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Our jovial group at amazing Kaieteur Falls. We had not yet seen Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo, Ocellated Crake, Red-and-black Grosbeak, Sun Parakeet, Red Siskin.. and I'm out of space. Photo by guide Bret Whitney.
This tour differed from our regular Guyana tours in spending 3 (rather than 2) nights at each of our three venues in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve (Kurupakari, Atta, and Surama), and in adding two days at the end of the trip, in southwestern Guyana, to go to Karasabai for Sun Parakeet and Sand River village for Red Siskin. We used the last morning (before the flight back to Georgetown) to go the Ireng River for Rio Branco Antbird and Hoary-throated Spinetail.
The tour was a beauty despite very dry conditions in the savannah regions. It rains along the coast of the Guianas, pretty much throughout the year, mostly short squalls that blow in off the Caribbean, and we hit that kind of rain on our one day out of Georgetown. This made for skimpy birding, but we managed to cobble together a reasonable bunch of species for that first morning, including some Scarlet Ibis, a Common Black-Hawk (that’s what the perched adult bird was, after all), and a much-appreciated Rufous Crab Hawk that swung in to land on a pole right beside us. The Mahaica River boat trip yielded good looks at Hoatzin and a beautiful adult Peregrine Falcon, then good looks at Blood-colored Woodpecker at a known nest-site, and a pair of White-bellied Piculets – all on a fairly windy morning. These Hoatzins always strike me as smaller than Amazonian birds, and with a somewhat thinner, less throaty voice. Our afternoon walk in the Botanical Gardens was fun, with great views of a West Indian Manatee feeding on grasses only a few feet away, the front third of the animal out of the water, and excellent views of several parrots, especially Festive Parrot, which is the highly range-restricted A. f. bodini, very different (plumage and voice) from nominate, Amazonian populations. We saw at least four Blood-colored Woodpeckers and two pairs of White-bellied Piculets, one of which was at its nest hole. A Great Horned Owl was spotted on a day roost, and I got it to sing back with a vocal imitation, which was fun. We also saw a Pearl Kite and another Peregrine (maybe two), a high-flying immature bird. Back at Cara Lodge, we organized our luggage to separate the heavy stuff from hand-carry, as tomorrow’s charter flight to Kaieteur Falls would allow a maximum of 20 pounds of luggage per person. Three cabs, commandeered by Francis, the main Georgetown driver, came by the hotel to pick everything up at 18:00, so it could all be driven to Kurupakari (Iwokrama Rainforest Lodge) overnight, to meet us there upon our arrival tomorrow afternoon.
Next morning, we had a leisurely breakfast at beautiful Cara Lodge, our stately hotel that dates from the late 1800s, and departed for the small, municipal airport in Georgetown at 08:40, arriving there about 09:00. Trans-Guyana Airways, operating our charter to Kaieteur Falls, had each person step on to the scale with their hand-carry. I had had the ground crew clean the windows inside and out, to help with the photography. While they were readying the plane, we walked a couple of hundred yards to another hangar, with the airport administrator, to see a Bat Falcon nest in the apex of the metal roof of the hangar. That was cool, and only the second nest I’ve seen in a man-made structure.
Ron Allicock, our ground operator, was well organized and the tour ran quite smoothly. That said, our charter to Kaieteur Falls was set for 09:00 check-in, and 10:00 (“or so”) departure. We finally left Georgetown at 10:40. I had told Ron last year that it made no sense to have the flight this late in the morning, and that it would work best to fly at about 07:00, to arrive at the falls at a reasonably early hour, and after morning fog has generally lifted. This would allow us longer to bird at the falls area, which would be much less rushed than the two hours (max) we are currently allotted. Happily, we had a great flight out to the falls, and the pilot did two swings around it so folks on both sides of the plane could see everything to fine advantage. It really is an impressive site, surrounded by one helluva lot of forest!
On the ground, we had to rush around to go for Roraiman Antbird, which we saw quite efficiently, then hustle over to the first falls overlook, finding a couple of the endemic Golden Rocket Frog (which was singing a bit; Anomaloglossus beebei), then continue down the trail to the second overlook, stopping to scope Orange-breasted Falcon on its regular dead-tree perch. After adequate time to view and photograph the falls, we headed back to the airstrip with a stop to scope a couple of male Guianan Cocks-of-the-Rock very nicely.
Following a verdant, beautiful flight south to Iwokrama, we landed at the newly refurbished Fairview airstrip, and transferred to the lodge via pickup truck. We learned that one of our vehicles from Georgetown had broken down en route, but it had been repaired and our luggage was expected to arrive shortly. At dusk, we did a short boat trip to see Black-collared Swallows and Ladder-tailed Nightjars, which worked to perfection. Sure enough, our luggage vehicle had arrived on the other side of the Essequibo River, and it came across to us on the last ferry of the day (18:00). A post-dinner owling walk produced excellent views of Mottled Owl and Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl; no responses to Long-tailed, White-winged, or Rufous potoos, although I’ve seen them all along that piece of road.
Next morning we had breakfast at 05:30 and spent some time scoping the clearing edges on a rather dark, rain-threatening morning. It was dead-quiet in the forest but we eventually stirred up a couple of Capuchinbirds, and chalked up a number of other species on the loop trail back out to the entrance road. After lunch and a siesta, we reemerged at 14:30 to walk along the entrance road, which was rather slow, but “ok”. All of our days at Iwokrama, Atta, and Surama kept to this routine of 05:30 breakfast and birding, lunch and 1.5 to 2 hours off, then another outing and back at least 45 minutes before dinner, with an optional post-dinner owling attempt most nights. Two nights at Atta produced Black-banded and Crested owls, and a stellar experience with White-winged Potoo. Spec ended up heard only, durn it, and I never did find a Rufous Potoo. We also dipped on Long-tailed; Ron’s day-roosting birds weren’t sitting where they were supposed to be this time around (we’d seen two on last year’s trip!).
The local guides at each of the three rainforest venues were great: Tichi at Iwokrama, John at Atta, and two somewhat less skilled but very helpful guys at Surama. John is especially talented, and I have urged Ron to hire him permanently, if at all possible, as John says he’s 100% sure he’d like to be a career, professional birding tour guide. I bet Ron would have enough work for him to stay quite busy by next year.
A quick summary of rainforest highlights includes Gray-winged Trumpeters on several days (fabulous!), Crimson Fruitcrow at Atta clearing (fabulous adult, stuck for 15 minutes) and an adult male flying high past the canopy walkway; an adult Harpy that came by the walkway as well (not a lifer for anyone in the group! The nest-site was empty, quiet.); Red-and-black Grosbeak (one heard along the road refused to show, but a pair at Atta ripped in to playback); Black-throated Antshrike and Red-billed Woodcreeper at Atta; Dusky Purpletuft 4x, Gray-winged Trumpeters on 5 days; perched Blue-cheeked Parrots at three places; and Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo at Surama. Wow, we heard at least two, quite possibly three birds singing in response to playback of my and Ron’s recordings, and, with perseverance, we saw one of them extremely well, even had it singing about 15 feet above ground. Several folks got good photos, but Steve’s were probably best. Also excellent at Surama was Ocellated Crake, which came into view repeatedly with bluetooth speaker playback – Fantastic!!
The Rupununi savanna is typically very dry Sep – Mar, and mostly flooded May-July. It has been under prolonged drought conditions for nearly two years now (I learned that the absolutely torrential three-day rains that wreaked havoc with our April, 2016 tour had stopped the day after we drove back to Georgetown, with darned little rain falling since then). Nonetheless, we managed to find most of the birds we’d normally hope to get out there, including Crested Doradito and Bearded Tachuri (the latter on a long cast, right at the buzzer, however), Spot-tailed Nightjar, Least Nighthawk, and Pinnated Bittern, but no luck with Giant Snipe or Sharp-tailed Ibis.
Our day out to Karasabai village for Sun Parakeet was really good. The drive was about 3 hours, and roads were nice and dry, so no hassle. We quickly found a group of 8 birds and got to see them very well, especially after I called them across a valley to perch briefly, using playback of the very closely related Jandaya Parakeet. The local guide at Karasabai told me there are 11 individuals in that easily accessible area near the village, but there are “hundreds” about 1.5 hours’ drive on motorcycle or ATV, over the Pakaraima Mountain range. It sure would be fun to go there someday, and video that scene. Ron had arranged lunch at the village, which was great. We rolled into Manari that evening feeling pretty tired, but quite happy. It was rough to tell everyone that we’d be departing next morning at 03:30, breakfast in tow!
And that’s what we did, and what it took, to get us around the base of the Kanuku Mountains and out to Sand Creek village by 07:00, to go for Red Siskin. After rounding up a couple of local guides at their homes, we eventually made our way across low-water crossings and boulder-strewn creekbeds to a place called Shurintau, where we had a delicious cup of coffee and egg+ cheese rolls at the edge of a savanna within a range of low hills covered in a cerrado-like woodland (Curatella was dominant, and an important food-plant for the siskins). Here the Red Siskin seems to be doing fine, mainly owing to the presence of several perennial springs flowing out of these hills. We sat down near one spring that our local guide, Assaf, told us was especially attractive to the siskins. We were on a jumble of large rocks, watching the spot from maybe 40 feet away, perfect light at our backs. After nearly an hour there, Assaf suggested we walk ahead to the second spring site. As we walked along, he made radio contact with Ron and our main guide for western Guyana, Leroy, who had gone to cover another good area for the siskins a couple of miles away. They reported that they’d seen a group of siskins come by just then. We headed back to the vehicles, and, as we came by the first spring, a group of 11 Red Siskins flew in out of nowhere and briefly landed above the spring! Assaf had us sit down to wait, saying the birds would definitely be back soon, as they had not had a chance to get to the water. And yes, they did come back, just a few minutes later, staying sneaky and very quiet, but providing us with perfect views! They stuck around the area for several minutes, disappearing then suddenly reappearing a couple of times, and we got some great photos. Lifer for all, including me! Lunch at isolated, forlorn-looking Dadenawa Ranch in the middle of nowhere was most welcome, and provided a chance to poke our heads into gallery forest along the Rupununi River, where I pulled up a Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Blue-backed Manakin, and White-barred Piculet (which ain’t a Picumnus cirratus, whatever it is), with pygmy-owl imitation and squeaking. I could not get the tyrant-manakin to vocalize, unfortunately.
Our run to Ireng River was excellent, and we had beautiful views of both Rio Branco Antbird and Hoary-throated Spinetail in, literally, less than 10 minutes!! HOO-RAYY, BABY! This is in marked contrast to my experience in April, 2016, when it took about 3 hours to come up with them. Everyone was definitely very happy. We had our third pair of Pearl Kites out there as well, a pair vocalizing quite a bit, which was cool. We also spotted a couple of Pinnated Bitterns in near-dry, remnant marshes, about halfway out from Manari.
We got back to Manari by 10:00 to take some time to rest and repack, have lunch, rest a bit more, then get over to Lethem for the flight to Georgetown. All of that went very well, and we had a generally relaxing final day, all things considered, followed by a fine dinner at Cara Lodge. Most of us were on the Caribbean Air flight departing Georgetown at 05:30, so had to leave for the airport at 03:00 (bags down 02:45, aarrrgh).
This 16-day itinerary makes for a fully rewarding tour to Guyana. We ran through the majority of it at a brisk but unhurried pace, with generous afternoon siesta time, and 7-8 hours of sleep even on the several owling nights. Then comes the finish, with runs for the parakeet and siskin. Those hauls are harder on the frame, and coming at the end of two weeks of birding, are definitely more tiring. That said, the rewards are unusually exciting, and finding the parakeet and siskin is, especially with the help of the local guides, highly likely. It is important to do it in the dry season, and not just for the road conditions; I suspect the siskin could be real tough if there were much pooled water around those wooded hills.
A huge thanks to all of you guys for coming on this tour to Guyana. We had a wonderful time, full of great memories and sightings of difficult birds. I’ve been slow to get this list ready for you, so will prepare the list now and drop in some photos/videos here and there for fun. Happy birding, until we meet again!
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) [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui)
RED-LEGGED TINAMOU (Crypturellus erythropus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
VARIABLE CHACHALACA (Ortalis motmot)
MARAIL GUAN (Penelope marail)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
BLACK CURASSOW (Crax alector)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari)
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
PINNATED BITTERN (Botaurus pinnatus)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) [*]
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Butorides striata striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
A few Scarlet Ibis and a bunch of Snowy Egrets were at the Georgetown waterfront one morning. Photo by participant Steve Rannels.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber)
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)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja)
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus) [*]
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni)
Long-winged Harrier. Photo by participant Steve Rannels.
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
COMMON BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus)
RUFOUS CRAB HAWK (Buteogallus aequinoctialis)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
BLACK-FACED HAWK (Leucopternis melanops)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
OCELLATED CRAKE (Micropygia schomburgkii)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
ASH-THROATED CRAKE (Mustelirallus albicollis)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica)
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
SUNGREBE (Heliornis fulica)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
GRAY-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia crepitans)
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus bistriatus)
What a great view of Black-faced Hawk! Photo by participant Steve Rannels.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE (Columbina minuta)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
RUFOUS-WINGED GROUND-CUCKOO (Neomorphus rufipennis)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO (Piaya melanogaster)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) [*]
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata)
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) [*]
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi)
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata)
BLACK-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba huhula)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LEAST NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles pusillus)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus)
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga)
WHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis cayennensis)
SPOT-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis maculicaudus)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Here is a compilation video of our tour. There are a couple of other, shorter ones below for some of the birds and other creatures as well. Video by guide Bret Whitney.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
WHITE-WINGED POTOO (Nyctibius leucopterus)
RUFOUS POTOO (Nyctibius bracteatus)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-CHINNED SWIFT (Cypseloides cryptus)
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani)
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus) [*]
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus)
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber)
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus)
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi)
GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus theresiae)
RUBY-TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD (Chrysolampis mosquitus)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
RACKET-TAILED COQUETTE (Discosura longicaudus)
TUFTED COQUETTE (Lophornis ornatus)
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes notata)
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
PLAIN-BELLIED EMERALD (Amazilia leucogaster)
VERSICOLORED EMERALD (VERSICOLORED) (Amazilia versicolor hollandi)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis sapphirina)
WHITE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis cyanus)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
GUIANAN TROGON (Trogon violaceus)
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)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
GUIANAN PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
SPOTTED PUFFBIRD (Bucco tamatia)
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis)
BLACK NUNBIRD (Monasa atra)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Most of the birds we got reasonably well on video (I'll do some of the antbirds separately). Video by guide Bret Whitney.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris) [*]
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda)
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)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
GREEN ARACARI (Pteroglossus viridis)
BLACK-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus aracari)
GUIANAN TOUCANET (Selenidera piperivora)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-BELLIED PICULET (Picumnus spilogaster)
WHITE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus cirratus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
GOLDEN-COLLARED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis cassini)
BLOOD-COLORED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis sanguineus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula)
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus)
WAVED WOODPECKER (Celeus undatus)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis)
SLATY-BACKED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur mirandollei) [*]
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
ORANGE-BREASTED FALCON (Falco deiroleucus)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
A fabulous Guianan Toucanet, from the Atta canopy walkway. Photo by participant Steve Rannels.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera)
CAICA PARROT (Pyrilia caica)
DUSKY PARROT (Pionus fuscus)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
FESTIVE PARROT (NORTHERN) (Amazona festiva bodini)
BLUE-CHEEKED PARROT (Amazona dufresniana)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET (Forpus passerinus)
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
RED-FAN PARROT (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
PAINTED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura picta)
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (Eupsittula pertinax)
SUN PARAKEET (Aratinga solstitialis)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
RED-SHOULDERED MACAW (Diopsittaca nobilis)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
ASH-WINGED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis spodioptila)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
BLACK-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Frederickena viridis)
BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus canadensis)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus)
NORTHERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus punctatus)
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus)
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
RUFOUS-BELLIED ANTWREN (Isleria guttata)
BROWN-BELLIED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla gutturalis)
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura)
GUIANAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula surinamensis)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii)
SPOT-TAILED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus sticturus)
TODD'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus stictocephalus)
RUFOUS-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus)
Here are several of our many antbirds (it really was a fine trip for antbirds!). Video by guide Bret Whitney.
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea)
GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis cantator)
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
RIO BRANCO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra carbonaria)
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys)
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia) [*]
RORAIMAN ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes saturatus)
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes leucostigma)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes griseipectus)
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmoderus ferrugineus)
WHITE-PLUMED ANTBIRD (Pithys albifrons)
RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys rufigula)
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
SPOTTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus macularius) [*]
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma) [*]
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (GUIANAN) (Sclerurus mexicanus macconnelli) [*]
LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER (Deconychura longicauda)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes perrotii)
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus)
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes)
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens) [*]
HOARY-THROATED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis kollari)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina)
BEARDED TACHURI (Polystictus pectoralis brevipennis)
Crested Doradito -- excellent experience! Photo by participant Steve Rannels.
CRESTED DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx sclateri)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata)
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
MCCONNELL'S FLYCATCHER (Mionectes macconnelli)
OLIVE-GREEN TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes virescens)
GUIANAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius acer)
NORTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus arenarum)
PALE-TIPPED TYRANNULET (Inezia caudata)
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
HELMETED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus galeatus)
PALE-EYED PYGMY-TYRANT (Atalotriccus pilaris)
SLATE-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus sylvia)
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
PAINTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum pictum)
OLIVACEOUS FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus) [*]
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (GUIANAN) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens cherriei)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus) [*]
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) [*]
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus) [*]
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni)
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)
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus) [*]
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus dominicensis)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GUIANAN RED-COTINGA (Phoenicircus carnifex)
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola)
CRIMSON FRUITCROW (Haematoderus militaris)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
CAPUCHINBIRD (Perissocephalus tricolor)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
WHITE BELLBIRD (Procnias albus) [*]
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea)
Pipridae (Manakins)
TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes virescens)
PALE-BELLIED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma pallescens)
BLUE-BACKED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia pareola pareola)
WHITE-THROATED MANAKIN (Corapipo gutturalis)
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens)
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Dixiphia pipra)
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala erythrocephala)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
OLIVACEOUS SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis olivacea) [*]
DUSKY PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura fusca)
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha)
CINEREOUS BECARD (Pachyramphus rufus)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus) [*]
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis)
LEMON-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus thoracicus)
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius leucotis) [*]
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Tunchiornis ochraceiceps)
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAYENNE JAY (Cyanocorax cayanus)
Some of the mammals and other things we encountered on the tour. Video by guide Bret Whitney.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLACK-COLLARED SWALLOW (Pygochelidon melanoleuca)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon clarus)
BICOLORED WREN (Campylorhynchus griseus)
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) [*]
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
COCOA THRUSH (Turdus fumigatus) [*]
SPECTACLED THRUSH (Turdus nudigenis) [*]
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata)
FLAVESCENT WARBLER (Myiothlypis flaveola)
RIVERBANK WARBLER (Myiothlypis rivularis) [*]
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus)
FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
FULVOUS SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio fulvus) [*]
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-BACKED TANAGER (Cyanicterus cyanicterus)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Ixothraupis punctata)
BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER (Tangara cayana)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
SHORT-BILLED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes nitidus)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
BICOLORED CONEBILL (Conirostrum bicolor)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteola)
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta)
GRAY SEEDEATER (Sporophila intermedia)
WING-BARRED SEEDEATER (Sporophila americana)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis)
PLUMBEOUS SEEDEATER (Sporophila plumbea)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava haemalea)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
RED-AND-BLACK GROSBEAK (Periporphyrus erythromelas)
ROSE-BREASTED CHAT (Granatellus pelzelni) [*]
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia cyanoides)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella militaris)
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous)
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
YELLOW ORIOLE (Icterus nigrogularis)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus lugubris)
YELLOW-HOODED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus icterocephalus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PLUMBEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia plumbea) [*]
FINSCH'S EUPHONIA (Euphonia finschi)
VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia violacea)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)
GOLDEN-SIDED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cayennensis)
RED SISKIN (Spinus cucullatus)
"Georgetown Click & Clack" -- before they were big! Video by guide Bret Whitney.
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
GOLDEN-HANDED TAMARIN (Saguinus midas) [*]
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
BROWN BEARDED SAKI MONKEY (Chiropotes satanas)
WEDGE-CAPPED CAPUCHIN (Cebus olivaceus)
BLACK SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles paniscus)
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus)
GIANT ANTEATER (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
RED-RUMPED AGOUTI (Dasyprocta agouti)
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis)
WEST INDIAN MANATEE (Trichechus manatus)
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)
Bruce and Bill identified many interesting plants for us, which was greatly appreciated by all -- thanks guys! We also saw lots of butterflies and a couple of large tarantulas, and Black and Spectacled Caiman, among numerous other non-avian actors.
Totals for the tour: 446 bird taxa and 13 mammal taxa