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Kaieteur Falls is always a highlight of our Guyana tour. We are able to take in the astounding view of this gorgeous valley, and find some special birds and animals in the nearby forest. Here, participant Chuck Holliday has captured our group taking in the panorama.
I always feel very comfortable in this part of the world. The Guianan Shield is the first region of South America that I birded back in the day (1989 to be exact) and I spent a lot of time guiding tours in eastern Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname in the '90's and early '00's, learning the birds here as well as any avifauna in the world that I know. Just knowing what all of those sounds in the forest are and what species lurk inside that mass of green puts me at ease. Showing other birders the wealth of feathered forms here is a real pleasure for me and I hope that our Guyana tour together found all of you pleased and unstressed throughout our journey!
Guyana has so much to offer birders, it's a wonder that we don't run into more of them when we're out and about. This year's trip was one of the best that I've ever been party to. Weather was better than expected and the birds really came through for us! It helps so much having a happy and able crew to help us along, and we're forever in the debt of guide Ron Allicock, and Devin and Rensford, our expert drivers and travel companions.
Birds were predictably great. The BIG targets for most folks on this tour – the Gray-winged Trumpeter and the Harpy Eagle – obliged us, allowing your guides to breathe a little easier after they were located. But there were so many others, from our nine species of cotingas, all of those antbirds, incredible tanagers, gaudy parrots – the list goes on and on. Some of my favorites this year (besides the Trumpeter and the Harpy) were that incredible Rufous Potoo on a roosting perch, multiple Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds, a surprise Azure Gallinule, that shy little Short-billed Leaftosser, a super-confiding Hoary-throated Spinetail, two different Pinnated Bitterns, a surprise immature Agami Heron, all of those Masked Ducks(!), just to mention a few.
Thanks to all of you for joining me for this one – you all were great company, and fun and engaging birders. A good group makes my job so much easier and enjoyable, so I thank you all for that. Again, thanks to Ron Allicock for his expert logistics skills and tour management – not to mention his birding skills, which are 'top-notch'. I hope I get to return to Guyana sometime soon and I hope that we all can travel again before that retirement date arrives! I wish you all a wonderful 2019! Dave
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
BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) – One of these shy birds crossed the road in front of the lead vehicle on our way into Surama.
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
The Hoatzin is one of the oddest birds in the world. We got great views of these unusual creatures along the Mahaica River. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
RED-LEGGED TINAMOU (Crypturellus erythropus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) – We whistled this one in, but not quite close enough to see it. [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – We had a couple of large flocks as we made our way to Caiman House in the Rupununi Savanna.
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata) – Mostly in the Rupununi Savanna.
MASKED DUCK (Nomonyx dominicus) – I made a pretty careful count on that last day near the Ireng R. and came up with at least 48 birds - more than I've ever seen anywhere!
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
VARIABLE CHACHALACA (Ortalis motmot) – Surprisingly scarce this year. Formerly called the Little Chachalaca.
MARAIL GUAN (Penelope marail) – We enjoyed some excellent studies of this one in close proximity to the very similar Spix's Guan at Iwokrama River Lodge.
SPIX'S GUAN (GRANT'S) (Penelope jacquacu granti) – This one seems to outnumber the above Marail Guan along our route.
BLACK CURASSOW (Crax alector) – There's no place better than Atta Lodge to see this one!
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus) – We had multiple sightings from the roadside once we got down into the Rupununi Savanna.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) – This and the next species were with the Masked Ducks on the final morning of birding.
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [IN]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – Mostly an open country or river edge species.
This wonderful Rufous Crab-Hawk was a lifer for most of us on the tour! Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa) – Just a few of these from Atta Lodge southwards to Surama.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) [*]
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea) – Red eyes on this species help to i.d. it when it's not singing.
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE (Columbina minuta) – Bill and I may have been the only ones to see this one fly by at the Crested Doradito spot.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa) – A male seen by most in the savanna woodland at Surama.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) – We never got a group sighting of this widespread forest species.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Very common in the Rupununi Savanna.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major) – Julie spotted this one on our first morning of the tour. Much larger than the next species and overall glossy blue.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) [*]
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta) – Fabulous looks along the Mahaica R. on our first morning.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) – We heard quite a few of these, but saw only a couple of them.
BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO (Piaya melanogaster) – Nice looks of this uncommon species in the clearing at Atta Lodge on our first afternoon there.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda) – A few folks saw this one from the vehicles as we left Caiman House for the Ireng R. on the final morning.
LEAST NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles pusillus) – Excellent looks in the Rupununi Savanna near Caiman House. Much smaller and shorter-tailed than the next species.
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus) – Very good flyby looks of at least one of these forest nighthawks at Atta Lodge on our first evening there.
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga) – Fewer than I expected, from the boats on the Rupununi R. as we came back in the evening.
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens) – The lead vehicle got one of these near Atta Lodge on our second night there.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – Only a few of these this year in the Caiman House area.
WHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis cayennensis) – Ron's roost site again proven golden for this one near Caiman House. Watch where you put your feet, though!
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca) – Right on cue amongst the river rocks in front of Iwokrama River Lodge.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – We saw not one, but TWO of these roosting in the seasonally flooded woodland near Surama Lodge shortly after we arrived there.
LONG-TAILED POTOO (Nyctibius aethereus) – One of our many highlights of walking the Turtle Mountain Trail near Iwokrama River Lodge was seeing this roosting bird right above us on the trail! Back when I started birding in S. America during the late '80's, this species (and a few other potoos) had mythical status - now folks are finding them just about everywhere!
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – One of these for the last boat at the end over our Rupununi River trip.
RUFOUS POTOO (Nyctibius bracteatus) – WOWWW!!! It took a bit of sloshing through the flooded forest, but the looks we got at this scarce species certainly made it worthwhile! This is another one of those potoos that had near-mythical status when I started birding in S. America (it's still not seen all that often, and certainly less frequently than Long-tailed Potoo).
Here we are, on the great Rufous Potoo adventure! The bird made us work for it, but we ended up with amazing views, and a great story! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – A huge, swirling flock at Kaieteur Falls when we arrived there was something to behold!
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani) – Several of these were foraging with the more numerous Band-rumped Swifts at Iwokrama River Lodge on our last morning. That dark rump is a key field character.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura) – Only a few of these this year, and usually around water.
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus) – The most common of the Chaetura swifts on this tour.
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris) – Shaped more like Chapman's than Band-rumped, with an extensive gray rump (not a discrete white band).
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus) – We saw a number of these small swifts flying behind the falls at Kaieteur, presumably heading to their nest sites.
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata) – Mostly in the savanna on this tour.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri) – Heard only at Kaieteur Falls. [*]
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus) – The only large hermit species that we saw on this one.
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber) – Often mistaken for a large, rust-colored flying insect!
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus) – The bright white underparts and all of that white in the tail make this one unmistakable here.
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi) – We had one group sighting of this savanna species on our way to look for the Crested Doradito.
GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus theresiae) – Excellent studies of one bird in the light savanna woodland near Surama.
RUBY-TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD (Chrysolampis mosquitus) – A couple of adults at Narish's house on the first morning (thanks, Mike!), and then another adult male in the savanna at Surama.
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus) – There's a Cholorstilbon species in just about every corner of the Neotropics – this is the species in the Guianas.
This is just part of the whirlwind of White-collared Swifts that we saw on our arrival at Kaieteur Falls. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes notata) – Very widespread in S. America east of the Andes.
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis) – This seemed to be the only 'regular' species at the lone feeder at Atta Lodge.
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata) – A couple of gorgeous males at various venues.
WHITE-CHESTED EMERALD (Amazilia brevirostris) – The only one that we saw was a single bird (with that all-important all-black bill) in the light savanna woodland near Surama.
PLAIN-BELLIED EMERALD (Amazilia leucogaster) – The only hummer that we saw in the gardens at Cara Lodge in Georgetown - and the only place that we saw this one.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin) – Great looks, once again, on the Mahaica River near the coast.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica) – Quite a few on the last day only at the Masked Duck pond.
AZURE GALLINULE (Porphyrio flavirostris) – A real surprise was finding a lovely adult bird climbing through the vegetation bordering one of the ponds near where we parked at Narish's house.
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) [*]
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
GRAY-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia crepitans) – One of the 'mega-targets' on this tour for several folks – right up there with Harpy for some – this one proved to be rather easy this year along the Linden-Lethem Highway.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus bistriatus) – A couple of memorable encounters down in the Rupununi.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus) – A number of these (18 by my count) hung around on the lawn of the main compound nearest the river at Iwokrama River Lodge.
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Guyana is probably the best place to find the little-known Crimson Fruitcrow, and we had good luck in finding a couple of females on the road between Surama and Atta Lodges. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – A couple of birds at the Fairview airstrip near Iwokrama River Lodge.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana) [N]
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b]
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris) – Including a couple of birds on the banks of the Ireng R. on the Brazilian border on the final day.
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) – Best on the Essequibo R. near Iwokrama River Lodge.
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger) – A family on the sand bar near Iwokrama River Lodge was our only sighting.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – A couple of birds only this year out in the Rupununi.
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria) – Incomparable!
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
PINNATED BITTERN (Botaurus pinnatus) – Pat deftly spotted our first of two down in the Rupununi. We all caught up with it again the following day while chasing down the Crested Doradito.
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) – With only two sightings this trip, this beautiful heron proved more difficult than usual.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi) – Sometimes called the White-necked Heron.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) – Only along the immediate coast.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Butorides striata striata)
AGAMI HERON (Agamia agami) – Another surprise this year was when an immature bird flushed from the edge of the oxbow along the Turtle Mountain Trail.
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus) – Typically scarce on this tour.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
We had to come back to the nest tree twice before we were able to get a good view of this female Harpy Eagle. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius) – A few birds caught in the beam of the light as we returned to the launch site along the Rupununi R.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber) – Like several other waterbirds on this tour, this one was confined to the immediate coast.
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) – Only seen in the Rupununi Savanna this year.
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus) – Only in the savanna.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja) – On our last morning only.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – Especially nice was that perched adult bird along the Linden-Lethem Highway between Atta Lodge and Iwokrama River Lodge.
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – A few of these were in the coastal lowlands on the first morning, then we ran into it again in the Rupununi Savanna far to the south.
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus) – This was the only 'yellow-headed vulture' that we saw in the forested areas around the northern three lodges.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – Devin's vehicle had this one in the Rupununi Savanna as we made our way to Caiman House. Now split from the birds of the Old World and Australia.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – A fairly common sight in the forested areas.
HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja) – YESSSS!!!! It took us a couple of attempts, since the pair wasn't actively nesting, but our second visit paid off handsomely with fabulous scope views of the adult female in the nest tree! A lifer that was a long time coming for some folks on the tour.
This roosting Long-tailed Potoo was a prize we found on the Turtle Mountain Trail at Iwokrama River Lodge. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – Pretty nice looks along the main coastal highway on the first day as we drove back to Georgetown.
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis) – Most of our sightings were along the coastal plain.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – A couple of distant soaring birds along the Linden-Lethem Highway were the only ones we saw.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) – A common roadside sight in the forested areas.
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni) – This gorgeous raptor was only seen a couple of times – on the Mahaica R. and then in the Rupununi.
RUFOUS CRAB HAWK (Buteogallus aequinoctialis) – After striking out on our first attempt, Ron took us to the better spot along the coastal highway to see this range-restricted raptor. A lifer for most!
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis) – Only from Surama southwards into the savanna.
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga) – We had a super-close encounter with this one along the Mahaica R. on the first morning.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis) – A lovely raptor, with a couple of fine looks.
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus) – A recent (re-)split from the Gray Hawk to the north.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – A couple of birds flew in to roost along the Rupununi R. late in the afternoon during our return boat trip.
Strigidae (Owls)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) [*]
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi) – Heard several times, but never all that close. [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) – Eye-level views of a bird in the riverine thicket on our final morning along the Ireng R.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – One pair only near Caiman House this year.
BLACK-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba huhula) – A very reliable pair!
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) [*]
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis) – Now split from the birds west of the Andes, this one used to be called the White-tailed Trogon.
GUIANAN TROGON (Trogon violaceus) – Another recent trogon split, this one is now split from both Amazonian Trogon and Gartered Trogon. When lumped, we called this one the Violaceous Trogon.
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus) – A single male gave us some nice looks along the Turtle Mountain Trail near Iwokrama River Lodge.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – A single bird perched near Narish's house was our only sighting.
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda) – This one proved to be very responsive at the bridge near Surama on our final morning there.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
GUIANAN PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos) – We had to move to the final platform at Atta before we could see this one. A relatively recent split from the White-necked Puffbird.
BLACK NUNBIRD (Monasa atra) – Big and unmistakable within its range.
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – Sometimes just called the Swallow-wing.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda) – Only along the Ireng R. on the Brazil border on this tour. The birds here seem to be isolated from the birds of the Orinoco Basin to the north and the Rio Negro/Amazon area farther south.
GREEN-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula galbula) – Great views along the Mahaica R. and at Caiman House.
BRONZY JACAMAR (Galbula leucogastra) – After only hearing this bird distantly in the afternoon near Atta Lodge, we got great views of a pair of these in the white sand forest near there a couple of days later. A close relative of the Purplish Jacamar to the west.
PARADISE JACAMAR (Galbula dea) – One of the most striking of the many jacamar species and more or less confined to the canopy of tall forest.
Southern Lapwings are common in many of the grasslands of South America, including Guyana. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus) – After hearing several of these, we finally caught up with it on our final morning at Surama.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARBET (Capito niger) – Often heard on this tour, we finally got a decent look at it on our travel day between Iwokrama River Lodge and Surama.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
GREEN ARACARI (Pteroglossus viridis) – This one lacks the banding on the yellow belly that we saw on the Black-necked Aracari.
BLACK-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus aracari) – Our most common aracari.
GUIANAN TOUCANET (Selenidera piperivora) – Scope views in a small fruiting tree along the roadside south of Iwokrama River Lodge.
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco) – Reliably seen in the Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus) – It seems like we saw and heard both of the big forest Ramphastos toucans in about equal numbers throughout the trip.
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-BELLIED PICULET (Picumnus spilogaster) – Fantastic looks at this one at our Rufous Crab Hawk spot near the coast on the first day.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus) – The only ones we ever saw (or heard!) were on that first afternoon at Atta Lodge.
GOLDEN-COLLARED WOODPECKER (Dryobates cassini) – We had a pretty decent look at this one from the canopy walkway at Atta Lodge. This is the Guiana Shield replacement species for the Red-stained Woodpecker.
BLOOD-COLORED WOODPECKER (Dryobates sanguineus) – Outstanding looks at this local specialty woodpecker in the mangroves at our first stop on the first morning of the tour.
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis) – Seen well near Surama Lodge on the final morning there. [N]
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos) – Perhaps best near Atta Lodge on that first afternoon there.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus) – Widespread throughout the Neotropics.
Ron knows of a roost-site where we found this snoozing White-tailed Nightjar. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus) [*]
WAVED WOODPECKER (Celeus undatus) – Nice looks from the canopy walkway. This one replaces the similar Scale-breasted Woodpecker to the west of the Guiana Shield.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) – Nicely in the scopes from the Iwokrama River Lodge clearing on our final morning there.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans) – Great looks at this one next to the trail near Surama on our final morning there.
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula) – We got this gorgeous woodpecker in the scope from the canopy walkway at Atta Lodge.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater) – This doesn't seem to be a very good tour for this widespread species. Seen only a couple of times.
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) – Incredibly noisy!
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway) – Replaced by the relatively recently split Southern Caracara just to the south of Guyana.
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – A single silent bird on the Mahaica R. was all that we encountered on this tour this year.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – A couple of brief sightings in the Rupununi Savanna.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis) – Several perched up nicely for us along the Linden-Lethem Highway.
ORANGE-BREASTED FALCON (Falco deiroleucus) – After a little research and some discussion with some of my colleagues after I returned home, I'm now confident that we can call the bird that we scoped at the falls this species. It seemed to be a particularly diminutive adult male.
We had a very nice encounter with this Great Black Hawk along the Mahaica River. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – A couple of birds on the first afternoon at the Botanical Gardens. [b]
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
LILAC-TAILED PARROTLET (Touit batavicus) – Heard only at Iwokrama River Lodge. [*]
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera) – We recorded these tiny parrots daily in the forested part of the tour, but most of our detections were voice only.
CAICA PARROT (Pyrilia caica) – A couple of quick flybys only. A tough one to get perched!
DUSKY PARROT (Pionus fuscus) [*]
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) – One of the most common parrot species in the forested venues.
FESTIVE PARROT (Amazona festiva) [*]
BLUE-CHEEKED PARROT (Amazona dufresniana) – After hearing several, we finally got a pair of these to perch over the road at Iwokrama River Lodge – but they didn't stay long.
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala) – Most of our sightings were in the savanna in the south.
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET (Forpus passerinus) – Just a couple of birds at Narish's place on the first morning. Not a common species along our route.
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus) – We had only one good sighting of this beautiful parrot on our drive from Iwokrama River Lodge to Surama.
RED-FAN PARROT (Deroptyus accipitrinus) – The best looks were from the clearing at Iwokrama River Lodge. Some folks actually got to see the fan on the back of the head raised!
PAINTED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura picta) – The only species of Pyrrhura along our route.
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (Eupsittula pertinax) – From the coast to the Rupununi Savanna.
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus) – Our last macaw species of the tour was found at the end of the tour near Caiman House in the few patches of Moriche Palms.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna) – Nice scope looks at the Fairview airstrip near Iwokrama River Lodge.
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao) – Seemingly not as common or widespread here as the next species.
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus) – We encountered this macaw more than any of the others on the tour this year.
RED-SHOULDERED MACAW (Diopsittaca nobilis) – Nesting at the Georgetown Botanical Gardens and in the Moriche Palms near Caiman House. [N]
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
ASH-WINGED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis spodioptila) [*]
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus) [*]
BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus canadensis) – All of the Sakesphorus antshrikes are pretty fancy. We enjoyed our best looks at this one on our way down to Caiman House.
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) [*]
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus) – Frequently heard, but only seen once or twice on this tour.
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus) – Knowing the voices of this and the Cinereous is really helpful when trying to i.d. them.
Scarlet Ibis were only seen along the coast early that first morning of the tour. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius) – With nearly every understory flock that we encountered at our forested venues.
RUFOUS-BELLIED ANTWREN (Isleria guttata) – Briefly seen in the understory by some along the Capuchinbird trail at Iwokrama River Lodge.
BROWN-BELLIED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla gutturalis) – We finally caught up with this one on our second hike into the Harpy nest.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) – It's always tough to try and see a tiny, canopy-loving bird like this, but most folks got a look along the Turtle Mountain Trail.
GUIANAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula surinamensis) – The female is much prettier than the male in this one.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis) – Seen well along the Atta Lodge entrance road.
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii) – This was in the same flock as the above Long-winged and was seen well, too.
SPOT-TAILED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus sticturus) [*]
TODD'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus stictocephalus) – Bill may have been the only one to get a look at this canopy-dwelling species. Not rare, but really tough to see in the 100'+ trees!
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea) – Great looks at this one in the riverine habitat near Caiman House.
GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis cantator) – The old Warbling Antbird was split up into seven species a while back, and this is the only one along our route on this tour.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina) – Nicely along the roadside as we made our way to Surama.
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) – Another canopy-dweller, we found a slightly lower canopy to help us get a look at this one along the Turtle Mountain Trail near Iwokrama River Lodge.
RIO BRANCO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra carbonaria) – This very local species was seen very well on our final morning of the tour on the Ireng R. on the Roraima border.
Participant Chuck Holliday got this great portrait of a Jabiru; what an amazing bird!
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys) [*]
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon) – The start of the Turtle Mountain Trail was the spot for this one this year.
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia) [*]
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes) – Only a few folks got to see these mostly silent birds on our way to the Rupununi R. boat ride.
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmoderus ferrugineus) – A real stunner, we had a couple of great looks at this one.
WHITE-PLUMED ANTBIRD (Pithys albifrons) [*]
RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys rufigula) [*]
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus) – Nice views as we searched for the Black Manakin near Atta Lodge. This one is now split from the similar Xingu Scale-backed Antbird farther south on the other side of the Amazon.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
SPOTTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus macularius) – We almost got everyone a look through the scope of this singing shy bird at Atta...
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
SHORT-BILLED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus rufigularis) – Hearing this one sing next to the trail was a nice surprise as we headed back to the road. Nicer yet was getting everyone on this skulker in the fading afternoon light!
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia) – The birds of the Guianan Shield have red bills and a minimum of barring, so separating them from Red-billed Woodcreeper can be a challenge.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) [*]
After our slog through the flooded forest, we were rewarded with a wonderful look at a Rufous Potoo on its roost. Guide Dave Stejskal took this video, showing how the bird sways back and forth, perhaps perhaps mimicking the wind blowing a dead, rust-colored leaf.
RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes perrotii) – He never came in, darn it! [*]
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus) – Very similar to Straight-billed Woodcreeper.
CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus) – Nice looks along the trails near Surama. This one is always with those mixed understory flocks inside the forest.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) – We heard far more than we saw.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) – Nicely on the first afternoon at the Botanical Gardens.
GUIANAN WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes albolineatus) – We finally caught up with this small canopy woodcreeper on our final morning at Surama. Lineated Woodcreeper was recently split up into 5 species, and this is the one that occupies the Guianan Shield.
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus) [*]
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus) – Easily seen at Narish's place.
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens) – Like the above species, this one is easily seen at Narish's place - right where we parked our vehicle.
HOARY-THROATED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis kollari) – Like the Rio Branco Antbird, this one has a very restricted range and barely makes it into Guyana from Roraima, Brazil. Great looks!
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme) – A tiny canopy species that we saw from the canopy walkway at Atta Lodge.
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina) – Easily seen at the Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
BEARDED TACHURI (Polystictus pectoralis) – Wow! What an incredible spot by local guide Kenneth near Caiman House! The conditions for seeing a tiny bird fly across the road were pretty horrible, but, thanks to Kenneth, we pulled this one out of the fire!
CRESTED DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx sclateri) – Another species that we're all thankful for our local guides for finding near Caiman House. The windy conditions out in the savanna made this tiny flycatcher stick to its perches a little longer than normal, allowing us all to get into position to see it well at close range.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – Frequently heard calling in the canopy; seen well once.
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) – Another canopy species that we heard often but saw infrequently.
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata) – We had a great look at a responsive bird on our first afternoon at Surama. This one seems to always have a more erect crest look than the other congeners in the area.
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis) – Best i.d.'ed by voice. Seen well near Surama.
We scoped this falcon at Kaieteur Falls, but it wasn't until later that guide Dave Stejskal was able to determine that it was likely a small male Orange-breasted Falcon. Though it was a bit far away, it was certainly a lovely bird!
RUFOUS-CROWNED ELAENIA (Elaenia ruficeps) – The first bird that we tried for after we landed at Kaieteur was this species, and it popped right up into view for us!
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
MCCONNELL'S FLYCATCHER (Mionectes macconnelli) – Very similar to the above species and, like that one, it eats quite a bit of fruit for a flycatcher. We saw this one in a small fruiting tree with other frugivores on our drive from Iwokrama River Lodge to Surama.
GUIANAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius acer) – A recent split from Slender-footed Tyrannulet.
PALE-TIPPED TYRANNULET (Inezia caudata) – Our best looks were on the Ireng R. on the final morning.
RINGED ANTPIPIT (Corythopis torquatus) – Some folks saw this one walking in the leaf litter in the short white sand forest near Atta Lodge. It's a stretch to think of this one as a flycatcher, but it is!
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
HELMETED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus galeatus) – We saw this tiny flycatcher a few times, and also heard countless others.
PALE-EYED PYGMY-TYRANT (Atalotriccus pilaris) – Nicely in the patch of dry forest en route to Caiman House.
SLATE-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus sylvia) – On our last day on the Ireng R.
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum) – One of the first birds that we saw on the tour in the mangroves near Georgetown.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) – We called this one in for a look at the Long-tailed Potoo spot along the Turtle Mountain Trail near Iwokrama River Lodge.
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus) – We heard several of these, but our one sighting was at the clearing edge at Iwokrama River Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (OCHRE-LORED) (Tolmomyias flaviventris aurulentus) – These birds in the Guianan Shield area are visually and vocally quite different than the birds in w. Amazonia and should probably be split out as a separate species. We saw it well at Surama on our final morning there.
One of the dainty Pied Lapwings that we saw on the lawn at Iwokrama River Lodge posed nicely for a photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos) – We had a brief encounter with this one along the Turtle Mountain Trail just as the rain started.
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus) – A fantastic, close encounter with this diminutive flycatcher along the Harpy trail on our second hike in to the nest tree.
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea) – One of these perched up high in the canopy above the trail as we headed back to our plane at Kaieteur Falls.
WHISKERED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius barbatus) – A single bird acting very redstart-like in the canopy near Surama on our final morning there. A relatively recent split from Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher to the west of the Andes.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica) – This and the next species are both very distinctive black-and-white water's edge species.
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – Since this one is a cavity nester, we always seem to find it around dead snags – like we saw it near Atta Lodge this year.
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) – For a flatbill, this one doesn't really have that flat of a bill. I usually find this one in that stunted forest in the white sand areas near Atta Lodge.
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex) [*]
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox) – Almost always around water.
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – The race here, nominate tyrannulus, isn't as brightly colored as the races we see in N. America.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – Another species that's always around water.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Participant Chuck Holliday took this video as we flew over Kaieteur Falls on our way to Iwokrama River.
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis) – Voice is the best way to separate this one from the similar Social Flycatcher (which doesn't occur along our route).
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus) – A couple of these canopy dwellers were lured in to the edge of the clearing at Iwokrama River Lodge on our final morning there.
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – Not many detected this year.
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) – A single bird gave us a good showing in that light woodland near Surama on our first afternoon there. There were just enough Moriche Palms at that spot to attract this one, which is pretty much a Moriche Palm obligate.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus dominicensis) – One or two only at the Georgetown Botanical Gardens on the first afternoon of the tour. [b]
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – I always love seeing this one...
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GUIANAN RED-COTINGA (Phoenicircus carnifex) – We stepped into the stunted forest and had this bird nearly overhead in no time at all! These birds are more like giant manakins than they are cotingas.
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola) – Kaieteur Falls is turning out to be the best place for this one along our route. We wound up seeing multiple stunning males just off of the trail as we made our way to the overlook of the falls.
CRIMSON FRUITCROW (Haematoderus militaris) – A couple of females next to the Linden-Lethem Highway between Surama and Atta Lodge were the only ones that we saw this year, but that was enough! This big, showy cotinga is poorly known and rarely seen, but our Guyana tour is one of the best chances that you'll ever have of seeing it!
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata) – More often heard than seen.
CAPUCHINBIRD (Perissocephalus tricolor) – It was great fun watching those multiple bizarre males displaying in the canopy near Iwokrama River Lodge one morning before breakfast! We ran into it again a couple of times near Surama.
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana) – The males area always show-stoppers!
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans) – Including great looks of a calling bird at the Harpy Eagle tree!
The Rupununi Savanna was the place to find Double-striped Thick-knees. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea) – A gorgeous male spotted along the road near Atta Lodge was the only one seen this trip.
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus) – Ron says that this one is becoming more regular along the Rupununi R. Great looks from the boats!
Pipridae (Manakins)
TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes virescens) – We tracked one of these down for some super looks in the forest near Surama on our final morning there.
BLUE-BACKED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia pareola) – A quick stroll through the gallery woodland between Yupukari and the river yielded some nice looks at this one.
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens) – Excellent looks at this white sand forest specialty near Atta Lodge.
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Dixiphia pipra) – We finally found a lovely adult male right along the trail near Surama on the final morning there.
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala erythrocephala) – Most of ours were non-adult male plumaged birds (i.e. – dull and dingy), but we did run across a nice male or two on our final morning near Surama.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana) – Good scope looks at Iwokrama.
CINEREOUS MOURNER (Laniocera hypopyrra) – We found a responsive bird at the bridge along the road through the forest near Surama Lodge. Very infrequently detected on this tour.
DUSKY PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura fusca) – Ron spotted a couple of birds in the fruiting tree next to the highway on our drive down to Surama from Iwokrama. Formerly classified with the cotingas, this one is now thought to be closer to the tityras and becards.
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha) – A responsive male came in nicely for us in the savanna woodland near Surama.
CINEREOUS BECARD (Pachyramphus rufus) – Good looks along the Mahaica R. and near Surama.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis) – A very close bird on our final morning along the Ireng R.
LEMON-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus thoracicus) [*]
We saw the beautiful Golden Rocket Frog at Kaieteur Falls. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina) [*]
CHIVI VIREO (Vireo chivi) – These S. American birds are now split from our familiar Red-eyed Vireo.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAYENNE JAY (Cyanocorax cayanus) – Our best looks were along the forest road near Surama on our final morning there.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLACK-COLLARED SWALLOW (Pygochelidon melanoleuca) – A common species along the Essequibo R. at Iwokrama.
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) – A single female bird at Surama. [b]
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera) – This one was much more common once we got down to the Rupununi Savanna.
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer) – A close relative of our Tree Swallow, this one is always found around water.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [b]
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon clarus)
BICOLORED WREN (Campylorhynchus griseus) – Nicely in the Moriche Palm grove near Caiman House.
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) – We got a very nice response from a pair of these skulkers along the trail at Kaieteur Falls.
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – This one's now in its own family.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas) – Thrushes were in short supply this year – this one was pretty much it for the group except for a quick flyby Cocoa along the Turtle Mountain Trail.
COCOA THRUSH (Turdus fumigatus) [*]
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens) – Some folks in the lead vehicle saw this one fly off in the Rupununi Savanna near Caiman House.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PLUMBEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia plumbea) – Some of us caught a glimpse of a male at Kaieteur Falls shortly after our arrival there.
FINSCH'S EUPHONIA (Euphonia finschi) – More than a dozen of these local euphonias came in to my pygmy-owl imitation in the Rupununi Savanna.
VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia violacea) – This is usually the only euphonia seen on this tour with a yellow throat.
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta) – A couple of males this time around. As far as euphonias go, this is a relatively scarce one.
GOLDEN-SIDED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cayennensis) – Nicely in the scopes.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
PECTORAL SPARROW (Arremon taciturnus) [*]
We found this Little Cuckoo on our first morning when we visited the Mahaica River. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna) – Only in the Rupununi Savanna.
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Leistes militaris) – This one has had its name changed so often I don't don't know what it's called anymore!
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis) – The larger of the two oropendola species here.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela) [N]
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous) – Good views at some active nests near Surama, with Yellow-rumped Caciques nesting in a nearby tree. [N]
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus) [*]
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus) – This one replaces the Venezuelan Troupial to the south and west of that one.
YELLOW ORIOLE (Icterus nigrogularis) – Actively nesting at the Georgetown Botanical Gardens. [N]
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus) – Daily once we got to the forest.
CARIB GRACKLE (Quiscalus lugubris)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) [b*]
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) [b]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes canadensis) – Only seen on our Kaieteur Falls hike.
A Green-backed Trogon posed nicely for a portrait by guide Dave Stejskal.
ROSE-BREASTED CHAT (Granatellus pelzelni) – Just a couple of folks got onto this shy bird across the roadside clearing near Atta Lodge.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) – Beautiful, but not really a cardinal (unrelated to our familiar Northern Cardinal).
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata) – Good looks at this one on our final morning along the Ireng River.
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus) – Only a couple of these this trip – we usually see more.
FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus) – The birds at Kaieteur Falls really gave us an eye-full!
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
RED-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus phoenicius) – It's difficult to see anything other than black on the shoulder of this species. A stunted white sand forest/savanna scrub specialty.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-BACKED TANAGER (Cyanicterus cyanicterus) – After we got out of the vehicles and heard their distinctive calls, it didn't take long to get a look at this big, beautiful tanager in the scope!
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana) – This was our only Tangara tanager of the trip – and we didn't see it until Day 8!
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus) – Love those bright yellow legs!
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
Here is a view of our group enjoying a close-up look at Kaieteur Falls. Photo by participant Chuck Holliday.
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza) – A couple of fancy males.
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis) – Uniquely and distinctly patterned.
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteola) – In the Rupununi Savanna only on this trip.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris) – Easily seen in the clearing at Iwokrama River Lodge.
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta) – Mostly in the Rupununi Savanna.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis) – We finally got a great look at an adult male near Surama.
GRAY SEEDEATER (Sporophila intermedia) – A single male at the bridge as we headed south into the Rupununi Savanna.
WING-BARRED SEEDEATER (Sporophila americana) – Common in the coastal habitats.
PLUMBEOUS SEEDEATER (Sporophila plumbea) – This was seen by some along the roadside as we headed to the Caiman House.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola) – A single bird for a couple of us near Caiman House.
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus) [*]
MAMMALS
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso) – A few flushed from the river's edge near Caiman House.
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus) – Many of these were seen on our boat ride back to the cars along the Rupununi R. after sunset.
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus) – Heard daily when we were at our forested venues, but only seen once on the trip along the Mahaica R.
WEDGE-CAPPED CAPUCHIN (Cebus olivaceus) [*]
BLACK SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles paniscus) – Some got nice looks at this one in the canopy near Atta Lodge.
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – Near Atta Lodge for some folks.
GIANT ANTEATER (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) – We enjoyed two very memorable encounters with this strange creature in the far south.
RED-RUMPED AGOUTI (Dasyprocta agouti) – A rather regular sight along the roadside near the forested venues.
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous) – Some of us saw this one exceptionally well early one morning near Caiman House.
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis) – The group of four that we saw swimming in the Mahaica R. at the start of the tour were only within ten kilometers of the coast, where they are exceptionally rare. The other one that we saw at Manari Ranch, OJ, was a surprise sighting as well!
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana) – Seen by some along the Linden-Lethem Highway.
We found a number of interesting herps on the tour, including a few Tropical Rattlesnakes. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Herps
COMMON HOUSE GECKO (Hemidactylus frenatus)
BLACK-COLLARED LIZARD (Tropidurus hispidus) – Around the buildings at Surama Lodge.
GIANT AMEIVA (Ameiva ameiva) – These were all over the lawn in the clearing at Atta Lodge and elsewhere.
TIGER RAT SNAKE (Spilotes pullatus) – Ron found a very large individual in the riparian scrub along the Ireng R. on our final morning.
TROPICAL (OR SOUTH AMERICAN) RATTLESNAKE (Crotalus durissus) – I thought finding the original individual was pretty good, then Reese found two more in the same patch of trees!
GREEN VINE SNAKE (Oxybelis fulgidus) – One nice specimen along the Linden-Lethem Highway.
SPECTACLED CAIMAN (Caiman crocodilus) – Much smaller than the next species.
BLACK CAIMAN (Melanosuchus niger) – Including 'Big Daddy' at the dock at Iwokrama River Lodge.
RED-LEGGED TORTOISE (Chelonoidis carbonaria) – I think that the final verdict was that it was this species crossing the Linden-Lethem Highway near Atta Lodge.
CANE TOAD (Rhinella marina) – Some good-sized specimens at Iwokrama River Lodge.
GOLDEN ROCKET FROG (Anomaloglossus beebei) – I think most had a decent look at this range-restricted species in the giant terrestrial bromeliads at Kaieteur Falls.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 392 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa