Bonjour à tout le monde,

En complément au message de Valéry sur le Brésil, j'en profite pour vous communiquer quelques infos (en anglais) sur les 5 meilleures destinations ornithos du pays :

Northeastern Brazil
---------------------------

Northeastern Brazil is an area of stark contrasts, from dry desert-like scrub to lush remnant Atlantic rainforests. These lands abound with endemic fauna and flora and hold some of the most threatened habitat and birdlife in the Americas.

An increasingly sought after destination is the scenically beautiful and poorly-known habitat in northeastern Brazil called Caatinga. Caatinga consists of many cacti from the towering columnar forms to delicate terrestrial flowering beauties, set amongst low thorny scrub dotted with different colourful terrestrial bromeliads. Caatinga covers the immense arid interior of much of the area, and is home to many endemic bird species. At dawn the Caatinga dawn chorus is spectacular. As you travel through the interior congregations of waterfowl in seasonal pools attracts often such poorly known species as the Southern Pochard and large "v formations" of Comb Duck can be seen at dawn or dusk. This habitat has been compared to Africa in terms of seeing birds which are teaming and easy to see.

Spectacular granite and sandstone rock outcrops dot the skyline nowhere more spectacularly than the Chapada da Dimantina area. These arid landscapes foremost spectacular endemic is the stunning but highly threatened Lear's Macaw. Recent additions to science in the area are the brilliant colourful Araripe Manakin its scarlet helmet contrasting so vividly with its white body and black wings (ranking it as one of South Americas top ten) and the enigmatic Pink-legged Graviteiro as it acrobatically climbs on the underside of tree limbs. Both were described in the last 5 years!

Alagoas state and Murici Atlantic Forest reserve offer two species known only from this woodlot: the Alagoas Foliage-gleaner and Antwren. Other special northeastern endemics include the Caatinga and Jandaya Parakeet, Long-tailed Woodnymph, White-naped Jay, Great Zenops, Hooded Visobearer, White-winged Cotinga, White-browed Antpitta, Silver-cheeked Antshrike, Slender and Scalloped Antbird, Pectoral, Caatinga and Narrow-billed Antwren, Red-shouldered Spinetail, Bahia Tyrannulet, Caatinga Cacholote, Scarlet-throated Tanager and the amazing Seven-colored Tanager and many more.

Central Brazil
---------------
Poorly - known central Brazil holds some of the best grassland and cerrado habitat remaining in South America. Both Emas and Canastra National Park are characterized by immense grassland dotted with tall termite nests. This habitat holds some of the most sought-after birds on the continent, foremost the Brazilian Merganser, which inhabits the fast- flowing crystal clear waters of Canastra and the sensational White-winged Nightjar of Emas National Park. Displaying like miniature helicopters, Cock-tailed Tyrants hover above the grass, mixed flocks of seedeater often hold rarities with both Brazilian Tapaculo and brilliant Horned Sungem found along the gallery forest edge.

Central Brazil is also well known for easy viewing of some of the most magnificent mammals of South America. Most elegant being the Mained Wolf, a tall handsome, rufous wolf with long black legs and a black and white mane. This region as well holds the highest density in the Americas of the wonderful, bizarre Giant Anteater! These areas are also the last strong hold for Pampas Deer and Giant Armadillo.

The spectacular scenery around Caraca Natural Park and its historic monastery is breathtaking, here the mountains rise to over 2000m and mosaic of habitats from cerrado, grassland and Atlantic rainforest hold many exciting birds. Here highlights are the Mained Wolves which are seen almost every night coming for food, birds include Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Brazilian Ruby, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Serra Antwren, White Woodpecker, Hyacinth Visobearer, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Cresent-chested Puffbird and at night Tawny-browed Owl and Long-trained Nightjar.

Closer to Belo Horizonte the Serra do Cipo offers great photographic opportunities with many endemics plants and the recently described Cipo Canastero, Hyacinth Visobearer, Gray-backed Tachuri and Cinnamon Warbling Finch. For Primate admires a trip to Caratinga reserve is a must, offering the rare chance to observe at close quarters the charming groups of endemic threatened Wooly-spider Monkeys.

Amazon
----------
Far below us, a vast green carpet extends as far as the eye can see. We are flying over the immense Amazon rainforest of Brazil, broken only by thin brown paths of muddy meandering tributaries that feed into the World's mightiest river, the Amazon. Here the lowland tropical rainforest is home to the planet's greatest biodiversity, with over a thousand species of birds, countless primates (new species being described annually) and a myriad of amphibians, reptiles and insects.

As we stand in the forest, a huge "granddad" of the forest towers above us, reaching for the clouds above. The immense size of this emergent Brazil nut tree, standing at 60m (195 feet), is a clear reminder that were are walking a pristine "jungle" trail. As we round a bend, the welcome sight of thousands of army ants on the forest floor rewards us with an array of wonderful colourful, enigmatic obligate Antbirds, Woodcreepers and a family group of Trumpeters all actively feeding on the escaping insects, worms and small reptiles.

As the morning sun breaks above the horizon, we are amongst the tree crowns on a canopy platform, surrounded by a sea of different shades of green with mist rising. As a distant Forest-Falcon calls, a flock of shrieking Parrots fly past close at eye level. Toucans join in, and the dawn chorus starts in earnest as all around us the daytime forest creatures awaken. Stunningly colourful Pompadour and Spangled Cotingas sun themselves in the morning rays and busy brightly coloured Tanager and Honeycreepers start forming the canopy flocks. Canopy towers offer an insight at first hand of the life in this poorly known realm, all comfortably at eye level!

When the sun warms the tower, we descend to the forest again. A flash of colour off the trail low in the forest attracts our attention to a small congregation of stunning male Wire-tailed Manakin on their lek, their vivid yellow, scarlet and black mix dazzling us from the sunspot they choose in the understory to call and display to attract females to mate. Deep hollow hoots of a Variegated Antpitta echo out of the forest and suddenly this infrequently seen species flies up to a song perch for all to see.

Moments like these remind us of wonderful experiences we have either already enjoyed or can look forward to on any Amazonian adventure!

Lowland tropical rainforest cover an immense area of northern Brazil, offering several excellent options to bird various endemic centres. At the confluence of the mighty Rio Negro and Amazon, Manaus is an excellent starting point to explore the Amazon along with its famous "opera house". Comfortable live-aboard riverboats give access to many endemic riverine fauna found at the Anavilhana Archipelago and on the Amazon white water River islands. Here highlights may include several recently re-discovered species such as Scaled Spinetail, Klages Antwren, Zimmer's Woodcreeper, Red-and White, Parker's and White-bellied Spinetail, Black and White Antbird, Azure Gallinule, Amazonian Umbrellabird and Cream-colored Woodpecker.

The Manaus area also holds several special white sandy soil forests called Campina, rich in lovely orchids and bromeliads and with unique birds. Here we find the recently re-discovered Pelzeln's Tody-tyrant, Black and Yellow-crested Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant Manakin, Bronzy Jacamar, Blue-backed Tanager, Crimson Topaz, Guianan Slaty Antshrike, Rufous-crowned Elaenia and White-naped Seedeater. Caves of the region hold the crippling Guianan-cock-of-the rock. From the famous INPA canopy tower and surrounding forest trails, you can see such gems as Crimson Fruitcrow, Pompadour Cotinga, Capuchin Bird, Black Curassow, Green Aracari, Guianan Toucanet, Caica Parrot, Harpy and Crested Eagle, Ferruginous-backed and Rufous-throated Antbird, Racket-tailed Coquette, Dotted Tanager, Glossy-backed Becard, White-winged, Long-tailed and Rufous Potoo.

A short flight up the Rio Negro takes us to the superb Kings Island lodge, nestled in the middle of the Rio Negro amongst this breath taking beautiful scenery of the region. The Lodge offers excellent food and accommodations, and serves as a base to explore pristine forest with many poorly know near endemics. Here such mythical birds as Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo, Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Black-necked Red Cotinga, Reddish-winged, White-plumed, Gray-bellied and Chestnut-crested Antbirds, Pavonine Quetzal, Fiery Topaz, Black-bellied Thorntail and Brown-banded Puffbird.

Reached via the city of Belém at the mouth of the Amazon, the new Caxiuana forest reserve offers great lodgings, extensive forest trails and several canopy towers for opportunities to observe several local specialties. Foremost is the spectacular Golden Parakeet (worthy in size and colour to be an honouree Macaw). Others include Dark-winged Trumpeter, Vulturine Parrot, Fiery-tailed Awlbill, recently described Brigidas Woodcreeper, Pearly Parakeet, White-bellied Parrot, Red-necked Aracari, Gould's Toucanet, Zimmer's Tody Tyrant, Flame-crested Manakin, Rufous-necked Puffbird, Crimson Topaz and many more.

An outstanding Amazon experience is offered at Cristalino Lodge, Alta Floresta in Mato Grosso State reached by short flight from Cuiaba. This can easily be combined with a Pantanal tour (see description on our page about tours to the Pantanal and Chapada).

Located in a reserve with hunting ban, Cristalino Lodge combines excellent food, great accommodation and a super canopy tower. The reserve offers great birding (from a list of 520+) and wonderful chances of seeing big mammals. Primates abound, Tapir, two Otter species and thousands of butterflies can be observed. This site is rapidly developing a reputation as a World-class rainforest destination! The crystal clear black water of the Rio Cristalino makes for superb afternoon river trips (mosquito free) along pristine rainforest lined banks. One never knows what one can see next. A newly constructed canopy tower, a tapir lick and miles of forest trails right from your doorstep with abundant bamboo make the setting ideal! Bird highlights include, confiding Razor-billed and Bare-faced Curassow, Red-throated Piping Guan, Red-necked Aracari, Gould's Toucanet, Pavonine Quetzal, Bare-eyed Antbird, Manu Antbird (along with almost all the bamboo specialists found in SE Peru) Glossy Antshrike, Purple-throated Cotinga, Snow-capped and Fiery -capped Manakin, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, poorly-known Kawall's Parrot, Black-girdled Barbet, Tooth-billed Wren, Brown-banded and Rufous-necked Puffbird and Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak and many more.

Atlantic forests
-------------------
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. The natural world 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! Within hours of arriving in Rio, you can be in the 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.

At dawn the forest comes to life with unusual bird songs along with the hilarious territorial duets of groups of Masked Titi monkeys, one of the many endemic primates of the region. 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 Spinetail, 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. 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 crippling Chestnut-backed Tanager and many more. Venturing further south in Rio Grande we encounter large coastal lagoons teeming with wildlife, including Black-necked and Coscoroba Swans, Southern Screamer, Giant Woodrail, Great Grebe, Ringed and Silvery Teal, Rosy-billed Pochard, Snowy-crowned Tern, White Monjita, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, 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.

Pentanal
-------------
The Pantanal is the largest wetlands in the World, a vast watery world that teems with wildlife! Flocks of huge Jabiru Storks argue over stranded fish as roadside pools dry. They step around basking Caiman side by side with Rosette Spoonbill and other Herons, Ibis and Egrets. A loud series of harsh calls echo over the pool as a pair of huge Hyacinth Macaws fly past bringing gasps of joy as their vibrant colours radiate in the evening light. The Pantanal is often compared to a Safari trip to Africa with great numbers of big easy-to-see birds, mammals and reptiles. Daily bird lists soar above 150 species seen!

Scanning the wide-open areas of grassland scattered with magnificent pink and yellow flowering Tabiboia (Ype) trees, we watch for Greater Rea, Giant Anteater and Marsh Deer. Kingfishers greet us at every bridge (all 5 species occur), a Rufescent Tiger Heron tries to hide in the reeds as a perched Snail Kite expertly works on its prey a snail or crab. Sunbittern are common here adding two-sun flash of colour as they flush, leaving the usually timid Gray-necked Wood Rail strutting around tame like a chicken! Along the roadside we observe a majestic pair of Bare-faced Curassow foraging, and further ahead a glistening line across the road later turns out to be the large very beautifully marked (and harmless) Yellow Anaconda. On a relaxing late afternoon boat trip, we drift quietly down a river observing a family group of Giant River Otters at play, while a spectacular Agami Heron feeds in the shallows. Approaching the bank, we flush a hidden roosting Boat-billed Heron. The silence is broken when a pair of Southern Screamers announce their presence, demonstrating how they get their name. Here night excursions allow the Milky Way to be seen at its best and good chances to see big cats like the Jaguar, a Tapir or Crab-eating Raccoon as well as Potoo's, Nightjars and Owls.

The sight of towering red sandstone rock formations dissected by magnificent waterfalls that descend into Gallery forest confirm our arrival in the Chapada Dos Guimaraes National Park with its unique flora and fauna. Swirling flocks of White-eyed Parakeets and Biscuitate Swifts announce the evening roost movement as they swoop into the sandstone cliff face as we observe from our vantage point. Gasps from the group greet the arrival of the endangered Blue-winged Macaws as they bank around showing off their magnificent glowing colours in the evening sun. The dominant vegetation of this region is Cerrado, characterized by short twisted trees and shrubs with glossy thick leaves and fire-resistant bark amongst grassland with Gallery forest hugging the watercourses. Here we search for such specialties as the striking Blue Finch, White-rumped and White-banded Tanager, Helmeted Manakin, Coal-crested Finch, Dot-eared Coquette, Band-tailed Manakin, Red-winged Tinamou and Red-legged Seriema and many more.

Voyages et Observations

Meilleures régions ornithos du Brésil