Sunday 12th November 2023: Open Country Birding in Brazil

A superb day of birding today, finding over 100 species as we headed down from the forest and out to the open countryside around Duas Barras. Before leaving the Lodge, we had another beautiful new species for the trip, the elegant blue Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, visiting the nectar feeders. The Campo Flickers were again in the grounds, and as we left, a Grey-fronted Dove was glimpsed from the bus. Driving through Nova Friburgo, a Black-crowned Night Heron was on the river, and a large flock of Cattle Egret roosted in the trees.

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Our first stop was overlooking an expanse of marshy grassland, where we found a fabulous array of quality birds. We started with a golden Saffron Finch in the hedgerow, then two Toco Toucans landed in a distant secopia tree, giving stunning scope views. Behind us someone called a Chalk-browed Mockingbird perched on the wire, then a Short-crested Flycatcher appeared in a nearby bush. Several Smooth-billed Ani were active in the grassland, and a Streamer-tailed Tyrant flew into the top of a small tree, soon joined by some friends to make a small flock as they danced and twirled across the field.

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

A dead tree around 50 yards in front of us proved particularly productive, starting with a Yellow-bellied Elaenia which was soon joined by a Rufous-fronted Thornbird, then a Band-tailed Hornero.

Band-tailed Hornero

Elsewhere, a beautiful Black-capped Donacobius landed on a shrub while in another tree, some Blue-winged Parrotlets were obscured by foliage, but just visible enough to confirm their identification.

Black-capped Donacobius (photo by Emily)

The skies were busy too, with a Grey-headed Kite circling overhead, a brief, rapid fly past from a pair of Blue-winged Macaws, and Grey-thighed Swallows filling the air. In a damp area, Southern Lapwing were present, showing a distinctive, bold wing pattern whilst in flight. Tony then spotted a tiny Planalto Hummingbird nectaring on some beautiful, vibrant pink flowers, and Shiny Cowbirds were seen in the long grass.

Eventually we tore ourselves away from this productive spot, and drove on a short distance before stopping again beside a woodland garden and overlooking a bank of trees. In the garden, viewed from the gate, a Rufous Hornero was foraging on the ground, initially deceiving us into thinking it was a thrush. More Saffron Finches were feeding here too. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Euler’s Flycatcher and Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher were all seen flitting in the tree canopy, and a magnificent Blue Dacnis showed really well on an open branch. An equally striking Surucua Trogon, with orange breast and matching eye ring, flew in and perched overhead, whilst an Olivaceous Treecreeper was found in the line of trees opposite.

Suracua Trogon

Our next stop was beside a quaint house with an expanse of dense bamboo and wide open fields opposite, where we added Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-thighed Kite, Cattle Tyrant and a distant Sapphire-spangled Emerald.

We moved on again, this time pausing by a cafe with an impressive statue outside and overlooking a valley of green pastures. A Southern Caracara was sat in a tall tree, and a mobile Fire-gatherer was eventually seen well through the scope. Over the valley we found several distant Grassland Sparrows and a perched White-tailed Hawk. Brown-chested Martins circled over our heads and Fork-tailed Flycatcher was seen in the trees. An untidy and spiky-looking Thornbird nest was also an interesting find.

After a rejuvenating drink and cake in a small town, we continued on to a dirt track where we took a short walk. A Narrow-billed Woodcreeper was in the trees here, then several noisy Guira Cuckoo flew in, landing in the nearby trees and giving great views. A clown-faced White-eared Puffbird, rather like a Kookaburra in appearance was another good find, and several Thornbirds passed through the trees.

Guira Cuckoo (photo by Emily)

Yet another roadside stop gave us Curl-crested Jays, a Boat-billed Flycatcher on a nest and a brief view of a Piratic Flycatcher on a tree. Next, beside a farmhouse overlooking a small marsh we found the scarce Chestnut-capped Seedfinch, a female sporting a very thick bill. Also here was a White-rumped Moncito sat in the tree, and a White-browed Blackbird. On the ground near the house, a bright Masked Water-Tyrant caught our attention, plus a number of Saffron Finches and a Ruddy Ground Dove foraged alongside, with a White-bellied Thrush. Over the marsh, a Tawny Swallow circled amongst the regular hirundines and a Lined Seedeater was active amongst the reeds. A House Wren was also seen well.

Chestnut-capped Seedfinch (f) (Ashley Saunders)

We drove to a shaded roadside where we stopped and ate our packed lunch, noting both a Plumbeous Kite and Roadside Hawk passing over, and a Streaked Flycatcher foraging in an allotment garden. Then we took a short stroll along the road where we managed some decent views of a Half-collared Sparrow.

Half-collared Sparrow

Our final stop of the day was the target for the localised endemic, the Three-toed Jacamar, and it did not take us long to find this, moving through the branches just above our heads, giving some excellent views and great photo opportunity. Equally impressive though, was a Crescent-chested Puffbird, heard calling from the vegetation, and I eventually spotted it perched on a low branch in the gloom, showing brilliantly. Noisy Red-rumped Caciques were here too, although it took some time of tracking to spot the red rump, their light bills being much more obvious. Beautiful gilt-edged Tanagers showed really well too as they flitted through the trees, and behind us a Yellow-billed variant of Black Vulture passed over. Sepia Flycatcher, short-crested a flycatcher and White-barred Piculet all passed through.