Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

There seems to have been a good influx this Spring of Spotted Flycatchers as I have seen pairs in a few locations already.

This one was in the Goyt Valley yesterday



NE Brazil 2017 - The full species list

White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma
East Brazilian Chachalaca Ortalis araucuan Endemic (country/region)
Rusty-margined Guan Penelope superciliaris
White-browed Guan Penelope jacucaca Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
White-tailed Hawk Geranoaetus albicaudatus
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Mantled Hawk Pseudastur polionotus Near-threatened
Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus pallidus:
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Pied Lapwing Vanellus cayanus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Dark-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus melacoryphus
Pearly-breasted Cuckoo Coccyzus euleri
Black-capped Screech-Owl Megascops atricapilla Endemic (country/region)
Tawny-browed Owl Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana
Least Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium minutissimum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius harrisii
Least Nighthawk Chordeiles pusillus
Pygmy Nightjar Nyctipolus hirundinaceus Endemic (country/region)
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Little Nightjar Setopagis parvula
Scissor-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis torquata
Sooty Swift Cypseloides fumigatus
Biscutate Swift Streptoprocne biscutata
Sick's Swift Chaetura meridionalis
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata
Black Jacobin Florisuga fusca
Hook-billed Hermit Glaucis dohrnii Endemic (country/region) Endangered
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsutus 
Broad-tipped Hermit Anopetia gounellei Endemic (country/region)
Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber
Planalto Hermit Phaethornis pretrei
Scale-throated Hermit Phaethornis eurynome
Hooded Visorbearer Augastes lumachella Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae
White-vented Violetear Colibri serrirostris
Horned Sungem Heliactin bilophus
Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx auritus
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus
Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon lucidus
Blue-chinned Sapphire Chlorestes notata
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird Eupetomena macroura
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata
Violet-capped Woodnymph Thalurania glaucopis
Sombre Hummingbird Aphantochroa cirrochloris Endemic (country/region)
Plain-bellied Emerald Amazilia leucogaster
Versicolored Emerald Amazilia versicolor
Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia fimbriata
Rufous-throated Sapphire Hylocharis sapphirina
White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus
Green-backed Trogon Trogon viridis
Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui
Surucua Trogon Trogon surrucura
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus maculatus Endemic (country/region)
Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila striata Endemic (country/region)
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus aracari
Gould's Toucanet Selenidera gouldii
Spot-billed Toucanet Selenidera maculirostris
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
Golden-spangled Piculet Picumnus exilis Endemic (country/region)
Spotted Piculet Picumnus pygmaeus Endemic (country/region)
White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus
Tawny Piculet Picumnus fulvescens Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Ochraceous Piculet Picumnus limae Endemic (country/region)
Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus
Red-stained Woodpecker Veniliornis affinis
Yellow-throated Woodpecker Piculus flavigula
Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus
Ochre Backed Woodpecker Endemic (country/region)
Blond-crested Woodpecker Celeus flavescens
Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Brown-backed Parrotlet Touit melanonotus Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Plain Parakeet Brotogeris tirica Endemic (country/region)
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-browed Parrot Amazona rhodocorytha Endemic (country/region) Endangered
Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius
Ochre-marked Parakeet Pyrrhura cruentata Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Maroon-bellied Parakeet Pyrrhura frontalis
Gray-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura griseipectus Endemic (country/region) Critically endangered
Maroon-faced Parakeet Pyrrhura leucotis Near-threatened
Indigo Macaw Anodorhynchus leari Endemic (country/region) Endangered
Peach-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula aurea
Cactus Parakeet Eupsittula cactorum Endemic (country/region)
Golden-capped Parakeet Aratinga auricapillus Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Blue-winged Macaw Primolius maracana Near-threatened
Blue-crowned Parakeet Thectocercus acuticaudatus
White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus
Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus
Tufted Antshrike Mackenziaena severa
Great Antshrike Taraba major
Silvery-cheeked Antshrike Sakesphorus cristatus Endemic (country/region)
Rufous-winged Antshrike Thamnophilus torquatus
Chestnut-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus palliatus
Planalto Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus pelzelni Endemic (country/region)
Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus ambiguus Endemic (country/region)
Caatinga Antshrike Thamnophilus capistratus Endemic (country/region)
Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens
Plumbeous Antvireo
Spot-breasted Antvireo Dysithamnus stictothorax Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius
Grey-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa Endemic (country/region)
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Salvadori's Antwren Myrmotherula minor Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Band-tailed Antwren Myrmotherula urosticta Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Stripe-backed Antbird Myrmorchilus strigilatus
Caatinga Antwren Herpsilochmus sellowi Endemic (country/region)
Bahia Antwren Herpsilochmus pileatus Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Black-capped Antwren Herpsilochmus atricapillus
Narrow-billed Antwren Formicivora iheringi Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Black-bellied Antwren Formicivora melanogaster
Rusty-backed Antwren Formicivora rufa
Sincora Antwren Formicivora grantsaui Endemic Endangered
Ferruginous Antbird Drymophila ferruginea Endemic (country/region)
Scaled Antbird Drymophila squamata Endemic (country/region)
Streak-capped Antwren Terenura maculata
Rio de Janeiro Antbird Cercomacra brasiliana Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
White-shouldered Fire-eye Pyriglena leucoptera
Slender Antbird Rhopornis ardesiacus Endemic (country/region) Endangered
White-bibbed Antbird Myrmoderus loricatus Endemic (country/region)
Collared Crescentchest Melanopareia torquata
Black-cheeked Gnateater Conopophaga melanops Endemic (country/region)
Ceara Gnateater Conopophaga cearae Endemic (country/region)
Hooded Gnateater Conopophaga roberti Endemic (country/region)
Rufous Gnateater Conopophaga lineata
Variegated Antpitta Grallaria varia
White-browed Antpitta Hylopezus ochroleucus Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Bahia Tapaculo Eleoscytalopus psychopompus Endemic Endangered
Diamantina Tapaculo Scytalopus diamantinensis Endemic Endangered
Rufous-capped Antthrush Formicarius colma
Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona
Rufous-breasted Leaftosser Sclerurus scansor
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Plain-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla turdina
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Planalto Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes platyrostris
Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus fuscus
Northern Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus atlanticus Endemic
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus
Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris
Black-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus falcularius
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Scaled Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes squamatus
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans
Wing-banded Hornero Furnarius figulus Endemic (country/region)
Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Lochmias nematura
Great Xenops Megaxenops parnaguae Endemic (country/region)
Pale-browed Treehunter Cichlocolaptes leucophrus Endemic (country/region)
White-eyed Foliage-gleaner Automolus leucophthalmus
Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons
Pink-legged Graveteiro Acrobatornis fonsecai Endemic Vulnerable
Striated Softtail Thripophaga macroura Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Pallid Spinetail Cranioleuca pallida Endemic (country/region)
Gray-headed Spinetail Cranioleuca semicinerea
Caatinga Cacholote Pseudoseisura cristata Endemic (country/region)
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomeus
Red-shouldered Spinetail Synallaxis hellmayri Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis
Spix's Spinetail Synallaxis spixi
Bahia Spinetail Synallaxis cinerea: whitneyi Endemic (country/region)
Ochre-cheeked Spinetail Synallaxis scutata
White-lored Tyrannulet Ornithion inerme
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
Gray-backed Tachuri Polystictus superciliaris Endemic (country/region)
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata
Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
Chillean Elaenia Elaenia chilensis
Highland Elaenia Elaenia obscura
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Bahia Tyrannulet Phylloscartes beckeri Endemic Endangered
Rough-legged Tyrannulet Phyllomyias burmeisteri
Planalto Tyrannulet Phyllomyias fasciatus
White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata
Southern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus modestus
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus
Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus rufomarginatus Near-threatened
Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura napensis
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura budytoides
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis auricularis
Hangnest Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus nidipendulus Endemic (country/region)
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus mirandae Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant Hemitriccus furcatus Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps
Gray-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum poliocephalum Endemic (country/region)
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Gray-crowned Flycatcher Tolmomyias poliocephalus sclateri:
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher Tolmomyias flaviventris flaviventris
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus
Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea
Guianean Tyrannulet Zimmerius acer
Whiskered Flycatcher Myiobius barbatus
Euler's Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
Velvety Black-Tyrant Knipolegus nigerrimus Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Masked Water-Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta
White-headed Marsh Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa
Gray-hooded Attila Attila rufus Endemic (country/region)
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Sibilant Sirystes Sirystes sibilator
Ash-throated Casiornis Casiornis fuscus Endemic (country/region)
Grayish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Short-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus ferox
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias trivirgatus
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Sharpbill Oxyruncus cristatus
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow Pyroderus scutatus
Banded Cotinga Cotinga maculata Endemic (country/region) Endangered
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans
White-winged Cotinga Xipholena atropurpurea Endemic (country/region) Endangered
Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris
Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin Neopelma pallescens
Wied's Tyrant-Manakin Neopelma aurifrons Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Araripe Manakin Antilophia bokermanni Endemic (country/region) Critically endangered
Blue-backed Manakin Chiroxiphia pareola
Swallow-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia caudata
Pin-tailed Manakin Ilicura militaris Endemic (country/region)
White-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus
Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus
White-crowned Manakin Dixiphia pipra
Red-headed Manakin Ceratopipra rubrocapilla
Brown-winged Schiffornis Schiffornis turdina
Buff-throated Purpletuft Iodopleura pipra Endemic (country/region) Endangered
White-naped Xenopsaris Xenopsaris albinucha
Green-backed Becard Pachyramphus viridis
Chestnut-crowned Becard Pachyramphus castaneus
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
Black-capped Becard Pachyramphus marginatus
Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Chivi Vireo Vireo chivi
Gray-eyed Greenlet Hylophilus amaurocephalus Endemic (country/region)
Lemon-chested Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus
White-naped Jay Cyanocorax cyanopogon Endemic (country/region)
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Purple Martin Progne subis
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Southern House Wren Troglodytes musculus
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
Moustached Wren Pheugopedius genibarbis
Long-billed Wren Cantorchilus longirostris Endemic (country/region)
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Rufous-brown Solitaire Cichlopsis leucogenys
Yellow-legged Thrush Turdus flavipes
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
White-necked Thrush
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Flavescent Warbler Myiothlypis flaveola
Red-cowled Cardinal Paroaria dominicana Endemic (country/region)
Cinnamon Tanager Schistochlamys ruficapillus
Scarlet-throated Tanager Compsothraupis loricata Endemic (country/region)
Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata
Orange-headed Tanager Thlypopsis sordida
Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops
Flame-crested Tanager Tachyphonus cristatus
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
Brazilian Tanager Ramphocelus bresilius Endemic (country/region)
White-bellied Tanager
Silvery-breasted Tanager Tangara cyanomelas
Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca
Azure-shouldered Tanager Thraupis cyanoptera Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened

Golden-chevroned Tanager Thraupis ornata Endemic (country/region)
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana
Green-headed Tanager Tangara seledon
Red-necked Tanager Tangara cyanocephala
Gilt-edged Tanager Tangara cyanoventris Endemic (country/region)
Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
Rufous-headed Tanager Hemithraupis ruficapilla Endemic (country/region)
Yellow-backed Tanager Hemithraupis flavicollis
Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum
Blue Finch Porphyrospiza caerulescens Near-threatened
Stripe-tailed Yellow-Finch Sicalis citrina
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola
Pale-throated Pampa-Finch Embernagra longicauda Endemic (country/region)
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Lined Seedeater Sporophila lineola
White-bellied Seedeater Sporophila leucoptera
Copper Seedeater Sporophila bouvreuil
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Dubois's Seedeater Sporophila ardesiaca Endemic (country/region)
Plumbeous Seedeater Sporophila plumbea
White-throated Seedeater Sporophila albogularis Endemic (country/region)
Pileated Finch Coryphospingus pileatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Sooty Grassquit Tiaris fuliginosus
Red-crowned Ant-tanager Habia rubica bahiae
Black-throated Saltator Saltator atricollis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Green-winged Saltator Saltator similis
Black-throated Grosbeak Saltator fuliginosus
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus
Sao Francisco Sparrow Arremon franciscanus Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Yellow-green Grosbeak Caryothraustes canadensis
Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii
Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi
Chestnut-capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus
Pale Baywing Agelaioides fringillarius [color="Red"] Endemic (country/region)
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
White-browed Blackbird Sturnella Leistes superciliaris
Variable Oriole Icterus pyrrhopterus
Campo Troupial Icterus jamacaii Endemic (country/region)
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous
Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica
Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea
Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Introduced species

NE Brazil 2017 - Pt12 The Final leg (Veracel - Itacare)

A final mop up of the missing species and then we travel to our final destination in search of the Critically endangered Bahia Tapaculo.

Early morning again and the rain teemed down, we heaeded back to the Veracel reserve for a mop up session this morning, mainly looking for a couple of species, Reichenows Parrot and the elusive Black-headed Berryeater and any species that Jeff and myself needed for our life list. We were met at the reserve entrance by a perched Black-necked Aracari while we picked uncommon stuff such as Roadside Hawks and the odd Squirrel Cuckoo. We parked up again at the spot where we had spent the morning scoping for Cotingas yesterday and walked the track in both direction, we soon heard a Red-headed Manakin in the thick vegetation, after a search we finally got our male. A stunner! and complimented the sighting of the female yesterday, male Manakin = a proper tick. The first lifer of the morning was an Olivaceous Flatbill and in virtually the same area a second lifer with a White-lored Tyrannulet. It was good to be seeing new birds, especially those that can fall off the radar with all the excitement of yesterdays sightings. As we were walking back to the car Ciro got us onto a Black-cheeked Gnateaters, this gave us the full house of Gnateaters on this tour (four in total and all stunning beasts), and my third lifer of the morning. It was at this point that Ciro heard a flock of noisy parakeets, he called "Reichenows". We walked back to the car where we had parke in an open area where we could set up the scope, on this occasion we didn't need to. A flock of Reichenows Parrots flew overhead, they briefly landed a short distance ahead at the top of the tallest trees befeore moving on, nine in total, one of this mornings targets sorted, we could now set about finding the Black-headed Berryeater.  We retraced our steps from yesterdays search of the bird, tried new spots and generally covered a large part of the park with out success. Many times we had great call back but more often than not the calls were distant. Of course while your putting in the leg work, standing around and driving around various locations you pick up loads of birds, Boat-billed Flycatchers, Variegated Flycatchers, Blue Dacnis, Green Honeycreepers and Red-legged, plenty of Hummingbirds. We had a half an hour of success late in the day where we picked up a new trip species and completed the set of Trogons with a White-tailed Trogon. Then a nice bird for my life list flew into the same tree, a Blonde-crested Woodpecker. Pretty common bird for Brazil, but a stunning species and one of my most wanted trip species. The Black-headed Berryeater eventually won and for the third day running we tried hard but missed it, these sort of birds are definitely for another day or another trip, its what make the birding interesting.  We decided to head back to the Veracel Environmental station to see if the Banded Cotinga was still around. This time when we pulled up there was a Television Crew in attendance, further proof of the excitement this very special bird generates. Unfortunately for everyone it had not been seen since yesterday, how incredibly fortunate were we yesterday, unbelievable luck we had.

 

Blonde-crested Woodpecker

 



White-tailed Trogon

 



The evening session was dedicated to the White-winged Potoo again, and with the same determination as the previous two nights, we had even less success. Virtually no calls, the rain brought an early end to the search, we managed a number of Armadillos scurrying the through the vegetation and a call from the Tawny-browed Owl.

This morning we set of to the town of Itacare. We would bird along the way, meet up with one of Ciro`s friends who had good garden feeders and go in search of a bird that was recently thought to be extinct. Close to the Veracel resereve we managed a new trip species with good numbers of Orange-winged Parrots, and a second sighting for the trip of Peach-fronted Parakeets and Plain Parakeets. we arrived at Itacare just before noon and booked into our lovely accommodation. After lunch we went to do some garden birding at Ciros friends house, we would eat at his restaurant later that evening. I was hoping for a new species here with Green-headed Tanager, I missed it a few days ago at the Bright-rumped Attila site. We dint manage the lifer but we got a new trip species with a Rufous-breasted Hermit plus a whole host of birds giving great views while we drank coffee and relaxed. Silvery-breasted Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Palm Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Green and Red-legged Honeycreepers, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Violaceous Euphonia, Bananaquits and Thrushes.

 

Silvery-breasted Tanager

 



 

Red-legged Honeycreepers

 

 

Brazilian Tanager

 

 

Orange-bellied Euphonia

Violaceous Euphonia

 

 



We would spend the afternoon at a private area that Ciro has access to seeing if we could pick up anything new. Almost immediately we heard a distant calling Bare-throated Bellbird, we didn't pursue it, Ciro thought we could get it whilst we walked the track which would lead towards it as the track looped round. As we climbed the hill and into the shaded woodland we picked up a number of Antbird species. Scaled Antbird which was a lifer, Cinereous Antshrike was new for the trip and Silver-flanked Antwren which was a lifer. A mixed flock included a few Yellow-backed Tanagers, they were lifers as was the Streak-capped Antwren. Ciro had either kept this place quiet as he knew I would be pleased to add a host of species for my list or we got incredibly lucky. (Ciro spent time looking at mine and Jeffs lists every few days just to make sure he could track down any individual species that either of us still had outstanding). We got onto another mixed flock, this time it had a couple of birds that did surprise Ciro and seemed to be genuine bonus birds here, Whiskered Flycatcher and Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin. In this flock alone we counted five species of Manakin, including stunning views of an Eastern Striped Manakin. A long-billed Gnatwren  was yet another trip species, but the failure to find the Bellbird on the way back to the car was a little disappointing, but it was a great location that added some good birds to the list. We headed back to town in search of the last bird of the day, another species that I had missed after Jeff and Ciro had seen it at Veracel. Ciro found a flowering bush that was a live with seven or eight bird species, one of which was the one I wanted, at least one Plain-bellied Emerald was all I needed.

 

Eastern Striped Manakin

 

 

Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin

 

 





Tomorrow we go on a bit of a trek looking for one last species in this North East corner of Brazil. We drove to the Reserva Agua Boa, Ubaitaba in the state of Bahia looking for the Bahia Tapaculo, it is classified as Critically Endangered, and is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. It was actually thought to be extinct less than a decade ago. With statistics like these, hope of seeing it is minimal. Anyway the final day of the tour brought the three of us here to trek up a forest path which would eventually have us reaching the summit before then trekking down into the valley through the dense vegetation. To cut a long story short, we waited patiently while the bird sang, this is great on one hand as we know the bird is around, bad news on the other hand as the bird isn't moving..... certainly not towards us. After a while Ciro heard a second bird call (very distant), big news for Ciro and the Bahia Tapaculo, as tit has been a few years since Ciro saw or even heard two birds in this location. Would we see the bird? Yes we would! Two fleeting glimpses as it walked into a clearing and a few minutes later walked back. We left quietly. The trudge back over the summit and back to the car would have been a slog if we had missed the fella, a great feeling of relief all round, however I needed just the one more bird before we head off to pack for the airport. I had missed the Green-headed Tanagers a few days ago, and we just hadn't stumbled across one since, Ciro worked a little magic and we found one before we hit the town, smart bird.

Of course on a personal level the start of the trip leaves a sour taste and bad memory, however the birding was exceptional. We saw some of the rarest birds on the planet, we saw some of the most recent bird discoveries on the planet and saw some of the most beautiful birds on the planet.

The travelling is over vast distances, but our driver Ciro was good, safe, efficient, and knows the region like the back of his hand. Ciro Albano is also an exceptional bird guide, renowned for his expertise and knowledge even by his peers, and is a legend amongst Brazilian birders. His companionship was warm and his hospitality was second to none. Of course without him loaning me all his spare equipment my trip would have been a disaster. We all know how birders across the globe bird with their ears as much as their eyes, Ciros knowledge of bird calls is outrageously impressive.

Dave


 

NE Brazil 2017 - Pt11 (Veracel reserve)

An early start and a short 30 minute drive to the Veracel reserve outside Porto Seguro. A few specials were on the list especially a pair of Cotingas, White-winged and Banded, plus a few Parrots and Parakeets..

We parked up pretty much in the middle of the reserve in a spot that would allow open views of the skyline and a 360 degree view of the tree tops. It worked pretty well as in all directions we were able to scope dozens of White-Winged Cotingas, in almost every direction. One particular distant tree held upto 8 birds including immature birds. The rain that was fairly heavy during the drive to the reserve had subsided to annoying showers that were heavy enough to make us take cover but not prolonged enough to affect the bird activity too much, it was more about keeping the optics dry. A Rusty Margined Guan was perched in the gloom just inside the forest edge and a pair of Red-browed Parrots flew directly over our heads against a very dark sky, without Ciro IDing the call from way off it was one that we would certainly have missed if we were on our own.

 

Red-browed Parrot ...... you will have to take my word for it.

 



We ate breakfast under the shelter of the hatchback and continued in vein to scope every tree for the Banded Cotinga. As it happened this spot was pretty good for the more common species as Blue Dacnis, Red-Legged Honeycreepers, Bananaquits, White-crowned Manakins were abundant. We stayed here for the best part of three hours with Ciro constantly scanning for the Cotinga, but every now and again picking up some great birds and some of the target birds. Another Black-necked Aracari show a little nearer than our last sighting from Serra Bonita a few days ago. We had heard Plain Parakeets early this morning and Ciro was confident we would see then later, of course he was right, a small flock flew overhead and landed a short distance infront of us and an Ochre-bellied Flycatcher gave great views in some bushes near the car, it would be joined by a Bahia Antwren, which was now becoming a common bird during the last 24hrs. When we finally got onto a single flyover Ochre-marked Parakeet giving us the full set (or so we thought), Ciro suggested we go hunting the Banded Cotinga in other locations. The rain and showers slowly subsided giving us some sunshine, Grey-rumped Swifts astonishingly the first we had seen in two weeks and Southern Rough-winged Swallows took advantage of the better weather. We found a patch of thinly vegetated and open forest edge that Ciro thought we may have a chance of a Frilled Coquette, he even though for a second that one had just flown off as we turned towards a flowering bush, we never made contact with it (would have been a highlight if we had), we did  manage yet another female Manakin, this time a Red-Headed Manakin, a Black-eared Fairy was no consolation for the missed Coquette, but the Eared Pygmy-tyrant was a lifer as was the Silvery-breasted Tanager.

Ochre-marked Parakeet

 

 

Southern Rough Winged Swallow

 

Silvery-breasted Tanager

 

 



We continued to drive looking for possible Cotinga locations, and at one of these we were able to park up and enjoy some spectacular wildlife for an hour or more. Unfortunately a Black-headed Berryeater (good bird to get and certainly on the must get wish list), called, called, called and didn't show, Ciro tried hard for us  but couldn't work his magic. A Zone-tailed Hawk had been patrolling the area for a while and everybird in the location had become agitated. This natural flushing proved to be pretty good for us as a pair of White-winged Cotingas came down into the trackside trees giving super close views, miles better than the scoped views this morning in the drizzle. Buff-throated Saltators, Saffron Finches, Rufous Horneros, a trip first pair of Swallow Tanagers all congregated in the area to check out the hawk. High above two King Vultures were being mobbed by a spec in the sky, the spec that to my eyes initially could have been a Sparrow turned out to be a Roadside Hawk, the King Vulture is huge, it was a great size comparison moment.
Ciros eared pricked up, he got excited and couldn't get his words out, "there, quick, follow..... Brown-backed Parrotlets" six flew over, not great views as it all happed abit quickly.  Ciro started to tell us the tale of one of only a few ever Brazilian Twitches that he has ever made, one being a 2000km Twitch for the extremely rare and hard to find Brown-backed Parrotlet, while grinning from ear to ear and relating the tale, blimey more flew over coming right at us overhead giving better views, I counted another eleven, could have been more. Certainly the highlight of the morning, so far!! while the Berryeater continued to frustrate us. 

Pair of King Vultures being mobbed by a Roadside Hawk

 

 

White-winged Cotinga male

 



and the female

 

 



We watched a Sloth in a distant tree and we hadn't noticed Ciro taking a call on his phone, the next few minutes wer incredible. picture Ciro the local guide, arguably the best in NE Brazil, driving like a mad man (we wernt complaining), the bumps and craters in the track that he gently rides over were now launch pads as he hit everyone at speed, muttering Cotinga, Cotinga.

We arrived at the Veracel Station, way back through the reserve right on the forest edge. Security guard  let us in and Ciro was met with hugs by some very excited staff. This morning they had seen a pair of male Banded Cotinga feeding in the açai palm trees, almost immediately we were looking high up into the canopy where sat perched was the most stunning male Banded Cotinga. (The second male was not seen by us). A group of staff, Ciro, Jeff and myself strained our necks, it was incredible. It flew off to the other side of the garden, this time the view was pretty poor, but we couldn't complain. We had about twenty minutes of this bird perched, high above us, then it decided it wanted to feed. It flew to another açai palm tree just a few yards away and the following images kind of give you an idea of what we witnessed for the next 10 minutes or so. It fed and flew into the canopy again where it perched and digested the fruit.



What we had just witnessed were almost unprecedented views for birdwatchers, Ciro put the following message out onto a bird alert, it is of course translated by me from Portuguese into English for the purposes of this post.

MEGA, MEGA, MEGA!!! Very close views of Banded Cotinga today!!!
A very special day in the veracel station rppn!! was since dawn passarinhando in reserve, and as always the very rare banded cotinga was one of the main wishes of the observers that I'm driving. We had seen about 15 Anambé-of-a-Wing-White until 10.00 in the morning, and still nothing of banded cotinga; until 10:15 p.m. my brother of pity Luciano Lima, who is coordinating a project of observation of birds here on the coast of discovery, sends me a picture of the bug, newly taken at the headquarters of the veracruz station by Environmental Analyst of the reserve, Priscilla Sales Gomes. The Beast has been sighted (for the first time this season on the outskirts of the headquarters of the reserve) by the official veracel (and local guide) Jaílson Souza, which showed the beast to Priscilla, who photographed and sent the photo / news for Luciano, I knew I'd be in the region these days and warned me of the find. Were less than ten minutes between the receipt of the news until the arrival on the scene. The result was that in there, and it is the tip to the observers who can come to the place in the next few days. This bug fantastic giving soft is a rare event / opportunity. I, that I've seen the species several times, I shook me one more time to see that animal, mind-blowing, and practically hallucinogen so close again. I don't have more vague on the agenda of passarinhadas this year, but for those who want to come to take your chances (I would), I would recommend scheduling a visit with the Jaílson Souza; not only to the mind-blowing banded cotinga, but for several species that you have Great chances to observe in the discovery coast.

There were an accompanying pair of stunning Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, a variety of Tanagers, Thrushes,Masked Water-tyrants and Rufous Horneros in the grounds so the Cotinga didn't quite get all the attention.

Yellow-throated Woodpeckers

 



So there we have it, we could have been 2000 kms away, we just happened to be 15 minutes away, shear shear good fortune, incredible luck, incredible bird, incredible experience, incredible two hours of my life, but the bad news was that the bastard Black-headed Berryeater continued to give us the run around. We decided to head back for lunch in Porto Seguro at the incredible restaurant Portinha  where the food was fantastic, you must try this place for lunch if your ever in the city.

Mid afternoon we would head back in to the forest, we dare not go back for another sighting of the Banded Cotinga, it was hard enough to drag ourselves away this morning, we had a Potoo and Berryeater to find.

We were still buzzing and its a good job I keep a note book as I cant really remember much about the afternoon session, I can name a few birds that we saw, Black-capped Becard, Plain Winged Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-throated Trogon, Screaming Phia. I had known that I would proably record my 2000th world species on this tour, and it came with a Ringed Woodpecker, pretty chuffed with the score, pretty chuffed that it was a Woodpecker.... I do like Woodpeckers.

 

Ringed Woodpecker..... a milestone bird

 



 

Rufous capped Antthrush

 



As the day drew on we planned to take a roiute that may give us a chance to catch a Tinamou or two as the light faded, we would then go and retry for the White-winged Potoo. We managed to get onto one of our last targets of the reserve with a Band-tailed Antwren and we set off down a track that was pretty dark with the intention of spotlighting roosting Tinamous, we didn't succeed, but we found a new location for a calling White-winged Potoo. We were close, probably right underneath it but for all our efforts we never managed even a snippet of a view, thinking back, we were so close, we didn't realise at the time how near yet so far away we were to getting this most wanted target bird. We continued to search in vein and returned to the previous nights locations and only heard distant calls. The saving grace to the evening session, was much like yesterday this time my lifer was a Tawny-browed Owl.

 



So for the second night we missed the Potoo, the consolation was the MEGA,MEGA, MEGA Banded Cotinga, we will sleep fairly happily tonight we, have another go tomorrow!



 

NE Brazil 2017 - Pt 10 (Serra Bonita reserve - Porto Seguro, Veracel reserve)

Leisurely breakfast and a last look at what had been the local species for the past 36 hours, the feeding area and veranda held the species that we had seen during our stay, Maroon Bellied Parakeets, Violacious Euphonia, Red-necked Tanager, Black Jacobin, Sombre Hummingbird, Sayaca Tanager but this morning they were joined by a Buff-throated Saltator, our first of the trip. As we packed up we heard and then saw a Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, a host of the usual flycatchers including a first sighting for us at the reserve of a Social Flycatcher (Three-stripped, Boat-billed and Variegated had been the default large flycatcher around the reserve) . We said our goodbye to our excellent host, Vitor and travelled down the mountainside with a few targets to mop up before we left. It didn't take long to see a single Golden-capped Parakeet in virtually the same place that we saw it on the way upto the reserve a few days ago. Then quite soon after and slightly further down the road we had a fantastic flock of over twenty White-eared Parakeets, well worth stopping for half an hour to enjoy their noisy antics. To compliment the Parakeet morning we got onto a distant single White-eyed Parakeet, in the scope. As we travelled through the villages we were quickly reminded of the change of elevation and habitat as we were back to seeing plenty of Smooth-billed Ani and regular farmland species.

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

 

 

Green Honeycreeper

 



 

Sombre Hummingbird

 

 

Red-necked Tanager

 

 

White-eared Parakeets

 



Before we completely left the Camacan area Ciro had a spot for a Bright-rumped Attilla, it didn't take long to find, while Jeff and Ciro also got onto a few Green-headed Tanagers, this is one that I will have to track down in the few remaining days of the tour. Even with the windows up and the air con on, Ciro somehow managed to hear  a Chestnut-backed Antshrike. We stopped suddenly and deep within some large bushes a fanstic male posed for the camera, brilliant lifer, just for good measure we got in the adjacent tree another lifer with a Grey-crowned Flycatcher....... what a great unexpected stop, don't you just love it when the birding gods are with you. Ciro wanted to stop at a pool that would give us great views looking upto the Serra Bonita reserve to allow us to admire the habitat that we had enjoyed over the that 2 days. Sure enough the view was fantastic while on the pool Brazilian Teal, Wattled Jacana and Least Grebe were accompanied in the rushes by a Rufecsnet Tiger-heron, Chestnut-capped and White-browed Blackbirds and near by a Silvery-flanked Antwren. Before we got back into the car Ciro nonchalantly pointed out half a dozen Peach-fronted Parakeets, what a morning for Parakeets including two lifers.

 

Looking upto the coms towers at Serra Bonita reserve

 



 

Chestnut-backed Antshrike

 



Eventually having to drag ourselves away we hot the road heading towards the coast and the holiday town of Porto Seguro. We arrived lunch time booked in and planned to head of to the Veracel reserve mid afternoon onwards. We would have four sessions on the reserve, this afternoon, full day tomorrow and a morning to mop up anything that we may miss. With some big targets here and the trip drawing to an end we were hopeful of some great birding. The Veracel reserve which is a Lowland Atlantic forest on a white sand base but it holds several rarities such as Hooked-billed Hermit, which luckily we didn't need now, Red-browed Parrot, Ochre-marked Parakeet, Band-tailed Antwren, Bahia Antwren, White-winged Potoo, White-winged Cotinga and Banded Cotinga which is very rare, but here is the best place to try. We would have a few hours to pick up some bits and bobs of species, but this evenings real target was the White Winged Potoo. The bits and bobs started well as we had only just passed the headquarters of the Veracel Environmental station when Ciro pointed out a very smart White-bellied Tanager Tangara brasiliensis (ssp of the Turquoise Tanager) which is limited to coastal NE Brazil, it was here that we saw yet another Hook-billed Hermit and a new for the trip, Dusky-capped Flycatcher. A host of other species new for the trip but not necessarily lifers were Swallow-winged Puffbirds which if you are in the right place always turn out to be common, Red-legged Honeycreeper....ditto, few found a few spots for the ever calling Sooretama Slaty-Antistrike, a good find and future split with the Brown ( split from Rufous-throated) Shiffornis, while at least three King Vultures soared lazily high over the forest, while in amongst the many Blue Dacnis and Honeycreepers appeared one of our main targets with at least a pair of Bahia Antwrens, giving surprisingly good views out in the open. A pair of  Wedge-billed Woodcreepers (also new for the trip, and our only sighting of the trip), were supported by a Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus guttatus which has a very isolated population on the Atlantic coast.

Bahia Antwren

 

and shows how difficult the light can be within a few seconds of the previous shot

 



 

Hook-billed Hermit

 

 

Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike

 



With a little light left we parked up at a flowering bush and watched a host of Hummingbirds feed, a few species that we had followed around for most of the trip such as Reddish Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and Violet-capped Woodnymph but the bush also held three more species of Hummingbird that would be additions to the trip list with a pair of Rufous-throated Sapphire's which were a lifer for me, also a few Blue-chinned Sapphire's and White-chinned Sapphire's. White-crowned Manakins gave close views and would continue to do so for the next few days. With the daylight virtually gone now we headed off to another part of the forest in search of White-winged Potoo. To keep the paragraph short as it was a fairly lengthy night, we waited at the spot and heard it call on many occasions but it was distant, we stayed put for 90miutes or so but just couldn't get it to come closer (this had been its favoured spot and was seen regularly over the preceding weeks), the weather had now turned against us as drizzle set in and eventually turned to constant rain that would force an early exit. We tried a few other known spots and had no calls and eventually returned to the favoured spot but we had now lost contact wit the bird as the calling stopped On leaving the thick bush we had picked up a call from a Black-capped Screech-owl and while navigating in the rain, dark and with umbrellas we managed to spot the little fella and get a few reasonable images, a saving grace to the nights work but disappointed not to quite get the Potoo..... oh well we have all day tomorrow to go again.

Black-capped Screech-owl