Terra Ronca State Park

Protected Landscape · Brazil

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Photo © Ricardo Bonganhi

Photo © Ricardo Bonganhi — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where weathered plateaus and deep canyon systems define the central Brazilian shield, Terra Ronca State Park protects a landscape of profound geological drama and seasonal ecological rhythm. Carved from the ancient bedrock of Goiás state, the park's protected terrain encompasses escarpments, rock faces, and cave systems that rise abruptly from savanna grasslands—a protected landscape where the dry winter exposes bare stone and dormant vegetation across the plateau top, while permanent springs and seepage zones support pockets of riparian woodland and fern gardens along canyon floors. This is the domain of rock-adapted birds—raptors, cliff-nesting species, and canyon specialists—alongside small mammals of rocky terrain, lizards that bask on exposed stone, and arthropods shaped by the dramatic daily temperature swings of exposed, weather-scoured rock. The protected landscape's ecological character is defined by the hard boundaries between stone and soil, by the seasonal absence of rain from June through September, and by the mosaic of microhabitats that cluster around water sources in an otherwise semi-arid terrain.

For wildlife photographers and those drawn to avian observation, Terra Ronca delivers intimate encounters with birds of prey and canyon-adapted passerines that respond to dramatic early-light conditions across vertical stone faces—the kind of photography that demands patience and elevation. The dry season, when winter winds strip away vegetation and expose the geological architecture, offers the clearest sight lines and the highest concentration of wildlife at surviving water sources; the wetter months bring renewed vegetative cover and migratory species passing through the broader region. Accessible by road from the regional towns of central Goiás, the park's network of trails and canyon walks puts visitors directly into this weather-carved world, where the interplay of stone, seasonal water, and sparse vegetation creates a landscape utterly different from the better-known savanna reserves to the south.

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

Ramphastos toco

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Heliactin bilophus

Stripe-breasted Starthroat

Heliomaster squamosus

Outcrop Sabrewing

Campylopterus calcirupicola

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Plumbeous Pigeon

Patagioenas plumbea

Columbina squammata

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Sarcoramphus papa

Coragyps atratus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Geranospiza caerulescens

Pseudastur albicollis

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Black-banded Owl

Trogon surrucura

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

Spot-backed Puffbird

Nystalus maculatus

Black-fronted Nunbird

Monasa nigrifrons

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Colaptes campestris

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Falco rufigularis

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Jandaya Parakeet

Aratinga jandaya

White-eyed Parakeet

Psittacara leucophthalmus

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

Rusty-backed Antwren

Formicivora rufa

Black-capped Antwren

Herpsilochmus atricapillus

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Cliff Flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Black-backed Water Tyrant

Fluvicola albiventer

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Helmeted Manakin

Chiroxiphia galeata

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Black-tailed Tityra

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Curl-crested Jay

Cyanocorax cristatellus

White-naped Jay

Cyanocorax cyanopogon

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Icterus jamacaii

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Flavescent Warbler

Myiothlypis flaveola

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Hemithraupis guira

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Grey Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus pileatus

Silver-beaked Tanager

Ramphocelus carbo

Sicalis flaveola

Undulated Tinamou

Crypturellus undulatus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Spotted Nothura

Nothura maculosa

Horned Screamer

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Cairina moschata

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Bare-faced Curassow

Crax fasciolata

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda

Least Nighthawk

Chordeiles pusillus

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus

Nyctibius griseus

Cypseloides fumigatus

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

Biscutate Swift

Streptoprocne biscutata

Chaetura meridionalis

Fork-tailed Palm Swift

Tachornis squamata

Florisuga fusca

Phaethornis ruber

White-vented Violetear

Colibri serrirostris

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Frilled Coquette

Lophornis magnificus

Long-billed Starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Blue-tufted Starthroat

Heliomaster furcifer

Amethyst Woodstar

Calliphlox amethystina

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Sombre Hummingbird

Eupetomena cirrochloris

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

Crotophaga major

Smooth-billed Ani

Pheasant Cuckoo

Dromococcyx phasianellus

Pavonine Cuckoo

Dromococcyx pavoninus

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Zenaida auriculata

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Grey-cowled Wood Rail

Aramides cajaneus

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Gallinago paraguaiae

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Pilherodius pileatus

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Butorides striata

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Gampsonyx swainsonii

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Buteogallus meridionalis

Rupornis magnirostris

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Grey-lined Hawk

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

American Barn Owl

Athene cunicularia

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Blue-crowned Trogon

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Nonnula rubecula

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa

White-wedged Piculet

Picumnus albosquamatus

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

Little Woodpecker

Veniliornis passerinus

Ochre-backed Woodpecker

Celeus ochraceus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Campephilus melanoleucos

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Scaly-headed Parrot

Pionus maximiliani

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Yellow-faced Parrot

Alipiopsitta xanthops

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

Orange-winged Amazon

Amazona amazonica

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Pfrimer's Parakeet

Pyrrhura pfrimeri

Peach-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula aurea

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Ara chloropterus

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

Blue-crowned Parakeet

Thectocercus acuticaudatus

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

Buff-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus guttatus

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Point-tailed Palmcreeper

Berlepschia rikeri

Pale-legged Hornero

Furnarius leucopus

Furnarius rufus

Henna-capped Foliage-gleaner

Clibanornis rectirostris

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Greater Thornbird

Phacellodomus ruber

Rusty-backed Spinetail

Cranioleuca vulpina

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Ochre-cheeked Spinetail

Synallaxis scutata

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Black-bellied Antwren

Formicivora melanogaster

Large-billed Antwren

Herpsilochmus longirostris

Dysithamnus mentalis

Planalto Slaty Antshrike

Thamnophilus pelzelni

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Rufous-winged Antshrike

Thamnophilus torquatus

Collared Crescentchest

Melanopareia torquata

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

Myiopagis gaimardii

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

White-crested Elaenia

Elaenia albiceps

Plain-crested Elaenia

Elaenia cristata

Elaenia chiriquensis

Suiriri Flycatcher

Suiriri suiriri

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Rufous-sided Scrub Tyrant

Euscarthmus rufomarginatus

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Chapada Flycatcher

Guyramemua affine

Southern Scrub Flycatcher

Sublegatus modestus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus latirostris

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Ochre-lored Flatbill

Tolmomyias flaviventris

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Sao Francisco Black Tyrant

Knipolegus franciscanus

Nengetus cinereus

White-headed Marsh Tyrant

Arundinicola leucocephala

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Machetornis rixosa

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher

Myiozetetes cayanensis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Lesser Kiskadee

Philohydor lictor

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

White-throated Kingbird

Tyrannus albogularis

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Rufous Casiornis

Casiornis rufus

Ash-throated Casiornis

Casiornis fuscus

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin

Neopelma pallescens

Band-tailed Manakin

Pipra fasciicauda

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Black-tailed Myiobius

Myiobius atricaudus

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Cistothorus platensis

Moustached Wren

Pheugopedius genibarbis

Buff-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus leucotis

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Masked Gnatcatcher

Polioptila dumicola

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Mimus saturninus

Blacksmith Thrush

Turdus subalaris

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Passer domesticus

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Grassland Sparrow

Ammodramus humeralis

Pectoral Sparrow

Arremon taciturnus

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

Orange-backed Troupial

Icterus croconotus

Screaming Cowbird

Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

White-striped Warbler

Myiothlypis leucophrys

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Coal-crested Finch

Charitospiza eucosma

Nemosia pileata

Scarlet-throated Tanager

Compsothraupis loricata

Wedge-tailed Grass Finch

Emberizoides herbicola

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Black-throated Saltator

Saltatricula atricollis

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Coereba flaveola

Red Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Plumbeous Seedeater

Sporophila plumbea

White-rumped Tanager

Cypsnagra hirundinacea

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch

Sicalis citrina

Orange-fronted Yellow Finch

Sicalis columbiana

Shrike-like Tanager

Neothraupis fasciata

Cinnamon Tanager

Schistochlamys ruficapillus

Red-cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

Thraupis sayaca

Thraupis palmarum

Burnished-buff Tanager

Stilpnia cayana

Crypturellus soui

Gilded Sapphire

Hylocharis chrysura

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Azure Gallinule

Porphyrio flavirostris

Mycteria americana

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Pandion haliaetus

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Cream-colored Woodpecker

Band-tailed Hornero

Furnarius figulus

Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus striaticollis

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Black-and-gold Howler

Alouatta caraya

Bearded Capuchin

Sapajus libidinosus

Kerodon acrobata

Common Vampire Bat

Desmodus rotundus

Hairy-legged Vampire Bat

Diphylla ecaudata

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