Southern Brazil trip December 8th-12th

Golden crowned Warbler (white bellied), Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Smooth billed Ani, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Golden rumped Euphonia, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Bare necked Ibis, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Campo Flicker, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Southern Yellowthroat, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Pallid Spinetail, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Plain Parakeet, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Sharp tailed Streamcreeper, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Half collared Sparrow, Road to Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Hooded Berryeater, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Surucua Trogon (Red-bellied), Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Picazuro Pigeon, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Saffron Finch, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Red and White Crake, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Sooty Tyrannulet, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Gray hooded Attila, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

Riverbank Warbler (Southern), Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

White browed Warbler, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023

A long awaited trip to Brazil began with a flight down to Miami the night before a very long flight to São Paulo. I finally made it down and to the hotel around 9PM and then tried to get some sleep. The main targets of the trip were five species of warblers that would be new for me including Southern Yellowthroat, White striped Warbler, Flavescent Warbler, White browed Warbler and Riverbank Warbler. The first full day in Brazil began early and found me and my guide, Felipe (from Brazil Birding Experts), meeting up around 6 to start the long drive to Intervales State Park to the southwest of São Paulo. Traffic was a nightmare getting through the sprawling city of São Paulo and the trip ended up lasting about an hour longer than planned. I was certainly thankful to not be driving. We started birding late morning on the entry road into the park with multiple stops along the way to walk portions of the road. We had some great luck along the way with a variety of new species including my first Southern Yellowthroat. We finally made it to the entrance of the park and stopped off for a late lunch at the only restaurant around. Once we got finish with lunch and dropped off our belongings at the lodge in the park we headed out again in the middle of the afternoon. We walked for a bit over three hours covering a variety of habitats from forest to marshy areas. The first couple hours were spent along one of the roads in the park and we found a great selection of birds including two more of my target species with White browed Warbler and Riverbank Warbler….that gave me three out of my five targets on the first day! I added loads of other new species for the day and had beautiful looks at a number of them including a Red and White Crake that was truly amazing to see so well. The weather deteriorated as the afternoon wore on with ever increasing amounts of drizzle. After a quick break we headed out to look and listen for nightjars and owls and had some good luck with a Short tailed Nightjar and two species of owls (Long tufted Screech Owl and Rusty barred Owl). By the end of the first day I had 59 lifers for the trip. 

Green headed Tanager, Ribeirão Grande--Restaurante da Neide, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Gray throated Warbling Finch, Ribeirão Grande--Restaurante da Neide, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Golden chevroned Tanager, Ribeirão Grande--Restaurante da Neide, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Brazilian Tanager, Ribeirão Grande--Restaurante da Neide, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Black fronted Piping Guan, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Ochre rumped Antbird, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Saffron Toucanet, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Rufous capped Motmots, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Sooty Swift on nest, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Black crowned Tityra, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Bare throated Bellbird, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Euler's Flycatcher, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Dusky throated Hermit, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Dusky legged Guan, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Purple crowned Plovercrest, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Squamate Antbird, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Red ruffed Fruitcrow, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Black capped Screech Owl, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023

Saturday the 9th we spent the entire morning and into the early afternoon in Intervales State Park where we walked a few miles along one of the dirt roads and had nearly sixty species. Before making the trek in the park we had an early breakfast at the restaurant and enjoyed several species coming into the banana feeder including multiple species of tanagers. The weather was not the best with drizzle and light rain the entire time and cooler temps than the day before. Nonetheless it was a very productive in the park with many notables encounters included point blank looks at a Solitary Tinamou feeding within a few feet of us to start off our journey in the park. Other great species included Black fronted Piping Guan, Sooty Swifts on nests, multiple species of toucanets, toucans and woodpeckers, a variety of antvireos, antbirds, antwrens, antthrushes and foliage gleaners. We also added multiple flycatcher and tanager species. We ended our time in the park just after noon and then had lunch and a little break in the early afternoon before heading out along the entry road to the park once again. We visited two hummingbird leks and got fantastic, up close looks as the males sang and moved around trying to attract a mate. In the evening we went after a couple more owl species and got them both.  Overall the second day added 66 more new species for me. 

White breasted Tapaculo, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Ochre faced Tody-Flycatcher, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Dusky tailed Antbird, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Surucua Trogon (Red-bellied), Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Mouse colored Tapaculo, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Star throated Antwren, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Rufous capped Antthrush, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Helmeted Woodpecker, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Atlantic Black throated Trogon, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Least Pygmy Owl, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

White-necked Thrush (Rufous-flanked), Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Bare throated Bellbird, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

White eared Puffbird, Estrada Municipal Um, Capao Bonito, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

Guira Cuckoo, Santa Eliza Eco Resort, Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023

The last day in Intervales SP began early again with a wake up time of 4:45. After an early breakfast we were out again exploring a different set of roads and trails. One of our first stops was to check out a location where a White breasted Tapaculo was singing away in the hollow of a tree, which amplified its song. We then spent the next four and a half hours walking a few miles down a dirt tracks and we had 65 species with multiple life birds. The rarest among them was a pair of Helmeted Woodpeckers that are quite unusual to find and a species the guide had not seen in the park before. Among the mainly other highlights were such lifers as Brazilian Ruby, Least Pygmy Owl, Star throated Antwren, Mouse colored Tapaculo, Pin tailed Manakin, Yellow Olive Flatbill, Black goggled Tanagerand Black throated Grosbeak. We finally exited the park around noon and then a quick lunch and then we were on the road again with the destination being Dourado off to the north, a several hour drive. We arrived a bit before six and added a few species for the trip just around the lodging with a total number of lifers for the day adding up to 26.

White striped Warbler, Acesso Duas Águas, Bocaina, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Streamer tailed Tyrants, Acesso Duas Águas, Bocaina, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Large billed Antwren, Acesso Duas Águas, Bocaina, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Peach fronted Parakeet, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Cobalt rumped Parrotlets, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Red legged Seriema, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Plush crested Jay, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Turquoise fronted Parrot, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

White browed Meadowlark, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Greater Thornbird, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Helmeted Manakin, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Toco Toucan, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Flavescent Warbler, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Crescent chested Puffbird, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Greater Ani, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Saffron billed Sparrow, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Golden crowned Warbler (White-bellied), Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Rufous tailed Jacamar, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Narrow billed Woodcreeper, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Rusty backed Spinetail, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Curl crested Jay, Santa Eliza Eco Resort, Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Burrowing Owl, Santa Eliza Eco Resort, Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Whistling Heron, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Gray eyed Greenlet, Parque do Lago, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Black bellied Antwren, Parque do Lago, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Green winged Saltator, Parque do Lago, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

White tailed Goldenthroat, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Wedge tailed Grass Finch, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Giant Snipe, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023

Our full day in Dourado involved an early start where we met a local guide with the main targets being the two remaining warbler species for the trip. The first target for the day was White striped Warbler, a Brazilian endemic and the toughest of the five warbler species to find in the areas I would visit for this trip. Our first stop came up empty for the warbler but we did add a few life birds for me so certainly not a waste. At the second location we hit pay dirt and had great looks of the bird over several minutes of watching it. We then made multiple stops while working through the large sugarcane fields in the area, checking out both fields, a small marsh and various edge habitats. As expected we added numerous species for me. It was then time to hunt down the last target species for the trip, Flavescent Warbler. When we arrived at the spot along the Rio Jacare the warbler was singing and we then spent a bit of time trying (and succeeding) in getting some photos. After the final target was in the bag we walked along the river for a bit and dealt with mosquitoes but were rewarded with several new species plus the white bellied subspecies of Golden crowned Warbler. The morning alone produced 34 life birds for me. We returned to the lodging late morning and then waited for lunch to be served at 12:30. The early part of the afternoon was spent around the lodging before we headed out to check new locations a bit after three. We made a few stops with short walks at targeted areas looking for new species and finding several. Our final stop in the afternoon was to a marshy/dense grass area in search of even more new species including White tailed Goldenthroat, Ash throated Crake, Giant Snipe and some nightjars. We got of most what we were after and only got slightly wet feet in the process. It was another long day with dinner at 8:30. By the end of the day I had added 43 lifers.

White rumped Tanagers, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

White banded Tanager, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

White wedged Piculet, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Pearly bellied Seedeater, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

White faced Whistling Duck, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Suiriri Flycatcher, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Black throated Saltator, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Bare faced Ibis, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Horned Screamers, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Pale breasted Spinetail, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Burnished buff Tanager, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Rufous Casiornis, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Hangnest Tody Tyrant, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

Buff breasted Wren, Estrada Rio Jacaré, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023

With all the species we found in the Dourado on the 11th the guide came up with a new plan to visit a location about 45 minutes away that would give us a better chance to add more species than if we stayed just around the Dourado area. Unfortunately this meant an even earlier departure time so we were on the road before five. We arrived in the area a bit after six and explored the savannah like habitat for almost two hours with lots of off trail walking. We eventually ended at a small lake and wetland, which produced several new species for me beyond the several we got on the walk in. Many highlights with a sample of new species including Horned Screamer, White faced Whistling Duck, White vented Violetear, Bare faced Ibis, White wedged Piculet, White banded Tanager, White rumped Tanager, Pearly bellied Seedeater and Red crested Finch. We then made the drive back to the Dourado area and made our final stop of the morning in a series of fields and hedgerows and baked in the ever increasing heat. It was yet again worth the stop and more new species popped up at various spots along the walk and I got photos of most. It was then time to end the birding for the trip with a return to the lodging for a quick shower and lunch and then a several hour drive back to São Paulo and a drop off at the airport and then a several hour wait for my red eye flight to Panama. The final day was productive for sure with 19 more new species.  More photos and details on the warblers at the following link: Brazil warblers plus a link to all the photos from the trip at the following: Brazil Dec 2023.

I ended my time in Brazil with a total of 312 species with 213 of those being life birds. I brought my life list up to 1964 in just five days…not bad at all.  Among the life birds were 33 Brazil endemics.