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The serene scene at dawn, mouth of the Rio Jaú at the entrance to Jaú National Park (copyright Bret Whitney)
The phrase “the Amazon” can’t help but conjure up images of exotic humid tropical forest, huge rivers, high heat and humidity (translating into a lot of sweat)… and lots of birds! Well, all these were true, and we enjoyed each aspect to excess! The tour began in the huge (population: 2 million!) city of Manaus, rather an out-of-the-ordinary place for the Amazon (in my experience, at least), but with patches of forest around its periphery, even within the urban sprawl, it provided some nice birds to start out with. Marail Guans, Waved and Yellow-throated woodpeckers, Black-spotted Barbets, and Amazonian Pygmy-Owl showed especially nicely. Following an exciting early morning on the famed INPA tower, surrounded by thousands of acres of undisturbed forest and highlighted by Guianan Toucanets, Pompadour Cotingas, Paradise Jacamars, Guianan Puffbird, and some nice flock activity at and below eye-level, we continued north to the town of Presidente Figueiredo, where white-sand woodlands with short stature (“campina” and “campinarana”) produced a fabulous lek of Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Variable Chachalacas, the fancy Crimson Topaz hummingbird, a gorgeous Spotted Puffbird, the elusive Black Manakin, the handsome Yellow-crowned Manakin, and good views of the little-known Pelzeln's Tody-Tyrant.
Then, in remarkably comfortable air-conditioned pickups on a very remarkably well-graded road, we headed to the MFA (thanks for that, Gregg!), into the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project research area at Camp 41. Suddenly, we were immersed in Amazonia so exquisitely that no one could complain that they haven’t slept in slings under the stars and near smiling latrine frogs… or experienced the joy of Dona Eduarda's amazing meals and pitchers of cold, refreshing caipirinhas! To be sure, the forest was hotter and drier than normal this year, as it had not rained in three weeks (and we had no real rain, nor hardly a cloud in the skies, the entire tour!). Around Camp 41, we were able to walk trails through pristine terra firme forest in search of understory birds and those mixed-blessing flocks (oops, I mean “mixed-species flocks”), where you crane your neck to the breaking point as tens of small birds dart about during a 15-minute frenzy, then vanish, leaving you wondering what percentage of the flock you actually saw. But that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? Manakins continued to be good to us, with fine appearances by Tiny Tyrant-Manakin (not much to see there, however), White-fronted (wow!), White-throated (great spot on that male, Jennifer!), White-crowned, and Golden-headed. Some time birding the road into the camp was also well-spent: we were quite fortunate to come across troops of Gray-winged Trumpeters (twice!) and several handsome Black Curassows parading around together. A brief fly-over by a single, small parrot led to scope views of several Sapphire-rumped Parrotlets, always a treat to see perched. We also lucked out with prolonged views of the rarely seen Fiery-tailed Awlbill (really cool to study the bill shape in the scope!), a "first" for Field Guides Manaus tours. Nightbirding at Camp 41 produced good views of White-winged Potoo and heard-only Rufous Potoo (except for eyeshine a couple of times). And then there were all of those non-bird encounters, like the rarely seen Giant Centipede that thought Bret was a bus and climbed aboard (check out the video in the list, below), or the caterpillars, frogs, tarantulas, and other interesting organisms we came across on our outings.
After three days in the warm embrace of the rainforest, we had to leave all that fun behind and head to our amazing river boat, the Dorinha, which was our home for over a week, and where (thanks to the wonderful crew!) we were able to enjoy more great food, wonderful drinks, and comfortable lodging as we plied the clear, black waters of the Rios Negro and Jau, and later the muddy Amazon and Madeira. The comparison of the avifaunas of these different water-types (well, the differences are much deeper, but the water is a good proxy) is striking, and we had the opportunity to do it firsthand! The blackwater islands are older with flooded forest habitats that were quite distinct from the younger islands we encountered in the sediment-laden Amazon and Madeira rivers.
Birding the islands this year was, however, ridiculously complicated. Despite the super-dry conditions, water levels in *both* the Negro and Amazon (quite unusual for both to be out-of-whack) were significantly higher than normal for early September, exactly wrong for birding purposes. There was not nearly enough water to get canoes inside the habitat, yet treacherous, recently exposed mud shut us out of moving on "land" -- a perfect mess! In the Anavilhanas Archipelago, for example, instead of a relatively leisurely walk through the understory of drying seasonally flooded forest, we were unable to even step ashore. In a circus-like effort, we managed to stop our two canoes under the overhanging forest edge, with several of us balancing on a couple of treetrunks sticking out of the mud while the rest stayed in the boats beside us. It didn't seem this plan was going to be very productive for seeing birds, but over the course of that memorable morning, the whole group saw essentially everything we could have hoped for, as bird after bird came in really close by and stuck around -- it was exciting stuff! Highlights included displaying Wire-tailed Manakins, Green-tailed Jacamars, a male Ringed Woodpecker, Ash-breasted and Black-chinned antbirds, the little-known Klages's Antwren, a Streak-throated Hermit, Zimmer's, Striped, and Straight-billed woodcreepers, and, to top off the morning, we dug up a pair of Blackish-gray Antshrikes enjoyed at close range from the canoes before being welcomed aboard the Dorinha with hardly any mud on our feet!
En route to Jau National Park, we stopped at Novo Airão to visit Junior's Three-striped Night-Monkey who stared back at us from its hollow-treetrunk home (wow! really cool!). Pushing up the Negro, we motored slowly through a narrow, winding, forested channel in the Anavilhanas in hopes of seeing Amazonian Umbrellabird, which did not appear, but we were treated to exciting views of seldom-seen Crestless Curassows (three!) flying across right in front of the boat, where our top-deck platform provided the ideal vantage point. We awoke next morning at the mouth of the remote Rio Jau, and eased up to the floating dock at the park headquarters to a beautiful break of dawn. We gathered on the top deck to watch the many birds around us as we waited to get formal clearance to enter the national park. It was good thing the scope was handy right then, because we were soon high-fiving to an excellent sighting of an adult Gray-bellied Hawk perched atop a huge Ceiba tree! There had been just a couple of sightings of this rather rare raptor over the many years of Field Guides Manaus tours. We hiked trails into terra firme in Jau, where many birds differed from those we’d seen the previous week on the other side of the Negro (and in some cases, were “replacement species” which are closely related, but differ across the river barrier). A few major examples seen well were the pairs of big toucans (White-throated/Cuvier's and Channel-billed/Yellow-ridged), Tawny-tufted Toucanets (a magnificent pair that stayed for scope views SHAZAAMM!; replaces Guianan Toucanet); excellent Gilded Barbets (replacing Black-spotted), Amazonian Trogon (replacing Guianan Trogon), White-necked Puffbird (replacing Guianan Puffbird; or was it the Brown-bandeds we saw that affect this replacement?), Scale-breasted Woodpecker (replaces Waved), and also the opposite-bank White-eyed Tody-Tyrant "subspecies" we saw well and discussed. Scoping a pair of Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlets was another rare treat at Jau. The little-known Black Uakari monkey was also seen well (two troops!) this year; we should count ourselves quite fortunate for that indeed. Most unfortunately, however, our dedicated efforts could not produce a single antswarm at Jau this time around, and Pavonine Quetzal and Wing-banded Wren, usually pretty cooperative along the trails, ignored us completely. As, thankfully, did that little fer-de-lance that several of us had stepped right past before Dom Gregg took note and called us back for some reflection on what might have been. Although most folks were too tired to participate in nightbirding searches at Jau, the few of us that did go sure did have fun, with prolonged studies of both Rufous and White-winged potoos inside of 20 minutes! Night cruises in the canoes resulted in some cool mammal (including a tailless tree rat!) and additional herp sightings, and a number of interesting birds as well.
On the Amazon and Madeira, our island-birding challenges continued. Passing Manaus early in the morning en route to the Solimões/Amazon, right on-schedule as is important this day, our cook learned that her mother had just been rushed to the hospital, and, of course, she went to town to be with her (I later learned, most lamentably, that Eugênia's mother died a week or so later). It took about three hours to arrange for a substitute cook at 03:30 (they did a fine job of finding us a very good one!), which put us into Marchantaria Island with a big, orange sun well above the horizon. Not a good thing to see. We would have to scramble. But there was *nowhere* to scramble -- we lost another hour just trying to find a patch of ground safe enough to walk on! Finally, we made it ashore and into a small area of reasonably firm mud to start racking up good sightings of the many species of whitewater-island specialties surely present around us. One by one, they fell into place, with pairs of Castelnau's Antshrikes and Leaden Antwrens performing especially well. A short distance around the corner, we managed another stop on a hump of drying mud that yielded another string of excellent sightings (Olive-spotted Hummer, Parker's and White-bellied spinetails, Black-and-white Antbird, and Island Fuscous Flycatcher and Riverside Tyrant). Whew, we were pretty much back on track as we cruised downriver over the impressive "meeting of the waters" and had a delicious lunch and afternoon siesta. That late afternoon was also quite memorable, with top-deck scope studies of Horned Screamers, and a canoe outing highlighted by Yellow-chinned and Red-and-white spinetails coming into the same grasses and bushes for close comparisons. The curtain dropped against a classic, serene Amazonian sunset with nightjars winging overhead. One heckuva day in the Amazon, that. And the next day, too, which was our last full one aboard the Dorinha. Islands at the mouth of the Madeira gave us *all* of the remaining whitewater-island specialists (hard to do this even under ideal birding conditions), including fabulous sightings of Varzea Piculet, Scaled and Speckled spinetails (sister-species, bringing our spinetail roster to a record-tying 10 species seen and one heard only), River Tyrannulet, and Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant. A brief and somewhat depressing north-bank stop (forest here has been steadily destroyed over the past few years) nonetheless produced Plain Softtail, Glossy Antshrike, Cinereous Becard, and Ashy-headed Greenlet among a nice variety of other species on a hot noon-time excursion.
Along the Rio Amazonas itself, heading back up to Manaus, we were able to explore some secondary habitats—another mixed blessing as more people clear the banks for houses, agriculture, and cattle ranching—and see birds such as Buff-necked Ibis, Southern Caracara, and Savanna Hawk, which have been following the clearing into the heart of the Amazon, where they would have been unheard of only a few decades ago! The phenomenon of migration isn’t lost in the Amazon, either, and we were able to see familiar birds from “home” such as Barn and Bank swallows, Purple Martins, and shorebirds such as American Golden-Plover (a couple of spectacular flocks totaling perhaps 75 coming in over the river and our boat at break-neck speed, right at dusk), Spotted, and Solitary sandpipers and the occasional Osprey! To think that these birds do this *every year* and without an airplane to help out! Or Google Maps. Finally, upon returning to Manaus, we climbed the tower in Reserva Ducke, right beside the city, and got to see many great birds at eye-level, especially those Caica Parrots that, until then, had eluded good scope views. Then, as a super-special surprise, our colleague Marcelo Barreiros alerted us to a day-roost of a Rufous Potoo at Reserva Ducke, and he kindly took us in to see it! What a fabulous way to end the tour -- check out the video, below! The potoos did, indeed, raise a chick on top of that tiny stub (we revisited it twice during the Oct-Nov "Great Rivers of the Amazon" tour -- more video will be coming in that list). Amazing!
As always, it was a great pleasure to share these experiences with you, and Bret and I thank you very much for joining us. We hope you enjoyed the trip as much as we did leading it, and we hope to see you again out there with binoculars on and ready to see more of the wonders of our natural world!
Good birding,
Dan, e com grandes abraços do Bretche!
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
A male Pompadour Cotinga really glistens in a sunlit view from the canopy. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*] VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Anhimidae (Screamers)
HORNED SCREAMER (Anhima cornuta)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata) [N]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
VARIABLE CHACHALACA (LITTLE) (Ortalis motmot motmot)
MARAIL GUAN (Penelope marail)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
NOCTURNAL CURASSOW (Nothocrax urumutum) [*]
CRESTLESS CURASSOW (Mitu tomentosum)
BLACK CURASSOW (Crax alector)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
Our haul of less than an hour's time on one evening in Jaú: first Rufous Potoo, then White-winged Potoo, then a fine adult Boat-billed Heron spotted on a swing along the edge of the river as we tried for a Common Potoo (copyright Bret Whitney)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus) [*]
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
American Golden-Plovers that probably left the US a few days earlier and were headed to Argentina, ripping across the bow at dusk on the Rio Amazonas (copyright Bret Whitney)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis) DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) [N]
GRAY-BELLIED HAWK (Accipiter poliogaster)
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis)
BLACK-FACED HAWK (Leucopternis melanops) [*]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) [*]
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
SUNGREBE (Heliornis fulica)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
GRAY-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia crepitans)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
A handsome twosome of Orange-headed Tanagers (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO (Piaya melanogaster)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) [*]
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) [*]
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus)
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga)
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) [N]
SPOT-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis maculicaudus) [*]
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
This Rufous Potoo was shown to us by Marcelo Barreiros, who found it at Reserva Ducke in early September. It was suspected to be on a nest (yes, atop this tiny stub!), but it wasn't until a month later that this was confirmed, when a fuzzy little chick was seen under the belly feathers of one of the adults. I was fortunate to be in the Manaus area for two additional tours in the next couple of months, and returned to the nest for more video work three times. In this segment, note how the bird sits very still until the wind comes up, stirring the vegetation. The bird accompanies the rocking moting of the leaves in an elaborate form of camouflage. It was spectacular to be able to see this behavior so superbly demonstrated. (4K video copyright Bret Whitney)
WHITE-WINGED POTOO (Nyctibius leucopterus) RUFOUS POTOO (Nyctibius bracteatus)
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
CRIMSON TOPAZ (Topaza pella)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri)
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus)
STREAK-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis rupurumii)
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber)
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus)
GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus theresiae)
FIERY-TAILED AWLBILL (Avocettula recurvirostris)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis)
A pair of Brown-banded Puffbirds at Jaú National Park (copyright Bret Whitney)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata) OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucippus chlorocercus)
VERSICOLORED EMERALD (Amazilia versicolor)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis sapphirina)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
GUIANAN TROGON (Trogon violaceus)
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus)
GUIANAN PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos)
Bronzy Jacamar at very close range! (copyright Bret Whitney)
BROWN-BANDED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus ordii) PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
SPOTTED PUFFBIRD (Bucco tamatia)
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis)
BLACK NUNBIRD (Monasa atra)
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris)
GREEN-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula galbula)
BRONZY JACAMAR (Galbula leucogastra)
PARADISE JACAMAR (Galbula dea)
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus) [*]
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARBET (Capito niger)
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
GREEN ARACARI (Pteroglossus viridis)
BLACK-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus aracari)
Tawny-tufted Toucanet, endemic the region west of the middle Negro/Branco rivers is rarely seen anywhere, but we sure lucked out this year! (copyright Bret Whitney)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara) GUIANAN TOUCANET (Selenidera piperivora)
TAWNY-TUFTED TOUCANET (Selenidera nattereri)
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco) [*]
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus tucanus)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (CHANNEL-BILLED) (Ramphastos vitellinus vitellinus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LAFRESNAYE'S PICULET (Picumnus lafresnayi)
GOLDEN-SPANGLED PICULET (Picumnus exilis)
VARZEA PICULET (Picumnus varzeae)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
GOLDEN-COLLARED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis cassini)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
WHITE-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus leucolaemus)
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula)
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros)
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula)
Scale-breasted Woodpecker at Jaú, replacing Waved Woodpecker across the Negro (copyright Bret Whitney)
WAVED WOODPECKER (Celeus undatus) SCALE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Celeus grammicus)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) [*]
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
LINED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur gilvicollis) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
SCARLET-SHOULDERED PARROTLET (Touit huetii)
SAPPHIRE-RUMPED PARROTLET (Touit purpuratus)
TUI PARAKEET (Brotogeris sanctithomae)
WHITE-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris versicolurus)
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera)
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi)
We saw Caica Parrots well only on our last morning, atop the new tower in Reserva Ducke (copyright Bret Whitney)
CAICA PARROT (Pyrilia caica) DUSKY PARROT (Pionus fuscus)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
SHORT-TAILED PARROT (Graydidascalus brachyurus)
FESTIVE PARROT (Amazona festiva)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET (Forpus passerinus)
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)
RED-FAN PARROT (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura) [*]
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (Eupsittula pertinax) [*]
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
ASH-WINGED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis spodioptila)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
Festive Parrots, seen beautifully a bunch of times (copyright Bret Whitney)
BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus canadensis) GLOSSY ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus luctuosus)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus)
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus)
BLACKISH-GRAY ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus nigrocinereus)
NORTHERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus punctatus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus aethiops) [*]
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus cinereiceps)
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
BROWN-BELLIED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla gutturalis)
STIPPLE-THROATED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla haematonota) [*]
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura)
CHERRIE'S ANTWREN (Myrmotherula cherriei)
KLAGES'S ANTWREN (Myrmotherula klagesi)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris) [*]
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis)
Here's a medley of Amazonian river island specialties, starting with the sister-species of Blackish-gray Antshrike (blackwater) and Castelnau's Antshrike (whitewater). We had good views of ten species of spinetails (most are river island/edge birds)! (copyright Bret Whitney)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii) LEADEN ANTWREN (Myrmotherula assimilis)
SPOT-BACKED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus)
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea)
GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis cantator)
YELLOW-BROWED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis hypoxantha)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
ASH-BREASTED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus lugubris)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus) [*]
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon)
BLACK-AND-WHITE ANTBIRD (Myrmochanes hemileucus)
BLACK-HEADED ANTBIRD (HELLMAYR'S) (Percnostola rufifrons subcristata) [*]
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Schistocichla leucostigma)
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza ferruginea)
WHITE-CHEEKED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys leucaspis) [*]
RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys rufigula) [*]
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
Ferruginous-backed Antbird is surely one of the handsomest species of antbirds. We got this male into view right at the buzzer. (copyright Bret Whitney)
VARIEGATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria varia) [*] Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (GUIANAN) (Sclerurus mexicanus macconnelli)
SPOT-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Certhiasomus stictolaemus)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
WHITE-CHINNED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla merula) [*]
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula) [*]
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris)
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia)
RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes perrotii) [*]
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus)
OCELLATED WOODCREEPER (LINE-CROWNED) (Xiphorhynchus ocellatus beauperthuysii)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) [*]
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
ZIMMER'S WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex kienerii)
This Tawny-throated Leaftosser stayed put for fine scope views, clinging to a tree trunk like a woodcreeper, using its stiffened tail as a prop. It did this as part of an agitated response to recording playback, but the birds roost at night in this posture. (copyright Bret Whitney)
GUIANAN WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes albolineatus) PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER (Berlepschia rikeri)
RUFOUS-TAILED XENOPS (Microxenops milleri)
WING-BANDED HORNERO (Furnarius figulus)
LESSER HORNERO (Furnarius minor)
RUFOUS-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor erythrocercum) [*]
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes) [*]
OLIVE-BACKED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus infuscatus)
PLAIN SOFTTAIL (Thripophaga fusciceps obidensis)
RUSTY-BACKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpina)
PARKER'S SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpecula)
SCALED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca muelleri)
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
RED-AND-WHITE SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis mustelinus)
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens)
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis)
RUDDY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis rutilans) [*]
Parker's Spinetail (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis propinqua) PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme) [*]
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (AMAZONIAN) (Camptostoma obsoletum olivaceum)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (MOUSE-COLORED) (Phaeomyias murina wagae)
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola) [*]
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) [N]
GRAY ELAENIA (GRAY) (Myiopagis caniceps cinerea)
YELLOW-CROWNED ELAENIA (Myiopagis flavivertex)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster) [*]
LARGE ELAENIA (Elaenia spectabilis)
BROWNISH ELAENIA (Elaenia pelzelni)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata)
RUFOUS-CROWNED ELAENIA (Elaenia ruficeps) [N]
RIVER TYRANNULET (Serpophaga hypoleuca)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus) [*]
OLIVE-GREEN TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes virescens)
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes) [*]
GUIANAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius acer)
AMAZONIAN TYRANNULET (Inezia subflava)
RINGED ANTPIPIT (Corythopis torquatus) [*]
LESSER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura napensis)
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
DOUBLE-BANDED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus vitiosus) [*]
SNETHLAGE'S TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus minor pallens)
WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus zosterops zosterops)
WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus zosterops rothschildi)
PELZELN'S TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus inornatus)
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum)
PAINTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum pictum)
BROWNISH TWISTWING (Cnipodectes subbrunneus) [*]
OLIVACEOUS FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (RIVERINE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis)
Exploring the Anavilhanas Archipelago by boat (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus coronatus) [*]
WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus) [*]
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (CAMPINA) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus duidae)
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior)
RIVERSIDE TYRANT (Knipolegus orenocensis)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) [*]
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
DULL-CAPPED ATTILA (Attila bolivianus)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
SIBILANT SIRYSTES (Sirystes sibilator)
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
A male Castelnau's Antshrike gave our group a looking-over. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni) SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni phaeonotus)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus)
THREE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Conopias trivirgatus)
ISLAND STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes [maculatus] sp. nov.)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus)
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
WHITE-THROATED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus albogularis)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea)
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) [*]
We had a wonderful experience with several close male Guianan Cocks-of-the-Rock near Presidente Figueiredo -- what a fabulous place! (copyright Bret Whitney)
TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes virescens) SAFFRON-CRESTED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma chrysocephalum)
WHITE-THROATED MANAKIN (Corapipo gutturalis)
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens)
WHITE-FRONTED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix serena)
YELLOW-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus flavivertex)
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda)
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Dixiphia pipra)
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala)
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
VARZEA SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis major)
CINEREOUS MOURNER (Laniocera hypopyrra)
CINEREOUS BECARD (Pachyramphus rufus)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD (Pachyramphus castaneus)
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus) [*]
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (RESIDENT CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus solimoensis)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
GRAY-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus semicinereus)
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis)
We had fun birding and travelling together! (copyright Bret Whitney)
BROWN-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus brunneiceps) TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Tunchiornis ochraceiceps)
DUSKY-CAPPED GREENLET (Pachysylvia hypoxantha)
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina)
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius leucotis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW (Atticora tibialis)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) [b]
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) [b]
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [a]
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
MUSICIAN WREN (Cyphorhinus arada)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
Displaying Black-capped Donacobius (copyright Bret Whitney)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas) HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) [*]
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
RED-BILLED PIED TANAGER (Lamprospiza melanoleuca)
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER (Thlypopsis sordida)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus)
FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus)
RED-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus phoenicius)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
DOTTED TANAGER (Tangara varia)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Tangara punctata)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
SHORT-BILLED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes nitidus)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza) [N]
Guide Bret Whitney appears to pick out his favorite cloud... (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira) [*] YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
BICOLORED CONEBILL (Conirostrum bicolor)
PEARLY-BREASTED CONEBILL (Conirostrum margaritae)
ORANGE-FRONTED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis columbiana)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
LINED SEEDEATER (Sporophila lineola)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
WING-BARRED SEEDEATER (Sporophila americana)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus) [*]
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
A male Crimson Topaz in the leafy canopy...when this bird moves out into sunlight the iridescent colors just pop! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes canadensis) Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella militaris)
YELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus icterocephalus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus) [*]
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
OLIVE OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius bifasciatus yuracares)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PLUMBEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia plumbea)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (BLACK-TAILED) (Euphonia laniirostris melanura)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)
GOLDEN-SIDED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cayennensis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [*]
COMMON FOUR-EYED OPOSSUM (Philander opossum)
NORTHERN GHOST BAT (Diclidurus albus)
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus)
GOLDEN-HANDED TAMARIN (Saguinus midas) [*]
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
A few special mammals and other amazing creatures (copyright Bret Whitney)
THREE-STRIPED NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus trivirgatus) RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
BROWN BEARDED SAKI MONKEY (Chiropotes satanas) [*]
BLACK UAKARI MONKEY (Cacajao malanocephalus)
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
BLACK SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles paniscus)
TREE-RAT SP. (Makalata sp. nov.)
AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN (Inia geoffrensis)
TUCUXI (Sotalia fluviatilis)
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu) [*]
Herps
GREEN IGUANA (Iguana iguana)
BROWN TREE BOA (Corallus hortulanus)
FER-DE-LANCE (Bothrops atrox)
SPECTACLED CAIMAN (Caiman crocodilus)
CANE TOAD (Bufo marinus)
SMALL-LEGGED WORM LIZARD (Bachia sp.)
Ducke Reserve snake (Taeniophallus sp.)
Bret's Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)
Totals for the tour: 441 bird taxa and 16 mammal taxa