Although the last two months might have been quiet for guests at the lodge, it certainly hasn’t been quiet for birds! Our guides Adilei and Leonardo have been busy birding the trails and although birds are much less vocal during our winter months, the birding is still excellent – just check out the species listed below!!
At this time of year large mixed-species flocks are roaming the forest in search of food and many trees are fruiting attracting a wide variety of species. Another bonus of winter is that it is also drier, cooler and bird activity often remains high throughout the day. Highlights in April and May were many, but some that stand out include Brown-backed Parrotlet, 2 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, at least 4 Shrike-like Cotingas (including 3 near the lodge), 4+ Salvadori’s Antwrens on three trails, 4 Russet-winged Spadebills showing on three trails, good sightings of Black-legged Dacnis and some fantastic night-birding!
4×4 Track to Casa Anibal: White-necked Hawk, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Reddish Hermit, Surucua and Black-throated Trogons, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-fronted, Yellow-eared, Yellow-throated and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, 2 Slaty Bristlefront, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill, White-thighed Swallow, White-necked Thrush, Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, 2 Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Rufous-headed Tanager, over 50 Blue Dacnis in one fruiting tree and Sooty Grassquit. Fruiting trees at the top of the trail have been attracting cotingas including 2 Swallow-tailed Cotinga, a Hooded Berryeater and several Bare-throated Bellbirds.
Elfin Forest Trail: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Blue-bellied Parrot, Least Pygmy-Owl, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Spot-backed Antshrike, a pair of Salvadori’s Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Such’s Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Russet-winged Spadebill and Grey-hooded Attila.
Grey Trail: Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Star-throated Antwren, Short-tailed Antthrush, White-throated Woodcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, 2 Russet-winged Spadebills, Pin-tailed Manakin, Sharpbill, Olive-green Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.
Onofre Cunha: The trail here has been amazing for night-birding, especially in the early morning. 2 Black-banded Owls have been showing very well, along with Mottled Owl, Tawny-browed Owl and Long-tailed Potoo. Other birds recorded here include Collared Forest-Falcon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Giant Cowbird and a striking partial albino Sayaca Tanager.
São José Trail: Least Pygmy-Owl, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Salvadori’s Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Southern Antpipit, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Greyish Mourner, Grey-hooded Attila and 3 Shrike-like Cotinga at the regular winter site.
Waldenoor and our new Veludo Trail: Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Mantled Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Plain Parakeet, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Frilled Coquette, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Rufous Gnateater, Spotted Bamboowren, Scaled Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Sharpbill, Green-backed Becard, Olive-green Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Uniform Finch, Yellow-green and Black-throated Grosbeaks, Green-winged Saltator, Green-chinned Euphonia and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.
Waterfall Trail: Brown Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, White-necked Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Barred Forest-Falcon, Brown-backed Parrotlet, Pileated Parrot, Blue-bellied Parrot, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Least Pygmy-Owl, Long-tailed Potoo (at its roost site), Pauraque, Saw-billed, Dusky-throated and Scale-throated Hermits, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-eared and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Spot-backed Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Salvadori’s Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Scaled Antbird, White-bibbed Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Plain-winged, White-throated, Planalto and Lesser Woodcreepers, Black-capped, Buff-fronted and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (at the waterfall), Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Oustalet’s Tyrannulet, White-throated and Russet-winged Spadebills, Greyish Mourner, Large-headed Flatbill, Grey-hooded Attila, Pin-tailed Manakin, Sharpbill, Thrush-like Schiffornis, Shrike-like Cotinga, White-thighed Swallow, White-necked Thrush, Olive-green Tanager, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.
Wetland, adjacent forest trails and Lodge garden: 2 adult and 3 immature Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, 5 Muscovy Duck, 1 Masked Duck (where they go at this time of year is still a mystery), 3 Rusty-margined Guan (visiting the lodge feeders daily), Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Pinnated Bittern (from the hide), 2 Cocoi Heron, Capped Heron, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Laughing and Aplomado Falcons, Limpkin, some excellent rail encounters including Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Russet-crowned Crake, Rufous-sided Crake, Ash-throated Crake and some bold Blackish Rails, Solitary Sandpiper, Scaled Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet (large numbers around the wetland and lodge feeders daily), Blue-winged Parrotlet, 2 Orange-winged Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Greater Ani, Striped Cuckoo, Barn Owl, 2 Tropical Screech-Owl (at the usual roost site), 2 Tawny-browed Owl showing well around the conservation centre, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Biscutate Swift, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, a Brazilian Ruby (the male still present defending its feeders in the lodge garden), Rufous-capped Motmot (including 2 birds seen regularly in the lodge garden), Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, White, Yellow-throated and Blond-crested Woodpeckers (in the lodge garden), Giant Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicoloured Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, 2 Planalto Tyrannulet in the lodge garden, Greenish Elaenia (the first for Rio State still present around the lodge!), White-crested Tyrannulet, Green-backed and Crested Becards, Rufous-browed Peppershrike (including a bird in the lodge garden), Lemon-chested Greenlet, Long-billed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-legged Thrush (first ever record on the lodge feeders), 12 species of tanager in the lodge garden including Hooded, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed, Red-necked, Burnished-buff and Yellow-backed Tanagers, Swallow-Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager (at the wetland – very low altitude for this species), at least 5 Black-legged Dacnis around the wetland (a winter migrant at REGUA), Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Black-throated Grosbeak, Masked Yellowthroat, at least 50 Red-rumped Caciques feeding in the lodge garden, Hooded Siskin, Purple-throated Euphonia and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia.
There have also been some fantastic mammals seen around the reserve including: Common Grey Four-eyed Opossum, Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Yellow Armadillo (in the lodge garden), Common (Tufted-ear) Marmoset, Crab-eating Fox (visiting the lodge garden), Greater Grison, Orange-spined Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, at least 40 Capybara at the wetland and Red-rumped Agouti.
For more bird sightings and photos taken at REGUA in May see Lee Dingain’s blog (you will need to scroll down to see older posts).