Federative Republic of Brazil

Grey-hooded Attila Attila rufus ©Dubi Shapiro Website

Brazil is the largest and easternmost country in South America and in Latin America. It is the world’s fifth-largest country by area and the seventh most populous with 218 million inhabitants. Its capital is Brasília, and its most populous city is São Paulo with c.23 million people, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 14 million and Brasilia with c. five million. There are another 20 cities with populations of more than a million people. The federation is composed of the union of the 26 states and the Federal District. It is the only country in the Americas to have Portuguese as an official language. Brazil is one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations, due to over a century of mass immigration from around the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 kilometres (4,655 miles) and has a total area of over 8,500,000 km2 ( a little less than 3,300,000 square miles). It borders all other countries and territories in South America except Ecuador and Chile and covers roughly half of the continent’s land area. Sharing land borders with Uruguay to the south; Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest; Bolivia and Peru to the west; Colombia to the northwest; and Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to the north. North to South, Brazil is also the longest country in the world, spanning 4,395 km (2,731 miles) from north to south, and the only country in the world that has the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn running through it and also spans four time zones.

The climate of Brazil comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large area and varied topography, but most of the country is tropical. Brazil hosts six major climatic subtypes: desert, equatorial, tropical, semiarid, oceanic and subtropical. The different climatic conditions produce environments ranging from equatorial rainforests in the north and semiarid deserts in the northeast, to temperate coniferous forests in the south and tropical savannas in central Brazil. Its Amazon basin includes a vast tropical forest, home to diverse wildlife, a variety of ecological systems, and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats. This unique environmental heritage positions Brazil at number one of 17 megadiverse countries. The country’s natural richness is also the subject of significant global interest, as environmental degradation (through processes like deforestation) has direct impacts on global issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Amazon RainforestNeil Palmer/CIAT CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Brazilian topography is also diverse and includes hills, mountains, plains, highlands, and scrublands. Much of the terrain lies between 200 meters (660 ft) and 800 meters (2,600 ft) in elevation. The main upland area occupies most of the southern half of the country. The northwestern parts of the plateau consist of broad, rolling terrain broken by low, rounded hills. The southeastern section is more rugged, with a complex mass of ridges and mountain ranges. In the north, the Guiana Highlands form a major drainage divide, separating rivers that flow south into the Amazon Basin from rivers that empty into the Orinoco River system, in Venezuela, to the north. Brazil has a dense and complex system of rivers, one of the world’s most extensive, with eight major drainage basins, all of which drain into the Atlantic. Major rivers include the Amazon (the world’s second-longest river and the largest in terms of volume of water), the Paraná and its major tributary the Iguaçu (which includes the Iguazu Falls), the Negro, São Francisco, Xingu, Madeira and Tapajós rivers.

Home to 60% of the Amazon rainforest, which accounts for approximately one-tenth of all species in the world, Brazil is considered to have the greatest biodiversity of any country on the planet, containing over 70% of all animal and plant species catalogued. Brazil has the most known species of plants (55,000), freshwater fish (3,000), and mammals (over 689). It also ranks third on the list of countries with the most bird species (1,832) and second with the most reptile species (744). The number of fungal species is unknown but is large. Brazil is second only to Indonesia as the country with the most endemic species.

Birding Brazil

Brazil is an immense tropical birding mecca, boasting around 1860 bird species including a staggering 252 endemics at least and with several new species still being annually described. Few countries can compare to Brazil, holding the World’s greatest bio diversity, highest number of endemic birds in South America and ranking as the third richest bird country on the Planet. Super friendly Brazilians in a country teeming with natural history, stunning scenic beauty, great modern tourist facilities, excellent and varied cuisine, all combine to offer birders some of the most exciting bird watching and wildlife experiences. It’s no wonder that Brazil has rapidly become South America’s premier birding destination.

Brazil is the largest South American country holding so many superlatives it’s hard to know where to begin: in the south west we find the World’s largest most spectacular waterfalls, the thunderous Iguaçu falls, traveling east we encounter the Serra do Mar mountain range clad in lush Atlantic rainforest (home to the highest number of endemic bird species in the World with over 160) reaching down to Brazil’s famous tropical beaches shaded by coconut palms.

Parque Nacional da Serra dos OrgãosCarlos Perez Couto CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Within the interior of south western Brazil we find the World’s largest seasonally flooded fresh water marsh, the Pantanal which simply abounds with Animal life. Finally moving north we enter the vast green carpet of the Amazon rainforest which holds a staggering 20% of the Worlds fresh water flowing into the mighty Amazon river which dissects through thousands upon thousands of kilometres of pristine rainforest, a true symbol and flagship of one of the last remaining wilderness areas of our planet.  To allow a full appreciation of Brazil’s avifauna, one can quickly see, requires multiple birding trips to this vast friendly country to see it’s staggering diversity of natural history in so many different destinations. Birders planning to visit Brazil with such a huge avifauna, have first to plan and decide to which of the six major biomes they want to visit. To help understand more clearly the birding areas, it’s sites and possibilities to focus on during a birding trip, here is a simplified idea of major birding habitats and Brazilian biomes that should be visited. Included is a selection of Brazil’s major birding hot spots to visit along with a few of the sites key species. Covering as many of these major biomes will give birders a greater chance to see a higher % of the Brazilian endemics.

Atlantic Rainforest (Southeastern and southern Brazil) – The Lush Atlantic rainforest home to the largest number of endemics in the World, is found along the Brazilian coast and covers a series of coastal mountain ranges extending inland. This extremely rich birding area is the most commonly visited by birders due to its abundant endemics and its close proximity to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo the major gate way of entry into Brazil. This habitat can be subdivided as follows; a) Mountainous Atlantic rainforest: Several of these Atlantic forest endemics are found within a restricted elevation in the highlands. Main birding sites being are two in Rio state; Itatiaia National Park (Black-and-Gold Cotinga, Itatiaia Thistletail, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous-backed Antvireo, White-bearded Antshrike and Black-capped Piprites) and Serra dos Orgoas National Park (Hooded Berryeater, Gray-winged Cotinga, Three-toed Jacamar and Elegant Mourner) and in Sao Paulo state, Intervales State Park (Black-throated Piping Guan, Long-trained Nightjar, Swallow-tailed Cotinga and Atlantic Royal Flycatcher). b) Lowland coastal forest: These can be sub divided by different endemics into three distinct endemic centers, northern- in Espirito Santo, Novo Lombardia, Linhares and Sooretama (Red-browed Parrot, Long-tailed Potoo, Banded Cotinga, Black-headed Berryeater, Cherry-throated Tanager, Plumbeous Antvireo, Weid’s Tyrant Manakin, Russet-winged Spadebill and Red-billed Curassow) and in Bahia, Una and Porto Seguro area (Red-browed Parrot, White-winged Potoo, Hook-billed Hermit, Bahia Antwren, Banded Cotinga) central- Ubatuba, Sao Paulo (Slaty Bristlefront, Red-eyed Thornbird, Buff-throated Purpletuft, Spotted Bamboo Wren, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant and Saw-billed Hermit) and southern- Curitiba area with Serra da Graciosa and nearby Santa Catarina state with its excellent restinga forests (Sickle-winged Nightjar, Marsh Antbird, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Wetland Tapaculo, Canebrake Groundcreeper, Kaempfer’s Tody-tyrant, Restinga Tyrannulet and Black-backed Tanager).

Parque Nacional de ItatiaiaGlaucia Azevedo CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Pantanal Wetlands and Chapada – World famous for its abundance of nature the immense Pantanal holds the World’s largest wetlands that offer almost a superb safari type birding and nature watching experience. The open setting makes birding easy with some spectacular concentrations and species diversity where 150 bird species a day being regular (Hyacinth and Golden-collard Macaw, Jabiru, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Helmeted Manakin). Mammal watching can be very good with Giant River Otter, Marsh Deer and even Jaguar being seen with some frequency. The best area of the Pantanal for birders is found by accessing the far north, flying into Cuiaba. From here entering the famous transpantaneira road can be combined with access to the wonderful Chapada dos Guimarães National Park with its fine cerrado habitat and special birds; (Collard Cresentchest, Dot-eared Coquette, Rufous-sided Pygmy Tyrant, Blue Finch and Coal-crested Finch). Note also Cuiaba is the entrance city to fly onto visit the southern Amazonian Rainforests of Mato Grosso at Alta Floresta (see Amazonian Brazil).

Parque Nacional do Pantanal – Luizamartinez CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Natural grasslands, cerrado and gallery forest of central Brazil – A patch work of important habitats holding many sought after endemics unique to each habitat. In central south eastern Brazil area the state of Minas Gerais stands out as one of the best states in which to enter through Belo Horizonte its capital to explore this rich area. From Belo Horizonte one can visit Serra de Canastra (Lesser Nothura, Crowned Eagle, Brazilian Merganser, Campo miner, Brasilia Tapaculo, Cock-tailed Tyrant) and the area is excellent for mammals including Mained Wolf and Giant Anteater. Also visits to both Serra de Cipo (Hyacinth Visorbearer, Cipo Canastero, Cinerous Warbling Finch, Blue Finch) as well as Caraça which also holds some Atlantic rainforest too (Serra Antwren, Buiscutate Swift, Cinnamon-vented Piha). Other important birding locations outside Minas that offer excellent birding are Emas National Park (Goias) with its superb grasslands (Yellow-faced Parrot, White-winged Nightjar, rare seedeaters), Brasilia National Park (Planalto Foliage-gleaner, White-striped Warbler).

Southern Brazil – Spectacular Aracaria forests, rolling grasslands and isolated marshes in Rio Grande state are home to many great endemics and flying into Porto Alegre, is one of the best ways to bird the states habitats. Within a few hours drive of the capital you can base yourself out of the quaint town of Sao Fransisco de Paula where good hotels are found. From here day visits to all major habitats are possible (Vinaceous-breasted Parrot, Mottled Piculet, Long-tailed Cinclodes, Striolated and Aracaria Tit Spinetail, Chestnut-backed Tanager and Saffron-cowled Blackbird). Driving to the far south of the state gets you to vast rice fields and wetlands such as at Taim, Pelotas and Lagoa de Peixe which hold huge concentrations of waders, gulls and terns (during boreal wintering especially) and screamers, swans, flamingo, ibis, ducks and grebes. Sea watching or pelagic birding for the more adventurous could be very rewarding also here during austral winter and a few special birds are found along the narrow coastal belt and its dunes.

Northeastern Brazil – Another vast region of Brazil the northeast contains a high number of great endemic birds, however this region also requires a lot of driving to cover the sites and see the areas wonderful endemics. The major habitat types are: caatinga which is the dominant habitat but very varied, tropical dry forest and isolated fragments of humid Atlantic rainforest. There are several ways to enter NE Brazil coming up from northern areas of SE Brazil by car or flying into one of the coastal ports of entry such as Salvador, Ilheus, Fortaleza or Maceio. A brief note outlines the major birding sites to visit within the northeast; Bahia state offers some excellent birding with one of the top birds of NE in the form of the endangered Lear’s Macaw other sites being Boa Nova (Rio-de Janeiro and Slender Antbird, Caatinga Antwren, Striated Softail, Bahia Spinetail, Fork-tailed Tody Tyrant, Bahia Tyrannulet) and Chapada do Dimantina (Hooded Visorbearer, Great Xenops, Pale-throated Serra Finch). Ceara state and the Chapada do Araripe cannot be missed for the stunning Araripe Manakin (White-browed Guan, White-browed Antpitta, Bearded Bellbird, Great Xenops, Tawny Piculet). Alagoas state includes some of the Worlds most threatened endemic avifauna at Murici (Long-tailed Woodnymph, Alagoas Foligae-gleaner, Alagoas Antwren, Alagoas Tyrannulet, Seven-colored Tanager, Pintos Spinetail).

Amazonian Brazil – The capital of the Brazilian Amazon is the city of Manaus makes an idea center for any birding trip to Amazonia, located at the meeting of the Rios Negro with the mighty Amazon forming the famous meeting of the waters. Over hundreds of thousands of years each one of the Amazons major tributaries have formed biogeographical barriers, causing major speciation in all forms of life throughout the Amazon basin, especially so in the lower Amazon. Therefore the avian species diversity in Amazonas state alone is simply staggering, with around 950 bird species recorded to date! Manaus location is perfect for visitors to plan visits to several of the very distinct biogeographical regions found here, each holding different fauna. These distinct geographical areas are found as you cross each major Amazonian river barrier: North of the Amazon east and west of the Rio Negro, South of the Amazon east and west of the Rio Madeira being the major biogeographical barriers closest to Manaus.

Manaus offers local scheduled flights to other important biogeographical areas included in the Brazilian Amazon, including such great birding sites as are found around Sao Gabriel (Pearly Antshrike, Chestnut-crested and Gray-bellied Antbird, Yellow-throated Antwren), Tefe (Wattled Curassow), Borba (Brown-breasted Barbet, Hoffmann’s Woodcreeper, White-breasted Antbird, Buff-cheeked Tody Flycatcher), Tabatinga (Elusive Antpitta, Black-tailed Antbird, Rio Suno Antwren and Gray Wren). Also outside Amazonia to Itaituba, Pará (Golden Parakeet, Vulturine Parrot, Harlequin and Pale-faced Antbird) for visits to Amazonian National Park and Carajás (Black-bellied Gnatcatcher, Black- chested Tyrant, Opal-crowned Manakin), Boa Vista, Roraima (Sun Parakeet, Rio Branco Antbird and Hoary-throated Spinetail). Boats can be hired too from Manaus for exploration of the rich white-water river island birds close to Manaus, on the Amazon as well as the Rio Negros black water archipelago of Anavilhanas (Klage’s and Cherrie’s Antwren) located above Manaus. The river islands within the Amazon are very rich and hold almost all the special riverine birds (Scaled and Red-and-White, Parker’s Spinetails, Brownish Elaenia and Pearly-breasted Conebill). In southern Amazonia, Mato Grosso state you can visit the famous Alta Floresta by flying from Cuiaba (Cryptic Forest-Falcon, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Kawall’s Parrot, Black-girdled Barbet, Bare-eyed Antbird, Tooth-billed wren and Flame-crested Manakin).Amazonas also holds much excitement for those more adventurous birders as the state still holds huge areas of unexplored territory and this is one of the reasons that today still new bird species are being discovered and others re-discovered here. Amazonia never gives up its secrets easily! Biologists eyes World-wide have recently turned to the Brazilian Amazon with the revelation of the recent discovery of multiple big new mammals, including a Peccary, several Primates, (Titi Monkeys and Marmosets) and even a new Dwarf Manatee! The state pages each contain detailed info on most major Brazilian birding sites and some notes on birds to be expected.

Contributors
  • Andrew Whittaker

    Manaus | Andrew@birdingbraziltours.com

    Website
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 1860 (281 Endemics)

    (As at May 2024)
Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 88 Non-Passerines

    Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus  
    Yellow-legged Tinamou Crypturellus noctivagus
    Dwarf Tinamou Taoniscus nanus
    East Brazilian Chachalaca Ortalis araucuan
    Scaled Chachalaca Ortalis squamata
    Chestnut-headed Chachalaca Ortalis ruficeps
    Buff-browed Chachalaca Ortalis superciliaris
    White-crested Guan Penelope pileata
    Chestnut-bellied Guan Penelope ochrogaster
    White-browed Guan Penelope jacucaca
    Alagoas Curassow Mitu mitu
    Belem Curassow Crax pinima  
    Red-billed Curassow Crax blumenbachii
    Blue-eyed Ground-dove Columbina cyanopis  
    White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi
    White-necked Hawk Leucopternis lacernulatus
    Little Wood Rail Aramides mangle
    Dark-winged Trumpeter Psophia viridis
    Ochre-winged Trumpeter Psophia ochroptera
    Olive-winged Trumpeter Psophia dextralis
    Black-winged Trumpeter Psophia obscura
    Lear's (Indigo) Macaw Anodorhynchus leari
    Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii
    Golden Parakeet Guaruba guarouba
    Sulphur-breasted Parakeet Aratinga maculata
    Jandaya Parakeet Aratinga jandaya
    Golden-capped Parakeet Aratinga auricapillus
    Caatinga Parakeet Aratinga cactorum
    Ochre-marked Parakeet Pyrrhura cruentata
    Pearly Parakeet Pyrrhura lepida
    Santarem Parakeet Pyrrhura amazonum
    Bonaparte's Parakeet Pyrrhura lucianii
    Grey-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura griseipectus
    Pfrimer's Parakeet Pyrrhura pfrimeri
    White-eared (Maroon-faced) Parakeet Pyrrhura leucotis
    Blue-breasted Parrot Pionus reichenowi  
    Yellow-tailed Parrot Pionites xanthurus  
    Green-thighed Parrot Pionites leucogaster  
    Cactus Parakeet Eupsittula cactorum  
    Plain Parakeet Brotogeris tirica
    Brown-backed Parrotlet Touit melanonotus
    Golden-tailed Parrotlet Touit surdus
    Vulturine Parrot Pyrilia vulturina
    Bald Parrot Pyrilia aurantiocephala
    Red-spectacled Amazon Amazona pretrei
    Diademed Amazon Amazona diadema
    Red-browed Amazon Amazona rhodocorytha
    Red-tailed Amazon Amazona brasiliensis
    Kawall's Amazon Amazona kawalli
    Blue-bellied Parrot Triclaria malachitacea
    Scaled Ground Cuckoo Neomorphus squamiger
    Pernambuco Pygmy Owl Glaucidium mooreorum
    Bahian (Plain-tailed) Nighthawk Nyctiprogne vielliardi
    Pygmy Nightjar Caprimulgus hirundinaceus
    Saw-billed Hermit Ramphodon naevius
    Hook-billed Hermit Glaucis dohrnii
    Broad-tipped Hermit Anopetia gounellei
    Dusky-throated Hermit Phaethornis squalidus
    Minute Hermit Phaethornis idaliae
    Tapajos Hermit Phaethornis aethopygus
    Diamantina Sabrewing Campylopterus diamantinensis
    Sombre Hummingbird Aphantochroa cirrochloris
    Dot-eared Coquette Lophornis gouldii
    Frilled Coquette Lophornis magnificus
    Festive Coquette Lophornis chalybeus
    Long-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania watertonii
    Brazilian Ruby Clytolaema rubricauda
    Hyacinth Visorbearer Augastes scutatus
    Hooded Visorbearer Augastes lumachella
    Stripe-breasted Starthroat Heliomaster squamosus
    Green-crowned Plovercrest Stephanoxcis lalandi
    Three-toed Jacamar Jacamaralcyon tridactyla
    Caatinga Puffbird Nystalus maculatus
    Greater Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila striata
    Lesser Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila minor
    Eastern Striolated Puffbird Nystalus striolatus
    Chestnut-headed Nunlet Nonnula amaurocephala
    Brown-chested Barbet Capito brunneipectus
    Ariel Toucan Ramphastos ariel
    Eastern Red-necked Araçari Pteroglossus bitorquatus
    Spotted Piculet Picumnus pygmaeus
    Varzea Piculet Picumnus varzeae
    Ochraceous Piculet Picumnus limae
    Tawny Piculet Picumnus fulvescens
    Yellow-eared Woodpecker Veniliornis maculifrons
    Ochre-backed Woodpecker Celeus ochraceus
    Atlantic Black-breasted Woodpecker Celeus tinnunculus
    Kaempfer's Woodpecker Celeus obrieni
  • Number of endemics: 193 Passerines

    Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti
    Wing-banded Hornero Furnarius figulus
    Striolated Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura striolata
    Itatiaia Spinetail Asthenes moreirae
    Cipo Canastero Asthenes luizae
    Araguaia Spinetail Synallaxis simoni
    Bahia Spinetail Synallaxis whitneyi
    Pinto's Spinetail Synallaxis infuscata
    Red-shouldered Spinetail Gyalophylax hellmayri
    Pallid Spinetail Cranioleuca pallida
    Grey-headed Spinetail Cranioleuca semicinerea
    Scaled Spinetail Cranioleuca muelleri
    Striated Softtail Thripophaga macroura
    Orange-eyed Thornbird Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus
    Pink-legged Graveteiro Acrobatornis fonsecai
    Caatinga Cacholote Pseudoseisura cristata
    Alagoas Foliage-gleaner Philydor novaesi
    White-collared Foliage-gleaner Anabazenops fuscu
    Large Pale-browed Treehunter Cichlocolaptes leucophrus
    Small Pale-browed Treehunter Cichlocolaptes holti
    Para Foliage-gleaner Automolus paraensis
    Pernambuco Foliage-gleaner Automolus lammi
    Great Xenops Megaxenops parnaguae
    Brigida's Woodcreeper Hylexetastes brigidai
    Moustached Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes falcirostris
    Hoffmanns's Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes hoffmannsi
    Spix's Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus spixii
    Atlantic Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus atlanticus  
    Scaled Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes squamatus
    Layard's Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes layardi
    Silvery-cheeked Antshrike Sakesphorus cristatus
    Glossy Antshrike Sakesphorus luctuosus
    Planalto Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus pelzelni
    Sooretama Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus ambiguus
    Rondonia Bushbird Clytoctantes atrogularis
    Rufous-backed Antvireo Dysithamnus xanthopterus
    Plumbeous Antvireo Dysithamnus plumbeus
    Ceara Leaftosser Sclerurus cearensis  
    Tapajos Scythebill Campylorhamphus probatus  
    Xingu Scythebill Campylorhamphus multostriatus
    Klages's Antwren Myrmotherula klagesi
    Star-throated Antwren Myrmotherula gulari
    Silvery-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula luctuosa
    Salvadori's Antwren Myrmotherula minor
    Band-tailed Antwren Myrmotherula urosticta
    Rio de Janeiro Antwren Myrmotherula fluminensis
    Unicolored Antwren Myrmotherula unicolor
    Alagoas Antwren Myrmotherula snowi
    Tapajos Antwren Myrmotherula subcanescens
    Bahia Antwren Herpsilochmus pileatus
    Caatinga Antwren Herpsilochmus sellowi
    Pectoral Antwren Herpsilochmus pectoralis
    Narrow-billed Antwren Formicivora iheringi
    Black-hooded Antwren Formicivora erythronoto
    Serra Antwren Formicivora serrana
    Sincora Antwren Formicivora grantsaui
    Marsh Antwren Formicivora paludicola  
    Parana Antwren Formicivora acutirostris
    Restinga Antwren Formicivora littoralis
    Eastern Ornate Antwren Epinecrophylla hoffmannsi  
    Ferruginous Antbird Drymophila ferruginea
    Rufous-tailed Antbird Drymophila genei
    Ochre-rumped Antbird Drymophila ochropyga
    Scaled Antbird Drymophila squamata
    Orange-bellied Antwren Terenura sicki
    Predicted Antwren Herpsilochmus praedictus  
    Aripuana Antwren Herpsilochmus stotzi  
    Rio de Janeiro Antbird Cercomacra brasiliana
    Bananal Antbird Cercomacra ferdinandi
    Xingu Scale-backed Antbird Willisornis vidua  
    Tapajos Scale-backed Antbird Willisornis nigrigula  
    Fringe-backed Fire-eye Pyriglena atra
    East Amazonian Fire-eye Pyriglena leuconota
    Tapajos Fire-eye Pyriglena similis
    Slender Antbird Rhopornis ardesiacus
    Spix's (Warbling Antbird) Antwarbler Hypocnemis striata
    Manicore Antwarbler Hypocnemis rondoni
    Rufous-faced Antbird Myrmelastes rufifacies
    Scalloped Antbird Myrmoderus ruficauda
    White-bibbed Antbird Myrmoderus loricata
    Squamate Antbird Myrmoderus squamosa
    Bare-eyed Antbird Rhegmatorhina gymnops
    Harlequin Antbird Rhegmatorhina berlepschi
    White-breasted Antbird Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi
    Pale-faced Bare-eye Phlegopsis borbae
    Cryptic Antthrush Chamaeza meruloides
    Rufous-tailed Antthrush Chamaeza ruficauda
    White-browed Antpitta Hylopezus ochroleucus
    Snethlage's Antpitta Hylopezus paraensis
    Alta Floresta Antpitta Hylopezus whittakeri
    Ceara Gnateater Conopophaga cearae
    Hooded Gnateater Conopophaga roberti
    Black-cheeked Gnateater Conopophaga melanops
    Black-breasted Gnateater Conopophaga snethlageae
    Slaty Bristlefront Merulaxis ater
    Stresemann's Bristlefront Merulaxis stresemanni
    White-breasted Tapaculo Eleoscytalopus indigoticus
    Bahia Tapaculo Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
    Marsh Tapaculo Scytalopus iraiensis
    Mouse-colored Tapaculo Scytalopus speluncae
    Rock Tapaculo Scytalopus petrophilus
    Brasilia Tapaculo Scytalopus novacapitalis
    Diamantina Tapaculo Scytalopus diamantinensis
    Boa Nova Tapaculo Scytalopus gonzagai
    Grey-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseocapilla
    Noronha Elaenia Elaenia ridleyana
    Grey-backed Tachuri Polystictus superciliaris
    Alagoas Tyrannulet Phylloscartes ceciliae
    Restinga Tyrannulet Phylloscartes kronei
    Bahia Tyrannulet Phylloscartes beckeri
    Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei  
    Oustalet's Tyrannulet Phylloscartes oustaleti
    Serra do Mar Tyrannulet Phylloscartes difficilis
    Chico's Tyrannulet Zimmerius chicomendesi  
    Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus orbitatus
    Hangnest Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus nidipendulus
    Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus mirandae
    Kaempfer's Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus kaempferi
    Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus furcatus
    Serra do Mar Tyrant-manakin Neopelma chrysolophum  
    Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus senex
    Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum poliocephalum
    Caatinga Black Tyrant Knipolegus franciscanus
    Velvety Black Tyrant Knipolegus nigerrimus
    Bahia Wagtail-tyrant Stigmatura bahiae  
    Ash-throated Casiornis Casiornis fuscus
    Grey-hooded Attila Attila rufus
    Hooded Berryeater Carpornis cucullata
    Black-headed Berryeater Carpornis melanocephala
    Banded Cotinga Cotinga maculata
    Black-and-gold Cotinga Tijuca atra
    Grey-winged Cotinga Tijuca condita
    Cinnamon-vented Piha Lipaugus lanioides
    White-tailed Cotinga Xipholena lamellipennis
    White-winged Cotinga Xipholena atropurpurea
    Wied's Tyrant-Manakin Neopelma aurifrons
    Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin Neopelma chrysolophum
    Pin-tailed Manakin Ilicura militaris
    Eastern Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus
    Snow-capped Manakin Lepidothrix nattereri
    Golden-crowned Manakin Lepidothrix vilasboasi
    Opal-crowned Manakin Lepidothrix iris
    Araripe Manakin Antilophia bokermanni
    Atlantic Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus swainsoni
    Buff-throated Purpletuft Iodopleura pipra
    White-tailed Tityra Tityra leucura  
    Elegant Mourner Laniisoma elegans
    Kinglet Calyptura Calyptura cristata
    Noronha Vireo Vireo gracilirostris
    Rio de Janeiro Greenlet Hylophilus thoracius
    Rufous-fronted Greenlet Tunchiornis rubifrons
    White-naped Jay Cyanocorax cyanopogon
    Campina Jay Cyanocorax hafferi
    Long-billed Wren Cantorchilus longirostris
    Grey Wren Cantorchilus griseus
    Rufous-brown Solitaire Cichlopsis leucogenys  
    Para Gnatcatcher Polioptila paraensis
    Inambari Gnatcatcher Polioptila attenboroughi
    Yellow-faced Siskin Carduelis yarrellii
    White-striped Warbler Basileuterus leucophrys
    Campo Troupial Icterus jamacaii
    Forbes's Blackbird Curaeus forbesi
    Pale Baywing Agelaioides fringillarius  
    Para Oropendola Psarocolius bifasciatus  
    Half-collared Sparrow Arremon semitorquatus
    Sao Francisco Sparrow Arremon franciscanus
    Red-cowled Cardinal Paroaria dominicana
    Crimson-fronted Cardinal Paroaria baeri
    Brown Tanager Orchesticus abeillei
    Cone-billed Tanager Conothraupis mesoleuca
    Scarlet-throated Tanager Compsothraupis loricata
    Cherry-throated Tanager Nemosia rourei
    Olive-green Tanager Orthogonys chloricterus
    Rose-bellied Chat Granatellus paraensis  
    Azure-shouldered Tanager Thraupis cyanoptera
    Golden-chevroned Tanager Thraupis ornata
    Seven-colored Tanager Tangara fastuosa
    Brassy-breasted Tanager Tangara desmaresti
    Gilt-edged Tanager Tangara cyanoventris
    Black-backed Tanager Tangara peruviana
    White-bellied Tanager Tangara brasiliensis
    Silver-breasted Tanager Tangara cyanomelas
    Black-legged Dacnis Dacnis nigripes
    Rufous-headed Tanager Hemithraupis ruficapilla
    Bay-chested Warbling Finch Castanozoster thoracicus
    Buff-breasted Warbling Finch Microspingus lateralis
    Grey-throated Warbling Finch Microspingus cabanisi
    Cinereous Warbling Finch Poospiza cinerea
    Pale-throated Pampa Finch Embernagra longicauda
    Dubois's Seedeater Sporophila ardesiaca
    White-throated Seedeater Sporophila albogularis
    Black-bellied Seedeater Sporophila melanogaster
    Tropeiro Seedeater Sporophila beltoni
Checklist
  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Brazil , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.
  • Exotic Birding

    Checklist
    List of all species known to occur in the country. Table indicates whether each species is globally threatened or endangered according to the IUCN and also whether it is migratory, very rare, or accidental in the country.
  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    Brazil has one of the richest bird diversities in the world. The avifauna of Brazil include a total of 1860 confirmed species of which 238 are endemic. Five have been introduced by humans, 93 are rare or vagrants, and seven are known or thought to be extinct or extirpated. An additional 14 species are hypothetical.
Useful Reading

  • All the Birds of Brazil

    | (An Identification Guide) | by Deodato Souza | Subbuteo Natural History Books| Edition 2 | 2006 | Paperback | 356 pages, Colour illustrations, maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781905268016 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birding Brazil

    | (A checklist & Site Guide) | by Bruce C Forrester | Bruce C Forrester | 1993 | Spiralbound | 255 pages, Maps, line illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780952156703 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds in Brazil: A Natural History

    | By Helmut Sick | Princeton University Press | 1993 | Hardback | 932 pages, 48 colour plates, 15 b/w plates, 262 line illustrations, 51 maps, 3 tables | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780691085692 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Southwestern Brazil

    | Catalogue and Guide to the Birds of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso and its Border Area | By Balthasar Dubs | Balthasar Dubs | 1992 | Hardback | 164 pages, 58 colour plates, 19 b/w photos, 2 maps | ISBN: 9783952024409 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Brazil Birds A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

    | By James R Kavanagh | Waterdord Press | 2-16 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781583559895 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil, Volume 2

    | (The Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) | By John A Gwynne, Robert S Ridgely, Guy Tudor & Martha Argel | Comstock Publishing Associates | 2016 | Paperback | The Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro | ISBN: 9781501704536 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Aps
  • Birds of Brazil

    Apple iOS |
    | A field guide by Ber van Perlo | NatureGuides Ltd. | 708.1 MB | Requires iOS 9.3 or later |

    Based on Ber van Perlo's ‘Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil’, this app covers over 1,800 species of bird seen in Brazil, including residents, migrants and vagrants. Helpful texts detail size, habitat and description, while informative illustrations show a host of plumages for each species, including subspecific variation. Distribution maps and stunning still photographs further enhance the app, and songs and calls of over 1,200 species complete the package. The result is a must-have app for anybody birding in Brazil.
Useful Information
  • National Bird

    Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris
Organisations
  • Biodiversity Fund

    Website
    The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) is an innovative financial mechanism created to drive the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Brazil. Active since 1996, FUNBIO was created by a multidisciplinary group consisting of representatives from the Federal Government, academia, civil society and the business world on the strength of a USD 20 million donation from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
  • CEO - Centro de Estudos Ornitol

    Website
    WHAT IS THE CEO? The Center for Ornithological Studies is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with the objective of bringing together people interested in ornithology and related topics, developing ornithological studies, contributing to the conservation of nature in general and birds in particular and to the environmental education of the population.
  • Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos

    Website
    The CBRO will review and update the information available about avian distribution in Brazil, and will consolidate and publish its conclusions on the Internet in the form of a regular newsletter. This newsletter will be entitled Nattereria, in homage to the Austrian naturalist who laid the basis for the study of the distribution of birds in Brazil.
  • Loroparque Fundacion

    Website
    Our mission is to conserve parrots and their habitats, through education, applied research, responsible breeding programmes, and community-based conservation activities that use parrots as ambassadors for nature
  • Pantanal Bird Club

    Website
    The Pantanal Bird Club offers different birding trips in Mato Grosso, that could be combined as pre or post tours, with fixed departures every month on the dry season (July-November). Departures are confirmed even with just ONE participant!
  • Sociedade Brasileira de Ornitologia - SBO - Ararajuba

    Website
    As a member you will receive the Brazilian Journal of Ornithology, our Newsletter, will receive a discount on the registration fee of the Brazilian Congress of Ornithology and will have access to restricted areas on our home page (publications, mailing list and archives). Other promotions may also occur. Join the Brazilian Society of Ornithology and contribute to the promotion of scientific study and conservation of Brazilian birds ...
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Nature Reserves

    Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
    See individual state pages for reserves and parks
  • A Wilderness of Water - The Pantanal

    ArticleSatellite View
    South America's Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world, is an oasis of water and wildlife. As development threatens to destroy it, conservationists are fighting to preserve it…
  • Atlantic Rainforest Projects in Brazil

    WebpageSatellite View
    Because of the importance of the Atlantic Rainforests of Brazil, the WLT is looking at another area of threatened forests close to Guapi Acu. WLT is proposing to support a project identified by BirdLife International as of the highest priority, following a detailed assessment. This area is included in their list of Key Areas for Threatened Birds in the Americas. The WLT Trustees are meeting with representatives of BirdLife International in late May to discuss the project commitment in greater detail and further information will be available after this time…
  • National Parks

    InformationSatellite View
    List of national parks of Brazil with links to individual pages.
  • Wetlands of International Importance

    WebpageSatellite View
    Brazil currently has 27 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 26,794,454 hectares.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • BirdQuest

    Tour Operator
    BRAZIL’S SOUTHERN AMAZONIA – Specialities of Rondônia, southern Amazonas, Acre & Tocantins
  • Birdfinders

    Tour Operator
    Brazil is the second most endemic-rich country in the world, with the threatened rainforests of the southeast holding a significant number of such specialities. From watching birds at the feeders in the gardens of our comfortable lodge, to birding in the local mountains and lowlands, this popular single-base tour will enable us to see a superb range of rainforest endemics as well as many other neotropical species.
  • Birding Brazil Tours

    Tour Operator
    Birding Brazil tours is owned by Andrew Whittaker a leading South American Ornithologist and well known international bird tour leader. Our 18 years of in country birding and tour organizing experience (throughout Brazil) has enabled us to form a uniquely highly qualified team. The office combines birders and a very efficient professional office staff allowing us to give excellent competitive services and advice to any birder wishing to plan a visit to any of the many excellent Brazilian birding destination
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    For all its size, the joys of the Amazon are mostly subtle: the ghostly roar of howler monkeys, the remarkable variety of plant life, the kindliness of riverside communities, and the quiet but awesome power of the river itself
  • Boute Expeditions

    Tour Operator
    For tailor-made itineraries in the Pantanal, Chapada dos Guimar
  • Brazilian Ecotourism Society

    Website
    The first non-governmental organization of Ecotourism in Brazil.   Originally founded as the Brazilian Association of Ecotourism on September 23, 1993, in Manaus, on the occasion of the World Congress On Adventure Travel & Ecotourism event.
  • Fieldguides

    Tour Operator
    This medium-length tour hits three of Brazil's premier birding venues, staying several nights at each to ensure an unhurried pace as we rack up some 400 species of birds. OVERVIEWKEY INFOTRIPLISTSGALLERY
  • Gil Serique

    Tour Operator
    Brazilian field guide and conservationist specialized in providing observation of wild parrots. I have been organising expedition to the various parts of the Amazon region for the past fifteen years. Currently I am field director of a conservation project involving a fairly large population of Hyacinth Macaws, in southern Piaui state, Brazil. We also undertake field trips to locate unknown populations of the rare Lear`s Macaw, in addition to work in Atlantic Rainforest. These projects are administered by BioBrasil Foundation (biobras@provider.com.br) an environmental NGO based in Itubera, BA.
  • Manu Expeditions

    Tour Operator
    A tour aimed at seeing the spectacular endemic Araipe Manakin, Lear
  • Naturalist Journeys

    Tour Operator
    Brazil: A land of superlatives. Home to the massive wetlands of the Pantanal, the labyrinth of the Amazon, stunning beaches, bustling cities, and so much more. Search for Jaguar lurking in the shadows, Brazilian Tapir, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, and Giant Otter; Harpy Eagle, Greater Rhea, Hyacinth Macaw, Toco Toucan, and Helmeted Manakin. Wow!
  • Neblina Forest

    Tour Operator
    Many itineraries
  • Riding Brazil - Horseback Adventures

    Tour Operator
    Explore the most stunning Brazilian landscapes and watch fascinating wildlife on horseback - a unique and exciting adventure
  • Rockjumper Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    Brazil is one of the world
  • This Way - Wildlife Observation - Guiding since 2008

    Tour Operator
    My name is Carlos Henrique, I'm specialized in wildlife observation in Southeast and Central-West areas of Brazil, and Nothwest area of Ecuador (Pichincha). I offer you full-day guided tour, weekend, or by arragements tours can be organized for any number of days to the best birding hot spots. If you want to see in Brazil primates and other mammals, or amphibians, get more information here: ornithocarlos@gmail.com
  • Traveling Naturalist

    Tour Operator
    Brazil is home to a huge variety of habitats, including the largest wetland on earth, and the tropical savannahs of Cerrado. The birds and wildlife are exceptional, from harpy eagles and jaguars to hummingbirds and giant otters. This is a dream holiday destination for all bird and wildlife lovers.
Trip Reports
  • 2019 [02 February] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    We were soon getting our first Atlantic forest endemics and various other species including Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-eged Tanager (bonus bird that was feeding on the avocado tree in front of the deck), Ruby-crowned Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Bananaquit, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Pale-breasted Thrush and Burnished-buff Tanager. Hummingbirds around the lodge included Brazilian Ruby, White-throated Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Scale-throated Hermit and Violet-capped Woodnymph!
  • 2019 [02 February] - Daniel Branch

    PDF Report
    Although fieldwork took a large portion of our time, we also enjoyed some excellent birding in the field site and around the wider Brasilia area.
  • 2019 [02 February] - Zoothera

    PDF Report
    Our NE Brazil tour produced a veritable feast of endemic and localised species to keep our group entertained in just over 2 weeks birding.
  • 2019 [05 May] - Josh Beck

    PDF Report
    A plan to spend a week on the amazing beaches of Morro de Sao Paulo and Boipeba quickly led to thoughts of birding a little in Bahia, which quickly grew to a plan for a full circuit of Bahia and a bit of Espirito Santo.
  • 2019 [07 July] - Andres Vasquez - Atlantic Forest Highlights

    PDF Report
    The Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil is a very well-known Endemic Bird Area (EBA) of the World thanks not only to its richness, in terms of endemic species but also thanks to the fact that most of those endemic birds are absolutely spectacular. This makes that this region of the globe is in the bucket list of any birdwatcher...
  • 2019 [07 July] - Andres Vasquez - The Pantanal and Amazon

    PDF Report
    In this tour we combine some of the World’s best birding regions like the mega diverse Amazon rainforest, the seasonally flooded Pantanal plains, and just shortly the dry and unique Cerrado. This combination brings a HUGE amount of birds to our checklists out of which there are many of South America’s MEGAS, not only in terms of special birds but also in terms of “special bird families” (
  • 2019 [07 July] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    On the journey up we picked up some common birds including Black Vulture, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great-white Egret, Cattle Egret, Smooth-billed Ani and Blue and White Swallow. We arrived at the lodge at 10.00 and were greeted by Bettina and shortly afterwards by her brother Rainer, our hosts for the week ahead.
  • 2019 [08 August] - Stefan Schlick

    PDF Report
    Brazil is a huge country with over 1600+ species of birds. There are several different habitats with entirely different wildlife. For this trip, we chose the Atlantic Rainforest and the Pantanal.
  • 2019 [10 October] - Andres Vasquez - Atlantic Rainforest and Savanna

    PDF Report
    The vast nation of Brazil hosts well over 200 endemic bird species, and that number is ever increasing as more are split or newly discovered. Many of these endemics are concentrated in the Atlantic Rainforest of Southeast Brazil and a lot of them are among the most colorful and spectacular birds in all of South America. On this tour we saw the vast majority of the possible endemics in the region as well as hundreds of other fantastic birds while visiting a great selection of parks and private reserves.
  • 2022 [11 October] - Wes Larson

    PDF Report
    ...Arriving at the lodge we soon realized why Aguapé is so popular among birders as both feeders and nesting boxes were surrounded with abundant bird life including Yellow-billed Cardinals, Nanday Parakeets, Monk Parakeets, Plush-crested Jays, Blue-and-yellow Macaws, and Saffron Finches. But one of the most common and charismatic birds around the lodge is the Hyacinth Macaw. Aguapé, like many lodges in the area, has worked closely with conservation groups to provide critical nesting and feeding habitat for Hyacinth Macaws...
  • 2023 [01 January] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    ...started getting our first taste of the birds on the lodge feeders that included Azureshouldered Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager and hummingbirds on the nectar feeders were Black Jacobin, Violetcapped Woodnymph, White-throated Hummingbird, Scale-throated Hermit, Brazilian Ruby and a couple of appearances from a female Amethyst Woodstar that looked more like an insect by the way she was flying!
  • 2023 [01 January] - Rob Gordijn - Southeast Brazil

    PDF Report
    From São Paulo we made roundtrip visiting Itatiaia NP - Nova Friburgo - Mata dos Caetes - Santa Teresa - RN Vale - Santuario do Caraca - Cerro de Cipo - Montes Claros - Botumirim - Estrema - Pompeu - Serra da Canastra - Intervales. A very nice combination of Atlantic rainforest and some drier inland places (although given that it was the rainy season even inland places were wet). In total we saw 443 species, of which 138(!) were lifers.
  • 2023 [02 February] - Andy Foster - Atlantic Rainforest

    PDF Report
    ...Prior to departing from the hotel, some of the group saw Band-tailed Hornero, Masked Water Tyrant and several Orange-winged Amazons. The journey out of Rio and up over the mountains was uneventful with a few species being seen along the route, these included Cocoi Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Magnificent Frigatebird, Neotropic Cormorant and Southern Lapwing...
  • 2023 [08 August] - Alyson Melo

    PDF Report
    Just around the lodge we sighted cool birds such as: Rufous-bellied Thrush (the Brazilian National bird), Saffron Finch, Grayish Baywing, Bluecrowned Parakeet, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Campo Flicker, White-backed Stilt, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Gilded hummingbird, a southern migrant the Vermilion Flycatcher, and so on
  • 2023 [09 September] - Eduardo Ormaeche - Brazil & Argentina

    PDF Report
    During this fantastic two-week birding tour, we recorded numerous fantastic species including Hyacinth Macaw, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Greater Rhea, Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbill, Agami Heron, Zigzag Heron, Helmeted Manakin, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Green-headed Tanager, Black Jacobin, Great Dusky Swift, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Rufous-capped Motmot, Surucua, Black-throated and Blue-crowned Trogons, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Black-fronted Piping Guan, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Common and Great Potoos, Toco Toucan, Whiterumped and Fulvous Shrike-Tanagers, and many others. In addition to our birding encounters, we had a variety of mammals, including four of Brazil’s ‘Big Five’: Jaguar, Giant Anteater, Lowland Tapir and Giant (River) Otter. This was a superb trip for birders, wildlife enthusiasts and adventurous travelers alike.
  • 2023 [10 October] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    ...It was a very productive afternoon with the following species of note being seen; Yellow-legged Thrush, Green-backed Becard, a beautiful male Blond-crested Woodpecker, Green-winged Saltator, Bertoni’s Antbird, Bare-throated Bellbird, Plumbeous Pigeon, Pin-tailed Manakin, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Black-goggled Tanager, Variable Antshrike, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Golden-crowned Warbler, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yelloweared Woodpecker, Lesser Woodcreeper and Plain Antvireo...
  • 2023 [10 October] - Chris Lotz - Iguazú & Pantanal

    PDF Report
    Some of the many highlights of this trip were five Jaguar (two close-up pairs during boat trips and one at night from the lodge), three Giant (River) Otter, good views of a Giant Anteater, playful Lowland (Brazilian) Tapir, the planet’s largest parrot, Hyacinth Macaw and five parakeet species, a day-roosting Great Potoo with its baby, eleven hummingbird species, many of them close-up at a hummingbird garden, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, a great many waterbirds including some charismatic ones like Boat-billed Heron (mini shoebill!), some close-up owls, all five kingfisher species, numerous woodpeckers, Toco Toucan, Red-legged Seriema, closeup Bat Falcon, confiding Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Plush-crested Jay, luminously dazzling Orange-backed Troupial, numerous spectacular tanagers, and lots more.
  • 2023 [11 November] - Chris Lotz - Northeast Brazil

    PDF Report
    ...We encountered many Brazilian endemics, a lot of them restricted to tiny parts of north-east Brazil. These included Araripe Manakin, Lear’s Macaw and other parrots, Banded Cotinga, Bahia Tapaculo, Diamantina Tapaculo, Sao Francisco Sparrow, an amazing suite of range-restricted and beautiful antbirds, many localized furnariids, Hooded Visorbearer, Great Xenops, Ceara Gnateater and a host of others too numerous to mention here...
  • 2024 [01 January] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    Upon arrival at the lodge it was unfortunately raining but we started birding whilst the bags were taken to our rooms. The feeders were very busy with Brassy-breasted Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Dusky-legged Guan, Burnished-buff Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Green-winged Saltator and hummingbirds including Brazilian Ruby, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Whitethroated Hummingbird, what a great start! We were shown to our rooms and returned to the lodge shortly afterwards for more birding and a briefing prior to lunch being served. Other new birds included Scaled Woodcreeper, Pallid Spinetail, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia and a new bird for the Itororo Lodge grounds, a Rufous-tailed Jacamar!
  • 2024 [02 February] - Andy Foster

    PDF Report
    Upon arrival with tea and coffee to hand, we got to grips with the “common” feeder birds including Rubycrowned Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Plain Parakeet, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Burnished-buff Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Rufous-bellied Thrush and hummingbir
  • 2024 [03 March]

    PDF Report
    Our first part of the trip took place south of São Paulo and our second part north. Our group visited both the Atlantic Forest along the Serra do Mar and also the cloud forest in the Montiqueira mountains and the valley in between. We ultimately saw 376 bird species – heard only species were not counted – with over a hundred endemics or near endemics -birds shared with a few countries.
Places to Stay
  • Ecolodge Itororó

    Accommodation
    We are an Eco Lodge just 140 Km away from Rio de Janeiro. We are located in the Organ Mountain Range, in the middle of the Atlantic Rainforest. The Itororo Eco-Lodge offers cozy accommodation options. Its secluded location and surroundings also offer both, the possibility to relax and pursuit new possibilities; Hiking, Trekking and Birdwatching.
Other Links
  • Birds of Brazil

    Website
    Birds of Brazil videos
  • Brazilian Birds of Prey - Aves de Rapina Brasil

    Website
    Brazilian raptors with good species accounts, videos, and many excellent photos; created and maintained by Willian Menq Santos
  • Ornithos

    Website
    Ornithos Website offers Live Cams showing wildlife from South America.,,
  • Rick Simpson Birding

    Website
    Former resident and guide in Brazil Rick's site still has a lot of information to offer including the extensive site notes written by FJeremy Mimms.
  • Roda de Passarinho

    Website
    Renato Rizzaro and Gabriela Giovanka created the Birdie wheel in 2003, initially at the School of St. Leonard, where is located the Reserve Rio das Furnas, PRNP owned by the couple. Since then they have shown the Birdie wheel in expeditions to the Brazilian biomes.
  • Sounds of Nature

    Webpage
    As we all know Brazil is the country with the greatest biodiversity in the world, and this gives us a responsibility to preserve all the elements that form it, but it is necessary to know all the species, study them and find the best possible ways to protect them.
  • WikiAves

    Website
    A Enciclop
Blogs
  • Aves de Jaú

    BLOG
    Livres na natureza, presas somente na imagem
Photographers & Artists
  • Film - Edson Rosa do Nascimento

    Gallery
    Birds of Brazil videos in HDV
  • Photographer - Arthur Grosset

    Gallery
    Most of my South American photos have been taken in Brazil. As a result, I tend to use the English and Scientific Names as established by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee
  • Photographer - Carlos Henrique

    Gallery
    I am a bird photographer, I live in Campinas, S
  • Photographer - Glenn Bartley

    Gallery
    Fantastic photos from Glenn
  • Sound Recordist - Juan Pablo Culasso

    Information
    I am Juan Pablo Culasso. I was born in Uruguay in 1986 but six years ago I moved to Brazil. I am blind since birth but this think is not an obstacle to do a great job like the bird recordings. A 73 minutes soundscape showing a range of this damaged Brazilian rain forest. The aim of the work is only to arrive to US$1300 to buy a complete stereo recording system to raise my recordings using a parabola

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