Jericoacoara National Park

Birds

Jericoacoara National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with its coastal dunes, mangroves, and lagoons attracting a variety of bird species. From wading birds to powerful raptors, the park is filled with diverse avian life.

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
One of the most striking birds in the park, the scarlet ibis is easily recognized by its bright red plumage. It is commonly seen in the mangroves, where it feeds on crustaceans that contribute to its vivid coloration.

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
A unique coastal bird, the black skimmer has a distinctive lower beak that it uses to skim the water’s surface for fish. It is frequently seen along Jericoacoara’s beaches and shallow waters.

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
A rare but spectacular sight in the park’s lagoons, the greater flamingo wades through shallow waters, feeding on algae and small invertebrates. Its pink coloration is derived from its diet.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
This agile seabird is often seen diving into the ocean to catch fish. It nests on the park’s rocky cliffs and is a common sight along the coastline.

Mangrove Warbler (Setophaga petechia)
A small, brightly colored songbird, the mangrove warbler thrives in the park’s coastal mangrove forests. It feeds on insects and small fruits while singing melodious calls.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
A powerful fish-hunting raptor, the osprey is often seen soaring above Jericoacoara’s lagoons and shallow waters before plunging to catch fish with its sharp talons.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
A long-distance migratory shorebird, the whimbrel stops at Jericoacoara during migration seasons. It has a distinctively long, curved bill used for probing sand and mud for invertebrates.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
This striking seabird, with its black crown and bright orange beak, is commonly seen along the park’s beaches. It dives into the ocean to catch fish, often in large flocks.

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
A graceful duck species that inhabits the park’s lagoons, the white-cheeked pintail feeds on aquatic plants and small invertebrates, often seen floating in calm waters.

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
With its striking black-and-white plumage and long, thin legs, the black-necked stilt is a common sight wading through shallow waters, searching for small fish and crustaceans.

Jericoacoara National Park is a unique blend of desert-like dunes, lush mangroves, and vibrant coastal ecosystems, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Whether exploring the vast sandy landscapes, spotting exotic birds, or swimming alongside marine life, visitors to this park experience the incredible natural diversity of Brazil’s northeastern coast.

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Jericoacoara National Park, located in the state of Ceará, Brazil, is a stunning coastal paradise known for its vast sand dunes, crystal-clear lagoons, mangroves, and rocky shorelines. The park is home to a unique blend of terrestrial and marine wildlife, with species that have adapted to the park’s arid, sandy environment and coastal ecosystems.

Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous)
A highly adaptable and nocturnal canid, the crab-eating fox thrives in Jericoacoara’s sand dunes and coastal vegetation. Despite its name, it has a varied diet that includes crabs, small mammals, fruits, and insects.

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
This well-armored mammal is a frequent sight in the park’s dry forests and sandy areas. The nine-banded armadillo digs burrows for shelter and forages for insects, using its sharp claws to break into termite mounds.

Paca (Cuniculus paca)
A large nocturnal rodent, the paca is found near Jericoacoara’s mangroves and lagoons. It is an excellent swimmer and primarily feeds on fruits and seeds, playing a key role in seed dispersal.

Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
An agile swimmer, the Neotropical otter inhabits the park’s freshwater lagoons and mangrove ecosystems. It preys on fish, crabs, and amphibians and is often seen playfully gliding through the water.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara, is commonly found near the park’s freshwater sources. These social and semi-aquatic animals graze on vegetation and often live in family groups.

Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
A small primate native to northeastern Brazil, the common marmoset is highly adaptable and thrives in the park’s dry forests and mangroves. It feeds on fruits, tree sap, and insects and is often seen moving in small groups.

Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus)
This rare and endangered armadillo is unique in its ability to roll into a perfect ball when threatened. It prefers sandy and dry environments, using its sharp claws to dig for insects.

Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)
A non-venomous snake, the boa constrictor is an ambush predator that inhabits Jericoacoara’s forests and mangroves. It captures prey, such as rodents and birds, by constricting them before swallowing them whole.

Common Tegu (Salvator merianae)
A large, terrestrial lizard, the common tegu is often seen basking in the sun near the dunes and mangroves. It is an omnivore, feeding on insects, fruits, and small vertebrates.

Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata)
A fascinating inhabitant of the park’s sandy beaches, the ghost crab is named for its pale coloration and quick, sideways movements. It digs burrows in the sand and emerges at night to scavenge along the shoreline.

Birds

Jericoacoara National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with its coastal dunes, mangroves, and lagoons attracting a variety of bird species. From wading birds to powerful raptors, the park is filled with diverse avian life.

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
One of the most striking birds in the park, the scarlet ibis is easily recognized by its bright red plumage. It is commonly seen in the mangroves, where it feeds on crustaceans that contribute to its vivid coloration.

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
A unique coastal bird, the black skimmer has a distinctive lower beak that it uses to skim the water’s surface for fish. It is frequently seen along Jericoacoara’s beaches and shallow waters.

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
A rare but spectacular sight in the park’s lagoons, the greater flamingo wades through shallow waters, feeding on algae and small invertebrates. Its pink coloration is derived from its diet.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
This agile seabird is often seen diving into the ocean to catch fish. It nests on the park’s rocky cliffs and is a common sight along the coastline.

Mangrove Warbler (Setophaga petechia)
A small, brightly colored songbird, the mangrove warbler thrives in the park’s coastal mangrove forests. It feeds on insects and small fruits while singing melodious calls.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
A powerful fish-hunting raptor, the osprey is often seen soaring above Jericoacoara’s lagoons and shallow waters before plunging to catch fish with its sharp talons.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
A long-distance migratory shorebird, the whimbrel stops at Jericoacoara during migration seasons. It has a distinctively long, curved bill used for probing sand and mud for invertebrates.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
This striking seabird, with its black crown and bright orange beak, is commonly seen along the park’s beaches. It dives into the ocean to catch fish, often in large flocks.

White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
A graceful duck species that inhabits the park’s lagoons, the white-cheeked pintail feeds on aquatic plants and small invertebrates, often seen floating in calm waters.

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
With its striking black-and-white plumage and long, thin legs, the black-necked stilt is a common sight wading through shallow waters, searching for small fish and crustaceans.

Jericoacoara National Park is a unique blend of desert-like dunes, lush mangroves, and vibrant coastal ecosystems, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Whether exploring the vast sandy landscapes, spotting exotic birds, or swimming alongside marine life, visitors to this park experience the incredible natural diversity of Brazil’s northeastern coast.