Serra dos Tucanos, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: 18 July

A visit to the photo hide at Serra dos Tucanos this morning was less productive than yesterday but I still managed some reasonable images including one of the male of a pair of Purple-throated Euphonias (photo 1) and a male Orange-bellied Euphonia (photo 2) which shows a nice comparison of these similar species (note the less extensive yellow forehead and duller overall colouration on Purple-throated, the later feature not often made obvious in field guides). Other birds seen on the feeders include a Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Plain Parakeet, at least 20 Sombre Hummingbird, 1 Blond-crested Woodpecker, a pair each of Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Ruby-crowned Tanager and an Azure-shouldered Tanager. Many thanks Andy and Cristina for a fantastic few days and we can't wait for our next visit. Next time we'll bring a bumper supply of Jaffa Cakes!

Back at REGUA in the afternoon and a Tiger Rat Snake Spilotes pullatus was found up in the trees behind the lodge (photo 3). Named after their yellow markings, Tiger Rat Snakes are the longest members of the Colubridae family and I estimated this one to be over two metres long. Mainly arboreal, they feed on small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles and have some of the best vision of any snake, judging distance using triangulation by moving their head from side to side, in much the same way as a bird of prey.

Tiger Rat Snake Spilotes pullatus

A walk down to the wetland late afternoon revealed an odd raptor perched up on a tree - a female Snail Kite! This is only the second time I've seen one here and it is still a rare bird at REGUA. I also managed to finally see a Blackish Rail and the partial albino Pale-breasted Thrush was still about. A night walk along the Onofre Cunha Trail in cloudy and misty conditions drew a blank with just 2 Burrowing Owl seen on the way back to the lodge.