Mato Grosso
Grassland Sparrow
01 February 2012 15:44
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...
Comments
Red Crested Cardinal
29 January 2012 23:35
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...Yellow Billed Cardinal
29 January 2012 23:18
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...Red Pileated Finch
29 January 2012 10:03
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...Blue Black Grassquit
27 January 2012 16:11
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...
Saffron Finch
27 January 2012 15:20
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...Chestnut Vented Conebill
24 January 2012 08:29
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...
Silver Beaked Tanager
22 January 2012 13:12
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...
Black Faced Tanager
18 January 2012 16:33
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...
Shrike Like Tanager
17 January 2012 19:56
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...White Rumped Tanager
17 January 2012 19:55
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...Savanna Hawk
14 January 2012 09:09
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...Great Black Hawk
13 January 2012 22:48
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.
Plumbeous Kite
05 January 2012 23:48
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...
Black Collared Hawk
31 December 2011 22:55
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...Amazon Kingfisher
29 December 2011 22:12
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...Ringed Kingfisher
29 December 2011 22:12
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...Green Kingfisher
29 December 2011 22:11
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...Green and Rufous Kingfisher
29 December 2011 19:32
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
Rufous Tailed Jacamar
17 December 2011 23:15
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...Grey Necked Wood Rail
14 December 2011 18:45
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...Jabiru
26 November 2011 23:15
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...Wood Stork
26 November 2011 21:30
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...Purplish Jay
23 November 2011 10:00
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...
Curl Crested Jay
23 November 2011 09:59
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...
Chestnut Eared Aracari
16 November 2011 16:43
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...Channel Billed Toucan
16 November 2011 15:08
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...
Toco Toucan
16 November 2011 10:42
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...
Lettered Aracari
16 November 2011 10:38
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...Solitary Sandpiper
06 November 2011 11:32
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...
Rufescent Tiger Heron
05 November 2011 12:38
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...Boat Billed Heron
05 November 2011 10:55
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...Agami Heron
05 November 2011 10:47
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...Burrowing Owl
04 November 2011 23:08
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...Capped Heron
04 November 2011 22:50
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...
Little Blue Heron
04 November 2011 22:50
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...Whistling Heron
04 November 2011 22:49
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...Roseate Spoonbill
04 November 2011 18:44
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...Roadside Hawk
04 November 2011 16:24
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...
Tropical Screech Owl
03 November 2011 16:42
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...
Buff Necked Ibis
30 October 2011 19:02
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...
Plumbeous Ibis
30 October 2011 19:01
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.
Green Ibis
30 October 2011 19:01
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...Baywing
29 October 2011 12:01
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...
Thrush Like Wren
29 October 2011 09:01
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...