Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Grassland Sparrow
Latin: Ammodramus humeralis
Other: Tico-tico-do-campo (Br) • Cachilo Ceja Amarilla (Es), Manimbe, Chingolo de Ceja Amarilla
Family: Emberizidae • New World Sparrows
Range: South America widespread
Similar:

The Grassland Sparrow is recognised by that yellow mark above the lores on the face. It is found throughout Brazil and much of South America.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Itatiaia, RJ, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Collared Sparrow
Latin: Zonotrichia capensis
Other: Tico-tico (Br) • Chingolo, Chincol, Cachilo, Copetón, Pichitanca (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • New World Sparrows
Range: South and Central America, Panama western highlands
Similar:

The Rufous-collared Sparrow is found throughout South and Central America, often near human habitation.

These birds in Itatiaia would feed at dawn on the great numbers of insects that collected around the hotel lights at night. With the aid of the geckos and a few other birds the whole compound was cleaned up by about 7.30!

Adults Rufous-collared Sparrows have a characteristic rufous collar, whereas juveniles lack this and have streaked underparts.

Seen frequently in Itatiaia, Ubatuba and Mostardas. In Panama, only seen in Chiriqui highlands in the west (lowest photo on next page).

Below, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Brazil


Below, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Brazil

More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil • August 2011

Bird name: Red Crested Cardinal
Latin: Paroaria coronata
Other: Cardeal-de-topete-vermelho (Br) • Cardenal de cresta roja, Cardenal copete rojo (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Cardinals
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay
Similar:


The Red-crested Cardinal is found in the southern South American countries, including Rio Grande do Sul and the Pantanal.

Unmistakable in its range by its red crest, white front and grey back. Much less common than the Yellow-billed Cardinal.

Below, Red-crested Cardinal, Pantanal, Brazil • August 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Pantanal, Brazil, 2011

Bird name: Yellow Billed Cardinal
Latin: Paroaria capitata
Other: Cardenilla, cardenal sin copete (Es) • Cavalaria (Br)
Family: Emberizidae • Cardinals
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina
Similar:

I saw great numbers of Yellow-billed Cardinals at Pouso Alegre lodge in the Pantanal, where they would come to feed on grain for the animals. They have orange bills, adults have red heads and juveniles pale or blotchy heads - many examples below. Also seen elsewhere in the Pantanal.

Below, Yellow-billed Cardinals with Saffron Finches, Bay-headed Cowbirds etc


Below, two ages of juvenile Yellow-billed Cardinals.
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Amazonia, Brazil • September 2011

Bird name: Red Capped Cardinal
Latin: Paroaria gularis
Other: Cardeal-da-amazônia (Br) • Cardenal bandera alemana, cardenal pantanero, cardenal gorrirrojo (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • Cardinals
Range: Amazonia - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyanas, Peru, Bolivia, Trinidad
Similar:

A fleeting shot of a Red-capped Cardinal from a moving boat!

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Chapada das Guimaraes, August 2011

Bird name: Red Pileated Finch
Latin: Coryphospingus cucullatus
Other: Red-crested Finch • Brasita (Es) • Tico-tico-rei (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers etc
Range: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Guyanas, Brazil, Uruguay
Similar:

The dry scrubland, known as cerrado, on the Chapada das Guimaraes plateau was a good place to see the Red-pileated Finch in late August. I saw them just after dawn on a couple of occasions.

The male Red Pileated Finch (or Red-crested Finch) is bright red, with white eye-ring and darker wings and tail. The large crest was not raised in display when I saw them. The female (below) is duller but still has the white eye-ring.

Below, female Red Pileated Finch, Chapada das Guimaraes, Brazil
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, May 2010

Bird name: Red Legged Honeycreeper
Latin: Cyanerpes cyaneus
Other: Mielero dorsioscuro, Mielero patirrojo (Es) • Saíra-beija-flor, saí-azul-de-pernas-vermelhas (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:

The Red-legged Honeycreeper was a typical fruit feeder bird in Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama, and also seen in forest outskirts.

The male (above) has bright red legs, electric blue cap, sometimes crested, black eye mask, and the rest intense blue. The female, directly below, is greenish with reddish legs.

Below, female Red-legged Honeycreeper, Panama
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio Azul Lodge, Brazil, 2011.

Bird name: Purple Honeycreeper
Latin: Cyanerpes caeruleus
Other: Certiola de patas amarillas, tucuso morado, mielero cerúleo (Es) • Saí-de-perna-amarela (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Amazonia - Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Guyanas, Venezuela, Trinidad
Similar:

Record shots of male Purple Honeycreepers. The bright yellow legs are diagnostic.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio Azul Lodge, Brazil, 2011.

Bird name: Short Billed Honeycreeper
Latin: Cyanerpes nitidus
Other: Mielero mielero piquicorto, mielero pico de tuna, copeicillo pico corto (Es) • Saí-de-bico-curto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Amazonia - Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Guyanas, Venezuela
Similar:

A record shot of a couple of Short Billed Honeycreepers which were in a mixed flock with a Yellow-bellied Dacnis. The male is blue and black, the female pale with yellow-green

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazil, Panama

Bird name: Green Honeycreeper
Latin: Chlorophanes spiza
Other: Mielero verde (Es) • Saí-verde (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:

The Green Honeycreeper is a fairly common visitor to Jonas’ fruit feeders in Brazil. The male, above, has a distinctively shaped black hood on a turquoise body. The female, directly below, is leaf green. Both have yellow lower half of bill and red irises.

A juvenile male is pictured further below, showing a mixture of male and female plumage.

The lowest photo, taken in Panama on the observation deck of the Canopy Tower hotel, shows a female on a Cecropia with darker olive wing markings than the Brazilian birds I saw.

Below, a female Green Honeycreeper, Brazil.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, November 2009

Bird name: Blue Dacnis
Latin: Dacnis cayana
Other: Turquoise Honeycreeper • Saí azul (Br) • Dacnis azul, mielero turquesa (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Dacnises
Range: Nicaragua to Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil
Similar:

The Blue Dacnis is a widespread tanager found in much of South and Central America, including nearly all of Brazil. It will visit fruit feeders and sometimes even tries nectar feeders. Also seen on Cecropia from observation deck of Canopy Tower in Panama.

The Blue Dacnis has pink legs, and a black wedge-shaped mask. Plumage is electric blue in the male (above) with black on back, wings and black bill. The female (below) has a green body and blue head.

The lowest photo shows a bird which may be a very young Blue Dacnis, but shows little of the usual colouration.

Below, female Blue Dacnis.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio azul , Brazil, 2011

Bird name: Yellow Bellied Dacnis
Latin: Dacnis flaviventer
Other: Saí-amarela (Br) • Dacnis ventriamarillo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Dacnises
Range: Amazonia - Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela
Similar:

Record shots of Yellow-bellied Dacnis, seen in Pará, Brazil, September. Yellow and black with red irises.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Bay Headed Tanager
Latin: Tangara gyrola
Other: Tángara cabeciroja (Es) • Saíra-de-cabeça-castanha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil through N, W Amazonia
Similar:

More bright colours. The Bay-headed Tanager has a chestnut head, light blue underparts and green upperparts. The female is similar to the male but duller.

There are variations in race. In Para, Brazil, Bay headed-Tanagers had more yellow on neck and shoulders (pic below). In Mindo, Ecuador, they had much yellow on wing (pic below).

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Chestnut Bellied Euphonia
Latin: Euphonia pectoralis
Other: Ferro-velho (Br) • Fruterito alcalde, tieté, tangará alcalde (Es)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Euphonias
Range: Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Similar:

The Chestnut-bellied Euphonia is very beautifully coloured, with a royal blue coat, yellow shoulder and rust-coloured underparts. The female (further below) is greenish on top with an indistinct blue cap and only a small patch of chestnut underneath near the tail.

The Chestnut-bellied Euphonia was not common at the feeders in Itatiaia and seemed only to appear when all other tourists had left. It lives in southeastern South America, mostly in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Also seen at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge.

Below, male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia at Ypê, Itatiaia, Brazil


Below, male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia at Serra dos Tucanos, Brazil
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, November 2009

Bird name: Blue Black Grassquit
Latin: Volatinia jacarina
Other: Tiziu (Br) • Mochuelo (Es), Negrillo, Comesebo
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Seedeaters, Grassquits
Range: Widespread Latin America
Similar:

The Blue-black Grassquit adult male is entirely a dark blue-black colour. The eclipse or juvenile is more mottled (see photos). The female is brown with a streaked chest.

The Blue-black Grassquit is found throughout Brazil and much of South America, often in the same sort of habitat as the Double-collared Seedeater. Also seen in Panama.

Below, female or juvenile Blue-black Grassquit, Para, Brazil.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, Chiriqui, May 2010

Bird name: Yellow Bellied Seedeater
Latin: Sporophila nigricollis
Other: Espiguero capuchino, espiguero vientriamarillo, espiguero corbatita amarillo (Es) • Papa-capim-capuchinho, Baiano (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Seedeaters
Range: Costa Rica, Panama to Bolivia, Brazil
Similar: Female Variable Seedeater

The male Yellow-bellied Seedeater above, seen at Finca Hartmann, is pale, but there is considerable individual variation in the amount of yellow on the belly. Pictured below, a Yellow-bellied Seedeater from Mindo, Ecuador, which is more yellow. Male Yellow-bellied Seedeaters are easy enough to identify by their dark hood.

The presumed female Yellow-bellied Seedeater, directly below, looks much like the female Variable Seedeater, so ID should be treated with caution.

Below, presumed female Yellow-bellied Seedeater, W. Panama.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Saffron Finch
Latin: Sicalis flaveola
Other: Canário-da-terra-verdadeiro (Br) • Canario de tejado (Es), Jilguero dorado
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Finches
Range: South America, Caribbean
Similar:

The Saffron Finch is now classed with the Tanagers (Thraupidae) rather than the Buntings (Emberizidae).

The male is distinguished by a bright yellow front and orange/saffron glow above and sometimes below the face - there are various races.

The race pictured above is probably subspecies pelzelni, from location. Females and juveniles are hard to distinguish - they lack most of the yellow colouring and therefore look similar to other females. I’m going here on the striped chest as a distinguishing feature, but treat my IDs with caution.

As you can see below, the Saffron Finch takes advantage of the Rufous Hornero’s great nest-building abilities. Rufous Hornero’s typically build a new nest every year, so there are plenty of empty ones to be squatted.

The Saffron Finch is found throughout much of South America and the Caribbean, often near farm land.

Below, adult Saffron Finch, Pantanal, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Regua, Brazil, September 2011

Bird name: Hooded Tanager
Latin: Nemosia pileata
Other: Cachaquito gigante, trinadora pechiblanca, frutero cabeza negra, f. de coronita (Es) • Saíra-de-chapéu-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil to Venezuela and neighbours.
Similar:

I saw Hooded Tanagers quite frequently in mixed flocks around the lake at Regua in September.

The male Hooded Tanager (above) is black above, white below, with yellow irises, white lores, orange legs. The female (below) is grey and white, sometimes with orange colouring on chest etc.

At first sight Hooded Tanagers didn’t look like typical tanagers as they’re quite small with pointy bills.

Below, female Hooded Tanager, Regua, September.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, 2011

Bird name: Chestnut Vented Conebill
Latin: Conirostrum speciosum
Other: Figuinha-de-rabo-castanho (Br) • Picocono culicastaño (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Conebills
Range: South America, incl Brazil etc
Similar:

A couple of distant shots of Chestnut-vented Conebills. In certain areas, like the Regua ponds, they can be quite common, but they don’t stand out and I probably missed them often in mixed flocks with Hooded Tanagers etc. They are small fast moving and I was unable to get a good picture.

The chestnut vent under the tail is a good indicator for this bird.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos, September 2011

Bird name: Red Eyed Vireo
Latin: Vireo olivaceus
Other: Vireo ojirrojo (Es) • Juruviara (Br)
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: Canada through Amazonia, South America
Similar:

The Red Eyed Vireo has a red iris, thin black stripe above white supercilium, light underparts, yellowy green upperparts.

There are resident North American and South American populations, both migrating. A South-American resident group is called Chivi Vireo - birds have brown eyes and yellow vent.

The Chivi Vireo pictured above was seen at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge near Rio in September. Red-eyed Vireos are seen in many forests of South America, many for example in Oriente, Ecuador, in March. We saw a migrant Red-eyed Vireo at the Finca Hartmann in western Panama, in May (further below).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia, Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Golden Chevroned Tanager
Latin: Thraupis ornata
Other: Sanhaçu-de-encontro-amarelo (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil: principally Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo
Similar:

The Golden-chevroned Tanager can look a little grey and muddy, depending on the individual, the angle and the light. Females and juveniles are certainly duller than adult males. Some are good-looking, bright and colourful birds.

The Golden-chevroned Tanager is basically a blue bird with a little yellow patch, or golden chevron, on the wing. It’s the only bird in the region with such a mark, so easy to identify. Females are paler than males, especially underneath. Some individuals have dusky lores, but others not so much.

The Golden-chevroned Tanager is endemic to a fairly small strip of the southeast coast of Brazil but is one of the most common tanagers around, so not hard to find.

Below, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Brazil
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved: Brazil November 2009

Bird name: Ruby Crowned Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus coronatus
Other: Tiê-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar: Shiny Cowbird, White-lined Tanager

The male Ruby-crowned Tanager is all black and thus not dissimilar in aspect to the Shiny Cowbird and others. It can show a little white on the shoulder (see below). Occasionally you can spot the small red crest, but usually this is not visible.

It’s more nervy in behaviour than the aforementioned cowbird and more likely to be seen taking turns at a fruit feeder with a female, and other tanagers, than walking around calmly on the ground or collecting in groups.

The female is light brown with streaked chest and neck. The lower half of bills of both seem to show an indication of the white patch which is characteristic of many tanagers, such as the Brazilian Tanager.

Below, adult female Ruby-Crowned Tanager visits fruit feeders, shows streaked chest
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil November 2009

Bird name: Brazilian Tanager
Latin: Ramphocelus bresilius
Other: Tiê-sangue (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil: Paraiba to Santa Catarina
Similar:

The male Brazilian Tanager is a very intense red. The above photo has 100% magenta saturation in Photoshop.

The male also has bright white patches on its lower bill which is otherwise black, and dark wings and tail. The female (below) is brown with a buff underside and red patch on rump and dark bill. The immature male (see further below) is like the female but with bright patches of red, especially on face, and white patch on black bill.

The female has no streaking on its chest, unlike the female Ruby-crowned Tanager. The former is also darker above than the latter. Both male and female Brazilian Tanagers have a slight overbite, where the upper bill is a bit longer than the lower.

The Brazilian Tanager is endemic to the southeast coast of Brazil, where it is fairly easy to find, and very easy to spot.

Below, adult female Brazilian Tanager.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Para, Brazil, September 2011

Bird name: Silver Beaked Tanager
Latin: Ramphocelus carbo
Other: Sangre de toro apagado, toche negro (Es) • Tie-sangue (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru, Paraguay
Similar: Female Guira Tanager

The Silver-beaked Tanager is quite common over its range. It seemed to be the default tanager approaching Tena and into the Upper Napo region of Ecuador. Also the most common tanager in the Pantanal in August, where it was often seen beside rivers and in fruiting trees. Also seen in Parà.

The male Silver-beaked Tanager (above) is easy to identify - dark red with bright lower bill. It can look black in weak light.

Females (below) are browner - but still reddish - with less contrast on the bill. They look similar to female Brazilian Tanagers, but fortunately the two ranges do not overlap.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Regua, Brazil, September 2011

Bird name: Yellow Backed Tanager
Latin: Hemithraupis flavicollis
Other: Pintasilgo de buche dorado (Es) • Saíra-galega (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru,
Similar: Female Guira Tanager

The male Yellow-backed Tanager (above) is a small tanager, black above, white below, with yellow throat, rump and lower face up to bill. The female (below) is plainer, yellow below and olive above.

Regua in September seemed a good place to see this bird - they visit the feeders and were frequently seen in mixed flocks near the lake.

There are quite a few subspecies, with slighty different colouring.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Magpie Tanager
Latin: Cissopis leverianus
Other: Moriche blanco, frutero overo, tangará urraca (Es) • Tietinga (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Widespread South America
Similar:

There’s no mistaking the Magpie Tanager, with its strong black and white markings, which are reminiscent of the European Magpie, its large size, long tail and bright yellow irises. Its distribution is split into two parts, one comprising southeastern Brazil.

Also seen in Ecuador near Tena and the eastern lowlands.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Black Goggled Tanager
Latin: Trichothraupis melanops
Other: Frutero de anteojos negros, frutero corona amarilla (Es) • Tiê-de-topete (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina - Peru, Bolivia
Similar:

The Black-goggled Tanager has yellowish buff underparts, dark brown-black upperside, especially black around the eyes, yellow crest sometimes visible. The female has less pronounced markings. Lives in southern half of Brazil and neighbouring countries.

Below, probably female Black-googled Tanager
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Red Necked Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanocephala
Other: Saíra-militar (Br) • Tángara de cuello rojo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar:

The Red-necked Tanager is easy to identify in the adult form by its red neck. It also has a blue cap, green body, with some yellow on wing and black on back and on face around bill. The female, directly below, has less yellow on wing, less black on back and a duller, more orangey neck.

The juvenile Red-necked Tanager, seen above feeding from an adult male, and more examples below in “more photos”, is predominantly green with tell-tale flecks of adult colour, such as red neck and blue cap, with black face.

The Red-necked Tanager is endemic to the south-east Atlantic Rainforest corridor in Brazil, with another pocket in the north-east of the country, with a paler blue head and blue fleck on tail.

Below, female Red-necked Tanager
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil 2011

Bird name: Swallow Tanager
Latin: Tersina viridis
Other: Azulejo golondrina, tángara golondrina, tersina/frutero golondrina (Es) • Saí-andorinha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Panama to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

The male Swallow Tanager is distinguishable by its barred flank, black mask, bright blue colour (above). Females are green and yellow (see below).

The Swallow Tanager can be found throughout much of Brazil and neighbouring countries. This group were seen north of Rio in open country.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio Azul Lodge, Brazil 2011

Bird name: Red Shouldered Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus phoenicius
Other: Frutero de hombros rojos (Es) • Tem-tem-de-dragona-vermelha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Amazonia - Brazil around Para state, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas
Similar: White-lined Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager

The male Red-shouldered Tanager is an entirely black bird - the red shoulder is generally not visible. This bird was identified on range - the only one of several similar black tanagers to inhabit this area of southern Para. The female is quite different - light underparts.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos, Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Azure Shouldered Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanoptera
Other: Sanhaçu-de-encontro-azul (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: SE Brazil - Atlantic forest
Similar: Sayaca Tanager

The Azure-shouldered Tanager is very similar to the Sayaca Tanager, but in practice quite easy to differentiate. It has dusky lores (Sayaca doesn’t) and a bright blue shoulder mark. There is no overlap with Blue-grey Tanager.

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge north of Rio was a good place to see the Azure-shouldered Tanager - it visits the fruit feeders.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Black Faced Tanager
Latin: Schistochlamys melanopis
Other: Sanhaçu-de-coleira (Br) • Frutero cara negra, chovy estero, pizarrita sabanera (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay
Similar:

The Black-faced Tanager lives in dry habitats - savanna, cerrado etc. These were seen in Chapada das Guimaraes.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ecuador • 2011

Bird name: Blue Necked Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanicollis
Other: Tangara capuchiazul (Es) • Saíra-de-cabeça-azul (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Ecuador, …
Similar:

Blue-necked Tanagers have bright blue heads, with black mask, dark bodies, and orange on shoulder. Underfeathers are actually blue and green but in normal lighting the body looks blackish.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Para, Brazil, September

Bird name: Flame Crested Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus cristatus
Other: Tiê-galo (Br) • Frutero de cresta rojiza, parlotero crestado, tangara crestiflama (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia
Similar:

The Flame-crested Tanager showing its main markings: a red crest, generally black body and buff patch on chin. Also white shoulder. Female is brownish.

The Flame-crested Tanager lives in two distinct populations, one on the southeast coast of Brazil - at Regua, for example - the other further northwest - eg at Rio Azul Lodge.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Green and Gold Tanager
Latin: Tangara schrankii
Other: Tangará carinegra, tangara verdidorada (Es) • Saíra-ouro (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Amazonia - Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Similar:

I only glimpsed Green-and-gold Tanagers a couple of times, at the Rio Azul Lodge, in Para, Brazil.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Fulvous Crested Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus surinamus
Other: Tem-tem-de-topete-ferrgíneo (Br) • Tangara crestifulva (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Amazonia - Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru, Venezuela
Similar:

A couple of record shots of the Fulvous-crested Tanager at Rio Azul Lodge. A blackish tanager with brown patches on shoulders and sides.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Green Headed Tanager
Latin: Tangara seledon
Other: Saíra-sete-cores (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Southeast Brazil - Atlantic Rainforest
Similar: Seven-colored Tanager

The colourful Green Headed Tanager is a frequent visitor to bird tables in the Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica) region.

Although the Green-headed Tanager is called Saíra-sete-cores in Portuguese, the English-named “Seven Colored Tanager” is a different bird found in the northeast of Brazil:Tangara fastuosa - Pintor-verdadeiro.

The immature Green Headed Tanager, pictured further below, is predominantly yellow and green.

Below, Green-headed Tanager, Serra dos Tucanos.


Below, juvenile Green Headed Tanager, is predominantly yellow and green.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, March.

Bird name: Shrike Like Tanager
Latin: Neothraupis fasciata
Other: White-banded Tanager (old) • Cigarra-do-tempo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: NE Paraguay, NE Bolivia, Brazil cerrado
Similar: White-rumped Tanager, Black-faced Tanager

The Shrike-like Tanager adult (below) is grey and white with black face. White wing band. Juveniles (above and further below) are browner. Shrike-like Tanagers were one of the most common tanagers in the very dry cerrado, which was drier than the Sahara when I visited, at Chapada das Guimaraes.

Below, an adult Shrike-like Tanager in Chapada das Guimaraes, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Mato Gross, Brazil, March.

Bird name: White Rumped Tanager
Latin: Cypsnagra hirundinacea
Other: Bandoleta (Es)(Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Suriname, Panama
Similar: Shrike-like Tanager juvenile

The White-rumped Tanager was seen on several occasions in cerrado at Chapada das Guimaraes, Brazil.

The adult (above) White-rumped Tanager has a dark orange throat, is light below, dark above, with two white wing marks and white rump. The juvenile (below) is browner, with lighter throat and more colour.

Eats insects mostly.

Below, juvenile White Rumped Tanager, Chapada das Guimaraes, Brazil
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September

Bird name: Fawn Breasted Tanager
Latin: Pipraeidea melanonota
Other: Saíra viúva (Br) • Tangara pechianteada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay; and SE S America
Similar:

The Fawn-breasted Tanager is buff or orange below with blue upper half and red irises. Found in the Andes and in montane habitats in southern Brazil and bordering countries.

I saw Fawn-breasted Tanagers in Mindo and San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador and at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge in Brazil.

The male Fawn-breasted Tanager has deeper colours than the female and the Brazilian Fawn-breasted Tanager (above, male) apparently had richer colours than the Ecuadorian birds (below).

Below, Fawn Breasted Tanager, Ecuador, March.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September

Bird name: Burnished Buff Tanager
Latin: Tangara cayana
Other: Saíra amarela (Br) • Tangara cayana, pechinegro (Es) • Rufous-crowned Tanager
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Guianas, Venezuela, E Colombia, Paraguay, NE Argentina, Brazil
Similar:

The Burnished Buff Tanager male has a buff body, with black markings below and on face, and turquoise wings. The female (see next page) has less black.

The Burnished Buff Tanager is found in Brazil, to some extent neighbouring countries, and there is a separate population in northern South America. The subspecies in SE Brazil, where these photos were taken, is Tangara cayana flava.

Very subtle colours.

Below, male Burnished Buff Tanager - with flash, Serra do Tucanos Lodge, Brazil


Below, male Burnished Buff Tanager - ssp flava, Ubatuba.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Summit Gardens, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Harpy Eagle
Latin: Harpia harpyja
Other: Aguila harpía (Es) • Harpia (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Central America and tropical South America to Brazil
Similar:

The top pics are of a captive Harpy Eagle eating at the Summit Gardens zoo - further below there are a couple of pics of a wild bird in Brazil, sent in by Paula.

The Harpy Eagle is the largest and most powerful raptor in the Americas, with much larger talons than a Golden Eagle. Somehow, close up it didn’t look quite as big as I had expected. A rare bird, classed as Near Threatened, it is being reintroduced in several locations, including Soberania National Park in Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio de Janeiro • Sep 2011

Bird name: White Tailed Hawk
Latin: Buteo albicaudatus
Other: Gavião-de-rabo-branco (Br) • Gavilán coliblanco, aguilucho alas largas (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Americas: Texas to Argentina
Similar: Red-backed Hawk

We saw this pair of White-tailed Hawks attending chicks in a nest, in northern Rio de Janerio state. One was a light morph (above), the other a dark morph (below).More photos...

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

Bird name: Savanna Hawk
Latin: Buteogallus meridionalis
Other: Heterospizias meridionalis • Gavião-caboclo (Br) • Gavilán cangrejero colorado, Busardo sabanero (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Panama to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

The Savanna Hawk is a handsome bird, in tones of sienna and grey, with a light head and dark band running along the back of wings. The back is dark grey, with some grey extending into the upperside of the wings. The wings and body seen from below are mostly uniform finely-barred light rufous and grey, with dark fingertips.

The tail has one thick white band bordered by dark bands of brown, with some white at the tip. The Savannah Hawk has distinctive rufous “trousers”, yellow legs and yellow bill base with black tip.

Seen here on farmland, the Savannah Hawk is present throughout most of Brazil and is present in South America from Panama to Argentina. Seen frequently in the Pantanal in August.

Below: Savanna Hawk watching road, Pantanal, 2011


Below, Savanna Hawk flying low over field with wings swept back, S Brazil.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Para, Brazil • Sep 2011

Bird name: Grey Headed Kite
Latin: Leptodon cayanensis
Other: Gray-headed Kite (US) • Milano cabecigrís (Es) • Gavião-de-cabeça-cinza (Br)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to northern Argentina, incl Panama, Brazil
Similar:

The Grey-Headed Kite has a pale grey head with white body contrasting with dark wings and barred flight feathers. Two narrow white bands on tail (a third sometimes visible). Bill bluish.

Also seen in the mountains of Valle de Anton in central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pantanal Aug 2011

Bird name: Great Black Hawk
Latin: Buteogallus urubitinga
Other: Gavião-preto (Br) • Gavilán cangrejero grande, urubitinga (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to Southern Brazil
Similar: Common Black Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Snail Kite

I saw this Great Black Hawk on the Transpantaneira in the Pantanal. All black except for white tail band, massive bill.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Ecuador • March

Bird name: Plumbeous Kite
Latin: Ictinia plumbea
Other: Sovi, gavião-sauveiro (Br) • Milano plomizo (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America: Mexico to Argentina, incl Ecuador
Similar:

A Plumbeous Kite flying through the trees in Ecuador, March. Note rufous wing tips and banded tail. Also seen at Floresta Amazonica in Alta Floresta, Brazil.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blue and Yellow Macaw
Latin: Ara ararauna
Other: Arara-canindé (Br) • Guacamayo azul y amarillo (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots, Macaws
Range: Amazonia: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyanas and Colombia
Similar:

The fabulous Blue and Yellow Macaw seen here in Para on farmland. Unfortunately the Blue and Yellow Macaw is often seen in zoos or captive - wonderful here to walk up to a beautiful wild pair.

They were chewing on an old stump in the early morning in a section of fields in Para that was a large roosting ground for parrots of various different sorts, and just getting ready to fly to their feeding grounds further north for the day.

The Blue and Yellow Macaw is a large bird, yellow-orange on the underside, blue on the upperside, large black bill, long tail - no other bird like it.

Below: A wild Blue-and-Yellow Macaw in flight, Para, Brazil, Sep 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Pantanal, August 2011

Bird name: Black Collared Hawk
Latin: Busarellus nigricollis
Other: Gavião-belo (Br) • águila colorada (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Mexico to Uruguay incl Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela etc
Similar: Savanna Hawk

I saw Black Collared Hawks regularly during my week in the Pantanal (but nowhere else). Difficult to drive down the Transpantaneira highway without seeing one.

The Black Collared Hawk is an attractive hawk, and reminded me of the Savanna Hawk, but was easy to identify by its black collar, even in the juvenile (see further below). Head white. In adults body is mostly rufous tones with blackish flight feathers, but juveniles have light patches - especially on chest - and are browner. Often by roadsides or riversides. Takes up similar positions to Roadside Hawks.

Below: Adult Black Collared Hawk taking off, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Juvenile Black Collared Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Serra dos Tucanos, September 2011

Bird name: Blue Naped Chlorophonia
Latin: Chlorophonia cyanea
Other: Bonito-do-campo, Bandeirinha (Br) • Tangará bonito (Es)
Family: Fringillidae • Chlorophonias
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela
Similar:

The riotously colourful Blue Naped Chlorophonia at the Serra dos Tucanos Lodge feeders in September.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Amazon Kingfisher
Latin: Chloroceryle amazona
Other: Martim-pescador-verde (Br) • Martín pescador amazónico (Es)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Mexico to Argentina, including all Brazil
Similar: Green Kingfisher

The Amazon Kingfisher is a large river kingfisher. The male Amazon Kingfisher (pictured directly below) has a rufous chest. The female Amazon Kingfisher (above) has white and green markings. They are much larger than Green Kingfishers and have less white wing spotting than the latter.

Several near Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal in August, above ditches beside small roads and above rivers.

Also seen in Amazonia above river banks and in Rio Grande do Sul on telephone wires above wetlands.

Below: a male Amazon Kingfisher in the Pantanal.


Below: a female Amazon Kingfisher in the Pantanal, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ringed Kingfisher
Latin: Megaceryle torquata
Other: Martim-pescador-grande (Br) • Martín pescador grande, Martín pescador de collar (Es)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Texas to Tierra del Fuego, including all of Brazil
Similar:

The Ringed Kingfisher is a large kingfisher, which seemed abundant on the banks of the Rio Claro, in the Pantanal, in August; one was perched every few hundred metres in some places. A large, dominant and vocal bird. Also seen beside roads near drying pools, and in by the river in Napo, Ecuador.

The female Ringed Kingfisher (directly below) has a grey chest, while the male (above) is rufous right up to the white neck line. Bill has a light yellow patch on lower base. Rufous belly, grey wings, white collar, large white patch in front of eye; grey plumage is diagnostic.

Below: female Ringed Kingfisher in the Pantanal, Brazil, 2011.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Green Kingfisher
Latin: Chloroceryle americana
Other: Martín pescador verde (Es) • Martim-pescador-pequeno (Br)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: SW USA to N Argentina
Similar: Amazon Kingfisher

The male Green Kingfisher (above) has a white neck, rufous chest, green head and back, white-spotted black wings and white underneath. The female (below) lacks the rufous colouring.

A smaller bird than the Amazon Kingfisher. Seen regularly in the Pantanal on the banks of the Rio Claro, at Curicaca Lodge, for example. Also Ecuador in the Oriente and Panama in the Canal Zone.

A presumed female Green Kingfisher at Pousada Curicaca.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Green and Rufous Kingfisher
Latin: Chloroceryle inda
Other: Martín pescador verdirrufo (Es) • Martim-pescador-da-mata (Br)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Nicaragua to Brazil
Similar: American Pygmy Kingfisher

Just one poor shot of a Green and Rufous Kingfisher in the Pantanal on the banks of the Rio Claro, at Curicaca Lodge. I saw them a couple of times but they seemed less common than the other kingfishers.

Rufous on the entire underside extending to the tail differentiates them from the American Pygmy Kingfisher, which is also much smaller. Some orange on the throat. Females have some green on the upper chest

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufous Tailed Jacamar
Latin: Galbula ruficauda
Other: Jacamará colirrufo (Es) • Ariramba-de-cauda-ruiva (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: Southern Mexico, Central America to Brazil (south of Amazon)
Similar:

I was pleased to see Rufous-tailed Jacamars on several occasions during my 5 days in the Pantanal.

Sometimes they would swoop in front of me, while I was walking on a forest path alone, and then alight on a nearby bare horizontal branch of medium thickness.

They would then perch calmly, or if I got too close, move to another similar spot. They seemed confiding and were good subjects and very photogenic. Sometimes seemed to be in mixed flocks too.

The male Rufous-tailed Jacamar, above, has a white chin and rich rufous belly, while the female, pictured directly below, has a paler belly and pale chin.

Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal was very good for this bird. There was one at the start of the path behind the lodge (near the killer bees!) with a fair amount of light coming through the trees there.

Below, female Rufous-tailed Jacamar at Pouso Alegre, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Rio state, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Three Toed Jacamar
Latin: Jacamaralcyon tridactyla
Other: Cuitelão (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: SE Brazil, Rio de Janeiro state
Similar: Brown Jacamar (not much overlap)

We saw this pair of Three-toed Jacamars in the north of Rio state on a long excursion from Serra dos Tucanos. They’re now classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, due to habitat loss, and probably extinct from Sao Paulo state.

The Three-toed Jacamar is slightly browner around the head than one might expect from some illustrations. Note dark bill and white underparts including chest differentiate it from the Brown Jacamar.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Para, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bronzy Jacamar
Latin: Galbula leucogastra
Other: Jacamará bronceado (Es) • Ariramba-bronzeada (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela
Similar:

Just record shots of this Bronzy Jacamar in Para state, Brazil. Note white neck and bronzy chest.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Para, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Paradise Jacamar
Latin: Galbula dea
Other: Ariramba-do-paraiso (Br) • Jacamará colilargo, jacamar del paraíso, jacamar negro (Es)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyanas
Similar:

The Paradise Jacamar has a long thin tail but is very dark, with a white collar and long straight bill. Seen here at Rio Azul Lodge in southern Amazonia.

Copyright: monacoeye • Para, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blue Necked Jacamar
Latin: Galbula cyanicollis
Other: Blue-cheeked Jacamar • Jacamará cariazul, jacamar de cuello azul (Es) • Ariramba-de-mata (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: Amazonia south of the Amazon: Bolivia, Peru, Brazil
Similar: Yellow-billed Jacamar, Rufous-tailed Jacamar.

The Blue-necked Jacamar is similar to the Yellow-billed Jacamar but lives south of the Amazon while the latter lives north of the Amazon.

The Blue-necked Jacamar has a yellow bill, no green on chest. More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Rio Azul Lodge, Brazil, Sep 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Swallow Winged Puffbird
Latin: Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Other: Swallow-wing • Urubuzinho (Br) • Buco golondrina (Es), chacurú golondrina, monjita culiblanca, aguantasol
Family: Bucconidae • Puffbirds
Range: Amazonia: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Guyanas; E Brazil
Similar:

There were a good number of Swallow-winged Puffbirds near the cabins at Rio Azul Lodge, in Para, Brazil, mostly visible around midday, often on telephone wires. This Amazonian bird burrows in the ground and can be seen throwing sand out of its burrow (photo below). Not too shy at midday.

Swallow-winged Puffbirds are often referred to by the name Swallow-wings. They are mostly blackish, with a red patch on the lower belly and white vent and underwings. The Brazilian name is Urubuzinho, which means little vulture.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, Brazil, August.

Bird name: Grey Necked Wood Rail
Latin: Aramides cajanea
Other: Gray-necked Wood-rail • Saracura-três-potes (Br) • Chiricote (Es), Rascón cuello gris, Chilacoa colinegra
Family: Rallidae • Rails
Range: Mexico to Argentina, incl Brazil etc.
Similar:

Grey-necked Wood-Rails were one of the most frequently seen birds in the Pantanal in August - always in or near water. The riverbanks around Curicaca Lodge usually produced one or two, often near jacarés, and once beside a capuchin monkey which was drinking from the river.

Grey-necked Wood-rails are medium-sized colourful birds with red legs, rufous underparts, grey neck, yellow-green bill and red irises. The grey neck is diagnostic. They are found throughout Central America and South America east of the Andes.

Below, close-up of a Grey-necked Wood Rail, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Canopy Tower, Panama April 2010

Bird name: Turkey Vulture
Latin: Cathartes aura
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-vermelha (Br) • Turkey Buzzard (US) • John Crow (Caribbean) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Americas: Canada to Argentina, incl Panama, Ecuador, Brazil etc.
Similar: Black Vulture, Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture, Comparison

In Panama, there is only one other similar vulture with a thick white trailing band on the wing, the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, which has a yellowish, not pink, head.

Turkey Vultures can quickly be distinguished from other birds of prey at a distance by their V-shaped wings when gliding. The key fieldmark for differentiating them from other vultures is the well defined light underside of wings. Also they have pink heads.

Cathartes aura ruficollis, the indigenous Panamanian vultures pictured above and further below have light marks on the back of the neck. Large numbers of migrating Turkey Vultures can also be seen in Panama at the right time of the year.

Turkey Vultures were less common than Black-headed Vultures by the coast and in Itatiaia NP. There I saw them on three occasions, singly or in pairs, very high up or low in the forest.
In the Pantanal they were seen regularly in August 2011, but not as frequently as the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture.

In Panama, in April, the Turkey Vulture was more common than the American Black Vulture, and frequently seen in most non-urban locations. The observation deck of the Canopy Tower is a good place to get views of them soaring across the top of the forest.

Below: Turkey Vulture showing light underside of wing feathers, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, August 2011.

Bird name: Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture
Latin: Cathartes burrovianus
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-amarela, urubu-menor-de-cabeça-amarela (Br) • Aura sabanera (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Mexico, Central America, South America E of Andes, esp. Brazil, Pantanal. Lowland wet grassland, swamps, heavily degraded forest.
Similar: Greater Yellow Headed Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Comparison

The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is the most visible vulture in the Pantanal (Turkey Vultures also seen). Seen eating at fruit feeders at Curicaca Lodge and beside the road leading to the Transpantaneira.

The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is a smaller bird than the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, with thinner wings and narrower head. Underside of wings lighter than GYHV but not as light as TV. Head more colourful (with yellow and blue) than Turkey Vulture. The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture is not found in the Pantanal. The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture was rare (I didn’t see one) in the forested Rio Azul lodge, southern Para.

Below: Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pantanal. Lightened slightly to show wing pattern.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Para, Brazil, September 2011.

Bird name: Greater Yellow Headed Vulture
Latin: Cathartes melambrotus
Other: Urubu-da-mata, urubu-maior-de-cabeça-amarela (Br) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range: Northern South America, incl northern Brazil, Amazonia etc. Low altitude tropical forest.
Similar: Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Comparison

Although in field guides The Greater Yellow Headed Vulture looks similar to the Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture and the Turkey Vulture, I found them quite easy to distinguish in practice.

Firstly there is not much overlap between Greater and Lesser Yellow Headed Vultures. Lesser is in the Pantanal, Greater in Amazonia, but with some Lessers near the Amazon itself.

Secondly, Greater Yellow Headed Vultures are very large birds, with very deep wings and long tails.

Thirdly, their wings are mostly dark underneath, with light patches nearest the body blending into the other darker feathers. Both the Turkey Vulture and the Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture have more delineated and lighter undersides.

The Greater Yellow Headed Vulture has a coloured head, with yellow, pink and blue parts, unlike the Turkey Vulture which is all pink-red with some white.

I saw Greater Yellow Headed Vultures flying over the Rio Azul Lodge in Para, usually around midday.

Below, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture. Photo lightened slightly to show wing pattern.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, Brazil, August.

Bird name: Jabiru
Latin: Jabiru mycteria
Other: Jabiru (Br) • Jabirú, tuyuyu (Es)
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range: Mexico to Argentina, esp Pantanal, Brazil.
Similar:

The Jabiru is a very large stork, emblematic of the Pantanal region of South America. The word is from the Guarani meaning swollen neck.

The nest is huge, several metres in each dimension. Each year returning Jabirus add a new layer. Smaller birds often nest underneath. In a photo below you might just make out three monk parakeets below the nest.

The nest contained one adult and two juvenile jabirus, pictured below, which lack the characteristic pink red neck of the adult. Great birds.

Otherwise individuals were seen regularly, often with herons, in the pools drying beside the Transpantaneira and at Curicaca Lodge and Pouso Alegre, where I also saw the large nest.

Below, 2 juvenile Jabirus in nest, Pouso Alegre Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil, August.


Below, Jabiru feeds passing its bill through the water and mud on bottom, Pantanal..


Below, the Jabiru nest is huge, several metres wide, with other birds nesting below.
More photos...

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

Bird name: Wood Stork
Latin: Mycteria americana
Other: Wood Ibis • Cabeça-seca (Br) • Tántalo Americano (Es)
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range: SE USA to N Argentina, incl Brazil, Pantanal etc
Similar: Maguari Stork, Jabiru

The Wood Stork is a large stork which lives in tropical and sub-tropical America, with a small population in south-eastern USA. These photos were taken in Rio Grande do Sul and the Pantanal.

It is distinguished from the Maguari Stork by its darker, heavier neck, head and bill, which is slightly curved, dark irises and dark legs. Wings are black and white.

Below, Wood Stork in flight in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, Brazil • Aug 2011

Bird name: Purplish Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax cyanomelas
Other: Gralha-cinza, gralha-do-pantanal (Br)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: Central S America, Pantanal: Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay
Similar:

The Purplish Jay was seen fairly frequently on my trip to the Pantanal in August. One of the first birds to be seen around the compound at Curicaca Lodge, then again drinking water at a drying pool at Pousada Alegre (above).

The Purplish Jay appears mostly dark, blackish around the head, with purplish tinge only apparent in some lights. Not too shy, will visit feeders.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chapada, Brazil • Aug 2011

Bird name: Curl Crested Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax cristatellus
Other: Gralha-do-campo (Br) • Urraca de cresta rizada (Es)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia - caatinga, cerrado
Similar:

I saw Curl Crested Jays on the edge of the cerrado, near buildings, on the Chapada das Guimaraes plateau. Unmistakable by its crest and loud call. Also seen flying across the cerrado in pairs.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, Brazil • Aug 2011

Bird name: Chestnut Eared Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus castano
Other: Araçari-de-pescoço-vermelho (Br) • Tucanillo (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: W Amazonia to SE Brazil
Similar: Many-banded Aracari

The Chestnut-eared Aracari was the most frequently seen of the toucan family, on my recent trip to Mato Grosso. In the Pantanal I saw them at Curicaca Lodge and Pouso Alegre, then again in Chapada das Guimaraes and Alta Floresta. In the Pantanal it seemed to be the only Aracari in its range.

The Chestnut-eared Aracari head colour ranges from black to chestnut, though usually at least the side of the head is chestnut coloured. The white iris is diagnostic. In Brazil, only the Many-banded Aracari also has light irises, but it only lives in the far north-west, near Ecuador, it lacks the chestnut head colouring and black stripe on upper mandible, and has additional black markings to chest.

The upper bill of the Chestnut-eared Aracari is serrated - the dark parts look like they wear away leaving the white parts as teeth.

Below, close-up of Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pantanal, Brazil • Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Regua, Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Spot Billed Toucanet
Latin: Selenidera maculirostris
Other: Araçaru-poca (Br)• Tucancito de pico maculado, arasarí chico (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: Brazil Atlantic Rainforest
Similar:

Above, a female (or juvenile?) Spot-billed Toucanet. Below a male.

Spot-billed Toucanets are readily identified by three or four dark marks on the upper bill. Seen on excursions from Regua and Serra dos Tucanos, in northern Rio de Janeiro state.

Below, male Spot-billed Toucanet, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil • 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Rio Azul, Brazil • Sept 2011

Bird name: Red Necked Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus bitorquatus
Other: Araçari-de-pescoço-vermelho (Br)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: S Amazonia
Similar:

Red-necked Aracaris near open farmland in Para, Brazil, September.

The head is a deep chestnut red colour, but so dark it can look black.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Rio Azul, Brazil • Sept 2011

Bird name: Curl Crested Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus beauharnaesii
Other: araçari-mulato (Br)• arasarí crespo (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: W Amazonia, incl Brazil
Similar:

Rio Azul Lodge had several Curl-crested Aracaris visiting not far from the lodge, in degraded semi-open forest.

Purple, sky-blue and orange on upper bill, white lower bill, pale blue around eye, “curly hair”. The bird pictured above had no red on belly (maybe juvenile?), a little on flank, but many adults birds have the red band typical of many aracaris.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Rio Azul Lodge, Sept 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Throated Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos tucanus
Other: Tucán goliblanco (Es) • Tucano-de-peito-branco (Br)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: East Ecuador, Amazonia, incl Brazil
Similar: Channel Billed Toucan

These birds were identified by the Rio Azul Lodge guide as White-throated Toucans. Note blue patch at base of lower mandible, yellow above. Very similar to Channel-billed Toucan, though calls are different, so treat ID with caution.

Below, a White Throated Toucan in flight carrying food, in Para, Brazil, September
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Chapada, Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Channel Billed Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos vitellinus
Other: Tucano-de-bico-preto (Br)• tucán de pico acanalado (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: Amazonia, E, SE Brazil
Similar: White-throated Toucan

These Channel-billed Toucans were identified as such by the guides at Chapada das Guimaraes, Mato Grosso, and Rio Azul Lodge, Para, in Brazil.

The main distinguishing feature between these Channel-billed Toucans and the local subspecies of White-throated Toucan is the colour of the base of the lower mandible: the Channel-billed Toucan is yellow on both upper and lower mandible, with a small patch of blue along the bottom edge of the base of the upper mandible, whereas the White-throated Toucan has blue on the lower mandible.

However, there are several subspecies …More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Iguaçu, Brazil • 2007

Bird name: Toco Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos toco
Other: Tucano-toco, Tucanuçu (Br)• Tucán toco, Tucán grande (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: NE, C, SE South America
Similar:

The Toco Toucan is the largest of the toucans, and probably the most well known.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Upper Napo, Ecuador, Mar 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Lettered Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus inscriptus
Other: Arasari Letreado (Es), Araçari-letrado (Br)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: W, S Amazonia including east Ecuador, Brazil
Similar:

Lettered Aracari were seen perching high up, on several occasions, in the Upper Napo region of Ecuadorian Amazonia. They are so named because of the inky markings on their upper bill. Like many other aracaris they often sit perched with a small fruit in their bills. Attractive birds and not uncommon.

Bill markings vary widely from individual to individual, some with few thick black lines, others with many thinner lines. The Ecuadorian subspecies pictured above is Pteroglossus inscriptus humboldti, which has a completely black lower bill.

The nominate subspecies, pictured below, lives in Brazil east of the Rio Madeira tributary of the Amazon, has much yellow on the lower bill, a black mark at base of lower mandible and black at tip.

Below, the Brazilian subspecies in flight. Bill mostly yellow. Para, Brazil, September.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Rio Azul Lodge, Brazil • 2011

Bird name: Gould's Toucanet
Latin: Selenidera gouldii
Other:
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: S Amazonia
Similar:

I saw these Gould’s Toucanets accompanied by Curl-crested Aracaris at Rio Azul Lodge. Identifiable by their bill pattern: black on half the upper bill, yellow at tip, black line on lower bill. Females have light brown heads.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Guapi Assu, Sep 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Giant Snipe
Latin: Gallinago undulata
Other: Narcejão (Br) • Caica gigante, becasina gigante (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Snipes
Range: South America - Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil etc
Similar: South American Snipe

Birdwatching often transports you to extraordinary situations - my encounter with the Giant Snipe was one such event.

The Giant Snipe is a difficult bird to see during the day - it’s shy and hides in long grasses and channels. So three of us set off from Regua, in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro state, a little before dusk, with flashlights and ipod, to a certain field where the Giant Snipe was known to live…

The Giant Snipe is a large bird with a very long bill, and rich brown stripes on its back, distinguishing it from the South American Snipe. I understand there are separate populations, two of the nominate subspecies centred in northern South America, and another in the southeast of Brazil of Gallinago undulata gigantea seen here.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Solitary Sandpiper
Latin: Tringa solitaria
Other: Maçarico-solitário (Br) • Andarríos solitario, pitotoy solitario, tigüiza (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Sandpipers
Range: North America migrating to South America - Brazil etc
Similar: Spotted Sandpiper

The Solitary Sandpiper has uniform brown wings (no bars) in flight, differentiating it from the Spotted Sandpiper. Spots on back and mottled around neck.

This Solitary Sandpiper was seen near Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, 28 April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufescent Tiger Heron
Latin: Tigrisoma lineatum
Other: Avetigre colorada (Es), Hocó colorado • Socó-boi (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Mexico to Uruguay
Similar: Fasciated Tiger Heron juvenile

Adult Rufescent Tiger Herons have wonderful finely barred greyish wings and rufous head and neck with white stripes down neck, yellow lores and yellow or orange irises. They are not too shy so relatively easy to observe.

Juvenile Rufescent Tiger Herons are really stunning, with coarse barring - like a tiger. Pictured above, one which has caught an insect.

In the Pantanal in August, Rufescent Tiger Herons are abundant by the drying bodies of water, and frequently seen in ditches, on river banks and near ponds and lakes.

Below: An Adult Rufescent Tiger Heron on a mound, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Boat Billed Heron
Latin: Cochlearius cochlearius
Other: Garça-real (Br) • Garcilla peinada (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America - Panama to Brazil
Similar: Black-crowned Night Heron, Striated Heron

It’s unusual to see the Boat-billed Heron during the day, but night drives with a torch along waterways will usually produce several. They look rather strange (see further below) at night with their very broad bills.

The Boat-billed Heron pictured above was seen beside the Rio Claro, on an excursion from Rio Clarinho. Trips down the river from Rio Clarinho were a very good way to take in the beautiful scenery and see Agami Heron and Giant Otter because they don’t use engines (unlike Rio Claro Lodge) but punt instead.

During the day Boat-billed Herons look like they’re smiling. Generally unmistakeable by their very wide bills and buffy colouring - the most similar herons otherwise would probably be Black-crowned Night Heron or Striated Heron.

Below: Boat-billed Heron on the Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Agami Heron
Latin: Agamia agami
Other: Garça-da-mata (Br) • Garza agamí (Es) • Chestnut-bellied Heron
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Central America to Brazil
Similar: none

The Agami Heron is usually very difficult to see as it hides in the darkness of overhanging vegetation by the river’s edge, or in forest swamps, but what a stunner!

It is a medium sized heron with a very long pointed bill and beautiful dark red and green colouring to its feathers, with white markings down the neck. The juvenile, pictured further below, is much duller.

I saw Agami Herons with my in-house guide, Dodo, from Rio Clarinho Lodge (basic accommodation but recommended for this bird), who punted me down the Rio Claro river. We saw three different Agamis over about two hours, including one juvenile.

To notice them you really need to have eyesight than can pierce the darkness - or a very good guide. These photos were taken without flash at very slow speeds.

The birds moved very slowly, generally with neck retracted, and though initally very shy, after a while continued with their normal stalking behaviour, moving gracefully through the network of roots that reach down into the water from overhanging bushes and trees.

Below: An adult Agami Heron on the Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug, Sep 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Gamboa, Panama • 25 April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Striated Heron
Latin: Butorides striata
Other: Mangrove Heron, Little Heron • Garcita azulada (Es) • Socozinho (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Tropics worldwide
Similar: Green Heron

The adult Striated Heron has a black cap and a pinkish grey throat, with white stripes. It has light markings on its sides which are diagnostic - each dark feather tip has a light surround - and yellow irises. The Striated Heron was formerly grouped with the Green Heron as the Green-backed Heron.

The adult Striated Heron above was not shy, standing on a pier by the Chagres River in Panama, after a big storm. In the Brazilian Pantanal in August, however, Striated Herons, though quite numerous, often retreated quickly when seen.

The juvenile, pictured directly below, is browner and more mottled than the adult, and has its own distinctive wing markings which form parallel lines near the wing edge. It was seen by the river edge.

Below: Juvenile Striated Heron in the Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal • August 2011

Bird name: Burrowing Owl
Latin: Athene cunicularia
Other: (Es) • Coruja-buraqueira (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: North, Central and South America - from Canada to Argentina
Similar:

The small Burrowing Owl is a photographer’s friend - it stands peched in the open during broad daylight. It does hunt at night but is also often active during the day.

I regularly saw Burrowing Owls in open country throughout Brazil - farmland or dry scrub is typical habitat. Often there seemed to be groups, perhaps families or two pairs.

This small terrestrial owl lives in burrows in the ground, and often stands on a mound by the entrance to its burrow.

In Brazil, the Burrowing Owl has bright yellow irises and a white brow.

Directly below, a Burrowing Owl at Rio Clarinho Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil. August 2011.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe, November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Capped Heron
Latin: Pilherodius pileatus
Other: Garça-real (Br) • Garcilla peinada (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America - Panama to Brazil
Similar:

The Capped Heron is a pretty, pastel-coloured heron, with black cap, light blue bill with pink fleck, cream neck and two or three long head feathers.

I saw them in a couple of places in the Pantanal, but they were often quite shy and retreated quickly. I saw one in the wetlands at Regua.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Blue Heron
Latin: Egretta caerulea
Other: Garceta azul (Es), garza azul • Garça-azul (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Texas to Uruguay
Similar: Snowy Egret

The adult Little Blue Heron is an unmistakeable intense blue colour, with a touch of purple around the neck. Seen above at Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Pantanal - the only place I saw this bird. Much rarer than other similar sized herons and egrets.

Pictured below is a juvenile Little Blue Heron. Before gaining his blue-grey adult plumage, he could be mistaken for a Snowy Egret, as he is mostly white. This one was seen by the Chagres River in central Panama.

Below, juvenile Little Blue Heron, Gamboa, Panama, April 2010.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Whistling Heron
Latin: Syrigma sibilatrix
Other: Maria façeira (Br) • Garceta Chiflón (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America
Similar:

The Whistling Heron is unmistakable with its blue lores and reddish-pink bill with black tip. An attractive heron.

The nominate form lives in southern Brazil and neighbouring countries - with another subspecies fostresmithi in the Venezuela region.

Below, a Whistling Heron in the Pantanal in August 2011.
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Roseate Spoonbill
Latin: Platalea ajaja
Other: Colhereiro-americano (Br) • Espátula rosada (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Spoonbills
Range: Texas to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar: none

The Roseate Spoonbill is unmistakable from its bill shape and pink colour.

The Roseate Spoonbill is seen in much of Brazil. The approach road to Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal was good place to see them in August.

The top photo was taken as one flew below a tree I was standing in - quite an unusual angle for a flight shot, and you can see the intense pink markings on its wings and tail.

The juvenile below has no markings around eyes and brown fringes to flight feathers.

Below, an immature Roseate Spoonbill, Brazil, Nov 2009.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe, Brazil • Nov 2009

Bird name: Roadside Hawk
Latin: Buteo magnirostris
Other: Gavião-carijó (Br) • Gavilán pollero (Es), Aguilucho de ala rojiza, Taguato común
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America, Mexico to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

The Roadside Hawk has a dark head with pale irises and usually pale barred chest and underwings. Topside of wings are dark, with a rufous wing patch on primaries. This rufous patch, usually just visible on perched birds, is diagnostic for Roadside Hawk.

The Roadside Hawk is typically the most frequently seen bird of prey when birding in Latin America, so it is a good bird to learn to identify.

Tail has thick brown and white horizontal stripes. Bill base is yellowish with dark tip and perhaps some light blue in the middle.

There are several subspecies and morphs, where dark brown is replaced by grey. Upper chest can be dark (Panama) or vertically striped (Brazil).

In the Pantanal in August I saw Roadside Hawks on most days - near roads, rivers and in forest. Near Mindo, Ecuador, in April, it was also the most common and visible bird of prey.

Below, Roadside Hawk mobbed in El Valle, Panama, May 2010. Dark throat and chest.


Below, a pair of Roadside Hawks in Mindo, Ecuador, April 2011. Yellow irises, orange ceres, grey throat and chest, rufous primaries just visible in perched birds. Thin white barring lines on underside.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal • August 2011

Bird name: Tropical Screech Owl
Latin: Megascops choliba
Other: Currucutú común (Es) • Corujinha-do-mato (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: South America
Similar:

This Tropical Screech Owl flew across a path at Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Pantanal, alighting on the other side so we could observe him in clear daylight from just a couple of metres away. Unusual to get such a good daylight view, so we may well have flushed him.

A pair also seen in a tree at Regua (further below).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal • August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Buff Necked Ibis
Latin: Theristicus caudatus
Other: Curicaca (Br) • Bandurria (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range: South America
Similar:

The beautiful Buff-necked Ibis, although not common everywhere, can be seen in a few spots in the Pantanal quite easily.

These were all seen in the ditches below the Transpantaneira highway in August.

The Portuguese name is Curicaca - the name of a good lodge on the Transpantaneira. I didn’t see any Buff-necked Ibises while I was there, but plenty of other nice birds.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal • August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Plumbeous Ibis
Latin: Theristicus caerulescens
Other: Curicaca-cinza (Br) • Bandurria mora (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina
Similar:

The approach road to Pouso Alegre was a good place to find Plumbeous Ibis, in a couple of the ditches beside the road.

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal • August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Green Ibis
Latin: Plegadis ridgwayi
Other: Coró-coró (Br) • Ibis verde (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range: Honduras through South America, incl Brazil etc
Similar:

The Green Ibis was the most commonly seen of the ibises in the Pantanal in August. They were also seen following Capybaras with other small birds such as Cattle Tyrants and Wattled Jacanas. The Capybaras must have dislodged fish, crustaceans, amphibians and insects from the mud.

Colouring seemed quite variable. Some birds (eg above) seemed quite brown with small flashes of green. Others (eg directly below) had much green plumage and greenish bills and legs and neck feathers - probably breeding plumage.

Below: a Green Ibis in Pouso Alegre, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Brazil • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Scarlet Ibis
Latin: Eudocimus ruber
Other: Guará (Br) • Ibis escarlata (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range: Brazil, Guyanas, Venezuela, Trinidad, coast.
Similar:

A record shot of a stunning Scarlet Ibis at the bird park (sanctuary?) at Itatiaia, a long way from home.

In fact in Brazil they only live in a couple of coastal stretches, so are typically difficult to see unless you make a special trip. The national bird of Trinidad.

Copyright: monacoeye • Regua, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission.

Bird name: Slaty Bristlefront
Latin: Merulaxis ater
Other: Entufado (Br)
Family: Rhinocryptidae • Tapaculos
Range: Southeast Brazil Atlantic Forest
Similar:

Members of the Tapaculo family are usually easy to hear and difficult to see. So I was very pleased to get a photo of this Slaty Bristlefront at Regua, in north Rio de Janeiro state in September.

We climbed up a steep bank into the dark forest, and then waited patiently as the male Slaty Bristlefront made his way over to our playback. In addition to the lack of light there was a dense morning mist to contend with.

But although deceptively fleet-footed, he was not very shy, and walked up to about four metres away, calling as he went, as we watched in wonder. He also raised his neck feathers at one point (photo below).

The male, pictured, has a bluish head, neck and chest and brown wings, tail and rear. And tall bristles between the eyes.

A great bird, and the first of the Rhinocryptidae Tapaculo family that I’ve been able to photograph.

The Slaty Bristlefront is endemic to a fairly narrow strip of Atlantic rainforest in the east of Brazil. It is classed as Near Threatened in IUCN 3.1 due to habitat loss.

Below, a Slaty Bristlefront, at Regua in Guapi Assu.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission,

Bird name: Baywing
Latin: Agelaioides badius
Other: Bay Winged Cowbird • Asa-de-telha (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds
Range: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay
Similar: Juvenile Screaming Cowbird

The Bay-winged Cowbird, as it is commonly known, is predominantly grey with rufous wing edges and black eye and bill.

Above, seen on the Transpantaneira highway, in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Baywings were easy to see at Pouso Alegre, where they joined Saffron Finches to feed on corn given to the animals. Not uncommon in open country.

These are not “true” Cowbirds, in that they are not brood parasitic or in the genus Molothrus. In fact they are parasitised by Shiny Cowbirds.

Baywings are found in the southern countries of South America.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Brazil • August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Thrush Like Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus longirostris
Other: Garrinchão-de-bico-grande (Br) • Soterrey Mirlo (Es)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Amazonia, Pantanal, Bahia - Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil
Similar:

There is a tree you can climb with a rickety set of stairs on the approach road to Curicaca Lodge, off the Transpantaneira in the Pantanal. While standing on the upper platform, the Thrush-like Wren above alighted in the tree.

I also saw Thrush-like Wrens around the Lodge. It wasn’t initially obvious to me they were of the wren family from their large size, relaxed behaviour and plain colouring.

In the Pantanal subspecies pictured, Cantorchilus longirostris unicolor, barring is very faint on the chest but diagnostic on the flanks and under the tail. It has a light supercilium.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Brazil • September 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Long Billed Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus longirostris
Other: Garrinchão de bico grande (Br)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Eastern Brazil
Similar: Buff Breasted Wren

I saw this Long-Billed Wren late afternoon on the perimeter of the garden of Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, in Rio de Janeiro state on a recent trip.

It had an attractive call and was not quite as furtive as some smaller wrens.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Folha Seca, Brazil • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Versicolored Emerald
Latin: Amazilia versicolor
Other: Versicoloured Emerald (UK) • Beija-flor-de-banda-branca (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Southeast and northeast Brazil, Amazonia
Similar:

The Versicolored Emerald was one of the more common types of hummingbird at Jonas’ feeders in Folha Seca, but I found them difficult to identify, so these photos are from the very-likely-but-not-certain bin.

Identification signs for the Versicolored Emerald include reddish lower bill, white mark behind eye, whitish belly, dusky blue subterminal band on tail. There are also regional variations.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mostardas, Brazil, November.

Bird name: Blue and White Swallow
Latin: Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Other: Golondrina barranquera (Es) • Andorinha-pequena-de-casa (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows
Range: Widespread South America, also Panama
Similar:

The Blue-and-White Swallow is a small swallow, with dark, blue-black and brown upperparts and white below except for under tail. NB dark rump.

The Blue-and-White Swallow seems one of the most widespread swallows in Latin America, seen frequently in Brazil, in Mostardas and Itatiaia, and then again in the highlands of Panama.

Below, a Blue-and-white Swallow in the Chiriqui highlands, Panama, May.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Palm Tanager
Latin: Thraupis palmarum
Other: Sanhaçu-do-coqueiro (Br) • Tangara (Es), Azulejo de palmeras
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Guatemala to Paraguay & S Brazil
Similar: Olive-green, Sayaca Tanager (Brazil), Plain Tanager (Panama)

The Palm Tanager is one of the duller looking tanagers, in Brazil mostly uniform olive-green, with lighter patches on wing and darker tips, head lighter and greener, with only a black iris and bill which stand out.

In Panama, at least one pair roosted in the eves of the Canopy Tower. The Panama Palm Tanager (above) has brown wing tips and tail and is far less uniform and green than its Brazilian counterpart (lowest photo, next page). On close examination there was an almost purplish sheen to some of the back and chest of the birds in Panama.

In Brazil, the Olive-green tanager is yellower below, with distinct upper and lower halves, and fluffier. The Sayaca Tanager is obviously blue, not green, but from below in some lights, when both are pale can look similar - the same goes for Golden-chevroned Tanager, which can also look similar from below.

The Palm Tanager is fairly common throughout most of the northern half of South America and extending into Central America and the Caribbean. Found near houses as well as other areas.

Directly below, a Palm Tanager in Panama.


Below, a Palm Tanager in Ubatuba, Brazil, Nov 2009. Brazilian Palm Tanagers were a uniform greenish colour and lacked the brown wing of the Panama variety.
More photos...

Copyright: RN/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Iguazu, July 2010

Bird name: Plush Crested Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax chrysops
Other: Urraca de cresta alborotada (Es) • Gralha-de-crista-negra (Br)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, NE Argentina, Pantanal.
Similar:

A beautiful Plush-crested Jay on the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls. Bluish black upperside and yellow belly.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ubatuba, 2009

Bird name: Violaceous Euphonia
Latin: Euphonia violacea
Other:
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Euphonias
Range: N, SC South America, including Brazil Atlantic Forest
Similar: Thick-billed Euphonia, Purple-throated Euphonia

We saw these Violaceous Euphonias at Jonas’ fruit feeders in Ubatuba. Pretty much identical to the Thick-billed Euphonia, which fortunately is not in range on the coast of Brazil.

The male Violaceous Euphonia has blue-black upperparts and yellow-orange underparts and forehead. The female is greenish above and yellowish below.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Iguaçu, Brazil 2006

Bird name: Giant Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus oryzivorus
Other: Iraúna-grande (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds
Range: S Mexico through N South America
Similar: Great Tailed Grackle

The Giant Cowbird is a brood parasitic icterid, laying its eggs in the nests of oropendolas and caciques. It is found from Central America to the northwestern half of South America and to a lesser extent the southern part of Brazil.

The Giant Cowbird is a large bird (40 cm) - it looks a bit similar to the Great-tailed Grackle in Panama, but the latter has a much thinner bill. The adult male is larger and shiny blue-black, the female browner and smaller. Irises can be red or yellow, depending on regional differences, also in some regions males tend to have red irises and females yellow irises.

Great-tailed Grackles have thinner bills.

Below, a Giant Cowbird in the Canal zone of Central Panama, 2010
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Common Gallinule
Latin: Gallinula galeata
Other: Common Gallinule (US) • Polla Gris (Es), Polla de Agua • Galinha-d'água (Pt)
Family: Rallidae • Rails
Range: North America, South America, Hawaii

The IOC has adopted the split of Common Gallinule of Western Hemisphere from the Common Moorhen on the basis of morphological, genetic, and vocal differences (Groenenberg et al 2008, SACC).

So following the IOC naming system, these birds from Panama and Brazil pictured are therefore Common Gallinules, Gallinula galeata, and not Common Moorhens, which are restricted to Europe, Asia and Africa. If I had known at the time I might have got some better photos…

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe • Nov 2009

Bird name: Masked Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila dumicola
Other: Balança-rabo-de-máscara (Br) • Tacuarita azul (Es)
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: North Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and south and central Brazil

The individual pictured is a female Masked Gnatcatcher, since she only has a dark patch behind the eye, not a full dark mask, and she has light, not dark, underparts.

This Masked Gnatcatcher seemed to be interested in the small plants (mosses?) growing on this fruit (fig?) tree, where she will have found small insects. Often cocks tail (below in “more photos”).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Brazil, November 2009

Bird name: House Wren
Latin: Troglodytes aedon
Other: Corruíra-de-casa (Br) • Curucucha (Es) • Troglodytes aedon musculus
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Widespread Americas
Similar:

The House Wren is found throughout the Americas. The musculus subspecies pictured above is called the Southern House Wren, and sometimes viewed as a separate species.

The House Wren is a great garden bird, with an attractive song. It is not shy and much easier to see than its European counterpart. I saw it in most habitats I visited in Brazil.

Still easily observed in central Panama (lowest two photos), around the hotels, but seemed to be a little less confiding than in Brazil.




Below, photo from Panama.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia, RJ • Nov 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Tailed Tityra
Latin: Tityra cayana
Other: Anambé-branco-de-rabo-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityras
Range: Widespread South America

The female Black-tailed Tityra, above, has streaked chest and grey-brown cap whereas the male, pictured below, is white underneath with black cap. Both have red skin around the eyes.

These photos are of the nominate cayana subspecies of Black-tailed Tityra, seen here in Itatiaia in the Brazilian Mata Atlantica. The female of other subspecies, Tityra cayana brasiliensis, has a dark cap like the male.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Crested Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus validus
Other: Plain Becard • Caneleiro-de-chapéu-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru

The Crested Becard is a South-American bird, its range extending to Argentina and Peru and most of Brazil. These individuals were seen in the south of Brazil near Lagoa do Peixe and in Ubatuba.

Both male and female have a dark grey crest, giving them a spiky haired look, but the remaining upperside feathers on the male are also dark grey whereas the female is mostly rufous. They are pale buffish on the underside.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Chestnut Crowned Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus castaneus
Other: Caneleiro (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Widespread South America

There are roughly two distinct populations of Chestnut-crowned Becard in South-America. The southeastern one is mostly found in Brazil in the southeast. The Chestnut-crowned Becard was fairly common in Itatiaia, where these individuals were seen.

The Chestnut-crowned Becard is mostly rufous, with a greyish band running behind the eyes round the back of the head and greyish lores. The cap is a deeper chestnut colour, the bill is dark. My individuals had greyish or light patches near the base of the back and wings (see below). They often seemed to duck down, keeping a low profile.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • El Valle, Panama • April 2010

Bird name: Bran Colored Flycatcher
Latin: Myiophobus fasciatus
Other: Bran-Coloured Flycatcher • Filipe (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Costa Rica to Argentina

The Bran-coloured Flycatcher has a brown head and cape, darker lower down the wings where two wingbars are visible. Underneath, the chest and upper belly is streaked.

Above, seen in El Valle, Panama. Lowest photo (in “more photos”) is from Ubatuba in Brazil, showing more streaking on the chest and stronger markings.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010

Bird name: Southern Beardless Tyrannulet
Latin: Camptostoma obsoletum
Other: Risadinha (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrannulets
Range: Costa Rica to Brazil, Argentina

The Southern Beardless-tyrannulet is found throughout Brazil and much of Latin America.

Above, a Southern Beardless-tyrannulet from Panama, with yellowish belly and olive-green back.

Below, in “more photos”, from southern Brazil - greyer underparts and less yellow-green.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazil, Nov 09 - Panama, Dec 10

Bird name: Social Flycatcher
Latin: Myiozetetes similis
Other: Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher • Bentevizinho-de-penacho-vermelho (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to northeast Argentina

The Social Flycatcher is a bit smaller and slighter than the superficially similar Great Kiskadee. The Social Flycatcher has a more curved culmen (top part of bill) and smaller bill. The white band does not complete all the way round its head.

The Social Flycatcher can be found in much of Latin America and most of Brazil. The lowest photo in “more photos” is from Panama. More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia, November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ferruginous Antbird
Latin: Drymophila ferruginea
Other: Formigueiro-trovoada (Br)
Family: Thamnophilidae • Antbirds
Range: SE Brazil

This was likely a Ferruginous Antbird, or possibly Bertoni’s Antbird, D. rubricollis, which was once considered conspecific. Endemic to Brazil, seen here in Itatiaia.

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Lineated Woodpecker
Latin: Dryocopus lineatus
Other: Pica-pau-de-banda-branca (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Widespread Latin America

The Lineated Woodpecker is found throughout most of South and Central America north of Argentina, including all of Brazil. Most of these were seen in Panama.

The Lineated Woodpecker has a red crest, and white face stripe which extends down neck, - red malar stripe on male, on female (above) dark - dark chest, horizontally barred belly in Brazilian race, darker belly in Panama.

The Lineated Woodpecker has two white vertical bands on its back - the Crimson Crested Woodpecker has narrow bands which meet in “v”.More photos...

All photos copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Tern
Latin: Sterna hirundo
Other: Sterne pierregarin (Fr) • Charrán común (Es) • Andorinha-do-mar-comum (Pt) • Sterna comune (It) • Fluss-Seeschwalbe (De) • Visdief (Nl) • Fisktärna (Sv)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range: Widespread
Similar:

The Common Tern is a summer visitor to the Côte d’Azur from April and good numbers can be seen in the Var estuary, where it breeds. Nests are often simple affairs - a couple of branches and a dip in the ground. One parent stays with the eggs or chicks while the other brings back fish. Common Terns seem to like to stand on rocks that just protrude from the flowing river. The dry river bed stones camouflage the birds well.

The Common Tern can be identified, in summer plumage, by its bright red bill with black tip, forked tail and red legs. In the Mediterranean it is unlikely to be confused with another tern as the only others with similar bill colour are the much larger Roseate Tern and the darker smaller Whiskered Tern, both are also less common and behave differently.

In the Northern winter Common Terns migrate south and exchange their distinctive black-tipped red bill and black cap for a black bill and white forehead. They can be distinguished from other similar terns by the dark mark on the fold of wing, very dark red legs, and tail streamers shorter than wing when standing.

Many more Common Tern photos here.









More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Folha Seca, Brazil, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Throated Mango
Latin: Anthracothorax nigricollis
Other: Mango de Garganta Negra (Es) • Beija-flor-de-veste-preta (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Panama to Brazil

The Black-throated Mango female, below, is easily recognised by its black-on-white stripe which runs down from neck to tail. The male has a blue throat, with emerald border. Both have a purplish tail feathers.

The immature has rufous colouring around the face and throat, “see more photos” for one at the Canopy Tower in Panama.


More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Brasilia, Brazil • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Swallow Tailed Hummingbird
Latin: Eupetomena macroura
Other: Beija-flor-tesoura (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Mainly Brazil, also Bolivia and Paraguay

Record shots of the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird - a fairly common hummingbird in Brazil, identifiable by its very long deeply-forked tail.

These photos were taken in Ubatuba and Brazilia.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe, Brasil • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Neotropic Cormorant
Latin: Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Other: Olivaceous Cormorant • Biguá (Br) • Cormorán Neotropical (Es)
Family: Phalacrocoracidae • Cormorants
Range: Southern USA to southern South America

The Neotropic Cormorant is widespread in the American tropics and sub-tropics. The photo above was taken in Lagoa do Peixe in southern Brazil, Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus, the photo below was taken in Panama City, where there are large colonies of Neotropic Cormorants along the Pacific coastline.

Directly below, birds on the Pacific coast of Panama, near Panama City, where there are large colonies.

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama City, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Metropolitan Park, Panama, 8 May 2010

Bird name: Squirrel Cuckoo
Latin: Piaya cayana
Other: Alma-de-gato (Br)
Family: Cuculidae • Cuckoos
Range: Mexico to Brazil

The Squirrel Cuckoo in Panama, Piaya cayana thermophila, has a pinkish-brown head and neck, grey chest and belly. Otherwise it is mostly rufous, with conspicuous white ends to very long tail feathers, which are dark underneath. It has red irises, and eye rings and bill are dirty yellow. Seen in central Panama and Chiriqui.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Ubatuba November 2009

Bird name: Smooth Billed Ani
Latin: Crotophaga ani
Other: Ani de pico liso (Es) • Anu-preto (Br)
Family: Cuculidae • Anis
Range: Florida to Argentina

No mistaking the Smooth-billed Ani with its prehistoric profile. Found in most of South and Central America excluding Chile and the southern tip. A gregarious bird in the cuckoo family, often found near humans and farms.

The Smooth-billed Ani has dark eyes, unlike the Greater Ani. It can also use communal nests with many females laying eggs in one large nest.

Below: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ammo Ponds, Panama, April 2010

Above: Ubatuba November 2009 More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, May 2010

Bird name: Ruddy Ground Dove
Latin: Columbina talpacoti
Other: Rolinha-roxa (Brazil)
Family: Columbidae • Doves
Range: Mexico to southern Brazil

The Ruddy Ground Dove is a small approachable dove found throughout much of Central and South America. They were seen in many locations in Panama, and in Brazil can also be seen in towns and cities like Sao Paulo. Usually on or near the ground.

Males have greyer heads and females have rufous heads. The Panamanian subspecies seen here is columbina talpacoti rufipennis. More photos...

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

Bird name: White Tipped Dove
Latin: Leptotila verreauxi
Other: Juriti-pupu (Br)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons
Range: Southern Texas to Argentina

This Brazilian White-tipped Dove, above, has a black bill, grey crown and upper mantle and a little purple shading behind the eye. White tipped tail feathers seen in flight.

White-tipped Doves are present throughout most of Brazil and South and Central America. Often seen on lawns. Not uncommon in central Panama. About the same size as a city pigeon.

The Panamanian White-tipped Dove, Leptotila v. verreauxi, below, has distinctive blue orbital skin around the eyes with pale red irises.

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Panama • 27 April 2010
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Brazil 2006

Bird name: Slaty Breasted Wood Rail
Latin: Aramides saracura
Other: Saracura-do-brejo (Br), Saracura-do-mato
Family: Rallidae • Rails
Range: Southeast Brazil

The Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail has no rufous colouring below and is dull greenish brown above, with grey neck and underparts. Found in the southeast of Brazil.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Metropolitan Park, Panama • 29 April 2010

Bird name: American Kestrel
Latin: Falco sparverius
Other: Quiriquiri (Br), Falcão-americano • Cernícalo americano (Es), Halconcito colorado
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Alaska to Argentina

This American Kestrel was sheltering from a downpour in the eves of an amenity building at the Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City.

The American Kestrel is a small falcon, widely distributed throughout the Americas.

Other observations: Mostardas, Brazil, November 2009, a pair roosting on the town satellite tower.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Cerro Azul, Panama, 23 April 2010

Bird name: Swallow Tailed Kite
Latin: Elanoides forficatus
Other: Gavião-tesoura (Br) • Elanio tijereta (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Swallow Tailed Kite is unmistakable by its long deeply-forked tail and contrasting black and white plumage.

Its range includes much of South America, excluding the southern cone, and extends up through Central America into southern USA.

I was greeted by a close group of about twenty or thirty Swallow-tailed Kites, circling on thermals on Cerro Azul, where these photos were taken on my first morning in Panama. Possibly migrating, though there is a resident population.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Regua, Brazil • September 2011

Bird name: Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Latin: Glaucidium brasilianum
Other: Caburé chico (Es) • Caburé (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Arizona to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:

This is a terrible photo, but was taken in heavy mist which I’ve tried to compensate for, without much success, in Photoshop. You can see the belly markings though.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is found throughout most of Central and South America, bar Chile, its range stretching from Arizona in the US.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Iguaçu 2006 - Panama 25 April 2010

Bird name: King Vulture
Latin: Sarcoramphus papa
Other: Urubu-rei (Br) • Zamuro rey (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • Vultures

The King Vulture is the only vulture with a thick black rear wing band - the rest is white. And he has a distinctive colourful head. The range of the King Vulture extends through much of South and Central America, up to the Yucatan peninsula.

The bird in flight was seen from the top deck of the Canopy Tower in central Panama in April.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Brasilia, Brazil

Bird name: Yellow Chevroned Parrot
Latin: Brotogeris chiriri
Other: Periquito-de-encontro-amarelo (Br) • Chirirí (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina

Thanks to Alexia for sending these record shots of Yellow-chevroned Parrots in Brasilia.

Yellow-chevroned Parrots have yellow on bend in wing (chevron visible in flight), a little blue on wing tips, white eye-rings, dark irises, pale bill. Otherwise green, no red in wing.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Nov 2009

Bird name: Plumbeous Pigeon
Latin: Patagioenas plumbea
Other: Pomba-amargosa (Br)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeon

A serene Plumbeous Pigeon resting atop the apex of a roof in the Itatiaia National Park, in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Plumbeous Pigeons are found throughout much of South America.

Plumbeous Pigeons have no strong markings that identify them once their wings are closed, other than a pinkish purple colouring to the face and neck area.

Some pigeons appeared to take advantage of the cloaking of heavy mists to make longer flights across the valley.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe, Nov 2009

Bird name: White Faced Whistling Duck
Latin: Dendrocygna viduata
Other: Irerê (Br) • Suirirí cariblanco (Es), Suirirí de la pampa, Iguasa careta
Family: Anatidae • Ducks, Whistling Ducks

The White-faced Whistling Ducks below were photographed at the Lagoa do Peixe in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, where they were not uncommon.

Easy to identify by their white facial band. The White-faced Whistling Duck breeds in South America and sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Catarina • May 2007 • Do not copy

Bird name: American Black Vulture
Latin: Coragyps atratus
Other: Black Vulture • South American Black Vulture • Urubu (Br) • Zopilote Común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range:
Similar: Turkey Vulture, Comparison

The American Black Vulture’s range extends from the southern US to the southernmost tip of Brazil. The Brazilian subspecies, Coragyps atratus brasiliensis, is known as the South American Black Vulture.

These photos were taken in Brazil, where the Urubu, as the bird is known locally, is a familiar sight and always to be found on beaches where fisherman operate, as well as rubbish dumps, and just “around town” generally.

American Black Vultures are large birds, with one-metre-fifty wingspans - they are elegant gliders and have a slow and lazy wingbeat. Underside of wings are lightish (but usually look black against the sky) with dark coverts and white wing tips. The uppersides are black with light wingtips (see below in “more photos”).

Not to be confused with the Eurasian Black Vulture.

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Ubatuba • October 2009 • Do not copy

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Saw Billed Hermit
Latin: Ramphodon naevius
Other: Beija-flor-rajado (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Saw-billed Hermit is a large hummingbird, endemic to the southeast coast of Brazil.

The Saw-billed Hermit has an ochre throat, streaked dark brown and white in the centre which continues onto streaked chest and belly. Its tail is dark brown in the centre and ochre on the sides. Most of the rest of the bird is tones of brown. It has a light supercilium and the underside and lower half of its bill is yellow.

The male has a straight bill, while the female’s bill is more decurved.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Violet Capped Woodnymph
Latin: Thalurania glaucopis
Other: Beija-flor-de-fronte-violeta (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Violet-capped Woodnymph is a hummingbird found throughout the southeast of Brazil, and into Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

The male has a characteristic purple cap, black bill, greenish body, brownish wings and deep blue, longish, forked tail. The female is light underneath, but I’m not certain the photo below is a female Violet-capped Woodnymph (needs confirmation). She has a shorter, white-tipped tail.

These photos were mostly taken at Jonas’ excellent feeders in Folha Seca.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Variegated Flycatcher
Latin: Empidonomus varius
Other: Peitica (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

The Variegated Flycatcher range extends from Argentina to Venezuela and it is found throughout Brazil - these were seen in Ubatuba.

The Variegated Flycatcher looks similar to the Streaked Flycatcher, but is slighter, less streaked, with smaller bill, which is darker underneath. White edging to wings is prominent as is the rufous edging to tail feathers.More photos...

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

Bird name: Streaked Flycatcher
Latin: Myiodynastes maculatus
Other: Bem-ti-vi-rajado (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

The Streaked Flycatcher range extends from Mexico to Argentina and it is found throughout Brazil. These photos were taken in Itatiaia.

The Streaked Flycatcher looks similar to the Variegated Flycatcher, but is larger, more strongly marked and with bigger bill. The bill is also partly light and pinkish underneath.

The individual below (in “more photos”) was very vociferous.More photos...

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

Bird name: Short Crested Flycatcher
Latin: Myiarchus ferox
Other: Maria-cavaleira (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

These photos have been identified as probably Short-crested Flycatchers. They were mostly taken in Itatiaia in November. However there are a few very similar birds in the region, such as Swainson’s Flycatcher, so treat this ID with caution.

The Short-crested Flycatcher is widespread in Brazil, present in all areas other than Rio Grande do Sul. In Itatiaia they would visit the lodge and catch moths on the veranda. Its range extends from Argentina to Venezuela.More photos...

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

Bird name: Cattle Tyrant
Latin: Machetornis rixosa
Other: Suiriri-cavaleiro (Br) • Matadura (Es), Picabuey
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Cattle Tyrant, found at low altitudes, often picking insects off large mammals or walking on the ground. Below a picture of a Cattle Tyrant scouring the beach for food in Santa Catarina. Its range extends from Argentina to Venezuela.

Note light tip to tail and red line visible on crown of head in one picture below. Often has reddish eyes. Yellower neck often than Tropical Kingbird. For more differences with Tropical Kingbird see latter.More photos...

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

Bird name: Tropical Kingbird
Latin: Tyrannus melancholicus
Other: Suiriri (Br) • Benteveo real (Es), Suiriri real
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Tropical Kingbird is one of the most widespread birds in Brazil, across all habitats. It has a large range outside Brazil, from Arizona to Argentina.

The Tropical Kingbird is a large flycatcher and bears some similarities to the smaller Cattle Tyrant, which is also widespread in Brazil. However the Tropical Kingbird generally has a forked tail, sits at the top of trees, has a larger bill than the Cattle Tyrant, and is greyer in the head area. The Cattle Tyrant is found at lower elevations, often walking on the ground, and is generally warmer and yellower in colour.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia • November 09 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Throated Hummingbird
Latin: Leucochloris albicollis
Other: Beija-flor-de-papo-branco (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The White-throated Hummingbird is found in the south of Brazil and surrounding areas. It characterised by its white throat and belly. Seen here in Itatiaia.
More photos...

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

Bird name: Black Necked Swan
Latin: Cygnus melanocoryphus
Other: Cisne-de-pescoço-preto (Br) • Cisne de Cuello Negro (Es)
Family: Anatidae • Swans
Range:
Similar:

The Black-necked Swan, the smallest Cygnus swan, lives in southern South America, migrating north to southern Brazil in the winter. Many could be seen when I visited the Lagoa do Peixe (above) in November (spring-summer). Unfortunately they were a little far for a decent photo.More photos...

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

Bird name: Scaled Woodcreeper
Latin: Lepidocolaptes squamatus
Other: Arapaçu-escamado (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Woodcreepers

The Scaled Woodcreeper is endemic to the southeast of Brazil. It has a characteristically strongly streaked underside and plain upperside. These individuals had plain, off-white throats.More photos...

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

Bird name: Planalto Woodcreeper
Latin: Dendrocolaptes platyrostris
Other: Arapaçu-grande (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Woodcreepers

The Planalto Woodcreeper is a large woodcreeper (26 cm). It has an off-white throat and black bill with light tip. The type pictured here has a darkly streaked head and finely streaked back and barred belly and vent, visible in the photo below.

The Planalto Woodcreeper lives in southeast Brazil and neighbouring regions.

The Woodcreepers have been merged from their own Dendrocolaptidae family to the Ovenbird family Furnariidae.More photos...

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

Bird name: White Spotted Woodpecker
Latin: Veniliornis spilogaster
Other: Picapauzinho-verde-carijó (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers

This presumed White-spotted Woodpecker was more difficult to identify. Note spotted back and barred front.

The White-spotted Woodpecker can be found in the southeast of Brazil and Uruguay etc.More photos...

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

Bird name: Yellow Fronted Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes flavifrons
Other: Benedito-de-testa-amarela (Br) • Carpintero de frente amarilla
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers

The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker is easily identifiable in these distant shots from yellow neck and throat, combined with red chest (and crest in male), yellow above bill, yellow iris, otherwise back head and back, striped belly.

The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker is found in the southeast of Brazil and surrounding regions.More photos...

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

Bird name: Thrush Like Woodcreeper
Latin: Dendrocincla turdina
Other: Arapaçu-liso (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Woodcreepers

This individual was identified as a Thrush-like Woodcreeper. Quite plain, looks a bit like a Spinetail. The thrush-like Woodcreeper lives in the southeast of Brazil.More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Bellied Thrush
Latin: Turdus rufiventris
Other: Sabiá-laranjeira (Br)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

The Rufous-bellied Thrush is widespread throughout most of Brazil. Often heard, and a regular park bird.

The Rufous-bellied Thrush has an orange belly, yellow bill, yellow eye-ring, streaked throat and brown above.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba Brazil Nov 2009

Bird name: Pale Breasted Thrush
Latin: Turdus leucomelas
Other: Sabiá-barranco (Br)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

I think (but am not sure) these are juvenile Pale-breasted Thrushes, they might also be juvenile Creamy-bellied Thrushes.

They stayed on the ground mostly, in the shade of orchard trees, occasionally perching about a metre off the ground.

The Pale-breasted Thrush is found in the eastern parts of South America.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Brazil 2006

Bird name: Yellow Legged Thrush
Latin: Turdus flavipes
Other: Sabiá-una (Br)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

I think (but am not sure) this is a Yellow-legged Thrush, by black plumage, black iris (Pale-eyed Thrush has pale iris), yellow bill.

The Yellow-legged Thrush is found in the southeast of Brazil.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ubatuba & Itaiaia November 2009

Bird name: Double Collared Seedeater
Latin: Sporophila caerulescens
Other: Coleirinho (Br) • Corbatita común (Es), Corbatita doble collar
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Seedeaters
Range:
Similar:

The Double-collared Seedeater is found in many habitats. It has a wide range covering much of Brazil and neighbouring countries. It looks for grass seeds and can be seen near human habitation.

The Double-collared Seedeater male is quickly recognised by its black chin and black collar which form its “double collar”. The female is plain light brown and lacks chest stripes, which distinguishes it from the Blue-black Grassquit female. There are many similar looking females though, so the one below is only presumed to be a Double-collared Seedeater from its proximity with a male.


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba & Mostardas November 2009

Bird name: Fork Tailed Flycatcher
Latin: Tyrannus savana
Other: Tesourinha (Br) • Tijereta sabanera (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Kingbirds

The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is found throughout much of South America, migrating north in the austral winter.

It is immediately identifiable by its extremely long tail feathers and black cap.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba November 2009

Bird name: Masked Water Tyrant
Latin: Fluvicola nengeta
Other: Lavadeira-mascarada
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Masked Water-tyrant is found on the east coast of Brazil. It has distinctive dark and white markings, including a sooty eye stripe, dark brown wings.More photos...

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

Bird name: Velvety Black Tyrant
Latin: Knipolegus nigerrimus
Other: Maria-preta-de-garganta-vermelha (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Black-Tyrants

The Velvety Black-Tyrant is much slighter than the black tanagers and icterids. It has a light bill with dark tip, a dark red iris and white wing in flight (see pic below in more photos). The female (above) has a dark red throat while the male (below) is all black.

The Velvety Black-tyrant is endemic to Brazil and lives in the southeast.


More photos...

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

Bird name: Shiny Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus bonariensis
Other: Vira-bosta (Br) • Tordo (Es), Tordo común, Tordo renegrido
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Shiny Cowbird is one of a few entirely black birds to be found in Brazil. The photo above may be of a female - the adult male is jet black and shiny.

The Shiny Cowbird’s range covers much of Latin America and has recently extended into Chile and Florida.

It’s usually seen in groups but not always. It tends to walk around on the ground and looks more relaxed than the male Ruby-crowned Tanager. The Chopi Blackbird has a more peaked head and grooved bill than the Shiny Cowbird.

The Shiny Cowbird, not beloved by many birders, is a brood parasite, like the European Cuckoo, laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, and in some cases endangering host species survival.More photos...

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

Bird name: Olive Green Tanager
Latin: Orthogonys chloricterus
Other: Catirumbava (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Olive Green Tanager is another tanager found only on the southeast coast of Brazil, generally above 600m. It is a frequent visitor to fruit feeders in Itatiaia.

The Olive-green Tanager is entirely yellowish-green underneath and olive-green above, with some dark marks, and a black bill and iris. It is a medium-sized bird, significantly larger than the Green-headed Tanager in the company of which it is often seen.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia & Ubatuba November 2009

Bird name: Bananaquit
Latin: Coereba flaveola
Other: Tangará (Br) • Reinita (Es)
Family: Coerebidae • Bananaquit

The Bananaquit is a small garden bird found in Brazil and most of tropical South and Central America. It feeds on nectar or even from hummingbird feeders. Also seen in Valle de Anton in Panama (not pictured).

It is recognisable by its long curved bill, yellow underside, white eyebrow strip and black eye stripe.

The nest below was in the fork of a small tree - perhaps a citrus? As you can see the entrance was in the side. The Bananaquit was bringing straw.

The taxonomy of the Bananaquit is uncertain but placed here in its own family.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Itatiaia & Ubatuba November 2009

Bird name: Blue Manakin
Latin: Chiroxiphia caudata
Other: Swallow-tailed Manakin • Tangará (Br)
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: Atlantic Forest: south Brazil, Paraguay, northeast Argentina

The Blue Manakin is a poster bird for the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazilian. It is very vocal and the male has a fantastic blue coat and red cap, with black head and wings. Like many other manakins the female is a cute little green bird with pink bill and legs. She has forked longish tail feathers (see bottom photo). The juvenile (directly below) is duller with a greenish coat.

Blue Manakin males group together in leks where they perform a courtship ritual in front of a single female. Usually one adult male and two sub-adult males. All the photos of males here were taken at leks. Blue Manakins often live at the edge of forest. A dark and leafy place - not ideal photographic conditions!

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia & Ubatuba November 2009

Bird name: White Collared Swift
Latin: Streptoprocne zonaris
Other: Taperuçu-de-colaira branca (Br)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts

The White Collared Swift is the largest swift in Brazil. Unlike the similar Biscutate Swift its white collar is complete around the neck with no break on the side. Its range extends across most of South America south of the Amazon and also higher up into Mexico.More photos...

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

Bird name: Sayaca Tanager
Latin: Thraupis sayaca
Other: Sanhaçu-cinzento (Br) • Celestino común (Es), Celestón
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Sayaca Tanager is one of the most common tanagers within its range, often visiting fruit feeders. It is found in most of Brazil south of the Amazon, where it is replaced by the Blue-gray Tanager, and in neighbouring countries.

The Sayaca Tanager is blue and grey in colour. From the underside it can look very plain - similar to the Palm Tanager. Unlike the Azure-shouldered Tanager it does not have dusky lores.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Southern Rough Winged Swallow
Latin: Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Other: Andorinha-serradora (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow is a small swallow widespread throughout Brazil, migrating to the far south in the summer. It can also be found throughout Latin America. In the United States it is replaced by the Northern Rough-winged Swallow.

The Southern Rough-winged Swallow has a characteristic tawny throat, is brown above and has light yellowish underparts.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009

Bird name: Frilled Coquette
Latin: Lophornis magnificus
Other: Topetinho-vermelho (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Frilled Coquette is a lovely small hummingbird quite easy to see at the feeders in Itatiaia. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil.

All Coquettes are small with a white band on the rump. The Frilled Coquette male (above) has a glorious orange crest, which it often raises, a black and white upper chest and neck pattern and green throat. The inner half of the bill is red. I didn’t see longer neck feathers but they are characteristic. The female (below) has no crest and an orangish throat. A juvenile is also pictured under “more photos”.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba Brazil Nov 2009

Bird name: Festive Coquette
Latin: Lophornis chalybeus
Other: Topetinho-verde (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Festive Coquette was another spectacular small hummingbird seen at Jonas’ feeders in Folha Seca in Ubatuba. It has two populations, one in southeastern Brazil and one in the northwest of South America.

Like other Coquettes, the Festive Coquette is small with a white band on the rump. The Festive Coquette male (above) has long white-spotted neck feathers, a black mask, otherwise mosty green but as with most hummingbirds other colours can also be seen, especially with flash. The female (one photo under “more photos”) has no long neck feathers.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009

Bird name: Black Jacobin
Latin: Florisuga fusca
Other: Beija-flor-preto (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Black Jacobin is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of the east coast of Brazil and neighbouring countries. It was probably the most common hummingbird in most locations I visited.

The Black Jacobin appears black and white although the upperside is very dark green in some lights. Tail is white with central black feathers. There is a small patch of white on the belly area. Immatures can have rufous throats and mottled brown caps. The Black Jacobin is a bit larger than many other hummingbirds at feeders, such as the versicoloured emerald.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009

Bird name: Plain Parakeet
Latin: Brotogeris tirica
Other: Periquito-rico (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots

A pair of Plain Parakeets flew into this tree during a downpour. Plain Parakeets are entirely green (with some darker and bluish hues), with a bright leaf-green front. They have a white eye ring and pale buffish bill.

Plain Parakeets are endemic to the east coast of Brazil.More photos...

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

Bird name: Great Kiskadee
Latin: Pitangus sulphuratus
Other: Bem-te-vi (Br) • Benteveo (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Great Kiskadee is a common bird in Latin America and throughout Brazil, where it’s known as Bem-te-vi (good to see you) - one of a complex of similar-looking birds.

Two other birds in Brazil with yellow belly, brown upperside, white chest and neck, black eye-stripe, white superciliary stripe are the Social Flycatcher and Boat-billed Flycatcher, though there are about ten other such doppelgangers in Brazil alone.

The Great Kiskadee is a bit larger than the Social Flycatcher, with heavier and straighter bill. Easy to recognise by its omnipresent and song: “kiskadee” or “bem-ti-vi”. It has a yellow crest.

Below (“more photos” link) is an odd, presumed Great Kiskadee with dark streaking on underparts, seen in Lagoa do Peixe. In Rio Grande do Sul, Great Kiskadees were seen mobbing birds of prey on several occasions. In Ubatuba, they were seen flying over the ocean waves. Great Kiskadees are one of the few passerines which sometimes fish.

Spanish names: cristofué, benteveo, bicho feo, bienteveo común, pecho amarillo, cierto guïs and pitogüéMore photos...

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

Bird name: Cliff Flycatcher
Latin: Hirundinea ferruginea
Other: Gibão-de-couro (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The plumage of the Cliff Flycatcher is in tones of rufous brown, with a very small amount of light around the eye and a dark bill.

Cliff Flycatchers seemed fairly common in Itatiaia and Ubatuba, with a pair nesting on the windowsill of one of the chalets in Ubatuba - see photos below (“more photos”).

The female, presumably, was usually on the nest when I passed, with the male in attendance, either on the balcony of another chalet overlooking the nest (see photo) or flying around catching insects. Occasionally the female would join him on the balcony fence and they would both survey their brood of three eggs from a distance of about ten metres.

In Ubatuba I saw several Cliff Flycatchers on telephone wires, and in Itatiaia a group of them appeared at the top of a tree and then mobbed a passing Rufous-thighed Hawk.

Most of the range of the Cliff Flycatcher lies in Brazil, but there are other populations in South America east of the Andes.


More photos...

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

Bird name: Plain Antvireo
Latin: Dysithamnus mentalis
Other: Choquinha-lisa (Br)
Family: Thamnophilidae • Antvireos

This Plain Antvireo is a forest bird, so a degree of patience was required for this photo. This antvireo is distributed throughout much of Brazil and most of Latin America. The male, pictured, has a white chest and yellow belly with dark upperparts. The female has a rufous cap.More photos...

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

Bird name: Gilt Edged Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanoventris
Other: Saí-andorinha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

Here’s another tanager barely glimpsed on the road to Hotel Simon, in Itatiaia. It flew into a distant palm tree.

Still, you can just make out its distinguishing features - golden hood with black eye and beak and surrounding area. Body blue-green-yellow with black showing through.

The Gilt-edged Tanager is endemic to this region, only found in the coastal area near Rio and Sao Paulo.More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Browed Peppershrike
Latin: Cychlarhis gujanensis
Other: Pitiguari (Br)
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos

The Rufous-browed Peppershrike is supposedly a very common bird around Brazil, but this was the only individual I noticed on my recent trip. He was high in a tree so this is just a record shot. Its range extends from Mexico to Argentina.

The Rufous Browed Peppershrike is identified by its heavy bill, rufous brow, yellow chest, whitish buff belly. This southeastern Cychlaris gujanensis ochrocephala subspecies has a brown cap, other subspecies have a light grey cap. Upperside of wings, back and tail are green.More photos...

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

Bird name: Maroon Bellied Parakeet
Latin: Pyrrhura leucotis
Other: Tiriba-de-testa-vermelha (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parakeets

The Maroon-bellied Parakeet was the most abundant parrot near the hotels in Itatiaia, though other types were glimpsed and heard, while walking around.

The Maroon-bellied Parakeet, which is found in Eastern Brazil, is mostly green, with white eye-ring, light yellowish neck and chest, greyish ear coverts, some red on the belly and reddish tail. Bill black with light band at top and sometimes red visible just above.

Parrots are some of the most frustrating birds to photograph. They are extremely loud and visible as they make their periodic fast dashes over the canopy in groups. But as soon as they settle in a tree they become silent almost invisible. I got the feeling that they were often around but I just couldn’t see them!

More photos...

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

Bird name: Scaly Headed Parrot
Latin: Pionus maximiliani
Other: Maitaca-verde (Br) • Loro de Maximilian (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots

The Scaly-headed Parrot is one of the more common parrots on the east coast of Brazil. I saw these individuals in Itatiaia and behind Ubatuba.

I’ve tentatively identified the individual below as a Scaly-headed Parrot, by his grey neck and chest, small red patch at base of tail, light bill, and otherwise mostly green plumage. The principal distinguishing feature though is the “scaly” grey cap, seen on the bird above, perhaps eating figs.

The Scaly-headed Parrot’s range extends into the countries neighbouring Brazil.



Other English names: Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian Pionus, Maximilian Parrot, Maximilian's Pionus, or Maximilian's ParrotMore photos...

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

Bird name: Blue Winged Parrot
Latin: Forpus xanthopterygius
Other: Tuim (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrotlets

The Blue-winged Parrotlet is a small predominantly smooth (yellowy) green parrot with a stripe of blue visible on the edge of the closed wing - the female has green rather than blue. Its tail doesn’t extend much beyond its rump.

The Blue-winged Parrotlet lives on the east coast of Brazil, with a separate population in western Amazonia. If lumped with similar sub/species like the Turquoise-rumped Parrotlet its range extends beyond Brazil’s borders.More photos...

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

Bird name: Gray Hooded Attila
Latin: Attila rufus
Other: Grey-hooded Attila • Capitão-de-saíra (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Attilas

The Gray-hooded Attila is a great-looking medium-sized bird with wonderful orange downy plumage. He is distinguished from the other attilas by a grey head, light greyish throat, rufous body and long pinkish bill.

The Grey-hooded Attila is also the only bird I have ever managed to successfully mimic and call out. It has a very distinctive song of about four notes of ascending scale and loudness with a final one which trails off and heads back down the other way. You really can’t miss it, and you only need very basic whistling skills and musical ability to be able to copy it. This certainly did the trick in Itatiaia - this one popped into view and stayed there and we had a whistling match that lasted a few minutes!

The Gray-hooded Attila is endemic to the Serra do Mar Atlantic Forest region in eastern Brazil.More photos...

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

Bird name: Surucua Trogon
Latin: Trogon surrucura
Other: Surucuá-variado • Trogon aurantius • Brazilian Trogon
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons

Not very good shots of great-looking birds! Sorry trogons, I didn’t do you justice. I think both of these are Surucua Trogons, though I’m not completely sure. There are two subspecies - the nominate form has a red belly and Trogon surrucura aurantius has a yellow belly.

The yellow-bellied one below had caught a large pink and green striped caterpillar and then set about eating it.

I’ve identified these both as Surucua Trogons from the tail patterns, but there are a few similar-looking species, so can’t be sure really. I think the red-bellied one (more black in the tail) is female and the yellow-bellied one (mostly white tail) is male.

The Surucua Trogon lives in southeast Brazil and neighbouring countries.More photos...

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

Bird name: Green Winged Saltator
Latin: Saltator similis
Other: Trinca-ferro-verdadeiro
Family: Cardinalidae • Cardinals

A Green-winged Saltator seen in Itatiaia. Note buff, not white, throat and long white eyebrow. The Green-winged Saltator is found in Brazil and surrounding countries.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba, SP • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Thighed Kite
Latin: Harpagus diodon
Other: Gavião-bombachinha
Family: Accipitridae • Kites, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Rufous-thighed Kite is a mimic of the Bicoloured Hawk, so novices (like me) find them difficult to differentiate.

Fortunately the Rufous-thighed Kite has yellow around the eye and the Bicolored Hawk doesn’t, so that’s an easier differentiator if you’re close enough.

The Bicolored Hawk also tends to be bigger and has more of a fierce aspect. But at least one type of adult of each have similar barred wings and tail, rufous underarms and thighs, and plain greyish chest and belly.

The Rufous-thighed Kite lives mostly in Brazil but its range spreads over to neighbouring countries.

Thanks to Rick for ID!More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Thighed Hawk
Latin: Accipiter striatus erythronemius
Other: Sharp-shinned Hawk • Gavião-miúdo (Br) • Accipiter erythronemius
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Rufous-thighed Hawk is a subspecies (or species split) of Sharp-shinned Hawk living in the southeast of Brazil.

This one took me by surprise flying fast across the valley right up in front of the hotel, where it was mobbed by large numbers of Cliff Flycatchers, seemingly also appearing from nowhere.

The Rufous-thighed Hawk is similar to the Bicolored Hawk but is more rufous and has horizontal stripes underneath.More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Capped Spinetail
Latin: Synallaxis ruficapilla
Other: Pichororé (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Spinetails

Mike called out this Rufous-capped Spinetail with an ipod. And we saw another one later - but they were difficult to see, preferring to stay in the undergrowth.

The Rufous-capped Spinetail has rufous wings tail and cap with light belly, white and grey throat and light yellowish streak above the eye.

The Rufous-capped Spinetail is endemic to the south-east of Brazil, in the area encompassing Rio and Sao Paulo.More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Crowned Greenlet
Latin: Hylophilus poicilotis
Other: Verdinho-coroado
Family: Vireonidae • Greenlets

The Rufous-crowned Greenlet is mostly green on top, light underneath, with a rufous crown!

The Rufous-crowned Greenlet is mostly endemic to the Atlantic forest of Brazil, with a small pocket living further west. This one was quite visible in amongst this bamboo, moving frequently and hanging at various angles while looking for food (small insects?)More photos...

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

Bird name: Dusky Legged Guan
Latin: Penelope obscura
Other: Jacuaçu • Pava de Monte
Family: Cracidae • Guans

Dusky Legged Guans have become used to feeding time at the hotel and so give great views. But they could also be seen in the wilder forested areas of the park.

In this area they are the only Penelope Guan with white spots on feather tips. Generally top of head is whitish. Young start with yellow feet, a light chest, white head stripe, and two lines of light feather tips.

Guans are South-American arboreal turkey-like birds, related to Curassows, Chachalacas and the Seriema.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Yellow Lored Tody Flycatcher
Latin: Todirostrum poliocephalum
Other: Gray-headed Tody-flycatcher • Teque-teque (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tody Flycatchers

The Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher is instantly recognisable by its yellow “head-lights”. Its iris has a hint of red, underparts are bright yellow, and upperside and head mostly darker greenish with black and yellow highlights, with two yellow wingbars.

The Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher has a relatively small range. It is only found in Brazil, in the eastern part of the country, from Bahia to Santa Catarina.More photos...

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

Bird name: Sepia Capped Flycatcher
Latin: Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Other: Cabeçudu (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Sepia-capped Flycatcher is a great little flycatcher which lives in tropical and sub-tropical forest. I was very pleased to get such a good view of this bird in Itatiaia and the photo above is one of my personal favourites from that Brazil trip.

The Sepia-capped Flycatcher’s range extends from Argentina to Mexico and can be found in most of Brazil excluding the Amazon basin.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher identification: brownish cap, dark mark around the ear area. Yellowish belly, darker chest. From behind, strong lines on wings.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Picinguaba, Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Grey Breasted Martin
Latin: Progne chalybea
Other: Gray-breasted Martin • Andorinha-doméstica-grande (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The neck and upper chest of the Gray-breasted Martin is mottled grey. Typical blue-black top of head, neck and shoulders. Dark grey upperside of wings. Forked tail.

Although there are various morphs of the Gray-breasted Martin, I feel fairly certain of the identification of these photos, as these were sitting near Blue-and-white Swallows, which were much smaller.

The Grey-breasted Martin is a relatively large bird for a swallow or martin, found throughout much of Latin America from Mexico to Brazil. In Brazil it is widespread, though only migrating to the far southern states in the austral winter.

There were a dozen or more of these Gray-breasted Martins settling on telephone wires in the Picinguaba Reserve.



Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009 More photos...

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

Bird name: Brown Chested Martin
Latin: Progne tapera
Other: Andorinha-do-campo (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The Brown-chested Martin lives throughout Brazil migrating to the south in the summer. It is also found in much of Central and South America.

Visual identification is a little tricky because of confusion with the Sand Martin (Bank Swallow), which looks similar but smaller, so treat these pics with caution. The Brown-chested Martin is white underneath with a brown collar and some brown spreading down chest.

More photos...

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

Bird name: White Rumped Swallow
Latin: Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Other: Andorinha-de-sobre-branco (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

The White-rumped Swallow is found in southern and western Brazil and neighbouring countries.

It can be quickly identified when characteristic white eyebrows are visible.

More photos...

Image: Lagoa do Peixe - Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil • November 2009
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy

Bird name: Hooded Siskin
Latin: Carduelis magellanica
Other: Pintassilgo (Br) • Lucerito (Es), Cabecita negra, Cabecitanegra común, Jilguero cabecinegro, Jilguero peruano
Family: Fringillidae • Siskins

Here’s a photo of a female Hooded Siskin. The male has a dark hood and slightly brighter colours. The Hooded Siskin is found in much of South America and there are various subspecies in the different regions.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Grassland Yellow Finch
Latin: Sicalis luteola
Other: Misto Yellow Finch • Sicalis luteola luteiventris
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range:
Similar:

The Misto Yellow-Finch is a little hard to identify because of confusion with the Saffron Finch. Distinguishing features seem to be its lack of saffron colouring, and lack of stripes on breast in female and juvenile forms.

The Misto Yellow-finch is also regarded as a separate species by some. Like the Saffron Finch it is now placed in the Tanager family rather than with the Buntings.More photos...

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

Bird name: Chalk Browed Mockingbird
Latin: Mimus saturninus
Other: Sabiá-do-campo (Br) • Calandria común (Es), Tenca, Cenzontle de cejas blancas
Family: Sturnidae / Mimidae • Mimids • Mockingbirds
Range: Amazonia, Brazil, SE South America

This Chalk Browed Mockingbird was seen in Itatiaia.

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

Bird name: White Crowned Stilt
Latin: Himantopus mexicanus melanurus
Other: Pernilongo-de-costas-brancas (Br)
Family: Recurvirostridae • Stilts

The White-crowned Stilt is a subspecies of Black-necked Stilt, distinguished by its white crown and found in southern Southern America. The nominate subspecies - Black-necked Stilt - is found throughout the Americas, and sometimes also considered a subspecies of Black-winged Stilt.



More photos...

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

Bird name: Chilean Flamingo
Latin: Phoenicopterus chilensis
Other: Flamingo-chileno (Br) • Flamenco chileno (Es), Flamenco austral, Solor, Tokoko
Family: Phoenicopteridae • Flamingos

No mistaking the Chilean Flamingo at the Lagoa do Peixe. One feature which distinguishes it from other flamingos is its pink knees.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Creamy Bellied Thrush
Latin: Turdus amaurochalinus
Other: Sabiá-poca (Br)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

The yellow bill with pale belly are key features, but the Creamy-bellied Thrush’s bill can be greyish.

The Creamy-bellied Thrush is found in much of Central and South America is resident in the south of Brazil and migrates north in Brazil in the southern winter.More photos...

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

Bird name: Blue and Yellow Tanager
Latin: Thraupis bonariensis
Other: Sanhaçu-papa-laranja (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range:
Similar:

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager is found in parts of most South American countries including the southern states of Brazil.

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager has yellow-orange underparts, blue hood with black around the eyes and beak, black back and blue upperside of wings.More photos...

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

Bird name: Diademed Tanager
Latin: Stephanophorus diadematus
Other: Sanhaçu-frade (Br) • Cardenal azul (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Diademed Tanager in this photo was identified by the small red crest which is just visible. It should also have a white crown and bluish plumage. It is found in southern Brazil and neighbouring countries.More photos...

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

Bird name: Brown and Yellow Marshbird
Latin: Pseudoleistes virescens
Other: Dragão (Br) • Pecho amarillo chico (Es), Pecho amarillo común, Dragón
Family: Icteridae • Marshbirds

The Brown-and-yellow Marshbird has a yellow breast and the rest of the bird is dark brown - it has no yellow on its back unlike the Yellow-rumped Marshbird.

The Brown-and-yellow Marshbird is found only in the very south of Brazil, and neighbouring countries. More photos...

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

Bird name: Vermilion Flycatcher
Latin: Pyrocephalus rubinus
Other: Príncipe (Br) • Churrinche (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The male Vermilion Flycatcher is unmistakable with his striking red head and body and brown mask and wings.The female is brown and white mostly. Found in most of the Americas from Texas to Argentina.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Chestnut Capped Blackbird
Latin: Chrysomus ruficapillus
Other: Garibaldi (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Meadowlarks

The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is often seen around Lagoa do Peixe in large groups of several dozen birds, standing in fields or perched by roadsides or in trees.

The adult male is quite easily recognisable - all black with dark red throat and cap. But the red is very dark and can be difficult to see. The females and juveniles are more difficult, mostly brown with the red replaced by ochre. Pictured below is one with yellow spots and red - perhaps a juvenile male?

The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is found in much of eastern South America and Colombia. In Brazil it lives in the south and east of the country.

More photos...

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

Bird name: White Browed Blackbird
Latin: Sturnella superciliaris
Other: Polícia-inglesa-do-sul (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Meadowlarks

The White-browed Blackbird has an amusing name in Portuguese: the southern English Policeman.

The male has a characteristic red breast, red spot on shoulder and white brow. The female is striped brown but still shows the light supercilium. I’m not sure if the two photos below are of females or juveniles.


More photos...

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

Bird name: Highland Elaenia
Latin: Elaenia obscura
Other: Tucão (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias

The Highland Elaenia has a shortish bill and olive underparts. It is found in much of South America, including the south-eastern states of Brazil.More photos...

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

Bird name: Small Billed Elaenia cf.
Latin: Elaenia parvirostris
Other: Guaracava-de-bico-curto (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias

The picture shown is probably the Small-billed Elaenia, which is widespread in South America, but could also be an Olivaceous Elaenia or White-crested Elaenia, which all look pretty similar…More photos...

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

Bird name: Black Necked Stilt
Latin: Himantopus mexicanus
Other: Pernilongo-de-costas-negras (Br) • Cigüeñuela de cuello negro
Family: Recurvirostridae • Stilts

The Black-necked Stilt is found throughout the Americas, and sometimes also considered a subspecies of Black-winged Stilt. Pictured here is the southern subspecies the White Crowned Stilt.More photos...

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...