Brazil: Amazonia on the Rio Roosevelt: Jan 22—Feb 01, 2009

Black-bellied Gnateater — Photo: Kevin Zimmer

A single-site trip to a pristine Amazonian wilderness destination, with breathtaking rainforest scenery; species-rich, with many regional specialties and featuring some newly discovered species of birds; also great for primates; all in air-conditioned comfort!

In 1914, ex-president Theodore Roosevelt teamed with the famous Brazilian explorer Cândido Rondon on a historic expedition to map the course of one of the Amazon's unknown rivers, the Rio da Dúvida (River of Doubt). The expedition yielded discoveries of many new species of birds and animals, while pushing the collective endurance, courage, and will of its participants to the breaking point. Fast-forward to the present, where the Rio Roosevelt (renamed in honor of Theodore himself) is still an unspoiled Amazonian wilderness—as wild, rugged, and beautiful a destination as when Roosevelt first laid eyes on it, but with one huge difference. A plush, new wilderness lodge now offers us the unique opportunity to visit and explore this exciting Amazonian destination in great style. The lodge offers private chalets with air-conditioning, hot water, and a refrigerator; 24-hour electricity; communication via radio/telephone; and a wonderful panoramic air-conditioned restaurant that serves typically good Brazilian food, including a fabulous variety of freshly caught and imaginatively prepared Amazonian fish dishes.

The lodge is situated on the banks of the spectacular Rio Roosevelt within the Rio Aripuana and Rio Ji-Parana drainage, where several recent scientific discoveries have been made, including the Rondonia Bushbird, several new primates, and even a new Dwarf Manatee.

Rio Roosevelt— Photo: Andrew Whittaker

As one of the few birding groups ever to visit the area, we are certain to make many exciting discoveries of our own. The complete lack of hunting in the area means that the fauna of larger birds, primates, and other mammals is still intact, allowing us the rare opportunity to experience Amazonia at its best. During our first tour, we located two recently discovered and as yet unnamed antbirds, had almost daily encounters with groups of Dark-winged Trumpeters or Razor-billed Curassows, and observed 11 species of primates, some recently described to science. Our second tour produced five Crimson Fruitcrows and the nearly mythical Pale-faced Antbird. And each of our four visits to the area has yielded the recently rediscovered Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher. Clearly, more opportunities for exciting new discoveries in this region await.

We will explore this Amazonian wilderness both on foot and by boat, and our efforts could yield the newly described Cryptic Forest-Falcon; Zigzag and Agami herons; Chestnut-fronted, Scarlet, and Red-and-green macaws; the newly described and poorly known Kawall's Parrot; the spectacular Crimson-bellied Parakeet; Gould's Toucanet; Red-necked Aracari; Green-and-rufous Kingfisher; Pavonine Quetzal; Blue-cheeked and Paradise jacamars; Black-girdled Barbet; Rufous-necked and Collared puffbirds; Snow-capped and Flame-crested manakins; Curve-billed Scythebill; Para Foliage-gleaner; Rufous-tailed Xenops; Hoffman's Woodcreeper; Pearly and Bamboo antshrikes; Pale-faced and White-breasted antbirds; Black-bellied and Chestnut-belted gnateaters; Black-necked Red-Cotinga; Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak; and Rose-breasted Chat. With luck we may even find the rarely seen Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo or a Jaguar.

Excellent accommodations with great food, especially fresh fish; easy terrain; full mornings hiking on forest trails, followed by midday breaks and afternoon boat trips; charter flight from Porto Velho, remainder of trip at single site; warm, humid climate.