Birds found in the Chapada Diamantina: Exotic Species

Published on May 1, 2023 · Updated on October 15, 2026

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The birds found in the Chapada Diamantina, in the heart of Bahia, attract birdwatchers from all over Brazil and abroad. Sighting lists for the region include hundreds of species, with some estimates putting the figure at over 400. Among them are birds found only here or in a few mountain ranges in the North-East and South-East, such as the white-throated manakin, the Chapada Diamantina tapaculo and the Sincorá antbird. Updated in October 2026.

The Chapada Diamantina is a mountainous region in the centre of the state, known for its landscapes, waterfalls and walking trails. For nature lovers, the flora and fauna add to the experience: see also the guide to the topography, flora and fauna of Chapada Diamantina.

Why are there so many birds in the Chapada Diamantina?

This diversity stems from the mix of habitats. According to ICMBio, the Chapada Diamantina National Park encompasses areas of Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga, whilst the higher elevations are dominated by rocky grasslands, a type of vegetation comprising shrubs and rocky outcrops. Each habitat is home to different birds:

Caatinga: dry, shrubby vegetation in the lower-lying areas, where species from the sertão and the São Francisco Valley are found.
Atlantic Forest: humid woodlands, generally found along rivers and on hillsides, home to forest birds.
Cerrado and rocky fields: open, scrubby areas in the mountains, home to several of the most sought-after species.

To understand the climate that shapes these landscapes, read about the climatic zones of north-eastern Brazil. If you’re still putting together your itinerary, take a look at the tourist attractions in Bahia and the main towns and villages in the Chapada.

Are the birds of the Chapada Diamantina exotic species?

No. In biology, an exotic species is one that has been introduced by humans outside its natural range, such as the sparrow. The birds in this guide are native to Brazil, and several are endemic, meaning they live only in one region. When people talk about ‘exotic birds’ in the Chapada, they generally mean birds that are rare, unusual or very different from those we see in everyday life, and it is in this sense that they are featured here. Some of the names listed below are also found in other regions, and this is indicated for each bird.

Some of the birds found in the Chapada Diamantina

Aves encontradas na Chapada Diamantina

See also the complete guide to Chapada Diamantina and the tourist tips for Chapada Diamantina.

1. Little Tie or Red-Tied Hummingbird

The little tie-neck (Augastes lumachella), also known as the red-tie hummingbird, is the region’s iconic bird and one of the most sought-after by birdwatchers visiting the Chapada Diamantina. It is an endemic hummingbird: it lives only in the rocky landscapes of the Chapada Diamantina, in the Bahia section of the Serra do Espinhaço, at altitudes that sources indicate range from around 900 to 2,000 metres. A scientific publication from 2019 recorded the species at Pico do Barbado, in Abaíra, the highest point of its known range.

Gravatinha ou Beija-Flor de Gravata Vermelha — Little Tie or Red-necked Hummingbird

It measures between 8 and 10 centimetres and weighs between 4 and 4.8 grams. Like other hummingbirds, it has iridescent plumage, and its colours appear to change depending on the angle of the light. It is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and as Endangered in Brazil, according to the National Action Plan (PAN) for Caatinga birds. Birdwatchers spot it, for example, at Morro do Pai Inácio, near Lençóis.

2. Rabo-Mole-da-Serra

Rabo-Mole-Da-Serra também conhecido como Canário Rabudo — Rabo-Mole-Da-Serra, also known as the Long-tailed Canary

The mountain soft-tail (Embernagra longicauda) is a bird of the Thraupidae family, the same as that of the tiés and tanagers. It is also referred to in some sources as the ‘rock tibirro’ and the ‘plateau finch’. It is endemic to Brazil and inhabits scrubby vegetation in the eastern mountain ranges, mainly in the Espinhaço mountain range, in Bahia and Minas Gerais. It is still classified as Least Concern, but habitat loss is making it increasingly rare. Sightings have been recorded in the Chapada Diamantina.

3. Cerrado half-moon

Passaro Meia-Lua-do-Cerrado — Cerrado Half-moon Bird

The Cerrado crescent-billed finch (Melanopareia torquata), also known as the collared tapaculo, takes its name from the dark, crescent-shaped patch on its breast. It measures around 14.5 centimetres and is found in Cerrado areas in Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, up to an altitude of around 1,400 metres. Both males and females sing throughout the year, usually from a low bush, which helps to locate the bird. It has been observed near Mucugê.

4. Brown Hummingbird

The brown hummingbird (Colibri delphinae) measures around 11.5 centimetres and weighs between 6.5 and 7 grams. Contrary to popular belief, it is not restricted to the Chapada: the species has a wide distribution, from Belize and Guatemala to Bolivia and Brazil, mainly in mountainous regions such as the Andes and the tepuis. What exists in the Chapada Diamantina is an isolated population, described as the subspecies greenewalti, with its type locality on the Paraguaçu River, near Andaraí. It inhabits forests and secondary woodland at altitudes between 400 and 1,600 metres.

The region is also home to several other species of hummingbird. In a study carried out in an area of sparse Cerrado in Mucugê, eight species were recorded, whilst no official tally has been found for the entire Chapada. If you’re interested in flowers and pollinators, do also take a look at the orchids and the evergreen of the region.

5. Prince Tanager

The name prince tanager is used for Chiroxiphia pareola, also known as the false tanager, a manakin measuring around 12 to 13 centimetres that lives in the forest undergrowth. It is often mentioned in lists of sought-after birds in the North-East, but, according to the sources we consulted, there are no confirmed records of it in the Chapada Diamantina. The species occurs from Rio Grande do Norte to Espírito Santo, in the Amazon and in other South American countries, and is classified as Least Concern. If you spot one in the region, it is worth recording your sighting on platforms such as eBird or WikiAves.

Hiking the trails of the Chapada Diamantina is worth the trip in itself, and birdwatching makes the trip even more interesting. Even if you’re not specifically looking for rare species, there’s almost always a little bird singing or hopping along the way.

6. Sincorá ant-eater

Papa-Formiga-do-Sincorá — Sincorá Ant-eater

The Sincorá ant-eater (Formicivora grantsaui) lives in scrubby vegetation on rocky terrain, at altitudes between 850 and 1,100 metres, and is known only from the Serra do Sincorá, in the Chapada Diamantina, making it endemic to Bahia. It was only scientifically described in 2007, with the type locality in the Cumbuca River valley, near Mucugê. It measures between 12 and 13 centimetres. It resembles other ant-eaters of the same genus, with the main differences lying in its plumage and song. It is classified as Endangered in Brazil and Vulnerable by the IUCN, with threats including mining, logging and fire.

7. Grey-backed Flycatcher

Papa-Moscas-de-Costas-Cinzentas na Chapada Diamantina — Grey-backed Flycatchers in the Chapada Diamantina

The grey-backed flycatcher (Polystictus superciliaris) is a small tyrant flycatcher measuring 9.5 to 10 centimetres and weighing around 6 grams. It is similar in length to the bow-tie flycatcher, but is slightly heavier. It favours rocky fields at altitudes between 900 and 2,300 metres, as well as abandoned pastures and forest edges. It is endemic to Brazil, and not just to the Chapada: there is an isolated population in central Bahia and another stretching from northern Minas Gerais to northern Paraná. In the Chapada, it occupies the northernmost part of its range and appears to be less abundant. The IUCN classifies it as Least Concern, but it is considered Vulnerable in the National Action Plan (PAN) for Caatinga birds.

8. White-bellied Aracuã

Aracuã-de-barriga-branca — White-bellied Aracuã

The white-bellied araucana (Ortalis araucuan) is a large bird of the Cracidae family, measuring around 50 centimetres. It is found in eastern Brazil, from Rio Grande do Norte to Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, in woodlands, caatinga and sand dunes. It is not endemic to the Chapada, but there are records of it in the Chapada Diamantina National Park (eBird, 2024). It is classified as Least Concern.

9. Cerrado half-moon (another record)

Another photo of the Cerrado half-moon, a shy bird that usually stays amongst the low vegetation. For more details on the species, see point 3.

10. Little Soldier

The name soldadinho is used for Antilophia galeata, a manakin measuring around 14.5 centimetres that lives in gallery forests – the forests that line rivers – in central Brazil, from Bahia to Mato Grosso. It feeds mainly on fruit and also on insects, and is classified as Least Concern. In the sources consulted, we found no detailed confirmation of its presence in the Chapada Diamantina, so treat it as a probable species in the region’s forests.

11. So-and-so

The tiziu (Volatinia jacarina) is one of the most common birds in Brazil and is found in open fields and grasslands throughout almost the whole country. The male, with black plumage that has a bluish sheen, is known for the little vertical hops with which it shows off whilst singing. It is a good bird for those new to birdwatching.

12. North-eastern tooth-sucker

Chupa-dente-do-nordeste — Northeastern tooth-sucker

The north-eastern tooth-sucker (Conopophaga cearae) lives in the undergrowth of moist forests in isolated mountain ranges in the North-East, and measures between 11.5 and 14 centimetres. The sources we consulted mention the species in Ceará, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Alagoas, without mentioning Bahia or the Chapada Diamantina. Consequently, its occurrence in the region has not been confirmed. The IUCN classifies it as Near Threatened.

13. San Francisco tit-tit

Tico-tico-do-são-francisco — San Francisco tit-tit

The São Francisco tico-tico (Arremon franciscanus) is endemic to Brazil and inhabits the shrubby caatinga of Bahia and northern Minas Gerais, in the São Francisco River valley, at altitudes between 600 and 1,400 metres. It measures around 21 centimetres. There are records of it in Palmeiras, in the Chapada Diamantina (SiBBr, 2019), and it is not exclusive to the region. The IUCN classifies it as Near Threatened. To find out more about the town, see the guide to Palmeiras.

14. Tapaculo of the Chapada Diamantina

Tapaculo-da-chapada-diamantina — Diamantina-Plain-Bunting

The Chapada Diamantina tapaculo (Scytalopus diamantinensis) is one of the region’s conservation icons. It was described in 2007 and is found exclusively in the Chapada Diamantina, mainly on the eastern slopes, at altitudes between 850 and 1,600 metres, in patches of dense woodland within the rocky landscape. It is small, measuring around 10 to 11 centimetres and weighing 15 grams, and is easier to hear than to see. It is Endangered (IUCN and Brazil) due to its restricted range and the loss of vegetation to coffee and banana plantations, firewood collection and unregulated tourism. It has previously been observed in Mucugê.

15. Surucuá – assorted

The variegated surucuá (Trogon surrucura) is a forest bird, measuring 26 to 28 centimetres, which feeds on insects and fruit. The northern subspecies is found from Bahia to São Paulo, in well-developed woodland, and is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern. We have found no confirmed records of it in the Chapada Diamantina, so please treat it as a species whose occurrence is yet to be confirmed. If you spot one, please record your sighting on platforms such as eBird or WikiAves.

16. Snake-eater

The name snake-eater is used for small warblers of the genus Geothlypis, of the Parulidae family, which live in low-lying vegetation in wetlands, such as marshes and riverbanks. Anyone visiting the region’s wetlands, such as the Pantanal dos Marimbus, should keep an eye out for this type of bird.

Where to go birdwatching in the Chapada Diamantina

Reports from observation groups mention Mucugê (tapaculo, Sincorá ant-eater and flycatcher), Lençóis (Sincorá ant-eater and areas of tall caatinga) and Morro do Pai Inácio (gravatinha). The Pantanal dos Marimbus is recommended for birds in wetland areas. It is worth noting that the Chapada has other nature destinations, such as the Rio de Contas and the Picos das Almas, Itobira and Barbado, with the gravatinha having been recorded at Pico do Barbado. To go birdwatching in another Brazilian biome, see the birdwatching in the Pantanal.

Tips for responsible birdwatching

Hire a local guide. ICMBio recommends hiring a visitor guide in Chapada Diamantina National Park, and the guides know the best vantage points.
Do not light a fire. They are prohibited throughout the park, and fire is one of the threats to the birds of the rocky fields.
Do not capture or chase birds. The Environmental Offences Act (Act 9.605/1998, Article 29) imposes penalties on anyone who kills, chases, hunts or catches wild animals, with harsher penalties within conservation areas.
Stay on the paths and avoid playing loud music, so as not to disturb the birds, particularly those that are endangered.
Take your binoculars and set off early. Mornings are usually when birds are most active.

Chapada Diamantina is a paradise for nature lovers, and the region’s birds are amongst the most special in Bahia. Continue exploring the Chapada Diamantina tourist guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many species of birds are there in the Chapada Diamantina?

There is no single official figure. A bird-watching list for the region comprises 264 species, 46 of which are endemic to Brazil, whilst bird-watching tour operators cite more than 400 recorded species. A single site, the Chapada Diamantina – North National Park, has 182 species recorded on eBird. The figures vary depending on the area and the source.

Which birds are endemic to the Chapada Diamantina?

The most commonly cited are the little bow-tie (Augastes lumachella), the Diamantina Plateau tapaculo (Scytalopus diamantinensis) and the Sincorá ant-eater (Formicivora grantsaui, restricted to the Serra do Sincorá). Others, such as the mountain soft-tailed bird and the grey-backed flycatcher, are endemic to Brazil, but are also found in other mountain ranges.

Are the birds of the Chapada Diamantina exotic species?

No. An exotic species is one that has been introduced outside its natural range. The birds of the Chapada Diamantina are native, and several are endemic. The term ‘exotic’ is only used in a colloquial sense, to refer to rare and unusual birds.

Where can you go birdwatching in the Chapada Diamantina?

Mucugê, Lençóis, Morro do Pai Inácio and the Pantanal dos Marimbus are mentioned in sighting reports. See the guide to Mucugê and the guide to Lençóis to plan your trip.

When is the best time for birdwatching in the Chapada Diamantina?

The sources we consulted do not indicate a single best time of year for birdwatching, and birds can be spotted all year round. Generally speaking, birds are most active in the early hours of the morning. Check the condition of the trails and rivers with a local guide.

Do you need to hire a guide to go birdwatching in the National Park?

ICMBio recommends hiring a visitor guide, but we have not found any current regulations making this compulsory on all trails. Please check the current rules with the park management or the local guides’ association.

Which birds in the Chapada are at risk of extinction?

Of the species featured in this guide, the Chapada Diamantina tapaculo is Endangered; the Sincorá antbird is Endangered in Brazil and Vulnerable according to the IUCN; and the gravatinha is Near Threatened according to the IUCN and Endangered in Brazil. Threats include habitat loss, fire, mining and unregulated tourism.

Is it permitted to catch or take birds from the Chapada Diamantina?

No. Article 29 of Law 9.605/1998 punishes anyone who kills, harasses, hunts, captures or uses wild animals, and the penalty is increased when the offence takes place within a conservation area or involves a rare or endangered species. Observe and take photographs, without removing the birds from their natural habitat.

Sources consulted

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 →