Welcome to Birdquest
JAGUARS & BIRDS OF BRAZIL
Saturday 31st July - Sunday 15th August 2010
Luciano Naka
This tour can only be described by one word: spectacular. Few other tours offer such an efficient introduction to some of the most desired, rare, and wild creatures of the Neotropics. Jaguars, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters, Tapirs, Peccaries, Jaguarundi, Porcupines, six species of primates, three species of deer, and an impressive list of 435 species of birds and 25 species of mammals, in only two weeks. Together, the Pantanal, the Atlantic Forest, and the Cerrado, represent three of the most important and threatened biomes in the World, and by visiting the Transpantaneira, Intervales, and Serra da Canastra, we were able to have a glimpse of South America at its best. Birdquest, of course, is all about birds, and we found some very exciting ones, including a fine selection of specialties, endemics, and endangered species. Birds like Brazilian Merganser, Solitary Tinamou, Hyacinth Macaw, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Blue-bellied Parrot, White-bearded Antshrike, Brasilia Tapaculo, Slaty Bristlefront, Cock-tailed Tyrant, Grey-backed Tachuri, Hooded and Black-headed Berryeaters and Ochre-breasted Pipit, all offered excellent views. Beyond those rare birds, we will hardly be able to forget our encounters with some very charismatic creatures, such as the Greater Rheas running through the plains, Southern Screamers and Red-legged Seriemas screaming out in the open, Piping Guans perched over the rivers, an Agami Heron fishing in the shade, thousands of Jabirus nesting along the road, King Vultures patrolling the cliffs, Sungrebes exploring the banks, Sunbitterns displaying on the beaches, Rusty-barred Owls screaming and showing well at dusk, Pale-crested and Blond-crested Woodpeckers drumming in the woods, Rufous Cacholotes defending their nests, Giant, Large-tailed and Tufted Antshrikes showing their powerful sounds in the forest, Sharpbills unaltered by our presence, and fantastic names that include chachalacas, treehunters, streamcreepers, firewood-gatherers, scythebills and amazing tanagers. If you can spell it, we have seen it!
