Update from Southeast Brazil

So many endemic birds – either stunningly beautiful or with fascinating and evocative vocalizations – made our tour of the Atlantic rainforests of Brazil’s São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states memorable and fun. We tallied an impressive 360 species of birds recorded (eBird report here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/287768 ), as well as many interesting plants, insects, reptiles, and other critters (iNaturalist report here : https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wings-southeast-brazilian-forests-2024 )

Every day, we had ridiculously colorful tanagers and sparkling hummingbirds competing for our attention!

During our walks in the beautiful rainforest, skulking antbirds and gnateaters teased us.

Some of the best birds of the trip (voted on!) included an incredible female Giant Antshrike seen on our last morning at Itororo, a beautiful male Long-trained Nightjar posing in the open just a few meters from us, a lovely Frilled Coquette visiting the Lantana flowers and feeders at Itatiaia, a pair of Spot-billed Toucanet at Itororo, a displaying male Purple-crowned Plovercrest at Intervalles, several sightings of the fantastic Blond-crested Woodpecker, and an incredible encounter with the unique Black-billed Scythebill!