First visited by Europeans in 1498; therefore its history as a country state stretches back about 500 years, Guyana's past is punctuated by battles fought and won, possessions lost and regained as the Spanish, French, Dutch and British wrangled for centuries to own the land. Guyana achieved independence from Great Britain in 1966. At 215,000 km, Guyana is the third-smallest independent state on the mainland of South America (after Uruguay and Suriname). We experienced a very dry season (slowing down the bird activity). We still did extremely well despite this and with some dedication saw a lot of range restricted and seldom seen species. Guyana is only now on the birding map and although having no endemics to the country, it shares a lot of range restricted and difficult to see birds of the Guianan Shield that it shares with neighbouring Surinam, French Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela.
We include 45 range restricted species in this report and in total of around 380 species including 7 species of Cotinga, 15 species of Woodpecker and 28 species of Antbirds. Guyana is a tropical country with the climate being hot and humid which can be a challenge. There were good accommodations and the people are extremely friendly. Guyana produces a damn fine beer, the world’s finest rum and the food is with strong Indian and Caribbean influence. Compared to other South American countries Guyana has the huge advantage of being an English speaking nation making it possible for all to communicate with your hosts and even with children in Amerindian communities. The peoples of the coastal area are a racial mix of Oriental, Indian and Afro-Americans with some influence of the old British colony still to be detected. The interior of the Rupununi is dominated by the Amerindian Makushi indigenous group. Birding is exciting, and we covered tropical savannahs where Giant Anteaters roam to gallery forests along rivers, forest islands in the savannas, low foothills, true rainforest and nutrient poor varrillal forest. An astounding journey to be recommended to all.
The Agenda
January 18th: Arrival in Georgetown Guyana and night at the Cara Lodge Hotel.
January 19th: Early departure to the Abary River, about 1 hour south of Georgetown. A Brown-crested Flycatcher is singing his dawn song when we arrive. After our picnic breakfast, we birded the main track along the river and rapidly found a pair of Black-crested Antshrike building their nest, a responsive female of White-bellied Piculet and a very excited Pale-tipped Inezia. Most of the birds found this morning show breeding behavior: carrying nesting material, building nest or feeding chicks. Suddenly Maggy found one of the most sought after species of the day, the splendid Blood-colored Woodpecker! Stunning!
We spend most of the morning birding here, and found several other interesting species: Yellow- chinned Spinetail, Savanna Hawk, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Ochre-lored Flycatcher, etc... Back to the car, our local guide Carlos called in a Rufous Crab Hawk. Excellent sighting of that wonderful and local raptor!
On the way back, we stopped on some mudflats, where we found a small groups of Scarlet Ibis, and several species of migrant shorebirds. We then had a lunch to our hotel, and a rest during the very hot hours. We spent the end of the afternoon at the Botanical Garden, very close to our hotel. The place is full of parrots, including Yellow-crowned, Orange-winged, Festive (probably feral population), Red- shouldered Macaw and Brown-throated Parakeet. Some of the good finds of the afternoon were a Great Horned Owl on his day roost, a nice male of Wing-barred Seedeater, a Toco Toucan and a few Black- necked Aracari, a Peregrine Falcon scanning the area from the top of an antenna, and a close meeting with 2 Manatee used to receive food from the hands of the kids visiting the garden. Night at the Cara Lodge Hotel.
January 20th: Morning flight to Lethem. During a bit more than one hour, we flew over the Tropical Forest and Rupununi Savanna where we will be birding the next two weeks! Just after arriving in Lethem, we met our team of drivers and local guide, and drive towards the Ireng river. We stopped for an excellent lunch on the way, and arrived at the Ireng River at mid-afternoon. The first bird we found there was a Great Horned Owl roosting in some palm trees. Our search for the Rio-Branco Antbird and the Hoary-throated Spinetail, two very local and endangered species, is rapidly successful!! We all got good views on these two very local species!! On our way back we stopped at a pond to look for some wetlands species, and luckily flushed a Giant Snipe!! A wonderful unexpected bonus to end the day! Night in Lethem.
January 21st: Pre-dawn breakfast at our hotel, and morning drive towards Dadanawa Ranch. We did several stops along the way, to bird the savanna, some ponds and patches of Gallery Forest. We add new species at each stop, and the best ones include Northern Scrub-flycatcher, Guianan Trogon, Dusky Antbird, Sulphury Flycatcher, White-chested Emerald, Jabiru, White-fringed Antwren, Finch’s Eupjhonia, etc... We arrived at Dadanawa just on time for lunch and a nap during the hot hours of the day. In the late afternoon we bird the surroundings of the ranch, finding our first Burnished-buff Tanagers and a large group of Crested Bobwhite. Waiting at dusk along the Rupununi River, we had good views on 2 Nacunda Nighthawk, a Capped Heron and hundreds of bats flying along the river. Night at Dadanawa Ranch.
January 22nd: A very early departure and a night drive to reach the Red Siskin place at dawn. During the drive we found a male of White-tailed Nightjar showing well! We had our breakfast in the field, and during our wait for the siskin, we found several interesting species including: Pale-eyed Pygmy-tyrant, Barred Antshrike, Blue Ground-dove, Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, etc.. But after 2 hours waiting, we only had a glimpse on a female Red Siskin, and decided to move to another place. That second place is the good one, as we rapidly found a nice male showing nicely! We will see a total of 3 males and 3 females of the endangered Red Siskin, but also 2 Hooded Tanager, flocks of Plumbeous Seedeater and 2 Gray Seedeater, a Cliff Flycatcher, etc... A very successful morning!! After our lunch at Dadanawa Ranch, we drove back to Lethem in the afternoon. Night in Lethem.
January 23rd: Leaving Lethem at 4am, for a 3 hours’ drive towards Karasabai. On the way, we found 3 Giant Anteaters (including a female with a baby on her back), a Crab-eating Fox and a White-tailed Deer! We spent the morning birding near Karasabai, looking for the endangered Sun Parakeet. We did not wait too long for that one, and found a flock of 24 birds just along the road!! Excellent views of that beautiful parrot. The view of the flock flying in front of the vegetation, with the morning light, was just perfect!! It seems that the numbers of parakeet seen in that area are increasing, and that would be a very good sign for the conservation of that stunning species. After a lunch in Karasabai (with Caju juice and nuts, the specialty of the village!!) we began our long drive towards Karanambu lodge. On the way we found 3 Pinnated Bittern, a lifer for the all group!, 2 Maguari Stork, a few Jabiru, Limpkins, etc... After dinner we did a short walk looking for nightbirds, and had excellent views on Least and Lesser Nighthawk. A good study on these two very similar species before a peaceful night in Karanambu.
January 24-25th: two full days birding around Karanambu Lodge! We spent our first morning birding the trail along the Rupununi river. The main attraction was obviously the Capuchinbird lek, and we had 5 birds displaying for 30 minutes!! What a strange looking bird, unusual song and odd display!! But the Capuchinbird is not the only interesting species here, and we had good views on White-bellied Antbird, Northern Slaty-Antshrike, Chestnut Woodpecker, Spotted Puffbird, Helmeted Pygmy-tyrant, Golden-spangled Piculet, and so many more! Our second morning was mostly dedicated to the Savanna, where we had a close view to the very local Bearded Tachuri, and also found good numbers of White-tailed Goldenthroat. Both afternoons have been spent on boat ride on the Rupununi river, where we had very good views a total of 5 different Crestless Curassow!! The river is also home for several species of herons, including Rufescent Tiger-heron and Capped Heron, but also Black Skimmer, numerous Osprey, Pied Plover, and every evening the sky fills with Band-tailed Nighthawk and hundreds of Bats! Beside the birds we also had good views on Brown Capuchin, Squirrel Monkey, Red Howler Monkey, 1 Crab-eating Fox, 2 Capybaras, and easily more than 100 Black Caimans! Nights in Karanambu.
January 26th: After a last visit to the Capuchinbird lek, we left Karanambu lodge by boat, on the Rupununi river. After about 2 hours on the river, watching Jabiru, Osprey, numerous Kingfisher of 3 species, and also caimans, monkeys and even a group of 3 Giant otters, we changed our boats for 2 pick- up trucks and followed our way North towards Surama. After a lunch on the way, and a rest at Surama, we spent the end of the afternoon birding the forest near the lodge. In just a few hours we found some good birds, including the sought-after Grey-winged Trumpeter!!! Last bird family in the world for Pete and Maggy!! Congratulation!! An excellent introduction for the two forthcoming days here! Night in Surama.
January 27-28th: Two full days at Surama. We spent a full day on the trail system around Surama, mostly birding the main track towards the Buro- Buro river. We found here a great diversity of Woodpeckers: Red-necked, Golden-collared, Chestnut, and Cream-colored. In the forest understory, we found our first flocks, led by Cinereous and Dusky- throated Antshrike and followed by Long-winged and White-flanked Antwren. The minuscule Rufous- bellied Antwren is common here, at least by voice!! We also had good views on a female Guianan Red Cotinga, Guianan Toucanet, Pied Puffbird, and several species of parrots including Dusky Parrot, and common sightings of Red-and-green Macaws. We spent one morning visiting the nearby Harpy Eagle nest, but unfortunately the chick was already flying around and did not see it.... Fortunately, we found other good birds there, like the very local White-throated Manakin or the secretive Spotted Antpitta. During a night walk near the lodge, we also got good views on the Northern Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, a forthcoming split. Nights in Suranma.
January 29th: After a pre-dawn breakfast, we began our drive north towards Atta Lodge. We did a few stops on the way, regularly adding new species. We stopped at a Guianan Cock-of-the-rock breeding place, where we had fantastic view on that stunning species!! One of the most beautiful species of the trip!! We arrived at Atta for lodge and nap, welcomed by a group of Grey-winged Trumpeter seen on the access road. We spent our first afternoon here on the trails around the lodge, finding Black Curassow, Yellow-green Grosbeak, 3 species of Honeycreeper, Yellow-backed Tanager, etc... Night in Atta.
January 30th-31st: Two full day birding around Atta. That lodge is known for his canopy walkway, where we spent a full morning and an afternoon. From there we had good views on several canopy specialists, like Todd’s Antwren, Guianan Puffbird, Dusky Purpletuft, Guianan Red Cotinga, Guianan Tyrannulet or Golden-sided Euphonia. We also had great views on Ringed, Waved and Golden-collared Woodpecker, all in the same tree!! It is also from there that we had our best view on Caica parrot, with one of them perched on the top of an emerging tree. Along the trails, we found the rare and colorful Red-and-black Grosbeak (a lifer for the all group including the leader), and had great views on the stunning Ferruginous-backed Antbird, several encounters with Grey-winged Trumpeters, and found a few other good species like Black-throated Antshrike, Tiny-tyrant Manakin, or Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper. The open areas, like the lodge clearing or the access road, have also been very good, and that’s where we found the sought-after Crimson Fruitcrow, the stunning Pompadour Cotinga, Rose-breasted Chat, Guianan Streaked Antwren, and a few raptors including Grey-headed Kite, Crane Hawk and the splendid Swallow-tailed Kite. Nights in Atta.
February 1st: We were supposed to leave the lodge early, but our vehicles did not arrive on time and we had to wait until lunch to leave Atta... We spent some time birding around the lodge, between two showers, and added a few more new species to our list. After lunch we began our drive towards Iwokrama, doing a stop in a patch of Mori Scrub. There we found a group of Red-shouldered Tanager, and a pair of Bronzy Jacamar, two species related to white-sand forest. Following our way to Iwokramo, our local guide Leon also found an Anaconda sleeping on the shore of a pond. We went close to that impressive snake, and even been able to touch him before he moved into the vegetation!! Arriving late to Iwokrama, we spent the last hours of the day relaxing in our nice cabins with on view to the Esequibio river.
Night in Iwokrama.
February 2nd: A long drive back to Georgetown. International flight in the night or the following day.
Species List
TINAMOUS
Great Tinamou Tinamus major. Flushed at Surama and a few heard.
Cinereous Tinamou Crypturellus cinereus. 1 flushed at Surama.
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus. Heard only (daily) at Karanambu.
Red-legged Tinamou Crypturellus erythropus. Heard only at Surama.
Variegated Tinamou Crypturellus variegatus. Heard only in the forested areas.
DUCKS and GEESE
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata. Several sighting including a large group of 20+ near Dadanawa. Formerly called Musk Duck because the drake has a musky smell.
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis. 2 on the mudflat near Georgetown.
GUANS AND CURRASOWS
Little Chachalaca Ortalis motmot. Contacted almost daily by voice, and a few seen.
Spix’s Guan Penelope jacquacu. A few seen at Surama and Atta. Penelope was the daughter of Icarius and wife of Ulysses King of Ithaca in Greek mythology.
Blue-throated Piping-Guan Pipile cumanensis. 2 seen at Surama. VULNERABLE.
Crestless Currassow Mitu tomentosa. 4 seen during one boat ride at Karanambu!! Range Restricted.
Black Currasow Crax alector. Best looks in the yard at Atta where they come into the clearing for leftover rice! Seen on five dates. Small range in Northern South America Black Currasow is found in north-central South America. Subspecies erythrognatha occurs to the west. In east Colombia it is locally abundant along the east Andes and Macarena Mountains, where it has been considered the most common large bird at an estimated density of 1/1.25 ha of forest. It also occurs in southern Venezuela. The nominate subspecies alector is found in the east. At its westernmost point, in Cerro de la Neblina, east Venezuela, it was considered much less common than another cracid, Razor-billed Curassow Mitu tuberosum, in 1991. Its range extends from there eastwards through Guyana, where it is common only where there is intact habitat and no hunting,and beyond. In Suriname it was considered common in 1968, but is only locally so now (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Restall et al. 2006); in French Guiana it is subject to heavy hunting pressure and in danger of extirpation. It has already been driven from areas around human settlement, but does exist at optimal density (8/100 ha) in areas in the south of the country. The taxon's range also extends to north Brazil, where it is fairly common in Amapá, northern Roraima, around Manaus and in Pico de Neblina National Park (del Hoyo et al. 1994). VULNERABLE, Range Restricted.
NEW WORLD QUAIL
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus. Common on the savannas and running across the roads.
Marbled Wood-Quail Odontophorus gujanensis. Heard only at Surama and Atta.
STORKS
Jabiru Jabiru mycteria. Several sightings of this huge Stork with good views of adults. At Karanambu, we even saw a bird perched on his huge nest with an almost flying chick, on a tree along the Rupununi River.
Wood Stork Mycteria americana. Several sightings.
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari. 2 on a pond near Karanambu.
FRIGATEBIRDS
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens. A few on the coast soaring over.
CORMORANTS
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Regular sightings on the rivers.
DARTERS
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga. A few on the Rupununi River, during our boat ride at Karanambu.
HERONS AND EGRETS
Pinnated Bittern Botaurus pinnatus. Excellent views on 3 of them, during our drive towards Karanambu.
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum. 3 seen at Karanambu, and one more fishing on a creek at Atta.
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi. The common large Heron.
Great Egret Ardea alba. Many records along the roads.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula. Not as common as the former.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea. Several individuals seen here and there.
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor. Common along the coast on our first days birding.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Many records along the roads, always in areas cleared for cattle grazing.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus. Seen regularly in small numbers throughout the tour.
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus. 3 different birds seen on the trip.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea. One along the coast on our last stop on the first day in the mangroves.
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius. A few of this nocturnal Heron on the Rupununi River at Karanambu.
IBIS
Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber. 20+ on the coastal mudflats near Georgetown. Range Restricted.
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis. About a dozen in swampy forested areas.
Buff-necked Ibis Therstictus caudatus. Common on the savannas.
NEW WORLD VULTURES
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus. Daily views in all locations except in the forest at Atta.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura. Daily views of resident race ruficollis which shows a distinctive white collar, Jaramillo (2003) suggested that the resident tropical subspecies ruficollis and the southern subspecies group (jota and "falklandica") might merit recognition as separate species from the northern Cathartes aura group.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus. Seen near Georgetown.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus. Replaces the former over forested areas and quite common.
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa. Regular sightings with at least eight different birds seen.
OSPREY
Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Fairly common. Migrants from North America. Pandion in Greek mythology was king of Ithaca, whose tragic daughters Philomela and Procne were turned into a Nightingale and Swallow respectively. There is a genus of Martins named for Procne.
HAWKS AND EAGLES
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis. 1 adult at Atta.
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus. One of the most elegant raptors in South America!! Seen daily over the forested areas.
Pearl Kite Gamsonyx swainsonii. A few seen in the savannah.
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus. 1 seen near Lethem.
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis. Common along roadside ditches and in the Botanical gardens and even along ditches in Georgetown.
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus. Just two of this monkey following specialist, but a nice scope view in the Atta clearing.
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea. Regular sightings.
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis. Common near pond shores.
Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor. An adult soaring high near Surama.
Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens. One seen at Atta.
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus. A few in the mangroves along the coast. The SACC says “Evidence for treating Buteogallus subtilis (Mangrove Black Hawk) which does not occur in Guyana, as a species separate from Buteogallusanthracinus is weak. It was treated as a full species by Stresemann & Amadon (1979), Thiollay (1994), AOU (1998), and Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001), following Amadon (1961) and Monroe (1963, 1968); see Howell & Webb (1995), Stiles & Skutch (1989), and Ridgely et al. (2001), and especially Clark (2007) for opposing view. It was considered a synonym of B. anthracinus by Hellmayr & Conover (1949) and as a subspecies of B. anthracinus by Friedmann (1950). SACC proposal passed to remove species rank for subtilis. The two were treated as forming a superspecies by Sibley & Monroe (1990) and Thiollay (1994). Stresemann & Amadon (1979) suspected that Buteogallus subtilis and B. aequinoctialis form a superspecies. However Restall 2006 treats them as two separate species.
Rufous Crab-Hawk Buteogallus aequinoctialis. One of Guyana’s special birds, inhabiting mangroves along the coast. It has a restricted range and is being affected by habitat destruction. We had great views near Georgetown, and at the Abary River. Range Restricted.
Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga. A few seen in the Rupununi savannah and in the forested area near Atta.
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis. Scattered records in cleared areas for cattle pasture. Somewhat common.
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris. Many records, along the roadside! But also along rivers.
Grey-lined Hawk Buteo nitidus. Just two seen near Georgetown. Grey is used because far more taxa have traditionally used that spelling than gray according to the IOC. Miller & Griscom (1921) and Sibley & Monroe (1990) considered the Middle American subspecies plagiatus to deserve recognition as a separate species from Buteo nitidus, but this treatment has not been widely accepted; see Hellmayr & Conover (1949) for rationale for treating them as conspecific, although numerous authors have mentioned that they might be best treated as separate species. Millsap et al. (2011) provided morphological, vocal, and plumage (for all age categories) evidence for treatment as separate species.
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus. One of these Turkey Vulture imitators near Karanambu Ranch and another one on our way towards Iwokrama.
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus. The common Buteo of open country.
Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja. Heard only. A pair is breeding bear Surama but unfortunately the chick was already big and flying around the nest. During our first try we heard a bird answering to the tape, but never came close. Part of the team did a second try even earlier in the morning, but no luck again...
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizatur tyrannus. Good views at Surama!!
LIMPKINS
Limpkin Aramus guarauna. Fairly common.
TRUMPETERS
Grey-winged Trumpeter Psophia crepitans. Bird of the trip for Pete and Maggy, completing now all the bird families in the World!! Not at all wary, a sign that they are not hunted in the area. Contacted daily in the forested area at Atta and Surama. Very sociable and we had some excellent views. Trumpeters are shy and one of the first birds to disappear if there is too much human impact. They are related to Cranes and Rails and have a well developed social behaviour, patrolling their territory in family groups, keeping in contact with low purring and whooping calls which escalate into the full song of guttural humming notes if they sense danger. They sing at full moon also, and eat insects, fallen fruits, lizards and snakes. Many Amerindian groups keep Trumpeters as pets in their villages as they are good watchdogs, raising the alarm if an intruder or snake is in the vicinity. Crepitans is Latin for “breaking wind or farting” and it was given to the Trumpeter as it was believed to be made through the anus according to Langton 1920. Range Restricted.
RAILS AND ALLIES
Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii. Heard only near Karanambu.
Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea. One seen well on the river shore at Karanambu.
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica. Two birds seen on one of our random stops in the Rupununi savanna.
SUNBITTERNS
Sunbittern Eurypyga helias. Two seen along the Rupununi River, during our boat ride at Karanambu.
PLOVERS
Pied Plover Vanellus cayanus. Good looks at this splendid species along the Rupununi River at Karanambu and along the Esequibio river. Formerly called a lapwing, which it clearly is not, the IOC has come down in favour of Plover.
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis. Common.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. One on the mudflats along the coast.
THICK-KNEES
Double-striped Thick–knee Burhinus bistriatus. One in the savannah near Dadanawa ranch.
SANDPIPERS & SNIPES
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca. A few on the coast.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes. 50+ on the coast.
Willet Caroptrophorus semipalmatus. Three on the coast.
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia. Fairly common.
Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus. A few in the mangroves along the coast. The New World form is now sometimes split off as Hudsonian Whimbrel or Hudsonian Curlew, N. hudsonicus (marked genetic differences have apparently been found). There are noticeable plumage differences (hudsonicus showing dark rump and under-wings, unlike the European nominate race with its white rump and under-wings), but calls sound pretty similar.
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla. 100+ in the mangroves.
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae. One flushed on a pond near Karanambu.
Giant Snipe Gallinago undulata. One flushed and then seen with the scope for a while, near Lethem!!
JACANAS
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana. Many records in wetlands and along the roads.
GULLS AND TERNS
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger cinerascens. Five on the Rupununi River.
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa. Two seen in total. Note that recent research has shown that the genus Columba is paraphyletic, with New World taxa being more closely related to Streptopelia than to Old World Columba pigeons. This is consistent with differences between New World and Old World Columba in terms of morphology, serology and behavior. The suggestion was made to place all New World forms in the genus Patagioenas, and the AOU recently adopted this change in its latest checklist supplement.
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis. Common.
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea. Says his name. Common vocally with a few seen. This species is suspected to lose 16.3-20.4% of suitable habitat within its distribution over three generations (20 years) based on a model of Amazonian deforestation (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). Given the susceptibility of the species to hunting and/or trapping, it is therefore suspected to decline by ≥30% over three generations. VULNERABLE.
Plumbeous Pigeon Patagioenas plumbea. A few heard. Both this and the former are forest Pigeons.
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata. Common in open areas with the cinnamon tail tipped stenura subspecies.
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerine. Common.
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti. Common along the coast.
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa. Two seen during our wait for the Red Siskin.
White-tipped Dove Leptoptila verreauxi. Some in more scrubby areas.
Grey-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla. Heard only. Commonly heard in the forested areas.
CUCKOOS AND ANIS
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana. Several records of this widespread Cuckoo.
Black-bellied Cuckoo Piaya melanogaster. Excellent views of this forest canopy species in the Atta clearing.
Little Cuckoo Coccycua minuta. Good view on one bird at the Botanical garden.
Greater Ani Crotophaga major. A few of this water loving Ani.
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani. Various records, especially along the road in disturbed areas.
BARN OWLS
Barn Owl Tyto alba. In Georgetown.
OWLS
Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba. Heard only at Karanambu.
Northern Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl Megascops watsonii watsonii. One seen very well at Surama. The one we saw belongs to the watsonii subspecies found north of the Amazon River, with a very distinctive song from the usta subspecies found south of the Amazon. Sibley & Monroe (1990) and König et al. (1999) treated usta as a separate species from Megascops watsonii based on vocal differences, but this was not followed by Ridgely & Greenfield (2001). SACC proposal to recognize usta as a separate species from M. watsonii was rejected because of inadequate geographic sampling and analysis.
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata. Heard only at Karanambu.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus. Seen in the Botanical garden and near Lethem.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum. Well seen on our drive towards Dadanawa.
POTOOS
White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus. Heard only. A bird called after some playback at Atta, but even after several tries evening and morning, we did not see that one...Range Restricted.
NIGHTJARS AND NIGHTHAWKS
Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus. One seen briefly during our wait for the White-winged Potoo.
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis. Common on the Rupununi Savannas.
Least Nighthawk Chordeiles pusillus. Less common that the former but still easily seen in open areas.
Band-tailed Nighthawk Nyctoprogne leucopyga. Common at dusk on the Rupununi River near Karanambu.
Nacunda Nighthawk Podager nacunda. Good views at Dadanawa.
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis. Heard and seen.
White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus cayennensis. One male seen very well during an early drive at Dadanawa.
Blackish Nightjar Hydropsalis climacocerca. Excellent views at Atta and Surama Lodges.
SWIFTS
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris. A few.
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyuran. A few.
Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicauda. Common swift in the forested areas.
Neotropical Palm Swift Tachornis squamata. Fairly common.
HUMMINGBIRDS
Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus. One seen bathing at Surama. SACC proposal passed to change English names from "Western Long-tailed Hermit" to "Long-billed Hermit for P. longirostris and from "Eastern Long-tailed Hermit" to "Long-tailed Hermit" for P. superciliosus.
Sooty-capped Hermit Phaethornis augusti. One seen at Surama.
Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber. Common small forest Hermit seen at Atta and Surama.
Little Hermit Pharthornis longuemareus. One seen during one of our stop on the way to Dadanawa. Range Restricted.
Grey-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis. Only one sighting near the Burro-Burro River at Surama.
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora. One seen during our search for the Sun Parakeet.
Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus. Regular sightings.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata. Common in forested areas.
White-chinned Sapphire Hylocharis cyanus. A male seen at Atta.
White-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus guainumbi. 10+ seen in the open savannas near Karanambu. Guainumbi is an Amerindian name for Hummingbird in Brazil.
White-chested Emerald Amazilia chionopectus. A few sighting, along the coast and in the interior.
Glittering-throated Emerald Amazilia fimbriata. Common.
Plain-bellied Emerald Amazilia lecogaster. Two or three seen on the coast.
Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx auritus. Only one seen at Atta.
TROGONS & QUETZALS
Green-backed Trogon Trogon viridis. The common trogon in Guyana. Trogon chinourus (White-tailed Trogon) is a split from T.viridis Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered the subspecies chionurus of the Chocó region to be a separate species from Trogonviridis; followed by Hilty (2003); Genetic data (DaCosta & Klicka 2008) showed that chionurus is more closely related to T. bairdii than either are to Amazonian T. viridis. The IOC& SACC accept the split.
Guianan Trogon Trogon violaceus. The first trogon seen, on our way to Dadanawa!! A few more heard. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered caligatus of Middle America and northwestern South America to be a separate species from Trogon violaceus, Gartered Trogon, and this was followed by Hilty (2003); SACC proposal to recognize this split did not pass because of insufficient published data. Genetic data (DaCosta & Klicka 2008) indicate that caligatus Gartered Trogon is basal to a group that includes Amazonian T. ramonianus (Amazonian Trogon),T. curucui, and T. surrucura (and that Amazonian violaceus may be paraphyletic with respect to the latter two species). SACC proposal was passed to recognize caligatus Gartered Trogon and Amazonian Trogons as species, which the IOC already accepted. Range Restricted.
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus. Seen well at Atta.
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus. Well seen at Surama.
KINGFISHERS
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata. Common. Megaceryle torquata and M. alcyon have been placed in the genus Ceryle in many classifications (e.g., Meyer de Schauensee 1970, AOU 1983, 1998), but most classifications have followed Fry (1980) in restricting Ceryle to Old World C. rudis (e.g., Sibley & Monroe 1990, Fry & Fry 1992, Woodall 2001). Recent genetic data (Moyle 2006) indicate that Old World Ceryle rudis is the sister to Chloroceryle, and so Megaceryle must be recognized if Chloroceryle is maintained as a genus.
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona. Not as common as the former but conspicuous.
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana. Common on smaller ponds.
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher Chloroceryle inda. One seen well along the Rupununi River during our boat ride at Karanambu.
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea. At least four seen at the Abery river.
MOTMOTS
Amazonian Motmot Momotus momotus. Heard only near Surama.
JACAMARS
Green-tailed Jacamar Galbula galbula. Common. Jacamars are butterfly specialists and can often be seen in sunny clearings waiting for their prey. They snip off the wings with their scissor-like bill before eating.
Bronzy Jacamar Galbula leucogastra. Excellent views in the white sand forest on our way to Iwokrama. A lifer for everybody, leader included!!
Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea. Good views at Surama. Always perched in exposed branches of high trees.
Great Jacamar Jacamerops aureus. Several seen at Surama and Atta.
PUFFBIRDS
Guianan Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos. A pair seen from the Atta Canopy walkway. The taxon swainsoni of the Atlantic forest region was formerly (e.g., Cory 1919, Pinto 1937) considered a separate species from Notharchus macrorhynchos, but Peters (1948) treated them as conspecific; this was followed by most subsequent classifications. Rasmussen & Collar (2002) elevated swainsoni to species rank (Bar-bellied Puffbird), and Alvarenga et al. (2002) provided rationale in support of that treatment. SACC proposal passed to elevate swainsoni to species rank. The hyperrhynchus subspecies group was also formerly (e.g., Ridgway 1914, Cory 1919, Pinto 1937) considered a separate species, but it was also treated as conspecific with N. macrorhynchos by Peters (1948). Rasmussen & Collar (2002) also suggested that the hyperrhynchus group might also warrant species rank. SACC proposal passed to elevate hyperrhynchus to species rank; SACC proposals passed to apply English name "Guianan Puffbird" to narrowly distributed macrorhynchos and to retain "White-necked" for widely distributed hyperrhynchus. Found in the Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon. Range Restricted.
Pied Puffbird Notharchus tectus. Several sightings of that species!!
Spotted Puffbird Bucco tamatia. Several sightings but one seen very close at Karanambu.
Black Nunbird Monasa atra. Common but range restricted. Monasa is Greek for solitary or a monk a reference to the plain plumage and quiet behavior of the Nunbirds. Range Restricted.
Swallow-winged Puffbird Chelidoptera tenebrosa. Note the accepted English name by the IOC. Common along rivers.
BARBETS AND TOUCANS
Black-spotted Barbet Capito niger. Heard only. Just heard from the Atta canopy walkway...
Green Aracari Pteroglossus viridis. Excellent view on 2 birds near Surama.
Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus aracari. Common. Several good sightings! In Greek Pteroglossus means “feathertongued” a reference to the slim feather-like tongues of toucans and aracaris.
Guianan Toucanet Selenidera culik. First two seen at Surama and one more at Atta. Range Restricted. Restricted to the Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon. “culik” is the Cayenne creole name for Guianan Toucanet.
Channel –billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus. Common.
White-throated Toucan Ramphastos tucanus. Common.
Toco Toucan Ramphastos tucanus. Two seen in the Georgetown Botanical Gardens.
PICULETS AND WOODPECKERS
Golden-spangled Piculet Picumnus exilis. Excellent views at Karanambu. Range Restricted.
White-bellied Piculet Picumnus spilogaster. Great looks at a pair on the Abary River trail. A much localised endemic replaced in Suriname by Arrowhead Piculet. This latter I believe does not occur in Guyana.VULNERABLE, Range Restricted.
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus. Several records, mainly in forested areas and contiguous edge habitat.
Blood-colored Woodpecker Venilornis sanguineus. Excellent view of a pair at the Abary River, where we heard two more birds - a much looked for range restricted species found only in the Guiana’s and small part of adjacent coastal Brazil. Range Restricted.
Golden-collared Woodpecker Venilornis cassini. Another Guianan Shield endemic. A few seen at Atta and Surama. Range Restricted.
Yellow-throated Woodpecker Piculus flavigula. Heard only. A few heard.
Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros. Excellent sighting at Karanambu and one more at Surama.
Spot-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes punctigula. Good views during our first morning birding near the Abary river.
Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans. Excellent view at Karanambu and Surama. Here it’s the nominate blond crested elegans race.
Waved Woodpecker Celeus undatus. Stunning views from the canopy platform at Atta. Range Restricted.
Cream-colored Woodpecker Celeus flavus. Excellent views at Karanambu during our boat ride.
Ringed Woodpecker Celeus torquatus. Excellent views from the canopy platform.
Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis. Common in forested areas.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos. One seen well, a few more heard.
FALCONS AND CARACARAS
Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis. Heard only at Surama.
Collared Forest Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus. Heard only at Karanambu.
Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus. Noisy family groups and a good Christmas present for someone you don’t like!
Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway. Common scrounging for carrion on roads. As there are no true Crows in South America, Caracaras occupy that niche as omnivorous scavengers. Small numbers at several sites. Formerly placed in the genus Polyborus but, this species has been switched to the genus Caracara. Note also that the former species known as Crested Caracara, has been split into three species with those ranging north of north- west Peru and the Amazon River ( i.e Colombia) are referable to Northern Crested-Caracara C. cheriway while another form, the extinct Guadalupe Caracara C. lutosus, of Guadalupe Island, Mexico, has also been given its untimely species status. The SACC says “Caracara cheriway and C. plancus were formerly considered conspecific (e.g., Hellmayr & Conover 1949, Phelps & Phelps 1958a), sometimes also including C. lutosus of Guadalupe Island (e.g., Meyer de Schauensee 1970, Stresemann and Amadon 1979), but the ranges of cheriway and plancus are nearly parapatric with no sign of intergradation, contrary to earlier interpretations (see Banks REF); they constitute a superspecies. The three forms had previously been considered separate species by REFS, Pinto (1938), and Friedmann (1950).”
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima. Common.
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans. Only heard at Karanambu.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius. A few records in the open areas.
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis. One seen well near Lethem, perched and waiting for preys flushed by a savannah fire. Aplomado is Spanish and means “lead coloured”.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrine. One on our first day in the Botanical Garden.
PARROTS
Painted Parakeet Pyrrhura picta picta. A few excellent views; common species in the forested areas. A recent paper by Leo Josephs has split the Painted Parakeet complex into many species and Restall 2006 notes the birds we recorded in Guyana as range restricted species. The SACC says: The Colombian subspecies subandina was formerly (e.g., Cory 1918) considered a separate species from Pyrrhura picta, but Peters (1937) considered them conspecific. Arndt (2008) treated the forms subandina, eisenmanni, caeruleiceps, and peruviana as a species, and described a new species, Pyrrhura parvifrons, from eastern Peru. SACC proposal passed to separate amazonum (with snethlageae as a subspecies of amazonum) from picta. SACC proposal passed to separate roseifrons (including peruviana as a subspecies of roseifrons) from picta. SACC proposal passed to separate lucianii (including peruviana as a subspecies of roseifrons) from picta. Range Restricted.
Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis. A flock of 24 seen very close near Karasabai!!! One of the best birds of the trip!!
Birdlife International says: Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis is restricted to central Guyana and Roraima state, Brazil, and may previously have occurred in Surinam. Though it was fairly common until the 1970s in the Rupununi-Roraima savannas of western Guyana and adjacent Brazil, it has since been extirpated there, presumably by trappers, and it is now very scarce or absent across its former range. In Guyana evidence of nesting has been found in the Karasabai area where 50-80 individuals were seen in 2003, and c.25 km from this site there are recent records from Karanambo (c.30 km from the Brazilian border at Bonfim), and on the West Bank of Demerara in 2006. Its population probably now numbers no more than a couple of thousand individuals. Due to high demand in the pet trade this once common species has declined dramatically during the last twenty years. It has been heavily exported from Guyana during this time, leading its virtual extirpation from that country. Trappers from Guyana and French Guiana have since travelled over the border to Brazil to buy birds for export. An annual export quota of 600 birds was set by Guyana in the 1980s and it is thought that more than 2,200 were imported into the United States between 1981 and 1985. Trade is ongoing, and due to the ease with which birds can be attracted to bait (e.g. corn) and the large distances they will travel it is easy to trap all the individuals in an area. ENDANGERED. Range Restricted.
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax. Common parakeet of the savannas.
Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata. Several “squadrons” flying over.
Red-shouldered Macaw Ara nobilis. Great looks of this small Macaw at the Botanical garden.
Red and Green Macaw Ara severus. Pretty common noisy Parrot. A good population of Macaws means a healthy forest.
Scarlet Macaw Ara Macao. A few in the Surama area, including a pair nesting in the same tree than the Harpy Eagle nest. Always scarcer than the former.
Golden-winged Parakeet Brotogeris chrysopterus. Flocks seen high in the sky at Atta.
Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephala. See daily in the forested area, including some excellent scope views.
Caica Parrot Pionospitta caica. After a few fly-by, we finally had excellent scope views from the canopy platform. The name derives from the Carib Indian name for Parrot. Range Restricted.
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus. Common.
Dusky Parrot Pionus fuscus. One seen perched at Surama, and a few more heard or seen briefly in flight.
Blue-cheeked Amazon Amazona dufresniana. 20+ seen well one of the evening at Atta. Range Restricted.
Festive Amazon Amazonas festiva. One in the Georgetown Botanical Gardens (probably a feral population here) VULNERABLE
Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazonas ochrocephala. Common.
Orange-winged Amazon Amazonas amazonica. Common.
Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa. Fairly Common. Farinosa is Latin for “Sprinkled with Flour” referring to the “dusted” appearance of this Amazon.
Red-fan Parrot Deroptyrus accipitrinus. Only one seen at Surama.
ANTBIRDS
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus. One seen at Atta. Common canopy Antshrike heard more than seen.
Black-throated Antshrike Frederickena viridis. A female very well seen at Atta! The genus is named for Frederick Vavasour McConnell – an English traveller and collector. Range Restricted.
Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis. Common. Saksephorus is Greek and means “shield bearing” referring to the black breast patch of this species. Canadensis referring to Canada is erroneously used here and should have been “cayanensis”.
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus. Two seen during our wait for the Red Siskin.
Mouse-colored Antshrike Thamnophilus murinus. Heard only. A few heard...
Northern Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus punctatus punctatus. A few seen at Karanambu. Called "Guianan Slaty-Antshrike" in Isler et al. (1997), but see Isler et al. (2001). Thamnophilus atrinucha, T. stictocephalus, T. sticturus, T. pelzelni,and T. ambiguus were formerly (e.g., Cory & Hellmayr 1924, Pinto 1937, Peters 1951, Meyer de Schauensee 1970) considered conspecific with T. punctatus, with the broad species known as "Slaty Antshrike," but see Willis (1982) and Isler et al. (1997) for recognition as species, based mainly on vocal differences. Genetic data (Brumfield & Edwards 2007) indicate that atrinucha and punctatus belong to separate groups within Thamnophilus. Ridgely & Greenfield further recognized leucogaster of the Marañon Valley as a separate species; this taxon was tentatively retained as a subspecies of T. punctatus by Isler et al. (1997), with further evidence confirming subspecies status presented by Isler et al. (2001). Genetic data (Lacerda et al. 2007) indicate that ranking pelzelni and ambiguus as species is consistent with levels of divergence within this group.
Dusky-throated Antshrike Thamnomanes ardesiacus. A few seen at Suramaand Atta with understory flocks.
Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius. Understory flock leader. Find this guy and you find a flock as we did on occasions.
Rufous-bellied Antwren Isleri guttata. Good views at Surama. Keeps low and never forages high. Range Restricted.
Brown-bellied Antwren Epinecrophylla gutturalis. A pair following an understory flock at Atta. Dead leaf cluster specialists as many of this genus with spotted throats are. NEAR-THREATENED, Range Restricted.
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura. One seen following a flock, at the edge of the Atta clearing.
Guianan Steaked Antwren Myrmotherula surinamensis. A nice pair seen along the road at Atta. VULNERABLE, Range Restricted.
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris axillaris. Common mid-story Antwren. Willis (1984b), Ridgely & Tudor (1994), Hilty (2003), and Zimmer & Isler (2003) noted that vocal differences among several subspecies of Myrmotherula axillaris suggest that more than one species is involved. The birds we saw belong to the nominate subspecies.
Long-winged Antwren Myrmotherula longipennis. Usually a pair with each mixed understory flock. Seen at Surama.
Grey Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii cinereiventris. Here the cinereiventris subspecies with no black throat. Seen at Atta.
Spot-tailed Antwren Herpsilochmus sticturus. Along with the next, common in canopy mixed flocks and seen at Atta. Unusual to have two similar looking Herpsilochmus in one place. Range Restricted.
Todd’s Antwren Herpsilochmus stictocephalus. A pair seen very well from the canopy walkway and a few more heard. Range Restricted.
Southern White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea grisea. Common in the savanna. Formicivora intermedia (Northern White-fringed Antwren) is a proposed split from F. grisea (Hilty 2003); SACC needs proposal. Ridgely & Tudor (1994) and Zimmer & Isler (2003) suggested that Formicivora grisea may consist of more than one species. Hilty (2003) described major vocal differences between intermedia and grisea in Venezuela and treated them as separate species.
Ash-winged Antwren Terenura spodioptila. Heard only. Too bad... heard only at Atta.
Grey Antbird Cercomacra cinerascens. Good views at Surama. Canopy species commonly heard but usually have to spend some effort to see it. A vine tangle specialist.
Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina. Common by voice and good view on the way to Dadanawa.
Rio Branco Antbird Cercomacra carbonaria. Excellent view of an immature male along the Ireng River. This species, which has a small range and moderately small population, has been uplisted to Critically Endangered because a model of future deforestation in the Amazon basin predicts that its population will decline extremely rapidly over the next three generations as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network. Rio Branco Antbird is limited to middle sections of the Rio Branco and some of its tributaries in Roraima, extreme north Brazil, and adjacent Guyana. It ranges from Caracarai in the south, along the Rio Branco and Rio Tacutu to the Ireng River in Guyana, less than 2 km from its confluence with the Rio Tacutu. It has been found on the Rio Mucajaí, and also along the Rio Parime and the Rio Uraricoera. Given the recent increase in records from a wider geographic area the estimated extent of available habitat has been increased to 723 km, it is fairly common within this range; (c.80 individuals per km) extrapolations indicate that the population is c.15, 000 individuals. CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, Range Restricted.
White-browed Antbird Myrmoborus leucophrys. A pair seen well at Surama.
Guianan Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator. NEAR THREATENED, Range Restricted. Good views at Surama. Formerly part of the Warbling Antbird species. Ridgely & Tudor (1994) and Zimmer & Isler (2003) noted that the yellow-bellied (flavescens) subspecies group is almost certainly a separate species from Hypocnemis cantator (as treated by Cory & Hellmayr [1924] and Pinto [1937]). Following Zimmer (1932a), they have been treated as conspecific. Vocal differences and documentation of syntopy and parapatry among taxa formerly ranked as subspecies (Isler et al. 2007) indicate that H. cantator actually consists of at least six species, including H. flavescens. SACC proposal passed to revise species limits. So now there are 6 species that have come out of the old “Warbling Antbird":
Hypocnemis cantator Guianan Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis flavescens Imeri Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis peruviana Peruvian Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis subflava Yellow-breasted Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis ochrogyna Rondonia Warbling-Antbird
Hypocnemis striata Spix's Warbling-Antbird
Geographic distributions of taxa found to differ in at least one vocal character from all other populations; vocalizations of implicata and affinis were not distinguishable.
Black-chinned Antbird Hypocnemoides melanopogon. Good views at Karanambu!! Always near water.
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes. Excellent views at Karanambu.
Ferruginous-backed Antbird Myrmeciza ferruginea. One of the most beautiful Thamnophilidae of the Guiana’s. Stunner! One seen very well at Surama, and a pair seen very close at Atta. Range Restricted.
Common Scale-backed Antbird Willisornis poecilinota. Seen briefly at Surama.
White-plumed Antbird Pithys albifrons. Seen by Maggy at Surama.
ANTPITTAS
Spotted Antpitta Hylopezus macularis macularis. Common by voice in forested areas, and good views at Surama! As predicted by Hilty (2003) and Krabbe & Schulenberg (2003a), macularius as currently defined consists of multiple species (Carneiro et al. 2012), including newly described Hylopezus whittakeri and the taxa formerly treated as subspecies of macularius: dilutus and paraensis.
Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisoma campanisoma. Heard only. Heard fairly frequently but never close enough to have a go! Krabbe & Schulenberg (2003a) suggested that the southeastern subspecies subcanescens deserves recognition as a separate species.
ANTTHRUSHES
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis crissalis. Heard only.
OVENBIRDS
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa. Heard only. At Atta.
Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura longicauda. 2 following a flock at Atta.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus spirurus. A common forest woodcreeper. Marantz et al. (2003) noted that vocal differences among populations of Glyphorynchus spirurus suggest that more than one species might be involved.
Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper Dendrexetastes rufigula. Two came to the tape at Atta.
Red-billed Woodcreeper Hylexetastes perrotii perrotii. Heard only. Heard by part of the group near Surama (when part of the group did a second try to the Harpy eagle nest).
Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes certhia. Common in forest.
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus picumnus. One seen at Surama. The subspecies pallescens and transfasciatus were formerly (e.g., Cory & Hellmayr 1925) each considered separate species from Dendrocolaptes picumnus, but they were considered conspecific by Peters (1951).
Straight-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus picus picus. A few seen in lightly wooded areas. The SACC says “Xiphorhynchus picus and X. kienerii (= necopinus) were formerly (e.g., Cory & Hellmayr 1925, Zimmer 1934c, Pinto 1937, Phelps & Phelps 1950a) treated in a separate genus, Dendroplex, but this was merged into Xiphorhynchus by Peters (1951). Wetmore (1972), however, maintained Dendroplex as a separate genus based not only on bill shape but on (unstated) cranial characters. Move Straight-billed Woodcreeper and Zimmer's Woodcreeper from Xiphorhynchus to Dendroplex (Aleixo 2002, Aleixo et al 2007, SACC). The northern picirostris subspecies group was formerly (e.g., Cory & Hellmayr 1925) treated as a separate species from Xiphorhynchus picus, but they were considered conspecific by Peters (1951).
Striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus obsoletus obsoletus. One excellent view at Karanambu.
Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper - Xiphorhynchus pardalotus. Good views at Surama and Atta of this range restricted species mostly with mixed flocks. Range Restricted.
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus polystictus. Fairly common. Some authorities consider Buff throated Woodcreeper of SE Brazil as distinct but some authorities consider the reason for splitting weak, as we do.
Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus leucopus. A few.
Hoary-throated Spinetail Poecilurus kollari. Not responsive at all to the tape, but seen well in the understory of the gallery forest along the Ireng river. One of the birds of the trip. Very range restricted. This species has been up-listed to Critical, because recent field work has revealed that it has a very small occupied range which is severely fragmented, and declining in extent and quality, primarily owing to the replacement of gallery forest with rice plantations. Synallaxis kollari was, until recently, known from six specimens and a small number of observations along the Rio Cotingo, Rio Surumu, Rio Tacutu, Rio Uraricoera and the upper rio Branco in north Roraima, Brazil and adjacent Guyana. Although it is locally common, it has a highly fragmented range in patches of suitable habitat which total no more than 206 km. It was long known only from records (mostly since 1956) on the rio Tacutu within 2 km of the Brazil-Guyana border, but it has subsequently been recorded on the rio Surumu in 1998, the rio Cotingo in 2001, the Ireng river near its confluence with the the Tacutu in 1993-1996, on the east bank of the rio Uraricoera, 45 km north-east of Boa Vista in 2001 and on the rio Parime in 2004. It has been extirpated from the type locality, and it is apparently absent from south of Fortaleza de São Joaquim on the Rio Branco. We saw and photographed a very co-operative pair. Named after Vincent Kollar, German etymologist and collector (1797 – 1860) CRITICAL, Range Restricted.
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea. Really common in wet areas even in Georgetown city.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum napaeum. Common in the bushy savannas. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) and Fitzpatrick (2004) suggested that Camptostoma obsoletum may consist of more than one species; Rheindt et al. (2008c) found genetic evidence consistent with at least three species, but recommended waiting for additional analyses. Ridgway (1907) treated the Central American and western South American subspecies as a separate species, C. pusillum.
Mouse–colored Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina wagae. Common in the rupununi savannas. The IOC adopts the spelling “color” rather than colour. Ridgely & Tudor (1994) noted that vocal differences suggest that Phaeomyias murina might consist of more than one species. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) considered the subspecies tumbezana (with inflava and maranonica) of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru to represent a separate species based on differences in vocalizations. Rheindt et al. (2008c) found genetic evidence consistent with two species.
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus. Common and calls “free beer! Seen at Atta.
Forest Elaenia - Myiopagis gaimardii guianensis. This non-descript bird is usually best told by its voice. We heard it several times and saw it very well at Atta. Named for Paul Gaimard – French surgeon, explorer and naturalist 1793-1858. Many medical men of the days of the great sailing ships and the Napoleonic wars were “natural philosophers” e.g. Charles Darwin.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster flavogaster. Two seen well in the savanna.
Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata cristata. Common in the savannas. Seen at Dadanawa and Karanambu.
Rufous-crowned Elaenia Elaenia ruficeps. Heard only. A white sand forest specialistonly heard on our last day, near Iwokrama River Lodge. Range Restricted.
Pale-tipped Inezia Inezia caudata. Fairly common. Formally called Pale-tipped Tyrannulet.
McConnell’s Flycatcher Mionectes macconnelli. One seen at Atta.
Bearded Tachuri Polystictus pectoralis. One male seen in the reeds at Karanambu.This species is classified as Near Threatened because it is suspected to be declining moderately rapidly owing to habitat loss. Polystictus pectoralis has a very localised and disjunct distribution in the Andes of Colombia, where it was known from the upper Río Dagua valley (Valle del Cauca), and Bogotá swamp (Cundinamarca) (race bogotensis); north-east Colombia (Meta), Venezuela (from Barinas to Bolívar in the south; also Carabobo), Guyana, south Suriname (Sipaliwini), north French Guiana (Sinnamary), and extreme north Brazil (Roraima, north Pará, and Amapá) (race brevipennis); central-south Brazil (Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, south Goiás, São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul, but relatively few sites), Paraguay (uncommon in the extreme south Oriente, but generally rare and unrecorded in extreme eastern regions), south Uruguay and east Bolivia (several old specimens from Santa Cruz) (nominate race). It is an austral summer visitor to central-east Argentina (south to Mendoza, La Pampa and west Buenos Aires). Although widespread and fairly common at a few localities, it is generally scarce with no recent records from Bolivia or of race bogotensis.
Guianan Tyrannulet Zimmerius acer. One seen from the Atta canopy walkway. A recent split from Slender-footed Tyrannulet. Range Restricted. Zimmeriusacer was treated as a separate species from Slender-footed Tyrannulet Zimmerius gracilipes by Cory & Hellmayr (1927), but Zimmer (1941) treated them as conspecific; Pinto (1944), however, treated them as separate species and noted that both had been collected at Santarem, Brazil (Gyldenstolpe 19## REF - check). Most recent classifications (e.g., Sibley & Monroe 1990, Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Dickinson 2003, Fitzpatrick 2004) have followed Zimmer (1941) in treating them as conspecific. Rheindt et al.'s (2008b) genetic data indicate that acer and gracilipes are not sisters, with acer basal to all other Zimmerius taxa sampled.
Northern Scrub Flycatcher Sublegatus arena rum. One seen very well, coming to the tape, on the way to Dadanawa.
Short-tailed Pygmy-tyrant Myiornis ecaudatus. Heard only at Surama.
Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus galeatus. Commonly heard but difficult to see.
Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant Atalotriccus pilaris griseiceps. Seen at Karasabai and heard at Karanambu.
Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum sylvia. One seen near Lethem.
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum. Two seen well at Karanambu.
Spotted Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum maculatum. A few at the Abary River along the coast.
Rufous-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon ruficauda. Two seen well in the white sand forest near Atta.
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus guianensis. One seen at Atta.
Gray-crowned Flycatcher Tolmomyias poliocephalus sclateri. Two birds seen at Surama.
Ochre-lored (Yellow-breasted) Flycatcher Tolmomyias flaviventris aurulentus. Common. The SACC says “Tolmomyias flaviventris almost certainly involves more than one species; see Bates et al. (1992) and Ridgely & Tudor (1994). The subspecies viridiceps is almost certainly a distinct species Olive- faced Flatbill, and was so considered by Ridgely et al. (2001) and Hilty (2003). However, Zimmer (1939a) considered them conspecific because the subspecies he considered the subspecies subsimilis and dissors to represent taxa that were intermediate between the two, and this treatment was followed by Fitzpatrick (2004) in the absence of published data supporting a split.” The IOC splits this.
Amazonian Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus. Excellent view of a very interested bird at Atta.
Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea. One during our wait for the Red Siskin.
Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus. Fairly common in the savanna.
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica. Several sightings of scattered individuals, usually close to water.
White-headed Marsh-Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala. Usually seen with the above species.
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus. Heard only. A few heard in the forested areas.
Greyish Mourner Rhytipterna simplex. Common vocally with a couple seen in heavily forested areas at Atta.
Short-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus ferox. A few sighting in semi open habitat.
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus. Fairly common on the southern savannah areas.
Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulphuratus. Many during this trip. Usually in open or edge habitat.
Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lector. Quite a few, usually close to water.
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua. Several pairs. Usually in moist to dry forest.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis. Common.
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus. One seen on our first day, near the Abary river.
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius. One at Surama, close to the Yellow-rumped Cacique colony and probably looking for a nest!!
Sulphury Flycatcher Tyrannopsis sulphurea. Three seen very well during our drive to Dadanawa. A Moriche palm tree specialist.
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus. Common and widespread.
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Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis Four on our first day in Guyana.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana. Common on the savannas, especially along rivers and ponds.
COTINGAS
Guianan Red Cotinga Phoenicircus carnifex. A female seen at Surama, and then an immature male from the canopy wallway at Atta! Range Restricted.
Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans. Common and vocal and a few seen – amazing song!
Pompadour Cotinga Xipholema punicea. Another special bird of Iwokrama, with several sightings at Surama and Atta. Punicea is Latin for “Purple/red”.
Crimson Fruitcrow Haematoderus militaris. Good view in the clearing at Atta. Haematederos is Greek “blood skinned” and miltaris refers to the red military uniforms of the day when these species were described. Range Restricted.
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata. Common and conspicuous Querula = querulous, complaining, noisy just like a flock of these Fruitcrows in the forest.
Capuchinbird Perissocephalus tricolor. Many encounters with this enigmatic Cotinga. Called “cowbird” in Guyana, due to its cow-like mooing at the lek. Wonderful views at Karanambu and then at Surama. Perissocephalus in Greek means “extraordinary or marvellous” referring the head and bare face of this species. Range Restricted.
Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola rupicola. Stunning long scope view of a male, close to his lek. One of the most beautiful birds of the trip! Range Restricted.
MANAKINS
Black Manakin Xenopipo atronitens. Several by voice, and a few females seen. A bird tied to scrub on sandy soils.
White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis. Excellent view on a male at his lek!! Range Restricted.
Blue-backed Manakin Chiroxiphia pareola. Excellent views at Karanambu.
White-crowned Manakin Pipra pipra. A nice view of a male.
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala. Common and pretty.
Tiny Tyrant Manakin Tyranneutes virescens. Lives up to its name. Tiny indeed but we had good looks at Surama. T-shirt bird!! Range Restricted.
TITYRAS
In this classification, the genera Tityra through Phibalura were formerly placed tentatively in the Cotingidae, following Prum et al. (2000). They had formerly been scattered among the Tyrannidae, Cotingidae, and Pipridae. Prum and Lanyon (1989) and Sibley & Ahlquist (1990) found that Tityra, Schiffornis, and Pachyramphus formed a distinct group, separate from the rest of the Tyrannidae; Sibley & Ahlquist (1990) proposed that they were most closely related to core Tyrannidae than to other tyrannoid families such as the Cotingidae or Pipridae. More recent genetic data (Johansson et al. 2002, Chesser 2004, Barber & Rice 2007) confirm that the genera Tityra through at least Pachyramphus form a monophyletic group, but Chesser (2004) found that this group is more closely related to the Pipridae than to the Cotingidae or Tyrannidae. SACC proposal passed to remove from Cotingidae (and place as Incertae Sedis or as separate family, Tityridae). Barber & Rice (2007) not only confirmed the monophyly of the group but also proposed elevation to family rank. SACC proposal passed to recognize Tityridae. Within this group, Barber & Rice (2007) found genetic evidence for two major groups: (a) Laniisoma, Laniocera, and Schiffornis, and (b) Iodopleura, Tityra, Xenopsaris, and Pachyramphus.
Ruddy-tailed Flyctcher Terenotriccus erythrurus. At Atta and Surama. Difficult to see but common by voice.
Whiskered Myiobius Myiobius barbatus. One seen briefly at Surama.
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana. A few sightings.
Cinereous Mourner Laniocera hypopyrra. Excellent view at Atta!!
Dusky Purpletuft Iodopleura fusca. Three birds seen well from the Atta canopy walkway. A range restricted species and only known from a few spottily distributed locations. Purpletuft’s were formerly placed in the Cotingas. Range Restricted.
Cinereous Becard Pachyramphus rufus. One seen at the Abary river.
VIREOS AND GREENLETS
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus. We saw a few, including some singing birds so probably belonging to the resident race. The SACC says Some classifications (e.g., Pinto 1944) have considered the South American chivi group as a separate species ("Chivi Vireo") from V. olivaceus, or as conspecific with V. flavoviridis (Hamilton 1962), but see Hellmayr (1935), Zimmer (1941d), Eisenmann 1962a, Johnson & Zink (1985), and Ridgely & Tudor (1989). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) suggested, however, that more than one species may be involved within the South American chivi group.
Lemon-chested Greenlet Hylophilus thoracicus. Heard frequently and a few seen.
Ashy-headed Greenlet Hylophilus pecdtoralis. A few seen our first day along the coast, and also at Atta.
Buff-cheeked Greenlet Hylophilus muscicapinus. Heard only.
Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius leucotis. Excellent view in a mixed species flock at Surama.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis. One seen at Surama.
JAYS
Cayenne Jay Cyanocorax cayanus. A few seen throughout the tour. Range Restricted.
SWALLOWS AND MARTINS
Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea. Common.
Brown-chested Martin Progne taperia. A few.
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca. Seen the last day over the Esequibio river, during the ferry crossing.
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer. Several records, always near water.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. A few seen here and there.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Regular sightings of that boreal migrant. The New World populations of Hirundo rustica were formerly (e.g., Ridgway 1904) treated as a separate species, H. erythrogastra, from Old World populations.
WRENS
Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus. A big impressive Wren of the Lethem area.
Coraya Wren Pheugopedius coraya. Commonly heard and seen near Surama.
Buff-breasted Wren Cantorchilus leucotis. Commonly heard only.
House Wren Troglodytes aedon. Many authors (e.g., Hellmayr 1934, Pinto 1944, Phelps & Phelps 1950a) formerly treated Neotropical mainland populations as a separate species T. musculus; see also Brumfield and Capparella (1996); this treatment was followed by Brewer (2001) and Kroodsma & Brewer (2005).
GNATCATCHERS
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea. Several on the savannas in bushy country.
DONACOBIUS
Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapillus. One at the Botanical Gardens.
THRUSHES
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas. The common garden thrush.
White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis. One at Surama.
MOCKINGBIRDS & THRASHERS
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus. Common.
PIPITS
Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens. Fairly common in the savanna.
TANAGERS & ALLIES
Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis. Common throughout.
Hooded Tanager Nemosia pileata. Two in the Dadanawa area, and five more at Karanambu.
Flame-crested Tanager Tachyphonus cristatus. Usually following mixed species flocks. Seen on 3 different occasions.
Fulvous-crested Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus. A male in a mixed species flock at Atta.
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus. A group of four seen near Surama.
Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius. Five of this white sand forest specialist on our way to Iwokrama River lodge.
Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo. Many records in edge of disturbed habitat and secondary growth.
Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus. Daily sightings. Episcopus – a reference to the episcopal blue plumage of this species.
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum. Common.
Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana. Seen in the Botanical garden and at Atta.
Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis. A group of five following a mixed species flock in the clearing at Atta.
Spotted Tanager Tangara punctata. Two in the same flock than the pevious species.
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola. Two sightings.
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana. Fairly common at savanna forest edge.
Black-faced Dacnis Dacnis lineata. A few.
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana. Fairly common in mixed canopy flocks.
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza. A couple of sightings of this flock species.
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus. A few at Atta.
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus. A few at Atta, usually with the previous species.
Yellow-backed Tanager Hemithraupis flavicollis. Four in a mixed species flock at Atta.
Bicolored Conebill Conirostrum bicolour. Five seen along the Abary River in the mangroves.
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola luteola. A few flocks in the savanna area. Meyer de Schauensee (1966) and Ridgely & Tudor (1989) suggested that the southern subspecies luteiventris might represent a separate species from Sicalis luteola, and it was treated as such by Sibley & Monroe (1990) and AOU ( 1983, 1998). Meyer de Schauensee (1966), Ridgely & Tudor (1989), and Hilty (2003) also suggested that the subspecies bogotensis might deserve species rank.
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola. A few sightings in the savannas.
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina. Uncommon.
Gray Seedeater Sporophila intermedia. Only two seen on the trip.
Plumbeous Seedeater Sporophila plumbea. A few seen here and there.
Wing-barred Seedeater – Sporophila americana. A male seen at the botanical garden, on our first day.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis. A flock of 20+at Surama.
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta. A few in the savanna.
Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis. One at Atta. Not found in Angola – an error!
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola. A few seen but not common.
INCERTAE SEDIS
Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens. A few on the coast.
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus. One at Surama.
BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS
Pectoral Sparrow Arremon taciturnus. A few heard and one seen at Surama.
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis. Common on the savannas often on fence lines.
CARDINAL GROSBEAKS
Red Tanager Piranga flava. A male seen on our way to Surama.
Rose-breasted Chat Granatellus pelzelni. One seen briefly at Atta.
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanacompsa cyanoides. Heard only.
Red-and-black Grosbeak Periporphyrus erythromelas. A responsive male seen very well at Atta!!! A lifer for the all group, leader included!! Range Restricted.
Yellow-green Grosbeak Caryothraustes canadensis. A few sightings at Atta.
NEW WORLD WARBLERS
American Yellow Warbler Setophaga aestiva. Fairly common in the mangroves. Many authors suspect that the breeding populations of Dendroica petechia in South America may represent one or more separate species from North American wintering populations, but species limits in the "Yellow Warbler' complex are controversial (Klein and Brown 1994). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) used a two-species classification, with North American wintering populations as one species, D. aestiva ("Yellow Warbler") and tropical resident populations as another, D. petechia ("Mangrove Warbler"). A three-species classification, as used by Hilty (2003), would separate the tropical populations into two species: mainly Pacific coastal populations, D. erithachorides ("Mangrove Warbler"), and Caribbean D. petechia ("Golden Warbler"). Olson (1980) noted that the South American populations on the Pacific coast show a gradation of characters between the erithachorides and petechia groups.
Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata. One at Surama.
Flavescent warbler Myiothlypis flaveola. Two seen along the Ireng River.
OROPENDOLAS, ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris. Common on the savannas.
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna. Common.
Carib Grackle Qiscalus lugubris. Seen at the airport, waiting for our flight to Lethem.
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis. Scattered sightings.
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivora. Common.
Moriche Oriole Icterus chrysocephalus. A nice view at Karasabai.
Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis. Fairly common along the coast and at Lethem.
Orange-backed Troupial Icterus croconotus. Seen at Karasabai.The SACC says Icterus icterus, I. jamacaii, and I. croconotus were formerly treated as a single species by many authors (e.g., Hellmayr 1937, Blake 1968, Meyer de Schauensee 1970, Ridgely & Tudor 1989, Dickinson 2003), although others have treated them as three species (Hilty 2003, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001) or as two species (croconotus as a subspecies of I. jamacaii; e.g., Hilty & Brown 1986, Sibley & Monroe 1990, Omland et al. 1999). See Ridgely & Tudor (1989) and Jaramillo & Burke (1999) for details. The range map in Restall is erroneous.
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela. Common.
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous. One at Surama.
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus. Common.
Green Oropendola Psarocolius viridis. More confirmed to heavy forest than the former. A big bird!
FINCHES
Finsch’s Euphonia Euphonia finschi. Fairly common in forest edge situations. Named for Frederich Hermann Otto Fincsh (1839-1917), German diplomat, ornithologist, collector and author. Range Restricted.
Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea. A few. The genus name means “fine-voiced”.
Golden-sided Euphonia Euphonia cauennensis. Another canopy Euphonia. We had good views at Atta. Range Restricted.
Red Siskin Carduelis cuculata. We went to Dadanawa ranch to see this rare species and found six of that very rare bird, including a nice long view of a male! This species qualifies as Endangered because it is undergoing a very rapid population decline as a result of trapping for the cage bird trade. Its population is now severely fragmented in much of its historic range, although the recent discovery of a new population in Guyana has resulted in a revision of its overall population size. Carduelis cucullata was common in the early 20th century but has become extremely rare in a now fragmented range. It once occurred throughout the foothills of northern Venezuela (15 states), but recent sightings are restricted to just four states. It has disappeared from Trinidad, where it was never anything other than rare, and a small population persists in Norte de Santander, Colombia, where a record in February 2000 was apparently the first since 1986. In 2000, a new population was discovered in southwestern Guyana, c.950 km from the nearest Venezuelan locality, is estimated to number in the low hundreds to low thousands. The remaining population elsewhere has been estimated in the high hundreds or low thousands.