A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Brazil's Rio Roosevelt: Birding the River of Doubt II 2022
June 11-26, 2022 with Bret Whitney guiding
This second of two 2022 Field Guides tours got off to a very pleasant start, as a powerful frente fria (austral cold front) pushed just far enough north to nicely cool the upper Madeira region, with cloudy skies and a light, dry breeze, for 3 days. We formed a friendly and interested group, and we had an educational and productive trip overall – and we were all delighted to get the news, during the tour, that the US had dropped the negative-test requirement for reentry!
On “opening night”, we did our traditional sunset cruise on the Madeira, which was fun. I was surprised to see a group of 200+ Black-collared Swallows hanging around the abutments of the bridge across the Madeira. This is a blackwater bird that had apparently stacked up on the classically whitewater Madeira because river levels had continued to be significantly higher than normal for June; I figure they were waiting for the blackwater levels to drop enough to expose the rocks in the rapids where they breed (and whitewater rivers also have lots more bugs for swallows to eat!). Anyway, I was really excited to see them there. We also had several Nacunda Nighthawks, austral migrants there, and a bunch of Black Skimmers (also awaiting lower water levels) on the Madeira cruise. Next day found us birding our way north, on the west side (left bank) of the Madeira, to the old Amazonian town of Humaitá. A hard rain 3-4 days earlier had left dirt sideroads, where we do most of our birding, quite messy, and we couldn’t get in to reach forest as early as I’d have liked. We picked up a few nice birds (Amazonian Pygmy-Owl [seen 4 days this tour!], Paradise Jacamar, Black-banded and Inambari woodcreepers, Short-billed Honeycreeper), and stopped at a Mauritia palm swamp for a great look at Point-tailed Palmcreeper. Later in the afternoon, near Humaitá, we heard but couldn’t quite see a pair of Ocellated Crakes, but some continued “rail work” soon produced a superb pair of Russet-crowned Crakes and then an Azure Gallinule.
Two full days out of Humaitá were very productive. A variety of terra firme forest types gave us Golden-collared Toucanet, Gilded Barbet, Brown-banded Puffbird, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Broad-billed Motmot, Western Striolated-Puffbird, Rio Madeira Stipplethroat, Black Antbird (undescribed Madeiran population), Predicted Antwren, Zimmer’s and Snethlage’s tody-tyrants (the latter an undescribed, species-level taxon), Citron-bellied Attila, Dotted Tanager, and a bunch of austral migrant Tawny-headed Swallows, which may not have been documented in the state of Amazonas previously. A displaying male Fiery-capped Manakin was going crazy, and we managed good scope views (check out the fragmentary video I managed to get, in the triplist, below; I’ll probably have to put it in slo-mo!). We were fortunate to find an army ant swarm, as well, which produced rarely seen Hairy-crested Antbird (subspecies purusiana), and White-browed Antbird, along with a Rufous-capped Antthrush. The once-extensive campos de Humaitá, a cerrado-like enclave in the midst of Amazonia, are every year more greatly reduced as soy, and quite recently, rice farming are converting this habitat to agriculture. Still, we managed to do well with specialties of the campos: Toco Toucan, White-eared Puffbird, Ash-throated Crake, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Plain-crested and Lesser elaenias, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Rusty-backed Antwren, Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher, White-rumped Tanager, Black-masked Finch, and both Tawny-bellied and Dark-throated seedeaters. A second, early-morning effort to see Ocellated Crake worked out very nicely, I’m happy to report! We also found some good mammals on the left bank of the Madeira this year, including Weddell’s Saddle-back Tamarin and Southern Red-bellied Tamarin and, incredibly, we had a Giant Anteater hustle across the Transamazon Highway about 30 km west of Humaitá – everybody got to see it well, but it had hurried into tall grass by the roadside by the time I tried to make a video. Despite valiant effort, we had no luck with Campina (Azure-naped) Jay.
We then transferred back across the Madeira to a little family-run lodge on the right bank of the Madeira below Porto Velho where highlights included a close Slate-colored Hawk, Red-necked Aracari, Lemon-throated Barbet, excellent views of Sclater’s Antwren and Blackish and Silvered antbirds, and an owling excursion which got us no owls, but a decent view of two Black-headed Night Monkeys.
Next morning we zipped back to Porto Velho early to get our charter to the Pousada Rio Roosevelt, which went perfectly, and Marcelo was there with his group, ready to take off on the return flight to Porto Velho. It was great to see him and his bunch, and all were very happy. They had had a little rain during their stay, but as it turned out, for our group, we had barely a wisp of cloud in the sky the whole week! The forest was very quiet, but we still managed to pull out most of the Roosevelt-area specialties – but no interesting raptors (large or small except one fine Orange-breasted Falcon), very little mixed-species flock activity, especially in the canopy, and zero army ant swarms on trails (I am sure there was one well back from a trail, at which I pulled up a couple of birds). Owling was remarkably quiet, too, although we did have a fabulous view of Rufous Potoo (nothing doing for Nocturnal Curassow despite two good efforts). Among the best birds on the Roosevelt were a Gray Tinamou on a night roost, a couple of Razor-billed Curassows, several Red-throated Piping-Guans, a very cooperative Pavonine Cuckoo, Black-girdled Barbet, Gould’s Toucanet, Eastern Striolated-Puffbird, Rufous-necked Puffbird, Brown Jacamar, Snow-capped Manakin, Manicore and Spix’s warbling-antbirds (we got all 4 possible species of Hypocnemis), Chestnut-belted Gnateater, Uniform (barely!), Amazonian Barred, and Dusky-capped woodcreepers, Curve-billed Scythebill, Tooth-billed Wren, and we found a nest of Yellow-bellied Dacnis, which was cool. I also made some great video at a nest of Elegant Woodcreeper, which was right by our cabins at the pousada, a bit of which I will insert into the list, below. Despite no definite ant swarms, I did troll-up White-breasted Antbird for good views, and even got a pair of Pale-faced Bare-eyes to come close, but they were not seen well by anyone but me. Another mega-highlight was a pair of Crimson Fruitcrows on our last afternoon in the field. This is a rarely seen bird, especially south of the Guianan region, and this marked the first time I’d seen a pair together and vocalizing.
One early morning we walked to the end of the airstrip and boated a short distance across to a trail where we could overlook thundering Santa Rita rapids. As the river was dropping fast, it exposed lots of a green alga-like plant coating the rocks. This stuff is stiff and salty to the taste, and parrots really love it. There were hundreds of birds out over the rapids, mostly Yellow-crowned and Blue-headed parrots, and it was quite a spectacle as they staged in the trees around the rapids and then came down to feed in the early morning mist over the river. I made some video that I’ll include in the triplist, below.
Our day at the campina on the left bank of the Rio Madeirinha was a beauty. The nearly 2-hour boat trip out there yielded a nice sighting of Giant Otter, and a shining male Spangled Cotinga. Most of the "campina birds" came fairly easily (Blackish Nightjar, Aripuana Antwren, the undescribed “Chestnut-tailed “ antbird on the left bank of the Roosevelt, Ferruginous Antbird (subspecies eluta), Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, "Campina" Flycatcher, an imm male Black Manakin, but Chico’s Tyrannulet, the marquee species, took quite a while to find. Fortunately, our perseverance paid off and we did come away with wonderful views of a pair. Our fishing trip to catch lunch was very successful, and we soon had 5 big Peacock Bass (tucunaré), which our guides prepped for us minutes later. We had brought a cooler with sides of potato salad and vinaigrette, farofa, and baiao de dois (black-eyed peas and rice), cooked plantain, etc. plus a delicious lemon-garlic-basil sauce for everything – what a treat that was!
Mammals were good this trip, with multiple sightings of Common Woolly Monkey and White-bellied Spiders (but heard-only White-nosed Bearded Sakis), Aripuana Marmoset, Neotropical Pygmy-Squirrel, and South American Coatis, but no Brazilian Tapir this time, or White-lipped Peccaries, or cats. Our final morning, was, as usual, on the tower, which is quite near the pousada, in the subcanopy, about 95’ high. We had nice views of Tooth-billed Wrens and gorgeous Paradise Tanagers up there. Our chartered Cessna Caravan arrived right on time, and we were back in Porto Velho in good time for check-in, lunch, and flights out to São Paulo, and home.
The pousada was very comfortable, as always, and there was no one there but us. They had had no other birding groups the past two years except for ours, in Nov 2021. We’re expecting to be coming back for many years to come! Thanks to all of you for joining us for this adventurous tour into southern Amazonia – to the famous "River of Doubt".
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)
GRAY TINAMOU (Tinamus tao)
This huge, forest tinamou is always hard to see -- unless you can find one on a night roost, like we did this year! After watching it for a while as the day was gradually dawning and other birds were starting to vocalize, I thought surely it would sing at least once, and drop to the ground, but we eventually walked ahead and left it sitting up there. After all, we had to go for a nearby Curve-billed Scythebill that had delivered its first song of the day!
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
WHITE-THROATED TINAMOU (Tinamus guttatus)
Heard a number of times, and glimpsed a couple of times as brown mega-tinamous rocketing up from the trailside.
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
SMALL-BILLED TINAMOU (Crypturellus parvirostris) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
RED-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cujubi)
Several good sightings.
RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW (Mitu tuberosum)
Seen fairly well a couple of times, but we never did encountered one or a pair at the river edge this trip -- the water was just too high, on average.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina)
PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND DOVE (Columbina minuta)
Good view of a pair near Humaita, but no sign of the Long-tailed Ground-Doves that are usually fairly easy to find out there.
RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND DOVE (Claravis pretiosa)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
This is one of several species that have invaded the Rondonia region with the clearing of a vast amount of forest over recent decades.
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
PAVONINE CUCKOO (Dromococcyx pavoninus)
We had a great look at this one by "fishing" in an area where I'd had it on a past tour or two -- lucky, as we sure didn't hear one anywhere else!
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta) [*]
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO (Piaya melanogaster)
A very nice view of a foraging bird in a tree-crown near the tower, a bit below eye-level.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda)
A few of these monster nighthawks emerged to forage low over the Madeira on our sunset cruise. They are not usually present here during our June tour time, but the strong cold front that was moving through the region must have pushed them up north.
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus)
Just one, a silent bird (possibly an austral migrant).
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens)
An adult bird flushed from the campina was flighty, and didn't stay put long enough to permit photos.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
One seen well as it took advantage of lighting left on around a parking lot to forage for large, flying insects.
LONG-TAILED POTOO (Nyctibius aethereus) [*]
On our second Nocturnal Curassow "owling" attempt, we heard a distant Long-tailed Potoo (much too far off to call in), which I believe was the first I'd heard around the Pousada Rio Roosevelt.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
One seen by night-lighting along the Roosevelt.
RUFOUS POTOO (Nyctibius bracteatus)
We enjoyed a fabulous view of this wonderful bird, which is now officially transferred to the new, monotypic genus Phyllaemulor, Greek for "Leaf Emulator". This is the name I coined for it (Costa et al. 2018), because it is the only potoo that is a leaf mimic, not a bark/stub mimic. The bird occasionally (especially if threatened at all) rocks slightly on its perch, emulating the rhythmic swaying of an isolated, dead leaf hung up in the forest understory, the white spots on the rufous plumage presenting as holes in or lichen-patches on the dead, brown leaf.
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani)
We saw a small number of these large Chaeturas this year, and I continue to think that some of them look more like Sick's Swift, which would be an austral migrant/winterer. The non-breeding range is unknown, but I bet geolocators will soon provide us with some fascinating data.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
PALE-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura egregia)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
NEEDLE-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis philippii)
Several nice, close views
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus)
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber)
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus)
GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus theresiae)
This is the species of Polytmus in the tour area (not White-tailed); check out Brian's great photo!
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis sapphirina)
WHITE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Chlorestes cyanus)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
We finally got everyone caught up with proper views of this highly distinctive (and crazy-looking) bird.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
ASH-THROATED CRAKE (Mustelirallus albicollis)
We saw this species twice. The first one, spotted by Bill as it walked out from the road edge in the campos of Humaita, was a very nice, normal view. The second one was... shocking! I found it with my thermal scope as we walked the main path out to the airstrip from the pousada, on the ground, inside the forest, about 15 meters from the nearest water. I managed a bit of video, which I'll embed in the list here. I saw another individual on a forested riverbank of the Roosevelt years ago, and I imagine these sightings refer to austral migrants that, for whatever reason, sort of "crash-landed" along the Roosevelt.
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
AZURE GALLINULE (Porphyrio flavirostris)
It took two tries to get a scope view, but the effort paid off.
OCELLATED CRAKE (Micropygia schomburgkii)
Same thing -- the second try was the ticket for getting everybody a good view of this elusive grassland crake.
RUSSET-CROWNED CRAKE (Anurolimnas viridis)
On the other hand, a pair of these handsome crakes performed beautifully (and loudly!) right off the bat.
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
DARK-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia viridis) [*]
We never got close to trumpeters, as far as I could tell, just hearing them far off on night roosts a couple of times.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
BLACK SKIMMER (INTERCEDENS) (Rynchops niger intercedens)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias)
Only one sighting (a very good one!), and no Sungrebe this year, due to high water levels.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria)
Two huge Jabirus were frequenting a marshy area along the highway south of Humaita, along with about 15 Wood Storks.
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
Several excellent views of these elegant herons.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (TROPICAL) (Cathartes aura ruficollis)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
One adult bird was soaring low over the canopy of flooded forest along the Rio Candeias (too low for most folks to get on it well).
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
One only
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) [*]
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) [*]
We had a bird calling close, but the vegetation was so dense that I couldn't find it even with the thermal scope!
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi)
At least 4 good sightings this trip, both sides of the Madeira, too.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) [*]
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
A good view near Humaita
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
Just one, but a good view.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus hyperrhynchus)
BROWN-BANDED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus ordii)
Always a good one to pick up!
WESTERN STRIOLATED-PUFFBIRD (Nystalus obamai)
This is the species I and Brazilian colleagues described in 2013. It's now known to occur in five countries!
EASTERN STRIOLATED-PUFFBIRD (Nystalus striolatus)
This one, which is limited to the Madeira-Tapajos interfluvium, is the hardest to see of the three named populations. At the moment, the birds east of the Tapajos are considered a subspecies (torridus) of striolatus, but that misconception is bound to be corrected at some point before too long, and we'll have three full species in the striolated-puffbird complex.
WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus chacuru)
RUFOUS-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila rufa)
We had a nice, close study of one of these retiring understory puffbirds, an easy one to miss.
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
BROWN JACAMAR (Brachygalba lugubris melanosterna)
Great views of 4 birds. This rather blackish-breasted subspecies is endemic to lower Amazonia.
BLUE-CHEEKED JACAMAR (Galbula cyanicollis) [*]
The only individual we heard refused to come into view.
BLUISH-FRONTED JACAMAR (Galbula cyanescens)
To the contrary, this one sat still, on a low branch, for so long that we had to walk on past it!
BRONZY JACAMAR (Galbula leucogastra)
Seen in the campinarana-like forest out of Humaita.
PARADISE JACAMAR (Galbula dea)
A few sightings of this fine bird.
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus)
We managed to trick a nice male into showing himself one day on the Roosevelt.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-GIRDLED BARBET (Capito dayi)
Just one good encounter, but it was a male singing, and in the scope.
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
We were fortunate to pick this one up on the west side of the Madeira.
LEMON-THROATED BARBET (Eubucco richardsoni)
After a good bit of positioning and repositioning, we finally found an angle that permitted a great scope view of a singing male.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
Linda made a good spot on our first ones, out of Porto Velho.
RED-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)
We had good views near Porto Velho and later, on the Roosevelt, but no luck finding its sister-species, Ivory-billed Aracari, on the west side of the Madeira.
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
An excellent view of a pair of these ornate little toucans near Humaita.
GOULD'S TOUCANET (Selenidera gouldii)
This one replaces Golden-collared east of the Madeira; we had a nice scope study on the Roosevelt. I will add that this is one species that was unusually vocal this trip, heard frequently during our week on the Roosevelt.
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco)
Another shout-out to Linda for spotting our Toco Toucan in the campos around Humaita.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus) [*]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
BAR-BREASTED PICULET (Picumnus aurifrons)
After hearing them several times and no luck getting one to respond to playback, we finally found a cooperative individual with a mixed-species flock.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Dryobates affinis)
We made a point of seeing this small woodpecker on both sides of the Madeira, for good measure.
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis)
Great views a couple of times, perhaps best from the tower.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos) [*]
It's rather amazing that we never actually saw one of these big guys.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus) [*]
SCALE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Celeus grammicus)
Just one, but it was a good scope view.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus)
This fabulous wodpecker was also seen quite well.
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula) [*]
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros)
Nice view of a female.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis) [*]
One heard far off, pre-dawn.
CRYPTIC FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur mintoni) [*]
Darn, both Cryptic and Slaty-backed forest-falcons were heard in the distance, pre-dawn, as we found the Gray Tinamou on its night-roost. By the time it was light enough to see anything even halfway well, we could get no response from either species.
SLATY-BACKED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur mirandollei) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus)
CRESTED CARACARA (SOUTHERN) (Caracara plancus plancus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
ORANGE-BREASTED FALCON (Falco deiroleucus)
We were fortunate to spot one of these rarely seen falcons on the Rio Madeirinha!
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera)
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi) [*]
Gosh, I'm sorry we never managed to see this parrot on the Roosevelt, where it is usually fairly evident, and we barely heard a few flyovers. There were none participating in the feeding frenzy of other parrots at Santa Rita rapids.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
Lots, with numbers building daily. There were very few around Humaita.
SHORT-TAILED PARROT (Graydidascalus brachyurus)
Seen nicely early one morning right outside the hotel in Humaita (this is a "whitewater" river-edge species, common out on the Madeira around Humaita).
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
Big numbers on the Roosevelt, also apparently building into the dry season.
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
KAWALL'S PARROT (Amazona kawalli)
One good perched view, and a few others in flight, but not many around on this tour.
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica)
DUSKY-BILLED PARROTLET (Forpus modestus) [*]
CRIMSON-BELLIED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura perlata)
Just a couple of good encounters with this ornate parakeet.
SANTAREM PARAKEET (MADEIRA) (Pyrrhura amazonum snethlageae)
We saw lots more of these and on both sides of the Madeira, where they are (supposedly) conspecific, but I think this needs more study.
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Eupsittula aurea)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)
Just one family of three flying low over the Roosevelt. There are normally many more of these (and other macaws) around in June.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)
This one was present in fairly good numbers, seen or heard daily (especially on the Roosevelt).
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
Four birds well back into terra firme on the right bank of the Roosevelt, feeding together, were the only ones for the trip.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus) [*]
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
ASH-WINGED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis spodioptila) [*]
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
Superb views of a male and female with a mixed-species flock.
GLOSSY ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus luctuosus)
Nice looks at male and female.
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) [*]
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus)
Robin spotted the male nicely for us.
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus)
A good view out of Humaita.
NATTERER'S SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus stictocephalus)
This was the "tail-jiggling" antshrike we saw around the campina.
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus aethiops)
Very sneaky, but a few of us got to see a male.
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus)
Superb views of an adult male near Porto Velho.
SATURNINE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes saturninus)
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius)
PLAIN-THROATED ANTWREN (Isleria hauxwelli)
SPOT-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Pygiptila stellaris)
WHITE-EYED STIPPLETHROAT (Epinecrophylla leucophthalma)
RIO MADEIRA STIPPLETHROAT (ROOSEVELT) (Epinecrophylla amazonica dentei)
Described as a new species in 2013 by me and Brazilian colleagues, as a close relative of (then) Stipple-throated Antwren occurring west of the Madeira, but it's considered a subspecies of it at the moment.
ORNATE STIPPLETHROAT (Epinecrophylla ornata)
Hard to see well, but a couple of folks got it pretty well.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) [*]
SCLATER'S ANTWREN (Myrmotherula sclateri)
This tiny canopy antwren was seen nicely a couple of times.
AMAZONIAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula multostriata) [*]
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis)
Good views of male and female on the Roosevelt, in a couple of mixed-species flocks.
IHERING'S ANTWREN (Myrmotherula iheringi)
One male seen rather briefly but well with a mixed-species flock.
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii)
We made a point of seeing Gray Antwren on both banks of the Roosevelt (we have a paper ready for submission that will propose splitting them as part of a revision of the bird across its widespread range).
LEADEN ANTWREN (Myrmotherula assimilis)
Very close views of a singing male near Porto Velho.
PREDICTED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus praedictus)
Great views of this canopy antwren, described to science only in 2013, out of Humaita.
ARIPUANA ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus stotzi)
Ditto that comment for this species, which performed beautifully in the scrubby forest bordering the campina on the Rio Madeirinha.
RUSTY-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus frater) [*]
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
Seen well a few times, both sides of the Madeira.
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea) [*]
RUSTY-BACKED ANTWREN (Formicivora rufa)
Nice and close, in the campos of Humaita.
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
We made a point of getting good views of all four of the Hypocnemis warbling-antbirds we could potentially find on the tour -- great!
RONDONIA WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis ochrogyna)
SPIX'S WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis striata implicata)
MANICORE WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis rondoni)
In 2013, I and Brazilian colleagues named this new species, which has a highly distinctive call, for Marechal Rondon, head of the Brazilian Telegraph Commission and leader of the Roosevelt-Rondon Expedition that charted the River of Doubt in 1914.
BLACK ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides serva)
The population inhabiting the immediate west bank of the Madeira (disjunct from others well to the west) has never been studied, and may well represent an unnamed taxon.
BLACKISH ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides nigrescens)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens)
This is another one that will likely soon be described as a species, based mostly on its vocalizations and genetic makeup.
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
RUFOUS-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes rufifacies)
As it turned out, this was our first antbird sighting of the tour.
CHESTNUT-TAILED ANTBIRD (PALLENS) (Sciaphylax hemimelaena pallens)
A fine view of a male near Porto Velho.
[CHESTNUT-TAILED] ANTBIRD (Sciaphylax [hemimelaena] taxon novum)
This undescribed population with a distinctive voice was seen well on the left bank of the Roosevelt.
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmoderus ferrugineus)
A great look at this handsome antbird; subspecies eluta, largely restricted to the Madeira-Tapajos interfluvium.
BLACK-THROATED ANTBIRD (Myrmophylax atrothorax)
We enjoyed a remarkably prolonged view of this skulking species -- especially good viewing of the female.
WHITE-THROATED ANTBIRD (Oneillornis salvini)
Nice views of an adult male at an army ant swarm near Humaita (female seen by only a couple of us).
WHITE-BREASTED ANTBIRD (Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi)
We had a couple of encounters with this "Mad-Tap" endemic, but not with army ants, the typical situation.
HAIRY-CRESTED ANTBIRD (Rhegmatorhina melanosticta purusiana)
We were fortunate to see this rather rarely seen antbird (especially this distinctive subspecies purusiana) at the same army ant swarm as the White-throated Antbird, near Humaita. Two adults were accompanied by a well-grown juvenile, which eventually came to perch just a few feet away from us.
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
A nice view of this one, but surprisingly, we did not even hear a Spot-backed Antbird this trip.
COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus) [*]
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata)
One seen well, if only briefly.
PALE-FACED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis borbae)
This was a frustrating experience, as two of these big ant-followers bombed in to recording playback, sat for 3 seconds as they pumped their tails, then blasted off not to be glimpsed again. I'm afraid I was the only one of us to actually see them.
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
CHESTNUT-BELTED GNATEATER (Conopophaga aurita)
Wonderful views of this fancy denizen of the understory.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
VARIEGATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria varia) [*]
ALTA FLORESTA ANTPITTA (Hylopezus whittakeri) [*]
A single, distant bird heard at dusk on our last afternoon on the Roosevelt.
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
I'm suspicious that the nest we found in a stub about 1 meter above ground belonged to this species, but the best-laid plans to get it on video, after we had walked by on the trail, didn't come to fruition, and it ended up essentially heard only.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma)
Brian made a good spot on the bird foraging around the army ant swarm near Humaita.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
SPOT-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Certhiasomus stictolaemus)
After some suspenseful minutes, we finally had a very nice view of this understory woodcreeper.
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER (Deconychura longicauda) [*]
Darn, couldn't coax it into view.
WHITE-CHINNED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla merula) [*]
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) [*]
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
Seen well west of the Madeira, subspecies devillei; moniliger (east of Madeira) was heard only.
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris)
We did not have this bird on the tour -- but I add it just to emphasize that I'm pretty shocked that we did not even HEAR it the entire time!
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (JURUA) (Dendrocolaptes certhia juruanus)
Seen well west of the Madeira, subspecies juruanus.
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (PLAIN-COLORED) (Dendrocolaptes certhia concolor)
Nice views of a pair on the Roosevelt, subspecies concolor.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (PALE-BILLED) (Dendrocolaptes picumnus pallescens)
An excellent study of a foraging bird on our first morning west of the Madeira.
HOFFMANNS'S WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes hoffmannsi)
Seen a couple of times, the second sighting (or a pair of birds) much the better.
UNIFORM WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes uniformis)
After looking for this big woodcreeper all over the place, we finally pulled one up on our last morning afield, but it allowed only "I want more!" views.
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans)
This was the woodcreeper present with understory flocks, seen several times, but seen well on only a couple of occasions. I used some time on post-lunch breaks to sit near an active nest near the pousada generator, and made some nice video, which I'll include in the list here.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (LAFRESNAYE'S) (Xiphorhynchus guttatus dorbignyanus) [*]
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (DUSKY-BILLED) (Xiphorhynchus guttatus eytoni)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) [*]
ZIMMER'S WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex kienerii)
CURVE-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (RONDONIA) (Campylorhamphus procurvoides probatus)
A nice view of this one early in the morning, after we'd found the roosting Gray Tinamou.
INAMBARI WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes fatimalimae)
Good views on our first morning west of the Madeira. This woodcreeper was named only in 2013!
DUSKY-CAPPED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes fuscicapillus)
This is the replacement of Inambari east of the Madeira; good views on the Roosevelt.
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER (Berlepschia rikeri)
Scoped very nicely near Humaita.
RUFOUS-TAILED XENOPS (Microxenops milleri)
Excellent views of a pair with a mixed-species flock on the Roosevelt.
RUFOUS-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor erythrocercum)
Seen well a couple of times.
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes) [*]
CHESTNUT-WINGED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Dendroma erythroptera)
One good look at this canopy foliage-gleaner.
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus ochrolaemus) [*]
STRIPED WOODHAUNTER (Automolus subulatus) [*]
"Almost"... we had a distant calling bird come in about halfway, but it never did show.
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
CINEREOUS-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis hypospodia)
Excellent, close view in the campos of Humaita.
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens)
One seen rather briefly in the campos.
RUDDY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis rutilans)
One especially nice look at this understory skulker.
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni)
What a great view we had of that bird mobbing the pygmy-owl in the canopy, as we stood nearby on the tower!
BLUE-BACKED MANAKIN (REGINA) (Chiroxiphia pareola regina) [*]
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens)
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
SNOW-CAPPED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix nattereri)
It took us a few days to get a good look at a male Snow-capped Manakin, but patience paid off grandly!
FLAME-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus linteatus) [*]
Very quiet, unresponsive.
FIERY-CAPPED MANAKIN (Machaeropterus pyrocephalus)
It was a treat to see two adult males performing courtship posturing for several minutes, near Humaita. What a gorgeous little bird!
RED-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra rubrocapilla)
We also enjoyed watching displaying males of this one.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BLACK-NECKED RED-COTINGA (Phoenicircus nigricollis) [*]
Heard on two days, but zero interest in playback.
CRIMSON FRUITCROW (Haematoderus militaris)
Those of us who revisited the suspected antswarm area on our final afternoon on the Rio Roosevelt were treated to the rare sight of a pair of these big, very red cotingas high in emergent trees above the trail.
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
Just one, but it was a brilliant adult male.
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
Entertaining scope views of a close, very loud bird.
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea)
Two sightings, both female plumage.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
BROWN-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis turdina) [*]
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus)
Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill, Royal Flycatcher, and Allies)
ROYAL FLYCATCHER (Onychorhynchus coronatus) [*]
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus)
WHISKERED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius barbatus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) [*]
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus coronatus)
Seen by just a couple of us.
WHITE-CRESTED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos) [*]
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) [*]
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus)
An excellent view of this tiny flycatcher near Porto Velho.
SNETHLAGE'S TODY-TYRANT (SNETHLAGE'S) (Hemitriccus minor minor)
This is the population east of the Rio Madeira (Rio Roosevelt area).
ZIMMER'S TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus minimus)
We found one singing and foraging in a rather low tree-crown, near Humaita.
SNETHLAGE'S TODY-TYRANT (NEW SPECIES) (Hemitriccus sp. nov.)
This is the population west of the Madeira, which has never received a name.
BUFF-CHEEKED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus senex)
Another of the species endemic to the Madeira-Tapajos interfluvium, we had an excellent view in the campina on the Rio Madeirinha.
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris) [*]
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum) [*]
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus) [*]
WHITE-LORED TYRANNULET (Ornithion inerme) [*]
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
We saw a nest with two chicks in a tree near the Pousada Rio Roosevelt.
SHARP-TAILED TYRANT (Culicivora caudacuta)
Delightful views of a pair of this highly distinctive grassland flycatcher in the campos of Humaita.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) [*]
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata)
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis)
CHICO'S TYRANNULET (Zimmerius chicomendesi)
It took a little too long for comfort, but we finally found a pair of this recently (2013) described tyrannulet, and had wonderful views as it fed on tiny mistletoe berries, on which it specializes. Whew!
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes) [*]
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri)
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (CAMPINA) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus duidae)
We had a nice view of this secretive flycatcher in the campina area as well. It still has not been formally elevated to species rank.
AMAZONIAN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus obscurior)
This is supposedly the "Scrub Flycatcher" in southern Amazonia, but I doubt this is accurate. It will take a great deal of field and lab work to truly understand the systematics and biogeography of the genus Sublegatus.
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda)
CITRON-BELLIED ATTILA (Attila citriniventris)
Great view of a singing bird near Humaita.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex)
PALE-BELLIED MOURNER (Rhytipterna immunda) [*]
One heard far off at the campina on the Madeirinha.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) [*]
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes luteiventris) [*]
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus)
One near Humaita was an austral migrant/winterer.
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis) [*]
GRAY-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus semicinereus) [*]
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius leucotis) [*]
Only one bird even heard!
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Tunchiornis ochraceiceps)
Seen well with an understory mixed-species flock.
DUSKY-CAPPED GREENLET (Pachysylvia hypoxantha)
A couple of sightings of this canopy greenlet out of Humaita.
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina)
This one replaces Dusky-capped east of the Madeira; seen well on the Roosevelt.
CHIVI VIREO (MIGRATORY) (Vireo chivi chivi)
A few seen, all silent austral migrants/winterers.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLACK-COLLARED SWALLOW (Pygochelidon melanoleuca)
Not as numerous on the Roosevelt as is usual for late June, but I did think numbers were building daily.
TAWNY-HEADED SWALLOW (Alopochelidon fucata)
More than 300 between Porto Velho and Humaita, all austral migrants/winterers probably pushed in by the recent cold front.
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) [*]
TOOTH-BILLED WREN (Odontorchilus cinereus)
A very nice view of a pair right over our heads, from atop the tower.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis)
Seen nicely near Porto Velho.
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) [*]
MUSICIAN WREN (Cyphorhinus arada)
It was a challenge to get binoc's on them, but their songs were wonderful.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas) [*]
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli)
One seen fairly well, although it didn't stay long.
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis) [*]
LAWRENCE'S THRUSH (Turdus lawrencii) [*]
One distant bird heard.
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris) [*]
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Leistes militaris)
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis)
Only a couple seen
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Same thing, only a couple
OLIVE OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius bifasciatus)
This was the most numerous oropendola on the Roosevelt, as usual, but there were not many around this year.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
After the first few days out of Humaita, we did not see another Yellow-rumped Cacique -- none anywhere around the Roosevelt/Madeirinha.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)
RED-BILLED PIED TANAGER (Lamprospiza melanoleuca)
Several with a mixed-species flock on the Rio Roosevelt.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
ROSE-BREASTED CHAT (Granatellus pelzelni)
Excellent views of a singing male, with another couple of birds heard on subsequent days.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
BLACK-FACED TANAGER (Schistochlamys melanopis)
Numerous in the campos of Humaita.
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Loriotus luctuosus)
FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
WHITE-WINGED SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio versicolor)
Nice views of a pair with a mixed-species flock on our first morning on the Roosevelt.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
DOTTED TANAGER (Ixothraupis varia)
We pulled a singing bird into view nicely at a stop between Porto Velho and Humaita.
BURNISHED-BUFF TANAGER (Stilpnia cayana)
MASKED TANAGER (Stilpnia nigrocincta)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)
Wonderfully close views in perfect light from atop the tower on the Roosevelt.
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
A few sightings, probably all austral migrants/winterers.
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
Very much in evidence this year, as a pair around the pousada was building a nest right off the veranda.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
SHORT-BILLED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes nitidus)
Seen out of Humaita and on the Roosevelt.
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)
WHITE-RUMPED TANAGER (Cypsnagra hirundinacea)
Fine views of singing birds in the campos of Humaita. This is the subspecies pallidigula.
ORANGE-FRONTED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis columbiana)
One pair seen near Porto Velho.
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
TAWNY-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypoxantha)
A few austral winterers in the campos of Humaita.
DARK-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila ruficollis)
Whether these birds, in June, are winterers or possibly resident needs study.
BLACK-MASKED FINCH (Coryphaspiza melanotis)
Excellent view of an adult male near Humaita.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus)
MAMMALS
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus)
FREE-TAILED BAT SP. (Tadarida sp.)
[SILVERY] MARMOSET (Callithrix [argentata] sp.)
The name for the essentially white marmosets on the right bank of the Roosevelt (around the pousada, etc.) is Aripuana Marmoset (Mico intermedius). We saw them well a couple of times, but didn't find Marca's Marmoset, on the other side of the Roosevelt.
SADDLEBACK TAMARIN (Saguinus fuscicollis)
The ones we saw west of the Madeira were Weddell's Saddle-back Tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis weddelli).
RED-CHESTED MUSTACHED TAMARIN (Saguinus labiatus)
Seen together with the previous species, using higher strata of the forest. Also known as Southern Red-bellied Tamarin.
BARE-EARED SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri ustus)
BLACK-HEADED NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus nigriceps)
Two spotted with the thermal scope on an owling excursion near Porto Velho.
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch)
The titis we saw within about 40 km of Humaita, would pertain to Callicebus dubius, I believe (I don't know an English name for it).
PRINCE BERNARD'S TITI MONKEY (Callicebus bernhardi) [*]
WHITE-NOSED BEARDED SAKI MONKEY (Chiropotes albinasus) [*]
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
Seen well near the pousada on the Roosevelt.
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
COMMON WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix lagotricha)
Seen really well on three days on the Roosevelt, the best showing in a few years now.
WHITE-BELLIED SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles belzebuth chamek)
One came in to the pousada clearing every evening to fill up on fig fruits before swinging back into the heavy forest.
GIANT ANTEATER (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
One scuttled across the Transamazon highway west of Humaita, quite a surprise to see!
NEOTROPICAL PYGMY SQUIRREL (Sciurillus pusillus)
A good view of one on our first morning on the Roosevelt.
RED-RUMPED AGOUTI (Dasyprocta agouti)
AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN (Inia geoffrensis)
A couple near Porto Velho.
SOUTH AMERICAN COATI (Nasua nasua)
A troop of about a dozen animals.
TAYRA (Eira barbara)
We spotted a big adult as it clambered down a huge trunk and leapt to the ground.
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis)
Just one sighting this tour.
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)
A couple had wandered close to us as we stood on the trail near the campina, then suddenly detected us and bolted away.
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana)
Totals for the tour: 408 bird taxa and 24 mammal taxa