Encontro das Águas State Park

Protected Landscape · Brazil

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Photo © Giles Laurent

Photo © Giles Laurent — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the cerrado landscape opens into a mosaic of seasonally flooded wetlands and gallery forest, Encontro das Águas State Park preserves one of Brazil's most dynamic transitional ecosystems. The protected landscape's waterways—oxbow lakes, seasonal streams, and shallow marshes—anchor an intricate web of habitats shaped by the region's Aw climate, marked by warm year-round temperatures and a pronounced dry season during winter months. The tapestry shifts dramatically between seasons: during the rains, water spreads across grassland and shrubland, drawing wading birds and waterfowl to shallow feeding grounds; when the dry season tightens its grip, the landscape consolidates into islands of refuge where birds of prey hunt across open terrain and small forest mammals shelter within patches of woody vegetation. Gallery forests ribbon along watercourses, their canopies hosting insectivorous songbirds and arboreal foragers that depend entirely on these riparian corridors linking fragmented woodland. The interplay of water, grass, and scattered trees creates a landscape of exceptional ecological richness—neither savanna nor forest, but a nuanced realm where both ecosystems merge.

For wildlife observers, the protected landscape's seasonal rhythm dictates the rhythm of discovery. The transition into the dry season—roughly May through September—concentrates wildlife around shrinking water sources, making this prime season for patient observation of wading birds, waterfowl, and predatory species drawn to concentrated prey. The landscape's low relief and open sightlines reward binoculars and cameras, offering unobstructed views that reward dawn and late-afternoon vigils when light sits low and golden across the wetlands. Access via the town of Bananal connects visitors to the broader Mato Grosso region, placing this protected landscape within reach of travelers committed to witnessing Brazil's underrated interior wetlands—a destination for those who seek authentic cerrado ecology rather than the more celebrated biomes dominating mainstream safari itineraries.

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

Ramphastos toco

Undulated Tinamou

Crypturellus undulatus

Southern Screamer

Chauna torquata

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Cairina moschata

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Chaco Chachalaca

Ortalis canicollis

Red-throated Piping Guan

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda

Band-tailed Nighthawk

Nyctiprogne leucopyga

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius griseus

Buff-bellied Hermit

Phaethornis subochraceus

White-vented Violetear

Colibri serrirostris

White-tailed Goldenthroat

Polytmus guainumbi

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Gilded Sapphire

Hylocharis chrysura

Crotophaga major

Smooth-billed Ani

Coccycua minuta

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Columbina squammata

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Heliornis fulica

Grey-cowled Wood Rail

Aramides cajaneus

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Aramus guarauna

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Hoploxypterus cayanus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicauda

Gallinago paraguaiae

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Calidris subruficollis

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Eurypyga helias

Mycteria americana

Jabiru mycteria

Ciconia maguari

Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Theristicus caerulescens

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Roseate Spoonbill

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Pilherodius pileatus

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Butorides striata

Sarcoramphus papa

Coragyps atratus

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes melambrotus

Pandion haliaetus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Long-winged Harrier

Ictinia plumbea

Geranospiza caerulescens

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Buteogallus meridionalis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Rupornis magnirostris

Parabuteo unicinctus

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Blue-crowned Trogon

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

Black-fronted Nunbird

Monasa nigrifrons

Chestnut-eared Aracari

Pteroglossus castanotis

White-wedged Piculet

Picumnus albosquamatus

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Little Woodpecker

Veniliornis passerinus

Golden-green Woodpecker

Piculus chrysochloros

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Colaptes campestris

Pale-crested Woodpecker

Celeus lugubris

Cream-colored Woodpecker

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Falco rufigularis

Myiopsitta monachus

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Golden-collared Macaw

Primolius auricollis

Blue-crowned Parakeet

Thectocercus acuticaudatus

Straight-billed Woodcreeper

Dendroplex picus

Red-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus trochilirostris

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Pale-legged Hornero

Furnarius leucopus

Furnarius rufus

Greater Thornbird

Phacellodomus ruber

Rusty-backed Spinetail

Cranioleuca vulpina

Grey-crested Cacholote

Pseudoseisura unirufa

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Chotoy Spinetail

Schoeniophylax phryganophilus

White-lored Spinetail

Synallaxis albilora

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Mato Grosso Antbird

Cercomacra melanaria

Band-tailed Antbird

Hypocnemoides maculicauda

Myiopagis gaimardii

Elaenia spectabilis

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Subtropical Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis

Inezia inornata

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus latirostris

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Black-backed Water Tyrant

Fluvicola albiventer

White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Arundinicola leucocephala

Machetornis rixosa

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lesser Kiskadee

Philohydor lictor

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

White-throated Kingbird

Tyrannus albogularis

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Rufous Casiornis

Casiornis rufus

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

White-eyed Attila

Attila bolivianus

Black-tailed Tityra

White-naped Xenopsaris

Xenopsaris albinucha

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Cyanocorax cyanomelas

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Thrush-like Wren

Campylorhynchus turdinus

Moustached Wren

Pheugopedius genibarbis

Fawn-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus guarayanus

Masked Gnatcatcher

Polioptila dumicola

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

White-banded Mockingbird

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Yellowish Pipit

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Solitary Cacique

Cacicus solitarius

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Orange-backed Troupial

Icterus croconotus

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Scarlet-headed Blackbird

Amblyramphus holosericeus

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Greyish Baywing

Agelaioides badius

Unicolored Blackbird

Agelasticus cyanopus

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Flavescent Warbler

Myiothlypis flaveola

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Rusty-collared Seedeater

Sporophila collaris

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Sicalis flaveola

Yellow-billed Cardinal

Paroaria capitata

Thraupis sayaca

Thraupis palmarum

American Barn Owl

Cinereous Tinamou

Crypturellus cinereus

Crypturellus obsoletus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Horned Screamer

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Speckled Chachalaca

Ortalis guttata

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Penelope jacquacu

Chestnut-bellied Guan

Penelope ochrogaster

White-throated Piping Guan

Bare-faced Curassow

Crax fasciolata

Least Nighthawk

Chordeiles pusillus

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura meridionalis

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

Fork-tailed Palm Swift

Tachornis squamata

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Glaucis hirsutus

Cinnamon-throated Hermit

Phaethornis nattereri

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Long-billed Starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Blue-tufted Starthroat

Heliomaster furcifer

Amethyst Woodstar

Calliphlox amethystina

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Rufous-throated Sapphire

Hylocharis sapphirina

White-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes cyanus

Pheasant Cuckoo

Dromococcyx phasianellus

Pavonine Cuckoo

Dromococcyx pavoninus

Ash-colored Cuckoo

Coccycua cinerea

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri

Patagioenas speciosa

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas subvinacea

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Long-tailed Ground Dove

Uropelia campestris

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Zenaida auriculata

Pardirallus nigricans

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Giant Wood Rail

Aramides ypecaha

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Azure Gallinule

Porphyrio flavirostris

Russet-crowned Crake

Rufirallus viridis

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Tachybaptus dominicus

American Golden Plover

Pluvialis dominica

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Stilt Sandpiper

Calidris himantopus

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

White-faced Ibis

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Zebrilus undulatus

Pinnated Bittern

Botaurus pinnatus

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Gampsonyx swainsonii

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Grey-bellied Hawk

Accipiter poliogaster

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Buteogallus coronatus

Pseudastur albicollis

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Grey-lined Hawk

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Athene cunicularia

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Black-banded Owl

Amazonian Motmot

Brachygalba lugubris

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Spot-backed Puffbird

Nystalus maculatus

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Lettered Aracari

Pteroglossus inscriptus

Black-necked Aracari

Pteroglossus aracari

Bar-breasted Piculet

Picumnus aurifrons

White-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cactorum

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Yellow-faced Parrot

Alipiopsitta xanthops

Yellow-crowned Amazon

Amazona ochrocephala

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Peach-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula aurea

Dusky-headed Parakeet

Aratinga weddellii

Nanday Parakeet

Aratinga nenday

Blue-winged Macaw

Primolius maracana

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Ara chloropterus

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

Great Rufous Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes major

Striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus obsoletus

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

Amazonian Plain Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Band-tailed Hornero

Furnarius figulus

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Plain-crowned Spinetail

Synallaxis gujanensis

Cinereous-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis hypospodia

Black-bellied Antwren

Formicivora melanogaster

Rusty-backed Antwren

Formicivora rufa

Large-billed Antwren

Herpsilochmus longirostris

Dysithamnus mentalis

Planalto Slaty Antshrike

Thamnophilus pelzelni

Rufous-winged Antshrike

Thamnophilus torquatus

Cercomacra cinerascens

Spot-backed Antbird

Hylophylax naevius

Western Fire-eye

Pyriglena maura

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

White-crested Elaenia

Elaenia albiceps

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Plain-crested Elaenia

Elaenia cristata

Elaenia chiriquensis

White-lored Tyrannulet

Ornithion inerme

Suiriri Flycatcher

Suiriri suiriri

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant

Euscarthmus meloryphus

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Southern Scrub Flycatcher

Sublegatus modestus

Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus striaticollis

Spotted Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum maculatum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Drab Water Tyrant

Ochthornis littoralis

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

White-rumped Monjita

Nengetus cinereus

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Cinnamon Attila

Attila cinnamomeus

Band-tailed Manakin

Pipra fasciicauda

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Tityra semifasciata

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Pachyramphus validus

Ashy-headed Greenlet

Hylophilus pectoralis

Plush-crested Jay

Cyanocorax chrysops

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

White-banded Swallow

Atticora fasciata

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Buff-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus leucotis

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Tropical Gnatcatcher

Polioptila plumbea

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Passer domesticus

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Icterus cayanensis

Screaming Cowbird

Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Yellow-rumped Marshbird

Pseudoleistes guirahuro

Buff-rumped Warbler

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Nemosia pileata

Hemithraupis guira

Black-throated Saltator

Saltatricula atricollis

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

Red Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Plumbeous Seedeater

Sporophila plumbea

Tawny-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila hypoxantha

Orange-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis sordida

Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch

Sicalis citrina

Shrike-like Tanager

Neothraupis fasciata

Red-crested Cardinal

Paroaria coronata

Red-capped Cardinal

Paroaria gularis

Blue-gray Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Nomonyx dominicus

White-bearded Hermit

Phaethornis hispidus

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

White-chinned Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla merula

Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper

Dendrexetastes rufigula

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Lesser Grass Finch

Emberizoides ypiranganus

Wedge-tailed Grass Finch

Emberizoides herbicola

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Chestnut-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila castaneiventris

Greater Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Six-banded Armadillo

Euphractus sexcinctus

Black-and-gold Howler

Alouatta caraya

Black-tailed Marmoset

Hooded Capuchin

Dasyprocta azarae

Amazonian Long-tailed Porcupine

Coendou longicaudatus

Rhynchonycteris naso

Lesser Bulldog Bat

Noctilio albiventris

Greater Bulldog Bat

Noctilio leporinus

White-lined Broad-nosed Bat

Platyrrhinus lineatus

South American Coati

Bubalus bubalis

Southeastern Red Brocket

Southern Tamandua

Tamandua tetradactyla

Central Neotropical River Otter

Lontra longicaudis

Pteronura brasiliensis

Crab-eating Fox

Cerdocyon thous

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Herpailurus yagouaroundi

Tapirus terrestris

Blastocerus dichotomus

White-lipped Peccary

Brazilian Guinea Pig

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