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The stars of the tour: Brazilian Mergansers! Not flashy, but super-rare and it was a real treat to see them well several times. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
This was the first time we offered this extension in many years, and we decided to run it even with just a very small part of the main tour group continuing on. The reason is simple: the Brazilian Merganser is a big deal!
Although we run more than ten fixed departures in Brazil each year, there isn't a main tour on which we otherwise see this bird. With an estimated population of only about 250 individuals left in the world, the Brazilian Merganser is the rarest of the mergansers and one of the rarest birds in the world, so it's a great bird to include in our offerings. But Canastra isn't just the best place in the world to see this species; it is also home to a number of rare species that occur on the main tour route but are easily missed due to their rarity. So this extension offered us a second chance to see some really rare birds not seen on the main tour, such as Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Gray-backed Tachuri, and Cinereous Warbling-Finch, as well as some that simply aren't present on our main route, like Planalto Tapaculo and Ochre-breasted Pipit.
If all of the above were not good enough reasons to visit this place, It would have been worth the trip just for the scenery, as this is one of Brazil's most beautiful national parks. So we did it: three guys, one car, and a lot of fun birding for three days in a gorgeous place. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!
--Marcelo
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
Rheidae (Rheas)
GREATER RHEA (Rhea americana)
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
RED-WINGED TINAMOU (Rhynchotus rufescens)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
BRAZILIAN MERGANSER (Mergus octosetaceus)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (Penelope obscura)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)

We never tire of seeing Red-legged Seriema well...what a classy bird! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis) ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
OCELLATED CRAKE (Micropygia schomburgkii) [*]
SLATY-BREASTED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides saracura)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
SCALED DOVE (Columbina squammata)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (NATTERERI) (Lurocalis semitorquatus nattereri)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Apodidae (Swifts)
SOOTY SWIFT (Cypseloides fumigatus)
GREAT DUSKY SWIFT (Cypseloides senex)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
BISCUTATE SWIFT (Streptoprocne biscutata)
SICK'S SWIFT (Chaetura meridionalis)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
PLANALTO HERMIT (Phaethornis pretrei)
WHITE-VENTED VIOLETEAR (Colibri serrirostris)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
STRIPE-BREASTED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster squamosus)
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

One of the numerous attractive flycatchers we saw: Sharp-tailed Tyrant. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
SWALLOW-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupetomena macroura) FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
VIOLET-CAPPED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania glaucopis)
VERSICOLORED EMERALD (Amazilia versicolor)
SAPPHIRE-SPANGLED EMERALD (Amazilia lactea)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
SURUCUA TROGON (Trogon surrucura)
Momotidae (Motmots)
RUFOUS-CAPPED MOTMOT (Baryphthengus ruficapillus)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus chacuru)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco)
RED-BREASTED TOUCAN (Ramphastos dicolorus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus cirratus cirratus)
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
BLOND-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavescens)
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
MAROON-BELLIED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura frontalis)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Aratinga leucophthalma)
GOLDEN-CAPPED PARAKEET (Aratinga auricapillus)
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Aratinga aurea)
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
RUFOUS-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus torquatus)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
BRASILIA TAPACULO (Scytalopus novacapitalis)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
CAMPO MINER (Geositta poeciloptera)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
PLANALTO WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris)
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum)
FIREWOOD-GATHERER (Anumbius annumbi)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola)
GRAY-BACKED TACHURI (Polystictus superciliaris)

We had absolutely dynamite views of the amazing Cock-tailed Tyrant. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
OLIVACEOUS ELAENIA (Elaenia mesoleuca)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata)
SOOTY TYRANNULET (Serpophaga nigricans)
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
PLANALTO TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias fasciatus)
SHARP-TAILED TYRANT (Culicivora caudacuta)
GRAY-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum poliocephalum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea bellicosa)
CRESTED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus lophotes)
GRAY MONJITA (Xolmis cinereus)
WHITE-RUMPED MONJITA (Xolmis velatus)
MASKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola nengeta)
COCK-TAILED TYRANT (Alectrurus tricolor)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)
WHITE-THROATED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus albogularis)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RED-RUFFED FRUITCROW (Pyroderus scutatus)
Pipridae (Manakins)
PIN-TAILED MANAKIN (Ilicura militaris)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
HELMETED MANAKIN (Antilophia galeata)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
GREENISH SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis virescens)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CURL-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax cristatellus)
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) [*]
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
OCHRE-BREASTED PIPIT (Anthus nattereri)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (WHITE-BELLIED) (Basileuterus culicivorus hypoleucus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
CINNAMON TANAGER (Schistochlamys ruficapillus)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
WHITE-BANDED TANAGER (Neothraupis fasciata)
WHITE-RUMPED TANAGER (Cypsnagra hirundinacea)
RUBY-CROWNED TANAGER (Tachyphonus coronatus)
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER (Tangara cayana)
GILT-EDGED TANAGER (Tangara cyanoventris)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
CINEREOUS WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza cinerea)
STRIPE-TAILED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis citrina)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola)
PLUMBEOUS SEEDEATER (Sporophila plumbea)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis)
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
BLACK-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator atricollis)
GREEN-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator similis)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (LOWLAND) (Piranga flava flava)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WHITE-BROWED BLACKBIRD (Sturnella superciliaris)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus ruficapillus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous)
GOLDEN-WINGED CACIQUE (Cacicus chrysopterus)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
TUFTED-EAR MARMOSET (Callithrix jacchus)
MASKED TITI MONKEY (Callicebus personatus) [*]
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
PAMPAS DEER (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)
Other notable sightings:
We encountered a Bothrops alternatus in the park; this is a species of pit-viper that belongs to a group often referred to as Fer-de-Lance.
Totals for the tour: 172 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa