List of birds of Brazil

Brazil has one of the richest bird diversities in the world. The avifauna of Brazil include a total of 1827 confirmed species of which 238 are endemic. Five have been introduced by humans, 78 are rare or vagrants, and four are extinct or extirpated. An additional 21 species are hypothetical (see below).

Brazil hosts about 60% of the bird species recorded for all of South America. These numbers are still increasing almost every year, due to new occurrences, new species being described, or splits of existing species. About 10% of the bird species found in Brazil are, nonetheless, threatened.

In June 2013 a simultaneous discovery of fifteen bird species in Brazil was announced, the first such since 1871, when August von Pelzeln described forty new species.^[1] The birds were from the families Corvidae, Thamnophilidae, Dendrocolaptidae, Tyrannidae, and Polioptilidae.^[2] Eleven of the new species are endemics of Brazil and four also inhabit Peru and Bolivia.^[1]

Except as an entry is cited otherwise, the list of species is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society.^[3] The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC.^[4] One additional vagrant species is added from another source and is not included in the above counts.

The notes of population status, for instance (endangered), are those of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.^[5] The status notes apply to the worldwide population, not solely the Brazilian population except for endemic species.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.

• (V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Brazil
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Brazil
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Brazil as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
• (H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC

Rheas[]

Order: Rheiformes   Family: Rheidae

The rheas are large flightless birds native to South America. Their feet have three toes rather than four which allows them to run faster.

• Greater rhea, Rhea americana (near-threatened)

Tinamous[]

Order: Tinamiformes   Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), which includes the rheas, emus, and kiwis.

Screamers[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anhimidae

The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs, and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and in territorial disputes.

• Horned screamer, Anhima cornuta
• Southern screamer, Chauna torquata

Ducks[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Guans[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Cracidae

The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments.

• 

  Dusky-legged guan

• 

  Chaco chachalaca

• 

  Bare-faced curassow

New World quails[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

• Crested bobwhite, Colinus cristatus
• Marbled wood-quail, Odontophorus gujanensis
• Spot-winged wood-quail, Odontophorus capueira
• Starred wood-quail, Odontophorus stellatus

Flamingos[]

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

• Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis (near-threatened)
• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
• Andean flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus (V)
• James's flamingo, Phoenicoparrus jamesi (V)

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

• White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland
• Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Great grebe, Podiceps major
• Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis

Pigeons[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.

Oilbird[]

Order: Steatornithiformes   Family: Steatornithidae

The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.

• Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis

Potoos[]

Order: Nyctibiiformes   Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars.

• Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis
• Long-tailed potoo, Nyctibius aethereus
• Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus
• White-winged potoo, Nyctibius leucopterus
• Rufous potoo, Nyctibius bracteatus

Nightjars[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Hummingbirds[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

• 

  White-necked jacobin

• 

  Brown violetear

• 

  Violet-capped woodnymph

• 

  Glittering-throated emerald

• 

  Amethyst woodstar

Hoatzin[]

Order: Opisthocomiformes   Family: Opisthocomidae

The hoatzin is pheasant-sized, but much slimmer. It has a long tail and neck, but a small head with an unfeathered blue face and red eyes which are topped by a spiky crest. It is a weak flier which is found in the swamps of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.

• Hoatzin, Opisthocomus hoazin

Limpkin[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna

Trumpeters[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Psophiidae

The trumpeters are dumpy birds with long necks and legs and chicken-like bills. They are named for the trumpeting call of the males.

• Gray-winged trumpeter, Psophia crepitans
• Pale-winged trumpeter, Psophia leucoptera
• Dark-winged trumpeter, Psophia viridis (E)

Rails[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Finfoots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

• Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica

Plovers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• Tawny-throated dotterel, Oreopholus ruficollis
• Pied lapwing, Vanellus cayanus
• Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
• Rufous-chested dotterel, Charadrius modestus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
• Collared plover, Charadrius collaris
• Two-banded plover, Charadrius falklandicus

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Avocets and stilts[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus

Thick-knees[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

• Double-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus

Sheathbills[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Chionidae

The sheathbills are scavengers of the Antarctic regions. They have white plumage and look plump and dove-like but are believed to be similar to the ancestors of the modern gulls and terns.

• Snowy sheathbill, Chionis alba

Sandpipers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Seedsnipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Thinocoridae

The seedsnipes are a small family of birds that superficially resemble sparrows. They have short legs and long wings and are herbivorous waders.

• Least seedsnipe, Thinocorus rumicivorus (V)

Jacanas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

• Wattled jacana, Jacana jacana

Painted-snipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored.

• South American painted-snipe, Nycticryphes semicollaris

Skuas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

• Great skua, Stercorarius skua
• Chilean skua, Stercorarius chilensis
• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
• Brown skua, Stercorarius antarcticus
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger

Gulls[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Sunbittern[]

Order: Eurypygiformes   Family: Eurypygidae

The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae) and genus Eurypyga.

• Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias

Tropicbirds[]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
• Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda (V)
• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus

Penguins[]

Order: Sphenisciformes   Family: Spheniscidae

The penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater.

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus (V)
• Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus
• Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus (V) (vulnerable)
• Rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome (V) (vulnerable)

Albatrosses[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

• Royal albatross, Diomedea epomophora
• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
• Sooty albatross, Phoebetria fusca (endangered)
• Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata
• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris
• Gray-headed albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma (V) (endangered)
• White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta (V) (near-threatened)

Southern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

• White-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria
• Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica
• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina (V)

Northern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (H)
• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhoa

Shearwaters[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Maguari stork, Ciconia maguari
• Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
• Wood stork, Mycteria americana

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

• Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel
• Ascension frigatebird, Fregata aquila (V)
• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
• Great frigatebird, Fregata minor

Boobies[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

• Cape gannet, Morus capensis (V) (endangered)
• Australasian gannet, Morus serrator (V)
• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster

Anhingas[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Cormorants[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful.

• Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus
• Imperial cormorant, Phalacrocorax atriceps (H)

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (V)

Herons[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.

Ibises[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

• Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
• Sharp-tailed ibis, Cercibis oxycerca
• Green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
• Bare-faced ibis, Phimosus infuscatus
• Plumbeous ibis, Theristicus caerulescens
• Buff-necked ibis, Theristicus caudatus
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia (H)
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja

New World vultures[]

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion.

• King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa
• Andean condor, Vultur gryphus (H)
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
• Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus
• Greater yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes melambrotus

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

• 

  Great black hawk

• 

  White-tailed hawk

• 

  Roadside hawk

• 

  Black-collared hawk

Barn owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Trogons[]

Order: Trogoniformes   Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.

• Pavonine quetzal, Pharomachrus pavoninus
• Black-tailed trogon, Trogon melanurus
• Green-backed trogon, Trogon viridis
• Amazonian trogon, Trogon ramonianus
• Guianan trogon, Trogon violaceus
• Blue-crowned trogon, Trogon curucui
• Surucua trogon, Trogon surrucura
• Black-throated trogon, Trogon rufus
• Collared trogon, Trogon collaris
• Masked trogon, Trogon personatus

Motmots[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft and creating a racket-shaped tail.

• Broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum
• Rufous motmot, Baryphthengus martii
• Rufous-capped motmot, Baryphthengus ruficapillus
• Amazonian motmot, Momotus momota

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

• Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata
• Amazon kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
• American pygmy kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
• Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
• Green-and-rufous kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda

Jacamars[]

Order: Galbuliformes   Family: Galbulidae

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. They resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to puffbirds.

Puffbirds[]

Order: Galbuliformes   Family: Bucconidae

The puffbirds are related to the jacamars and have the same range, but lack the iridescent colors of that family. They are mainly brown, rufous, or gray, with large heads and flattened bills with hooked tips. The loose abundant plumage and short tails makes them look stout and puffy, giving rise to the English common name of the family.

New World barbets[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Capitonidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored.

• Scarlet-crowned barbet, Capito aurovirens
• Black-girdled barbet, Capito dayi
• Brown-chested barbet, Capito brunneipectus (E)
• Black-spotted barbet, Capito niger
• Gilded barbet, Capito auratus
• Lemon-throated barbet, Eubucco richardsoni
• Scarlet-hooded barbet, Eubucco tucinkae

Toucans[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Ramphastidae

Toucans are near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colorful bills which in some species amount to half their body length.

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

Seriemas[]

Order: Cariamiformes   Family: Cariamidae

The seriemas are terrestrial birds which run rather than fly (though they are able to fly for short distances). They have long legs, necks and tails, but only short wings, reflecting their way of life. They are brownish birds with short bills and erectile crests, found on fairly-dry open grasslands.

• Red-legged seriema, Cariama cristata

Falcons[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

New World and African parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.

• 

  Hyacinth macaw

• 

  Red-and-green macaws

• 

  Jandaya parakeet

• 

  Turquoise-fronted parrot

• 

  Maroon-bellied parakeet

• 

  Monk parakeet

• 

  Yellow-faced parrot

Antbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae

The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds which tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat small invertebrates that leave their hiding places to flee from the ants. Many species lack bright color, with brown, black, and white being the dominant tones.

Crescentchests[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Melanopareiidae

These are smallish birds which inhabit regions of arid scrub. They have a band across the chest which gives them their name.

• Collared crescentchest, Melanopareia torquata

Gnateaters[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Conopophagidae

The gnateaters are round, short-tailed and long-legged birds, which are closely related to the antbirds.

• Black-bellied gnateater, Conopophaga melanogaster (E)
• Black-cheeked gnateater, Conopophaga melanops (E)
• Chestnut-belted gnateater, Conopophaga aurita
• Ash-throated gnateater, Conopophaga peruviana
• Ceara gnateater, Conopophaga cearae (E)
• Hooded gnateater, Conopophaga roberti (E)
• Rufous gnateater, Conopophaga lineata

Antpittas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Grallariidae

Antpittas resemble the true pittas with strong, longish legs, very short tails and stout bills.

• Variegated antpitta, Grallaria varia
• Elusive antpitta, Grallaria eludens
• Speckle-breasted antpitta, Cryptopezus nattereri
• White-browed antpitta, Hylopezus ochroleucus (E) (near-threatened)
• Spotted antpitta, Hylopezus macularius
• Alta Floresta antpitta, Hylopezus whittakeri (E)
• Snethlage's antpitta, Hylopezus paraensis (E)
• Amazonian antpitta, Myrmothera berlepschi
• Thrush-like antpitta, Myrmothera campanisona
• Tepui antpitta, Myrmothera simplex
• Tapajos antpitta, Myrmothera subcanescens (E)

Tapaculos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhinocryptidae

The tapaculos are small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species in South and Central America. They are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head.

• Spotted bamboowren, Psilorhamphus guttatus (near-threatened)
• Rusty-belted tapaculo, Liosceles thoracicus
• Slaty bristlefront, Merulaxis ater (E) (near-threatened)
• Stresemann's bristlefront, Merulaxis stresemanni (E) (critically endangered)
• Bahia tapaculo, Eleoscytalopus psychopompus (E) (endangered)
• White-breasted tapaculo, Eleoscytalopus indigoticus (E) (near-threatened)
• Marsh tapaculo, Scytalopus iraiensis (E) (endangered)
• Diamantina tapaculo, Scytalopus diamantinensis (E)
• Brasilia tapaculo, Scytalopus novacapitalis (E) (near-threatened)
• Rock tapaculo, Scytalopus petrophilus (E)
• Planalto tapaculo, Scytalopus pachecoi
• Boa Nova tapaculo, Scytalopus gonzagai (E)
• Mouse-colored tapaculo, Scytalopus speluncae (E)

Antthrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Formicariidae

Antthrushes resemble small rails.

• Rufous-capped antthrush, Formicarius colma
• Black-faced antthrush, Formicarius analis
• Rufous-fronted antthrush, Formicarius rufifrons
• Short-tailed antthrush, Chamaeza campanisona
• Striated antthrush, Chamaeza nobilis
• Such's antthrush, Chamaeza meruloides (E)
• Rufous-tailed antthrush, Chamaeza ruficauda

Ovenbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. The woodcreepers are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks.

Manakins[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries and insects.

Cotingas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored or decorated with plumes or wattles.

Tityras[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tityridae

Tityridae are suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae, and Cotingidae. They are small to medium-sized birds. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring.

Sharpbill[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oxyruncidae

The sharpbill is a small bird of dense forests in Central and South America. It feeds mostly on fruit but also eats insects.

• Sharpbill, Oxyruncus cristatus

Royal flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Onychorhynchidae

In 2019 the SACC determined that these five species, which were formerly considered tyrant flycatchers, belonged in their own family.

• Royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
• Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
• Sulphur-rumped flycatcher, Myiobius barbatus
• Black-tailed flycatcher, Myiobius atricaudus

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

• 

  Great kiskadee

• 

  White-crested elaenia

• 

  Common tody-flycatcher

• 

  Gray-headed tody-flycatcher

• 

  Cliff flycatcher

• 

  Eastern wood-pewee

• 

  Pied water-tyrant

• 

  White-headed marsh tyrant

• 

  Cattle tyrant

• 

  Dusky-capped flycatcher

• 

  Short-crested flycatcher

• 

  Rusty-margined flycatcher

• 

  Social flycatcher

• 

  Piratic flycatcher

• 

  Tropical kingbird

• 

  Vermilion flycatcher

Vireos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.

Jays[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

• Violaceous jay, Cyanocorax violaceus
• Purplish jay, Cyanocorax cyanomelas
• Azure jay, Cyanocorax caeruleus (near-threatened)
• Curl-crested jay, Cyanocorax cristatellus
• Cayenne jay, Cyanocorax cayanus
• Azure-naped jay, Cyanocorax heilprini
• Plush-crested jay, Cyanocorax chrysops
• White-naped jay, Cyanocorax cyanopogon (E)

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

Gnatcatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, which nest in bushes or trees.

• Collared gnatwren, Microbates collaris
• Trilling gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus
• Chattering gnatwren, Ramphocaenus sticturus
• Tropical gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea
• Rio Negro gnatcatcher, Polioptila facilis
• Creamy-bellied gnatcatcher, Polioptila lactea (near-threatened)
• Guianan gnatcatcher, Polioptila guianensis
• Klages's gnatcatcher, Polioptila paraensis
• Inambari gnatcatcher, Polioptila attenboroughi (E)
• Masked gnatcatcher, Polioptila dumicola

Donacobius[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Donacobiidae

The black-capped donacobius is found in wet habitats from Panama across northern South America and east of the Andes to Argentina and Paraguay.

• Black-capped donacobius Donacobius atricapilla

Thrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Mockingbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull-grays and browns.

• Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus
• Chalk-browed mockingbird, Mimus saturninus
• White-banded mockingbird, Mimus triurus

Starlings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Estreldids[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.

• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild (I)

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Old World sparrow are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Pipits and wagtails[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

• Yellowish pipit, Anthus lutescens
• Short-billed pipit, Anthus furcatus
• Correndera pipit, Anthus correndera
• Ochre-breasted pipit, Anthus nattereri (vulnerable)
• Hellmayr's pipit, Anthus hellmayri

Finches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

• Grassland sparrow, Ammodramus humeralis
• Yellow-browed sparrow, Ammodramus aurifrons
• Black-striped sparrow, Arremonops conirostris
• Pectoral sparrow, Arremon taciturnus
• São Francisco sparrow, Arremon franciscanus (E)
• Half-collared sparrow, Arremon semitorquatus (E)
• Saffron-billed sparrow, Arremon flavirostris
• Rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis
• Tepui brushfinch, Atlapetes personatus

Blackbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

• 

  Bobolink

• 

  White-browed meadowlark

• 

  Shiny cowbird

• 

  Scarlet-headed blackbird

• 

  Orange-backed troupial

Wood-warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

Mitrospingids[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mitrospingidae

Until 2017 the four species in this family were included in the family Thraupidae, the "true" tanagers.

• Olive-backed tanager, Mitrospingus oleagineus
• Red-billed pied tanager, Lamprospiza melanoleuca
• Olive-green tanager, Orthogonys chloricterus (E)

Cardinal grosbeaks[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Tanagers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Most have short, rounded wings.

Notes[]

References[]

See also[]

• Wildlife of Brazil
• Lists of birds by region
• List of amphibians of Brazil
• List of reptiles of Brazil
• List of mammals of Brazil
• List of macaws
• List of amazon parrots
• List of Aratinga parakeets
• WikiAves - website dedicated to the Brazilian community of birdwatchers

External links[]

• National and state bird lists of Brazil - World Institute for Conservation and Environment