Home » Bahia Travel Guide » Birds Found in Chapada Diamantina: A Guide

According to data published in 1999, there are 359 bird species in the Chapada Diamantina. Among them are species endemic to different Brazilian biomes and 21 species threatened with extinction.

The Chapada Diamantina is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, and when it comes to birds, the Chapada is home to some very special species that can only be found here.

The Chapada Diamantina is a mountainous region in the heart of the state of Bahia.

In the lower part of the Chapada Diamantina you’ll find the Caatinga, with vegetation similar to that of the Atlantic Rainforest. And at the top, the Cerrado.

In the same region of Chapada Diamantina, you can see birds from three different biomes:

• In the lower part you’ll find the caatinga,
• the slopes of which have vegetation similar to that of the Atlantic rainforest.
• At the top is the Cerrado.

See Climates of Northeast Brazil.

One of the few places in Brazil where this is possible.

It’s no wonder that the region is home to nearly 400 species of birds.

Some of the birds found in Chapada Diamantina

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Aves encontradas na Chapada Diamantina

See also Main Tourist Attractions in Chapada Diamantina.

1. Gravatinha or Red-tailed Hummingbird

The Gravatinha is one of the most special birds of the Chapada Diamantina and is also known as the Red-tailed Hummingbird. It is simply one of the most sought-after birds for birdwatchers visiting the Chapada Diamantina.

One of the most eagerly awaited moments for the Gravatinha is when it reveals the colours of its plumage, an optical phenomenon that occurs when the bird changes the position of its feathers, which, combined with the incidence of light, reveals bright colours that were previously hidden.

The Gravatinha is a truly Bahian hummingbird, endemic to the state, found only in the high fields of the Bahian part of the Serra do Espinhaço, with the Chapada Diamantina being the best place to observe it. It’s charming, and with such a limited distribution, it’s easy to understand why it’s so sought after by birdwatchers visiting the region. it’s easy to understand why it’s so sought after by birdwatchers visiting the region.

2. Mountain Bunting or Red-tailed Canary

The Rabo-Mole-Da-Serra, also known as the Rabudo Canary, is a small bird of the sandpiper family, found only in the highlands of Bahia and Minas Gerais. It has a strong and distinctive call.

The Rabo-Mole-Da-Serra or Rabudo Canary has a very distinctive call. The common song in the morning and late afternoon is that of the Halfmoon savannah bird, which lives hidden in the undergrowth.

3. Cerrado Crescent Bird

The Meia-Lua do Cerrado is a Cerrado Moonbird, a cute little cectivorous bird typical of the Cerrado that lives hidden in the undergrowth, in the lower part of the vegetation, and sings a lot in the mornings and late afternoons.

4. Brown Hummingbird

The Brown Hummingbird is one of the most sought after species, with a curious and patchy distribution, found only in the mountains of Roraima and here in the Chapada Diamantina region and the mountains of Roraima.

In fact, up to 20 species of hummingbird can be found in the region.

5. Prince Tangara

In addition to hummingbirds, birds such as the Chupadente do Nordeste, Tico-tico do São Francisco, Tapaculo da Chapada Diamantina and the Tangará Príncipe are among the main treasures sought by birdwatchers visiting Chapada Diamantina.

Walking the trails of Chapada Diamantina is worth the trip in itself, but adding birdwatching to the mix makes for an even more fascinating experience. As well as spotting rarities like the Gravatinha, there’s always an interesting bird hopping or singing along your walk. along your walk.

6. Sincorá Antbird

In the shrubby vegetation we have the Sincorá Ant-eater. Despite being almost identical in appearance to other Ants of the same genus, this species is endemic to Bahia and is only found in the mountains of this region.

7. Grey-backed Flycatcher

The small Grey-backed Flycatcher is also very fond of the floodplain forests of the Chapada Diamantina. And when I say small, I mean really small, just 9 centimetres long and weighing 6 grams. It’s about the size and weight of a fly.

The Grey Backed Flycatcher is similar in size and weight to the bow tie.

8. White-bellied Spider

9. Savannah Crescent

10. Little soldier

11. Tiziu

12. Northeastern Toothsucker

13. Franciscan Woodpecker

14. tapaculo-da-chapada-diamantina

A species endemic to Brazil. In the Chapada Diamantina it is known as the “gruneiro”, a reference to the “gruna”, a type of cave created for diamond mining, where it was often found by pioneers attracted by the precious stone. It is threatened with extinction due to its very limited geographical distribution (only seven sites have been recorded), the destruction of natural vegetation to make way for coffee and banana plantations, the collection of firewood for domestic and industrial use, and unregulated tourism.

15. Variant Surucuá

16. snake eagle

Chapada Diamantina is a paradise! And the birds that live here are very special.

Chapada Diamantina Tourist Guide

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 01/05/2023 · Updated on 15/04/2025

This post is also on: