Sete Cidades National Park

Birds

Sete Cidades National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with its dry forests, rocky cliffs, and seasonal water sources providing habitat for an incredible variety of bird species, some of which are endemic to the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes.

Blue-crowned Parakeet (Thectocercus acuticaudatus)
A striking and noisy parrot, the blue-crowned parakeet is often seen flying in small flocks over the park. It feeds on fruits and seeds, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon)
This intelligent and social bird is often seen in small groups, foraging for insects, fruits, and small vertebrates. Its striking blue and black plumage makes it easy to identify.

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)
A unique ground-dwelling bird, the red-legged seriema is known for its loud calls that echo across the park’s rocky landscapes. It hunts small reptiles and insects, using its strong legs to stomp on prey before eating.

Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
The largest flightless bird in South America, the greater rhea roams the park’s open areas in search of seeds, fruits, and small animals. Males take on the responsibility of incubating eggs and caring for the chicks.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
A small but fierce nocturnal predator, the ferruginous pygmy owl hunts insects, small birds, and rodents. It is often active during the day, making it easier to spot than other owls.

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin (Neopelma pallescens)
A small and energetic bird, the pale-bellied tyrant-manakin is known for its quick movements and insect-catching skills. It thrives in the dry forests of Sete Cidades.

Black-bellied Antwren (Formicivora melanogaster)
An endemic species to the Caatinga, this small insect-eating bird is often seen flitting among the shrubs and undergrowth. It is a specialist in hunting ants and other small invertebrates.

Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba)
A small and well-camouflaged nocturnal predator, the tropical screech owl is commonly found in the park’s dry forests. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates.

White Monjita (Xolmis irupero)
A striking bird with white plumage and a black tail, the white monjita is often found perched on trees and rocks, scanning the ground for insects.

Cactus Parakeet (Eupsittula cactorum)
An endemic bird of the Caatinga, the cactus parakeet is perfectly adapted to the arid environment. It nests in tree hollows and feeds on cactus fruits and seeds.

Sete Cidades National Park is not only an archaeological and geological treasure but also a haven for Brazil’s unique Caatinga and Cerrado wildlife. Its dramatic landscapes, rare species, and rich cultural history make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, archaeologists, and adventurers alike.

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Sete Cidades National Park, located in the state of Piauí, Brazil, is a unique landscape known for its fascinating rock formations, ancient cave paintings, and diverse wildlife. As part of the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes, the park is home to an extraordinary variety of species that have adapted to its dry forests, rocky outcrops, and seasonal water sources.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
With its long legs and reddish fur, the maned wolf is a distinctive resident of Sete Cidades. Unlike traditional wolves, it is a solitary omnivore that primarily feeds on small mammals, birds, and fruits like the lobeira.

Puma (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, the puma is an elusive and powerful predator that roams the park’s rocky landscapes and dry forests. It preys on deer, rodents, and smaller mammals, using stealth and agility to hunt.

Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous)
This adaptable and nocturnal canid is well-suited to the dry environments of Sete Cidades. It has a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, small mammals, and even crabs when near water sources.

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
A social and tough mammal, the collared peccary moves in small groups through the park’s dry forests and shrublands. It is an opportunistic feeder, consuming fruits, roots, and small animals.

Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)
Once widespread across Brazil, the pampas deer finds refuge in Sete Cidades’ open grasslands and scrublands. This graceful herbivore feeds on grasses and shrubs and is most active at dawn and dusk.

Azara’s Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)
A large, rodent-like mammal, the agouti is a vital seed disperser in Sete Cidades’ ecosystem. It feeds on fruits and nuts, often burying food for later, inadvertently helping plants grow.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully spotted wild cat, the ocelot is a stealthy nocturnal predator that hunts rodents, birds, and small reptiles. It moves silently through the park’s dense vegetation and rocky crevices.

Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)
A large, non-venomous snake, the boa constrictor is a powerful constrictor that ambushes prey such as rodents, birds, and small mammals, using its muscular body to subdue them.

Jararaca Pit Viper (Bothrops jararaca)
A venomous snake native to the Cerrado and Caatinga, the jararaca is an ambush predator that preys on small mammals, frogs, and birds. While its venom is potent, it 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 Sete Cidades. It has a varied diet, feeding on fruits, flowers, and fungi.

Birds

Sete Cidades National Park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with its dry forests, rocky cliffs, and seasonal water sources providing habitat for an incredible variety of bird species, some of which are endemic to the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes.

Blue-crowned Parakeet (Thectocercus acuticaudatus)
A striking and noisy parrot, the blue-crowned parakeet is often seen flying in small flocks over the park. It feeds on fruits and seeds, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon)
This intelligent and social bird is often seen in small groups, foraging for insects, fruits, and small vertebrates. Its striking blue and black plumage makes it easy to identify.

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)
A unique ground-dwelling bird, the red-legged seriema is known for its loud calls that echo across the park’s rocky landscapes. It hunts small reptiles and insects, using its strong legs to stomp on prey before eating.

Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
The largest flightless bird in South America, the greater rhea roams the park’s open areas in search of seeds, fruits, and small animals. Males take on the responsibility of incubating eggs and caring for the chicks.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
A small but fierce nocturnal predator, the ferruginous pygmy owl hunts insects, small birds, and rodents. It is often active during the day, making it easier to spot than other owls.

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin (Neopelma pallescens)
A small and energetic bird, the pale-bellied tyrant-manakin is known for its quick movements and insect-catching skills. It thrives in the dry forests of Sete Cidades.

Black-bellied Antwren (Formicivora melanogaster)
An endemic species to the Caatinga, this small insect-eating bird is often seen flitting among the shrubs and undergrowth. It is a specialist in hunting ants and other small invertebrates.

Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba)
A small and well-camouflaged nocturnal predator, the tropical screech owl is commonly found in the park’s dry forests. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates.

White Monjita (Xolmis irupero)
A striking bird with white plumage and a black tail, the white monjita is often found perched on trees and rocks, scanning the ground for insects.

Cactus Parakeet (Eupsittula cactorum)
An endemic bird of the Caatinga, the cactus parakeet is perfectly adapted to the arid environment. It nests in tree hollows and feeds on cactus fruits and seeds.

Sete Cidades National Park is not only an archaeological and geological treasure but also a haven for Brazil’s unique Caatinga and Cerrado wildlife. Its dramatic landscapes, rare species, and rich cultural history make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, archaeologists, and adventurers alike.