Northeast Brazil Birding Tour

After a morning birding in Guaraminga, we will transfer to Quixada. Quixadá is a municipality in the state of Ceará located three hours from the capital. One of its most striking features is the rock formations, the monoliths, in various formats that “break” the apparent monotony of the countryside landscape. The hotel we stay in is away from town and birding in the afternoon will be around the hotel grounds.

Here we start to explore Caatinga habitat. A few birds worth highlighting are: White-naped Jay, Cactus Parakeet, Pygmy Nightjar, Black-bellied Antwren, Pale Baywing, the Caatinga race of Long-billed Wre, Caatinga Cacholote, Ochre-backed Woodpecker and, if we are lucky, we might even see the rare and endemic White-browed Guan. During the dry season, a flock usually comes to drink in a reservoir in the hotel area.

Where you will be staying: Hotel Pedra dos Ventos Resort

After birding in the morning we will head to Potengi, which is a small town in the south region of Ceará, part of the Chapada do Araripe area. Only recently has Potengi entered the world birding scenario because of a passionate birdwatcher and biologist that transformed his family property into a refuge for Caatinga birds, the “Sítio Pau Preto”. We will stay in a family-owned small lodge where we can feel right at home hosted by him and his kind family. We will bird around to search for some of the most special birds in this unique habitat. For those who enjoy taking photos, there are also feeders.

Here we keep searching for Caatinga specialties, such as White-browed Antpitta, Caatinga Antwren, White-throated Seedeater, Scarlet-throated Tanager, Great Xenops, Red-shouldered Spinetail, the local races of Lesser [Bahia] Wagtail-Tyrant, Greater [Caatinga] Wagtail-Tyrant, and Stripe-backed Antbird, among others. Do not forget the feeders, where we could see Campo Troupial, Red-cowled Cardinal, White-naped Jay, Pileated Finch, and more. In the end of the day, we have chances of seeing Least Nighthawks flying over the lodge.

Where you will be staying: Sítio Guaramiranga

Having finished birding in Potinga in the early morning, we will head to e will head to the foothills of the Chapada do Araripe plateau, a place you cannot miss out on! It is the ONLY area in the WORLD for the superb Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni). Chapada do Araripe rises in the middle of the dry lowlands, forming a natural boundary between the states of Pernambuco, Piauí and Ceará. The northeastern portion of the Chapada, faces the state of Ceará and concentrates hundreds of springs, forming a true oasis in the Caatinga. The Araripe Manakin was described to science only in 1998 and to this day it stands out as one of the greatest “recent” discoveries in Ornithology. The species has an estimated distribution of 30km²; exclusive to the humid forests along the Ceará side of the Chapada slope; it is therefore classified as Critically Endangered. It is the target of conservation projects led by the Ceará NGO AQUASIS, which, in partnership with government agencies, and national and international NGOs, has been working to prevent the extinction of this beautiful bird.

Afterwards the group will continue on to Bahia, stopping off for lunch on route. Situated in the northern portion of the state of Bahia, near the borders with Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Alagoas, Canudos has some of the most extraordinary scenarios of this trip; the experience of hearing the macaws calling and seeing the red sand cliffs contrasting with the indigo blue of the macaws is simply unforgettable.

One of the most exciting moments of the trip, is the encounter with Lear’s Macaw! This amazing species only occurs in this region, the northern portion of Bahia. Besides our main target, we will hopefully be in time to see the Blue-winged Macaws coming into roost and we’ll name a few other species that we could keep an eye out for: the endemic race of Blue-crowned Parakeet, Bat Falcon, King Vulture, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and more.

Where you will be staying: Canudos Biological Station

After spending the morning birding we will transfer to Chapada Diamnatina where we will stay in the cozy town of Lençóis. Certainly, one of the most impressive places in Brazil, the landscapes are astonishing. Chapada Diamantina is part of a long series of highlands linked to the Espinhaço mountain range, which extends from north of Minas Gerais through Bahia. There is a high diversity of habitats such as Caatinga, Cerrado, Campo Rupestre (arid mountain shrubs), Humid and Gallery Forests, and a high diversity of birds (almost 400 species). Most of these beautiful landscapes and pristine habitats are part of the Chapada Diamatina National Park which protects, by law, 152.000 hectares. Because of the scenic views, preserved habitat, and waterfalls, this is one of the most visited places in the state of Bahia by tourists willing to connect with nature.

Our main targets in the Chapada Diamantina area are the Hooded Visorbearer, Sincora Antwren, and Diamantina Tapaculo, the last two described to science just in 2007. We have a long list of birds to look for besides the three mentioned above: Collared Crescentchest, Helmeted Manakin, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manaki, Surucua [Orange-bellied] Trogon, Black-throated Saltator, Rufous Nightjar, Broad-tipped Hermit, São Francisco Sparrow, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, Blue Finch, White-banded Tanager, Rufous-winged Antshrike, East Brazilian Chachalaca, Copper Seedeater, Green-winged Saltator, Gilt-edged Tanager, Horned Sungem, Grey-backed Tachuri, Buff-throated Pampa-finch and more. In case we have missed any Caatinga birds, we could also look for them here.

Where you will be staying: Alcino Estalagem & Atelier

After an early breakfast, we will leave the hotel towards Boa Nova with stops for birding along the morning in Caatinga and Cerrado areas of Chapada Diamantina. Located in the Southwestern part of Bahia, Boa Nova is famous among birders due to its highly diverse bird community (+430 species), with typical elements of montane Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, and a unique transitional area between the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga known as “mata-de-cipó” (Vine Forest). This variety of habitats provides a rich avifauna, with many globally threatened species that motivated the Brazilian Government to create a mosaic of Protected Areas in the region; the National Park and Wildlife Refuge of Boa Nova, with 13.000 and 15.000 hectares, respectively. There is a place nearby the hotel (20min), with a natural hummingbird garden full of ground cacti (Melocactus bahiensis) that blossom every afternoon attracting many nice hummingbirds. Fortunately, this pristine and unique area is now owned and protected by a Brazilian couple of birders who are constantly improving facilities (hides and birdfeeders), especially for bird photographers. Although there are no species that only occur in this area, you will have excellent photo opportunities of hummers, caatinga birds, and more. So, if you are a keen bird photographer or like to enjoy a special scenario you going love visiting the famous “Lajedo dos beija-flores”.

One of the main highlights is the Slender Antbird confined to the “mata-de-cipó” vegetation where we could also find the Narrow-billed Antwren and Hangnest Tody-Tyrant. In the Montane Atlantic Forest we search for species such as the Striated Softtail, Bahia Spinetail, Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Rufous-headed Tanager, Black-billed Scythebill, Pallid Spinetail, Least Pygmy-Owl, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Pin-tailed Manakin, Scale-throated Hermit, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Ferruginous Antbird, Gray-hooded Attila, Gilt-edged Tanager and many others. Here, we will also have chances of seeing the fantastic Giant Snipe. In the hummingbird garden (Lajedo dos beija-flores), we could see Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Planalto Hermit, Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird, depending on season, among others.

Where you will be staying: Pousada do Sande

Itacaré is a region of South Coast Bahia that is rich in endemism and special birds. We will transfer here after a morning birding to enjoy for the next afternoon and following morning. With a vast area of remnants of lowland forest, some of them in private areas and other protected by Serra do Conduru State Park. Here we will be based in Itacaré, a famous touristic destination with marvelous forest, beaches, and waterfalls. From there we will do excursions to Maraú (north of Itacaré) to try to see the rare and endemic Bahia Tapaculo. We will also explore the Serra do Conduru State Park, south of Itacaré. This State Park protects more than 9,000 hectares of Atlantic Forest and it is one of the most biodiverse areas of this biome, with 458 different tree species per hectare with a high index of endemism. This reflects on the avifauna; a paradise to see manakins and many other interesting birds.

Our main aim here will be a very rare bird: the Endangered Bahia Tapaculo. Other potential sightings  in this lowland Atlantic Forest will be Kinglet Manakin, White-crowned Manakin, Blue-backed Manakin, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Band-tailed Antwren, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Great-billed [Margaretta’s] Hermit, Turquoise [White-bellied] Tanager, Opal-rumped [Silvery-breasted] Tanager, the nominal race of White-fronted Nunbird, and many others.

Where you will be staying: Pousada Vila dos Pássaros

We travel to the Serra Bonita Reserve, which is a pioneering, innovative private conservation enterprise, protecting the sub-montane forest in Southern Bahia. On trips by van, as we reach the town of Camacan, we switch to 4×4 vehicles provided by the reserve to access the highlands, where we stay the next two nights. The initiative started thanks to Vitor Becker and Clemira, who after retirement decided to dedicate their lives to the protection of this important and unique fragment of forest. It aims to protect the Atlantic Forest of the region through a consortium of several rural property owners, whose properties contain RPPNs (private reserves). Altogether, they protect over 2,500 hectares. The RPPNs are managed by Instituto Uiraçu, through agreements with the owners. In addition to managing these private reserves and its own, purchased through donations, the Institute aims to extend the protection of the entire Serra Bonita Mountain Range, one of the last remnants of sub-montane forest in the region, which covers an area of about 7,500 hectares, ranging from 200 to 1000 meters of altitude, in the municipalities of Camacan and Pau Brasil, Bahia. We will sleep in the highlands of the reserve, in the good hands of Vitor and Clemira, where we will enjoy the famous Serra Bonita Caipirinhas. Near the headquarters, they also have feeders for hummers and tanagers.

The main aims in the highlands are the unique Pink-legged Graveteiro, Bahia Tyrannulet, Plumbeus Antvireo, Salvadori’s Antwren, Sharpbill, Lemon-chested [Rio de Janeiro/Bahia] Greenlet,  [Greater] Crescent-chested Puffbird (Malacoptila striata striata), the rare Atlantic race (to be split) of Rufous-brown Solitaire, Swallow-tailed Manakin, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-billed Toucanet, Sombre Hummingbird, and many more. If we are lucky enough to find a big mixed flock, we have chances of seeing the rare Bahia Treehunter, which is still waiting for a formal description. Some birds we could see by the feeders include Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Red-necked, Green-headed, Golden-chevroned, Azure-shouldered Tanagers and sometimes even the Spot-billed Toucanet.

Where you will be staying: Serra Bonita Reserve

After the morning spent birding in the lowlands of Serra Bonita, we move to Porto Seguro. One of the most famous beaches on the southern coast of Bahia, Porto Seguro is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Brazil, so do not panic if there seem to be a lot of people on the streets. However, we will hardly be affected by the possible crowds in town since we will be birding in Veracel Reserve, only 30km from our hotel. This private area protects nearly 7.000 hectares of a unique type of Lowland Atlantic Forest known as “Mata de Tabuleiro”, which shares many elements (Fauna and Flora) with the Amazon Forest. In some sites of the forest, the calls of Screaming Pihas and huge trees will bring us back memories of birding in the Amazon. Inside the town of Porto Seguro, there is a mangrove that we also visit to search for some mangrove specialties.

We will aim to see White-winged Cotinga, Hooked-billed Hermit, Red-browed Parrot, Bahia Antwren, Band-tailed Antwren, Black- headed Berryeater, Ochre-marked Parakeet, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, extra chances for Banded Cotinga, and many more. There are also quite a few species that are already recognized as valid species in the Brazilian List and might/should be split soon by the international lists. They are: Opal-rumped [Silvery-breasted] Tanager, Turquoise [White-bellied] Tanager, Blue-headed [Reichenow’s] Parrot, Ringed [Atlantic Black-breasted] Woodpecker, Golden-spangled [Bahia] Piculet, Wedge-billed [cuneatus group] Woodcreeper, the nominal race of Brown-winged Schiffornis, among others. There will be some night birding as well, where we will look for Black-capped Screech-Owl, Tawny-browed Owl and, with a lot of luck, the White-winged Potoo, which is very rare in the Atlantic Forest. The specialties we will look for in the mangrove are Bicolored Conebill, Plain-bellied Emerald, Mangrove Rail, and, depending on time of year, the Little Wood-Rail.

Where you will be staying: Best Western Shalimar Praia Hotel

Day 16 marks the final day of the trip at which point guests will depart or if they are interested can join for an extension of the trip.