A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Guyana III 2023
December 9-20, 2023 with Marcelo Barreiros & local guide guiding
Another great tour in this fantastic country. The weather was a bit different from March and the birds were more active and responsive which was great. We started the tour with a nice boat trip along the Mahaica river with our friend Naresh, and birds like Blood-colored Woodpecker, White-bellied Piculet, lots of Hoatzin, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Silvered Antbird and Green-tailed Jacamar. On the way back to Georgetown, we saw Long-winged Harrier, Rufous Crab-Hawk and a pair of Mangrove Rail. In the afternoon we went to the Botanical Gardens which was quite productive with Turquoise Tanager, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Toco Toucan, Great-horned Owl, and Straight-billed Woodcreeper.
Our couple of hours at Kaieteur Falls were also nice, with the first time (for me) seeing Roraiman Antbird on this tour, Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Red-shouldered Tanager and a female Golden Rocket Frog seen nicely. From there, after one more great look at the falls, we arrived on the Iwokrama airstrip for more adventure. We did a boat trip along the Essequibo river near the lodge to see the White-collared Swallow, Ladder-tailed Nightjar and more. The next morning e went on the nice Turtle Mountain trail, where we saw some fantastic birds like Guianan-streaked Antwren, Spot-winged Antbird, Black-faced Hawk, Amazonian Motmot, Green Aracari, a fantastic male Guianan Red-Cotinga, and we heard a Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo calling close to us but it never showed up, unfortunately. The second morning was dedicated to visiting the Capuchinbird lek, where at least 5 birds were displaying. It was a cloudy morning so we did not spend much time in the dark forest, but we had time to see a female Fulvous Shrike-Tanager and a pair of Red-billed Woodcreepers on the way back to the lodge.
On the way to Atta, we made a few stops for birds like Crimson Topaz, male and female, Black-spotted Barbet, and a pair of Blue-backed Tanagers seen really well by the road. The Atta lodge clearing is always great and it wasn't different this time. The Cecropia trees around were in fruit and great birds were seen coming to visit, like Black-headed Parrot, Bay-headed, Opal-rumped and Turquoise tanagers, 3 species of honeyeaters, Green and Black-necked aracaris and Guianan Toucanet. From there, we also saw things like Dusky Purpletuft, Blue-backed Tanager (AGAIN!!) and Double-toothed Kite, and we had a great encounter with a male Black-throated Antshrike along the Atta lodge entrance road. We also visited the canopy walkway on the following morning to see canopy birds like Ringed Woodpecker, Black-eared Fairy, Sooty-headed and Guianan Tyrannulet and Slate-colored Grosbeak.
Another nice habitat is a patch of white sand forest not too far from the lodge where we had a chance to see a few specific birds like Bronzy Jacamar, Black and Golden-headed manakins, Northern Slaty-Antshrike and Cayenne Jay. We heard some fresh news about an army ant-swarm moving along the Harpy Eagle trail and we decided to go and check. The ants were there, foraging right next to the trail, so we spent about one hour observing and enjoying the birds coming to hunt the flushed insects. Our main goal was to find the Ground-cuckoo who never showed up, but we had a chance to watch some other great ones like Rufous-throated and White-plumed antbirds, Amazonian Barred, White-chinned, Plain-brown and Chestnut-rumped woodcreepers foraging with the ants for a long time. Besides those, we had one more great moment with a Spotted Antpitta posing for the group right next to the trail. The night birding was also productive with White-winged Potoo, Black-banded Owl and Spectacled Owl seen very well.
The next two days were in the Surama area, where we went to the Buro-Buro trail and the Savanna areas for some special birds like Spotted Puffbird, Finsch's Euphonia, White-naped Xenopsaris and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. We also saw both Common and Great potoos, the rarely seen Zigzag Heron was spotted foraging by a creek, Lined Forest-Falcon and Ferruginous-backed Antbird. Our last morning was birding along the Linden-Lethem road for some missing birds like Red-Fan Parrot, a fantastic look at the Black Hawk-Eagle hunting by the road, Marail Guan, Variable Chachalaca and one of the most wanted birds for this tour, the male Crimson Fruitcrow was seen doing a flight display a couple of times. When the sun hit the road hard, we decided to visit the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock lek and along the trail we saw a pair of Wing-banded Antbirds which was a very nice surprise. The male Cocks-of-the-Rock were there with one adult perched over the arena.
After a very good lunch at Ron's Allicock's aunt’s home and a pleasant siesta, we started to drive along the Rupununi Savanna with a few stops for some very important birds like White-bellied Antbird, Finsch's Euphonia, Pale-eye Pygmy-Tyrant, lots of Crested Bobwhite along the road and the rarely seen Crested Doradito. The next morning was the only chance to see some birds with a very restricted range like Pale-tipped Tyrannulet, Rio Branco Antbird, and Hoary-throated Spinetail and we saw them all! Besides that, we got great looks at White-fringed Antwren, Northern Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Streak-headed Woodcreeper and after some time looking for it, we were able to find a pair of Bearded Tachuri.
In the afternoon we went to the foothills of Moco-Moco mountain, near to the village and it was really good, and better than driving and walking along the hot savanna. We found some new birds for us like Pectoral Sparrow, Golden-spangled Piculet, a female Tufted Coquette, Buff-breasted Wren, Great Antshrike, Gray Seedeater, Green-tailed Goldenthroat and Bicolored Wren. Before flying back to Georgetown, we still had time to find some Least Nighthawks roosting on the ground and make a stop by the Takutu river, in Lethem, to find a few more new birds like Burnished-buff Tanager, Cinnamon-vented Conebill, Spectacled Thrush and a White-spotted Piculet which has a small population by the riverine forest in the border of Brazil-Guyana. Back in Georgetown, we went to the Botanical Gardens to try again for the Festive Parrot, who never showed up, but we had a great look at the Sungrebe swimming near a Manatee.
Thank you guys for coming, and I hope to see you again soon!
Abraços.
Marcelo Barreiros
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) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
A big group seen near to our restaurant in Brazil.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
VARIABLE CHACHALACA (Ortalis motmot)
MARAIL GUAN (Penelope marail)
A couple of birds seen along the Linden-Lethem road.
SPIX'S GUAN (GRANT'S) (Penelope jacquacu granti)
Seen from the Iwokrama lodge clearing.
BLACK CURASSOW (Crax alector)
Our family from Atta lodge was there, as usual.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus)
On the way to Manari ranch, we saw at least 50 birds foraging along the Linden-Lethem road.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND DOVE (Claravis pretiosa)
Seen briefly near Surama.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)
Seen during our boat trip on the Mahaica river.
RUFOUS-WINGED GROUND-CUCKOO (Neomorphus rufipennis) [*]
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta)
Great looks on the Mahaica river trip.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda)
A single one flushed on the road at Manari.
LEAST NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles pusillus)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus)
Seen flying over the Linden-Lethem road.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
WHITE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis cayennensis) [*]
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
Seen on its day roost spot at Surama.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
WHITE-WINGED POTOO (Nyctibius leucopterus)
Great looks near Atta lodge. Our local guides know exactly where to find it!
Apodidae (Swifts)
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus)
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus)
A large group seen flying at Kaieteur falls.
FORK-TAILED PALM SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
CRIMSON TOPAZ (Topaza pella)
Fantastic hummer, the largest one in the Amazon. We saw both male and female on the way to Atta.
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus)
Seen a few times including nice looks at Atta where a bird comes to feeders regularly.
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber)
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus)
Gorgeous hummer seen well a few times during the tour.
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi)
Seen well on the Moco-Moco area.
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
TUFTED COQUETTE (Lophornis ornatus)
A female was seen feeding on tiny little flowers in the Moco-Moco area.
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
PLAIN-BELLIED EMERALD (Chrysuronia leucogaster)
Nice looks at Cara Lodge, in Georgetown.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata)
RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis sapphirina)
WHITE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes cyanus)
BLUE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes notata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
In much bigger numbers this year along the Mahaica river.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
MANGROVE RAIL (ATLANTIC) (Rallus longirostris longirostris)
Nice looks in the mangroves in Georgetown.
OCELLATED CRAKE (Micropygia schomburgkii)
The bird responded to the recording at Surama, we made a clearing to see it but it was so fast and just me the local guide were able to see it walking across the gap.
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
SUNGREBE (Heliornis fulica)
Nice looks at Georgetown botanical gardens,
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus bistriatus)
Seen well twice near Manari Ranch.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
A few birds seen in front of Georgetown.
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias)
Two birds seen foraging by the Linden-Lethem road.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari)
A single bird seen with other storks and herons near our restaurant on the Brazilian side.
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus)
YES! One of the most wanted herons in the Neotropics. Thanks to our local guides from Surama, we found a bird looking for food by a creek for a few minutes.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)
Great looks in Georgetown.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Butorides striata striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber)
Fantastic birds, and great looks in Georgetown.
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa)
A few looks along the tour, including a perched bird seen on the way to Manari Ranch.
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus)
Maybe the best look ever. We saw a bird perched on a dead tree by the Linden-Lethem road. The bird flew into a bush looking for something and flew back out after a few seconds and disappeared in the woods. It came back when we whistled its voice for more great looks and flew to the woods again.
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni)
Nice looks in the Mahaica area.
RUFOUS CRAB HAWK (Buteogallus aequinoctialis)
One of the targets for the Georgetown area; we saw a couple of birds on the way back from the Mahaica area.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
BLACK-FACED HAWK (Leucopternis melanops)
Fantastic scope looks along the Harpy Eagle trail.
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (TAWNY-BELLIED) (Megascops watsonii watsonii) [*]
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
A sub-adult bird seen by a bridge along the Linden-Lethem road.
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
A single bird seen roosting on a palm tree at Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi) [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
BLACK-BANDED OWL (Strix huhula)
A couple of birds seen very well on the usual spot, near Atta lodge.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
GUIANAN TROGON (Trogon violaceus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
GUIANAN PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
Three individuals seen in the scope near the Atta lodge.
SPOTTED PUFFBIRD (Bucco tamatia)
Great looks at Surama.
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis)
One of my favorite puffbirds! This shy bird is usually hard to see spontaneously, but when spotted, it stays still for great looks.
BLACK NUNBIRD (Monasa atra)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris)
A pair of birds seen foraging at eye level along the Turtle Mountain trail.
GREEN-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula galbula)
BRONZY JACAMAR (Galbula leucogastra)
A white sand forest specialist seen near to the Atta lodge.
PARADISE JACAMAR (Galbula dea)
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARBET (Capito niger)
Great Guianan Shield endemic seen a couple of times.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
GREEN ARACARI (Pteroglossus viridis)
BLACK-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus aracari)
GUIANAN TOUCANET (Selenidera piperivora)
A female seen very well, coming to eat some berries in the Atta lodge clearing.
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GOLDEN-SPANGLED PICULET (Picumnus exilis)
Great looks at Moco-Moco.
WHITE-BELLIED PICULET (Picumnus spilogaster)
WHITE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus cirratus)
Nice surprise on our very last morning of birding in Lethem. We went to the riverine forest before going to the airport and it was quite productive. A male piculet was seen and photographed by some folks. There's a population on the Brazil/Guyana border along the Takutu river.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
GOLDEN-COLLARED WOODPECKER (Dryobates cassini)
BLOOD-COLORED WOODPECKER (Dryobates sanguineus)
A target for the first morning seen well during our boat trip along the Mahaica river.
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis)
Our local guides from Atta showed us a pair of birds building a nest near to the cabins.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus)
Nice looks from the canopy walkway.
WAVED WOODPECKER (Celeus undatus)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
A bird seen foraging pretty much at eye level on the Atta lodge entrance road.
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
LINED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur gilvicollis)
It's always nice to see a Forest-Falcon and we were privileged to have a nice look along the Buro-Buro trail.
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Daptrius chimachima)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
A single bird seen sitting on top of the sticks along the coast in Georgetown.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
LILAC-TAILED PARROTLET (Touit batavicus) [*]
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera)
CAICA PARROT (Pyrilia caica)
Two birds seen in the scope at Iwokrama.
DUSKY PARROT (Pionus fuscus)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
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)
Great looks from the Atta lodge clearing.
RED-FAN PARROT (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
One of the favorite birds of the group. We saw three birds foraging about 10 feet up along the Linden-Lethem road for several minutes.
PAINTED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura picta)
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (Eupsittula pertinax)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
RED-SHOULDERED MACAW (Diopsittaca nobilis)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
Male and female seen moving with the flocks on the Turtle Mountain trail.
BLACK-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Frederickena viridis)
One of my best views ever on the Atta lodge entrance road. A male came in after the recording and perched right in the open for a couple of minutes. Fantastic moment!
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus canadensis)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus)
NORTHERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus punctatus)
Easier than usual, this white sand forest specialist was seen near Atta.
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus)
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
RUFOUS-BELLIED ANTWREN (Isleria guttata)
Seen well a couple of times.
BROWN-BELLIED STIPPLETHROAT (Epinecrophylla gutturalis)
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura)
GUIANAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula surinamensis)
Male and female seen on the beginning of Turtle Mountain trail.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii)
SPOT-TAILED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus sticturus)
Both Spot-tailed and Todd's antwrens seen side-by-side near Iwokrama.
TODD'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus stictocephalus)
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea)
GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis cantator)
Seen well a couple of times along the tour.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
RIO BRANCO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra carbonaria)
Great bird and fantastic looks by the Takutu river.
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys)
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
RORAIMAN ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes saturatus)
A really nice surprise, a lifer for our local guide, John. Some Tepui birds reach the Kaieteur Falls area due the similar habitat/altitude and this is one of those birds. We saw a pair of birds moving near the ground through the rocky vegetation.
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes leucostigma)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes)
A male seen well at the usual spot.
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmoderus ferrugineus)
It took us longer than usual, but we managed to find a responsive pair of birds on the Buro Buro trail.
WING-BANDED ANTBIRD (Myrmornis torquata)
Another surprise, this was my first one seen on this tour. A pair of birds responded to the recording and flew across the trail a few times.
WHITE-PLUMED ANTBIRD (Pithys albifrons)
What a bird!!! One of the most beautiful antbirds in the Amazon, this little jewel is so much easier to see well if we find an army ant-swarm, and it was exactly what we did. We found a great swarm with many birds moving along with it, and at least two pairs of White-plumed and Rufous-throated antbirds were catching the insects chased by the ants.
RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys rufigula)
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
SPOTTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus macularius)
Fantastic Guianan shield endemic seen in the scope for a few minutes.
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia)
This one, and a few others seen foraging with the army ant-swarm.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes perrotii)
The largest woodcreeper on the tour, endemic to the Guianan Shield, seen on the Bushmaster trail.
CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus)
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
Nice looks by the Takutu river.
GUIANAN WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes albolineatus)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
HOARY-THROATED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis kollari)
Another huge target, seen at the usual spot, by the Takutu river.
Pipridae (Manakins)
TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes virescens)
SAFFRON-CRESTED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma chrysocephalum)
This one is usually hard (as it was this time!!).
WHITE-THROATED MANAKIN (Corapipo gutturalis)
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens)
A female, or young male, seen near Atta lodge.
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Pseudopipra pipra)
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala erythrocephala)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GUIANAN RED-COTINGA (Phoenicircus carnifex)
We found a gorgeous male by the clearing on the Turtle Mountain trail.
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola)
The males on the lek at Kaieteur falls were not there this time but we found them on the Cock-of-the-Rock trail.
CRIMSON FRUITCROW (Haematoderus militaris)
After a few days looking for it, we finally saw a gorgeous male along the Linden-Lethem road, and we also saw the bird doing his display flight.
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
CAPUCHINBIRD (Perissocephalus tricolor)
The arena on the Bushmaster trail is still there!
PURPLE-BREASTED COTINGA (Cotinga cotinga)
A female seen by the Linden-Lethem road.
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea)
Male and female seen near Atta lodge.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
OLIVACEOUS SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis olivacea)
DUSKY PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura fusca)
A pair of birds seen at Atta.
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha)
One of the most wanted birds of the Savanna habitat, a male was found at Surama.
CINEREOUS BECARD (Pachyramphus rufus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)
MCCONNELL'S FLYCATCHER (Mionectes macconnelli)
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
HELMETED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus galeatus)
PALE-EYED PYGMY-TYRANT (Atalotriccus pilaris)
Nice looks in a riverine forest on the way to Manari Ranch.
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
PAINTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum pictum)
Another Guianan Shield endemic seen well near Iwokrama lodge.
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus)
OCHRE-LORED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea)
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
NORTHERN MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Nesotriccus incomta)
BEARDED TACHURI (Polystictus pectoralis)
This one was hard to find this year but we saw a couple of birds in a nice savanna habitat near Manari Ranch.
CRESTED DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx sclateri)
A little flycatcher, shy and usually quiet, this bird is always a challenge to find. Thanks to our local guide John, we saw a single bird on the way to Manari.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
YELLOW-CROWNED ELAENIA (Myiopagis flavivertex)
It was a surprise for me to see this bird in a tall forest along the Buro Buro trail.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ELAENIA (Elaenia ruficeps)
A target seen well at Kaieteur falls area.
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)
Seen from the canopy walkway.
GUIANAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius acer)
PALE-TIPPED TYRANNULET (Inezia caudata)
Fantastic looks by the Ireng river.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
LESSER KISKADEE (Philohydor lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus dominicensis)
Good numbers in the Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis)
LEMON-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus thoracicus)
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina)
CHIVI VIREO (Vireo chivi)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAYENNE JAY (Cyanocorax cayanus)
Gorgeous jay seen well twice this year.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLACK-COLLARED SWALLOW (Pygochelidon melanoleuca)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon clarus)
BICOLORED WREN (Campylorhynchus griseus)
Nice bird seen very well around Manari Ranch lodge.
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya)
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
COCOA THRUSH (Turdus fumigatus)
SPECTACLED THRUSH (Turdus nudigenis)
Seen briefly on our very last morning.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
FINSCH'S EUPHONIA (Euphonia finschi)
Only found on the savanna habitat, we saw both male and female near Surama.
VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia violacea)
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
PECTORAL SPARROW (Arremon taciturnus) [*]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Leistes 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)
Great looks at Georgetown Botanical Gardens and Mahaica river area.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes canadensis)
ROSE-BREASTED CHAT (Granatellus pelzelni)
A male seen well along the Iwokrama entrance road.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
RED-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus phoenicius)
Another one only found in the white sand forest.
FULVOUS SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio fulvus)
Great surprise, this bird is not easy to see in Guyana. We saw a female very well along the Bushmaster trail.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-BACKED TANAGER (Cyanicterus cyanicterus)
One of my favorite ones! We had a few great looks this time.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Ixothraupis punctata)
BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER (Stilpnia cayana)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
Great looks at Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
Gorgeous tanager seen a couple of times.
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL (Conirostrum speciosum)
Seen on the very last morning by the Takutu river.
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta)
GRAY SEEDEATER (Sporophila intermedia)
A male seen near Manari ranch.
WING-BARRED SEEDEATER (Sporophila americana)
PLUMBEOUS SEEDEATER (Sporophila plumbea)
Very similar to the Gray Seedeater, this one has a black bill instead of yellow.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
OLIVE-GRAY SALTATOR (Saltator olivascens)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus)
MAMMALS
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus)
WEDGE-CAPPED CAPUCHIN (Cebus olivaceus)
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
BLACK SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles paniscus)
GIANT ANTEATER (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
We saw a single animal running away from us on the savanna habitat but not everyone managed to see it.
CAPYBARA (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
JAGUAR (Panthera onca)
We were about to get into the Harpy Eagle trail when a huge adult Jaguar came out from the forest and walked towards us! Kevin spotted us and when we saw it the cat started to run back and jumped into the woods again. Great moment!
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana)
HERPS
GREEN IGUANA (Iguana iguana)
COMMON HOUSE GECKO (Hemidactylus frenatus)
GIANT AMEIVA (Ameiva ameiva)
GOLDEN TEGU (Tupinambis teguixin)
SOUTH AMERICAN LANCEHEAD (Bothrops atrox)
SPECTACLED CAIMAN (Caiman crocodilus)
BLACK CAIMAN (Melanosuchus niger)
CANE TOAD (Rhinella marina)
SOUTH AMERICAN COMMON TOAD (Rhinella margaritifer)
GOLDEN ROCKET FROG (Anomaloglossus beebei)
A female seen in the bromeliad at Kaieteur falls area.
Totals for the tour: 381 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa