Guide Marcelo Padua reports that his recent tour in Brazil for the big cats and great birds was particularly successful with Jaguars this year; the group spotted a pair of the huge cats guarding a Capybara carcass on their first morning out — now that’s Jaguar Spotting indeed! A few days later, the group saw those same Jags again, still faithfully guarding that Capybara, while further upriver, our birders watched as a Jaguar jumped from the riverbank to kill a Caiman. In addition to the big cats, highlights included Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters, and a female Howler giving birth.

A Jaguar emerging from the reeds along the river. Photo by participant Bruce Hallett.

There are birds to mention as well of course, for in Brazil, how could there not be?  Great looks at both male and female Cone-billed Tanagers, for instance. As tanagers go, this one’s not much of a looker, but it’s a bird with an interesting history. It was first collected in 1938, yet there was no further record of it until it was rediscovered in 2003 in Emas National Park. (See Marcelo’s article “Long Lost and Found” for more on the tanager.)

But there was no shortage of lookers either. Big, bold Hyacinth Macaws, Black-faced and Chestnut-tailed antbirds, Gould’s Toucanet, Pink-throated Becard, Cream-colored and White woodpeckers, Yellow-collared Macaws, Nanday Parakeets, and many more were there to round out this great Brazilian adventure.

Two avian eye-catchers, Toco Toucan and Swallow Tanager. Photos by participant Bruce Hallett.

Next year, the Jaguar Spotting: Pantanal & Garden of the Amazon tour is scheduled for July 6-17 with Marcelo and Dave Stejskal.  You may check out complete bios for both guides and their upcoming schedules at this link. 

This Rufescent Tiger-Heron comes with a dividend. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.