Part of the Tropical Birding chain, Guapi Assu Bird Lodge is developed in the same fashion as its sister lodge in Ecuador, the famous Tandayapa Bird Lodge. The reserve list stands at 403 bird species (click here for reserve checklist) and an additional 100 species can be seen by taking day trips from the lodge.

BIRDS

The accessible Serra dos Órgãos peaks rise from lowlands at the base of Guapi Assu to the high-altitude Atlantic Forests where spectacular birds dwell, including the stunning Spot-billed and Saffron toucanets and Red-breasted Toucan.  The reserve holds scores of highly desirable obligate antbirds, including Spot-backed, Giant and Large-tailed Antshrike as well as the immaculate White-bibbed, Scaled, Ferruginous, Dusky-tailed and Rufous-tailed antbirds as well as several antwrens and antvireos.

The stunning Red-necked Tanager is common in the forests near the lodge (photo: T. Leventis)

Other members of the star-studded cast include Crescent-chested Puffbird, Pin-tailed and Blue manakins, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Hooded Berry-eater, Sharpbill, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-and-Gold Cotinga and Slaty Bristlefront. Hummingbirds abound and the spectacular Frilled Coquette, Plovercrest and Brazilian Ruby are stars of the hummer fest. The hummingbird nectar feeders bring in Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph and several other hummers, while the fruit feeders usually have dacnises, euphonias and tanagers constantly in attendance. The wetland rehabilitation and Tabebula reforestation promises to bring many wetland bird species right to the lodge's doorstep. The great trails and open views into canopy forest offer great birding opportunities.

The pool area.

Best of all, Guapi Assu Bird Lodge makes a perfect base to explore the region and nearby Serra dos Orgõas National Park, as well as other birding sites further afield near Nova Friburgo, the Serra do Mar and Itatiaia National Park. To see Tropical Birding's great itineraries for the region click here.

Guapi Assu Bird Lodge is based at the Reserva Ecológica de Guapi Assu (REGUA). REGUA was established as a non-governmental organisation whose mission is to save the forests of the upper-catchments basin of the Guapi Assu River. REGUA is currently responsible for the care and management of 3,000 hectares of prime Atlantic forest. It borders the Três Picos State Park, which contains forest cover from 30-2,200 m a.s.l. It is a unique large area of continuous forest covering a broad altitudinal range in an area characterised by fragmented and rapidly disappearing habitat.

The view from the lodge.

For more information on visiting this site or helping the REGUA project, please email us at aregua@terra.com.br

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