One of Brazil’s five major biomes is the Caatinga, located in the northeast part of the country. It not as not nearly as popular as the Amazon Rainforest and very little of it is protected. The Caatinga biome has very wet and very dry seasons, but is always hot. There is great biodiversity, but it is hard to figure out how much because so much has been destroyed.
The Nature Conservancy is working with small groups in this area to protect some of this damaged region, but many of the birds are still in a lot of trouble.
Why do birders travel to the Caatinga? For the 350 species of birds found there, a couple of the most famous being the Cactus Parakeet (Aratinga cactorum) and the Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana ).
Blue Macaws such as the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) and Lear’s Macaws (Anodorhynchus leari) are in the news frequently for their extremely endangered status and conservation efforts to save them.
A fairly detailed online catalogue of birds in this area is the Birds of the Caatinga website. They have photos of many of the Caatinga birds.
Another site to visit for Caatinga birding information is The Northeastern Brazil birding website.
We believe that there are a lot of reasons to visit this area. Interest in this bioregion would make a good reason to preserve and protect it. Who wouldn’t want to see a Blue-crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui)?
If any reader has visited this area, please let us know! We hope to learn much more about this endangered biome and how to protect it.
I haven’t visited there but it sure sounds like a great place to go birding.-
Sounds like a great trip to take someday.