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One of the many impressive views of the Iguazu Falls (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
This year's tour was excellent to say the least, and even tough we had a few setbacks we bounced back gracefully and racked up an impressive list not only in numbers but especially in quality of sightings.
It all started with the weather around Intervales, where it rained every day we were there -- but that did not stop us from going out and doing some great birding, perhaps the best ever for this tour, with incredible looks at all the specialty antbirds including Giant, Large-tailed, Tufted, and White-bearded antshrikes, all of which are very hard to find and see. We also had magnificent scope views of Bearded Bellbirds, Black-fronted Piping-Guans, Hooded Berryeaters, Rufous-capped Motmot, and even a Mouse-colored Tapaculo singing in the scope.
Our next stop was Iguazu, where we were met with the good news that the repairs on the walkway to the Devil's Throat had been completed. So we checked it out the next morning and got great looks at a Black-fronted Piping-Guan with chicks as well as Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, and we had the privilege of enjoying Argentina's most popular tourist attraction before it was open to the public. The next few days included great looks at the Falls and some world-class birding with Band-tailed Manakins, Rusty-breasted Nunlets, Southern Bristle-Tyrant, and the localized Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher -- all of this combined with excellent hotels and incredible food.
It was then time to move on and head to the famous Pantanal. These next 24 hours would put my leadership skills to the test, however, as our plane was delayed leaving Sao Paulo and we got to Cuiaba quite late. So instead of driving on to the Pantanal as planned, I decided to have our group spend the night in Cuiaba. The next morning we left early, eager to make it to the Pantanal and make up for the lost time, but a flat tire got in the way and once again we were delayed! But we were not about to spend our valuable time at a gas station waiting, so we hired (some would call it hijacked!) a VW bus and, just like a bunch of birding hippies, off we went birding down the road, picking up things like Southern Screamer, Snail Kites, Black-collared Hawks, White-headed Marsh-Tyrants, and Ringed Kingfisher in the process. Our bus finally caught up with us, and our first stop on the famous Transpantaneira highway was no disappointment as we observed more than 20 species of birds in fewer than 15 minutes. Finally things were as they were supposed to be!
Our next few days in the Pantanal were every bit as special as expected from such a famous place, with great looks at Zigzag Heron (!), Least Bittern, Chestnut-bellied Guans, Hyacinth Macaw, Jabirus, Buff-bellied Hermit, Red-legged Seriema, and many other birds that made this a truly memorable journey.
Thanks for hanging in there with me through a few adventures! I look forward to birding and traveling with you again some time soon.
--Marcelo
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Rheidae (Rheas)
The Zigzag Heron is arguably the hardest heron to see in South America, but our group had excellent looks at one! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
SOLITARY TINAMOU (Tinamus solitarius) [*]
BROWN TINAMOU (Crypturellus obsoletus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – Tinamous are sneaky birds by nature but we managed to pull one of these in for several people.
Anhimidae (Screamers)
SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata) – Our bus had a flat tire, so instead of sitting around watching the tire change we hired a VW Kombi to take us birding and found 4 of these incredible looking birds.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – a few birds mixed with hundreds of Black-bellied
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
CHACO CHACHALACA (Ortalis canicollis) – Seen and heard very well every day in the Pantanal
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (Penelope obscura)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED GUAN (Penelope ochrogaster)
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
RED-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cujubi)
BLACK-FRONTED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile jacutinga) – Several great looks at this endangered species, including a bird with chicks in Iguazu. [E]
BARE-FACED CURASSOW (Crax fasciolata)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SPOT-WINGED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus capueira) [E*]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – Always present in low densities but we managed to find a few of them near Piuval Lodge
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana) – The arrival of these birds signals the start of the dry season when thousands of Woodstorks concentrate in the Pantanal to take advantage of the abundance of food to breed and raise their young.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) – Certainly one of the highlights of the tour was seeing one of these secretive crepuscular birds in broad daylight
Southern Screamers in the Pantanal (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
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)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) – Green bill, green face, green plumage and green legs. Finally a bird that is named for its main features.
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus)
PLUMBEOUS IBIS (Theristicus caerulescens)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – A great spot by Ed of an individual miles away which later led to great views in flight of this bird that is actually more closely related to Condors than it is to Vultures
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus) – A dark morph bird soaring at Intervales
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – A group of birds taking advantage of the thermals on our way back to Sao Paulo from Intervales.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) [*]
This Black-fronted Piping-Guan stuck around for quite a long time, allowing our group to get great scope views of it. (Video by guide Marcelo Padua)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
RUFOUS-THIGHED KITE (Harpagus diodon) – A pair of birds with the Swallow-tailed Kites
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens) – Another great find by Ed on the last day of the tour.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga) – Watching one catch fish that was thrown by our boat pilot was a lot of fun.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) [*]
RED-AND-WHITE CRAKE (Laterallus leucopyrrhus) – Normally this is a very hard crake to see but our local guides at Intervales have got this one figured out.
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
SLATY-BREASTED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides saracura) [E]
BLACKISH RAIL (Pardirallus nigricans)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinicus)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Seen from the walkway to the Devil's Throat.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) – Several individuals around Piuval lodge including one sitting on the power cables.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
Red-and-white Crake at Intervales (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) – A distant bird seen well through the scope.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
SCALED DOVE (Columbina squammata)
LONG-TAILED GROUND-DOVE (Uropelia campestris)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
DARK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus melacoryphus)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – a known roosting sight allowed us to get some great looks at one in daylight.
BLACK-CAPPED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops atricapilla) [*]
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Zigzag Heron was not the only rare member of the family we saw -- we also had great looks at this Least Bittern. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – Our local guide in the Pantanal knew just where to take us to see a roosting bird.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
Apodidae (Swifts)
GREAT DUSKY SWIFT (Cypseloides senex) – Several birds coming in to roost behind the falls at Iguazu [E]
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SICK'S SWIFT (Chaetura meridionalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BLACK JACOBIN (Florisuga fusca) – Normally they would have migrated out of the Iguazu area by this time of the year but a few birds lingered around the feeders at the hummingbird gardens [E]
DUSKY-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis squalidus)
CINNAMON-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis nattereri)
BUFF-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis subochraceus) – Great looks at a pair of birds on a a Lek in the Pantanal
PLANALTO HERMIT (Phaethornis pretrei)
SCALE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis eurynome) [E]
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
DOT-EARED COQUETTE (Lophornis gouldii) – This was a bit of a surprise as I had never seen one this far south but we had a female in the Pantanal.
FRILLED COQUETTE (Lophornis magnificus)
FESTIVE COQUETTE (Lophornis chalybeus) – Feeding on Bottlebrush at Intervales
BRAZILIAN RUBY (Clytolaema rubricauda) – Scope views of a male right by our local guide's house at Intervales [E]
AMETHYST WOODSTAR (Calliphlox amethystina) – Briefly seen on our last day in the pantanal
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
Tropical Screech-Owl (Photo by participant Bill Denton)
SWALLOW-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupetomena macroura)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
VIOLET-CAPPED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania glaucopis) [E]
WHITE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucochloris albicollis)
VERSICOLORED EMERALD (Amazilia versicolor)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
GILDED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis chrysura) – One of the most common hummers at the Hummingbird Garden
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
SURUCUA TROGON (Trogon surrucura) [E]
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
RUFOUS-CAPPED MOTMOT (Baryphthengus ruficapillus) – Seen extremely well both at Intervales and Iguazu [E]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus chacuru) – A pair of birds seen on our way back to Sao Paulo from Intervales
RUSTY-BREASTED NUNLET (Nonnula rubecula) – Scope views of this rarely seen puffbird
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
SPOT-BILLED TOUCANET (Selenidera maculirostris) [E]
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco)
RED-BREASTED TOUCAN (Ramphastos dicolorus) [E]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCHRE-COLLARED PICULET (Picumnus temminckii) [E]
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus)
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus)
YELLOW-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes flavifrons) – One of these handsome woodpeckers kept us entertained around the feeders at our lodge at Intevales [E]
WHITE-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis spilogaster) [E]
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros) – Another great bird that we only saw on the very last day of the tour.
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
PALE-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Celeus lugubris)
This Great Black-Hawk Put on quite a show for our group. (Video by guide Marcelo Padua)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata) – At one point we had three birds in one scope view.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis) [*]
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One of the most visually impacting moments of the tour was seeing this bird hunting in the mist of the falls and then flying to a perch with a Great Dusky Swift in its talons.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)
PLAIN PARAKEET (Brotogeris tirica) [E]
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri)
PILEATED PARROT (Pionopsitta pileata) [E*]
BLUE-BELLIED PARROT (Triclaria malachitacea)
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani)
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva)
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)
MAROON-BELLIED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura frontalis)
HYACINTH MACAW (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) – Several good looks at this charismatic bird that is the flagship species of the Pantanal
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Eupsittula aurea)
NANDAY PARAKEET (Aratinga nenday)
YELLOW-COLLARED MACAW (Primolius auricollis)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
SPOT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE (Hypoedaleus guttatus) [E]
Lovely forest makes up the view from the lodge at Intervales. (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
LARGE-TAILED ANTSHRIKE (Mackenziaena leachii) [E]
TUFTED ANTSHRIKE (Mackenziaena severa) [E]
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
WHITE-BEARDED ANTSHRIKE (Biatas nigropectus) [E]
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus ruficapillus)
PLANALTO SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus pelzelni) – Formerly known only as Slaty Antshrike, this is one of five species that were split from a single taxon a few years ago.
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
STAR-THROATED ANTWREN (Rhopias gularis) [E]
SPOT-BREASTED ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus stictothorax) [E]
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
LARGE-BILLED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus longirostris)
RUFOUS-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus)
BLACK-BELLIED ANTWREN (Formicivora melanogaster) – This species occurs in very low density in the Pantanal and it is an indication of the connection between the Pantanal and the Bolivian Chaco.
RUSTY-BACKED ANTWREN (Formicivora rufa)
FERRUGINOUS ANTBIRD (Drymophila ferruginea) [E]
BERTONI'S ANTBIRD (Drymophila rubricollis) [E]
OCHRE-RUMPED ANTBIRD (Drymophila ochropyga) [E]
DUSKY-TAILED ANTBIRD (Drymophila malura)
The "wet" season in the Pantanal is a great time of year to see hummingbirds such as this White-tailed Goldenthroat. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
MATO GROSSO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra melanaria)
WHITE-SHOULDERED FIRE-EYE (Pyriglena leucoptera) – We had great looks at a male and a female attending an ant swarm [E]
SQUAMATE ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza squamosa) – Our local guide pulled out his machete and started to cut an opening in the dense brush. We placed the speaker in the opening and voila. We had the best possible looks at this stunning Antbird.
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
RUFOUS GNATEATER (Conopophaga lineata)
BLACK-CHEEKED GNATEATER (Conopophaga melanops) – A great spot by Pim and Joanna
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
VARIEGATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria varia) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
SLATY BRISTLEFRONT (Merulaxis ater) [E*]
WHITE-BREASTED TAPACULO (Eleoscytalopus indigoticus)
MOUSE-COLORED TAPACULO (Scytalopus speluncae) – Seeing Tapaculos is always challenging but having one singing in the scope for several minutes as the entire group rotated through it twice was a first for me [E]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma)
SHORT-TAILED ANTTHRUSH (Chamaeza campanisona) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
RUFOUS-BREASTED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus scansor) [E]
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (OLIVACEOUS) (Sittasomus griseicapillus sylviellus) [E]
PLAIN-WINGED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla turdina) [E]
PLANALTO WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris) – One bird flew into our lodge and could not find its way out, so we helped it and got some excellent looks in the process
WHITE-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes albicollis) – Attending an ants swarm [E]
GREAT RUFOUS WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes major)
LESSER WOODCREEPER (LESSER) (Xiphorhynchus fuscus fuscus) [E]
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris)
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker -- just an amazing bird! (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
SCALLOPED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes falcinellus) [E]
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
SHARP-TAILED STREAMCREEPER (Lochmias nematura nematura)
WHITE-COLLARED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabazenops fuscus) [E*]
PALE-BROWED TREEHUNTER (Cichlocolaptes leucophrus) – It took quite a bit of work and some serious neck workout to see this bromeliad specialist [E]
SHARP-BILLED TREEHUNTER (Heliobletus contaminatus) [E*]
BLACK-CAPPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor atricapillus) [E]
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum)
WHITE-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia amaurotis) [E]
OCHRE-BREASTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia lichtensteini) [E]
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata)
WHITE-EYED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus leucophthalmus) [E]
ARAUCARIA TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura setaria) – This species is specialized in the Araucaria trees and did not occur in the areas we visited but some Araucaria trees have been planted in the area and they have started showing up in the area.
RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus rufifrons) [*]
GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber)
ORANGE-BREASTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ferrugineigula)
RUSTY-BACKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpina)
PALLID SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pallida) [E]
RUFOUS CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura unirufa)
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus)
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
RUFOUS-CAPPED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis ruficapilla)
GRAY-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis cinerascens) [E]
SPIX'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis spixi) – From the angle we saw the bird it seemed to be wearing a bow tie
WHITE-LORED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albilora)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (Suiriri suiriri affinis)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
GRAY ELAENIA (Myiopagis caniceps) – Seen extremely well from our electrical vehicle on the Poco Preto Trail
GREENISH ELAENIA (Myiopagis viridicata)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
HIGHLAND ELAENIA (Elaenia obscura)
A foraging female Spot-billed Toucanet was one of the highlights of the tour. (Video by guide Marcelo Padua)
GRAY-HOODED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes rufiventris) [E]
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
SOUTHERN BRISTLE-TYRANT (Phylloscartes eximius) – This is one of our main targets in Iguazu and we had excellent looks at a pair of them. [E]
SAO PAULO TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes paulista) [E]
OUSTALET'S TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes oustaleti)
BAY-RINGED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes sylviolus) – A rare eye level view of this canopy specialist as it foraged near our local guide's home in Intervales [E]
PLANALTO TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias fasciatus)
GRAY-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseocapilla) [E*]
SOUTHERN ANTPIPIT (Corythopis delalandi) – Despite the confusing name this handsome little bird is a flycatcher and we had great looks at one.
EARED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis auricularis) [E]
DRAB-BREASTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus diops) [E]
HANGNEST TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus nidipendulus) [E]
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
OCHRE-FACED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps)
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (MATO GROSSO) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens pallescens) [*]
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (SOORETAMA) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens sulphurescens)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea bellicosa) – Ed spotted an individual around the entrance at Intervales
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (Cnemotriccus fuscatus)
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys)
WHITE-RUMPED MONJITA (Xolmis velatus)
STREAMER-TAILED TYRANT (Gubernetes yetapa) – A brief stop at a marsh on our way to Intervales resulted in excellent looks at these extraordinary flycatchers displaying.
Early morning on the walkway out to the Devil's Throat on the Argentine side, with the mist from the falls rising. (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa) – This is an ordinary bird at first sight but when you see it displaying that red crest you have a lot more respect for it.
RUFOUS-TAILED ATTILA (Attila phoenicurus) [*]
GRAY-HOODED ATTILA (Attila rufus) [E]
SIBILANT SIRYSTES (Sirystes sibilator sibilator) – This species was recently split from the Sirystes and it retained the original latin name.
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
THREE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Conopias trivirgatus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – The birds from Intervales are Austral Migrants that were just starting to arrive.
Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill)
SHARPBILL (Oxyruncus cristatus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
HOODED BERRYEATER (Carpornis cucullata)
Lineated Woodpecker might be a common bird, but when you see it this close it is a show stopper. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
CINNAMON-VENTED PIHA (Lipaugus lanioides)
BARE-THROATED BELLBIRD (Procnias nudicollis) – These birds breed later in the season and during that time they are easy to locate thanks to their loud song, but when we were around they were completely silent so we were very fortunate to have seen them well in the scope.
Pipridae (Manakins)
SERRA DO MAR TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma chrysolophum) [E]
SWALLOW-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia caudata) [E]
PIN-TAILED MANAKIN (Ilicura militaris) [E*]
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
BAND-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra fasciicauda) – Now that is what I call eye candy. What a bird!
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) [*]
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
GREENISH SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis virescens) [E]
CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD (Pachyramphus castaneus)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
CRESTED BECARD (Pachyramphus validus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
RUFOUS-CROWNED GREENLET (Hylophilus poicilotis) [E]
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas) – This handsome Jay is a common sight around the national park in Iguazu
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus) – The birds we saw belong to the subspecies Hypostictus
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis) [*]
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
CREAMY-BELLIED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila lactea) [E]
Maguari Stork in the Pantanal (Photo by participant Ed LeGrand)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH (Turdus flavipes)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis) – This species tends to be shy and secretive but we found a bird feeding on cecropia fruit that allowed us some prolonged studies of it.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi) – One of the most common birds around Iguazu
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus)
FLAVESCENT WARBLER (Myiothlypis flaveola)
WHITE-BROWED WARBLER (Myiothlypis leucoblephara) [E]
RIVERBANK WARBLER (Myiothlypis rivularis)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BROWN TANAGER (Orchesticus abeillei) [E]
RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata)
YELLOW-BILLED CARDINAL (Paroaria capitata) – This neat looking Cardinal is a common sight around the feeders in the Pantanal
CINNAMON TANAGER (Schistochlamys ruficapillus)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
OLIVE-GREEN TANAGER (Orthogonys chloricterus) – This species is usually found in groups so I was expecting a few of them when I called them in but I have to admit I was surprised when more than 12 of them showed up in response to the tape. [E]
BLACK-GOGGLED TANAGER (Trichothraupis melanops)
RUBY-CROWNED TANAGER (Tachyphonus coronatus) [E]
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
Large-tailed Antshrike is a bird we usually do not see on this tour. Maybe the rain at Intervales worked in our favor! (Video by guide Marcelo Padua)
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
AZURE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanoptera)
GOLDEN-CHEVRONED TANAGER (Thraupis ornata) [E]
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER (Tangara cayana)
GREEN-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara seledon) [E]
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – A regular visitor of the Hummingbird feeders in Iguazu
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL (Conirostrum speciosum)
UNIFORM FINCH (Haplospiza unicolor) – Three birds feeding on the trail at Intervales [E]
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
LINED SEEDEATER (Sporophila lineola)
WHITE-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila leucoptera leucoptera)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis)
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)
TEMMINCK'S SEEDEATER (Sporophila falcirostris) – We had close scope views of a female allowing us to see well its unique bill shape adapted to feeding on bamboo seeds.
RUSTY-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila collaris)
RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
GREEN-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator similis)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
SAFFRON-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon flavirostris)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER (Habia rubica) – A nuclear species of understory mixed species flocks which we saw several times around Iguazu
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
UNICOLORED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus cyanopus)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus ruficapillus)
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED) (Icterus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus) – Until recently this species was considered the same as the Epaulet Oriole which has yellow shoulders, but some recent taxonomic work has proved that they are in fact a separate species with several sub species involved. This one is the nominate and is the one we saw around the Hummingbird feeders at iguazu.
VARIABLE ORIOLE (CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED) (Icterus pyrrhopterus periporphyrus) – This is the sub species we saw in the pantanal
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
GOLDEN-WINGED CACIQUE (Cacicus chrysopterus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia violacea)
GREEN-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chalybea) – A.K.A Green-chinned Euphonia
CHESTNUT-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia pectoralis) [E]
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
Our group had a great time at the Hummingbird Garden at Iguazu. (Video by guide Marcelo Padua)
MAMMALS
[SILVERY] MARMOSET (Callithrix [argentata] sp.)
BLACK HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta caraya)
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
CAPYBARA (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)
AZARA'S AGOUTI (Dasyprocta azarae)
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous)
CRAB-EATING RACCOON (Procyon cancrivorus)
SOUTH AMERICAN COATI (Nasua nasua)
BRAZILIAN TAPIR (Tapirus terrestris)
MARSH DEER (Blastocerus dichotomus)
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 385 bird taxa and 12 mammal taxa