The Birds

The lodge is situated at 400m in altitude and is completely surrounded by forest, due to this excellent location we are lucky enough to attract a vast number of species into the gardens. In the 50 acre grounds of the lodge we have recorded over 205 species, of which 60+ are Atlantic forest endemics!

Green-headed Tanager, common in the lodge gardens
© Cristina Foster

Birds that visit our feeders regularly include the following:

Maroon-bellied Parakeet
Plain Parakeet
Spot-billed Toucanet
Saffron Toucanet
Blond-crested Woodpecker
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Chalk-browed Mockingbird
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Pale-breasted Thrush
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Bananaquit
Ruby-crowned Tanager
Brazilian Tanager
Sayaca Tanager
Azure-shouldered Tanager
Golden-chevroned Tanager
Palm Tanager
Violaceous Euphonia
Orange-bellied Euphonia
Chestnet-bellied Euphonia
Blue-naped Chlorophonia
Green-headed Tanager
Burnished-buff Tanager
Blue Dacnis
Green Honeycreeper
Buff-throated Saltator

Our hummingbird feeders are equally well visited, regular visitors include:

Saw-billed Hermit
Rufous breasted Hermit
Sombre Hummingbird
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Black Jacobin
Violet-capped Woodnymph
Versicolored Emerald
Brazilian Ruby (June-August)

Frilled Coquette, White-throated Hummingbird, and Amethyst Woodstar are also feeder visitors but are not as regular as the above species.

Aside from the bird rich gardens we have a selection of trails within the grounds of the lodge that host a wonderful variety of birds. All trails are easily accessible from the back of the lodge and are for sole use of lodge guests.

The Extension Trail
This is probably one of our best trails, you can easily spend the morning slowly birding this trail before heading back to the lodge in time for lunch! Situated in slightly drier forest than the Water Box Trail it slowly climbs up to an altitude of approximately 550m.

Birds that can be seen on this trail include:

underlined = Atlantic forest endemic

Solitary Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Barred Forest Falcon, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Grey-fronted Dove, Ruddy Quail Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Blue-bellied Parrot, Long-tailed Potoo, Dusky-throated Hermit (rare), Reddish Hermit, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Momot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, White-bearded Manakin, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody Tyrant, Grey-Hooded Attila, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Red-necked Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Blue-naped Chlorophonia
© Andy Foster

Birds that can be seen on this trail include:

Brown Tinamou, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Black-throated Trogon, Surucua Trogon, White-barred Piculet, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Spot-backed Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Blue Manakin, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, White-throated Spadebill, Rufous-headed Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak and Crested Oropendola.

The Circular Trail
The Circular Trail splits off from the Extension Trail and as the name suggests leads back onto the beginning of the Extension Trail.

Birds that can be seen on this trail in particular include Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Whiskered Flycatcher, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Black-throated Grosbeak.

Azure-shouldered Tanager
© Andy Foster

For any birder on their first trip to the Atlantic forest the majority of birds are special and sought after, with many lifers to be seen! There are however a handful of species that attract birders attention more than others. Maybe its because they are spectacular to look at, or maybe its just for their sheer rarity value!

One of the rarest birds found close to Serra dos Tucanos Lodge is the Grey-winged Cotinga (Tijuca condita). In the past this species was only known to exist at the Serra dos Orgaos National Park and Serra do Tingua. In 2004 we were lucky enough to discover this rare species on our High Altitude Trail Upper Section excursion. We believe that there are up to 3 pairs in this area. Over the past few years we have studied the birds movements and have a high success rate in seeing this Atlantic rainforest endemic.

Grey-winged Cotinga photographed on our High Altitude Excursion
© Stuart Pimm

White-necked Hawk, Mantled Hawk, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Pileated Parrot, Blue-bellied Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Dusky-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette, Three-toed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Itatiaia Thistletail, White-colloraed Foliage-Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Tufted Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Serra Antwren, a great collection of Drymophila Antbirds (Ferruginous, Bertonis, Rufous-tailed, Ochre-rumped, Dusky-tailed and Scaled), Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Sharpbill, Long-billed Wren, Brown Tanager, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Rufous-headed Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Black-legged Dacnis, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Temmincks Seedeater and Uniform Finch.

underlined = Atlantic forest endemic

Key:
D = Recorded daily
C = Common, recorded almost daily throughout the week
M = Monthly, recorded sporadically throughout the month
R = Rare, recorded sporadically throughout the year
X = No more than 5 records
s = Seasonal movements

(M) - Solitary Tinamou (Tinamus solitarius)
(M) - Brown Tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus)
(X) - Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
(X) - Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
(M) - Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
(M) - Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
(X) - Grey-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanencis)
(Ms) - Rufous-thighed Kite (Harpagus diodon)
(X) - Tiny Hawk (Accipter superciliosus)
(X) - Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens)
(R) - White necked Hawk (Leucopternis lacemulata)
(R) - Mantled Hawk (L. polionota)
(X) - Crowned Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus)
(M) - Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
(R) - Black and White Hawk-Eagle (Spizastur melanoleucus)
(M) - Black-Hawk Eagle (Spizastur tyrannus)
(X) - Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus)
(X) - Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
(X) - Barred Forest-falcon (Micrastur ruficollis)
(X) - Collared Forest-Falcon (M. semitorquatus)
(X) - Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
(R) - Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura)
(R) - Spot-winged Wood-Quail (Odontophorus capueira)
(M) - Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail (Aramides saracura)
(X) - Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
(R) - Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro)
(X) - Plumbeous Pigeon (P. plumbea)
(C) - Ruddy-ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
(C) - White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
(M) - Grey-fronted Dove (L. rufaxilla)
(X) - Ruddy Quail Dove (Geotrygon Montana)
(D) - Maroon-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis)
(M) - Blue-winged Parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius)
(D) - Plain Parakeet (Brotogeris tirica)
(D) - Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani)
(R) - Yellow- faced Parrot (Amazona xanthops)
(M) - Blue-bellied Parrot (Triclaria malachitacea)
(C) - Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
(R) - Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
(R) - Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana)
(Rs) - Long-tailed Potoo (Nyctibius aethereus)
(X) - Common Potoo (N. griseus)
(X) - Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
(D) - White-collared Swift (Stretoprocne zonaris)
(R) - Biscutate Swift (S. biscutata)
(C) - Grey-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris)
(C) - Ashy-tailed swift (C. andrei)
(Rs) - Lesser swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila cayennensis)
(D) - Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius)
(M) - Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsuta)
(R) - Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)
(X) - Dusky-throated Hermit (P. squalidus)
(R) - Reddish hermit (P. ruber)
(D) - Sombre Hummingbird (Campylopterus cirrhochloris)
(C) - Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macrourus)
(D) - Black Jacobin (Florisuga fuscus)
(R) - Frilled Coquette (Lophomis magnificus)
(D) - Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)
(Rs) - White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)
(M) - Versicolored Emerald (Agytria versicolor)
(R) - Glittering-throated Emerald (Polyerata fimbriata)
(Rs) - Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda)
(X) - Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx aurita)
(R) - Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystine)
(M) - Black-throated Trogon (Trogon rufus)
(C) - Surucua Trogon (T. surrucura)
(M) - Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata)
(R) - Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
(X) - Green Kingfisher (C. americana)
(M) - Rufous-capped Motmot (Baryphthengus ruficapillus)
(X) - Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda)
(R) - Saffron Toucanet (Baillonius bailloni)
(C) - Spot-billed Toucanet (Selenidera maculiostris)
(C) - Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)
(C) - White-barred Piculet (Picumnus cirratus)
(M) - Yellow-eared Woodpecker (Veniliornis maculifrons)
(X) - Yellow-throated Woodpecker (Piculus flavigula)
(X) - Yellow-browed Woodpecker (P. aurulentus)
(X) - Campo Flicker (Colaptes campestris)
(C) - Blond-crested Woodpecker (Celeus flavescens)
(R) - Tail-banded Hornero (Furnarius figulus)
(R) - Rufous Hornero (F. rufus)
(R) - Chicli Spinetail (Synallaxis spixi)
(M) - Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus)
(C) - Streaked Xenops (X. rutilans)
(M) - Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner (Philydor rufus)
(X) - Ochre-breasted Foliage-Gleaner (P. lichtensteini)
(C) - Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner (P. atricapillus)
(C) - White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus)
(M) - Tawny-throated Leaftosser (Sclerurus mexicanus)
(C) - Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura)
(M) - Thrush-like Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla turdina)
(C) - Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
(M) - White-throated Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes albicollis)
(M) - Lesser Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus fuscus)
(M) - Spot-backed Antshrike (Hypoedaleus guttatus)
(X) - Giant Antshrike (Batara cinerea)
(C) - Spot-breasted Antvireo (Dysithamnus stictothorax)
(D) - Plain Antvireo (D. mentalis)
(D) - Star-throated Antwren (Myrmotherula gularis)
(X) - White-flanked Antwren (M.axillaries luctosa)
(X) - Salvadoris Antwren (M. minor)
(R) - Unicolored Antwren (M. unicolor)
(C) - Ferruginous Antbird (Drymophila ferruginea)
(M) - Scaled Antbird (D. squamata)
(C) - Streak-capped Antwren (Terenura maculata)
(C) - White-shouldered Fire-eye (Pyriglena leucoptera)
(M) - Rufous-capped Antthrush (Formicarius colma)
(M) - Rufous Gnateater (Conopophaga lineata)
(C) - Black-cheeked Gnateater (C. melanops)
(Rs) - Bare-throated Bellbird (Procnias nudicollis)
(M) - White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus)
(D) - Blue Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata)
(M) - Pin-tailed Manakin (Ilicura militaris)
(X) - Eastern Striped Manakin (Machaeropterus regulus)
(R) - Southern beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum)
(R) - Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster)
(R) - Small-billed Elaenia (E. pavirostris)
(M) - Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleaginous)
(M) - Gray-hooded Flycatcher (M. rufiventris)
(M) - Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
(M) - Planalto Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias fascciatus)
(R) - Grey-capped Tyrannulet (P. griseocapillus)
(X) - Rough-legged Tyrannulet (P. burmeisteri)
(M) - Eared Pygmy-Tyrant (Myiomis auricularis)
(C) - Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus diops)
(C) - Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum poliocephalum)
(C) - Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
(C) - White-throated Spadebill (Platyrinchus mystaceus)
(R) - Bran-colored Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus)
(M) - Whiskered Flycatcher (Myiobius barbatus)
(M) - Cliff Flycatcher (Hirundinea ferruginea)
(R) - Euler's flycatcher (Lathrotriccus euleri)
(R) - Tropical Pewee (Contopus cinereus)
(C) - Masked Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola nengeta)
(M) - Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus)
(R) - Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosus)
(C) - Gray-hooded Attila (Attila rufus)
(D) - Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
(M) - Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhyncus pitangua)
(Ms) - Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
(C) - Social Flycatcher (M. similis)
(Ms) - Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus)
(Ms) - Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius)
(Ms) - Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius)
(D) - Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
(D) - Chestnut-crowned Becard (Pachyramphus castaneus)
(X) - Green-backed Becard (P. viridis)
(X) - White-winged Becard (P. polychopterus)
(Cs) - Crested Becard (P. rufus)
(M) - Black-tailed Tityra (Tityra cayana)
(R) - Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus)
(M) - Brown-chested Martin (Progne tapera)
(D) - Blue-and-White Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
(D) - Southern rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
(D) - House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
(R) - Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus satuminus)
(M) - Yellow-legged Thrush (Platycichla flavipes)
(D) - Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)
(C) - Pale-breasted Thrush (T. leucomelas)
(C) - Creamy-bellied Thrush (T. amaurochalinus)
(R) - White-necked Thrush (T. albicollis)
(M) - Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
(M) - Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
(R) - Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi)
(R) - Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)
(R) - Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus)
(D) - Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
(M) - Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum)
(M) - Rufous-headed Tanager (Hemithraupis ruficapilla)
(M) - Yellow-backed Tanager (H. flavicollis)
(R) - Olive-Green Tanager (Orthogonys chloricterus)
(C) - Flame-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus cristatus)
(D) - Ruby-crowned Tanager (T. coronatus)
(C) - Black-goggled Tanager (Trichothraupis melanops)
(C) - Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (Habia rubica)
(D) - Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus bresilius)
(D) - Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca)
(R) - Azure-shouldered Tanager (T. cyanoptera)
(D) - Golden-chevroned Tanager (T. ornata)
(D) - Palm Tanager (T. palmarum)
(X) - Fawn-breasted Tanager (Pipraeidea menalonota)
(R) - Purple-throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica)
(D) - Violaceous Euphonia (E. violacea)
(X) - Green-chinned Euphonia (E. chalybea)
(D) - Orange-bellied Euphonia (E. xanthogaster)
(D) - Chestnut-bellied Euphonia (E. pectoralis)
(R) - Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea)
(D) - Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon)
(D) - Red-necked Tanager (T. cyanocephala)
(R) - Brassy-breasted Tanager (T. desmaresti)
(X) - Gilt-edged Tanager (T. cyanoventris)
(C) - Burnished-buff Tanager (T. cayana)
(D) - Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana)
(Ms) - Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
(X) - Swallow Tanager (Tersina viridis)
(R) - Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
(M) - Double-collared Seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens)
(R) - Uniform Finch (Haplospiza unicolor)
(C) - Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
(R) - Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
(C) - Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)
(M) - Black-throated Grosbeak (S. fuliginosus)
(M) - Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
(X) - Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous)
(C) - Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)