Brazil

The Atlantic Forest

This region is like a long slip extending from the very south of the country to the very tip in the northeast. It presents a series of small mountain chains with low valleys in between, so the variety of habitats and birds is so big. In spite of having suffered from high levels of deforestation, mostly in the lowlands, there are still important patches of forest left. These forests are very lush, resembling the cloud-forests in the mountains, and the Amazon in the lowlands. They have evolved in isolation from others like the Amazon, developing a level of endemism among the highest in the world. This is added to the complex system of mountains and valleys. The resulting stunning level of endemic species found in this region, not only of birds, meant that it was designated as one of twelve "Hotspots of Biodiversity" in the world. In spite of having suffered from severe deforestation, there are luckily still numerous areas of natural habitats.

Some of the birds to be looked for here are numerous antbirds and antshrikes like Tufted and Giant, Spotted Bamboowren, Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant, flocks of colourful tanagers, and simply too many more to mention. Many of these are currently considered Globally Threatened with extinction.

Some fantastic patches of forest can be found no more than 6 hs drive from either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro; the Intervales Reserve, and the Itatiaia and Serra dos Orgaos national parks. Throughout the rest of the Atlantic forest one can find other types of vegetation as coastal forests, monkey-puzzle (Araucaria) forests, mangroves, and high altitude grasslands up in the mountains, at 2700 m (8850 ft) in Itatiaia. Some spectacular birds include Araucaria and Itatiaia Tit-Spinetails, Chestnut-headed Tanager and Bahia Antwren. The region has amazing scenery at many spots, and of course a variety of other wildlife. It is really high in the list of priorities for nature travellers visiting Brazil.