South America is the main continent for the hummingbird family and during this trip we saw a total of 23 species of hummingbirds.
David at the summit of Cipo
View of Cipo from the summit
Orchid taken at Cipo
Scale-throated Hermit
Phaethoanis eurynome
This hummingbird is found in the Atlantic Forest in S.E.Brazil, to E. Paraquay and N.E.Argentina and is fairly common in semi-deciduous forests and secondary growth. We saw it on several dates with up to 5 daily in the Itatiaia Nat. Park.
Female Brazillian Ruby
Clytolaema rubricauda
This attractive hummingbird is endemic to Brazil, and it is found at forest edges, second growth, gardens and parks. We recorded it on six dates chiefly at humming bird feeders, with up to 10 daily in Itatiaia Nat. Park.
Female Horned Sungem at Cipo
Helliactin bilopha
We only saw 2 female type plumage birds just below the summit at Cipo, and this was our only sighting. It occurs in Brazil, Bolivia and Suriname and it prefers dry or semi-dry habitats, such as savannah. It avoids humid forests. When hovering to drink nectar, it can make 90 wing-beats per second.
White-eared Puffbird
Nystalus chacuru
I always look forward to seeing Puffbirds in South America, and we recorded six White-eared Puffbirds at three locations. It has a large range in South America covering Brazil to N.E Argentia.
There are two races and the second race occurs in S.E. Peru to Bolivia.
Crestcent Chested Puffbird at Caraca Nat. Park
Malacuptila striata
Endemic to Brazil and usually found in moist forests, but it also occurs along the coast. We just recorded single individuals at two sites.
Female Variable Antshrike.
Thamnophilus caerulescens
This is a small species of Antshrikes with extensive plumage variation among its 12 subspecies. It is found in lower and middle levels of woodland and secondary growth and it has a large range covering much of South America. We saw it at four different sites on seven dates during this trip with a daily maximum of 6.
Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper at Serra dos Orgaos
Lochmias nematura
As its name suggests, it is closely associated with rocky streams and small rivers. There are six subspecies covering large areas of uplands in South America, and it has been recently discover in Guyana. During our trip, we recorded it at four different sites.
Serra Antwren
Formicivora serrana
This Antwren is endemic to S.E.Brazil, with its main habitat being scrub ranging up to 1,300 metres.During this trip we saw five species of Antwrens and we found a pair of Serra Antwrens close to an ant-swarm at Caraca Nat. Park. All five species were very active and proved very difficult to photograph.
A motley collection of Guira Cuckoos at Semiduro
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoos have a large range in South America, is a gregarious species always looking scruffy and is found in open and semi-open areas. Its range has extended significantly due to deforestation.
We recorded it on 8 dates with a daily maximum of 15.
