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MATO GROSSO, BRAZIL:
The CHAPADA, AMAZON and PANTANAL

13th - 22nd July 2006

Leaders: Sam Woods and Scott Olmstead

Hyacinth Macaws, The Pantanal

This tour focused on the central Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, visiting three really interesting, markedly different areas in this large state - the dry cerrado, savannah-like grasslands around Chapada dos Guimaraes north of the city of Cuiaba; the hugely diverse lowland Amazonian rainforest near to Alta Floresta; and the vast Pantanal wetlands along the famous Transpantanal highway, south of the city of Cuiaba. The Pantanal is the World's largest wetland, extending into three countries (Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay), and covering an area of over 200, 000 sq. km. It is home to millions of waterbirds and many other animals and is undoubtedly one of the greatest wildlife spectacles out there. It is easily accessible in Brazil where the northern area of this huge wetland is easily reached from the city of Cuiaba, the capital of Mato Grosso state. The private reserve of Rio Cristalino near to the town of Alta Floresta is probably the most easily accessible area of Amazonian Brazil and is easily combined with a trip to the northern Pantanal, where there is a good lodge, complete with its own purpose-built canopy tower that gives great opportunities at seeing some of those birds special to the southern Amazon. The dry savanna or cerrado near to the city of Chapada DOS Guimaraes does not look much at first glance, although holds some very localized species not encountered away from this special habitat and therefore even in a short visit it is possible to add some significant, different species from elsewhere on the tour.

Tour highlights included the rare, localizedRufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant in the Chapada; a bunch of trogons, toucans and Jacamars in the Amazon, including the localizedBronzy Jacamar, along with the spectacular Red-Fan Parrot, Five-Girdled Barbet, an out of range Fiery-tailed Awlbill and many other amazing Amazonian rainforest birds, not least a recently-fledged juvenile Harpy Eagle - the largest eagle in the Americas - sitting beside its nest; while the Pantanal was brimming with birds as ever and nowhere else on Earth is the abundance of life more obvious with thousands of waterbirds including Wood Storks and Jabirus, spectacular roosts of raptors with over 300 Snail Kites seen on one evening, 4 species of Ibis, a number of sightings of the World's largest and most magnificent Macaw - the unforgettable Hyacinth Macaw, a brilliant male Helmeted Manakin in the gallery forest there, along with some great representatives of some peculiar bird families, like Greater Rheas and Red-legged Seriemas.

13th July
With a noon arrival we began the tour by driving to an area of arid savanna or cerrado, close to Chapada DOS Guimaraes. At first glance the stunted dry scrub alongside the red dusty roads there appears devoid of birds, although before long birds soon appeared with a striking White-eared Puffbird sitting boldly by the roadside along with several Cliff Flycatchers on some roadside cliffs, and soon after both White-rumped Tanager and the oddly shrike-like White-banded Tanager put in an appearance in another area visited, both species special to cerrado grasslands, with a Coal-crested Finch also noted close by. Best of all though was on trying a known territory for the rare Rufous-sided Pygmy-tyrant we heard the bird giving its cisticola-like call (thankfully though it is a lot more interesting in appearance than one!) and soon after located this often difficult bird perched out in the open - it was a relief to get our main target bird so easily! Red-legged Seriemas seemed to be calling all around us although they frustrated us on this day by remaining hidden in the dense scrubby undergrowth. This bird continued to frustrate us right until the final mornings birding on the tour, when a pair finally strolled casually into view. A late afternoon visit to the impressive tablelands around the Bridal Veil Falls was good for both scenery and birds - with many noisy parrots and other birds coming into roost in the forest at the base of this large waterfall (in addition to a troop of Black Howler Monkeys), including Blue-winged Macaws, and both Peach-fronted & White-eyed Parakeets in addition to a number of Chestnut-eared Aracaris and Channel-billed Toucans seen around the top of the falls (our first of 8 species of toucan encountered on the tour). As dusk fell we left a number of Bat Falcons hawking for insects around the steep cliffs that flank the falls and headed to a close resort for the night.

14th July
With a late morning flight to Alta Floresta our birding was limited to just a few hours in the Chapada, although we still picked up some new birds for the trip, including Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and the diminutive White-wedged Piculet along the more forested sections. Rusty-backed Antwren, Rufous-winged Antshrike, another Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant (I thought these things were meant to be rare!), a pair of the recently-described Chapada Flycatcher, a number of Curl-crested Jays (all sporting their unique 'punk' hair DOS), and the endemic Cinnamon Tanager were found in the dwarf scrub in the cerrado sections. After a late morning flight to Alta Floresta we had a good lunch at the Amazonica Hotel in town and insisted on spending some time in the small forest fragment behind the hotel as it has become famed for its recently discovered pair of nesting Harpy Eagles. This giant eagle is the largest and arguably most impressive raptor in the Neotropics, and therefore always a big target for visiting birders. So it was more than a little alarming to hear on our arrival there, that the juvenile bird had recently fledged and was no longer at the nest! In spite of this we decided we had to try anyway as young Harpies often remain close to the nest for some time after fledging. As the bird was only in a small forest patch with only a narrow trail and has limited viewing we had to go and look for the bird in two separate groups. So one group waited nervously while the first group entered the area for the Harpy Eagle, just a short walk from the garden of the hotel. After a tense wait Scott appeared through the trees at the head of the group and gave the thumbs up, whereupon the rest of us made our way rapidly to the nest to find a fully-grown juvenile bird (with its distinctive creamy crested head), perched just below its former home. Nothing prepares you for seeing this magnificent eagle, one of the undisputed stars of the Amazon and quite simply one of the most awesome raptors in the World. With the eagle 'in the bag' we were all happy to leave for Cristalino by way of a short car ride and then a peaceful, relaxing half hour cruise down the Teles Pires and Cristalino Rivers (adding a pair of Pied Lapwings while waiting to get on the boat), where Red-throated Piping-Guans, Green Ibis and large flocks of low-flying Scarlet Macaws made their first, very welcome appearance. With a Short-tailed Nighthawk hawking insects overhead we checked into Rio Cristalino lodge and some people enjoyed their first of many Coeprinhas for the trip (a refreshing and strangely addictive Brazilian cocktail).

Pied Lapwing, Rio Cristalino

15th July
For our first full day in the Amazon we decided to bird along the Cristalino river and stopped at some riverside sites for some of the birds that Scott had conveniently staked out for us prior to the tour. The first of these stops produced the hoped for Flame-crested Manakin (the first of three Manakin species seen that day, along with Blue-backed & Red-headed Manakins), and a Bronzy Jacamar that Scott had recently seen in this area did not disappoint either and we enjoyed prolonged, close views of both these localized species.

Bronzy Jacamar

A bird we were more realistically expecting to see first in the Pantanal also made its first appearance of the trip, with a fine pair of Sunbitterns that we watched fishing on the banks of the Rio Cristalino. Cruising along the Cristalino in the early morning was a great experience as endless flocks of low-flying Scarlet & Blue-and-Yellow Macaws passed noisily overhead - one of those great spectacles that only the Amazon can provide. Along with these there was also a Kawall's Parrot, a recently-described, highly-localised Amazon, which flew low over our boats calling. However, perhaps the favorite bird for many that morning was the Razor-billed Curassow that glided slowly across the river in front of our boats, and landed on an open branch where it stayed for all of us to get great looks. Colorful birds seem to be the Amazon's drawcard for many birders and this day was no exception what with all those macaws, while 4 species of Trogon were also encountered throughout the day - Blue-crowned, Black-tailed, Violaceous & Collared Trogons all being seen well along the forest trails by the river; while a regular pair of Paradise Jacamars were picked up to add to the beautiful Bronzy seen in the same morning, and a male Spangled Cotinga simply glowed from the treetops.

Paradise Jacamar, Rio Cristalino

Cristalino's attractions are not all birds however and the morning was good for mammals too, not least for the Brazilian Tapir that was watched swimming through the water with surprising grace along the forest-cloaked banks of the Cristalino river, while the distinctive local race of White-bellied Spider-Monkeys was also seen for the first time as we made our way back up the river. The afternoon was decidedly (and unsurprisingly), quieter after that initial burst of activity although it was good to catch up with another attractive cotinga, Bare-necked Fruitcrow that was seen just outside our bungalows, as was a Cinnamon Attila, while a Blackish Nightjar took up almost daily residence roosting directly on top of Jeff's bungalow roof!

Blackish Nightjar, Jeff's roof, Rio Cristalino

16th July
One of the main features of Rio Cristalino that has rightly gained a good reputation, is its 50m high canopy tower. This well-built, stable structure allows great views of some of those difficult canopy birds, such as the pair of Black-girdled Barbets that entertained us at various times that morning. This is one of Cristalinos star birds, not only a stunner, but also restricted in range to Amazonian Brazil and neighboring Bolivia. It was surprisingly easy to see from Cristalino's tower and this regular pair were seen by both groups that visited the tower on separate mornings.

Black-girdled Barbet, Rio Cristalino

It is very hard to leave the tower as the bird activity is nonstop in the early morning and it is sometimes difficult to know which bird to look at - one minute a Spangled Cotinga alighted on a nearby tree, and later Peggy found a brilliant male Purple-throated Cotinga in the same area - a scarce bird that has only been recorded at Cristalino a handful of times. All the while up there Macaws and other parrots are flying around from canopy to canopy. These roving flocks of parrots were dominated by Scarlet Macaws, although Chestnut-fronted Macaws and highly-distinctive White-bellied Parrots were also recorded. The parrots and cotingas were not the only colorful residents found from the tower, as several large flocks of Curl-crested & Red-necked Aracaris were also seen, sometimes in active mixed flocks together making their way from canopy to canopy, while a number of White-throated Toucans were found calling from some of the more open treetops. A number of antbirds are canopy specialists, rarely being recorded from the ground, and we found a few of those in mixed species canopy flocks such as Pygmy Antwren, Gray Antbird and Spot-winged Antshrike. While one group was on the tower the other group focused on the ground birds (due to the restrictions on the number of people permitted on the tower at any one time), birding a nearby trail where they picked up Cinerous, Fasciated & Amazonian Antshrikes, along with the highly attractive local emillae race of Dot-winged Antwren and a fine Rose-breasted Chat. They also managed to find the cryptic Ocellated Poorwill nesting inconspicuously in the leaf litter, which all of the group visited during our stay there, that afforded great opportunities for photos of this beautifully-patterned nightjar.

Ocellated Poorwill, Rio Cristalino

After the groups rejoined we found Screaming Piha (which possesses one of the most distinctive and bizarre calls of any Amazonian bird), White-crested Spadebill, Crimson-bellied Parakeet and White Hawk before retiring to the lodge for lunch. The remainder of the day was spent cruising up the river where an Amazonian Umbrellabird flew by us, and a stop was made on some river islands, that was needed to get some of those birds special to islands and river edges. These included a noisy pair of Pied Lapwings that greeted us as we alighted on the island, a pair of Amazonian Tyrannulets that almost climbed in the boat with us, Spotted Tody-Flycatcher, and best of all a Glossy Antshrike, (an attractive Brazilian endemic that specializes in riparian habitats). As the sun came down the first nightbirds appeared in the form of a male Ladder-tailed Nightjar that flew along the side of the island we were on, and once back on the boats our eagle-eyed Brazilian guide found both Common & Great Potoos perched along the river edge, in addition to our first Boat-billed Heron of the trip.

Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Rio Cristalino

17th July
On this morning we birded an area of dry, deciduous forest and rocky outcrops, that afforded great panoramic views of the surrounding country. However, before we reached the drier, sun-baked forests we stopped in an area of shady bamboo for some of those bamboo specialists, picking up a pair of Striated Antbirds (here of the xingu race that some think deserves full species status in its own right), a Large-headed Flatbill and a Chestnut-backed Antshrike. Once up in the drier forest the change in habitat brought a change in the birds, with a pair of beautiful White-fringed Antwrens seen in the dry forest up there along with Hellmayr's (Painted) Parakeets, Rufous Casiornis, Blue Ground-Dove, Golden-winged Parakeets, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Rufous-throated Sapphire, the tiny Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant (at only 6.5cm the smallest passerine in the World), and Golden-crowned Warbler. A lucky few had looks at a Pompadour Cotinga perched on the treetops that flew before many of us could get this rare Cotinga, although the star bird that morning (and arguably for the trip) was a rare hummingbird that showed well to the whole group. There have been sporadic reports of Fiery-tailed Awlbill from Cristalino over the years although this rarely seen hummer has not yet made their official list and would not ordinarily be expected there as it is well south of their known Amazonian range. So to get this bird really well and everyone see it was great with good looks at its weird, uniquely-shaped upturned bill. A totally unexpected find and a lifer for everyone on the trip - birds do not get much better than that. The day was dominated by hummingbirds as a pristine male Black-bellied Thorntail was later found perched next to a riverside Brown Jacamar, (one of five species of Jacamar seen during our time at Cristalino Jungle Lodge), also a rare bird (though decidedly less rare than the awlbill), and also a lifebird for all.

Scaly-breasted Woodpecker, Rio Cristalino

18th July
For the last morning the group decided to split once again so that the people who had missed the tower birding before made their way there, while the others birded the trails close to the lodge. Up on the tower Red-fan Parrots were new for the trip, and an Amazonian Pygmy-Owl was found nesting in a hole close to the tower, while Red-billed Pied-Tanagers, White-chinned Sapphire, Scaly-breasted Woodpecker and Red-bellied Macaws were also all new for trip. White-browed Purpletufts and Lettered Aracaris seen from the tower were added to sightings made earlier in our stay there. A Blue-cheeked Jacamar on the way back to pack and leave was a good last minute bonus bird.

Blue-cheeked Jacamar, Rio Cristalino

While on the ground the group had their revenge with great looks at a stunning Gould's Toucanet. We then prepared to leave for the Pantanal, although while waiting for the boat to be ready to depart Cristalino a fine pair of Bare-faced Curassows walked brazenly onto the lodge lawn for everyone to soak up thoroughly. A brief stop in a palm swamp as we left Cristalino produced Fork-tailed Palm-Swifts and Sulphury Flycatcher - both specialties for that particular habitat - before we flew back to Cuiaba and made our way along the bridge-laden Transpantanal Highway to Pousada Puival, for the Pantanal leg of our trip (picking up an Aplomado Falcon for the trip at the airport en-route).

19th July
For our first morning in the vast wetlands of the Pantanal we made a river trip to see some of the most visible and numerous of the Pantanal birds - the waterbirds. It was not long before we were seeing our first Southern Screamers, Wood Storks, huge Jabirus, Roseate Spoonbills and Ibises - with Buff-necked & Green Ibises recorded from the boat.

Jabiru, The Pantanal

Large-billed Terns with their striking tricolored wing pattern were seen cruising down the river, while Rufescent Tiger-Herons are unusually abundant there as are Cocoi Herons, while a number of Capped & Whistling Herons were also in evidence, and the scarce Least Bittern also made a brief appearance. We passed a procession of Snail Kites with one seemingly perched low over the water every 100 meters or so, while Black-collared Hawks were also prevalent there. However one of the Pantanal's most wanted birds was seen, before we had even reached the boat dock, as we disturbed a pair of nesting Hyacinth Macaws a short way before the quay. The largest and most spectacular of the macaws, it is pretty hard to miss them as they fly over with their gigantic blue frames, invariably squawking deeply all the while. Piuval is a great area for them as their favored palm nuts are found all around the ranch and a number of pairs nest on the lodge's property. Other birds encountered during the morning included many Black-capped Donacobious, the gaudy and spectacular Orange-backed Troupial, a pair of Orange-winged Parrots, a pair of Golden-collared Macaws, Pale-crested & Golden-Green Woodpeckers, Straight-billed & Narrow-billed Woodcreepers, Little & Guira Cuckoos, Grey-crested Cacholote, Solitary Cacique, Mato Grosso Antbird, White-lored Spinetail and a stack of Spectacled Caimans loafing around in the water hyacinths. After lunch we watched the fruit feeders around the lodge where cowbirds dominated with three species - Bay-winged, Shiny & Giant Cowbirds all frequenting the feeders along with many Yellow-billed Cardinals, in addition to occasional visits by White & Green-barred Woodpeckers, while Campo Flickers were found feeding on the lawn.

Campo Flicker, The Pantanal

In the trees above the feeders a pair of Blue-crowned Parakeets did a great job of concealing themselves from us before Sue finally put us all onto them. Out on the marsh that is visible from the lodge a large group (20+ birds) of the usually nocturnal Nacunda Nighthawk were found hawking over the marsh in the middle of the day. A really impressive nighthawk, and great to see hunting in broad daylight. Just before leaving for Santa Tereza a family party of Greater Rheas passed by the ranch, allowing many to add a new family to their lists.

Greater Rhea, The Pantanal

We then birded our way along the Transpantanal highway, crossing 20 or more rickety wooden bridges along the way, making regular stops for a pair of Brazilian Teals, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Grey-necked Wood-Rails, Barefaced& Plumbeous Ibises, Greater Thornbirds, Rusty-collared Seedeaters, Black-backed Water-Tyrants, White-headed Marsh-Tyrants, and a flock of 15 or so Maguari Storks, while the rare Chestnut-bellied Guan was a welcome sight that had come down from its normal tree top haunt to feed on the ground in the late afternoon, as had many Chaco Chachalacas.

Plumbeous Ibis, The Pantanal

White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, The Pantanal

20th July
This morning was spent birding the good gallery forest trails on Santa Tereza's property, although before the sun became too fierce we visited some more open scrub in the area. In these open areas we found a White-naped Xenopsaris perched conveniently in the open, a bird that can often be difficult to come by; a Red-billed Scythebill was heard giving its distinctive call and soon came in close with a little persuasion; other birds included a pair of Chotoy Spinetails; a bare tree loaded with parrots produced a pair of the hoped-for Nanday Parakeets perched within a bunch of Blue-fronted Parrots and Monk Parakeets; a pair of Long-tailed Ground-Doves; a pair of attractively patterned Rusty-backed Antwrens; a single male White-tailed Goldenthroat; and a pair of Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrants. As the day became hotter we retreated to the welcome shade of the gallery forest, that is on the lodge property. No sooner had we entered the trail when one of our target species - Band-tailed Antbird - was spotted making its way through the undergrowth giving its distinctive scratchy call all the while. Further along the trail we were able to watch a pair of bright yellow Flavescent Warblers feeding in the leaf litter; a pair of Large-billed Antwrens was found in a mixed feeding flock along there that also contained a single Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, a pair of Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatchers, Lafresnaye's & Straight-billed Woodcreepers, a pair of Matto Grosso Antbirds, a Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Yellow-olive, Short-crested & Brown Crested Flycatchers. However the bird we were all most interested in gave us the run around for a while, several dowdy females showing themselves before right at the end of the morning we finally came across a fantastic male Helmeted Manakin, complete with its bright scarlet head-dress that gives the bird its name. After a break for lunch around the ranch in the heat of the day watching White-rumped Monjitas and other birds around the lodge, we headed out on boats along the Pixaim River that borders the property. The banks of this slow-moving river are loaded with herons and other waterbirds, and we were soon seeing a number of Boat-billed Herons emerging from their day roosts as the day began to fade. One of the main targets here was South America's sole representative of the finfoot family - the oddly named Sungrebe and it was not long before our keen-eyed boat driver was gesturing frantically towards one hiding in the water hyacinths along the edge of the river, that allowed everyone great, close views. In addition to waterbirds the banks are packed with Snail Kites and an undoubted highlight at the end of the day was seeing 300 or more of these raptors flying to roost over our boats. The other target waterbird for the afternoon was the highly-rated Agami Heron, an adult of which we eventually came across late in the afternoon. Having got our main target species we headed back to the ranch just as a number of Band-tailed Nighthawks emerged to hawk insects over the river, while a male Ladder-tailed Nightjar also put in an appearance on the return journey, a really satisfying way to end what had been a really good days birding.

21st July
This day was much quieter than the last (the only way was down from there!), and we spent the morning birding the unpaved, dirt road of the Transpantaneira, checking out the many roadside pools for waterbirds and the roadside vegetation for Pantanal passerines. Birds seen included a Ferruginous Pymgy-Owl responding to my attempts at aggravating a feeding flock with its call; Crimson-crested Woodpecker was new for the trip list, as were Common Tody-Flycatcher, Fawn-breasted & Moustached Wrens (to add to the Buff-breasted Wren seen the day before); other birds seen included another Sungrebe visible from the bus window; Great & Barred Antshrikes; Great Black Hawk; Purplish Jays and Masked Gnatcatchers; along with a number of roadside Marsh Deer. It was back on the boats in the afternoon, taking a different route this time along the Pixaim River, where a single tree held 6 of the beautiful Blue-throated Piping Guan and another Brazilian Tapir put in an appearance and no-one was complaining about that! Our reason for going the other way down river was to visit their resident group of Giant Otters, although the extreme tameness of these animals made for a disappointing zoo-like experience for some so it was nice to see some 'real' ones alongside the road, as we departed the Pantanal the following day. We ensured we came back early enough to position ourselves in an open area as the sun faded below the horizon, to search for some of the nightbirds we were missing. It was not long before the large and impressive Nacunda Nighthawks began hawking over the open ground along with the much smaller Band-tailed Nighthawks, although it was not either of these species we were looking for. A short time later the flashlight picked up another nightjar coming towards us and as it banked in front of us there was no doubting the identity of the well-named Scissor-tailed Nightjar seen hunting insects over a small pool on the ranch. As we were enjoying the distinctive tail adornments of this incredible male nightjar, our other target species - Spot-tailed Nightjar began calling very close by and we were soon able to watch a few of these nightjars floating over the open ground giving their distinctive high-pitched calls all the while. It was a great last night in the Pantanal for us, although the action was not over just yet. After most people in the group retired to bed, Ian frantically waked us all up as a great mammal had strolled into the lodge grounds shortly after we had left. The final night will be remembered for the bizarre Southern Tamandua, a diminutive and strikingly patterned Anteater species that wandered around the lodge grounds searching every nook and cranny with its strange elongated mouth for its favored food - ants. A truly weird looking creature that seemed oblivious to us all standing and snapping photos only a few meters away!

The extremely bizarre Southern Tamandua, The Pantanal

22nd July
We had one final morning before our afternoon departures, and so began the day with some light birding around Santa Tereza itself that proved a good move as a pair of Scarlet-headed Blackbirds were seen well perched up on top of their favored papyrus plants. A seriously stunning bird and one that some had only distant views of until then, so extremely welcome at that time. That was not the only colorful resident around the ranch as a pair of Toco Toucans flew in and perched above the lodge feeders and then began croaking away in the lodge car park. This bird is normally much easier in the Pantanal than we found this year and it was good to finally get some great close looks at what for me is the definitive, 'classic' toucan, with its huge hulking bright orange bill and striking black and white plumage. We then departed north for Cuiaba birding along the way, although our casual drive along there became more hurried when we received a frantic call from Ian (who had gone off to investigate some other areas), advising us that he had just chanced upon a Great Rufous Woodcreeper. The driver stepped on the gas and we hurried towards the spot, a further 20km further on down the Transpantaneira. As we turned down the private track towards the area Ian had indicated, the mature trees flanking the road gave us hope for this oft-difficult bird and sure enough, before we had found Ian, a very large, all rufous creeper flew in front of the bus. We all piled off the bus quickly and had great views of 3 Great Rufous Woodcreepers, for me the best Woodcreeper there is. We carried on birding this interesting habitat and found a few other new species including a gorgeous male Red-crested Finch and a Hooded Tanager in a mixed feeding flock, before we realized we simply had to leave this place to ensure we could get back for our afternoon flights. So we left giving the driver instructions to only stop if there was a Seriema around. Literally a few minutes later the driver screeched to a halt with the words 'Seriema', and sure enough just off the side of the private track there was a pair of Red-legged Seriemas strolling through the dry forest there - another new family for many and a superb bird to end on for our final birding of the tour. Aside from a few distracting Greater Rheas off the side of the road we then lunched and headed back to the capital of Mato Grosso for our flights home.

It had been one of those tours where many things just clicked really well - a great group of people, good Brazilian food as always, and most important of all some very cooperative birds and mammals. From the the sight of hundreds of Snail Kites going to roost over our heads; to Brazilian Tapir swimming down the Cristalino river; the great views of the massive blue frames of Hyacinth Macaws gliding overhead in the Pantanal to the sight of tens of Scarlet Macaws cruising over our boats along the Rio Cristalino; from the great close hand experience of the Southern Tamandua hunting ants around the ranch on our final night in the Pantanal to the flocks of Curl-crested & Red-necked Aracaris leaping from tree top to tree top from Cristalino's canopy tower it had been a truly memorable tour and one I look forward to doing again soon.

BIRD LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow: Clements, James F. 2000. Birds of the World: A Checklist. Fifth Edition. Vista, CA: Ibis Publishing Co. Includes recent updates.

All the birds on this list were seen by at least one person in the group other then the leader, except those marked with an 'H' that were only heard.

RHEAS Rheidae
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)

TINAMOUS Tinamidae
Great Tinamou (Tinamus major)
Undulated Tinamou (Crypturellus undulatus) H

CORMORANTS Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

ANHINGAS Anhingidae
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS Ardeidae
Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix)
Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus)
Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

STORKS Ciconiidae
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari)
Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)

IBIS AND SPOONBILLS Threskiornithidae
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens
Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

SCREAMERS Anhimidae
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata

DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS Anatidae
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)
Brazilian Teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis)

NEW WORLD VULTURES Cathartidae
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)
King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES Accipitridae
Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis)
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus)
Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens)
White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis)
Great Black-Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga)
Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis)
Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)
Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

FALCONS AND CARACARAS Falconidae
Black Caracara (Daptrius ater)
Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus)
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)
Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)

GUANS, CURASSOWS, ETC. Cracidae
Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis)
Spix's Guan (Penelope jacquacu)
Chestnut-bellied Guan (Penelope ochrogaster)
Blue-throated Piping-Guan (Pipile cumanensis)
Red-throated Piping-Guan (Pipile cujubi)
Razor-billed Curassow (Mitu tuberosa)
Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata)

NEW WORLD QUAIL Odontophoridae
Marbled Wood-Quail (Odontophorus gujanensis) H

LIMPKIN Aramidae
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)

RAILS, GALLINULES, & COOTS Rallidae
Rufous-sided Crake (Laterallus melanophaius)
Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides cajanea)
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)

FINFOOTS Heliornithidae
Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica)

SUNBITTERN Eurypygidae
Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)

SERIEMAS Cariamidae
Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)

JACANAS Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)

AVOCETS AND STILTS Recurvirostridae
White-backed Stilt (Himantopus melanurus)

PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS Charadriidae
Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus)
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

TERNS Sternidae
Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex)

PIGEONS AND DOVES Columbidae
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Scaled Pigeon (Patagioenas speciosa)
Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro)
Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis)
Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea)
Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea)
Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
Picui Ground-Dove (Columbina picui)
Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata)
Blue Ground-Dove (Claravis pretiosa)
Long-tailed Ground-Dove (Uropelia campestris)
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)

PARROTS Psittacidae
Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)
Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloroptera)
Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severa)
Red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata)
Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana)
Golden-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis)
Blue-crowned Parakeet (Aratinga acuticaudata)
White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus)
Peach-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga aurea)
Nanday Parakeet (Nandayus nenday)
Crimson-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura perlata)
Hellmayr's (Painted) Parakeet (Pyrrhura amazonum)
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Dusky-billed Parrotlet (Forpus sclateri)
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri)
Golden-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris chrysopterus)
White-bellied Parrot (Pionites leucogaster)
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus)
Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva)
Yellow-crowned Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala)
Kawall's Parrot (Amazona kawalli)
Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica)
Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa)
Red-fan Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus)

CUCKOOS Cuculidae
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
Black-bellied Cuckoo (Piaya melanogaster)
Little Cuckoo (Piaya minuta)
Smooth-billed (Ani Crotophaga ani)
Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira)
Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia)

OWLS Strigidae
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Megascops watsonii) H
Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata) H
Amazonian Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium hardyi)
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

POTOOS Nyctibiidae
Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus)

NIGHTJARS Caprimulgidae
Short-tailed Nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus)
Nacunda Nighthawk (Podager nacunda)
Band-tailed Nighthawk (Nyctiprogne leucopyga)
Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Ocellated Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus)
Spot-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus maculicaudus)
Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)
Ladder-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis climacocerca)
Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata)

SWIFTS Apodidae
White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)
Biscutate Swift (Streptoprocne biscutata)
Gray-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris)
Pale-rumped Swift (Chaetura egregia)
Chapman's ("Amazonian") Swift (Chaetura chapmani viridipennis)
Short-tailed Swift (Chaetura brachyura)
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift (Tachornis squamata)

HUMMINGBIRDS Trochilidae
Buff-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis subochraceus)
White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
White-vented Violet-ear (Colibri serrirostris)
Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
Fiery-tailed Awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris)
Black-bellied Thorntail (Popelairia langsdorffi)
Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata)
Rufous-throated Sapphire (Hylocharis sapphirina)
White-chinned Sapphire (Hylocharis cyanus)
White-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus guainumbi)
Versicolored Emerald (Agyrtria versicolor)
Glittering-throated Emerald (Polyerata fimbriata)
Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx aurita)
Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)

TROGONS AND QUETZALS Trogonidae
White-tailed Trogon (Trogon viridis)
Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus)
Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris)
Blue-crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui)
Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus)

KINGFISHERS Alcedinidae
Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquatus)
Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda)
American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea)

MOTMOTS Momotidae
Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)

JACAMARS Galbulidae
Brown Jacamar (Brachygalba lugubris)
Blue-cheeked Jacamar (Galbula cyanicollis)
Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda)
Bronzy Jacamar (Galbula leucogastra)
Paradise Jacamar (Galbula dea)

PUFFBIRDS Bucconidae
White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus macrorhynchos)
White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru)
Striolated Puffbird (Nystalus striolatus)
Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)
White-fronted Nunbird (Monasa morphoeus)
Swallow-wing (Chelidoptera tenebrosa)

BARBETS Capitonidae
Black-girdled Barbet (Capito dayi)

TOUCANS Ramphastidae
Lettered Aracari (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
Red-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)
Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)
Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii)
Gould's Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii)
Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)
White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

WOODPECKERS Picidae
White-wedged Piculet (Picumnus albosquamatus)
White Woodpecker (Melanerpes candidus)
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cruentatus)
Little Woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus)
Red-stained Woodpecker (Veniliornis affinis)
Yellow-throated Woodpecker (Piculus flavigula magnus)
Golden-green Woodpecker (Piculus chrysochloros)
Green-barred Woodpecker (Colaptes melanochloros)
Campo Flicker (Colaptes campestris)
Scaly-breasted Woodpecker (Celeus grammicus)
Chestnut Woodpecker (Celeus elegans)
Pale-crested Woodpecker (Celeus lugubris)
Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
Red-necked Woodpecker (Campephilus rubricollis)
Crimson-crested Woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos)

OVENBIRDS Furnariidae
Pale-legged Hornero (Furnarius leucopus)
Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus)
Chotoy Spinetail (Schoeniophylax phryganophila)
Cinereous-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis hypospodia) H
Pale-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albescens)
White-lored Spinetail (Synallaxis albilora)
Chestnut-throated Spinetail (Synallaxis cherriei) H
Rusty-backed Spinetail (Cranioleuca vulpina)
Yellow-chinned Spinetail (Certhiaxis cinnamomea)
Common Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons)
Greater Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruber)
Gray-crested Cacholote (Pseudoseisura unirufa)
Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus)
Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner (Philydor erythropterus)
Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner (Philydor ruficaudatus)
Chestnut-crowned Foliage-gleaner (Automolus rufipileatus)
Para Foliage-gleaner (Automolus paraensis)

WOODCREEPERS Dendrocolaptidae
Long-tailed Woodcreeper (Deconychura longicauda) H
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
Long-billed Woodcreeper (Nasica longirostris)
Great Rufous Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major)
Strong-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus)
Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes certhia concolor)
Striped Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus)
Spix's Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus spixii)
Lafresnaye's ("Dusky-billed") Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides eytoni)
NB. The dark-billed race found at Rio Cristalino is considered a disitinct species by some authors.
Lafresnaye's Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus g. dorbignyanus)
Straight-billed Woodcreeper (Dendroplex picus)
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris)
Lineated Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes albolineatus)
Red-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris)
Curve-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus procurvoides)

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS Thamnophilidae
Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
Great Antshrike (Taraba major)
Glossy Antshrike (Sakesphorus luctuosus)
Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Chestnut-backed Antshrike (Thamnophilus palliatus)
Plain-winged Antshrike (Thamnophilus schistaceus)
Amazonian Antshrike (Thamnophilus amazonicus)
Rufous-winged Antshrike (Thamnophilus torquatus)
Spot-winged Antshrike (Pygiptila stellaris)
Plain Antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis)
Cinereous Antshrike (Thamnomanes caesius)
Pygmy Antwren (Myrmotherula brachyura)
Amazonian Antwren (Myrmotherula multostriata)
Plain-throated Antwren (Myrmotherula hauxwelli)
Ornate Antwren (Myrmotherula ornata)
Long-winged Antwren (Myrmotherula longipennis)
Large-billed Antwren (Herpsilochmus longirostris)
Rufous-winged Antwren (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus)
Dot-winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis emiliae)
White-fringed Antwren (Formicivora grisea)
Rusty-backed Antwren (Formicivora rufa)
Striated ("Xingu") Antbird (Drymophila devillei subochracea)
NB. Some people believe the race occuring at Cristalino deserves full species status.
Gray Antbird (Cercomacra cinerascens)
Mato Grosso Antbird (Cercomacra melanaria)
White-browed Antbird (Myrmoborus leucophrys)
Black-faced Antbird (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
Band-tailed Antbird (Hypocnemoides maculicauda)

COTINGAS Cotingidae
White-browed Purpletuft (Iodopleura isabellae)
Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans)
Purple-throated Cotinga (Porphyrolaema porphyrolaema)
Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana)
Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena punicea)
Bare-necked Fruitcrow (Gymnoderus foetidus)
Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)

MANAKINS Pipridae
Blue-backed Manakin (Chiroxiphia pareola)
Band-tailed Manakin (Pipra fasciicauda)
Red-headed Manakin (Pipra rubrocapilla)
Helmeted Manakin (Antilophia galeata)
Flame-crested Manakin (Heterocercus linteatus)
Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin (Tyranneutes stolzmanni) H
Wing-barred Piprites (Piprites chloris)
Thrush-like Schiffornis (Schiffornis turdinus) H

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Tyrannidae
White-lored Tyrannulet (Ornithion inerme)
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum)
Yellow Tyrannulet (Capsiempis flaveola)
Forest Elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii)
Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster)
Small-billed Elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris)
Plain-crested Elaenia (Elaenia cristata)
Slender-footed Tyrannulet (Zimmerius gracilipes)
Chapada Flycatcher (Suiriri islerorum)
Plain Tyrannulet (Inezia inornata)
Amazonian Tyrannulet (Inezia subflava)
Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant (Euscarthmus rufomarginatus)
Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant (Myiornis ecaudatus)
Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus galeatus) H
Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
White-bellied Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus griseipectus) H
Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus minimus) H
Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus striaticollis)
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum maculatum)
Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum)
Ringed Antpipit (Corythopis torquata)
Large-headed Flatbill (Ramphotrigon megacephala)
Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
White-crested Spadebill (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)
Cliff Flycatcher (Hirundinea ferruginea)
Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus)
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
White-rumped Monjita (Xolmis velata)
Crested Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes)
Black-backed Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola albiventer)
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant (Arundinicola leucocephala)
Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus)
Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosus)
Cinnamon Attila (Attila cinnamomeus)
Rufous Casiornis (Casiornis rufa)
Grayish Mourner (hytipterna simplex)
Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox)
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
Lesser Kiskadee (Philohydor lictor)
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua)
Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
Dusky-chested Flycatcher (Myiozetetes luteiventris)
Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus)
Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius)
Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius)
Crowned Slaty Flycatcher (Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus)
Sulphury Flycatcher (Tyrannopsis sulphurea)
White-throated Kingbird (Tyrannus albogularis)
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
White-naped Xenopsaris (Xenopsaris albinucha)
Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)
Black-crowned Tityra (Tityra inquisitor)

SWALLOWS Hirundinidae
Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea)
White-winged Swallow (Tachycineta albiventer)
Blue-and-white Swallow (Notiochelidon cyanoleuca)
White-banded Swallow (Atticora fasciata)
Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)

WRENS Troglodytidae
Black-capped Donacobius (Donacobius atricapilla)
Thrush-like Wren (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
Tooth-billed Wren (Odontorchilus cinereus) H
Moustached Wren (Thryothorus genibarbis)
Buff-breasted Wren (Thryothorus leucotis)
Fawn-breasted Wren (Thryothorus guarayanus)
Musician Wren (Cyphorhinus aradus)

MOCKINGBIRDS & THRASHERS Mimidae
Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus)

THRUSHES Turdidae
Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)
Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas)
Lawrence's Thrush (Turdus lawrencii)
Hauxwell's Thrush (Turdus hauxwelli) H

GNATCATCHERS Polioptilidae
Long-billed Gnatwren(Ramphocaenus melanurus)
Masked Gnatcatcher (Polioptila dumicola)

CROWS AND JAYS Corvidae
Purplish Jay (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
Curl-crested Jay (Cyanocorax cristatellus)

OLD WORLD SPARROWS Passeridae
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

VIREOS AND ALLIES Vireonidae
Gray-chested Greenlet (Hylophilus semicinereus)
Ashy-headed Greenlet (Hylophilus pectoralis)
Dusky-capped Greenlet (Hylophilus hypoxanthus) H
Tawny-crowned Greenlet (Hylophilus ochraceiceps)
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo (Vireolanius leucotis)
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis)

WOOD WARBLERS Parulidae
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus)
Flavescent Warbler (Basileuterus flaveolus)
Rose-breasted Chat (Granatellus pelzelni)

BANANAQUIT Coerebidae
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)

TANAGERS AND ALLIES Thraupidae
Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum)
Cinnamon Tanager (Schistochlamys ruficapillus)
White-banded Tanager (Neothraupis fasciata)
White-rumped Tanager (Cypsnagra hirundinacea)
Red-billed Pied Tanager (Lamprospiza melanoleuca)
Hooded Tanager (Nemosia pileata)
Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata)
Flame-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus cristatus)
White-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (Habia rubica)
Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)
Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)
Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca)
Purple-throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica)
Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris)
White-lored Euphonia (Euphonia chrysopasta)
White-vented Euphonia (Euphonia minuta)
Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)
Rufous-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia rufiventris)
Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana)
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola)
Masked Tanager (Tangara nigrocincta)
Opal-rumped Tanager (Tangara velia)
Black-faced Dacnis (Dacnis lineata)
Yellow-bellied Dacnis (Dacnis flaviventer)
Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana)
Swallow-Tanager (Tersina viridis)

EMBERIZINE FINCHES Emberizidae
Coal-crested Finch (Charitospiza eucosma)
Red-crested Finch (Coryphospingus cucullatus)
Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
Rusty-collared Seedeater (Sporophila collaris)
White-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila leucoptera)
Capped Seedeater (Sporophila bouvreuil)
Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch (Oryzoborus angolensis)
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata)
Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis)
Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata)
Grassland Sparrow (Ammodramus humeralis)

SALTATORS, CARDINALS, ETC. Cardinalidae
Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens)
Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)
Slate-colored Grosbeak (Saltator grossus)
Black-throated Saltator (Saltator atricollis)

ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS Icteridae
Unicolored Blackbird (Agelaius cyanopus)
Bay-winged Cowbird (Molothrus badius)
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus)
Epaulet Oriole (Icterus cayanensis)
Orange-backed Troupial (Icterus croconotus)
Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela)
Solitary Cacique (Cacicus solitarius)
Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)
Amazonian Oropendola (Gymnostinops bifasciatus)
Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus)
Chopi Blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi)

MAMMAL LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow: Emmons, Louise, H and Feer, Francois 1997. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.

Southern Tamandua (Termandua tetradactyla)
Night (Owl) Monkey (Aotus sp.)
Brown Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella)
Red-handed Howler Monkey (Alouatta belzebul)
Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya)
White-bellied Spider Monkey (Ateles belzebuth)
Cat sp. A very large cat boldly spotted cat species was seen crossing the road on the Transpantanal highway shortly after dark. Opinions were divided (sometimes quite heatedly between Jaguar and Ocelot, so to be on the safe side I am leaving my opinion out of it), although it was nice to get my first Jaguar!
Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)
Brazilian Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)
Azata's Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)