Iguacu Falls Pre-trip: Brazil & Argentina

Iguacu Falls © Kevin Zimmer

Optional pre-trip to Iguaçu for two-plus days of birding amidst the splendor of the world’s largest waterfalls. Many Atlantic Forest specialties, with minimal species overlap with the main Pantanal Safari.

The thunderous cataracts of Iguaçu, the world’s largest waterfalls, will be the backdrop for some great birding. We will explore lush forests in search of some of Brazil’s most spectacular birds, including Black-fronted Piping Guan; Pavonine Cuckoo; Robust and Blond-crested woodpeckers; Red-ruffed Fruitcrow; Spot-billed Toucanet; Toco and Red-breasted toucans; Surucua Trogon; Rufous-capped Motmot; Band-tailed Manakin; and Plush-crested Jay.

We will offer a full day of birding on the Brazil side and another day on the Argentina side. In Brazil we will admire the spectacular falls, while in Argentina we will explore a larger tract of forest and have the opportunity to walk closer to several of the smaller falls. In addition, we will visit a hummingbird house, where we will look for Fork-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, and other species. Road birding will allow us to inspect the forest understory and mid-level, where rarer endemic passerines are found, such as Russet-winged Spadebill, São Paulo Tyrannulet, and Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher.

Single-site pre-trip, with excellent hotel situated directly opposite spectacular Iguaçu Falls; multiple overlooks of the falls within very short walk from hotel; excellent food; internal flight to Iguaçu at the beginning and to São Paulo or Brasilia at the end; no long drives; easy terrain; full mornings in the field, with shorter afternoon birding on the Brazil full day.

Black-fronted Piping-Guan © Andrew Whittaker