Serra dos Tucanos has now re-opened after our annual months holiday in June. This doesnt mean to say that the birds have been on holiday as well though! With night time temperatures now dropping down to 9 degrees centigrade the bird feeders are busier than ever. A mixture of 15+ species are ploughing their way through over 20 kilos of bananas a day!

Blue-naped Chlorophonia. copyright - Rod Sheppard.

On the feeders daily there are up to 8 Spot-billed Toucanets, 4 Saffron Toucanets, 20+ Plain Parakeets, 20+ Reddish-bellied Parakeets, Azure-shouldered Tanagers, Olive-green Tanagers, 10+ Blue-naped Chlorophonias, 15+ Green-headed Tanagers, Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Violaceous Euphonias, Orange-bellied Euphonias, Purple-throated Euphonias, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Brazilian Tanager, even Red-necked Tanagers have been on the feeders, only the second time we have ever seen this!

Blond-crested Woodpecker. copyright - Rod Sheppard

A pair of Giant Antshrikes have also been seen on the lodges Extension Trail together with Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Scaled Antbird, Scaled Woodcreeper and Rufous-capped Motmot. The Crescent-chested Puffbird has been hanging around the hummingbird feeders (not sure why!), together with Brazilian Ruby, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Saw-billed Hermit.

Our guide Cirilo has went up on the High Altitude excursion yesterday and had good views of Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet and Black and Gold Cotinga among others.

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