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Jaguars are great tree climbers, but they rarely do so as they are at the very top of the food chain. We had a great look at this individual that got on this fallen tree to try to surprise a Caiman. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
After running this tour for several years, we have come to learn that the success of this tour has a lot to do with the weather, as the best time of the year for seeing jaguars is also the time of the year that is most prone to cold fronts. These fronts move in from the South and drastically drop the temperatures in the Pantanal, making it much harder to find Jaguars, as they reduce their activities to a bare minimum. As luck would have it, we had to do the tour in the reverse order that we usually do, starting the tour in the Pantanal and ending it at Gardens of the Amazon, and a cold front that would have hit us during our visit to the Pantanal moved in a day after we had moved on. So, we had great success, with memorable sightings of Jaguars and a fantastic birding experience that was enhanced by the perfect weather we enjoyed (although a bit hot for us humans!).
The highlights in the Pantanal were many, with great looks at hard to see birds like Undulated Tinamou, Zigzag Heron, Black-bellied Antwren, and Yellow-breasted Crake, plus iconic birds such as Hyacinth Macaws and Jabirus that give the Pantanal its fame as perhaps the best place for birding in the world. From the Pantanal, we moved north, and on our way to Gardens of the Amazon, we enjoyed wonderful looks at Greater Rheas, and even spotted a Brazilian Tapir as we were getting close to the lodge!
Our days at Gardens of the Amazon were certainly influenced by the cold front and the wind that came with it, but this was our best year yet for Cone-billed Tanagers, which were present in good numbers due to some seeding bamboo last year. The valuable help of Marcelo Barreiros, who has worked extensively in the Amazon, enhanced the tour, and we even had a first time record for the lodge: the Dotted Tanager, which may represent a range extension for the species. The comfortable rooms and fabulous food also made the experience a memorable one.
It was a pleasure sharing these experiences with all of you, and I hope our paths cross again some day.
All the best,
Marcelo Padua
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
Rheidae (Rheas)
GREATER RHEA (Rhea americana) – Tara spotted the first ones on our way to the Pantanal, and we later saw them on a number of different days, in areas ranging from open fields in the Pantanal, to soy plantations, and we even got to watch one dust bathing at Piuval Lodge.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – We spotted one individual walking along the bank during an outing from Porto Jofre.
Boat trips out of Porto Jofre aren't just about Jaguars. We often find great birds like this Undulated Tinamou while looking for Jaguars. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Anhimidae (Screamers)
SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
CHACO CHACHALACA (Ortalis canicollis) – One of the most common species in the Pantanal, and certainly one of the most audible ones, as their dawn chorus dominates the Pantanal.
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED GUAN (Penelope ochrogaster) – This is a Pantanal specialty and we saw it remarkably well on our tour.
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
BARE-FACED CURASSOW (Crax fasciolata)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus gujanensis) [*]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – Usually quite scarce in this area, but we found a field with several individuals this year, near the start of the Transpantaneira.
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria) – Several individuals nesting during our stay in the Pantanal.
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) – This enigmatic species is one of the hardest herons to see in South America, but Marcelo Barreiros and I had found a pair of birds on a previous tour, and were able to bring them out again on this tour for another great show.
LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis) [*]
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus) – A common species along the rivers in the Amazon, and we saw several of them along the Rio Claro at Gardens of the Amazon.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
The Yellow-breasted Crake is a shy and scarce species that is rarely seen, but after quite a bit of work we all managed to get great looks at one. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus)
PLUMBEOUS IBIS (Theristicus caerulescens)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Although this species is common in North America, the birds found in Brazil are quite different from their North American counterparts, and are in fact a different subspecies named ruficollis.
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis) – It is always fun to see these hawks coming in to get fed by the local guides in the Pantanal.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni) – This species is quite scarce in the Pantanal and we don't even see one on most tours, but this year we had good looks at one in the Pantanal.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) – We had great looks at both the light and dark morphs of this species.
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
YELLOW-BREASTED CRAKE (Hapalocrex flaviventer)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) – This species was formerly known as Gray-necked Wood-Rail. The Gray-necked Wood-Rail was split into two species, which were not even recognized as subspecies groups previously: Russet-naped Wood-Rail Aramides albiventris, and Gray-cowled Wood-Rail Aramides cajaneus
RUSSET-CROWNED CRAKE (Anurolimnas viridis)
ASH-THROATED CRAKE (Mustelirallus albicollis) [*]
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinicus)
Snail Kites are seasonal migrants in the Pantanal, arriving at the beginning of the rainy season and taking off as the Pantanal dries up. Seeing so many of them during our tour makes it hard to believe that just a month or two later there will hardly be any left in the area. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
SUNGREBE (Heliornis fulica) – This shy species is the American representative of this unique family, which is composed of just three species that are widely separated geographically.
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
SCALED DOVE (Columbina squammata)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa)
LONG-TAILED GROUND-DOVE (Uropelia campestris)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
Our tour is designed to coincide with the beginning of the dry season, and as the level of the Cuiaba River drops, sand banks are exposed and hundreds of birds, such as this Pied Lapwing, compete for the best spots to nest. Photo by Marcelo Barreiros.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – Great looks at one individual that had captured a frog on our last evening in the Pantanal.
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – A nesting pair near Piuval Lodge.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
BLACK-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba huhula) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda) – A common species in the Pantanal, where we saw great numbers of them flying at dusk and dawn.
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga) – Great numbers of them come out at dusk at the Cuiaba River, crowning the end of each day in the Pantanal.
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
LITTLE NIGHTJAR (Setopagis parvula) – This was the first time we recorded this species at Gardens of the Amazon. The species was likely pushed north by the cold front that hit the area while we were there.
OCELLATED POORWILL (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) [*]
RUFOUS NIGHTJAR (Antrostomus rufus) – We flushed a nightjar that was nesting on a trail at Gardens of the Amazon, and returned later to view it from a great distance with the scope. It turns out, it was a Rufous Nightjar, which had never been recorded at the lodge before.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – Great looks at one individual from a boat at Porto Jofre.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – We brought one in for close inspection on our last night in the Pantanal.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
PALE-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura egregia)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
We spend much of our time on this tour in boats, and kingfishers are very abundant and tame, which makes them easy to see. This Green Kingfisher is one of five species that occur in South America, and we recorded all of them on our tour. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
NEEDLE-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis philippii)
BUFF-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis subochraceus) – A Pantanal specialty that was seen well on a lek at Piuval Lodge.
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus)
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
DOT-EARED COQUETTE (Lophornis gouldii) – Tara spotted one of these minute hummers feeding on the flowers of a tree on a trail at Gardens of the Amazon
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris) – We had prolonged scope views of this species.
BLUE-TUFTED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster furcifer) – Great looks at an adult male.
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
GILDED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis chrysura)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui) [*]
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
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)
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
SPOTTED PUFFBIRD (Bucco tamatia)
SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus maculatus) – Some authors consider this to be a separate species called Chaco Puffbird (Nystalus maculatus striatipectus).
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
We saw so many great birds during our siestas in the Pantanal that we decided to include this photo of a Chestnut-eared Aracari snatched by guide Marcelo Barreiros right after lunch just outside the restaurant.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
BROWN JACAMAR (Brachygalba lugubris melanosterna)
BLUE-CHEEKED JACAMAR (Galbula cyanicollis)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-GIRDLED BARBET (Capito dayi) – This southern Amazon endemic's range is almost entirely restricted to Brazil, and we worked hard to find one and get scope views of it.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
LETTERED ARACARI (Pteroglossus inscriptus) – It wasn't until the last day of our tour that we found this tiny Aracari.
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis) – The most common aracari on our tour route.
RED-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)
GOULD'S TOUCANET (Selenidera gouldii) – Another Southern Amazonian specialty that made us sweat for it until the very last day of the tour. But eventually we got great looks at it.
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri) [*]
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus) [*]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
BAR-BREASTED PICULET (Picumnus aurifrons)
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus)
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis affinis) – This species is widely distributed and varies a lot in plumage and vocalization, justifying the existence of four sub-species. The bird we saw at Gardens of the Amazon belongs to the ruficeps sub-species, which occurs in central and northeastern Brazil; we were at the southern end of its range.
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros)
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros)
Hyacinth Macaws are the most iconic birds of the Pantanal, and we were treated to multiple looks at this species, which is the largest parrot in the world. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus) – Woodpeckers are among the most striking birds in nature, and the genus celeus stands out, as it has some of the most spectacular looking species. We had great scope views of this handsome species at gardens of the Amazon.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) – We had great looks at this species at Piuval on our last morning in the Pantanal. This species is an Amazonian specialist and the northern Pantanal is the southern end of its distribution.
PALE-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Celeus lugubris) – We found this gorgeous Pantanal specialty on our first morning in the Pantanal.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis) [*]
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata) – This iconic cerrado bird is one of only two species pertaining to the family Cariamidae, and we had great looks at them at Piuval lodge.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRYPTIC FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur mintoni) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – A relatively recent split from the species formerly known as Crested Caracara. The other species resulting from this split is the Northern Caracara, which occurs north of the Amazon River all the way up to the southern US.
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) [*]
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri)
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani) – The birds we saw on this tour belong to the Siy subspecies, and they present a very conspicuous white eye ring which is absent from other subspecies.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala) – This species replaces the Turquoise-fronted Parrot in the Amazon.
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
SANTAREM PARAKEET (MADEIRA) (Pyrrhura amazonum snethlageae) – This is one of many species that were split from Painted Parakeet a few years ago.
HYACINTH MACAW (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) – Undoubtedly the most iconic species of the Pantanal, and fortunately one that is a abundant and easy to see. Particularly so around our hotel at Porto Jofre, where big numbers of them roost and feed in the palm trees around the garden.
The Pantanal is a hot place, and therefore we concentrate our activities on early mornings and late afternoons, leaving space for big siestas in the middle of the day, but there is no shortage of things to keep you amused around the lodges. This Nanday Parakeet was one of several regular visitors to the feeders at Rio Claro Lodge. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
NANDAY PARAKEET (Aratinga nenday)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-WINGED MACAW (Primolius maracana)
YELLOW-COLLARED MACAW (Primolius auricollis) – An ornate Pantanal specialty that we saw remarkably well, as we were able to bring them in for close inspection on the second day of our tour during a boat trip on Rio Claro.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (Thectocercus acuticaudatus)
RED-SHOULDERED MACAW (Diopsittaca nobilis) – These were the small macaws that roosted in the Mauritia Palm trees around the lodge at Gardens of the Amazon.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – This species is the most widely distributed antshrike in the world, with a range that goes from Northern Mexico (there is even one record for Texas) to northern Argentina, so it should come as no surprise that there are 12 subspecies of this bird. The subspecies we saw is radiatus and it belongs to the Barred Complex.
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus) [*]
NATTERER'S SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus stictocephalus)
PLANALTO SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus pelzelni) – Both this species and the Natterer's Antshrike used to be treated simply as Slaty Antshrike, which was split into five different species a few years ago.
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus aethiops) [*]
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius) [*]
WHITE-EYED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla leucophthalma) – Moving around the understory with a mixed species flock at Gardens of the Amazon.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) – It is always tricky and somewhat frustrating to try to see this tiny bird lurking around in the canopy, but after quite a bit of work and pushing our necks to the limit, we managed to see one.
AMAZONIAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula multostriata) [*]
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LARGE-BILLED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus longirostris)
RUFOUS-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus) – This species is the Amazonian replacement of the Large-billed Antwren that we saw in the Pantanal.
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea) – We saw this species right around the lodge at Gardens of the Amazon.
Cracids are among the most sought after birds by hunters, so seeing a bird like this Chestnut-bellied Guan completely at ease with our presence is a great indicator that there is no hunting going on in the area. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
BLACK-BELLIED ANTWREN (Formicivora melanogaster) – This species barely makes it to the Pantanal and is quite scarce, but we knew just where to look for it and found a pair of birds at Piuval Lodge.
RUSTY-BACKED ANTWREN (Formicivora rufa)
SPIX'S WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis striata) – Another species of antbird that was recently split into several taxa.
BLACKISH ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides nigrescens)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) [*]
MATO GROSSO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra melanaria)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus ochrolaemus)
BAND-TAILED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides maculicauda)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia argentata)
CHESTNUT-TAILED ANTBIRD (PALLENS) (Sciaphylax hemimelaena pallens) [*]
XINGU SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis vidua)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus) [*]
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus) – Despite this species being quite abundant in the Amazon, they were quite quiet and we only saw one individual during our stay at Gardens of the Amazon.
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (PLAIN-COLORED) (Dendrocolaptes certhia concolor)
PLANALTO WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris)
GREAT RUFOUS WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes major) – We had great looks at this massive woodcreeper at Piuval Lodge on our last full day in the Pantanal.
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus) – This Amazonian species is always found in seasonally flooded forest.
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans) – Moving with an understory mixed species flock in terra firme forest at Gardens of the Amazon.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (LAFRESNAYE'S) (Xiphorhynchus guttatus dorbignyanus) [*]
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (DUSKY-BILLED) (Xiphorhynchus guttatus eytoni) [*]
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – This fascinating species uses its highly adapted bill to reach into spaces that are inaccessible to other species, thus eliminating the competition with other birds for food.
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
If you are going to name a tour “Jaguar Spotting”, you better make sure you have exceptional looks at one. We watched this particular individual for several minutes while it walked along the bank of the river looking for prey. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER (Berlepschia rikeri) – The presence of this handsome furnarid is closely tied to the presence of Mauritia Palm trees.
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus rufifrons) – The nests of this species are far more impressive than the bird itself.
GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber)
RUSTY-BACKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpina)
RUFOUS CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura unirufa)
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus) – A monotypic genus. We had great looks at them in the in the Pantanal, even seeing its black and yellow throat.
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis frontalis) – A scarce species on our tour route, but we had good looks at one in Pantanal.
CINEREOUS-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis hypospodia)
WHITE-LORED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albilora)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
SUBTROPICAL DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis) – This tiny flycatcher breeds way up in the Andes and every year makes a journey to the Pantanal where it spends the winter.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – Seen right outside our cabins at Gardens of the Amazon.
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
LARGE ELAENIA (Elaenia spectabilis) – Showed up in response to the Pygmy-owl recording in the Pantanal.
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus)
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata)
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) – This species is the smallest passerine in the world.
STRIPE-NECKED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus striaticollis)
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
ZIMMER'S TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus minimus) – Always a tough one to see, as it likes to sit still in the canopy of trees for long periods of time, but we brought one into view on our first morning at Gardens of the Amazon.
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
Yellow-collared Macaws may not be as big and loud as Hyacinth Macaws, but they more than make up for it by being one of the most ornate macaw species in the area. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus) [*]
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (Cnemotriccus fuscatus)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – An austral migrant that shows up in the Pantanal during the winter, escaping the cold months in Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil.
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis) – Seen only by Wendy.
WHITE-RUMPED MONJITA (Xolmis velatus)
BLACK-BACKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola albiventer)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus)
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex) [*]
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – Smaller than the Great Kiskadee and closely associated with water; we saw them on boat trips out of Porto Jofre and Gardens of the Amazon.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) [*]
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) – Another species that is closely associated with Mauritia Palm trees.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus) – A brief looks at a bird flying across the river.
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans) – We had great scope views of this species, whose song is the most characteristic sound of the Amazon.
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus)
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) – Seen only by Tara.
SNOW-CAPPED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix nattereri) [*]
Some of the best birding in the Pantanal is done from the road and we found many species, such as this Turquoise-fronted Parrot, feeding right by the road. Photo by Marcelo Barreiros.
FLAME-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus linteatus) – It took quite a bit of work to get good looks at this large manakin that inhabits varzea forest, but we ended up getting great scope views.
FIERY-CAPPED MANAKIN (Machaeropterus pyrocephalus) – This tiny manakin is more often heard than seen and even when it is heard, its metallic sound is often overlooked, as people assume it is an insect.
RED-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra rubrocapilla) – Birds displaying on a lek.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
BROWN-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis turdina) [*]
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae) – This species was thought to be a cotinga but recent taxonomic studies have placed it in the Tityra family.
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha) – Nancy spotted this scarce austral migrant on the second day of our tour.
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
GRAY-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus semicinereus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata) – Common near water at Gardens of the Amazon.
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus unicolor) – This subspecies is quite different from other birds further north.
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis)
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola) – Always one of the first responders to the pygmy-owl tape in the Pantanal.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) [*]
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris) – Of all the colorful birds that Brazil hosts, this species was elected as the national bird for its melodious song, which can be heard in most cities of the country.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)
FLAVESCENT WARBLER (Myiothlypis flaveola)
The Cone-billed Tanager is extremely rare, but this year we had great looks at multiple individuals, as last year there was a lot of bamboo in seed. This seems to have triggered a population increase, which seems to reinforce the theory that the species is, in fact, a seedeater, and not a tanager. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
YELLOW-BILLED CARDINAL (Paroaria capitata)
CONE-BILLED TANAGER (Conothraupis mesoleuca) – This may have been the best year ever for this species, and Marcelo Barreiros even detected one singing in an area where we had never seen it before.
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
MASKED TANAGER (Tangara nigrocincta) [*]
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
DOTTED TANAGER (Tangara varia) – Marcelo Barreiros picked up on the subtle song of this species and made the first record of the bird for the lodge at Gardens of the Amazon. This may very well be the southernmost known record of the species.
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana) – Great looks at this colorful tanager right outside the rooms at Gardens of the Amazon.
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – Wendy's and Stuart's most wanted bird for the tour and we got great looks at them.
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus) – A pair of birds feeding with a canopy flock close to the lodge at Gardens of the Amazon.
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola) – A common sight at feeders in the Pantanal.
WHITE-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila leucoptera)
TAWNY-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypoxantha) – A scarce austral migrant that showed up in the flooded fields near Porto Jofre.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis)
RUSTY-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila collaris)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
This tour focuses on finding Jaguars, but there is no shortage of iconic South American mammals to keep us busy between one Jaguar sighting and another. A family of Giant Otters put on quite a show for our group during our outings from Porto Jofre. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
SAFFRON-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon flavirostris)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
ROSE-BREASTED CHAT (Granatellus pelzelni) [*]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WHITE-BROWED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella superciliaris) – This species was formerly known as White-browed Blackbird.
SCARLET-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Amblyramphus holosericeus)
UNICOLORED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus cyanopus)
GRAYISH BAYWING (Agelaioides badius) – This species used to called Baywing Cowbird but it has been shown that this is not a cowbird, as is does not parasitize the nests of other birds, and the species was also split into two taxa.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
EPAULET ORIOLE (Icterus cayanensis) – This species was recently split into two taxa, and this is the one found at Cristalino Jungle Lodge. For more information visit the following link https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/SpeciesAccount/nb/species/epaori1/overview
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
GREATER WHITE-LINED BAT (Saccopteryx bilineata)
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus) – It is always memorable to see them fill the skies in the late afternoon in the Pantanal.
LESSER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio albiventris) – Seen in good numbers with the Greater Bulldog Bats in the Pantanal.
SILVERY MARMOSET (Callithrix argentata) – Several authorities have split this species, and consider the species we saw to be Callithrix Melanurus (Black-tailed Marmoset).
BLACK HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta caraya)
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
CAPYBARA (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)
AZARA'S AGOUTI (Dasyprocta azarae)
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous)
TAYRA (Eira barbara)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis) – Great looks at these fascinating animals during our boat trips in the Pantanal.
JAGUAR (Panthera onca) – I think it is safe to say that this was the "bird" of the trip, and we had great looks at it.
BRAZILIAN TAPIR (Tapirus terrestris) – We had great looks at a Tapir just before we got to Gardens of the Amazon.
MARSH DEER (Blastocerus dichotomus)
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana)
Herps
GREEN IGUANA (Iguana iguana)
GOLDEN TEGU (Tupinambis teguixin)
PARAGUAYAN CAIMAN (Caiman yacare)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 332 bird taxa and 15 mammal taxa