, : AMAZON RAINFOREST & RIVER ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER 4–17, 2017

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

LEADER: ANDREW WHITTAKER LIST COMPILED BY: ANDREW WHITTAKER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

MANAUS, BRAZIL: AMAZON RAINFOREST & RIVER ISLANDS

September 4–17, 2017

By Andrew Whittaker

Manaus, Brazil has to be one of the world’s major birding crossroads, smack in the middle of the enormous Amazon rainforest, at 5,500,000 km 2 (2,123,562 sq mi ) the richest biome on our planet! We joyfully immersed ourselves into this mega birding and natural history bonanza, managing a record-breaking 415 due to this year’s very sharp-eyed group. We had an endless blast exploring the Amazon’s immense waterways, bird-rich river islands, and varied and exuberant rainforest habitats, thoroughly enjoying all of their stunning, unique avian species. At fruiting trees we were delighted by a feast of colorful , parrots, macaws, toucans, , and barbets, while exciting night excursions produced the much wanted and mythical White-winged Potoo, as well as Great and Common potoos. Other trip highlights included a majestic pair of Black Curassows crossing the road at our lodge; a quick encounter with Gray-winged Trumpeter; flushing a rarely seen migrant Paint-billed Crake; close encounters with magnificent male Green-throated Mangos and a wondrous male Crimson Topaz (displaying) on our lodge grounds; and the rare Dotted Tanager found by Leon. However, the icing on the cake has to have been our exceptional cotingas! In-your-face views of some of the world’s great glamour , from the magnificent lekking Guianan Cocks-of-the-rock; male Purple-breasted, Spangled, and Pompadour cotingas; a very confiding Guianan Red-; and I’m sure none of you will ever forget the extremely odd chainsaw-sounding and equally odd-looking Capuchinbirds we were privileged to see!

A magical moment as I coaxed out a pair of majestic Black Curassows to cross the dirt road — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 We also managed superlative views of some rarely seen mammals, including the endemic not so cute looking Pied Tamarin; a trip first with a very confiding Giant Otter; the ever so cute group of Spix’s Night Monkeys (at their house); Golden-backed Squirrel Monkeys; and, of course, the incredible Pink River Dolphins —nobody could ask for much more!

A spectacular male Purple-breasted Cotinga dazzled us in the sun — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Experiencing the wonders of two of the world’s mightiest rivers (the Amazon and Negro) was so much fun; we explored each of their different avian riches, white versus black water river islands. Engulfing the vast Amazonian waterways was the surrounding vast Amazon rainforest, which enchanted us all as we experienced its exotic life from as many angles as possible —in the canopy (from a couple of superb canopy towers) and exploring along secluded trails or remote dirt roads amongst towering emergent trees brimming with life and producing an incredible non-stop highlight of colorful birds and skulkers to keep us all happy. Not to mention all those unique sounds, amazingly pleasant scented evening flowers, and learning just some of this rainforest’s fascinating intricate web of life.

This tour has been carefully planned, allowing us to explore the best of two exciting and extremely different avian endemic centers, the Guianan Shield and the distinct Imiri Centre. Several of you enjoyed our rich, birdy hotel grounds before the tour started, with impressive views of close feeding Scarlet Macaws being one of the many highlights.

Our tour began with a bang, as the first official bird for the tour was a mouthwatering pair of Opal-rumped Tanagers on an afternoon visit to a private forest reserve which had many excellent small fruiting trees. This was followed by the likes of Pompadour Cotinga, outstanding

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 scope views of a group of Dusky Parrots, Yellow-tufted , Paradise Jacamar, Red- billed Pied Tanager, White-throated and Channel-billed toucans, Blue-headed Parrot, and a super Golden-sided !

Female Red-billed Pied Tanager — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Our first full day of birding was spent exploring the rich birdlife on white water river islands and várzea forest in the mighty Amazon; here we witnessed the amazing dynamics of the fierce as its high waters ripped apart many of my favored river islands, quickly changing the map and everything else too. However, we managed to enjoy most of the great riverine specialists, as well as many interesting migrant boreal shorebirds, breeding terns and skimmers too. Pre-dawn found us drifting in our private launch over the famous “meeting of the waters” where the Negro flows into the Amazon without mixing for 5 miles. We explored a picturesque sand bar/beach alive with displaying Large-billed and Yellow-billed terns, Black Skimmers, and Collared Plovers, and, best of all, superb displaying Sand-colored Nighthawks. Working the different dynamic types of transitional vegetation in the várzea forest (white-water flooded forest) we got off to explore various islands on foot, seeking out the special river island species

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 such as the cute Black-and White ; Ladder-tailed Nightjar; Parker’s, White-bellied, and Pale-breasted spinetails; Band-tailed and Lesser horneros; the cool-looking Lesser Wagtail- Tyrant; and Riverside Tyrant. While Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Short-tailed Parrot, and Tui Parakeet flew overhead, Spot-breasted Woodpecker and Chestnut-bellied Seedeater were in Cecropia groves with two of the sought after specialists, Pearly-breasted Conebill and Brownish Elaenia.

Spot-breasted Woodpecker — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Golden-backed Squirrel Monkey on the Amazon — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

An exciting first for the tour was a pair of Gull-billed Terns (first record ever for Manaus) and just about 5 minutes after I had commented to keep your eyes open for them! After our great meal on the floating restaurant, we walked along the very interesting elevated boardwalk through the midstory of the várzea forest and were rewarded with close observations of a foraging group of cute Golden-backed Squirrel Monkeys; wonderful close-up looks at Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl; the incredible Long-billed ; a superb, close Ringed Woodpecker; the recently re-discovered Zimmer’s Woodcreeper (even being able to compare it to the more common Straight-billed); and, of course, we enjoyed the famous giant Vitória- régia (Royal) Water Lilies. We also took a cool group photo at the sleeping giant of the várzea, a monster Kaipok tree!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

The following day we crossed the mighty over the new impressive road bridge to the west bank and into the realms of the exciting “Imeri Endemic Centre.” On the way we gloated over stunning close flocks of Red-bellied Macaws at a palm grove. Here our base was in the quaint riverine town of Novo Airão (famous for its boat building) in our family-run forested lodge. The wooded grounds gave us a unique and fantastic opportunity to study a family of cute and poorly-known Spix’s Night Monkeys at their daytime hideout. Next up and always a great success was our enjoyable afternoon boat trip to the world’s largest riverine archipelago, the incomparable Anavilhanas Archipelago (and for me most beautiful in the world). The calm black waters of the Rio Negro formed an immense mirror image of forested banks and stark reflections in its isolated flooded igapó forest lakes. During a day-and-a-half exploration of these unique islands, channels, and lakes, we successfully found almost all of these black water riverine endemics and many other specialties, such as Red-throated Caracara; Festive Parrot; Klage’s, Cherrie’s, and Leaden antwrens; Ash-breasted and Black-chinned ; Blackish- gray Antshrike; Green-tailed Jacamar; Wire-tailed ; fabulous close-up studies of Band- tailed Nighthawks (including the new split) that danced to my playback just above our boat; and much more. Frustrating, however, we only heard both Crested and Ornate hawk-eagles without either showing.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Giant Otter, a trip first and a wonderful surprise — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Always a mammal highlight was the likable pod of wild Pink River Dolphins we were lucky enough to observe at such extremely close quarters as they came in to feed on fish within a few feet of us all! They are really impressive at almost 7 feet long with a unique pink color, an articulated backbone (allowing them to hunt through flooded ), and a 1.5 foot-long thin beak full of teeth! However, they are so-so delicate creatures, as we witnessed when several of you were able to touch the pod that came in to be fed. A wonderful confiding Giant Otter was a complete surprise and encouraging, as this species is coming back well from the illegal skin trade in the Amazon some 50 –70 years ago.

Igapó forest – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Pink River Dolphin – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

The rich west bank terra firme forest trails here produced many a highlight, such as a perched flock of elegant Swallow-tailed Kites; Short-tailed Hawk (both color morphs); groups of lovely Ivory-billed Aracaris; the rare Brown-banded , and White-necked Puffbird too; stunning fly-by Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlets; Black-headed, Red-fan, and Red-lored parrots; gaudy Gilded Barbets; a few well-behaved White-browed Purpletufts; the rarely seen Ocellated Woodcreeper; White-fronted Nunbirds; a stunning Yellow-browed Antbird; the dead leaf specialist, the Madeira Antwren; and the wonderful and rarely seen Pearly Antshrike to top it off. While the tiny vocal Pygmy Antwren and fabulous Blue-crowned and White-crowned manakins lit up the forest understory, we found a nest of the former, which was very cool. Not to mention our fantastic night excursion with the superb view of the magical, much-wanted White-winged Potoo and the whole experience of getting it to come into the best tree stump for impressive scope studies.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

The rarely seen White-winged Potoo, always a magical moment! — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

However, I’m sure Novo Airao will also be remembered for its incredible fiery sunsets, amazing Milky Way, all of those fabulous homemade meals of delicious fresh Amazonian fish (the fruit and seed-eating prized Tambaqui to the famous Peacock Bass and massive Piraracu, a prehistoric river giant), and oh yes, of course, those wonderful fried macaxiera and to-die-for Brazilian Caipirinhas (freshly squeezed limes, sugar cane rum, some sugar, and lots of ice)!

Returning to Manaus, our next adventure was catching and rescuing a very cool Brown- throated Three-toed Sloth that was crossing the road. After catching up on sleep in our comfortable hotel, dawn on the following day found us beginning our exploration of the different “Guianan Shield” avifauna. Unusual dry weather “global climate changes” produced a rare weather phenomenon with strong warm dry winds; sadly, for the third year running I have ever had this here. In fact, during the tour we experienced some of the hottest temperatures on record for over 90 years! Despite this we were spellbound and full of expectations within the canopy on top of the new INPA Canopy Tower (within the large Ducke Forest Reserve on the city’s edge), when the penetrating shrieking calls of a Red-billed Woodcreeper greeted us as dawn broke over the immense Amazonian forest unraveling before our eyes.

As the light got better, birds began to appear atop the tallest emergent with lots of group excitement; first a wonderful family of spectacular Red-fan Parrots at eye level; Amazonian Motmot; Caica Parrots; Black-bellied Cuckoo; Guianan and Pied spotted by sharp- eyed Dion; Green Aracari; our first Guianan Toucanet; Green-backed ; Waved

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Woodpecker; and Spotted Tanager. We were lucky to be able to call in a group of very localized endemic Pied Tamarins, which we gleefully observed feeding and passing below the tower. Next we drove on to visit Ducke to explore its picturesque forest trails. However, sadly, that night our stake-out Rufous Potoo nest and chick had been predated by army ! We did, however, enjoy a lovely walk and got good studies of Golden-spangled Piculet, , Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, and a confiding Black Nunbird. Manaus, in turn, offered a wonderful Brazilian barbeque followed by some relaxed birding in the afternoon on our forested hotel grounds with Variable Chachalaca, White-winged Parakeet, and Thick-billed Euphonia being some of the highlights.

Black Nunbird still hunting — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Despite an enthralling pre-dawn downpour (which some enjoyed more than others) the huge towering canopy emergents (some over 175 feet tall) surrounding the famous well-constructed INPA Canopy Tower, as usual, paid great dividends! Although the rain made birding more

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 challenging, we did disturb an early rising group of Gray-winged Trumpeters along the tower trail and had a fantastic bumper cool morning with many highlights, including stunning White Hawks; a wonderful study of the rarely seen Glossy-backed Becard while a nearby flowering tree and fruiting emergent gave us exceptional views of a singing Black-spotted Barbet pair; Red-billed Pied, Yellow-backed, Spotted, Paradise, Opal-rumped, and Flame-crested tanagers, and Leon found the gem of a rare Dotted Tanager too; Rufous-throated Sapphire; and Red- legged and Short-billed honeycreepers. Canopy flocks produced Guianan (Lineated) Woodcreeper, both Spot-backed and Ash-winged antwrens, Olive-green Tyrannulet, and Slaty- capped Shrike-Vireo just to name a few. Parrots were scarce with little fruit; however, we managed stunning views of a close fly-by Scarlet and Red-and-green macaws. No sign, sadly, of the extremely rare Crimson Fruitcrow which had been seen a week earlier.

Black-spotted Barbet — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

The forested trails and gardens of our next simple lodge at Presidente Figueiredo as usual produced a series of non-stop excitement including macaws; Orange-winged and Dusky parrots; an excellent pair of Black Curassows; Amazonian Pygmy-Owl; stunning Purple-breasted Cotinga and Guianan Red-Cotinga; Curve-billed Scythebill; the rare Red-billed Woodcreeper; male Pompadour Cotingas; crippling Crimson Topaz; a cool-looking Great Jacamar; nesting Pink-throated Becard; the tiny, colorful Painted Tody-Flycatcher; and a rare Plumbeous Euphonia. This year the Acai palms were not yet ripe (right by our cabins); however, those that were produced Green Aracaris and magnificent tame Painted Parakeets eating flowers.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Channel-billed Toucan — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Other Guianan highlights here included Black-headed Antbird, Guianan Warbling-Antbird, and Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper. Also, more outstanding exquisitely tasting food included Pirarucu fish (a prehistoric-looking predator and one of the largest fresh water fish in the world), freshly squeezed cupuaçu and passion fruit juices, and, of course, the special Acai ice cream must be mentioned too.

One fine afternoon saw us visiting a magnificent forested reserve (which will long remain engraved in our minds), a superb, ideal setting in a forest clearing with a crystal-clear stream flowing through the middle where we enjoyed a tranquil and wonderful homemade meal with exotic juices. Next up was the trip highlight, visiting a lek of one of the world’s top 10 birds, the incomparable Guianan Cock-of-the-rock! Visiting such a lek has to be one of the top ten wildlife experiences of anyone’s lifetime! The magical 45 minutes we spent, spellbound, observing up to 12 –15 blazing florescent-orange males as they bill clapped, called, and displayed their

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 bizarre specialized petticoat rump feathers and odd tertial filaments will long remain in our memories. These amazing displays from thin bare branches are to attract passing females and try to entice them down to their well-kept individual display courts on the forest floor where they then, if accepted, can mate. Wow, what a show as they completely ignored our close presence (only 30 feet away); with cameras clicking away and videos whirling, we captured and enjoyed this simply amazing spectacle! Hard to follow on from such a breathtaking finale, however, next we did manage stunning studies of the Yellow-crowned Manakin and flashy Bronzy Jacamar before seeing a rare Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant, a bird that Kevin Zimmer and I had rediscovered way back in 1992 (known initially from a single specimen collected in the 1830s). On our way back to the lodge we located an incredibly responsive pair of one of the greatest ovenbirds, the Point-tailed Palmcreeper, and a pair of lovely Moriche Orioles.

Guianan Cock-of -the-rock males at lek, and at right an individual stretching. — Photos: Andrew Whittaker

Night birding by our lodge produced a super rufous morph Common Potoo (thanks to Dion) and some very tame Blackish Nightjars along with a frustrating pair of Crested Owls; owls in general were very silent this year and hard to come by.

Another exciting excursion to a private reserve and lovely hidden waterfalls rewarded us with great studies of the bizarre Capuchinbirds, Yellow-billed Jacamar, and a nice mixed species flock too. Finally, around our hotel we managed to bring out a superb walk-in Ferruginous- backed Antbird and Guianan Slaty-Antshrike; a stunning Chestnut and cool Golden-green

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 woodpecker; and some shy Cayanne Jays too. However, we were mostly beaten by a stubborn Spotted Puffbird (seen by Sally only) and a very frustrating pair of Collard Puffbirds that would, sadly, just not show! A group of Golden-handed Tamarins, however, showed well, as did a responsive group of Guianan Brown Capuchins and also a very curious Red-rumped Agouti.

The very odd but highly sought after Capuchinbird was seen exceptionally well; this one landed above my head. — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

A fun final day was spent on the rich Amazonian river islands where we were lucky to flush both Gray-breasted and the rarely seen Paint-billed Crake, and had magnificent studies of multiple superb male Green-throated Mangos, while a rich forest produced Castlenau’s Antshrike; White-eyed Attila; the easily missed Yellow-crowned Elaenia; Hooded Tanager; and Oriole Blackbirds. Sadly, we only heard the rare Scaled Spinetail. Shorebird migration also produced some neat Hudsonian Godwits, and we enjoyed both Black-collared Hawk and Snail Kites. Back at our hotel, we relived some fine highlights at our fond farewell meal before departing to catch our night flights home.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Green-throated Mango male — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

You were a truly wonderful fun group and very sharp-eyed. It was my great pleasure to be able to share so many special Amazonian moments with you! I would like to especially thank Dion for his companionship, sharp eyes, and sharing with us so many funny and exciting stories on his holiday break! I do hope I passed on my immense passion, enthusiasm, and understanding of one of the world’s most magical forests, the Amazon, and its complex but wondrous mega diversity. Certainly it will always be my favorite biome, and I’m already looking ahead to my return next year! I do hope to see all of you again on one of the many exciting VENT adventures I lead. Meanwhile I hope you enjoy reading this report and that it brings back fond memories. And of course, as always, very happy birding to you all!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 ITINERARY:

9/4: Fly from the US, Canada or Europe to Brazil. All of you arrived early today to rest up, and many enjoyed birding in the forested hotel grounds, highlights being feeding Scarlet Macaws amongst many other cool species. 9/5: Lunchtime introduction followed by a birding trip to a private farm adjacent to rainforest for a fabulous feast of colorful Cotinga, Tanager, Parrot and Euphonia! 9/6: Pre-dawn saw us drifting across the mighty Amazon River on our private covered skiff as the sun rose to bird the rich dynamic Machantaria River Island, unnamed islets, lakes, and wonderful sandy beaches. We lunched at Lago Januari on a floating restaurant and visited their reserve exploring the rich varzea forest off the raised boardwalk (midstory) before returning midafternoon for a well-earned break at our hotel with some evening birding on the grounds. 9/7: After a good early breakfast we drove over the mighty Rio Negro and birded our way to the quaint riverside town of Novo Airão and had a fine meal en route before checking into our forested family-run lodge. Birding in the afternoon starting on the grounds, enjoying the super cuddly looking Spix’s Night Monkeys. Midafternoon we boarded our private skiff to start our exciting exploration of the world’s largest archipelago, getting off to walk on several islands. This included a blazing Amazonian sunset plus some neat night birding too. 9/8: Exploration by boat again of the Anavilhanas islands and their igapo specialists. After lunch, a break during the heat of the day before off to observe the amazing pod of wild Pink Dolphins coming in to be fed. Relaxed afternoon boat trip to bird the marvelous archipelago for the last time. 9/9: Birding AM and PM in terra firme on the west bank along trails for the Imeri endemics and also in a large forested clearing with an exciting afternoon and evening potoo/owling at dusk. 9/10: Birding AM in terra firme on the west bank along trails and in a clearing, with a transfer to Manaus after another magnificent lunch, with late afternoon rest at our hotel with birding at dusk on the grounds. 9/11: Our inaugural trip into the realm of the canopy rainforest on the MUSA Canopy Tower followed by visiting the Ducke Forest Reserve. 9/12: Early morning to bird famous INPA tower, in with our 4 x 4 and after a huge tropical storm we had a fantastic time before we transferred to Presidente Figueiredo; night in forested lodge. 9/13: AM birding around the lodge with a wonderful lunch and afternoon visit to the incredible Guianan Cock-of-the-rock lek, with night birding around the forest by the lodge. 9/14: Morning birding around the lodge followed by a visit to a private reserve and afternoon birding around our forested lodge with an owling/potoo/nightjar night excursion. 9/15: Early morning birding another road and new trail system at the lodge before returning after to Manaus for late afternoon birding on the hotel grounds. 9/16: Pre-dawn saw us again crossing the mighty Amazon River on our private covered skiff to further explore and search the rich dynamic Machantaria River Island, unnamed islets, and lakes for the species we still required, mostly in early successional growth and mature Varzea forest. After another great meal we returned midafternoon for a well-earned break at our hotel with some evening birding on the grounds followed by a wonderful farewell meal at the hotel. Folks caught their late night flights homebound via Miami.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 9/17: Home to the US, Brazil or Australia (following day).

5 Favorite Birds of the Trip (as voted by the group):

1. Guianan Cock-of the-rock 2. Guianan Red-Cotinga 3. Capuchinbird 4. White-winged Potoo 5. Black Curassow

Guianan Red-Cotinga young male — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

KEY: * = Heard only

BIRDS:

TINAMOUS (TINAMIDAE):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Great Tinamou (Tinamus major ) - * Undulated Tinamou ( Crypterellus undulatus) - * Variegated Tinamou (Crypterellus variegatus ) - *

DUCKS & GEESE (ANATIDAE): Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ( Dendrocygna autumnalis ) Muscovy Duck ( Carina moschata ) Brazilian Teal ( Amazonetta brasiliensis )

CHACHALACAS, GUANS & CURASSOWS (CRACIDAE): Little Chachalaca ( Ortalis motmot) Marail Guan ( Penelope marail ) Crestless Curassow ( Mitu tomentosum ) - * Heard a bunch singing this year Black Curassow ( Crax alector ) – fantastic looks as I encouraged a pair across the dirt road by the lodge in lovely light.

CORMORANTS (PHALACRORACIDAE): Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus )

ANHINGAS (ANHINGIDAE): Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga )

HERONS & EGREATS (ARDEIDAE): Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi ) Great Egret (Casmerodius alba ) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula ) Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ) Striated Heron (Butorides striatus )

IBIS & SPOONBILLS (THRESKIORNITHIDAE): Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)

NEW WORLD VULTURES (CATHARTIDAE): Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ruficollis ) - as I explained a distinct local subspecies Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (C. burrovianus ) Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (C. melambrotos ) King Vulture ( Sarcoramphus papa ) – A real nice adult circling above us in great light

OSPREYS (PANDIONIDAE): Osprey ( Pandion halieatus ) – many more migrants this year on the Amazon.

HAWKS, EAGLES & KITES (ACCIPITRIDAE): Swallow-tailed Kite ( Elanoides forticatus )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Crested Eagle ( Morphnus guianensis ) - * - alas frustratingly we only heard a juvenile begging call from near where I have had a pair nesting in previous years. Non responsive to tape- playback. Ornate Hawk-Eagle ( Spizetus ornatus ) - * Black-collared Hawk ( Busarellus nigricollis ) Snail Kite ( Rostrhamus sociabilis )- nice studies Double-toothed Kite ( Harpagus bidentatus ) Plumbeous Kite ( Ictinia plumbea ) Crane Hawk ( Geranospiza caerulescens ) – great views Slate-colored Hawk ( Buteogallus schistaceus ) - * Savanna Hawk ( Buteogallus meridionalis ) Great Black Hawk ( Buteogallus urubitinga) Roadside Hawk ( Buteo magnirostris ) White-tailed Hawk ( Geranoaetus albicaudatus )- White Hawk ( Pseudastur albicolis ) – repeated great looks Black-faced Hawk (Leucopternis melanops ) – * Gray-lined Hawk ( Buteo nitidus ) – now split from American form, the true Gray Hawk. Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus ) - lovely studies of a mixed pair perched, both light and dark morphs near their concealed nest.

RAILS & GALLINULES (RALLIDAE): Gray-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis ) – flushed several times seen well by all. Paint-billed Crake ( Neocrex erythrops ) – a complete surprise and fantastic find! Flushed on the river island, seen well in flight by all. Only the second record for Manaus area, migration poorly-known. Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus )

TRUMPETERS (PSOPHIIDAE): Gray-winged Trumpeter ( Psophia crepitans ) – flushed on way to INPA tower after the big storm not seen very well as perched in the light.

PLOVERS & LAPWINGS (CHARADRIIDAE): American Golden Plover ( Pluvialis dominica ) Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis cayennensis) - exciting to prove breeding here expanding due to , and as I explained, a future split from southern birds! Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris ) – magnificent close views of pair near nest.

JACANAS (JACANIDAE): Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana )

SANDPIPERS & ALLIES (SCOLOPACIDAE): Hudsonian Godwit ( Limosa haemastica ) – always nice to see in the Amazon. White-rumped Sandpiper ( Calidris fuscicollis) Pectoral Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Spotted Sandpiper ( Actitis macularia ) Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria ) Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

GULLS, TERNS & SKIMMERS (LARIDAE): Yellow-billed Tern (Sterna superciliaris ) Gull-billed Tern ( Gelochelidon nilotica ) – WOW what an amazing find, just a few minutes after I suggested we should be on the look-out for this species we found them! At least one pair courtship feeding with a grasshopper, both in full adult breeding plumage. Not only a trip first but a first for Manaus too. Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex ) – a real cool-looking tern, one of the best. Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger )

PIGEONS & DOVES (COLUMBIDAE): Pale-vented Pigeon ( Patagioenas cayennesis ) Scaled Pigeon ( P. speciosa ) – great scope looks as it inflated its neck to sing! Plumbeous Pigeon ( P. plumbea ) Ruddy Pigeon ( P. subvinacea ) Common Ground-Dove ( Columbina passerina ) Ruddy Ground-Dove ( Columbina talpacoti ) Ruddy Quail-Dove ( Geotrygon montana) – leader only. White-tipped Dove ( Leptotila verreauxi )

CUCKOOS & ANIS (CUCULIDAE): Greater Ani ( Crotophaga major ) Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani ) Striped Cuckoo ( Tapera naevia) - * Little Cuckoo ( Coccycua minuta ) – * Squirrel Cuckoo ( Piaya cayana ) Black-bellied Cuckoo ( P. melanogaster ) – a real crippler seen off the canopy tower.

OWLS (STRIGIDAE): Tropical Screech-Owl ( Megascops choliba) - * Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl ( Megascops wattsonii) - * Crested Owl ( Lophostrix cristata ) - * Amazonian Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium hardyi ) – nice find Leon; we got fantastic daytime scope views. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl ( Glaucidium brasilianum ) – lovey daytime studies of a very responsive bird in the várzea.

NIGHTJARS & ALLIES (CAPRIMULGIDAE):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Sand-colored Nighthawk (Chordeiles rupestris ) - one of my trip highlights seing them display over the immense sand beaches. They have to be one of the most beautiful of South American caprimuligids. Short-tailed Nighthawk ( Lurocalis semitorquatus) Band-tailed Nighthawk ( Nyctiprogne leucopyga ) - remember we had excellent views of the two very distinctly different vocal types. The nominate birds plus the dark bellied form to be split when it’s finally all worked out exactly which subspecies it is! Blackish Nightjar ( Caprimulgus nigescens ) – great studies. Commom Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicolis) Spot-tailed Nightjar ( Hydropsalis maculicaudus ) - * Ladder-tailed Nightjar ( Hydropsalis climacocerca ) - wonderful repeated looks at flushed birds in the daytime on the river islands.

Male Sand-colored Nighthawk displaying while singing that bubbly voice over a female — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

POTOOS (NYCTIBIIDAE): Great Potoo ( Nyctibius grandis) - fantastic daytime looks at a roosting bird. Common Potoo ( Nyctibius griseus) – lovely spotting of this rare brown morph found by Dion on probably a nest. White-winged Potoo ( N. leucopterus ) – another FANTASTIC look and how well it came into my imitations. This is certainly a much wanted and mythical bird and voted in the top 5. In fact, as I explained, soon to be described as a new species by my friend Mario. Mario and I discovered this unknown voice way back in 1987 which led to us for a year chasing it around at night, trying to discover exactly what it was. Mario succeeded the true nominate White-

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 winged is larger and restricted to the Atlantic rainforests of coastal Brazil where it’s rare and very endangered! Rufous Potoo ( N. braceatus ) – sadly, just the chick remains on the nest, predated by army ants the night before. How unlucky…

SWIFTS (APODIDAE): Chapman’s Swift ( Chaetura. chapmani) Short-tailed Swift ( C. brachyura ) Band-rumped Swift ( Chaetura spinicauda ) Gray-rumped Swift ( C. ciniventris ) Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift ( Panyptila cayennensis ) Fork-tailed Palm-Swift (Tachornis squamata )

HUMMINGBIRDS (TROCHILIDAE): Crimson Topaz ( Topaza pella ) – great looks at a magnificent male in the scope as it perched and patrolled those flowers, and also during its amazing display flight for females it showed off its sexy white thighs! White-necked Jacobin ( Florisuga mellivora ) Straight-billed Hermit (Phaetornis bouriceri) Long-tailed Hermit (Phaetornis superciliosus) Rupurumi Hermit ( P. rupurumi ) – Great looks on the Anavilhanas. Reddish Hermit (Phaetornis ruber) Green-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus theresiae) – Good spotting by Leon; seen nicely by all Green-throated Mango ( Anthracothorax viridigula ) – great find; we saw many of these localized birds including lovely males. Not seen often and poorly-known; this was one of my trip highlights for sure. Black-throated Mango ( Anthracothorax nigricollis) Blue-chinned Sapphire ( Chlorestes notata ) Gray-breasted Sabrewing ( Campylopterus largipennis ) Fork-tailed Woodnymph ( Thalurania fucata ) Olive-spotted ( Leucippus chlorocercus ) - * Versicolored Emerald ( versicolor) Glittering-throated Emerald ( Amazilia fimbriata ) Rufous-throated Sapphire ( Hylocharis sapphirina ) – a lovely adult male.

TROGONS (TROGONIDAE): Black-tailed Trogon ( Trogon. melanurus ) – * Green-backed Trogon ( Trogon viridis ) – split from White-tailed, seen well several times. Guianan Trogon (T. violaceus ) - split from Violaceous Trogon, seen in Reserva Ducke. (T. ramonianus ) - * split from Violaceous Trogon, heard at Novo Airão would not show itself in the canopy. (Trogon collaris) - *

MOTMOTS (MOMOTIDAE):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota ) – nice studies off the tower.

KINGFISHERS (CERYLIDAE): Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata ) Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)

PUFFBIRDS (BUCCONIDAE): White-necked Puffbird ( hyperrhynchus ) – Good find of that pair by Dion ( Notharchus macrorhynchos) – Distant this year Brown-banded Puffbird ( Notharchus ordii) – wow seen twice! A puffird so rare, Ted Parker sadly never saw it. Amazing spotting on the second bird by Deb. (N. tectus ) Spotted Puffbird ( B. tamatia ) * sadly seen only by Sally and flying a few times; really tried hard but did not want us to see them. Collared Puffbird ( capensis) - * rarely seen puffbird; this pair was being a bear and would not come out for us to see. Black Nunbird ( atra ) – great studies. Black-fronted Nunbird ( M. nigrifrons ) White-fronted Nunbird ( M. morphoeus) – nice looks at this well named nunbird. Swallow-winged Puffbird (Chelidoptera tenebrosa ) – abundant.

JACAMARS (GALBULIDAE): Yellow-billed Jacamar (Galbula albirostris ) – superb looks at this gem. Green-tailed Jacamar (G. galbula ) – nice studies. Bronzy Jacamar (G. l eucogastra ) – wonderful studies of this brilliant white-sandy belt specialist. Paradise Jacamar (G. dea ) – WOW! Great Jacamar (Jacamerops aurea ) – very cool looks at this stunner.

NEW WORLD BARBETS (CAPITONIDAE): Black-spotted Barbet (Capito niger ) – excellent studies off the tower after playback of this cool- looking pair even observed doing the bowing while singing its weak song. Gilded Barbet (C. auratus punctatus ) – nice scope looks at another forest gem, a distinct looking subspecies as the pair duet sung off the tower.

TOUCANS (RAMPHASTIDAE): Green Aracari ( Pteroglossus viridis) – amazing, delicate and beautiful. Black-necked Aracari ( P. aracari ) – also great studies by our cabins in the forest trails. Ivory-billed Aracari ( Pteroglossus azara) – seen extremely well several times! Guianan Toucanet (Selenidera piperivora) – wonderful scope studies of birds feeding on fruit. White-throated Toucan ( R. tucanus ) – lots, abundant. Channel-billed Toucan ( Ramphastos vitellinus ) – wow so cool.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Green Aracari male — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

WOODPECKERS (PICIDAE): Golden-spangled Piculet (Picumnus exilis ) Yellow-tufted Woodpecker ( Melanerpes cruentatus ) – lovely studies of several groups. Golden-collared Woodpecker ( Veniliornis cassini ) Little Woodpecker ( Veniliornis passerinus ) Yellow-throated Woodpecker ( Piculus flavigula ) Golden-green Woodpecker ( Piculus chrysochlorus) – great studies in the Cecropia by our lodge. Spot-breasted Woodpecker ( Colaptes punctigula ) – Wonderful views on the river islands. Ringed Woodpecker ( C. torquatus ) – Marvelous studies low down in várzea and off the canopy. Waved Woodpecker ( undulatus) Cream-colored Woodpecker ( C. flavus ) - * Chestnut Woodpecker (Celeus e. elegans ) – nice looks at this the nominate form with the yellow crown. Lineated Woodpecker ( Dryocopus lineatus ) * Red-necked Woodpecker ( Campephilus rubricollis ) - * Crimson-crested Woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Ringed Woodpecker female — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

FALCONS & CARACARAS (FALCONIDAE): Lined Forest-Falcon ( Micrastur gilvicollis ) – *

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Black Caracara (Daptrius ater) – Nice looks Red-throated Caracara ( Ibycter americanus ) – odd bird; terrible loud shrieking calls. Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) Yellow-headed Caracara ( Milvago chimachima ) Bat Falcon ( Falco rufigularis )

NEW WORLD & AFRICAN PARROTS (PSITTACIDAE): Scaled-shouldered Parrotlet ( Touit huetii ) – a real treat to see so well flying over in good light, flashing its scarlet underwings. Sapphire-rumped Parrotlet ( Touit purpuratus) – fly-bys a couple of times. Tui Parakeet ( B. sanctithomae ) – lovely scope views. White-winged Parakeet ( Brotogeris versicolurus) Golden-winged Parakeet ( Brotogeris chrysopterus ) Orange-cheeked Parrot (Pyrilia barrabandi) – * Caica Parrot ( P. caica ) – fantastic scope looks so close! Dusky Parrot (P. fuscus ) – an odd but attractive parrot. Blue-headed Parrot ( Pionus menstruus ) – abundant. Short-tailed Parrot ( Graydidascalus brachyurus ) - seen well this big-headed riverine specialist. Festive Parrot ( Amazona festiva ) – how fun to watch them enjoying life, bouncing around on that lovely afternoon on the spectacular boat trip in the Anavilhanas. Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis diadema) – great scope looks at the endemic form which is extremely localized and going to be split . Mealy Parrot ( Amazona farinosa ) Orange-winged Parrot ( A. amazonica ) – nice looks. Blue-winged Parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius ) Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus ) – great scope looks at this lovely parrot. Red-fan Parrot ( Deroptyus accipitrinus ) – wow, we nailed this great looker so many times this year. Painted Parakeet ( Pyrrhura picta ) – fantastic scope studies by our cabins, also on the Açaí palms. Red-bellied Macaw ( Orthopsittaca manilatus ) – wow, what looks and in such terrific light! Blue-and-yellow Macaw ( Ara ararauna ) – leader only. Scarlet Macaw ( Ara macao ) – magnificent studies on our hotel grounds in Manaus on several days. Red-and-green Macaw ( Ara chloropterus ) – nice fly-by looks off the tower. Chestnut-fronted Macaw ( Ara severus ) White-eyed Parakeet ( Aratinga leucophthamus )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 27 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Painted Parakeet flock — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS (THAMNOPHILIDAE): Ash-winged Antwren (Euchrepornis spodioptila) – neat looks off the tower of this hard to get canopy species. Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus) – wonderful studies of a close pair. Black-crested Antshrike ( Sakesphorus canadensis ) - neat. Barred Antshrike ( doliatus) – a female on the river islands. Mouse-colored Antshrike (Thamnophilus murinus) Castlenau’s Antshrike ( T. cryptolecus ) – a real treat. Blackish-gray Antshrike ( T. nigrocinereus ) Northern Slaty-Antshrike (Thamnophilus punctatus) White-shouldered Antshrike ( T. aethiops ) Amazonian Antshrike (Thamnophilus amazonicus) – great studies of a family group.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 28 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Pearly Antshrike ( Megastictus margaritatus ) – wonderful studies of this rare antbird, a lovely male pumping its spotted tail on that vertical perch. Cinereous Antshrike ( T. caesius) Spot-winged Antshrike ( Pygiptila stellaris) Madeira Antwren ( Epinecrophylla amazonica ) – a dead leaf specialist seen very well. Pygmy Antwren ( Myrmotherula brachyura ) - cute and great looks at the forest edge. Cherrie’s Antwren ( M. cherriei ) – excellent studies of until recently a poorly-known species. Klage’s Antwren ( M. klagesi ) – endemic. Excellent looks at this, once thought lost to science and rediscovered here in the Anavilhanas. White-flanked Antwren ( M. axillaris ) Gray Antwren ( M. menetriesii ) Leaden Antwren ( M. assimilis ) – multiple good studies. Spot-backed Antwren ( Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus ) – off the tower. Guianan Warbling-Antbird ( Hypocnemis cantator ) Yellow-browed Antbird ( H. hypoxantha ) – stunning bird, one of the best of all antbirds. Dusky Antbird ( C. tyrannina ) Gray Antbird (Cercomacra cinerascens) Ash-breasted Antbird ( M. lugubris ) – wonderful studies of a pair. Black-faced Antbird (Myrmoborus myotherinus) – * Black-chinned Antbird ( Hypocnemoides melanopogon ) – good looks. Black-and-white Antbird (Myrmochanes hemileucus ) – always a crowd pleaser, a real cute bird. Amazing to think of an antbird that has evolved to live on those dynamic river islands. Silvered Antbird (Sclateria naevia ) - * Black-headed Antbird ( Percnostola rufifrons ) - hard as always to see. Ferruginous-backed Antbird (Sciaphylax ferruginea ) – wow, fantastic studies as it kept in along the forest floor showing off its superb colors. Black-throated Antbird (Myrmophylax atrothorax ) - * Rufous-throated Antbird ( Gymnopithys rufigula ) - * alas did not come into tape-playback.

Ash-breasted Antbird singing– Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 29 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

Black-and-white Antbird — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

GNATEATERS (CONOPOPHAGIDAE) Chestnut-belted Gnateater ( Conopophaga aurita ) - * tried so hard on two vocal birds with no luck!

ANTPITTAS (GRALLARIIDAE): Variegated Antpitta ( Grallaria varia) - *

ANTTHRUSHES (FORMICARIIDAE): Rufous-capped Antthrush (Formicarius colma) – *

OVENBIRDS & (FURNARIIDAE): Olivaceous Woodcreeper ( Sittasomus griseicapillus amazonum ) – lots of splits to follow in this widespread species. Plain-brown Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla fuliginosa ) – swarm follower often. Wedge-billed Woodcreeper ( Glyphorynchus spirurus ) – leader only. Long-billed Woodcreeper ( Nasica longirostris ) – wow, what a cool bird and an amazing long bill for probing for in those bromeliads. Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes certhia ) - * Black-banded Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – * Red-billed Woodcreeper ( Hylexetastes perrotii ) – great bird to see, not at all common. Striped Woodcreeper ( Xiphorhynchus obsoletus ) Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper ( X. pardalotus ) – wonderful studies at Ducke. Ocellated Woodcreeper ( Xiphorhynchus ocellatus) – a good find of this poorly-known species. Buff-throated Woodcreeper ( Xiphorhynchus guttatus) - *

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 30 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Straight-billed Woodcreeper ( Dendroplex picus ) Zimmer’s Woodcreeper ( D. necopinus ) – nice studies to compare with Straight-billed. Curve-billed Scythebill ( Campylorhamphus procurvoides ) – good find. Guianan Woodcreeper ( albolineatus ) – Split from the Lineated complex Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus ) Wing-banded Hornero ( Furnarius figulus) – endemic, almost joined us in our boat, so quick to respond to tape. Lesser Hornero ( Furnarius minor) – nice riverine specialist. Parker’s Spinetail ( Cranioluca vulpecula ) – canebreak specialist seen very well. Speckled Spinetail ( Cranioleuca gutturata) - * Scaled Spinetail ( Cranioleuca mulleri) - * alas this rare poorly-known species heard only. Yellow-chinned Spinetail ( Certhiaxis cinnamomea ) – common. Pale-breasted Spinetail ( Synallaxis albescens) Dark-breasted Spinetail ( Synallaxis albigularis) White-bellied Spinetail ( S. propinqua ) – good studies of this skulker.

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (TYRANNIDAE): White-lored Tyrannulet (Ornithion inerme ) – studied well off the tower, could see its stunted tail and bold covert dots. Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma absoletum ) Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias murina ) Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus ) – even found three beers nest! Forest Elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii ) Gray Elaenia (M. caniceps ) – nice male close to the tower. Yellow-crowned Elaenia (M. flavivertex ) – great looks at this easily overlooked várzea bird. Brownish Elaenia ( Elaenia pelzelni ) – Excellent studies of this poorly-known species. Lesser Elaenia ( Elaenia chiriquensis) River Tyrannulet ( hypoleuca ) – cute. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher ( Mionectes olegineus) Guianan Tyrannulet ( Zimmerius acer ) Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher (Sublegatus obscurior ) Amazonian Tyrannulet ( Inezia subflava ) – what a great voice, so responsive. Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant ( Stigmatura napensis ) – good looks and great duetting voice. Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant (Myiornis ecaudatus ) – tiny bumble bee like. Double-banded Pygmy-Tyrant ( L. vitiosus) - got you at last, you wicked witch of Amazonia. Snethlage’s Tody-Tyrant ( Hemitriccus minor ) - * Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant ( H. inornatus ) – endemic. Excellent spotting of this recently re-discovered species having been thought lost to science since the only known skin was collected back in 1831! In fact rediscovered by Kevin and me in early 1990s in campina north of Manaus. Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus minimus ) - * Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus latirostris ) Spotted Tody-Flycatcher ( T. maculatum ) Painted Tody-Flycatcher (T. pictum ) – cute, great spotting Dion. Olivaceous Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus ) - *

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 31 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Yellow-olive Flycatcher ( Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis ) – insignis to be split soon by Kevin and me to be named Riverine Flycatcher. Yellow-margined Flycatcher ( T. assimilis examinatus ) - to be split soon too! Gray-crowned Flycatcher ( T. policephalus ) Golden-crowned Spadebill ( Platyrhynchus coronatus) - * Whiskered Flycatcher ( Myiobius barbatus ) Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus ) Riverside Tyrant ( Knipolegus orenocensis ) – good studies, even observed doing its display flight. White-headed Marsh Tyrant (Arundinicola leucocephala ) Cinnamon Attila (Attila cinnamomeus) White-eyed Attila ( A. bolivianus ) – lovely bird, striking with the white eye. Bright-rumped Attila ( A. spadiceus ) Todd’s Sirystes ( Sirystes subcanescens ) – A good find, not easy bird any more in canopy flocks seen off the tower. Grayish Mourner ( Rhytipterna simplex ) Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer ) Short-crested Flycatcher ( M. ferox ) Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus ) Great Kiskadee ( Pitangus sulphuratus ) Boat-billed Flycatcher ( Megarynchus pitangua ) Rusty-margined Flycatcher ( Myiozetetes cayanensis ) Social Flycatcher ( M. similis ) Yellow-throated Flycatcher ( Conopias parvus ) –a neat canopy flycatcher. Streaked Flycatcher ( Myiodynastes maculatus ) Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) Variegated Flycatcher ( Empidonomus varius ) Crowned Slaty Flycatcher ( Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus) – Austral migrant. Sulphury Flycatcher (Tyrannopsis sulphurea ) White-throated Kingbird ( Tyrannus albogularis) Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus ) Fork-tailed Flycatcher ( T. savana )

COTINGAS (COTINGIDAE): Guianan Red-Cotinga (P. carnifex ) – great looks. Guianan Cock-of-the-rock ( Rupicola rupicola ) – incredible studies of up to 10 dazzling males attending a lek, ignoring us while displaying no more than 30 feet in front of us, often in sun patches, simply stunning! For me arguably one of the most beautiful birds on our planet! Purple-breasted Cotinga ( Cotinga cotinga ) – wow, what crippling views of a spectacular male! Must be one of the most beautiful of the Cotinga along with Banded. Spangled Cotinga ( Cotinga cayana ) – stunning too. Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans) Pompadour Cotinga ( punicea )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 32 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Capuchinbird ( Perissocephalus tricolor ) – wow, a trip highlight for your leader too. Such a great looking odd bird and its CRAZY voice like a chain saw has to be heard like we did at 2 localities.

MANAKINS (PIPRIDAE): Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) – leader only. Tiny Tyrant-Manakin (Tyranneutes virescens) – seen by some in our canopy fruiting tree, we tried hard on lek but to no avail. Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin ( Neopelma chrysocephalum ) – leader only. White-throated Manakin (Corapipo gutturalis) – * Blue-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata) – a cool looking brilliant male seen so well . White-fronted Manakin (Lepidothrix serena) – * Yellow-crowned Manakin (Heterocercus flavivertex ) – very nice. Wire-tailed Manakin ( Pipra filicauda ) – another odd thing for the first year ever no dazzling males, sadly just imm males seen well. White-crowned Manakin ( Dixiphia pipra ) – even a neat nest too. Golden-headed Manakin ( Pipra erythrocephala ) – another wow, what males! Wing-barred Piprites (Piprites chloris)

TITYRA & ALLIES (): Black-tailed Tityra (Tityra cayana) – several seen well. Varzea (Schiffornis major ) – good looks at Anavilhanas of a very responsive bird Olivaceous Schiffornis (Schiffornis olivacea) - * White-browed Purpletuft (Iodopleura isabellae) – wow, what a good show of these easily overlooked canopy dwellers twice. Dusky Purpletuft ( I. fusca) – * alas heard only this year, this very rarely seen canopy species. Cinereous Becard (Pachyramphus rufus) Chestnut-crowned Becard ( Pachyramphus castaneus ) Black-capped Becard ( Pachyramphus marginatus ) Glossy-backed Becard (Pachyramphus surinamus) - wonderful studies of a male at close range off the INPA tower of this rare canopy species. Pink-throated Becard (Pachyramphus minor) – nesting again in the same isolated tree as last year.

VIREOS, SHRIKE-BABBLERS & ERPORNIS (VIREONIIDAE): Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus ) – sometimes split as Chivi Vireo, waiting to be published by someone as it’s a good split. Lemon-chested Greenlet ( Hylophilus thoracicus grisiventris) – nice studies. Gray-chested Greenlet (Hylophilus semicinereus ) Buff-cheeked Greenlet (H. muscicapinus ) Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo ( Vireolanius leucotis ) - * heard only sadly. Rufous-browed Peppershrike ( Cyclarhis gujanensis )

CROWS, ’S & ():

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 33 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Jay ( cayanus ) – sadly, skulking small group seen by some.

SWALLOWS (HIRUNINIDAE): White-thighed Swallow (Atticora tibialis) - nice looks at our forested lodge. Southern Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ) Purple Martin (Progne subis ) - may have been some Southern in amongst them but none for sure! Gray-breasted Martin ( P. chalybea ) Brown-chested Martin ( Phaeoprogne tapera ) - we saw both forms, the resident and migrant form, and took in the plumage distinctions. White-winged Swallow ( Tachycineta albiventer ) Bank Swallow ( Riparia riparia ) Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica )

WRENS (TROGLODYTIDAE): House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) – common. Coraya Wren (Pheugopedius coraya) – a skulker seen by all after working on them. Buff-breasted Wren (Cantorchilus leucotis) – * -like Wren (Campylorhynchus turdinus ) - *

GNATCATCHERS (POLIOPTILIIDAE): Long-billed Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) Tropical Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila plumbea)

THRUSHES & ALLIES (TURDIDAE): Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas ) Black-billed Thrush ( Turdus ignobilis ) Cocoa Thrush ( Turdus fumigatus ) * White-necked Thrush ( Turdus albicolis) - Dion only.

NEW WORLD WARBLERS (PARULIDAE): Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis ) - good studies on the river islands.

TANAGERS & ALLIES (THRAUPIDAE): Red-billed Pied Tanager ( Lamprospiza melanoleuca ) – stunning looks close-up of a flock off the tower; we could see the different gray backed females and immatures clearly. Hooded Tanager ( Nemosia pileata ) Flame-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus cristatus) - cool lookers off the tower. Fulvous-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus surinamus) White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) Silver-beaked Tanager ( Ramphocelus carbo ) – widespread. Blue-gray Tanager ( Thraupis episcopus ) – common. Palm Tanager ( T. palmarum ) – abundant. Spotted Tanager ( T. punctata ) – a cool looker.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 34 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Dotted Tanager ( Tangara varia) - good find by Leon of this very rare bird, great looks at a cool- looking male in all its glory in the canopy! Turquoise Tanager ( Tangara mexicana) Paradise Tanager ( T. chilensis ) – simply stunning looks at this magnificent species off the canopy tower. Opal-rumped Tanager ( Tangara velia) – great studies too of another crippling tanager. Black-faced Dacnis ( Dacnis lineata) – males are simply just stunning. Yellow-bellied Dacnis ( D. flaviventer ) – * leader only at Anavilhanas. Blue Dacnis ( D. cayana) Short-billed Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes nitidus) – super looks. Purple Honeycreeper ( C. caeruleus ) – what colorful legs. Red-legged Honeycreeper ( C. cyaneus ) Green Honeycreeper ( Chlorophanes spiza ) Yellow-backed Tanager ( H. flavicollis ) – good studies of a pair off the tower, a striking bird the male. Pearly-breasted Conebill ( C. margaritae ) – many fantastic studies of this riverine specialist even down to eye level. Bicolored Conebill ( C. margaritae minor ) – seen by Dion only. Orange-fronted Yellow- (Sicalis columbiana) – very cool looker. Blue-black Grassquit ( Volatinia jacarina ) – Johnny jump up. Lined Seedeater ( S. lineola ) Chestnut-bellied Seedeater ( S. castaneiventris ) – common and males very attractive. Bananaquit ( Coereba flaveola ) Buff-throated Saltator ( S. maximus) Grayish Saltator ( S. coerulescens ) Slate-colored Grosbeak ( Saltator grossus)

BUNTINGS & NEW WORLD SPARROWS (EMBERIZIDAE): Yellow-browed Sparrow (Ammodramus aurifrons) – sounds like a grasshopper, a real neat looker.

CARDINALS & ALLIES (CARDINALIDAE): Yellow-green Grosbeak ( Caryothraustes canadensis ) – a nice flock last day at Iracema. Blue-black Grosbeak ( Cyanocompsa cyanoides ) – I got a male to fly across the road at Iracema, a sweet songster.

TROUPIALS & ALLIES (ICTERIDAE): Red-breasted Meadowlark (Sturnella militaris ) Oriole Blackbird ( Gymnomystax mexicanus ) – always stunning. Yellow-hooded Blackbird ( Agelaius icterocephalus ) Shiny Cowbird ( M. bonariensis ) Giant Cowbird ( Scaphidura oryzivora ) Orange-backed Troupial ( Icterus croconotus) – a Wow bird, such a brilliant plumage. Yellow-rumped Cacique ( Cacicus cela )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 35 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous) Russet-backed Oropendola ( Psarocolius angustifrons ) - nice find in the várzea forest last day. Green Oropendola ( P. viridis ) – a real smart-looking Oropendola. Crested Oropendola ( Psarocolius decumanus )

Oriole Blackbird – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

FINCHES, & ALLIES (FRINGILIIDAE): Plumbeous Euphonia (Euphonia plumbea) – a great find, a very uncommon and distinct looking Euphonia found only in white-sandy belt forest. Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia lanirostriis) – hotel grounds in Manaus. White-vented Euphonia (Euphonia minuta) – good find from Peggy of a neat male. Golden-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia chrysopasta) – used to be called White-lored. Golden-sided Euphonia (Euphonia cayennensis) – stunning looks at this beauty, a Guianan endemic. Rufous-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia rufiventris) * at Novo Airão would not come into tape.

WEAVERS & ALLIES (PLOCEIDAE): Common Waxbill ( Estrilda astrild)

TOTAL = 417 bird species!

MAMMALS

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 36 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017

SLOTHS: Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth ( Bradypus tricactylus) – Close up looks as we rescued one crossing the road!

MARMOSETS & TAMARINS: Pied Tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) – good find of this very local endemic, great views off the tower and closely observed feeding. Golden-handed Tamarin (Saguinus midas) – fantastic studies.

Endemic Pied Tamarin — Photo: Andrew Whittaker

NEW WORLD MONKEYS: Golden-backed Squirrel Monkey ( Saimiri ustus) – great looks so close on the boardwalk of a group foraging for food. Guianan Brown Capuchin ( Cebus apella) – nice studies at our hotel.

NIGHT MONKEYS: Spix’s Night Monkey (Aotus vociferans) – stunning scope studies at their daytime roost, so so cute.

LARGE NEW WORLD MONKEYS: Red Howler Monkey (Allouatta seniculus) - what noise these make too, very impressive. Black Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus) - distant looks off the tower.

AGOUTIS:

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 37 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017 Red-rumped Agouti ( Dasyprocta agouti )

WEASELS, OTTERS & ALLIES: Giant Otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) – fantastic find at the Anavilhanas and what a confiding individual separated from its group I think. I have never seen a lone individual like this. This was a trip first and this species. So pleasing to see it’s coming back in Brazil in numbers after illegal hunting for the fur trade stopped some 50 years ago!

SHEATH-TAILED BATS: Long-nosed Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso)

AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN: (Pink) Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) – incredible close studies as the wild pod came into feed. Gray River Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis)

TOTAL = 13 species

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:

Yellow-crowned Brush-tailed Rat - I think this is Leon’s critter in the hollow. Giant False Water Cobra ( Hydrodynastes gigas ) - Sally’s superb snake was identified by Dion and his friend. Spectacled Caiman - seen at Anavilhanas so well.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 38 Manaus, Brazil: Amazon Rainforest & River Islands, 2017