> South and Southeast
Rio de Janeiro area - (Rio de Janeiro state)
The Rio area has several fine sites.
Ilha do Gobernador, on which Rio's international airport is located, is worth an hour or two, if you have time to kill at the airport. The most accessible location is Praia do Dendê along the northern shore. The resident birds of the island are Striated and Little Blue Herons, White-faced Whistling-duck, Yellow-headed Caracara, Cayenne Tern, White-tipped Dove, Glittering-throated Emerald, Gray-breasted Martin, Long-billed Wren, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Common Tody-flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Eleania, Short-crested Flycatcher, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Tropical Parula, Yellowish Pipit, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Palm Tanager, and Grassland Sparrow. Visitors include Royal Tern, South American Tern, and Wedge-tailed Grass-finch (April-October) and White-rumped Sandpiper, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstone (November-March).
Tijuca National Park which preserves a remnant of the original Atlantic Forest, is divided into three sectors. The eastern sector is easily reached via the small gauge railway that takes tourists to the large statue of Christ. From the statue a trail through the forest leads down to the Botanic Gardens. A second section of the park is located north of Corcovado. You can bird along the road through this sector (Estrade do Redentor), which runs along the spine of the mountain ridge. The northwest sector is less well policed than the other two sectors. About 40 species are resident in the park. Species not found in the other urban sites in Rio include Short-tailed Hawk, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Dusky-throated Hermit, Variable Antshrike, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, White-crested Tyrannulet, Star-throated Antwren, Mouse-colored and White-bearded Tapaculos, Ochre-breasted and Black-capped Folieage-gleaners, White-thighed Swallow, and Red-necked Tanager.
Morro de Leme headland, at the eastern end of Copacabana Beach, is convenient to the tourist areas of Rio, and has a respectable bird list of 90 species. Resident birds are Yellow-headed Caracara, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Scaly-headed Parrot, Glittering-throated Emerald, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Eleania, Common Tody-flycatcher, Short-crested Flycatcher, Gray-breasted Martin, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Tropical Parula, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Blue Dacnis, Violaceous and Purple-throated Euphonia, Brazilian, Flame-crested, and Ruby-crowned Tanagers, and Green-winged Saltator.
Jardin Botanico, at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, abut Tijuca National Park. The area is close to Ipanema (about 2 km), a short taxi ride from many hotels, safe and secure, and the birds are relatively easy to see. Opens at 8:00 AM. 140 species have been recorded here. Resident birds include Rusty-margined Guan, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Gray-fronted Dove, Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Scaly-headed Parrot, three hummingbirds (Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, and Rufous-breasted Hermit), Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher, White-throated Spadebill, Plain Antvireo, Scaled Antbird, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Swallow-tailed Manakin, Golden-crowned Warbler, Ruby-crowned, Flame-crested, Palm, Green-headed, and Rufous-headed Tanagers, Violaceous Euphonia, Blue Dacnis, Red-crowned Ant-tanager, and Buff-throated Saltator.
Serra dos Órgãos National Park, only 55 km north of Rio, is one of the world’s great reservoirs of endemism. The primary habitat is Atlantic tropical rainforest, much of it second growth. More than 40 Brazilian endemics occur here, the rarest of the rare being the Gray-winged Cotinga, rarely seen in< Itatiaia National Park (12,000 hectares) (Rio de Janeiro/Minas Gerais/São Paulo)
This great park, 156 km west of Rio protects Subtropical and temperate forest, stands of giant Bamboo, and grasslands. Best visited in January. Located in the Serra do Mar, it has a bird list approaching 300. It boasts almost as many endemics as Serra dos Órgãos, and some are said to be easier to see in Itataia. The endemic Itatiaia Thistletail, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Brown Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling Finch are shared with Serra dos Órgãos. Itatiaia’s specialties include Slaty Bristlefront, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, and Olive-green Tanager. Other species confined to southeast Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeast Argentina, such as Tawny-browed Owl, Plovercrest, Giant Antshrike, Black-capped Manakin, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant and Thick-billed Saltator can be found in Itatiaia.
For more details see Wheatley, Where to Watch Birds in South America.
São Paulo area
Several good sites are relatively close to Sao Paulo. For more complete lists of birds, and fuller directions see Milne, Where to Watch Birds: World Cities.
Cantareira State Park (8,000 hectares) is located in the north part of São Paulo city. There has been an organized and ongoing attempt to assess its birdlife. At present this group has compiled a list of 144 species (as of May 2007). Their list includes, among the more noteworthy speices, three tinamous (Solitary, Brown, and Tataupa) Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood-quail, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Red-and-white Crake, five Psittacidae: Golden-caped Conure, Reddish-bellied Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Plain Parakeet, and Scaly-headed Parrot, Ashy-tailed Swift, eight hummingbirds, Surucua Trogon, Crescent-chested Puffbird, four toucans and toucanets, eight Picidae, 12 antbirds of various sorts, 4 Woodcreepers, 9 Funariidae, 22 Tyrannidae, 9 tanagers, plus numerous others.
In short, if you are in São Paulo, this is definitely a place you should visit.
For the complete list go to http://www.aultimaarcadenoe.com/cantareira%20ingles.htm
Tietê Ecological Park, in the eastern section of the city, is a stretch of the Río Tietê, set aside for nature conservancy.. The park, on the south side of the river, includes a number of logaoons and backwaters, lined by riparian wouldand and aquatic vetetation. This set of habitats is home to a number of interesting birds. The list of resident birds includes, among water birds, Striated and Whistling Herons, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Brazilian Teal, Muscovy Duck, Limpkin, Black-necked Stilt, and Black Skimmer, and more than 20 land bird species, including Limpkin, Picazuro Pigeon, Whit-eyed Parakeet, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amazon Kingfisher, Phite-barred Piculet, Green-barred Woodpecker, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Masked Water-Tyrant, Masked Yellowthroat, Ruby-crowend Tanager, Red-cowled Cardinal, and Chestnut-capped Blackbird.
The west end of the park is occupied by sports facilities; the east end is less disturbed. A loop trail (4km) encircles the best birding areas. The park opens at 6 A.M. though at that time there are numerous joggers.
To find the park take the main expressway east out of the city along the south bank of the river (Rodovia Ayrton Senna). After 17km there will be a sign indicating the park. Turn right onto the road to a car park, and enter the park via a footbridge. The railway station at Eng. Goulart is a short walk from the car park.
Ipiranga State Park, on the south side of São Paulo, is home to both the zoo and the botanical gardens. The botanical gardens possess some remnant Atlantic forest. The cleared areas are now like the savanna of inland southern Brazil. In addition there are artificial lakes and the riverside havtats along the Río Ipiranga. It is close to the National Airport (Congonhas )and easy to reach by public transportation.
There are some resident waterbirds, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Amazon Kingfisher, Ochre-collared Piculet, Variable Antshrike, several flycatchers, Masked Yellowthroat, Purple-throated Euphonia, and a variety of other species.
Parque Natural Municipal Nascentes de Paranapiacaba is located in Paranapiacaba, some 72 km east of Sao Paulo city. Evaluation of the birdlife is in the early stages. Currently the bird list is about 120 species. With Tyrannidae being the largest group with 17 species and Thamnophilidae (Antbirds and Antshrikes) with 13 species. The endemics found here are Black-cheeked Gnateater, Squamate Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Ferruginous Antbird, Star-throated Antwren, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Azure-shouldered Tanager, and Brassy-breasted Tanager.
Experimental Station of Itapetininga (6.706 hectares)(SãoPaulo state)
The station is located in Itapetininga-SP Town (23° 35’ S and 48° 10’ W). Half of it is a Slash Pine plantation: the other half is fields, meadows, scrub, and woodland. The bird list, 171 species, includes in its highlights 4 tinamous (Small-billed Tinamou; Tataupa Tinamou, Red-winged Tinamou, and Spotted Nothura), 15 raptors (including Savanna Hawk), 6 doves, 4 psittidae (including Turquoise-fronted Parrot and Reddish-bellied Parakeet), 6 hummingbirds, Surucua Trogon, Whitie-eared and Crescent-chested Puffbirds, 7 Piccidae (including Green-barred Woodpecker,
Campo Flicker, and Blond-crested Woodpecker). 5 antbirds (including White-shouldered Fire-eye), 8 Furnuriidae (including Chicli Spinetail and Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper), more than 30 tyrannidae (including White-headed Marsh-Tyrant and White-throated Spadebill), a dozen tanagers and allies, and ten sparrows and seedeaters.
For the complete list go to http://www.aultimaarcadenoe.com/itapetininga%20ingles.htm
Bertioga (SãoPaulo state)
Bertioga County is located on the north coast of São Paulo State, about 100 Km from São Paulo City. Remnant Atlantic forest constitutes about 60% of its area. The Itapanhaú River, which runs through the area, provides habitat for aquatic birds.
Rare birds observed here include Yellow-legged Tinamou Crypturellus noctivagus and White-necked Hawk Leucopternis lacernulatus, and Slaty Bristlefront Merulaxis ater. The current bird list is 142 species, including the endemics Yellow-legged Tinamou, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Pallid Spinetail, Gray-hooded Attila, and Long-billed Wren.
For the full list see http://www.aultimaarcadenoe.com/avesbertiogaingles.htm
Sooretama Biological Reserve (Espiritu Santo state)
The major form of vegetation in the park is the dense low altitude forest call Mata dos Tubuleiros, a type of Atlantic evergreen forest characterized by layers of trees, some more than 30 meters in height. Over 300 species have been identified in the reserve. It is most famous as one of the few sites for the extremely rare Red-billed Curassow. It is home to 20 Brazilian endemics including White-necked Hawk, Minute and Hook-billed Hermits, Blue-throated and Plain Parakeets, Red-browed Parrot, Striated Softtail, Scalloped Antbird, and Yellow-eared Woodpecker.
The reserve, located in Espiritu Santa, can be reached via BR-101 which passes through the reserve. Leaving from Vitoria (136 km south of the reserve), drive to km 126 where a sign indicates the way to the headquarters (down 15 km of dirt road). The closest city is Linhares (50 km south of the reserve).
Like many other parks in Brazil, Sooretama is not open to the public without permission. Visitors must first contact The Espiritu Santo branch of IBAMA at Caixa Postal, 108, 29900-970 - Linhares – Espiritu Santo Telefax: (27) 984-1673 - 374-0016.
For more details see Wheatley, Where to Watch Birds in South America. Serra do Cipo National Park (38,000 hectares) (Minas Gerais state)
The park has both cerrado and gallery forest. It is home to seven endemics including Cipo Canastero, known only from this site. It is also a reliable site for Hyacinth Visorbearer and Gray-backed Tachuri. Other endemics include Lesser Nothura, White-naped Jay, Gray-eyed Greenlet, and Pale-throated Sierra-Finch.
The park is located in central Minas Gerais, about 120 km from Belo Horizonte. It is reached via MG-010 and MG-424, passing by Lagoa Santa. After crossing the Velhas river bridge, continue towards the town of Santana do Riacho. At km #94 leave the paved route MG-010 and drive 4 km to the park headquarters. Visitors may also enter the park via the secondary road that begins across from the Hotel Cipo Veraneio on the left bank of the Rio Cipo.
For more details see Wheatley, Where to Watch Birds in South America. Serra da Canastra National Park (Minas Gerais state)
The park was established to protect the various cerrado habitats as well as Atlantic forest. It is best known as a location for two very rare and endangered birds, the Brazilian Merganser and the Brasilia Tapaculo (both famously difficult to see, though surveys around the park have found ten new localities where the Brazilian Merganser occurs). Other noteworthy birds are Golden-capped Parakeet, Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher, Gray-backed Tachuri, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Gray-eyed Greenlet, Whit-striped Warbler, Cinnamon Tanager, and Dubois’ Seedeater.
The park, which is open to the public from 8:00 AM, is located in the southwest corner of Minas Gerais. It is accessible by road, a 330 drive west from Belo Horizonte, via MG-050, GR-381, and MG 431. The nearest city is Sao Roque de Minas (7 km east of the park entrance). Best visited from April to October. SOUND RECORDING EQUIPMENT IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE PARK.
For more details see Wheatley, Where to Watch Birds in South America. Iguaçu National Park (185,262 hectares) (Parana state)
This park, established in 1939 on the border with Argentina, preserves Atlantic forest, and is home to perhaps the most spectacular waterfall in the world. The section in Argentina, a highly developed tourist site, is overall a better birding area than the Brazilian component, though the Brazil side is better for Helmeted Woodpecker. Noteworthy birds, in addition to the Helmeted Woodpecker, include Solitary Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, Black-fronted Piping Guan, Pileated Parrrot, Saffron Toucanet, Red-breasted Toucan, Yellow-fronted, White-spotted, and Robust Woodpeckers, Sao Paulo Tyrannulet, Streaked Antwren, Spotted Bamboowren. Southern Bristle-Tyrant, Russet-winged Spadebill, Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, among others.
Wheatley recommends birding the Poco Preto trail, 2.5 km from the park entrance, near the falls. Permission to bird must be secured from the director at the park entrance.
For more details see Wheatley, Where to Watch Birds in South America.
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