The Red pileated Finch (Coryphospingus cucullatus), also known as the Red-crested Finch, is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae.
They have a huge range in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, and Peru, on the eastern side of the Andes. I saw them in Chapada do Guimaraes which seems to be a hot spot for them.
This looks like a wild bird that someone is putting food out for.
Lonely Planet is having a Valentines Day sale you will LOVE! Simply use promo code LOVETRAVEL from now until 16 Feb to get one free book or ebook for each one you buy. Ebooks are greener and easier to carry, I’ve been using them for years now – the pdf versions.
People who are more scientifically minded thing would call this “anthropomorphic”, but I have never thought that humans are the only living beings that feel emotions. It’s pretty clear how deeply anguished this little bird (video below) is at losing his partner. I remember seeing these photos years ago and they still can move me to tears. Many bird species mate for life and suffer greatly when they lose their partners.
Parent birds also worry about their chicks. Just a few weeks ago, I found an injured baby Noisy Miner in the tree where I have a bird bath hung up (away from predators) and tried to save him. While I was trying to nurse him back to health, I kept him in a cage on my front porch so his parents would know he was ok and hopefully know that I was doing my best to save him. The next business day, I took him to the vet who ended up euthanizing him because he had a head trauma he couldn’t recover from. His parents hung around looking for him and I felt so guilty I couldn’t return him to them.
This Valentines Day, let’s remember that love is for every creature great and small.
The Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana), in aviculture more commonly known as Illiger’s Macaw, is a species of macaw found in central and eastern South America. It was previously placed in the genus Ara or Propyrrhura.
They have a huge range over most of Brazil and the northern parts of Paraguay & Argentina. Chapada dos Guimaraes is a reliable, easy-to-reach place to see them. You can even see them in the car park!
Close-ups in a nest
Adults only!
We were up bright and early to drive the short distance from town to the gates of the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park. I had heard that birding groups can get in early, usually with pre-arrangement. I had been unsuccessful trying to find a guide but was hoping to find one at the park entrance. No such luck, all that was there was a ticket booth and a guard that wouldn’t let us in even at the normal time!
There was a sign that said something about the park being closed om 14, 15, 16 Sept but we were there on the 17th so I wasn’t too concerned even if we had to wait for the official opening hours.
I had been told that the “Veu de noiva” was the best place to see Blue-winged (Illigers) Macaws and to get there as early as possible. But all we could do was stand behind the boom gate and hope the birds would come to us.
And they did! They flew in a small flock and perched in a tree in the car park! I tentatively went closer and closer taking photos with each step.
Meanwhile, back at the gate, the dodgy guard taped up a new sign. He wasn’t going to let us in, even after we showed our Australian passports pleading at how far we’d come.
But the birds of the park were more sympathetic and came to the car park since we couldn’t go to them. 
The Blue-winged Macaws hung around for quite a while eating those nuts.
Some Peach-fronted Parakeets also showed up for breakfast!
After enjoying our feathered friends in the car park, we headed back to Cuiaba and returned the rental car. I was a bit worried that Hertz would call us out on the car being dirty, but there were no problems. Then we got a taxi to the bus station to get the bus to Alta Floresta.
The Red-shouldered/Hahn’s Macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is a small green South American parrot whose taxonomy has been changed since we were there in 2012. The red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis, Linnaeus 1758) is a member of the monotypic genus Diopsittaca (Ridgway 1912), one of 6 genera of Central and South American macaws. There are two distinct subspecies, D. n. nobilis (Hahn’s macaw) and D. n. cumanensis (noble macaw), and some with longer wings might represent a poorly differentiated subspecies, D. n. longipennis, which intergrades with D. n. cumanensis in central Goiás, Brazil. Previously the red-shouldered macaw was included in the genus Ara.
My photos at Chapada dos Guimaraes are pretty washed out so I had to use Wikipedia’s shots for the close ups.
They do have a large range, you can see where the northern and southern species split. They can be seen in many places in Brazil but Chapada dos Guimaraes (green dot) is the easiest place to see them as they roost in the town square at night.
Stunning close-ups of stunning birds!
Nesting pair
A very easy and scenic drive from Cuiaba (once you find you way out of the town) is Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park.
Since we had driven all the way from the Pantanal, we arrived fairly late in the day so just made a quick drive through town and went looking for some place to stay. This is the town square where Hahns Macaws roost in the evening.
After driving around, we stumbled on this small traditional style pousada with a bird in its logo. It means “Bird’s Corner” which was a good sign and it was ridiculously cheap, around $10 USD-ish!
After checking in, we hurried back to the main square to wait for the Hahns Macaws. They did not disappoint!
A pair of Chestnut-eared Aracaris were also hanging around.
I can’t seem to find this one in the book, any help appreciated!
We had dinner at one of the little restaurants in the main square, then got to bed early so we could make an early start to the park.
World Wildlife Fund has a list of items they feel are essential for traveling in rainforest areas. See their list then see which items I agree with.
And I have to add
9. Scottevest – love all the pockets to carry stuff in!
The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri) also known as the canary-winged parakeet, is native to tropical South America south of the Amazon River basin from central Brazil to southern Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina.
I spotted this little cutie in one of the large trees at Pousada Piuval, but they are easily seen in most of the Pantanal. Their range extends throughout most of Brazil and Bolivia, into Argentina and Paraguay.
This little guy can’t figure out why he is the centre of attention!
And this one is hungry and wants everyone to know it!
The annual Parrot Lover’s Cruise for 2016 has been announced by World Parrot Trust. This year they have chosen a wonderful Southern Caribbean itinerary with two islands boasting endemic wild parrots – Puerto Rico & St Lucia! I will be visiting these 2 islands in a few months on a land based trip so will have more details soon. Start organizing your airline miles to get to the departure port of San Juan now!
Set sail aboard the outstanding Carnival Fascination out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. With stops in St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts and St Maarten, this cruise promises to be the best yet!
Cruise-goers will have a chance to explore the islands and local sights, attend onboard seminars by experts from the avian community, and possibly see parrots in the wild!
You MUST use the official travel agency to take part in the WPT activities.
CAROL CIPRIANO
Carol’s Travel Time
570.470.5006
Send email
parrotloverscruise.com
Early Saver Rates
in effect – contact Carol to learn more!