Intervales State Park
Atlantic Rainforest Specialties
Brazil Birding Destination

Intervales State Park is located about 170 miles SW of Sao Paulo. It is reached by driving from Sao Paulo on the Rodovia Castello Branco. After exiting at Tatui, follow the road through Itapetininga and Capao Bonita. Then follow the signage to the park, traveling 25km from Ribeiro Grande on an all-weather unpaved road.

Intervales State Park is situated on a 3300 ft high escarpment, the Serra do Mar, that parallels the Atlantic coast of SE Brazil. The park consists of 4 adjacent reserves covering some 450 sq. miles and contains pristine Atlantic forests over an altitudinal gradient from nearly sea level to 3000 ft. elevation. Only the upper part of the park has been open to the public. This area is surrounded by forest and has a short trail through secondary growth. In addition to this trail, there are two main birding areas. One is Carmo, a small research station that has 2 trails. The road to Carmo is 9km long and surrounded by forest all the way. The second area is Barra Grande, which is 6 miles from the park. A 4-wheel drive track within Barra Grande traverses primary forest for 6-10 miles and is excellent for birding, especially the first couple miles.

Notable birds include Mantled Hawk, Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Rusty-barred Owl, Buff-fronted Owl, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Red-eyed Thornbird, Giant Antshrike, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Bare-throated Bellbird, Azure-throated Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, and Black-legged Dacnis. Long-trained Nightjar has been staked out 2 miles from the start of the road to Barra Grande.