Furna Feia National Park

Furna Feia Overview

Furna Feia National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional da Furna Feia, is located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. Covering an area of approximately 33.4 square miles (86.1 square kilometers), the park is situated near the municipalities of Mossoró and Baraúna.

Established in 2012, the park was created to protect an important segment of the Caatinga biome, which is unique to Brazil and characterized by its semi-arid climate and highly adapted flora and fauna. The name “Furna Feia” translates to “Ugly Cavern,” a curious name referring to the park’s most iconic feature, a large limestone cave system that has long fascinated locals and speleologists alike.

The terrain of Furna Feia National Park is marked by rugged limestone outcrops, dry plateaus, and depressions that form natural basins. These geological formations are heavily karstic, resulting in a complex network of caves and sinkholes, with the Furna Feia cave being the largest and most well-known.

The landscape is generally dry and covered with thorny scrub, low-growing trees, and cacti, all typical of the Caatinga ecosystem. Despite the aridity, the region supports surprising biodiversity thanks to these unique microhabitats formed by the caves and rocky terrain. Seasonal streams sometimes create temporary wetlands, briefly transforming the land during the rainy months.

Furna Feia is home to an array of wildlife adapted to the semi-arid conditions. Among the mammals, visitors might encounter the Brazilian three-banded armadillo, also known as the tatu-bola, which is endemic to the region. Other mammals include the crab-eating fox and the rock cavy.

Birdlife is also prominent, with species such as the Caatinga cacholote, spot-backed puffbird, and various tanagers frequently observed. Nocturnal cave-dwelling bats are abundant and play an important ecological role in the park, with several species roosting in the Furna Feia cave itself.

The park’s most popular feature is undoubtedly the Furna Feia cave, which extends over several kilometers and includes chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations. The cave has archaeological and paleontological significance due to evidence of prehistoric human activity and fossil remains found inside.

Guided cave tours allow visitors to safely explore sections of this vast underground network. Above ground, the park offers trails that showcase native vegetation, scenic overlooks, and wildlife observation points, making it a popular destination for hikers, researchers, and ecotourists.

Visitors to Furna Feia National Park primarily engage with the park through guided hikes, birdwatching excursions, and cave exploration. Educational programs led by local conservation groups are increasingly integrated into visits, promoting awareness of the Caatinga biome and the importance of cave conservation.

The park is also used as a field site for scientific research on geology, biology, and climate adaptation.

Furna Feia faces several conservation challenges, including deforestation in surrounding areas, illegal hunting, and the degradation of cave habitats. However, the creation of the park marked a major success in protecting a rare ecosystem.

Ongoing collaborations between the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), local universities, and community groups have helped establish a solid foundation for sustainable management. Restoration projects and environmental education are central to maintaining the park’s ecological health, ensuring that Furna Feia remains both a natural sanctuary and a center for learning.

Park Map

Furna Feia National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Furna Feia’s mix of Caatinga vegetation, cliffs, and caves provides refuge for a diverse array of bird species, many of them endemic to northeastern Brazil. The dry forest canopy, open scrub, and rock faces offer ideal habitat for birds of prey, insectivores, and seed-eaters adapted to the arid climate.

Red-legged Seriema
Common in open areas, this large, long-legged bird is known for its loud calls and snake-hunting habits. It walks gracefully through scrubland, using its beak and feet to subdue prey.

Caatinga Parakeet
Endemic to the Caatinga biome, this lively green parakeet nests in tree cavities and cliff crevices. It travels in noisy flocks and feeds on fruit, seeds, and blossoms.

Cactus Parakeet
Another Caatinga endemic, this small parrot thrives in dry forests and cacti thickets. Its diet includes cactus fruits and dry-season seeds, and it’s often seen in small family groups.

Blue-crowned Trogon
A colorful bird of the forest interior, this trogon has vivid green and blue feathers and feeds on fruit and insects. It perches quietly in the mid-story of the forest.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
This tiny owl is a fierce hunter of small birds and insects. It is active both day and night and often attracts the attention of mobbing birds that reveal its presence.

White-naped Jay
Highly social and intelligent, this jay is loud and curious, moving in flocks through the forest in search of fruits, insects, and small animals. Its striking plumage includes a white nape and blue body.

Spotted Nothura
A shy, ground-dwelling bird with cryptic plumage, it forages for seeds and insects in dry grasslands and is most active during the cooler parts of the day.

Black-throated Saltator
This seed-eating songbird is found in dry woodlands and scrub. Its melodious song and striking plumage, with a black throat and grayish body, make it easy to recognize.

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin
Endemic to the Caatinga, this small insect-eating bird is often seen flitting through the understory. Males perform subtle courtship displays in shaded areas.

White-tailed Hawk
A common raptor soaring over open fields, this hawk hunts rodents, snakes, and small birds. Its broad wings and white tail with a dark terminal band make it easy to identify in flight.

Furna Feia National Park, located in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is part of the unique Caatinga biome. This park protects a dramatic landscape of dry thorny forests, limestone outcrops, and a vast system of caves—many of which harbor rare and specialized fauna. Despite the arid conditions, the biodiversity is rich, with animals well-adapted to hot, dry climates and rocky environments.

Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo
This small, endangered armadillo is native to the Caatinga and one of the few armadillo species that can roll into a perfect ball for defense. It lives in dry scrublands and is most active during cooler hours.

Rock Cavy
This rodent thrives among the park’s rocky cliffs and caves, where it hides from predators and feeds on dry-season plants and fruits. It’s commonly seen sunning itself on rocks during the day.

Crab-eating Fox
A nocturnal omnivore, this fox is highly adaptable to dry conditions. It roams widely in search of fruit, insects, small animals, and carrion, and is often spotted at dawn or dusk.

Maned Wolf
Occasionally found in open areas within the park, the maned wolf is a tall, slender canid that hunts rodents and insects and also feeds on fruit. It is solitary and shy, blending easily into dry brushland.

Puma
Also known as the mountain lion or cougar, this powerful predator is a rare but important resident of the park. It uses the caves and rocky terrain for shelter and hunts a wide range of prey, from armadillos to deer.

Nine-banded Armadillo
Widespread and well-adapted to the dry forest, this armadillo forages at night for insects and larvae and digs deep burrows to escape the heat of the day.

South American Coati
Social and curious, coatis forage in groups during the day, using their long snouts to dig for insects and roots. They also climb trees and raid bird nests in search of eggs and fruit.

Common Opossum
This adaptable marsupial thrives in the park’s dry forests, scavenging for fruit, small animals, and carrion. It is mostly nocturnal and often found near caves or rocky overhangs.

Southern Tamandua
This smaller, tree-climbing anteater uses its strong claws to break into ant and termite nests. It’s active at night and is well-suited for both forested and rocky areas.

Gray Brocket Deer
This shy, small deer browses on leaves and fallen fruit in dry woodland areas. It is most active during the early morning and late afternoon and hides in thick vegetation during the heat.

Birds

Caatinga Parakeet
Endemic to the Caatinga biome, this lively green parakeet nests in tree cavities and cliff crevices. It travels in noisy flocks and feeds on fruit, seeds, and blossoms.

Blue-crowned Trogon
A colorful bird of the forest interior, this trogon has vivid green and blue feathers and feeds on fruit and insects. It perches quietly in the mid-story of the forest.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
This tiny owl is a fierce hunter of small birds and insects. It is active both day and night and often attracts the attention of mobbing birds that reveal its presence.

Spotted Nothura
A shy, ground-dwelling bird with cryptic plumage, it forages for seeds and insects in dry grasslands and is most active during the cooler parts of the day.

Black-throated Saltator
This seed-eating songbird is found in dry woodlands and scrub. Its melodious song and striking plumage, with a black throat and grayish body, make it easy to recognize.

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin
Endemic to the Caatinga, this small insect-eating bird is often seen flitting through the understory. Males perform subtle courtship displays in shaded areas.

Birds

Caatinga Parakeet
Endemic to the Caatinga biome, this lively green parakeet nests in tree cavities and cliff crevices. It travels in noisy flocks and feeds on fruit, seeds, and blossoms.

Blue-crowned Trogon
A colorful bird of the forest interior, this trogon has vivid green and blue feathers and feeds on fruit and insects. It perches quietly in the mid-story of the forest.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
This tiny owl is a fierce hunter of small birds and insects. It is active both day and night and often attracts the attention of mobbing birds that reveal its presence.

Spotted Nothura
A shy, ground-dwelling bird with cryptic plumage, it forages for seeds and insects in dry grasslands and is most active during the cooler parts of the day.

Black-throated Saltator
This seed-eating songbird is found in dry woodlands and scrub. Its melodious song and striking plumage, with a black throat and grayish body, make it easy to recognize.

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin
Endemic to the Caatinga, this small insect-eating bird is often seen flitting through the understory. Males perform subtle courtship displays in shaded areas.