Birding Argentina 2011 - Post 11, Iguazu Falls Day 2

First thing Monday morning, the 15th of August, Daniel took us out to the catwalk to Devil's Throat, where most of the river goes over the falls.  We were alone because of his unique access, and the experience was truly breath taking.   Right in the parking lot, we got some very fun birds including:



Chestnut Bellied Euphonia, both male and female



The beautiful Purple Throated Euphonia



The very large Green Ibis



One of my trip favorites became the very cute little woodpecker with its polka dot cap.  The Ochre Collared Piculet. 



As we began the hike out to the falls themselves,  we got a great look at a Linneated Woodpecker.   Tough to get a clear shot, but this is an amazing bird.  It is about the size of our Pileated. 





As we were hiking out, we were on constant lookout for the Guan which is actually Daniel Somay's featured bird on his website.  Unfortunately, we did not get it, but did get a very striking Anhinga.



We also began to see Grey Breasted Martin.  It is one of the "swallow" type birds that live under the falls.







The other is the White Winged Swallow







Again, the falls themselves were incredible.  Pictures cannot do them justice.  The views were amazing.  We couldn't stop looking at the swallows swooping in and out of the falls.





In this next shot you can see the birds swooping around the water.





Walking back we saw more of the Martin's, Swallows and some Shiny Cowbirds along the elevated boardwalk.

 





On of the famous stops for all birders in Puerto Iguazu is the incredible Hummingbird Garden located right in the middle of town.  Started by a woman who simply loves birds, she has improved it to the point that there are literally hundreds of birds there all the time, and she charges a modest entry fee.  The light was a little tough for photography, but I loved seeing so many birds up close.  Here are just a few:

Black Jacobin



The juvenile of which has a very distinctive brown mark on it's cheek.



Blue Tufted Star Throat



Gilded Sapphire



The Glittering Bellied Emerald



And the Versicolored Emerald





The White Throated Hummingbird



And the Fork Tailed Wood Nymph



There were also some non-hummer's in the yard including what I think was a Eared Pygmy Tyrant.





The Banaquit



And even a House Wren!



We then did the obligatory siesta, after which Paula and Michelle did laundry while Daniel took Brig and I out for one last bird walk.  The light had gotten really bad, but we saw some fun stuff!

Close looks at a Squirrel Cuckoo





A long experience with a very loud Tropical Screech Owl





A very well mannered Ochre Breasted Foliage Gleaner



A very shy Green Headed Tanager



A backlit Plain Brown Woodcreeper



A very cute Southern Beardless Tyrannulet (which looks like it has a beard to me!)



And a handsome pair of Dusky Capped Flycatchers





Just as it got dark, and we were almost back to the truck, Brig spotted something way off in the trees with his binoculars.  It turned out to be a Saffron Toucanet, yet another lifer for both of us!



And then it was dark!