Local field support for birdwatching tours in eastern Amazonia
Rarities
We've compiled here the main rarities found in the tours of the areas where we guide. These are mostly species with restricted distribution, low densities, or difficult to detect.
This extremely rare piprid is restricted to the interfluve formed by Jamanxim and Tapajós rivers, in a mosaic of conservation units, indigenous lands, and military areas, which are practically unaccessible locations. We monitor a lek of this species in one of the few feasible places to observe, which is available for visitation in the Tapajós area itinerary.
Golden-crowned Manakin
Lepidothrix vilasboasi
Ground-cuckoos are known as the Holy Grail of birdwatching in the tropics due to their rarity and discretion. However, this particular species raises the level of difficulty even further compared to other ground-cuckoos. We are conducting a habitat use study of this species in some locations in the Tapajós area itinerary with the aim of designating suitable areas for observing this Neotropical ghost.
Scaled Ground-Cuckoo
Neomorphus squamiger
This is the most threatened bird species in the entire Amazon. It is estimated that there are only 250 individuals left in the wild, living in some forest fragments in the far east of the Amazon. In recent years, we have been able to observe groups of this fantastic bird in a location in the birdwatching itineraries of the Belém area.
Black-winged Trumpeter
Psophia obscura
Photo: Mats Hildeman
This rare and exceptionally looking parrot was only described in 2002. It occurs in a mosaic of protected areas in the southern Amazon. In the Tapajós area itinerary, we visit interesting locations where we regularly encounter flocks of this species.
Bald Parrot
Pyrilia aurantiocephala
Photo: Mats Hildeman
This species is known among birdwatchers as a ghost of the Tapajós. It is not uncommon to hear its deep voice echoing in the forest valleys, but this antpitta inhabits dense environments of palms and heliconias around clearings in the middle of the forest, impassable locations, and almost never appears for visualizations and photos. Over the years, we have monitored several territories of this species in the forests of the Curuá river, built good trails, and detected more friendly individuals, which usually provide good photo opportunities in exchange for a simple meal of earthworms.
Tapajos Antpitta
Myrmothera subcanescens
This is one of the most mysterious tinamous that exists, and its distribution in the Amazon is not exactly known. It was originally described as a full species but was long cataloged as a subspecies of the Great Tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus), from which it differs widely in appearance and voice. In the Tapajós itinerary, there are some known areas of this species, which usually respond friendly to attraction methods.
Gray-bellied Tinamou
Crypturellus griseiventris
This beautiful forest bird occurs mysteriously in the middle stratum of the forests of an extensive region from the Guiana Shield to the south of the Amazon, but despite the large distribution area, it is extremely difficult to find. In the preserved forests of the Belém area, there are some places where we have frequently sighted this species.
Red-and-black Grosbeak
Periporphyrus erythromelas
This large hermit was recently cataloged as a full species and only occurs in the understory of the dark forests of the Tapajós area. In the Jamanxim River forest, we usually record this interesting species.
Ash-bellied Hermit
Phaethornis major
Photo: Ronaldo Francisco
In the far east of the Amazon, there is a rare form of ground-cuckoo with sharp pale eyes, green back, and white belly, the race "amazonicus". For years, we have studied the populations of these birds from the Belém area to the Parnaíba area and designated suitable locations for observing this fantastic cuckoo.
Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo (East Amazon)
Neomorphus geoffroyi amazonicus
This is one of the most unknown screech-owl species. It was recently cataloged as a full species, only occurring in the forests of eastern Pará and Maranhão, and is probably threatened with extinction. Açailândia is one of the few accessible places where it is possible to find this species.
Belem Screech-Owl
Megascops ater
Sooty Spinetail
Synallaxis omissa
Photo: Nailson Jr
A new species of forest spinetail different from all known ones. It occurs only in preserved forests and is endemic to the Belém area, where we monitor some territories.