Wildlife

Birding

Specialist birding across the varied habitats of the southern Amazon — from tall forest to várzea, buriti swamps and open country — with itineraries built around your time and target species.

Red-fan parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
Photo: Adrian Rupp
360+bird species recorded at Fazenda Anacã
400+bird species recorded at Fazenda Bom Jesus
4complementary birding areas

Figures are per area. Many species occur in more than one area, so the totals do not add up.

A pair of blue-and-yellow macaws in flight

Habitats

A mosaic of habitats in a single trip

Combining different areas broadens the species list and the light conditions for photography. Bird diversity depends on healthy habitat: at Fazenda Anacã, part of the forest is protected for good by a private reserve, and other areas have been under restoration since 2016.

Tall forest

Tall Amazon forest interior along the Teles Pires River, for deeper immersion and access to understorey and canopy species.

Fazenda Bom Jesus

Várzea and riparian forest

Várzea, riparian forest and edges along the Santa Helena River, reached by a private track.

Fazenda Rancho Novo

Buriti swamps, reservoirs and corridors

A mosaic of forest, edges, buriti swamps, reservoirs, restoration areas and ecological corridors — particularly good for parrots and macaws.

Fazenda Anacã

Open and aquatic habitat

Lawns, ponds and ornamental trees, with plenty of light for birds in flight and eye-level photography.

Chácara Esteio

Anacã's own property

Fazenda Anacã

Forest, restoration areas, a private reserve, ecological corridors and open habitat

  • More than 360 bird species recorded
  • Six primate species recorded
  • On the property

eBird hotspot: Alta Floresta — Fazenda Anacã

Red-fan parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus)

Red-fan parrot

Deroptyus accipitrinus

Anacã

Photo: Adrian Rupp

Scarlet macaw (Ara macao)

Scarlet macaw

Ara macao

Araracanga

Photo: Fernão Prado

Red-throated caracara (Ibycter americanus)

Red-throated caracara

Ibycter americanus

Cancão

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Long-billed starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)

Long-billed starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Bico-reto-cinzento

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

White-necked puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus)

White-necked puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Macuru-de-testa-branca

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

White-bearded hermit (Phaethornis hispidus)

White-bearded hermit

Phaethornis hispidus

Rabo-branco-cinza

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus)

Red-and-green macaw

Ara chloropterus

Arara-vermelha

Blue-necked tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis)

Blue-necked tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

Saíra-de-cabeça-azul

Partner area

Fazenda Rancho Novo

Várzea forest along the Santa Helena River

  • On the Santa Helena River, a tributary of the Teles Pires
  • About 40 minutes from Fazenda Anacã

eBird hotspot: Alta Floresta — Fazenda Rancho Novo

Black-chested tyrant (Taeniotriccus andrei)

Black-chested tyrant

Taeniotriccus andrei

Maria-bonita

Photo: Adrian Rupp

Crested owl (Lophostrix cristata)

Crested owl

Lophostrix cristata

Coruja-de-crista

Photo: Marcos Amend

Paradise tanager (Tangara chilensis)

Paradise tanager

Tangara chilensis

Sete-cores-da-amazônia

Photo: Adrian Rupp

Várzea schiffornis (Schiffornis major)

Várzea schiffornis

Schiffornis major

Flautim-ruivo

Photo: Valdir Hobus

Partner area

Fazenda Bom Jesus

Tall forest on the banks of the Teles Pires River

  • More than 400 bird species recorded
  • About 30–40 minutes from Fazenda Anacã

eBird hotspot: Alta Floresta — Fazenda Bom Jesus

Crimson-bellied parakeet (Pyrrhura perlata)

Crimson-bellied parakeet

Pyrrhura perlata

Tiriba-de-barriga-vermelha

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Ruddy spinetail (Synallaxis rutilans)

Ruddy spinetail

Synallaxis rutilans

João-teneném-castanho

Photo: Valéria Boldrin

Alta Floresta antpitta (Hylopezus whittakeri)

Alta Floresta antpitta

Hylopezus whittakeri

Torom-de-alta-floresta

Photo: Valéria Boldrin

Spix's warbling-antbird (Hypocnemis striata)

Spix's warbling-antbird

Hypocnemis striata

Cantador-estriado

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Partner area

Chácara Esteio

Open habitat and a different set of species

  • Birds of open and aquatic habitats
  • Close to Fazenda Anacã, easy to reach

eBird hotspot: Alta Floresta — Chácara Esteio

Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)

Blue-and-yellow macaw

Ara ararauna

Arara-canindé

Photo: Marcos Amend

Brazilian teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis)

Brazilian teal

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Marreca-ananaí

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Yellow-crowned parrot (Amazona ochrocephala)

Yellow-crowned parrot

Amazona ochrocephala

Papagaio-campeiro

Photo: Kacau Oliveira

Red-capped cardinal (Paroaria gularis)

Red-capped cardinal

Paroaria gularis

Cardeal-da-amazônia

Photo: Adrian Rupp

More records

More birds of the region

A sample of the species that may turn up on our outings.

Red-necked woodpecker (Campephilus rubricollis)

Red-necked woodpecker

Campephilus rubricollis

Pica-pau-de-barriga-vermelha

Photo: Marcos Amend

Blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui)

Blue-crowned trogon

Trogon curucui

Surucuá-de-barriga-vermelha

Photo: Valdir Hobus

Blue-cheeked jacamar (Galbula cyanicollis)

Blue-cheeked jacamar

Galbula cyanicollis

Ariramba-da-mata

Photo: Valdir Hobus

Spix's guan (Penelope jacquacu)

Spix's guan

Penelope jacquacu

Jacu-de-spix

Blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus)

Blue-headed parrot

Pionus menstruus

Maitaca-de-cabeça-azul

Photo: Valdir Hobus

Logistics and guiding

Planned in detail, guided in the field

Based on your dates and interests, we put together a proposed itinerary with options and prices on WhatsApp. Once agreed, we organise the logistics, including your guide and transfers.

In the field, outings are led by Gilberto Tavares, who knows the areas in detail and is known for finding wildlife and for his persistence. Morning outings start at 5 or 6 am, depending on the area.

Times by area

In the press: Terra da Gente · g1 (2016) · Globo Rural (2019) · all coverage

For birders and photographers

  • Allow plenty of field time: seeing a bird does not always mean getting the shot.
  • For better light, the open areas and edges at Rancho Novo and Esteio work best; for forest-interior species, Bom Jesus.
  • Wear long trousers and closed shoes; bring a cap or hat, repellent, sunscreen and water.
  • Rooms have a desk with sockets for charging batteries and gear.
  • Share your target species in advance — it guides the choice of areas and timings.

Sightings depend on conditions, season and animal behaviour. No sighting can be guaranteed.

Plan your birding trip

Tell us your dates, how much field time you have and the species you most want to see or photograph.