BIRDS IN THE PANTANAL AND THE FOUR CORNERS OF BRAZIL

The Pantanal is recognized as one of the largest ornithological sanctuaries in the world. The plurality of ecosystems contributes to this great diversity. The central position on the continent makes it a convergence between different biomes. Sedentary and migratory species intersect during the seasons. Many species nest in the Pantanal, and many others use it for wintering, notably those from the south of the continent, fleeing the southern winter. Many others, in their long journeys, make it a rest stop. Several species come from the northern hemisphere, and many make local migrations, following the water and the availability of food in the plain. There is still much to be done about the displacement of several species and ringwork has gradually revealed this movement. When considering the surroundings, there are about 600 species. The abundance of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians and aquatic reptiles produce large concentrations of wading birds, intensifying as these environments are reduced, making them a feast. They are storks like the Jabiru, the largest in the world, which nests in huge nests, or huge flocks of the Wood Storks that arrive to nest in large colonies. Different types of egrets and herons, with some specialities, such as the colorful Agami Heron and the discreet Least Bittern. Among the diversity of ibis, impresses the Roseate spoonbills, with the exuberant pink plumage of adults. When the fields are slightly flooded, the abundance of seeds, invertebrates and plankton can produce clouds of marrecas-caboclas and irerês. There are also a large number of Gray-Necked Wood Rail and peculiar species, such as the Sunbittern that has a "sun" on each wing, the Sungrebe, the Limpkin and even specialized birds of prey, such as the Black-Collared Hawk, the Snail Kite, the Osprey, the Great Black Hawk and the Laughing Falcon, a beautiful masked falcon specialized in snakes. And all five species of kingfisher, landed on the water's edge lurking prey, so the Rufous-Tailed Jacamar in search of large insects, with its metallized plumage and long and thin beak. It looks like a large hummingbird, an average of 15 species on the plain, and they turn into small jewels when the light falls on its plumage enhanced by some flower. Otherwise, because of their great speed and ability to hover in the air, they may seem like no more than a figure. When the water level drops, on the beaches appear the Collared Plover and in the sludge left behind, already at the end of the drought, a large number of waders arrive after a long journey from the northern hemisphere. With distinct resting plumage, its identity may raise doubts in the most experienced birdwatchers. The psittacid birds are a side show in the tropics and even more in the Pantanal, with great emphasis on the Hyacinth Macaw, the largest in the world. The family is abundantly represented in everyday life with colorful Macaws, Amazons, Parrots, Parakeets, etc. that make the joy of the birdwatchers and photographers, such as the large amount of toucans, one of the symbols of Brazilian ornithology. This beautiful bird does not make a plea and appears in the orchards with its huge orange beak that it uses to eat fruits and, less glamorous, prey on nests. Cosmopolitan family very well represented in the Pantanal are the “Picidae”, with more than a dozen Woodpeckers in various colors, sizes and environments. These should not be confused with the Woodcreepers, of similar behavior and also well represented in the Pantanal, with emphasis on the bizarre Red-Billed Scythebill, long and curved beak, thin and orange. In the most open and dry environments is the largest bird in Brazil, the Greater Rhea, close relative of the ostrich, which impresses by its size. Not flying, wanders the fields, often the male taking care of the offspring, after hatching huge eggs on the ground. Also, there is the Rufous Hornero, with its oven-shaped nest, giving its name to the “Furnaridae” family, which also contains different species, whose nests are a tangle of carefully intertwined sticks. In this regard, few families are as beautiful as the “Icteridae”, among which the Orange-Backed Troupial is, to say the least, spectacular. The whole family offers us very bright colors, such as the Scarlet-Headed Blackbird with its red head or the Yellow-Rumped Cacique, which not only its immense vocal capacity, weaving delicate nests suspended fiber by fiber, forming bizarre colonies. To further enhance the beauty, these birds usually have clear eyes and beaks contrasting with the dense, velvety black head. The Pantanal has a large number of passerines, birds in general small and delicate, many of them colorful, such as the tanagers and manakins. Or even our largest family, the tyranids, exclusive to the Americas, usually insectivores. Anyway, you can spend several days watching birds in the Pantanal, going from one environment to another, always seeing new things. It is not uncommon to observe more than 100 different species in a single day. For those who want to enrich the tour without large expenses, it is possible to make road trips in the surroundings. We recommend the Chapada dos Guimarães, very close, in the Cerrado biome, which in addition to its endemics, contains greater Amazonian influence, adding several species and beautiful landscapes, with a national park of 33,000ha. Also, in Mato Grosso, in the extreme north of the state, exist the Cristalino State Park, and entering the south of the Pará, there are the Cachimbo mountains, with a gigantic preserved area. There is one of the better places in Brazil for birdwatching, with structured lodges and about six hundred species!!! Futhermore, with a good diversity in wildlife. Bushmasters Ecotours also organizes trips throughout Brazil according to the specific interest of the client, as it has partners in all biomes. For longer trips, we recommend the Atlantic Forest in Southeast, where parks, reserves and lodges are very well structured to receive birdwatchers. This biome is particularly rich in tanagers, super colorful birds. The Atlantic Forest extends over almost the entire Brazilian coast and there are several points of particular interest that can be explored. We also offer itineraries in the Cerrado and Caatinga, the Brazilian semi-arid with various endemics and endangered species. The itineraries are always accompanied by professionals specialized in birdwatching, qualified and equipped for the best use of your trip. Contact us.