Ilha do Cardoso State Park

Protected Landscape · Brazil

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Photo © Mccampestrini

Photo © Mccampestrini — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikidata / Wikimedia Commons

Coastal Atlantic forest meets mangrove and salt marsh where the Ribeira de Iguape estuary opens into the South Atlantic, creating a protected landscape of startling ecological richness. Ilha do Cardoso rises from this tidal zone as a low, forested island whose humid subtropical climate—warm year-round with rainfall distributed across all months—sustains dense evergreen vegetation and permanent freshwater seepage. The terrain is a mosaic of restinga forest, coastal woodland, and transitional wetland where sandy soils give way to brackish channels and tidal flats. This is not rainforest in the equatorial sense, but a climate of reliable moisture and mild winters that allows year-round growth and an almost unbroken canopy. Small forest mammals move through the understory; birds of prey quarter the edges where forest meets water; wading birds and migratory shorebirds use the tidal flats and channels as feeding grounds. Frogs call from flooded thickets. Fish and crustaceans cycle through the estuary's nursery waters, supporting cormorants, herons, and other fish-eating birds. The landscape itself is the drama—a living threshold between land and sea where biodiversity concentrates in the shelter of protected waters.

For wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, the appeal lies in access to functioning estuarine ecology at close range and in relatively pristine condition. The humid subtropical climate means conditions favor shooting early and late in the day when light is soft and moisture rises from the canopy; midday heat is less extreme than in tropical lowlands. Seasonal shifts are subtle but real—tidal amplitude varies, water levels in internal wetlands rise and fall, and migratory shorebirds and waders arrive in predictable waves. The village settlement at Marujá provides the only inhabited access point, keeping visitor pressure low and guaranteeing that the forest interior remains largely undisturbed. Boat access through the estuary allows approach to roosting and feeding birds without the disturbance of terrestrial trails, while forest walks reward patience with sightings of woodland residents adapted to this humid, evergreen environment. Few protected landscapes in southeastern Brazil offer such intimate contact with working estuarine and coastal forest systems.

Email mailtope.ilhacardoso@fflorestal.sp.gov.br

Nyctidromus albicollis

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Grey-cowled Wood Rail

Aramides cajaneus

American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Thalasseus maximus

Larus dominicanus

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Sula leucogaster

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Eudocimus ruber

Roseate Spoonbill

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Coragyps atratus

White-necked Hawk

Buteogallus lacernulatus

Athene cunicularia

Green-backed Trogon

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Buff-bellied Puffbird

Notharchus swainsoni

Yellow-throated Woodpecker

Piculus flavigula

Blond-crested Woodpecker

Celeus flavescens

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Brotogeris tirica

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Plain-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla turdina

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

White-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes albicollis

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Dysithamnus mentalis

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Drymophila squamata

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Grey-hooded Attila

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Hirundo rustica

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Molothrus bonariensis

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Greyish Baywing

Agelaioides badius

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Riverbank Warbler

Myiothlypis rivularis

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Sicalis flaveola

Thraupis sayaca

Azure-shouldered Tanager

Thraupis cyanoptera

Thraupis palmarum

Green-headed Tanager

Tangara seledon

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Solitary Tinamou

Tinamus solitarius

Crypturellus obsoletus

Yellow-legged Tinamou

Crypturellus noctivagus

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Cairina moschata

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Dusky-legged Guan

Penelope obscura

Black-fronted Piping Guan

Pipile jacutinga

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Nyctibius griseus

Cypseloides fumigatus

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura meridionalis

Florisuga fusca

Saw-billed Hermit

Ramphodon naevius

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Glaucis hirsutus

Dusky-throated Hermit

Phaethornis squalidus

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Scale-throated Hermit

Phaethornis eurynome

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Festive Coquette

Lophornis chalybeus

Heliodoxa rubricauda

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Sombre Hummingbird

Eupetomena cirrochloris

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Smooth-billed Ani

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Zenaida auriculata

Amaurolimnas concolor

Little Wood Rail

Aramides mangle

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Rallus longirostris

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pluvialis squatarola

Gallinago paraguaiae

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

South American Tern

Sterna hirundinacea

Grey-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Anhinga anhinga

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Butorides striata

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Pandion haliaetus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Long-winged Harrier

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Ictinia plumbea

Rupornis magnirostris

Pseudastur polionotus

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Black-capped Screech Owl

Megascops atricapilla

Trogon surrucura

Atlantic Black-throated Trogon

Trogon chrysochloros

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Ramphastos toco

Red-breasted Toucan

Ramphastos dicolorus

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Saffron Toucanet

Pteroglossus bailloni

Spot-billed Toucanet

Selenidera maculirostris

White-barred Piculet

Picumnus cirratus

Ochre-collared Piculet

Picumnus temminckii

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes flavifrons

Yellow-browed Woodpecker

Piculus aurulentus

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Colaptes campestris

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Brown-backed Parrotlet

Touit melanonotus

Pileated Parrot

Pionopsitta pileata

Blue-bellied Parrot

Triclaria malachitacea

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Vinaceous-breasted Amazon

Amazona vinacea

Red-tailed Amazon

Amazona brasiliensis

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Pyrrhura frontalis

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

Sclerurus scansor

Scalloped Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes falcinellus

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Furnarius rufus

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

Pale-browed Treehunter

Cichlocolaptes leucophrus

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner

Philydor atricapillus

Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia lichtensteini

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Unicolored Antwren

Myrmotherula unicolor

Streak-capped Antwren

Terenura maculata

Star-throated Antwren

Rhopias gularis

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Spot-breasted Antvireo

Dysithamnus stictothorax

Large-tailed Antshrike

Mackenziaena leachii

Spot-backed Antshrike

Hypoedaleus guttatus

Ochre-rumped Antbird

Drymophila ochropyga

Squamate Antbird

Myrmoderus squamosus

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Rufous-capped Antthrush

Formicarius colma

Short-tailed Antthrush

Chamaeza campanisona

Variegated Antpitta

Grallaria varia

Rufous Gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

White-breasted Tapaculo

Eleoscytalopus indigoticus

Grey-capped Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseocapilla

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Restinga Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes kronei

Oustalet's Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes oustaleti

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Eared Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis auricularis

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps

Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum poliocephalum

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Machetornis rixosa

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Three-striped Flycatcher

Conopias trivirgatus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Rufous-tailed Attila

Attila phoenicurus

Hooded Berryeater

Carpornis cucullata

Black-headed Berryeater

Carpornis melanocephala

Cinnamon-vented Piha

Lipaugus lanioides

Bare-throated Bellbird

Procnias nudicollis

Chiroxiphia caudata

Pin-tailed Manakin

Ilicura militaris

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Black-tailed Tityra

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-capped Becard

Pachyramphus marginatus

Pachyramphus validus

Oxyruncus cristatus

Whiskered Myiobius

Myiobius barbatus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Rufous-crowned Greenlet

Hylophilus poicilotis

Brown-chested Martin

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Long-billed Wren

Cantorchilus longirostris

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

Yellow-legged Thrush

Turdus flavipes

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Passer domesticus

Estrilda astrild

Yellowish Pipit

Spinus magellanicus

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia pectoralis

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Yellow-rumped Marshbird

Pseudoleistes guirahuro

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

White-rimmed Warbler

Myiothlypis leucoblephara

Olive-green Tanager

Orthogonys chloricterus

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Rufous-headed Tanager

Hemithraupis ruficapilla

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Black-throated Grosbeak

Saltator fuliginosus

Coereba flaveola

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Flame-crested Tanager

Loriotus cristatus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

Dubois's Seedeater

Sporophila ardesiaca

Temminck's Seedeater

Sporophila falcirostris

Bicolored Conebill

Conirostrum bicolor

Grassland Yellow Finch

Sicalis luteola

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Cinnamon Tanager

Schistochlamys ruficapillus

Golden-chevroned Tanager

Thraupis ornata

Black-backed Tanager

Stilpnia peruviana

Chestnut-backed Tanager

Stilpnia preciosa

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Red-necked Tanager

Tangara cyanocephala

Brassy-breasted Tanager

Tangara desmaresti

Gilt-edged Tanager

Tangara cyanoventris

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Snowy-crowned Tern

Sterna trudeaui

Magellanic Penguin

Spheniscus magellanicus

Rufous-capped Motmot

Baryphthengus ruficapillus

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Orange-breasted Thornbird

Phacellodomus ferrugineigula

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Olivaceous Elaenia

Elaenia mesoleuca

Highland Elaenia

Elaenia obscura

Southern Black-eared Opossum

Didelphis aurita

Alouatta guariba

Russet Rice Rat

Euryoryzomys russatus

Atlantic Water Rat

Nectomys squamipes

Black-footed Pygmy Rice Rat

Oligoryzomys nigripes

Sotalia guianensis

Pontoporia blainvillei

White-lipped Peccary

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