Greyish Saltator in Brazil: News from Taxonomy

A Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) sits on the edge of a bush and spits fruit. The pulp is spilling out of the edges of its beak. I was just about to go to the sparsly vegetated gallery forest. There is a beautiful morning light. Right at the beginning, in the light forest with its cactus… Continue reading Greyish Saltator in Brazil: News from Taxonomy

Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal

Ein Paar Falken sitzt hoch in einer kahlen Baumkrone und genießt offensichtlich das Nachmittagslicht. Es sind Rotbrustfalken (Falco deiroleucus), die im englischen Orange-breasted Falcon genannt werden.   Der Rotbrustfalke ist ein Greifvogel der Neotropis, dessen Verbreitungsgebiet sich früher von Südmexiko bis nach Nordargentinien erstreckte. Heute ist er in seinem ausgedehnten Verbreitungsgebiet nur noch lokal anzutreffen,… Continue reading Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal

Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim

I was excited to see all the animals that would show up during our boat trip in the Pantanal. Maybe a Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)? And what about Jabirus (Jabiru mycteria) or a Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus) or/and other birds? To cut to the chase: I was able to see them all and photograph many… Continue reading Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim

Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal

Quietly a Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) stands on a branch above a channel accompanying the track. Slowly I approach with the Landcruiser. The bird, which was scientifically called Ceryle torquata in former times, is however so tense with prey observation, that it does not pay attention to me. So some close-up photos are taken.  … Continue reading Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal

White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil

Leaves at the edge of the dusty track are covered thick with rusty-looking dust. After a cool night, the early morning drives the birds into the first rays of sunlight. So also a White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru). The bird sits just at the roadside in a bush equipped with leathery leaves. I photograph the Puffbird… Continue reading White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil

Yellow-billed Cardinal in Pantanal

Despite being at the edge of its eastern distribution, the Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata) is so common in the Pantanal,  that you hardly can miss it. Besides being one of the most colorful birds of the Pantanal, it is also one of the most common along the rivers, corixos and bays of the Pantanal plain.… Continue reading Yellow-billed Cardinal in Pantanal

Blue-crowned Motmot in Pantanal

The Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) is so common in the Pantanal,  that you hardly can miss it. Besides being one of the most colorful birds of the Pantanal, it is also one of the most spectacular birds of the Pantanal by the colorful and unique shape of the tail feathers. The bird is specialized in… Continue reading Blue-crowned Motmot in Pantanal

Dull-capped Attila in Pantanal

The Dull-capped Attila (Attila bolivianus) has rufous-brown upperparts and tail and it has a gray-brown crown. The underparts and  the rump are rufous as well. Remarkable is the white iris. Also known as the White-eyed Attila, the Dull-capped Attila is principally an uncommon inhabitant of seasonally flooded forests, including on river islands, as well as… Continue reading Dull-capped Attila in Pantanal

Remarks to wintering Solitary Sandpipers (Tringa solitaria) in the Pantanal

During scientific research in the northern Pantanal between the 20th of December 2012 and the 10th of January 2013 I often observe Solitary Sandpipers along the muddy ditches on a farm. Of the two subspecies of the solitary sandpiper recognized the subspecies present probably was Tringa solitaria solitaria which usually has a more well-defined streak… Continue reading Remarks to wintering Solitary Sandpipers (Tringa solitaria) in the Pantanal

Photographing Tanagers at Itatiaia NP/ Brazil

Stumbling out of the cabin you will be enchanted by the expansive view looking out over the valley below. A blue-grey carpet of clouds is normally lying over the lowlands.  In the half light of dawn, Cliff Flycatchers (Hirundinea ferruginea) are already gathering on the roofs of cabins nearby. A first priority should be a… Continue reading Photographing Tanagers at Itatiaia NP/ Brazil

Rufous Hornero on a termite mound

 The Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) is so common in the Pantanal, that you hardly think of taking a picture, as you think, that you will do it next day. Ok, this time some pictures were shot, when the bird was standing on a termite mound. There is some examination ungoing to study the interaction between… Continue reading Rufous Hornero on a termite mound

Rusty-fronted Tody-flycatcher at the nest

A trip during a scientific excursion in the northern Pantanal between the 20th of December 2012 and the 10th of January 2013 showed a lot of excitement. One day I perceived a movement right along the path I was walking. A small bird with a transversely lying blade of grass quickly disappeared in the thicket.… Continue reading Rusty-fronted Tody-flycatcher at the nest