Iguacu Falls Pre-trip: Brazil & Argentina - Second departure - August 2026
Dates: August 2-6, 2026
Leader: Erik Bruhnke
E-bird
Total Species: 97 birds
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Overall Summary
The VENT Iguacu Falls Pre-Trip is a scenic and memorable experience, topped with an array of impressive regional bird diversity. Our local guide for this tour and good friend, Oliver, made our visit special while in his care. We started and ended each day at our luxurious, historic hotel overlooking the falls. Our hotel experience was complemented by great service and delicious cuisine. A brief stretch of evening birding before the opening dinner had us enjoying birds like masses of Great Dusky Swifts and canopy-perched Toco Toucans.
Our first full day started out along the Poco Preto Road, just minutes from our hotel (still within the national park). The casual walk and birding brought forth so many highlights, like Atlantic Black-throated Trogon, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-margined Antwren, Robust Woodpecker, a flurry of Black-goggled Tanagers, and much more! The beauty of the Atlantic Forest surrounded us. Later in the day, we enjoyed exploring some nearby fields, where we saw birds like Campo Flickers feeding on the ground and a very rare-for-the-area Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle nesting in a blossoming pink ipê tree! That afternoon, we went for a casual hike back in the national park and saw the large White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, a lek of charismatic White-bearded Manakins, and three euphonia species (Purple-throated, Violaceous, and Chestnut-bellied), among other highlights. A fantastic dinner at the hotel, along with a celebratory caipirinha for many, made for a special finale to our first full day.
On the second day, we met up with another great local guide and friend, Martin, to team up as we explored the Argentina side of Iguacu Falls. Morning birding had us taking a casual walk along beautiful trees and bushes, with so many birds to enjoy. Adorable Ochre-collared Piculets fed nearby as a pair of flashy Swallow Tanagers perched along a branch. The tiny Yellow Tyrannulet was a show-stopper. Fancy Magpie Tanagers flew among the canopy while a regal Black Jacobin perched nearby, and a Saffron-billed Sparrow hopped around in the understory. A little farther up the road, we scored views of a rare (and very unexpected) Swallow-tailed Cotinga through the scope. We scoped a singing Ultramarine Grosbeak while a Blackish Rail called from the grass in that very spot. Later in the day, we enjoyed a rainbow-complemented view of Iguacu Falls. It was pure magic to our senses. After a memorable lunch in town, we spent some moments viewing both Paraguay and Brazil while standing in Argentina, and ended the day at the Jardin de Picaflores (hummingbird garden), where we relished a fabulous assortment of many up-close hummingbirds and good cheer.
A thank you goes out to Oliver again for the shared friendship, birding camaraderie, and care he provided each day of our trip. From many fabulous birds and butterflies to the unbelievable experience of the falls just beyond our beautiful hotel's doorstep and more, this VENT tour was memorable as we explored the grandeur of Iguacu Falls—one of the great natural wonders of the world.
Day-by-Day Summary
August 3 – Brief evening birding around the hotel grounds before dinner at the hotel.
August 4 – We started off exploring the Poco Preto trail in Iguacu National Park (Brazil) with so many birds. Later in the day we explored the open countryside of vast fields and patchy woods. Dinner was back at the hotel.
August 5 – We made our way over to Argentina, meeting local guide Martin for the day ahead. Morning birding took place along wooded roads around Daniel Pupi Somay Bird Observatory. Afterwards, we birded and explored Iguacu Falls National Park (Argentina). Made a visit to Three Borders Landmark (seen from Argentina, with Brail and Paraguay in-view). Ended the day at Jardin de Picaflores.
August 6 – Escorted to the airport with Oliver, after breakfast. After saying goodbyes to him, we spent part of the day commuting to the start of the Pantanal Safari tour, starting later that night.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Azara’s Agouti
Tufted Capuchin
South American Coati
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS:
Lava Lizard
Ocellated Tree Frog
BUTTERFLIES:
Adelpha thessalia
Great Emesis
Hydaspes Eighty-Eight
Red Peacock
Phaeochlaena lampra
Atyriodes janeira
Broad-banded Swallowtail
Caria Marsyas