UBATUBA AREA
BRAZIL
LOCALE
| # Species*: | 287 |
| # Excl Vagrants*: | 287 |
| # Endemics*: | 45 |
| # Near Endemics*: | 5 |
| *Based on partial or incomplete data. | |
| Habitat: Coastal forest, bamboo, roadsides, gardens | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Ubatuba is a beach resort area on the Atlantic coast north of Sao Paulo and is well-known as a birding destination because of its easy access and its high number of endemic and rare birds. The coastal mountain range slightly inland is commonly known as the Serra do Mar. Most birding areas are on private fazendas that can be visited with prior arrangement.
One prime birding area is located south of town. The left fork of the road after crossing the Rio Escuro leads to a remnant SE Atlantic Rainforest near Pico do Corcovado. Bamboos along the river are an excellent place to find the prized Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant. About 300m along the trail and just after it crosses the river is a good place to look for the rare Russet-winged Spadebill and also Atlantic Royal-Flycatcher. Farther along is the beginning of the trail leading up Pico do Corcovado, a 3-4 hour hike one-way. Just after the only steep downhill climb on this trail is the best place to find Russet-winged Spadebill.
The right fork of the same road leads to Folha Seca, a private residence that welcomes birders. The owner, Jonas d'Abronzo, maintains several hummingbird feeders that attract an excellent variety of species including Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Brazilian Ruby, and Festive Coquette. Some 22 species of hummingbirds have been recorded on his property at one time or another. In addition, fruit feeders on the property attract tanagers and other birds.
Continuing beyond the entrance to Jonas' property is a level track into secondary forest. Some of the many possibilities in this tract are Orange-eyed Thornbird (a recent split from Red-eyed Thornbird, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Sharpbill, Swallow-tailed Manakin, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant, Green-backed Becard, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Brazilian Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, and Gilt-edged Tanager.
North of Ubatuba is the fazenda Capricornio, an overgrown cacau plantation, which welcomes birders onto the property for a small entrance fee. Much of the fazenda is forested, and a wide easy trail offers excellent birding. The species composition is similar to the area around Folha Seca. This area is a good place to look for canopy species such as Buff-throated Purpletuft and Sao Paulo Tyrannulet. Another nearby private property is the fazenda Angelim, which has lowland forest habitat that is home to a number of endemic and other specialty birds. Notable possibilities there include Crescent-chested Puffbird, Thrush-like Woodcreeper, Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Spotted Bamboowren, Pale-browed Treehunter, Squamate Antbird, and Buff-throated Purpletuft.
LOCATION OF SITE
Ubatuba is located on the Atlantic coast mid-way between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil.