The New Neotropical Companion

river travel. From a boat lazily moving downriver

you can watch three and occasionally four species of

vultures soaring overhead, observe hawks (plate 12-

28), caracaras, and falcons perched in riverside trees,

and see parrots, ranging from frantic flocks of small,

screeching parakeets to the larger, more sedate macaws.

Kingfishers (discussed in chapter 9) are conspicuous

(plate 12- 29), and various species of swallows skim

above the water pursuing insects.

Swallows

Swallows of various species are found on all continents

except Antarctica. One familiar species, the Barn

Swallow (Hirundo rustica), ranks as one of the most

widely distributed bird species on Earth. There are 27

swallow and martin species (family Hirundinidae)

in the Neotropics, including some, such as the Barn

Swallow and the Purple Martin (chapter 15), that

migrate to breed in North America. Many swallow

species are partial to rivers and marshes, but others

are found in drier habitats. None are forest specialists.

Travelers along rivers are apt to see the swallows and

martin illustrated in plates 12- 30– 33.

Two Terns and a Skimmer

Two species of terns are commonly seen along

Amazonian rivers. One is the large (39 cm/15 in),

unmistakable, and aptly named Large- billed Tern

(Phaetusa simplex; plate 12- 34). Its bill appears to be

disproportionally large, an adaptation to its diet of

various- size fish. Like all terns it dives to capture its

piscine prey. The much smaller (24 cm/9.5 in) Yellow-

billed Tern (Sternula superciliaris; plate 12- 35) shares

the same broad range as the Large- billed, and both

species are found throughout the rivers of South

America. The Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger; plate

12- 36), familiar to many birders in North America,

is also common throughout Amazonia. This large (46

cm/18 in) species feeds both day and night by dropping

its long lower mandible into the water, “skimming” the

surface as it flies. When its lower mandible feels a prey

item, such as a small fish, its upper mandible snaps

shut, and it has its food.

A Fish- eating Hawk (Not an Osprey)

Perched conspicuously in a riverside tree is a big

rufous- colored hawk with a pale head. Binoculars

show clearly that it has a black band, or collar, across

the front of its throat and neck. Meet the Black-

collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis; plate 12- 37). The

hawk is searching for fish. Like the widespread Osprey

Plate 12- 36. Black Skimmers, such as these skimming for

dinner, often forage in small flocks. Photo by John Kricher.

Plate 12- 37. The Black- collared Hawk, a dedicated fish eater,

is commonly found throughout Amazonia along rivers and in

marshes and swamps. Photo by John Kricher.

Plate 12- 38. This Black- collared Hawk is swooping toward the

river, talons ready, to grab an unsuspecting fish. Photo by

John Kricher.

chapter 12 cruising the rivers to the sea 221