PANTANAL BIRDING SAFARI

September 25 - October 3, 2013

The world renowned Pantanal region of Brazil offers incredible bird and wildlife viewing opportunities that rival the plains of Africa. Along the Transpantaneira Highway, spectacular concentrations of Maguari and Jabiru Storks, kingfishers, egrets, and herons wade and feed in vast, open wetlands. Five foot tall Greater Rheas (South America’s equivalent to the Ostrich) roam the surrounding pasturelands along with Red-legged Seriema, Plumbeous Ibis and Southern Screamers. The air is filled with the raucous calls of Hyacinth, Red-and-Green, Red-bellied, and Golden-collared Macaws. Tropical animals including Yellow Anaconda, Brown Capuchin Monkey, Caiman, Giant Otter, Capybara, and Jaguar are among the remarkable wildlife of this extraordinary area.

This tour is designed to explore the diverse, stunning habitats of west central Brazil in search of dazzling birds and exotic wildlife of the Pantanal region. In addition, we visit the beautifully eroded red rock canyons and waterfalls of Chapada dos Guimarães and the surrounding cerrado habitat, home to a number of unique species such as Red-legged Seriema, White-rumped Tanager, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Curl-crested Jay, and Guira Cuckoo, and the recently described Chapada Flycatcher. To top it off, we search a known nesting area in the dry Amazonian forest for the magnificent Harpy Eagle.

Join Sunrise Birding to explore South America's wildlife center, the Pantanal - one of the most ecologically diverse regions of the world!      
2009 Trip Report>>

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ITINERARY

Day 1 - Wednesday, September 25
After arrival in CUIABA, Brazil (Airport code: CGB) we will travel south into the Pantanal. At Pocone, we will leave the paved road and continue on the Transpantaneira Highway, a raised dirt road that runs for 90 miles, crossing more than 100 plank and log bridges into the heart of the Pantanal. The "highway" is an ideal vantage point for viewing wildlife in the open grasslands and sprawling marshes of the Pantanal. We’ll make several birding stops along the road searching the fields and pools for Greater Rhea, Wattled Jacana, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, White-winged Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, and Rusty-collared Seedeater. From the raised bridges, we’ll look for Whistling, Cocoi, Capped, and Purple Heron as well as a variety of kingfishers, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Plumbeous, Buff-necked, and Green Ibis. We’ll watch for raptors hunting above the grasslands and hope for views of Great Black, Savanna and Roadside Hawk, as well as the huge Nacunda Nighthawk roosting among the cattle. As we move further along the road, we’ll likely encounter Marsh Deer, Capybara, Caiman, Yellow Anaconda and other wildlife species. By the time we reach our lodge, we’ll have a good sense of the numbers and variety of animals we are likely to encounter here.

Day 2 - Thursday, September 26
As the sun rises, we will wake up to the noisy morning chorus of the Pantanal -- territorial duets of Chaco Chachalacas, haunting cries of Southern Screamers, and the distinctive, raucous calls of Buff-necked Ibis. Before breakfast, we will meet for a quick coffee and snack before embarking on our boat cruise quietly down the Pixaim River. We'll expect good views of many birds including Anhinga, Wood Stork, Snail Kite, Ringed Kingfisher, Great Black Hawk, Greater Ani, Black-fronted Nunbird, and Blue-throated Piping Guan. We should see Sunbittern and hope to find the secretive Sungrebe while surveying the river edges for Caiman and Capybara. Hopefully, we'll find the Giant Otters that live in the river as they are often curious and will sometimes approach the boats allowing very close views. Other birds possible on our cruise include Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, Black-capped Donacobius, Black-collared Hawk, and Solitary Cacique and by the time we return for breakfast we should have a good list under our belts.

After breakfast, we will bird the grounds of our fazenda and the trails along the river. The lodge feeders can hold Yellow-billed Cardinal, Saffron Finch, Purplish Jay, and Bay-winged Cowbird but it's the riparian trails that hold some of the real gems. As we make our way into the forest, we'll check the river banks for Pale-legged Hornero and check for Greater and Rufous-fronted Thornbird (split from Common Thornbird). In the forest, we'll search for White-lored Spinetail, Mato Grosso Antbird, Rusty-backed Spinetail, Large-billed Antwren, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Rusty-fronted Tody Flycatcher, and Band-tailed Antbird.

In the afternoon, we continue along the Transpantaneira Highway into the heart of the Pantanal. We’ll make stops along the way to look at the incredible abundance of water birds and keep a watchful eye out for a first glimpse of the magnificent Hyacinth Macaw. Possible sightings include the elegant Capped Heron, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Monk and Golden-chevroned Parakeets, and a host of ibises, guans, storks, and spoonbills.

Our destination is an ecolodge near the end of the road and shores of the Cuiabá River.  We'll arrive slightly after dark as we will spent some time spotlighting for Crab-eating Fox, Ocelot, and even Giant Anteater along the road. 

Day 3 - Friday, September 27

This morning we’ll bird the area surrounding the lodge and check for species like Dull-capped Attila, Chivi Vireo, Silver-beaked Tanager, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Thrush-like Wren, Rufous Casiornis, and Chestnut-eared Aracari.  No doubt by now we will have seen the magnificent Hyacinth Macaws that live in the area and there should be excellent chances to photograph these brilliant blue birds, the largest of the parrot family. 

A large pond filled with giant lilies will offer the chance to see Wattled Jacana, Striated Heron, Purple Gallinule, and White-headed Marsh Tyrant walking among the huge lily pads. We’ll watch for Black Skimmer, Large and Yellow-billed Tern flying above the pond and look for Nacunda Nighthawks, Pied Lapwings, Collared Plovers, and South American Snipe in the surrounding grasses. We’ll search along the road and in the nearby forest for Black-fronted Nunbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Epaulet Oriole, Moustached and Fawn-breasted Wren, Swallow-tailed and Plumbeous Kite. And, we'll scan the treetops for Brown Capuchin Monkeys and Green Iguana.

In the afternoon, we will take a boat trip on the Cuiaba River to look for Jaguar.  The shores of the river are the best place to see this elusive cat as it comes to the banks to drink and rest during the day.  This trip will also offer the opportunity to see Tapir, Giant Otter, and as the sun sets there is a chance for Band-tailed Nighthawk flying above the river. 

Day 4 - Saturday, September 28
This morning we will spend some time birding around the lodge and the highway looking for White-winged Becard, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Epaulet Oriole, Black-throated Mango, Green-breasted Mango, and White-bellied Seedeater.  We'll hear the call of Undulated Tinamou and if we are lucky get a glimpse of one near the road.  Other possibilities include Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Fuscous Flycatcher, Blue-crowned Trogon, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Gray-crested Cachalote, and no doubt there will be noisy flocks of Yellow-chevroned Parakeets around and the unmistakable Hyacinth Macaw.  We'll also check the river for Large-billed Tern, Yellow-billed Tern, Collared Plover and Solitary Sandpiper.

Later in the morning we will leave this fabulous place and spend the day retracing our steps over the countless wooden bridges and looking for birds and wildlife on our way to our lodging at Kilometer 64. We’ll make birding stops along the way and hope to see Vermillion Flycatcher, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous Hornero, Roseate Spoonbill, White-eyed Parakeet, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Striped Cuckoo, White Woodpecker, and possibly Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Once again we will spend some time spotlighting for mammals before our arrival at the lodge. 

Day 5 - Sunday, September 29
This morning will allow us another pre breakfast boat ride on the Pixaim River in search of Rufescent Tiger-heron, Toco Toucan, Campo Oriole, Rufous Cacholote, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Black-collared Hawk, and perhaps a Great Potoo. We’ll also check the lodge feeders that are bustling with activity for Red-capped Cardinal, Bay-winged, Shiny, and Giant Cowbird, and watch for the Narrow-billed Woodcreeper that frequents the trees in the car park area.

Later on, we will continue our journey north toward Harpy Eagle country and Serra das Araras. Along the way, Southern Caracara, Yellow-headed Vulture, Southern Lapwing, Toco Toucan, and Guira Cuckoo will likely be among the roadside birds we encounter. We should arrive at the Pousada in the afternoon keeping watch for Red-winged Tinamou and Burrowing Owl along the road into the lodge.  . The lodge is located in a lovely hillside setting, has a large stone pool fed by a stream and good birding around the grounds. Around our rooms and the lodge restaurant, we will likely see include Chopi Blackbird, Campo Flicker, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, and Swallow-wing. If there is time, we will make our first foray into the valley to look for the Harpy Eagle. 

Day 6 - Monday, September 30
We will spend today exploring areas around our lodge and within the dry Amazonian forest in search of the magnificent Harpy Eagle. Our friend, Miguel Castelino, discovered an active Harpy nest in 1998 and has been subsequently monitoring the breeding activities of the birds. With luck, we’ll find adults and/or juveniles. If not, we’ll see plenty of other spectacular birds which might include Undulated Tinamou, Plumbeous Kite, White-tailed Hawk, Bat Falcon, Blue-crowned Trogon, Mato Grosso Antbird, Planalto Tyrannulet, and Magpie Tanager in the forest. We’ll check ponds in the area for Brazilian Teal, White-faced Whistling Ducks, Amazon Kingfisher, and White-backed Stilt. After dinner, we may also try for some night birds including nightjars, nighthawks, and owls.


Day 7 - Tuesday, October 1
This morning we will check again for the Harpy Eagle if need be and/or visit a nearby ranch look for Red-and-Green and Red-shouldered Macaw, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Black-faced Ibis, Fork-tailed Palm-Swift, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, and other species. We’ll leave the pousada mid-day and head toward Chapada dos Guimarães.  The scenery will change markedly from open grasslands and wetlands to beautifully eroded red rock canyons and waterfalls of the Chapada. We'll make some stops to enjoy the scenery and will eventually reach the open, woodland-savanna habitat known as the cerrado. Here we will keep watch for unique cerrado species including Red-legged Seriema, Greater Rhea, and Black-throated Saltator.  Late in the day, we will reach our lovely lodge in the heart of Chapada dos Guimarães Park and settle into our comfortable rooms for the evening perhaps enjoying a beverage on the veranda at sunset. 

Day 8 - Wednesday, October 2
This morning we will bird the Chapada dos Guimarães in search of the avian life of Brazil’s unique dry scrub habitat. We’ll have the day to explore the scrub, riparian areas, and lush cerrado forest filled with ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. The variety of habitats here are home to whole new assortment of bird species. Amidst spectacular scenery we’ll look for Yellow-ridged Toucan, King Vulture, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Black-Tyrant, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-headed Parrot, Biscutate Swift, Dot-eared Coquette, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Blue-crowned Motmot, the endemic Rufous-winged Antshrike, White-eared Puffbird, Large-billed Antwren, Masked Tityra, Band-tailed and Helmeted Manakin, White-bellied Warbler, Thick-billed Euphonia, Guira, Gray-headed, White-banded, White-rumped and Swallow Tanagers, Blue and Coal-crested Finches, Chapadas Flycatcher, and possibly Crowned Eagle.

Day 9 - Thursday, October 3

After some final birding this morning, we will return to Cuiaba for afternoon flights home. 

Leader(s):  Gina Nichol, Steve Bird, and local guide

Pantanal Birding Safari Sept. 25 - October 3, 2013 TOUR PRICE:   Please inquire, from Cuiaba, Brazil (Airport code: CGB). Deposit:  $500 per person Single Supplement:  $TBA per person (subject to availability) Minimum Group Size: 6 Included in cost: From Cuiaba, Brazil and is based on double occupancy and includes: airport transfers, private transportation in Brazil, all accommodations, meals beginning with lunch on Day 1, professional guide services, local guides, local park and reserve entrance fees, and one Jaguar trip (second trip optional). Not included:  Cost does not include roundtrip airfare to and from Cuiaba, Brazil, passport/visa fees, insurance, departure taxes, items of a personal nature such as: laundry, telephone, beverages, or gratuities for porterage or personal services. Transportation/Travel Planning:   You will be responsible for making your travel plans to Cuiaba.  Information will be forthcoming about timings for arrivals and departures.  RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on this tour, complete the Registration Form and mail it with a deposit of $500 per person to Sunrise Birding, LLC.  Instructions are on the form.  >Download and print the Registration Form.  Final payment is due by May 25, 2013 and must be paid by check.  Cancellations and Refunds:  All cancellations must be made in writing.  In the event that you must cancel your booking at any stage, all payments you have made to Sunrise Birding, LLC will be retained by us, except at our discretion. Please ensure that you take out adequate insurance to cover this and any other eventuality as early as possible. You may have the opportunity to transfer your booking to another tour or another person, provided you are unavoidably prevented from coming on the tour. In this case, you will bear any extra costs that such changes may incur. There are no refunds once the trip is confirmed to go ahead and no refunds will be made for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.    Insurance:  The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any and every eventuality is strongly recommended.  Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.  Questions? Contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding.com  Phone: 203.453.6724

Photo credits (top to bottom):     
Hyacinth Macaw. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Red-legged Seriema. Photo by Steve Bird.
Southern Screamers. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Capped Heron. Photo by Steve Bird.
Giant Otter. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet. Photo by Steve Bird.
Toco Toucan. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Harpy Eagle. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Waterfall at Chapadas. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Helmeted Manakin. Photo by Steve Bird.
Sunbittern. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Greater Rhea. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Blue-throated Piping Guan. Photo by Steve Bird

More photos and 2009 Trip Report>>

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