We continue with photos from the journey of Robert Lang through Brazil’s Pantanal region last year. Robert’s notes are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them:
Readers’ Wildlife Photos: The Pantanal, Part XI: Birds
Continuing our mid-2025 journey to the Pantanal in Brazil, by far the largest category of observation and photography was birds: we saw over 100 different species of birds (and this was not even a birding-specific trip, though the outfitter also organizes those for the truly hard core). Here we continue working our way through the alphabetarium of common names.
Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias):
Rufescent tiger heron (Tigrisoma lineatum). This one could warrant an alternate name, “giraffe bird,” because…
…when it wants to see something far away, it does this:
Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco). Another amazing coloration. (It also makes me want to go get a bowl of cereal for some reason…):
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).
A pair of the same, warming up in the morning:
Blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva):
Unidentified species—I wasn’t able to find this one (and the guide probably told us, but I couldn’t find a note). Any of our birder enthusiasts have an idea?:
Vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus obscurus). He was very distant, so the photo isn’t great, but I couldn’t resist including it for its brilliance:
Wattled jacana (Jacana jacana). Also called the Jesus Christ bird for its ability to walk on water (or rather, walk on the tops of aquatic vegetation) without sinking. Alas, this one seems, like the Apostle Peter,to have lost his faith:
Coming next: the final birds.
Very nice! The unknown might be a Tropical Kingbird (https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-tropical-kingbird.html).
I believe you are correct. Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is a widespread, abundant, and conspicuous bird in Latin America, although I’m not sure of its precise status in the Pantanal. There are also some look-alike species, but I think they can be safely eliminated.
Many thanks to the photographer for his fine photos.
I definitely agree with that ID. I’ve painted this bird for an ID book, and that’s what it looks like.
Lovely
Rufescent – tinged with red. Huh. And that neck – wow!
IMHO – that is the quintessential toucan.
Nice!
My late father loved Fruit Loops (and, if truth be told, Cap’n Crunch with Crunch Berries as well). The Toucan reminded me—as it did you, too, apparently.
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing these. And what a fun trip.
The Turkey Vulture photo is interesting, in that it shows the white nape of a South American subspecies. Migrant populations from both the southern and northern hemisphere don’t have white napes. I don’t know if the migrants reach the Pantanal, but they do reach Ecuador and often hang out with the white-naped forms.
Robert, thanks for your beautiful photos. This looks like a great trip! If you are willing, would you share the name of the tour operator? Anyway, thanks for your posts!
A pity the sunbittern didn’t put on a display for you, I understand that it is rather splendid.
Nonetheless, even when in a contemplative mood, it’s a lovely bird.
Thanks for these wonderful pictures.
Thank you for these lovely and Pantanal-trip-inspiring photos!