Rio Doce State Park

Protected Landscape · Brazil

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Photo © Fernando Marino

Photo © Fernando Marino — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Atlantic Forest transitions into transitional woodland savanna, Rio Doce State Park sprawls across the mineral-rich uplands of Minas Gerais, its protected landscape encompassing a mosaic of recovering forests, gallery woodlands along the Rio Doce itself, and patches of cerrado-like vegetation shaped by the region's pronounced dry winter. The park's terrain undulates between river valleys and forested ridges, carved by seasonal water flow that ebbs dramatically during the austere June-through-September months when the landscape dries noticeably and the canopy thins. This semi-deciduous character—neither purely tropical nor drought-adapted scrub—creates a distinctive ecological zone where resident woodland songbirds share territory with migratory species, small forest mammals move through varied strata from ground to canopy, and raptors exploit the open patches for hunting. The riparian corridors support their own assemblage of waders and water-associated birds, while the drier phases of the year expose rock outcrops and clearings that attract ground-dwelling species adapted to less densely vegetated terrain.

For wildlife observers, the park's appeal lies precisely in this ecological complexity and the seasonal rhythms that structure a visit. The dry season transforms the landscape into a study in light and shadow, with lower humidity and reduced leaf cover affording clearer sightlines into the mid-canopy where many songbirds and insectivorous birds of prey operate. Photographers will find that the winter months—counterintuitively the dry period here—deliver the hardest light and the most active fauna pushed toward remaining water sources. Access via Timóteo provides straightforward entry to well-maintained trails that follow both river margins and ridge-top forest, allowing visitors to encounter the full vertical profile of the park's woodland structure. Whether visiting during the wetter, lusher growing season or the austere clarity of the dry months, this protected landscape rewards patient observation with encounters across multiple habitat zones and the distinctive acoustic and visual signature of this transitional Atlantic Forest region.

Email mailtoperiodoce@meioambiente.mg.gov.br

Ramphastos toco

Crypturellus soui

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

Horned Screamer

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Nomonyx dominicus

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Dusky-legged Guan

Penelope obscura

Nyctidromus albicollis

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius griseus

Phaethornis idaliae

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Sombre Hummingbird

Eupetomena cirrochloris

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Rufous-throated Sapphire

Hylocharis sapphirina

White-chinned Sapphire

Chlorestes cyanus

Smooth-billed Ani

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Hoploxypterus cayanus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Anhinga anhinga

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus sociabilis

White-necked Hawk

Buteogallus lacernulatus

Rupornis magnirostris

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

East Brazilian Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium minutissimum

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Tawny-browed Owl

Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana

Green-backed Trogon

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Rufous-capped Motmot

Baryphthengus ruficapillus

Black-necked Aracari

Pteroglossus aracari

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes flavifrons

Yellow-eared Woodpecker

Veniliornis maculifrons

Yellow-throated Woodpecker

Piculus flavigula

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Blond-crested Woodpecker

Celeus flavescens

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Blue-winged Macaw

Primolius maracana

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Band-tailed Hornero

Furnarius figulus

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Chestnut-backed Antshrike

Thamnophilus palliatus

Sooretama Slaty Antshrike

Thamnophilus ambiguus

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Eastern Olivaceous Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus olivaceus

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Arundinicola leucocephala

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lesser Kiskadee

Philohydor lictor

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Greyish Mourner

Rhytipterna simplex

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Chiroxiphia caudata

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Brown-winged Schiffornis

Schiffornis turdina

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Moustached Wren

Pheugopedius genibarbis

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Yellowish Pipit

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Flavescent Warbler

Myiothlypis flaveola

Yellow-green Grosbeak

Caryothraustes canadensis

Yellow-backed Tanager

Hemithraupis flavicollis

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Flame-crested Tanager

Loriotus cristatus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Sicalis flaveola

Thraupis sayaca

Golden-chevroned Tanager

Thraupis ornata

Thraupis palmarum

Golden-green Woodpecker

Piculus chrysochloros

Solitary Tinamou

Tinamus solitarius

Crypturellus obsoletus

Undulated Tinamou

Crypturellus undulatus

Yellow-legged Tinamou

Crypturellus noctivagus

Variegated Tinamou

Crypturellus variegatus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Cairina moschata

Red-billed Curassow

Crax blumenbachii

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura meridionalis

Florisuga fusca

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Glaucis hirsutus

Phaethornis ruber

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Amethyst Woodstar

Calliphlox amethystina

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Crotophaga major

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Columbina squammata

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Zenaida auriculata

Pardirallus nigricans

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Aramus guarauna

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Pilherodius pileatus

Butorides striata

Coragyps atratus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Geranospiza caerulescens

Buteogallus meridionalis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

American Barn Owl

Black-capped Screech Owl

Megascops atricapilla

Trogon surrucura

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Three-toed Jacamar

Jacamaralcyon tridactyla

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Crescent-chested Puffbird

Malacoptila striata

Channel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos vitellinus

White-barred Piculet

Picumnus cirratus

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Colaptes campestris

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Falco rufigularis

Brotogeris tirica

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Vinaceous-breasted Amazon

Amazona vinacea

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

Amazona farinosa

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Ochre-marked Parakeet

Pyrrhura cruentata

White-eared Parakeet

Pyrrhura leucotis

Peach-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula aurea

Golden-capped Parakeet

Aratinga auricapillus

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Plain-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla turdina

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Scaled Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes squamatus

Furnarius rufus

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Firewood-gatherer

Anumbius annumbi

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Formicivora serrana

Black-capped Antwren

Herpsilochmus atricapillus

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Dysithamnus mentalis

Plumbeous Antvireo

Dysithamnus plumbeus

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Great Antshrike

Tufted Antshrike

Mackenziaena severa

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Rufous Gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

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

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Ochre-lored Flatbill

Tolmomyias flaviventris

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

White-rumped Monjita

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Gubernetes yetapa

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Machetornis rixosa

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

White-throated Kingbird

Tyrannus albogularis

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Grey-hooded Attila

Wied's Tyrant-Manakin

Neopelma aurifrons

Pin-tailed Manakin

Ilicura militaris

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Black-tailed Tityra

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

Buff-throated Purpletuft

Iodopleura pipra

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-capped Becard

Pachyramphus marginatus

Pachyramphus validus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Curl-crested Jay

Cyanocorax cristatellus

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Blacksmith Thrush

Turdus subalaris

Yellow-legged Thrush

Turdus flavipes

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Passer domesticus

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia pectoralis

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Icterus jamacaii

Molothrus bonariensis

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Nemosia pileata

Wedge-tailed Grass Finch

Emberizoides herbicola

Rufous-headed Tanager

Hemithraupis ruficapilla

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Coereba flaveola

Sooty Grassquit

Asemospiza fuliginosa

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Grey Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus pileatus

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Rusty-collared Seedeater

Sporophila collaris

Red-cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Green-headed Tanager

Tangara seledon

Gilt-edged Tanager

Tangara cyanoventris

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Yellow-rumped Marshbird

Pseudoleistes guirahuro

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Greater Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum

Caluromys philander

Southern Black-eared Opossum

Didelphis aurita

Southern Long-nosed Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

Alouatta guariba

Geoffroy's Tufted-ear Marmoset

Callithrix geoffroyi

Black-tufted-ear Marmoset

Callithrix penicillata

Bearded Capuchin

Sapajus libidinosus

Sylvilagus brasiliensis

Common Red-rumped Agouti

Dasyprocta leporina

Brazilian Squirrel

Sciurus brasiliensis

Rhynchonycteris naso

Common Vampire Bat

Desmodus rotundus

Common Fringe-lipped Bat

Trachops cirrhosus

Tropical Big-eared Brown Bat

Histiotus velatus

South American Coati

Crab-eating Fox

Cerdocyon thous

Southern Brown Brocket

Subulo gouazoubira

Giant Armadillo

Priodontes maximus

Black-horned Capuchin

Sapajus nigritus

Black-fronted Titi

Callicebus nigrifrons

Seba's Short-tailed Bat

Carollia perspicillata

Pallas's Long-tongued Bat

Glossophaga soricina

Greater Spear-nosed Bat

Phyllostomus hastatus

Fringed Fruit-eating Bat

Artibeus fimbriatus

Great Fruit-eating Bat

Artibeus lituratus

Dark Fruit-eating Bat

Artibeus obscurus

Little Yellow-shouldered Bat

Sturnira lilium

Tapirus terrestris

Common Marmoset

Callithrix jacchus

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