Jaú National Park

National Park · Brazil

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Photo © Fabio Andrew Gomes Cunha

Photo © Fabio Andrew Gomes Cunha — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Vast floodplain forests and blackwater rivers define this remote corner of western Amazonas, where the Rio Negro and its tributaries have carved an intricate mosaic of habitat across nearly 46,000 square kilometres of protected wilderness. The terrain rises and falls with seasonal inundation, creating igapó forests—those ghostly, flooded woodlands where water levels oscillate dramatically between dry and wet seasons—alongside terra firme uplands where unbroken canopy towers above the forest floor. This mix of inundated and terrestrial forest supports an extraordinary abundance of life: small forest mammals navigate the understory, predatory birds of prey hunt from emergent branches, primates move through the mid-storey, and countless reptiles exploit both aquatic and arboreal niches. The blackwater rivers themselves—stained dark by tannins from decomposing vegetation—harbour fish, caimans, and aquatic mammals adapted to these chemically unique waters. The park's remoteness and lack of permanent human settlement have preserved an ecological integrity rare in the modern Amazon, where food webs and predator-prey relationships operate largely free from external pressure.

For the wildlife photographer and birdwatcher willing to undertake a serious expedition, Jaú rewards effort with unparalleled intimacy with Amazonian biodiversity. The blackwater rivers provide the primary access into the park, offering boat-based vantage points where morning and dusk light strikes the forest edge with golden intensity—precisely when forest birds become vocal and active at the water margin. Seasonal variation is dramatic: the wet season brings rising water and greater visibility of canopy activity, while the dry season concentrates wildlife at water sources and makes terrestrial forest exploration viable. The park remains one of Brazil's least visited protected areas, meaning that patience and skilled local guiding yield encounters with large predators, mixed-species bird flocks, and intact predator-prey dynamics that have vanished from more accessible regions of the Amazon. Access requires serious logistical planning—typically overland to Manaus followed by chartered boat travel—but that very isolation is what makes Jaú irreplaceable for naturalists seeking the Amazon as it existed before highways and settlements reshaped the forest.

Amazona festiva

Anhinga anhinga

Pandion haliaetus

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Ladder-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis climacocerca

Coragyps atratus

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Orange-fronted Yellow Finch

Sicalis columbiana

Red-capped Cardinal

Paroaria gularis

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Golden-winged Parakeet

Brotogeris chrysoptera

Lipaugus vociferans

Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin

Tyranneutes stolzmanni

White-throated Toucan

Ramphastos tucanus

Amazonian Motmot

White-cheeked Antbird

Gymnopithys leucaspis

Myiopagis gaimardii

Black-faced Antbird

Myrmoborus myotherinus

Mouse-colored Antshrike

Thamnophilus murinus

Maroon-tailed Parakeet

Pyrrhura melanura

Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes certhia

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Ictinia plumbea

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Eurypyga helias

Pilherodius pileatus

Butorides striata

Black-tailed Trogon

Trogon melanurus

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

Ivory-billed Aracari

Pteroglossus azara

Variable Woodpecker

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Cherrie's Antwren

Myrmotherula cherriei

Myrmotherula assimilis

Cinereous Antshrike

Thamnomanes caesius

Black-crested Antshrike

Sakesphorus canadensis

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Crypturellus soui

Undulated Tinamou

Crypturellus undulatus

Variegated Tinamou

Crypturellus variegatus

Horned Screamer

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Cairina moschata

Penelope jacquacu

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Band-tailed Nighthawk

Nyctiprogne leucopyga

Blackish Nightjar

Nyctipolus nigrescens

Nyctidromus albicollis

Phyllaemulor bracteatus

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius griseus

White-winged Potoo

Nyctibius leucopterus

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Band-rumped Swift

Chaetura spinicaudus

Short-tailed Swift

Chaetura brachyura

Fork-tailed Palm Swift

Tachornis squamata

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Phaethornis ruber

Straight-billed Hermit

Phaethornis bourcieri

Great-billed Hermit

Phaethornis malaris

Black-eared Fairy

Heliothryx auritus

Green-tailed Goldenthroat

Polytmus theresiae

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Rufous-throated Sapphire

Hylocharis sapphirina

White-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes cyanus

Blue-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes notata

Crotophaga major

Smooth-billed Ani

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Black-bellied Cuckoo

Piaya melanogaster

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Patagioenas speciosa

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas subvinacea

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Heliornis fulica

Grey-winged Trumpeter

Psophia crepitans

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

Mycteria americana

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Roseate Spoonbill

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Zebrilus undulatus

Opisthocomus hoazin

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes melambrotus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Geranospiza caerulescens

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Rupornis magnirostris

Black-faced Hawk

Leucopternis melanops

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Tawny-bellied Screech Owl

Megascops watsonii

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Pavonine Quetzal

Pharomachrus pavoninus

Green-backed Trogon

Amazonian Trogon

Trogon ramonianus

Blue-crowned Trogon

Amazonian Black-throated Trogon

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Yellow-billed Jacamar

Galbula albirostris

Green-tailed Jacamar

Galbula galbula

Galbula leucogastra

Paradise Jacamar

Jacamerops aureus

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Brown-banded Puffbird

Notharchus ordii

Notharchus tectus

Spotted Puffbird

Black-fronted Nunbird

Monasa nigrifrons

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus

Tawny-tufted Toucanet

Selenidera nattereri

Yellow-tufted Woodpecker

Melanerpes cruentatus

Yellow-throated Woodpecker

Piculus flavigula

Golden-green Woodpecker

Piculus chrysochloros

Spot-breasted Woodpecker

Colaptes punctigula

Chestnut Woodpecker

Cream-colored Woodpecker

Ringed Woodpecker

Celeus torquatus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Red-necked Woodpecker

Campephilus rubricollis

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Red-throated Caracara

Ibycter americanus

Lined Forest Falcon

Micrastur gilvicollis

Falco rufigularis

Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet

Brotogeris sanctithomae

Orange-cheeked Parrot

Pyrilia barrabandi

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Short-tailed Parrot

Graydidascalus brachyurus

Amazona farinosa

Black-headed Parrot

Pionites melanocephalus

Brown-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula pertinax

Red-and-green Macaw

Ara chloropterus

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Southern Long-tailed Woodcreeper

Deconychura pallida

White-chinned Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla merula

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Long-billed Woodcreeper

Nasica longirostris

Strong-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus

Striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus obsoletus

Ocellated Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus ocellatus

Buff-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus guttatus

Straight-billed Woodcreeper

Dendroplex picus

Zimmer's Woodcreeper

Dendroplex kienerii

Amazonian Plain Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Rufous-tailed Xenops

Microxenops milleri

Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner

Philydor pyrrhodes

Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus infuscatus

Spot-winged Antshrike

Pygiptila stellaris

Rufous-backed Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla haematonota

Myrmotherula brachyura

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Long-winged Antwren

Myrmotherula longipennis

Myrmotherula menetriesii

Pearly Antshrike

Megastictus margaritatus

Blackish-grey Antshrike

Thamnophilus nigrocinereus

White-shouldered Antshrike

Thamnophilus aethiops

Amazonian Antshrike

Thamnophilus amazonicus

Fasciated Antshrike

Cymbilaimus lineatus

White-plumed Antbird

Pithys albifrons

Chestnut-crested Antbird

Rhegmatorhina cristata

Common Scale-backed Antbird

Willisornis poecilinotus

Yellow-browed Antbird

Hypocnemis hypoxantha

Cercomacra cinerascens

Black-chinned Antbird

Hypocnemoides melanopogon

Spot-backed Antbird

Hylophylax naevius

Spot-winged Antbird

Myrmelastes leucostigma

Ash-breasted Antbird

Myrmoborus lugubris

Rufous-capped Antthrush

Formicarius colma

Wing-barred Piprites

Piprites chloris

Amazonian Elaenia

Myiopagis cinerea

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Ringed Antpipit

Corythopis torquatus

Slender-footed Tyrannulet

Zimmerius gracilipes

Guianan Tyrannulet

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Amazonian Inezia

Inezia subflava

Snethlage's Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus minor

Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis ecaudatus

Spotted Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum maculatum

Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum

Brownish Twistwing

Cnipodectes subbrunneus

Yellow-margined Flatbill

Tolmomyias assimilis

Grey-crowned Flatbill

Tolmomyias poliocephalus

White-crested Spadebill

Platyrinchus platyrhynchos

Amazonian Black Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilocercus

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lesser Kiskadee

Philohydor lictor

Three-striped Flycatcher

Conopias trivirgatus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Sulphury Flycatcher

Tyrannopsis sulphurea

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Greyish Mourner

Rhytipterna simplex

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Rufous-tailed Flatbill

Ramphotrigon ruficauda

Cinnamon Attila

Attila cinnamomeus

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Amazonian Umbrellabird

Cephalopterus ornatus

Spangled Cotinga

Bare-necked Fruitcrow

Gymnoderus foetidus

Pompadour Cotinga

Xipholena punicea

Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin

Neopelma chrysocephalum

Blue-backed Manakin

Chiroxiphia pareola

Blue-capped Manakin

Lepidothrix coronata

Yellow-crested Manakin

Heterocercus flavivertex

Wire-tailed Manakin

Pipra filicauda

Golden-headed Manakin

Ceratopipra erythrocephala

Black-tailed Tityra

Tityra semifasciata

Varzea Schiffornis

Schiffornis major

Brown-winged Schiffornis

Schiffornis turdina

Whiskered Myiobius

Myiobius barbatus

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Lemon-chested Greenlet

Hylophilus thoracicus

Grey-chested Greenlet

Hylophilus semicinereus

Dusky-capped Greenlet

Pachysylvia hypoxantha

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

White-banded Swallow

Atticora fasciata

Black-collared Swallow

Pygochelidon melanoleuca

Hirundo rustica

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Pheugopedius coraya

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Wing-banded Wren

Microcerculus bambla

Tropical Gnatcatcher

Polioptila plumbea

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Turdus fumigatus

Plumbeous Euphonia

Euphonia plumbea

White-lored Euphonia

Euphonia chrysopasta

Rufous-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia rufiventris

Yellow-browed Sparrow

Ammodramus aurifrons

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Green Oropendola

Psarocolius viridis

Olive Oropendola

Psarocolius bifasciatus

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Orange-backed Troupial

Icterus croconotus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Hemithraupis guira

Purple Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes caeruleus

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Yellow-bellied Dacnis

Dacnis flaviventer

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Coereba flaveola

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Flame-crested Tanager

Loriotus cristatus

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Spotted Tanager

Ixothraupis punctata

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Thraupis palmarum

Turquoise Tanager

Tangara mexicana

Paradise Tanager

Tangara chilensis

Crestless Curassow

Mitu tomentosum

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Long-tailed Hermit

Phaethornis superciliosus

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Blue-tailed Emerald

Chlorostilbon mellisugus

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Coccycua minuta

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Lanceolated Monklet

Micromonacha lanceolata

Black-necked Aracari

Pteroglossus aracari

Red-lored Amazon

Amazona autumnalis

Deroptyus accipitrinus

Rusty-backed Spinetail

Cranioleuca vulpina

Silvered Antbird

Sclateria naevia

Yellow-crowned Elaenia

Myiopagis flavivertex

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Black-capped Becard

Pachyramphus marginatus

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Buff-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus leucotis

Icterus cayanensis

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Pteronura brasiliensis

Golden-brown Uacari

Cacajao melanocephalus

Amazon River Dolphin

Inia geoffrensis

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