Serra do Gandarela National Park

Birds

Serra do Gandarela National Park is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, 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 southeastern Brazil.

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

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
One of the most iconic birds of the Atlantic Forest, the toco toucan is easily recognized by its massive orange beak. It plays a crucial role in seed dispersal, helping maintain the diversity of plant life.

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

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)
This stunning hummingbird, with its shimmering green and blue plumage, is one of the most common hummingbirds in the park. It hovers around 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 striking raptor, the black-and-white hawk-eagle is an impressive hunter, often seen soaring over the park’s mountainous terrain, scanning for prey.

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

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.

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura)
A secretive bird that thrives along Serra do Gandarela’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.

Serra do Gandarela National Park is a vital sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of southeastern Brazil, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity. Whether hiking its scenic trails, spotting rare birds, or observing elusive mammals, visitors to this park experience one of the most diverse and ecologically significant regions of the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado transition zone.

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Serra do Gandarela National Park, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a vital conservation area protecting a mix of Atlantic Forest and Cerrado ecosystems. Known for its stunning waterfalls, ancient rock formations, and iron-rich caves, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including rare and endemic species. Its mountainous terrain and lush forests provide a refuge for many threatened species.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
The maned wolf, with its long legs and reddish fur, is a symbol of the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest transition zones. Unlike traditional wolves, it is a solitary and omnivorous animal, feeding on small mammals, birds, and fruits like the lobeira.

Puma (Puma concolor)
A stealthy and powerful predator, the puma thrives in the dense forests and rocky landscapes of Serra do Gandarela. It preys on deer, rodents, and small mammals, using its agility and strength to hunt.

South American Coati (Nasua nasua)
A curious and social mammal, the South American coati is commonly seen foraging in groups. It uses its long snout to search for insects, fruits, and small vertebrates in the undergrowth.

Azara’s Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)
A large rodent, the 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.

Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
The largest land mammal in the Atlantic Forest, the lowland tapir is a crucial seed disperser. It inhabits the park’s dense forests and riverbanks, feeding on leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants.

Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)
Once common across Brazil, the pampas deer now finds refuge in protected areas like Serra do Gandarela. This graceful herbivore thrives in the park’s open grasslands, grazing on vegetation.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully patterned wild cat, the ocelot is a stealthy nocturnal predator. It preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using its agility and excellent night vision to stalk its prey.

Tayra (Eira barbara)
A member of the weasel family, the tayra is an agile predator and scavenger that thrives in Serra do Gandarela’s forests. It is highly intelligent and preys on small mammals, birds, and fruits.

Jararaca Pit Viper (Bothrops jararaca)
A venomous snake native to the Atlantic Forest, the jararaca is an ambush predator that preys on small mammals, birds, and amphibians. It is well-camouflaged and plays an important role in controlling rodent populations.

Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)
A slow-moving but resilient reptile, the red-footed tortoise is a vital seed disperser in the Atlantic Forest. It has a varied diet, feeding on fruits, flowers, and fungi.

Birds

Serra do Gandarela National Park is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, 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 southeastern Brazil.

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

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
One of the most iconic birds of the Atlantic Forest, the toco toucan is easily recognized by its massive orange beak. It plays a crucial role in seed dispersal, helping maintain the diversity of plant life.

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

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)
This stunning hummingbird, with its shimmering green and blue plumage, is one of the most common hummingbirds in the park. It hovers around 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 striking raptor, the black-and-white hawk-eagle is an impressive hunter, often seen soaring over the park’s mountainous terrain, scanning for prey.

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

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.

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura)
A secretive bird that thrives along Serra do Gandarela’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.

Serra do Gandarela National Park is a vital sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of southeastern Brazil, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity. Whether hiking its scenic trails, spotting rare birds, or observing elusive mammals, visitors to this park experience one of the most diverse and ecologically significant regions of the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado transition zone.