Photographer: Bobby Wilcox   Destination: Brazil

 

This striking species is the Helmeted Manakin, photographed in Brazil’s Pantanal by Rockjumper tour leader Bobby Wilcox. Brazil is one of the most diverse places on earth, with species rich habitats ranging from the depths of the Amazon Rainforest to the sprawling Pantanal and many in between. The Pantanal, in particular, is a hotspot for a variety of special species. One of the largest inland wetlands in the world, occupying about 140,000 km2, the Pantanal is composed of many different subsystems or habitats that each harbour their own sets of flora and fauna. These habitats include grasslands, forests, woodlands, open water and swamps. The Helmeted Manakin prefers the woodlands of the cerrado region as well as the swampy woodland and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. Interestingly, in ecotone regions, females may copulate and hybridize with the Swallow-tailed Manakin from the genus Chiroxiphia as opposed to the Helmeted Manakin’s genus Antilophia.

 

Another abstract bit of information is that the Helmeted Manakin is one of only eight bird species on the planet with the word 'Helmeted' in the name. Most of them are rather exotic and beautiful while some are exceedingly rare or localised. The Helmeted Myna for example is found only on the remote Indonesian islands of Banggai, Peleng and Taliabu while the Helmeted Curassow is a rarely seen montane forest special of nw Venezuela and ne Colombia. The Helmeted Hornbill of Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra is a spectacular species with an outrageous call but is now sadly listed as critically endangered, while the Helmeted Woodpecker is a rarely seen Atlantic Rainforest endemic found in ne Argentina, e Paraguay and se Brazil. The others include more common and widespread species such as the Helmeted Guineafowl of Africa, dainty Helmeted Pygmy Tyrant of South America and the Helmeted Friarbird of New Guinea, n Australia and the Lesser Sundas, who likely won't be winning any beauty competitions anytime soon.

 

The Pantanal habitats also provide an exceptional array of species of interest that include the likes of vibrant Hyacinth, Red-and-green and Golden-collared Macaws, Zigzag Heron, Red-legged Seriema, Jabiru, amongst a huge list of other birds. Mammals are also a highlight here as the Pantanal is possibly the best place on earth to see Jaguar as well as Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, Capybara, Brazilian Tapir and an excellent variety of primates, canids and reptiles.

 

View our tours below for more info on our comprehensive tour coverage of not only the Pantanal but the rest of Brazil’s incredibly exciting birding regions.