BRAZIL 2011: Monkeys and More


Day 7 / August 17 – Today’s alarm clock came earlier than expected, in the form of Howler Monkeys roaring nearby at about 4:30 am.  Most of the group recognized this scary-sounding noise for what it was, but some wondered if it were a pending storm – very ominous!  We were definitely awake and ready for our morning hike on the Serra Trail (below), in search of some new species in a new type of habitat.

Following a boat ride up river, we walked through deciduous forest ascending in elevation, negotiating a few steep sections along the way with the aid of some steps cut into boulders, and thick rope strung along the path.  We heard Collared and White-tailed Trogon along the way, and saw several Brown Capuchin monkeys.  At the top, we stood upon an expansive, rocky outcropping dotted with low scrub – a bit of cerrado-like habitat in the Amazon rainforest.

We spent some time in this spot in the hopes of seeing a Fiery-tailed Awlbill, a small hummingbird with an upturned bill. However we only saw Black-throated Green Mango, Versicolored and Glittering-throated Emeralds skittering around some flowering shrubs.  A female Hook-billed Kite (above) flew in low and fast, then alighted in a small stand of gnarly trees.  Avian activity came in spurts, yielding Tooth-billed Wren, Amazon Motmot, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Black-faced Dacnis, Thick-billed and Orange-bellied Euphonia and a lovely Pink-throated Becard.

We moved to an overlook at the edge of the boulders, with sweeping views of the valley below.  A variety of birds jumped around the bushes below and around us, including several colorful species of Tanager – Masked, Blue-necked and Bay-headed.  A White-naped Xenopsaris flitted around some branches, while a Lettered Aracari worked his way closer to us, giving good views.  A White-browed Purpletuft perched conspicuously on a treetop, not far from a Black-capped Tityra. 

Swallow-tailed Kite soared in the blue skies, while Red-and-Green and Scarlet Macaws (above) flew across the valley screeching with sound and color.
 


Back down to the forest floor, the birding continued with Slate-colored Grosbeak and Large-headed Flatbill, a small non-descript flycatcher.  Cinerous Antshrike served as leader of a flock, which included Long-billed Gnatwren, female Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Great-billed Hermit.  We found Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Spix Warbling Antwren, Gray-breasted Sabrewing and Thrush-like Schiffornis. 
 


We opted to extend our walk onto a section of the Cocoa Trail (above), where we found Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Fasciated Antshrike, Rufous-rumped Foliage-Gleaner, Black-spotted Bare-eye, and underside looks of a Screaming Piha. 

We followed a small troop of White-whiskered Spider Monkeys (above) moving through the canopy, and a little while later got quick looks at fast-moving White-nosed Saki Monkeys.  It was a good morning for monkeys!
 


We enjoyed some lovely butterflies this morning, including a Octaulus Metalmark (above) that landed on Char’s hat, Berecynthia Giant Owl, Rayed and Ethilla Longwing, and Dirce Beauty.


A brief storm moved through the region in the afternoon, bringing scattered rain and bright lightening.  We delayed our afternoon birding until the skies cleared around 4pm, then headed to the “New Tower” for the third time during our trip.  The weather brought us good luck, as we enjoyed some excellent sightings even before we reached the tower.  We watched a Cinerous Antshrike feeding it’s newly-fledged, tailless offspring, then turned our attention to look for a Cryptic Forest Falcon that was calling nearby.  Sigrid spotted the bird perched on a branch, and we all lined up behind the scopes to see this magnificent raptor.

The setting sun reflected gorgeous colors across the cloud cover, as mist rose and spread across the surrounding valleys.  We would’ve been content with just the views, but were rewarded with birds too!  Species seen included Olive Oropendula, Curl-crested and Red-necked Aracari, Channel-billed and White-throated Toucans, Red-throated Caracara, roosting King Vultures and a group of perched Swallow-tailed Kites.  As dusk descended we watched Red-fan Parrots going to roost, and a couple of Short-tailed Nighthawks take flight and circle around the trees below us.  We heard Long-billed Woodcreeper, and the lovely, haunting sounds of Variegated and Gray Tinamous.  Walking back along the dark forest floor, a Tawny-bellied Screech Owl ushered in the beginning of the night, and the end of a long and wonderful day.