BirdingDirect

18/08/2024

This magnificent hummingbird is the endangered Marvelous Spatuletail.
Found only in a small area of Northern Peru, this hummingbird is famous for its extraordinarily long tail. The males take this extravagant appendage even further by having rackets on the outer most tail feathers. The Marvelous Spatuletail inhabits humid forest borders, second growth, and montane scrub. When foraging, they tend to stay low and are most often seen feeding on the red-flowered lily, while perched.

An excellent place to look for this species is Huembo Reserve. The Marvelous Spatuletail breeds, forages and can be seen displaying here. Your Birding Direct guide will be sure to take you to all the right spots to view this species and possibly even view its mesmerizing display!

Peru is an extremely attractive destination to global birders as it not only holds vast tracts of untouched forest and unexplored wilderness, sure to be filled to the brim with taxonomic mysteries, but also a rich history and some fascinating remnants of times gone by like the famous city of Cusco, the capital of the ancient Inca Empire, and the breath-taking Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, as well as a fabulous selection of cuisines and cultural experiences wherever you go.

For a brief but powerful summary on just how wild Peru is, take for example the un-contacted stone-age tribes within the forests or the many new species being discovered to this day, like the snake Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, named in honor of the "Indiana Jones" actor's support for conservation work.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/peru

17/08/2024

Only discovered in 2017, the Blue-throated Hillstar occurs in patchy scrub on steep-sided hills of far southern Ecuador. While no in-depth studies have been made, this hillstar has been observed feeding on nectar and making small sally flights to capture insects.

Occurring up to 3680m asl, the Blue-throated Hillstar is resident in hilly terrain with rocky outcrops. Here they favour woody plants with emergent shrubs up to 8m in height.

Ecuador's location makes it an ideal destination for birders, with over 1500 species to be found. The country is situated in the heart of South America and is home to a diverse range of habitats. The Andean cloud forests, for example, are known for their high levels of endemism, while the Galapagos Islands offer the chance to see unique and endemic species such as Blue-footed B***y and Galapagos Penguin.

Ecuador offers an exceptional variety of attractions for the nature enthusiast and general traveler alike, amazing wildlife, stunning landscapes and fascinating ancient ruins are all within reach on an adventure to this dream destination.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/ecuador

16/08/2024

Presumed extinct for 75 years, this stunningly beautiful dove, has only recently been rediscovered and is now only known from one location in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

After 75 years without any sightings, Brazilian ornithologist Rafael Bessa encountered 11 individuals by chance while conducting research in the Brazilian Cerrado. This rediscovery rocked the ornithological world and Columbina cyanopis entered the list of Lazarus birds that were once presumed extinct. Currently, 31 Blue-eyed Ground Doves are known to live in the wild. Here they occur in open savanna and grasslands on white sands and forage in pairs on the ground.

Truly a land of unparalleled beauty and ecological diversity, Brazil offers close to 1,900 bird species! From the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the sprawling Pantanal wetlands and the lush Atlantic Forest, almost 60% of all the bird species of South America can be found. This mind blowing percentage is made up of 103 families and 243 country endemic species in Brazil alone! Just to mention a few of the unique species that can be found on a tour here would be the stunning Pin-tailed Manakin, a vast range of wildly colourful Cotingas and Tanagers, endemic Motmots and Antpittas, as well as a long list of other extremely sought after species.

Brazil truly has something to offer anyone who visits, for those who enjoy wildlife as well, Brazil offers the best chances in the world to see the mighty Jaguar, Giant Otter, Ocelot, Lowland Tapir, Marsh Deer, and even the elusive Giant Anteater!

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https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/brazil

15/08/2024

The extraordinarily vibrant, Colombian endemic, Multicolored Tanager is an inhabitant of Colombia’s humid and wet mossy forest and even some gardens! Surely there are few more colourful birds that one would expect to be feeding at their garden bird feeder. This incredible species feeds on insects and fruit while foraging with mixed species feeding flocks in the forest interior.

A restricted range species, this Tanager has been placed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to the destruction and deforestation of their natural habitat.

Colombia hosts a staggering list of over 1,900 bird species spread throughout a wide range of habitats, from the Andean mountains to the Amazon rainforest. The country's diverse avifauna is the result of its varied topography and climate, which ranges from tropical lowlands to snowy peaks. The country offers a wealth of birding opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for any bird enthusiast.

One of the best places for birding in Colombia is the Los Nevados National Natural Park, located in the Andean mountains. The park is home to a wide variety of bird species, including Andean Condor, Black-and-gold Tanager, and Golden-plumed Parakeet. The park also offers great opportunities for observing mammals, including the endangered Spectacled Bear!

Other notable birding destinations in Colombia include the Otun-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, the La Paya National Natural Park and the El Paujil Reserve, known for its population of endangered Harpy Eagle.

With its diverse habitats and rich avian diversity, Colombia is sure to provide a memorable experience for any global bird enthusiast.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/colombia

14/08/2024

The Hooded Grebe is almost exclusively found in Argentine Patagonia where they are typically found on freshwater lakes and marshes, where they breed. They winter at coastal lagoons on Argentina’s east coast. These birds are excellent swimmers and divers, and they feed mainly on small fish and aquatic insects. They are also known to consume crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants.

Argentina is home to a diverse range of habitats and over 1,000 bird species. From the wetlands of the Iberá Reserve in the north to the Andean highlands in the west, there is a wide variety of birds to be seen. Some of the most sought-after bird species in Argentina include Magellanic Plover, Magellanic Woodpecker, Strange-tailed Tyrant and our featured species, the Hooded Grebe.

The capital, Buenos Aires, is a must-visit destination for any traveller to Argentina. The city is known for its tango culture, historic architecture, and delicious beef. Visitors can explore the neighbourhoods of San Telmo and La Boca, which are known for their colorful houses and street art. The city also boasts several museums and galleries, as well as the famous Teatro Colon, one of the world's great opera houses.

Another popular destination in Argentina is the Iguazu Falls, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil. The falls are one of the most spectacular natural wonders in South America and are considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Visitors can take boat rides to the base of the falls or hike along the many trails that lead to different viewpoints of the falls.

Patagonia, located in the south of Argentina, is another popular destination. The region is known for its rugged wilderness and dramatic landscapes, including the Andes mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Visitors can go hiking, horseback riding, or fishing in Patagonia, as well as take guided tours to see the local wildlife, including Guanacos, Andean Condors, and Andean Flamingos.

Argentina also offers a variety of activities for adventure seekers such as skiing in the Andes, rock climbing and white-water rafting. With its rich culture, delicious food, and diverse landscapes, Argentina is a holiday destination that offers something for everyone.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/argentina

07/08/2024

South America is hands down the most varied continent for avian life, a dream come true for any birder. With over 3400 species spread across a land of staggering beauty and diversity, it is easy to see why. To add to the endless excitement, a great portion of the continent is still wild enough for new species to be discovered to this day! From the highest human settlements in the Andes, to the rainforest and desert, South America has enough bird species in every ecological niche to excite any visiting birder or nature enthusiast.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country_page_index

31/07/2024

Like the other flycatchers on this list, the Warbler-like Livingstone's Flycatcher is an active little species, constantly in motion and fond of spreading and flicking its bright rufous tail.

They are found very locally in riverine and coastal forest and thickets from Tanzania to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Our Zimbabwean tour offerings cover the very best birding areas that this country has to offer, from African Pittas, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Boulder Chat, Lillian's Lovebird and the 'Big 5' in the North to a selection of specials like Marsh Tchagra, Swynnerton's Robin, Lesser Seedcracker and more to the East.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/zimbabwe

30/07/2024

The Fairy Flycatchers are a newly recognized family of small passerine birds proposed as a result of recent discoveries in molecular systematics.

They were formerly allotted to two different flycatcher and one warbler family but were re-assigned after DNA sequencing. This new family has been named after the Southern African endemic Fairy Flycatcher, an extremely active insectivore. Despite being such active little birds, these tiny bundles of insect-eating energy are easily overlooked, and there is very little known about their biology.

On a birding tour of South Africa, one can expect to find this species amongst a set of other interesting birds including two endemic families to the region - Rockjumpers and Sugarbirds, Southern Bald Ibis, Bearded Vulture and many more! The wildlife in South Africa is an added bonus with an excellent range of species to work into your tour plan from the 'Big 5', Cheetah and African Wild Dog to the charismatic likes of Meerkat, Aardvark, Aardwolf, whales, dolphins, seals and many more.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/south-africa

28/07/2024

26/07/2024

Found only in Madagascar and the Comoros, the stunning Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher makes for great entertainment as it restlessly moves about the vegetation. As a bonus they are widespread in Madagascar so are often a common and prominent feature on any walk through the forest habitats here.

Despite the males having such long tail streamers, these birds are excellent at catching insects in flight. Interestingly, the males are polymorphic and can display four different colour morphs from black and white to rufous!

Where ever you look on tour in Madagascar, you are bound to see something weird and wonderful, from endemic bird families with extreme adaptations, endlessly entertaining lemurs, massive and tiny chameleons, alien vegetation and much, much more!

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/madagascar

25/07/2024

The Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher is a fascinating ally of the endemic Malagasy Vangas. The African Vangids are a diverse group of lightly proportioned, vaguely shrike-like passerines, all of which are more closely related to the core vangas than they are to any other passerine group. The Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher in particular is an unusual, chunky, short-tailed, crested, yellow-eyed member of this family, patchily distributed in forests from Guinea-Bissau to Mozambique.

Mozambique makes for an excellent spot to look for this species as on a tour here it can be found alongside the likes of Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Tiny Greenbul, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, East Coast Akalat, Blue Quail and many more!

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/mozambique

23/07/2024

Now this species is an interesting one, in the same way that any blue bird is for that matter, as no bird can truly be blue!

No bird species can make blue from pigments. The color blue that we see on a bird is created by the way light waves interact with the feathers and their arrangement of protein molecules, called keratin. In other words, blue is a structural color, compared to red and yellow feathers which get their color from actual pigments, called carotenoids, that are in the foods birds eat. A blue feather under ultraviolet light might look uniformly gray to human eyes.

The African Blue Flycatcher adds an excellent splash of colour to Uganda's forests, actively hopping about, fanning its tail often.

Our Birding Direct tours of Uganda also target excellent species like Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Great Blue Turaco, Papyrus Gonolek and many many more!

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/uganda

22/07/2024

Join us this week as we explore the stunning and often overlooked Flycatcher species that call Africa home!

Although all of the species to follow bear the Flycatcher name, not all are restricted to one specific family, the Flycatcher name has been given to a variety of families united by their ability to catch insects on the fly.

This week, look out for our posts about Monarch Flycatchers, Fairy Flycatchers, the Warbler-like Erythrocercidae and even a member of Vangidae!

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/

12/07/2024

This month Daniel Danckwerts will guide us across the vividly beautiful Indian Ocean Islands including the Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues and the Comoros. These islands are home to some of the world’s rarest birds, as well as globally significant seabird colonies!

Daniel has spent countless hours in this tropical paradise researching the genetic structure of its seabird populations, the basis for his PhD! This research has critically influenced the conservation of several globally threatened species and has spring-boarded many future research projects.

Join us on the 31st of July for a virtual tour with Daniel, include stunning imagery and fascinating stories!

Follow this LINK to sign up.
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https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7917206177623/WN_39lds5eHRCCVJ0v6TkpM_g #/registration

08/07/2024

Massive congratulations to Don Burlett who saw his 6,000th species with us yesterday, White-browed Bush Robin. Also of note, three other guests enjoyed milestones in Sichuan including Sue Wright (4,400 Rufous-tailed Babbler), Sheran Wright (4,000 Black Woodpecker), and Ian Denholm (5,000 Alstrom’s Warbler). Incredible achievements all!

03/05/2024

26/04/2024

22/04/2024

04/03/2024

Undoubtedly Ghana’s most impressive species is the White-necked Rockfowl, a unique species of large songbird, whose long-necked, long-tailed, and long-legged profile hints at its affinities to the equally enigmatic Rail-babbler, a continent away. Unlike their relative, however, these birds sport naked heads decorated with large colorful patches. Their English common name derives from their predilection for building their nests high on a cave or cliff wall.

This vulnerable, mysterious species can be seen bounding through the forest stealthily and effortlessly from one branch to another or foraging for forest-floor invertebrates.

Across the country, coastal wetlands, savannah and rainforests house some 770 species of birds as well as spectacular scenery and awesome mammals like African Elephant, Pel’s Anomalure, Potto, Patas Monkey, King Colobus and various forest duikers.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/ghana

29/02/2024

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"Ghana offers a marvelous introduction to the avifauna of West Africa indeed, certainly the most accessible country in the area for global birders. Good infrastructure and the tropical climate make journeying to this destination for its 760 wonderful bird species an absolute pleasure. Within Ghana’s lush, bustling rainforests, prepare for an eye-level overstimulation of canopy bird life as you walk along the Kakum canopy walkway and ponder the evolutionary path that led to the Standard-winged Nightjar’s elongated feathers under the night sky as the orchestra of crepuscular life fills the silence.

Visit this famed birding and wildlife region for incredible viewing and photographic opportunities with Birding Direct’s expert local guides, who know the areas well and boast an impressive 100% find rate for the White-necked Rockfowl!"

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https://www.birdingdirect.com/home

20/02/2024

Birding Direct guide Sebastian and his group have concluded an excellent birding tour in Patagonia!

Highlights included a vagrant Snares Penguin on Argentina's Isla Pinguino (Penguin Island), fascinating rock art in Cueva de las Manos from about 8000 years ago and at least 7 Hooded Grebes at Lago Strobel Lodge!

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/argentina

09/02/2024

Massive congratulations to Peter Kaestner, 10,000 birds after Orange-tufted Spiderhunter and still counting! What an amazing achievement! 🥳⁠

07/02/2024

The Black-cheeked Lovebird is a stunning, very range-restricted species is confined to a small portion of southwest Zambia.

They can be found in Zambia's Medium-altitude deciduous woodland, dominated by mopane. Usually this species will be within a reasonable distance from a reliable water source, at which they drink daily. Listen out for a variety of chittering and screechy chatters that draws attention to their presence.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/zambia

30/01/2024

The Chaplin’s Barbet is endemic to south central Zambia, where they are restricted to the small agricultural community of Choma. They are found almost exclusively in open woodland where the fig, Ficus sycomorus, their favorite food source, is abundant.

The Chaplin’s Barbet is one of only two endemics to Zambia, the other being Black-cheeked Lovebird, while many other range restricted species occur. As you traverse the diverse landscapes of Zambia, from vast wetlands to lush forests, you will be treated to a plethora of exciting species, complemented by the stunning backdrop of the African wilderness. In addition to the Chaplin's Barbet, birders may also catch a glimpse of other sought-after species, such as Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Black-collared Bulbul, Angolan Lark, Black-and-Rufous Swallow, Grimwood’s Longclaw, Anchieta’s Sunbird and even the menacing looking Shoebill.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/zambia

24/01/2024

The African Pitta is an intra-African migrant and is one of Africa’s true gems, being highly sought-after across its patchy distribution from Mozambique to Guinea. A highly elusive species, they are very difficult to see in their dark, dense thicket habitat.

Often remaining motionless for long periods of time, they forage with bursts of speed for invertebrates amongst the undergrowth. An extremely territorial species they will defend both breeding and foraging sites using explosive calls.

The legendary elusiveness of the African Pitta renders it as a highly sought-after species, particularly in the south of its range, where it can actually be targeted to some degree. Zambia offers some fantastic areas to look for this stunning species.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/zambia

19/01/2024

Our themed weekly mailer is packed with fascinating birds and facts from all around the globe. ⁠
⁠
Sign up on our website to receive it every week!⁠

"Zambia boasts vast, untouched wildernesses, incredible scenery and a high diversity of both birds and mammals! This combination renders the country as a fantastic destination for an exciting birding tour!

Join us this week as we uncover just some of the avian delights scattered throughout the habitats of Zambia."

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com

17/01/2024

The striking Painted Manakin is endemic to a tiny area of northern Peru, in the foothills of southwestern Loreto and northern San Martín departments.

Only described as recently as 2017, this handsome piprid was also key to disentangling the taxonomic mystery that was the now separate two species that had been previously lumped under the name Striped Manakin.

The male is certainly the more colourful of the sexes with a bright red cap and candy-cane striped underparts. The female is rather dull with olive upperparts and pale yellow lower underparts.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/peru

16/01/2024

Endemic to the east slope of the Andes in Peru, the striking Masked Fruiteater is fairly distinctive within its range, but the species is also one of the most poorly known members of the Pipreola genus.

This species can be seen perching inconspicuously in the mid-story of humid montane forest. While almost nothing has been published regarding most aspects of its natural history, the Masked Fruiteater's habits can probably be compared to that of other Andean Fruiteaters, where it is a lethargic frugivore that is typically encountered near fruiting trees, as the name would suggest.

Follow this LINK for more information.⁠

https://www.birdingdirect.com/country/peru