I would have to say this was one of the best birding trips I’ve ever had to Serra dos Tucanos, the lovely lodge that is our base for this tour of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.  Stripped-down, eye-popping highlights included a whopping 107 Atlantic Forest endemics; a constant flurry of hummingbirds dashing about for breathtaking views; fine encounters with all “big five” antshrikes and all “little six” Drymophila antbirds; smashing views of the “big three” highland vocalists—Black-and-gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, and Bare-throated Bellbird; perhaps the rarest bird of the trip in Gray-winged Cotinga; the bizarrely equipped Black-billed Scythebill; gaudy Tangara tanagers—surely the top bananas; getting the drop on Brazilian Antthrush and Variegated Antpitta from above; and sensational run-ins with other ground-dwellers like Slaty Bristlefront and Rufous-capped Antthrush.

Bertoni's Antbird on the Bamboo Trail (Photo by participant Hop Hopkins)

My personal favorites—Brazilian Laniisoma (Shrike-like Cotinga) and Brown Tanager, both of which sang beautifully, permitting dynamite recordings, and of course, the hands-down behavioral highlight of Blue Manakins dancing before us (and the female) for more than 10 minutes—awesome!

And did I mention the lemon meringue pie?  The caipirinhas?  Our hosts and staff at Tucanos?  It all makes me eager to return.

To read John’s complete report and see the bird list from his recent tour, go to our Serra dos Tucanos, Brazil tour page and click on Past Triplists in the right-hand column.  You can see a fun slideshow of great Serra dos Tucanos birds and places by clicking on the photo mosaic on the left side of the tour page. And, finally, you can check out John’s upcoming schedule of tours on our guide page.