BIRDING TOURS
The Atlantic Forest comprises a range of habitat types. REGUA extends in altitude from 35-2000 m, however most of the accessible forest lies below 900 m. Join our organised off-reserve birding excursions and explore varied habitats over a range of altitudes that comprise the Atlantic Forest biome, including humid lowland Atlantic Forest, high elevation montane Atlantic Forest, dry Atlantic Forest, restinga, salt pans and coasts.
PICO CALEDÔNIA ⭐ (Most Popular)
Useful info: Transport is via air-conditioned minibus to the city of Nova Friburgo where we transfer to an open-backed pickup to drive to the summit, 2 hours each way. Birding the elfin forest is done from the steep cobbled road that leads to the summit. The rest of the day is spent on a wide flat trail. Please bring your passport with you on this excursion. To access the summit for Itatiaia Thistletail you will need to leave your passport at the checkpoint located at the start of the steps (this part of the excursion is optional and anyone who does not want to climb the steps can wait at the checkpoint for the rest of the group). A packed lunch is included in the excursion price. Pico da Caledônia is one of the highest peaks in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains, reaching 2,257 metres above sea level. On a clear day the views from the top are truly spectacular. The montane forest here is one of only two known sites (and by far the most accessible and reliable) where the extremely rare and elusive Grey-winged Cotinga may be found. This site is also known for its isolated population of Itatiaia Thistletail. We start the day birding the elfin forest near the summit searching for the rare Grey-winged Cotinga, Itatiaia Thistletail and other high altitude specialities including Green-crowned-plovercrest, Large-tailed Antshrike, Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch. Late morning we drive part way back down the mountain for lunch, before spending the early afternoon birding another trail at lower altitude with fantastic scenery. Birds here include Dusky-tailed Antbird, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black-and-gold Cotinga and Mouse-coloured Tapaculo. Target species: Red-legged Seriema Green-crowned-Plovercrest White-throated Hummingbird Brazilian Ruby Large-tailed Antshrike Rufous-backed Antvireo Rufous-tailed Antbird Dusky-tailed Antbird Rufous Gnateater Mouse-coloured Tapaculo Itatiaia Thistletail Pallid Spinetail Sharp-billed Treehunter Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Highland Elaenia Serra do Mar Tyrannulet Blue-billed Black-Tyrant Velvety Black-Tyrant Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant Swallow-tailed Cotinga Black-and-gold Cotinga Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin Rufous-crowned Greenlet Cinnamon Tanager Diademed Tanager Brassy-breasted Tanager Bay-chested Warbling-Finch
FARMLAND SAFARI
This is an easy half day excursion along the dirt roads around REGUA to explore the agricultural land, wet pasture and rivers where a large number of bird species typically associated with open country can be found. With the reforested areas at REGUA now well established, many of these species are now quite difficult to see on the reserve, with forest species moving in. This enjoyable short tour is a great way to take in the mountain scenery and depending on the precise route there is an option to visit a local shop. Useful info:Transport is via pickup retrofitted with basic wooden benches in the back. Limited seating is available in the cabin, participants may need to be able to climb in and out of the truck over the tailgate via a small step.. This excursion takes in a variety of habitats found along the dirt roads outside REGUA. This is a hot environment with very little shelter from the sun, therefore we strongly recommend an early start and plenty of sunscreen, water and a hat. Target species: Whistling Heron Savanna Hawk Harris’s Hawk Great Black Hawk Short-tailed Hawk Limpkin Ash-throated Crake South American Snipe Scaled Pigeon Guira Cuckoo Striped Cuckoo Burrowing Owl Toco Toucan White Woodpecker Campo Flicker American Kestrel Aplomado Falcon Blue-winged Macaw Peach-fronted Parakeet Rufous Hornero Rufous-fronted Thornbird Cattle Tyrant Fork-tailed Flycatcher (August – December) Bran-coloured Flycatcher Streamer-tailed Tyrant White-rumped Monjita White-rumped Swallow Long-billed Wren Chalk-browed Mockingbird Yellowish Pipit Grassland Sparrow Masked Yellowthroat White-browed Meadowlark (Blackbird) Red-cowled Cardinal Grassland Yellow-Finch Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Long-tailed Reed Finch
NIGHT BIRDING
What to take Head torch or small torch (a red filter/light is useful if you have one), binoculars, camera, sturdy walking boots, hat, insect repellent, long-sleeved top, and a waterproof jacket. A lightweight fleece can be useful between May to August. Useful Info:Our guide will have a high-powered torch (please refrain from using your own high-powered torch during the excursion). Transport is via pickup retrofitted with basic wooden benches in the back. Limited seating is available in the cabin, and participants may therefore need to be able to climb in and out of the truck over the tailgate via a small step. 19:00 usually immediately after dinner but the time varies depending on the time of year. The birding doesn’t need to stop after dark. Here at REGUA we have some of the most exciting night-birding on offer anywhere! REGUA is probably the most reliable site in South America to see the world’s biggest snipe – the Giant Snipe. The southern subspecies, Gallinago undulata gigantea, is huge – reaching almost half a metre from bill-tip to tail-tip! Despite their large size, this nocturnal bird is notoriously difficult to see and described by Honkala and Niiranen (2010) as “almost impossible to observe on the ground”. Our bird guide Adilei spends many hours in the field at night searching for the latest feeding grounds of the birds and is an expert at being able to approach closely to these birds. Now guests frequently see them just a few metres away on the ground in torch light (please read our guidelines for excursions for Giant Snipe). Mammals are sometimes encountered on this excursion, including Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum, South-eastern Common Opossum, Nine-banded Armadillo and Capybara, as well as open-country birds such as Whistling Heron, Ash-throated Crake, South American Snipe, Striped Cuckoo, Toco Toucan, Grassland Sparrow, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Chopi Blackbird and Giant Cowbird. Target species: Giant Snipe Striped Owl American Barn Owl Scissor-tailed Nightjar Short-tailed Nighthawk Spot-tailed Nightjar Common Pauraque Burrowing Owl Black-banded Owl Tawny-browed Owl Mottled Owl Black-capped Screech-Owl Tropical Screech-Owl Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Common Potoo Long-tailed Potoo
MACAÉ DE CIMA
A trip to look for endemic birds of the Montane Atlantic Forest. On this excursion we make several stops at various altitudes, with most of our time spent on a dirt road in Macaé de Cima district within Nova Friburgo municipality. This region comprises an area of montane forest reaching an altitude of c.1,400 m.a.s.l. The forest here offers some of the easiest access to high altitude Atlantic Forest specialities, with most of the birding done from the access road. Useful info:Transport is via air-conditioned minibus. Please bring your passport with you on this excursion. A packed lunch is included in the excursion price. Target species: Plumbeous Pigeon Brown-backed Parrotlet Golden-tailed Parrotlet Scale-throated Hermit Plovercrest White-throated Hummingbird Brazilian Ruby Amethyst Woodstar Yellow-browed Woodpecker Giant Antshrike Tufted Antshrike Rufous-backed Antvireo Bertonis Antbird Ochre-rumped Antbird Dusky-tailed Antbird Rufous Gnateater Rufous-tailed (Brazilian) Antthrush Black-billed Scythebill Rufous-capped Spinetail Pallid Spinetail Red-eyed Thornbird White-browed Foliage-gleaner Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner White-collared Foliage-gleaner Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Sharp-billed Treehunter Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher Southern Bristle-Tyrant Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet Serra do Mar Tyrannulet Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant Sharpbill Hooded Berryeater Bare-throated Bellbird Black-and-gold Cotinga Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin Greenish Schiffornis Rufous-crowned Greenlet Chestnut-headed Tanager Azure-shouldered Tanager Bay-chested Warbling-Finch Green-winged Saltator White-browed Warbler
SERRA DOS ÓRGÃOS NATIONAL PARK
Useful info: Transport is via air-conditioned minibus, 2 hours each way (to arrive when the park opens). A packed lunch is included in the excursion price. Established in 1939, Serra dos Órgãos is Brazil’s third oldest national park and is located on the outskirts of Teresópolis – a mountain town an hour and a half drive from REGUA. Extending over almost 12,000 hectares of mountainous country, the park has an Atlantic pluvial tropical forest and some of the most spectacular scenery in all the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range. The park includes sub-montane and montane forest. This excursion concentrates on the park’s headquarters where we spend the morning birding an elevated boardwalk offering excellent views of birds mid-canopy as well as forest-floor species below us. After lunch we bird part of the cobbled driveway near the entrance of the park. For those feeling particularly energetic, we can organise birding on the Pedra do Sino Trail – a high altitude long distance trail that reaches 2,263 m a. s. l. This trail includes several steep hill climbs so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Grey-winged Cotinga is present here above 1,800 m. The park is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday between 08:00 and 17:00 and weekends can be very busy with hikers so we strongly recommend a weekday visit. Key species: Dusky-legged Guan Spot-winged Wood-Quail Mantled Hawk Plumbeous Pigeon Maroon-bellied Parakeet Plovercrest White-throated Hummingbird Brazilian Ruby Surucua Trogon Black-throated Trogon Yellow-eared Woodpecker Yellow-browed Woodpecker Giant Antshrike Rufous-backed Antvireo Bertoni’s Antbird Rufous-tailed Antbird Ochre-rumped Antbird Rufous Gnateater Mouse-coloured Tapaculo Pallid Spinetail White-browed Foliage-gleaner Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper Sharp-billed Treehunter Blue-billed Black-Tyrant Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant Sharpbill Swallow-tailed Cotinga Hooded Berryeater Black-and-gold Cotinga Rufous-crowned Greenlet Diademed Tanager Brassy-breasted Tanagers Bay-chested Warbling-Finch Green-winged Saltator Thick-billed Saltator White-browed Warbler
CABO FRIO
A full day excursion to the coastal restinga for the endemic Restinga Antwren and other specialities of this threatened habitat. Restinga is a vegetation type in the Atlantic Forest that grows on sandy soils and consists of cacti, ferns, small palms, bromeliads and scrub, as well as some taller forest further inland. The restinga has a tiny distribution along the coast of south-east Brazil, and as with other Atlantic Forest habitats has been dramatically reduced, with only about 10% of the original area remaining. Urban development, particularly for holiday homes, is a serious threat to the survival of this special habitat. On this excursion we visit an area of restinga near the town of Cabo Frio, as well as stopping at lagoons and salt pans nearby for a variety of shorebirds, wildfowl and marshland species. The restinga is the only habitat in which Restinga Antwren is found and this species is our main target. During the austral winter months we might even be fortunate enough to find a Magellanic Penguin offshore! Useful info:Transport is via air-conditioned minibus. A packed lunch is included in the excursion price. We also allow for an optional stop at a cafe in Cabo Frio for refreshments. Price: US$110 per person TARGET SPECIES: Restinga Antwren White-cheeked Pintail Magellanic Penguin (seasonal) Pinnated Bittern Roseate Spoonbill Hook-billed Kite Snail Kite Mangrove Rail American Oystercatcher White-backed Stilt Grey-hooded Gull Cabot’s (Cayenne) Tern Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Minute Hermit White-tailed Goldenthroat Rusty-backed Antwren Wren-like Rushbird Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet Crested Doradito Unicolored Blackbird Black-backed Tanager Bicoloured Conebill Rusty-collared Seedeater Copper Seedeater Other species often seen include: Magnificent Frigatebird Brown Booby Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Little Blue Heron Semi-palmated Plover Collared Plover Black-bellied (Grey) Plover Hudsonian Godwit (American) Whimbrel Eurasian Whimbrel Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Yellow-billed Tern South American Tern Royal Tern Sooretama Slaty Antshrike Hangnest Tody-Tyrant Tropical Mockingbird
SUMIDOURO AND CARMO
Useful info: Transport is via air-conditioned minibus, 3 hours each way with stops on route. A packed lunch is included in the excursion price. The degraded remnant patches of Atlantic semi-deciduous forest on the other side of the Serra dos Órgãos mountains are the stronghold of the threatened Three-toed Jacamar, a species at one time considered common, but now only found in a few locations and listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International. We have an excellent chance of seeing this and many other species on this full day trip. This excursion takes in a variety of habitats including remnant patches of Atlantic semi-deciduous forest, open grassy plains and wetlands. Most of the birding from roadside stops. Key species: Dusky-legged Guan White-tailed Hawk Bicoloured Hawk American Kestrel Bat Falcon Red-legged Seriema Blue-winged Macaw White-eyed Parakeet Scaly-headed Parrot American Barn Owl Planalto Hermit Sapphire-spangled Emerald Three-toed Jacamar White-eared Puffbird Black-necked Aracari Serra Antwren Rio de Janeiro Antbird Red-eyed Thornbird Firewood-gatherer Hangnest Tody-Tyrant Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher White-rumped Monjita Streamer-tailed Tyrant Long-tailed Tyrant Curl-crested Jay Tawny-headed Swallow Magpie Tanager Orange-headed Tanager Hepatic Tanager Gilt-edged Tanager Uniform Finch Crested Oropendola Hooded Siskin
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
The REGUA reserve is located within the Atlantic Forest of south-east Brazil, in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains, part of the wider Serra do Mar range that runs parallel to the Atlantic coast. The forest here ranges in altitudinal from sea level to over 2,200 m a.s.l and includes a variety of forest types including the Atlantic Rain Forest found in the lowlands and on the seaward slopes – a tropical moist broadleaf forest, dry Atlantic Semi-deciduous forest of the interior slope, mangroves and sandloving restinga along the coast. This exceptional variety of environments, combined with the high levels of endemism typical of the Atlantic Forest, makes the Serra dos Órgãos one of Brazil’s most bird-rich regions. In just a few days, it is possible to record over 300 species. This itinerary has been designed to showcase the main Atlantic Forest habitats of the region and can easily be combined with visits to other iconic destinations such as the Pantanal and the Amazon Rainforest. Day 1 – Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to REGUA Most international flights arrive in the afternoon or evening, and arrival at the lodge is usually late in the evening. Light refreshments are provided for late arrivals. Day 2 – Wetland and restored lowland forest REGUA’s wetland is one of the reserve’s most outstanding conservation success stories. Once drained for agriculture, it has been restored into a rich mosaic of lakes, channels, reedbeds, wet grasslands, Tabebuia cassinoides stands and lowland forest. More than 220 bird species have been recorded here, making it an ideal introduction to South American bird families. Well-marked trails can be explored with or without a guide. Yellow Trail Follows the edge of the wetland with access to two hides. Best early morning or late afternoon. Target species include: Black-legged Dacnis, Boatbilled Heron, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Limpkin, Masked Duck, Sungrebe, Anhinga, Capped Heron, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, Blackish Rail, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, White-chinned Sapphire, Common Potoo, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Greater Ani, Wing-banded Hornero, Channel-billed Toucan, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Black-capped Donacobius, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Yellow-backed Tanager. The wetland is also good for raptors overhead including Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle. Brown Trail Passes through restored forest and leads to an observation tower. Best visited early in the morning. Target species include: Shrike-like Cotinga, Southern Antpipit, Unicoloured Antwren, Whiteflanked Antwren, Green-backed Becard, Blue Ground-Dove, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, Scaled Antbird, Grey-hooded Attila, Long-billed Wren, Black Hawk-Eagle, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Tropical Screech-Owl, Yellow-throated Woodpecker and Eyeringed Tody-Tyrant. Purple Trail / São José tower One of our canopy towers, the São José Tower, begins at a short distance from the Brown trail and is well worth visiting for the view across the Guapiaçu valley alone. The trail to the tower can produce bird species found in more mature forest interiors such as Southern Antpipit, Surucua Trogon, Scaled Antbird, and Grey-hooded Attila. Day 3 – Lowland rain forest and night birding Green Trail A day birding this excellent 3.8 km trail, colourmarked every 50 m, through well-established secondary lowland forest to an elevation of 550 m a.s.l. where there is a beautiful secluded waterfall that makes a great lunch stop. This trail gives access to older forest than the Brown Trail and many of REGUA’s specialities are present here. You can bird the trail with or without a guide, although hiring a guide is strongly recommended. Target species include: White-necked Hawk, Sawbilled Hermit, Rufous-capped Motmot, Buffbellied Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spotbilled Toucanet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spotbreasted Antvireo, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Variegated Antpitta, Slaty Bristlefront, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Shrike-like Cotinga, Russet-winged Spadebill, Blue-bellied Parrot, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Turquoise (White-bellied) Tanager, Whitethighed Swallow and Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper. Spotlighting for Giant Snipe In the evening, join our guided spotlighting excursion to look for Giant Snipe, with a chance of also seeing Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Spot-tailed Nightjar, Common Potoo, American Barn Owl and Ash-throated Crake. Day 4 – Montane forest at Pico da Caledônia A full day off-reserve birding high altitude forest at one of the highest peaks of the Serra dos Órgãos mountains, reaching 2,219 m a.s.l. A morning visit to the peak is followed by lunch further down the mountain and then an afternoon birding a scenic trail in search of high altitude endemics. Target species include: Grey-winged Cotinga, Itatiaia Thistletail, Green-crowned Plovercrest, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Mousecoloured Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Diademed Tanager, Baychested Warbling-Finch and Red-legged Seriema. Day 5 – Restinga and coastal lagoons at Cabo Frio Another full day excursion off-reserve, this time visiting the restinga – coastal forest growing on sandy soils, mangroves and salt lagoons near the coastal city of Cabo Frio, in search of bird species restricted to these special habitats. This excursion provides a break from forest birding to look for waders, terns, gulls, other water birds, and during the winter months sometimes even Magellanic Penguin! Target species include: Restinga Antwren, Whitecheeked Pintail, Magellanic Penguin (seasonal), Pinnated Bittern, Roseate Spoonbill, Hook-billed Kite, Snail Kite, Mangrove Rail, American Oystercatcher, White-backed Stilt, Grey-hooded Gull, Cabot’s (Cayenne) Tern, Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, Minute Hermit, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Rusty-backed Antwren, Wren-like Rushbird, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Mousecoloured Tyrannulet, Crested Doradito, Unicolored Blackbird, Black-backed Tanager, Bicoloured Conebill, Rusty-collared Seedeater and Copper Seedeater. Day 6 – Waldenoor forest and night birding The area of land dubbed ‘Waldenoor’ after a previous landowner, was purchased in 2007 to protect two large forest fragments either side that were already part of REGUA. The forest here is remote and has never been clearly felled with only selected hardwoods removed, making for some excellent birding in fantastic scenery, with towering ridges of rainforest over 1,000 m high all around. This area is also one of the best areas for raptors at REGUA. The short trail starts at 260 m a.s.l. and climbs to 360 m a.s.l. but has not yet been developed for tourism and therefore a guide is essential. Target species include: Mantled Hawk, Whitetailed Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Frilled Coquette, Saw-billed Hermit, White-eared Puffbird, (Greater) Crescent-chested Puffbird, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Plain Parakeet, Tufted Antshrike, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Variegated Antpitta, Slaty Bristlefront, Scaled Woodcreeper, Swallow-tailed (Blue) Manakin, Sharpbill, Green-backed Becard, Cliff Flycatcher, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, (Southern) Tropical Pewee, Red-cowled Cardinal and Yellowgreen Grosbeak. Spotlighting for owls, potoos and nightjars In the evening, join a guided spotlighting excursion to search for nocturnal birds such as Black-banded Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, Mottled Owl, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Long-tailed Potoo and Common Potoo. Day 7 – Atlantic Semi-deciduous forest at Sumidouro The final off-reserve excursion visiting the Atlantic Semi-deciduous forest, a seasonally dry forest type on the interior slope of the Serra dos Órgãos near the towns of Sumidouro and Carmo. Very little of the Atlantic Semi-deciduous forest remains and sadly today the landscape is one of open pastures with only tiny scattered remnants of forest. These forest patches are the haunt of the Vulnerable Three-toed Jacamar, our main target species today, but there are plenty of stops to look for species more common on the interior slope as well as open country species uncommon or absent at REGUA. Target species include: Three-toed Jacamar, Bluewinged Macaw, Campo Troupial, Serra Antwren, Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Black-necked Aracari, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Tawny-headed Swallow, Crested Black-Tyrant, Firewoodgatherer, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Grey Monjita, Grey-eyed Greenlet, Curl-crested Jay, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Sapphirespangled Emerald, White-tailed Hawk, Whiteeared Puffbird, Toco Toucan, Red-legged Seriema, American Kestrel, White-eyed Parakeet, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant, White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, Swainson’s Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Pileated Finch, Magpie Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Crested Oropendola, Yellow-rumped Marshbird and Hooded Siskin. Day 8 – Wetland and departure Some relaxation time before departure, with another opportunity to walk the Yellow or Brown Trails, visit the hides, or perhaps spend some time watching the bird feeders in the lodge garden or relax at the lodge observation tower. We can suggest birdwatching itineraries for longer or shorter stays at REGUA. If you have any questions regarding your own itinerary then please contact us. REGUA offers birdwatching itineraries for both shorter and longer stays. Please contact us to design a personalised programme. Original created by Lee Dingain © REGUA