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: Trochlidae • Hummingbirds

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: 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 Venezuala.More photos...

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

Bird name: Blue Dacnis
Latin: Dacnis cayana
Other: Turquoise Honeycreeper • Saí azul (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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.

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) and immature has a green body and blue head, with similar black markings to the male.

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


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

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: 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: Lineated Woodpecker
Latin: Dryocopus lineatus
Other: Pica-pau-de-banda-branca (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers

A couple of glimpses of a Lineated Woodpecker in Itatiaia. Note red crest, white face stripe which extends down neck, red malar stripe on male (the female’s is dark), dark chest, horizontally barred belly.

The Lineated Woodpecker is found throughout most of South and Central America north of Argentina, including all of Brazil. 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: Ubatuba Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Brazilian Tanager
Latin: Ramphocelus bresilius
Other: Tiê-sangue (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The male Brazilian Tanager is a very intense red. The above photo shows 100% magenta saturation in Photoshop. A real feast of colour.

The male also has bright white patches on its lower bill which is otherwise black, and dark wings and tail. The female (see 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.


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 & Itaiaia November 2009

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

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: 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: Ubatuba Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Ruby Crowned Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus coronatus
Other: Tiê-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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 in more photos). 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 (below) 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.

Also in “more photos”, there’s a shot of a female inflating her abdominal air sac. Perhaps a courtship ritual? Also a photo of a possible juvenile, with mottled colours. And a male in flight showing that there is no white in the wings.


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: Black Goggled Tanager
Latin: Tricothraupis melanops
Other: Tiê-de-topete (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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.More photos...

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

Bird name: Palm Tanager
Latin: Thraupis palmarum
Other: Sanhaçu-do-coqueiro (Br) • Tangara (Es), Azulejo de palmeras
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Palm Tanager is one of the dullest looking tanagers, 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.

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 from below, which can also look similar.

Some field guides show the Palm Tanager male with purple tinges, but I didn’t see this.

The Palm Tanager is fairly common throughout most of the northern half of South America and extending into Central America and the Caribbean.More photos...

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

Bird name: Burnished Buff Tanager
Latin: Tangara cayana
Other: Saíra amarela (Br) • Rufous-crowned Tanager
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Burnished Buff Tanager male has a buff body, with black markings below, including face, and turquoise wings. The female (see below) 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 near Sao Paulo, where these photos were taken, is Tangara cayana flava.More photos...

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

Bird name: Turkey Vulture
Latin: Cathartes aura
Other: Urubu-de-cabeça-vermelha (Br) • Turkey Buzzard (US) • John Crow (Caribbean) • Aura común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • Birds of Prey • Vultures

There is only one other similar vulture with a thick white trailing band on the wing, the Yellow-headed Vulture, which has a yellow, not pink, head.

Turkey Vultures were much less common than Black-headed Vultures in the places I visited in Brazil. I saw them briefly on three occasions, either singly or in pairs, either very high up, or low in the forest, as pictured.

From what I understand these birds are well known throughout the Americas. In the US they are known as buzzards.More photos...

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

Bird name: Chestnut Bellied Euphonia
Latin: Euphonia pectoralis
Other: Ferro-velho (Br)
Family: Fringillidae • Euphonias

The Chestnut-bellied Euphonia is very beautifully coloured, with a royal blue coat, yellow shoulder and rust-coloured underparts. The female (see “more photos”) 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 at all 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.

More photos...

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

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

The Southern House Wren is found throughout Latin America. It is often viewed as a subspecies of House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, which extends throughout North America.

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.

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 November 2009

Bird name: Squirrel Cuckoo
Latin: Piaya cayana
Other: Alma-de-gato (Br)
Family: Cucilidae • Cuckoos

Another bird which was not rare, but difficult to get close enough to for a decent photo on my visit, was the Squirrel Cuckoo. This one settled briefly in a distant tree.

The Squirrel Cuckoo is identifiable from its very long tail, rufous colours (in southeast Brazil) and yellow bill. Its range extends thoughout most of Latin America.More photos...

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

Bird name: Blue Naped Chlorophonia
Latin: Chlorophonia cyanea
Other: Bandeirinha (Br)
Family: Fringillidae • Chlorophonias

By the time I realised these were Blue-naped Chlorophonias, not the more common Green-headed Tanagers, it was too late to get a decent photo. Oh well, maybe next time …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. 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 it is close to some Thraupidae grassquits.

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

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: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009

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

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: Social Flycatcher
Latin: Myiozetetes similis
Other: Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher • bentevizinho-de-penacho-vermelho
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

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.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, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Magpie Tanager
Latin: Cissopis leverianus
Other: Tietinga (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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.More 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, Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Red Rumped Cacique
Latin: Cacicus haemorrhous
Other: Guaxe (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Caciques

The Red-rumped Cacique is the most common form of Cacique in eastern Brazil. It is a large bird, quickly identified by its yellow bill, startling bright blue iris and red flash of colour on its rump, especially visible in flight. The rest of the bird is black. Sometimes the blue irises show as black, perhaps in juveniles or bright light, as can be seen in the photo of the juvenile begging for food.

Red-rumped Caciques nest in colonies of pendulous nests, which they add to year after year, so that some older ones are empty. This can work to confuse some predators such as snakes. They will also weave their nests with green garden twine and several nests were seen incorporating this man made material. In Itatiaia I often saw Red-rumped Caciques eating fruit, including that of cecropia.

There are two separate populations of Red-rumped Cacique, one in southeast South America, including the southeast of Brazil, and one in northwest South America.


More photos...

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

Bird name: Golden Chevroned Tanager
Latin: Thraupis ornata
Other: Sanhaçu-de-encontro-amarelo (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Golden-chevroned Tanager can look a little grey and muddy, depending on the individual, the angle and the light. It may be that females are the duller ones. So I have included a few such photos below (see “more photos…”) for help in identification. Some individuals, like the one above, 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 the most common tanager around so not hard to find.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: Swallow Tanager
Latin: Tersina viridis
Other: Saí-andorinha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Swallow Tanager is a great-looking bird. Apparently! Unfortunately this was the closest I got to one, so I didn’t get a very good look. The Swallow Tanager is distinguishable by its barred flank, just visible in the photo. It is blue overall, with a dark hood.

The Swallow Tanager can be found throughout much of Brazil and neighbouring countries.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: Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Chestnut Crowned Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus castaneus
Other: Caneleiro (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityra-Becards

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...

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: Black Tailed Tityra
Latin: Tityra cayana
Other: Anambé-branco-de-rabo-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityras

The female Black-tailed Tityra, top, has streaked chest and grey-brown cap whereas the male, directly above, 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. The female of other subspecies, Tityra cayana brasiliensis, has dark cap like the male.
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: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009

Bird name: Rufous Thighed Hawk
Latin: Accipiter striatus erythronemius
Other: Sharp-shinned Hawk • Gavião-miúdo (Br) • Accipiter erythronemius
Family: Acciptridae • Hawks

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...

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

Bird name: Blue and White Swallow
Latin: Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Other: Pygochelidon cyanoleuca • Andorinha-pequena-de-casa (Br) • Golondrina barranquera (Es)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

The Blue-and-white Swallow is very widespread throughout South and Central America, including all of Brazil except the Amazon basin.

The lower part of the body under the tail is black, which is key for identification.


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

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: 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 • American Sparrows

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.



More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: Itatiaia • 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

This Chalk Browed Mockingbird was seen in ItatiaiaMore photos...

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

Bird name: Green Headed Tanager
Latin: Tangara seledon
Other: Saíra-sete-cores
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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

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

The immature Green Headed Tanager, pictured above, is predominantly yellow and green.More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Red Breasted Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos dicolorus
Other: Green Billed Toucan • Toucano-de-bico-verde • Tucán bicolor • Tucán pico verde
Family: Rampastidae • Toucans

The Red Breasted Toucan can be seen quite easily in Itatiaia.More photos...

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

Bird name: Saffron Toucanet
Latin: Pteroglossus bailloni
Other: Baillonius bailloni • Araçari-banana • Tucán banana
Family: Rampastidae • Toucans

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

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Santa Catarina • May 2006

Bird name: American Black Vulture
Latin: Coragyps atratus brasiliensis
Other: Black Vulture • South American Black Vulture • Urubu • Zopilote Común • Buitre Negro • Jote de Cabeza Negra • Gallinazo Negro • Gallote
Family: Cathartidae • Birds of Prey • Vultures

The American Black Vulture’s range extends from the southern US to the southernmost tip of Brazil. The Brazilian subspecies 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 !

Despite appearances, the American Black Vulture is (supposedly!) unrelated to the European Black Vulture, as it is a so-called New-World Vulture. I have tagged this entry with Falconiformes, but it looks like these vultures may end up in Accipitriformes after DNA evidence linking them to other birds of prey.

Like all seven species of New World vultures, this one has the somewhat unsavoury habit of defecating and urinating on its legs to cool them down - a process called urohydrolysis.

These vultures are large birds, with one-metre-fifty wingspans - they are elegant gliders and have a slow and lazy wingbeat.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice, France • April 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sand Martin
Latin: Riparia riparia
Other: Bank Swallow • Collared Sand Martin • Hirondelle de rivage
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Sand Martin returned from migration in April in the Var. It is differentiated from the Crag and House Martin by its white belly and dark collar.More photos...