Binoculars in the Backcountry: Northeast Brazil

In case you missed it: Northeast Brazil - Part 1

Day 4 - Potengi to Canudos. This was a day we had all been waiting for since studying the pre-trip itinerary. After a short birding outing before breakfast we would be heading to the Chapada do Araripe plateau to see the Araripe Manakin. This species was described to science in 1998 and has a total range of only about 11 square miles. A population estimate of less that 800 individuals puts this species among the most endangered on the planet. Click here to read more. Not only is this a super rare bird, but it is absolutely gorgeous. Thankfully the males of most manakin species are very predictable in behavior, staying very close to their display sites to entertain females when the time is right. We were able to get good looks at two males on territory without a problem. Then we were away for the long drive for another super rare bird with some late afternoon birding along the way.

It's Araripe Manakin time

Oh boy, there's one!

Araripe Manakin

Red-legged Seriema

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper

Broad-tipped Hermit

Day 5 - Canudos to Lençóis. Visually stunning, the scenery in the Canudos area would have been enough. But throw in a very rare and gorgeous Macaw, and you have the makings for a wonderful morning. We were up well before first light for the drive out to the sandstone roosting cliffs and the flyout of the Lear's (Indigo) Macaws. The weather was perfect, the scenery beyond amazing, and the birds were many. In 1983 there were only 60 individuals of this species but with conservation efforts there are now well over 1000. It's still endangered, but there is hope. Another long afternoon drive awaited, but we were happy.

Arrival at Estação Biológica de Canudos, or the Lear's Macaw reserve cliffs

Here's a short video of the cliffs, showing the majestic scenery and birds. For email viewers, click this link for the YouTube video.

Lear's (Indigo) Macaw

There were some Blue-crowned Parakeets around as well

Day 6 and 7 - Lençóis and Chapada Diamantina National Park. We spent two full days in this amazing landscape of dry caatinga, cerrado savannah, and mountainous humid and gallery forests. The area supports nearly 400 species of birds. While there we did hikes and drives to pick up many of the unique species of the area. Of particular note were the near-threatened Hooded Visorbearer (hummingbird) and endangered Diamantina Tapaculo. While not a rare bird, the Horned Sungem (hummingbird) was a huge hit with everyone.