Birdwatching in Kabalebo! - day 6

It often happens that during a birding trip we spot more than we bargain for. In this journal it is all about a birding day in Kabalebo and more …..

Thursday: February 26, 2015
This was the last trip with Freerik and Lydia. Together we spotted at least 80 bird species. This doesn't sound like much, but we didn't add the amount of birds per species we saw. 

We decided to go upstream again since we were successful the other day. Indeed it was a smart choice. Minutes later we spotted this Orange-winged Amazon sitting on top of a hollow tree. Its partner was sitting in another tree, outside the picture. Moments later, it disappeared into the hole. 

Regular companion on boat trips: the Ringed Kingfisher, the largest amongst the Kingfishers and also unpredictable: will it stay or not?

The Scarlet Macaws were still busy cleaning or preparing their nest. 

This was the bird shot of the day: in one single branch we spotted the Guira tanager, the Paradise Jacamar and the Brown Jacamar. All small birds sitting high up in a tree or branch. But still beautiful to watch.

Here is another shot of the Guira Tanager. I spotted this bird for the first time in January 2014, this was the second time that I spotted it. Got to love the colors.

This was a nice surprise. We spotted an immature Great Black Hawk devouring its meal: a young Emerald tree boa. What a pity! The Emerald tree boa is one of the most fascinating and beautiful snakes I have ever seen. But the bird has got to eat too. It surely wasn't a good day for the snake.

Sometimes it is difficult to spot the Kingfishers. One of the reasons: adapting perfectly with its surroundings. Here you can see that the Amazon Kingfisher was almost blending very well with its background. It stood still for a long period of time. Luckily I was able to take a nice shot.

Nowadays one of the most spotted birds along the Kabalebo river: the Sunbittern. One of the difficult tasks is trying to take an action picture. Flying away is one of them.

Here you see 3 pro anglers: the Amazon Kingfisher, the Green Kingfisher and the Osprey. The first mentioned already caught its lunch. 

A female Lineated Woodpecker was seen chipping on a tree already full of holes.

The Green aracari, female, was spotted several times during the day but this was the only time we all saw it up close and personal. She was also curious and kept hopping close to our boat, keeping an eye on those 'strange birds'. 

The Rufescent Tiger Heron was this time a bit agile and shy. I was able to take this lucky shot where it stood in direct sunlight.

Two Green-tailed Jacamars were seen resting near the Kabalebo river. 

Our highlight of the day: hunting Giant Otters.
We first spotted them resting close to a rock. There were at least 6 members in the group. When our boat approached the group they all swam away. After a while we met them again under an Inga tree/branch close to the water. One came out to check on us with a bloody mouth. The whole group caught some fish on their way back and were busy feasting on their prey. With their sharp claws and sharp teeth they were able to create a massacre under the fish population. But since they only eat what they kill, there is still enough fish left for all the other pro anglers.


Related articles:

Birdwatching in Kabalebo - day 1

Birdwatching in Kabalebo - day 2

Birdwatching in Kabalebo - day 3

Birdwatching in Kabalebo - day 4

Birdwatching in Kabalebo - day 5