We had started the morning by Birding along the track we had visited at the end of the previous day. One of the highlights had been a
few Military Macaws that flew over us in the early morning. We
returned to the main road leading up to the El Dorado Lodge & drove
up it for a mile or two, to a site we had stopped at on the previous
afternoon. There was a Black-and-white Owl roost site near the road, but
for the second time, we drew a blank at the site. The Black-and-white Owl clearly had other
roost trees that the drivers didn't know. However, an hour of road side
Birding was more productive.
Broad-winged Hawk: A widespread species, but uncommon, species on the trip
Whooping Blue-crowned Motmot
Rusty-margined Flycatcher: This species occurs from Panama, Colombia & Venezuela to as far South as Bolivia & Brazil
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Rufous-capped Warbler
Buff-throated Saltator: This is a widespread Neotropical species that occurs from Mexico to Bolivia, Brazil & Paraguay
Buff-throated Saltator: To confirm how it got its name
As
we walked up the road to where the 4WDs were waiting, we ran into
another Tick: a couple of Golden-winged Sparrows. I've seen the
similar-looking Pectoral Sparrow & San Francisco Sparrow in Brazil.
Despite their bright colours, these Golden-winged Sparrows & their
close cousins are surprisingly easy to overlook if they sit still.
Golden-winged Sparrow: They quickly disappear into background, once they sit still in the shade
Golden-winged Sparrow: Grovelling on the ground
Golden-winged Sparrow: They are restricted to Colombia & Northern Venezuela
By late morning, the Birding activity was dropping off & we headed back to the hotel in Minca. However, there was still plenty of activity at the Hummingbird feeders.
Bicoloured Wren: This species occurs from Colombia to Venezuela, Guyana & neighbouring North Brazil
