Why visit Northeast Brazil
Among all continents, South America contains the largest number of bird species, and Brazil, its largest country in area, is the second most speciose country in the World with 1919 species. Currently, 256 species are endemic to Brazil and 183 are globally endangered. Along with its huge biodiversity, Brazil also holds unique culture and breathtaking landscapes! Northeast Brazil is surely one the most spectacular areas for birdwatching. Compared to other regions in Brazil, Northeast houses the largest number of the endemic (species that can only be found in that region). A true paradise for birdwatching!
The pleasant weather, the traditional culture and culinary, the natural beauties and the welcoming people of Northeast Brazil are internationally known. The ecosystems found here, such as the Atlantic Forest, the Caatinga and the Cerrado, house more than 800 bird species. Some these species are extremely rare and resist thanks to conservation programs, such as the Antilophia bokermanni – Soldadinho do Araripe – Araripe Manakin; Anodorhynchus leari – Lear’s Macaw; Myrmotherula snowi - choquinha-de-alagoas - Alagoas Antwren;
Tangara fastuosa – Saíra-pintor – seven-colored Tanager; Terenura sicki - zidedê-do-nordeste - Orange-bellied Antwren; Synallaxis infuscata – tatac - Pinto's Spinetail; Phylloscartes ceciliae - cara-pintada - Alagoas Tyrannulet, Anumara forbesi – anumará - Forbes's Blackbird.
In Northeast Brazil we can find one of the most important areas for the conservation of Atlantic Forest birds: The Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC). The PEC is located north of the São Francisco River, in a narrow strip of coastal forests that covers part of the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Alagoas. It is the most fragmented area, with the largest number of endangered birds in the entire Atlantic Forest.
Several types of forest formations can be found in the PEC: open ombrophilous forest, dense ombrophilous forest, ecological tension zone (areas where different ecosystems meet), seasonal semideciduous forest and pioneer formation.
A huge birdwatching hotspot! The average temperature ranges from 24 to 26 °C, and the average annual rainfall is of 1,1180 mm. In the PEC we can find incredible diversity of environments, birds and other vertebrates, making it one of the best places in the world to observe wildlife and enjoy landscapes of incomparable beauty. There are currently 434 bird species in the PEC, 40 of them included in some threat category and 26 are endemic (species that only occur in this region). Among those we can highlight the: White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi); Solitary Tinamou (Tinamus solitarius); Long-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania watertonii); Northern Lesser Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus atlanticus); Pernambuco Foliage-gleaner (Automolus lammi); Bearded Bellbird (Procnias averano); Seven-colored Tanager (Tangara fastuosa); Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus mirandae).
Leaving the wet rainforests near the coast, we travel inland and follow the changes in vegetation, landscapes and, of course, birds!
We then arrive in the Caatinga, a biome exclusive to Brazil and one of the most species-rich dry forests in the world. The Caatinga occupies approximately 10% of the Brazilian territory (850,000 km²) and it is the largest dry forest of South America. The name Caatinga comes from Tupi (the language spoken by the indigenous civilizations of the coast) and it means white woods (ka’a means “jungle” or “woods” and tinga mean “white”). This name was given due to the whitish color of the vegetation during the dry season. Most of the plants lose their leaves and the dried trunks gain white-toned colors. These are adaptations to the arid environment and its low and concentrated amount rainfall. The fauna also adapted to the seasonality of the Caatinga and developed strategies to survive, such as small seasonal migration.
The Caatinga biome favors birdwatching activities. It includes a large number of species (509 total with 63 endemic and 33 threatened), and the abundant lighting year-round with very few clouds and the sparse and lower vegetation compared to the rainforests are perfect for photography.
The Caatinga can be subdivided in eight ecoregions*, each one with their characteristic phytophysiognomies and landscapes. Among these eight ecoregions, the Raso da Catarina, in the State of Bahia, is a unique place that attracts birdwatchers from all over the globe. This region spans over 38.000 km² and has a typical sandy soil vegetation, predominantly bushy and dense. Its most visited canyons are located on the west portion, whithin the Estação Ecológica de Canudos (EBC). The EBC contains 1500 hectares destined to the conservation of one of the most extraordinary birds in the world, the Lear´s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari). This species is globally threatened and its occurrence is restricted to the Raso da Catarina. All the canyons used for nesting site, including the “Toca Velha”, are located inside the EBC. In this region is also possible to find other species from the Caatinga, such as: the Scarlet-throated Tanager (Compsothraupis loricata), Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata), Blue-crowned Parakeet (Thectocercus acuticaudatus.
*relatively large areas characterized by biotic and abiotic factors which regulate the structure and function of the natural communities that exist within.
Another important ecoregion in the Caatinga is the Ibiapaba-Araripe Complex, where the Chapada do Araripe (Araripe Plateau) is situated, a peculiar area in the semi-arid region of the Ceará State. Along the slopes of the Chapada do Araripe we can find the typical humid forest remnants scattered throughout Caatinga lowlands, locally known as Brejos de Altitude. In the other hand, at the top of the plateau we can find a mixture of cerrado and caatinga vegetation, composed by twisted bushed and trees. This landscape contrasts with the surrounding semi-arid because of its high altitude, higher rainfall volume and river sources.
At the Chapada do Araripe (Barbalha, Crato and Juazeiro do Norte municipalities) we can find one of the most threatened bird species, the Araripe manakin (Antilophia bokermanni). With very few individuals left, this formidable bird is relatively
easy to be observed is some specific locations, thanks to the conservation efforts of institutions such as SAVE Brazil and AQUASIS. In the areas surrounding the Chapada do Araripe, we can observe other birds typical from the Caatinga, and of huge interest to birdwatchers, such as: Great xenops (Megaxenops parnaguae); Silvery-Cheeked Antshrike (Sakesphorus cristatus); Caatinga Antshrike (Thamnophilus capistratus); Tawny Piculet (Picumnus fulvescens); White-browed antpitta (Hylopezus ochroleucus); Caatinga antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi); Rusty-margined Guan (Penelope superciliaris); Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus).
What are you waiting for? Come meet or relive unique moments in the most welcoming region of Brazil! We will watch a huge diversity of birds, several rare and threatened species, some endemic to the region and all in a fun, educational, safe and comfortable way. Join us and let’s go birding!
