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 toa 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.
Antbirds are another large neotropical family consisting of over 230 species. The males are generally black and white and the females may be brown and white.
The 6.3" male Stripe-backed Antbird (Myrmorchilus strigilatus) Is colorful with brown cap and back with black streaking, a black breast and a white belly. It is not listed as rare but the guide said it is very difficult to see well. Well my luck was on overdrive and this bird performed perfectly. The guide said it was the best photo he had ever obtained of this bird.
 |
| Stripe-backed Antbird |
The endemic 5" Ferruginous Antbird (Drymophila ferruginea) is overall rufous except for black cap, wings and tail. The sexes are very similar.
 |
| Ferruginous Antbird |
The endemic 5" male Scaled Antbird (Drymophila squamata) has a scaled looking breast.
 |
| Scaled Antbird |
The endemic male 6" White-bibbed Antbird (Myrmoderus loricatus) has a black face, a white throat and a scaled breast.
 |
| White-bibbed Antbird |
The 7.5" male Slender Antbird (Rhopornis ardesiacus) is perhaps the largest antbird (excluding antshrikes). It is gray with a black throat and a distinctive red eye. It is endemic and listed as Rare.
 |
| Slender Antbird |
The endemic 4.7" Spot-breasted Antvireo (Dysithamnus stictothorax) has a faint yellowish breast with spots extending onto the neck. The face is gray. It is also listed as Rare
 |
| Spot-breasted Antvireo |
The 5" male Black-bellied Antwren (Formicivora melanogaster)is completely black underneath.
 |
| Black-bellied Antwren |
The tiny 4.3" male Caatinga Antwren (Radinopsyche sellowi) is gray with white wing bars and a black cap. It is another endemic and also listed as Rare
 |
| Caatinga Antwren |
The 5" male Sincora Antwren (Formicivora grantsaui) is another endemic. It has a brown back and a black face, band breast.
 |
| Sincora Antwren |
The 5" male Rusty-backed Antwren (Formicivora rufa) is similar to the above but is more rufous colored.
 |
| Rusty-backed Antwren |
I have photos of 53 of the 238 species of antbirds
David McDonald
dkmmdpa@gmail.com
photos copyright 2006 - 2026 David McDonald
To have these trip reports sent to your email, please email me at the above address and ask to subscribe.
