Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park

Birds

Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is also a haven for seabirds, with towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and rocky islets providing perfect nesting sites. The archipelago is one of the most important breeding grounds for several seabird species in Brazil.

Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)
One of the most striking seabirds in the park, the masked booby is known for its large size, white plumage, and black facial mask. These birds nest on the island’s rocky cliffs and dive spectacularly into the ocean to catch fish.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
Commonly seen flying low over the ocean, the brown booby is an agile fisher that hunts by plunging into the water to catch small fish. It nests in colonies along the island’s rocky shores.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
Aerial masters, magnificent frigatebirds are often seen soaring high above the park. Males have a distinctive red throat pouch, which they inflate to attract females during breeding season.

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)
This colorful seabird, with its bright red feet and bluish beak, is a skilled fisherman that primarily hunts flying fish. It is less common than other booby species but can be spotted nesting in trees and shrubs on the islands.

White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus)
A stunning bird with long, elegant tail feathers, the white-tailed tropicbird is often seen gliding gracefully over the ocean. It nests on cliff ledges and hunts for fish and squid in the open sea.

Black Noddy (Anous minutus)
A small and agile seabird, the black noddy forms large nesting colonies on rocky cliffs. It feeds on small fish and squid, catching them just below the water’s surface.

Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
This sleek, black-and-white seabird is known for its long-distance migrations and loud, continuous calls. It nests in large colonies on the island’s sandy beaches.

Greater Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)
A migratory seabird that visits Fernando de Noronha seasonally, the greater shearwater is a powerful flier that spends most of its life at sea, coming ashore only to breed.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Often seen resting on sandbanks or flying over the waves, the royal tern is a striking bird with a black crest and a bright orange beak. It feeds mainly on fish, which it catches by diving into the water.

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
A large and adaptable seabird, the kelp gull is often found scavenging along the beaches and cliffs. It has a varied diet, feeding on fish, marine invertebrates, and even human food scraps.

Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is a sanctuary for some of the most extraordinary marine and coastal wildlife in Brazil. Its crystal-clear waters, abundant sea life, and diverse bird species make it a world-class destination for nature lovers, snorkelers, and birdwatchers alike.

Whether exploring the reefs, spotting dolphins, or watching seabirds soar over the cliffs, visitors to the park are sure to experience unforgettable encounters with Brazil’s marine biodiversity.

Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, located off the northeastern coast of Brazil, is an archipelago known for its crystal-clear waters, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. The park protects vital oceanic ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and rocky shores, making it one of the best places in Brazil to observe marine and coastal wildlife.

Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris)
One of the park’s most famous residents, the spinner dolphin is known for its acrobatic leaps and spinning behavior. Hundreds of these dolphins gather in the protected waters of Baía dos Golfinhos, where they rest and socialize before heading out to hunt at night.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The warm waters of Fernando de Noronha serve as an important nesting site for the green sea turtle. These gentle reptiles come ashore to lay their eggs on the park’s pristine beaches, while juveniles and adults can often be seen feeding on seagrass in shallow waters.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
This critically endangered turtle is commonly found in the coral reefs of the archipelago. Recognizable by its sharp, curved beak and beautifully patterned shell, the hawksbill sea turtle plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of reef ecosystems by feeding on sponges.

Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
A key predator in the marine ecosystem, the lemon shark is frequently seen in the shallow waters surrounding the islands. Despite their intimidating appearance, these sharks are generally not aggressive and are an essential part of the ocean’s food chain.

Brazilian Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera brasiliensis)
This graceful ray glides effortlessly through the waters of Fernando de Noronha, often traveling in schools. Recognizable by its distinct head shape, the Brazilian cownose ray feeds on crustaceans and mollusks found along the ocean floor.

West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)
Though rare in Fernando de Noronha, the West Indian manatee occasionally visits the coastal mangroves and seagrass beds. This slow-moving marine mammal is an herbivore that plays a vital role in maintaining aquatic vegetation.

Orca (Orcinus orca)
Although not a permanent resident, orcas occasionally pass through the waters of Fernando de Noronha, particularly during seasonal migrations. These powerful predators are known for their intelligence and complex social structures.

Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci)
A large and important reef fish, the black grouper can be found hiding among coral formations and rocky crevices. It is an apex predator in the reef system, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans.

Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
A slow-moving and nocturnal species, the nurse shark often rests in crevices or sandy bottoms during the day. At night, it becomes an active predator, using its strong suction ability to capture fish and invertebrates.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis)
Smaller than the spinner dolphin, the Atlantic spotted dolphin is a playful and social species often seen riding the waves created by boats or jumping in unison with its pod.