News - October 2013

Big picture of all the birds during October 2013
catita chirirígcYellow-chevroned Parakeet CaranchogcSouthern Caracara Chinchero ChicogcNarrow-billed Woodcreeper Pato de CollarMRinged Teal M Pato de CollarHRinged Teal F
Jilguero doradogcSaffron Finch M CabecitanegraHHooded Siskin F CabecitanegraMHooded Siskin M JacanagcWattled Jacana suirirí amarilloYellow-browed Tyrant
and many more here

Chimango Caracara
Milvago chimango
Chimango Caracara
27-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Chimango Caracara
27-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Chimango Caracara
27-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Tropical Kingbird
26-10-13 © Rodolfo Pani
Spot-flanked Gallinule
Gallinula melanops
Spot-flanked Gallinule
27-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Among rock pigeons

Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
27-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Common Gallinule
27-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Tadpoles at coypu Pond
Renacuajo/Tadpole© Gustavo F. Brahamian Renacuajo/Tadpole© Gustavo F. Brahamian

Streaked Flycatcher
Myiodynastes maculatus
Streaked Flycatcher
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
Snail Kite
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Snail Kite
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Plumbeous Rail
Pardirallus sanguinolentus
Plumbeous Rail
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-tipped Dove
Leptotila verreauxi
White-tipped Dove
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
Cattle Tyrant
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Zonotrichia capensis
Rufous-collared Sparrow
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Vermilion Flycatcher
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-winged Blackbird
Agelasticus thilius
Yellow-winged Blackbird
26-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-billed Teal
Anas flavirostris
Yellow-billed Teal
26-10-13 © Javier Ubiría

The three saltators pepiteros See differences

Silver Teal
Anas versicolor
Silver Teal
26-10-13 © Pablo Manuel Fernández

A new family. This time a silver teal family

Cinnamon Teal
Anas cyanoptera
Cinnamon Teal
26-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-Heron
26-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
15-10-13 © Carlos Agulian

In flight or with open wings the big circular white spot is very conspicuous in the speculum

Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Silver Teal
Anas versicolor
Silver Teal
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Silver Teal
01-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

The differences between the male and the female of the Silver Teal are so subtle that they are considered a monomorphic species in guides. To begin with there is size, the male is bigger than the female, which is difficult to appreciate. It is easier to use differences in color or in pattern. Colour of bill strongly coloured in the male, paler in the female. The barred pattern of the male tail is finer than that of the female. The feathers on the flanks begin with a scaly pattern creamy and black and end in a barred one white and black in the male. In the female the pattern follows the same colours but all of it is scaly.


Partial view of the Coypu Pond from the Lizard Path vista-interior-AB-10-13 © Amelia Besana

Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
26-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Glittering-bellied Emerald
Chlorostilbon lucidus
Glittering-bellied Emerald
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

A female lapping up at lantana Lantana camara

Chestnut-capped Blackbird
Chrysomus ruficapillus
Chestnut-capped Blackbird
01-12-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-lined Tanager
Tachyphonus rufus
White-lined Tanager
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Io moth
Pseudautomeris grammivora
Io moth
20-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Io moth
20-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Io moth
20-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Io moth
20-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian



Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
03-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio

The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet belongs in the Psittacid Family, which comprises macaws, parrots and parakeets. This is the smallest psittacid (23 cm) which has frequented Costanera up to now. Records are scattered throughout the year without a definite seasonal pattern. It is associated to the silk floss tree <em>Chorisia speciosa</em>, the fruits of which are torn with the bill to extract the seed. The fruit is big like an avocado. It is 15 cm and hangs, which makes the parakeet pirouette to reach the seed. The fruit has a woody shell and is stuffed with silk fibers. This parakeet perforates it and separates the fiber to get the seed. In the photo the woody shell has recently come off since the fibers still keep the form of the fruit and it has not broken apart yet. Inside it plenty of seeds are found. The seed is black and half centimeter in diameter. The peel is discarded.


Chotoy Spinetail
Schoeniophylax phryganophilus
Chotoy Spinetail
08-10-13 © Naty Mufato
Chotoy Spinetail
08-10-13 © Naty Mufato
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
Fluvicola albiventer
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
19-10-13 © Pablo Mosto
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
01-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Black-backed Water-Tyrant
19-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian

Luis and Viviana were the first to spot this bird. Photos were taken from the Lizard Path and the outer sidewalk at the Viamonte end

Black-headed Duck
Heteronetta atricapilla
Black-headed Duck
19-10-13 © Amelia Besana

This male duck was sleeping nexto to female rosy-billed pochards. When it woke up we realized it was a male black-headed duck

Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Black-necked Stilt
19-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Black-necked Stilt
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Black-necked Stilt
19-10-13 © Pablo Mosto
Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
19-10-13 © Pablo Mosto

Seen at Canal Viamonte

Diademed Tanager
19-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Seen at Canal Viamonte

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
18-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio

Flowers and their touch of colour
Cock spur tree
Erythrina crista-galli
Ceibo/Cock spur tree© Germán A Etcheverry
Cock spur tree
Erythrina crista-galli
Ceibo/Cock spur tree© Gustavo F Brahamian
Passion flower
Passiflora coerulea
Mburucuyá/Passion flower© Germán A Etcheverry
Wild mallow
Abutilon pauciflorum
Malvavisco/Wild mallow© Germán A Etcheverry
Lantana
Lantana camara
Lantana/Lantana© Germán A Etcheverry
Lantana
Lantana camara
Lantana/Lantana© Gustavo F Brahamian
Silk floss tree
Chorisia speciosa
Palo borracho/Silk floss treeOpened fruit © Gustavo F Brahamian
Tree tobacco
Nicotiana glauca
Palán palán/Tree tobacco© Gustavo F Brahamian

Lantana megapotamica
Camará morada/Lantana megapotamica © Gustavo F Brahamian
Spanish broom
Spartium junceum
Retama de olor/Spanish broom© Gustavo F Brahamian
Spanish broom
Spartium junceum
Retama de olor/Spanish broom © Germán A Etcheverry
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Acacia blanca/Black Locust© Germán A Etcheverry
Austral elder
Sambucus australis
Saúco/Austral elder © Germán A Etcheverry
Austral elder
Sambucus australis
Saúco/Austral elder© Gustavo F Brahamian

Picui Ground Dove
Columbina picui
Picui Ground Dove
12-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Silver Teal
Anas versicolor
Silver Teal
12-10-13 © Dolores Fernández
Sayaca Tanager
Thraupis sayaca
Sayaca Tanager
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Black-capped Warbling-Finch
Poospiza melanoleuca
Black-capped Warbling-Finch
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
House Wren
17-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
14-10-13 © Dolores Fernández
Yellow-browed Tyrant
Satrapa icterophrys
Yellow-browed Tyrant
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Great Pampa-Finch
Embernagra platensis
Great Pampa-Finch
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Yellow-billed Cardinal
Paroaria capitata
Yellow-billed Cardinal
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Red-crested Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
Red-crested Cardinal
17-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio

Mourning Sierra-Finch
Phrygilus fruticeti
Mourning Sierra-Finch
17-10-13 © Julian Cappuccio
Mourning Sierra-Finch
17-10-13 © Julian Cappuccio
Mourning Sierra-Finch
17-10-13 © Julian Cappuccio

Julián, a birdwatcher from Berisso, photographed this female mourning sierra-finch during his walk around Costanera. This sierra-finch comes here in winter.


Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
Coscoroba Swan
17-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus cyanirostris
Blue-billed Black-Tyrant
14-10-13 © Dolores Fernández
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Tropical Kingbird
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Small-billed Elaenia
Elaenia parvirostris
Small-billed Elaenia
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Bran-colored Flycatcher
Myiophobus fasciatus
Bran-colored Flycatcher
12-10-13 © Pablo Mosto
Bran-colored Flycatcher
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
10-10-13 © Amelia Besana

Courtship


Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Roseate Spoonbill
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Maguari Stork
Ciconia maguari
Maguari Stork
14-10-13 © Dolores Fernández

Southern Caracara
Caracara plancus
Southern Caracara
14-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Southern Caracara
14-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

We saw this juvenile caracara at the Viamonte Access at about 8:30. It was being attacked by two guira cuckoos and showed no reaction at all. It flew some meters away and perched on a tree at two meters high. We took some photos. And so we did when we found it at 12:30 hs on another tree and at 5:30 in the nearby sanitaries walking most calmly. At first we thought it was ill but it seems this is the behaviour of juveniles. Its parents were very near and there were remnants of a pigeon scattered on the ground. Personnel from the Rehab Center were keeping an eye on it to see whether it was feeding well.


Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Pied-billed Grebe
12-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

We were on the southern side of the Coypu Pond, next to the Brasil Access when Ignacio Graci&aacute; spotted this grebe eating such a big frog. In a twinkling of an eye it put it right and swallowed it. The sequence, though photos were taken from fat, is impressive

Comparison among the bird surveys from 20/10/2012 and 5/10/2013 organized by the COARECS With this fourth survey we can compare and analyze the data obtained during one year (October 2012-October 2013). The surveys have followed the same pattern. A survey is divided into 5 routes covering all the paths which are surveyed at the same time during the morning. There is a provisional count at midday and those who still want to may go on during the rest of the day to add more species. In October 2012 there was a nocturnal visit which was also included in the list. Unluckily this was not repeated in October 2013. Expectations for this survey were huge due to the works done at the Coypu Pond to inject water from the river. In fact, this attracted several water birds which did not stay long with the exception of yellow-billed teals which already formed two families one at each end of the pond and teh Southern lapwing which is also nesting. The works are very recent and the dynamic of the ecosystem is still to be recovered. Only the water is not enough. But judging by the initial results there is no doubt that the works have been successful and that the activity will back both in number of species as number of individuals as it once was. February will be our next challenge. The general result was 12 species more for 2013 (109-121). But the big difference was 15 species more of non-passeriformes (45-60), most of which were waterbirds. The jewel, the lesser yellowlegs. Instead three species less of Passeriformes were observed compared to last year (64-61). The absentees, some summer visitors which have not arrived yet. The gem, the diademed tanager which had not been seen for a very long time. tablacompnopaser tablacomppaser

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Camptostoma obsoletum
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet
01-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Solitary Black Cacique
Cacicus solitarius
Solitary Black Cacique
06-10-13 © Carlos González Ledo

Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Wilson's Phalarope
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wilson's Phalarope
01-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wilson's Phalarope
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wilson's Phalarope
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

This phalarope nests in the Northern Hemisphere and migrates south to spend the austral summer. When they arrive here in general they are in non-breeding plumage which is grey to the upperparts and white to the underparts. Nevertheless, there may be individuals showing traces of nuptial plumage. For example, we can see a still conspicuous line which runs down the eye along the side of the neck and the plumage presents rufous colouring on the back. 


Wren-like Rushbird
Phleocryptes melanops
Wren-like Rushbird
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Bare-faced Ibis
Phimosus infuscatus
Bare-faced Ibis
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Saffron Finch
Sicalis flaveola
Saffron Finch
03-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio

Matching the flowers of a Roman cassie Acacia caven

White-banded Mockingbird
Mimus triurus
White-banded Mockingbird
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Golden-billed Saltator
Saltator aurantiirostris
Golden-billed Saltator
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Eating loquat Eriobotrya japonica

Spectacled Tyrant
Hymenops perspicillatus
Spectacled Tyrant
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Chimango Caracara
Milvago chimango
Chimango Caracara
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Juvenile

Yellow-billed Teal
Anas flavirostris
Yellow-billed Teal
08-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

Viamonte's family

Scarlet-headed Blackbird
Amblyramphus holosericeus
Scarlet-headed Blackbird
08-10-13 © Nicolás Giorgio

Survey on the 5th of October 2013 organized by the COARECS 121 species were counted. With this fourth survey by the COARECS a year is completed. The recovery of water in the Coypu Pond attracted a lot of "old" species of water birds which have settled yet. That's way several were absent on Saturday. But there is a promising future which, I have no doubt, will catch up with the "wet" days. It is a matter of time.
releoct2013nopasereng
Non passeriformes
paserengPasseriformes
GrupalAll the voluntaries who took part in the census day ave, recs, relevamiento anualCircuit 2 Ruta-3Circuit 3 ruta-4-(parte-del-grupo)Circuit 4

Aves del censo
Diademed Tanager
Stephanophorus diadematus
Diademed Tanager
05-10-13 © María Cecilia Chiale

Seen on the coast of the river at the meeting point

Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Lesser Yellowlegs
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana

At the Coypu Pond

Burrowing Parakeet
Cyanoliseus patagonus
Burrowing Parakeet
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian

At Canal Carlota Roberts (former Canal sudeste),

White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed Kite
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Seen at Canal Carlota Roberts (former Canal sudeste)

Striped Owl
Pseudoscops clamator
Striped Owl
05-10-13 © Claudia y Diego Bastías
Spot-winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa
Spot-winged Pigeon
05-10-13 © Ignacio Chantada

Seen near the coast at Viamonte end

Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common Gallinule
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
Poospiza nigrorufa
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Vermilion Flycatcher
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
White-rumped Swallow
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Solitary Black Cacique
Cacicus solitarius
Solitary Black Cacique
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana
Chimango Caracara
Milvago chimango
Chimango Caracara
05-10-13 © Juan Pablo Muszkats
Chimango Caracara
Milvago chimango
05-10-13 © Amelia Besana

Eating a frog

Gray-necked Wood-Rail
Aramides cajaneus
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
05-10-13 © Juan Pablo Muszkats
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Checkered Woodpecker
Veniliornis mixtus
Checkered Woodpecker
05-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper
Lepidocolaptes angustirostris
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper
05-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Pipraeidea bonariensis
Blue-and-yellow Tanager
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Red-gartered Coot
Fulica armillata
Red-gartered Coot
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Guira Cuckoo
Guira guira
Guira Cuckoo
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
White-faced Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
White-faced Whistling-Duck
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
Gray-breasted Martin
Progne chalybea
Gray-breasted Martin
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Blue-and-white Swallow
Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Blue-and-white Swallow
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Brown-chested Martin
Progne tapera
Brown-chested Martin
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Ringed Teal
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-Heron
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Cocoi Heron
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
White-winged Coot
Fulica leucoptera
White-winged Coot
05-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Great Grebe
Podiceps major
Great Grebe
01-10-13 © Gustavo F. Brahamian
Limpkin
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
White-tufted Grebe
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Wattled Jacana
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Glittering-bellied Emerald
Chlorostilbon lucidus
Glittering-bellied Emerald
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Male at tree tobacco Nicotiana glauca

White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
White-faced Ibis
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Creamy-bellied Thrush
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Rosy-billed Pochard
Netta peposaca
Rosy-billed Pochard
05-10-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Masked Yellowthroat
Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Masked Yellowthroat
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
House Wren
05-10-13 © Claudia y Tito Di Mauro

Southern lapwing family coming soon
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Southern Lapwing
04-10-13 © Eduardo Haene

Lapwings build rudimentary nests on bare ground or short vegetation. Just a scrape lined with plant material. They lay three or four eggs which will hatch within approximately a month.They look after the nest very vigilantly. When they feel threatened they are either attack the intruder flying low with their menacing spurs or divert the observer's attention to another place.


Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Wilson's Phalarope
04-10-13 © Eduardo Haene

A boreal migrant which ravels from the Northern Hemisphere till Tierra del Fuego along the Andes. Some minor groups deviate and arrive in Buenos Aires. Before it was common to see them in the ponds. This only individual at Coypu Pond is certainly one of first to arrive.