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Amazonas
Amazonas covers a staggering 1,578,000 km making it Brazil’s larges state and protects an immense area of virgin rainforest, dissected by the Worlds mightiest river the Amazon and its myriads of tributaries. The Amazon River system carries an incredible 20% of the entire World’s fresh water through the region and out into the Atlantic Ocean. Over hundreds of thousands of years each one of the Amazons major tributaries have formed biogeographical barriers, causing major speciation in all forms of life throughout the Amazon basin, especially so in the lower Amazon. Therefore the avian species diversity in Amazonas state is simply staggering, with around 950 bird species recorded to date! Consequently the state of Amazonas is a superb area to visit for birders and naturalists alike, that’s still amazingly a very well kept secret. Conservation of the rainforest in the state is very good to excellent, with huge areas of pristine forest remaining preserved, the state also protects the Worlds largest National park, Parque National do Jau, Amanã and Mamirua combined, as well as Brazils highest mountain Pico de Neblina, protected within a huge area the Parque National de Pico de Neblina. The region is best known ornithologically for the rare and poorly-known Amazonian avifauna it holds, which include; Gray-legged Tinamou Crypturellus duidae, Rusty Tinamou Crypturellus brevirostris, Wattled Curassow Crax globulosa, Cryptic Forest-Falcon Micrastur mintoni (recently described), Bare-headed Parrot Pionopsitta aurantiocepala (recently described), White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus, Rufous Potoo Nyctibius bracteatus, Chestnut-headed Puffbird Nonnula amaurocephala, Tawny-tufted Toucanet Selenidera nattereri, Varzea Piculet Picumnus varzeae, Hoffman’s Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes hoffmannsi, Gray-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza pelzelni, Chestnut-crested Antbird Rhegmatorhina cristata, White-breasted Antbird Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi, Pale-faced Antbird Skutchia borbae, Klage’s Antwren Myrmotherula klagesi, Yellow-throated Antwren Myrmotherula ambigua, Black-bellied Gnateater Conopophaga melanogaster, Scaled Spinetatil Cranioleuca muelleri, Olive-green Tyrannulet Phylloscartes virescens, Pelzeln’s Tody-Tytant Hemitriccus inornatus, Buff-cheeked Tody Flycatcher Todirostrum senex, Glossy-backed Becard Pachyramphus surinamus, Crimson Fruitcrow Haematoderus militaris, Dotted Tanager Tangara varia, Gray Wren Thryothorus griseus and White-naped Seedeater Dolospingus fringilloides. Geographically speaking Manaus, the state capitals is the best entrance point to be based for visiting this birding meca. Manaus city is still surrounded by huge tracts of virgin forest with all the modern facilities available in this very friendly bustling city. Its location is perfect for visitors planning to visit any of the several distinct biogeographical regions found within the region, each holding different fauna. These distinct geographical areas are found as you cross each major Amazonian river barrier: North of the Amazon east and west of the Rio Negro, South of the Amazon east and west of the Rio Madeira being the major biogeographical barriers closest to Manaus. Both boats and local plane services can be utilized to visit these different regions to observe their interesting endemic avifauna. Further more the visiting birder to Manaus has also to be prepared to visit several distinctly different types of forested habitat within these regions to find all their unique birds. These different habitats include: white and black water river islands and flooded Varzea and Igapo forest, terra firme, white-sandy-belt forests, savannas and to some extent secondary growth. Amazonas also holds much excitement for those more adventurous birders as the state still holds huge areas of unexplored territory and this is one of the reasons that today still new bird species are being discovered and others re-discovered here. Amazonia never gives up its secrets easily! Biologists eyes World wide recently turned to the Brazilian Amazon and the state of Amazonas, with the revelation of the recent discovery of multiple big new mammals, including a Pecari, several Primates (Titi Monkeys and Tamerins) and even a new Dwarf Manatee! |
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Borba
To travel to Borba you catch a local scheduled flight from Manaus flying SE over the mighty Amazon and east of the Rio Madeira. Borba is a wonderful Amazonian town almost forgotten in time, here simple but good accommodation are available to be based for some superb Amazonian birding for many rare poorly-known species; White-winged Potoo, Black-necked Red-Cotinga, Nocturnal Curassow, Cryptic Forest-Falcon and Bald Parrot (both newly described), Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Brown-banded Puffbird, Brown-chested Barbet, Hoffman’s and Uniform Woodcreeper, Pará Foliage-gleaner, Pearly Antshrike, White-breasted and Pale-faced Antbird, Black-bellied Gnateater, Buff-cheeked Tody Flycatcher, Zimmer’s Tody-Tyrant, Flame-crested and Snow-capped Manakin, White- tailed Cotinga.Itaituba (Amazonia National Park)
You fly into Itaituba from Manaus on local scheduled flights for access to this superb pristine wilderness park. To visit you need 4 x 4 transport and authorization is required from IBAMA well in advance. Here IBAMA headquarters within the park offer very simple but clean accommodation however all logistics have to be pre-arranged such as transport from Itaituba all food, drinks, cooking utensils and diesel etc. Birds include; White-crested Guan, Dark-winged Trumpeter, Scaled Ground-Cuckoo, Cryptic Forest-Falcon (newly described), White-browed Hawk, Harpy and Crested Eagle, Golden Parakeet, Vulturine Parrot, Brown-breasted Barbet, Rufous-necked Puffbird, Fiery-tailed Awlbill, Harlequin and Bare-faced Antbird, Hoffmann’s Woodcreeper, Pará Foliage-gleaner, White-tailed Cotinga, Black-necked and Guianan Red-Cotinga, Snow-capped Manakin, Zimmer’s Tody-Tyrant and Dotted Tanager. This site is a very good area also for rarely seen Mammals especially big cats.Jaú National Park, Anavilhanas Archipelago and Machantaria Island
Simple to luxury private boats can be hired for all group sizes to visit these three exciting locations for their special birds. Both Jau National Park and Anavilhanas are found in the spectacularly beautiful Rio Negro and Machantaria is an extremely rich river island in the Amazon south of Manaus. Birds to look for here include; Lesser Razor-billed Curassow, Gray-winged Trumpeter, White-winged and Rufous Potoo, Azure Gallinule, Gray-breasted Crake, Short-tailed, Festive and Kawall’s Parrot, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Olive-spotted Hummingbird, Green-throated Mango, Yellow-billed Jacamar, Chestnut-headed Nunlet, Lesser Hornero, Scaled, Parker’s, Red-and White, Dark-breasted and White-bellied Spinetail, Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, Blackish-Grey and Castalnau’s Antshrike, Yapacana, Black-and-White and Ash-breasted Antbirds, Reddish-winged Bare-Eye, Klages and Cherrie’s Antwren, Brownish Elaenia, Pearly-breasted Conebill, Riverside Tyrant, Saffron-crested Tyrant Manakin and White-naped Seedeater amongst many others.Manaus
As the state capital Manaus offers local scheduled flights to visit other important biogeographical areas included in the enormous state, including such great birding sites as are found around Sao Gabriel, Barcelos, Tefe, Borba, Tabatinga also to Itaituba in Pará for visits to Amazonian National Park. Boats can be hired to explore both the rich white water river island birds on the Amazon as well as the Worlds second largest black water archipelago of Anavilhanas (protected) on the Rio Negro above Manaus. The river islands within the Amazon are very rich and hold almost all the special riverine birds include sort after Scaled Spinetail, Brownish Elaenia and Pearly-breasted Conebill, see details below.A ferry can be caught on the south east of Manaus at Ceasa which crosses the Negro into the Amazon and over the famous meeting of the waters to Careiro. Note cars can go as well on this ferry. Careiro is on the south bank of the Amazon and the road cuts south through secondary growth and Varzea forest where south bank west of the Madeira birds can be found, its good for the endemic Glossy Anshrike. Under repair at present (2005) it does continue onto Porto Velho but does not go all the way yet as it has been abandoned for many years.
The INPA tower this famous birding spot offers one of the best and largest canopy towers in the Amazon some 50 km north of Manaus. Interesting birds here include Marial Guan, Caica Parrot, Saphire-rumped Parrotlet, Crimson Fruitcrow, Glossy-backed Becard, Guianan Gnatcatcher, Olive-green Tyrannulet and both of the big Eagles Harpy and Crested. This can be combined with a nearby INPA campina site with several special white-sand specialists including the recently rediscovered Pelzeln’s Tody tyrant. Note- special permission has to be obtained well in advance of any visit to these two INPA sites this can be requested through info@birdingbraziltours.com.
Piranha Lake Sustainable Development Reserve
Piranha Lake Sustainable Development Reservation consists of a series of lakes, 110 kilometers from Manaus and 25 kilometers from the City of Manacapuru. Access is by boat, taking an hour or by float-plane, taking 15 minutes. The area has typical floodplain vegetation with gigantic trees such as the sumaumeira. The area is on a migration route as well as a breeding ground for such species as Great White Egret, Jacana and ducks. The Reserves Floating Hotel, with a state-of-the-art water and sewage treatment works, has tourism programs that include jungle trekking trails, alligator and bird watching tours and photographic tours, usually involving the local communities.Presidente Figueiredo.
140 km north of Manaus on the main BR 174 to Boa vista offers some great birding with many well priced hotels catering for visitors to the famous waterfalls of this region. Birding is excellent for both terra firme birds and white-sandy-belt forest. The region holds Guianan Cock-of-the Rock, Pompadour Cotinga, Dusky Purpletuft, Rufous-throated and Black-headed and Willis’s Antbird, Chestnut-belted Gnateater, Red-billed Woodcreeper, White-fronted Manakin, Blue-backed Tanager, White-naped Seedeater and Cayenne Jay.Sao Gabriel do Cachoeira
A local scheduled flight from Manaus goes three times a week to the small town of São Gabriel do Cachoiera on the stunningly beautiful upper Rio Negro. The area holds a bunch of exciting “Imeri endemics”. The famous Kings Lodge does not exist any more so accommodation is in the simple but clean hotels in town. The areas specialists include the stunning Tawny-tufted Toucanet also both the recently re-discovered Grey-bellied Antbird and Yellow-throated Antwren, Pavonine Quetzal, Black-necked Red-Cotinga, Black-faced Hawk, Brown-banded Puffbird, Chestnut-crested Antbird, Pearly Antshrike, Fiery Topaz, Citron-bellied Attila, Brown-headed Greenlet, Guianan Gnatcatcher, Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo. Visits to Pico de Neblina can be started here but at present the National Park is unfortunately closed to the public.Tabatinga
Regular flights here from Manaus, to this western Amazonian town on the Colombian boarder. Most access is on south bank sites as north bank has no real access as yet. Along the Rio Javari there exist a few lodges. Special birds of the region are White-throated Tinamou, Buckley’s Forest-Falcon, Starred Woodquail, Zig-zag Heron, Black-banded Crake, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, White-bellied Parrot, Pale-rumped Swift, Fiery Topaz, Gould’s Jewelfront, Needle-billed Hermit, White-throated and Purplish Jacamar, Brown-banded Puffbird, Rusty-breasted Nunlet, Lemon-throated Barbet, Pavonine Quetzal, Bar-bellied and Ocellated Woodcreepers, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Black-tailed, Hairy-crested, Dot-backed, Sooty, Plumbeous, Black, Slate-colored and Ash-breasted Antbird, Black Bushbird, Moustached (Short-billed), Rio Suno, Rufous-tailed and Chestnut-shouldered Antwren, Chestnut-belted Gnateater, Citron-bellied Attila, Striped Manakin, Gray Wren, White-bellied Dacnis, Velvet-fronted Grackle and Band-tailed Oropendola.contributor |
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Andrew Whittaker
Tour Operator & Conservationist
(Manaus)
Andrew@birdingbraziltours.com
http://www.birdingbraziltours.com
useful reading |
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Books, CDs, DVDs etc.
See the main Brazil page for guides etc. covering the whole country...museums |
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Universidade do Amazonas
http://www.ufam.edu.br/reserves |
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Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve
http://www.mamiraua.org.brAs principais características desta unidade de conservação são: a manutenção da população local que participa nas atividades do manejo dos recursos naturais e na vigilância da reserva, a possibilidade de manejo da fauna e flora com base em sólida pesquisa científica, a flexibilibilidade para mudança de estratégias de acordo com os mercados, a manutenção da propriedade privada, a implementação de programas para valorização e melhoria das condições de vida da população local e o estabelecimento de parcerias estratégicas com organizações governamentais e não governamentais para o desenvolvimento de propostas para o uso sustentado dos recursos naturais...
Uwasu Rainforest Reserve
Uwasu is home to over 500 species* of birds such as the yellow-billed Jacamar bird shown here. Many species (known as indicator species) which are the first to disappear when there is hunting pressure can be found at Uwasu.
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
1996 [August] - R.W. Goldbach
http://maybank.tripod.com/SouthAmerica/Brazil-08-96.htmManaus turned out to be an expensive place for a solitary visitor: hotel prices are generally high, and renting a car is extremely costly (270 USD for 2 days at AVIS). The normal rate for Hotel Tropical at Ponta Negra is 220 Real (230 USD) per night, only including breakfast. A reduced rate of 75 USD per night could be obtained thanks to a personal contact via a Brazilian colleague. Hotel Tropical is situated along the Rio Negro. The grounds of the hotel, and the forest patches around, are very rich in (forest) birds, and will keep a birder busy for more than a day. Two species of monkeys were seen here, including the threatened Pied Bare-face, as well as a Three-toed Sloth.
1996 [November] - Erik Mølgaard
http://maybank.tripod.com/SouthAmerica/Brazil-11-96.htmIn November 1996, the excursion committee of the Copenhagen chapter of the Danish Ornithological Society (DOF) carried out its second trip to Brazil in 1996. The purpose of the journey was to birdwatch in the famous Pantanal and a representative selection of rainforest habitats in the Amazonian basin.
2007 [December] - Guy Kirwan
http://www.surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=1448...The lodge, of course, makes a fine base to visit the Anavilhanas archipelago and virtually all of the key specialties (e.g. Zimmer’s Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus kienerii, Ash-breasted Antbird Myrmoborus lugubris, Leaden Myrmotherula assimilis, Klages’ M. klagesi and Cherrie’s Antwrens M. cherriei, etc.) of the islands can be found on a relatively short boat ride from the lodge. In addition, by boat one can also visit várzea forest in an igarapé on the west bank of the Negro,...
tour operators |
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*Birding Brazil Tours
http://www.birdingbraziltours.comBirding Brazil tours is owned by Andrew Whittaker a leading South American Ornithologist and well known international bird tour leader. Our 18 years of in country birding and tour organizing experience (throughout Brazil) has enabled us to form a uniquely highly qualified team. The office combines birders and a very efficient professional office staff allowing us to give excellent competitive services and advice to any birder wishing to plan a visit to any of the many excellent Brazilian birding destinations.
Amazonas by Viverde
http://www.amazonastravel.com.br/birdwatching.htmlThe excursion goal is the observation of wild birds, in the heart of the Amazon, led by an Ornithologist Guide with deeply knowledge of the regions that will be visited...
Birding Pal
http://www.birdingpal.org/Brazil.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Nature Safaris - Manaus
http://www.naturesafaris.com/Facts and contacts... & thir own private reserve... The 10 square kilometers of Nature Safaris Private Biological Reserve were found to be home of 300 species of birds, two times the number living in the broad-leafed forests of all of North America. One tree in our Private Reserve may contain more species of ants than found in the entire United Kingdom.
Swallows and Amazons Tours
http://www.swallowsandamazonstours.com/Swallows and Amazons Tours specializes in creating an experience for you whether you want to run wild with the animals or prefer a more refined adventure. Based out of Manaus, the company is run by husband and wife team Mark and Tania Aitchison.
Your Amazon
http://www.youramazon.org/index.htmlCustomized tours of Amazonia`s unspoiled Santarém/Manaus regions with a focus on the wonders of nature and enjoyment of life on the river.
places to stay |
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Amazon Ecopark Lodge - Manaus
http://www.amazonecopark.com.br/en-us/default.aspAMAZON ECOPARK is a touristic, scientific and educational property, created and directed by the private initiative. It has been established since 1991 and as a Lodge since 1995. Located in Rio Tarumã - a tributary of Rio Negro-approximately one hour from Manaus airport, in the middle of the Amazon Forest. It includes uncatalogued species in virgin rainforest, natural savannahs and creeks. Several streams of crystal clear warm water run through the area. Over 6 miles of jungle trails enable the client to explore the jungle, orchids and giant trees.
Amazon Village Lodge - Manaus
http://www.amazon-village.com.br/Amazon Village takes you into the heart of the forest, where scents, the sounds, and the sights are all at hand. Amazonia of the great travelers has always been like this. This is how we wish your Amazonia to be.
Amazonat - Manaus
http://www.amazonat.orgCome live the Amazon! Each experience is unique and unpredictable. A sloth may decide to pay a visit and drop in on the canoe, an anaconda may cross our path or a pink dolphin may show off its young, raising it on its belly. We adapt to each situation and season to make the most of it for you...
Anavilhanas Lodge
http://www.anavilhanaslodge.comA new lodge among the first in Amazonas to have air con etc...
Araca River Camp
http://ecoclub.com/brazil.htmlFounded by Dr. Glaucio Gapski of Research Forest - Pesca & Aventuras Ltda., the Aracá River Camp is a new concept of jungle lodge. An African style safari camping located in Demeni river basin, on an Aracá riverbank (Negro River tributary); 180 river miles +/- north of the city of Barcelos, Amazonas State - Brazil.
Ariaú Amazon Towers Lodge - Manaus
http://www.ariau.tur.br/Ariau Amazon Towers was inaugurated in 1987. It is acessible from Manaus, by regional boat (2 hours) speed boat (1 hour); helicopter (15 min).
Hotel Aldeia dos Lagos - Manaus
http://www.viverde.com.br/aldeia.htmlHotel Aldeia dos Lagos foi construído como parte do Projeto Silves: um projeto de Ecoturismo Comunitário na Amazônia Brasileira. Executado pela ASPAC com apoio técnico do WWF e financiado pelo Governo da Áustria e WWF. O objetivo do projeto é viabilizar o primeiro empreendimento comunitário de Ecoturismo da Amazônia, com renda utilizada em benefício da conservação do sistema de lagos de pesca da região, e para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos ribeirinhos do Município de Silves.
Hotel Vitória Régia – Manaus
http://www.vitoriaregiahotel.com.br/Transporte , guia, refeições, equipamentos de pesca, caminhada na selva, safári fotográfico, passeio fluvial...
Jungle Palace Hotel - Manaus
http://www.brazils-hotels.com/manajung.htmJungle Palace is located 35 km (west) of Manaus. Built on a steel barge, it was designed to offer comfort and entertainment in a safe and clean environment. Its mineral water well, energy generation and sewage systems were planned to be environmentally friendly. After a full day exploring the Amazon jungle, you return to a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere: all suites have air conditioning, cable TV, hot shower, safety deposit box, refrigerator, room-to-room communication and private panoramic porch from which you can actually fish. The observation deck offers a beautiful view of the Rio Negro and the Amazon jungle.
Kings Island Lodge - São Gabriel da Cachoeira
http://www.amazontommytours.de/angebote/Lodges/KingsIslandLodge.htmlThe King`s Island Lodge is located some 825 km or 500 miles (some 4 Hs by plane, van and speedboat) from Manaus, on the upper Rio Negro area, close to Colombia and Venezuela, near by the Pico da Neblina Peak, the highest peak in Brazil, (3014 m).
Malocas Jungle Lodge - Manaus
http://www.malocas.com/Caminhada na selva, pescaria, focagem de jacaré, passeio em igapós, sobrevivência na selva (4 à 5 dias); revoada de pássaros...
Pousada Amazônia
http://www.pousadaamazonia.com.br/By the River Pousada Amazônia is about 50km from Manaus. Rio Ariaú is located on Rio Negro`s left margin. Along the trip by Rio Negro you will have an adventure that will never forget, so much exuberance: birds and dolphin will welcome you with its mysterious rituals of flights and jumps...
Reserva Natural Palmarí Jungle Lodge - Javarí River, near Leticia
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/grizzly/398/english/enhome.htmBirding may be done from the hotel terrain, the marked and un-marked trails as well as from the boats and canoes...
other links |
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Amazonas Birds
http://www.geosbit.com/AMAZZONIA/AMAZONAS_BIRDS/index.php?menu=photos&index=1&imagedir=images/¤tdir=images/Images
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