News - February 2014

Results of the 5th Bird Survey organized by the COARecs Report of 5th Bird Survey at RECS There were no problems whatsoever during the day. The provisional general count at midday was 98 species and as we left the Southern Screamer appeared and species 99 was added. The result was similar compared to February 2013 (102-99), but there was a general feeling of lack of birds and numbers showed this. Very common birds which are expected to be seen in all routes did not pop up everywhere. As expected, water in Coipos (routes 1a and 1b) added lots of waterbirds compared to the Canal Carlota Roberts (former Canal Sudeste) (route 5) which was the major "source" if waterbirds when ponds were dry. More than 10 species were added. But here the absence of the Spot-flanked Gallinule surprised us. Lots of individuals had been seen lately. This feeling of bird scarcity might be justified in the case of summer visitors which come to the south to breed due to the postponement of the census. Originally programmed on February 1st it had to be put off due to rain and it was carried out three weeks later. By this time many of these visitors had already left for their winter grounds. What can we say about resident birds? Of course they are not anchored at anywhere.

Katydid
Dasyscelus normalis
Katydid
21-02-14 © Sergio Cusano
Katydid
21-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Katydid
21-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
Poospiza nigrorufa
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
21-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
23-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo
Campo Flicker
Colaptes campestris
Campo Flicker
23-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
28-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

A wattled jacana defending its nest. It feels threatened by neighbour. Here the common gallinule. 

Photos in video format.


Swainson's Flycatcher
Myiarchus swainsoni
Swainson's Flycatcher
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow
21-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Many-colored Rush Tyrant
Tachuris rubrigastra
Many-colored Rush Tyrant
23-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo
White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
White-faced Whistling-Duck
23-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo

The four ducklings keep growing


Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Wattled Jacana
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Wattled Jacana
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana

The nest still contains the four eggs and is being guarded and cared by the father


Sunflower looper
Rachiplusia nu
Sunflower looper
22-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Tropical white
Glutophrissa drusilla
Tropical white
27-02-14 © Ignacio Chantada
Common yellow
Eurema deva
Common yellow
22-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian



5th Bird Survey organized by COARecs On Saturday 22nd the survey finally took place. It had been programmed for the 1st of February and was put off due to rain. The circuits were the same, except for route #1 which was divided into two sections, consequently another group was added. I thank photographers who shared their material to make the list more enjoyable. The list will be published as soon as it is ready. The survey lasts the whole day though the major deployment of observers is during the morning.

Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Green Kingfisher
22-02-14 © Sergio Cusano
Green Kingfisher
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Southern Screamer
Chauna torquata
Southern Screamer
22-02-14 © Sergio Cusano
It was midday and the bird count had already finished. Some of us were going out to go back home, some others getting some meal when Sergio very excited showed us the southern screamer, which had just landed in the pond. Simón told the rest and others had seen it and phtographed it as well.
Southern Screamer
22-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Dark-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus melacoryphus
Dark-billed Cuckoo
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-winged Becard
Pachyramphus polychopterus
White-winged Becard
22-02-14 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Blue-and-white Swallow
Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Blue-and-white Swallow
22-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Streaked Flycatcher
Myiodynastes maculatus
Streaked Flycatcher
22-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-billed Cardinal
Paroaria capitata
Yellow-billed Cardinal
22-02-14 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Brazilian Teal
Amazonetta brasiliensis
Brazilian Teal
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Ultramarine Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia brissonii
Ultramarine Grosbeak
22-02-14 © Eduardo Carreyra
White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
White-faced Whistling-Duck
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Rufous-sided Crake
Laterallus melanophaius
Rufous-sided Crake
22-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
Aramides cajaneus
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
22-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Gilded Hummingbird
Hylocharis chrysura
Gilded Hummingbird
22-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Tropical Kingbird
22-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara
White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
White-faced Ibis
01-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Monk Parakeet
22-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
22-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Greyish Baywing
Agelaioides badius
Greyish Baywing
22-02-14 © Dolores Fernández
Yellow-winged Blackbird
Agelasticus thilius
Yellow-winged Blackbird
01-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
American Kestrel
22-02-14 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Glittering-bellied Emerald
Chlorostilbon lucidus
Glittering-bellied Emerald
22-02-14 © Eduardo Carreyra
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
22-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Thrush
22-02-14 © Eduardo Carreyra
Small-billed Elaenia
Elaenia parvirostris
Small-billed Elaenia
22-02-14 © Dolores Fernández
Red-fronted Coot
Fulica rufifrons
Red-fronted Coot
01-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

With white-tufted grebe

Brown-chested Martin
Progne tapera
Brown-chested Martin
22-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
22-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

A juvenile with its back still brown showing the yellow colouring of the wings

Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Cattle Egret
01-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Great Egret
22-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara

With other egrets

Checkered Woodpecker
Veniliornis mixtus
Checkered Woodpecker
22-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
Green-barred Woodpecker
Colaptes melanochloros
Green-barred Woodpecker
22-02-14 © Cynthia Guevara
Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Neotropic Cormorant
22-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
White-faced Whistling-Duck
20-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
White-faced Whistling-Duck
20-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio

Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
17-02-14 © Amelia Besana

Photos in video format

When I saw the jacana fighting, I first thought it was taking care of the chicks, but when I zoomed the image I realized there were eggs. First some Rose-billed Pochard juveniles came near and then a coot. The jacana got very nervous because the coot was getting too close. When all visitors moved away, the jacana calmed down, checked the eggs and settled to heat them

When I saw the jacana fighting, I first thought it was taking care of the chicks., but when I zoomed the image I realized they were eggs. First some Rose-billed Pochard juveniles came near and then a coot. The jacana got very nervous because the coot was getting too close. When all visitors moved away, the jacana calmed down, checked the eggs and settled to heat them.
Wattled Jacana
15-02-14 © Amelia Besana
The four eggs are exposed and seem to be lying directly on the vegetal material with no added support underneath. This jacana, which so bravely defended the clutch and then sat on the eggs, is the father. In this species the female has a number of males, each in charge of a territory with enough resources to raise the chicks. The female mates with each of the males and takes care of the surveillance of the whole territory besides eating to recover the energy needed for a new egg-laying. The relationship between one female and a number of males is called polyandry. Besides in this case there is role reversal since it is the male which incubates and raise the chicks

Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
17-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Cocoi Heron
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Many-colored Rush Tyrant
Tachuris rubrigastra
Many-colored Rush Tyrant
15-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
White-tufted Grebe
15-02-14 © Amelia Besana
White-tufted Grebe
15-02-14 © Amelia Besana
White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
White-faced Whistling-Duck
15-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-billed Cardinal
Paroaria capitata
Yellow-billed Cardinal
15-02-14 © Mariano Ordóñez
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
15-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
15-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Snout
Libytheana carinenta
Snout
09-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo
Snout
15-02-14 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Southern buckeye
Junonia genoveva hilaris
Southern buckeye
09-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo
Fiery skipper
Hylephila phyleus
Fiery skipper
09-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo

Paper wasp
Polistes sp.
Paper wasp
31-08-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Dragonfly
Micrathyria sp.
Dragonfly
09-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo

Black-necked Swan
Cygnus melancoryphus
Black-necked Swan
16-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian



New bird species
Nacunda nighthawk
Chordeiles nacunda
Nacunda nighthawk
15-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
07-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
Coscoroba Swan
07-02-14 © Nicolás Giorgio
Ultramarine Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia brissonii
Ultramarine Grosbeak
08-02-14 © Pablo Serur
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Amblyramphus holosericeus
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
01-02-14 © Pablo Serur
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Pipraeidea bonariensis
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
08-02-14 © Pablo Serur
Wren-like Rushbird
Phleocryptes melanops
Wren-like Rushbird
09-02-14 © Carlos González Ledo
Bran-colored Flycatcher
Myiophobus fasciatus
Bran-colored Flycatcher
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Licking the air
Licking the air
Lizard using its tongue to smell
Read more




White-banded Mockingbird
Mimus triurus
White-banded Mockingbird
31-01-14 © Ignacio Chantada

This mockingbird breeds in the center and northwest of Argentina and migrates towards the east in the non-breeding season. To us it is a winter visitor. However, this individual is out of season. We sometimes find individuals that remain. 

Many-colored Rush Tyrant
Tachuris rubrigastra
Many-colored Rush Tyrant
02-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
02-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Red-fronted Coot
Fulica rufifrons
Red-fronted Coot
02-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Red-fronted Coot
02-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Red-fronted Coot
01-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe
01-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
02-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Io moth
Pseudautomeris grammivora
Io moth
09-02-14 © Amelia Besana




Black-headed Duck
Heteronetta atricapilla
05-02-14 © Amelia Besana
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
05-02-14 © Amelia Besana

Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
04-02-14 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

South American Painted-snipe
Nycticryphes semicollaris
South American Painted-snipe
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
South American Painted-snipe
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
South American Painted-snipe
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Simón, a perseverant birdwatcher, took a walk around Viamonte to see the painted snipe before going to Brasil for the census. As the census was not carried out due to bad climate conditions, a group of birdwatchers joined Simón in the hope of seeing this bird. And back they went to Viamonte under a persistent rain but the group did not lose heart. Fruitless, in the end, because the painted snipe did not show. Late in the afternoon the weather cleared up. Simón once more set off for the RECS and found he was not alone. observadores Others have had the same idea! Roberto Güller saw the painted snipe. Three minutes of glory to take photos. "Third time's a charm". And the icing on the cake this superb double rainbow. Arco iris/Rainbow



Lake Duck
Oxyura vittata
Lake Duck
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-eyed Parakeet
Psittacara leucophtalmus
White-eyed Parakeet
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Southern Caracara
Caracara plancus
Southern Caracara
01-02-14 © J. Simón Tagtachian

A tropical kingbird driving this caracara away