A beer after a day’s birding

It’s never easy to see the Atlantic Forest endemic birds of prey. The Mantled hawk Pseudastur polionotus is one such forest dwelling bird feeding on other birds as well as small mammals. We found Robin Waters with Adilei after walking the Theodoro trail in the Três Picos State Park, a section of disused Nova Friburgo railway track to Cachoeiras de Macacu, and brought a couple of cold beers to refresh them. Lucky for us as Adilei drinking he looked up and shouted, “stop stop!! a Mantled Hawk!!” Enough time to screech to a halt, put down the beer and photograph this rare bird. This was a lovely end of a great day. Well done Adilei!!

Mantled Hawk <em>Pseudastur polionotus</em>, Três Picos State Park, April 2012. (&copy; Adilei Carvalho da Cunha)
Mantled Hawk Pseudastur polionotus, Três Picos State Park, April 2012. (© Adilei Carvalho da Cunha)
Mantled Hawk <em>Pseudastur polionotus</em>, Três Picos State Park, April 2012. (&copy; Adilei Carvalho da Cunha)
Mantled Hawk Pseudastur polionotus, Três Picos State Park, April 2012. (© Adilei Carvalho da Cunha)