The thought of Rio de Janeiro conjures up ideas of the famous Christ statue towering over the hustling city, wonderful Ipanema beach with scantily clad Brazilian beauties, and of course the colourful Carnival and samba music. However wildlife here is every bit exciting, southeastern Brazil's stunning mountain ranges, clad in pristine Atlantic rainforest, hold more "endemic" species of bird and animals than any other area in the Americas! Foremost is Itatiaia National Park, the late Ted Parker's most favourite birding site in the continent. Walking through bamboo clad forest trails dripping with colourful tanagers, amazing toucans, parrots and four spectacular species of large Antshrikes one can see why. After observing at point blank range a parade of dazzling hummers arriving at a feeder or scoping a stunning Black and Gold Cotinga on a roadside song perch, you'll agree that these forests have it all.

While relaxing in the garden or in your fine hotel you can see the stunning Saffron Toucanet, Dusky-legged Guan or Surucua Trogon. Amongst the host of specialties are Itatiaia Thistletail, Giant, Large-tailed, White-bearded and Tufted Antshrike, Rufous-tailed, Bertoni's and Ochre-rumped Antbird, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Cryptic Antthrush, Purple-breasted Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette, Black Jacobin, Brazilian Ruby, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Robust Woodpecker, Spot-billed Toucanet, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Black-capped Piprites, Guilt-Edged and Brassy-breasted Tanager and many more!

Now we descend to the coastal slopes of Atlantic rainforest of the Serra do Mar Mountains, where the vivid rich greens melt into the deep blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean washing onto marvellous white sandy beaches of Ubatuba. Here we seek many gems found only along this narrow coastal belt, such as the recently re-discovered Black-hooded Antwren and mythical birds such as the Spotted Bamboo Wren, Fork-tailed Tody Tyrant, Black-backed Tanager, Squamate Antbird and Buff-throated Purpletuft and many more.

Travelling south into Rio Grande state, we encounter the stunning scenery of huge canyons, rolling grasslands broken by scattered marshes and marvel at the photogenic Aracaria forests clad with exquisite orchids. This area is home to many localized species such as Azure Jay, Long-tufted Screech Owl, Bare-throated Bellbird, Mottled Piculet, Red- spectacled and Vinaceous-breasted Parrot, Saffron-cowled Blackbird, Streamcreeper, Black-and -white Monjita, Long-tailed Cinclodes, Chestnut-headed and the stunning Chestnut-backed Tanager and many more.

A trip to Southeastern Brazil is not complete without visiting the breathtaking, World- renowned Iguazú Falls, surrounded by the wildlife-rich national park and forest. From your comfortable 5 star hotel, a walk across the front lawn to overlook the thundering falls is unforgettable. Here whirling flocks of Great Dusky Swift dodge in and out of the falls spray while splashes of colour from Plush-crested Jay, Green-headed Tanager, Blue-hooded Chlorophonia, Red-breasted and Toco Toucan thrill the birder and tourist alike.

Southeastern Brazil's truly wonderful diversity of colourful bird species (including almost one third ENDEMICS restricted to this area), comfortable accommodations, wonderful climate, and charming, friendly people all combine to offer you a tropical birding trip of a life time.

We also offer tours to special, rarely visited birding destinations in the southeast. With our expert assistance, you can share in recent exciting discoveries such as newly described species and recent re-discoveries and opportunities to observe some of the rarest most threatened birds in the continent. These include the stunning Cherry-throated Tanager, Red-billed Curassow, Three-toed Jacamar, Gray-winged Cotinga, Marsh Antbird and many more!

Let Birding Brazil Tours help you plan your vacation of a lifetime to Brazil.