Rio de Janeiro

• Carmo

  Satellite View
  This is a reliable site for Three-toed Jacamar Jacamaralcyon tridactyla and Rio de Janeiro Antbird Cercomacra brasiliana. Take the road from Além Paraiba (on the Rio de Janeiro / Minas Gerais state border, where the BR 116 crosses the Rio Paraíba do Sul) to Carmo. Just as you get to Carmo, there is a petrol station on the left. Take the dirt road to the left, beside the petrol station. After 2.5km, when you get to a place with forest on both sides of the road, look for the jacamars. A good way to see them is by walking along the track to the right, just after the patch of forest, playing a tape to them from the hillside. 5.2km further on there is a wooden gate on the left. Rio de Janeiro Antbird can be found in the thick vegetation just before the gate and the jacamar is here too.

• Itatiaia - Agulhas Negras Road

  InformationSatellite View
  The upper part of the park is above the tree-line, but the road that takes you there starts within the forest. This road is famed for being one of the easiest places to find the Itatiaia Thistletail, but there are many other interesting birds to look for including White-rumped Hawk, Plovercrest, Araucária Tit-Spinetail, Black and Gold Cotinga, Black-capped Piprites, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Mankin and Diademed Tanager. The Agulhas Negras road is accessed off the BR354 which in turn is accessed off the main Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo highway BR116 at turnoff 330A

• Itatiaia - Lower Park

  InformationSatellite View
  The first national park in Brazil, this magnificent place is a must for birders visiting south-east Brazil. The forest climbs from deep in the valley up to the tree-line, and the variety of birds that can be found is mouth-watering. There is good accommodation within the park, the main hotels being the Hotel Donati and the Hotel Ypê, the highest hotel in the park. There are excellent trails into the forest and birding from the main track can be rewarding. The main trail is the Três Picos trail where some of the sought after species can be found. The old Jeep Trail in Forrester's book can now only be accessed with written permission. The Hotel Ypê can arrange this.

• Perequê

  Satellite View
  The best site for the Black-hooded Antwren Formicivora erythronotos is near the town of Perequê, between Paratí and Angra dos Reis. Turn inland off the BR-101 into the town of Perequê (first town west of the nuclear power station). Drive up the main street till the end of the asphalt (1.4 km) and turn right. Continue for several blocks and turn left immediately after the football pitch (“Campo da Gringa”) on the left (1km). Drive along a dirt road and after 1km Rick Simpson found a pair of antwrens in Jan 2009 Since then he has found them to be relatively common along the raod, listen for their distinctive song. The ‘traditional’ spot for the antwrens is a further 4 kms along the road. After the third bridge there is an open shed on the right with a dirt track to the left in front of it; the site is 200m further along the main road, through a barbed wire gate on the right, with a big tree on the edge of the road (three different becards nest in this tree). The antwrens are not found along the track anymore, but it is well worth a walk as the birding is first class. Spotted Bamboowren, Orange-eyed Thornbird, Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Robust Woodpecker, Black-throated Grosbeak can all be found.

• Reserva Ecológica de Guapi-açu - REGUA

  WebsiteSatellite View
  REGUA is a non-governmental association with a mission to save the forests of the upper catchment of the Guapiassu river basin located within the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu in Rio de Janeiro state. The majority of the initial funding and direction for the project came from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust (BART), a UK based charity, but in 1996 the REGUA association was registered under Brazilian law and is now responsible for the management and development of the project. The association is comprised of local landowners and community members although BART maintains a close involvement in its management and funding. At the new Schincariol brewery just south of Cachoeiras de Macacu, on the road from Niterói to Nova Friburgo, turn left onto the road to Guapi Mirim. After 3km, at Funchal, opposite the Shogum petrol station, turn right (north). Follow this dirt road for 11,3km and at a fork with a number of signs pointing right to Guapi Açu, bear left. Cross a bridge and continue straight ahead (do not turn left at sign to Fazenda São João). Pass the Schincariol water catchment dam and a small cemetery and after 6,3 km you reach the fazenda of Nicholas Locke (tel. 021-9986-4715); where REGUA has accomodation for visitors. REGUA's representative here in March 2006 was Alan Martin. The published list [420+] for the reserve can be seen on their website [see below].

• Teresópolis - Garrafão

  InformationSatellite View
  The place in Guapimirim is where Ricardo Parrini and a few others saw the Kinglet Calyptura Calyptura cristata in 1996 (no one has seen it since) is just before you get to Teresópolis, coming up the serra from Rio. 200m after the Garrafão petrol station, at a sharp left curve, turn right off the main road onto a rough track. Wind down the hill for about 500m. The calyptura was seen at a fork where the main track goes straight ahead and a paved track goes steeply down the hill to the right. This latter track goes through some good forest where there is a Dusky-throated Hermit Phaethornis squalidus lek.

• Teresópolis - Parque Nacional da Serra Dos Orgãos

  InformationSatellite View
  You can enter the park between 8:00 and 17:00. In July 1999 the cost for six people to camp one night on the Trilha da Pedra do Sino, leaving the car at the barragem (dam) was R$70 (US$35). The road up to the dam (about 2km) runs through good forest. Leave the car at the dam (altitude 1100m - 3,600ft). The walk to the first campsite at 1900m (6,200ft) takes three hours, without stopping. The second camp site is at 2100m (6,900ft) after a further 1 1/2 hours. There is excellent forest all the way up to the first camp site, the trees becoming lower as you get higher. Near the second camp site you get above the tree line. Hooded Berry-eater Carpornis cucullatus occurs up to about 1500m, Black-and-gold Cotinga Tijuca atra and Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris from 1500m to 1800m, and Grey-winged Cotinga Tijuca condita from 1800m upwards. Recently the most reliable place for Grey-winged Cotinga has been on the hillside opposite the first camp site.

• Jeremy Minns

  São Paulo | jeremyminns@uol.com.br

• Rick Simpson

  | rick@rick-simpson.com

  https://waderquest.net

• Number of bird species: 1050

  (As at September 2026)

• Number of endemics: 2

  Rio de Janeiro Antwren Myrmotherula fluminensis Black-hooded Antwren Formicivora erythronotos

• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

  Website

Abbreviations Key

• BR Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas

  InformationSatellite View
  Migratory bird species include swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus), plumbeous kite (Ictinia plumbea), blue ground dove (Claravis pretiosa), dark-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus), white-collared swift (Streptoprocne zonaris), Sick's swift (Chaetura meridionalis), black jacobin (Florisuga fusca), black-throated mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis), white-rumped monjita (Xolmis velatus), yellow-browed tyrant (Satrapa icterophrys), rusty-margined flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis), streaked flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus), piratic flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius), fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), white-winged becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), lined seedeater (Sporophila lineola) and sooty grassquit (Tiaris fuliginosus).

• BR Reserva Biológica do Tinguá

  InformationSatellite View
  The biome is Atlantic Forest and includes submontane, montane and upper montane rain forest.

• NP Parque Nacional Serra dos Orgâos

  InformationSatellite View
  Serra dos Órgãos comprises an extensive area of ​​20,000 hectares covering the municipalities of Teresopolis, Petropolis, Magé and Guapimirim.

• NP Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina

  InformationSatellite View
  About 300 species of birds have been recorded in the park including such gems as tawny-browed owl, the swift-of-time and the blue-billed black tyrant

• NP Parque Nacional da Tijuca

  InformationSatellite View
  As a result of floristic change that has occurred over the past 400 years, and the lack of connection with other forests, the park does not have all the animals that characterise similar sites of Atlantic slope of the Serra do Mar.

• NP Parque Nacional do Itatiaia

  InformationSatellite View
  The Itatiaia National Park is a conservation area that protects important remnants of the Atlantic Forest Biome. Located in the Itatiaia Massif in the Mantiqueira Mountains, between the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, it includes part of the cities Itatiaia and Resende in Rio de Janeiro, and Bocaina de Minas and Itamonte in Minas Gerais.

• NR Guapi Açu Ecological Reserve

  InformationSatellite View
  REGUA is the premier birdwatching site in the Atlantic Forest – one of South America’s most biodiverse and endemic-rich biomes. Of the 930 bird species found in the Atlantic Forest, 480 have been recorded at REGUA, including 62 Brazilian endemics, 118 species endemic to the Atlantic Forest and several species that can be considered REGUA specialities. Over 200 bird species have been recorded at our wetlands alone

• NR Reserva Ecológica de Jacarepiá - Saquarema

  InformationSatellite View
  ... Numerous species of birds, such as golden woodpecker, Burrowing owl, Semipalmated plover, egrets, herons and others found in swamps..

• NR Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima

  InformationSatellite View
  Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima lies near the city of Nova Friburgo and comprises an area of montane forest reaching an altitude of c.1,400 m. On this excursion we make several stops at various altitudes, with most of our time spent at this private reserve at the top of the mountain, known for the work of the late renowned orchid expert David Miller. The forest here offers some of the easiest access to high altitude Atlantic Forest specialities, with most of the birding done from the access road. Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima also has hummingbird feeders that provide excellent photographic opportunities of highland species.

• Rio de Janeiro Rare Bird Alert

  Sightings
  The report below shows observations of rare birds in Rio de Janeiro. Includes both unreviewed and reviewed/approved observations.

• 7WB

  Tour Operator
  Birding in Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

• BirdFinders

  Tour Operator
  On arrival in Rio de Janeiro we will be met by our guide and take the two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the beautifully located eco-lodge where we will be staying for the duration of the trip...

• BirdQuest

  Tour Operator
  The most comprehensive Atlantic Forest Endemics itinerary

• Birding Ecotours

  Tour Operator
  Birding Tour Brazil: Rio de Janeiro Endemics & Cherry-throated Tanager...

• BirdsRio Birdwatching

  Local Tour Operator
  My name is Hudson Martins Soares, 45 years old. I’m a photographer and bird consultant in southeastern Brazil. I have a tourism company focused on bird watching, BirdsRio Birdwatching.

• Brazil Birding Experts

  Tour Operator
  Discover the vibrant heart of Brazil's Atlantic Forest: The Popular Southeast Birding Adventure! Prepare for an unforgettable birding experience in the remarkably preserved Atlantic Forest of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states!

• Falcon Birdwatching

  Local Tour Operator
  QUEM SOU EU? About Me 🇧🇷 Português Francisco Falcon é guia profissional de observação de aves no estado do Rio de Janeiro, especializado em espécies da Mata Atlântica e aves endêmicas. Com experiência de campo e fluência em inglês, conduz passeios privativos para observadores de aves e fotógrafos da natureza. 🇺🇸 English Francisco Falcon is a professional birdwatching guide based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, specializing in Atlantic Forest and endemic birds - Experience birdwatching in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a professional local guide.

• FieldGuides

  Tour Operator
  Less than three hours from Rio de Janeiro, in that exciting zone of endemism known as the Atlantic Forest, lies the 113,000-acre Tres Picos State Park...

• HeatherLea

  Tour Operator
  Within only three hours of Rio de Janeiro, we initially base ourselves around Itororo Lodge for 5 days birding in the grounds and trails...

• Irmãos Mello

  Local Tour Operator
  Birding in Rio de Janeiro - How about enjoying your trip to Rio to know the birds of the region? Rio de Janeiro is situated in one of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, where more than 700 species of birds have been recorded! We offer guided tours in the Rio de Janeiro city and neighbouring hotspots, including Serra dos Órgãos National Park, Três Picos State Park, REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu), and others.

• Naturalist Journeys

  Tour Operator
  From Rio de Janeiro, we focus on the famed Atlantic Forest of Brazil, one of the most biodiverse and bird-rich areas on the planet.

• Ornis Birding Expeditions

  Tour Operator
  ...Early morning departure to the state of Rio de Janeiro, which will see us arriving at Guapiaçu Reserve (REGUA) in the mid-afternoon...

• Richard Raby Ecotours

  Tour Operator
  Now at 69 years of age Richard continues to be fit and active, but those days of travelling many miles into the dusty Brazilian interior in search of individual ornithological rarities are over. Today Richard is offering a more sedate pace to his program of Birding, butterflies and now mixed interest tours. These trips will still maintain the emphasis on endemics but now they will be abiding to a formula of 2-3 hours maximum travel between locations and restricting the area covered to that of the Rio de Janeiro state and also some of the immediately surrounding region. n.b. please refer to the newly edited regional & Locations Map pages on this same website for details of the area covered.

• Serra dos Tucanos

  Tour Operator
  The gardens and trails of the lodge provide excellent birding opportunities. However, for those wanting to get out and explore more, we offer the following guided birding excursions…

• tourHQ

  Half-day Tour
  4-Hour Bird Watching Tour in Ubâ with Expert Bilingual Guide

• 2017 [09 September] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  ...we did however manage to get good views of Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Bare-throated Bellbird, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufousbreasted Leaftosser, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker and White-collared Foliage Gleaner...

• 2018 [02 February] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report

• 2018 [05 May] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  ...so we walked back the short distance to the lodge and got great views of Lineated Woodpecker, Ochre-faced Tody Flycatcher and then watched the feeders until lunch at 12.15...

• 2018 [06 June] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  Next up was a stop at the usual view point that produced Crested-black Tyrant, Grassland Sparrow, Whitetailed Hawk, Wedge-tailed Grassfinch, Blue-black Grassquit, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, White-rumped Monjita and Rufous-fronted Thornbird.

• 2018 [10 October] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  ...we did however get good views of a Black-tailed Tityra, Scaly-headed Parrot and a couple of very nice Channel-billed Toucans. We also made a quick stop at some local feeders and were soon getting fantastic views of Red-necked Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Green Honeycreeper, Maroon-bellied Parakeet and in some trees nearby David picked up Scaled and Olivaceous Woodcreepers.

• 2018 [11 November] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  We picked up a few more species including Fawn-breasted Tanager, Dusky-legged Guan, Crested Oropendola, Picazuro Pigeon, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Black-goggled Tanager, Pallid Spinetail, Planalto Tyrannulet, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Grey-capped Tyrannulet, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, female Pin-tailed Manakin and Southern-beardless Tyrannulet.

• 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 [07 July] - Andres Vasquez

  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 that wants to fill his/her list with A TON of brightly colorful endemic birds.

• 2019 [08 August] - Stefan Schlick

  PDF Report
  For this trip, we chose the Atlantic Rainforest and the Pantanal. For a few, the Jaguar was the number one target, are we succeeded and got excellent, prolonged looks of a female loafing on the banks of the Cuiaba River

• 2020 [03 March] - Daniel Branch

  PDF Report
  ...Our trip was in February and March, due to carnival, but by far the best month to experience the region’s birding is September when breeding season is in full swing and birds are more active. That said, our list for the trip still reached 416 species...

• 2022 [09 September] - Pritam Baruah

  PDF Report
  ...On this trip, I decided to intensively cover only one particular transect of the Serra do Mar mountain range, located towards its eastern end. I birded in the moist lowland rainforests of REGUA (100 masl) at the base of the south slope, up to the highlands of Pico da Caledonia...

• 2024 [01 January] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  ...e took a detour to another veranda where surprisingly we came across a young Swallow-tailed Cotinga sheltering from the rain. We also picked up Sayaca Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Hooded Siskin, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Plumbeous Pigeon and a Green-winged Saltator...

• 2025 [12 December] - Andy Foster

  PDF Report
  ...It was productive few hours of birding with highlights including Green-headed Tanager, Saw-billed Hermit, White-winged Becard, White-barred Piculet, Rufous-capped Motmot, Plain Parakeet, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, followed shortly afterwards by Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Plain-winged Woodcreeper, Star-throated Antwren and after a little playback, a beautiful male Black-cheeked Gnateater popped up and gave the group great views, this was followed by a Streakcapped Antwren, Red-rumped Cacique, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Squirrel Cuckoo and then surprisingly a single Olive-green Tanager came down to some playback of a mixed Tanager flock, another great bird!...

• Eco-Lodge Itororó

  Accommodation
  The Eco-Lodge Itororó offers simple and cozy accommodation options in inviting log houses. There, a nearby brook with the purest spring water provides the inn’s cold and warm water supply. Its secluded location and surroundings also offer both, the possibility to relax and pursuit new possibilities: taking long walks, hiking tours, horseback riding and swimming in the crystal-clear natural pool. Or still: calmness for simple relaxation. Phone: 0055-22-9907-4912 Email: info@ecolodge-itororo.com

• Hotel Donati - Itatiaia

  Accommodation
  Green covered mountains, crystalline waterfalls and 1.200 species of animals running free in the natural reserve of the Itatiaia National Park. Discover all the nature's beauty walking through the hotel's trails

• Hotel Fazenda Tr

  Accommodation
  A place where you and your family will enjoy delicious moments together with nature. A new hotel, we said. In fact it is an Old New Hotel, it was renewed on the eve of turning 60.

• Hotel Pequena Su

  Accommodation
  The beauty of the journey lies not in the changes of scenery, nor in the escape from everyday life, but in the discoveries of the soul. All this in one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the Rio state, in Penedo an old Finnish colony, next to the Itatiaia National Park with its numerous and exuberant species of animals and plants, only a two hour drive from Rio de Janeiro or three hours from S

• Hotel Pousada Esmeralda - Itatiaia

  Accommodation
  The gods live in Paradise. Here, they spend their holidays

• Pousada Capim Santo - Itaipava

  Accommodation
  A 750 metros de altitude, cercada de verde por todos os lados, a Pousada

• Pousada Enseada das Gar

  Accommodation
  Em cores mediterrâneas e em plena harmonia com a natureza, a Pousada Enseada das Garças está situada em uma colina com posição privilegiada, da varanda dos Bangalôs ou da borda da piscina, a vista é surpreendente.

• Pousada Mata Atl

  Accommodation
  Cottages in the mountain range, close to the last natural and preserved Reserve of Mata Atlantica. You still find a hospitable environment set in the middle of greenery, in amild and healthy climate. The inn of Mata Atlantica is totally natural, with ample lawns, gardens, wonderful barbecue fixtures, swimming pool, society soccer field, volleyball court, walking area for jogging. Cozy cottages with TV, frigobar and private access to the garden.

• Pousada Praia da Ribeira Club - Angra dos Reis

  Accommodation
  Lodging in Angra dos Reis with pool, barbecue and bar

• Pousada Serra da

  Accommodation
  Located 2 km from the center of Penedo

• Pousada Vale do Aconchego - São Pedro da Serra

  Accommodation
  Located in the region of São Pedro da Serra, district of Nova Friburgo, the place is rich in nature and peace. With landscape of mountains and vegetation of Atlantic Forest the inn offers chalets on the edge of a stream, ideal for those who prefer to rest and enjoy nature.

• Vale das Taquaras Lodge

  Accommodation
  Vale das Taquaras Lodge is located in the Atlantic Forest mountains near Nova Friburgo, just three hours from Rio de Janeiro. Our speciality is high altitude birds and the Lodge has excellent trails offering easy access to montane forest. So far 251 species have been recorded including endemics such as Blue-bellied Parrot, White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous Gnateater, Swallow-tailed Cotinga and Bare-throated Bellbird. The Lodge is very well equipped, has luxurious rooms and guests enjoy delicious home cooking. We have some of the best hummingbird feeders in the region, providing excellent photographic opportunities. We also offer excursions to nearby Maca

• Aves & Árvores (Birds & Trees)

  BLOG
  The main motivation for its creation came from the personal realization that serious environmental imbalance by passing our planet is deeply rooted in an anthropocentric worldview. Faced with this realization came the desire to encourage people to closer contact with nature, especially through the dissemination of observing activities of birds and nature photography, which I practice as a hobby...

• Avifauna Magé

  BLOG
  Last updated 2013

• Bird Photographer - AluiZio Derizans

  Gallery
  Wildlife and other photos…