Laughing Falcon

The Laughing Falcon is a fairly common bird in many different habitat types at Refugio da Ilha. While its mask and extremely bulky appearance (someone, I don't remember who, once told me that it looked like a Yellow-headed Caracara on steroids) are distinctive, the Laughing Falcon can be most easily found by listening for the call that it was named for. The "laugh" of a Laughing Falcon consists of several low and somewhat nasal "HAH" notes that are usually spaced several seconds a part; almost as if the falcon was slowly and sarcastically laughing at a bad joke that it heard a birder telling.

Black-banded Owl

Black-banded Owl seen near Refugio da Ilha.

     The first time I saw a Black-banded Owl It came as a surprise.  About three years ago I was walking on a lonely country road near Misahualli, Ecuador.  It was in the early morning and I was, of course, looking for birds.  And I found the Black-banded Owl perched in a large tree about 100 meters of the road.  This was something completely unexpected, as owls tend to be at times.  That was the only Black-banded Owl that I saw or heard in all my time in Ecuador.

Black-banded Owl seen near Refugio da Ilha.

    
    




   A few days ago I saw another Black-banded Owl here in the Pantanal. And, Once again, it was a chance encounter, spotted on a tree branch, at night, from a moving vehicle. This is what is so fantastic about Owls. the first sighting of a particular owl in a particular place, whether you just happen to see one or call for one on a whim, is often the result of luck. And that element of chance makes finding a new owl,and night-birding in general, very exciting for me. You never know what you might find looking back at you when wondering in the night.

Black-banded Owl seen near Refugio da Ilha. 

Hyacinth Macaws (Arara Azul) Mating

A pair of Hyacinth Macaws (Arara Azul) near their nest box just up the road from Refugio da Ilha.  I took this video just a  few days ago.  This was the first time I had seen the Hyacinth Macaws mating.

Nacunda Nighthawks and Southern Lapwings

Nacunda Nighthawk in pasture

     The Nacunda Nighthawk, one of the most common nightjars at Refugio da Ilha,  can be found in large groups in pastures and other open areas, sometimes in large groups, during daylight hours.  When perched the nighthawks, camouflaged in shades of gray and brown, remain hidden until someone walks too close and the birds fly up, displaying a striking pattern of black-and-white on the underside of the bird that is reminiscent of the Southern Lapwing, another common bird of pastures and open areas.  The similarity between these two species in flight can cause momentary confusion when it comes two identification, so it is important to remember two behavioral differences between these two species.  First, Nacunda Nighthawks are generally silent when flushed while Lapwings complain loudly when disturbed.  Second, is that the night hawks are often found in groups of a dozen or more while are usually found in groups of two to four birds.

Southern Lapwing standing by the road

     

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

     The Capybara is the largest rodent in the world, with larger individuals weighing well over one hundred pounds, and one of the more commonly seen mammals at Refugio da Ilha.  Capybaras are typically found in small groups and are always near or in water.  When startled, Capybaras make a high-pitched barking sound before splashing into the water.  The Capybara alarm bark can be both surprising and disconcerting, particularly when heard while walking alone at night.  But, after a few nights of hearing sharp barks and loud splashes just a few feet away, you get used to it.  Anyway, here is a video (above) and some photos (below) of a large Capybara on the banks of the river at Refugio da Ilha.