The large espanse of northeast Brazil is home to a number of threatened, vulnerable, and endangered birds due to widespread habitat destruction and extensive agricultural activity. Most forest only remains as remnant patches of the original extensive forest that once existed. The area is of great interest due to the many endemic birds found in the region, but a fair amount of driving between sites is necessary to visit the key birding sites. Our coverage of NE Brazil is broken into two 2-week tours, which can be combined into a single long tour if desired. Our NE Brazil tour covers the northern half of northeast Brazil, while our Bahia tour covers the southern half that is largely encompassed by the Brazilian state of Bahia. Much of the habitat in the entire region is dry caatinga woodland, but good forest still exists in the mountainous area around Guaramirange. The tour also visits some coastal sites including mangrove that are home to several species of rails.

Our NE Brazil tour begins upon arrival by domestic flight at the airport in Forteleza followed by a transfer to the coastal town of Icapui. The main attraction at Icapui is Little Wood-Rail in the mangroves. Birding outside town in caatinga scrub and woodland is also productive. Next stop is Serra de Baturite, a mountainous area of lush forest that offers very different bird composition. After two nights the tour continues to the very dry habitat from Quixada for a one night stay at Pedro dos Ventos Resort. From there the tour continues to the town of Quixada, where nearby Arajara Water Park is best place to see Araripe Manakin. The following day will be spend birding the caatinga of Chapada do Ararpipe and the gallery forest of Araripe National Park. a Next morning will be a transfer to Canudos Biological Station, home to the endangered Indigo (Lear's) Macaw. Afternoon will be spent birding the very dry caatinga area around the lodge. Early next morning the ranger will take the group by 4x4 to the canyonlands where Indigo Macaws roost. Several hours will be spent viewing these spectular birds as they fly about and perch on the red rock cliffs of the canyons. The remainder of the day will be spent birding caatinga areas within the reserve and outside the town of Canudos. The tour then continues to the town of Quilombo, an historically interesting area that was one home to fugitive slaves that defied colonial forces during the late 17th century. Quilombo is the staging area for visiting Murici Ecological Station, reached by 4x4 vehicle. Murici is home to several important endemics including Alagos Tyrannulet. After a full day at Murici, the following morning will be spent birding a forest remnant at Jaqueira. Then the group will transfer to the coastal resort town of Tamandare. The last full day of birding will be spent outside Tamandare seeking several target birds including Mangrove Rail and Jandaya Parakeet. Tour ends with a morning transfer to Recife for afternoon flight out. If this tour is combined with the Bahia tour, then the transfer will be a 6-hour transfer to Estancia instead.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

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

BIRDING LOCALES

• Canudos Biological Station
• Chapada do Araripe & Crato
• Jaqueira Reserve
• Murici Biological Stations
• Quilombo
• Serra de Baturite
• Tamandare