Shrike-like Cotinga

The Shrike-like Cotinga , also known as the Shrike-like Laniisoma or the Elegant Mourner, is a species of bird in the family Tityridae. As suggested by its common name, it was formerly considered a cotinga. As it is far from being shrike-like, this means that the widely used common name is entirely misleading. It is the only member of the genus Laniisoma.

The Shrike-like Cotinga is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Shrike-like Cotinga in lodge grounds! Having returned from a good (but cold!) Christmas break we are back out on the trails and enjoying the birds of Brazil once again! You would have probably all seen the news regarding heavy rainfall in the state of Rio over Christmas and the New Year period, thankfully this has not caused too much damage to the trails on the excursions that we offer. More

Manakin, Greenish Schiffornis, Shrike-like Cotinga on the Elfin Forest Trail, Black-capped Donacobius, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Lined Seedeater, Sooty Grassquit, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Purple-throated Euphonia at the lodge feeders, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia (see photo below) and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.Long-tailed Potoo, Waterfall Trail, REGUA, November 2009 (Photo by Alan Martin)Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, REGUA, November 2009 (Photo by Alan Martin) The best mammal sighting was a Puma seen by one of our rangers! Other mammals seen include Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Greater Grison (see photo below) and Red-rumped Agouti. More

* Shrike-like Cotinga in lodge grounds! * HAPPY CHRISTMAS! * Sightings update! * GOLDEN LION TAMARINS! * Sightings Update! * Not just birds! * Three-toed Jacamar record... More

birds, the Shrike-like Cotinga as we listen for its mournful whistle and acknowledge the old name of Elegant Mourner. Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper. Photo by Chris Townend. More

Shrike-like Cotinga, Brazil, REGUA 4 May 2010 © Lee Dingain REGUA is easily the most reliable site for this species. For more photos click here. More

stalking that Shrike-like Cotinga were very memorable to say the least. birds in brazilItatiaia National Park never fails to deliver the good birds and the easy access to higher elevation tree line and elfin forest is an important feature of birding in the park. Black-capped Piprites, Itatiaia Thistletail, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail, Black & Gold Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin and Black-breasted Plovercrest were all seen at the Agulhas Negras Road (even if we did need two goes because of the weather!). More

We had day trips to the Shrike-like Cotingahighlands of Macae de Cima for the Hooded Berryeaters, Black-and-gold Cotingas and great hummer feeders. A long excursion north was worth it for the endangered Three-toed Jacamar, and afternoon visits to the reserve wetlands were fun for rails, wrens, and others. The reserve president Nicholas Locke went out of his way to make our visit as enjoyable as possible, and his enthusiasm for the project was infectious. More

Photo right: Shrike-like Cotinga at REGUA This is the fifth time I've done this itinerary and again it was a fun and very productive trip. It's a fast-paced tour that covers a lot of ground, but that gives the chance to sample a great variety of habitats and go for lots of those very localized endemics that Brazil is so famous for. More