The search for Harpy Eagle
Do we get to see our most-wanted bird of the year? Out at dawn to make the most of the early morning cool temperatures, we birded with Brad the trails in a patch of pristine forest near the hotel. This island of remnant forest remarkably had held a pair of breeding Harpy Eagles earlier in the year which amazingly had recently fledged a huge chick, but were they still around? Brad was able to show us the very tree where the birds had nested but bizarrely no nest, as the adults had dismantled it stick by stick soon after the juvenile fledged. Does anybody know if this is normal behaviour for Harpy Eagles? We’ve never encountered this in any other species of eagle that we know well.
First new bird on the list is also probably the smallest passerine in the world: Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, a bird with a name considerably longer than itself. A Short-tailed Hawk flew over the canopy, while we heard Brazilian Tinamou from somewhere within the undergrowth but were unable to catch a glimpse of the bird. A pair of Chestnut-tailed Antbirds entertained us with stunningly close views as we knelt on the ground to peer under the bushes, the male displaying frantically to attract the female. Two hummingbirds, Long-tailed and Reddish Hermits, fed on some bright red flowers beside the trail. A secret wet area hidden in the depths of the forest provided us with Red-capped Cardinal, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Crested Becard and great views of Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, but it was a shock to come out of the forest into the burning heat of the late morning sun. We took a quick break to escape the worst of the heat since the birding had quietened down, setting off again mid-afternoon when it had (allegedly) cooled a little.
We headed back into the forest with one bird in mind: Harpy Eagle! We spent the entire afternoon near the abandoned nest site in the faint hope that one of the birds may show up. Unbelievably, after an hour or so, we heard a Harpy Eagle calling in the dense forest canopy ahead of us. Brad had studied these birds while they were nesting so was very familiar with the calls and we excitedly peered into the greenery hoping for a glimpse. It was impossible to move closer to the call without risking disturbing the bird, as the jungle was so impenetrable, no chance to move silently even using our best fieldcraft skills! We waited and waited but sadly as dusk fell this impressive raptor had still refused to show. As we walked back to the hotel, we had one last new bird: Blackish Nightjar roosting on the low roof of the hotel building.
Bird species total: 2457
Posted 9pm, 21st June, Alta Floresta, Brazil