Brazil; Northeast Trip -- Day 8

  This would be our second and final day in Pedra D’Anta, but the much-improved weather certainly helped us to have what was, in the end, an excellent day’s birding in which we recorded a very tidy 81 species, as well as a few bonus birds when we departed the site itself.

  As had been agreed with our guide the previous day, we arrived on-site at 06:00 and went straight to the sites canopy tower. It was pretty lively at first, with lots of commoner species and a few unexpected bonus birds to go with. Our first bonus was a distant speck that photos revealed to be a Buff-throated Purpletuft, a tiny cotinga that resides in the canopy, with a very small population surviving in the NE. Although on this occasion our views were distant, half an hour later two possible flew over us, inciting us to try a little playback. The results were outstanding, with a Purpletuft perched just above us in clear and exposed branches, sat very relaxed allowing us the best views we have ever had of this bird. Although not a lifer, or an endemic, it was the clear highlight of the day.

  We also had a nice bonus bird with White-lored Tyrannulet, another species rare in the NE forest fragments, but otherwise widespread in Brazil. Our views were distant and poor, but our guide informed us that its probably the first time the species has been photographed at the reserve, so that’s something at least.

  After around 90 minutes we finally got the bird we wanted when two Alagoas Tyrannulets came to the trees right in front of the tower. They then proceeded to give outstanding views allowing us to appreciate what is a very smart Tyrannulet all things considered. Shortly after an Orange-bellied Antwren also arrived, although it did not show half as well, but certainly better than the stomach and tail views we were restricted to in Murici.

  With all our outstanding targets wrapped up, we had another quick look at the Pinto’s Spinetail, which showed much better than the previous day, and then spent the rest of the day in the hummingbird garden. While there were no new species, it was lively and always buzzing with activity, so never a dull moment. Perhaps the highlight was the largest Tegu I have yet seen in Brazil, but it was too quick and scuttled off before I managed to grab a photo.

  On our way out of the reserve, we checked an area of scrub for Rusty-backed Antwren. After a little persuasion, we had a pair show incredibly well, especially the female, the male was a little more elusive. This species has always passed us by in other locations where it was supposed to occur, so it was good to finally connect with one.

-White-lored Tyrannulet

-Orange-bellied Antwren

-Buff-throated Purpletuft

-Alagoas Tyrannulet

-Pinto's Spinetail

-Sombre Hummingbird

-Blue-chinned Sapphire

-Rusty-backed Antwren

Species List:
RPPN Pedra D'Antas: Scaled Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Squirrel Cuckoo, Black Jacobin, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Planalto Hermit, Black-eared Fairy, Black-throated Mango, Long-tailed Woodnymph, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sombre Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, Glittering-throated Emerald, Blue-chinned Sapphire, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Mantled Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Caatinga Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Little Woodpecker, Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet, Red-shouldered Macaw, Great Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Silvery-flanked Antwren, Black-capped Antwren, Rusty-winged Antwren, Orange-bellied Antwren, East Amazonian Fire-eye, Scalloped Antbird, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Pinto's Spinetail, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Blue-backed Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Buff-throated Purpletuft, White-throated Spadebill, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Alagoas Tyrannulet, Smoky-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, White-lored Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Planalto Tyrannulet, Guianan Tyrannulet, Bright-rumped Attila, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Piratic Flycatcher, Variegated Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Trilling Gnatwren, House Wren, Moustached Wren, Pale-breasted Thrush, Violaceous Euphonia, Pectoral Sparrow, Flame-crested Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Palm Tanager, Burnished-buff Tanager, Seven-colored Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Guira Tanager, Bananaquit, Buff-throated Saltator,