Chapada das Mesas National Park

Birds

Chapada das Mesas National Park is also a fantastic destination for bird enthusiasts, with its diverse landscapes providing habitat for a variety of striking and rare bird species. The mix of forested areas, savannas, and wetlands makes it a paradise for birdwatching.

Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
One of the most striking birds in the park, the blue-and-yellow macaw is known for its bright plumage and loud calls. It is often seen flying in pairs or small flocks, feeding on nuts and fruits.

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
This large and unmistakable bird, with its oversized orange beak, is a common sight in the park’s forested areas. The toco toucan primarily feeds on fruits but will also eat insects and small vertebrates.

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
A massive scavenger with a striking, colorful head, the king vulture helps keep the ecosystem clean by feeding on carrion. It soars high above the landscape, using its keen eyesight to spot food from great distances.

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)
This tall, ground-dwelling bird is known for its loud, high-pitched calls that can be heard echoing across the savanna. It hunts small reptiles, insects, and rodents, using its powerful legs to chase down prey.

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
A graceful raptor, the swallow-tailed kite is known for its elegant, gliding flight and deeply forked tail. It hunts insects, small mammals, and reptiles while soaring over the park’s open areas.

White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru)
A patient and stealthy hunter, the white-eared puffbird sits motionless on branches before swooping down to capture insects and small reptiles. Its distinctive white cheeks contrast with its brown plumage.

Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
A small, agile bird of prey, the plumbeous kite is frequently seen soaring above the park’s rivers and wetlands. It specializes in catching insects and small vertebrates in midair.

Red-breasted Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus)
Smaller than the toco toucan, this striking bird features a brilliant red chest and a colorful beak. It is primarily a frugivore but also eats insects and small animals.

Rusty-margined Guan (Penelope superciliaris)
A large, turkey-like bird, the rusty-margined guan is commonly found foraging in trees and forest edges. It plays an important role in seed dispersal within the park’s ecosystem.

Peach-fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula aurea)
This small, lively parrot is often seen flying in flocks over the park’s open woodlands. Its bright green plumage and distinctive orange forehead make it an eye-catching resident of the region.

Chapada das Mesas National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity, offering visitors the chance to explore its dramatic landscapes while observing a rich variety of wildlife. From towering plateaus to hidden waterfalls, the park is a haven for some of Brazil’s most captivating species, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Chapada das Mesas National Park, located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, is a stunning landscape of plateaus, waterfalls, and cerrado vegetation. This diverse environment provides a home for a variety of unique and charismatic wildlife, including mammals and reptiles that thrive in the park’s mix of dry forests, savannas, and rivers.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
This long-legged, fox-like canid is a distinctive inhabitant of the cerrado. Unlike typical wolves, it is a solitary animal with an omnivorous diet, feeding on fruits, small mammals, and birds. The maned wolf is especially known for its preference for the lobeira fruit.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
As the apex predator of the park, the jaguar plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. This powerful big cat is an expert swimmer and is often found near rivers, where it hunts capybaras, peccaries, and even caimans.

Puma (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, the puma is a stealthy and adaptable predator found in the park’s forests and rocky areas. It preys on a variety of animals, from deer to smaller mammals, and is rarely seen due to its elusive nature.

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Easily recognizable by its long snout and bushy tail, the giant anteater is a fascinating resident of the cerrado. It uses its strong claws to tear open termite mounds and anthills, consuming thousands of insects with its long, sticky tongue.

Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
Thriving in the park’s rivers and waterfalls, the Neotropical otter is an agile and playful swimmer. It primarily feeds on fish and crustaceans, using its streamlined body and webbed feet to navigate the waterways.

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
This small, tough, pig-like mammal moves through the forests and open savannas in groups. It forages for roots, fruits, and small animals, playing an essential role in seed dispersal in the ecosystem.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully spotted wild cat, the ocelot is a skilled nocturnal hunter. It preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using its stealth and agility to navigate through dense vegetation.

Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
A formidable resident of the park’s wetlands and slow-moving waters, the yellow anaconda is a powerful constrictor that preys on fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Though not as large as its green anaconda relative, it is still an impressive predator.

Jararaca Pit Viper (Bothrops jararaca)
A well-camouflaged venomous snake, the jararaca pit viper hides in leaf litter and undergrowth. It is an ambush predator, striking at unsuspecting rodents, frogs, and birds with its potent venom.

Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)
This slow-moving reptile is commonly found in the park’s dry forests. It has a varied diet, feeding on fruits, flowers, and fungi, and plays a crucial role in seed dispersal within the ecosystem.