The Pantanal in Mato Grosso is the world’s richest floodplain in terms of bird species, and a perfect place for birdwatching.

Around 650 bird species have been catalogued by researchers.

This diversity is all the more astonishing given that the vast expanse of the Pantanal is famous for harbouring large populations of the same species.

In the early morning or late afternoon, for example, it is not difficult to see flocks of up to twenty Hyacinth Macaws perched on manduvi and palm trees – a bird on the list of endangered species in Brazil, drawn up by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).

At this time of year, it is the symphony of the different species that is most striking, especially the distinctive (deep, powerful and well-paced) calls of the carão and the aracuã.

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Observações de Aves no Pantanal Matogrossense

Birdwatching in the Mato Grosso Pantanal

1. Adaptation to the environment

Throughout the evolutionary history of species, birds have developed biological and ecological mechanisms to ensure survival in their natural environment.

For example, animals living in flooded areas have different needs from those living in savannahs, which have developed different adaptations from those living in forests.

The Pantanal’s environment is influenced by the three major ecosystems that surround it:

• The Cerrado to the east
• The tropical rainforest to the north
• The Chaco of Bolivia and Paraguay to the west – the latter characterised by aridity.

The confluence of these biomes, combined with the hydrological cycle that floods and drenches vast areas and then leaves the land completely dry, has created conditions that are home to very different birds.

In the Pantanal, it is easy to spot species accustomed to the hot, humid places of the Amazon, others to the open fields and low forests of the Cerrado, as well as those common in drought-stricken areas.

Despite the rich diversity of its avifauna, the region has only one endemic species: the swamp antbird, a rare dark grey bird with small white spots. It lives in the undergrowth and is therefore difficult to observe.

2. Best time

The behaviour of birds varies from species to species. However, the best time to see them is in the early hours of the morning, at sunrise, when they are most active in foraging and marking their territory.

On colder days, the birds tend to move around a little later and are most likely to be seen where they can be exposed to the sun.

In the late afternoon, when the sun is lower and the temperature milder, the morning movement is repeated but with less intensity.

The breeding season is the most remarkable time for birdwatching. During this period, the birds are naturally more active and the chicks, accompanied by their parents, practice their first flights.

This takes place between July and November, when the water is low and the birds gather around the baías (the local name for lagoons) and corixos (channels through which water from the baías, vazantes, marshes and low fields flows into the rivers).

This is also the main time when birds from the Amazon and the northernmost regions of the Americas migrate or pass through.

In search of the region’s abundant food supply, some migratory species arrive to breed, while others stop for a few days before heading south: a phenomenon that repeats itself every year and can be easily observed on the Pantanal plains.

Between December and June, when the areas are flooded, observation is more difficult as the birds are more dispersed.

3. What to bring

In general, birds can be observed with the naked eye, especially in the Pantanal region where it is common for many to gather in one place. However, with the right equipment it is possible to see important details of the species.

For this reason, binoculars and spotting scopes are two of the most common tools used by birdwatchers.

Experts recommend choosing binoculars not only for their magnification potential, but also for their lightness and brightness. Binoculars that are too large are more difficult to hold – and hand tremors will interfere with the smooth running of the activity.

Smaller binoculars with seven to ten times magnification and good light-gathering power are ideal.

For long-distance observation, especially of perching birds such as hawks, telescopes with twenty to sixty times magnification are recommended, requiring the use of a tripod or monopod.

For those who have made birdwatching a hobby, recorders with directional microphones – capable of picking up the sound coming from a specific point, reducing ambient noise – are useful for later identification of calls and songs, as well as for attracting birds (using the playback technique).

However, this practice can irritate birds.

4. What to wear

Birdwatching in the Pantanal requires special attention to clothing.

Birds are extremely sensitive to any unusual movement in their environment and are also able to perceive very bright colours or colours that reflect sunlight from a distance.

You should therefore avoid wearing clothing in bright colours (such as orange, red, yellow and blue) or white, which is highly reflective.

Ideally, clothing, including hats, should be camouflaged or in discreet colours such as moss-green and its variations, tan and beige – a trick that ‘hides’ the human silhouette in woods and fields.

Despite the heat, don’t wear shorts or T-shirts; trousers and long-sleeved shirts are almost mandatory due to the presence of mosquitoes and other insects.

As birdwatching can involve many hours of walking, it’s also advisable to wear light, comfortable clothing – but don’t forget to pack a jumper, as it tends to get cold in the early hours of the morning, when the walks usually begin.

In the Pantanal, waterproof boots will help you cross areas that remain flooded even during dry periods. Far from being an accessory, a hat is essential.

Not only does it prevent sunburn, but it also reduces the brightness when using binoculars.

5. Observation rules

There are a number of important rules to observe when birdwatching.

Keep a distance of at least 400 metres from nests.

Ignoring this rule can cause serious damage to nature: many species feel threatened by human presence and may abandon their nests, leaving eggs and chicks behind. Another risk is flocking.

Without their parents around, young birds are vulnerable to predators.

Abusive use of playback can also disturb adults during the breeding season. Small groups of no more than six people, led by an experienced guide, are ideal for birdwatching.

6. Professionals and guides

Some agencies have professionals who specialise in birdwatching.

On many farms you can also hire a local guide who knows the area and the birds.

Another essential aid for birdwatchers are field guides – catalogues of bird identification, illustrated with drawings or photographs and small enough to carry on a walk in the woods.

Some of these, such as those below, are not easy to find, but can be ordered from bookshops, the internet or publishers.

See the following publications on the Pantanal

1. Mammal and reptile watching in the Pantanal
2. Fishing in the Pantanal – Best places, lures, methods and seasons
3. Most common fish species in the Pantanal
4. Birdwatching in the Mato Grosso Pantanal
5. Most common bird species in the Mato Grosso Pantanal
6. Flora of the Mato Grosso Pantanal
7. Fauna of the Mato Grosso Pantanal
8. Pantanal of Mato Grosso – Geography, climate, soil and rivers
9. History of the Mato Grosso Pantanal – Discovery and economic development
10. Southern Pantanal Region
11. Northern Pantanal Region
12. Why visit the Pantanal in Mato Grosso?

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