Rio de Janeiro
Red Legged Honeycreeper
28 January 2012 22:25
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Panama, May 2010
Bird name: Red Legged Honeycreeper
Latin: Cyanerpes cyaneus
Other: Mielero dorsioscuro, Mielero patirrojo (Es) • Saíra-beija-flor, saí-azul-de-pernas-vermelhas (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:
The Red-legged Honeycreeper was a typical fruit feeder bird in Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama, and also seen in forest outskirts.
The male (above) has bright red legs, electric blue cap, sometimes crested, black eye mask, and the rest intense blue. The female, directly below, is greenish with reddish legs.
Below, female Red-legged Honeycreeper, Panama
More photos...Comments
Green Honeycreeper
28 January 2012 22:25
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazil, Panama
Bird name: Green Honeycreeper
Latin: Chlorophanes spiza
Other: Mielero verde (Es) • Saí-verde (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Honeycreepers
Range: Mexico to Brazil
Similar:
The Green Honeycreeper is a fairly common visitor to Jonas’ fruit feeders in Brazil. The male, above, has a distinctively shaped black hood on a turquoise body. The female, directly below, is leaf green. Both have yellow lower half of bill and red irises.
A juvenile male is pictured further below, showing a mixture of male and female plumage.
The lowest photo, taken in Panama on the observation deck of the Canopy Tower hotel, shows a female on a Cecropia with darker olive wing markings than the Brazilian birds I saw.
Below, a female Green Honeycreeper, Brazil.
More photos...Blue Dacnis
28 January 2012 22:18
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, November 2009
Bird name: Blue Dacnis
Latin: Dacnis cayana
Other: Turquoise Honeycreeper • Saí azul (Br) • Dacnis azul, mielero turquesa (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Dacnises
Range: Nicaragua to Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil
Similar:
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. Also seen on Cecropia from observation deck of Canopy Tower in Panama.
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) has a green body and blue head.
The lowest photo shows a bird which may be a very young Blue Dacnis, but shows little of the usual colouration.
Below, female Blue Dacnis.
More photos...
Chestnut Bellied Euphonia
28 January 2012 11:14
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia November 2009
Bird name: Chestnut Bellied Euphonia
Latin: Euphonia pectoralis
Other: Ferro-velho (Br) • Fruterito alcalde, tieté, tangará alcalde (Es)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches, Euphonias
Range: Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Similar:
The Chestnut-bellied Euphonia is very beautifully coloured, with a royal blue coat, yellow shoulder and rust-coloured underparts. The female (further below) 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 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.
Also seen at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge.
Below, male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia at Ypê, Itatiaia, Brazil
Below, male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia at Serra dos Tucanos, Brazil
More photos...Saffron Finch
27 January 2012 15:20
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009
Bird name: Saffron Finch
Latin: Sicalis flaveola
Other: Canário-da-terra-verdadeiro (Br) • Canario de tejado (Es), Jilguero dorado
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Finches
Range: South America, Caribbean
Similar:
The Saffron Finch is now classed with the Tanagers (Thraupidae) rather than the Buntings (Emberizidae).
The male is distinguished by a bright yellow front and orange/saffron glow above and sometimes below the face - there are various races.
The race pictured above is probably subspecies pelzelni, from location. Females and juveniles are hard to distinguish - they lack most of the yellow colouring and therefore look similar to other females. I’m going here on the striped chest as a distinguishing feature, but treat my IDs with caution.
As you can see below, the Saffron Finch takes advantage of the Rufous Hornero’s great nest-building abilities. Rufous Hornero’s typically build a new nest every year, so there are plenty of empty ones to be squatted.
The Saffron Finch is found throughout much of South America and the Caribbean, often near farm land.
Below, adult Saffron Finch, Pantanal, August.
More photos...Hooded Tanager
24 January 2012 12:40
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Regua, Brazil, September 2011
Bird name: Hooded Tanager
Latin: Nemosia pileata
Other: Cachaquito gigante, trinadora pechiblanca, frutero cabeza negra, f. de coronita (Es) • Saíra-de-chapéu-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil to Venezuela and neighbours.
Similar:
I saw Hooded Tanagers quite frequently in mixed flocks around the lake at Regua in September.
The male Hooded Tanager (above) is black above, white below, with yellow irises, white lores, orange legs. The female (below) is grey and white, sometimes with orange colouring on chest etc.
At first sight Hooded Tanagers didn’t look like typical tanagers as they’re quite small with pointy bills.
Below, female Hooded Tanager, Regua, September.
More photos...Chestnut Vented Conebill
24 January 2012 08:29
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil, 2011
Bird name: Chestnut Vented Conebill
Latin: Conirostrum speciosum
Other: Figuinha-de-rabo-castanho (Br) • Picocono culicastaño (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Conebills
Range: South America, incl Brazil etc
Similar:
A couple of distant shots of Chestnut-vented Conebills. In certain areas, like the Regua ponds, they can be quite common, but they don’t stand out and I probably missed them often in mixed flocks with Hooded Tanagers etc. They are small fast moving and I was unable to get a good picture.
The chestnut vent under the tail is a good indicator for this bird.More photos...
Red Eyed Vireo
22 January 2012 20:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos, September 2011
Bird name: Red Eyed Vireo
Latin: Vireo olivaceus
Other: Vireo ojirrojo (Es) • Juruviara (Br)
Family: Vireonidae • Vireos
Range: Canada through Amazonia, South America
Similar:
The Red Eyed Vireo has a red iris, thin black stripe above white supercilium, light underparts, yellowy green upperparts.
There are resident North American and South American populations, both migrating. A South-American resident group is called Chivi Vireo - birds have brown eyes and yellow vent.
The Chivi Vireo pictured above was seen at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge near Rio in September. Red-eyed Vireos are seen in many forests of South America, many for example in Oriente, Ecuador, in March. We saw a migrant Red-eyed Vireo at the Finca Hartmann in western Panama, in May (further below).More photos...
Golden Chevroned Tanager
22 January 2012 20:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia, Ubatuba • November 2009
Bird name: Golden Chevroned Tanager
Latin: Thraupis ornata
Other: Sanhaçu-de-encontro-amarelo (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil: principally Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo
Similar:
The Golden-chevroned Tanager can look a little grey and muddy, depending on the individual, the angle and the light. Females and juveniles are certainly duller than adult males. Some 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 one of the most common tanagers around, so not hard to find.
Below, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Brazil
More photos...Ruby Crowned Tanager
22 January 2012 20:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved: Brazil November 2009
Bird name: Ruby Crowned Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus coronatus
Other: Tiê-preto (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar: Shiny Cowbird, White-lined Tanager
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). 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 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.
Below, adult female Ruby-Crowned Tanager visits fruit feeders, shows streaked chest
More photos...Brazilian Tanager
22 January 2012 20:06
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil November 2009
Bird name: Brazilian Tanager
Latin: Ramphocelus bresilius
Other: Tiê-sangue (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil: Paraiba to Santa Catarina
Similar:
The male Brazilian Tanager is a very intense red. The above photo has 100% magenta saturation in Photoshop.
The male also has bright white patches on its lower bill which is otherwise black, and dark wings and tail. The female (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.
Below, adult female Brazilian Tanager.
More photos...
Yellow Backed Tanager
22 January 2012 11:45
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Regua, Brazil, September 2011
Bird name: Yellow Backed Tanager
Latin: Hemithraupis flavicollis
Other: Pintasilgo de buche dorado (Es) • Saíra-galega (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru,
Similar: Female Guira Tanager
The male Yellow-backed Tanager (above) is a small tanager, black above, white below, with yellow throat, rump and lower face up to bill. The female (below) is plainer, yellow below and olive above.
Regua in September seemed a good place to see this bird - they visit the feeders and were frequently seen in mixed flocks near the lake.
There are quite a few subspecies, with slighty different colouring.More photos...
Magpie Tanager
20 January 2012 11:50
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Magpie Tanager
Latin: Cissopis leverianus
Other: Moriche blanco, frutero overo, tangará urraca (Es) • Tietinga (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Widespread South America
Similar:
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.
Also seen in Ecuador near Tena and the eastern lowlands.More photos...
Black Goggled Tanager
20 January 2012 11:50
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Itatiaia November 2009
Bird name: Black Goggled Tanager
Latin: Trichothraupis melanops
Other: Frutero de anteojos negros, frutero corona amarilla (Es) • Tiê-de-topete (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina - Peru, Bolivia
Similar:
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.
Below, probably female Black-googled Tanager
More photos...Red Necked Tanager
20 January 2012 11:49
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ubatuba • November 2009
Bird name: Red Necked Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanocephala
Other: Saíra-militar (Br) • Tángara de cuello rojo (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Similar:
The Red-necked Tanager is easy to identify in the adult form by its red neck. It also has a blue cap, green body, with some yellow on wing and black on back and on face around bill. The female, directly below, has less yellow on wing, less black on back and a duller, more orangey neck.
The juvenile Red-necked Tanager, seen above feeding from an adult male, and more examples below in “more photos”, is predominantly green with tell-tale flecks of adult colour, such as red neck and blue cap, with black face.
The Red-necked Tanager is endemic to the south-east Atlantic Rainforest corridor in Brazil, with another pocket in the north-east of the country, with a paler blue head and blue fleck on tail.
Below, female Red-necked Tanager
More photos...Swallow Tanager
20 January 2012 00:08
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Brazil 2011
Bird name: Swallow Tanager
Latin: Tersina viridis
Other: Azulejo golondrina, tángara golondrina, tersina/frutero golondrina (Es) • Saí-andorinha (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Panama to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:
The male Swallow Tanager is distinguishable by its barred flank, black mask, bright blue colour (above). Females are green and yellow (see below).
The Swallow Tanager can be found throughout much of Brazil and neighbouring countries. This group were seen north of Rio in open country.More photos...
Azure Shouldered Tanager
18 January 2012 16:33
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos, Brazil • 2011
Bird name: Azure Shouldered Tanager
Latin: Tangara cyanoptera
Other: Sanhaçu-de-encontro-azul (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: SE Brazil - Atlantic forest
Similar: Sayaca Tanager
The Azure-shouldered Tanager is very similar to the Sayaca Tanager, but in practice quite easy to differentiate. It has dusky lores (Sayaca doesn’t) and a bright blue shoulder mark. There is no overlap with Blue-grey Tanager.
Serra dos Tucanos Lodge north of Rio was a good place to see the Azure-shouldered Tanager - it visits the fruit feeders.More photos...
Flame Crested Tanager
18 January 2012 16:33
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Para, Brazil, September
Bird name: Flame Crested Tanager
Latin: Tachyphonus cristatus
Other: Tiê-galo (Br) • Frutero de cresta rojiza, parlotero crestado, tangara crestiflama (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyanas, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia
Similar:
The Flame-crested Tanager showing its main markings: a red crest, generally black body and buff patch on chin. Also white shoulder. Female is brownish.
The Flame-crested Tanager lives in two distinct populations, one on the southeast coast of Brazil - at Regua, for example - the other further northwest - eg at Rio Azul Lodge.More photos...
Green Headed Tanager
17 January 2012 22:54
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Ubatuba • November 2009
Bird name: Green Headed Tanager
Latin: Tangara seledon
Other: Saíra-sete-cores (Br)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Southeast Brazil - Atlantic Rainforest
Similar: Seven-colored Tanager
The colourful Green Headed Tanager is a frequent visitor to bird tables in the Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica) region.
Although the Green-headed Tanager is called Saíra-sete-cores in Portuguese, the English-named “Seven Colored Tanager” is a different bird found in the northeast of Brazil:Tangara fastuosa - Pintor-verdadeiro.
The immature Green Headed Tanager, pictured further below, is predominantly yellow and green.
Below, Green-headed Tanager, Serra dos Tucanos.
Below, juvenile Green Headed Tanager, is predominantly yellow and green.
More photos...Fawn Breasted Tanager
15 January 2012 14:05
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September
Bird name: Fawn Breasted Tanager
Latin: Pipraeidea melanonota
Other: Saíra viúva (Br) • Tangara pechianteada (Es)
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay; and SE S America
Similar:
The Fawn-breasted Tanager is buff or orange below with blue upper half and red irises. Found in the Andes and in montane habitats in southern Brazil and bordering countries.
I saw Fawn-breasted Tanagers in Mindo and San Isidro Lodge in Ecuador and at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge in Brazil.
The male Fawn-breasted Tanager has deeper colours than the female and the Brazilian Fawn-breasted Tanager (above, male) apparently had richer colours than the Ecuadorian birds (below).
Below, Fawn Breasted Tanager, Ecuador, March.
More photos...Burnished Buff Tanager
14 January 2012 18:51
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, September
Bird name: Burnished Buff Tanager
Latin: Tangara cayana
Other: Saíra amarela (Br) • Tangara cayana, pechinegro (Es) • Rufous-crowned Tanager
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Guianas, Venezuela, E Colombia, Paraguay, NE Argentina, Brazil
Similar:
The Burnished Buff Tanager male has a buff body, with black markings below and on face, and turquoise wings. The female (see next page) 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 in SE Brazil, where these photos were taken, is Tangara cayana flava.
Very subtle colours.
Below, male Burnished Buff Tanager - with flash, Serra do Tucanos Lodge, Brazil
Below, male Burnished Buff Tanager - ssp flava, Ubatuba.
More photos...
White Tailed Hawk
14 January 2012 09:09
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Rio de Janeiro • Sep 2011
Bird name: White Tailed Hawk
Latin: Buteo albicaudatus
Other: Gavião-de-rabo-branco (Br) • Gavilán coliblanco, aguilucho alas largas (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Americas: Texas to Argentina
Similar: Red-backed Hawk
We saw this pair of White-tailed Hawks attending chicks in a nest, in northern Rio de Janerio state. One was a light morph (above), the other a dark morph (below).More photos...
Blue Naped Chlorophonia
31 December 2011 22:46
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Serra dos Tucanos, September 2011
Bird name: Blue Naped Chlorophonia
Latin: Chlorophonia cyanea
Other: Bonito-do-campo, Bandeirinha (Br) • Tangará bonito (Es)
Family: Fringillidae • Chlorophonias
Range: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela
Similar:
The riotously colourful Blue Naped Chlorophonia at the Serra dos Tucanos Lodge feeders in September.More photos...
Rufous Tailed Jacamar
17 December 2011 23:15
Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, Brazil, August 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Rufous Tailed Jacamar
Latin: Galbula ruficauda
Other: Jacamará colirrufo (Es) • Ariramba-de-cauda-ruiva (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: Southern Mexico, Central America to Brazil (south of Amazon)
Similar:
I was pleased to see Rufous-tailed Jacamars on several occasions during my 5 days in the Pantanal.
Sometimes they would swoop in front of me, while I was walking on a forest path alone, and then alight on a nearby bare horizontal branch of medium thickness.
They would then perch calmly, or if I got too close, move to another similar spot. They seemed confiding and were good subjects and very photogenic. Sometimes seemed to be in mixed flocks too.
The male Rufous-tailed Jacamar, above, has a white chin and rich rufous belly, while the female, pictured directly below, has a paler belly and pale chin.
Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal was very good for this bird. There was one at the start of the path behind the lodge (near the killer bees!) with a fair amount of light coming through the trees there.
Below, female Rufous-tailed Jacamar at Pouso Alegre, Pantanal, Brazil, August.
More photos...Three Toed Jacamar
17 December 2011 21:34
Copyright: monacoeye • Rio state, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Three Toed Jacamar
Latin: Jacamaralcyon tridactyla
Other: Cuitelão (Br)
Family: Galbulidae • Jacamars
Range: SE Brazil, Rio de Janeiro state
Similar: Brown Jacamar (not much overlap)
We saw this pair of Three-toed Jacamars in the north of Rio state on a long excursion from Serra dos Tucanos. They’re now classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, due to habitat loss, and probably extinct from Sao Paulo state.
The Three-toed Jacamar is slightly browner around the head than one might expect from some illustrations. Note dark bill and white underparts including chest differentiate it from the Brown Jacamar.More photos...
Turkey Vulture
27 November 2011 15:48
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...Giant Snipe
06 November 2011 11:46
Copyright: monacoeye • Guapi Assu, Sep 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Giant Snipe
Latin: Gallinago undulata
Other: Narcejão (Br) • Caica gigante, becasina gigante (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Snipes
Range: South America - Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil etc
Similar: South American Snipe
Birdwatching often transports you to extraordinary situations - my encounter with the Giant Snipe was one such event.
The Giant Snipe is a difficult bird to see during the day - it’s shy and hides in long grasses and channels. So three of us set off from Regua, in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro state, a little before dusk, with flashlights and ipod, to a certain field where the Giant Snipe was known to live…
The Giant Snipe is a large bird with a very long bill, and rich brown stripes on its back, distinguishing it from the South American Snipe. I understand there are separate populations, two of the nominate subspecies centred in northern South America, and another in the southeast of Brazil of Gallinago undulata gigantea seen here.More photos...
Burrowing Owl
04 November 2011 23:08
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal • August 2011
Bird name: Burrowing Owl
Latin: Athene cunicularia
Other: (Es) • Coruja-buraqueira (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: North, Central and South America - from Canada to Argentina
Similar:
The small Burrowing Owl is a photographer’s friend - it stands peched in the open during broad daylight. It does hunt at night but is also often active during the day.
I regularly saw Burrowing Owls in open country throughout Brazil - farmland or dry scrub is typical habitat. Often there seemed to be groups, perhaps families or two pairs.
This small terrestrial owl lives in burrows in the ground, and often stands on a mound by the entrance to its burrow.
In Brazil, the Burrowing Owl has bright yellow irises and a white brow.
Directly below, a Burrowing Owl at Rio Clarinho Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil. August 2011.
More photos...Capped Heron
04 November 2011 22:50
Copyright: monacoeye • Lagoa do Peixe, November 2009 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Capped Heron
Latin: Pilherodius pileatus
Other: Garça-real (Br) • Garcilla peinada (Es)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: South America - Panama to Brazil
Similar:
The Capped Heron is a pretty, pastel-coloured heron, with black cap, light blue bill with pink fleck, cream neck and two or three long head feathers.
I saw them in a couple of places in the Pantanal, but they were often quite shy and retreated quickly. I saw one in the wetlands at Regua.More photos...
Roadside Hawk
04 November 2011 16:24
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe, Brazil • Nov 2009
Bird name: Roadside Hawk
Latin: Buteo magnirostris
Other: Gavião-carijó (Br) • Gavilán pollero (Es), Aguilucho de ala rojiza, Taguato común
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range: Latin America, Mexico to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:
The Roadside Hawk has a dark head with pale irises and usually pale barred chest and underwings. Topside of wings are dark, with a rufous wing patch on primaries. This rufous patch, usually just visible on perched birds, is diagnostic for Roadside Hawk.
The Roadside Hawk is typically the most frequently seen bird of prey when birding in Latin America, so it is a good bird to learn to identify.
Tail has thick brown and white horizontal stripes. Bill base is yellowish with dark tip and perhaps some light blue in the middle.
There are several subspecies and morphs, where dark brown is replaced by grey. Upper chest can be dark (Panama) or vertically striped (Brazil).
In the Pantanal in August I saw Roadside Hawks on most days - near roads, rivers and in forest. Near Mindo, Ecuador, in April, it was also the most common and visible bird of prey.
Below, Roadside Hawk mobbed in El Valle, Panama, May 2010. Dark throat and chest.
Below, a pair of Roadside Hawks in Mindo, Ecuador, April 2011. Yellow irises, orange ceres, grey throat and chest, rufous primaries just visible in perched birds. Thin white barring lines on underside.
More photos...
Tropical Screech Owl
03 November 2011 16:42
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal • August 2011
Bird name: Tropical Screech Owl
Latin: Megascops choliba
Other: Currucutú común (Es) • Corujinha-do-mato (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: South America
Similar:
This Tropical Screech Owl flew across a path at Rio Clarinho Lodge in the Pantanal, alighting on the other side so we could observe him in clear daylight from just a couple of metres away. Unusual to get such a good daylight view, so we may well have flushed him.
A pair also seen in a tree at Regua (further below).More photos...
Slaty Bristlefront
29 October 2011 18:30
Copyright: monacoeye • Regua, Brazil, September 2011 • Do not copy without permission.
Bird name: Slaty Bristlefront
Latin: Merulaxis ater
Other: Entufado (Br)
Family: Rhinocryptidae • Tapaculos
Range: Southeast Brazil Atlantic Forest
Similar:
Members of the Tapaculo family are usually easy to hear and difficult to see. So I was very pleased to get a photo of this Slaty Bristlefront at Regua, in north Rio de Janeiro state in September.
We climbed up a steep bank into the dark forest, and then waited patiently as the male Slaty Bristlefront made his way over to our playback. In addition to the lack of light there was a dense morning mist to contend with.
But although deceptively fleet-footed, he was not very shy, and walked up to about four metres away, calling as he went, as we watched in wonder. He also raised his neck feathers at one point (photo below).
The male, pictured, has a bluish head, neck and chest and brown wings, tail and rear. And tall bristles between the eyes.
A great bird, and the first of the Rhinocryptidae Tapaculo family that I’ve been able to photograph.
The Slaty Bristlefront is endemic to a fairly narrow strip of Atlantic rainforest in the east of Brazil. It is classed as Near Threatened in IUCN 3.1 due to habitat loss.
Below, a Slaty Bristlefront, at Regua in Guapi Assu.
More photos...Long Billed Wren
29 October 2011 00:42
Copyright: monacoeye • Brazil • September 2011 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Long Billed Wren
Latin: Cantorchilus longirostris
Other: Garrinchão de bico grande (Br)
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Eastern Brazil
Similar: Buff Breasted Wren
I saw this Long-Billed Wren late afternoon on the perimeter of the garden of Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, in Rio de Janeiro state on a recent trip.
It had an attractive call and was not quite as furtive as some smaller wrens.More photos...
Blue and White Swallow
12 February 2011 10:09
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Mostardas, Brazil, November.
Bird name: Blue and White Swallow
Latin: Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Other: Golondrina barranquera (Es) • Andorinha-pequena-de-casa (Br)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows
Range: Widespread South America, also Panama
Similar:
The Blue-and-White Swallow is a small swallow, with dark, blue-black and brown upperparts and white below except for under tail. NB dark rump.
The Blue-and-White Swallow seems one of the most widespread swallows in Latin America, seen frequently in Brazil, in Mostardas and Itatiaia, and then again in the highlands of Panama.
Below, a Blue-and-white Swallow in the Chiriqui highlands, Panama, May.
More photos...Palm Tanager
12 February 2011 09:27
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Panama, April 2010
Bird name: Palm Tanager
Latin: Thraupis palmarum
Other: Sanhaçu-do-coqueiro (Br) • Tangara (Es), Azulejo de palmeras
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers
Range: Guatemala to Paraguay & S Brazil
Similar: Olive-green, Sayaca Tanager (Brazil), Plain Tanager (Panama)
The Palm Tanager is one of the duller looking tanagers, in Brazil 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.
In Panama, at least one pair roosted in the eves of the Canopy Tower. The Panama Palm Tanager (above) has brown wing tips and tail and is far less uniform and green than its Brazilian counterpart (lowest photo, next page). On close examination there was an almost purplish sheen to some of the back and chest of the birds in Panama.
In Brazil, 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, which can also look similar from below.
The Palm Tanager is fairly common throughout most of the northern half of South America and extending into Central America and the Caribbean. Found near houses as well as other areas.
Directly below, a Palm Tanager in Panama.
Below, a Palm Tanager in Ubatuba, Brazil, Nov 2009. Brazilian Palm Tanagers were a uniform greenish colour and lacked the brown wing of the Panama variety.
More photos...House Wren
17 December 2010 14:21
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Itatiaia, Brazil, November 2009
Bird name: House Wren
Latin: Troglodytes aedon
Other: Corruíra-de-casa (Br) • Curucucha (Es) • Troglodytes aedon musculus
Family: Troglodytidae • Wrens
Range: Widespread Americas
Similar:
The House Wren is found throughout the Americas. The musculus subspecies pictured above is called the Southern House Wren, and sometimes viewed as a separate species.
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 in Brazil.
Still easily observed in central Panama (lowest two photos), around the hotels, but seemed to be a little less confiding than in Brazil.
Below, photo from Panama.
More photos...Black Tailed Tityra
15 December 2010 09:48
Copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia, RJ • Nov 2009 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Black Tailed Tityra
Latin: Tityra cayana
Other: Anambé-branco-de-rabo-preto (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Tityras
Range: Widespread South America
The female Black-tailed Tityra, above, has streaked chest and grey-brown cap whereas the male, pictured below, 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, seen here in Itatiaia in the Brazilian Mata Atlantica. The female of other subspecies, Tityra cayana brasiliensis, has a dark cap like the male.
More photos...Chestnut Crowned Becard
14 December 2010 10:02
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, RS • November 2009
Bird name: Chestnut Crowned Becard
Latin: Pachyramphus castaneus
Other: Caneleiro (Br)
Family: Tityridae • Becards
Range: Widespread South America
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...
Social Flycatcher
11 December 2010 15:56
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Brazil, Nov 09 - Panama, Dec 10
Bird name: Social Flycatcher
Latin: Myiozetetes similis
Other: Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher • Bentevizinho-de-penacho-vermelho (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers
Range: Mexico to northeast Argentina
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. The lowest photo in “more photos” is from Panama. More photos...
Ferruginous Antbird
03 November 2010 00:13
Copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia, November 2009 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Ferruginous Antbird
Latin: Drymophila ferruginea
Other: Formigueiro-trovoada (Br)
Family: Thamnophilidae • Antbirds
Range: SE Brazil
This was likely a Ferruginous Antbird, or possibly Bertoni’s Antbird, D. rubricollis, which was once considered conspecific. Endemic to Brazil, seen here in Itatiaia.
Lineated Woodpecker
23 October 2010 23:28
Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: Lineated Woodpecker
Latin: Dryocopus lineatus
Other: Pica-pau-de-banda-branca (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Widespread Latin America
The Lineated Woodpecker is found throughout most of South and Central America north of Argentina, including all of Brazil. Most of these were seen in Panama.
The Lineated Woodpecker has a red crest, and white face stripe which extends down neck, - red malar stripe on male, on female (above) dark - dark chest, horizontally barred belly in Brazilian race, darker belly in Panama.
The Lineated Woodpecker has two white vertical bands on its back - the Crimson Crested Woodpecker has narrow bands which meet in “v”.More photos...
Squirrel Cuckoo
14 June 2010 20:06
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Metropolitan Park, Panama, 8 May 2010
Bird name: Squirrel Cuckoo
Latin: Piaya cayana
Other: Alma-de-gato (Br)
Family: Cuculidae • Cuckoos
Range: Mexico to Brazil
The Squirrel Cuckoo in Panama, Piaya cayana thermophila, has a pinkish-brown head and neck, grey chest and belly. Otherwise it is mostly rufous, with conspicuous white ends to very long tail feathers, which are dark underneath. It has red irises, and eye rings and bill are dirty yellow. Seen in central Panama and Chiriqui.
More photos...Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
28 May 2010 15:44
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Regua, Brazil • September 2011
Bird name: Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Latin: Glaucidium brasilianum
Other: Caburé chico (Es) • Caburé (Br)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Arizona to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar:
This is a terrible photo, but was taken in heavy mist which I’ve tried to compensate for, without much success, in Photoshop. You can see the belly markings though.
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is found throughout most of Central and South America, bar Chile, its range stretching from Arizona in the US.More photos...
American Black Vulture
04 April 2010 00:03
Copyright: monacoeye • Santa Catarina • May 2007 • Do not copy
Bird name: American Black Vulture
Latin: Coragyps atratus
Other: Black Vulture • South American Black Vulture • Urubu (Br) • Zopilote Común (Es)
Family: Cathartidae • New World Vultures
Range:
Similar: Turkey Vulture, Comparison
The American Black Vulture’s range extends from the southern US to the southernmost tip of Brazil. The Brazilian subspecies, Coragyps atratus brasiliensis, is known as the South American Black Vulture.
These photos were taken in Brazil, where the Urubu, as the bird is known locally, is a familiar sight and always to be found on beaches where fisherman operate, as well as rubbish dumps, and just “around town” generally.
American Black Vultures are large birds, with one-metre-fifty wingspans - they are elegant gliders and have a slow and lazy wingbeat. Underside of wings are lightish (but usually look black against the sky) with dark coverts and white wing tips. The uppersides are black with light wingtips (see below in “more photos”).
Not to be confused with the Eurasian Black Vulture.
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Ubatuba • October 2009 • Do not copy
More photos...Violet Capped Woodnymph
16 March 2010 19:41
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009
Bird name: Violet Capped Woodnymph
Latin: Thalurania glaucopis
Other: Beija-flor-de-fronte-violeta (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:
The Violet-capped Woodnymph is a hummingbird found throughout the southeast of Brazil, and into Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
The male has a characteristic purple cap, black bill, greenish body, brownish wings and deep blue, longish, forked tail. The female is light underneath, but I’m not certain the photo below is a female Violet-capped Woodnymph (needs confirmation). She has a shorter, white-tipped tail.
These photos were mostly taken at Jonas’ excellent feeders in Folha Seca.
More photos...Streaked Flycatcher
16 March 2010 11:54
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...
Short Crested Flycatcher
16 March 2010 09:24
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 Venezuela.More photos...
Tropical Kingbird
14 March 2010 22:14
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...
White Throated Hummingbird
07 March 2010 16:09
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia • November 09 • Do not copy without permission
Bird name: White Throated Hummingbird
Latin: Leucochloris albicollis
Other: Beija-flor-de-papo-branco (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:
The White-throated Hummingbird is found in the south of Brazil and surrounding areas. It characterised by its white throat and belly. Seen here in Itatiaia.
More photos...
Scaled Woodcreeper
09 February 2010 13:34
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...
Planalto Woodcreeper
09 February 2010 13:34
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...
White Spotted Woodpecker
09 February 2010 13:05
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009
Bird name: White Spotted Woodpecker
Latin: Veniliornis spilogaster
Other: Picapauzinho-verde-carijó (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
This presumed White-spotted Woodpecker was more difficult to identify. Note spotted back and barred front.
The White-spotted Woodpecker can be found in the southeast of Brazil and Uruguay etc.More photos...
Yellow Fronted Woodpecker
09 February 2010 13:04
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009
Bird name: Yellow Fronted Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes flavifrons
Other: Benedito-de-testa-amarela (Br) • Carpintero de frente amarilla
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker is easily identifiable in these distant shots from yellow neck and throat, combined with red chest (and crest in male), yellow above bill, yellow iris, otherwise back head and back, striped belly.
The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker is found in the southeast of Brazil and surrounding regions.More photos...
Thrush Like Woodcreeper
08 February 2010 23:36
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...
Rufous Bellied Thrush
07 February 2010 16:05
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...
Double Collared Seedeater
06 February 2010 12:10
Copyright: monacoeye • All rights reserved • Ubatuba & Itaiaia November 2009
Bird name: Double Collared Seedeater
Latin: Sporophila caerulescens
Other: Coleirinho (Br) • Corbatita común (Es), Corbatita doble collar
Family: Thraupidae • Tanagers, Seedeaters
Range:
Similar:
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...
Masked Water Tyrant
05 February 2010 09:41
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...
Velvety Black Tyrant
04 February 2010 17:33
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...
Shiny Cowbird
04 February 2010 17:01
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...
Southern House Wren
01 February 2010 18:34
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...Olive Green Tanager
01 February 2010 17:38
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...Bananaquit
01 February 2010 01:46
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. Also seen in Valle de Anton in Panama (not pictured).
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 placed here in its own family.
More photos...Blue Manakin
31 January 2010 19:07
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Itatiaia & Ubatuba November 2009
Bird name: Blue Manakin
Latin: Chiroxiphia caudata
Other: Swallow-tailed Manakin • Tangará (Br)
Family: Pipridae • Manakins
Range: Atlantic Forest: south Brazil, Paraguay, northeast Argentina
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. She has forked longish tail feathers (see bottom photo). The juvenile (directly below) 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...White Collared Swift
31 January 2010 16:49
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...
Sayaca Tanager
31 January 2010 13:48
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...Southern Rough Winged Swallow
31 January 2010 11:46
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...
Frilled Coquette
30 January 2010 13:57
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009
Bird name: Frilled Coquette
Latin: Lophornis magnificus
Other: Topetinho-vermelho (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:
The Frilled Coquette is a lovely small hummingbird quite easy to see at the feeders in Itatiaia. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil.
All Coquettes are small with a white band on the rump. The Frilled Coquette male (above) has a glorious orange crest, which it often raises, a black and white upper chest and neck pattern and green throat. The inner half of the bill is red. I didn’t see longer neck feathers but they are characteristic. The female (below) has no crest and an orangish throat. A juvenile is also pictured under “more photos”.
More photos...Black Jacobin
30 January 2010 11:00
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009
Bird name: Black Jacobin
Latin: Florisuga fusca
Other: Beija-flor-preto (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:
The Black Jacobin is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of the east coast of Brazil and neighbouring countries. It was probably the most common hummingbird in most locations I visited.
The Black Jacobin appears black and white although the upperside is very dark green in some lights. Tail is white with central black feathers. There is a small patch of white on the belly area. Immatures can have rufous throats and mottled brown caps. The Black Jacobin is a bit larger than many other hummingbirds at feeders, such as the versicoloured emerald.
More photos...Plain Parakeet
30 January 2010 10:43
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia Brazil Nov 2009
Bird name: Plain Parakeet
Latin: Brotogeris tirica
Other: Periquito-rico (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
A pair of Plain Parakeets flew into this tree during a downpour. Plain Parakeets are entirely green (with some darker and bluish hues), with a bright leaf-green front. They have a white eye ring and pale buffish bill.
Plain Parakeets are endemic to the east coast of Brazil.More photos...
Great Kiskadee
28 January 2010 19:05
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...
Cliff Flycatcher
27 January 2010 14:12
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...
Red Rumped Cacique
27 January 2010 09:40
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...
Plain Antvireo
26 January 2010 18:07
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...
Gilt Edged Tanager
26 January 2010 17:44
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...
Rufous Browed Peppershrike
26 January 2010 11:52
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...
Maroon Bellied Parakeet
25 January 2010 18:47
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Maroon Bellied Parakeet
Latin: Pyrrhura leucotis
Other: Tiriba-de-testa-vermelha (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parakeets
The Maroon-bellied Parakeet was the most abundant parrot near the hotels in Itatiaia, though other types were glimpsed and heard, while walking around.
The Maroon-bellied Parakeet, which is found in Eastern Brazil, is mostly green, with white eye-ring, light yellowish neck and chest, greyish ear coverts, some red on the belly and reddish tail. Bill black with light band at top and sometimes red visible just above.
Parrots are some of the most frustrating birds to photograph. They are extremely loud and visible as they make their periodic fast dashes over the canopy in groups. But as soon as they settle in a tree they become silent almost invisible. I got the feeling that they were often around but I just couldn’t see them!
More photos...Scaly Headed Parrot
25 January 2010 18:22
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Scaly Headed Parrot
Latin: Pionus maximiliani
Other: Maitaca-verde (Br) • Loro de Maximilian (Es)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrots
The Scaly-headed Parrot is one of the more common parrots on the east coast of Brazil. I saw these individuals in Itatiaia and behind Ubatuba.
I’ve tentatively identified the individual below as a Scaly-headed Parrot, by his grey neck and chest, small red patch at base of tail, light bill, and otherwise mostly green plumage. The principal distinguishing feature though is the “scaly” grey cap, seen on the bird above, perhaps eating figs.
The Scaly-headed Parrot’s range extends into the countries neighbouring Brazil.
Other English names: Scaly-headed Pionus, Maximilian Pionus, Maximilian Parrot, Maximilian's Pionus, or Maximilian's ParrotMore photos...
Blue Winged Parrotlet
25 January 2010 18:19
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Blue Winged Parrot
Latin: Forpus xanthopterygius
Other: Tuim (Br)
Family: Psittacidae • Parrotlets
The Blue-winged Parrotlet is a small predominantly smooth (yellowy) green parrot with a stripe of blue visible on the edge of the closed wing - the female has green rather than blue. Its tail doesn’t extend much beyond its rump.
The Blue-winged Parrotlet lives on the east coast of Brazil, with a separate population in western Amazonia. If lumped with similar sub/species like the Turquoise-rumped Parrotlet its range extends beyond Brazil’s borders.More photos...
Grey Hooded Attila
25 January 2010 12:30
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...
Surucua Trogon
24 January 2010 19:25
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Surucua Trogon
Latin: Trogon surrucura
Other: Surucuá-variado • Trogon aurantius • Brazilian Trogon
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Not very good shots of great-looking birds! Sorry trogons, I didn’t do you justice. I think both of these are Surucua Trogons, though I’m not completely sure. There are two subspecies - the nominate form has a red belly and Trogon surrucura aurantius has a yellow belly.
The yellow-bellied one below had caught a large pink and green striped caterpillar and then set about eating it.
I’ve identified these both as Surucua Trogons from the tail patterns, but there are a few similar-looking species, so can’t be sure really. I think the red-bellied one (more black in the tail) is female and the yellow-bellied one (mostly white tail) is male.
The Surucua Trogon lives in southeast Brazil and neighbouring countries.More photos...
Green Winged Saltator
24 January 2010 17:40
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...
Rufous Thighed Hawk
24 January 2010 14:42
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Rufous Thighed Hawk
Latin: Accipiter striatus erythronemius
Other: Sharp-shinned Hawk • Gavião-miúdo (Br) • Accipiter erythronemius
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:
The Rufous-thighed Hawk is a subspecies (or species split) of Sharp-shinned Hawk living in the southeast of Brazil.
This one took me by surprise flying fast across the valley right up in front of the hotel, where it was mobbed by large numbers of Cliff Flycatchers, seemingly also appearing from nowhere.
The Rufous-thighed Hawk is similar to the Bicolored Hawk but is more rufous and has horizontal stripes underneath.More photos...
Rufous Capped Spinetail
24 January 2010 12:12
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...
Rufous Crowned Greenlet
24 January 2010 12:12
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...
Dusky Legged Guan
24 January 2010 10:10
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Dusky Legged Guan
Latin: Penelope obscura
Other: Jacuaçu • Pava de Monte
Family: Cracidae • Guans
Dusky Legged Guans have become used to feeding time at the hotel and so give great views. But they could also be seen in the wilder forested areas of the park.
In this area they are the only Penelope Guan with white spots on feather tips. Generally top of head is whitish. Young start with yellow feet, a light chest, white head stripe, and two lines of light feather tips.
Guans are South-American arboreal turkey-like birds, related to Curassows, Chachalacas and the Seriema.
More photos...Yellow Lored Tody Flycatcher
14 January 2010 14:46
Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • 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...
Sepia Capped Flycatcher
14 January 2010 13:59
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...Chalk Browed Mockingbird
03 January 2010 00:08
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Lagoa do Peixe • 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
Range: Amazonia, Brazil, SE South America
This Chalk Browed Mockingbird was seen in Itatiaia.
Picazuro Pigeon
20 December 2009 23:51
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009
Bird name: Picazuro Pigeon
Latin: Patagioenas picazuro
Other: Pombão (Br) • Paloma picazuro (Es)
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons
The Picazuro Pigeon is a fairly widespread pigeon in Brazil and neighbouring countries. It has scales on its neck, a white wing bar and a black bar on the tail. About the size of a normal city feral pigeon. The name “picazuro” means “bitter pigeon” in Guaraní.More photos...
Brazilian Ruby
13 December 2009 12:00
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Brazilian Ruby
Latin: Clytolaema rubricauda
Other: Beija-flor-rubi
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:
The male Brazilian Ruby has a spectacular pink iridescent throat, which it flashes from time to time, and a bright green crown, which is more difficult to spot. The throat patch can also show green, but normally it simply appears black.
The female has a buff chest and light throat. Both have a characteristic white post-ocular patch (behind the eye) and straight black bill.More photos...
Green Billed Toucan
09 December 2009 18:39
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Green Billed Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos dicolorus
Other: Red Breasted Toucan • Toucano-de-bico-verde (Br) • Tucán bicolor (Es), Tucán pico verde
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: SE South America
The Green-billed Toucan can be seen quite easily in Itatiaia.More photos...
Saffron Toucanet
09 December 2009 18:39
Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia, RJ • November 2009
Bird name: Saffron Toucanet
Latin: Pteroglossus bailloni
Other: Baillonius bailloni • Araçari-banana (Br) • Tucán banana (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: SE South America
The photogenic Saffron Toucanet was a regular visitor to the fruit feeders at Hotel Ypê.More photos...