Birding from Rio de Janeiro

Posted byMichael CookPosted in2. International, Brazil, South AmericaTags:, , , , , ,
Colorful Gilt-edged Tanager bird perched in a tree near Rio de Janeiro.

Amazingly we have reached the end of our wonderful 8 month adventure travelling from Mexico to Rio via 17 countries. We have had some fantastic wildlife adventures along the way and I have really enjoyed sharing them on this blog. But all good things must come to an end so it came down to our last day birding on this trip when we were in Rio de Janeiro.

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We had reached out to Daniel a birding guide who runs a birding company called Irmãos Mello with his twin brother Gabriel. To say Daniel and Gabriel have written the book on birding in the Rio de Janeiro state is actually not an exaggeration – they actually wrote the best bird guide for the area and are currently working on the second edition. So I had high hopes of our day together – we were not disappointed as both brothers were excellent company and fantastic birding guides.

I really wanted to finish our birding adventure with a big day and over WhatsApp Daniel had been very supportive of this idea. So he actually arranged for Gabriel to pick us up early at 5.30am and do a bit of birding with us on the way to the Serra dos Órgãos National Park where Daniel would take over and we would bird until the sunset that evening.

Whilst we saw 15 species from the drive from Rio only Orange-Winged Parakeet was a new bird for us. It was still early we started birding at Daniel’s house where he has set up some feeders. The light was good for photos and a mixture of birds we have seen before with new species mixed in.

The Blue-Naped Chlorophonia had a lovely electric blue eye-ring. The Violaceous Euphonia was a lifer, as was the Azure-Shouldered Tanager. We saw both male and female Ruby-Crowned Tanagers but only a photo of the female.

  • Colorful turquoise tanager perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant green and yellow plumage.
    Blue-Naped Chlorophonia
  • Vibrant green and yellow Golden-collared Manakin perched on a branch.
  • Colorful Blue-and-Yellow Tanager bird perched on a branch
    Violaceous Euphonia
  • Golden-crowned Tanager bird perched on a branch with green leaves, vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Turquoise tanager bird perched on a branch with soft green background
    Azure-Shouldered Tanager
  • Fluffy white Samoyed dog lying in green grass. Samoyed grooming guide.
  • Turquoise tanager bird perched on a branch with bromeliad in the background.
  • Gray tanager perched on a branch, looking down. Birdwatching in nature.
  • Gray-and-green tanager perched on a tree branch, facing right.
  • Golden Oriole perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant yellow plumage.
    Ruby-Crowned Tanager (female)

It wasn’t all a riot of colour. The Shiny Cowbird and Sooty Grassquit (lifer) also put in an appearance. And whilst the Ruddy Ground Dove and White-Eyed Parakeets were far from new they did allow some good close views and nice photos. The Sombre Hummingbird was a new bird which came often to the nectar feeders.

  • Dull-colored bird perches on a branch, facing left, with a blurred green background.
    Shiny Cowbird
  • Dark-plumaged Darwin's finch perched on a branch with green leaves, Galapagos Islands.
    Sooty Grassquit
  • Dark plumage finch bird perched on a branch with green leaves.
  • Ruddy Ground-Dove perched on a mossy branch
    Ruddy Ground Dove
  • Ruddy Ground Dove perched on a lichen-covered branch, looking right. Birdwatching image.
  • Green orange-winged amazon parrot perched on palm frond against a bright sky
    White-Eyed Parakeet
  • Green Olive-throated Parakeet perched on a palm frond with red markings on its wings
  • Hummingbird perched on a branch, its long beak pointing upward. Close-up of a small, iridescent bird.
    Sombre Hummingbird
  • Hummingbird perched on a branch, looking up with its long beak.
  • Hummingbird perched on a branch, looking up with its long beak

A splash of sunshine was provided by the Orange-Bellied Euphonias and Saffron Finches. But I really enjoyed seeing and photographing Green-Headed Tanagers for the first time which offered lovely graduated tones of every shade of green.

  • Yellow-bellied euphonia perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant colors
    Orange Bellied Euphonia
  • Golden-crowned Manakin bird perched on a branch with yellow body and black head.
  • Golden-crowned Manakin bird perched on a branch. Yellow and black plumage, distinctive crown.
  • Orange-crowned manakin bird perched, showing vibrant yellow and black plumage.
  • Olive-green thick-billed euphonia perched on a bird feeder, looking right.
    Orange Bellied Euphonia (female)
  • Olive-green verdin bird perched on a branch with green leaves.
  • Bright yellow Saffron Finch perched on a branch, looking directly at the viewer.
    Saffron Finch
  • Bright yellow Saffron Finch perched on a branch, looking up towards a plant.
  • Bright yellow Saffron Finch perched on a branch.
  • Green-chinned Euphonia bird perched on a feeder, showing its vibrant plumage.
    Green-Headed Tanager
  • Colorful Turquoise Tanager birds eating banana on a bird feeder.
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After a while of enjoying the feeder setup at Daniel’s house we headed out towards the nearby woods. Whilst walking there we saw some Grey-Rumped Swifts and White-Thighed Swallows flying over hawking insects. Once in the woods we quickly added Chestnut-Bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-Crowed Becard and Black-Cheeked Gnateater to our growing list of new birds.

  • Male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia perched on a branch. Bird with blue head, yellow shoulder, and chestnut belly.
    Chestnut Bellied Euphonia
  • Beautiful male Chestnut-bellied Euphonia perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant colors.
  • Violet-backed Starling perched on a branch, showing its colorful plumage.
  • Colorful Chestnut-bellied Euphonia bird perched on a branch, looking left.
  • Chestnut-bellied rock thrush perched on a branch, looking right.
  • Chestnut-bellied euphonia bird perched on a branch, looking right.
  • Chestnut-bellied euphonia bird perched on a branch, showing its vibrant plumage.
  • Small, golden-yellow bird perched on a branch in a lush, green forest setting.
    Chestnut Crowned Becard
  • Small, golden-yellow bird perched on a branch amidst lush green foliage.
  • Golden-crowned Warbler perched on a green branch among leaves and flowers.
  • Rufous-crowned antvireo perched on a branch, displaying its distinctive orange crown and gray plumage.
    Black-Cheeked Gnateater
  • Golden-crowned Manakin perched on a branch. Bird with golden crown, black and gray plumage.

Various Tanagers offered more distant views including Yellow-Backed, Red-Necked (photographed), Golden-Chevroned and Flame-Crested. A Euler’s Flycatcher sang and offered good photos through a small window into the bush where it was perched. A Plain-Winged Woodcreeper flew in and worked it’s way up a couple of nearby trees

  • Colorful Orange-eared Tanager bird perched on green leaves, showing its vibrant plumage.
    Red-Necked Tanager
  • Colorful Orange-bellied Leafbird perched on a branch with green leaves.
  • Colorful Gilt-edged Tanager bird perched on a branch with green leaves in a natural habitat.
  • Colorful Orange-bellied Leafbird perched on a branch amidst green leaves, vibrant plumage detail.
  • Olive-sided flycatcher perched on a branch, surrounded by green foliage.
    Euler’s Flycatcher
  • Yellow Warbler bird perched on a branch, blending into a green and yellow foliage background.
  • Small olive-green bird perched on a textured tree branch, facing left.
  • Olive-sided flycatcher perched atop a tree stump with its beak open, singing.
  • Brown bird clings to tree trunk, looking up.
    Plain-Winged Woodcreeper
  • Rufous Motmot bird clinging to a tree trunk, looking upwards. Birdwatching image.
  • Brown bird clinging to a tree trunk, foraging for food in the forest canopy.

At this point we were birding with both Daniel and Gabriel and Garbiel called us back for an excellent sighting. The rare endemic White-Necked Hawk could be seen below in a distant tree. This bird has a tiny range in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

  • Gray-headed kite perched on a mossy branch in a lush green rainforest environment.
    White-Necked Hawk
  • Gray-backed hawk perched on a mossy branch in a lush, green forest.

Manakins were about with both a male White-Bearded and female Swallow-Tailed showing well.

  • White-collared manakin bird perched on a branch in lush green foliage.
    White-Bearded Manakin
  • Black-and-white flycatcher bird perched on a tree branch among green leaves.
  • Fluffy white-cheeked bulbul bird perched on a branch in lush green foliage.
  • Green bird with orange crown perched on a branch in lush foliage.
    Swallow-Tailed Manakin (female)
  • Olive-green bird with orange crown perched on a branch in a lush, natural setting.
  • Green bird with orange head perched on a branch, looking right.
  • Olive Finch perched on a branch, showcasing its green plumage and orange crown.

Other birds we saw in the woods but didn’t photograph included Black Jacobin, Plain Antvireo, Scaled Antbird, Streak-Capped Antwren, White-Throated Woodcreeper, Southern Antpipit, Cliff Flycatcher and Grey-Hooded Attila. After a productive hour in these woods we headed back to the car seeing Plain Parakeet and hearing distant Blue-Winged Macaw on the way.

  • Green parrot perched on a branch with yellowing leaves, looking back.
    Plain Parakeet
  • Green parrot perched on a branch surrounded by green and yellow leaves against a light blue sky.
  • Green parrot perched on a branch with yellow leaves

At this point we said goodbye to Gabriel thanking him for a fantastic couple of hours in which we had already seen 70 species of birds. Daniel now drove us to the Serra dos Órgãos National Park where we hoped to see a different mix of birds. Our first site was at a lower elevation.

Out first new bird here was surprisingly a hummingbird – a Saw-Billed Hermit. I am used to Hermits having long curved bills but this was fairly short and straight by comparison. It flew around and landed briefly on a perch allowing a quick photo. A Spotted Antvireo allowed some sky-backlit shots before it came a bit lower with the green vegetation allowing a much more pleasing backdrop. A Yellow-Legged Thrush was a new bird but didn’t come out from behind the vegetation it was hiding behind but I had slightly better luck with a distant Yellow-Eared Woodpecker.

  • Hummingbird perched on a bamboo branch, surrounded by lush green foliage.
    Saw-Billed Hermit
  • Olive-green bird perched on a branch, looking up. Mottled plumage, natural habitat.
    Spotted Antvireo
  • Small bird with speckled head and yellow belly perched on a branch.
  • Small olive-green bird with speckled head perched on a branch against a white background.
  • Small green bird perched on a mossy tree branch, looking up in a lush, green forest setting.
  • Small olive-green bird perched on a mossy branch against a blurred green background.
  • Black bird perched in a palm tree flower cluster, surrounded by green fronds.
    Yellow-Legged Thrush
  • Woodpecker clinging to a tree trunk, with a large green leaf in the background.
    Yellow-Eared Woodpecker

We walked a couple of trails in this park. We had already heard a Grey-Headed Tody-Flycatcher and I was hoping to see it as it was a new bird. Fortunately it did eventually give itself up here and I captured brief shot. Another new bird for me was the Yellow-Green Grosbeak along with the Streak-Capped Antwren

  • Bright yellow bird with a black cap perches on a branch.
    Grey-Headed Today Flycatcher
  • Yellow-crowned Euphonia bird perched in lush green foliage.
    Yellow-Green Grosbeak
  • Yellow weaver bird with a black face perched among green leaves.
  • Yellow-breasted bird perched on a branch among leaves.
    Streak-Capped Antwren

We saw various other birds at this location too including Maroon Bellied Parakeet, Star-Throated, White-Flanked and Unicoloured Antwrens, Rufous-Bellied Leaftosser, Lesser Woodcreeper, Black-Capped Foliage-Gleener, Olive-Green Tanager and Red-Crowned Ant-Tanager. We walked to a nearby stream and quickly saw a pair of Buff-Bellied Puffbirds.

  • Black-backed puffbird perched on a branch, displaying its unique plumage.
    Buff-Bellied Puffbird
  • White-naped Xenopsaris bird perched on a branch against a bright white sky.
  • White-necked puffbird perched on a branch against a bright white sky, looking up.

We stopped for lunch and then drove to a higher elevation location where again we hoped to see a different mix of birds. Arriving at the new location we were delighted to see a couple of Tanager Species – the amazing Brassy-Breasted Tanager with it’s electric blue eyes and the more restrained Black-Goggled Tanager.

  • Green-chinned Euphonia bird perched on a branch in a lush, natural habitat.
    Brassy-Breasted Tanager
  • Green-crowned Brilliant hummingbird perched on a branch, showing vibrant colors.
  • Green-crowned Brilliant hummingbird perched on a branch, partially obscured by leaves
  • Colorful Turquoise Tanager perched on a branch in the rainforest.
  • Vibrant Orange-breasted Fruit-eating Tanager perched on a branch, amidst green leaves.
  • Brown-capped Tyrannulet bird perched on a branch in a lush green environment.
    Black-Goggled Tanager
  • Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant perched on a branch in a lush, green environment.

This was quickly followed by a new endemic hummingbird the Brazilian Ruby which fed on some nearby flowers and occasionally perched.

  • Hummingbird perched on a branch, showcasing its iridescent green and copper plumage.
    Brazilian Ruby
  • Hummingbird perched on a branch, showcasing its iridescent green and brown feathers in natural light.
  • Hummingbird with green and brown plumage perched on a branch
  • Hummingbird feeding on a red flower, wings spread, surrounded by green leaves and branches.

We were watching a bird we had seen before, the Olivaceous Woodcreeper, when Daniel called our attention to look skywards for a raptor and indeed we had good views of the Black Hawk-Eagle (a species we had last seen only briefly in Panama). Once we had finished watching the Hawk-Eagle Daniel tracked down some other species including Yellow-Olive Flatbill and Pallid Spinetail.

  • Rufous-tailed xenops bird clinging to a mossy tree trunk in a lush forest setting.
    Olivaceous Woodcreeper
  • Golden-crowned Treecreeper clinging to a mossy tree trunk in the forest.
  • Eagle soaring against a clear blue sky
    Black Hawk-Eagle
  • Hawk soars in a clear blue sky, wings spread wide, feathers visible.
  • Small green bird with black stripes perched on a branch among leaves.
    Yellow-Olive Flatbill
  • Rufous-tailed Attila bird perched on a branch, singing with its beak open in a leafy tree.
    Pallid Spinetail
  • Rufous hornero bird perched on a tree branch with green leaves in the background.
  • Small brown bird perched on a branch, looking up with bright eyes, surrounded by green leaves.
  • Rufous Hornero bird perched on a branch, looking up with its distinctive orange tail feathers.

A couple of birds fairly nondescript in and of themselves made up for their drab plumages by offering sustained and close views. First a White-Throated Spadebill followed by a White-Browed Foliage-Gleaner. I took time to enjoy the photographic opportunities.

  • Yellow-breasted Warbling Antbird perched on a branch in lush foliage.
    White-Throated Spadebill
  • Yellow-breasted bird perched on a branch in lush greenery, looking up.
  • Yellow Warbler perched on a branch, showcasing its vibrant plumage in a natural setting.
  • Yellow-breasted Apalis bird perched on a branch, looking directly at the viewer.
  • Rufous-headed Tailorbird perched on a branch. Small yellow and olive bird looking upwards.
  • Olive-backed forest robin perched on a branch with dappled sunlight.
  • Yellow-breasted Warbler perched on a branch, detailed close-up.
  • Rufous-tailed babbler perched on a bamboo branch, showing its distinctive reddish-brown tail.
    White-Browed Foliage Gleaner
  • Rufous-tailed babbler perched on bamboo stalk with long, reddish-brown tail feathers.

We continued to work our way up to higher elevations in the car and at one point a Slaty-Breasted Woodrail ran out and ran alongside the car. We stopped to look over the stream and a Sharp-Tailed Streamcreeper offered great views behaving very much like a Dipper back home. Here we were on the last birding day of our trip seeing not only a new bird but also a new family as I had never seen a Streamcreeper before (albeit this is the only Streamcreeper that there is and it is closely related to Ovenbirds).

  • Grey-necked wood rail running on a paved path. Red legs and yellow beak.
    Slaty-Breasted Woodrail
  • Rufous-naped Wood Rail running across a stone path, showing its long red legs.
  • Rufous-chested Thrush perched on mossy ground. Bird with brown chest, speckled neck, and dark wings.
    Sharp-Tailed Streamcreeper
  • Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler perched on a mossy rock near water. Bird with brown and speckled plumage.
  • Rufous Scrub-bird drinking water from a shallow stream, perched on a rock.
  • Bird, a Scaled Thrush, perched on a mossy rock with food in its beak.
  • Rufous-throated dipper bird perched on mossy rock
  • Rufous-crowned Antthrush bird perched on mossy rock in a stream, detailed plumage.
  • New Zealand Rifleman bird perched on mossy rock near stream, looking down.

It was getting later on in the day and the sun was getting lower in the sky. I felt we now had about seen about a hundred bird species in the day but was hoping to see a few more. We arrived at the highpoint of our day and took an elevated boardwalk which enabled us to see higher in the forest canopy.

Birdwatchers on a forest boardwalk in Rio, one photographing a tree.

During this walk it appeared that birds came in twos. First of all we saw two Manakin species close together. First the Swallow-Tailed Manakin which we has seen earlier in the day but this time the male gave us a good close view. Second was the stunning Pin-Tailed Manakin which was a truly lovely bird.

  • Brightly colored Blue-backed Manakin bird perched on a branch with an orange cap and black face.
    Swallow-Tailed Manakin
  • Vibrant blue and black male Red-capped Manakin bird perched on a branch in the rainforest.
  • Bright blue Red-capped Manakin bird with orange head perched on a branch in lush foliage.
  • Blue-backed Manakin bird perched on a branch, with vibrant orange head and black tail.
  • Orange-capped manakin bird perched on a branch with green leaves in the background
  • Colorful Black-backed Tanager bird perched on a branch, showing red cap, black back, and green wing.
    Pin-Tailed Manakin
  • Colorful Black-backed Tanager perched on a branch, showcasing its red cap, black back, and green and gray plumage.
  • Colorful Rufous-backed Sibia bird perched on a branch, showcasing its red, green, black, and white plumage.

We walked further along the board walk and could hear a loud noise. At first thought I would have said this was a mammal but Daniel was confident this was in fact a Dusky-Legged Guan. Frustratingly we could not see this bird despite it being substantial in size. But then Daniel found a window through to it and we were able to enjoy this lifer. And then a smaller but perhaps more impressive bird the monstrous-billed Black-Billed Scythebill. We had last seen a member of this family in Costa Rica

  • Brown Chachalaca bird perched on a tree branch amid green leaves, looking up.
    Dusky-Legged Guan
  • A New Zealand Pūkeko bird perched on a branch amidst lush green foliage, looking upwards.
  • Long-billed scimitar babbler perched on a branch in a forest.
    Black-Billed Scythebill
  • Curve-billed reedhaunter bird perched on a branch, looking up with its unique beak.

Taking a break from the birds at this point a solitary Capuchin Monkey traversed the trees above us. We also heard but didn’t see the mega rare and endangered Brown-Backed Parakeet at this point too. We also stumbled across two Brown Tinamou which we saw well but didn’t have time to photograph before they scurried off out of view.

  • Monkey perched in tree branches, looking down. Wildlife in natural habitat.
    Capuchin Monkey
  • Monkey perched on a mossy tree branch, looking up. Wildlife in natural habitat.
  • Monkey perched on a lichen-covered tree branch, looking directly at the viewer.
  • Monkey perched on a branch in a lush forest setting, looking directly at the camera.
  • Monkey resting in a tree, nestled among branches and green leaves. Wildlife scene.

Just as we thought it was time to move on a mixed flock of Toucanets arrived in the trees above us. Most were Spot-Billed but a few Saffron Toucanets were among them too.

  • Rufous-crowned Barbet perched on a mossy branch in a lush, green forest setting.
  • Rufous-breasted Toucan perched on a mossy branch in a lush green forest canopy.
  • Rufous Motmot perched on a mossy branch, looking up with its distinctive racket-tipped tail.
  • Colorful aracari toucan perched on a branch in lush green foliage.
    Spot-Billed Toucanet (male)

Daniel was keen to show us one more location before the sun finally set so we headed to a nearby area of farm land. Upon arriving we quickly saw two new birds first a Southern Yellowthroat quickly followed by a Glittering-Throated Emerald.

A Ferruginous Pygmy Owl flew into a nearby tree allowing close views. I went for a call of nature only to get called back to see two Whistling Herons fly over and land in a distant field. This was a new bird for me as I hadn’t seen it earlier in Iguazu.

  • Common yellowthroat perched on a branch, showing its distinctive yellow throat
    Southern Yellowthroat
  • Ferruginous pygmy owl perched on a tree branch, looking directly at the camera with bright yellow eyes.
    Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
  • Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl perched on a tree branch, looking directly at the camera with bright yellow eyes.
  • Philippine hawk-owl perched on a branch, staring wide-eyed. Brown and white plumage, captivating gaze.
  • Spotted Ground Dove foraging in lush green grass.
    Picazuro Pigeon
  • Sunbittern bird camouflaged in green and brown grass, its long neck and colorful face visible.
    Whistling Heron
  • Two Pinnated Bitterns stand camouflaged in a grassy field. Birdwatching wildlife scene.

However the principle target for this location was the endemic wine-red Brazilian Tanager and Daniel knew his patch well and quickly found about 10 distant birds. Some of them kindly flew across the reed-bed and joined us in a nearby bush to allow closer views. A great way to end a fantastic day!

  • Scarlet Tanager perched on a thin branch with green leaves
    Brazilian Tanager
  • Two vibrant red Crimson Tanager birds perched on a leafy branch against a blurred green background.
  • Crimson-backed tanager perched on a leafy branch in a natural setting.
  • Two vibrant red Scarlet Tanager birds perched on a leafy branch against a blurred green background.

When we got home and added up the lists I was delighted to see we had seen 123 species of bird and heard a further 5 species in this single day. This was the most I had observed in any day on the trip (and probably in my life for that matter!). Of these 65 were lifers! What a great day. Big thanks to Daniel and Grabriel of Irmãos Mello for such great feathered memories.

We ended up leaving our short stop in Brazil with 137 species of which 66 were lifers and 43 were photo lifers. Our final total for the big trip was 1,425 species with 658 in North America and 965 in South America.

Black bird in flight, "Wild Scot" text. Scottish Wildlife Photos.

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Published by Michael Cook

Wildlife Photographer based in Scotland

4 thoughts on “Birding from Rio de Janeiro”

  2. My favourite is the green-headed tanager. Lovely photos! I can’t believe that you saw 1425 different bird species on your trip; that’s amazing! – Charlotte & Jonathan

    Reply

  3. For us it is an honor and a privilege to have been mentioned on your personal blog with a complete and detailed description of the birding day. And we are sure that this mention on the blog will help our work to be better known, especially since you illustrated the post with beautiful photos. We are very grateful for that! It was a pleasure to meet and guide you and be able to show you interesting birds from the Atlantic Forest! Be sure that you will always be welcome here! (Gabriel and Daniel Mello).

    Reply

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