Iguacu Falls Pre-trip: Brazil & Argentina Departure 2 - August 2025
Dates: August 5 - 9, 2025
Leaders: Erik Bruhnke & Local Leader
E-bird
Total Species: 111 birds
Click Here to view list.
Overall Summary
Our Iguacu Falls Pre-trip was yet another memorable experience, unique and luxurious in its own way. We enjoyed the spectacular scenery and wonderful birds and butterflies. Our distinctly comfortable, historic hotel was a pleasant home away from home for the trip, being just a moment’s walk from views of Iguacu Falls. Over the course of two full days of birding, we searched for the wondrous birds of both Brazil and Argentina. As in past years, we were accompanied by our dear friend and local guide Oliver, who took amazing care of us each day. It was a delight to bird with him again!
On our first evening together before the two formal days of birding, we did some casual birding around the hotel grounds before dinner. As we met, hundreds of Great Dusky Swifts were seen swirling over the vista of the falls, with the viewing area just a moment’s walk from the hotel entrance. These fantastic birds both live and nest behind the cascading waterfalls. It's downright magical and a must-see during our falls visit. As we explored the area, beautiful Toco Toucans graced the tops of the nearby trees. Pale-breasted Thrushes fed along the grassy lawns among a dozen chatty Southern Lapwings that always had something to say, and a Variable Oriole sang nearby. The impressive ambience of the waterfalls was incredible, and a delicious welcome dinner followed at the hotel. We enjoyed wonderful hotel dinners every night of the tour, with the hotel dining setup hosting a uniquely special buffet for us—something worthy of writing home about!
We started our first morning birding along the legendary Poco Preto Road, just minutes from our hotel. While birding along this stunning woodland road, we came across exciting birds like four gorgeous Rufous-capped Motmots, a large Blond-crested Woodpecker, and chatty Plush-crested Jays, to name a few. Throughout the morning, we enjoyed studying three different thrush species along the trail: Creamy-bellied, Pale-breasted, and White-necked. One of the highlights of the morning was observing not one, not two, but three dapper Surucua Trogons! Golden-crowned Warblers were heard and seen well among the dense foliage, as if “overcaffeinated” in their behavior. A Red-ruffed Fruitcrow made its presence known, and with a little patience we were able both to see and hear the fabulous and tiny Sao Paulo Bristle-Tyrant, a near-threatened, range-restricted species! The vibrant Guira Tanager was appreciated well before we headed back to the road. The corridor of greenery throughout the morning hours was delightful to explore, and again it was all taking place just minutes from our home-away-from-home hotel.
Upon heading back to the road, we enjoyed a breakfast/brunch picnic where we saw wonderful birds like Planalto Woodcreeper and Toco Toucan, while an uncommon Buff-bellied Puffbird shortly afterward stole the show. Lunch a little later along the falls was scenic, and throughout the afternoon of birding along the “banana trail,” we enjoyed birds like the chatty Plain-winged Woodcreeper, White-bearded Manakin, and two Black-goggled Tanagers, to name a few. In addition to the exciting birdlife earlier on, our afternoon walk through the woods was teeming with a breathtaking array of butterflies—it felt like a dream at times! We took time to appreciate and identify the many butterflies we came across. What a day!
On our second full day of birding, we had our sights set on making our way to Argentina to bird the other side of Iguacu Falls. Moments after we left our hotel, we spotted a Common Pauraque alongside the road just before sunrise, still within the park. Along with birding all day with Oliver, we spent a good portion of the day birding and exploring the Argentine side with Martin, another fabulous birder and wonderful birding guide with whom we have worked on past tours. It is a treat to work and bird with both of them year after year. We explored Camino al Santuario (the walk to the sanctuary). This road is lined with dense vegetation, with both eye-level thickets and taller trees along a seldom-traveled side road. It’s a gem of a place to explore throughout the morning among the mix of habitats, where we tallied 43 species over the course of a half-mile of casual walking and birding! Vibrant Maroon-bellied Parakeets flew overhead, as did White-eyed Parakeets and a Turquoise-fronted Amazon. We got our binoculars on a stunning male White-shouldered Fire-eye, a show-stealer in his own way. We had great views of gorgeous species like Fawn-breasted Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, and the beyond-colorful Green-headed Tanager—to name just a few of the ten species of tanagers we came across, including the singing Chestnut-headed Tanager that we heard. Treetop-perching Magpie Tanagers kept watch as we walked by, showing off their long tails and distinct tuxedo-like plumage. The tiny Purple-throated Euphonia was beautiful to see too. There was much to cherish!
As the day progressed, we made our way into Iguacu Falls National Park, where we birded by trail and train. We enjoyed birds like Violet-capped Woodnymph and charismatic Chopi Blackbirds singing away while we checked in. We took a walk to the climactic overlook of Iguacu Falls, viewing the renowned “Devil’s Throat,” where numerous massive cascades converge into one remarkable section. We enjoyed views of Limpkin, Black Skimmer, Ringed Kingfisher, and Black-capped Donacobius. The raw energy while overlooking the waterfalls is unreal, and it's clear why Iguacu Falls is considered one of the great natural wonders of the world. Just feet from the cascading waterfalls, we locked our sights on several large Iguazu Catfish swimming right below us. This rare and incredibly range-restricted catfish species is unique to the immediate area.
In the afternoon, we explored the renowned Hummingbird Garden (Jardín de Picaflores), where we studied eight species of hummingbirds, each beautiful in its own way. No fewer than 40 Versicolored Emeralds buzzed among the feeders and around our heads, while less common hummingbirds like the large Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, the regal Black Jacobin, and the locally uncommon White-throated Hummingbird made less frequent but noteworthy visits. A dashing White Woodpecker fed in a nearby tree along the property edge amid the hummingbird commotion. We ended our day birding and enjoying the landscape where the Iguazu River meets the Paraná River—a unique location where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay can all be seen at once! We took an impromptu group photo with some friendly passersby—it was funny and memorable all at the same time. We had a lot of fun every day of this pre-trip.
On our last morning around the hotel grounds, we enjoyed one final buffet at the hotel; like the dinners, the breakfasts were fantastic. A Rufous-collared Sparrow was seen feeding near the central courtyard area, as were a Chalk-browed Mockingbird and Rufous Hornero. We said our goodbyes to Oliver at the airport that morning. It was a delight to see him and bird with him again. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Iguacu Falls Pre-trip, a true treat for the birding senses.
Day-by-Day Summary
August 5 - Arrival at the historic hotel near Iguacu Falls. Casual evening birding around the grounds produced Great Dusky Swifts swirling over the falls, Toco Toucans, Pale-breasted Thrushes, Southern Lapwings, and Variable Oriole before a wonderful welcome dinner.
August 6 - Birded Poco Preto Road in Brazil, enjoying highlights such as Rufous-capped Motmots, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Plush-crested Jays, Surucua Trogons, Sao Paulo Bristle-Tyrant, and Guira Tanager. Afternoon birding along the “banana trail” added Buff-bellied Puffbird, White-bearded Manakin, Black-goggled Tanagers, and an incredible diversity of butterflies.
August 7 - Crossed into Argentina to bird Camino al Santuario and Iguacu Falls National Park with Oliver and Martin. Highlights included White-shouldered Fire-eye, Green-headed Tanager, Magpie Tanager, Purple-throated Euphonia, and multiple parakeets. Later, we visited the spectacular “Devil’s Throat” overlook, saw Iguazu Catfish below the falls, and ended the day at the Jardín de Picaflores with eight hummingbird species, including Versicolored Emerald and Black Jacobin.
August 8 - Final morning around the hotel grounds with sightings of Rufous-collared Sparrow, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, and Rufous Hornero. After one last excellent breakfast buffet, we said goodbye to Oliver and departed with wonderful memories of Iguacu’s birds, butterflies, and breathtaking scenery.
August 9 - Departure and onward travel following a memorable pre-trip filled with spectacular birding, scenic waterfalls, and excellent company.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Tufted Capuchin (Sapajus apella)
Azara’s Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)
South American Coati (Nasua nasua)
BUTTERFLIES:
Orange Mapwing (Hypanartia lethe)
Widespread eighty-Eight (Diaethria clymena)
Hydaspes Eighty-Eight (Callicore hydaspes)
Black-patch Bluemark (Lasaia agesilas)
Great Emesis (Emesis mandana)
Southern Red Rim (Biblis hyperia)
Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)
Orange Mapwing (Hypanartia lethe)
Thessalia Sister (Adelpha thessalia)
Cracker Sp. (Hamadryas sp.)
AMPHIBIANS/REPTILES:
Argentine snake-necked turtle (also known as South American Snake-headed Turtle) (Hydromedusa tectifera)
FISH:
Iguazu Catfish (Steindachneridion melanodermatum)