© 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...

© 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...

© 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 • 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 • 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: 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 • 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 • 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 • 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.
More photos...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • 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 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
More photos...

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

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

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

Copyright: monacoeye • 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 • 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 • 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.
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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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