Introduction

   Compared to other South American countries, a casual birding trip here is more difficult due to lack of infrastructure and informations. Very few birding reports are available online for the country. I recommending contacting the following people and organizations who can provide good advice on where and how to go.

Fundacion Moises Bertoni
Procer Arguello 208. This road is near the intersections of Mariscal Lopez and Republica Argentina which are both large streets. There is also a modern looking building here with TIGO written in big letters. Coming along Mariscal Lopez from the city centre cross this junction and take the next road on the right. A number 31 bus from Cerro Cora in the town centre passes the junction. http://www.mbertoni.org.py
Tel: (595 21) 600855 or 608740 Fax: 608741
Maria del Carmen (Extension 119) organized logistical details and payment.
Myrium del Carmen (Ext. 132) is an ornithologist and knows the reserve very well. Both speak godd English.

Guira Paraguay (a birdlife partner)
381 Coronel Rafael Franco (near where it crosses with Leandro Prieto) This road is runs from Mariscal Lopez which is a large street. The road is unsigned but is between Chaco Boreal and Cayala which are both signed. It is also accross the road from a shell station. A number 31 bus from Cerro Cora in the town centre passes the road.
www.guyra.org.py [email protected]
Tel: (595 21) 227777 Fax: 229097
Some people speak good English
Rodrigo (speaks English) Mobile: 0981 126594

Estancia Itabo Private Nature Reserve
Contact: Francisco (owner) or Guido Rivas (his son)
Fray Louis de Bolanyos 273 (near the junction with Carios). This street is close to Ayala and Kubitschek and can be reached by number 10 bus from Pettirossi in the town centre.
Tel: 551207 or 553965
The site manager is called Nelson Garay Mobile 0981 480081

Sites visited


1. Asuncion Bay      29th June, 2005

   This site is in easy reach of the city centre and has many waterbirds especially). I went there with Guira Paraguay but it should be quite easy to take a taxi or bus to the junction and walk. The dirt road to the site however passes through a poor area and although is not necessarily dangerous, it is an unpleasant 3km walk. There may also be a boat leaving from the port to the boat club. A number of waders and other waterbirds including an unusual siting of Stilt Snadpipers and Red Shovelers. Yellowish Pipit is common and we also saw Nacunda Nighthawk. It may be a good idea to take wellington boots.
I saw 58 species including 5 lifers

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Red Shoveler Anas platalea
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus
Yellow-billed Tern Sterna superciliaris
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia Heard only
Nacunda Nighthawk Podager nacunda
Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon aureoventris
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea Heard only
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Heard only
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens
White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca
Rusty-collared Seedeater Sporophila collaris
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Yellow-billed Cardinal Paroaria capitata
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Heard only
Unicolored Blackbird Agelasticus cyanopus
White-browed Blackbird Sturnella superciliaris
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

2. Mbaracayu Forest Reserve       29th June, 2005

   This site is managed by Fundacion Moises Bertoni and visits must be coordinated through them. See the above contact details. 2 buses a day leave to Villa Ygatimi (the nearest town) from the bus terminal in Asuncion. The Canindeyu bus company service leaves at 2pm and arrives at 9 or 10pm depending on road conditions. The San Jorge bus company service leaves at 10pm and arrives at about 7am the next morning. The price is about 45000 guarani per person. Services return at 6pm and 8pm arriving very early in the morning back in Asuncion. A bus may also leave Villa Ygatimi early in the morning. On reaching Villa Ygatimi we asked directions to the office of FMB which is well known. We coordinated transport from Villa Ygatimi to the reserve and back through FMB. We paid $15 in total for this. The entrance fee into the reserve (payable just once) was $5 per person and it was $15 per person per night to stay in the reserve. We stayed 2 nights at the Jejuimi guard post which is also the headquarters for the reserve and 1 night at the Aguara Nyu post about 40km away on the other side of the reserve. We were not charged for transport to Aguara Nyu and back. The head forest guard was called Don Tito. He and all the other staff were very friendly and helpful. It is necessary to hire a guide through FMB which also costs $20 per day. Freddie guided us and was very knowledgeable about the birds but spoke no English. The clearing around the Jejuimi guard post was good for birds in the early morning. The road towards Aguara Nyu was good for birds especially between km2 and km4. There were also a couple of trails, one leading from about 50m along this road and 1 leading from km2. The area around Aguara Nyu was not forest but Cerrado and had completely different birds including White-banded Tanagers. 13km from Jejuimi is a lake called Lagunita that was almost dry when we were there. The forst here and nearby has Bare-throated Bellbird which was easy to hear but very difficult to find even when standing below the tree they are in.
I saw 75 species including 16 lifers

Greater Rhea Rhea americana Near-threatened
Undulated Tinamou Crypturellus undulatus Heard only
Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Seen on the way to Villa Ygatimi
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Rusty-margined Guan Penelope superciliaris Heard only
Limpkin Aramus guarauna Seen on the way to Villa Ygatimi
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Scaled Dove Columbina squammata
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalmus
Maroon-bellied Parakeet Pyrrhura frontalis
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius
Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani
Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Pavonine Cuckoo Dromococcyx pavoninus Heard only
Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum Possibly heard
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus Heard only
Rufous-capped Motmot Baryphthengus ruficapillus
White-eared Puffbird Nystalus chacuru
Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis
Spot-billed Toucanet Selenidera maculirostris
Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes flavifrons
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Blond-crested Woodpecker Celeus flavescens
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Rusty-backed Antwren Formicivora rufa
Bare-throated Bellbird Procnias nudicollis Vulnerable Heard only
Band-tailed Manakin Pipra fasciicauda
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis auricularis
Streamer-tailed Tyrant Gubernetes yetapa
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias trivirgata
Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Purplish Jay Cyanocorax cyanomelas
Curl-crested Jay Cyanocorax cristatellus
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
White-banded Tanager Neothraupis fasciata Near-threatened
Magpie Tanager Cissopis leveriana
Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops
Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca
Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus
Plumbeous Seedeater Sporophila plumbea
Rusty-collared Seedeater Sporophila collaris Possibly seen
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Black-throated Saltator Saltator atricollis
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous

3. San Rafael Reserve       7-9th July, 2005

   We visited this reserve with Guyra Paraguay staff who were sorting out acquisition of land nearby. We stayed at the ProCOSARA part of the reserve where lodging is available from a nice Swiss couple. It was very reasonable at G50,000 per person per day with 3 meals included. In this area there are 2 trails through the forest as well as good birding along some of the roads and at a large lake. A tornado had just hit knocking down many trees and the lower trail next to the lake was partially inaccesible. The best species I saw here was the Saffron Toucanet which comes to feed on fruiting trees around the buildings. When we were there, they could be seen in the morning on the small trees next to the Guardabosque building but apparently they move trees according to the fruiting times. Also on the upper trail we saw Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher and Bay-ringed Tyrannulet. To visit the reserve (that may become a national park in the next few year) contact ProCOSARA at [email protected] or visit the website at www.procosara.de
I saw 104 species including 5 lifers

Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa Seen on the way to San Rafael
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle Spizastur melanoleucus
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango Seen on the way to San Rafael
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Spot-winged Wood-Quail Odontophorus capueira
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus Seen on the way to San Rafael
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced species
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla Possibly heard
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Pavonine Cuckoo Dromococcyx pavoninus Heard only
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Scale-throated Hermit Phaethornis eurynome
Plovercrest Stephanoxis lalandi
Surucua Trogon Trogon surrucura
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
Saffron Toucanet Baillonius bailloni Near-threatened
Ochre-collared Piculet Picumnus temminckii
White Woodpecker Melanerpes candidus
White-spotted Woodpecker Veniliornis spilogaster
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros Seen on the way to San Rafael
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Rufous-capped Spinetail Synallaxis ruficapilla
Gray-bellied Spinetail Synallaxis cinerascens
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus Possibly seen
Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner Philydor lichtensteini
Thrush-like Woodcreeper Dendrocincla turdina
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus fuscus
Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus
Tufted Antshrike Mackenziaena severa
Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
Rufous-winged Antwren Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus
White-shouldered Fire-eye Pyriglena leucoptera
Short-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza campanisona Heard only
Rufous Gnateater Conopophaga lineata Possibly heard
Greenish Schiffornis Schiffornis virescens
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
Gray Elaenia Myiopagis caniceps Possibly seen
White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata
Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus
Bay-ringed Tyrannulet Phylloscartes sylviolus Near-threatened
Rough-legged Tyrannulet Phyllomyias burmeisteri Possibly seen
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis auricularis
Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant Hemitriccus diops
White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Sirystes Sirystes sibilator Heard only
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher Polioptila lactea Near-threatened
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
White-rimmed Warbler Basileuterus leucoblepharus
Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum
Chestnut-headed Tanager Pyrrhocoma ruficeps
Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Possibly seen
Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica
Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
White-browed Blackbird Sturnella superciliaris
Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris Possibly seen
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous
Yellow-rumped Marshbird Pseudoleistes guirahuro Seen on the way to San Rafael
Scarlet-headed Blackbird Amblyramphus holosericeus Seen on the way to San Rafael
Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

4. San Bernadino       9-10th July, 2005

   We visited this beautiful small town on the way back from San Rafael. It is about 50km from Asuncion and can be reached by bus via Ypacarai. There are several hotels, and we stayed at Hotel Balneareo on Asuncion which was G100,000 for a double. The town is very green and has many large trees and flowers with many hummers. A good area is on the hill where there is a platform with a big white statue. Around town, we birded 2 areas. La Gruta which is a private reserve 3km from town, back towards the main highway. buses pass along here. There is a big sign sayin Fraccion La Gruta. Turn left here (coming from town) and drive to the end of the bumpy road. Go through the archway and ask permission to bird the forest at the big house. The other site near town we visited was the Ycaparai National Park. This area is further around the lake from the town. It is about 5km from town and best reached in a taxi. Ask to go to Rio Salado and get off where you see good habitat. Some water birds can be seen around the lake. Better wetland habitat maybe found further along but we didn't get there.
I saw 59 species including 3 lifers

Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla
Blue-winged Parrotlet Forpus xanthopterygius
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet Brotogeris chiriri
Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Striped Cuckoo h Tapera naevia
Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon aureoventris
Gilded Sapphire Hylocharis chrysura
White-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus guainumbi
White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Greater Thornbird Phacellodomus ruber
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens
Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias trivirgata
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum
Ruby-crowned Tanager Tachyphonus coronatus Possibly seen
Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Glaucous-blue Grosbeak Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea Possibly seen
Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris Possibly seen
Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis
Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous
Scarlet-headed Blackbird Amblyramphus holosericeus
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

5. Pilar area       12-13th July, 2005

   We took this trip also with Guyra Paraguay to help with a waterbird census. We drove long distances and saw most birds from the car. Buses do seem to pass through the good birding areas but infrequently. Pilar has several places to stay and eat. We stayed at the Hotel Apart Liza for G40,000 per person. Much of the area are wetlands with lakes and flooded fields. There are also good areas with long grass and some gallery forest.
I saw 102 species including 2 lifers

Greater Rhea Rhea americana Near-threatened
Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco
White Woodpecker Melanerpes candidus
Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus
Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea
Greater Thornbird Phacellodomus ruber
Firewood-gatherer Anumbius annumbi
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper Drymornis bridgesii Possibly seen
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Gray Monjita Xolmis cinerea
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus
Streamer-tailed Tyrant Gubernetes yetapa
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer Possibly seen
White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata
Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens Heard only
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca
Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana Possibly seen
Black-capped Warbling-Finch Poospiza melanoleuca
Rusty-collared Seedeater Sporophila collaris
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis
Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata
Yellow-billed Cardinal Paroaria capitata Possibly seen
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis Possibly seen
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Possibly seen
Unicolored Blackbird Agelasticus cyanopus
Golden-winged Cacique Cacicus chrysopterus
Yellow-rumped Marshbird Pseudoleistes guirahuro
Scarlet-headed Blackbird Amblyramphus holosericeus
Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

6. Loma Plata area       15-18th July, 2005

   This is an area of dry Chaco dotted with mainly saline lakes which we visited for a Guyra Paraguay census. We reached many places that would have been very difficult to get to independently. The focus of the trip was for a water bird census but I also had time to bird the scrubby areas around lagoons. The first night we spent at a place called Laguna Capitan which had good facilities for camping and even had beds. There were good lagoons nearby with Chilean Flamingos and many other species of waterbirds. There were also tracks from many mammal species such as tapir, Giant Anteater and peccaries. The second night we spent camping at Campo Maria. There was a 2 dollar entrance fee to get in here. There was good chaco forest around the look-out tower. The third night we spent at Laguna Gansos which was the most difficult to get to. The road was very grown and some areas innundated. We were driving a 4 wheel drive but still had 2 flat tyres. This was a fantastic lake for water birds and we also saw a Giant Anteater on the way in.
I saw 147 species including 20 lifers

Greater Rhea Rhea americana Near-threatened
Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa
Brushland Tinamou Nothoprocta cinerascens
Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland
Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari
Jabiru Jabiru mycteria
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens
Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Near-threatened
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba
Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys
Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus
Southern Caracara Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Franklin's Gull Larus
Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum Possibly seen
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Nacunda Nighthawk Podager nacunda
Scissor-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis torquata
Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon aureoventris
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
White-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes cactorum
Checkered Woodpecker Picoides mixtus
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros
Chaco Earthcreeper Ochetorhynchus certhioides
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus Seen on the way to Loma Plata
Crested Hornero Furnarius cristatus
Chotoy Spinetail Schoeniophylax phryganophila
Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens Heard only
Stripe-crowned Spinetail Cranioleuca pyrrhophia
Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea
Lesser Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca
Short-billed Canastero Asthenes baeri
Common Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons
Little Thornbird Phacellodomus sibilatrix
Firewood-gatherer Anumbius annumbi Heard only
Lark-like Brushrunner Coryphistera alaudina
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper Drymornis bridgesii
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Great Antshrike Taraba major
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Stripe-backed Antbird Myrmorchilus strigilatus
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Grey-capped Tyrannulet Serpophaga
White-bellied Tyrannulet Serpophaga munda Possibly seen
Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura budytoides
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Gray Monjita Xolmis cinerea
White Monjita Xolmis irupero
Cinereous Tyrant Knipolegus striaticeps
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa
Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens Heard only
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus
White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis
Many-colored Chaco-Finch Saltatricula multicolor
Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus
Ringed Warbling-Finch Poospiza torquata
Black-capped Warbling-Finch Poospiza melanoleuca
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola
Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris
Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii
Unicolored Blackbird Agelasticus cyanopus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus
White-browed Blackbird Sturnella superciliaris
Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius
Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris Possibly seen
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis
Solitary Cacique Cacicus solitarius
Chopi Blackbird Gnorimopsar chopi
Orange-backed Troupial Icterus croconotus Heard only
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species
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