The Birdlife of Northern Pantanal

How I mentioned the first jaguar photos in this article, I started getting messages asking whether I had photographed any birds there as well. It’s an understandable question. Thanks to its largely open landscape, the Pantanal is one of the best places in the world for bird photography. My first trip to the Pantanal, back in September 2011, was primarily about birds, and over the years I haven’t come across anywhere better in terms of photographic opportunities. The northern part of the Pantanal is just as impressive for birdlife, with hundreds of species recorded in the region. ([link.springer.com][1]) But is the northern Pantanal just as good for birds? And did we actually have time to photograph any? "Birds from the Pirizal region, Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil | Ornithology Research | Springer Nature Link"

July

 

During our July trip, we had opportunities to photograph birds at several locations along the Transpantaneira, around the lodges, and directly on the Rio Cuiabá and its tributaries. The area around our accommodation in Porto Jofre was also fantastic for bird photography.

The combination of different habitats is particularly ideal for photographing birds. Around the lodges, species that make use of scattered trees, open areas and water bodies tend to gather, while along the rivers, with their lush vegetation, we encountered herons, storks, kingfishers, cormorants and many other waterbirds. Another major advantage of July is the relatively low water level, which concentrates wildlife around the remaining water bodies and rivers. Combined with the beautiful early-morning and late-afternoon light, the Pantanal offers excellent conditions for photography.

Throughout the trip, we gradually built up an impressive list of species, from conspicuous parrots and toucans to smaller and less obvious birds that are easily overlooked when simply driving through the landscape.

Ara hyacintový (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Hyacinth Macaw, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/800 s, ISO 800, pondělí 27. července 2026 6:37:57, 2026-7-7261.jpg
Rybařík obojkový (Megaceryle torquata) Ringed Kingfisher, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/8.0, @1/125 s, ISO 1000, pátek 24. července 2026 16:07:28, 2026-7-0094.jpg

September

 

Conditions for bird photography vary considerably depending on which part of the Pantanal you visit and at what time of year. A particularly interesting alternative is the southern Pantanal around the Rio Negro, which I visited in September several years ago. By that time of year, the landscape is even drier and the photographic conditions are different—the water is concentrated into a smaller number of locations, and huge numbers of birds and other wildlife gather around them.

While the northern Pantanal is particularly attractive to photographers because of the combination of the Transpantaneira, lodges and several days spent on the rivers, the Rio Negro region offers a very different landscape and the opportunity to photograph birds across vast open wetlands and around water sources. Both parts of the Pantanal therefore offer something different to photographers, and combining them can be more rewarding than visiting just one area.

If your main goal in the Pantanal is bird photography, I would recommend the southern part, ideally in September. As a bonus compared with the northern Pantanal, you’ll also have better chances of seeing giant anteaters, armadillos and, on night drives, even a puma—which you are unlikely to encounter in the north because of the different riverine habitat and the presence of jaguars.

The complete list of birds photographed between 18 and 28 July 2026 can be found at the very end of the article.

If you would also like to see these beautiful animals in the northern Pantanal, get in touch. I might just return to the same place next year for jaguars and birds.

Related links
Jaguar photography on the Rio Cuiabá
Articles about wildlife photography in Brazil
Brazilian wildlife photographs on Shutterstock
Wildlife photography articles
Photography trips and tours
Photography workshops

Datel campový (Colaptes campestris) Campo Flicker, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/8.0, @1/1250 s, ISO 200, pondělí 20. července 2026 15:03:55, 2026-7-4533.jpg
Ara ararauna (Ara ararauna) Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/9.0, @1/400 s, ISO 800, pondělí 20. července 2026 13:49:50, 2026-7-4831.jpg
Hoko žlutozobý (Crax fasciolata) Bare-faced Curassow, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/400 s, ISO 500, úterý 21. července 2026 16:38:53, 2026-7-6530.jpg
Karančo jižní (Caracara plancus) Southern Caracara, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/320 s, ISO 800, neděle 19. července 2026 17:16:54, 2026-7-4009.jpg
Ibis bělokřídlý (Theristicus caudatus) Buff-necked Ibis, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/1000 s, ISO 640, úterý 21. července 2026 17:08:56, 2026-7-6562.jpg
Ara hyacintový (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Hyacinth Macaw, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/30 s, ISO 2000, úterý 21. července 2026 17:43:47, 2026-7-6858.jpg
Káně černohrdlá (Busarellus nigricollis) Black-collared Hawk, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/6.3, @1/3200 s, ISO 800, středa 22. července 2026 15:45:33, 2026-7-7549.jpg
Guan Spixuv (Penelope jacquacu) Spix's guan, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/200 s, ISO 800, pondělí 20. července 2026 16:57:17, 2026-7-5289.jpg
Rybák žlutozobý (Phaetusa simplex) Large-billed Tern, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/5.6, @1/5000 s, ISO 500, sobota 25. července 2026 16:15:54, 2026-7-0914.jpg
Káně černohrdlá (Busarellus nigricollis) Black-collared Hawk, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/3200 s, ISO 250, úterý 21. července 2026 6:34:47, 2026-7-6075.jpg
Lenivka černočelá (Monasa nigrifrons) Black-fronted nunbird, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/250 s, ISO 400, pondělí 20. července 2026 16:08:35, 2026-7-5153.jpg
Tukan obrovský (Ramphastos toco) Toco Toucan, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1M2, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/1250 s, ISO 1600, neděle 26. července 2026 16:30:46, 2026-7-2078.jpg
Karančo jižní (Caracara plancus) Southern Caracara, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, f/2.8, @1/5000 s, ISO 640, pondělí 20. července 2026 23:25:49, 2026-7-5511.jpg
Srpozobec rudozobý (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) Red-billed scythebill, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/2500 s, ISO 1600, pondělí 27. července 2026 7:02:39, 2026-7-7389.jpg
Ibis tmavý (Phimosus infuscatus) Bare-faced Ibis, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/1250 s, ISO 200, středa 22. července 2026 18:50:39, 2026-7-7650.jpg
Rybařík obojkový (Megaceryle torquata) Ringed Kingfisher, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/400 s, ISO 100, úterý 21. července 2026 12:55:47, 2026-7-6209.jpg
Čejka kulíkovitá (Vanellus cayanus) Pied Plower, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/800 s, ISO 250, čtvrtek 23. července 2026 9:56:25, 2026-7-8682.jpg
Arassari hnědouchý ((Pteroglossus castanotis) Chestnut-eared aracari, Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazílie
Ondřej Prosický | www.NaturePhoto.cz, Sony ILCE-1, FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter, f/5.6, @1/250 s, ISO 1600, pondělí 27. července 2026 6:49:15, 2026-7-7384.jpg

Seznam fotografovaných ptáků v termínu 18. - 28. července 2026
Ara ararauna (Ara ararauna) Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Ara hyacintový (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Hyacinth Macaw 
Ara žlutokrký (Primolius auricollis) Yellow-collared Macaw
Anhinga americká (Anhinga anhinga) Anhinga        
Amazoňan modročelý (Amazona aestiva) Blue-fronted Parrot 
Aratinga zlatohlavý (Aratinga auricapillus) Golden-capped Parakeet 
Aratinga zlatočelý (Eupsittula aurea) Peach-fronted parakeet
Arassari hnědouchý ((Pteroglossus castanotis) Chestnut-eared aracari
Bukač proužkovaný (Tigrisoma fasciatum) Fasciated Tiger-Heron
Bukač červenavý (Tigrisoma lineatum) Rufescent Tiger-Heron 
Čačalaka šedokrká (Ortalis canicollis) Chaco Chachalaca
Čája obojková (Chauna torquata) Southern Screamer 
Čáp jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) Jabiru
Čáp jihoamerický (Ciconia maguari) Maguari Stork
Čimango žlutavý (Milvago chimachima) Yellow-headed Caracara
Čejka jihoamerická (Vanellus chilensis) Southern Lapwing
Čejka kulíkovitá (Vanellus cayanus) Pied Plower
Datel campový (Colaptes campestris) Campo Flicker 
Datel světlý (Celeus lugubris) Pale-crested woodpecker 
Datel vrabčí (Veniliornis passerinus) little woodpecker 
Datel čárkovaný (Dryocopus lineatus) Lineated Woodpecker
Datel světlehlavý (Celeus lugubris) Pale-crested Woodpecker
Guan modrohrdlý (Pipile cumanensis) Blue-throated Piping Guan 
Guan středobrazilský (Penelope ochrogaster) Chestnut-bellied Guan 
Guan Spixuv (Penelope jacquacu) Spix's guan 
Hoko žlutozobý (Crax fasciolata) Bare-faced Curassow 
Holoubek šupinkový (Columbina squammata) Scaled Dove
Hrnčiřík prostý (Furnarius rufus) Rufous Hornero
Hrnčiřík žlutooký (Phacellodomus ruber) Greater Thornbird 
Husička vdovka (Dendrocygna viduata) White-faced Whistling-Duck
Husička podzimní (Dendrocygna autumnalis) Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Chřástal guyanský (Aramides cajanea) Gray-necked Wood-Rail    
Kachnička amazonská (Amazonetta brasiliensis) Brazilian Teal
Kardinál černohřbetý (Paroaria capitata) Yellow-billed Cardinal 
Karančo jižní (Caracara plancus) Southern Caracara 
Káně černohrdlá (Busarellus nigricollis) Black-collared Hawk
Káně krahujová (Buteo magnirostris) Roadside Hawk 
Káně savanová (Buteogallus meridionalis) Savanna Hawk
Káně šedá (Buteo nitidus) Gray Hawk
Káně velká (Buteogallus urubitinga) Great Black-Hawk 
Káně dlouhonohá (Geranospiza caerulescens) Crane Hawk
Klouzálek úzkozobý (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) Narrow-billed Woodcreeper
Klouzálek velký (Xiphocolaptes major) Great rufous woodcreeper
Kolpík růžový (Platalea ajaja) Roseate Spoonbill
Kondor havranovitý (Coragyps atratus) Black Vulture    
Kondor krocanovitý (Cathartes aura) Turkey Vulture     
Kondor menší (Cathartes burrovianus) Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture 
Kormorán subtropický (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) Neotropic Cormorant 
Kurlan chřástalovitý (Aramus guarauna) Limpkin
Kukačka ani (Crotophaga ani) Smooth-billed ani
Kukačka guira (Guira guira) Guira Cuckoo 
Kvakoš noční (Nycticorax nycticorax) Black-crowned Night-Heron 
Leskovec neotropický (Galbula ruficauda) Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Lelek skvrnokřídlý (Chordeiles nacunda) Nacunda nighthawk 
Lenivka černočelá (Monasa nigrifrons) Black-fronted nunbird
Loskot škraboškový (Polioptila dumicola) Masked gnatcatcher 
Luněc bažinný (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Snail Kite
Ibis běločelý (Theristicus caerulescens) Plumbeous Ibis 
Ibis bělokřídlý (Theristicus caudatus) Buff-necked Ibis 
Ibis americký (Plegadis chihi) White-faced Ibis
Ibis tmavý (Phimosus infuscatus) Bare-faced Ibis 
Nandej černohlavý (Nandayus nenday) Nanday Parakeet
Nandu pampový (Rhea americana) Greater Rhea
Nesyt americký (Mycteria americana) Wood Stork
Ostnák jihoamerický (Jacana jacana) Wattled Jacana 
Poštolka pestrá (Falco sparverius) American Kestrel 
Papoušek chiriri (Brotogeris chiriri) Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Papoušek mniší (Myiopsitta monachus) Monk Parakeet 
Potu velký (Nyctibius grandis) Great Potoo 
Potu obecný (Nyctibius griseus) Common Potoo 
Rybák amazonský (Sternula superciliaris) Yellow-billed Tern
Rybák žlutozobý (Phaetusa simplex) Large-billed Tern 
Rybařík amazonský (Chloroceryle amazona) Amazon Kingfisher
Rybařík zelený (Chloroceryle americana) Green Kingfisher        
Rybařík obojkový (Megaceryle torquata) Ringed Kingfisher
Sojka chocholkatá (Cyanocorax chrysops) Plush-crested Jay 
Sojka lesní (Cyanocorax cyanomelas) Purplish Jay
Slípka žlutonohá (Porphyrio martinica) Purple Gallinule
Sýček králičí (Athene cunicularia) Burrowing Owl
Srpozobec rudozobý (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) Red-billed scythebill
Střízlík černohlavý (Donacobius atricapilla) Black-capped donacobius 
Šafránka velká (Sicalis flaveola) Saffron Finch
Tinama vlnkovaná (Crypturellus undulatus) Undulated tinamou 
Tyran bentevi (Pitangus sulphuratus) Great Kiskadee
Tyran skvrnitý (Myiodynastes maculatus) Streaked Flycatcher
Tyran savanový (Tyrannus savana) Fork-tailed Flycatcher 
Tyranovec dlouhonohý (Machetornis rixosa) Cattle Tyrant
Tyranovec bělořitý (Xolmis velatus) White-rumped Monjita 
Tukan obrovský (Ramphastos toco) Toco Toucan 
Vlhovec chopi (Gnorimopsar chopi) Chopi Blackbird
Vlhovec pastvinný (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) Screaming Cowbird 
Vlhovec velký (Molothrus oryzivorus) Giant Cowbird
Vlhovec (Icterus croconotus) Orange-backed Troupial
Volavka bělostná (Egretta thula) Snowy Egret
Volavka jihoamerická (Ardea cocoi) Cocoi Heron
Volavka proměnlivá (Butorides striata) Striated Heron
Volavka černohlavá (Pilherodius pileatus) Capped heron 
Volavka modrošedá (Egretta caerulea) Little Blue Heron 
Vodouš samotářský (Tringa solitaria) Solitary Sandpiper
Vlaštovka neotropická (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Vlaštovka modrobílá (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) Blue-and-white Swallow 
Výr virginský (Bubo virginianus) Great Horned Owl
Zoboun americký (Rynchops niger) Black Skimmer

Photographer
Ondřej Prosický
Ondřej Prosický

focuses on wildlife photography. He wants to capture the behavior of animals in their natural surroundings. Photo workshops and expeditions focusing on nature have been organizing since 2006, publishing in the media and having more than four dozen author exhibitions.

Among his greatest achievements is participation in the finals of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year photography competition. He has been a member of the Association of Professional Photographers of the Czech Republic since 2009. In May 2011, the European Federation of Professional Photographers awarded Ondřej Prosické the QEP (Qualified European Photographer) title in the Wildlife Photography category, and in the same year he received the FEP Landscape Golden Camera award in Brussels. The most recent awards are the nominations and main prizes of the Czech Press Photo, Czech Nature Photo and the Festival de l'Oiseau et de la Nature in France.

Vloženo
20. 08. 2026 , categories: nature, birds
Keywords
BrazílieBrazílie Pantanal Brazílie pták ptáci hoko tukan ledňáček ara ibis
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