The Atlantic Forest is a unique ecosystem from sea level to about 1 mile elevation. It contains 800 species of birds (225 endemic) and 26 species of primates. Unfortunately it also contains 2 mega cities - Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and the resulting sprawl and clearing for agriculture since the Portuguese arrived 500 years ago, has wiped out 90%+ of the original forest. About 250 species of amphibians, birds and mammals have gone extinct in the past 400 years. The good news is that many preserves and parks have been set aside to try and preserve the remaining biodiversity. Many of the birds have wide distribution, but others are restricted to a tiny area of original forest usually above 2500 foot elevation. The Birds of Brazil guide book by Ber Van Perlo was published in 2009. He gives the chances of seeing the birds and many are listed as R - meaning rare with a negligible chance of finding them. However with the excellent guide (Alex Mesquita) and going point to point where the reported sightings have recently occurred, we saw many of them. We drove over 2000 miles in the 2 weeks to see as many of these rarities as well as the more common birds. I will indicate the R species.
In 2023 I visited the southern
part of this area. In 2025 I visited the northern part. Some of the photos will
be ones I had not sent for the 2023 trip.
The endemic 4.7” male Stripe-breasted Starthroat
(Heliomaster squamous) is a
stunningly beautiful hummer - green with a central white stripe and a pink
gorget.
Stripe-breasted Starthroat - male
The 4” male Hooded Visorbearer (Augastes lumachella) is green with a red
tail and distinctive black facial pattern. He is an endemic in a very small
area of NE Brazil and listed as Rare.
Hooded Visorbearer - male
The 3.9” male Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) is another easy ID
if you are lucky enough to see it. He has a white belly, black throat, blue
crown and orange ‘horns’.
The 3.9” male Sapphire-spangled Emerald
(Chionomesa lactea) is another
beautiful hummer with his blue throat and breast and white belly.
Sapphire-spangled Emerald - male
The 3.9” male Glittering-bellied Emerald
(Chlorostilbon lucidus) is all green
except bluish throat. It has a re bill typical of this genus.
Glittering-bellied Emerald - male
The 3.9” male Violet-capped Woodnymph
(Thalurania glaucopis) is bright
green with a purple crown and bluish wings and tail.
Violet-capped Woodnymph - male
Lastly is a
favorite of all birders – a coquette. The tiny 2.8” male Frilled Coquette
(Lophornis magnificus). It is an easy
ID if you see him.
Frilled Coquette - male
I put the
different bird/mammal families in single folders for easy viewing
I have photos of
168 of the 365 species of Hummingbirds
Happy birding and
photography,
David McDonald
dkmmdpa@gmail.com
photos copyright 2006 - 2026 David McDonald
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