Serra da Bocaina National Park

National Park · Brazil

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Photo © Julius Dadalti

Photo © Julius Dadalti — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the escarpment of the Serra da Bocaina rises sharply from the Atlantic coastal plain, tropical rainforest cloaks steep mountainsides that climb toward peaks exceeding 2,000 metres. This sprawling national park, spanning nearly 3,844 square kilometres across the border region between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, represents one of Brazil's most topographically dramatic protected areas. The landscape is a vertical world of deep ravines, perennial streams, and forest-clad ridges where Atlantic Forest—one of Earth's most biodiverse and critically threatened ecosystems—reaches its fullest expression. At lower elevations, dense lowland and submontane forest gives way to montane cloudforest in the higher reaches, where persistent mist nourishes communities of mosses, epiphytes, and specialized herbs. This altitudinal gradient supports a corresponding spectrum of wildlife: small forest mammals and ground-dwelling birds in the understory; canopy-dwelling primates and arboreal specialists higher up; birds of prey hunting along forest edges and open ridges; and amphibians of extraordinary diversity sheltering in leaf-litter and rocky streams. The park's isolation and rugged terrain have allowed populations of forest-dependent species to persist here even as lowland Atlantic Forest has been reduced to fragments elsewhere.

For wildlife photographers and serious birdwatchers, Serra da Bocaina offers unmatched access to Atlantic Forest biodiversity along well-maintained trails that ascend from coastal lowlands into montane terrain. The park's famous Pic do Pico trail and related routes provide systematic habitat sampling across elevation zones, making it possible to encounter forest canopy birds, forest songbirds, and montane specialists within a single day. Seasonal timing matters greatly: the wet months from November through March bring peak fruiting and breeding activity, when canopy birds are most vocally active and insect-eating species concentrate in fruiting trees. The dramatic topography creates excellent early-morning light on east-facing slopes, and the frequent mists of the cloudforest zone—though challenging for photography—create intimate, moody encounters with shade-adapted species. Despite the park's size and ecological importance, its access points remain refreshingly low-pressure compared to better-known reserves, offering naturalists a chance to experience the full vertical complexity of Brazilian Atlantic Forest without overwhelming crowds.

Website icmbio.gov.br/portal/biodiversidade/unidades-de-conservacao/biomas-brasileiros/mata-atlantica/unidades-de-conservacao-mata-atlantica/2212-parna-da-serra-da-bocaina.html

Email mailtopnsb.rj@icmbio.gov.br

Sicalis flaveola

Green-headed Tanager

Tangara seledon

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Coragyps atratus

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Brotogeris tirica

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Thraupis palmarum

Larus dominicanus

Thraupis sayaca

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Chiroxiphia caudata

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Passer domesticus

Sula leucogaster

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

White-barred Piculet

Picumnus cirratus

Machetornis rixosa

Rupornis magnirostris

Chestnut-backed Antshrike

Thamnophilus palliatus

Spot-breasted Antvireo

Dysithamnus stictothorax

Athene cunicularia

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Pyrrhura frontalis

Drymophila squamata

Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum poliocephalum

Furnarius rufus

Long-billed Wren

Cantorchilus longirostris

Molothrus bonariensis

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

White-throated Hummingbird

Leucochloris albicollis

Red-breasted Toucan

Ramphastos dicolorus

Green-backed Trogon

Coereba flaveola

Golden-chevroned Tanager

Thraupis ornata

Red-necked Tanager

Tangara cyanocephala

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes flavifrons

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

Saw-billed Hermit

Ramphodon naevius

Riverbank Warbler

Myiothlypis rivularis

Spot-backed Antshrike

Hypoedaleus guttatus

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Blond-crested Woodpecker

Celeus flavescens

Florisuga fusca

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Dusky-legged Guan

Penelope obscura

Yellow-legged Thrush

Turdus flavipes

Buff-bellied Puffbird

Notharchus swainsoni

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Lemon-chested Greenlet

Hylophilus thoracicus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

South American Tern

Sterna hirundinacea

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia pectoralis

Sombre Hummingbird

Eupetomena cirrochloris

Heliodoxa rubricauda

Smooth-billed Ani

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Orange-eyed Thornbird

Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus

Plain-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla turdina

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Flame-crested Tanager

Loriotus cristatus

Black-hooded Antwren

Formicivora erythronotos

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Buteogallus meridionalis

Black-throated Grosbeak

Saltator fuliginosus

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Olive-green Tanager

Orthogonys chloricterus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Grey-hooded Attila

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Ferruginous Antbird

Drymophila ferruginea

Black-cheeked Gnateater

Conopophaga melanops

White-necked Hawk

Buteogallus lacernulatus

Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus furcatus

Festive Coquette

Lophornis chalybeus

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Frilled Coquette

Lophornis magnificus

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Velvety Black Tyrant

Knipolegus nigerrimus

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Chaetura meridionalis

Nyctidromus albicollis

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Phaethornis ruber

Green-crowned Plovercrest

Stephanoxis lalandi

White-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes cyanus

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

East Brazilian Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium minutissimum

Tawny-browed Owl

Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana

Trogon surrucura

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

White-spotted Woodpecker

Veniliornis spilogaster

Yellow-eared Woodpecker

Veniliornis maculifrons

Falco rufigularis

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Scaled Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes squamatus

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Band-tailed Hornero

Furnarius figulus

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner

Philydor atricapillus

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Rufous-backed Antvireo

Dysithamnus xanthopterus

Large-tailed Antshrike

Mackenziaena leachii

Tufted Antshrike

Mackenziaena severa

Rufous-tailed Antbird

Drymophila genei

Squamate Antbird

Myrmoderus squamosus

Rufous-capped Antthrush

Formicarius colma

Speckle-breasted Antpitta

Cryptopezus nattereri

White-breasted Tapaculo

Eleoscytalopus indigoticus

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Brown-breasted Bamboo Tyrant

Hemitriccus obsoletus

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Blue-billed Black Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Black-and-gold Cotinga

Black-tailed Tityra

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Golden-winged Cacique

Cacicus chrysopterus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Wedge-tailed Grass Finch

Emberizoides herbicola

Rufous-headed Tanager

Hemithraupis ruficapilla

Sooty Grassquit

Asemospiza fuliginosa

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Buff-throated Warbling Finch

Microspingus lateralis

Haplospiza unicolor

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Diademed Tanager

Stephanophorus diadematus

Azure-shouldered Tanager

Thraupis cyanoptera

Brassy-breasted Tanager

Tangara desmaresti

Solitary Tinamou

Tinamus solitarius

Crypturellus obsoletus

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Cairina moschata

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Rosy-billed Pochard

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Nyctibius griseus

Cypseloides fumigatus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Glaucis hirsutus

Dusky-throated Hermit

Phaethornis squalidus

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Scale-throated Hermit

Phaethornis eurynome

White-vented Violetear

Colibri serrirostris

Black-eared Fairy

Heliothryx auritus

Amethyst Woodstar

Calliphlox amethystina

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Pardirallus nigricans

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Gallinago paraguaiae

Mycteria americana

Anhinga anhinga

Roseate Spoonbill

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Butorides striata

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Geranospiza caerulescens

White-rumped Hawk

Parabuteo leucorrhous

Pseudastur polionotus

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Rusty-barred Owl

Strix hylophila

Atlantic Black-throated Trogon

Trogon chrysochloros

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Rufous-capped Motmot

Baryphthengus ruficapillus

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Ramphastos toco

Saffron Toucanet

Pteroglossus bailloni

Spot-billed Toucanet

Selenidera maculirostris

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Yellow-throated Woodpecker

Piculus flavigula

Yellow-browed Woodpecker

Piculus aurulentus

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Colaptes campestris

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Brown-backed Parrotlet

Touit melanonotus

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Pileated Parrot

Pionopsitta pileata

Blue-bellied Parrot

Triclaria malachitacea

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

Amazona farinosa

Peach-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula aurea

Blue-winged Macaw

Primolius maracana

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

Sclerurus scansor

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

White-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes albicollis

Black-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus falcularius

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

Scalloped Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes falcinellus

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

White-collared Foliage-gleaner

Anabazenops fuscus

Sharp-billed Treehunter

Heliobletus contaminatus

White-browed Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia amaurotis

Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia lichtensteini

Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

Araucaria Tit-Spinetail

Leptasthenura setaria

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Orange-breasted Thornbird

Phacellodomus ferrugineigula

Firewood-gatherer

Anumbius annumbi

Pallid Spinetail

Cranioleuca pallida

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Grey-bellied Spinetail

Synallaxis cinerascens

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Salvadori's Antwren

Myrmotherula minor

Unicolored Antwren

Myrmotherula unicolor

Streak-capped Antwren

Terenura maculata

Star-throated Antwren

Rhopias gularis

Dysithamnus mentalis

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Rufous-capped Antshrike

Thamnophilus ruficapillus

White-bearded Antshrike

Biatas nigropectus

Giant Antshrike

Bertoni's Antbird

Drymophila rubricollis

Ochre-rumped Antbird

Drymophila ochropyga

Dusky-tailed Antbird

Drymophila malura

Short-tailed Antthrush

Chamaeza campanisona

Rufous-tailed Antthrush

Chamaeza ruficauda

Variegated Antpitta

Grallaria varia

Spotted Bamboowren

Psilorhamphus guttatus

Slaty Bristlefront

Mouse-colored Tapaculo

Scytalopus speluncae

Black-capped Piprites

Piprites pileata

Greenish Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias virescens

Grey-capped Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseocapilla

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Olivaceous Elaenia

Elaenia mesoleuca

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

Sooty Tyrannulet

Serpophaga nigricans

Grey-backed Tachuri

Polystictus superciliaris

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes ventralis

Oustalet's Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes oustaleti

Bay-ringed Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes sylviolus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant

Hemitriccus diops

Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus orbitatus

Hangnest Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus nidipendulus

Eared Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis auricularis

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

Crested Black Tyrant

Knipolegus lophotes

White-rumped Monjita

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Gubernetes yetapa

Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant

Muscipipra vetula

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

White-throated Kingbird

Tyrannus albogularis

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Greyish Mourner

Rhytipterna simplex

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Large-headed Flatbill

Ramphotrigon megacephalum

Rufous-tailed Attila

Attila phoenicurus

Hooded Berryeater

Carpornis cucullata

Swallow-tailed Cotinga

Phibalura flavirostris

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Bare-throated Bellbird

Procnias nudicollis

Pin-tailed Manakin

Ilicura militaris

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

Buff-throated Purpletuft

Iodopleura pipra

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

Black-capped Becard

Pachyramphus marginatus

Pachyramphus validus

Oxyruncus cristatus

Atlantic Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus swainsoni

Whiskered Myiobius

Myiobius barbatus

Black-tailed Myiobius

Myiobius atricaudus

Rufous-crowned Greenlet

Hylophilus poicilotis

Curl-crested Jay

Cyanocorax cristatellus

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Brown-chested Martin

White-thighed Swallow

Atticora tibialis

Tawny-headed Swallow

Alopochelidon fucata

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Estrilda astrild

Yellowish Pipit

Hellmayr's Pipit

Anthus hellmayri

Spinus magellanicus

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Green-chinned Euphonia

Euphonia chalybea

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

Half-collared Sparrow

Arremon semitorquatus

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

White-rimmed Warbler

Myiothlypis leucoblephara

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Blackish-blue Seedeater

Amaurospiza moesta

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Orchesticus abeillei

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Thick-billed Saltator

Saltator maxillosus

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Temminck's Seedeater

Sporophila falcirostris

Buffy-fronted Seedeater

Sporophila frontalis

Rusty-collared Seedeater

Sporophila collaris

Orange-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis sordida

Chestnut-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis pyrrhocoma

Bay-chested Warbling Finch

Castanozoster thoracicus

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Grassland Yellow Finch

Sicalis luteola

Cissopis leverianus

Cinnamon Tanager

Schistochlamys ruficapillus

Gilt-edged Tanager

Tangara cyanoventris

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Zenaida auriculata

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Russet-crowned Crake

Rufirallus viridis

Tachybaptus dominicus

American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

American Golden Plover

Pluvialis dominica

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Thalasseus maximus

Pandion haliaetus

Buteogallus coronatus

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Ochre-lored Flatbill

Tolmomyias flaviventris

Three-striped Flycatcher

Conopias trivirgatus

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Cinnamon-vented Piha

Lipaugus lanioides

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Brazilian Laniisoma

Laniisoma elegans

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Long-tailed Reed Finch

Donacospiza albifrons

Red-cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

Black-backed Tanager

Stilpnia peruviana

Common Marmoset

Callithrix jacchus

Buffy-tufted-ear Marmoset

Callithrix aurita

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

Paraguayan Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Coendou spinosus

Alouatta guariba

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