Top Birds of the Pantanal: 15 Species You Will Want to See

The Pantanal is the greatest waterbird sanctuary in the Americas. With nearly 600 recorded species, you can see more birds here in a single morning than in a week at many other destinations. These are 15 species that make birders cross the globe — all possible on our expeditions.

1. Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

The largest macaw in the world and the symbol of the Pantanal. Cobalt-blue with a yellow eye-ring, it feeds mainly on acuri and bocaiuva palm nuts. The dry season is the best time to find it.

2. Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)

The Pantanal’s flagship bird. This imposing stork stands almost 1.4 m tall, with a black head and red collar, and builds enormous nests atop tall trees.

3. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

The largest toucan in the world, with an unmistakable orange bill. Common along forest edges and open country, it is one of the most photographed birds in the region.

4. Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Bright pink with a spoon-shaped bill, it forages in shallow water by sweeping its bill side to side. Spectacular in flocks at dusk.

5. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

A white stork with a bare, dark head that gathers in large numbers at receding bays to fish.

6. Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata)

A large, loud wetland bird often seen in pairs, with a powerful call that carries across the plain.

7. Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata)

A big ground-dwelling bird; the male is black with a curly crest. It walks the forest edges at dawn and dusk.

8. Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

Blue and gold, seen in noisy pairs crossing the sky, especially near stands of buriti palms.

9. Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus)

Large and red, with green detailing on the wings, it forms striking flocks around cliffs and riverbanks.

10. Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

A nocturnal heron with a broad, boat-shaped bill, hidden in waterside vegetation by day — a coveted target.

11. Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)

Finely barred in plumage, it is frequent along the banks of rivers and channels.

12. Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)

Black-headed and green-bodied, it forms noisy flocks that are part of the classic Pantanal soundscape.

13. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Gathering in large flocks, it fills the air with its whistling calls.

14. Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)

The largest kingfisher in the Americas, common along every Pantanal river.

15. Mato Grosso Antbird (Cercomacra melanaria)

A regional speciality. This antbird lives in the tangles at the water’s edge and is a classic target for birders after range-restricted species.

Want to see these birds with a biologist guide who knows every channel? Talk to Bird Bonito and build your Pantanal expedition.

Top Birds of the Pantanal: 15 Species You Will Want to See

1. Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

The largest macaw in the world and the symbol of the Pantanal. Cobalt-blue with a yellow eye-ring, it feeds mainly on acuri and bocaiuva palm nuts. The dry season is the best time to find it.

2. Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)

The Pantanal’s flagship bird. This imposing stork stands almost 1.4 m tall, with a black head and red collar, and builds enormous nests atop tall trees.

3. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

The largest toucan in the world, with an unmistakable orange bill. Common along forest edges and open country, it is one of the most photographed birds in the region.

4. Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Bright pink with a spoon-shaped bill, it forages in shallow water by sweeping its bill side to side. Spectacular in flocks at dusk.

5. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

A white stork with a bare, dark head that gathers in large numbers at receding bays to fish.

6. Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata)

A large, loud wetland bird often seen in pairs, with a powerful call that carries across the plain.

7. Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata)

A big ground-dwelling bird; the male is black with a curly crest. It walks the forest edges at dawn and dusk.

8. Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

Blue and gold, seen in noisy pairs crossing the sky, especially near stands of buriti palms.

9. Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus)

Large and red, with green detailing on the wings, it forms striking flocks around cliffs and riverbanks.

10. Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

A nocturnal heron with a broad, boat-shaped bill, hidden in waterside vegetation by day — a coveted target.

11. Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)

Finely barred in plumage, it is frequent along the banks of rivers and channels.

12. Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)

Black-headed and green-bodied, it forms noisy flocks that are part of the classic Pantanal soundscape.

13. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Gathering in large flocks, it fills the air with its whistling calls.

14. Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)

The largest kingfisher in the Americas, common along every Pantanal river.

15. Mato Grosso Antbird (Cercomacra melanaria)

A regional speciality. This antbird lives in the tangles at the water’s edge and is a classic target for birders after range-restricted species.

Want to see these birds with a biologist guide who knows every channel? Talk to Bird Bonito and build your Pantanal expedition.