Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: Pied Crow
Latin: Corvus albus
Other:
Family: Corvidae • Crows

These Pied Crows were on a roof top near the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

The Pied Crow is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro Crater • Oct 2009

Bird name: Rufous Tailed Weaver
Latin: Histurgops ruficaudus
Other: Histurgops ruficauda
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

Some nice pics of a Rufous-tailed Weaver in Ngorongoro. The Rufous-tailed Weaver is endemic to Kenya and Tanzania.

Not sure of the taxonomy, so placed here tentatively with the Weavers.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mount Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: White Eyed Slaty Flycatcher
Latin: Melaenornis fischeri
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

A nice photo of the White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, which lives in the highlands of East Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Manyara • Oct 2009

Bird name: Fork Tailed Drongo
Latin: Dicrurus adsimilis
Other:
Family: Dicruridae • Drongos

These Fork-tailed Drongos were seen near Lake Manyara in Tanzania. There are about 28 species of Drongo in the world, living in tropical Africa, Asia and Australasia. The Fork-tailed Drongo is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Zanzibar • Oct 2009

Bird name: House Crow
Latin: Corvus splendens
Other: Colombo Crow • Huiskraai (NL)
Family: Corvidae • Crows

The House Crow is originally from Asia, widespread from Iran to Thailand, but was introduced to Zanzibar, in the 19th century.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mount Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Pied Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla aguimp
Other:
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

An African Pied Wagtail spotted here by André at his lodge near Mount Kenya.More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Blue Dacnis is a widespread tanager found in much of South and Central America, including nearly all of Brazil. It will visit fruit feeders and sometimes even tries nectar feeders.

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

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


More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • October 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Stonechat
Latin: Saxicola torquatus
Other: Saxicola rubicola • Saxicola torquata • Common Stonechat • Tarier pâtre (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Chats

The Stonechat is a small bird, present throughout the year on the Cote d’Azur, and found throughout most of Europe, especially in the summer. The similar Whinchat has a stronger white supercilium and an extra patch of white on the wing (male).

The name of this bird seems to be in flux currently. S. torquatus, torquata and rubicola all are used. Common Stonechat is the older broader name, European Stonechat is narrower grouping. The Chats used to be grouped with Thrushes, but now are considered Old World Flycatchers.

More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • October 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Wren
Latin: Troglodytes troglodytes
Other: Winter Wren (US) • Troglodyte mignon (Fr)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens

Placeholder photos for the Wren until I get some better ones. The Wren is widespread throughout Europe, but small and shy!More photos...

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Luanda • November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Purple Banded Sunbird
Latin: Nectarinia bifasciata
Other: Cinnyris bifasciatus
Family: Nectariniidae • Sunbirds

Probably a Purple-banded Sunbird, but could be a Crimson Sunbird. Seen in Luanda, Angola. Female above, male below.

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos copyright: VM/monacoeye • Treviso, Italy • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spotted Flycatcher
Latin: Muscicapa striata
Other: Gobe-Mouche Gris (Fr) • Pigliamosche (It)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

A nice picture of a Spotted Flycatcher above sent in by Valerie from her garden in Italy. Note the faintly streaked chest and head and slightly lighter supercilium. Otherwise not much in the way of prominent features.

While most birds cannot distinguish between their own eggs and others, the Spotted Flycatcher can discriminate well. This suggests it was once parasitised by the Cuckoo but successfully adapted its defence though egg recognition.

I saw half a dozen Spotted Flycatchers in the Danube Delta region, particularly near the coastal area - numbers have reportedly fallen off in the UK.More photos...

Photos: VM/monacoeye • Treviso, Italy • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Other: Redstart • Rouge-queue à front blanc (Fr) • Codirosso (It)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

Above, lovely bright colours of the male Common Redstart in northern Italy, from Valerie.More photos...

Photo copyright: VM/monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: Treviso, Italy

Bird name: European Goldfinch
Latin: Carduelis carduelis
Other: Goldfinch • Chardonneret élégant (Fr) • Cardellino (It)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches

Many thanks to Valerie for sending in the above photo of a Goldfinch in her garden in northern Italy.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Red Capped Lark
Latin: Calandrella cinerea
Other:
Family: Alaudidae • Larks

The Red-capped Lark lives in the highlands of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the East.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Northern Black Flycatcher
Latin: Melaenornis edolioides
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

The Northern Black Flycatcher…More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Yellow Backed Weaver
Latin: Ploceus melanocephalus
Other: Black-headed Weaver
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

Thanks to André for sending this mystery bird in, taken near Lake Victoria, Tanzania, October 2009.

It has been identified as an immature or female Yellow-backed Weaver, principally from the russet chest, bill shape and dark irises.More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Blue breasted Cordon Bleu
Latin: Uraeginthus angolensis
Other: Blue Waxbill • Southern Cordon-bleu
Family: Estrilidae • Cordon-bleus

Many thanks to Alexia, for taking the time to send in the first photos from Africa! Many of the African birds seem to go by several English names. This little guy is known as the Southern Cordon-bleu, or Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, or Blue Waxbill. Seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda.
More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Grey Headed Sparrow
Latin: Passer griseus
Other: Northern Grey Headed Sparrow
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

Here is the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Africa’s answer to the House Sparrow.More photos...

Photo copyright: Euclides/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Village Weaver
Latin: Ploceus cucullatus
Other: Spotted-backed Weaver • Black-headed Weaver
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This is a black-headed Village Weaver, a male presumably. Thanks to Euclides for sending it in!More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Spectacled Weaver
Latin: Ploceus ocularis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

A pair of Spectacled Weavers, again seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda.More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Black Necked Weaver
Latin: Ploceus nigricollis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

Here are a couple of Black-necked Weavers. Female, I understand, to the left and male to the right.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: France • 2009

Bird name: Carrion Crow
Latin: Corvus corone
Other: Corneille noire (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows

It’s generally difficult to distinguish the Carrion Crow from other similar corvids, such as the juvenile Rook. The Carrion Crow has a more rounded bill than the juvenile Rook. The adult Rook has a bare base to its bill.

The Raven is a larger version of the Carrion Crow - though to be honest the photo above (taken in the Camargue) looks rather raven-like to me - and the bird seemed very large when I photographed it.

The Hooded Crow, which substitutes the Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe and Ireland, is often thought to be a subspecies of Carrion Crow. In addition to Western Europe, the Carrion Crow is also found throughout Northeast Asia.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Romania • May 2009

Bird name: Hooded Crow
Latin: Corvus cornix
Other: Cornacchia grigia (It)
Family: Corvidae • Crows

The Hooded Crow replaces the all-black Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe, Ireland and northern Scotland. These crows are often thought of as the same species but here treated separately.

The Hooded Crow is common in the Danube Delta in Romania (pictured here), and often seen in fields etc, like the Carrion Crow.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Italy - Romania • May 2009

Bird name: Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Latin: Passer montanus
Other: Moineau friquet (Fr)
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

The Tree Sparrow is far less common than the similar House Sparrow and can be easily differentiated by the small patch of black on its cheek and wholly rufous top of head. Also found throughout Europe and much of Asia.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Italy - Croatia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Jay
Latin: Garrulus glandarius
Other: Jay • Geai des chênes (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Jays

The Eurasian Jay, a beautiful bird, is widespread throughout Europe, and beyond into Asia and Africa, but rather shy so frustratingly difficult to photograph, or even observe with the naked eye.

The Jay has striking blue stripes on the wing, a black moustachial stripe, and streaked top of head.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • France • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Magpie
Latin: Pica pica
Other: European Magpie • Pie bavarde (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Magpies

The Magpie is the one bird that everyone (in Europe) can recognise immediately. It is found throughout Europe and much of Asia and northwest Africa. Common in most locations, throughout the year.

It is large, black and white, with some blue on wing. The only other magpie in Europe is the Azure-winged Magpie, found in Spain.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • NW Italy • Feb 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Chaffinch
Latin: Fringilla coelebs
Other: Pinson des Arbres
Family: Fringillidae - Finches

The Chaffinch is one of the more common birds along the Cote d’Azur, especially in the winter.

The Chaffinch has a flat haircut, forming an angle at the back of the head.The female Chaffinch does not have the pink and blue colouring of the male, but both can be recognised by their characteristic wing markings, which form a white “T”. Similar looking to the Brambling.More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Planalto Woodcreeper lives in southeast Brazil and neighbouring regions.

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

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

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

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

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Images: Alpes Maritimes, France Jan Feb 2009 2010

Bird name: Alpine Accentor
Latin: Prunella collaris
Other: Accenteur Alpin (Fr)
Family: Prunellidae • Accentors

The Alpine Accentor is a good bird to see in the winter in the Alpes Maritimes, near the coast or in the mountains. I saw a couple again today (top shot) about one kilometre from the coast. The blue background is the Mediterranean Sea.

The Alpine Accentor has a yellow lower bill, black and white stippled throat, rufous streaking to belly, two rows of white triangles on black on wings and greyish streaked upperparts.

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Garda Italy May 2009

Bird name: Italian Sparrow
Latin: Passer italiae
Other: Passer hispaniolensis • Italiensperling (De)
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

The Italian Sparrow is sometimes considered a subspecies of Spanish Sparrow or hybrid with House Sparrow.

The male has a full chestnut cap and white cheeks like the Spanish Sparrow but a pale belly without black spotting, so unlike the Spanish Sparrow in that respect.

The female (below) looks like the female House Sparrow, but identified here by proximity to males.

Some photos of courtship below in “more photos”. She pecks him on the head, they both bow and display plumage.

These photos were taken by Lake Garda in Northern Italy, a typical location.

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Blue Black Grassquit
Latin: Volatinia jacarina
Other: Tiziu (Br) • mochuelo (Es), Negrillo, Comesebo
Family: Thraupidae • Grassquits

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.


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Cote d’Azur October 2009

Bird name: Eurasian Nuthatch
Latin: Sitta europaea
Other: Sittelle torchepot (Fr) • Kleiber (De) • Trepador azul (Es)
Family: Sittidae • Nuthatches

Eurasian Nutchatches could be seen in Parc Vaugrenier in the autumn. They have long bills and can walk upside down on tree-trunks, unlike Treecreepers.

Reddish below, grey above, light face, black eyestripe.More photos...

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

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

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

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


More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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


More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Giant Cowbird
Latin: Molothrus oryzivorus
Other: Iraúna-grande (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Giant Cowbird is another brood parasitic cowbird, laying its eggs in the nests of other icterids. Its range covers the northwestern half of South America and to a lesser extent the southern part of Brazil. Note the yellow iris. A large bird (40 cm).More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Flame Crested Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus cristatus
Other: Tiê-galo (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

This brief glimpse of a Flame-crested Tanager shows its main markings: a red patch on cap, generally black body and buff patch on back and chin. Also white shoulder. Female is brownish.

The Flame-crested Tanager lives in two distinct populations, one on the southeast coast of Brazil, the other further northwest, including neighbouring South American countries.More photos...

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

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

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

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

More photos...

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

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

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

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

More photos...

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

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

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

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

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

The Bananaquit is a small garden bird found in Brazil and most of tropical South and Central America. It feeds on nectar or even from hummingbird feeders. It is recognisable by its long curved bill, yellow underside, white eyebrow strip and black eye stripe.

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

The taxonomy of the Bananaquit is uncertain but it is close to some Thraupidae grassquits.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Blue Manakin
Latin: Chiroxiphia caudata
Other: Tangará (Br) • Swallow-tailed Manakin
Family: Pipridae • Manakins

The Blue Manakin is a poster bird for the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazilian. It is very vocal and the male has a fantastic blue coat and red cap, with black head and wings. Like many other manakins the female is a cute little green bird with pink bill and legs. Like the male, she has forked extended retrices (longish tail feathers - just visible in bottom photo). The juvenile male (also below in “more photos”) is duller with a greenish coat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Social Flycatcher can be found in much of Latin America and most of Brazil.More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


More photos...

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

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

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

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

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


More photos...

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

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

The Golden-chevroned Tanager can look a little grey and muddy, depending on the individual, the angle and the light. It may be that females are the duller ones. So I have included a few such photos below (see “more photos…”) for help in identification. Some individuals, like the one above, are good-looking, bright and colourful birds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Swallow Tanager
Latin: Tersina viridis
Other: Saí-andorinha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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

The Swallow Tanager can be found throughout much of Brazil and neighbouring countries.More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Crested Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus validus
Other: Plain Becard • Caneleiro-de-chapéu-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityra-Becards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These photos are of the nominate cayana subspecies of Black-tailed Tityra. The female of other subspecies, Tityra cayana brasiliensis, has dark cap like the male.
More photos...

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

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

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

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

Bird name: Rufous Capped Spinetail
Latin: Synallaxis ruficapilla
Other: Pichororé (Br)
Family: Furnariidae • Spinetails

Mike called out this Rufous-capped Spinetail with an ipod. And we saw another one later - but they were difficult to see, preferring to stay in the undergrowth.

The Rufous-capped Spinetail has rufous wings tail and cap with light belly, white and grey throat and light yellowish streak above the eye.

The Rufous-capped Spinetail is endemic to the south-east of Brazil, in the area encompassing Rio and Sao Paulo.More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Crowned Greenlet
Latin: Hylophilus poicilotis
Other: Verdinho-coroado
Family: Vireonidae • Greenlets

The Rufous-crowned Greenlet is mostly green on top, light underneath, with a rufous crown!

The Rufous-crowned Greenlet is mostly endemic to the Atlantic forest of Brazil, with a small pocket living further west. This one was quite visible in amongst this bamboo, moving frequently and hanging at various angles while looking for food (small insects?)More photos...

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

Bird name: Yellow Lored Tody Flycatcher
Latin: Todirostrum poliocephalum
Other: Gray-headed Tody-flycatcher • Teque-teque (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tody Flycatchers

The Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher is instantly recognisable by its yellow “head-lights”. Its iris has a hint of red, underparts are bright yellow, and upperside and head mostly darker greenish with black and yellow highlights, with two yellow wingbars.

The Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher has a relatively small range. It is only found in Brazil, in the eastern part of the country, from Bahia to Santa Catarina.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Sepia Capped Flycatcher
Latin: Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Other: Cabeçudu (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Sepia-capped Flycatcher is a great little flycatcher which lives in tropical and sub-tropical forest. I was very pleased to get such a good view of this bird in Itatiaia and the photo above is one of my personal favourites from that Brazil trip.

The Sepia-capped Flycatcher’s range extends from Argentina to Mexico and can be found in most of Brazil excluding the Amazon basin.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher identification: brownish cap, dark mark around the ear area. Yellowish belly, darker chest. From behind, strong lines on wings.

More photos...

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

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

The Bran-colored Flycatcher’s range extends from Costa Rica to Argentina including all but the northwest of Brazil.

The Bran-coloured Flycatcher has a brown head and cape, darker lower down the wings where two wingbars are very visible. Underneath, the chest and upper belly is streaked. Lower, the belly (on my individual, at least) is yellowish.More photos...

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

Bird name: Gray Breasted Martin
Latin: Progne chalybea
Other: Grey-breasted Martin • Andorinha-doméstica-grande (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The neck and upper chest of the Gray-breasted Martin is mottled grey. Typical blue-black top of head, neck and shoulders. Dark grey upperside of wings. Forked tail.

Although there are various morphs of the Gray-breasted Martin, I feel fairly certain of the identification of these photos, as these were sitting near Blue-and-white Swallows, which were much smaller.

The Grey-breasted Martin is a relatively large bird for a swallow or martin, found throughout much of Latin America from Mexico to Brazil. In Brazil it is widespread, though only migrating to the far southern states in the austral winter.

There were a dozen or more of these Gray-breasted Martins settling on telephone wires in the Picinguaba Reserve.



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

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

Bird name: Brown Chested Martin
Latin: Progne tapera
Other: Andorinha-do-campo (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Martins

The Brown-chested Martin lives throughout Brazil migrating to the south in the summer. It is also found in much of Central and South America.

Visual identification is a little tricky because of confusion with the Sand Martin (Bank Swallow), which looks similar but smaller, so treat these pics with caution. The Brown-chested Martin is white underneath with a brown collar and some brown spreading down chest.

More photos...

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

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

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

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


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

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

Bird name: White Rumped Swallow
Latin: Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Other: Andorinha-de-sobre-branco (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

The White-rumped Swallow is found in southern and western Brazil and neighbouring countries.

It can be quickly identified when characteristic white eyebrows are visible.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Collared Sparrow
Latin: Zonotrichia capensis
Other: Tico-tico (Br) • Chingolo, Chincol, Cachilo, Copetón, Pichitanca (Es)
Family: Emberizidae • American Sparrows

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

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

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

Seen frequently in Itatiaia, Ubatuba and Mostardas.



More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: 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

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.

I think these ones are probably subspecies pelzelni, from location. The female and juveniles I find hard to distinguish, as they lack most of the yellow colouring and therefore look similar to quite a few 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 (continued here), 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.

More photos...

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

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...

Image: Lagoa do Peixe - Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil • November 2009
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy

Bird name: Hooded Siskin
Latin: Carduelis magellanica
Other: Pintassilgo (Br) • Lucerito (Es), Cabecita negra, Cabecitanegra común, Jilguero cabecinegro, Jilguero peruano
Family: Fringillidae • Siskins

Here’s a photo of a female Hooded Siskin. The male has a dark hood and slightly brighter colours. The Hooded Siskin is found in much of South America and there are various subspecies in the different regions.More photos...

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

Bird name: Misto Yellow Finch
Latin: Sicalis luteiventris
Other: Grassland Yellow-Finch • Sicalis lutola luteiventris
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Misto Yellow-Finch is a little hard difficult to identify because of confusion with the Saffron Finch. Distinguishing features seem to be its lack of saffron colouring, and lack of stripes on breast in female and juvenile forms.

The Misto Yellow-finch is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of Grassland Yellow Finch (Sicalis luteola). Like the Saffron Finch it is now placed in the Tanager family rather than with the Buntings.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Chalk Browed Mockingbird
Latin: Mimus saturninus
Other: Sabiá-do-campo (Br) • Calandria común (Es), Tenca, Cenzontle de cejas blancas
Family: Sturnidae / Mimidae • Mimids • Mockingbirds

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

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

Bird name: Red Crested Cardinal
Latin: Paroaria coronata
Other: Cardeal (Br) • Cardenal de cresta roja (Es), Cardenal copete rojo
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

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

Unmistakable in its range by its red crest, white front and grey back.More photos...

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

Bird name: Creamy Bellied Thrush
Latin: Turdus amaurochalinus
Other: Sabiá-poca (Br)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

The yellow bill with pale belly are key features, but the Creamy-bellied Thrush’s bill can be greyish.

The Creamy-bellied Thrush is found in much of Central and South America is resident in the south of Brazil and migrates north in Brazil in the southern winter.More photos...

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

Bird name: Blue and Yellow Tanager
Latin: Thraupis bonariensis
Other: Sanhaçu-papa-laranja (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager is found in parts of most South American countries including the southern states of Brazil.

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager has yellow-orange underparts, blue hood with black around the eyes and beak, black back and blue upperside of wings.More photos...

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

Bird name: Diademed Tanager
Latin: Stephanophorus diadematus
Other: Sanhaçu-frade (Br) • Cardenal azul (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers

The Diademed Tanager in this photo was identified by the small red crest which is just visible. It should also have a white crown and bluish plumage. It is found in southern Brazil and neighbouring countries.More photos...

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

Bird name: Brown and Yellow Marshbird
Latin: Pseudoleistes virescens
Other: Dragão (Br) • Pecho amarillo chico (Es), Pecho amarillo común, Dragón
Family: Icteridae • Marshbirds

The Brown-and-yellow Marshbird has a yellow breast and the rest of the bird is dark brown - it has no yellow on its back unlike the Yellow-rumped Marshbird.

The Brown-and-yellow Marshbird is found only in the very south of Brazil, and neighbouring countries. More photos...

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

Bird name: Southern Beardless Tyrannulet
Latin: Camptostoma obsoletum
Other: Risadinha (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrannulets

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

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

Bird name: Vermilion Flycatcher
Latin: Pyrocephalus rubinus
Other: Príncipe (Br) • Churrinche (Es)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The male Vermilion Flycatcher is unmistakable with his striking red head and body and brown mask and wings.The female is brown and white mostly. Found in most of the Americas from Texas to Argentina.

More photos...

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

Bird name: Masked Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila dumicola
Other: Balança-rabo-de-máscara (Br) • Tacuarita azul (Es)
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers

The Masked Gnatcatcher is a cute small bird found in northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and southern and central Brazil.

There are two subspecies, the one pictured is a female, since she only has a dark patch behind the eye, not a full dark mask, and she has a light, not dark, underparts.

She seemed to be interested in the small plants (lichen?) growing on this fruit (fig?) tree, where she will have found small insects. Often cocks tail (see pic below).More photos...

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

Bird name: Bay Winged Cowbird
Latin: Agelaioides badius
Other: Baywing • Asa-de-telha (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Cowbirds

The Bay-winged Cowbird is predominantly grey with rufous wing edges and black eye and bill. These individuals were seen in a small copse near pastures. These are not “true” Cowbirds, in that they are not brood parasitic or in the genus Molothrus.

The Bay-winged Cowbird is found in the southern countries of South America and Boliva. In Brazil in Rio Grande do Sul and the Pantanal, the latter being a more rufous type.More photos...

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

Bird name: Chestnut Capped Blackbird
Latin: Chrysomus ruficapillus
Other: Garibaldi (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Meadowlarks

The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is often seen around Lagoa do Peixe in large groups of several dozen birds, standing in fields or perched by roadsides or in trees.

The adult male is quite easily recognisable - all black with dark red throat and cap. But the red is very dark and can be difficult to see. The females and juveniles are more difficult, mostly brown with the red replaced by ochre. Pictured below is one with yellow spots and red - perhaps a juvenile male?

The Chestnut-capped Blackbird is found in much of eastern South America and Colombia. In Brazil it lives in the south and east of the country.

More photos...

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

Bird name: White Browed Blackbird
Latin: Sturnella superciliaris
Other: Polícia-inglesa-do-sul (Br)
Family: Icteridae • Meadowlarks

The White-browed Blackbird has an amusing name in Portuguese: the southern English Policeman.

The male has a characteristic red breast, red spot on shoulder and white brow. The female is striped brown but still shows the light supercilium. I’m not sure if the two photos below are of females or juveniles.


More photos...

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

Bird name: Highland Elaenia
Latin: Elaenia obscura
Other: Tucão (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias

The Highland Elaenia has a shortish bill and olive underparts. It is found in much of South America, including the south-eastern states of Brazil.More photos...

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

Bird name: Small Billed Elaenia cf.
Latin: Elaenia parvirostris
Other: Guaracava-de-bico-curto (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Elaenias

The picture shown is probably the Small-billed Elaenia, which is widespread in South America, but could also be an Olivaceous Elaenia or White-crested Elaenia, which all look pretty similar…More photos...

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

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

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

The White Monjita is easily recognisable for being all white but for iris and extremeties.
More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More photos...

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

Bird name: Rufous Hornero
Latin: Furnarius torridus
Other: Red Ovenbird • João-de-barro (Br) • Hornero (Es), Alonsito
Family: Furnariidae • Horneros etc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo below not yet confirmed…

More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blackcap
Latin: Sylvia atricapilla
Other: Fauvette à tête noire
Family: Sylviidae • Sylviid Warblers

Blackcaps are nice small birds, not overly shy, with an attractive song. They are conveniently colour-coded, black caps are male and red-brown caps are female or juveniles.

They can have sleek plumage or be very chubby and fluffy. The latter are often juveniles. There are a couple of similar birds on the coast here. The Sardinian Warbler is easily differentiated, as its cap runs below the eye, whereas the Blackcap's runs through the eye. The Marsh Tit has a black bib, below the beak, which the Blackcap lacks.

The Blackcap is not uncommon in Monaco and especially visible in the winter.

More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Menton, France • September, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tree Pipit
Latin: Anthus trivialis
Other: Pipit des Arbres
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

A presumed Tree Pipit during migration season in the Autumn. There's quite an art to differentiating Tree Pipits from their rather similar-looking cousins the Meadow Pipits. One that I do not claim yet to have mastered. However the principal differences are that the Tree Pipit has a whiter supercilium (mark above the eye), with a whitish dot around where his ear might be. And the Meadow Pipit has a much more strongly marked back - the Tree Pipit's back looks dull in comparison. They both have pinkish legs, unlike the Water Pipit which has dark legs.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Mercantour, France • October, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Water Pipit
Latin: Anthus spinoletta
Other: Pipit spioncelle
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

This presumed Water Pipit was seen in the Mercantour at an altitude of about 2000 metres, in a waterlogged meadow with a mountain stream running through it, which is a typical location.

Water Pipits have dark legs whereas Meadow and Tree Pipits have light pinkish legs.More photos...

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

Bird name: Pied Flycatcher
Latin: Ficedula hypoleuca
Other: Gobe-mouche noir • European Pied Flycatcher
Family: Muscicapidae • FlycatchersMore photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Yellow Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla flava
Other: Bergeronnette printanière
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

The Yellow Wagtail varies in appearance depending on subspecies. M. f. feldegg is common in the Balkans.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Monaco + • May, 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Chiffchaff
Latin: Phylloscopus collybita
Other: Pouillot véloce • Common Chiffchaff
Family: Phylloscopidae • Leaf Warblers

The Chiffchaff is the archetypal little brown bird - fairly featureless and easily confused with several other warblers, especially the Willow Warbler. Many winter here on the coast, whereas the Willow Warbler all migrate, allowing the former to be identified more easily.

A small bird, and difficult to photograph!More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • Summer 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Whinchat
Latin: Saxicola rubetra
Other: Tarier des prés
Family: Muscicapidae • Chats

Whinchats and Stonechats although not that rare, are very hard to photograph, as they tend to keep their distance and are very small. Hence the poor images … The male (top) gets quite colourful in the spring. The presumed female below - is more monochrome.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Romania May 2009

Bird name: Hawfinch
Latin: Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Other: Gros-bec casse-noyaux (Fr) • Kernbeißer (De)
Family: Fringillidae • Grosbeaks

The Hawfinch is a wary bird, easy to identify by its massive bill. This one was seen at a distance, in Romania.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Wallcreeper
Latin: Tichodroma muraria
Other: Tichodrome échelette
Family: Sittidae • Nuthatches & Wallcreeper

The Wallcreeper is quite a small bird, related to nuthatches and treecreepers, which when combined with his predilection for hanging off rock faces above 1000m can make him very difficult to photograph.

Fortunately they migrate down to the south coast in the winter and can even be found on town walls - although this one was quite high up.

It has the most spectacular markings of any European bird, but oddly enough, when I took this photo I didn't actually see the red wings.

That's because he only opens his wings while fluttering from one spot to another - so without a scope or binoculars he's very difficult to recognise.
More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Golden Oriole
Latin: Oriolus oriolus
Other: Loriot d'Europe
Family: Oriolidae • Orioles

The only Golden Oriole I've ever seen, as he flitted across a canal in the Danube Delta for about 3 seconds.

Not a brilliant shot, I grant you, but I was pretty chuffed with this observation on my first day, after the tour guide, who had been visiting this area weekly for four years, admitted that to her great frustration, despite peering through binoculars for hours on end, she had never seen a single Golden Oriole!

Unfortunately for her she was at the back of the boat reading a paper when this one flew by the front end. No amount of squinting at my camera's small LCD was going to convince her that this was indeed a Golden Oriole she had just missed either.

The proof is nevertheless there, for all to see, in glorious black and yellow!

The Golden Oriole is Europe's only oriole.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crested Lark
Latin: Galerida cristata
Other: Cochevis huppé
Family: Alaudidae • Larks

Photo: monacoeye • Romania • May 2009

The Crested Lark is not only a slightly comical looking bird but it seems to like nothing better than to dodge the wheels of fast moving traffic on hot European roads.

I stopped my car to take a picture of this one in Romania and observed it for a while playing chicken with oncoming traffic. It doesn't fly very much, preferring to run across the road with those long legs.

Although they're completely unrelated, it's hard not to think "roadrunner" when you see one of these.More photos...

Photo: monacoeye • Cannes • September 2009

Bird name: Short Toed Treecreeper
Latin: Certhia brachydactyla
Other: Grimpereau des jardins
Family: Certhiidae • Treecreepers

The Short Toed Treecreeper is a great bird. It scurries around along tree trunks, using that needle-sharp beak of its to weedle out small insects from under the bark.

I noticed this one the other day near Cannes and I saw another last January in Hyères, which leads me to suspect they like to spend their winters down on the Cote d'Azur.

It also has a very distinctive song which is crystal clear and cuts through most other sounds.

I've identified this one by the small white line contouring the outer part of the longest feather of the alula (a small set of feathers in the shoulder region) - one of the better distinguishing features.More photos...

Photo: monacoeye • Hyères • January 2009

Bird name: Eurasian Treecreeper
Latin: Certhia familiaris
Other: Common Treecreeper • Grimpereau des bois
Family: Certhiidae • Treecreepers

Actually, I have a fair idea that the bird pictured here is another Short-Toed Treecreper, but since nobody seems to have much of an idea how tell these two types of Treecreeper apart, I thought I'd get away with using it as an illustration for the Eurasian Treecreeper until I get a better one!

Treecreepers form a small group of nine very similar looking birds, ten if you include the more distantly related Spotted Creeper. Their closest relatives are Nuthatches and the Wallcreeper. There are two species in Europe, the Eurasian and the Short-Toed Treecreeper.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Backed Shrike
Latin: Lanius collurio
Other: Pie-grièche écorcheur
Family: Laniidae • Shrikes

Female to the left and male, with black Zorro mask, to the right. The Red Backed Shrike was most common of the three shrikes I have seen so far.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Lesser Grey Shrike
Latin: Lanius minor
Other: Pie-grièche à poitrine rose
Family: Laniidae • Shrikes

This Lesser Grey Shrike was right at the top of the tallest tree in the marshes, in the Danube Delta.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009

Bird name: Woodchat Shrike
Latin: Lanius senator
Other: Pie-grièche à tête rousse
Family: Laniidae • Shrikes

Woodchat Shrikes are not the easiest of birds to spot with the naked eye around these parts - this was the only one I saw all year.More photos...

Photo copyright: TH.monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Australia

Bird name: Singing Honeyeater
Latin: Lichenostomus virescens
Other:
Family: Melaphagidae • Honeyeaters

Lovely shot of a Singing Honeyeater in Australia.More photos...

Photo copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Florida 2009

Bird name: Boat Tailed Grackle
Latin: Quiscalus major
Other:
Family: Icteridae • Grackles

The Boat-tailed Grackle, seen here in Florida, has a particular fondness for car-parks (see photo below in “more photos”). It lives in Florida and along the coast to the north and west. Many thanks to Alexia for sending in these great photos.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Cote d’Azur 2009

Bird name: Song Thrush
Latin: Turdus philomelos
Other: Grive-musicienne (Fr)
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

A Song Thrush, I guess. When I was a kid these were really easy to see … Lovely song.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Sedge Warbler
Latin: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Other: Phragmite des joncs (fr)
Family: Sylviidae
Tag: Old World Warblers

These Sedge Warblers were living in the reeds on Caraorman Island, a large sand bank, in the Danube Delta. From time to time they would jump up from the reeds fly around a bit and head back down.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bearded Reedling
Latin: Panurus biarmicus
Other: Panure a moustaches (Fr) • Bearded Tit • Bearded Parrotbill
Family: Panuridae • Sylviidae

At Lake Rosu there was a sizeable population of Bearded Reedlings inhabiting the lakeside reeds. The male adult (top) has a yellow beak, blue-grey head and large black vertical eyestripe (moustache).

Juveniles have black “lores” between eye and beak, the male juvenile having a yellow beak (middle photos), and the female juvenile a black beak (bottom photo).

Recent research has placed the Bearded Reedling outside the Tit family.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla alba
Other: Bergeronnette Grise (confusingly !)
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

This White Wagtail is quite a common bird all along the coast, especially near water.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Hyeres, France • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common House Martin
Latin: Delichon urbica
Other: Hirondelle de fenêtre
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The House Martin is a small migratory Martin with white body and dark tail and wings.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ile St Honorat, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Western Jackdaw
Latin: Corvus monedula
Other: Choucas des Tours
Family: Corvidae • Crows

The Jackdaw is fond of ruins and bell towers, so was at home in this ruined monastic fortress, built in 1073, on the Ile Saint Honorat.More photos...

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

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

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

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice & Monaco • Winter 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crag Martin
Latin: Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Other: Hirondelle de rochers
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins

The Crag Martin is a common bird in Monaco in the winter - seen in all altitudes in the region from sea level to the mountains. A fast flyer like all the Martins and Swallows. Fairly nondescript mousey brown, with light throat, and small white “windows” visible in tail, which give it away.More photos...

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

Bird name: Barn Swallow
Latin: Hirundo rustica
Other: Hirondelle Rustique
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows

In the winter the most visible bird along the coast is probably the Crag Martin - omnipresent at all altitudes in towns and country alike. But at this time of year the Crag Martins are much less visible and the Barn Swallows have taken up residence, especially in wetlands.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Bank Myna
Latin: Acridotheres ginginianus
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings

Although Collins has the Common Myna as an established escape in Europe, this one seen in Ventimiglia at the weekend seems to be a Bank Myna, from the eye and bill colour … Originally from Northern India and Pakistan.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Etang de Villepey St Aygulf • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Great Reed Warbler
Latin: Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Other: Rousserolle turdoïde (des rivières)
Family: Sylviidae • Old World Warblers

Pleased to observe this Great Reed Warbler in Hyeres at the weekend. It alerted us to its presence by its loud song and soon appeared to collect bedding material for its nest in the reeds from the salt lake. Later it flew to a high point and started singing loudly. Quite a large bird, about the size of a starling.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Nice • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Indian Silverbill
Latin: Lonchura malabarica
Other: White Throated Munia
Family: Sternidae • Terns

Another introduced species, the small Indian Silverbill is common in Nice, and nests among the reeds. Quite easy to see, as it is not shy. Probably originally from escaped cagebirds.More photos...

Bird name: Cetti’s Warbler
Latin: Cettia cetti
Other: Bouscarle de Cetti
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers

Photo: monacoeye • Nice • April 2009

A quick shot of a Cetti’s Warbler who was entertaining us with her song.More photos...

Bird name: Domestic Canary
Latin: Serinus canaria domestica
Other: Serin des Canaries • Canari
Family: Fringillidae • Finches

Photo: monacoeye • Monaco • April 2009

This Domestic Canary was a surprise visitor to a friend’s terrace on Easter Monday ! He was very tame and even flew in and landed on the bookshelves at one point.More photos...

Bird name: European Robin
Latin: Erithacus rubecula
Other: Rouge Gorge Familier
Family: Muscicapidae or Turdidae
Tag: Flycatchers or Thrushes

Photo: monacoeye • nr Monaco • February 2009

A common winter resident. Not sure about the taxonomy.More photos...

Bird name: Whitethroat
Latin: Sylvia communis
Other: Fauvette grisette
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers

Photo: monacoeye • Nice • April 2009

This female Whitethroat was in the reed banks by Cap 3000 in Nice. Not much of a photo, but I was pleased to see her at least. The river banks are now full of birds where there were very few just a month ago.More photos...

Bird name: Black Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus ochruros
Other: Rouge Queue Noir • Rossignol des Murailles
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers (or Turdidae - thrushes)

Photo: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur • Jan - Mar 2009

Male top and female below. The Black Redstart is one of the more visible birds along the coast, even in winter.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Dunnock
Latin: Prunella modularis
Other: Accenteur Mouchet
Family: Prunellidae or Passeridae - AccentorsMore photos...

Bird name: Sardinian Warbler
Latin: Sylvia melanocephala
Other: Fauvette Mélanocéphale
Family: Sylviidae • Warblers

Photo: monacoeye • Eze • March 2009

Male top and female below.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: House Sparrow
Latin: Passer domesticus
Other: Moineau domestique
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

Photo: monacoeye • Camargue • Mar 2009

A ringed female House Sparrow above. Detail of male below. Widespread in Europe and even quite visible in Americas.More photos...

Bird name: Common Blackbird
Latin: Turdus merula
Other: Merle Noir • Eurasian Blackbird
Family: Turdidae • Thrushes

Photo: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Mar 2009More photos...

Bird name: Reed Bunting
Latin: Emberiza schoeniclus
Other: Bruant des roseaux
Family: Emberizidae • Buntings

Photo: monacoeye • Camargue • Mar 2009

Some slightly distant shots of a couple of male Reed Buntings, one with full summer plumage (black head), the other half way there.More photos...

Bird name: Grey Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla cinerea
Other: Bergeronnette des ruisseaux
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

Photo: monacoeye • Monaco • March 2009

This male Grey Wagtail was photographed this morning in the Casino Gardens in the centre of Monaco.More photos...

Bird name: Meadow Pipit
Latin: Anthus pratensis
Other: Pipit farlouse • Pipit des prés • Titlark
Family: Motacillidae • Pipits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Feb 2009

This presumed Meadow Pipit was hopping around near the beach …More photos...

Bird name: Brambling
Latin: Fringilla montifringilla
Other: Pinson du Nord
Family: Fringillidae - Finches

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Feb 2009

The Brambling is a winter visitor to southern Europe, migrating from Northern breeding grounds. A female is pictured above, distinguished from the Chaffinch principally by its orange upper chest.More photos...

Bird name: Greenfinch
Latin: Carduelis chloris
Other: Verdier d'Europe
Family: Fringillidae - Finches

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009More photos...

Bird name: Long Tailed Tit
Latin: Aegithalos caudatus
Other: Mésange à Longue Queue
Family: Aegithalidae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • Ventimiglia • Feb 2009

The Long Tailed Tit is a small fluffy bird, distinguished by its white markings and long tail. Seen here in woodland - it was eating the insects on the underside of the leaves.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Cote d’Azur 2009

Bird name: Blue Rock Thrush
Latin: Monticola solitarius
Other: Monticole bleu (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

Has to be a Blue Rock-thrush really, although not much to go on in the photo. Not a Thrush but a Flycatcher.More photos...

Bird name: Crested Tit
Latin: Parus cristatus
Other: Lophophanes cristatus • Mésange huppée
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • Valberg • February 2009More photos...

Bird name: Great Tit
Latin: Parus major
Other: Mésange Charbonnière (confusingly!)
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009More photos...

Bird name: Blue Tit
Latin: Parus caeruleus
Other: Cyanistes caeruleus • Mésange Bleue
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009More photos...

Bird name: Coal Tit
Latin: Parus ater
Other: Periparus ater • Mésange Noire
Family: Paridae
Tag: Tits

Photo: monacoeye • SE France • Jan 2009

Another placeholder …More photos...