Birding in Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

In the worldwide internet campaign for the new 7 wonders of the world, there was a massive popular promotion within Brazil (4th largest population in the world with 200 million inhabitants) to vote for Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and hence it made the list.
Hence, it got more votes than other candidates such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, La Alhambra in Spain, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 

Regardless, Rio de Janeiro is a natural wonder of its own kind and perhaps the most beautifully located big city in the world.  The shape of the Sugarloaf and Corcovado are iconic. Hence, Rio de Janeiro is on many people’s bucket lists. It was also named as one of the top 7 Natural Wonder of the World by CNN. 

So what is in it for the birder? There is surprisingly good birding at the Botanical Garden, which will be visited one morning and in the Tijuca National Park where Corcovado and the Christ statue is situated. So with local expertise, we shall be able to enjoy to see all major Rio sights, but also a great number of birds.

Serious birders should look into the 3 day Rio de Janeiro State pre-trip, which focuses on some of the most local birds in South America.

After Rio, we fly to another iconic place – the Iguazu Falls – situated on the border of Southern Brazil and Misiones of NE Argentina.  A spectacular natural wonder, and while staying at very comfortable hotels, we shall also do some excellent birding here.