The fish lake brings a variety of visitors to the farm, and most mornings now we see this Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) stalking the banks. It is interesting to contrast its adult plumage, mainly reddish-brown, with the striking stripes of the juvenile which appeared by the lake last year (pictured here). We have no way of knowing if it is the same individual, but I like to think it is.
Walking by the river bank the other morning, I saw this Rufous-thighed Kite (Harpagus diodon) perching on a high branch after displacing one of the resident Green Ibis which flew off noisily. It stayed almost motionless for several minutes and was still there when I returned along the same trail some time afterwards. It is the second time I have photographed this kite species by the river.
I have been meaning for a while to mention a recent trip I made to a great forest reserve called Parque do Zizo, only around 50km from Sítio do Cervo as the crow (or toucan) flies, but near the top of the Serra de Paranapiacaba mountain range at around 650m above sea level. Having got so accustomed to the range of species in the lowland forest, it was very interesting to see the contrast when you move to higher altitudes. Of course there is quite an overlap, but in some cases such as Olive-green Tanagers (Orthogonys chloricterus), gathered around the feeder-sign at the top, and Magpie Tanagers (Cissopis leveriana), above, the sharp drop from the continental plateau is a complete barrier. On the other hand, you do not see some of the species common in the coastal lowlands, such as the brilliant red Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus bresilius) and Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus) -- pictured frequently including in the last blog entry.
The sounds provide an interesting contrast, as well. Take for example two species of forest falcon of the genus Micrastur -- one, the Barred Forest Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis), recorded here late afternoon at the Zizo mountain park, and its cousin the Collared Forest Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus), heard here at Sítio do Cervo at dawn.
Finally, a bit of a break from birds. This very cute tree frog was hanging onto the wall of the main house the other evening. No doubt started life as a tadpole in the pools of water that collect at the base of the many bromeliads attched to the trees.
