Introduction and Summary

Vale das Taquaras lodge, set in 34 hectares / 84 acres of private land adjacent to the Macaé de Cima Reserve, is an excellent location to see many of the birds found in the higher altitude areas of the South East Atlantic rainforest, including those between 1800-2000 metres / 5905-6562 feet above sea level on Pico da Caledônia.

Vale das Taquaras lodge is ideally suited to both independent birdwatchers and those visiting as part of a group. In addition to the accommodation in the lodge there are two beautifully furnished annexes.

This report describes a visit my wife and I made to the Vale das Taquaras lodge for 10 nights. The lodge is 1000 metres / 3281 feet above sea level in the Atlantic rainforest approximately 122 km / 76 miles North East of Rio de Janeiro. All our birdwatching was within walking distance of the lodge except for the short distances we made by car to visit different areas of the Macaé de Cima reserve and the longer journey to Pico da Caledônia.

The weather was bright and sunny for seven days with some rain in the afternoon on two days. This was heavy for a while but it never rained all afternoon. We had one spectacular thunderstorm the day before we left. It can get cold in the evenings in late spring and twice the open log fire was lit in the lounge.

In preparation for the trip a list of 122 songs using Peter Boesman’s MP3 Birds of Brazil Sound Collection was downloaded onto a Sony Walkman. This was then plugged into a small portable XMI-208 Ixos speaker for use in the field.

I used a field note book throughout the trip and made an annotated list of birds as they were seen. Altogether 121 species of birds were seen, with a bird guide.

Vale das Taquaras

The lodge is managed by Lila Ferrez with domestic help including a full time gardener from the small local community. The lodge and facilities are accurately described on www birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/brazil/index. and on www.valedastaquaras.com. although the sauna wasn’t working during our stay. We fully endorse the complimentary remarks made by Dingain (2010) regarding Vale das Taquaras lodge. We were the only guests during our ten night stay and were well looked after. Sometimes, although clients, we were treated as Lila’s house guests and joined her family and other guests for a lovely lunch of Baca Lhau, a Brazilian speciality, on the Sunday.

We were given a list of birds and a drawing showing trails, dirt roads and water courses. Also the location of the school, the bus stop the boulder in the cleared area, both annexes and the sauna.

A memorable moment on arrival, having settled into our room, was sitting on the veranda in the comfortable armchairs watching the hummingbirds at the several well maintained feeders. Black Jacobin were plentiful but the stunning male Brazilian Ruby was almost as numerous. The first time I saw one, the throat patch was dull but almost instantly changed to a brilliant ruby gorget only to revert quickly to a dull colour again - magical.  

Reinaldo, who doesn’t speak English, is the gardener, maintained the excellent trails and was our bird guide. He was proficient in the use of previously recorded songs as an aid to tape in birds and in the use of playback in the field. He seemed to recognise the songs and identified all the birds we saw. Having a guide that does not speak any English may be a considerable disadvantage for some clients but for me Reinaldo was brilliant and above all great company. Nothing was too much trouble for him. The services of an English speaking bird guide can be arranged at Vale das Taquaras and I asked for one for three days anticipating I would have difficulty identifying some of the tyrannulets and antbirds I hoped to see. On arrival it was clear Reinaldo was to be our bird guide and I have no regrets not pursuing the matter. 

Many birds responding to playback are active, and usually not difficult to see. If I hadn’t seen a bird Reinaldo would point to it giving me a line of sight, so once the bird moved I usually saw it quickly. However if it was stationary I put myself under pressure for not being able to see it, usually because I didn’t know how far back along the line of sight the bird was perched and I was looking in the wrong place. I wouldn’t wish to use a laser beam as an aid to seeing a bird.

I think Reinaldo appreciated my wish to try and identify the birds seen and I always had plenty of time to try. That I could or couldn’t was inconsequential as when appropriate he would open his copy of Avisbrazilis Birds of Eastern Brazil by Tomas Sigrist and point to the birds in the order they were seen. Hopefully we contributed to a realisation of how much his local knowledge of the birds and skills as a bird guide are appreciated by visitors. For example we were unsuccessful twice on different trails in seeing Slaty Bristlefront we heard. Lila was interested in the birds we had seen and discussed this daily with Reinaldo. She agreed that Reinaldo should drive to where he knew there was a good chance of seeing Slaty Bristlefront, which we did successfully.

Daily Log

This log lists the birds seen daily, except birds commonly seen in the garden, and therefore contains duplicates.

Monday 18th October 2010.

I got up at 06.00 hrs. and walked to the open area past the first annex enjoying the numerous Rufous-bellied Thrush singing and seeing many of the birds commonly seen around the lodge before breakfast at 07.00 hrs.

We started off at 08.30hrs and stopped just before the school where Reinaldo enticed a White-shouldered Fire-eye into view. We continued down the dirt road using playback to see a Plain Antvireo and made a short excursion into the forest where we saw a responsive Grey-hooded Attila. Shortly after passing the house on our right with a satellite dish by the gate and after crossing the bridge we came to an open area of grazed fields where numerous Saffron Finches and Hooded Siskins were flying. We had great views here of a Savanna Hawk near the small marsh. The light was perfect and we spent some time watching a pair of Crested Becard building a nest and a Masked Yellowthroat singing at eye level in a small tree, about 7.62 metres / 25 feet away. We continued towards the bus stop and at 11.50 hrs. persuaded a male Rufous Gnateater to come to the edge of the road where it flitted about rapidly and confusingly flew back and forth across the road. However with patience, we all got excellent views of its silvery post-ocular tuft and soft orange-rufous breast. We continued as far as the tall conifers, supporting many epiphytes, when Lila arrived at 12.20 hrs. and as arranged drove us back to the lodge and lunch.

Other birds seen were; Smooth-billed Ani, Surucua Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, Rufous Hornero, Plain Antvireo, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Greenish Schiffornis, Pale-breasted Thrush Rufous-bellied Thrush, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Crested Oropendula and Shiny Cowbird.

After lunch it rained till 14.25 hrs. so we watched the humming birds at the feeders.

At 17.15 hrs. we saw most of the salient points on the plumage of a Scaled Woodcreeper ascending the trunk of a tree close to the lodge. On reaching the top it flew to the bottom of the adjacent tree and repeated this feeding behaviour before flying further afield. The white throat merging into the breast and belly with its pale streaks edged with black against the pale brown were seen well.  This was also a good opportunity to appreciate this woodcreeper’s size.   

Other birds seen were; Scale-throated Hermit, Black Jacobin, White-throated Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Southern House-Wren, Yellow-legged Thrush, Sayaca Tanager and Saffron Finch

Tuesday 19th October 2010.

At 08.00 hrs. we set off passing the German’s house. Just after the gate I heard the easily remembered call of a Variable Antshrike. A pair was soon seen close by enabling excellent views of their dimorphic plumage. Very shortly afterwards a pair of Rufous-capped Spinetails were almost at our feet in the open and certainly not skulking in the low vegetation. Their call was recognized before they appeared and was one of the few occasions when I remembered a song quickly enough to be of use in the field.The light was perfect showing the beautiful rich buff streak which seemed to emphazise the bright rufous crown contrasting with the dusky cheeks as they flitted about rapidly repeating “di-di-di-reét” (Ridgely & Tudor, 2009). Surely this is the one of the most striking of all the Synallaxis spinetails.  We continued down to the house with the satellite dish and returned on the dirt road to the lodge arriving at 12.30 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Savanna Hawk, Campo Flicker, Rufous Hornero, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Yellow-Olive Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Pale-breasted Thrush, Burnished-buff Tanager and Shiny Cowbird.

After lunch, in the garden close to the lodge, we watched a pair of nesting Green-backed Becard and a pair of Chestnut-crowned Becard building a nest.

Other birds seen were; Dusky-legged Guan, Plumbeous Pigeon, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Bare-throated Bellbird.

Between 19.50 and 22.00 hrs. we walked down to the football pitch with Lila to see four or five Common Paraque flying and on the ground where their red reflecting tapetum was easily spotted with the aid of a lamp. No owls were seen or heard.

Wednesday 20th October 2010

At 08.02 hrs. Lila took us to the start of a trail, half an hour away by car where we left Lila, who returned to the lodge. We continued along the trail walking with Reinaldo. Two Rufous-browed Peppershrike were seen at 08.45 hrs. we then had excellent views of a Green-winged Saltator high up on our left which flew down across the ride and perched below us on an exposed branch in the canopy. Looking from above now, we could see its long white superciliary and throat contrasting with the black malar stripe. The wings were noticeably a brighter green compared to the back. We reached the top of the ridge at 1000hrs and started off downhill where at 11.00 hrs. we had a brief but clear sighting of a White-bearded Antshrike. Half an hour later the back of a male White-bearded Antshrike was seen in a tree about 4.57 metres / 15 feet above us. It then faced us, in full view for at least 45 seconds with its black crown raised and showing its white bill and cinnamon coloured tail.

When we reached the dirt road Reinaldo showed me a Greenish Schiffornis which seemed quite unaware of our presence perched motionless in the low vegetation about 7.62 metres / 25 feet from the edge of the forest. We then walked up past the house with the satellite dish to the lodge arriving at 12.30 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Saffron Toucanet, Robust Woodpecker, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Streaked Flycatcher, Fawn-breasted Tanager and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

In the afternoon we saw a Squirrel Cuckoo and a Scaled Woodcreeper on the circular trail.

Between 18.35 and 20.05 hrs. we looked unsuccessfully for owls with Reinaldo around the boulder and the southern end of the 700 metres / 765 yards trail. We saw several Common Paraque.

Thursday 21st October 2010

First Reinaldo took us a short distance into the rainforest to where a Common Potoo sat motionless and beautifully camouflaged on branch during the day. A White-bibbed Antbird was seen closeby.

We then walked along the trail at 08.55hrs. seeing a Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner at 09.15hrs. We reached the end of the trail at 11.10 hrs. and after a good view of a White-throated Spadebill retraced our steps. We then saw another White-bibbed Antbird.  A male Giant Antshrike was seen with the aid of playback. At first we thought it was a Large-tailed Antshrike as only its back was seen. Possibly the taped calls of both antshrikes were used but we soon had excellent close up views this male Giant Antshrike as it flew back and forth in response to playback. With its raised black crown and massive hooked bill it really seemed huge when it alighted momentarily between short flights. We reached the end of the trail at 13.10 hrs. and returned to the lodge at 13.20 hrs. The sky was cloudless all morning and it was now getting quite warm.

Other birds seen were; Dusky-legged Guan, Southern Caracara,Yellow-headed Caracara, Scaly-headed Parrot, White-barred Piculet, Campo Flicker, Scaled Woodcreeper, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Variegated Flycatcher, Blue Manakin and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

The afternoon was spent around the garden and the circular trail where Ruddy Ground Dove were seen.

Friday 22nd October 2010.

We left the lodge at 07.40 hrs. for Pico da Caledônia, passing the place where a Roadside Hawk was seen on the day we arrived and reaching the Hotel Garlipp and the RJ116 road in just over half an hour. At the Hotel Garlipp we turned right towards Nova Friburgo. The schematic drawing of the route to Pico da Caledônia (Steenis, 2008) was useful as Lila had not driven there was some time. The Hotel Fazenda Caledônia is well signposted before the right turn but the sushi restaurant is no longer there. Once on the cobbled road we stopped at 09.10 hrs. at a wayleave, where a power cable crosses the road, and almost immediately heard the easily recognizeable song of a male Black and Gold Cotinga. Visibility was not good owing to the swirling mist, but probably the same bird was seen on our return, perched in bright sunshine on the same exposed branch enabling excellent views of the yellow gold flight feathers and orange bill before it flew showing its rounded forked tail. It was decided it would take too long to walk to the security gates from the wayleave so we continued in the car. The security guards took and checked our passports in their office, returning them promptly before we set off. A Blue-billed Black Tyrant was seen briefly in the small trees around the security gates and fence.

At 10.20 hrs. we started to climb the 675 steps in the concrete staircase leading to the top of Pico da Caledônia. Two Diademed Tanagers were seen 25 minutes later about 36.58 metres / 40 yards away just before a female Rufous-capped Antshrike responded to “playback” and perched in the open 18.29 metres / 20 yards away singing. We were over half way when a Bay-chested Warbling Finch flew in almost at our feet, flitting about in the scrub. It was then that Angela saw the back and distinctive tail of an Itatiaia Spinetail moving amongst the ferns 1.2 metres / 4 feet in front of us. Reinaldo and I saw the head and bill but couldn’t get a glimpse of its chin. The mist had completely dissipated now and the view from the summit (2219 metres / 7280 feet) of the three Tres Picos was spectacular in the brilliant sunshine. Reinaldo had never been to Pico da Caledônia and was amazed at the view, probably never having seen anything like it before. After about 10 minutes we left the summit with its small buildings and the four radio masts belonging to the petrol company Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras that has made easy access to Pico da Caledônia possible. Shortly before reaching the gates on our return we watched two Diademed Tanagers feeding close by on berries in a small tree. We spent two and three quarter hours on Pico da Caledônia before returning to Nova Friburgo for lunch at 12.40 hrs arriving back at the lodge at 14.40 hrs. ostensibly to enable Reinaldo to collect his daughter from school.

Saturday 23rd October 2010

Between 06.00-07.00 hrs. I saw a Squirrel Cuckoo and a Grey-capped Tyrannulet among other birds commonly seen around the lodge. Grey-capped Tyrannulet are not difficult to see close to the lodge. Its habit of remaining stationary for short periods enabled a close scrutiny of its plumage. Regrettably no other Phyllomyias tyrannulets were seen during our trip.

First at 07.50 hrs. we went to an area where Spot-billed Wood-Quail are sometimes seen. I had heard them calling elsewhere early on previous mornings not far from the lodge. However none were seen or responded to playback.

A male White-winged Becard was seen in the open area near the boulder at 08.20 hrs. We then walked north of the German’s house to the marsh and saw Spix's /Chili Spinetail briefly but clearly. It was responsive to playback and despite remaining largely hidden in the low vegetation, kept moving about, providing brief glimpses.

We then spent an hour on the 1700 metres / 1860 yards trail before entering the gate leading to the house with the satellite dish. At 11.05hrs on looking down into a hollow on our right Reinaldo and I had a long clear view of a Cocoa Thrush perched in a small tree in the rainforest not far from the small stream. In the open area past the house we saw Blackish Rail in the marsh. The marsh is densely vegetated with sedges and reeds making it almost impossible to see this rail clearly despite remaining within two feet of us, calling all the time. The rails then followed their recorded voices on the small portable speaker to an area where we hoped to see the entire bird but in the end we had to be satisfied with partial views. We returned to the lodge at 12.10 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Barred Forest-Falcon, Southern Lapwing, Smooth-billed Ani, Channel-billed Toucan, White-browed Foliage-gleaner, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Scaled Woodcreeper, Plain Antvireo, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Swainson's Flycatcher, Golden-chevroned Tanager and Swallow Tanager.

In the afternoon we walked to the football pitch and saw the Campo Flickers nesting in a bank, presumably created when the adjacent ground was leveled.

Sunday 24th October 2010.

Between 06.20 and 07.00 hrs. I spent 20 minutes trying to see a Plain Antvireo that was responsive to playback but remained hidden until with patience I at last saw it was a female.

At 08.11hrs. we set off with Lila’s son Marc who was staying for the weekend. Lila drove past the school and followed the river. I saw a Sharp-billed Treehunter foraging alone about 6 metres / 20 feet up in the trees by the river. Although I couldn’t hear it calling I was able to watch it for long enough to be sure of its identity. The most helpful feature was the extensive streaking on the breast, belly and back. I think Marc also saw a Streaked Xenops at this time as he had seen an upturned bill on these two similar looking birds. We continued walking on the track with Marc through arable land and up into some pristine forest where we turned back at 12.30 hrs. We reached the lodge at 13.10 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and Rufous-crowned Greenlet.

Between 21.10 and 22.00hrs we went a short distance by car to see the spectacular Long-trained Nightjar. A successful strategy was on first seeing one flying in the headlights was to stop and switch them off, allowing the nightjars to settle on the dirt road. They were then seen easily with the aid of a lamp.

Monday 25th October 2010.

Between 05.55 and 07.00 hrs. I walked in a circle via annex 2 and the school. The only bird not already seen was a female Bare–throated Bellbird.

To-day Marc was the driver as the four of us set off for the Macaé de Cima reserve, an area of approximately 15,000 ha / 37065 acres. (Miller & Warren 1994).We left the lodge at 07.53 hrs. and stopped at 08.35 hrs. We then walked up a steep track through rainforest with trees noticeably laden with bromeliads and other epiphytes. 

An hour after leaving the car in the morning a Rufous-tailed Antthrush was drawn closer and for once I saw it, almost as soon as Reinaldo, about 18 feet / 5.49 metres into the forest walking slowly on the ground, calling. I had a good look at the head, back and the cocked up tail for about 8 seconds before it disappeared amongst the ground vegetation. Reinaldo then heard a Plovercrest and pushed off into some bamboo. We followed and spent five or six minutes watching this active hummingbird on different perches admiring its long crest, in full view, and the occasional flash of white on its forehead.  At 11.00 hrs. a Bertoni’s Antbird, noticeably paler than the Ferruginous Antbird seen earlier, responded to playback. Being so active it took a while to see all of it properly. A White-throated Woodcreeper flew to the base of a nearby tree at 12.45 hrs. We continued watching it, working its way upwards, probing with its stout bill into bark crevices and bromeliads. Another was then seen in the same tree higher up.

On reaching the top of the ridge we descended on the loose stony track for some distance before retracing our steps at 14.20 hrs. after a picnic lunch. At the top of the trail I had a distant view of a possible Red-ruffed Fruitcrow. Lila said this bird was not yet accepted or confirmed on the Vale das Taquaras bird list but someone else had seen it close to where I had possibly seen one. Marc had an excellent view of Red-capped Parrot which I saw as it flew away. We reached the vehicle at 16.30 hrs. arriving at the lodge at 17.15 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Spot-billed Toucanet, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Plain Antvireo, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Hooded Berryeater, Chestnut-crowned Becard and White-browed Warbler.

Tuesday 26th October 2010.

Today at 08.15 hrs we returned with Reinaldo to a different area of the Macaé de Cima Reserve. We drove for 54 minutes before leaving the car and walking. At 10.30 hrs. two Black-tailed Flycatchers flew over our heads down the ride and perched on an overhanging liana in full view. At 11.15 hrs. a male Slaty Bristlefront was heard singing. It responded to playback and after several short glimpses of it on the ground amongst the low vegetation, this tapaculo came out onto the narrow path a few yards from us for about 15 seconds. The light was good, enabling the dark area around the eye and the base of the bill with the prominent bristle feathers sticking out to be seen clearly. Also noticed was the brown rump and flanks contrasting with the slate grey body which I didn’t appreciate is actually a bluish slate grey (Ridgely & Tudor, 1994). We listened to its enchanting song for some time while it remained hidden close by. Before we turned back at 12.30 hrs a male Tufted Antshrike was seen in an area of tall bamboo which unlike most of the large stands of dead bamboo presumably didn’t produce seed in 2008 (Ferrez, 2010). At 12.55 hrs. we saw a White-collared Foliage-gleaner in the lower growth close to the trail. A White-browed Warbler was seen at 14.10 hrs but it took a long time to get a good view of it. Although actively responsive to playback, it kept low in the ground vegetation. At 14.40 hrs. an Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant was seen low down in bamboo. Our guide saw it first. I couldn’t identify it but later confirmed I had seen only a white eye ring and yellowish underparts. We reached the car at 13.50 hrs. and the lodge at 14.25 hrs.

Other birds seen were; Black-throated Trogon, Bertoni's Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Hooded Berryeater, and Black-goggled Tanager.

There was torrential rain and thunder in the afternoon so we stayed on the veranda.

Wednesday 27th October 2010.

It was raining hard at 06.00 hrs. however after breakfast between 08.15 and 09.15 hrs. the rain was very light so Reinaldo and I made one last attempt to see a Yellow-browed Woodpecker he wanted to show me. We didn’t see it but did see a Picazuro Pigeon before we left the lodge.

Results and Conclusions

The following were seen almost every day in the garden at Vale das Taquaras.

Black Vulture, Scale-throated Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-throated Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Green-backed Becard, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern House-Wren,  Yellow -legged Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Bananaquit, Sayaca Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Saffron Finch, Rufous-collared Sparrow and Crested Oropendula.

Both species of becard were nesting in the garden and the hummingbirds were attracted to the feeders.

During our visit to Vale das Taquaras we saw 121 species of birds including 16 Brazilian endemics (Wheatley, 1994) and 5 seen only at Pico da Caledônia. The complete list, with spelling in English, at the end of this report, follows Remsen et al. (2008) but unlike the South American Classification Committee (SACC) gives descriptive family names instead of the order as used by Athanas (2006).

I expected to see several species of tyrannulets and antbirds. Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Grey-capped Tyrannulet were not uncommon or difficult to see but despite searching the canopy and listening, nothing was seen with the exception of Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant remotely like Greenish Tyrannulet, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Rough-legged Tyrannulet or Planalto Tyrannulet. The Oustalet's Tyrannulet that was seen wasn’t in a mixed flock. On the other hand of the expected antbirds although Dusky–tailed Antbird was not seen or heard, Ferruginous Antbird, Bertoni's Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird and White-bibbed Antbird were seen and for long enough to see all the salient features I could remember. Their voices were all heard except the striking male White-bibbed Antbird seen twice, with its black throat contrasting with a prominent white bib.

The total number of 121 species seen at Vale das Taquaras lodge might be considered low for the duration of our stay. Possibly other birds could have been seen if we hadn’t spent time using playback to see for example Plain Antvireo when already seen. Harper (2005) saw 49 in a day in June during a visit to the Macaé de Cima Reserve, with N. Athanas as a bird guide, including many not seen on this trip. However almost all the birds we did see were seen well and often for as long as we wished and with a bird guide who clearly enjoyed seeing the birds too. Perhaps most important of all was our birdwatching was always enjoyable.  We remember all the birds we saw and hopefully I am now more familiar with the “difficult” birds seen.

References

Athanas, N. (2006). Tropical Birding. Brazil Introtour 18-25 October 2006. Downloaded from http://www.tropicalbirding.com/tourreports.html

Dingain, L (2010) Downloaded from http://www.valedastaquaras.com.

Ferrez, L. (2010) Downloaded from http://www.valedastaquaras.com.

Harper, M. South-East Brazil June 2005. Downloaded from markharper@surfbirder.com

Miller,D & Warren, R. (1994). Orchids of the High Mountain Atlantic Rain Forest in Southeastern Brazil. Salamandra Consultoria Editorial SA. Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Remsen, J. V., Cadena, C. D., Jaramillo, A., Nores, M., Pacheco, J., Robbins, M. B., Schulenberg, T. S., Stiles, F. G., Stotz, D. F. & Zimmer, K. J. (2008). A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithologists' Union. Downloaded from http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html

Ridgely, R.S. & Tudor, G. (1994). The Birds of South America, Volume II The Suboscine Passerines. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Ridgely, R.S. & Tudor, G. (2009). Birds of South America – Passerines. Christopher Helm.

Steenis, Han van, J (2010) South-eastern Brazil December 9th - January 2010.   Downloaded from http://www.birdtours.co.uk

Wheatley, N. (1994). Where to watch birds in South America. London : Christopher Helm  A & C Black.

Robert and Angela Page, Surrey, United Kingdom.

BRAZIL: 17th October – 27th November 2010, A list of 121 birds seen

GUANS
Cracidae	1	Dusky-legged Guan	Penelope obscura
NEW WORLD VULTURES
Cathartidae	2	Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES
Accipitridae	3	Savanna Hawk	Buteogallus meridionalis
	4	Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris
	5	Black Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus
	6	Barred Forest-Falcon	Micrastur ruficollis
FALCONS AND CARACARAS
Falconidae	7	Southern Caracara	Caracara plancus
	8	Yellow-headed Caracara	Milvago chimachima
RAILS, GALLINULES, & COOTS
Rallidae	9	Blackish Rail	Pardirallus nigricans
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
Charadriidae	10	Southern Lapwing	Vanellus chilensis
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Columbidae	11	Ruddy Ground Dove	Columba talpacoti
	12	Picazuro Pigeon	Patagioenas picazuro
	13	Plumbeous Pigeon	Patagioenas plumbea
PARROTS
Psittacidae	14	Maroon-bellied Parakeet	Pyrrhura frontalis
	15	Plain Parakeet	Brotogeris tirica
	16	Red-capped Parrot	Pionopsitta pileata
	17	Scaly-headed Parrot	Pionus maximilliani
CUCKOOS
Cuculidae	18	Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
	19	Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani
NIGHTJARS
Nyctibiidae	20	Common Potoo	Nyctibius griseus
Caprimulgidae	21	Common Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis
	22	Long-trained Nightjar	Macropsalis forcipata
HUMMINGBIRDS
Trochilidae	23	Black Jacobin	Florisuga fusca
	24	Scale-throated Hermit	Phaethornis eurynome
	25	Brazilian Ruby	Clytolaema rubricauda
	26	Amethyst Woodstar	Calliphlox amethystine
	27	Plovercrest	Stephanoxis lalandi
	28	Scale-throated Hermit	Phaethornis eurynome
	29	Violet-capped Woodnymph	Thalurania glaucopis
	30	Sombre Hummingbird	Campylopterus cirrhochloris
	31	White-throated Hummingbird	Leucochloris albicollis
	32	Versicolored Emerald	Amazilia versicolor
TROGONS AND QUETZALS
Trogonidae	33	Surucua Trogon	Trogon surrucura
	34	Black-throated Trogon	Trogon rufus
TOUCANS
Ramphastidae	35	Channel-billed Toucan	Ramphastos vitellinus
	36	Spot-billed Toucanet	Selenidera maculirostris
	37	Saffron Toucanet	Pteroglossus bailloni
WOODPECKERS
	38	White-barred Piculet	Picumnus cirratus
	39	Yellow-eared Woodpecker	Veniliornis maculifrons
	40	Campo Flicker	Colaptes campestris
	41	Robust Woodpecker	Campephilus robustus
	42	Rufous Hornero	Furnarius rufus
OVENBIRDS
Furnariidae	43	Itatiaia Spinetail	Oreophylax moreirae
	44	Spix’s /Chili Spinetail	Synallaxis spixi
	45	Rufous-capped Spinetail	Synallaxis ruficapilla
	46	White-browed Foliage-gleaner	Anabacerthia amaurotis
	47	Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner	Syndactyla rufosuperciliata
	48	White-collared Foliage-gleaner	Anabazenops fuscus
	49	White-eyed Foliage-gleaner	Automolus leucophthalmus
	50	Sharp-billed Treehunter	Heliobletus contaminatus
WOODCREEPERS
Dendrocolaptidae	51	Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus
	52	White-throated Woodcreeper	Xiphocolaptes albicollis
	53	Scaled Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes squamatus
Thamnophilidae	54	Giant Antshrike	Batara cinerea
	55	Tufted Antshrike	Mackenziaena severa
	56	White-bearded Antshrike	Biatas nigropectus
	57	Rufous-capped Antshrike	Thamnophilus ruficapillus
	58	Variable Antshrike	Thamnophilus caerulescens
	59	Plain Antvireo	Dysithamnus mentalis
	60	Ferruginous Antbird	Drymophila ferruginea
	61	Bertoni’s Antbird	Drymophila rubricollis
	62	Ochre-rumped Antbird	Drymophila ochropyga
	63	White-shouldered Fire-eye	Pyriglena leucoptera
	64	White-bibbed Antbird	Myrmecia loricata
Formicariidae	65	Rufous-tailed Antthrush	Chamaeza ruficauda
	66	Rufous Gnateater	Conopophaga lineata
Rhinocryptidae	67	Slaty Bristlefront	Merulaxis ater
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Tyrannidae	68	Grey-capped Tyrannulet	Phyllomyias griseocapilla
	69	Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet	Camptostoma obsoletum
	70	Oustalet’s Tyrannulet	Phylloscartes oustaleti
	71	Grey-hooded Flycatcher	Mionectes rufiventris
	72	Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant	Hemitriccus orbitatus
	73	Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher	Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps
	74	Yellow-Olive Flycatcher	Tolmomyias sulphurescens
	75	White-throated Spadebill	Platyrinchus mystaceus
	76	Bran-coloured Flycatcher	Myiophobus fasciatus
	77	Black-tailed Flycatcher	Myiobius atricaudus
	78	Blue-billed Black-tyrant	Knipolegus cyanirostris
	79	Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis
	80	Great Kiskadee	Pitangus sulphuratus
	81	Streaked Flycatcher	Myiodynastes maculatus
	82	Variegated Flycatcher	Epidonomus varius
	83	Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
	84	Swainson’s Flycatcher	Myiarchus swainsoni
COTINGAS
Cotingidae	85	Grey-hooded Attila	Attila rufus
	86	Hooded Berryeater	Carpornis cucullata
	87	Bare-throated Bellbird	Procnias nudicollis
	88	Black-and-gold Cotinga	Tijuca atra
MANAKINS
Pipridae	89	Blue Manakin	Chiroxiphia caudata
Tityridae	90	Greenish Schiffornis	Schiffornis virescens
	91	Green-backed Becard	Pachyramphus viridis
	92	Chestnut-crowned Becard	Pachyramphus castaneus
	93	White-winged Becard	Pachyramphus polychopterus
	94	Crested Becard	Pachyramphus validus
	95	Rufous-browed Peppershrike	Cyclarhis gujanensis
	96	Rufous-crowned Greenlet	Hylophilus poicilotis
SWALLOWS
Hirundinidae	97	Blue-and-white Swallow	Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
WRENS
Troglodytidae	98	House-Wren	Troglodytes aedon
THRUSHES
Turdidae	99	Yellow-legged Thrush	Platycichla flavipes
	100	Pale-breasted Thrush	Turdus leucomelas
	101	Cocoa Thrush	Turdus fumigatus
	102	Rufous-bellied Thrush	Turdus rufiventris
TANAGERS AND ALLIES
Thraupidae	103	Black-goggled Tanager	Trichothraupis melanops
	104	Ruby-crowned Tanager	Tachyphonus coronatus
	105	Sayaca Tanager	Thraupis sayaca
	106	Golden-chevroned Tanager	Thraupis ornata
	107	Diademed Tanager	Stephanophorus diadematus
	108	Fawn-breasted Tanager	Pipraeidea melanonota
	109	Burnished-buff Tanager	Tangara cayana
	110	Brassy-breasted Tanager	Tangara desmaresti
	111	Swallow Tanager	Tersina viridis
Incertae Sedis	112	Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
	114	Green-winged Saltator	Saltator similis
EMBERIZINE FINCHES
Emberizidae	113	Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
	115	Bay-chested Warbling Finch	Poospiza thoracica
	116	Saffron Finch	Sicalis flaveola
WOOD WARBLERS
Parulidae	117	Masked Yellowthroat	Geothlypis aequinoctialis
	118	White-browed Warbler	Basileuterus leucoblepharus
ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS
Icteridae	119	Crested Oropendula	Psarocolius decumanus
	120	Shiny Cowbird	Molothrus bonariensis
CARDUELINE FINCHES
Fringillidae	121	Hooded Siskin	Carduelis magellanica