Pin-tailed Manakin— Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Complementary to Southeastern Brazil: Part I. Focuses on the many Atlantic Forest endemics of Espirito Santo, with special search for the Cherry-throated Tanager; loads of endemic parrots, cotingas, hummingbirds, and colorful tanagers.

Southeastern Brazil Part II is centered on the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, home to many spectacular endemics not found on the Southeastern Brazil: Part I itinerary. Foremost among these is the stunning Cherry-throated Tanager. Long thought extinct, and only recently rediscovered, this amazing bird has been the highlight of seven of our last ten tours. With a known population that numbers fewer than 15 individuals, the tanager is anything but guaranteed, but we know its voice and its habits, and will be accompanied by the Brazilian biologists who rediscovered the species, all of which should maximize our chances for success. Other exciting birds include Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Sharpbill, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, and Spotted Bamboowren.

The charming little town of Santa Teresa will be our base for birding Nova Lombardia (Augusto Ruschi Reserve), a remnant tract of foothill forest with an impressive avifauna. Here, we will search for Blue-bellied Parrot, Long-tailed Potoo, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Saw-billed Hermit, Spot-backed Antshrike, Serra Antwren, Russet-winged Spadebill, Wied's Tyrant-Manakin, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Hooded Berryeater, Sharpbill, Pin-tailed Manakin, Rufous-brown Solitaire, Red-necked and Cinnamon tanagers, and many others. A visit to the Augusto Ruschi estate will provide a dazzling hummingbird show, with as many as 10 species or more swarming around us.

Time spent at the VALE Reserve near Linhares will allow us an excellent chance to see the critically endangered Red-billed Curassow, as well as such gems as Rusty-margined Guan, Ochre-marked and White-cheeked parakeets, Red-browed Parrot, Striated Softtail, Plumbeous Antvireo, Band-tailed Antwren, Scalloped Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Banded (now very rare) and White-winged cotingas, Black-headed Berryeater, and Opal-rumped Tanager.

Good accommodations and food; easy terrain; many early starts and full mornings, often with significant mid-afternoon breaks; all lodges with excellent on-site birding; one round-trip internal flight; warm to cool climate.