The Brazilian endemic White-browed (Eduardo Patrial)

NORTHEAST

9 – 31 JANUARY 2016

LEADER: EDUARDO PATRIAL

With 518 of recorded, this reformulated Northeast Brazil 2016 tour was just outstanding! An excellent option not just for those who had been in Brazil few times before but also for the ones who want to come for the first time to the country. The reason is the combination of a detailed scan on the sole endemic biome in Brazil, the dry Caatinga and its physiognomies, with the rich Atlantic remnants and even some fractions of Cerrado, providing an amazing percentage of specialties from the country, a list with execatly hundred Brazilian endemics! As there cannot be different, long drives were necessarily confronted in a vast variety of landscapes and , particularly several isolated places, home of incredible localized species. Notable sightings of remarkable species were constantly witnessed during the trip (like the mega- rare Stresemann’s Bristlefront for the first time), which brings to everyone present good remembrances of many spectacular moments. A short summary about the highlights includes Mangrove , Little Wood Rail, Plain-bellied Emerald, White-naped Xenopsaris, Grey-breasted Parakeet, Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Gould’s Toucanet, Spectacled Owl, Ceara , Short-tailed Antthrush, Silvery-cheeked, Planalto Slaty, Tufted and Spot-backed Antshrikes, Great Xenops, White-browed Antpitta, Red-shouldered Spinetail, Tawny, Ochraceous and Spotted , , Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Surucua Trogon, Blue-winged Macaw, The show of Lear’s Macaw, Pectoral Antwren, Ash-throated Casiornis, White-fringed Fire-Eye, Jandaya Parakeet, Lesser and Greater Wagtail-Tyrants, Hooded , Broad-tipped and

1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Hook-billed Hermits, Horned Sungem, Ruby-topaz , Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Brown Violetear, Collared Crescentchest, Blue Finch, Sincora, Narrow-billed and Black-bellied Antwrens, Sao Francisco Sparrow, Serra Finch, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, Diamantina and Bahia , Three-toed Jacamar, Stresemann’s Bristlefront, Grey-backed Tachuri, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Ochre-backed , Slender , Pygmy and Little , Least , Tawny-browed Owl, Black-capped Screech Owl, Stripe-backed, Rio de Janeiro, Scalloped, White-bibbed, Scaled and Ferruginous , Bahia and Grey-headed Spinetails, Striated Softtail, Pale-browed Treehunter, ‘Serra das Lontras’ Treehunter, Giant Snipe, Pink-legged Graveteiro, Rufous-brown Solitary, Plumbeous Antvireo, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Salvadori’s Antwren, East Brazilian Pygmy Owl, Caatinga and Crescent-chested , Ochre-marked and White-eared Parakeets, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Bahia Antwren, Bahia Tyrannulet, Eastern Striped Manakin, Band-tailed Antwren, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Red-browed Amazon, White-winged and Banded , Black-headed Berryeater, Shrike-like, White-rumped, Green-headed, Red-necked, Turquoise and Opal-rumped, Brazilian and Scarlet-throated Tanagers, White-naped Jay, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Red-billed and Black-billed Scythebills, Scaled Woodcreeper, Russet-crowned and Ash-throated Crakes, White-throated, Dubois’s, Copper, Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s Seedeaters, White-bellied and Spotted Nothuras, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, White-fronted Nunbird, Sharpbill and hundreds more.

This reformulated NE Brazil tour started by the noon of Jan 9th at the international airport of Fortaleza, capital of Ceara state. From the meeting point, the group was immediately transferred east to Icapuí, a coastal town three hours driving from the capital. Our attention there is given to the mangroves near the salt pans of Barra Grande, home of the uncommon endemic Little Wood-Rail, Mangrove Rail, Bicolored Conebill and an interesting variety of waders. Along the highway we were able to contemplate some nice coastal Caatinga habitats and some of their inhabitants such as Lesser Yellow-headed and Turkey Vultures, Savanna and Roadside Hawks, Pearl Kite, Southern Crested Caracara, Rudy Ground Dove, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Neotropical Palm Swift and even the endemics Caatinga Parakeet and . Arriving at Icaupí by mid-afternoon we went straight to the Barra Grande mangrove for our first birding session. We had pleasant with several species, including a number of Whimbrels, Black-necked Stilts, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Grey-headed Gull, Gull-billed, Common and Cabot’s Terns, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, several Bicolored Conebill, great sightings of Plain-bellied Emerald, the endemic Red-cowled Cardinal, Amazon, Green and Ringed Kingfishers, Picui and Common Ground Doves, a surprising White-napped Xenopsaris and two amazingly close Mangrove Rails that provided a great show. We put a lot of effort after Little Wood Rail. The tide was high and at least we heard the in the mangrove before dusk, so that would our main goal for the next morning. In the evening we checked-in the nice front beach hotel Casa do Mar and had a lovely dinner.

The mangrove of Icapuí is an excellent place to find Plain-bellied Emerald; finding the uncommon White-napped Xenopsaris in the mangrove was a great surprise (Eduardo Patrial)

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Bicolored Conebill is another common mangrove inhabitant at Icapuí; and with cracking views, Mangrove Rail was definitely the bird of that day (Eduardo Patrial)

January 10th. Aiming the little-known endemic Little Wood Rail, we returned to the Barra Grande mangrove very early. The tide was receding, just about right to find the bird. There we basically had the same cast of waders and water birds, but this time we spotted Least Sandpiper, Least Tern, Black-crowned Night Heron and the good-looking Yellow-crowned Night Heron. We also sighted the endemic Caatinga Cacholete, the lovely Green-barred Woodpecker, the smart Black-backed Water-Tyrant and Short-crested Flycatcher. With the tide low completely, the persistence finally put us in contact with Little Wood Rail. We saw two birds at each time, feeding along the edge of the mangrove. A rewarding end in the last minute we could say. Driving back for a late breakfast we still spotted American Oystercatcher at Barra Grande. We said good bye to Icapuí before noon towards the little town of Guaramiranga, our next destination on the hills of Serra do Baturité, an isolated range of Atlantic Forest, home of some localized endemics and several target species for our group. We arrived there around two thirty pm. Our lodge, immersed in the forest, promptly provided us good birding and a great start in the area with views of Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue Dacnis, loads of stunning Red-necked Tanager, Planalto Tyrannulet, the endemic Grey-headed Spinetail, Golden-crowned Warbler, Ochre-lored Flatbill, Pectoral Sparrow, the localized endemic Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Blue- crowned Trogon, the endemic and recent split Ochre-backed Woodpecker and Variable Antshrike ssp. cearensis. Later we visited our Grey-breasted Parakeet stakeout, a small private land where some nest boxes from the conservation project were placed. The site is usual roost for a small group of this highly threatened jewel. Besides the great views of the parakeet we came across with some other birds – the endemics Band-tailed Hornero and Campo Troupial, Epaulet Oriole, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Pectoral Sparrow in the open and Buff-throated Woodcreeper ssp. gracilirostris. Back for the dusk at the lodge, our pre dinner owling was in vain. For the post dinner we had Spectacled Owl singing by our rooms. It took some time but we cautiously managed a quick but fantastic view of that impressive large owl just before going to bed.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron, always a nice bird to see; and our top prize at Icapuí, the endemic Little Wood Rail (Eduardo Patrial)

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The recent split Ochre-backed Woodpecker and the localized endemic Grey-breasted Parakeet (Eduardo Patrial)

January 11th. For the good number of target birds still to see in Guaramiranga, the morning was spent in the good area of Hotel Remanso. We started by the entrance road in a misty rainy weather gradually improving. Still a bit dark when we saw the localized subspecies cearensis of Rufous-breasted Leaftosser. After that we luckily located the close Short-tailed Antthrush that was calling right by the road. At eye level it provided a superb view. Following down the road we saw Violaceous Euphonia, Gould’s Toucanet badly, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, a nest of Ochre-lored Flatbill and one of our main targets, the localized Ochraceous . Later on a narrow trail in the forest we achieved better views of Rufous-breasted Leaftosser and also found the other important target Ceara Gnateater, which we saw really well. Returning for breakfast we still had a couple of Purple-throated Euphonia and Large Elaenia by the common area of Hotel Remanso. For the rest of our morning we did an even better trail at Hotel Remanso. There we started with great views of Black- capped Antwren, followed by Plain Antvireo, superb views of Ceara Gnateater again, Buff-breasted Tody- Tyrant, a stunning and cooperative male Gould’s Toucanet, a close couple of Ochraceous Piculet, the cute White-throated Spadebill, the hectic Ochre-cheeked, Sooty-fronted and Grey-headed Spinetails and both sexes of the marvellous Band-tailed Manakin. Our mission at Guaramiranga was accomplished so by noon we started our quite short drive south to the town of Quixadá, immersed in a vast zone of dry Caatinga. Our stay and place for biding was the nice Pedra dos Ventos Hotel (a new site in the itinerary) which is covered in good Caatinga, placed and surrounded by rocky mounds, the perfect to find the camouflaged endemic Pygmy . There we enjoyed the last hours of the afternoon. Taking a trail uphill we were first surprised by a group of the odd endemic Scarlet-throated Tanager passing by. Noisy but shyer White- napped Jay (another endemic) was in the same area and we managed good views of that too. Searching different corners along the trail finally we came across with the impressive , roosting perfectly camouflaged on the rock. What an amazing bird! After this successful walk uphill, we checked an area with taller Caatinga, a usual site visited by the rare endemic White-browed Guan. After some playbacks a quiet response pointed the right direction to spot that rarity among the branches, almost unbelievable. Long scope views were celebrated, especially by leader who knows how hard can be seeing that bird. At this same spot we still had great views of Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Pale-legged Hornero and Ochre-backed Woodpecker. Later at dusk we noticed several Pygmy Nightjars calling and had nice views again of them even in front of our dinner table at main hotel’s porch.

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Ceara Gnateater, a localized species to Serra do Baturité; in honour to stunning Band-tail Manakin, the town of Guaramiranga was locally named (Eduardo Patrial)

Just like part of the rock, the endemic Pygmy Nightjar; and a distant shot of the rare and very shy White-browed Guan (Eduardo Patrial)

January 12th. After an early breakfast at Pedra dos Ventos we spent few time birding around the hotel buildings. It was a very pleasant start watching some Caatinga Parakeets perched, White-napped Jays, Blue-winged Parrotlets and two Caatinga Puffbirds. Someone from our group even spotted White-browed Guan early in the same place. With a long way to drive south to Crato, our next destination, we left Pedra dos Ventos still early making few stops along the highway for eventual sightings. The first one came still near the hotel when an Aplomado falcon was seen from the van. We took advantage in the same place finding the endemic Pale Baywing by the roadside. Before passing the town of Iguatu, ponds provided some Wood Storks, Greater Yellowlegs, Plain-breasted Ground Dove and White-headed Marsh Tyrant. Passing Iguatu a usually visited pond provided some other birds such as a huge number of Southern Pochard and Common Gallinule, White-faced, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, White-cheeked Pintail, Yellow-chinned Spinetail and the endemics Caatinga Cacholote and White-throated Seedeater. We arrived in Crato at lunch time. As known, Crato is located in a stretch of the rich Chapada do Araripe (Araripe tableland) in southern Ceará. Among the varied habitats in the area, the tropical forest along part of the steep slope is the only home for the most wanted Araripe Manakin, so that was our goal in the afternoon. For that we went to the famous Arajara waterpark. There it was easy to obtain superb views of this spectacular endemic species. At the park we also found Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Short-tailed Hawk, Straight-billed Woodcreeper and Planalto Hermit (this last very brief). Before dusk we had time to check another part of the slope close to our hotel which supplied us with the rare endemic Tawny Piculet.

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Certainly a most wanted in NE Brazil, the unreal male Araripe Manakin; Chapada do Araripe is also a great place for the rare endemic Tawny Piculet (Eduardo Patrial)

January 13th. A day dedicated to the superb Caatinga habitat present on the plateau of Chapada do Araripe, an area which consist a vast buffer zone of Araripe National Forest. The very dense arboreal type of habitat is responsible for the presence of nearly all Caatinga endemics. We usually visit a good grid of tracks that is just perfect for birding and favoured that day by a cloudy morning, the bird activity was high. There we saw Great Antshrike, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, the lovely endemic Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Black-bellied Antwren, the curious red-eyed capistratus ssp. of Barred Antshrike (also called Caatinga A), the uncommon and hectic endemic Red-shouldered Spinetail, Campo Troupial, the beautiful Ultramarine Grosbeak, Orange- headed and Burnished-buff Tanagers, loads of Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, the endemics Long-billed Wren and Cinnamon Tanager, the tricky endemic White-browed Antpitta, the endemics Planalto Slaty Antshrike and Caatinga Antwren, Common Tody-Flycatcher on a nest, the stunning Stripe-backed Antbird, uncommon Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, the nearly endemic Grey-eyed Greenlet, the fantastic endemic Great Xenops and a close couple of Tawny Piculet, this time occupying the Caatinga. What a morning! We still had a little time before noon to check the slope forest next the hotel. Araripe Manakin was constantly singing and we got some nice views, as well as Black-capped Antwren, Ochre-backed Woodpecker, Olivaceous Woodcreeper ssp. reiseri and Euler’s Flycatcher. In the afternoon we went back to the Caatinga on the plateau. Nothing new except a Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, but actually our group obtained much better views of Stripe-backed Antbird, White-browed Antpitta, Red-shouldered Spinetail, Long-billed Wren and Great Xenops. We stayed for night birding but all we got were flight views of Little Nightjar. Scissor-tailed Nightjar and Common Potoo were heard.

Some of the amazing Caatinga endemics: male Silvery-cheeked Antshrike and the mega Great Xenops (Eduardo Patrial)

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Breath-taking views in the afternoon of some amazing Caatinga birds: male Stripe-backed Antbird and the Brazilian endemic White- browed Antpitta (Eduardo Patrial)

January 14th. With a long way to drive to Canudos in Bahia state, our next place to stay and explore, we left Crato and hit the road very early. Driving along this vast arid region of Caatinga we made at least two quick roadside stops for birding. The first one was next to the state border of Pernambuco with Bahia, a site where we saw some White Monjita, White-browed Blackbird, Pale Baywing and White-throated Seedeater. The second one happened just before noon at Bendegó, already near Canudos. There is our good stakeout for Blue-winged Macaw, where some big trees hold a few nests of this beauty. Despite the heat we enjoy a half an hour watching around ten Blue-winged Macaws plus a couple of Suiriri Flycatcher, Campo Troupial and a stunning male Ruby-topaz Hummingbird. After lunch we finally arrived at Canudos and this time our stay was in the fantastic Canudos Biological Station which now counts on an excellent accommodation. Cliff Flycatcher and Blue-crowned Parakeet were constant in the lovely landscape around our shelter. For the afternoon we cover the beautiful spiny Caatinga along the reserve’s entrance road. An area where we got Brown-crested Flycatcher, Tropical Gnatcatcher, superb sightings of the striking endemic Stripe-breasted Starthroat, groups of Blue-crowned and Caatinga Parakeets, Lesser Wagtail-tyrant (ssp. bahiae), Glittering- bellied Emerald, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant and also heard the endemic Broad-tipped Hermit zipping across the dirt road. Later we surprisingly witnessed a rain shower in that extremely dry land. It stopped soon so we were able to finish daylight with wonderful views of two White-bellied Nothuras calmly by the edge of the road and also some Least flying quite low. After dusk Little Nightjar start calling and very cooperative provided us some amazing views. That evening we went to bed very early because early in the next morning is certainly the most expected event of the tour, the visit to Lear’s Macaw’s home.

Blue-winged Macaw at our stakeout in Bendegó; and the curious ssp. bahiae of Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, quite common in Canudos (Eduardo Patrial)

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The Caatinga of Canudos is usually a good place to find the beautiful endemic Stripe-breasted Starthroat; at night, the nice Little Nightjar is abundant (Eduardo Patrial)

January 15th. Up to meet at four am, the group took two 4x4 to reach the top of the cliffs in the Canudos Biological Station. Getting to the right place still in the dark the sleepy feeling immediately disappear when realized we were welcome by three Scissor-tailed Nightjars on the path right in front of us. We stayed watching closely those fantastic birds (especially the males) until dawn when they finally have gone. Minutes later the first signs of daytime life came with the sharp calls of Lear’s Macaw, the spectacle was about to begin. Standing on a privileged spot we started contemplating the first group of Lear’s Macaw coming out from their shelters to roost together along one of the cliffs in front of us. By the same time there was a tree full of Blue-crowned Parakeets next to us in perfect light, and we also spotted small group of Turquoise- fronted Amazon crossing the sky. A hundred meters behind us we checked another area of cliffs which is one of the major nesting walls in the reserve, known as “saco 1” (sack 1). There we just sat for hours watching amazed nearly a hundred Lear’s Macaws behaving in that valley. The loud echo of their calls and the constant close flights definitely printed an unforgettable moment in our minds. A very tame couple of Bat Falcon was also part of the spectacle. Returning to the lodge for a late breakfast we still spotted a Crane Hawk in flight and an Aplomado Falcon perched on the top of a rock. The rest of our morning was spent along the good Caatinga by the reserve’s entrance road and also further along the road to Rosário, where at a certain point we checked a confined pond. That yielded us great views of the endemics Spotted Piculet and uncommon Ash-throated Casiornis, White Monjita, some females Scarlet-throated Tanagers, a nest of Caatinga Cacholote, a male Crested Becard, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper and two lovely Red-legged Seriemas. After lunch we left Canudos towards Jeremoabo, our next stay. On our way we insisted in finding Greater Wagtail-Tyrant even under the unbearable heat, but surprisingly no signs of this species in the area this time. Next to Jeremoabo we stopped at our stakeout to see the rare endemic Pectoral Antwren. It didn’t take long to find a couple and achieve good views of them. Closer to Jeremoabo we stopped at another good Caatinga area to finish our day. There we saw Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Grey-eyed Greenlet, two amazing Red-billed Scythebill (ssp. major) and the good-looking Golden-green Woodpecker.

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Watching Lear’s Macaw at Canudos Biological Station is the indescribable highlight of this tour (Eduardo Patrial)

Part of the spectacle, groups of Blue-crowned Parakeet and the tame Bat Falcon perched on the cliff (Eduardo Patrial)

The “sack 1” of Canudos Bilogical Station; on the right, the 2016 Birdquest group having a great time watching Lear’s Macaw (Eduardo Patrial)

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Near Jeremoabo, the rare endemic Pectoral Antwren and the striking Red-billed Scythebill – ssp. major (Eduardo Patrial)

January 16th. On this day we had an early transfer to Estância on the coast of Sergipe state. Not far and arriving there by mid-morning, we had time before lunch to do some Atlantic Forest birding at the village of Crasto, a good size forest patch named Crasto Forest. Our main goal there was the highly threatened and localized endemic White-fringed Fire-Eye. Starting on the roadside we found some activity with Stripe- necked Tody-Tyrant, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, Guira Tanager, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and a fast group of Red-shouldered Macaw that crossed over our heads. Soon we entered the forest to find in minutes a curious male White-fringed Fire-Eye which we stay watching for a good time. Further on narrow forest trail we spotted cracking pairs of Blue-backed Manakin and endemic Silvery-flanked Antwren (see note), Moustached Wren and a female of the endemic Sooretama Slaty Antshrike. In the afternoon we covered the same Crasto Forest. We put a lot of effort trying to find the rare Pernambuco Foliage-Gleaner, but unluckily without any sign. A call and sighting of a raptor flying raised an issue about a possible White-collared Kite, however some prompt shots helped us identifying actually an immature Hook-billed Kite. Later in a contact area with mangrove we saw a Crake Hawk in flight, groups of Pech-fronted Parakeets, some Scaled Pigeons, many Orange-winged Amazon and enjoyed terrific views of the secretive Ash-throated Crake. Not far from there we finish daytime at the neighbour coconut plantation watching few small groups of the endemic Janday Parakeet (although commonly found with hybrid in this area).

The loss of habitat is a serious threat to the localized endemic White-fringed Fire-Eye – male; and quite common at Crasto Forest, the cracking male Blue-backed Manakin (Eduardo Patrial)

10 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com January 17th. That was a long day on the road to get to Lençois in the amazing Chapada Diamantina, in central Bahia. But first thing we did very early was checking the front mangrove of Crasto Village. Searching for the uncommon Rufous Crab Hawk we only found Whimbrel, Willet, Common and Gull-billed Tern and some Orange-winged Amazons. Distantly in the forest we still heard the threatened endemic Coimbra Filho’s Titi (titi-monkey) before hitting the road towards Lençois. Entering the state of Bahia again we stopped by mid-morning to check another Atlantic Forest patch at Esplanada. There we put a good effort after Pernambuco Foliage-Gleaner for the last time and again, brought no results. On the other hand our stop provided great views of uncommon Smoky-fronted Tody-Flycatcher and a nice male Southern White-fringed Antwren. Then in the afternoon after a long way driven, we stopped at a roadside Caatinga chosen by chance near Ipirá. Surprisingly just one play-back was enough to find the so hard in Canudos, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant (ssp. gracilis). In the late afternoon we finally approached Lençois with about an hour to enjoy some birding in the vast and peculiar forest from the east slope of Chapada Diamantina. Close to the main access to Lençois, a dirt road offered a productive end to the day with Sibilant Sirystes, Surucua Trogon, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Grey Elaenia, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, close-up sighting of Pale- bellied Tyrant-Manakin, a flock with White-collared and Biscutate Swifts and the deep calls of the shy endemic Yellow-legged Tinamou. Later a fine dinner and a good night of rest was all we wanted at the very nice hotel in Lençois.

Greater Wagtail-Tyrant (ssp. gracilis), found on way to Lençois near Ipirá (Eduardo Patrial)

The forest around Lençois has an interesting mixture of species, such as this female Surucua Trogon from the Atlantic Forest and Pale- bellied Tyrant-Manakin from the Cerrado and Caatinga (Eduardo Patrial)

11 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com January 18th. As planned for the morning, we did the legendary Pai Inácio Hill and its astonishing surrounding, the classic place to see the beauty’s proportion of Chapada Diamantina. Quality birding was the rule that morning, indeed one of the finest mornings of the tour. We arrived early at the trailhead to the top of Pai Inácio. In a short walk we reached the fascinating and characteristic ‘campo rupestre’ (rocky field) habitat that dominate the hilltops from Chapada (about a thousand meters above sea level) to see the most illustrious inhabitant, the Chapada endemic Hooded Visorbearer. There we simply watched a spectacle from an adult male Hooded Visorbearer displaying in a little corner for the time we stayed there. The notorious cast didn’t pass unnoticed with sightings of the endemics Velvety Black Tyrant, Cinnamon Tanager and more localized, Serra Finch (Pale-throated Pampa-F), besides the lovely Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Hooded Siskin and a beautiful couple of Red Tanager (Lowland Hepatic T). After that we birded the other Cerrado physiognomies found down the dirt road of Pai Inácio, a good area where provided us great views of Highland Elaenia, Glittering-bellied Emerald, the stunning Blue Finch, Rufous-winged Antshrike, the amazing Collared Crescentchest, Wedge-tailed Grass Finch and a nice male White-bellied Seedeater. From Pai Inácio we drove shortly to get to the trail known as the old track to Lençois. In a valley that mixes gallery forest, savanna and ‘campo rupestre’ we added some other nice birds to our list such as Green-winged Saltator, Spix’s Spinetail and another Chapada endemic, a couple of Sincora Antwren. Before leaving the trail we still managed superb views of the tricky Russet-crowned Crake. Later we finished the morning having good scope views of the shy endemic East Brazilian Chachalaca on the trail next to the orchidarium. A very good lunch in Lençois was followed by a pleasant visit to the feeders of the Pousada Casa da Geléia. There we could see could enjoy a specimen of the rare and isolated population of Brown Violetear among some other nice – Planalto Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and Glittering-throated Emerald. For the afternoon we had a relaxed time covering the dense forest of Lençois, which in fact was very quiet until about five pm when we finally got some bird activity. We recorded Tropical Pewee, Grey and Greenish Elaenias, Chestnut-vented Conebill, White-winged Becard, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Guira Tanager, Flavescent Warbler, Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Streaked Xenops and Olivaceous Woodcreeper. We left the forest back to the hotel after a surprising sight of Red-ruffed Fruitcrow.

The mind-blowing male Hooded Visorbearer, restricted to Chapada Diamantina; and the smart Serra Finch, also a localized endemic (Eduardo Patrial)

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For the third consecutive time the striking Blue Finch showed itself at Pai Inácio Hill; and a male Sincora Antwren, another restricted species to Chapada Diamantina (Eduardo Patrial)

The impressive landscape of Chapada Diamantina – the view of the ‘three brothers’ (Eduardo Patrial)

The rare and disjunct Brown Violetear and the endemic Planalto Slaty Antshrike, a quite common inhabitant from the forest of Lençois (Eduardo Patrial)

13 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com January 19th. Our second full day in Chapada Diamantina was a slow transfer to Mucugê southwards via the dirt road from town of Palmeiras, a way that combines fantastic areas of Caatinga and later Cerrado. We started early but had to wait at Palmeiras until eight thirty am for a heavy rain to stop. Happily then the good Caatinga near Palmeiras provided our main target birds. We first had a brief but close view of Broad-tipped Hermit. Walking along the road it took a little while for us to find the Caatinga endemic Sao Francisco Sparrow. But soon we noticed its call we managed great observations through the dense vegetation. In the same area we also did an excellent narrow trail which brought nice sightings of Ultramarine Grosbeak, the endemics Dubois’s Seedeater, Caatinga Antwren, Silvery-cheeked Antshrike and a good number of hummingbirds attracted by mimicking the pygmy-owl, such as Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Glittering-bellied and Glittering-throated Emeralds, Hooded Visorbearer, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird and Stripe-breasted Starthroat. In the end the endemic Broad-tipped Hermit provided us much better views. Mission in the Caatinga was accomplished. Time was flying so we drove further to reach the beautiful areas covered in scrubby Cerrado, locally called of ‘gerais’. Stopping at the first contact with this habitat we found Shrike-like Tanager, Black-throated Saltator and the uncommon Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant. Not far further we were really happy to find and enjoy a good time watching a striking male Horned Sungem, perhaps the most beautiful hummer from the Cerrado. Approaching the village of Guiné we crossed few marshes where we saw some Chestnut-capped Blackbird and other common birds. After Guiné a vast area of Cerrado provided few more specialties including White-eared , Grey Monjita, Campo Flicker and for the first time on this tour, the good-looking White-rumped Tanager. We finally arrived at Mucugê around three thirty pm for a late lunch in the town. For the rest of the day the weather changed to a fin drizzle but that didn’t stop us to check our stakeout for the Chapada endemic Diamantina , a nice gully surrounded by ‘campo rupestre’. After unsuccessful attempts in the gully we unusually found the Tapaculo singing in dense bushes by the roadside in the rocky area. Perfect views then were acquired. Finishing this thrilling day, the surrounding ‘campo rupestre’ provided just before dusk the localized endemic Grey-backed Tachuri.

In Palmeiras, the Caatinga endemic Sao Francisco Sparrow; later in the ‘gerais’ Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant (Eduardo Patrial)

Some amazing Cerrado specialties on our way to Mucugê: Horned Sungem and White-rumped Tanager (Eduardo Patrial)

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January 20th was a very wet day. Even under a non-stopping rain we fortunately could find our last few targets species spending most of the morning at Mucugê. First in Cerrado habitat we found a couple of Rusty-backed Antwren. Later in the very close ‘mata de cipó’ (vine forest) Caatinga type, we contemplate good views of the localized endemic Narrow-billed Antwren. Back to the scrubby Cerrado we spotted Grassland Yellow Finch and the shy Spotted Nothura. After that we checked two different marshes near Mucugê, providing records of Southern Yellowthroat, Yellow-bellied and Dubois’s Seedeaters and finally a cracking male Copper (Capped) Seedeater. Before leaving Mucugê towards Boa Nova our next stay, a last stop in scrubby Cerrado yielded Shrike-like Tanager, the uncommon Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant and Plumbeous Seedeater. It took basically the whole afternoon for us to reach Boa Nova further south in Bahia, arriving there just before dusk.

More from Mucugê’s amazing Cerrado: Shrike-like Tanager and the uncommon Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant (Eduardo Patrial)

January 21st. We had a lot of rain on our first day at Boa Nova. As known, Boa Nova is probably the richest zone for birding in northeast Brazil due to the reason of combining Atlantic Forest remnants, transitional forest (locally called ‘mata de cipó’) and Caatinga in the same area. For that day we covered in the morning the Atlantic Forest remnant known as ‘Charme’ Forest. Under a pouring rain we enjoyed few windows of improvement which incredibly were enough to provide most of the species we were searching for. A summary of what we saw: several endemics such as Bahia Spinetail, Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Striated Softtail, Gilt-edged and Rufous-headed Tanagers, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant, Brazilian and Golden-chevroned Tanagers, Ferruginous Antbird, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Yellow-lored Tody-Flyacatcher, Grey-hooded Attila, and Spotted Piculet; plus Sooty Grassquit, Rufous-winged Antwren, Black-goggled Tanager, Laughing Falcon, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Lesser Woodcreeper and Spot-backed Antshrike. In the afternoon the rain gave a little truce so we did the good transitional forest (‘mata de cipó’) known as ‘mata da torre’ (tower forest) in search of the notorious inhabitant Slender Antbird, an extremely localized species to the peculiar dry forest habitat rich in huge ground bromeliads, essential for its breeding. We had close views of at least two pairs of this fantastic bird. There we also found the endemics Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Caatinga Antwren. From there we drove to the humid ‘Charme’ Forest again. Spending some time on a narrow trail we achieved good views of the endemic White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Red-crowned -Tanager and Plain- winged Woodcreeper. Later we waited for the dusk in a near marsh, where we got simply breath-taking views of Short-tailed Nighthawk and the impressive Giant Snipe. The icing on the cake came after that with a superb sighting of the shy Black-capped (Variable) Screech Owl. (Unfortunately the heavy rain that day ruined the chances to get more pictures).

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Slender Antbird (female), confined to the of Boa Nova and Black-capped Screech Owl - the icing on the cake (Eduardo Patrial)

January 22nd. Our second morning in Boa Nova was again spent in humid Atlantic Forest. This time we went to the good Timorante Forest, another forest fragment close to the village of Valentim. Due to the wet conditions we had to walk a quite steep and muddy road to reach the forest. The way was very birdy though and we enjoyed several species – nice male Green-backed Becard, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, White-bellied Seedeater, Great Antshrike, Band-tailed Hornero, loads of Gilt-edged Tanager, Spotted Piculet, Pectoral Sparrow and Hooded Tanager. At the proper forest we put a lot effort to find the endemic Pink-legged Graveteiro, especially after spotting some nests of the species. But apparently all the nests we checked were not active and no response from the bird was noticed around. On the other hand the forest was very active and provided us a great morning of birding with decent views of two uncommon bamboo specialists, Buffy- fronted and Temminck’s Seedeaters; plus the endemic Crescent-chested Puffbird, Zone-tailed Hawk, a mixed flock with the endemic Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Lesser Woodcreeper, Tropical Pewee, Violaceous and Orange-bellied Euphonias, endemic Scaled Antbird and Golden-spangled Piculet; Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Lemmon-chested Greenlet, White-chinned Sapphire, the shy Tufted Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Long-tailed Tyrant, Green-headed Tanager, the endemic Striated Softtail, Streaked Xenops, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Blue-winged Macaw in flight, endemic Golden-capped Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet and King Vulture. We also heard Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant and Smoky-fronted Tody-Flycatcher. In the afternoon we covered the amazing rocky outcrop known as ‘Lajedo’, an amazing place for hummingbirds surrounded by transitional forest and Caatinga. There we spotted Red-legged Seriema, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sapphire-spangled and Glittering-bellied Emeralds, several males Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, the fantastic Pygmy Nightjar, Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Black-bellied Antwren and Caatinga Parakeet. Walking back to our van we still flushed a Red-winged Tinamou.

The good-looking Green-backed Becard prefers edge of forest and second growth while Black-billed Scythebill prefers the dense tangles in mature forest (Eduardo Patrial)

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A nice selection of Antbirds at Timorante Forest, such as the endemic Scaled Antbird and the shy Tufted Antshrike (Eduardo Patrial)

Undoubtedly stunning males Ruby-topaz Hummingbird are the major stars at the ‘Lajedo’ of Boa Nova; Sapphire-spangled Emerald is another frequent inhabitant (Eduardo Patrial)

January 23rd. Our last morning at Boa Nova was spent again at the Timorante Forest. Along our walk to reach the forest we came across with several species, including Gilt-edged and Red-necked Tanagers, a male White-bearded Manakin, Wedge-tailed Grass Finch and a very brief sight of the rare langsdorffi Atlantic Forest subspecies of Black-bellied Thorntail that zipped across the path. On this day the forest was much quieter and at first, no luck again with Pink-legged Graveteiro. We saw some of the previously seen species there such as Crescent-chested Puffbird, Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s Seedeaters. Different from last day, we took a narrow trail uphill in good forest, a nice choice that yielded some great views of few goodies like the beautiful endemic White-bibbed Antbird, Red-stained Woodpecker, Spot-backed Antshrike, Black- throated Grosbeak and the rare Rufous-brown Solitaire. Another species that we searched there a lot without luck was the very rare and recently described Boa Nova Tapaculo. A very happy end came in the last minute just before leaving Timorante when a last play-back brought a couple of Pink-legged Graveteiro to some of the nests in the area, so we finally enjoyed great views of this peculiar endemic Furnariidae. We left Boa Nova at noon towards our next stay further south, the town of Macarani. It was a quite long drive until we have a birding stop near the town of Itororó to search for the rare endemic Scalloped Antbird at a forest fragment. It wasn’t an easy job to penetrate the dense and spiny second growth to get to the right place. But once we got there it was certainly worth it. In few minutes we were having absolutely cracking views of this stunning undergrowth Antbird just before the daylight is gone. Then we had to drive about one hour to reach the town of Macarani, a new place to stay on this tour. The reason is the first Birdquest visit to the ‘Mata do Passarinho’ Private Reserve, the only known home of the mega-rare Stresemann’s Bristlefront.

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Two lovely Brazilian endemics that were easily watched at Timorante Forest in Boa Nova: Gilt-edged Tanager and Crescent-chested Puffbird (Eduardo Patrial)

Rufous-brown Solitaire, a brown rare bird; and the superb endemic Scalloped Antbird (male) at remnant forest near Itororó (Eduardo Patrial)

January 24th was an impressive day for Atlantic Forest rarities. We had a very early start to reach the ‘Mata do Passarinho’ Reserve. From Macarani we took an hour and a half in two 4x4 to get there. At the reserve headquarters in the right time, the main trail was the option to search for our main target. We had a good start with the nice Brazilian endemic Black-cheeked Gnateater. For our luck after playing some tapes, the mega-rare Stresemann’s Bristlefront started responding quite close to the trail further ahead, a very exciting moment. Being before such rare species was indeed one of the best parts of this trip. But despite the bird being singing close, it wasn’t that easy to get a view of this skulker. With patience we finally put everyone from our group in good position to enjoy great views of a male Stresemann’s Bristlefront. What a moment it was (and relief too!). Best thing it was not even seven am in the morning, so we still had the whole day to appreciate the amazing cast from the reserve. Thus continuing the trail the party followed with endemics Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Striated Softtail, Bahia Spinetail, Ferruginous and Scaled Antbirds, a brief view of a female Plumbeous Antvireo (another endemic rarity), Red-stained Woodpecker, the gorgeous endemic Ochre-marked (Blue-throated) Parakeet and further up, for the first time on the NE Brazil tour, Three-toed Jacamar (which is actually quite common in the reserve). And there was more to come in that incredible patch of forest. A small flock in the undergrowth provided Cinereous Antshrike and the rare Salvadori’s Antwren. We also had amazing views of White-bibbed Antbird, Black-necked Aracari, Green-backed Trogon, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, stunning (also for the first time on this tour), Maned Three-toed Sloth and surprisingly, a male of the also very rare endemic, Banded . What else could we ask for after that? After such impressive morning, the afternoon was more relaxed. Entering the same morning’s trail we now had splendid views of the endemic White-eared Parakeet. A half an hour of a quite heavy rain slowed down the activity, but we still

18 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com managed views of Spot-billed Toucanet and Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant. A thin drizzle came then just before dusk so we decided not to stay for night birding. Our way back to Macarani was quite an adventure due to road condition after the rain.

Stresemann’s Bristlefront (male), one of the rarest birds in the world! (thanks Marcel Holyoak for this shot); abundant at ‘Mata do Passarinho’, the uncommon Rio de Janeiro Antbird (Eduardo Patrial)

A bunch of Brazilian endemics! Three-toed Jacamar was new for the NE Tour & the gorgeous White-bibbed Antbird (Eduardo Patrial)

Other two new Atlantic Forest treasures for the NE Tour: Saffron Toucanet and the Brazilian endemic White-eared Parakeet (Eduardo Patrial)

19 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

January 25th. From Macarani we spent the morning on the road transferring ourselves for a two nights stay at Porto Seguro in the southern coast of Bahia, the Brazil’s discovery place. On our way the group spotted few birds from the van, including Blackish Rail, Black-necked Aracari and Grassland Yellow Finch. Our time in Porto Seguro was entirely dedicated to explore the important Veracel Private Reserve, a large coastal patch of white sand Atlantic Forest which guards endemics species, including some restricted ones. We had a productive afternoon of birding at Veracel, starting with a flock containing the endemic Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Turquoise Tanager (White-bellied T), Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Red-legged Honeycreeper and Lesser Woodcreeper. In the same place we saw several Amethyst Woodstar, a female Racket-tailed Coquette, the localized endemic Bahia Antwren, males White-crowned and Red-headed Manakin and the threatened endemic Red-crowned Amazon on perch. Further in a clearing we spotted Rufous-throated Sapphire, a distant male White-winged Cotinga (another restricted endemic) and a nice male White-barred Piculet. Soon the dusk came and we waited to try the rare Atlantic Forest race of White-winged Potoo. After the first attempts we had glimpse of a flying passed bird, followed by just one distant response. Although all the searching at other spots, we couldn’t find it this time. In its place we found the fantastic Tawny-browed Owl and enjoyed great views.

The localized endemic Bahia Antwren is quite abundant at Veracel Reserve; another appreciated Atlantic Forest specialty was the Tawny-browed Owl (Eduardo Patrial)

January 26th. We spent a full day exploring the Veracel Reserve in search of the missing target species. We started early with nice views of Red-browed Amazon in flight. Our major target species that morning was the rare and localized Hook-billed Hermit, and for that we had to take a narrow trail in the dense forest to maximize our chances. Happily after some shy responses from the species, we found a very cooperative specimen that perched at eye level right in front of us offering close perfect views for a long time, simply the best reward we could get. Still on the trail we found Band-tailed Antwren, another localized endemic, and also the uncommon Olivaceous Flatbill. Back to the dirt road we had a nice time in the main clearing watching several Swallow-winged Puffbird and Amethyst Woodstar, Reddish Hermit, Bahia Antwren, female White-winged Cotinga, a small group of Opal-rumped Tanager (ssp. cyanomelas – Silver-breasted Tanager, see note) and a close group of the stunning endemic Ochre-marked Parakeet. We finished our morning session with a brief sighting of the rare endemic Golden-tailed Parrotlet, a small group in flight. The afternoon was a bit slower but definitely pleasant and with some great records. We got good views of Brown- winged (-like S), a striking male of the rare Banded Cotinga (the second one for the trip, impressive!), several females White-winged Cotinga, Green-backed Trogon, Eared Pygmy Tyrant (ssp. cinereicollis), Grey-headed Kite, a male Red-headed Manakin, a perched Blue-headed Parrot (the uncommon Atlantic Forest ssp. reichenowi) and some close Red-browed Amazons. We cannot forget to mention the amazing sightings we had of Nine-banded Armadillo. In the evening we worked hard again after White-winged Potoo, but unfortunately not even a response we got this time.

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The rare and localized endemic Hook-billed Hermit was the bird of the day; and the Atlantic Forest version (ssp. cyanomelas) of Opal- rumped Tanager (Eduardo Patrial)

Simply superb the views we got from the endemic Ochre-marked Parakeet at Veracel, as well as the beautiful male Red-headed Manakin (Eduardo Patrial)

The rare endemic Banded Cotinga (male) was another top class bird that day; and the Atlantic Forest ssp. reichenowi of Blue-headed Parrot (Eduardo Patrial)

January 27th. Departing early from Porto Seguro we headed north for two nights in the significant Serra Bonita Reserve at Camacan, southern Bahia. Inserted in the Serra das Lontras area, an isolated complex of hills, Serra Bonita offers a good number of Atlantic Forest specialties, including some restricted ones.

21 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Arriving at Camacan by mid-morning we had time to cover the good foothill forest of Santo Antônio’s farm, part of Serra Bonita Private Reserve. The tall lowland forest yielded a good selection of birds even by late morning. We had a mixed flock with Yellow-eared Woodpecker (?), Olivaceous Flatbill, Greyish Mourner and Streaked Xenops; then we saw male and female of the little endemic Eastern Striped Manakin and also Reddish Hermit, the endemic White-eared Parakeet, Yellow-rumped and Red-rumped Caciques. Lunch was at Camacan and right after we took the four wheel drive up the steep hill to reach the Serra Bonita Lodge. About a thousand meter high in the afternoon we enjoyed a new array of birds with Green-headed and Red- necked and Rufous-headed Tanagers, Yellow-olive Flatbill, endemic Grey-capped Tyrannulet, the hybrid Piculet of Serra Bonita (Spotted P x White-barred P), Yellow-legged Thrush, the rare Rufous-brown Solitaire, Tropical Pewee and the fantastic Sharpbill. A walk along the bromeliads’ trail put us in contact with the restricted endemic Bahia Tyrannulet, plus a female Pin-tailed Manakin and a nice male . Back to the main track of the reserve we enjoyed great views of the endemics Cinnamon-vented Piha and Pale- browed Treehunter. Heading toward the headquarters we were lucky to see a small flock containing the localized and undescribed Heliobletus treehunter (provisionally named ‘Serra das Lontras’ Treehunter) and the rare endemic Salvadori’s Antwren. That was a celebrated moment and fortunately we could enjoy superb views of the treehunter feeding at eye level for a long time. To finish that fantastic day we the last hour of light by the good feeders of the lodge, having a ‘caipirinha’ (Brazilian drink) and admiring the beautiful view from the porch. At the feeders we saw several Sombre Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Green-headed and Red-necked Tanagers and Violaceous Euphonia. The massive White- throated Woodcreeper showed up briefly and at dusk we saw Short-tailed Nighthawk and Pauraque.

Two Brazilian endemics from different altitudes at Serra Bonita: the striking male Eastern Striped Manakin at lowland and Cinnamon- vented Piha at the hilltop (Eduardo Patrial)

The amazing encounter with the undescribed ‘Serra das Lontras’ Treehunter, a new species restricted to the Serra Das Lontras area (Eduardo Patrial)

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January 28th was a full day spent at the area on the top of Serra Bonita Reserve. First we did the tower trail, which started nicely with great views of Striated Softtail, a male Plumbeous Antvireo (finally it showed up well) and a beautiful couple of Spot-billed Toucanet. Further ahead two amazing understory species showed up: Rufous-capped Antthrush tamely approached but much shyer Spot-winged Wood Quail had to be flushed for better views. Continuing the trail we saw Bahia Tyrannulet for the second time, the bamboo specialist Large-headed Flatbill, White-throated Woodcreeper, Rufous-brown Solitaire (quite common here) and Spot-breasted Antvireo. Two other notable records in the morning came from the viewpoint on the top of the hill, where we spotted Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle and two Mantled Hawks. In the afternoon we took a different trail in primary forest which was very quiet. We managed good views of Black-capped Foliage- Gleaner and after a long time trying, a brief decent sight of the tricky Variegated Antpitta by just one in the group and the leader. We still heard Barred Forest Falcon and saw the endemic Grey-hooded Attila before finishing the day at the feeders with an amazing performance of Spot-billed Toucanet, Maroon-bellied Parakeet and Sharpbill. At night before dinner we had great looks at Mottled Owl.

Serra Bonita is a great place to see the stunning Spot-billed Toucanet; the massive White-throated Woodcreeper is the largest one in the Atlantic Forest (Eduardo Patrial)

Sombre Hummingbird is always by the feeders of Serra Bonita, also one of the best places in the world to see Sharpbill coming down low (Eduardo Patrial)

January 29th. After a quick breakfast we were ready to take the road down the hill to leave the Serra Bonita Lodge. Planalto Woodcreeper was a notable record when walking back from the headquarters. On our way down we stopped to check an old nest of Pink-legged Graveteiro and instead of that, we found the uncommon Swallow-tailed Cotinga in the same tree, a very unusual record for the area and unfortunately in

23 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com a misty situation. Getting the lowland we stopped to spend most of the morning at the Santo Antônio farm, same place we birded two days ago. We were actually expecting more from there in the morning, but we left the area with some nice birds spotted: Eastern Striped Manakin again, King Vulture, Mantled Hawk, Maroon- bellied Parakeet, endemic Crescent-chested Puffbird, Crested Oropendola and Thrush-like Wren. The endemic primate Wied’s Black-tufted-ear Marmoset also provided us some great views. We also heard East Brazilian Pygmy Owl, Olivaceous Flatbill and Grey-crowned Flatbill. Despite the intense search, this time the rare Buff-bellied Puffbird was not even heard. Leaving the area we still had brief sightings of Blond-crested Woodpecker on the road. It took few hours then to reach our next and last place on this tour, the coastal town of Itacaré, an area still covered in good Atlantic Forest remnants. Following with the plan we visited the lovely Catitu Private Reserve in the afternoon. It was warm but our time there was productive. We started the trail with great views of White-lored Tyrannulet. Later on a narrow trail in the forest we spent a good time admiring the rare endemic Black-headed Berryeater (much better views than the first one at ‘Mata do Passarinho’). Walking along the main track then we found the localized endemic Band-tailed Antwren and the rare Golden-tailed Parrotlet, which after some play-back provided excellent views on perch. Bare- throated Bellbirds were calling quite far while we enjoyed few other goodies such as Black-cheeked Gnateater, Black-eared Fairy, Scaled Pigeons and Brazilian Tanagers until the sun goes down.

At Serra Bonita lowland, the endemic Wied’s Black-tufted-ear Marmoset; later at Catitu Reserve, the tiny White-lored Tyrannulet (Eduardo Patrial)

The endemic Black-headed Berryeater was an amazing highlight at Catitu Reserve, as well as the small Band-tailed Antwren (Eduardo Patrial)

January 30th was our last full day of birding of the tour. Like last year, we visited the Água Boa Private Reserve near Itacaré, home of the threatened localized and very rare Bahia Tapaculo. We arrived at the reserve in good time and immediately took the trail in the forest. On our way to right spot for the Tapaculo we

24 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com saw the curious White-fronted Nunbird and also the stunning Eastern Striped Manakin. Bahia Tapaculo responded the tape after few minutes. But to put everyone to see that little thing wasn’t that easy this time. With patience we finally found an adequate spot for everybody getting a decent view of such rare and delicate species. That was a remarkable highlight for the trip’s last day. In the same spot we saw a nice male White-crowned Manakin and surprisingly, Planalto Woodcreeper. Another area in the reserve provided us more White-fronted Nunbirds, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous-breasted Hermit and the rare ssp. margarettae of Great-billed Hermit (a possible future split). We still flushed two Little Tinamous in this area. Returning to Itacaré a lake by the dirt road gave us Purple Gallinule and further in a big marsh, the uncommon in the region - Cinereous-breasted Spinetail. In the afternoon we had a relaxed time enjoying the fruit feeder at Eduardo’s brother house with the presence of Violaceous, Purple-throated and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Burnish-buff, Turquoise and Opal-rumped, Brazilian and White-lined Tanagers, and Green Honeycreeper. In the evening we celebrated this fantastic and successful tour with ‘caipirinhas’ and a delicious dinner.

Água Boa Reserve offered some nice birds for our last morning, such as this male White-crowned Manakin and the surprising record of Planalto Woodcreeper (Eduardo Patrial)

Two other great performances at Água Boa Reserve: Rufous-tailed Jacamar and White-fronted Nunbird (Eduardo Patrial)

January 31st was a day trip from Itacaré to Salvador, the capital of Bahia state. Most of the clients’ connecting flights were in the afternoon so we had no time for birding on way. The tour ended at Salvador’s airport around two pm.

Top five birds voted by the group 1. Lear’s Macaw 2. Stresemann’s Bristlefront 3. Horned Sungem / Tawny-browed Owl 4. Araripe Manakin 5. Hook-billed Hermit

25 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

The species names and used in the report mostly follows Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). IOC World Bird Names. This list is updated several times annually and is available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org.

Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL).

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g. it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

Solitary Tinamou ◊ Tinamus solitarius (H) Heard at Veracel Reserve and at Serra Bonita. Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Seen at Água Boa Reserve, heard at several other places. Brown Tinamou Crypturellus obsoletus Two flushed from the trail at Mata do Passarinho. Yellow-legged Tinamou ◊ Crypturellus noctivagus (H) Heard at Lençois and dry forest of Boa Nova. Variegated Tinamou Crypturellus variegatus (H) Heard at Veracel and Água Boa Reserves. Small-billed Tinamou Crypturellus parvirostris Heard at several places; one flushed at Chapada Diamantina. Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa (H) Heard at several places. Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens Heard in Chapada Diamantina; one flushed at Boa Nova. White-bellied Nothura ◊ Nothura boraquira Fantastic views at Canudos Biological Station. Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa Good views at Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. White-faced Whistling Duck (W-f Tree-D) Dendrocygna viduata Seen near Iguatu, Canudos and Mucugê. Black-bellied Whistling Duck (B-b Tree-D) Dendrocygna autumnalis A group seen near Iguatu, Ceará. Fulvous Whistling Duck (F Tree-D) Dendorcygna bicolor A small group seen near Iguatu, Ceará. Brazilian Teal (B Duck) Amazonetta brasiliensis Commonly recorded during the tour. White-cheeked Pintail (Bahama P) Anas bahamensis Seen near Iguatu, Canudos, Lençois and Mucugê. Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma In large number near Iguatu. East Brazilian Chachalaca ◊ Ortalis araucuan Good scope views near Lençois, Chapada Diamantina. See note. Rusty-margined Guan Penelope superciliaris Brief view of two at Veracel Reserve in Porto Seguro. White-browed Guan ◊ Penelope jacucaca Superb views of one at Pedra dos Ventos Hotel, Quixadá. Spot-winged Wood Quail ◊ Odontophorus capueira Good views of small group at Serra Bonita Reserve. Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Seen near Iguatu, Canudos and Macarani. Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Seen near Iguatu, Canudos and Camacan. Wood Stork Mycteria americana More than ten spotted near Iguatu, Ceará. Rufescent Tiger Heron Tigrisoma lineatum Seen at Guaramiranga, near Iguatu and at Água Boa Reserve. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Seen at the Barra Grande mangrove, Icapuí. Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea Same as above. Striated Heron Butorides striata Seen at several places along the tour, common. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Seen at several places along the tour, common. See note. Great Egret Ardea alba Seen at several places along the tour, common. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea At mangroves in Icapuí, Crasto and near Ilhéus. Snowy Egret Egretta thula Seen at several places along the tour, common. Neotropic Cormorant (Olivaceous C) Phalacrocorax brasilianus Spotted at several places along the tour. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common throughout the tour. Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus Common throughout the tour. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Seen every day, sometimes in huge numbers. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho Reserve and Serra Bonita. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Few records along highways, also seen in Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii Seen near Icapuí, Mucugê and at Boa Nova. Grey-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis Great view at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus One seen at Crasto Forest near Estância. Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus melanoleucus Good views at Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita.

26 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Pygmy Nightjar (Eduardo Patrial)

Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens Seen at Crato, Canudos and Crasto Forest. Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis Few spotted in Caatinga areas. Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris Common throughout the tour. Mantled Hawk ◊ Pseudastur polionotus Seen at Serra Bonita Reserve. Grey-lined Hawk Buteo nitidus (H) Heard at Água Boa Reserve. See note. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Seen at Crato and Boa Nova. Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus Seen at Boa Nova. Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata Great views in Canudos and Boa Nova. Russet-crowned Crake ◊ Laterallus viridis Amazing view at Chapada Diamantina, near Pai Inácio Hill. Grey-breasted Crake Laterallus exilis (H) Heard at Crasto Forest and near Itacaré, way to Água Boa Reserve. Mangrove Rail Rallus longirostris crassirostris Superb close views at Icapuí. See note. Little Wood Rail ◊ mangle It took a while but excellent views at Icapuí. Grey-necked Wood Rail Aramides cajaneus (H) Heard at Crato. Uniform Crake Amaurolimnas concolor (H) Heard at Boa Nova. Ash-throated Crake Porzana albicollis Good views at Crasto Forest. Blackish Rail Pardirallus nigricans (NL) Heard at Itororó; seen by one of us when leaving Macarani. Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus Seen on way to Agua Boa Reserve near Itacaré. Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata Common throughout the tour. See note. Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops (NL) One spotted from the van at Guaramiranga. Limpkin Aramus guarauna Seen on the way to Canudos, edge of São Francisco River. American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Two seen at the mangrove in Icapuí. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus A good number at ponds in the Caatinga biome. Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Common throughout the tour. Grey Plover (Black-bellied P) Pluvialis squatarola A few seen at Icapuí. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Numerous at Icapuí. Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana Common throughout the tour. South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae One seen at Mucugê. Giant Snipe ◊ Gallinago undulata Amazing views at Boa Nova; also heard near Mata do Passarinho. Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Numerous at Icapuí. Whimbrel (Hudsonian W) Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus Quite common at Icapuí; one seen at Crasto. See note.

27 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Some spotted at Icapuí and also near Iguatu. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Seen at Icapuí. Willet Tringa semipalmata A few seen at Icapuí, also one at Crasto. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Seen at Icapuí and Crasto, mangroves. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres A few at Icapuí. Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Numerous at Icapuí. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla One seen at Icapuí. Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Few groups spotted at Icapuí. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Quite common at Icapuí, also spotted at Crasto and Porto Seguro. Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Seen at Icapuí. Cabot’s Tern Thalasseus acuflavidus Same as above. Least Tern Sternula antillarum Same as above. Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon) Columba livia At every town. Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa Abundant at Crasto Forest and Itacaré, also seen at Veracel Reserve. Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro Seen at several places along the tour. Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis Seen at Boa Nova and Água Boa Reserve. Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea Seen at Boa Nova. Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Very common through most of the tour, Caatinga areas. Scaled Dove Columbina squammata Seen at several places along the tour.

Mangrove Rail (Eduardo Patrial)

Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina A few seen at Icapuí and nearby. Plain-breasted Ground Dove Columbina minuta Seen on the way to Crato, also in Canudos and near Lençois. Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti Common throughout the tour. Picui Ground Dove Columbina picui Common throughout the tour. Blue Ground Dove Claravis pretiosa Seen at Boa Nova. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Seen and heard at several places. Grey-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla (H) Heard at Guaramiranga. Ruddy Quail-dove Geotrygon montana Brief views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Guira Cuckoo Guira guira Common throughout the tour.

28 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani Common throughout the tour. Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia (H) Heard at Quixadá and Boa Nova. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Seen in forest at several places. Dark-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus melacoryphus Seen at Canudos B S. Black-capped Screech Owl ◊ (Variable S O) Megascops atricapilla Great sighting at Boa Nova. See note. Mottled Owl Strix virgata Close view at Serra Bonita Lodge. Tawny-browed Owl ◊ Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana Great views at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. East Brazilian Pygmy Owl ◊ (Least P O) Glaucidium minutissimum Seen at Boa Nova. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum Seen at Quixadá, Pedra dos Ventos Hotel. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Commonly spotted along the tour. Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus (H) Heard at least four times on the tour. White-winged Potoo ◊ Nyctibius leucopterus (H) Unfortunately only heard this time at Veracel Reserve. Least Nighthawk pusillus Excellent views at Canudos. Short-tailed Nighthawk (Semi-collared N) Lurocalis semitorquatus Breath-taking views at Boa Nova. Pygmy Nightjar ◊ hirundinaceus Fantastic daytime observations at Pedra dos Ventos, Quixadá. Little Nightjar Setopagis parvulus Very good views at Canudos. Pauraque (Common P) Nyctidromus albicollis Seen at several places. Scissor-tailed Nightjar ◊ Hydropsalis torquata Superb views at Canudos Biological Station. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Seen at Lençois and Palmeiras, Chapada; also at Mata do Passarinho. Biscutate Swift ◊ Streptoprocne biscutata Seen at Lençois, Chapada Diamantina. Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicaudus (NL) Seen near Guaramiranga, from the bus. Grey-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Seen at Boa Nova, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Sick's Swift ◊ Chaetura meridionalis Seen at several places. See note. Neotropical Palm Swift (Fork-tailed P S) Tachornis squamata Seen at Icapuí, Crato and Chapada Diamantina. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis Seen at Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Hook-billed Hermit ◊ Glaucis dohrnii Outstanding views at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Rufous-breasted Hermit (Hairy H) Glaucis hirsutus Seen at Guaramiranga, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Broad-tipped Hermit ◊ Anopetia gounellei Good views at Palmeiras, Chapada Diamantina. Great-billed Hermit ◊ Phaethornis malaris margarettae Seen this rare subspecies at Água Boa Reserve. See note. Scale-throated Hermit ◊ Phaethornis eurynome Seen well at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Planalto Hermit Phaethornis pretrei Best views at Lençois and Água Boa Reserve. Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber Seen and heard at several places, Atlantic Forest. Sombre Hummingbird ◊ Aphantochroa cirrochloris Abundant at Serra Bonita. Swallow-tailed Hummingbird ◊ Eupetomena macroura Seen at several places along the tour. Black Jacobin ◊ Florisuga fusca Few at Serra Bonita. Brown Violetear Colibri delphine A rare bird in Brazil. Seen at Lençois. Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis Seen at Esplanada Forest, Boa Nova, Veracel and Serra Bonita. Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Ruby Topaz) Chrysolampis mosquitus Great views at several places. Frilled Coquette ◊ Lophornis magnificus (NL) Brief views at Mucugê and Serra Bonita. Black-bellied Thorntail ◊ Discosura langsdorffi langsdorffi A very brief silhouette view in flight, Boa Nova. Racket-tailed Coquette ◊ Discosura longicaudus A female spotted at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Blue-chinned Sapphire Chlorestes notata Seen at Esplanada Forest and at Veracel. Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon lucidus Seen at several places along the tour. Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata Quite common at Guaramiranga. Violet-capped Woodnymph Thalurania glaucopis Quite common at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita, humid forest. Rufous-throated Sapphire Hylocharis sapphirina A few seen at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus Seen at Esplanada, Boa Nova, Veracel, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Plain-bellied Emerald ◊ Amazilia leucogaster Good views at Icapuí. Versicoloured Emerald Amazilia versicolor Seen at Crasto Forest, Boa Nova and Veracel Reserve. Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia fimbriata Seen at Crato, Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Sapphire-spangled Emerald Amazilia lactea Great views at the Lagedo in Boa Nova. Hooded Visorbearer ◊ Augastes lumachella Amazing views at Pai Inácio Hill and other places in Chapada. Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx auritus Seen at Boa Nova and Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Horned Sungem ◊ Heliactin bilophus Breath-taking views on way to Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina.

29 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Stripe-breasted Starthroat ◊ Heliomaster squamosus A stunning male at Canudos. Amethyst Woodstar Calliphlox amethystina Numerous this time at Veracel Reserve. Green-backed Trogon (Amazonian White-tailed T) Trogon viridis At M. do Passarinho, Veracel and SB. See note. Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui Seen well at Guaramiranga. Surucua Trogon ◊ Trogon surrucura Good views at Lençois and Mata do Passarinho. Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus Seen at Boa Nova and Veracel Reserve. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana Seen at Icapuí and Água Boa Reserve. Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazon More at Icapuí, then sparsely during the tour. Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Same as above. Three-toed Jacamar ◊ Jacamaralcyon tridactyla Superb views at Mata do Passarinho, for the first time on this tour. Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda Good views at several places. White-eared Puffbird ◊ chacuru Great views near Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. Caatinga Puffbird ◊ Nystalus maculatus Good views at Pedra dos Ventos Hotel and also in Canudos. Crescent-chested Puffbird ◊ Malacoptila striata Superb views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. White-fronted Nunbird Monasa morphoeus Close views at Água Boa Reserve. Swallow-winged Puffbird (Swallow-wing) Chelidoptera tenebrosa Quite common at Veracel Reserve. Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus aracari Seen well at Mata do Passarinho and at low part of Serra Bonita. Saffron Toucanet ◊ Pteroglossus bailloni A lovely surprise at Mata do Passarinho. Gould's Toucanet ◊ Selenidera gouldii Great views at Guaramiranga. Spot-billed Toucanet ◊ Selenidera maculirostris Amazing sightings at Serra Bonita, also seen at M do P.

Araripe Manakin - male (Eduardo Patrial)

Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus Seen at Boa Nova, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Golden-spangled Piculet exilis Good views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Spotted Piculet ◊ Picumnus pygmaeus Great views at Canudos, Jeremoabo and Boa Nova. White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus Seen well at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Ochraceous Piculet ◊ Picumnus limae Good sightings at Guaramiranga. Tawny Piculet ◊ Picumnus fulvescens Great views at Araripe N F, Crato. White Woodpecker Melanerpes candidus (H) Heard at Icapuí. Yellow-fronted Woodpecker ◊ Melanerpes flavifrons Nice views at Mata do Passarinho.

30 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Little Woodpecker Veniliornis passerinus Seen at Guaramiranga, Crato and Crasto Forest. Red-stained Woodpecker Veniliornis affinis Good views at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Yellow-eared Woodpecker ◊ Veniliornis maculifrons Spotted at Serra Bonita (?) Yellow-throated Woodpecker Piculus flavigula Seen at Boa Nova and Veracel Reserve. Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros One seen at Jeremoabo. Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros Spotted few times along the tour. Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris Few seen around Mucugê and also near Mata do Passarinho. Blond-crested Woodpecker ◊ Celeus flavescens Brief views at the low part of Serra Bonita. Ochre-backed Woodpecker ◊ Celeus ochraceus Great views at Guaramiranga, Quixadá and Crato. See note. Ringed Woodpecker ◊ Celeus torquatus tinnunculus (H) Heard at Água Boa Reserve. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Spotted at Crasto Forest. Southern Crested Caracara (Southern Caracara) Caracara plancus Common throughout the tour. Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Several sightings along the tour. Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans Seen at Boa Nova. Barred Forest Falcon Micrastur ruficollis (H) Heard at Serra Bonita. American Kestrel Falco sparverius Commonly spotted by the roads. Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis Several sightings along the tour. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis Superb close views at Canudos Biological Station. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus One seen in flight at Hotel Pedra dos Ventos, Quixadá. Golden-tailed Parrotlet ◊ Touit surdus Great views of one perched, Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Plain Parakeet Brotogeris tirica Seen at Mata do Passarinho, Veracel and Serra Bonita. Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri Quite abundant at Guaramiranga. See note. Pileated Parrot ◊ Pionopsitta pileata (H) Heard at Mata do Passarinho and at Serra Bonita. Blue-headed Parrot ◊ Pionus menstruus reichenowi Seen perched at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Red-browed Amazon ◊ Amazona rhodocorytha Fantastic views of this endemic at Veracel Reserve. Turquoise-fronted Amazon (Blue-fronted A) Amazona aestiva A small group at Canudos B S. Orange-winged Amazon Amazona amazonica Common at Crasto Forest near Estancia. Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius Seen and heard at several places. Ochre-marked Parakeet ◊ (Blue-throated P) Pyrrhura cruentata Superb views at M do Passarinho and Veracel. Maroon-bellied Parakeet (Reddish-bellied P) Pyrrhura frontalis At Lençois and Boa Nova; common at S. Bonita. Grey-breasted Parakeet ◊ Pyrrhura griseipectus Amazing views at Guaramiranga. See note. White-eared Parakeet ◊ Pyrrhura leucotis Stunning endemic seen well at Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Lear's Macaw ◊ (Indigo M) Anodorhynchus leari The spectacle of the trip! Nearly a hundred at Canudos B S. Peach-fronted Parakeet ◊ Eupsittula aurea Quite common at Crasto, Veracel Reserve and Itacaré. Caatinga Parakeet ◊ ( P) Eupsittula cactorum Quite common endemic in the Caatinga biome. Jandaya Parakeet ◊ Aratinga jandaya Seen at Crasto Forest; several hybrids as well. Golden-capped Parakeet ◊ Aratinga auricapillus Great views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. See note. Blue-winged Macaw ◊ Primolius maracana Great views at Bendegó (near Canudos) and also seen at Boa Nova. Red-shouldered Macaw Diopsittaca nobilis Seen briefly at Crasto Forest. Blue-crowned Parakeet Thectocercus acuticaudata Lovely views at Canudos B S. Band-tailed Hornero ◊ (Wing-banded H) Furnarius figulus Seen at Guaramiranga, Crasto and Boa Nova. Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus Seen at Guaramiranga, Quixadá and Boa Nova. Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus Seen at Mucugê, Boa Nova, Porto Seguro and Serra Bonita. Ochre-cheeked Spinetail ◊ Synallaxis scutata Good views at Guaramiranga. Bahia Spinetail ◊ Synallaxis whitneyi Great views at Boa Nova, humid forest, and at Mata do Passarinho. Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis Seen and heard at several places. Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens Seen at the lajedo, Boa Nova; heard in Chapada Diamantina. Cinereous-breasted Spinetail ◊ Synallaxis hypospodia Great views near Itacaré. Spix's Spinetail (Chicli S) Synallaxis spixi Seen well at near Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Red-shouldered Spinetail ◊ Gyalophylax hellmayri Superb views at Araripe National Forest. Pallid Spinetail ◊ Cranioleuca pallida Seen well at Serra Bonita. Grey-headed Spinetail ◊ Cranioleuca semicinerea Abundant at Guaramiranga, recorded later in Caatinga. Yellow-chinned Spinetail (Y-throated S) Certhiaxis cinnamomeus Seen near Iguatu and at Boa Nova. Striated Softtail ◊ Thripophaga macroura Great views at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita.

31 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

White-browed Antpitta (Eduardo Patrial)

Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons Seen at Crato, Mucugê and Boa Nova. Pink-legged Graveteiro ◊ Acrobatornis fonsecai Seen at Timorante Forest, Boa Nova after a lot of work. Caatinga Cacholote ◊ Pseudoseisura cristata Seen and heard at several places. Ochre-breasted Foliage-Gleaner ◊ Philydor lichtensteini (H) Heard at Boa Nova. Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner ◊ Philydor atricapillus Good views at Serra Bonita. Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner Philydor rufum (NL) Seen at Serra Bonita. White-collared Foliage-Gleaner ◊ Anabazenops fuscus Seen well at Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Pale-browed Treehunter ◊ Cichlocolaptes leucophrus Great views at Serra Bonita. White-eyed Foliage-gleaner ◊ Automolus leucophthalmus Sightings in Boa Nova, M do Passarinho and Veracel. Rufous-breasted Leaftosser ◊ Sclerurus scansor cearensis Superb views at Guaramiranga. Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Lochmias nematura (H) Heard at Boa Nova, humid forest. ‘Serra das Lontras’ Treehunter ◊ Heliobletus sp. nov. Amazing long views of this new species at Serra Bonita. Plain Xenops Xenops minutus Seen at Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans Seen at Lençois, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Great Xenops ◊ Megaxenops parnaguae Great views at Crato (Araripe N F), heard later in Chapada Diamantina. Plain-winged Woodcreeper ◊ Dendrocincla turdina turdina Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Seen at Crato, Lençois, Boa Nova and M do P. See note. White-throated Woodcreeper ◊ Xiphocolaptes albicollis Excellent views at Serra Bonita. Planalto Woodcreeper ◊ Dendrocolaptes platyrostris Seen at Serra Bonita. Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus Seen at Crato. Lesser Woodcreeper ◊ Xiphorhynchus fuscus At Guaramiranga (atlanticus); and southern Bahia (tenuirostris). Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus At Guaramiranga (gracilirostris); heard in S Bahia (guttatus). Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris Seen well at Canudos. Scaled Woodcreeper ◊ Lepidocolaptes squamatus Good views at Boa Nova, humid forest. Red-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus trochilirostris Superb views at Jeremoabo (major). Black-billed Scythebill ◊ Campylorhamphus falcularius Great views at Boa Nova, humid forest. Spot-backed Antshrike ◊ Hypoedaleus guttatus Great sightings in Boa Nova. Tufted Antshrike ◊ severa A couple seen well at Timorante Forest, Boa Nova.

32 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Great Antshrike Taraba major Seen and heard at several places. Silvery-cheeked Antshrike ◊ Sakesphorus cristatus Good views at Crato, Jeremoabo, Palmeiras and Boa Nova. Barred (Caatinga) Antshrike ◊ Thamnophilus doliatus capistratus Seen well at Crato and Canudos. See note. Chestnut-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus palliatus Seen at Timorante Forest, Boa Nova. Planalto Slaty Antshrike ◊ Thamnophilus pelzelni First at Crato, later at Lençois. See note. Sooretama Slaty Antshrike ◊ Thamnophilus ambiguus First at Crasto Forest, later at Veracel Reserve. See note. Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens Seen well at Guaramiranga (cearensis). Rufous-winged Antshrike ◊ Thamnophilus torquatus Good views at Pai Inácio Hill near Lençois. Spot-breasted Antvireo ◊ stictothorax Quite common at Boa Nova, M do Passarinho and S Bonita. Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis Seen at Guaramiranga. Plumbeous Antvireo ◊ Dysithamnus plumbeus First at Mata do Passarinho, better views later at Serra Bonita. Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius Seen at Boa Nova and at Mata do Passarinho. Silvery-flanked Antwren ◊ luctuosa Seen at Crasto Forest. See note. Salvadori’s Antwren ◊ Myrmotherula minor Superb views at Mata do Passarinho and at Serra Bonita. Band-tailed Antwren ◊ Myrmotherula urosticta First at Veracel Reserve; Better views at Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Stripe-backed Antbird ◊ Myrmorchilus strigilatus Fantastic views at Araripe N F, Crato. Bahia Antwren ◊ pileatus Seen well at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro; also seen at Catitu Reserve. Caatinga Antwren ◊ Herpsilochmus sellowi Seen at Crato, Palmeiras and Boa Nova. Black-capped Antwren ◊ Herpsilochmus atricapillus Seen at Guaramiranga and at Crato. Pectoral Antwren ◊ Herpsilochmus pectoralis A couple well seen at stakeout near Jeremoabo. Rufous-winged Antwren Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus Seen at Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Narrow-billed Antwren ◊ Formicivora iheringi Seen well at Mucugê, Chapada Dimantina. Southern White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea Great views at Esplanada Forest. See note. Black-bellied Antwren ◊ Formicivora melanogaster Great views at Crato and at Boa Nova. Rusty-backed Antwren ◊ Formicivora rufa A couple seen at Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. Sincora Antwren ◊ Formicivora grantsaui Fantastic views near the Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. See note. Ferruginous Antbird ◊ Drymophila ferruginea Seen at Boa Nova and at Mata do Passarinho. Scaled Antbird ◊ Drymophila squamata Good views at Boa Nova and at Mata do Passarinho. Streak-capped Antwren ◊ Terenura maculata Nice views at Mata do Passarinho. Rio De Janeiro Antbird ◊ brasiliana First at Boa Nova, quite common at Mata do Passarinho. Fringe-backed Fire-Eye ◊ Pyriglena atra A very cooperative male at Crasto Forest near Estancia. White-shouldered Fire-Eye Pyriglena leucoptera Seen well at Boa and at Mata do Passarinho. Slender Antbird ◊ Rhopornis ardesiacus Superb views at Boa Nova, ‘mata de cipó’. Scalloped Antbird ◊ Myrmeciza ruficauda Terrific views at forest patch in Itororó, southern Bahia. White-bibbed Antbird ◊ Myrmeciza loricata Great views at Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Rufous-capped Antthrush Formicarius colma Close views this time at Serra Bonita. Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona Good view at eye level at Guaramiranga. Variegated Antpitta Grallaria varia Brief view at Serra Bonita. White-browed Antpitta ◊ Hylopezus ochroleucus Amazing views at Crato, Araripe N F. Rufous Gnateater ◊ lineata Good view at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Ceara Gnateater ◊ Conopophaga cearae Great views at Guaramiranga. Black-cheeked Gnateater ◊ Conopophaga melanops Lovely views at Mata do Passarinho and at Catitu Reserve. Stresemann’s Bristlefront ◊ stresemanni An extremely rare bird! A male well seen at Mata do Passarinho. Bahia Tapaculo ◊ psychopompus Good views of this rarity at Agua Boa Reserve near Itacaré. Diamantina Tapaculo ◊ diamantinensis Great views at our stakeout in Mucugê. Collared Crescentchest ◊ Melanopareia torquata Seen really well at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Wing-barred Piprites chloris (H) Heard at Mata do Passarinho. Planalto Tyrannulet ◊ Phyllomyias fasciatus Common in Guaramiranga; also seen at Crato. Grey-capped Tyrannulet ◊ Phyllomyias griseocapilla Seen at Serra Bonita. Grey Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps Seen really well at Lençois. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata Seen at Lençois and at Boa nova. Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Commonly recorded throughout the tour. Large Elaenia ◊ Elaenia spectabilis Seen at Guaramiranga, heard at more places. Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata Seen well at Crato and at Chapada Diamantina.

33 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Lear’s Macaw (Eduardo Patrial)

Highland Elaenia Elaenia obscura Seen at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. White-lored Tyrannulet Ornithion inerme Great view at Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum Seen and heard at several places. Suiriri Flycatcher ◊ Suiriri suiriri Seen well at Bendegó near Canudos. See note. Mouse-colored Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina Seen and heard at several places. Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola Seen at Lençois, Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Grey-backed Tachuri ◊ Polystictus superciliaris Close views at Mucugê just before dusk. Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus Seen well at Canudos, heard at more places. Rufous-sided Pygmy Tyrant ◊ Euscarthmus rufomarginatus Great views on way to Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant ◊ Stigmatura napensis bahiae Great views at Canudos Biological Station and Jeremoabo. Greater Wagtail-Tyrant ◊ Stigmatura budytoides gracilis Found this time near Ipirá, on way to Lençois. Slender-footed Tyrannulet Zimmerius gracilipes (H) Heard at Guaramiranga. Bahia Tyrannulet ◊ beckeri Great views at Serra Bonita. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus Seen at Serra Bonita. Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus Seen at Crasto, Boa Nova, M do Passarinho and S Bonita. Southern Scrub Flycatcher Sublegatus modestus (H) Heard at Jeremoabo. See note. Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus Seen at Boa Nova, heard at more places. Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant ◊ Culicivora caudacuta Still a reliable stake-out in Mucugê. Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant ◊ (D-b Pygmy-T) Hemitriccus diops Seen at Mata do Passarinho and S Bonita. Stripe-necked Tody-tyrant ◊ Hemitriccus striaticollis Great views at Crasto Forest near Estancia. Hangnest Tody-tyrant ◊ Hemitriccus nidipendulus Lovely views at ‘mata de cipó’, Boa Nova. Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer Seen at Crato, Jeremoabo and Chapada Diamantina. Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant ◊ Hemitriccus mirandae Great sightings at Guaramiranga. Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant ◊ Hemitriccus furcatus Seen well at Boa Nova and at Mata do Passarinho. Eared Pygmy Tyrant ◊ Myiornis auricularis Seen at Veracel Reserve. Ochre-faced Tody-flycatcher ◊ Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps Good views at Lençois and Boa Nova. Smoky-fronted Tody-flycatcher ◊ Poecilotriccus fumifrons Terrific views at Esplanada Forest. Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher ◊ Todirostrum poliocephalum At Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Common Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum Seen and heard at several places. Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus Great views at lowland forest of Serra Bonita; also seen at Veracel.

34 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Yellow-olive Flatbill Tolmomyias sulphurescens Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Grey-crowned Flatbill Tolmomyias poliocephalus (H) Heard at lowland forest of Serra Bonita. Ochre-lored Flatbill Tolmomyias flaviventris Seen and heard at several places. White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus Seen at Guaramiranga and Serra Bonita. Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea Seen at Guaramiranga, Canudos, Mucugê and Água Boa Reserve. See note. Euler's Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri Seen at Crato, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus Seen at Guaramiranga. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus Seen at Lençois, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Velvety Black Tyrant ◊ Knipolegus nigerrimus Seen at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Grey Monjita Xolmis cinereus Good view near Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. White Monjita Xolmis irupero This time seen at several places along the tour. Masked Water Tyrant Fluvicola nengeta Common throughout the tour. White-headed Marsh Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala Few records in marshy areas. Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa Several sightings along the tour. Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Seen at Guaramiranga and Serra Bonita. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Seen and heard at several places. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Very common everywhere we’ve been. Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias trivirgatus Seen at Serra Bonita by one of us; heard there few times. Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus Sparsely recorded on the tour. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Seen and heard at several places. Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius Same as above. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Very common along the tour. Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Seen at Chapada Diamantina; on way to Boa Nova and on way to S Bonita. Greyish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex Seen at Boa Nova, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Sibilant (Eastern) Sirystes Sirystes sibilator Great views at Lençois. Ash-throated Casiornis ◊ Casiornis fuscus This time only seen in Canudos, good views. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Seen at lowland forest of Serra Bonita.

Hooded Visorbearer - male (Eduardo Patrial)

35 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Short-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus ferox Seen and heard at several places. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Seen at Canudos, Jeremoabo and Boa Nova. Large-headed Flatbill Ramphotrigon megacephalum Good views at Serra Bonita, a bamboo specialist. Grey-hooded Attila ◊ Attila rufus Good views at Boa Nova and at Serra Bonita. Black-headed Berryeater ◊ Carpornis melanocephala First at M do Passarinho, better view later at Catitu Reserve. Banded Cotinga ◊ Cotinga maculata Two superb males sotted, first at Mata do Passarinho, later at Veracel Reserve. Bare-throated Bellbird ◊ Procnias nudicollis (H) Heard at Serra Bonita and at Catitu Reserve. Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans Seen at Veracel and Catitu Reserves. Cinnamon-vented Piha ◊ Lipaugus lanioides Fantastic close views at Serra Bonita. White-winged Cotinga ◊ Xipholena atropurpurea Reasonable views at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Red-ruffed Fruitcrow Pyroderus scutatus Great and surprising view at Lençois. Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin ◊ pallescens Good views at Araripe N F, Crato and also at Lençois. Pin-tailed Manakin ◊ Ilicura militaris Females seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Eastern Striped Manakin ◊ regulus Stunning males at Serra Bonita (lowland) and Agua Boa. White-bearded Manakin manacus Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Veracel. Araripe Manakin ◊ bokermanni Great views at Crato, in two different sites. Blue-backed Manakin pareola Seen at Crasto Forest and at Lençois. Blue Manakin ◊ Chiroxiphia caudata Sightings at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Band-tailed Manakin ◊ fasciicauda Good sightings at Guaramiranga. White-crowned Manakin Dixiphia pipra Good views at Veracel and Agua Boa Reserves. Red-headed Manakin Dixiphia rubrocapilla Seen at Veracel and Água Boa Reserves. Sharpbill Oxyruncus cristatus Breath-taking views at Serra Bonita. Whiskered Myiobius (W Flycatcher) Myiobius barbatus Seen at Boa Nova and at Veracel Reserve. Black-tailed Myiobius (B-t Flycatcher) Myiobius atricaudus Seen at Guaramiranga. Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana Seen at Lençois and at Serra Bonita. Brown-winged Schiffornis (Thrush-like S) Schiffornis turdina Seen well at Veracel Reserve. White-naped Xenopsaris ◊ (Xenopsaris) Xenopsaris albinucha Surprisingly at Icapuí; heard in Canudos. Green-backed Becard Pachyramphus viridis Superb views at Boa Nova. Chestnut-crowned Becard Pachyramphus castaneus Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus Seen well at Lençois. Black-capped Becard Pachyramphus marginatus Nice views at Veracel and Serra Bonita. Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus First in Canudos, later at Serra Bonita. Swallow-tailed Cotinga ◊ Phibalura flavirostris A lovely surprise at Serra Bonita. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis Seen at Guaramiranga, heard at several places. Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus Seen and heard at several places. See note. Grey-eyed Greenlet ◊ Hylophilus amaurocephalus Seen at Crato and at Jeremoabo. Lemmon-chested Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. White-naped Jay ◊ Cyanocorax cyanopogon Seen at Quixadá and Canudos. White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer Sparse records along the trip. White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa Seen at Mucugê. Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Common, seen at most of visited places. Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera Seen at few places along the tour. Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca Seen at several places. Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Seen at most of visited places. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Seen on way to Icapuí and also at near Crasto Forest. Black-capped Donacobius (Donacobius) Donacobius atricapilla Seen at Crasto and on way to M do Passarinho. Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus Good views at Serra Bonita and Água Boa Reserve. Moustached Wren Pheugopedius genibarbis Seen and heard at several places. Long-billed Wren ◊ Cantorchilus longirostris Seen well at Araripe N F, Crato; heard at more places. House Wren Troglodytes aedon Commonly recorded throughout the tour. See note. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus Seen at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea Seen and heard at several places. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Close views at Porto Seguro. Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus Common throughout the tour.

36 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird - male (Eduardo Patrial)

Rufous-brown Solitary ◊ Cichlopsis leucogenys Great views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Yellow-legged Thrush Turdus flavipes Abundant at Serra Bonita. Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris Recorded almost every day. Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas Same as above. Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus Seen at Araripe N F, Crato. Cocoa Thrush Turdus fumigatus Seen at Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Yes, they were around. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Seen at Guaramiranga and Boa Nova. Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens Close views at Icapuí. Hooded Siskin Spinus magellanicus Seen at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica Commonly recorded along the tour. Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea at Crasto, Esplanada; common in southern Bahia – Atlantic Forest. Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster Good views at Boa Nova. Chestnut-bellied Euphonia ◊ Euphonia pectoralis Seen at Boa Nova, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Southern Yellowthroat Geothlypis velata Seen at Mucugê. See note. Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi Seen at Lençois, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Flavescent Warbler Myiothlypis flaveola Seen at Lençois, heard elsewhere. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus Seen at Guaramiranga, Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus Sightings at the lowland forest of Serra Bonita. Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela Seen at Serra Bonita lowland forest. Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous Seen at several places, humid forests. Campo Troupial ◊ Icterus jamacaii Seen and heard at several places, both in Caatinga and forest. See note. Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis Good views at Guaramiranga and at Canudos. Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi Seen and heard at several places. Chestnut-capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus Sparsely recorded along the tour, marshes. Pale Baywing ◊ Agelaioides fringillarius A considerable number of records along the tour. See note. Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis Common throughout the tour. White-browed Blackbird Sturnella superciliaris Seen and heard at several places.

37 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Common. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis More abundant at Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis Seen at Icapuí, Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Blue Finch ◊ (Yellow-billed B F) Porphyrospiza caerulescens Still a reliable stake-out at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada. Pectoral Sparrow taciturnus Quite common at Guaramiranga, also seen at Crato and Boa Nova. Sao Francisco Sparrow ◊ Arremon franciscanus Fantastic views at Palmeiras, Chapada Diamantina. Red-cowled Cardinal ◊ Paroaria dominicana Common along the tour. Cinnamon Tanager ◊ Schistochlamys ruficapillus Good views at Crato, Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Magpie Tanager Cissopis leverianus Seen briefly at Mata do Passarinho. Scarlet-throated Tanager ◊ Compsothraupis loricata Close views at Quixadá and also seen at Canudos. Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata Seen at Boa Nova. Orange-headed Tanager Thlypopsis sordida Seen at Crato, Palmeiras and Boa Nova. White-rumped Tanager ◊ Cypsnagra hirundinacea For the first time on this tour, seen near Mucugê. Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops Seen at Boa Nova. Flame-crested Tanager Tachyphonus cristatus Seen at Boa Nova. White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Spotted at a number of sites. Brazilian Tanager ◊ Ramphocelus bresilius Seen at Esplanada, Boa Nova and Itacaré. Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca Common throughout the tour. Azure-shouldered Tanager ◊ Thraupis cyanoptera Good views at Serra Bonita. Golden-chevroned Tanager ◊ Thraupis ornata Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum Common throughout the tour. Shrike-like Tanager ◊ (White-banded T) Neothraupis fasciata Great views around Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. Turquoise (White-bellied) Tanager ◊ Tangara mexicana brasiliensis Great views at Veracel and Itacaré. See note. Green-headed Tanager ◊ Tangara seledon Seen at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Red-necked Tanager ◊ Tangara cyanocephala Seen at Guaramiranga, Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Gilt-edged Tanager ◊ Tangara cyanoventris Great views at Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana Commonly recorded along the tour. Opal-rumped (Silver-breasted) Tanager ◊ Tangara velia cyanomelas Great views at Veracel and Itacaré. See note. Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana Commonly recorded along the tour. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus Seen at Crasto Forest, Veracel, Serra Bonita and Itacaré. Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza At Guaramiranga, Boa Nova, M do Passarinho, S Bonita and Itacaré. Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira Good views at Crasto Forest and at Lençois. Rufous-headed Tanager ◊ Hemithraupis ruficapilla Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita. Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum Seen at Lençois. Bicoloured Conebill Conirostrum bicolor Good views at Icapuí. Grey Pileated Finch (Pileated F) Coryphospingus pileatus Seen at Quixadá, Crato, Canudos and Chapada D. Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch Sicalis citrina Good views at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Sparsely recorded along the tour. Grassland Yellow Finch Sicalis luteola Seen at Mucugê and on the way to Porto Seguro. Wedge-tailed Grass Finch Emberizoides herbicola Seen at Chapada Diamantina, Boa Nova and Veracel. Serra Finch ◊ (Pale-throated/Buff-throated Pampa-Finch) Embernagra longicauda Seen at Pai Inácio Hill. Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Common throughout the tour. Buffy-fronted Seedeater Sporophila frontalis A good number at Timorante Forest, Boa Nova. Temminck's Seedeater Sporophila falcirostris Same as above. Plumbeous Seedeater Sporophila plumbea Great views at Mucugê, Chapada Diamantina. Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis Seen at Chapada Diamantina, Boa Nova and Mata do Passarinho. Dubois's Seedeater ◊ Sporophila ardesiaca Great views at Chapada Diamantina. See note. White-throated Seedeater ◊ Sporophila albogularis Seen at several places along the tour. White-bellied Seedeater ◊ Sporophila leucoptera Good views at Chapada Diamantina and Boa Nova. Copper Seedeater ◊ (Capped S) Sporophila bouvreuil One lovely male seen at Mucugê. Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch Oryzoborus angolensis (H) Heard at Catitu Reserve, Itacaré. Sooty Grassquit ◊ Tiaris fuliginosus Easy this time at Boa Nova, humid forest. Red Tanager (Lowland Hepatic T) Piranga flava A stunning couple at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Red-crowned Ant Tanager Habia rubica Seen at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita.

38 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Hook-billed Hermit (Eduardo Patrial)

Yellow-green Grosbeak Caryothraustes canadensis Seen at Boa Nova. Black-throated Grosbeak ◊ Saltator fuliginosus Great views at Boa Nova, Mata do Passarinho and Serra Bonita. Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus Seen at Veracel Reserve and at Itacaré. Green-winged Saltator Saltator similis Sightings at Chapada Diamantina, Boa Nova, M do Passarinho and S Bonita. Black-throated Saltator ◊ Saltator atricollis Great views near Mucugê. Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii Seen at Crato, Canudos and Palmeiras.

MAMMALS

Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus At least four spotted at Veracel Reserve, Porto Seguro. Maned three-toed Sloth ◊ Bradypus torquatus Amazing views at Mata do Passarinho and at Veracel Reserve. Black-rumped Agouti Dasyprocta prymnolopha Few spotted at Crato. Brazilian Guinea-Pig Cavia aperea Spotted at Crato, Canudos and Esplanada Forest. Rock Cavy ◊ Kerdon rupestris Seen at Pai Inácio Hill, Chapada Diamantina. Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous Seen at Veracel Reserve. Tayra Eira barbara Seen near Água Boa Reserve. White-tufted (Tufted-ear) Marmoset ◊ Callithrix jacchus Seen at Jeremoabo, way to Lençois and at Porto Seguro. Wied’s Black-tufted-ear Marmoset ◊ Callithrix kuhlii Great views at Boa Nova and Serra Bonita, humid forest. Coimbra-Filho’s Titi ◊ Callicebus coimbrai (H) Heard at Crasto Forest near Estancia. Tapeti (Brazlian Rabbit) Sylvilagus brasiliensis (NL) Seen at Canudos B S.

39 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Maned Three-toed Sloth (Eduardo Patrial)

NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST

East Brazilian Chachalaca Ortalis araucuan This is a recent split from Speckled Chachalaca Ortalis guttata.

Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis This form has been renamed following the splitting off of Eastern Cattle Egret B. coromandus.

Grey-lined Hawk Buteo nitidus North/Middle American birds are sometimes split off as a separate species B. plagiata, keeping the name Grey Hawk, with southern Central American/South American birds being renamed Grey-lined Hawk.

Mangrove Rail Rallus longirostris crassirostris The Clapper Rail complex was split in three species. Rallus longirostris was renamed to Mangrove Rail with the seven subspecies restricted to . Subspecies crassirostris on the coast of Brazil.

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata The New World forms have now been split off as a separate species.

Whimbrel (Hudsonian W) Numenius hudsonicus Some authors consider this form a proposed split.

Black-capped Screech Owl (Variable S O) Megascops atricapilla As with many members of the , its exact status is unclear. It has sometimes been lumped in Long-tufted Screech- Owl O. sanctaecatarinae.

Sick's Swift Chaetura meridionalis This species was formerly known as Ashy-tailed (or Ashy-throated) Swift C. andrei. However, the nominate form andrei has now been lumped in Vaux’s Swift C. vauxi rendering the name invalid and the residual forms have been renamed Sick’s Swift C. meridionalis.

Green-backed Trogon (Amazonian White-tailed T) Trogon viridis The IOC and the SACC have split off the form occurring in Central America and West of the as Western White- tailed Trogon T. chionurus and renamed the Amazonian form Green-backed Trogon.

40 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com Great-billed Hermit (Margaretta’s H) Phaethornis malaris margarettae The subspecies margarettae from the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil is sometimes considered a separated species: Margaretta’s Hermit P. margarettae.

Ochre-backed Woodpecker Celeus ochraceus Ochre-backed Woodpecker is a recent split from Blond-crested Woodpecker (Benz & Robbins 2011).

Golden-capped Parakeet Aratinga auricapillus This form in sometimes lumped in Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis.

Grey-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura griseipectus This form, occurring in northeastern Brazil, is a recent split from Maroon-faced Parakeet P. leucotis.

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri This form is sometimes lumped in Canary-winged Parakeet B. versicolurus.

‘Serra das Lontras’ Treehunter Heliobletus sp. nov. The new Heliobletus species from the hills of Serra das Lontras in southern Bahia is being described.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus This wide-ranging species (of Central and South America) may actually comprise of a series of closely related species.

Barred (Caatinga) Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus capistratus The red-eyed form from the Caatinga biome in northeast Brazil is sometimes considered a separate species.

Planalto Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus pelzelni Some authorities lump this form in Guianan Slaty Antshrike T. punctatus, using the name Eastern Slaty Antshrike for the enlarged species. This form is found in the interior plateau of Brazil.

Sooretama Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus ambiguus Some authorities lump this form in Guianan Slaty Antshrike T. punctatus, using the name Eastern Slaty Antshrike for the enlarged species. This form is found in the coastal lowlands of southeast Brazil.

Silvery-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa Some authorities lump this form in White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris.

Southern White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea This form is often lumped in White-fringed Antwren, retaining the same scientific name.

Sincora Antwren Formicivora grantsaui This species was only very recently described (2007) from the campo rupestre habitats in the Chapada Diamantina.

Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri The form involved is sometimes split off as Campo Suiriri Suiriri affinis.

Southern Scrub Flycatcher Sublegatus modestus This form was previously called Scrub Flycatcher (or Short-billed Flycatcher), but is now known as Southern Scrub- Flycatcher to differentiate it from Northern Scrub-Flycatcher S. arenarum which has been split off as a separate species.

Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea The form involved is sometimes split off as a separate species: Swallow Flycatcher Hirundinea bellicosa.

Black-backed Water Tyrant Fluvicola albiventer This form is sometimes lumped in Pied Water-Tyrant F. pica.

Whiskered Myiobius (W Flycatcher) Myiobius barbatus The form involved is sometimes split off as a separate species: Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Y-r Myiobius) Myiobius mastacalis.

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus The form concerned is sometimes split off as a separate species: Chivi Vireo Vireo chivi

House Wren Troglodytes aedon The polytypic group of subspecies known as musculus, from Central to South America, sometimes is treated as separate species Southern House Wren T. musculus.

41 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com

Southern Yellowthroat Geothlypsis velata This species, together with several other closely related species, is often lumped in Masked Yellowthroat G. aequinoctialis.

Campo Troupial Icterus jamacaii This form was formerly lumped in Venezuelan Troupial I. icterus with the name Troupial being used for the enlarged species.

Pale Baywing Agelaioides fringillarius The isolated form in NE Brazil is now considered a split of Greyish Baywing A. badius.

Turquoise (White-bellied) Tanager Tangara mexicana brasiliensis The isolated eastern Brazilian form is sometimes considered as separate species White-bellied Tanager Tangara brasiliensis.

Opal-rumped (Silver-breasted) Tanager Tangara velia cyanomelas The isolated eastern Brazilian form is sometimes considered as separate species Silver-breasted Tanager Tangara cyanomelas.

Dubois’s Seedeater Sporophila ardesiaca Some authors lump this species in Yellow-bellied Seedeater S. nigricollis.

Red Tanager (Lowland Hepatic T) Piranga flava Many authors lump Highland Hepatic Tanager P. lutea and Northern Hepatic Tanager P. hepatica in this species using the name Hepatic Tanager for the enlarged species.

42 BirdQuest Tour Report: Northeast Brazil www.birdquest-tours.com