Excursions

We have graded our excursions to give you an idea of what each excursion entails, whether it's an easy gradual walk, or something a little more strenuous.Please enquire for excursion prices.

Grade A = Driving and birding, with short easy walks en-route.

Grade B = Easy birding on almost level ground.

Grade C = Some extent of up hill walking, no problem for averagely healthy people.

Grade D = Steep up hill walking, sometimes long distances, good level of fitness required.

If you would like a package and full itinerary put together for you then please e-mail, us at: serradostucanos@hotmail.com.

Serra dos Tucanos grounds - Grade C

The gardens and trails around the lodge provide excellent birding opportunities. To date we have recorded over 200 species within the grounds, of which 60+ are endemic to the Atlantic rain forest! We offer a 3-4 hour guided walk around the grounds of the lodge.

Some birds we expect to see include Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Sombre Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Streaked Xenops, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, Thrush-Like Woodcreeper, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Spot-Backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-lored Tody Flycatcher White-throated Spadebill, Gray-hooded Attila, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Rufous-headed, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Golden-chevroned, Green-headed, Red necked and Burnished-buff Tanagers, Violaceous, Orange-bellied and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Buff-throated Saltator and Black-throated Grosbeak.

This walk takes between 3 and 4 hours, and includes a guide.

Theodoro Trail - Grade B

After a 20 minute drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the Theodoro Trail. Commencing at 1100m asl, this path offers superb birding. The entire length of this gradually descending trail used to be part of the old Cachoeiras - Nova Friburgo railway line and in places still remains surfaced with asphalt.

Birds that can be seen include Brown Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Black-throated and Surucua Trogon, Spot-billed Toucanet, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Streaked Xenops, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage Gleaner, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Scaled Woodcreeper, Variable Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Brazilian Antthrush, Variegated Antpitta, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Atilla, Greenish Schiffornis and Brassy-breasted Tanager.

This is a half day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation from the lodge.

Bamboo Trail - Grade C, small stream to cross

The Bamboo Trail starts practically opposite the Theodoro Trail. As its name suggests, this trail runs through an expanse of native bamboo and leads gradually up to an altitude of 1450m asl. This provides a great opportunity to get into some good primary forest.

Birds that can be seen include Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-browed and Green-barred Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, White-browed, Buff-browed, Buff-fronted and White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis and Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Greenish Schiffornis, Sharpbill, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, White-rimmed Warbler, Azure-shouldered and Brassy-breasted Tanager and Uniform Finch.

This is a full day or half day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation from the lodge. Please note that this trail is only suitable for up to 6 people.

Cedae Trail - Grade C

After a short drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the trail.

On this excursion we hope to see amongst others: Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Yellow-faced Parrot, Saw-billed Hermit, Black-throated and Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, White-browed Foliage Gleaner, Pale-browed Treehunter, Black-capped Foliage Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage Gleaner, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted and Plain Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, Streak-capped Antwren, White-shouldered Fire-Eye, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Black-tailed Tityra, Sharpbill, Rufous-headed, Yellow-backed, Olive-green, Flame-crested, Ruby-crowned, Black-goggled, Green-headed, Red-necked and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Black-throated Grosbeak.

This is a half day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation to the lodge.

The Theodoro, Bamboo and Cedae Trails can be birded without a guide. Taxi transportation can be arranged to the beginning of these trails.

High Altitude Excursion (lower section) - Grade C

On this excursion we head off towards Nova Friburgo for a 50 minute drive before our first stop where we will look for White-tailed Hawk, Red-legged Seriema, Hepatic and Cinnamon Tanager.

We continue our journey for a short distance where we then leave the minibus and start our days walk at an altitude of approximately 1600 metres. We will spend the remainder of the day on this trail where we hope to see amongst others: White-tailed Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plovercrest, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, White Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, Large-tailed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike Rufous-capped Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Olivaceous Elaenia, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant, Yellow-legged Thrush, White-rimmed Warbler, Cinamon Tanager, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Diademed Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Green-winged and Thick-billed Saltator.

This is a full day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation from the lodge.

High Altitude Excursion (upper section) - Grade D

This excursion is aimed at seeing the small number of endemics that exist above 1800 metres. Our day begins with an hours drive as we aim to drive as high as possible towards 2000 metres in altitude. This depends heavily upon the weather and road conditions. Once at our destination we leave the transport behind for the remainder of the day and start our days birding. As we gain altitude and continue our walk up a steep road we see a change in the habitat, small stunted trees surrounded by bamboo and other low vegetation provide the first areas in which we hope to see Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Diademed Tanager, Blue-billed Black Tyrant and Rufous-tailed Antbird.

As we walk further uphill we begin to enter the habitat where we stand a good chance of seeing the rare and endemic Grey-winged Cotinga, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet and Black and Gold Cotinga. We shall also try in this area for Brazilian Antthrush and Mouse-colored Tapaculo. Almost at the summit we hope to encounter the endemic Itatiaia Thistletail, recently discovered in this area.

This is a full day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation from the lodge.

Three-toed Jacamar excursion - Grade A

Many birders who visit south-east Brazil go in search of the endemic Three-toed Jacamar. On this full day excursion we visit several sites where this bird is regularly found. Along the way we pass through a variety of habitats and cover a fair distance (200 km) stopping regularly en-route to look for other species.

Our target bird is the Three-toed Jacamar (!), however... other birds we could encounter include Whistling and Capped Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Plumbeous Kite, Savanna Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Aplomado Falcon, Bat Falcon, Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Striped Cuckoo, Common Barn Owl, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amethyst Woodstar, White-eared Puffbird, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Black-necked Aracari, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Red-eyed Thornbird, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Gray and White-rumped Monjita, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-rumped and Tawny-headed Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, Long-billed Wren, Curl-crested Jay, Magpie, Orange-headed, Hooded, Hepatic, Brazilian and Gilt-edged Tanagers and Hooded Siskin.

We usually see between 65 - 100 species during the day! The record currently stands at 124, can you beat this?!

This is a full day excursion and includes a guide and all transportation.

Serra dos Orgaos National Park - Grade C

The drive to this National Park in Teresopolis takes approximately 1 hour. The National Park is split into two sections, the lower and upper. We begin at the lower park where we will spend an hour or so and hope to see White-necked Hawk, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-fronted, Yellow-eared and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Pale-browed Treehunter, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-Gleaner, White-throated Woodcreeper, Plain and Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Blue Manakin, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Gray-hooded Atilla, Rufous-headed, Yellow-backed, Olive-green, Flame-crested and Golden-chevroned Tanagers and Red-rumped Cacique.

We then return back to the vehicle and drive for a further 20 minutes to the upper section of the park. We will spend the rest of the day birding along a fantastic newly constructed boardwalk. The boardwalk is a solid fixed structure (in other words it doesn’t sway from side to side!), some parts of it are at canopy level and other parts run through some great patches of bamboo. Some of the birds we aim to see include Brown Tinamou, Mantled Hawk, Dusky-legged Guan, Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Surucua and Black-throated Trogon, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-eared and Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Pallid Spinetail, Sharp-billed Treehunter, Lesser and Scaled Woodcreeper, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant and Tufted Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis and Ochre-rumped Antbird, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakin, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, White-rimmed Warbler, Azure-shouldered, Fawn-breasted and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and Green-winged Saltator.

This is a full day excursion, a guide, transportation and park entrance fee is included.

Wetlands - Grade B

On this excursion we visit a local nature reserve - Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu. Established in 2002 this large wetland restoration project has been very successful in the amount of species that it has attracted over the past year. The reserve also protects a large amount of forest within the local area and employs rangers to ensure that species on the reserve are safeguarded.

Species we expect to see here amongst others include Least Grebe, Whistling and Capped Heron, Brazilian Teal, Masked Duck, Grey-headed Kite, Crane Hawk, Savanna Hawk, Limpkin, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit and Chestnut-capped Blackbird. Surrounding the wetland is lowland forest, a habitat very difficult to encounter as much of this habitat has been destroyed in the past, we venture into this forest in the hope of finding species such as Reddish Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Unicolored Antwren, Shrike-like Cotinga and Long-billed Wren.

This is a half day excursion with guide, transportation and entrance fee to the reserve included.

Macae de Cima - Grade C

After a 30 minute drive from the lodge we arrive at the beginning of the track towards Macae de Cima. Depending upon weather conditions we may leave the minibus and take a gentle walk or the minibus will accompany us for the next few hours.

Birds we hope to see on this half day include Barred Forest-Falcon, Plumbeous Pigeon, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-Gleaner, Giant Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, Bertonis Antbird, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Rufous Gnateater, Black and Gold Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, White-rimmed Warbler, Chestnut-headed Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager and Green-winged Saltator.

This is a half day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation to the lodge.

Portao Azul – Grade C

This is a half day excursion from the lodge, we depart after breakfast and head towards Nova Friburgo. After approximately 1 hour we arrive at our destination and leave the minibus to walk a trail for the remainder of the morning. What makes this excursion so good is the mixture of habitats that this area offers, it is also a stronghold for the endemic Half-collared Sparrow, sometimes difficult to see in other areas this species is abundant here. Other birds that we expect to see during the morning include Dusky-legged Guan, Scale-throated Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, White-throated Hummingbird, Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Grey-bellied Spinetail, Pallid Spinetail, White-collared Foliage Gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Giant Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis Antbird, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Gilt-edged Tanager, Buffy-fronted Seedeater and Uniform Finch. This is a half day excursion and includes a guide and return transportation to the lodge.