Chasing targets birds in the northeast of Brazil
- Alejandro Pinto
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
After 11 days in the field, 2940 km (1837 miles), 224 sp, 37 endemics (highly localized) and 82 lifers for our guest Scott, we have finished our northeast Brazil private trip in the bioma of Caatinga.
In Scott´s words:
One enters international birding like species evolution. Your first trips are magic, both the birds and the total experience. Lodgings have feeders, the areas birded popular and the bird species are well known and accessible. What happens when all of this is seen and experienced? You ultimately need to evolve to a higher level of birding that demands a lot more of the self- hence a 1,800 mile birding trip in Brazil’s caatinga ( dry scrubland with unique landforms including the Chapada low elevation mountains). This area has a very low bird density but high endemicism ( 38 out of my 81 life birds were endemics). The demands to see these birds involve long distance driving between “bird spots” and the need to have special and skillful guides. I thank Alejo and Alex, and a special local guide Christine ( our Hooded Visorbearer Hummingbird finder) for patience, endurance and learning how to have fun when the group was “on the road again”. I also need to thank those that helped saved birds like the Araripe Manikin and the Indigo Macaw. A hard trip that is being massaged by a quick week in Colombia, to see my old bird species that always brings me comfort.
The Caatinga is one of Brazil’s most distinctive and least understood biomes. Often perceived as dry, harsh, and inhospitable, this vast semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil reveals a completely different reality to those who explore it deeply. Beneath its thorny vegetation, rocky outcrops, and seasonal drought lies an extraordinary concentration of endemic wildlife, especially birds found nowhere else on Earth.
This trip was dedicated to exploring the heart of the Caatinga in search of its most iconic avian inhabitants. Traveling through remote landscapes shaped by sun, wind, and scarcity of water, each day brought new encounters with species that have adapted in remarkable ways to survive in this challenging environment. From isolated plateaus and dry valleys to patches of gallery forest and rocky cliffs, the diversity of habitats proved just as surprising as the birds themselves.
The main goal of the journey was to observe and photograph some of Brazil’s most sought-after endemic species, many of them restricted to very small ranges and highly specialized ecosystems. Seeing these birds in their natural environment not only highlighted their beauty and uniqueness, but also emphasized the importance of conserving the Caatinga—an ecosystem that remains underrepresented in conservation discussions despite its global biological value.
Iconic Birds of the Brazilian Caatinga
The Caatinga is home to an exceptional number of endemic bird species, making it a dream destination for birders seeking range-restricted and highly specialized taxa. Among the most emblematic species observed during this trip were several true symbols of this biome.
One of the most anticipated birds was the Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni), a critically endangered species restricted to the humid forested slopes of the Araripe Plateau. Its striking red-and-white plumage and delicate movements stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding dry landscapes, making any encounter with this species especially memorable.
Equally impressive was the Lear’s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari), an icon of Caatinga conservation. Once on the brink of extinction, this large blue macaw now survives mainly in the rocky canyons of Bahia, where it feeds almost exclusively on licuri palm nuts. Watching flocks of Indigo Macaws flying over sandstone cliffs is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences the Caatinga has to offer.
The Hooded Visorbearer (Augastes lumachella) represents another unique evolutionary story. Endemic to rocky highlands, this hummingbird thrives in exposed, windswept environments where few other species can survive. Its bold plumage and territorial behavior make it a true jewel of the Caatinga’s montane habitats.
Among the region’s more elusive birds, the Sincora Antwren (Formicivora grantsaui) stands out as a highly localized endemic associated with dense, shrubby vegetation. Similarly, the Ceara Gnateater (Conopophaga cearae), with its secretive habits and limited distribution, exemplifies the hidden diversity that rewards patient observers in this biome.
Another highlight was the Grey-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), an endangered species found in fragmented forest patches within the Caatinga. Its social behavior and constant vocalizations make it easier to detect than many other endemics, yet its survival remains tightly linked to habitat preservation.
Honorable mentions: White-browed Antpitta, Great Xenops, Spotted Piculet, Collared Crescentchest, Diamantina Tapaculo, Ochre-backed Woodpecker, Nothura, Comb Duck, White-browed Guan, East Brazilian Chachalaca, Pygmy Nightjar, Horned Sungem, Ruby Topaz, Band-tailed Manakin, White-napped Xenopsaris
Mammals: Black-tufted Marmoset, Common Marmoset, Rock Cavy, Spix yellow toothed Cavin, Chicken Snake, Blonde Titi Monkeys (heard)
