Category Archives: Birds

Bearded Bellbird (Procnias averano)

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The Bearded Bellbird (Procnias averano) also known as the campanero or anvil-bird, is a passerine bird which occurs in northern South America. The male is about 28 cm (11 in) long with white plumage apart from a brown head and black wings. At his throat hang several black, unfeathered wattles. The female is a little smaller with olive-green head and upper parts, yellow underparts streaked with green and a yellow vent area. The male has a loud, repeated metallic hammering call, as well as various other vocalisations.  Since I only got photos from directly below, I will include a Wikipedia shot of the full bird’s body.

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My photos

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They have an oddly disjointed range from Trinidad south to Brazil.  The guide at Asa Wright’s knows where to find them so it’s an easy sighting!  Very cool little birds!

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Asa Wright Nature Centre

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Intense conversation between these guys.

It’s pretty easy to locate them by their calls, they love to make their presence known!

 

Golden-Headed Manakin (Ceratopipra erythrocephala)

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The Golden-headed Manakin (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) is a small passerine bird which breeds in tropical Central and South America in both wet and dry forests, secondary growth and plantations.

While I did see one at Asa Wright’s, he was a bit camera shy!

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Here’s a full bird from Wikipedia.

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They have a large range from Panama, Colombia and Trinidad south and east to the Guianas and Brazil and northern Peru. It is not found south of the Amazon or the Ucayali Rivers.  They are readily seen on the main trail at Asa Wright’s but best to go in the morning if you stay there to see them lekking.

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While manakins are known to dance to attract a mate, I couldn’t find a dancing clip online.  Here’s one of a lek.

And a few close-ups of the bird’s movements.

White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus)

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The White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) is a small passerine bird which breeds in tropical South America. This manakin is found in forests, secondary growth and plantations. It is a small, plump bird about 10.7 centimetres (4.2 in) long.  At breeding time, males are involved in lekking behaviour on the forest floor during which they puff out their neck feathers.

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They have a large range from Colombia and Trinidad south and east to the Guianas and Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.  They are readily seen on the main trail at Asa Wright’s but best to go in the morning if you stay there to see them lekking.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT WHITE-BEARDED MANAKINS

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A very lucky birder found one male trying to court 3 females!

Some more filmed at Asa Wright’s.

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

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The Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) is a wader in the order Charadriiformes. It is a common and widespread resident throughout South America, except in densely forested regions (e.g. most of the Amazon), the higher parts of the Andes and the arid coast of a large part of western South America. This bird is particularly common in the basin of the Rio de la Plata. It has also been spreading through Central America in recent years. It reached Trinidad in 1961 and Tobago in 1974, and has rapidly increased on both islands.

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It is a common and widespread resident throughout South America, except in densely forested regions (e.g. most of the Amazon), the higher parts of the Andes and the arid coast of a large part of western South America. This bird is particularly common in the basin of the Rio de la Plata. It has also been spreading through Central America in recent years. It reached Trinidad in 1961 and Tobago in 1974, and has rapidly increased on both islands.  I saw this very striking bird at Aripo Livestock Station.

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This one is foraging in a swamp.

This one is protecting its nest and eggs.

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)

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The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis in the bird family Threskiornithidae. It inhabits tropical South America and islands of the Caribbean. In form it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is 1 of 2 national birds of Trinidad and Tobago.

In this series of photos I took at Caroni Bird Sanctuary, we see them flying in formation, arriving at the roost area and settling in for the night.  The bright scarlet colour is amazing, especially when you have 1000’s of these birds all together!

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The Scarlet Ibis has a huge range over Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Trinidad and several Caribbean islands.  You are virtually guaranteed to see them in the thousands at Caroni Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad.

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There is no shortage of videos of this spectacular bird online, many of which were filmed in Caroni so you get the idea of my experience.  Not to be missed!

Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

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The Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis) is a mainly South American hummingbird species.

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They have a huge range from Venezuela and the Guyanas, south to central Brazil,  Peru, Ecuador and northern Bolivia; also from Colombia into southern Panama.  Yerette in Trinidad is a good place to see them.

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Why is everyone looking at me?

 

Quick visit to a feeder

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus)

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The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus), commonly referred to simply as the Ruby topaz, is a small bird that breeds in the Lesser Antilles and tropical northern South America. It is the only member of the genus Chrysolampis.  This stunning little beauty is a seasonal migrant, although its movements are not well understood.  I took these photos at Yerette in Trinidad.  Better photos are in the links below.

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They have a huge range from Venezuela and the Guyanas, south to central Brazil and northern Bolivia; also from Colombia into southern Panama.  Yerette in Trinidad is a good place to see them.

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Watch how his colours change in the light as he moves!

 

A very lucky group of birders have found some Ruby-topazes in the wild, see the little guys in action!

Sound of the Ruby-topaz

Andean Motmot or Highland Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis)

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The Andean Motmot or Highland Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) is a colorful near-passerine bird found in the forests and woodlands from northern Colombia to western Bolivia. This species and the Blue-capped Motmot, Lesson’s Motmot, Whooping Motmot, Amazonian Motmot, and Trinidad Motmot were all considered conspecific.  There is something magical and majestic all at once with this beautiful racket-tailed bird.

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They have a large range throughout the Central Andes in Colombia, Ecuador & Peru, just barely touching Bolivia.  I saw one at great distance in Mindo, then better views at Rio Blanco and the Termales San Vincente near Pereira, Colombia.

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“Why do all these silly humans want to watch ME?”

 

And this one has some opinions to share.