Brazil

The Pantanal

In southwest Brazil is The Pantanal, the largest wetland in the continent and a real must for birdwatchers and nature lovers in general.

Birds are everywhere, and in big numbers. Water-birds such as American Wood Stork, Jabiru and Roseate Spoonbils congregate by thousands in drying pools of water. Flocks of parrot and parakeet, Piping-Guans and raptors like Crane Hawk, Savanna, and the beautiful Black-collared Hawk fill some of the picture, along with a myriad of passerine species, including the endemics White-lored Spinetail and Matto Grosso Antbird. But the absolute star in the area is the globally threatened Hyacinth Macaw. The largest of all parrots, deep blue in colour, it has one of the loudest bird shrieks that you'll ever hear! It is a bird that will never cease to amaze you. The region is also famous for its other wildlife. Mammals (and reptiles) also share some of the stardom here.

Hundreds of Capybaras roam in the marshes (in close company to Yellow Anacondas and huge Caimans!). The caimans all pile up in hundreds along the shores of water pools. Howler Monkeys fill the air with their weird, guttural voices. Marsh and Brocket deer can be very confiding. Giant Otter, Giant Anteater, Tapir, and Capuchin Monkey are likely. The real highlight of the trip may come from the cat section. Jaguarundi, Ocelot and Puma could be found. But the biggest prize is obviously the Jaguar. The Pantanal is in fact one of the best areas in the continent to go after this beautiful creature.

The Pantanal gives travelers the chance of having a most relaxed and rewarding birding trip. From the city of Cuiaba, a good dirt road (Transpantaneira) gives access all the way to the heart of the Pantanal, at the Cuiaba river. The 140 or so wooden bridges along it are legendary. Along this road are a number of “fazendas” (ranches); situated among the wilderness, and represent birding spots themselves. Many ranches still manage their lands for cattle ranching, but also offer comfortable lodging, with woodlands and streams at your doorstep. By paddled boats you will explore up and down some of the streams. There are side roads and trails, but a lot of birding, photography or sightseeing can be done from the vehicle. The open landscape results in great opportunities for this.