Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension September 1–5, 2018

BRAZIL: IGUAÇU FALLS EXTENSION

SEPTEMBER 1–5, 2018

Surucua Trogon ©Kevin Zimmer

LEADER: KEVIN ZIMMER LIST COMPILED BY: KEVIN ZIMMER

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

BRAZIL: IGUAÇU FALLS EXTENSION

SEPTEMBER 1–5, 2018

By Kevin Zimmer

Iguaçu Falls, September 2018 (© Richard Kuehn)

This short extension was centered on three days of birding in Iguaçu Falls National Park (Paraná state, Brazil), where the world’s greatest waterfalls and a nice cross-section of southern Brazilian birds, many of which are endemic to the greater Atlantic Forest region, awaited. This year’s visit was not without significant challenges, all of which were weather related. In fact, for several anxious hours, it looked as if we might not make it to Iguaçu at all! Our early morning departure from Cuiabá to São Paulo and subsequent connection to Iguaçu were designed to have us at the park and ensconced into the lovely Hotel Cataratas in time for lunch, with the afternoon to be devoted to birding and sightseeing between the hotel and the Falls. That plan went out the window when the pilot had to abort his approach into the Iguaçu airport due to poor visibility from a storm that had settled over the area. After circling for nearly an hour, while waiting in vain for a visibility window that never developed, we diverted to another distant city for refueling before heading back to São Paulo. By this time, the airport at Iguaçu had been shut down for a few hours, and rebooking options for flights later that day were distressingly limited, with an entire planeload full of passengers needing to be accommodated. We were fortunate indeed to be given priority in snapping up the last few available seats on the regularly scheduled late flight, given that GOL was not adding any additional departures for the day. The second time around proved to be the charm, and we touched down at the Iguaçu airport some 8–9 hours after we were originally scheduled to arrive. Our late evening arrival meant that we had missed out on what was to be our initial of two walks to the Falls, along with the associated afternoon of birding. The deluge of rain (after weeks of completely dry conditions), which continued as a steady drizzle through

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 much of the night, in concert with the late evening arrival, also meant that our usual pre- dawn search for owls, potoos, and nightjars was out of the question. I couldn’t reasonably get people up at 4:00 a.m. when we weren’t even into our rooms until 10:00 p.m., and with all of the dripping through the forest foliage, no owl in its right mind was going to be out anyway!

Rufous-capped Motmot, Iguaçu Falls NP, September 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Accordingly, we swapped a 6:30 a.m. buffet breakfast at the hotel for the planned 4:30 owling followed by field breakfast in the forest. Although the rain had stopped by the time we made it to the beginning of the Poço Preto Road, the skies were still sodden and threatening throughout much of the day, depressing bird vocalization and making things generally challenging for photographers, as well as for those straining to see critical field marks and colors of canopy-dwelling birds against gray skies. After several false starts and brief rainy spells, the rain finally resumed for real in the late afternoon and continued into the night, once more negating any point to pre-dawn owling efforts. The next day featured more of the same, with gray skies, cooler than normal temperatures, and the threat of rain off-and-on throughout the day. In spite of all this, our two days of forest birding along the 11-km of jeep track ending at the Iguaçu River produced many of the expected Atlantic Forest specialties that we have come to expect from this magnificent spot. Some of the more memorable highlights included nice studies of spectacular Robust and Blond-crested woodpeckers; fruiting trees brimming with guans and thrushes; the see-sawing displays of a pair of Spot-billed Toucanets; an incandescent male Band- tailed Manakin; confiding pairs of Surucua Trogons and an unusually cooperative Rufous-capped Motmot; a responsive Sharpbill that sat stoically throughout our inspection (all the while, delivering repeated “bomb-dropping” whistled songs); an inquisitive pair of Rufous Gnateaters at point-blank range; Southern Antpipits and

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Saffron-billed Sparrows skulking in the understory; mixed-species flocks of foliage- gleaners, ant-tanagers, various tyrannulets, and multiple endemic Creamy-bellied Gnatcatchers responding fiercely to my pygmy-owl calls; and a pair of dazzling Blue- naped Chlorophonias constructing their nest below eye level, in the masses of epiphytic vegetation overhanging the bank near the footbridge. The tower overlooking the marsh was also particularly productive, providing eye level viewing of such normally neck- straining birds as Rufous-winged Antwren, Streak-capped Antwren, Chestnut-bellied and Purple-throated euphonias, and Guira Tanager.

Blue-naped Chlorophonia (male), Iguaçu Falls NP, September 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

On our last day, we spent most of the morning birding and sightseeing along the walk from the hotel to the Devil’s Throat portion of the Falls. This should have been a recap of our first afternoon, with an emphasis on searching for the rare Black-fronted Piping- Guan, but since the canceled plane flight had deprived us of the initial excursion, the last day was our only real chance to enjoy the spectacle of the Falls. Therefore, birds understandably took a back seat on this day, and everyone burned lots of pixels on the scenery instead, with most participants even braving the spray to walk out onto the catwalk below the Devil’s Throat. In the course of the morning, we were still treated to close encounters with Toco Toucans, Chestnut-eared Aracaries, mobs of elegant Plush- crested Jays (and less elegant South American Coatis), and hordes of Great Dusky Swifts.

Although the weather denied us any chance at nocturnal birds, and undoubtedly caused us to miss several diurnal species that we virtually always see, we still added a whole new suite of Atlantic Forest birds to our trip list from the main Brazil: Pantanal Safari (Birds & Jaguars) tour , and the Extension proved a perfect “up-country” complement to

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 our time in the “outback” of the Pantanal. Special thanks to our local guide Oliver, as well as to all of the folks from Macuco Safaris for their flawless handling of the complicated logistics. It was great fun introducing each of you to the scenic, floral, and faunal wonders of this region, and I hope to see you all on future tours in Brazil or some other part of the world.

Plush-crested Jay, Iguaçu Falls NP, September 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

Band-tailed Manakin (male), Iguaçu Falls NP (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

ITINERARY:

9/01 - Cuiabá to São Paulo to Iguaçu to the Hotel das Cataratas, inside the National Park. 9/02 - Iguaçu Falls National Park: breakfast at 0630h, with 0730h departure from hotel for all-day birding (with field lunch) on the Poço Preto Road, until ca. 1700h. 9/03 - Iguaçu Falls National Park: breakfast at 0630h, with 0730h departure from hotel for all-day birding (with field lunch) on the Poço Preto Road, until ca. 1700h. 9/04 - Time for one last morning excursion (on foot) along the river to the Falls, mainly for sightseeing and photographing the Falls, and to search for Black-fronted Piping-Guan. We transferred to the airport in time for our flight from Iguacu to São Paulo, with later connections to international flights home. 9/05 - International flights arrive back in USA, with connections home.

KEY:

E - species endemic to the Atlantic Forest biogeographic region including and surrounding southeast Brazil (including northern Argentina -- mostly Misiones -- and eastern Paraguay). A few of these designated species are endemic to a slightly broader area that includes the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil, and/or adjacent Planalto regions of interior southern Brazil. In a few cases, I have added this designation to taxa not yet recognized at the species level by the South American Classification Committee (SACC)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 of the American Ornithologists Society (AOS), but which are either already treated as distinct by the Brazilian Check-list Committee, or, which are in imminent position of being elevated to species level. e - subspecies endemic to this biogeographic region (see above). Many of these taxa are geographically isolated from (and morphologically and vocally distinct from) other forms currently considered to be conspecific. Many of these represent potential “splits”, and many are already treated as specifically distinct by some taxonomists. X - Indicates an introduced, non-native species. * - heard only POPR = Poço Preto Road

BIRDS :

TINAMOUS (Tinamidae)

Brown Tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus obsoletus )* (e) - 1-2 birds heard each day on the POPR.

DUCKS, GEESE & WATERFOWL (Anatidae)

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata ) - 6 seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2, and 8 seen there on 9/3.

CHACHALACAS, GUANS & CURASSOWS (Cracidae)

Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura ) - 3+ seen as they fed in fruiting trees at the edge of the clearing at the beginning of the POPR on 9/3. We did not see any Rusty- margined Guans, but that species occurs here as well.

CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracidae)

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) - 1-2 seen along the river above the Devil’s Throat on our last morning.

HERONS & EGRETS (Ardeidae)

Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum ) - 2 seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/3. Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi ) - Singles seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2 and again on 9/3. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula ) - Singles seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2 and again on 9/3. Striated Heron (Butorides striata ) - 2 seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ) - 11 at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2, with 10 seen in the same spot the next day.

IBISES & SPOONBILLS (Threskiornithidae)

Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis )* - 1 heard from the end of the POPR on 9/2.

NEW WORLD VULTURES (Cathartidae)

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) - Seen daily, particularly common below the Falls. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ) - Seen daily, particularly common below the Falls.

HAWKS, KITES & EAGLES (Accipitridae)

Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis )* - 1 heard along the POPR on 9/3. Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis ) - 1 seen at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/3. Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris ) - 2 seen on 9/2, and 4 seen on 9/3, mostly along the main park road.

RAILS, COOTS & GALLINULES (Rallidae)

Blackish Rail (Pardirallus nigricans )* - 1 heard from the end of the POPR on 9/2.

LIMPKIN (Aramidae)

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna ) - 2 at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2.

PLOVERS & LAPWINGS (Charadriidae)

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis ) - 2 on 9/2; 4 on 9/3; several seen flying overhead on 9/4 as we walked between the hotel and the Falls.

PIGEONS & DOVES (Columbidae)

Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis ) - Small numbers seen/heard daily, usually flying high overhead, and mostly near the river. Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro ) - Scattered singles and small groups seen daily, mostly flying high above the forest. White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi ) - 2 at the end of the POPR on 9/3. Gray-fronted Dove (Leptotila rufaxilla ) - 1 in the bamboo at the end of the POPR on 9/3. Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata ) - Pairs seen daily on the hotel grounds. (This species seems to be undergoing a population explosion in many parts of Brazil {e.g. Iguaçu}, and is now encountered in much greater numbers than just a few years ago.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

CUCKOOS & ANIS (Cuculidae)

Greater Ani (Crotophaga major )* - Heard near the end of the POPR on 9/2. Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana ) - 1-2 birds seen daily (POPR and along the road to the Devil’s Throat).

TYPICAL OWLS (Strigidae)

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ) - 1 seen along the POPR on 9/3.

SWIFTS (Apodidae)

Great Dusky Swift (Cypseloides senex ) - Hundreds seen over the river and the Falls on 9/4. We didn’t get to see them clinging to the rocks behind the Falls this trip, because the volume of water coming over the Falls was too high. Rain in the late afternoon on 9/2 and 9/3 probably sent them to roost early on those days.

TROGONS (Trogonidae)

Surucua Trogon (male), Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Surucua Trogon (Trogon surrucura surrucura ) (E) - Heard along the POPR on 9/2, with at least 6 seen there during better weather on 9/3. {Birds in this region are all of the red-bellied race surrucura .}

Black-throated Trogon (Trogon rufus chrysochloros ) (e) - 1 male seen along the POPR on 9/3. {This subspecies is endemic to E Brazil, NE Argentina and E Paraguay.}

MOTMOTS (Momotidae)

Rufous-capped Motmot (Barypthengus ruficapillus ) (E) - 2-3 seen/heard both days on the POPR. Much more vocal pre-dawn and at dawn, but not when it’s raining! We had one individual near the end of the road that perched nicely, allowing extended study.

KINGFISHERS (Alcedinidae)

Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata ) - 2/day along the river and at the marsh at the end of the POPR. Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona ) - 2 on 9/2 and 4 on 9/3 at the marsh and river at the end of the POPR.

TOUCANS & ARACARIS (Ramphastidae)

Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis ) - A group of 8+ blitzed through the trees at the Falls overlook directly across from our hotel on 9/4. Also heard along the POPR on 9/2. Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculirostris ) (E) - 2 (pair) taped in along the POPR on 9/2. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco ) - 5–10 seen daily, along the POPR and main park road.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

Chestnut-eared Aracari, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Toco Toucan, Iguaçu Falls NP, Brazil (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 WOODPECKERS (Picidae)

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes flavifrons ) (E) - A pair seen by some near the Falls on 9/4, were, surprisingly, the only ones seen. There’s usually a nest right off the front porch of the hotel. Green-barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanochloros )* - 1 heard near the end of the POPR on 9/3. Blond-crested Woodpecker (Celeus flavescens ) (E) - 2 seen on 9/2 and 4 seen on 9/3 along the POPR.

Blond-crested Woodpecker, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus erythrops ) (e) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/3. {Represented in the Atlantic Forest region by the distinctive subspecies erythrops , which is notable for lacking any white stripes down the sides of the back. Vocalizations however, seem identical to those of other populations.} Robust Woodpecker (Campephilus robustus ) E - Heard on 9/2 and seen nicely on 9/3 near the beginning of the POPR.

FALCONS & CARACARAS (Falconidae)

Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus ) - 1-2 seen along the main park road on 9/2 and again on 9/4. {This is now officially split from Crested Caracara, C. cheriway group, of northern S. America, Central America and the southwestern U.S.} Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis ) - 1 perched above the river below the Falls on 9/2.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 MACAWS, PARROTS & PARAKEETS (Psittacidae)

Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani melanoblepharus) (e) - 2 over the POPR on 9/2, with a group of 9–15 birds feeding on the lawn and in the trees in front of our hotel on 9/3 and 9/4.

Scaly-headed Parrot, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Blue-winged Parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius ) - 2 seen by some at the hotel on 9/4. White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus ) - 4 seen over the POPR on 9/2, and 20 seen there on 9/3.

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS (Thamnophilidae)

Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus )* - 1 heard at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/3 (where we have seen/heard individuals the past 3 years, but where we had not recorded any in the 24 years prior to 2015). Variable Antshrike (Thamnophilus caerulescens gilvigaster ) - 1 male seen along the far end of the POPR on 9/3. Plain Antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis ) (e) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/3. Rufous-winged Antwren (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus rufimarginatus ) (e) - 4 seen on 9/2 along the POPR, with 8 seen there on 9/3. Seen particularly well from the tower at the marsh. {This, the nominate subspecies, is a near-certain split from other members of this complex.}

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

Rufous-winged Antwren, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Streak-capped Antwren (Terenura maculata ) (E) - Pairs seen on 9/2 and heard on 9/3 near the end of the POPR. White-shouldered Fire-eye (Pyriglena leucoptera ) (E) - 1 male seen nicely at the end of the POPR on 9/2.

GNATEATERS (Conopophagidae)

Rufous Gnateater (Conopophaga lineata ) (E) - 1 heard along the POPR on 9/2, and a pair seen beautifully there on 9/3. {This taxon of se Brazil, Paraguay, and ne Argentina is now formally treated by SACC as distinct from birds of ne Brazil, C. cearae (formerly considered a subspecies of Rufous Gnateater). The latter has only recently been elevated to species-level, and it has been given the English name of “Ceara Gnateater”. There remain some interesting vocal differences within the se Brazil population that would seem ripe for taxonomic investigation.}

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

Rufous Gnateater, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

OVENBIRDS & WOODCREEPERS (Furnariidae)

Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus sylviellus ) (e) - Common, with 5 seen/heard along the POPR on 9/2, and 8 seen/heard there on 9/3. {This form is so different in voice and plumage from more northern and western populations of “Olivaceous Woodcreeper” as to be unrecognizable. This is a sure candidate for future splitting.} Plain-winged (Thrush-like) Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla turdina ) (E) - Singles seen (9/2) or heard (9/3) each day on the POPR. {This form has, in the past, been lumped with the widespread, but allopatric Plain-brown Woodcreeper. However, its vocalizations are quite different, and work by E. Willis argues convincingly for treatment as a separate species, a course now followed by the SACC. This form is restricted to e Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Also known as “Thrush-like” Woodcreeper or “Plain” Woodcreeper.} White-throated Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes albicollis ) (E) - The “Beast of the East” was seen nicely in the early morning gloom along the POPR on 9/2, when we saw a pair of these impressively large (and large-billed) woodcreepers. Lesser Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus fuscus fuscus ) (E) - 2 birds seen each day on the POPR. {Recently moved to the genus Xiphorhynchus from Lepidocolaptes , and likely to be split into multiple species in the future.} Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus minutus ) (e) - 1 heard along the POPR on 9/2, and 2 (pair) seen there on 9/3. {These nominate birds, which are endemic to the Atlantic Forest, are distinctly smaller than all other subspecies of Plain Xenops, and have a distinctly different voice. Look for these to be split at some point.}

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

Plain Xenops, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner (Philydor atricapillus ) (E) - 1 seen nicely along the POPR on 9/3. (Definitely among the most attractive of all foliage-gleaners.)

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Iguaçu Falls NP, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner (Philydor rufum ) - 1 seen near the end of the POPR on 9/2. Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia lichtensteini ) (E) - 2–4 birds seen/heard daily along the POPR. White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus ) (E) - 3 seen along the POPR on 9/2, and 2 heard there on 9/3. {A few years back, I published a paper that split this species into two: birds from Bahia south (= White-eyed), and birds from Sergipe north to Pernambuco in ne Brazil (= Pernambuco Foliage-gleaner). The two look nearly identical in the field, but have very different voices.} Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus ) - 2 seen along the main park road in front of the hotel, and 1-2 seen at the hotel on 9/4. Yellow-chinned Spinetail (Certhiaxis cinnamomea )* - Singles or pairs heard from the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2 and again on 9/3.

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Iguaçu Falls NP (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannidae)

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum ) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Yellow Tyrannulet (Capsiempis flaveola ) - 3 near the end of the POPR on 9/2, and 2 there on 9/3. Gray Elaenia (Myiopagis caniceps caniceps )* - 1 heard along the POPR on 9/3 was, surprisingly, our only record of this normally common, canopy-dwelling species. I’m used to hearing their distinctive voices from every canopy mixed-species flock along the

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 POPR, but given the weather, they just weren’t vocal. {This race shows relatively little sexual dimorphism, and differs vocally from Amazonian birds. A split seems likely.} Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata ) - 1 heard along the POPR on 9/3. Gray-hooded Flycatcher (Mionectes rufiventris ) (E) - 2 birds seen along the POPR both days. Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus )* - 2–4 birds heard each day on the POPR, but none were responsive to playback. Southern Bristle-Tyrant (Pogonotriccus eximius ) (E) - 2 (pair) seen along the POPR on 9/3. Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes ventralis ) - 2 (pair) seen along the POPR on 9/3. Greenish Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias virescens ) - 1 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Southern Antpipit (Corythopis delandi ) - Common by voice along the POPR (3 seen/heard on 9/2; 8 heard on 9/3), but seen only on 9/2.

Southern Bristle-Tyrant, Iguaçu Falls NP (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer ) - 1 seen from the tower at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/2. Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum ) - 2 seen at the end of the POPR (from the tower) on 9/2. Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus bimaculatus )* - 2–4 birds heard each day from near the end of the POPR, but none were responsive, and we had all seen the species in the Pantanal, so I didn’t work them. {All birds heard at Iguaçu, as well as birds seen on the main Pantanal tour, were of the subspecies bimaculatus , which is widespread in sc Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and n Argentina. Splits within this complex are imminent.}

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosus ) - 1–2 seen at the hotel on 9/2 and again on 9/4. Sibilant Sirystes (Sirystes sibilator ) (E) - Pairs seen along the POPR both days. {What was called simply “Sirystes”, has now been split into 4 species, a move that was long overdue given the significant vocal and morphological differences between the various populations. Ridgely had long treated the complex as two species, with the break on either side of the Andes, but the situation was clearly more complicated than a simple two-way split. This, the nominate form, is essentially a regional endemic that extends from the Atlantic Forest into adjacent southcentral Brazil.} Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox ) - 2 seen near the end of the POPR on 9/2, and heard there on 9/3. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus ) - Several seen daily, particularly around the hotel and between there and the Falls. Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis ) - 1-2 pairs seen at the marsh near the end of the POPR on 9/2 and again on 9/3.

Southern Antpipit, Iguaçu Falls NP (© Kevin J. Zimmer)

SHARPBILL (Oxyruncidae)

Sharpbill (Oxruncus cristatus ) - 1 studied at length along the POPR on 9/3 was one of the few playback-responsive birds of any kind given the weather. We enjoyed great views of this strange bird.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

MANAKINS (Pipridae)

Swallow-tailed (Blue) Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata ) (E) - 1 female seen along the POPR on 9/3 was our only record. The species is usually vocal here, but once again, the weather was a factor. Band-tailed Manakin (Pipra fasciicauda ) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/3.

TITYRAS & ALLIES (Tityridae)

Greenish Schiffornis (Schiffornis virescens ) (E) - 1 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Green-backed Becard (Pachyramphus viridis ) - 1 male, photographed by Harry, was one of several species mobbing my pygmy-owl recording as we stood in the tower at the end of the POPR on 9/2.

VIREOS, GREENLETS & ALLIES (Vireonidae)

Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis ) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Rufous-crowned Greenlet (Hylophilus poicilotis ) (E) - 1 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Red-eyed (Chivi) Vireo (Vireo olivaceus chivi ) - Heard along the POPR on 9/2, with 2 seen there on 9/3. {As we talked about during the tour, these are not migrants from North America. Rather, they are a separate taxon that breeds in this region and spends the austral winter in Amazonia. They had probably only recently returned to Iguaçu. Some

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 authorities already treat this as a separate species (= Chivi Vireo); others are waiting for a more comprehensive analysis.}

JAYS, CROWS & MAGPIES (Corvidae)

Plush-crested Jay (Cyanocorax chrysops ) - (These exceptionally attractive jays are always one of the highlights of a visit to the Falls, where they even attract the attention of non-birding tourists.)

SWALLOWS (Hirundinidae)

Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ) - 2 seen along the river on 9/3. Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea ) - 5 seen at the hotel on 9/2; 8 seen there on 9/3; and 15+ seen there on 9/4.

WRENS (Troglodytidae)

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon ) - 1 singing bird seen daily at our hotel.

GNATWRENS & GNATCATCHERS (Polioptilidae)

Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher (Polioptila lactea ) (E) - Pairs seen along the POPR both days. (Nice views of this range-restricted and difficult-to-find gnatcatcher!)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

THRUSHES (Turdidae)

Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas ) - Heard along the POPR on 9/2, with at least 5–8 seen in the fruiting trees bordering the clearing at the beginning of the road there on 9/3. Multiple individuals were also seen during our walk to the Falls on 9/4. Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris ) - 1 seen on the hotel grounds on 9/4. “Eastern” Slaty Thrush (Turdus nigriceps ) (e) - 2 heard singing at the beginning of the POPR on 9/3 were undoubtedly feeding in the same fruiting trees with the guans and other thrushes. These birds are migrants that probably had just arrived, and thus, were not yet strongly territorial.

THRASHERS & MOCKINGBIRDS (Mimidae)

Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus ) - Singles seen at our hotel on 9/3 and again on 9/4.

NEW WORLD WARBLERS (Parulidae)

Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi ) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/2, and 3 seen there on 9/3.

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus ) - 2 heard along the POPR on 9/2, and 5 seen/heard there on 9/3.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018

TANAGERS, HONEYCREEPERS & ALLIES (Thraupidae)

Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leverianus ) - 1 seen at the beginning of the POPR (fruiting trees near the clearing) on 9/3. Black-goggled Tanager (Trichothraupis melanops ) - 1 female seen along the POPR on 9/2, and 2 males seen there on 9/3.

Ruby-crowned Tanager (Tachyphonus coronatus ) - 3 seen near the end of the POPR on 9/2. Fawn-breasted Tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota ) - 2 seen along the POPR on 9/2. Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon ) (E) - Oddly, this normally common bird was seen only on the last morning near the Falls (photographed by Harry). Swallow Tanager (Tersina viridis ) - 2 seen from the Falls overlook on 9/4. Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana ) - 2 at the end of the POPR on 9/2, and 1 there on 9/3. Guira Tanager (Hemithraupis guira ) - 2 seen with a mixed-species flock along the POPR on 9/2, with 10 (also with flocks) seen there on 9/3. Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum ) - 4 seen with mixed-species flocks along the POPR on 9/3. Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola ) - 2 seen along the river walk on 9/4.

BUNTINGS & NEW WORLD SPARROWS (Emberizidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Saffron-billed Sparrow (Arremon flavirostris ) - 1 seen nicely near the end of the POPR on 9/3.

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis ) - 2 seen at our hotel on 9/3 and again on 9/4.

CARDINALS & ALLIES (Cardinalidae)

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (Habia rubica ) - 6 seen along the POPR on 9/2 and 8 seen there on 9/3.

ORIOLES, BLACKBIRDS & ALLIES (Icteridae)

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus ) - 1 seen along the main park road near the Falls on our last morning. Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous ) - Common and conspicuous; seen daily in numbers. Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus ) - 1 seen flying over the river below the Falls on 9/4.

SISKINS, EUPHONIAS & ALLIES (Fringillidae)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea cyanea ) (e) - Heard along the POPR on 9/2, with superb studies of a pair building a nest near the river (POPR) on 9/3. {This endemic race is more extensively blue above than some of the more northern races, which are green-backed with blue restricted to the nape. SE Brazil birds also lack the yellow frontlet that characterizes most other races.} Purple-throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica ) - Pairs seen at the end of the POPR on 9/2 and 9/3. Chestnut-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia pectoralis ) (E) - 1 male seen from the tower at the marsh at the end of the POPR on 9/3.

OLD WORLD SPARROWS (Passeridae)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus ) X - Seen on the hotel grounds, and along the road to and from the airport on 9/4.

MAMMALS:

Brown (Tufted) Capuchin (Cebus apella ) - Seen nicely on the second day along the POPR road. South American Coati (Nasua nasua ) - Common along the walk between our hotel and the Falls.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018 Agouti sp. (Dasyprocta spp. ) - Seen mainly along the river near the Falls, but also along the main park road. (I believe these are Azara’s Agoutis.) Red Brocket Deer (Mazama gouazoubira ) - 1 seen along the main park road on 9/2.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Brazil: Iguaçu Falls Extension, September, 2018