Highlights of Brazil's Atlantic Forest: Jan 31—Feb 09, 2009

Short, single-site tour focused on the highly endemic avifauna of Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Lodge situated in rich foothill forest with extensive trail system offering a spectacular array of typical Atlantic Forest birds, as well as many of the rarer and most sought-after endemics, including good chances for Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Long-trained Nightjar, Blue-bellied Parrot, and the nearly mythical Helmeted Woodpecker.

Swallow-tailed Cotinga— Photo: Kevin Zimmer

Brazil's Atlantic Forest region boasts more endemic species of birds than any other single region in South America. From stunningly beautiful hummingbirds and tanagers to skulking antbirds and a challenging array of flycatchers, the Atlantic Forest has it all. To see all or nearly all of the endemics takes time and a fair bit of moving around, and that is the domain of our perennially popular Southeast Brazil Tours (Parts I and II). This tour is designed for those desiring a shorter trip that maximizes birding time, minimizes travel time, and still delivers an impressive diversity of Atlantic Forest endemics at a reasonable pace.

Intervales State Park is the ideal location in which to immerse oneself in the rich avifauna of Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Located within a four-hour drive from São Paulo's international airport at Garulhas, blessed with a delightfully temperate climate, and nestled within an impressively large expanse of diverse foothill forest, Intervales offers a singular birding experience that is unexcelled in Southeast Brazil. Here, where Red-capped Parrots, Large-tailed Antshrikes, and Diademed Tanagers can all be seen from the balcony of our lodge, and where Swallow-tailed Cotingas, White Woodpeckers, and Red-eyed Thornbirds all nest in or around the clearing surrounding the dining hall, the birds are literally at our doorsteps.

Nor will we have to venture far afield when it comes time to bird the forest interior, for Intervales is blessed with an extensive system of jeep tracks that are ideal for group birding. These tracks will give us access to some of the most exciting birding that South America has to offer, including many of the most sought-after Atlantic Forest endemics. Whether you are a first-timer to Brazil, or a veteran still looking for such prizes as Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Long-trained Nightjar, Rusty-barred Owl, Blue-bellied Parrot, Plovercrest, Helmeted Woodpecker, White-bearded and Giant antshrikes, Atlantic Royal Flycatcher, Russet-winged Spadebill, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Spotted Bamboowren, and Half-collared Sparrow, or someone who simply wants a week of exceptional, carefree birding in an exotic and pleasant locale, Intervales is the place to be.

Single-site tour with no internal flights; requiring only a 4-hour drive from and to the international airport on the first and last days of the trip. Simple but comfortable accommodations in private rooms with private baths; sumptuous meals served family style. Easy terrain; most birding done along mostly level to moderately hilly jeep tracks through forest; full mornings of birding on all days, usually returning for lunch and a significant post-lunch break, followed by late afternoon birding; optional night birding on a couple of nights. Generally mild climate, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool nights.