Brazilian Birds

Brazilian birdlife is not only abundant, but includes a number of endemics, that is, species which are not found in other countries. The geographic distribution of almost 200 species of birds is restricted to Brazil. This fact implies great responsibility, because it means that survival depends on a joint effort by Brazilian society and government to preserve our natural heritage.

A good share of Brazil¹s ornithological wealth is due to the presence of two large vegetation formations: the Amazon forest and the Atlantic rain forest.

The Amazon forest, which is the biggest forested region on the planet, has existed for millions of years, and its long evolutionary history resulted in a highly complex ecological environment. Due to its tropical climate, its tremendous size and the diversity of environments that form it, the forest has an incredible wealth of resources and niches to be explored, and it is able to offer shelter to an immense variety of birds. No other place in the world has as many species, many of which have unique and fascinating colors, shapes and behaviors.

The Atlantic rain forest also has a wealth of birdlife, comprising one of the world¹s regions with the greatest biodiversity and greatest degree of endemism. In the past, it stretched between the States of Rio Grande do Norte and Rio Grande do Sul. But urbanization and farming have not spared it, and not much remains of the great coastal forest. Only between the States of Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina are there sections of Atlantic rain forest that still hark back to the former greatness of this ecosystem.

The other Brazilian natural domains may not shelter as many birds as these two forests, but there is abundant fauna, compared with most of the regions in the rest of the world.

The bush lands are found typically in central Brazil and consist of a large variety of settings, from the savannas - natural prairies, to the wastelands - low, dense growths. On the banks of the rivers there are typical vegetation formations called mata-galeria and the burity palm groves. With a similar abundance of different environments, it is only natural that the bush lands be inhabited by a large number of birds, including several species not found in other ecosystems.

The caatinga is, perhaps, the most Brazilian of all of the ecosystems, because it grows only in the northeast of the nation. Despite its arid conditions, this brush land area, that for most of the year appears to be dry and desolate, shelters a wealth of bird fauna which is adapted to the rigorous climate, with several interesting endemisms.

In the Pantanal, there are practically no exclusive species, since this is not a separate ecosystem but, rather, a complex blend of flora and fauna from other Brazilian ecosystems. This wetlands area, however, is special and unique, because there is no other region in the country where it is so easy to see so many species of such spectacular birds. It¹s no fluke that the Pantanal draws so many Nature lovers from Brazil and abroad.

Besides these types of vegetation, many others round out the diverse scenario for our birds, like the southern grasslands, araucária (Brazilian pine) forests, mangroves and sandbanks, ocean islands, high mountain grasslands and marshes. Thus, Brazil owes its great diversity of birds to its no less extraordinary scenic wealth.

Both our birdlife and our countryside, however, are highly threatened. Environmental destruction affects not only the forests, but also the other ecosystems. Caatinga, bush lands and grasslands give way to farming. Urbanization spreads along coastal areas. Rivers and marshes get domestic and industrial pollutants. Even the environments created by humans are affected by slashing and burning, pollution and highway building, the latter creating barriers to animal circulation. Environmental encroachments result in reduced numbers of species, as well as less members of those species. The situation is aggravated by bird hunters and animal poachers who are encouraged by an avid market for "exotic" pets, both inside and outside of Brazil. Not to mention hunting, which is justified as a sport, the need for food, protecting private herds or related to superstitions.

Much can be done by each one of us to guarantee the preservation of our birds. We must not buy wild animals, unless their origins are legal and authorized by IBAMA (Brazilian Environmental Institute). As for home construction, no matter how much you want to live close to Nature, avoid buying lots in forested or recently cleared areas. Rather, the best thing is to create a new forest: plant the property¹s standing preservation areas with species native to the region. Arts and crafts using wild bird feathers or wood threatened with extinction must be discouraged. And it¹s always good to visit and give value to our national parks and other conservation areas, museums and research institutes.

Above all, children must be taught to be curious about and interested in our natural resources in order to treat them with special care. The most effective road to environmental preservation is paved with respect and love, and the best way to protect our birds, in all their beauty and diversity, is to care for the areas in which they live.

*Excerpted from the book “Wonders of Brazil.” Original translation for the book by Douglas V. Smith. Read this excerpt in Portuguese.