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We had a great view of this Black-banded Owl at Colakreek. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
Our private trip to Suriname finally came together! Billed as a 'Trumpeter' search, we found our main target straight away at Brownsberg, giving us the remaining week and a half to really immerse ourselves in the fascinating avifauna of the Guianan Shield.
It had been several years since I'd been to the country (not since 2010 to be exact), so it was great to be able to get back there with all of you! I really enjoy birding in Suriname and love the wild and pristine feel of the birding venues there – especially the forest sites. And seeing a brand new forest venue at Fred's place south of Brownsberg was particularly exciting for me. Maybe I'll get back there again in the not-too-distant future!
Besides the Gray-winged Trumpeters, many of which we observed at length just feet away from us at Brownsberg, we had a number of outstanding highlights from this abbreviated itinerary to lovely Suriname. I especially liked all of the cotingas that presented themselves on this tour, from those incredible male Guianan Cocks-of-the-rock at the lek to our glowing male Purple-breasted Cotinga in the top of a roadside tree to that unbelievably exciting pair of Crimson Fruitcrows and those bizarre Capuchinbirds – all at Fred's place! There are lots more in the list that follows, so read on.
Thanks to the four of you for suggesting that we try to put this trip together after our tour to Thailand last year – I'm really glad you did because I had a blast birding with all of you again! Thanks also to Sean Dilrosun for his willingness and ability to put this trip together for us, as well as his good suggestions on how to make this itinerary better for our short visit here. Having him come along and co-lead with me was one of the trip highlights, and his extensive knowledge of all things Surinamese really added immeasurably to our tour.
I hope we can come up with another spot for a private trip together, so put your thinking caps on! There's a lot of potential places out there... Dave
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) – Heard almost daily on this trip. [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) – Heard only in the wettest places. [*]
RED-LEGGED TINAMOU (Crypturellus erythropus) – Heard distantly in the white sand savanna forest. [*]
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) – Heard only at Fred's. [*]
Participant Randy Siebert shot this video of a group of Gray-winged Trumpeters as they strutted and flipped their wings right in front of our group. Since they were the primary objective for this tour, we were really pleased to find them easily, and have such a great experience with them!
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
VARIABLE CHACHALACA (Ortalis motmot) – I only heard this one at Colakreek, and it looks like you all only heard it on the last day, too.
MARAIL GUAN (Penelope marail) – Great views of this regional specialty along the Brownsberg entrance road.
BLACK CURASSOW (Crax alector) – The other half of our excellent 'chicken' day at Brownsberg.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus) – Distant, but decent views at Zanderij.
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens) – A single flyby in the mangroves on the first full day.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus) – The best was the bird along the road at Fred's place - when it was alive!
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber) – A single molting immature bird in the mangroves on the first full day.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – A couple of the birds near Colakreek appeared to be migrants from N. America (no white nape patch).
TURKEY VULTURE (TROPICAL) (Cathartes aura ruficollis)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – A couple of birds only at Zanderij.
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus) – The most prevalent Cathartes in the forested areas.
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – A few adults here and there.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Ah yes, that would be 'Randy's Osprey'!
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii) – Sean spotted one of these perched on a telephone wire on our drive from Colakreek to Brownsberg - a new Suriname bird for me!
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis) – Calling loudly along the Kraka-Phedra road while we watched for the Black-chinned Antbird to appear. [*]
We found the odd Capuchinbird near Fred's place; what strange creatures they are! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – Lovely...
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) [*]
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus) – Nice looks in the clearing at Fred's place.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis) – Only on our first day near the coast.
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus) – This one never really responded enough. [*]
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – A couple of good looks.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) – A common sight along the roadside near Fred's place.
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens) – John spotted one of these along the road near Zanderij.
RUFOUS CRAB HAWK (Buteogallus aequinoctialis) – Fabulous views of this coastal species on our first full day.
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga) – In the clearing at Fred's place.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) – Glenda spotted a very distant adult soaring with vultures near Zanderij.
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis) – We had a couple of really smashing views of this one in flight near Fred's place.
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus) – Especially nice views on the last afternoon at Colakreek. Now split from the more northerly Gray Hawk.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – A quick flyby adult in the mangroves on the first day of the trip.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) – Gray-necked Wood-Rail was recently split into two species. The two species replace each other somewhere in n. Costa Rica. [*]
RUSSET-CROWNED CRAKE (Anurolimnas viridis) – Close. [*]
Psophiidae (Trumpeters)
GRAY-WINGED TRUMPETER (Psophia crepitans) – This is the bird that got this private tour off the ground initially and we certainly got our fill at Brownsberg! This is still, easily, the best place in the world to see a Trumpeter!
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (Gallinago paraguaiae) – After checking some references at home, the birds we saw at the airport were clearly this species.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – A single at Colakreek.
These sleepy Tropical Screech Owls were a nice find at Colakreek. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – Mostly just heard birds.
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa) – A good scope look on the final morning at Hannover Savanna.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) – Mostly heard.
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea) – Acapulco!
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
VIOLACEOUS QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon violacea) – Heard pretty close at Brownsberg on the road to Mazaroni Val, but it never responded. Quite rare anywhere in Suriname. [*]
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) – Heard quite often in the forested habitats.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major) – Good views along the Kraka-Phedra road on the last morning.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta) – We had multiple birds at Peperpot on the first morning.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – A roosting pair spotted by Sean at Colakreek was a nice surprise on the final day!
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) – Close by near Fred's place. [*]
VERMICULATED SCREECH-OWL (RORAIMA) (Megascops guatemalae roraimae) – Another close bird at Brownsberg, but it wouldn't budge. [*]
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – Heard distantly near Fred's place. [*]
AMAZONIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium hardyi) – We never had this one very close on this trip. [*]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – A cooperative family at the airport.
BLACK-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba huhula) – A nice bird for the 'finale' at Colakreek.
We had to skirt around some nice, big puddles in the road at Brownsberg, but they didn't stop us from finding some great birds! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis) – Flushed by Randy near Zanderij.
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus) – A reliable bird at the overlook at Brownsberg.
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens) – We picked up the eyeshine of this one next to the road near Fred's place.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – In the same area as the above Blackish Nightjar.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – Sean knew the place to look for this roosting bird!
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHAPMAN'S SWIFT (Chaetura chapmani) – Several looks at this very dark Chaetura swift near Fred's place. The least common of the three species of Chaeturas on this trip.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus) – The most common and widespread of the three Chaeturas on this trip.
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis) – Never very common anywhere.
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata) – Most of these were out in the savanna habitats.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
CRIMSON TOPAZ (Topaza pella) – At least three birds, including a fantastic adult male, were found every evening along the river in front of Fred's place.
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus) – A brief sighting at Peperpot on the first morning.
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri) – The usually doubled call note of this one is very distinctive and easily identifies this one in flight.
LONG-TAILED HERMIT (Phaethornis superciliosus) – Probably just as numerous as the above Straight-billed Hermit.
LITTLE HERMIT (Phaethornis longuemareus) – Great views of one in response to my recording at Peperpot.
REDDISH HERMIT (Phaethornis ruber) – Like a reddish bumblebee at the forest edge in the interior.
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus) – Several good views of this flashy species.
GREEN-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus theresiae) – Great looks at a perched bird in the Hannover savanna on our final morning.
RACKET-TAILED COQUETTE (Discosura longicaudus) – I thought that the first one that I saw perched above the road near Fred's place was going to be it for the tour, but we luckily found another perched female along the road the following day.
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis) – Daily sightings near Fred's place.
Green Aracaris were seen a few times during our trip. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata) – A few adult males.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata) – The first and last days only.
RUFOUS-THROATED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis sapphirina) – One of these came in to check out my Amazonian Pygmy-Owl recording.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) – Finally scoped well at Fred's place.
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis) – Not much green on that back, is there?
GUIANAN TROGON (Trogon violaceus) – We finally got a look at this one in the savanna woods on the day we left Fred's for Colakreek.
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus) – Spotted by Fabian along the Cock-of-the-Rock trail.
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris) [*]
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Fabian got us onto this calling bird near Fred's place.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – We had our first on the final morning at Hannover Savanna.
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda) – Nice views near Fred's place.
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – One at Peperpot on the first morning.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
GUIANAN PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos) – Now split from White-necked Puffbird - seen well near Fred's place.
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus) – Several nice encounters with this one.
SPOTTED PUFFBIRD (Bucco tamatia) – This one flew in overhead silently, but it gave us some super looks at Peperpot.
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis) – Some intent searching produced eventual great scope views of this one.
BLACK NUNBIRD (Monasa atra) – Yet another Guianan Shield specialty.
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – Really common throughout the sandy soil forests of Suriname.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
BROWN JACAMAR (Brachygalba lugubris) – There aren't many reliable spots in Suriname to see this one, but Fred's place seems to be great for this tiny jacamar.
YELLOW-BILLED JACAMAR (Galbula albirostris) – We got a pair of these going at Fred's place and wound up with super scope views.
GREEN-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula galbula) – Great views at Peperpot on the first morning of the tour.
BRONZY JACAMAR (Galbula leucogastra) – It almost came down to the wire with this one, but we ended up with super views of a responsive bird on the Kraka-Phedra road. This one completed our jacamar sweep for the trip!
PARADISE JACAMAR (Galbula dea) – Lovely, but only around Fred's place on this itinerary.
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus) – In the scope at Fred's place.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARBET (Capito niger) – We had this beauty in the scope shortly after we arrived at Brownsberg.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
GREEN ARACARI (Pteroglossus viridis) – Another Guianan Shield species, this one seen several times throughout the trip.
BLACK-NECKED ARACARI (Pteroglossus aracari) – With only two species of Aracaris possible in this part of S. America, identifying them is pretty straightforward.
GUIANAN TOUCANET (Selenidera piperivora) – A responsive trio performed well on that first afternoon at Brownsberg.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus) [*]
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus) – We heard the two big Ramphastos toucans daily once we left Paramaribo, but this was the only one that we actually saw.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GOLDEN-SPANGLED PICULET (BUFFON'S) (Picumnus exilis buffonii) – We had a couple of good encounters with this one, including birds in the scope.
ARROWHEAD PICULET (Picumnus minutissimus) – Currently, the only endemic species in Suriname. We saw this one very well at Peperpot on the first morning.
We had a really nice view from our accomodations in Tapir House at Brownsberg. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus) – We had very good looks at this widespread species, but I'm always surprised at how scarce this one generally is in the country.
GOLDEN-COLLARED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis cassini) – Nicely at both Brownsberg and at Fred's place.
BLOOD-COLORED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis sanguineus) – It took a little bit, but we eventually got super views of this Guianan Shield coastal specialty at Peperpot on the first morning of the tour.
YELLOW-THROATED WOODPECKER (Piculus flavigula) – Lovely looks at Brownsberg.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Seemingly always within earshot at Brownsberg, but we only saw that one bird.
RINGED WOODPECKER (Celeus torquatus) – We had fantastic views of this one that came in to my whistle along the trail at Brownsberg one afternoon.
WAVED WOODPECKER (Celeus undatus) – A very close bird, likely working on a nest hole, at Fred's place. The last of our four Celeus woodpeckers on this tour.
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) – We had a couple of great encounters with this one in the sandy forest near the airport.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans) – Good looks both at Brownsberg and at Fred's place.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
RED-NECKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus rubricollis) – The double-rap drum is typical of many Campephilus, but not all.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
LINED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur gilvicollis) – None of these birds would seem to budge at all from their calling perches. [*]
SLATY-BACKED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur mirandollei) [*]
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater) – A single at the Hannover savanna was all that we found.
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) – Mostly heard, with a few seen flying over the treetops.
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – A single bird on the first afternoon on our way to Colakreek.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
LILAC-TAILED PARROTLET (Touit batavicus) – That late afternoon flock flying past the Brownsberg overlook was very predictable.
GOLDEN-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chrysoptera) – Nice looks at some perched birds at Colakreek.
The Guianan Cocks-of-the-Rock provided us with some memorable moments! Participant Randy Siebert got this lovely portrait of one of the males.
CAICA PARROT (Pyrilia caica) – All of our looks were quick flybys.
DUSKY PARROT (Pionus fuscus) – We finally got a bird in the scope at Fred's place.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa) – Decidedly scarce on this trip.
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica) – Of the two Amazons, this was the most common.
GREEN-RUMPED PARROTLET (Forpus passerinus) – Only around the Paramaribo area.
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus) – Mostly heard this trip, but we saw a few well at Fred's.
RED-FAN PARROT (Deroptyus accipitrinus) – Most of the birds that we recorded on this abbreviated itinerary were around Fred's place.
PAINTED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura picta) – The only Pyrrhura in the region.
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (Eupsittula pertinax) – Near the coast and in the savanna only.
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus) – We only found these small macaws around good stands of Mauritia palms.
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus) – This was the only big macaw that we found around Fred's place, but I'm confident that there were others in the area. I was surprised at how few of these we detected, though.
RED-SHOULDERED MACAW (Diopsittaca nobilis) – On the coast and in the savanna only. The smallest of the extant macaws.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
ASH-WINGED ANTWREN (Euchrepomis spodioptila) [*]
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus) [*]
BLACK-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Frederickena viridis) – Close, but it just wouldn't show at Brownsberg. [*]
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) [*]
BLACK-CRESTED ANTSHRIKE (Sakesphorus canadensis) – In the habitats around Paramaribo.
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet showed nicely for us at Colakreek. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus) – Widespread on this trip.
NORTHERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus punctatus) – The singing male at Peperpot was a surprise for me there - it's usually a savanna woodland species in Suriname.
BAND-TAILED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus melanothorax) – Another one that was close that just wouldn't cooperate. [*]
AMAZONIAN ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus amazonicus) – Along the main road at Brownsberg.
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus) – This and the next seemed to be around in equal abundance.
CINEREOUS ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes caesius) – This one and the above Dusky-throated tended to be the 'flock leaders' of the infrequent understory flocks that we found.
RUFOUS-BELLIED ANTWREN (Isleria guttata) – Glenda was the only one to lay eyes on this shy understory species.
BROWN-BELLIED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla gutturalis) – Excellent views of a very responsive male at Brownsberg one afternoon.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura) – A common voice in the forest canopy.
GUIANAN STREAKED-ANTWREN (Myrmotherula surinamensis) – We had a quick look at a male at Peperpot on the first morning.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
LONG-WINGED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longipennis) – We had one pair with a nice mixed flock one afternoon at Brownsberg.
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii) – This one was with most mixed flocks that we found at Brownsberg.
SPOT-TAILED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus sticturus) – Just as Sean predicted, we had our best looks at this one on our final afternoon of birding near Colakreek.
TODD'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus stictocephalus) – Heard often in the canopy, but seen just once at Brownsberg.
WHITE-FRINGED ANTWREN (Formicivora grisea) – Nice looks at a pair of these in the savanna scrub near the airport.
GUIANAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis cantator) – Nearly everywhere, except for the coastal habitats.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina) – The only looks that we had were at the Brownsberg overlook on our first afternoon there.
BLACKISH ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides nigrescens) – Nicely at Peperpot on our first morning.
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) – We found a very low individual along the main road downhill from Brownsberg. Normally, this one is a neck-breaker up in the canopy!
Red Howler Monkeys provided some of the acoustical backdrop to our birding. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys) [*]
BLACK-CHINNED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides melanopogon) – We had to scramble down the road bank in order to get a look at this one in the riverine vegetation.
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia) – Great views of a responsive bird at Peperpot on our first morning together.
BLACK-HEADED ANTBIRD (HELLMAYR'S) (Percnostola rufifrons rufifrons) – In the savanna woodland near the airport on Day 2.
FERRUGINOUS-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmoderus ferrugineus) – One of the most attractive of all of the antbirds, IMHO.
BLACK-THROATED ANTBIRD (Myrmophylax atrothorax) – A responsive male at Peperpot on the first morning.
RUFOUS-THROATED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys rufigula) [*]
SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevius) – Our second bird at Brownsberg was much more well behaved than the first.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
SPOTTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus macularius) – This one was very responsive at Fred's place, but we had the toughest time trying to spot him!
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius colma) – We had both antthrushes in the bag within about 20 minutes on the trail near Fred's place.
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) – A responsive bird near the Cock-of-the-rock lek.
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula) – One of the new birds we found at Berlijn.
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia) – Not much barring on this Guianan Shield race.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – Fantastic looks at a close bird at Brownsberg shortly after we arrived there.
RED-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Hylexetastes perrotii) – WOWWW!!! I've only ever had this scarce woodcreeper in Suriname much farther south at Palumeu, so it was a real thrill to get this one so well at Brownsberg! Maybe my bird of the trip...
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus) [*]
CHESTNUT-RUMPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus) – This one is the common Xiphorhynchus within the mixed understory flocks in Suriname.
We learned to tell the difference between Piratic Flycatcher, seen here, and the similar Variegated Flycatcher. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) – Certainly a common voice here.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) – One of the first birds that we saw at Peperpot on our first morning.
GUIANAN WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes albolineatus) – This is one of the several new splits from the old Lineated Woodcreeper.
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER (Berlepschia rikeri) – We finally got some good looks near Colakreek on the last day.
RUFOUS-TAILED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia ruficaudata) – A few of these with the mixed flocks.
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus) – Right on the coast.
PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis) – A pair at Peperpot were our only ones of the trip.
MCCONNELL'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis macconnelli) – A couple of sneaky birds near Fred's place. There aren't many places to see this local bird, but this seems to be pretty good for it.
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens) – Good views after a couple of tries.
RUDDY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis rutilans) – I'd never detected this one in Suriname before, so it was great to get the good looks that we did get near Fred's place.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) [*]
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina) – The coast and the savanna only.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – Eye-to-eye looks at this one at Colakreek.
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) – Another common voice throughout.
YELLOW-CROWNED ELAENIA (Myiopagis flavivertex) – A single bird at Peperpot on the first morning was extremely confiding.
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
PLAIN-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia cristata) – Easily out in the savanna scrub.
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis) – Near Hannover on the final morning.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ELAENIA (Elaenia ruficeps) – We had to work a little harder to pull this local species out for a look in the savanna scrub.
Here is our group walking in the forest at Fredberg. Although this is a logging road, we were able to find some great birds here. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
MCCONNELL'S FLYCATCHER (Mionectes macconnelli) [*]
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps) – Difficult to see well in the canopy.
GUIANAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius acer) – Now split from Slender-footed Tyrannulet.
PALE-TIPPED TYRANNULET (Inezia caudata) – Nice views in the mangroves near Paramaribo.
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) [*]
DOUBLE-BANDED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus vitiosus) – Difficult to pull out for a decent look near Fred's place.
HELMETED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus galeatus) – We found a very responsive one along the road downhill from Brownsberg.
WHITE-EYED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus zosterops) – Instead of moving closer, this one moved higher in the tree at Brownsberg.
SMOKY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus fumifrons) – One last attempt proved to be a good move near Hannover.
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum) – Excellent looks in the mangroves near Paramaribo.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
PAINTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum pictum) – Getting this one in the relatively short trees at Peperpot was the correct strategy for seeing this canopy species.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) [*]
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) – A common voice with the mixed canopy flocks throughout.
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus) – Not very apparent on this tour, even by voice.
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (OCHRE-LORED) (Tolmomyias flaviventris aurulentus) – Some day, this form will be split from the very different Amazonian birds.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus coronatus) – Very furtive and difficult to see.
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus) [*]
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri) – A brief look at one bird along the Brownsberg entrance road.
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) – We found a very responsive pair at Peperpot on that first morning of birding together.
This Black-capped Donacobius was seen at the coast. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica) – Only around Paramaribo on this tour.
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala) – A few birds around the wetter airport environs.
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – Fred's place was a good area to see this species. I've never found it to be very plentiful anywhere else in Suriname.
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) – Good looks in the tall savanna forest near the airport.
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus) – Nicely in the taller trees at Peperpot on the first morning.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex) – The only one that we saw was with the above Rufous-tailed Flatbills near the airport.
PALE-BELLIED MOURNER (Rhytipterna immunda) – One of the more satisfying finds at the end of the tour was this Myiarchus flycatcher look-alike in the savanna scrub near the airport. It had been several years since I'd seen one there.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) [*]
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox) – No rufous in the tail and the distinctive voice help to separate this one from the other Myiarchus flycatchers.
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – In the mangroves on the coast. The dull race here is the nominate subspecies tyrannulus.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – Great looks in the scope at Peperpot on the first morning.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes luteiventris) – It looked like the pair in the clearing at Fred's place were starting to construct a nest. [N]
YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Conopias parvus) – This one is often the flock 'leader' for the canopy flocks in the tall forest.
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – Easy to separate from the similar Variegated Flycatcher, once you learn what to look for.
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius) – A few at the edge of the savanna woodland.
SULPHURY FLYCATCHER (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) – Confined to the Moriche Palms (genus Mauritia)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill)
SHARPBILL (Oxyruncus cristatus) – Certainly heard well, but we just couldn't spot it in the canopy at Brownsberg. [*]
It took a while, but we were eventually able to get good views of this Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin. Video by guide Dave Stejskal.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola rupicola) – Face-to-face encounters with this gaudy cotinga at Fred's place! Seeing the two males locked in a 'death grip' on the ground in front of the blinds was something that none of us had ever seen before. Who knows how long they would have stayed there?!
CRIMSON FRUITCROW (Haematoderus militaris) – Fabian spotted this one perched in the foliage overhead near Fred's place just before a female flew in from across the road! One of the big highlights from our stay at Fred's.
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
CAPUCHINBIRD (Perissocephalus tricolor) – A second attempt in the morning proved to be what we needed to see this one well near Fred's place.
PURPLE-BREASTED COTINGA (Cotinga cotinga) – I can still picture that vivid purple and blue male sitting in the roadside tree near Fred's place...
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana) – Fewer than I would have expected on this tour.
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans)
POMPADOUR COTINGA (Xipholena punicea) – We all enjoyed one good adult male in the 'cotinga tree', which proved to be an apt name.
Pipridae (Manakins)
TINY TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes virescens) – Not the most colorful of the manakins.
SAFFRON-CRESTED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma chrysocephalum) – Seeing these proved more difficult than we thought, but our persistence paid off with great views.
WHITE-THROATED MANAKIN (Corapipo gutturalis) – A common voice at Brownsberg, especially.
BLACK MANAKIN (Xenopipo atronitens) – This savanna woodland specialty performed well for us during our late afternoon try there.
WHITE-FRONTED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix serena) – We eventually got this little guy in the scope at Brownsberg. A split from the Orange-bellied Manakin, which sounds very different.
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
CRIMSON-HOODED MANAKIN (Pipra aureola) – Sean knew the spot to look for this fancy little bird in Paramaribo.
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Dixiphia pipra) – We heard several of these, but only saw the one female at Fred's.
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) – Probably the most commonly detected manakin of the trip.
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) – Briefly for some at Brownsberg with the nice mixed flock on the last morning there.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
OLIVACEOUS SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis olivacea) – This one got too excited, zipping over our heads several times. A recent split from the Thrush-like Schiffornis.
Swallow-winged Puffbirds were common in the sandy forests. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
CINEREOUS MOURNER (Laniocera hypopyrra) – Sean found our only one for us along the road at Brownsberg.
DUSKY PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura fusca) [*]
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus) [*]
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus) [*]
GLOSSY-BACKED BECARD (Pachyramphus surinamus) – At least one seen and others heard near the end of the tour at Fred's and at Colakreek. A very local and scarce becard.
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor) – A male on our final afternoon near Colakreek.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis) [*]
ASHY-HEADED GREENLET (Hylophilus pectoralis) – Found mostly in the coastal habitats here.
LEMON-CHESTED GREENLET (Hylophilus thoracicus) [*]
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Tunchiornis ochraceiceps) [*]
BUFF-CHEEKED GREENLET (Pachysylvia muscicapina) – Nice, close looks at Brownsberg.
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAYENNE JAY (Cyanocorax cayanus) – A couple of different flocks on the final day of the trip.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
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)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) – Decent looks at this skulker at Brownsberg for most.
There is some good birding by the river at Fredberg. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) – Nicely at the bridge near Fred's place.
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) – We found a very confiding individual along the roadside at Brownsberg.
MUSICIAN WREN (Cyphorhinus arada) – Very difficult to see well in the tangled understory at Brownsberg – but what a voice!
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – Great looks along the coast.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas)
COCOA THRUSH (Turdus fumigatus) [*]
SPECTACLED THRUSH (Turdus nudigenis) [*]
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) [*]
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLACK-FACED TANAGER (Schistochlamys melanopis) – A few of these strange tanagers out in the savanna scrub near the airport.
RED-BILLED PIED TANAGER (Lamprospiza melanoleuca) – These were pretty thick at Fred's place – more than I've seen elsewhere in Suriname.
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus) – You always seem to see these birds from below, so that yellow throat stripe on the male comes in handy to help i.d. it.
FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus) – This, the Glossy-backed Becard, and the Guianan Streaked-Antwren are the only birds whose species name (surinamus or surinamensis) is named after the country.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
RED-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus phoenicius) – A pair in the savanna scrub near the airport showed reasonably well for us, but the pair near Colakreek that we saw from the van really behaved nicely.
Red-rumped Agoutis were seen daily while we were at Brownsberg. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
FULVOUS SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio fulvus) – Only at Brownsberg.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SPECKLED TANAGER (Ixothraupis guttata) – A scarce bird in Suriname, we had one in the scope for a bit near Fred's place on our first full day there.
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana) – The most common and widespread Tangara in the country.
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – A single bird with a canopy flock on our way back from the Cock-of-the-rock lek.
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia) – Near the Capuchinbird lek at Fred's.
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola) – A couple of birds only at Brownsberg.
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata) – Very distinctive.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus) – Citrine yellow legs!
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
BICOLORED CONEBILL (Conirostrum bicolor) – A few birds in the mangroves near Paramaribo.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta) – A pair in the taller vegetation on the other side of the fencing.
WING-BARRED SEEDEATER (Sporophila americana)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis) – A pair near the airport on Day 2. All of the Sporophilas are caught here for the cage bird trade.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
White-sand savannas have a different set of birds than the forests in Suriname. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus) – Briefly for a couple of us at Brownsberg.
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis) – Marilynne spotted a pair of these working in the short grass near the airport.
PECTORAL SPARROW (Arremon taciturnus) [*]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes canadensis) – Good looks at these noisy birds near Fred's place.
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia cyanoides)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna) – A few near the airport. About as far east and south in the world as this one gets
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella militaris) – Nicely at the airport. Recently returned to the genus Sturnella (from Leistes).
GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius viridis) – Easily the most common of the two Oropendolas on the tour.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela) – Surprisingly scarce.
RED-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus haemorrhous)
EPAULET ORIOLE (EPAULET) (Icterus cayanensis cayanensis) – This is where the two forms (Epaulet and Moriche) meet and mingle.
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
FINSCH'S EUPHONIA (Euphonia finschi) [*]
VIOLACEOUS EUPHONIA (Euphonia violacea) – The default Euphonia in most places we visited.
GOLDEN-SIDED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cayennensis) – Decent looks near Fred's place of this Guianan Shield endemic.
MAMMALS
GOLDEN-HANDED TAMARIN (Saguinus midas) – We saw this local, tiny primate at Brownsberg, at Fred's, and in the savanna woodland.
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus) – A big troop of these worked their way through the trees at Peperpot during our visit there.
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus) – At least heard almost daily.
GUIANAN SAKI MONKEY (Pithecia pithecia) – A few at Brownsberg were seen through the fog one morning.
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella) – Along the entrance road to Fred's place.
BLACK SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles paniscus) [*]
SOUTHERN TWO-TOED SLOTH (Choloepus didactylus) – A close female and young at Brownsberg right outside of our accommodations was a nice sight.
PALE-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus tridactylus) – One of these replaced the above Two-toed Sloths in the same tree the next day, but I really liked the looks we got of our first one at Peperpot on the first morning of the trip.
NEOTROPICAL PYGMY SQUIRREL (Sciurillus pusillus) – Scarce and very local, this one is a bark specialist and Brownsberg might be the easiest place to see it within its wide (but disjunct) range.
RED-RUMPED AGOUTI (Dasyprocta agouti) – Daily at Brownsberg.
RED ACOUCHY (Myoprocta acouchy) – A couple of quick encounters with this forest rodent. Smaller and with a longer tail than the similarly-shaped Red-rumped Agouti.
RED BROCKET DEER (Mazama americana) – We had one really fantastic encounter with this one from the van along the road at Brownsberg.
Herps
GIANT AMEIVA (Ameiva ameiva) – One of the most commonly seen lizards on this tour.
SMOKY JUNGLE FROG (Leptodactylus pentadactylus) – Great looks of one of these under a log at Brownsberg one evening.
THREE-STRIPED POISON DART FROG (Ameerega trivittatus) – This was the colorful green and black frog that we saw frequently at Brownsberg. A few of the males were carrying tadpoles on their backs as well.
GUIANAN ROCKET FROG (Anomaloglossus baeobatrachus) – This was very likely the stripey little frog that we found next to the Brownsberg entrance road in the leaf litter. It doesn't seem to have a common name - so I just made one up!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 359 bird taxa and 12 mammal taxa