Bulletin 447 - Brazil 2025 #6 – Hummingbirds Part 2

 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’.

Horned Sungem - male

 

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

To have these trip reports sent to your email, please email me at the above address and ask to subscribe.