Northeastern Brazil is a very large area encompassing numerous states. The area has been heavily cleared for agriculture, so forest remains mainly in small remnants and birding sites are rather widely separated. This tour covers the Bahia section of NE Brazil, while our NE Brazil tour covers the section between Forteleza and Tamandare. The two tours can be readily combined into a single tour of about 4 weeks duration.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL & ESTANCIA

Participants arrive via a morning flight to Salvador followed by a 3½ hour transfer to the town of Estancia. Connecting flights from the US typically are via Belem, Rio de Janeiro, or Sao Paulo. Depending on flight schedules, some birding in the nearby Crasto Forest may be possible before dark. Night at Hotel Turismo Estanciano.

DAY 2 - CRASTO FOREST & TRANSFER

Morning birding in Crasto Forest, located about 30min outside town. Birding is along a busy road within good forest. Key species of interest include Blue-crowned Trogon, Golden-spangled Piculet, Green-barred Woodpecker, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Orange-winged Parrot, Red-shouldered Macaw, Fringe-backed Fire-eye, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, and White-rumped Swallow along with a variety of tanagers and other widely distributed species. Afternoon transfer to Lencois. Birding stops en route may produce White-cheeked Pintail, Red-legged Seriema, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, White-throated Seedeater, and more. Night at Pousada Casa de Geleia.

DAY 3 - DIAMANTINA NATIONAL PARK

Morning birding in caatinga near Palmadas. The primary target bird is Sao Francisco Sparrow, best seen very early in the morning. A second key target bird is Hooded Visorbearer. Yet another target species is Sincora Antwren. Other likely possibilities include Rusty-margined Guan, Spotted Piculet, Aplomado Falcon, Rufous-winged Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, White-crested Tyrannulet, Orange-headed Tanager, Dubois's Seedeater, and Pale Baywing. Afternoon birding outside Lencois, where possibilities include Black-capped Antwren, Euler's Flycatcher, Sibilant Sirystes, White-naped Jay, and Helmeted Manakin. Night at Pousada Casa de Geleia.

DAY 4 - MUCUGE

Depart early for Mucuge, located near another section of Diamantina National Park. If Sao Francisco Sparrow was missed the previous day, it will be sought early on. The next target birds are White-vented Violetear, White-browed Spinetail, Collared Crescentchest, and Black-throated Saltator. Visit a white-sand cerrado area to look for Horned Sunbeam. Other possibilities include Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, White-eared Puffbird, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Plumbeous Seedeater, and Chestnut-capped Blackbird. Afternoon visit another site outside Mucuge to look for the recently described Diamantina Tapaculo. Then bird a dry grassland area in search of Narrow-billed Antwren, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant (quite rare), Gray-backed Tachuri, and Grassland Sparrow. Night at Pousada Mucuge.

DAY 5 - MUCUGE & BOA NOVA

Morning return to the grassland to look for anything missed the previous afternoon. After breakfast depart for Boa Nova, arriving mid-afternoon. Afternoon birding good forest at Boa Nova. Possibilities include White-tailed Hawk, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Golden-green Woodpecker, Blue-winged Macaw, Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Stripe-backed Antbird, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Large Elaenia, Planalto Tyrannulet, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, and White-throated Seedeater. In late afternoon visit a magical place of smooth lava rocks and barrel cactus, a reliable site for Ruby-topaz Hummingbird. Night at Pousada dos Passaros.

DAY 6 - BOA NOVA

All day birding Boa Nova. The reserve protects transition habitat between caatinga woodland and Atlantic Forest and supports a wide diversity of birds. The site is particularly important for protecting the endangered Slender Antbird. Other birds of special interest include Blackish Rail, Scale-throated Hermit, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Cinereous Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, Rio de Janeiro Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Black-billed Scythebill, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Striated Softtail, Pallid Spinetail, Bahia Spinetail, Gray Elaenia, Drab-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant, Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, Gray-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Whiskered Flycatcher, White-necked Thrush, and Black-goggled Tanager. After dark look for Scissor-tailed Nightjar on the gravel access road. Night at Pousada dos Pasaros.

DAY 7 - BOA NOVA & SERRA BONITA

Morning birding Timorante Forest, a remnant forest site near Boa Nova. The main target bird is Chestnut-backed Antshrike. The site is another chance to pick up species that may have been missed the previous day. After breakfast transfer to the Serra Bonita, an ecolodge located above a fairly steep paved road into the mountains. A 4x4 vehicle met at the lower reception area will take participants up the mountain to the lodge. Afternoon view birds coming in to feeders near the lodge restaurant. Visitors to the feeders include Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, and Orange-bellied Euphonia. Night at Serra Bonita Lodge.

DAY 8 - SERRA BONITA

Morning birding the road near the lodge. The main target species is Pink-legged Graveteiro, a small denizen of tree canopy. Then hike a trail through good forest. Notable possibilities include Plumbeous Antvireo, White-streaked Antvireo, Salvadori's Antwren, a rare follower of Red-crowned Ant-Tanager flocks, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous Gnateater, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner, Sharpbill, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, and Rufous-headed Tanager. Then hike to the end of the road to some cell towers at the top of the mountain. The lookout is a good place to watch for raptors such as Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle and Mantled Hawk. The understory is good habitat for Star-throated Antwren. Afternoon bird the road below the lodge where birds such as Least Pygmy-Owl, Gray-hooded Attila, Kinglet Manakin, Thrush-like Wren, and Rufous-brown Solitaire are likely possibilities. Night at Serra Bonita Lodge

DAY 9 - SERRA BONITA & VERACEL FOREST

Morning bird the road down the mountain and near the lowland section of the reserve. Notable possibilities include Gray-headed Kite, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Red-stained Woodpecker, Maroon-faced Parakeet, White-eyed Parakeet, Scaled Antbird, and Eared Pygmy-Tyrant. Mid-day transfer to Porto Seguro, about a 3½ hour drive. Afternoon bird a forest reserve owned by the Veracel industrial company. Bird the road through secondary forest. Some notable birds possible in the afternoon are Little Tinamou and Variegated Tinamou, heard more often than seen, Rufous-throated Sapphire, White-chinned Sapphire, White-edged Piculet, Red-browed Parrot, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, White-winged Cotinga, and White-bellied Tanager. Night at Quinta do Sol Praia Hotal in Porto Seguro.

DAY 10 - VERACEL FOREST

All day birding the Veracel Forest with a mid-day break in town. The main target birds are East Brazilian Chachalaca, Tawny-browed Owl, Hook-billed Hermit, which is very hit-and-miss but often seen along the road, Racquet-tailed Coquette, Band-tailed Antwren, Bahia Antwren, Black-headed Berryeater, Banded Cotinga, and White-winged Cotinga. Other possibilities include Solitary Tinamou, Variegated Tinamou, Hook-billed Kite, Gray-headed Kite, Crane Hawk, Least Nighthawk, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Black-eared Fairy, Violet-capped Woodnymph, White-flanked Antwren, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Moustached Wren, and a variety of flycatchers and tanager. Night at Quinta do Sol Praia Hotel.

DAY 11 - VERACEL FOREST

All day birding the Veracel Forest seeking any species missed the previous day. Night at Quinta do Sol Praia Hotel.

DAY 12 - TRANSFER & ITACARE

Morning depart after breakfast for Itacare, a 4½-hour drive, arriving for lunch. Afternoon birding at the coast and outside town in an open area. Some possibilities include Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Spotted Piculet, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Golden-capped Parakeet, White-lored Tyrannulet, and Hangnest Tody-Tyrant. Night at Vila dos Passaos in Itacare.

DAY 13 - AGUA BOA

All day birding Agua Boa outside Itacare. The main target bird is White-fringed Antwren. Other possibilities include Black Hawk-Eagle, Channel-billed Toucan, Red-stained Woodpecker, Ringed Woodpecker, Plain Parakeet, Plain Antvireo, Cinereous Antshrike, Bahia Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Euler's Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Blue-backed Manakin, Long-billed Gnatwren, and a variety of tanagers and euphonias. Night at Vila dos Passaos.

DAY 14 - TRANSFER & END OF TOUR

Morning transfer to Salvador, arriving by mid-day. End of tour at the airport. Afternoon flight out.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Agua Boa
• Boa Nova
• Chapada Diamantina & Lencois
• Crasto Forest
• Icapui & Banco dos Cajuais
• Quixada
• Serra Bonita
• Veracel Reserve