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Plan your next birdwatching trip
using a local professional Birdingpal guide...
If you like guided tours, a professional Birdingpal guide can customize your tour, and you will see the birds you want. "Chapada Habitat"
Atlantic Rainforest (South-eastern and southern Brazil) - The Lush Atlantic rainforest home to the largest number of endemics in the World, is found along the Brazilian coast and covers a series of coastal mountain ranges extending inland. This extremely rich birding area is the most commonly visited by birders due to its abundant endemics and its close proximity to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo the major gate way of entry into Brazil. Electronic map of Brazil
You will enjoy the safety of travelling with a knowledgeable local, who knows where and how to get to the right habitat for all the wildlife.
You select the date for a trip to suit you, and you will not be just an other tourist: Your guide is also your travel companion, who will make sure you also experience the native people, scenery, culture, history and food, first hand.
You will enjoy the advantage of all the attention you get in a small group, for the same price or perhaps even less, than you will pay if you travel with the large tour groups from other countries.
Boosting the local economy by hiring a local guide through Birdingpaltours also promotes the importance of protecting birds and
their habitat in many countries around the world.
Remember, the next time you travel you do not have to miss the birdwatching, if your partner or travel companions are non birders; a local guide is flexible, and will easily accommodate other needs too.
Birdwatching in Brazil
Brazil is an immense tropical birding paradise, boasting around 1750 bird species including a staggering close on 200 endemics
to date and with several new species still being annually described.
Few countries can compare to Brazil, holding the World’s greatest bio diversity, highest number of endemic birds in South America
and ranks as the third richest bird country on the planet offering birders some of the most exciting bird watching and wildlife experiences in the World.
Pantanal Wetlands and Chapada - World famous for its abundance of nature the immense Pantanal holds the World’s largest wetlands
that offer almost a superb safari type birding and nature watching experience. The open setting makes birding easy with some spectacular concentrations and species diversity where 150 bird species a day being regular (Hyacinth and Golden-collard Macaw, Jabiru, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Helmeted Manakin).
Central Brazil - A patch work of important habitats holding many sought after endemics unique to each habitat.
Southern Brazil - Spectacular Aracaria forests, rolling grasslands and isolated marshes in Rio Grande state are home to many great endemics. To the far south of the state gets you to vast rice fields and wetlands which hold huge concentrations of
waders, gulls and terns. Sea watching or pelagic birding during austral winter and a few special birds are found along the narrow coastal belt and its dunes.
North-eastern Brazil – The northeast contains a high number of great endemic birds. The major habitat types are: caatinga which is the dominant habitat but very varied, tropical dry forest and isolated fragments of humid Atlantic rainforest.
Amazonian Brazil - Located at the meeting of the Rios Negro with the mighty Amazon forming the famous meeting of the waters. The avian species diversity in Amazons state alone is large, with around 950 bird species recorded to date!
Tour I
7 Day birdwatching tour to Pantanal, Serra das Araras and Chapada do Guimarães
Expect 250/300 species on this trip.
Itinerary
Pantanal, Serra das Araras and Chapada do Guimarães - A Wonderful Birding Experience in Brazil!
1st. Day:
Arrival at the International Airport in Cuiaba and immediate transfer to the Pantanal. Field observation and birdwatching on route. While crossing the area down the Transpantaneira dirt road, spectacular chances to spot many birdlife such a Jabiru, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Southern Screamer, Plumbeous, Buff-necked, Bare-faced & Green Ibises, Sunbittern, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Black-collared, Great Black & Savanna Hawks, Snail Kite, Chaco Chachalaca and many others. Arrival at the hotel at the end of the day. Check in. Sunset and Nighthawks watch, followed by some Owling. Dinner. Field Check List Track (FCT). Overnight.
"Great Potoo"
2rd. Day: "Collared Crescent-chest"
4th. Day: "Frilled Coquette"
Early morning breakfast and birding on the gallery forest of the Pixaim river, good chances to spot the Helmeted Manakin, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-lored and Rusty-backed Spinetail, Mato Grosso and Band-tailed Antbird, Red-billed Scythebill,
Flavescent Warbler, Moustached and Buff-bellied Wrens, Purplish Jay, Troupial, Crested Oropendola, Solitary Black-Cacique, Blue-crowned Trogon, Black-fronted Nunbird, Silver-beaked Tanager, Rusty-collared and White-bellied Seedeaters, Lesser Seed-Finch
and many others. Return for lunch. PM: Boat ride, with chances to spot Anhinga, Rufescent-tiger, Striated and Boat-billed
Herons, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Sungrebe, Southern Lapwing, Lesser Kiskadee, Black-capped Donacobius. All the five South American
Kingfishers, Band-tailed Nighthawk and many others. After dinner night tour to owling and spot nocturnal wildlife, including
Ocelots!
3th. Day:
After Breakfast, we check out and transfer to another lodge with birding along the route with chances for Maguari Stork,
Laughing Falcon, Whistling Heron, White-faced, Black-bellied & Muscovy Ducks, Bare-faced Curassow, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Bay-winged & Giant Cowbird. We will move to a lodge with nesting Hyacinth Macaws and daytime roost for Great Potoo. This area is also "literally" packed with a great number of other birds. Check in. Lunch. Siesta. PM: Bird walk with chances to spot Rufous Cacholote, Red-crested & Yellow-billed Cardinal, Grayish & Buff-throated Saltator, White-rumped Monjita, Nacunda Nighthawk, Greater & Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Masked Gnatcatcher. Capped Heron, Toco Toucan, Chesnut-eared Aracari, Peach-fronted, Monk & Golden-chevroned Parakeets, Golden-collared Macaw, Striped Cuckoo, Scarlet-headed, Unicolored & Chopi Blackbirds, followed by some owling. FCT. Dinner. Overnight.
Breakfast. Farwell sights for the Hyacinth Macaws. Check out. Transfer to Chapada dos Guimarães, with birding and lunch in
route. Arrival at Chapada in time for some great birding such: Blue-winged and Red-and-Green Macaw, Curl-crested Jay, Gray Monjita, Crested Black-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher and many others. Arrival at the hotel. Dinner. FCT. Overnight.
5th and 6th Day:
Two full days at Chapada. Our targets will be: Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, and cerrado specialties such as: Red-legged Seriema, Small-billed Tinamou, White-eared Puffbird, Collared Crescentchest, Horned Sungem, Yellow-billed Blue Finch, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Black-faced Tanager, Red-legged Seriema, White-eared Puffbird, White-rumped and White-banded Tanagers, Coal-crested Finch, Plumbeous Seedeater, Black-throated Saltator and many others.Lunch with some siesta break at our hotel. PM: Birdwatching at semi-deciduous forest, cerrado, canyons with chances to spot Yellow-ridged Toucan, Lettered Aracari, White-collared and Biscutate Swift, Blue-crowned Motmot, White-lined and Guira Tanager, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Plain Antvireo, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, and many others. Return to the Hotel. Owling. Dinner. FCT. Overnight.
7th. Day:
Breakfast. AM: Full morning birding - Superb Special Targets: Band-tailed and Fire-Crowned Manakins and Southern Antpipit. Return to the Hotel. Check out. Transfer to Cuiaba. Check in at the airport. Lunch. Flight to Sao Paulo.
7 Days tour price: 2 pax (minimum) Real(BRL)3370 per person single room. Real(BRL)2740 per person double room.
4 pax (minimum) Real(BRL)3370 per person single room. Real(BRL)2740 per person double room.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Tour II
7 Day birdwatching tour to Itatiaia National Park and Ubatuba Reserve
Expect 250/300 species on this trip.
Itinerary
1st. Day:
Meeting at the International Airport of Sao Paulo, upon your arrival. Transfer to the Itatiaia National Park. Check in. Lunch.
PM: Dedicated to watch fantastic birds at the gardens and bird feeders of our hotel. Possible Birds: Brazilian Ruby, White-throated Hummingbird, Frilled Coquette, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Versicolored Emerald, Dusky-throated & Scaled-throated Hermit, Black Jacobin, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black-eared Fairy (You might have an “Hummingbird Extravaganza”, as well, since we might see over 10 (ten) species of hummers!!!). Well, the show has to go on: Dusky-legged Guan, Saffron Toucanet, Green-headed Tanager, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, White-bibbed Antbird, Star-throated Antwren. Since, we shall stay long enough to watch the Sunset, we also will be looking for Short-tailed Nighthawk and, right after, the Tawny-browed Owl (Which has a very weird call), Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Least Pygmy-Owl and Variable Screech-owl.
Return to our hotel. Field Checklist Track (FCT). Dinner. Overnight in Itatiaia.
2nd. Day:
Early breakfast. On this day, we will be birding the upper part of the National Park, where we shall spend the entire day,
having a Box Lunch. "No pain...No gain...": But, our gain shall be excellent: The very rare & endemic Golden-winged Cotinga and Itatiaia Spinetail shall be a good prize for our efforts. There we shall have also the Blue Manakin, White-browed Warbler , Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-breasted Plover-Crest, Great Pampa-Finch, Thick-billed Saltator, Golden-winged Cacique, White-crested Tyrannulet, Blue-billed & Velvety Black-Tyrant, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Streamer-tailed Tyrant and White-bellied Seedeater. Eventually, we will stay long enough to search for Rusty-barred Owl.
Return to our Hotel. FCT. Dinner. Overnight in Itatiaia.
3rd. Day: More facts about Brazil.
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During this day - morning and afternoon - we will be exploring trails. Returning to the lodge for a nice meal and some rest at noon. We will search carefully for the Endemic Antwrens, such the Star-throated and Ferruginous Antwren. Plus: White-bibbed Antbird, Brown Tanager, Blue-naped Clorophonia, Black-billed Scythbill, Rufous Motmot, Brown Tinamou, Picazuro Pigeon, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, White-collared Swift, Sick’s Swift, Surucua Trogon, Barred Forest-Falcon, Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Plumbeous Pigeon, Black-throated Trogon, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Brazilian
& Such's Antthrush, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Rufous Gnateater, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Large-headed Flatbill, Brassy-breasted & Gilt-edged Tanager and Blackish-blue Seedeater. We shall stay long enough, again, for some Owling.
Return to our hotel for dinner. Owling: In case, we have any missing night bird, we will be looking for it! Overnight in Itatiaia.
4th. Day:
Breakfast and check out, with birding an lunch in route: Rufous-sided Crake, South American Snipe and Firewood Gatherer, will be birds worthy to “break for”. Once we arrive in Ubatuba, we shall make a stop on a wonderful property where we may see the Red-necked Tanager. This place also has a very nice feeder: Saw-billed Hermit, Somber Hummingbird and Festive Coquette! Arrival at the lodge and check in. Eventually we may have some time for a walk and birding on the beach looking for Kelp Gull & Brown Bobby. Dinner and FCT. Overnight in Ubatuba.
5th. and 6th. Day:
Two wonderful days when we will l be exploring this marvellous area, in both mornings & afternoons, with a nice break for lunch both days. In Ubatuba, we will have chances for fantastic birds, such: Bare-throated Bellbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Streak-capped Antwren, Slaty Bristelfront, Buff-throated Purpletuft, White-bearded Manakin, Sharpbill, Mantle Hawk, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Long-billed Wren, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-winged Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Lesser Woodcreeper, Channel-billed Toucan, Fork-tailed Tody-flycatcher, Long-billed Gnatwren, Spotted Bamboowren, Uniform Crake, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Spot-backed Antshrike, Eye-ringed Tody-flycatcher, Long-billed Wren, White-tailed Trogon, Slaty Bristlefront and Rufous-capped Antthrush, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Blond-crested & Yellow-throated Woodpecker. Owling can be very productive here: Mottled Owl, Long-tufted Screech-owl, Least Pygmy-Owl and Pauraque.
Return to our hotel. FCT. Dinner.Overnight in Ubatuba.
7th. Day:
Breakfast AM: This morning we will be birding for possible missing species. According to our long experience we will be able to know, exactly, where to take you for that! Lunch and return to the lodge for checking out. Transfer to the Sao Paulo International Airport with birding on route. (Depending in our timing we will be able to take you to a forest patch with excellent chances for the very rare & endemic Crescent-Chested Puffbird. There we may also see a very funny monkey: The Tufted-eared Marmoset.)
Arrival and check in at the Sao Paulo International Airport.
7 Days tour price: 2 pax (minimum) Real(BRL)3425 per person single room. Real(BRL)3060 per person double room.
4 pax (minimum) Real(BRL)3425 per person single room. Real(BRL)3060 per person double room.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
All meals, all overnights, all ground transportation with A/C & mineral water, Birding guide services, boat rides at the Pantanal and Park fees.
Excluded:
International & Internal flights, laundry service, drinks, phone calls or any other personal item.
Notes:
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Allow minimum three(4) weeks prior to departure date.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness: The tour does not require a high level of fitness but participants should be in good general health. Should you have any physical limitations please contact us.
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
Paulo Boute your local Birdingpal guide
Paulo Boute He was born in Brazil, at the State of Parana, on a ranch were his parents were cultivating coffee. Being his father
from Russia and his mother from Ukraine Paulo was supported, since a very young age to enjoy Nature in the Tropics, since it has no comparison to Siberia...Of course, birds were his favorite creatures. With the purpose of having such "good life" forever Paulo decided to be an Agronomist, based on the observation of a professional that were giving his parents technical assistance. He
thought that being an Agronomist he could spend the entire day visiting properties & finding birds. So, he came to Mato Grosso in 1980 where he went to the local University. Starting to work professionally, on weekends and Holidays, at the Pantanal at the age of 18 years old. Once he got his degree in 1988 he started working full time as a Guide. His background now, includes over 1.000(!) trips to the Pantanal and hundreds to the main bird destinations of Brazil, such the Atlantic Forest. Besides, contribution to many Ornithologica trips, which made his name to be included on the book: South American Birds (Vol. II) by Dr. Robert Ridgely. Paulo has an absolutely fantastic knowledge about the Brazilian Birds.
Due the huge amount of his trips within Brazil, on every destination, you will be surprised of how everybody have him as a good friend even being thousand of miles away from home. He knows everyone by his name & everyone one knows him.
Being part of a first generation of immigrants in Brazil, Paulo has committed himself to contribute as much as he can to the development of Birding in Brazil. He has helped & supported the many people to start a career as bird guides. As well, has presented courses and lectures on birdwatching across Brazil.
Birding with Paulo is an unique experience of having a guide that is a perfect travel companion.
Giuliano Bernardon your local Birdingpal guide
Giuliano is member of the Brazilian Ornithology Society (SBO) and the Neotropical Bird Club, Giuliano is a full time birding and photography guide. Passionate for natural history since his childhood, birding has led him to several parts of Brazil, including the Pantanal, Cerrado areas, Atlantic Forest and Southern Amazon. He is responsible for several new records for the area where he lives, and regularly contributes for ornithological and environmental researches. Due to his knowledge on natural history and photography, he has successfully led several professional photographers including National Geographic and BBC crews.
He loves sharing the birds and his country with other people, and his charming and easy-going personality greatly enhance his tours. Giuliano lives in a farm in Chapada dos Guimarães.
Ricardo Viegas Casarin your local Birdingpal guide
Ricardo Viegas Casarin was born in Dourados, South Mato Grosso state. He has been engaged with natural tourism activity since 1998, offering Mountain Bike rental service to the tourists in Chapada dos Guimarães.
As a Guide, Ricardo has been leading tours in Chapada dos Guimarães and Pantanal since late 90's. Nowadays his abrangence area has extended to other Mato Grosso's destinations such as São José do Rio Claro, Nobres, Poconé and Barão de Melgaço.
Already a Brazilian Tourism Board (Embratur) Certified Guide, Ricardo is commited to become one of the best Birdwatching and Natural History guides in Brazil. To achieve that, he is always aprimorate his knowledge and techniques, by taking courses and participating of meetings and conferences of the subject.
Testimorial.
Birding Mato Grosso and the Pantanal with Paulo Boute. Great birds, good food, and comfortable lodging. Paulo was a wonderful host and excellent guide. He knows the area and the birds, finding them even during the month of January (Rain Season). We got all of our target species, including the Harpy Eagle. It was an outstanding experience.
Richard H. Payne, Ph.D. President & CEO American Birding Association.
rhpayne(AT)aba.org
Many thanks to Paulo and Marluce Boute... who made this trip easy, productive and enjoyable". Extracted from the book: Brazil's Pantanal by Janet Zinn. jzinn(AT)jczinn.com
http://www.jczinn.com/books.htm
Paulo Boute is a long time Birdingpal guide, well known in his own country and by myself or birders from around the world.
Knud Rasmussen
Birdingpal
Some facts about Brazil.
Brazil is the largest and most popopous country in Latin America. Its territory covers 8,514,877 km². The Brazilian coastline covers 7,367 km to the east and numerous archipelagos are part of the Brazilian territory.
A tropical climate is predominant but in the south of the country, subtropical climates prevails. It is home to varied fauna and flora and extensive natural resources.
Brazil was colonized by Portugal from 1500 until its independence in 1822. The republican system has been adopted since 1889, although its parliament dates back to 1824, when the first constitution was ratified. Its current Constitution defines Brazil as a Fedarative Republic. The Federation is formed by the indissoluble association of the States, the Federal District and the Municipalities. There are currently 26 States and 5,564 Municipalities.
The Brazilian population tends to concentrate along the coastline in large urban centers. While Brazil has one of the largest populations in the world, population density is low and the inner continental land has large areas of low population. It is a multiracial country composed of European, Amerindian, African and Asiaan elements. The official language is Portuguese, and it is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas. Catholicism is the predominant religion, though Protestant communities have experienced significant growth in the last decades. Brazil has the largest Roman Catholic population in the world.
Brazil has a diversified middle-income economy with wide variations in development levels, with mature manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors. Technology and services also play an important role in the economy, and are growing rapidly. Brazil is a net exporter, having gone through free trade and privatization reforms in the 1990s. Brazil's economy outweighs that of any other South American country.
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
After my trip to Pantanal I recommend as a field guide: Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica by Martin R de la Pena and Maurice Rumboll.
It is not a very user-friendly guide and some of the illustrations are somewhat confusing.
The new Collins Field Guide "Birds of South America" by Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Francisco Erize and Maurice Rumboll is better.
For southern Brazil this guide book Guia de Campo Avis Brasilis by Tomas Sigrist and Eduardo Brettas is available but only in Portugese, but will be available in English early 2008
Details here http://www.avisbrasilis.com.br/descricao_guiadecampo.asp
Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica by Martin R de la Pena and Maurice Rumboll. It is not a very user-friendly guide and some of the illustrations are somewhat confusing.
The new Collins Field Guide "Birds of South America" by Jorge R. Rodriguez Mata, Francisco Erize and Maurice Rumboll is better.
For southern Brazil this guide book Guia de Campo Avis Brasilis by Tomas Sigrist and Eduardo Brettas is available but only in Portugese, but will be available in English early 2008.
http://www.avisbrasilis.com.br/descricao_guiadecampo.asp
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings from Brazil
Heinz Remold's "The Land Birds of Southeast Brazil"
Sub-oscines: Furnarids - Sharpbill; vocalisations of 234 species.(Volume 2)
Swallows - Icterids with the Pigeons, Parrots and Woodpeckers.(Volume 3)
http://www.wildsounds.com
Note: To ascertain tour/seat availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
