São Joaquim National Park

Birds

São Joaquim National Park is also a prime location for birdwatchers, with its mix of high-altitude forests, rocky cliffs, and grasslands providing habitat for a wide variety of bird species, some of which are endemic to southern Brazil.

Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona pretrei)
An endangered and strikingly beautiful parrot, the red-spectacled Amazon is found in the park’s high-altitude forests. It feeds primarily on fruits and seeds and is often seen in small flocks.

Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
A small but agile bird of prey, the plumbeous kite is frequently seen soaring over the park’s forests and river valleys, hunting insects and small vertebrates in midair.

White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)
One of the many hummingbird species found in São Joaquim, the white-throated hummingbird is a tiny but energetic bird that flits between flowers, feeding on nectar with its specialized tongue.

Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila)
A nocturnal predator, the rusty-barred owl is commonly found in the dense forests of the park. It hunts rodents, birds, and insects, using its silent flight to ambush prey.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
A powerful raptor, the black-and-white hawk-eagle is often seen soaring over the park’s mountainous terrain, scanning for prey. It primarily hunts birds and small mammals.

Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea)
An endangered parrot species, the vinaceous-breasted Amazon is known for its deep green plumage and reddish breast. It is found in the Atlantic Forest regions of the park, feeding on fruits and seeds.

Long-tailed Cinclodes (Cinclodes pabsti)
A species endemic to Brazil’s highlands, the long-tailed cinclodes is often seen foraging on rocky outcrops, searching for insects and small invertebrates.

Azure Jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus)
A striking blue bird with a loud, varied call, the azure jay is a social species commonly seen in the park’s forests. It is known for caching food, such as acorns and seeds, for later consumption.

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura)
A secretive bird that thrives along São Joaquim’s rivers and waterfalls, the sharp-tailed streamcreeper is known for its agility, hopping among rocks and branches to catch insects.

Blue-billed Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus cyanirostris)
A small but striking bird, the blue-billed black-tyrant is often found perched on exposed branches in open areas of the park. It feeds on insects, catching them in midair with precision.

São Joaquim National Park is a truly unique destination within Brazil, offering a mix of highland and Atlantic Forest species in a stunning mountainous setting. Whether hiking its rugged landscapes, spotting rare birds, or tracking elusive mammals, visitors to this park experience one of the most diverse and breathtaking ecosystems in southern Brazil.

Popular

São Joaquim National Park, located in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, is a breathtaking mountainous region known for its lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and cold temperatures. This park is one of the few places in Brazil where snowfall occurs in winter, creating a unique habitat for a mix of Atlantic Forest and highland species. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including some species that are endemic to the southern Brazilian highlands.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
The maned wolf is one of the most iconic mammals of São Joaquim National Park. With its long legs and reddish coat, this solitary canid roams the open grasslands, feeding on small mammals, birds, and fruits like the lobeira.

Puma (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, the puma is the top predator of the park. It is highly adaptable and preys on deer, rodents, and even livestock in surrounding areas, using stealth and agility to hunt.

South American Coati (Nasua nasua)
This raccoon-like mammal is a common sight in the park’s forests. Coatis are social animals that forage in groups, using their long snouts to search for insects, fruits, and small vertebrates in the undergrowth.

Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana)
A small and elusive deer, the red brocket deer prefers the dense forest understory, where it feeds on leaves, fruits, and fungi. It is most active at dusk and dawn.

Azara’s Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)
A large, rodent-like mammal, the Azara’s agouti plays an essential role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds. It feeds on fruits and nuts, often burying them for later consumption, inadvertently helping plant growth.

Brazilian Gray Fox (Lycalopex vetulus)
A small, nocturnal canid, the Brazilian gray fox is well adapted to the colder climate of São Joaquim. It hunts rodents, birds, and insects, supplementing its diet with fruits and berries.

Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus)
A rare and highly elusive carnivore, the bush dog is a small, social predator that hunts in packs. It preys on rodents and small mammals, using teamwork to take down larger prey.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully patterned wild cat, the ocelot is a skilled nocturnal hunter that preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is rarely seen due to its secretive nature.

Tayra (Eira barbara)
A member of the weasel family, the tayra is an agile predator and scavenger found in São Joaquim’s forests. It feeds on a mix of fruits, small mammals, and birds, often hunting during the day.

Jararaca Pit Viper (Bothrops jararaca)
A venomous snake native to the Atlantic Forest, the jararaca is a well-camouflaged ambush predator that feeds on rodents, frogs, and birds. While its venom is potent, it plays a vital role in controlling small mammal populations.

Birds

São Joaquim National Park is also a prime location for birdwatchers, with its mix of high-altitude forests, rocky cliffs, and grasslands providing habitat for a wide variety of bird species, some of which are endemic to southern Brazil.

Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona pretrei)
An endangered and strikingly beautiful parrot, the red-spectacled Amazon is found in the park’s high-altitude forests. It feeds primarily on fruits and seeds and is often seen in small flocks.

Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
A small but agile bird of prey, the plumbeous kite is frequently seen soaring over the park’s forests and river valleys, hunting insects and small vertebrates in midair.

White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)
One of the many hummingbird species found in São Joaquim, the white-throated hummingbird is a tiny but energetic bird that flits between flowers, feeding on nectar with its specialized tongue.

Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila)
A nocturnal predator, the rusty-barred owl is commonly found in the dense forests of the park. It hunts rodents, birds, and insects, using its silent flight to ambush prey.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
A powerful raptor, the black-and-white hawk-eagle is often seen soaring over the park’s mountainous terrain, scanning for prey. It primarily hunts birds and small mammals.

Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea)
An endangered parrot species, the vinaceous-breasted Amazon is known for its deep green plumage and reddish breast. It is found in the Atlantic Forest regions of the park, feeding on fruits and seeds.

Long-tailed Cinclodes (Cinclodes pabsti)
A species endemic to Brazil’s highlands, the long-tailed cinclodes is often seen foraging on rocky outcrops, searching for insects and small invertebrates.

Azure Jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus)
A striking blue bird with a loud, varied call, the azure jay is a social species commonly seen in the park’s forests. It is known for caching food, such as acorns and seeds, for later consumption.

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura)
A secretive bird that thrives along São Joaquim’s rivers and waterfalls, the sharp-tailed streamcreeper is known for its agility, hopping among rocks and branches to catch insects.

Blue-billed Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus cyanirostris)
A small but striking bird, the blue-billed black-tyrant is often found perched on exposed branches in open areas of the park. It feeds on insects, catching them in midair with precision.

São Joaquim National Park is a truly unique destination within Brazil, offering a mix of highland and Atlantic Forest species in a stunning mountainous setting. Whether hiking its rugged landscapes, spotting rare birds, or tracking elusive mammals, visitors to this park experience one of the most diverse and breathtaking ecosystems in southern Brazil.