State of Mato Grosso
Birding Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso is a state in the Central West region of Brazil.Mato Grosso is the 3rd largest of Brazil’s 27 states, covering an area of more than 903,000 km2. This massive area is however only occupied by some 3,000,000 people, thus also making it one of the most sparsely inhabited states in the country. It stands to reason that any area of such a size would support a wide range of habitats and subsequently birds. Mato Grosso hosts three major biomes, all of great interest to the naturalist and birder: the Pantanal; the cerrado; and Amazonian rainforest.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest freshwater wetland, covering some 195,000 km2 mostly in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, but also stretching into eastern Bolivia and parts of Paraguay. Most of the Pantanal is subject to seasonal flooding in accordance with the marked separation of the wet and dry seasons: a considerable portion of the area (nearly 80%) remains inundated from December to May each year. The biome sits mostly between 75 and 200 metres above sea level; the lowest-lying areas are dominated by permanent and temporal lakes, ponds, and oxbows which host an extremely diverse community of floating aquatic plants. Non-flooded low areas and seasonally flooded grasslands host a high percentage of tolerant herbaceous plants well-adapted to seasonal extremes of flooding and fire.
The higher elevations hold a plant community similar to the cerrado biome which borders the Pantanal to the north and the east. This cerrado-like habitat is physiognomically diverse, covering a spectrum from rather open savanna with scattered bushes (similar to campo sujo cerrado) to denser woodlands with a grass-dominated understorey. Along river courses and in the highest areas, one finds taller gallery and deciduous forests.
The cerrado is one of the floristically richest savannas in the world. It is structurally diverse, ranging from open dry and humid grasslands to extremely dense forests. The ecosystem shows marked endemism; about half of the 10,000-plus vascular plant species found in the cerrado are endemic. It is not only highly unique, but also very diverse. 837 bird species occur in the cerrado, a number of which are endemic. There is a marked dry season from May to September.
The state capital Cuiabá is well-situated for the needs of the travelling birdwatcher. It is a large, modern capital city with many daily air connections from the major domestic hubs of Brasilia, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. There are a number of modern hotels near the airport, and car rental is easy both at the airport and in the city centre. In less than a couple of hours, the birder can reach excellent areas representing each of the above-mentioned habitats.
The Chapada dos Guimarães is a scenic plateau situated above the city of Cuiabá some 70 km to the northeast. The principal habitat here is cerrado, where one can find such specialties as Horned Sungem, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, Chapada Flycatcher and Coal-crested Finch. Along watercourses there is gallery forest where Band-tailed Manakin, Dot-eared Coquette and Saffron-billed Sparrow occur. The plateau and the national park offer a number of breathtaking views and spectacular geologic formations; top attractions include the Véu de Noiva waterfall and the Cidade da Pedra rock formations. Red-and-green Macaws can be seen around the cliffs at the falls, and Yellow-faced Parrot is possible along the dirt road to Cidade da Pedra.
The town of Poconé, where the famous Transpantaneira ‘highway’ begins, is only 110 km southwest of Cuiabá. This dead-end dirt road is the traditional point of entry to the Pantanal. Most of the abundant bird, mammal and reptile life can be seen easily birding along this road from the car. The end of the dry season (September and October) is an excellent time to visit the Pantanal as the wildlife tends to concentrate in the few diminishing pools of water and drying-out wetlands to create an incredible spectacle. During the wet season, the birds and mammals spread out in this time of plenty but are no more difficult to see. Increased investment in ecotourism in the Pantanal has seen a number of ranches convert some or all of their areas into wildlife reserves, and a number of comfortable accommodation options are now available from Poconé as far as Porto Jofre.
The Pantanal is the best place in the world to see the endangered Hyacinth Macaw, and for many this flashy species is reason enough to come to Brazil. However, the incredible sight of a horizon dotted with Jabirus, Maguari and Wood Storks and stuffed with several species of ibises, herons, and waterfowl in all the spaces in between is a sight not soon forgotten. Several pousadas offer river trips and these offer chances for Agami Heron and Giant Otter. Spotlighting drives at night are excellent for mammal spotting; a Jaguar is always the top prize, but sightings of foxes, deer and tapirs are more frequent.
Cuiabá is also the departure point for visitors heading to Alta Floresta in the extreme north of the state. There are two daily flights to Alta Floresta with the TRIP and Ocean Air airlines; it is possible to arrive in Alta Floresta on the same day you arrive in Brazil. A more economic alternative is a luxury overnight bus from the main bus station in Cuiabá. There are many departures daily with several different companies. The buses are all modern and comfortable with air-conditioning, on-board toilets, free bottled water and several stops for meals and snacks. The trip takes between 12 and 15 hours, depending on the state of the road (typically much worse during the rainy season December to April).
The city of Alta Floresta presents the most convenient access to world class Amazonian birding in Mato Grosso. Zimmer et al. presented a survey of the Alta Floresta avifauna in Ornithological Monographs 48, including a list of some 470 species as of 1997. That list has now been increased to nearly 600 species and an updated treatment of the regional avifauna is nearing publication. This incredible avian diversity results from a wide range of micro-habitats beyond the excellent tall terra firme forests found, for example, along the Cristalino river. Riverine habitats, vine tangles, Guadua bamboo stands, igapó and rocky outcroppings topped with deciduous forest are amongst the key habitats found in and around the tall forest. Slightly farther afield to both the north and south one encounters white-sand habitats ranging from extremely stunted campina-type vegetation to taller campinarana forest. The Teles Pires river basin is recognised as a contact zone between two regions of avian endemism: the Rondônia and Pará centres (see published works by J. Cracraft and J. Haffer). This means that a wide range of specialties such as Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Bare-eyed Antbird and Snow-capped Manakin are easiest to find together in the good forests around Alta Floresta.
Unhappily, the forests around Alta Floresta and elsewhere in northern Mato Grosso are under significant pressure from logging, clearing for cattle pasture and expanding colonisation. Alta Floresta itself was founded only in 1975, when the municipality had 100% forest cover – the present day number is around 35% that. Recent crackdowns on illegal and legal logging in the region and sagging beef and agricultural product export markets have led to a recent downturn in local economies in the region. Tourism, particularly birding tourism, is beginning to be seen as a potential source of revenue for the region. Following the long-standing example of the world-class Cristalino Jungle Lodge, a handful of fishing lodges in the region such as the Pousada Rio Azul have opened trails and welcomed birders and general interest ecotourists. The international recognition of the Cristalino river as an important biodiversity hotspot was instrumental in defeating a state government proposition to remove the protected status of a neighbouring state park in 2007.
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Alta Floresta
InformationSatellite ViewThis is one of the best sites in Brazilian Amazonia with a large variety of birds and comfortable accomodation. The Hotel Floresta Amazônica, on the edge of the town, has good birding in the hotel grounds and adjacent forest but the real attraction is their Cristalino Jungle Lodge on a tributary of the Rio Teles Pires / Tapajós, a one hour drive and half hour boat ride from Alta Floresta. The trail system is already quite large and is being extended with access to some trails from the lodge itself and others after a short boat trip. One can spend a week at the lodge and bird a new trail every morning. -
Pantanal in Mato Grosso
InformationSatellite ViewThe Pantanal of Mato Grosso, is a vast grassy lowland (savannah wetland) in the heart of South America and is the home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the continent. It is the world's largest freshwater wetland and, therefore, one of the world's best birding areas. The numbers of birds, especially in the dry season (July to October) has to be seen to be believed. A dead-end dirt road, known as the Transpantaneira, pierces the Pantanal. Birding from this road can produce over 100 species a day, and there are still chances to spot rare mammals such as Giant Anteater, Marsh Deer, Giant Otter and even Jaguar. -
Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães
InformationSatellite ViewThe best birding location near the scenic Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is the road to Aguas Frias. There is good cerrado birding along this road and a number of specialties can be found here including Blue-winged Macaw, Horned Sungem, Collared Crescentchest, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, Chapada Flycatcher, Blue Finch and the White-banded and White-rumped Tanagers. Most of these birds can be found not too far along the road as it begins to descend a long hill through excellent cerrado. Red-legged Seriema can be seen in more open cerrado and overgrowing pastures farther along the road. Gallery forests on the road to Portão da Fé and near a couple of the pousadas (Penhasco and Laura Vicunha) offer a different range of species that a birder may not find elsewhere during a visit to Mato Grosso: Dot-eared Coquette, Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakin, Saffron-billed Sparrow. Another major attraction within the park itself is the Véu de Noiva (Bridal Veil) waterfall. Some interesting birds can be seen from the overlook and trail accessing this impressive waterfall. Red-and-green Macaws can be seen in the late afternoons as they fly from feeding areas to roost sites. There is usually a pair of Bat Falcons hanging around, occasionally taking a shot at the many swifts in the area. Biscutate Swift, a patchily distributed species, is found here. -
Rio São Benedito and São Benedito II
Satellite ViewThe São Benedito and São Benedito II rivers are actually located in the neighbouring state of Pará, but access is from Alta Floresta thus they are justifiably treated here. The lower courses of these two rivers, both tributaries of the large rio Teles Pires, have been protected since 2001 as part of a state sport-fishing reserve. There are two fishing lodges on these rivers, both of interest to the travelling birdwatcher as they are excellent locations to find the bizarre, recently-described Bald Parrot. The Pousada Rio Azul is a new fishing lodge located on the rio São Benedito II which is also known locally as the rio Azul, or the Blue River. Named thus due to its crystal-clear waters, the Rio Azul is an idyllic setting for a birder looking to explore new frontiers. A growing trail system uses old logging roads and the forest reserves of neighbouring ranches, offering a wide range of habitats from vast stands of bamboo to stunted white-sand campinarana forests. Taller transitional and terra firme forest around the lodge itself means that most of the species know from Cristalino some 50 kilometres due south (as the fruitcrow flies) also occur here. Some coveted species, however, are more common here than elsewhere in the region. Pavonine Quetzal, Brown-banded Puffbird, Yellow-browed Antbird and Guianan Gnatcatcher are all fairly common. The presence of Hyacinth Macaw (a small population is present), Bald Parrot, Crimson Topaz and a wide range of campinarana specialties such as Pale-bellied Mourner mean that the Pousada Rio Azul is an excellent complementary option for any birder wishing to diversify their visit to Alta Floresta.The Pousada Salto Thaimaçu is located on the rio São Benedito. Bald Parrot also occurs here, along with an abundance of Hoatzins and a host of species associated with riverine edges and tiny oxbows (Agami Heron). The forest in the area is mostly white-sand campinarana, and during a short visit in November 2005 we found many manakins, Bronzy Jacamar and Rusty-breasted Nunlet. Amazonian Umbrellabird is fairly common on the river. Unfortunately, a very promising area on the nearby Cururu river is no longer available to the visiting birder due to land conflicts in the area. Thaimaçu has a privileged location at a set of scenic rapids, the accommodation is comfortable (air-conditioning) and the food excellent. -
Serra das Araras
Satellite ViewThe Serra das Araras, a narrow peninsula of Amazonian forest, which follows the southern edge of the mountain range giving it its name, is an ecotone between the Cerrado (savanna-like) vegetation and the Brazilian Amazon. This makes its avifauna a real treat. For example, a Harpy Eagle has had a nesting site for the last two years beside a lodge - brilliant! -
Transpantaneira
Satellite ViewThe Transpantaneira highway from Poconé to Porto Jofre remains the best way to see the Pantanal and its exuberant wildlife. The going can be slow at times due to wildlife on the road and the rickety state of the 100+ wooden bridges. A pleasant development in the region is the range of excellent “hotel fazendas” offering room and board and unique Pantanal experiences on active or converted cattle ranches. A visit to one of these fazendas, such as the Fazenda Pouso Alegre or Pousada Piuval, is typically excellent for threatened cracids such as the Chestnut-bellied Guan, Chaco Chachalaca or Bare-faced Curassow. Most fazendas have a trail or two in gallery forest which can produce Mato Grosso Antbird, Large-billed Antwren, Dull-capped Attila and Great Rufous Woodcreeper. The Pouso Alegre has Hyacinth Macaws around the guesthouse.The Pantanal Wildlife Centre, formerly known as the Hotel Fazenda Santa Tereza, is one of the better places to stay. The hotel is located on the bank of the Pixaim river and is easy to located from the main road. Sipping a caipirinha at dusk behind the hotel, one is treated to a stream of Band-tailed and Nacunda Nighthawks coursing ghostlike over the river. Night drives in the area are productive, and Brazilian Tapir should be not too difficult amongst a number of other mammals. Little Nightjar occurs in the grazed fields along the entrance road. The boat trip from the PWC on the Pixaim river is excellent, with chances for all 5 kingfishers, Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Great Potoo and Sunbittern. A family group of Giant Otters is often in the area. The gallery forest trail has Undulated Tinamou, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant and the gallery forest species mentioned above.The Reserva Ecologica de Jaguar south of Pixaim but it is said to be excellent as well.
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Number of bird species: 1026
(As at May 2019)
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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
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Pantanal Bird Club
WebsiteThis organization runs a lot of birding trips in the area and all the profits go to conservation!
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NP Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
InformationSatellite ViewIt is a region of rugged terrain with dramatic cliffs and waterfalls, and contains the geographical centre of the continent. Parrots, swifts and red macaws nest in the sandstone cliffs. -
NP Pantanal
InformationSatellite ViewThe Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world's largest tropical wetland area. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It sprawls over an area estimated at between 140,000 and 195,000 square kilometres (54,000 and 75,000 sq mi). Various subregional ecosystems exist, each with distinct hydrological, geological and ecological characteristics; up to 12 of them have been defined. -
RPPN Acurizal e Penha
InformationSatellite ViewIt is located on the western edge of the Brazilian Pantanal on the right bank of the Paraguay River, bordering the state of Mato Grosso and Bolivia. About 20 km from the National Park Pantanal. -
SP Cristalino State Park
InformationSatellite ViewThe 240,000 acre Cristalino State Park was recently created by the government of the State of Mato Grosso. The State Park encompasses both sides of the Cristalino River and is located in the Municipal District of Alta Floresta, in the highlands of the south slope of the Amazon River basin in Brazil. The headwaters of the Cristalino river lies within a vast area of 21,588 square kilometers under the auspices of the Brazilian Air Force. The geographical location of the Cristalino State Park is strategic for the sustained preservation of an enormous area of Amazon forest… -
SP Guirá State Park
InformationSatellite ViewThe Guira State Park was created in 2002, with an area of approximately 100,000 hectares. It is located near the city of Cáceres, Mato Grosso on the border with Bolivia.
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Birding Mato Grosso
Tour Operatorustom tours are our specialty. Travel is a very personal, individualized experience. There are indeed many tour companies offering a variety of tours to Brazil, but very few companies have the willigness or expertise to set up trips to any and all corners of this vast country upon request. We feel that putting together a customized tour for our clients is the best way to turn a potentially good trip into a really great trip. -
Boute Expeditions - birding in the Mato Gross
Tour OperatorMost birdwatchers pursue this activity mainly for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists, who engage in the study of birds using more formal scientific methods. -
Pantanal Bird Club
Tour OperatorThe 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! -
This Way - Birding Services
Tour OperatorCarlos Henrique is a guide specialized in birdwatching in Brazilian Southeast and Central-West regions. He is a biologist and works with birds and amphibians. He offers half or full-day guided tours, weekend or by arragements tours can be organized for any number of days to the best birding hot spots. For more information, please contact: Carlos Henrique ornithocarlos@gmail.com Cel.: 55 19 8100 8806.
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2014 [10 October] - Brian Clasper
Report... Back at 1200 for a rest and superb lunch. In the afternoon we went to a local ranch where there were many species of Parrot including the Worlds largest, Hyacinths macaw as well as 2 species of hummingbird. There was a very tame Jabiru stork at the pier then out onto more familiar channels that we had visited 2 yrs ago, finding 3 Giant otter under roots of the bank and obliging Capybara, herons and egrets abound we then headed back toward the boat on the main river to see a mixed nursery of Wood stork, Roseate spoonbill & egrets. What a sight! And we finally blazed across the river negotiating flocks of Nighthawks and Fishing bats till 1830 just in time for supper.... -
2014 [11 November] - Henry Cook - Cristalino Lodge
PDF Report... This included highlights of the enigmatic ScaledGround-cuckoo, multiple sightings of the rare Dotted Tanager, several Harpy Eagles (no adjective needed!), and a first forthe reserve in the form of a couple of Band-rumped Swifts.... -
2015 [03 March] - Marcelo Padua - Intervales, Iguazu Falls & the Pantanal
ReportMostly annotated list with photos -
2015 [04 April] - Bradley Davis - Mato Grosso's Three Biomes
PDF Report...In all we recorded 411 species of birds, a fine total when one considers how little time we spent in thePantanal at the end of the trip, and also the fact that given the time of year we could expect to encounterneither austral nor boreal migrants. Trip highlights included but were certainly not limited to HyacinthMacaw, Cone-billed Tanager, Sunbittern, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Greater Rhea, BarefacedCurassow, Horned Sungem, Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Black-girdled Barbet, Toco Toucan, PalecrestedWoodpecker, Collared Crescentchest, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, PointtailedPalmcreeper, Flammulated Bamboo-Tyrant (well, it's rare, but maybe not a highlight – justwanted to see if Dave T. is actually reading this!), White-banded and White-rumped Tanagers, CoalcrestedFinch, and well, quite a lot more, really. -
2015 [06 June] - Marcelo Padua
Report...While mixed species flocks are the bread and butter of forest birding, antswarms are the feast for the hungry birder, and we were extremely lucky to find one that produced incredible looks at the extremely localized Bare-eyed Antbird and the army ant specialist White-chinned Woodcreeper. There are plenty of birds that do not partake in such gatherings and so we needed to work hard to find them, an effort that was well rewarded by great looks at birds such as Pavonine Quetzal, Zigzag Heron, Musician Wren, Razor-billed Curassow, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Brown-banded Puffbird and the elusive Dark-winged Trumpeter, which we found on a couple of occasions. Once again Cristalino had been kind to us. -
2015 [07 July] - Christopher Hall - Pantanal
Report...Next we come to a rickety old wooden bridge over the Rio Pary which is jam-packed with stunning bird action; Common Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Gilded Sapphire, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Little Cuckoo, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Black-tailed Trogon, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Masked Tityra, Buff-breasted Wren, Turquoise Tanager and Yellow-billed Cardinal all make brief appearances, while a group of Black-fronted Nunbirds, a pair of Black-crowned Tityras and two Brown Jacamars with lance-like bills all pose in the scope. -
2015 [10 October] - Zoothera
PDF Report...Superb boat trips produced the hoped for Sungrebes and Sunbitterns, while our parrot tally included 19 species with 7 species of Macaw. We had amazing views of Pheasant Cuckoo,plus Band-tailed, Fiery-capped and Helmeted Manakins, the rarely seen Subtropical Doradito, Common and Great Potoos - the list just goes on... -
2016 [06 June] - Marcelo Padua - Alta Floresta & the Pantanal
Report...For example, at Cristalino the mixed species flocks were few and far apart, and the activity at the towers was much lower, but on the other hand some fruiting trees produced an amazing spectacle of tanagers, honeycreepers, euphonias, and dacnises, all right around our lodge. And the activity along the river was intense as there was very little water in the forest, allowing us to take some relaxing and productive boat trips that produced great looks at many birds, including a very cooperative Zigzag Heron.... -
2016 [07 July] - Andy Foster - Pantanal
PDF Reporthttps://fieldguides.com/triplists/alp16.html -
2016 [07 July] - Dušan M. Brinkhuizen
PDF Report...We started off with the pristine Amazon jungle of Cristalino lodge. Here we watched Harpy Eagle, Pompadour Cotinga, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Razor-billed Curassow, Brown-banded Puffbird, Bare-eyed Antbird, Alta Floresta Antpitta but to name a few. We continued our birding trip visiting the amazing Pantanal forests and wetlands where we enjoyed spectacular birds including Hyacinth Macaw, Jabiru, Redlegged Seriema, Zigzag Heron, Nacunda Nighthawk, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Grey-crested Cacholote, Campo Flicker, Chotoy Spinetail and so forth.... -
2016 [07 July] - Gary Babic - Pantanal & Chapada dos Guiamaraes
PDF Report...Today we saw the first of thousands of caiman and hundreds of capybara we would see daily. We saw a few flocks of Greater Rhea, and other birds first seen here included Snail Kite, Black-collared Hawk, Chaco Chachalaca, Buffnecked Ibis, various egrets and herons, and Jabiru... -
2016 [10 October] - Kevin Zimmer - Pantanal & Canastra
ReportWith well over 1800 species of birds Brazil has many remarkable places to go birding, but Canastra National Park certainly occupies a high position in the rank of birding destinations within the country. Its diversity of habitats such as the grasslands of the upper reaches of the mountain range with breathtaking vistas holds an enormous diversity of endemic plants, many of which were in bloom during our visit. -
2017 [10 October] - Marcelo Padua
ReportThe birding was, as usual, of the highest magnitude, packed with unforgettable experiences, like combing through a field to look for a Lesser Nothura, watching a Hyacinth Macaw nesting in the garden of our lodge, enjoying the flight of the charismatic Cock-tailed Tyrant through the fields of Emas National Park, or viewing the minute Horned Sungem so well that you could actually understand where they get their name from. There was no shortage of spectacular sunsets, breathtaking scenery, and fun moments that made this one of the best years yet for the Safari Brazil tour, and on top of it all, I was able to have Willy Perez by my side sharing his enthusiasm, leadership skills and knowledge. -
2018 08 August] - Greg Smith - Pantanal
PDF ReportWith over 320 species for both the Atlantic Forest extension and the Pantanal, along with twenty-one species of mammals, this trip exceeded everyone’s expectations. Two adult tapirs with a young striped one in tow, ten amazing jaguars, with final one being just one of the finest wildlife experiences for everyone! Hyacinth Macaw pairs and along with a nesting pair of Blue & Yellow Macaw were just two of the sixteen Psittacines, eighteen long-legged waterbirds, and four owl species and six nightjars were all a part of the species’ encountered. -
2018 [07 July] - Marcelo Padua
ReportThe birding was excellent even around the lodge, where we found Sulphury Flycatcher, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Red-shouldered Macaws and Fork-tailed Palm-swifts. -
2018 [07 July] - Marcelo Padua - Alta Floresta & the Pantanal
ReportThe Cristalino Jungle Lodge has many good trails and we had some great times walking through it, and we had fantastic encounters, for example, with three nice antswarms. Nice birds might be found following the ants, and in one of those moments, we had great looks at a ghost -- a Scaled Ground-cuckoo foraging for several minutes close to the group. We found another antswarm a couple of days later, and one of the most wanted birds on the tour was there, the Brazilian endemic Bare-eyed Antbird. It was great to see those birds foraging with the antswarm for half an hour. Beside that, the beautiful Black-spotted Bare-eye and some Woodcreepers were seen as well. -
2018 [07 July] - Peg Abbott
PDF ReportHyacinth Macaws were stunning, one of 12 species of parrots encountered. We had over 40 species of flycatchers, a grand array of ovenbirds and allies, 15 species of hummingbirds and an absolute rainbow of colorful tanagers seen on the combined main tour and Atlantic Forest extension. Great Antshrike was a thrill to see! Group favorite species included Hyacinth Macaw, Jabiru, Capped Heron, Black-collared Hawk, Diademed Tanager and more. -
2018 [08 August] - Karen Worcester
PDF ReportOn our very first stop, at a roadside pond, we saw Capybara lounging under a tree, Savanna Hawk, Snail Kite, Black-collared Hawk, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Horned Screamer, Anhinga, Southern Lapwing, Capped Heron, and Wattled Jacana! -
2018 [10 October] - Marcelo Padua - Pantanal
ReportThis year's Safari Brazil tour lived up to the promise in the catalog write-up of being the ideal 'first trip to Brazil', with visits to a wide array of characteristic Brazilian habitats, a ton of birds seen well (over 400 species this year!), and a great sampling of mammals. We were witness to the virtual end of the dry season in the Pantanal region this year, seeing a couple of impressive rain events (and missing another that ended up flooding sections of Campo Grande!), but we more than managed the few weather setbacks that we encountered. -
2019 [07 July] - Andres Vasquez
PDF ReportEven though this is primarily a birding tour, the Jaguars always take the first place when it comes to the favorite sightings of the tour, especially in this tour where we got to see 10 different individuals in only two boat outings!!!! This has been by far the most I have seen not only in absolute numbers but also in terms of numbers in a single spot: there was a time when we saw a tense interaction of a family of mom and two well grown cubs (picture above) with a male that was wandering near by; we also saw two different couples mating, and finally a pair of young males walking together, apparently two brothers. -
2022 [07 July] - Bob Meinke - Pantanal
PDF ReportWe also tallied a very respectable 422 species of birds, including six cracids, 13 pigeons and doves, seven cuckoos, 22 species of large waders, 27 raptors (with seven owls), 16 woodpeckers, 23 parrots, all 5 five tropical kingfishers, 20 hummingbirds, six toucans, 21 antbirds, 32 ovenbirds, 51 tyrant flycatchers, and 47 tanagers and their allies, among others. -
2022 [10 October] - Wes Larson - Pantanal
PDF Report...We saw an amazing variety of birds, mammals and reptiles on our main tour and this report will reflect those observations and not those from the two tour extensions, where many more species were also seen and heard. Avian highlights included Toco Toucan, Red-legged Seriema, Whistling Heron, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Sungrebe, Hyacinth Macaw, Jabiru, Crested Caracara and many more. Having the ability to explore the varied ecotypes of the southern and northern Pantanal gave us access to an extremely wide variety of birds. Some were difficult to find while others were daily visitors at the feeders and around the lodges...
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Cristalino Jungle Lodge - near Alta Floresta
AccommodationWith a bird list of 570+ species of birds and new species found each year , the region of Alta Floresta and Cristalino River Basin is visited by leading ornithologists and birdwatchers. First discovered by Ted Parker and Mort and Phyllis Isler in 1989, the region has attracted the visits of Dr. Y -
Fazenda Sanfrancisco
AccommodationWe are located in Pantanal of Brasil and we have a birdlist with 331 species recorded in the area -
Hotel Porto Jofre Pantanal - Porto Jofre
AccommodationEsta foi a frase do primeiro pescador a se hospedar conosco, nesta -
Pousada Aguape
AccommodationArea belonging to the same family for more than 150 years, since 1989 diversified its activities, continuing the cattle raising, acting in the area of ecological tourism and fishing and giving support to projects such as the Blue Arara Project and Organic Livestock. -
Pousada Salto do Thaima
AccommodationBesides the infinity of fish found in the area, the S -
Refugio Caiman Eco Resort
AccommodationThere are 29 apartments divided into 4 lodgings with the same standard of comfort, but with different architectural styles
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Birding in Mato Grosso and Brazil
WebsiteBirdfinding information and guided tours in Amazonia and beyond -
Central Pantanal and Porto Jofre
WebsiteThe avifauna of the surrounding area support some specialties such as Bare-faced Curassow, the Brazilian endemic Chesnut-bellied Guan, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Plumbeous & Buff-necked Ibises, Southern Screamer, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Great & Gray Potoos, Scissor-tailed Nightjar, the threatened Hyacinth Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, Scaly-headed Parrot, Peach-fronted Parakeet, White Woodpecker, Red-billed Scythebill, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Rufous Casiornis, White-eyed Attila, Gray-crested Cacholote, Fawn-breasted Wren, Red-crested Cardinal, Shiny & Bay-winged Cowbirds, and many more
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Photographer - Marcelo Padua
GalleryAfter a few years of guiding birdwatchers I decided to get a little camera and start photographing during the tours I organize with the intention of giving my clients a few pictures at the end of each trip. It turned into a nice hobby and my image bank started growing a lot. As time went by many of my clients started to ask me to post my pictures on the web and my new clients wanted me to send some pictures, to get used to the birds they would see during the trip. This website is a response to those clients and I hope that it may help others to prepare for trips to Brazil. Most of the pictures were taken at the Pantanal or Cerrado because that is where most of my tours take place…