© GW - monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Anhinga
Latin: Anhinga anhinga
Other: Snakebird. Anhinga d'Afrique (Fr)
Family: Anhingidae • Anhingas, Darters
Range: Brazil, Amazonia, Central America, Mexico Gulf, S USA to Florida
Similar:

Good views of Anhingas along the Rio Claro in the Pantanal, from Curicaca Lodge or Rio Clarinho Lodge.

Unmistakable by its long neck and pointed bill; often with cormorants. I often seemed to see juveniles or females (light neck). Adult males have black necks.

Female ? Anhinga - long snake-like neck, Pantanal, Brazil, August.


Male Anhinga silhouetted overhead, Pantanal, Brazil, August
More photos...

© monacoeye. All rights reserved. Pantanal, August

Bird name: Great Egret
Latin: Ardea alba
Other: Grande Aigrette (Fr) • Kotuku (NZ) • Great White Egret • Common Egret • Garça-branca-grande (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons, Egrets
Range: Worldwide
Similar: Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, White Stork

The Great Egret is a prominent large heron with all-white plumage, large wingspan, yellow bill, dark feet. Neck retracted in flight. In breeding plumage (see below in Romania), bill can be black, lores green, tibia red.

Seen regularly by rivers, lakes etc. France, Brazil, Africa etc.

The subspecies Ardea alba alba (Europe) (see “more photos”), Ardea alba egretta (Americas), Ardea alba melanorhynchos (Africa) and Ardea alba modesta (Asia & Australasia) were split by the IOC and then relumped.

Great Egret standing on tree, Pantanal, August


Great Egret in flight showing streamers, Mostardas, RS, Brazil, November


Great Egret in breeding plumage, green lores, black bill, red tibia. Danube Delta, May.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Brazil, August.

Bird name: Muscovy Duck
Latin: Cairina moschata
Other:
Family: Anatidae • Ducks
Range: Mexico to South America
Similar:

Some rather ugly feral Muscovy Duck hybrids are found throughout the world, but the original pure breed of Muscovy Duck, as found in Amazonia and the Pantanal is rather beautiful, with a single line of red around the face. The male, above, has a crest.

The Muscovy Duck is bred for poultry and has escaped into the wild in many parts of the world. It comes in all sorts of strange variations of colours and sizes.

Female Muscovy Duck, Pará, Brazil
More photos...

© 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 • 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...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved, Pantanal, Aug 2011

Bird name: Large Billed Tern
Latin: Phaetusa simplex
Other: Trinta-réis-grande (Br), Sterne à gros bec (Fr)
Family: Laridae • Terns
Range: S America
Similar:

The Large-billed Tern is big and has a large yellow bill and dark primaries (upperside).

I saw several Large-billed Terns at one drying pool heaving with Jacarés (Caiman yacare) beside the Transpantaneira highway in the Pantanal in August. Otherwise just the odd one flying about, also in Mostardas, S Brazil.

Large Billed Tern showing dark primaries, Pantanal, August.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved, Pantanal, Aug 2011

Bird name: Scaled Dove
Latin: Columbina squammata
Other: Colombe écaillée (Fr), Tortolita escamosa (Es), Fogo-apagou (Br)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons, Doves
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Trinidad Tobago, Venezuela.
Similar:

Beautiful design on this dove. Seen at Pouso Alegre in the Pantanal and elsewhere.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved, Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Long Tailed Ground Dove
Latin: Uropelia campestris
Other: rolinha-vaqueira (Br), columbina colilarga (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons, Doves
Range: Bolivia, Brazil
Similar:

Cute little dove with long tail and yellow around eye. Seen in the Pantanal.

More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved: Pantanal, Aug 2011

Bird name: Picui Ground Dove
Latin: Columbina picui
Other: Rolinha-picui (Br) • Torcacita (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons, Doves
Range: W, S, NE Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay.
Similar:

two parallel black lines on the closed wing. 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.More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Pantanal, Aug 2011

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

The Brazilian Squirrel Cuckoo (above) has a red eye ring. In fact all South American birds have the red eye ring, but Central American birds (below) have a yellow ring.
Long tail, with white and black underneath.

Seen in central Panama and Chiriqui. Again in Ecuador and widespread in Brazil. Seen in most wooded areas.

Below, Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana thermophila, Panama, showing yellow eye ring.


Below, Squirrel Cuckoo, San Isidro, Ecuador


Below, Squirrel Cuckoo with yellow throat, Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil


Squirrel Cuckoo, Brazil
More photos...

© monacoeye All rights reserved. Serra dos Tucanos, RJ • Sept 2011

Bird name: Orange Winged Amazon
Latin: Amazona amazonica
Other: Orange-winged Parrot. Curica, Papagaio-do-mangue (Br), Amazone aourou (Fr), loro guaro del Amazonas (Es)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Amazons
Range: Brazil E Coast then Amazonia, Colombia to Peru, Trinidad & Tobago
Similar: Turquoise-fronted Amazon

I saw the Orange-winged Amazon (Orange-winged Parrot in van Perlo) several times in the Pantanal, Pará and Regua (RJ).

The Orange-winged Amazon has pale blue lores which extend around the eye, unlike the Turquoise-fronted Amazon, which has yellow around the eye.

© Below, Orange-winged Amazons flying over Rio Azul Lodge, Pará,• Sept 2011
More photos...

© monacoeye All rights reserved. Serra dos Tucanos, RJ • Sept 2011

Bird name: Turquoise Fronted Amazon
Latin: Amazona aestiva
Other: Blue-fronted Parrot. Papagaio-verdadeiro (Br), Amazone à front bleu (Fr), Amazona sudamericana (Es)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Amazons
Range: C Brazil incl Pantanal, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar: Orange-winged Amazon

I saw the Turquoise-fronted Amazon (Blue-fronted Parrot in van Perlo) several times in the Pantanal, especially at Curicaca Lodge. One had been domesticated there.

The Turquoise-fronted Amazon has yellow around the eye, and a turquoise forehead, while the Orange-winged Amazon has pale blue lores which extend around the eye.

© Below, Turquoise-fronted Amazon at Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Aug 2011


© Above below, Turquoise-fronted Amazons at Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Aug 2011
More photos...

© GW monacoeye, All rights reserved . Pouso Alegre, Pantanal, Aug 2011.

Bird name: Blue Winged Macaw
Latin: Primolius maracana
Other: maracanã-verdadeiro (Br) • Maracaná cara afeitada (Es), Ara d'Illiger (Fr), Rotrückenara (De)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Macaws
Range: Pantanal, Brazil, Paraguay Argentina
Similar:
Status: Near-threatened

I saw Blue-winged Macaws driving into Pouso Alegre at dusk. Then again in northern Rio de Janeiro state.More photos...

© GW monacoeye • All rights reserved. Rio Clarinho Lodge, Pantanal, Aug 2011.

Bird name: Golden Collared Macaw
Latin: Primolius auricollis
Other: Yellow-collared Macaw. Arara-canindé (Br) • Maracaná de cuello dorado (Es)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Macaws
Range: Pantanal etc: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia
Similar:

My only shot of the Golden-collared Macaw was a fly-over at Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Pantanal.More photos...

© GW monacoeye • All rights reserved. Pantanal, Brazil, Sept 2011

Bird name: Monk Parakeet
Latin: Myiopsitta monachus
Other: Quaker Parrot • Caturrita, Catorra, Cocota (Br) • Cotorra monje, Cotorra argentina, Cotorrita verdigris (Es)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Parakeets
Range: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia
Similar:

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, Europe etc.

Above, a Monk Parakeet by the entrance to a large collective nest in the Pantanal. I saw a group of Monk Parakeets which had made their nest in a palm tree. It looked like there were several nests each with its own entrance, together well over two metres across. Monk Parakeets are the only parrots to build nests from sticks - most nest in tree holes.

Below, Monk Parakeet in the Pantanal, Aug 2011.
More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Pouso Alegre Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011.

Bird name: Hyacinth Macaw
Latin: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Other: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (Br) • jacinto, guacamayo azul (Es), Hyazinth-Ara (De), Ara hyacinthe (Fr)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Macaws
Range: Pantanal: Brazil etc
Similar:
IUCN status: endangered

It’s hard to do the beautiful cobalt hues of the Hyacinth Macaw justice. Most of these photos were taken around dawn when they are awake but haven’t yet flown off to their feeding grounds.

Magnificent large macaws. The largest of parrots - one metre from bill to tip of tail. Like many other parrots and macaws very affectionate with each other, often in pairs and grooming. Pouso Alegre Lodge in the Pantanal was an excellent place to see them.

Hyacinth Macaw Pouso Alegre Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below, Hyacinth Macaws at sunrise.
More photos...

© monacoeye. All rights reserved • Chapada das Guimarães, Brazil, Aug 2011.

Bird name: Yellow Chevroned Parakeet
Latin: Brotogeris chiriri
Other: Periquito-de-encontro-amarelo (Br) • Chirirí (Es), Toui à ailes jaunes (Fr), Kanarienflügelsittich (De)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots, Parakeets
Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar:

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.

These photos show one cheerful fellow tucking into a fig, early in the morning in Chapada das Guimaraes.
Also seen several times in the Pantanal, at Curicaca and Pouso Alegre (pic further below).

Apparently there are populations from released birds in several US cities, such as Miami and LA. Also in Rio de Janeiro.More photos...

© monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Little Woodpecker
Latin: Veniliornis passerinus
Other: Es: carpintero chico, carpinterito oliváceo, carpintero oliva chico, carpintero ribereño; Br: Picapauzinho-anão
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: E of Andes: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyanas, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, N Argentina
Similar: Red-stained Woodpecker

The Little Woodpecker should have a red cap and nape, light supercilium and darker cheek, with a few yellow spots on the wing, slightly indistinct barring below, olive upper parts.

The lowest photos, in a mixed flock on a river island in the Upper Napo region of Ecuador, show a bird without a red nape, which doesn’t fit this description, but still looks more like a Little Woodpecker than any other similar woodpecker, such as Red-stained Woodpecker, so I’ve included it on this page.

Below, Little Woodpecker, Pouso Alegre, Pantanal, 2011.
More photos...

© monacoeye • Transpantaneira, Brazil, 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Campo Flicker
Latin: Colaptes campestris
Other: Field Flicker • Br: Pica-pau-do-campo, Chanchã, Chanchão, Pica-pau-de-manga, Pica-pau-malhado • Es: Carpintero Campestre
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers • Flickers
Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, NE Argentina
Similar:

The Campo Flicker, is a widespread type of flicker, or woodpecker, found in Brazil. Often walks on the ground or perches not far from it, sometimes in exposed areas like lawns or roadsides. Often seen in pairs or groups. Not very timid.

Pictured above is the nominate subspecies, Colaptes c. campestris, which has a black throat, and perhaps more orange than yellow around the throat - photographed here in the Pantanal. Males have a red moustachial stripe and females a black one.

Pictured below is the southern white-throated subspecies, Colaptes campestris campestroides, also called the Field Flicker - photo in Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, perched on a rather uncomfortable looking cactus.

Below, Field Flicker, showing white throat, Mostardas, Brazil, 2009
More photos...

© monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Pale Crested Woodpecker
Latin: Celeus lugubris
Other: Es: Carpintero lúgubre, cabeza pajiza, copete pajizo, cabeza blanca • Br: Pica-pau-louro
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: C Bolivia, Brazil Pantanal, C Paraguay, N Argentina
Similar: Blond-crested Woodpecker, Ringed Woodpecker

A superb woodpecker with a wonderful shock of white hair. Seen around the compound at Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal especially, often climbing tall thin trees. Similar to the Blond-crested Woodpecker seen further east in Brazil. The male (above) Pale-crested Woodpecker has a red cheek, the female’s (further below) is dark brown.

In Brazil, only found in the extreme central west region, encompassing the Pantanal, Chapada das Guimaraes etc.

Below, male Pale-crested Woodpecker in flight, Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, 2011
More photos...

© monacoeye • Para, Brazil, 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Crimson Crested Woodpecker
Latin: Campephilus melanoleucos
Other: Br: Pica-pau-de-topete-vermelho • Es: picamaderos barbinegro, carpintero marcial • Fr: Pic de Malherbe
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: Panama to northern Argentina
Similar: Lineated Woodpecker

The Crimson-crested Woodpecker is a large woodpecker, similar-looking to the Lineated Woodpecker. One main difference is that the two white stripes on its back are narrow and converge in a v, unlike those of the Lineated Woodpecker which are widely spaced.

The Crimson-crested Woodpecker male (further below) has a mostly red head, with a black and white “badge” on the ear coverts. The female (above and below) has a broad white stripe on face and black forehead. Throat black, underside swirly stripes.More photos...

© monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Lineated Woodpecker
Latin: Dryocopus lineatus
Other: Br: Pica-pau-de-banda-branca • Es: picamaderos listado, carpintero crestirrojo, carpintero real, carpintero de garganta estriada, pito negro listado
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: Widespread Latin America
Similar: Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker etc

The Lineated Woodpecker is found throughout most of South and Central America north of Argentina, including all of Brazil. Was seen fairly frequently in Panama, Ecuador, Brazil.

The Lineated Woodpecker has a red crest, and white face stripe, relatively thin usually, which extends down neck - red malar stripe (see below) on male, dark on the female (photo above). The chest is dark, with variable amounts of horizontal barring on underside, depending on race.

The Lineated Woodpecker usually has two widely-spaced white vertical bands on its back, differentiating it from the Crimson Crested Woodpecker which has narrow bands which meet in “v”. It also has a large dark grey patch behind the eye unlike most of the Campephilus woodpeckers.

Below, male Lineated Woodpecker, Pantanal, Brazil, showing red facial stripe
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Brazil, August 2011 • All rights reserved.

Bird name: Chopi Blackbird
Latin: Gnorimopsar chopi
Other: Tordo chaqueño, tordo charrúa, guira-hú (Es) • Vira-bosta, pássaro-preto (Br)
Family: Icteridae • New World Blackbirds
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
Similar: Shiny Cowbird, Screaming Cowbird, Forbes’ Blackbird

The Chopi Blackbird is a completely black bird but can be distinguished from Shiny Cowbirds by its grooved lower mandible. It also often seems to have spiky head feathers.

We saw Chopi Blackbirds in the Pantanal, Chapada das Guimaraes and upstate Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.

Below, Chopi Blackbird clearly showing grooved lower bill
More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Shiny Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus bonariensis
Other: Vira-bosta (Br) • Tordo (Es), Tordo común, Tordo renegrido
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds
Range: SE USA though C South America, Brazil etc
Similar: Bronzed Cowbird, Screaming Cowbird, Chopi Blackbird

The Shiny Cowbird is one of a few entirely black birds to be found in Brazil. The photo above is a presumed female - the adult male (below) is deep blue-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 has a grooved bill.

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.

Below, the bird on the right looks like a male Shiny Cowbird, Pantanal, Aug 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Crested Oropendola
Latin: Psarocolius decumanus
Other: Japu-preto (Br) • Oropéndola crestada, conoto yapú, conoto negro (Es)
Family: Icteridae • Oropendolas
Range: Panama to northern Argentina, incl Brazil, Ecuador etc
Similar: Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Band-tailed Oropendola

The Crested Oropendola is the most common Oropendola, often seen at feeders in the Pantanal, Brazil; huge numbers seen returning to roost each evening in the Upper Napo region of eastern Ecuador (photo below); also seen as far west as Chiriqui, Panama (photo lowest) - it is currently expanding northwest into Honduras etc.

The Crested Oropendola has a pale yellow bill, bright blue irises, black body with long yellow undertail feathers, which extend past the 2 black central feathers, and chestnut vent and rump.

Charismatic birds which make wonderful noises and calls and a spectacular display (pic below).

Brazil

Below, Crested Oropendola at fruit feeder, Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Aug 2011


Below, presumed juvenile Crested Oropendola (dark iris), Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Aug 2011


Below, Crested Oropendola displaying at Rio Clarinho tower, Pantanal, Aug 2011
More photos...

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

Bird name: Solitary Cacique
Latin: Cacicus solitarius
Other: Solitary Black Cacique • Boyero negro (Es) • Iraúna-de-bico-branco (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Caciques
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Similar: Red-rumped Cacique juvenile etc

The Solitary Cacique is a black cacique with pale yellow bill and dark irises. The dark irises are a good identifier, though other juvenile caciques may also have dark irises.

As the name suggests, the Solitary Cacique is likely to be seen singly or in pairs, but not flocks. I saw this individual near Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Below, Solitary Cacique, Rio Clarinho Lodge, Pantanal, August 2011
More photos...

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

Bird name: Yellow Rumped Cacique
Latin: Cacicus cela
Other: Xexéu (Br), japi, japim
Family: Icteridae • Caciques
Range: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Amazonia, Brazil, Peru etc
Similar: Northern Mountain Cacique, Golden-winged Cacique

Yellow-rumped Caciques tend to build a colony of nests beside an active wasp nest (picture below).

Yellow-rumped Caciques were common in central Panama (top pics). Also frequently seen in Pantanal, Brazil (lower pics). Again at Chapada das Guimaraes. Also in Ecuadorian Amazonia (lowest record pics).

Panama

Below, Yellow-rumped Cacique displaying, central Panama, May 2010


Below, beautiful Yellow-rumped Cacique, central Panama, May 2010
More photos...

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

Bird name: Orange Backed Troupial
Latin: Icterus croconotus
Other: João-pinto (Br) • Matico (Es)
Family: Icteridae • New World Orioles, Troupials
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru.
Similar:

The Orange-backed Troupial is a real stunner, quite regularly seen in the Pantanal and reasonably approachable. The bird above was the first one I saw, on day three of my Pantanal trip, as I was driving along the Transpantaneira. Too good to be true that this bird was feeding on a tree with similarly-coloured flowers! Of couse I stopped the car for a good fifteen minutes. I’d like to know what tree this is.

Below, Orange-backed Troupial feeding, Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2011 • All rights reserved.

Bird name: Unicolored Blackbird
Latin: Agelasticus cyanopus
Other: Unicoloured Blackbird (UK) • Varillero Negro (Es) • Carretão (Br)
Family: Icteridae • New World Blackbirds
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay
Similar:

The adult male Unicolored Blackbird is entirely black and the female is streaked brown above and streaked yellow underneath. I saw these in and around water. Often seen in pairs.

Below, female Unicolored Blackbird perched on water plants, Pantanal, Aug 2011.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, August 2011 • All rights reserved.

Bird name: Variable Oriole
Latin: Icterus pyrrhopterus
Other:
Family: Icteridae • New World Orioles
Range: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Pantanal
Similar: Epaulet Oriole, Moriche Oriole

I’m now classing these as Variable Oriole, which is a c. 2010 split by IOC & SACC from Epaulet Oriole. I’ve been told birds in the Pantanal are Variable. Also seen in Rio Grande do Sul wetlands.

The Variable Oriole is a black bird with small patch of yellow or chestnut on shoulder.

Below, Variable Oriole, Pantanal, August.
More photos...

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

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

The Baywing 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 Cowbirds, in that they are not brood parasitic or in the genus Molothrus. In fact they are parasitised by Shiny Cowbirds, whose juveniles look very similar.More photos...

Copyright monacoeye • Iguaçu, Brazil 2006

Bird name: Giant Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus oryzivorus
Other: Iraúna-grande (Br) • Tordo Gigante (Es)
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, caciques and some other birds such as jays. 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 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.


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

Copyright monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August.

Bird name: Laughing Falcon
Latin: Herpetotheres cachinnans
Other: Acauã (Br) • Halcón reidor (Es), halcón guaco, halcón risueño, guaicurú, guaco
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil to Argentina
Similar:

No mistaking the Laughing Falcon, with its light underside and large black eye mask. When perched it appears to have a “flat-top” haircut. A specialist snake-eater. Seen in the Pantanal at Pouse Alegre.

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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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, Wood 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.
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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 • 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 • 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
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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 • 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
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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...

© 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...

© 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.
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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.
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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

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