Serra do Cipó National Park

National Park · Brazil

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Photo © Vinícius de Souza Naves

Photo © Vinícius de Souza Naves — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where granite escarpments rise above the Atlantic Forest transition zone in southeastern Brazil, Serra do Cipó National Park unfolds across a landscape of dramatic ridges, cascading waterfalls, and montane grasslands that defy the regional expectation of lowland rainforest. The park's elevation—ranging from 600 to over 1,400 meters—creates a mosaic of distinct habitats: rocky plateaus with endemic herbaceous communities, gallery forests threading through valleys, and higher-altitude campos rupestres where adapted shrubs and grasses cling to exposed quartzite faces. This topographic complexity supports a wildlife community shaped by altitude and geology rather than the typical Amazonian template. Small mammals, birds of prey, woodland songbirds, and amphibians adapted to rocky streams and seepage areas find refuge here, their populations distinct from those in the lowland forests below. The park's waterfall systems—fed by reliable rainfall and groundwater seepage—create permanent freshwater habitats that sustain species poorly represented in the surrounding landscape.

For those armed with binoculars and a field guide, Serra do Cipó demands extended visits to reveal its character. The montane habitat supports avian families and feeding guilds that differ markedly from lowland sites, making it essential terrain for serious birdwatchers seeking regional endemism and altitude specialists. The park's water features—streams, waterfalls, and rocky pools—concentrate wildlife in predictable locations, particularly during the drier months when water becomes scarce in surrounding forests. Early morning light illuminates the escarpments in crystalline clarity, while the wet season (November to March) brings amphibian choruses and temporary microhabitats to life. Access is straightforward from the state capital, with established trails ranging from short waterfall walks to multi-day ridge traverses, making it equally rewarding for day visitors and committed field researchers.

Website serradocipo.tur.br

Ramphastos toco

Sicalis flaveola

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

Furnarius rufus

Yellow-headed Caracara

Daptrius chimachima

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Thraupis sayaca

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Pitangus sulphuratus

Coragyps atratus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Butorides striata

Passer domesticus

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

White-barred Piculet

Picumnus cirratus

Thraupis palmarum

Machetornis rixosa

Rupornis magnirostris

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Band-tailed Hornero

Furnarius figulus

Molothrus bonariensis

Athene cunicularia

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

Grey Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus pileatus

Peach-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula aurea

Columbina squammata

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

Coereba flaveola

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Zenaida auriculata

Black-capped Antwren

Herpsilochmus atricapillus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Flavescent Warbler

Myiothlypis flaveola

Wedge-tailed Grass Finch

Emberizoides herbicola

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Colaptes campestris

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

Little Woodpecker

Veniliornis passerinus

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Gilt-edged Tanager

Tangara cyanoventris

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Elaenia chiriquensis

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Grey-eyed Greenlet

Hylophilus amaurocephalus

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Cairina moschata

Hyacinth Visorbearer

Augastes scutatus

Smooth-billed Ani

Yellow-rumped Marshbird

Pseudoleistes guirahuro

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

White-vented Violetear

Colibri serrirostris

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Heliactin bilophus

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Long-tailed Cinclodes

Cinclodes pabsti

Rhopospina caerulescens

Cinnamon Tanager

Schistochlamys ruficapillus

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Asthenes luizae

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Black-throated Saltator

Saltatricula atricollis

Crested Black Tyrant

Knipolegus lophotes

White-rumped Monjita

Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Gubernetes yetapa

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Plumbeous Seedeater

Sporophila plumbea

Plain-crested Elaenia

Elaenia cristata

Silvery-cheeked Antshrike

Sakesphoroides cristatus

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Grey-backed Tachuri

Polystictus superciliaris

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Velvety Black Tyrant

Knipolegus nigerrimus

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Aramus guarauna

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Amethyst Woodstar

Calliphlox amethystina

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Hellmayr's Pipit

Anthus hellmayri

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Embernagra longicauda

Least Nighthawk

Chordeiles pusillus

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Sapphire-spangled Emerald

Chionomesa lactea

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Western Cattle Egret

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Long-tailed Reed Finch

Donacospiza albifrons

Great Antshrike

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Spotted Nothura

Nothura maculosa

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Buteogallus meridionalis

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Spot-backed Puffbird

Nystalus maculatus

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Rusty-backed Antwren

Formicivora rufa

Collared Crescentchest

Melanopareia torquata

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Southern Scrub Flycatcher

Sublegatus modestus

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Ochre-lored Flatbill

Tolmomyias flaviventris

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Rufous Casiornis

Casiornis rufus

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Pin-tailed Manakin

Ilicura militaris

Tawny-headed Swallow

Alopochelidon fucata

Buff-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus leucotis

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Lesser Grass Finch

Emberizoides ypiranganus

Rufous-headed Tanager

Hemithraupis ruficapilla

Dubois's Seedeater

Sporophila ardesiaca

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Cinereous Warbling Finch

Microspingus cinereus

Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch

Sicalis citrina

Black-faced Tanager

Schistochlamys melanopis

Crypturellus obsoletus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

White-bellied Nothura

Nothura boraquira

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Amazonetta brasiliensis

White-cheeked Pintail

Anas bahamensis

East Brazilian Chachalaca

Ortalis araucuan

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Dusky-legged Guan

Penelope obscura

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Nyctidromus albicollis

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus

Nyctibius griseus

Cypseloides fumigatus

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura meridionalis

Florisuga fusca

White-tailed Goldenthroat

Polytmus guainumbi

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Heliodoxa rubricauda

Stripe-breasted Starthroat

Heliomaster squamosus

Diamantina Sabrewing

Campylopterus diamantinensis

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Sombre Hummingbird

Eupetomena cirrochloris

White-throated Hummingbird

Leucochloris albicollis

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Pardirallus nigricans

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Tachybaptus dominicus

Gallinago undulata

Gallinago paraguaiae

Mycteria americana

Roseate Spoonbill

Pilherodius pileatus

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Ictinia plumbea

Geranospiza caerulescens

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

American Barn Owl

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Trogon surrucura

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

White-wedged Piculet

Picumnus albosquamatus

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Falco rufigularis

Golden-capped Parakeet

Aratinga auricapillus

Blue-winged Macaw

Primolius maracana

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

Sclerurus scansor

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Scaled Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes squamatus

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Pale-legged Hornero

Furnarius leucopus

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

Henna-capped Foliage-gleaner

Clibanornis rectirostris

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Greater Thornbird

Phacellodomus ruber

Firewood-gatherer

Anumbius annumbi

Pallid Spinetail

Cranioleuca pallida

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Chotoy Spinetail

Schoeniophylax phryganophilus

Grey-bellied Spinetail

Synallaxis cinerascens

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Formicivora serrana

Large-billed Antwren

Herpsilochmus longirostris

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Dysithamnus mentalis

Rufous-winged Antshrike

Thamnophilus torquatus

Rufous-capped Antshrike

Thamnophilus ruficapillus

Large-tailed Antshrike

Mackenziaena leachii

Tufted Antshrike

Mackenziaena severa

Ferruginous Antbird

Drymophila ferruginea

Ochre-rumped Antbird

Drymophila ochropyga

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Rufous Gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

White-breasted Tapaculo

Eleoscytalopus indigoticus

Grey-capped Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseocapilla

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Elaenia spectabilis

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Olivaceous Elaenia

Elaenia mesoleuca

Suiriri Flycatcher

Suiriri suiriri

Sooty Tyrannulet

Serpophaga nigricans

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant

Euscarthmus meloryphus

Southern Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus eximius

Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes ventralis

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant

Culicivora caudacuta

Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant

Hemitriccus diops

Hangnest Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus nidipendulus

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps

Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum poliocephalum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

Blue-billed Black Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris

Nengetus cinereus

Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant

Muscipipra vetula

White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Arundinicola leucocephala

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

White-throated Kingbird

Tyrannus albogularis

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin

Neopelma pallescens

Chiroxiphia caudata

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

Pachyramphus validus

Whiskered Myiobius

Myiobius barbatus

Black-tailed Myiobius

Myiobius atricaudus

Curl-crested Jay

Cyanocorax cristatellus

Plush-crested Jay

Cyanocorax chrysops

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Cistothorus platensis

Masked Gnatcatcher

Polioptila dumicola

Yellow-legged Thrush

Turdus flavipes

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Estrilda astrild

Yellowish Pipit

Spinus magellanicus

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Icterus jamacaii

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

Screaming Cowbird

Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Molothrus oryzivorus

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

White-striped Warbler

Myiothlypis leucophrys

White-rimmed Warbler

Myiothlypis leucoblephara

Nemosia pileata

Black-masked Finch

Coryphaspiza melanotis

Embernagra platensis

Hemithraupis guira

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Sooty Grassquit

Asemospiza fuliginosa

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Red Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

Rusty-collared Seedeater

Sporophila collaris

White-throated Seedeater

Sporophila albogularis

Copper Seedeater

Sporophila bouvreuil

Orange-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis sordida

White-rumped Tanager

Cypsnagra hirundinacea

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Grassland Yellow Finch

Sicalis luteola

Haplospiza unicolor

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Shrike-like Tanager

Neothraupis fasciata

Cissopis leverianus

Red-cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

Golden-chevroned Tanager

Thraupis ornata

Brassy-breasted Tanager

Tangara desmaresti

Black-throated Grosbeak

Saltator fuliginosus

Black-tufted-ear Marmoset

Callithrix penicillata

Spix's Yellow-toothed Cavy

Geoffroy's Tufted-ear Marmoset

Callithrix geoffroyi

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Southern Brown Brocket

Subulo gouazoubira

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