Home ≫ World Birding ≫ South America ≫ Brazil ≫ Paraná

State of Paraná

Black-capped Piprites Piprites pileata ©Dubi Shapiro Website

Paraná is one of the twenty-seven states of Brazil. It is situated in the south on the Atlantic coast. It is bordered to the north by São Paulo State, in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south by Santa Catarina and the Argentine province of Misiones, and in the west by Mato Grosso do Sol and the country of Paraguay, with the Parana River as its western boundary. Paraná covers an area of 199,299 km2 (76,950 square miles) and has a population of around twelve million people about a third of whom live in and around the largest city and state capital, Curitiba. A city that is considered environmentally friendly because the large amount of green space per capita in its many parks and because of the ecological awareness of its residents.

The state can be divided into five main topographical areas. From east to west a coastal zone, the mountains of Serra do Mar, and then three plateaus each lower than the other until you they reach the Parana River.

Paraná River & the city of Foz do Iguaçu – ©Falk2 CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The north and west of the state and the east coast have a humid subtropical climate with the remainder of the state being oceanic. The northernmost part of the state is a convergence between tropical Atlantic and equatorial continental air masses. The annual mean temperature ranges between fifteen and twenty-four degrees centigrade, with the highest temperatures found in the northwest and the lowest around the Palmas, which is considered the coldest city of Paraná. It is less warm on the coast. Precipitation is around 1,200 mm a year in the north, rising to 1,800 mm in the southwest and south-east of the state.

Pico Paraná State Park – ©Fernando José Cantele CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Much of the state is in agricultural use, with the main activities being the production of soybean, maize, wheat, sugar cane, cassava, fruit, other grains, and coffee. It also has a considerable meat production with more than nine million cattle and is also a heavy producer of dairy products. Pork and poultry farming is also important, as is fish farming and honey production. There is also an important timber and paper pulp industry.

Birding Paraná

The state of Paraná has over 700 bird species its mixed environment. There are important areas of Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Araucaria Forests, Mashes and Coastal Restinga. Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest is a rich semi-deciduous forest ecoregion spanning Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina where about 40% of trees drop leaves during the dry winter. The Paraná River Floodplains & Archipelagos are dynamic riverine zones featuring seasonal flooding, island chains, shallow creeks, and temporary lagoons that support high fish and wildlife diversity. Paraná also has flooded savannas; low-lying wetlands along the lower basin featuring permanent water bodies, floating vegetation like hyacinths, and rich endemic animal populations.

Campo Benito – ©Luis Belo CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Even the city of Curitiba has nearly 400 species recorded, some of great intest, such as the Canebrake Groundcreeper, Olive Spinetail, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail, Long-Tufted Screech-Owl and the Azure Jay; the bird symbol of the state.

Iguaçu Falls – ©Arian Zwegers CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Located in the west, on the border with Argentina, are the magnificent Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s largest and one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil.

On the east coast, border with the state of São Paulo, is located the largest preserved area of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The area contains two national parks; Superagui in the north and Guaricana in the south. There is another protected area, Guaraqueçeba inn the north and more protected areas across the state border in São Paulo. At elevations ranging from sea level to over 1900 meters, you can find species like the endemics Red-tailed Parrot, Parana Antwren, Restinga Tyrannulet, Kaempfer’s Tody Tyrant and Black-backed Tanager, among many others.

Top Sites

  • Estrada da Graciosa

    InformationSatellite View
    Turn left off the main BR116 400km from São Paulo and 40 km before Curitiba. In 1998 the junction was being redone and was not signposted. Look for a building with Lanchonete Portal da Serra written on the roof, beside a double arch over the beginning of the road. At the start it is flat with areas for grassland species (Lesser Grass-finch Emberizoides ypiranganus, and Great Pampa-finch Embernagra platensis, for example). After 3km there is a turning to the right signposted to Quatro Barras which is said to be good. After a further c.5km, just where the road drops down the serra, turn right and double back along a rough but driveable track. Pass some semi-demolished buildings on your left and then when you come to a clearing, after about 800m, you should find Canebrake Ground-creeper Clibanornis dendrocolaptoides without difficulty, especially if you play a tape. We didn't have one but had no trouble in seeing a pair once we heard their loud vocalisation.It rained on the two days we were there and we only spent a few hours in the field but even so I was most impressed. The forest, at about 900m, is almost untouched and very quiet for recording. There are Bare-throated Bellbird Procnias nudicollis and Hooded Berryeater Carpornis cucullatus calling all over the place, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo Scytalopus speluncae and White-breasted Tapaculo Scytalopus indigoticus side by side, Giant Antshrike Batara cinerea, Rufous-backed Antvireo Dysithamnus xanthopterus, Pale-browed Treehunter Cichlocolaptes leucophrus, Grey-capped Tyrannulet Phyllomyias griseocapilla, Azure-shouldered Tanager Thraupis cyanoptera, Brassy-breasted Tanager Tangara desmaresti and lots more. There is plenty of bamboo and I see no reason why one shouldn't find Purple-winged Ground-dove Claravis godefrida there.There is also excellent birding lower down. Drive to the bottom of the serra and in São João da Graciosa fork right towards Morretes. In Porto de Cima, before Morretes, immediately after crossing a long, narrow bridge over the Rio Nhundiaquara, turn right and drive along the rough track that follows the river up into the forest. We drove up to about 300m. It was pissing with rain and we saw practically nothing but Parrini says in drier conditions the site is first class.The best place for accomodation is probably Antonina (fork left in S. João da Graciosa).
Contributors

  • Arnaldo B. Guimarães Jr.

    Curitiba

Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 886

    (As at August 2026)
Endemics

  • Number of endemics: 1

    Paraná antwren Formicivora acutirostris

    May be present in Santa Catarina

Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Paraná , 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.

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Guia de Identificação : Aves do Paraná - Coleção Aves do Brasil

    | By Fernando Jacobs & Paulo Fenalti | 2025 ] 505 Pages | ISBN: 9786501537597 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Museums & Universities

  • Universidade Federal do Paran

    Website
    The Sector of Biological Sciences was created from the Institute of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and instituted by Decree 72.782 of 09/12/73, when the Federal University of Paraná was reformed.
Organisations

  • Inventário Participativo das Aves do Paraná

    Facebook Page
    Tivemos a adesão de quase 140 pessoas (observadores de aves, ornitólogos, fotógrafos e mesmo leigos) que enviaram suas listas e carregaram fotos e sons em sites especializados. Inventários de 135 localidades foram realizados, em 56 municípios paranaenses, gerando a constatação de 7.681 registros de 530 espécies, portanto, 71,2% da avifauna conhecida no Paraná.

  • Passarinhar Paraná

    Webpage
    Passarinhar Paraná is a project of the Water and Land Institute, whose objective is to promote birdwatching events that will take place in Conservation Units open to visitation, determined in advance, according to a pre-established schedule.
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NF Floresta Nacional do Açungui

    InformationSatellite View
    The National Forest Açungui has an area of 728.78 hectares covering part of the municipality of Campo Largo . It stands out because it is an Araucaria forest...

  • NP Parque Nacional Iguaçu

    InformationSatellite View
    Located in the far western reaches of Paraná State, Iguaçu National Park's 185,000 hectare area borders against the country of Argentina as well as several Paraná counties. The Park was originally established on January 10, 1939 and was later reconized in 1986 by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage Preserve. Today it constitues one of South America's largest forest reserves, and is under the protection of the State's renewable natural resources program. The predominant vegetation is rain forest and araucária pine, along with palm trees, walnut, caviúna, and matte herb, among others.

  • NP Parque Nacional de Ilha Grande

    InformationSatellite View
    The park was created in 1997 to protect the biological diversity of the upper Parana River area. The park, with its 78,875 hectares (194,900 acres) in area, encompasses all islands and islets from the Itaipu reservoir and river mouth Piquiri to the mouth of rivers and Amambai Ivaí on the Parana River, among which are the major islands Grande, Peruzzi, Peacock and Bandeirantes. The park area also includes wetlands and flood plains, situated on the banks of the Parana river, lake and lagoon waters and its surroundings and the Seawall Macaws.

  • NP Parque Nacional do Superagüi

    InformationSatellite View
    O Parque é considerado um dos cinco ecossistemas costeiros mais notáveis do globo terrestre, faz parte do complexo estuarino lagunar integrado por Cananéia, Iguape e Paranaguá, uma das regiões mais importantes do País sob o ponto de vista de sustentação alimentar.

  • NR Reserva Ecológica Itáytyba - Tibagi

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The region's fauna is relatively abundant, due mostly to the presence of a great variety of birds. These can be easily seen, thanks to the nearness of grain plantations and the existence of continuous and long stretches of preserved native forests. A striking presence is that of the crested seriema (a tall, elegant bird with a distinctive cry that can be heard over long distances); as well as that of the buff-necked ibis, the heron, the wide-tailed hawk, the blue crow, the toucan, the partridge, and particularly the hummingbird, the Preserve's symbol-bird, due to its stunning, colorful plumage, predominantly of a bright, eye-catching green…

  • NR Reserva Natural Salto Morato

    InformationSatellite View
    The Reserva Natural Salto Morato (Salto Morato Natural Reserve) is located in Guaraqueçaba, in the coast of Paraná. The area was purchased in 1994 with financial support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and, in that same year, it was acknowledged as a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (PNHP). It has been opened to visitors since 1996 and became one of the tourist attractions of Guaraqueçaba (state of Paraná). In 1999, it was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Reserva Natural Salto Morato shelters a 2,253 hectare-area of Atlantic Forest and it is located in a region presenting an expressive concentration of bird species that are endemic – that is, that occur only in this particular biome – several of which are endangered.

  • SP Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy

    WebpageSatellite View
    The State Park Mata of Godoy (PEMG) is located in the Santa Helena - District of Espiritu Santo, 15 km from the center of Londrina. It has 675.70 hectares of subtropical forest, a fragment of Atlantic Forest, with approximately 200 species of trees. Considered one of the main areas of environmental preservation of the state and one of the richest genetic reserves of the country.

  • SP Parque Estadual Vila Rica do Espírito Santo

    InformationSatellite View
    The park preserves one of the last remnants of rainforest, sheltering several species of interest.

  • SP Parque Estadual da Ilha do Mel

    WebsiteSatellite View
    122 species of mammals, representing 66% of the State of Paraná diversity, such as armadillos, bush dog, raccoon, caleto, deer, capybara, agouti and others. There are about 177 species of birds. The flora of the park is composed of 460 species, especially the palmiteiro, caxeta, guanandi, and bromeliads and orchids. Its has several habitats such as dunes and mangroves.

  • SP Parque Estadual de Vila Velha

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    The sandstone formations of Vila Velha State Park , one of the main attractions of the state of Paraná , can already be seen from the road. There are two tours: the sandstones, rocks formed over millions of years, and the trail that leads to three caves, similar groundwater lakes flooded craters and Golden Pond.

  • SP Parque Estadual do Pico do Marumbi

    InformationSatellite View
    The Pico do Marumbi State Park is in the municipality of Morretes, Paraná. It has an area of 8,745.45 hectares (21,610.5 acres)
Sightings, News & Forums
Trip Reports

  • 2017 [03 March] - Marcelo Padua - Intervales, Iguazu Falls & the Pantanal

    Report
    ...there was no shortage of birds to keep us entertained between one breathtaking view of the falls and the next, ranging from the common but beautiful Toco Toucans and Plush-crested Jays to rare species such as Buff-bellied Puffbird, Rusty-breasted Nunlet, Southern Bristle-Tyrant, and many others.

  • 2018 [03 March] - Marcelo Padua - Intervales, Iguazu Falls & the Pantanal

    Report
    In Iguazu, we had VIP access to the Falls. We were able to enter the park before it was open on the Argentine side, and we stayed in the park on the Brazilian side, thus enjoying a wealth of birds that matched the spectacle of the thundering falls

  • 2024 [12 December] - Eduardo Patrial & Donna Belder

    PDF Report
    The trip begins taking parts of the Great Atlantic Forest Reserve (largest continuous AF remnant in Brazil) in Paraná and Santa Catarina states, going further south to the fantastic plateau of Araucaria forests and the threatened grassland habitats, to a great finale in the fantastic coastal Pampa in Rio Grande do Sul.
Places to Stay

  • Pousada Bella Ilha - Superag

    Accommodation
    SUPERAGUI LODGE is located 50m from the beach, in an authenticfishing village, in SUPERAGUI NATIONAL PARK. It was built in compliance with environmental laws in one of the best preserved areas of Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil.

  • Pousadas Ilha do Mel

    Accommodation
    Maps, Pictures, and booking info.
Other Links

  • Aves de Curitiba

    PDF
    Research Paper

  • Aves de Rapina Brasil

    Website
    Welcome to the biggest Brazilian website dedicated to raptors. The webmaster, Willian MenQ, is a graduate student in Biological Sciences. He works in conservation and ornithology in the region the northwest of the Paran

  • Passarinhando

    Website
    Birding in Curitiba which possesses 30 Parks and about 81 million square meters of preserved green areas
Photographers & Artists

  • Webcam - Ornithos - Espa

    Gallery
    Live webcam in South Brazil

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide...

Skip to content