Varil, Aguilucho ceniciento, Gavilán ceniciento (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

In Brazil, the Cinereous Harrier is found only in Rio Grande do Sul, usually only in the southern winter, but this one was seen in Mostardas in late November. Its typical range is the southern cone South American countries and across the Andes to Colombia.

This Cinereous Harrier looks like a male by its white underside of wings and rufous barred chest. Wing tips are dark, a dark band runs along the back of the wing. The top side of the wings are grey like the head and neck. It has a long, straight, very lightly-barred tail. Irises are yellow with some yellow at the base of the bill. Great-looking bird! The female is generally browner.

He was carrying a small bird, maybe a rail? and flying in woodland near the Lagoa do Peixe.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Chimango Caracara
Latin: Milvago chimango
Other: Chimango (Br) • Chimango (Es) • Caracara chimango • Tiuque • Chiuque
Family: Falconidae • Caracaras

The Chimango Caracara is found in the southern states of Brazil and the southern parts of South America. It was the most common Caracara near Mostardas. Seen flying above marshes, mobbed by swallows and lapwing, perching on posts with food, standing in road.

The Chimango Caracara is mottled brown, with a stripe behind the eye, like the Yellow-headed Caracara but not as strong or long. Indeed the Chimango is darker in the head and body than the Yellow-Headed Caracara.

It has white patches near the ends of the wings, fingers are white underneath but tips dark seen from above. Tail is light and faintly barred with a dark terminal strip. Bill can show pinkish-red colour at base [and perhaps pale yellow (or grey/blue?) at tip].

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Headed Caracara
Latin: Milvago chimachima
Other: Southern Crested Caracara • Carrapateiro (Br) • Chimachimá (Es)
Family: Falconidae • Caracaras

The Yellow-headed Caracara can be found throughout much of Central and South America, and is widespread thoughout Brazil. Near Lagoa do Peixe in November it was much less common than the Chimango Caracara and seemed to stay near wooded areas rather than open marshland. It is associated with farmland.

Its distinguishing feature is a dark line running behind the eye. Its body and head is mostly light yellowish brown. Lower areas of underside of wings are barred and there are white panels near the end of wings with dark fingers. Upperside of wings is dark brown with white panels. Tail is lightly barred with dark tip. Immature Yellow-headed Caracaras are more barred on body and neck.

The Brazilian name Carrapateiro is derived from Carrapato, which means tick, as the Yellow-headed Caracara is known to pick ticks off cattle.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Southern Caracara
Latin: Caracara plancus
Other: Polyborus plancus • Southern Crested Caracara • Caracará (Br)
Family: Falconidae • Caracaras

The Southern Caracaras near Lagoa do Peixe flew above the marshes, which are densely populated with nesting birds, such as swallows, lapwing and other waders. The one above, which was flying around with a stolen egg, was being mobbed by Southern Lapwing and sheltered by a fence, where they were unable to dive-bomb him, as he tucked in to his breakfast.

Another pair were seen nesting on the top of the largest tree around.

Southern Caracaras live in much of South America, excluding the highlands, south of the Amazon. They are quickly identifiable by their large red and blue bill area, barred chest, some barring on wings, light patches at end of wings, but tips dark. White lightly-barred tail with dark band at end. Yellow legs.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Eared Dove
Latin: Zenaida auriculata
Other: Pomba-de-bando (Br) • Avoante (see below) • Tórtola torcaza (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Doves

The Eared Dove can be recognised by two small black stripes near the ear area. It is the only Brazilian dove with this mark. Widespread throughout Brazil and much of South America.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Picui Ground Dove
Latin: Columbina picui
Other: Rolinha-picui (Br) • Torcacita (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons

You can just make out the distinguishing features on this Picui Ground Dove, seen in the south of Brazil, even on its ruffled feathers: two black lines on the closed wing. One is on the outer edge and a the other smaller one runs parallel, near the shoulder. A broad white patch near the larger black line. Dark bill with darkish line running to eye. Light iris. No other Brazilian pigeon or dove has a similar configuration of two black lines on the closed wing. In flight, two broad white bands are visible on either side of its tail.

In Brazil, the Picui Ground Dove lives in the west and south of Brazil, and in a separate area in the northeast. It also lives neighbouring South-American countries. It is smaller than a city pigeon.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Picazuro Pigeon
Latin: Patagioenas picazuro
Other: Pombão (Br) • Paloma picazuro (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons

The Picazuro Pigeon is a fairly widespread pigeon in Brazil and neighbouring countries. It has scales on its neck, a white wing bar and a black bar on the tail. About the size of a normal city feral pigeon. The name “picazuro” means “bitter pigeon” in Guaraní.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Brazilian Teal
Latin: Amazonetta brasiliensis
Other: Brazilian Duck • Pé-vermelho (Br) • Pato brasilero (Es)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks

The Brazilian Teal lives in South America, including most of Brazil. I found it easiest to identify by the triangular patch of white in its speculum feathers. The male has a red bill, the female a dark bill and small light patches on the face. Both have a few spots on the side of their chest.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Silver Teal
Latin: Anas versicolor
Other: Marreca-cricri (Br) • Pato-argentino • Quiri-quiri • Pato capuchino (Es) • Cerceta argentina
Family: Anatidae • Ducks

The Silver Teal lives in southern South America, including Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, migrating a little further north during the southern winter. It is distinguished by its two-tone head, with dark cap, pink/yellow and blue bill, and striped flank.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Red Shoveler
Latin: Anas platalea
Other: Marreca-colhereira (Br) • Pato Pico Cuchara Sudamericano (Es)
Family: Anatidae • Ducks

The Red Shoveler lives in southern South America. In Brazil, it can be seen in Rio Grande do Sul during the southern hemisphere winter. The bird above looks like a female from its dark iris and relatively muted colours.

There are four Shovelers (Red, Cape, Australasian, Northern) worldwide, quickly recognisable by their broad bills.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe + • November 2009

Bird name: Southern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus chilensis
Other: Tero (Uruguay) • Quero Quero (Brazil) • Other Es: Avefría, Fraile, Queltehue, Teruteru, Traile, Treile, Trel, Caravana, Alcaravan, Triel
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

The Southern Lapwing is common and visible throughout Brazil, on farmland, pasture, wetlands, etc. During nesting season, pairs chase potential predators such as hawks, caracaras and gulls - so they are a useful indicator of approaching birds of prey.

They have small pink spurs on their wrists. I saw one Caracara, which had stolen an egg, cleverly taking shelter next to a fence so that it couldn’t be dive-bombed by an aggressive Lapwing.

The Southern Lapwing is the national bird of Uruguay.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Billed Pintail
Latin: Anas georgica
Other: Marreca-parda (Br) • Pato Maicero (Es) • Pato Piquidorado
Family: Anatidae • Ducks

The Yellow Billed Pintail is found in southern Brazil, Paraguay etc. It was the most common duck in the area of Mostardas when I visited in November.

It is a plain duck with yellow bill with small markings and has a white and green/purple speculum (wing “badge”). The only other duck in Brazil with a yellow bill is the smaller Speckled Teal, which has a yellow (not white) stripe in the upper part of its speculum.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Semipalmated Plover
Latin: Charadrius semipalmatus
Other: Batuíra-de-bando (Br) • Chorlo Semipalmado (Es)
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers

Although the Semipalmated Plover is marked as a vagrant to Brazil in some guides, it is in fact present the length of the Brazilian coastline.

These presumed Semipalmated Plover were photographed on the beach near Lagoa do Peixe in Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, in November.

They were identified by their collar, small amount of yellow at base of bill and yellowish legs.

Semipalmated Plover migrate from Arctic breeding grounds to the US and South America during the northern winter.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Collared Plover
Latin: Charadrius collaris
Other: Batuíra-de-colleira (Br)
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers

The Collared Plover, which is the most widespread Charadrius plover in Brazil, is characterised by a thin black collar which does not run round the back of the neck, yellow legs and black bill, even during breeding season.

The Collared Plover breeds in Mexico and throughout most of Central and South America, at different times of the year depending on location.

These individuals were seen a few hundred yards from the beach, in southern Brazil in November.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Lesser Yellowlegs
Latin: Tringa flavipes
Other: Maçarica-de-perna-amarela (Br)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The Lesser Yellowlegs breeds in the boreal forest between Alaska and Quebec and migrates to South America in the northern winter. It can be found throughout Brazil during this time.

Quite a tall bird, it’s a bit slimmer than the similar looking Greater Yellowlegs. The Lesser Yellowlegs also has a proportionately smaller bill. In flight its white rump can be seen, which gets darker at the tip. Its feet protrude past the tail in flight too.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: American Golden Plover
Latin: Pluvialis dominica
Other: Batuiruçu (Br) • Batuíra-do-campo (Br) • Chorlito dorado chico (Es) • Chorlo pampa (Es) • Other Pt: Tarambola-dourada-pequena • Tarambola-dourada-americana
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers

Photo: monacoeye • Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil • November 2009

The American Golden Plover breeds in the Arctic tundra from Canada to Alaska and spends the Arctic winter in southern South America, mostly Patagonia.

These photos were taken in southern Brazil in November, so in non-breeding plumage. Strong white eyebrow, dark legs. Relatively, smaller bill and bigger eye than the sandpipers. A medium-sized bird, but smaller than a Southern Lapwing.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Pectoral Sandpiper
Latin: Calidris melanotos
Other: Maçarico-de-colete (Br) • Pilrito-peitoral • Pilrito-de-colete• Playerito pectoral (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The Pectoral Sandpiper is an Arctic migrant. It has a strongly demarcated line across its chest, hence its name. Its bill curves downwards slightly and is light brown at the base. It has yellowish legs and a weak supercilium. It is a small wader but large for a Calidris.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Rumped Sandpiper
Latin: Calidris fuscicollis
Other: Erolia fuscicollis • Maçarico-de-sobre-branco (Br) • Pilrito-de-uropígio-branco
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The White-rumped Sandpiper is another long distance migrant. Groups were seen feeding on the beach near Lagoa do Peixe in November. Below, you can see White-rumped Sandpipers are about the same size as Semipalmated Plovers.

The white rump is diagnostic in flight (see below). Otherwise a long wing projection, dark legs and white supercilium are other features. I’ve included a few different birds showing colour variations, at the same time of the year.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Sanderling
Latin: Calidris alba
Other: Bécasseau Sanderling (Fr) • Maçarico-branco (Br) • Correlimos tridáctilo (Es) • Playerito blanco
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

Another long distance migrant, the Sanderling breeds in the Arctic Circle and then heads to southern Europe, South America, Africa and Australia during the Arctic winter. I’ve seen one in Nice, in May, presumably migrating north.

These photos were taken in Mostardas in southern Brazil in November. The Sanderling in non-breeding plumage has tones of light grey, with a dark shoulder and a wide white wing bar, which is visible in flight. The head is light, and chest and belly white. Breeding plumage is different … darker and more rufous.

Sanderlings feed on the beach just beyond the breaking wave, running back and forth as the water advances and recedes.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Buff Breasted Sandpiper
Latin: Tryngites subruficollis
Other: Maçarico-acanelado (Br) • Correlimos Canelo (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the Arctic tundra, and “wintering” (spending the southern hemisphere summer) in southern South America. In Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul is the best place to see it.

Not really sure what the key diagnostic features are (I asked someone to ID these) other than yellow legs and dark bill, but bill length and colour are sure to play a part.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Giant Wood Rail
Latin: Aramides ypecaha
Other: Saracuruçu (Br) • Ipecaá • Rascón cuello rojo (Es)
Family: Rallidae • Rails

In Brazil, the Giant Wood Rail is found mostly in Rio Grande do Sul and it also lives in neighbouring countries. This individual was one of two seen on farmland. Quite shy.

The Giant Wood-rail is distinguished from the similar Slaty-breasted Wood-rail and Gray-necked Wood-rail by its rufous back of neck and belly.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: White Winged Coot
Latin: Fulica leucoptera
Other: Carqueja-de-bico-amerelo (Br) • Gallareta ala blanca (Es) • Gallareta chica • Tagua chica • Gallareta Escudete Amarillo
Family: Rallidae • Rails

The White Winged Coot was the most common coot in the area I visited, although there are two others that live in the area. Large groups were seen at some distance, often with Chilean Flamingos.

In Brazil, the White-winged Coot only lives in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and it can also be found in neighbouring countries. It can be differentiated from its two close relatives, the Red-gartered and Red-fronted Coot, by its lack of red in the bill area.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: South American Snipe
Latin: Gallinago paraguaiae
Other: Magellan Snipe • Narceja-sul-americana (Br) • Narceja
Family: Scolopacidae • Snipes

The South American Snipe can be distinguished from the Giant Snipe by its yellowish legs. In addition the Giant Snipe has a flatter forehead.

This individual was in grass near a lake. He was not easy to photograph, remaining upright and visible for a couple of seconds after moving, before ducking down and disappearing completely from view, despite being a medium-sized bird. Fortunately he did this twice giving me an opportunity to take a photo on the second occasion.

The South American Snipe is found in most of South America, away from the Pacific coast.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Spot Flanked Gallinule
Latin: Gallinula melanops
Other: Carqueja-de-bico-amerelo (Br) • Polla pintada (Es) • Other Es: Tagüita • Polla sabanera • Pollolla • Pollona pintada • Pitroca
Family: Rallidae • Rails

I regret not spending more time looking out for Coots and Rails in the Lagoa do Peixe area - I discovered on my return that there are many different species that live in this area. This was the only Spot-flanked Gallinule I saw - distinguished by its green beak area.

The Spot-flanked Gallinule lives in eastern Brazil and other South American countries.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Wattled Jacana
Latin: Jacana jacana
Other: Jaçanã (Br) • Jacana común (Es)
Family: Jacanidae • Jacanas

The Wattled Jacana lives mostly in South America east of the Andes. It has large feet which allow it to walk over floating plants. The adult is unmistakable although the young are much whiter and are without black or red colouring.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Limpkin
Latin: Aramus guarauna
Other: Carão (Br) • Carrao (Es) • Courlan • Crying bird
Family: Aramidae • Limpkin

The Limpkin is a tall, slightly forlorn-looking bird, identifiable by white spotting on the back of its outstretched neck, which can also cover its back.

Limpkins live in South America, east of the Andes and as far south as Uruguay, throughout Central America and the Caribbean, and as far north as Florida.

The Limpkin is the only member of its family Aramidae, and currently believed to be distantly related to the Cranes.

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Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Southern Screamer
Latin: Chauna torquata
Other: Anhuma (Br) • Tachã • Chajá (Es)
Family: Anhimidae • Screamers

Southern Screamers were visible out in waterlogged fields, usually in twos or fours - they pair for life. Unmistakeable by their large size and rather strange appearance - with their short bill, black and white collar, pinkish face and legs. They also make very loud screeching sounds which is why, I’m guessing, they’re called Screamers.

The Southern Screamer lives in the southern and western states of Brazil and neighbouring countries. There are two other Screamers in this small genetic family, both of which also live in South America. They are now believed to be distantly related to geese - not turkeys.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Faced Ibis
Latin: Plegadis chihi
Other: Caraúna-de-cara-branca (Br) • Ibis de Cara Blanca (Es) • Cuervillo de Cañada
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range:
Similar:

The legs of the White-faced Ibis protrude well beyond its tail in flight, thus differentiating it from the Bare-faced Ibis. Standing they look similar but the White-faced Ibis is more rufous generally with a green sheen on its wing panels.

The White Faced Ibis lives in areas from western USA to Argentina and is present in the southern states of Brazil.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Bare faced Ibis
Latin: Phimosus infuscatus
Other: Whispering Ibis • Tapicuru-de-cara-pelada (Br) • Ibis de Cara Roja (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises

The Bare-faced Ibis has dark feathers, a light face and bill and red legs. In flight its legs just peep out behind its tail feathers unlike the White-faced Ibis whose legs extend far past the tail. Standing they look similar but the White-faced Ibis is lighter and more rufous, generally with green sheen.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Coscoroba Swan
Latin: Coscoroba coscoroba
Other: Capororoca (Br) • Cisne Coscoroba (Es)
Family: Anatidae • Swans

The Coscoroba Swan lives in southern South America, in Brazil only migrating past Rio Grande do Sul to Santa Catarina in winter.

Although a relatively large bird, it is the smallest of all swans, and is predominantly white with black wing tips and reddish bill, legs and feet.

The Coscoroba Swan is only distantly related to the 6 other living swans, which are all in the Cygnus genus.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Maguari Stork
Latin: Ciconia maguari
Other: Maguari (Br) • Tuyango, Cigüeña americana, Tabuyayá (Es)
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range:
Similar:

The Maguari Stork is a large stork which lives in South America. In Brazil it is principally found from Rio Grande do Sul to the Pantanal.

It has pink-red lores and yellow irises, the upper part of its bill is bluish and the lower part pink, legs are pink-red and wings black and white. The Wood Stork has a much blacker, heavy, dirty-looking head and bill.

Storks fly with their necks extended, which is also a quick way of differentiating them from egrets and herons, which generally fly with their necks retracted.

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Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Cocoi Heron
Latin: Ardea cocoi
Other: White-necked Heron • Garça Moura (Br) • Garza Morena (Es) • Garza Mora • Garza Cuca • Garzón
Family: Ardeidae • Herons

The Cocoi Heron is very similar to the Grey Heron we have in Europe, but the adult has a white neck. I saw it on the beach and in fields. The Cocoi Heron is present throughout Brazil and much of South America.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Black Skimmer
Latin: Rynchops niger
Other: Talha-mar (Br)
Family: Laridae • Skimmers

The Black Skimmer is unmistakable by its large red and black bill and large size. Here a few were standing with a group of common terns on the beach - although Skimmers are not Terns, they are very similar to Terns.

There are only three species of Skimmer in the world, all with the protruding lower bill which they use to skim fish out of the sea, and cat-like vertical pupils, which are unique in the bird world.

The Black Skimmer lives in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

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Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Large Billed Tern
Latin: Phaetusa simplex
Other: Trinta-réis-grande (Br)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range:
Similar:

The Large-billed Tern can be identified by its large size, large yellow bill and dark primaries. More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Billed Tern
Latin: Sternula superciliaris
Other: Sterna superciliaris • Trinta-réis-anão (Br)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range:
Similar:

The Yellow-billed Tern is a coastal South-American Tern. It has a yellow bill in all seasons. Its first five primary feather (at the end of the wing) are black.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Snowy Crowned Tern
Latin: Sterna trudeaui
Other: Trudeau’s Tern • Trinta-réis-de-coroa-branca (Br)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range:
Similar:

The Snowy-crowned Tern is fairly easy to recognise as it’s the only Tern in Brazil with a white head and dark eye-stripe. In the breeding season, its bill base is orange, the middle is black and the tip is yellow, as pictured here. Outside of the breeding season the orange part turns black.

The Snowy-crowned Tern lives in south-eastern South America.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Gull Billed Tern
Latin: Gelochelidon nilotica
Other: Sterna nilotica • Trinta-réis-de-bico-preto (Br) • Sterne hansel (Fr)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range:
Similar:

Almost certainly a Gull-billed Tern, flying above the marshes of Lagoa do Peixe in Southern Brazil.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Snail Kite
Latin: Rostrhamus sociabilis
Other: Gavião-caramujeiro (Br) • Caracolero común • Elanio caracolero • Gavilán caracolero • Milano caracolero
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

Snail Kites like nothing better than a large Apple Snail to eat - hence their name.

The farmer I was with, when I photographed these kites at a lake near Mostardas, told me that they were scavengers of rubbish, when I expressed surprise at the steady stream of them flying past. I don’t think they are scavengers, but when we visited the lake they were flying past about one every 200 metres.

The males (on left, below) are dark grey, with deep red legs, ceres and eyes and a thick black band on the tail behind a white rump. All Snail Kites have very hooked bills.

Females (on right, below) also have red eyes but yellow-orange legs and ceres,and brown wings with white showing rather like a common buzzard.

I would assume the other two types shown above with lighter faces (top two in the composite of birds on posts) are juveniles.

Snail Kites live mostly in eastern South America and the Caribbean, though they can also be found in Florida.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Field Flicker
Latin: Colaptes campestris campestroides
Other: Colaptes campestroides • Pica-pau-do-campo • Chanchã • Chanchão • Pica-pau-de-manga • Pica-pau-malhado • Carpintero Campestre
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers • Flickers

The Field Flicker is a subspecies of Campo Flicker with a white throat. I believe males may have red moustaches (below) and females black moustaches (above).More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, Brasil • November 2009

Bird name: Kelp Gull
Latin: Larus dominicanus
Other: Southern Black Backed Gull • Gaivotão • Karoro
Family: Laridae • Gulls

Various stages of Kelp Gull seen in the south of Brazil in November.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Brown Hooded Gull
Latin: Chroicocephalus maculipennis
Other: Larus maculipennis • Gaviota-maria-velha (Br) • Gaviotín • Gaviota Cáhuil • Chelle
Family: Laridae • Gulls

The Brown-hooded Gull looks remarkably similar to our European Black-headed Gull. Brown head, dark red bill and legs in breeding season - though it’s a little larger than the Black-headed Gull. Found in southern South America near wetlands etc.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: American Oystercatcher
Latin: Haematopus palliatus
Other: Piru-piru • American Pied Oystercatcher
Family: Hameatopodidae • Oystercatchers

The American Oystercatcher is easy to recognise by its large orange bill and orange eye-ring.

Seen here on the beach near the Lagoa do Peixe in Mostardas. The American Oystercatcher can also be found on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Brazilian Ruby
Latin: Clytolaema rubricauda
Other: Beija-flor-rubi
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The male Brazilian Ruby has a spectacular pink iridescent throat, which it flashes from time to time, and a bright green crown, which is more difficult to spot. The throat patch can also show green, but normally it simply appears black.

The female has a buff chest and light throat. Both have a characteristic white post-ocular patch (behind the eye) and straight black bill.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Greater Rhea
Latin: Rhea americana
Other: Ema (Br) • Nandu • Nandhu • Grey Rhea • Common Rhea • American Rhea • Nandou (Fr) • Nandú común • Avestruz americana
Family: Rheidae • Rheas • Ratites

The Greater Rhea is a Ratite, the family encompassing Ostriches, Emus, Cassowaries etc. Generally found in the southern half of Brazil and the northern half of Argentina, it is a very large, omnivorous, flightless bird, about the size of a person, which can be seen walking in fallow fields near Mostardas in Rio Grande do Sul.

There is only one other Rhea, the Lesser Rhea, also endemic to South America. The Greater Rhea is classed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Green Billed Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos dicolorus
Other: Red Breasted Toucan • Toucano-de-bico-verde (Br) • Tucán bicolor (Es), Tucán pico verde
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: SE South America

The Green-billed Toucan can be seen quite easily in Itatiaia.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Saffron Toucanet
Latin: Pteroglossus bailloni
Other: Baillonius bailloni • Araçari-banana (Br) • Tucán banana (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: SE South America

The photogenic Saffron Toucanet was a regular visitor to the fruit feeders at Hotel Ypê.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Iguaçu, Brazil • 2007

Bird name: Black Fronted Piping Guan
Latin: Aburria jacutinga
Other: Pipile-jacutinga • Jacutinga • Yacutinga
Family: Cracidae • Guans

The Black Fronted Piping Guan is easily recognised by its white eye-ring and blue bill base.More photos...