Another couple of busy birding weeks here at Serra dos Tucanos! We have been out on all of the usual trails and seeing some wonderful birds!

Highlights from the last couple of weeks are as follows:

High Altitude Excursion:

White-rumped Hawk, Black-Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Itatiaia Thistletail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, White-rimmed Warbler, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch and Thick-billed Saltator.

Wetlands Excursion:

Spectacular views of 2 Crowned Eagles, Greater Ani, Tropical Screech-Owl, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren and Long-billed Wren.

Tropical Screech-Owl© Steve Bird

Three-toed Jacamar Excursion:

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ash-throated Crake, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, Three-toed Jacamar, White-eared Puffbird, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Firewood Gatherer, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Serra Antwren, Southern Antpipit, Crested Black Tyrant, Magpie Tanager and Gilt-edged Tanager.

Ash-throated Crake© Steve Bird

Serra dos Orgaos National Park:

Black-throated Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Brazilian Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Hooded Berryeater, Sharpbill, Gray-hooded Attila, White-rimmed Warbler, Red-necked Tanager and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

Lodge grounds:

The feeders are still attracting Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets (4 this afternoon on the canopy feeder), Blond-crested Woodpecker, Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Plain Parakeets, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Ruby Crowned, Green-headed and Sayaca Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied, Violaceous and Orange-bellied Euphonias.

The Extension trail is producing some great birding at the moment with Solitary Tinamou, Blue-bellied Parrot, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Scaled Antbird, both Rufous and Black-cheeked Gnateaters, Blue Manakin and Pin-tailed Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

The Golden Lion Tamarins have been around in the grounds again, together with the Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets.

Golden Lion Tamarin in the lodge gardens© Ron and Lyn Caygell

We have also had some really nice sightings and close encounters with Brown Howler Monkeys on our Portao Azul Excursion.

Brown Howler Monkey© Steve Bird

Just a quick update with a fantastic sighting for the lodge gardens. A Birdfinders group came across 2 Golden Lion Tamarins, they were together with 5 Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets. Both of these species are Alantic forest endemics! They were also seen later in the day at various spots around the garden, and heard this morning also!

Golden Lion Tamarin © Cristina Foster

Highlights from the last few days have included some spectacular views of 2 Grey-winged Cotingas on our High Altitude Excursion, the closest we have ever seen them! After using playback we had 2 birds come in extremely close, giving some great views! Also in the same area, 3 Swallow-tailed Cotingas, several Bay-chested Warbling finches, Itatiaia Thistletail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Diademed Tanagers and Black and Gold Cotinga.

Brazilian Laniisoma (Shrike like Cotinga) gave excellent views on the Theodoro Trail together with Bertonis Antbird and Slaty Bristlefront, and on our Portao Azul excursion Half-collared Sparrow, Tufted Antshrike, Lineated Woodpecker and Yellow-eared Woodpecker all showed well.

The feeders at the lodge remain busy with Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets visiting occasionally, Blond-crested Woodpecker daily together with Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Brazilian, Green-headed, Golden chevroned, Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied, Violaceous and Orange-bellied Euphonias and Blue-naped Chlorophonia. At the hummingbird feeders on a daily basis are Saw-billed Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre Hummingbird, Black Jacobin and Versicolored Emerald.

Saw-billed Hermit in the lodge garden. Andy Foster