The Spotted Piculet is an endemic to eastern Brazil and relatively common. The genus it belongs to is huge with 25 species. We saw it in multiple different areas and habitats including typical caatinga scrublands or in this case a stand of trees bordering farms fields. Look at those alien eyes!
It's kind of crazy how many Brazilian endemics we found at Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi, but not only endemics, birds that are the only representative in their genus. The Silvery-cheeked Antshrike is yet another in this grouping. However, we obtained even better looks and certainly photos when we visited Lajedo dos Beija-Flores in Boa Nova a week later. This amazing place has worked to set up regular feedings for this species among others and now they come out in the open to get a free meal. Below is an adult male, a younger male and a female.
This is yet another Brazilian endemic although it does have a large range in eastern Brazil. We saw it in two places on our second trip to Brazil including Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi which is an excellent reserve for picking up a variety of eastern Brazil endemics. It is the only member of its genus and has no known sub-species.
All Antbirds are tricky to get good looks at, so we were very happy with these looks. The Stripe-backed Antbird is a speciality of Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi where we saw this one. It has two disjunction populations with the nominate subspecies being endemic to eastern Brazil and the other on the border of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is the only species in its genus.
This Antpitta like most of them can be tricky to see. We got to see one after much peering through dense underbrush to a bird that was singing from a perch. I think I was the only one that came away with a camera shot, as I had switched to manual focus and just kept spraying the area until I got it. Camera autofocus does not like dense shrubbery. The White-browed Antpitta is endemic to a relatively small area in eastern Brazil, and is only regularly seen from a small group of sites including Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi which is where we saw this one. So I am not sure why it is in the "Least Concern" category.
The Great Xenops is a Brazilian endemic that is monotypic, meaning it is the only member of its genus. It is found in eastern Brazil including a good portion of Cearรก state which is where I saw this one. We had only one while visiting Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi. It is interesting that this is one of many birds in Brazil that was initially listed as threatened, probably mainly because they were not often seen. However, as birding has become more popular, range maps are expanding which causes the birds to be uplisted to Least Concern categories. Clearly these and many other species of the Caatinga forests are experiencing rapid deforestation and are under threat despite IUCN classification.
This Brazilian endemic has a relatively small range in eastern Brazil and is quite skulky. We were at Sitio Pau Preto in Potengi, trying in some thick undergrowth to see one that was calling and walked away very frustrated. This was one of those birds I was convinced I would miss my opportunity to get a decent picture. Then as we were walking back, Sherry had to commune with a bush for a minute so we stopped and waited. While she was around the corner doing her business, she spotted a pair of these birds being much more forthcoming and called us over. There is something about relieving yourself that brings out the birds. Maybe letting your guard down is what causes the birds to lose inhibitions. Anyhow, thanks to Sherry for heeding the call of nature.
