News - February 2015

Two spinetails
Sooty-fronted Spinetail
Synallaxis frontalis
Pijui frente gris/Sooty-fronted Spinetail© Hugo Aguilar


© Dolores Fernández
Spix's Spinetail
Synallaxis spixi
Pijuí plomizo/Spix's Spinetail© Elsa y Guillermo


© Cora Rimoldi
These spinetails are difficult to see. They restlessly move in the bushes which prevent a clear sight of them. With luck they expose for a little while. Their voices will certainly announce their presence. As voices are very different we will know whether it is the Spix's or the Sooty-fronted Spinetail. But if there is no voice one must be careful not to confuse them since they are very similar. The crown is one of the keys to bear in mind. If the rufous colour of the crown also covers the front, it is the Spix's Spinetail. If the front is grey instead, it is the Sooty-fronted as the name indicates.
The photos are for illustrative purposes
Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi
Pitiayumí/Tropical Parula© J. Simón Tagtachian


© Cora Rimoldi
The photo is for illustrative purposes

Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
Least Grebe
21-02-15 © Eduardo Carreyra

This is in fact the first photo taken of the least grebe. It was the Saturday of the Birding Challenge, that is, one week before. As Eduardo learnt this bird had been seen he rechecked his photos and found it.

Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Pipraeidea bonariensis
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
27-02-15 © José Alberto Lell
Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

The juvenile common gallinule looks curiously. Is there anything for me?

Yellow-billed Teal
Anas flavirostris
Yellow-billed Teal
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

The pair on the land

Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo
Brazilian Teal
Amazonetta brasiliensis
Brazilian Teal
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo
Bran-colored Flycatcher
Myiophobus fasciatus
Bran-colored Flycatcher
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
27-02-15 © Ignacio Agudelo

Counted 8 individuals


Roadside Hawk
Rupornis magnirostris
Roadside Hawk
28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

It is very common to see this parrot eat the seeds of Chorisia speciosa in the reserve. Since these trees have not born fruit yet they eat those of the Syagrus romanzoffiana

Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Brown-chested Martin
Progne tapera
Brown-chested Martin
28-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Two adults with a chick

Brown-chested Martin
27-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Second clutch in the hornero nest at Viamonte. The rest of the butterly at the entrance is of a southern buckeye, delivered by the parents. These butterflies were very abundant during the week

Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
White-winged Becard
Pachyramphus polychopterus
White-winged Becard
20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Uncommon to find on the grass

Bran-colored Flycatcher
Myiophobus fasciatus
Bran-colored Flycatcher
30-12-14 © José Alberto Lell
Hooded Siskin
Spinus magellanicus
Hooded Siskin
20-02-15 © José Alberto Lell

Male eating bull thistle Cirsium vulgare

Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
Double-collared Seedeater
23-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

Green-barred Woodpecker
Colaptes melanochloros
28-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Woodpecker's fight

Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
24-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

A limpkin eating snails attract the attention of a great kiskadee and a common gallinule, which are tempted.


Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
28-02-15 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

This grebe is smaller than the White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland as shown by Claudia y Tito in the video. The yellow eye distinguishes from the other grebes among other things.
This Least Grebe is out of the area of distribution. In Argentina it covers an area in the north part of the country from the mountains to the east and reaches the south to the provinces of Santa Fe, Córdoba and Entre Ríos though not completely.


New bird species
Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
Least Grebe
28-02-15 © Pablo Manuel Fernández

Pablo and Amelia discovered this least grebe in the RECS

Least Grebe
28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Pablo and amelia discovered this least grebe in the Coypu Pond

Least Grebe
28-02-15 © Silvia Loiacono

Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Green Kingfisher
28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Green Kingfisher
28-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
28-02-15 © Dolores Fernández
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Vermilion Flycatcher
28-02-15 © Silvia Loiacono

Summer is coming to an end and vermilion flycatchers are returning to the north. Diego Bastías had already seen a male on Wednesday 25th. Here a juvenile.

Warbling Doradito
Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
Warbling Doradito
11-02-15 © José Alberto Lell
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Amblyramphus holosericeus
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
28-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
25-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías

In this pochard family there are two fulvous whistling-duck chicks. The Fulvous Whistling-Duck may dump eggs in other birds' nests of its same species or not. This is not the first time we witness this event. There is a previous record of December 2009. On that occasion also a Rosy-billed Pochard was seen with a Fulvous Whistling-Duck chick among her ducklings.

Rosy-billed Pochard
17-12-09 © José Luis Merlo
The 2009 family

Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
22-02-15 © Cora Rimoldi

And now the final results of the Birding Challenge. Only one data: 118 bird species registered during the whole event. The winners of all categories and the detail of what was spotted by whom is on ecoregistros.org
And the Birding Challenge took place as planned on February 21st and 22nd. Two days birdwatching .
Very early in the morning when the RECS was not open yet many observers began from the sidewalk. At 8 o'clock sharp the reserve opened and the group entered for the inside walk. Some words in charge of one of the organizers, Jorge La Grotteria, and we left for Canal Viamonte. The dynamics of the group was such that the number of birders increased or decreased according to their needs.
BC BC1
Of course breakfast was a must to charge batteries. The day was beautiful, but it was already getting hot. And lunch could not be skipped either.
BC2 BC3
BC4 BC5
More than 110 bird species observed (heard, photographed and/or seen) during the event. Wednesday is the deadline to hand over the material. So by that time we will know the exact number of species. Anyway follow the provisional results
And now some gems of the event

New bird species
Southern Martin
Progne elegans
Southern Martin
22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Southern Martin
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Varias veces vista, pero por primera vez la foto

South American Snipe
Gallinago paraguaiae
South American Snipe
22-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

A terrific surprise when Guillermo downloaded the photos. There was a South American snipe behind some ducks on an island.

Ash-colored Cuckoo
Coccycua cinerea
Ash-colored Cuckoo
21-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon
21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Ultramarine Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia brissonii
Ultramarine Grosbeak
22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-eyed Parakeet
Psittacara leucophtalmus
White-eyed Parakeet
21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Long-winged Harrier
Circus buffoni
Long-winged Harrier
22-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Light morph

White-banded Mockingbird
Mimus triurus
White-banded Mockingbird
21-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
22-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Eating the fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana

Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
Kelp Gull
21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Kelp Gull
22-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Brown-hooded Gull
Chroicocephalus maculipennis
Brown-hooded Gull
21-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Campo Flicker
Colaptes campestris
Campo Flicker
21-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
European Starling
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Yellow-winged Blackbird
Agelasticus thilius
Yellow-winged Blackbird
22-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
Cattle Tyrant
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
22-02-15 © Dolores Fernández
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
22-02-15 © Dolores Fernández
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Thrush
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Red-eyed Vireo
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria
Nenday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
Nenday Parakeet
22-02-15 © Jorge La Grotteria



Plants

Dolichandra cynanchoides
Sacha huasca/Dolichandra cynanchoides© Sergio Cusano

Dolichandra cynanchoides
Sacha huasca/Dolichandra cynanchoides© Sergio Cusano
Calico flower
Aristolochia elegans
Aristoloquia/Calico flower© Sergio Cusano
Striped rosemallow
Hibiscus cisplatinus
Rosa del río/Striped rosemallow© Victoria Mansilla
Catclaw mimosa
Mimosa pigra
Carpinchera/Catclaw mimosa© Flor
Catclaw mimosa
Mimosa pigra
Carpinchera/Catclaw mimosa© Flor
Balloon vine
Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Globito cipó/Balloon vine© Sergio Cusano
Pink flowered tweedia
Oxypetalum solanoides
Plumerillo negro/Pink flowered tweedia© Sergio Cusano
Yellow bird of paradise
Caesalpinia gilliesii
Barba de chivo/Yellow bird of paradise© Sergio Cusano
Squash
Cucurbita maxima
Zapallo/Squash© Flor
Buttercup tree
Senna corymbosa
Sen del campo/Buttercup tree© Sergio Cusano

Wedelia glauca
Sunchillo/Wedelia glauca© Sergio Cusano
Giant arrowhead
Sagittaria montevidensis
Sagitaria/Giant arrowhead© Sergio Cusano
Spanish dagger
Yucca gloriosa
Yuca/Spanish dagger© Flor

New moth species
Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
03-01-21 © Fernando Crespo

New moth species
Crambid snout moth
Samea sp.
Crambid snout moth
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

It seems to have been predated upon by a spider or bug due to its posture



Butterflies of February
White-patched duskywing
Chiomara autander autander
White-patched duskywing
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Snout
Libytheana carinenta
Snout
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Poltys satyr
Parypthimoides poltys
Poltys satyr
17-02-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Poltys satyr
17-02-15 © Victoria Mansilla
Ithra crescent
Ortilia ithra
Ithra crescent
17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Ithra crescent
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Fiery skipper
Hylephila phyleus
Fiery skipper
17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Celmis satyr
Ypthimoides celmis
Celmis satyr
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Chilean lady
Vanessa carye
Chilean lady
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Southamerican lady
Vanessa braziliensis
Southamerican lady
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Eurytulus scrub-hairstreak
Strymon eurytulus
Eurytulus scrub-hairstreak
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Lesbia sulphur
Colias lesbia
Lesbia sulphur
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Common yellow
Eurema deva
Common yellow
07-02-15 © Victoria Mansilla

With claudina crescent on the left

Southern Monarch
Danaus erippus
Southern Monarch
07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Gulf fritillary
12-02-15 © Flor A Modeo
Gulf fritillary
Agraulis vanillae maculosa
Gulf fritillary
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Mexican silverspot
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Mexican silverspot
Dione moneta
Mexican silverspot
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Southern buckeye
14-02-15 © Amelia Besana



Campo Flicker
Colaptes campestris
Campo Flicker
19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
20-02-15 © José Alberto Lell
Wattled Jacana
19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Wattled Jacana
16-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Brown-chested Martin
Progne tapera
Brown-chested Martin
17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

Brown-chested Martin
17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

Brown-chested Martin
17-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Gathered at the antenna ready to begin the journey

Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Striated Heron
20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Eared Dove
Zenaida auriculata
Eared Dove
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
House Sparrow
20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
Harris's Hawk
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Hooded Siskin
Spinus magellanicus
Hooded Siskin
20-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Southern Lapwing
19-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

Five lapwings


Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
20-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio

Dos registros importantísimos
White-naped Xenopsaris
Xenopsaris albinucha
White-naped Xenopsaris
01-12-13 © Marcelo Castro

The nearest record dates back to Januray 2000

Rufous-browed Peppershrike
Cyclarhis gujanensis
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
08-06-14 © Marcelo Castro

White-banded Mockingbird
Mimus triurus
White-banded Mockingbird
07-02-15 © Diego Carús
White-banded Mockingbird
19-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Cada vez es más frecuente el hallazgo de algún individuo de esta especie que nos visita en el invierno



Long-winged Harrier
Circus buffoni
Long-winged Harrier
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Dark morph

Long-winged Harrier
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Dark morph

Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Masked Duck
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Los fierritos siguen creciendo
Green-winged Saltator
Saltator similis
Green-winged Saltator
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Common Gallinule
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Common Gallinule
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-winged Becard
Pachyramphus polychopterus
White-winged Becard
13-02-15 © Dolores Fernández

This fledgling was being fed by an adult

Blue-and-white Swallow
Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Blue-and-white Swallow
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-crested Tyrannulet
Serpophaga subcristata
White-crested Tyrannulet
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-crested Tyrannulet
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Neotropic Cormorant
13-02-15 © Dolores Fernández
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
European Starling
14-02-15 © Amelia Besana
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Thrush
14-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian



Warbling Doradito
Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
Warbling Doradito
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
White-tufted Grebe
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Glittering-bellied Emerald
Chlorostilbon lucidus
Glittering-bellied Emerald
11-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Unicolored Blackbird
10-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Unicolored Blackbird
10-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Scrub Blackbird
Dives warszewiczi
Scrub Blackbird
10-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
Cattle Tyrant
10-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
White-lined Tanager
Tachyphonus rufus
White-lined Tanager
10-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret
10-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Sayaca Tanager
Thraupis sayaca
Sayaca Tanager
10-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
Gray-breasted Martin
07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
07-02-15 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Fork-tailed flycatcher and brown-chested martin face to face in flight

White-winged Becard
Pachyramphus polychopterus
White-winged Becard
10-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Monk Parakeet
07-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Monk Parakeet
07-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Black-necked Stilt
07-02-15 © Nicolás Giorgio
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Amblyramphus holosericeus
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
07-02-15 © Elsa y Guillermo Marcaida

Domestic Duck
Cairina moschata domestica
Pato criollo/Domestic Duck© Nicolás Giorgio
Neotropical Waterbird Census at RECS
On Saturday 7th the count of waterbirds was carried out. This event is organized by Wetlands International and coordinated by Aves Argentinas in our country.
As expected most waterbirds were registered early in the morning along the Coypu Pond. The Black-necked Stilt and the Roseate Spoonbills were the outstanding ones.

Red Bug
Dysdercus albofasciatus
Red Bug
07-02-15 © Dolores Fernández
This colourful bug controls Pavonia sepium, the yellow flower in the picture. This mallow is native and invasive due to the great number of spiky seeds which attach to whatever passes near and may be dispersed far away. This bug feeds almost exclusively on the ovules, if the flower has not been fertilized yet, or the seeds. By controlling these two factors the plant is not that invasive. Being its primary food this bug is found where there is Pavonia sepium. In this case male and female are mating.

Black-headed Duck
Heteronetta atricapilla
Black-headed Duck
02-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Rufous Hornero
Furnarius rufus
Rufous Hornero
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
02-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
03-02-15 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
02-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Unicolored Blackbird
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Thrush
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

Domestic Duck
Cairina moschata domestica
Pato criollo/Domestic Duck © Sergio Cusano

Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Southern Lapwing
02-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Brazilian Teal
Amazonetta brasiliensis
Brazilian Teal
02-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Brazilian Teal
02-02-15 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
02-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

With a frog in the bill

Black-capped Warbling-Finch
Poospiza melanoleuca
Black-capped Warbling-Finch
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano
Picui Ground Dove
Columbina picui
Picui Ground Dove
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano

There were 10 individuals

Nenday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
Nenday Parakeet
05-02-15 © Sergio Cusano