Brazil: Minas Gerais - From the field
Our Minas Gerais tour lucked out with the weather – not too hot, not too windy, and no birding time lost to any untimely downpours or rainy mornings, despite the scary forecasts. Of course, that meant long days in the field, resulting in a massive bird list and wonderful sightings of mammals and other incredible critters. Topping the highlights were the blue, black, and red Swallow-tailed Manakins at Caraça practicing their elaborate dance in the forest understory. We had several close encounters with the majestic and elegant Red-legged Seriemas, including a family of four and two performing their piercing song a few yards away.
Our afternoon in a light drizzle near our hotel was perfect for enjoying a memorable chorus of Chestnut-capped Blackbirds at marsh, evoking early spring at home with Red-winged Blackbirds. Toco Toucans were seen almost every day, yet their tropical colors and size were hard to comprehend as regular roadside sightings, such as at our short breaks next to main highways.
Other bird highlights included duetting Black-capped Donacobius, a very confiding Brasilia Tapaculo, many Gilet-edged Tanagers at close range, the strange dance of Streamer-tailed Tyrants, bold Surucua Trogons far from the forest interior, White-eared Puffbirds at ridiculously close range, Rufous-capped Spinetails circling us in the bamboo understory, common Masked Water Tyrants around towns, garden, and ponds, a stunning male Hyacinth Visorbearer in fascinating stunted rocky habitat, and male Helmeted Manakins in their gorgeous black-and-red dress.
At Caraça we saw Crab-eating Fox one night, while the next an amazing Maned Wolf took center stage. All along the way we marveled at the fascinating scenery at every turn, enjoyed the delicious and diverse buffet lunches, had a few delicious capirinhas, and relished the amazing breakfast grill at Caraça. Our always cheerful driver Paulo guided us safely through the state of Minas Gerais, while we had three awesome drivers taking us around the rough roads of Canastra National Park. Topping it all was a congenial group of birders who enjoyed each and every sighting and adventure along the way.
