Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Rio
Our tour starts in the evening after dinner in Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Rio.

Day 2: Rio to Guapi Assu
We leave Rio after breakfast and travel 2 hours northeast to Guapi Assu Bird Lodge, a birding and wildlife lodge situated in the heart of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, where we spend the next four nights. Part of the REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) project, our lodge sits on a small hill at the edge of restored wetlands, overlooking the forested Serra dos Órgãos mountains. After settling into our comfortable accommodations, we visit the wetlands and our first introduction to waterbirds. Since being restored in 2005 an amazing 180 species have been recorded here. The star bird is Giant Snipe, best looked for at dawn or dusk. Other target birds include Least Grebe, Brazilian Teal, Masked Duck, Limpkin, Whistling and Capped Herons, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Pinnated and Stripe-backed Bitterns, Gray-headed Kite, Crane Hawk, Laughing and Aplomado Falcons, Rufous-sided Crake, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Ash-throated Crake, Blackish Rail, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Sooty Tyrannulet, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Long-billed Wren, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit and Chestnut-capped Blackbird. Night at Guapi Assu.

Days 3 – 5: REGUA and nearby locations
REGUA protects one of the last stands of tropical rainforest left in the severely depleted Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Once covering about 1.5 million km2, centuries of deforestation has resulted in only 7% of the original forest area remaining, an area of 100,000 km2, mostly on mountain sides and steep slopes, too difficult for trees to be felled, and only an estimated 2% is still primary forest. Despite the loss and habitat fragmentation, this ecoregion is still ranked in the top five of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The reserve ranges in altitude from 35 m to about 2000 m above sea level, making Guapi Assu Bird Lodge the ideal location to see a good altitudinal cross-section of Atlantic Forest birds. Over 450 species have been sighted to date, including toucans, woodpeckers, owls, cotingas, manakins, antbirds and tanagers. So far 63 Brazilian endemics and 111 Atlantic Forest endemics have been recorded. REGUA alone is home to twelve threatened species - the Endangered Crowned Eagle and Brown-backed Parrotlet, and the Vulnerable White-necked Hawk, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, White-bearded Antshrike, Salvadori’s Antwren, Russet-winged Spadebill, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-backed Tanager, Black-legged Dacnis, Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s Seedeaters. More common and easily seen Atlantic Forest specialties include Black Hawk-Eagle, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Black-billed Scythebill, Pin-tailed and Blue Manakins, and Blue-naped Chlorophonia.

The lodge gardens provide superb birding and photography opportunities from the veranda. Fruit feeders attract noisy groups of euphonias, chlorophonias, and tanagers such as Hooded, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Sayaca, Green-headed and Burnished-buff. At hummingbird feeders Swallow-tailed Hummingbirds compete with Rufous-breasted Hermits, Black Jacobins, Violet-capped Woodnymphs and Glittering-throated Emeralds. Around the gardens Orange-winged Parrot, Guira Cuckoo, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Antshrike are often present, while at night Pauraque, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Rufous and Scissor-tailed Nightjars can be found, along with Tropical Screech-Owl and Tawny-browed Owl near the lodge.

Often the forest seems full of birds and large mixed flocks can contain 15 or more species. 30 species of antbirds have been recorded at REGUA, including Giant, Spot-backed, Tufted and Sooretama Slaty Antshrikes, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Scaled and Ferruginous Antbirds, Rufous-capped Antthrush and Variegated Antpitta. During our stay we visit low and high altitude forest, wetlands, waterfalls and a variety of other habitats. This is one of the best sites for the difficult Shrike-like Cotinga (Elegant Mourner). Mantled Hawk, Blue-bellied Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Eastern Striped Manakin and Spotted Bamboowren are also eagerly sought.

Short trails near the lodge pass through secondary forest, grassy meadows and along the edge of the wetland. Birding here can often produce over 100 species in a day. Target birds are lowland species such as Squirrel and Striped Cuckoos, Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Chicli Spinetail, White-flanked Antwren, White-bearded Manakin, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, White-winged Becard and Moustached Wren. Mammals are also plentiful, and include Three-toed Sloth, Brown Howler, Brown Capuchin and Woolly Spider Monkeys, Crab-eating Fox, Coati, Tayra, Southern River Otter, Ocelot and Capybara. The Waterfall Trail is a low to mid elevation forest trail starting from Casa Pequisa and passing through superb scenery. Species regular on this trail include Unicoloured Antwren, Sharpbill, Southern Antpipit, Gray-hooded Attila, Golden-chevroned and Turquoise Tanagers, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Ashy-tailed Swift, Black-throated Trogon, Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, White-throated Spadebill, Whiskered Flycatcher and Grayish Mourner. Other trails pass through excellent bamboo and montane forest, where Brown Tinamou, Spot-winged Wood-Quail, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Rufous Gnateater, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Uniform Finch and Pectoral Sparrow occur.

On one day, we visit Pico da Caledônia, at 2219 m one of the highest peaks in the Serra dos Orgaos Mountains. This is one of only two known sites for the extremely rare Gray-winged Cotinga, and there is also a population of Itatiaia Thistletail here. Other high altitude species include Plovercrest, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Highland Elania, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Blue-billed and Velvety Black-Tyrants, Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Hooded Berryeater, Diademed Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling-Finch. Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Dusky-tailed Antbird and Red-legged Seriema are present lower down on the mountain, as are Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and Red-rumped Cacique.

A drive to the Atlantic coast could produce Brassy-breasted Tanager, Yellow-green Grosbeak as well as Saffron Toucanet, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Scaly-headed Parrot. Elfin Forest supports Solitary Tinamou, Dusky-legged Guan, Least Pygmy-Owl, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Pallid Spinetail, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Greenish Schiffornis, Oustalet’s Tyrannulet, Brown Tanager, Green-chinned Euphonia, and Half-collared Sparrow, as well as Biscutate Swift, Yellow-fronted and Yellow-eared Woodpeckers, Pale-browed Treehunter, Black-capped and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, White-throated Woodcreeper, Black-tailed Tityra, Rufous-headed, Olive-green and Azure-shouldered Tanagers, and Green-winged Saltator.

The Matumbo Trail lies just outside of REGUA. Here we have a chance of finding Frilled Coquette, Plain Parakeet, Burrowing Owl, Gray-rumped Swift, Buff-bellied and White-eared Puffbirds, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Scaled Woodcreeper, Cliff Flycatcher, Red-necked Tanager and Pileated Finch. Nights at Guapi Assu Bird Lodge.

Day 6: Transfer to Serra dos Tucanos
Today, we leave and travel to Serra dos Tucanos Lodge, arriving late in the afternoon. Serra dos Tucanos is a small birding lodge within the 46,000 ha Tres Picos State Park, in the heart of the Atlantic rain forest. Situated at 400m in altitude, it is completely surrounded by forest. In the 20 ha lodge grounds, over 200 species have been recorded, of which over 60 are Atlantic forest endemics. There are several bird tables, feeding stations and hummingbird feeders, which offer a chance to see a number of species close-up, plus a photo hide offering superb opportunities for photography. Frequent visitors include Boat-billed Flycatcher, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Rufous-bellied, Pale-breasted and Creamy-bellied Thrushes, Violaceous, Orange-bellied and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Blue Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper and Buff-throated Saltator. Hummingbird feeders are equally well visited; regular visitors include Sombre Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald and Amethyst Woodstar. In the grounds White-barred Piculet, Streaked Xenops, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Streak-capped Antwren, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher and Chestnut-crowned Becard occur. Night at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge.

Days 7 – 9: Serra dos Tucanos and nearby locations
Around the lodge, there are numerous well-maintained forest trails, passing through a variety of different habitats, with equally diverse groups of birds. Species we look for include Barred Forest Falcon, Gray-fronted Dove, Ruddy Quail Dove, Long-tailed Potoo, Dusky-throated Hermit, Plain Xenops, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, Eye-ringed Tody Tyrant, several tanagers - Yellow-backed, Flame-crested Tanager, Black-goggled - and Black-throated Grosbeak. Raptors around the lodge include Rufous-thighed Kite, Tiny Hawk, Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle and Collared Forest Falcon. Situated at the back of the property, the Water Box Trail climbs gradually up towards a fresh water spring; birds that can be seen on this trail include Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Plain Antvireo, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant and Crested Oropendola. The appropriately named Circular Trail hosts a wealth of species including Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Pileated Parrot, Serra Antwren, many antbirds including Bertoni’s and Rio de Janeiro, Hooded Berryeater, and Chestnut-headed and Gilt-edged Tanagers.
Trails a short drive from the lodge support Rufous-capped Spinetail, Variable Antshrike, Brazilian Antthrush, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Hooded Berryeater, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, White-rimmed Warbler and Yellow-faced Parrot. A 30 minute drive from the lodge is the trail towards Macae de Cima, where we look for Plumbeous Pigeon, Red-eyed Thornbird, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, and many more. On one day we head off towards Nova Friburgo where at higher altitudes (1600m) we look for White-tailed Hawk, Variable and Rufous-capped Antshrikes, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Olivaceous Elaenia, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-legged Thrush, Fawn-breasted, Hepatic and Cinnamon Tanagers, and Thick-billed Saltator.

We take an excursion in search of the endemic Three-toed Jacamar. We should encounter a suite of goodies - Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Plumbeous Kite, Savanna and White-tailed Hawk, Bat Falcon, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Common Barn Owl, Planalto Hermit, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amethyst Woodstar, Black-necked Aracari, Red-eyed Thornbird, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Gray and White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-rumped and Tawny-headed Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, Curl-crested Jay, Magpie, Orange-headed, Tanagers and Hooded Siskin. Nights at Serra dos Tucanos Lodge.

Day 10: Return to Rio
Today we return to Rio. Most international flights leave Rio quite late, so after a morning of birding, we take a leisurely drive back to Rio, well in time for our flights home.

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What to Expect

We begin birding early in the morning, usually after an early breakfast. There will be a few optional nocturnal outing, to search for owls and nightjars. Generally, the tour will proceed at a relaxed pace; occasionally, activities will involve some longer walks and some hill climbing. In general, we keep to less traveled roads and fairly easy walking trails, but at times it may be necessary to walk on some rocky trails. We visit elevations up to 2000 m. We lunch at a local restaurant or take a picnic lunch into the field, and may rest for a midday siesta on some days. Temperatures will be variable; they will range from fairly hot to cool, with the possibility of cool fog at higher elevations. We will most likely encounter some rain, and some trails may be muddy, so appropriate clothing and footwear is desirable. Overall October is a pleasant time to visit southeast Brazil - it is springtime and temperatures are more moderate. The tour will be relaxed as we stay at just the two lodges. After each dinner we discuss the day’s activities, review the day’s list of sightings, and lay out plans for the next day.