Iguaçu National Park

National Park · Brazil

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Photo © Bruno Lenharo

Photo © Bruno Lenharo — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Paraná Plateau plunges toward the Atlantic watershed, six thousand square kilometers of subtropical rainforest cling to steep gorges and river valleys in this corner of southern Brazil. The park's defining feature—a spectacular system of cataracts where the Iguaçu River churns through basalt canyons—creates a landscape of extraordinary biodiversity. The cascading water generates its own microclimate: mist-soaked forests where epiphytes, ferns, and moisture-dependent plants thrive on every available surface, while the gorges shelter a rich assembly of small forest mammals, ground-foraging birds, and insectivores adapted to the dense understory. Canopy predators hunt across the highest reaches, while nocturnal vertebrates emerge as dusk settles over the river. This is rainforest ecology in one of its most intact and visually dramatic forms—a place where geological drama and biological richness are inseparable.

For wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, the park offers unmatched opportunities to observe forest specialist birds, aerial hunters, and water-dependent fauna against a backdrop of world-class scenery. The combination of varied elevation, dense vegetation, and proximity to rivers means that wildlife sightings are remarkably consistent year-round, with seasonal shifts bringing different groups into prominence. Early morning light floods the misty gorges, creating conditions that reward patience; the wet season (November through March) energizes the entire ecosystem, while the cooler dry months offer clearer visibility and reduced insect pressure. Access is straightforward and well-developed, with established trails and viewpoints positioned to maximize encounters with forest creatures while preserving the integrity of this irreplaceable subtropical wilderness.

Website icmbio.gov.br/portal/biodiversidade/unidades-de-conservacao/biomas-brasileiros/mata-atlantica/unidades-de-conservacao-mata-atlantica/2204-parna-do-iguacu.html

Email mailtoparnaiguacu@icmbio.gov.br

Ramphastos toco

Plush-crested Jay

Cyanocorax chrysops

Coragyps atratus

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Chestnut-eared Aracari

Pteroglossus castanotis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Sicalis flaveola

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

Green-headed Tanager

Tangara seledon

Furnarius rufus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Atlantic Black-throated Trogon

Trogon chrysochloros

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Ochre-collared Piculet

Picumnus temminckii

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes flavifrons

Machetornis rixosa

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Red Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

Rufous-capped Motmot

Baryphthengus ruficapillus

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Rupornis magnirostris

Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia lichtensteini

Athene cunicularia

Black-fronted Piping Guan

Pipile jacutinga

Red-breasted Toucan

Ramphastos dicolorus

Thraupis sayaca

Chiroxiphia caudata

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Molothrus bonariensis

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Butorides striata

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Trogon surrucura

Coereba flaveola

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Zenaida auriculata

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Blond-crested Woodpecker

Celeus flavescens

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Colaptes campestris

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Spot-backed Antshrike

Hypoedaleus guttatus

Spot-billed Toucanet

Selenidera maculirostris

Hemithraupis guira

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Buff-bellied Puffbird

Notharchus swainsoni

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Falco rufigularis

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

Molothrus oryzivorus

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Ictinia plumbea

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Smooth-billed Ani

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Plain-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla turdina

Aramus guarauna

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Nyctidromus albicollis

Cissopis leverianus

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Crotophaga major

Tityra semifasciata

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Cairina moschata

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia pectoralis

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Nyctibius griseus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Band-tailed Manakin

Pipra fasciicauda

Thrush-like Wren

Campylorhynchus turdinus

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Eared Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis auricularis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Sarcoramphus papa

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Dysithamnus mentalis

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Yellow-billed Cardinal

Paroaria capitata

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Dusky-legged Guan

Penelope obscura

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Long-tailed Potoo

Nyctibius aethereus

Scale-throated Hermit

Phaethornis eurynome

Gilded Sapphire

Hylocharis chrysura

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

White-faced Ibis

Pandion haliaetus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Geranospiza caerulescens

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Black-capped Screech Owl

Megascops atricapilla

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Nonnula rubecula

White-spotted Woodpecker

Veniliornis spilogaster

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Pyrrhura frontalis

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

White-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes albicollis

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner

Philydor atricapillus

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

Streak-capped Antwren

Terenura maculata

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Short-tailed Antthrush

Chamaeza campanisona

Rufous Gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Sooty Tyrannulet

Serpophaga nigricans

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes ventralis

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Three-striped Flycatcher

Conopias trivirgatus

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Large-headed Flatbill

Ramphotrigon megacephalum

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Passer domesticus

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

White-rimmed Warbler

Myiothlypis leucoblephara

Riverbank Warbler

Myiothlypis rivularis

Black-throated Grosbeak

Saltator fuliginosus

Sooty Grassquit

Asemospiza fuliginosa

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Solitary Tinamou

Tinamus solitarius

Crypturellus obsoletus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Spotted Nothura

Nothura maculosa

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Cypseloides fumigatus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura meridionalis

Florisuga fusca

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Blue-tufted Starthroat

Heliomaster furcifer

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Purple-crowned Plovercrest

Stephanoxis loddigesii

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

White-throated Hummingbird

Leucochloris albicollis

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Pavonine Cuckoo

Dromococcyx pavoninus

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Columbina squammata

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Violaceous Quail-Dove

Geotrygon violacea

Pardirallus nigricans

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Mycteria americana

Ciconia maguari

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Roseate Spoonbill

Pilherodius pileatus

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Gampsonyx swainsonii

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Grey-bellied Hawk

Accipiter poliogaster

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Long-winged Harrier

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Buteogallus meridionalis

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

American Barn Owl

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tawny-browed Owl

Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana

Rusty-barred Owl

Strix hylophila

Saffron Toucanet

Pteroglossus bailloni

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Helmeted Woodpecker

Celeus galeatus

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Myiopsitta monachus

Pileated Parrot

Pionopsitta pileata

Red-and-green Macaw

Ara chloropterus

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

Sclerurus scansor

Scalloped Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes falcinellus

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

Araucaria Tit-Spinetail

Leptasthenura setaria

Olive Spinetail

Cranioleuca obsoleta

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Grey-bellied Spinetail

Synallaxis cinerascens

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Rufous-capped Antshrike

Thamnophilus ruficapillus

White-bearded Antshrike

Biatas nigropectus

Large-tailed Antshrike

Mackenziaena leachii

Tufted Antshrike

Mackenziaena severa

Bertoni's Antbird

Drymophila rubricollis

Dusky-tailed Antbird

Drymophila malura

Variegated Antpitta

Grallaria varia

Speckle-breasted Antpitta

Cryptopezus nattereri

Spotted Bamboowren

Psilorhamphus guttatus

White-breasted Tapaculo

Eleoscytalopus indigoticus

Wing-barred Piprites

Piprites chloris

Greenish Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias virescens

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Elaenia spectabilis

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Olivaceous Elaenia

Elaenia mesoleuca

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant

Euscarthmus meloryphus

Southern Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus eximius

Bay-ringed Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes sylviolus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant

Hemitriccus diops

Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus orbitatus

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Russet-winged Spadebill

Platyrinchus leucoryphus

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

Blue-billed Black Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris

White-rumped Monjita

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Gubernetes yetapa

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Rufous-tailed Attila

Attila phoenicurus

Bare-throated Bellbird

Procnias nudicollis

Black-tailed Tityra

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

Pachyramphus validus

Oxyruncus cristatus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Rufous-crowned Greenlet

Hylophilus poicilotis

Cyanocorax cyanomelas

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Brown-chested Martin

Black-collared Swallow

Pygochelidon melanoleuca

Tawny-headed Swallow

Alopochelidon fucata

Hirundo rustica

Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher

Polioptila lactea

Masked Gnatcatcher

Polioptila dumicola

White-banded Mockingbird

Blacksmith Thrush

Turdus subalaris

Estrilda astrild

Spinus magellanicus

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Green-chinned Euphonia

Euphonia chalybea

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Solitary Cacique

Cacicus solitarius

Golden-winged Cacique

Cacicus chrysopterus

Screaming Cowbird

Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Greyish Baywing

Agelaioides badius

Unicolored Blackbird

Agelasticus cyanopus

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Yellow-rumped Marshbird

Pseudoleistes guirahuro

Flavescent Warbler

Myiothlypis flaveola

Blackish-blue Seedeater

Amaurospiza moesta

Glaucous-blue Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Nemosia pileata

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Temminck's Seedeater

Sporophila falcirostris

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Chestnut-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis pyrrhocoma

Grassland Yellow Finch

Sicalis luteola

Haplospiza unicolor

Blue-and-yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

Red-crested Cardinal

Paroaria coronata

Thraupis palmarum

Chestnut-backed Tanager

Stilpnia preciosa

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Callonetta leucophrys

Nomonyx dominicus

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Grey-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Yellow-faced Parrot

Alipiopsitta xanthops

Planalto Tapaculo

Scytalopus pachecoi

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

Diademed Tanager

Stephanophorus diadematus

Greater Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

South American Coati

Black-horned Capuchin

Sapajus nigritus

Brazilian Guinea Pig

Brazilian Squirrel

Sciurus brasiliensis

Southern Black-eared Opossum

Didelphis aurita

Tapirus terrestris

Leopardus pardalis

Southern Long-nosed Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

Black-and-gold Howler

Alouatta caraya

Dasyprocta azarae

Southeastern Red Brocket

Sylvilagus brasiliensis

Crab-eating Raccoon

Procyon cancrivorus

Tawny-headed Opossum

Monodelphis scalops

Central Neotropical River Otter

Lontra longicaudis

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