Species guide
Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)
- Size
- Medium (~25 cm)
- Key marks
- Orange-rufous belly, olive-brown back — Brazil's national bird
- Sound
- Rich melodious song at dawn
- When seen
- Year-round in gardens and parks
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
- Size
- Medium (~22 cm)
- Key marks
- Yellow belly, rufous wings, black head with white eyebrow
- Sound
- Loud 'kis-ka-dee' call
- When seen
- Year-round — bold and visible
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
- Size
- Very small (~10 cm)
- Key marks
- Yellow breast, dark grey upperparts, curved bill
- Sound
- High buzzy notes
- When seen
- Year-round at flowers and feeders
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- Size
- Small (~15 cm)
- Key marks
- Male grey crown and black bib; female streaky brown
- Sound
- Chirping at cafes
- When seen
- Year-round in urban centres
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
- Size
- Medium (~32 cm)
- Key marks
- Variable grey plumage, two dark wing bars
- Sound
- Cooing on rooftops
- When seen
- Year-round in cities
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
- Size
- Medium (~32 cm)
- Key marks
- Grey head with black crest, red bill base, noisy in flight
- Sound
- Pee-wee-wee alarm calls
- When seen
- Year-round on lawns and wetlands
Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)
- Size
- Large (~42 cm)
- Key marks
- Black with chestnut rump, yellow tail tip, pale blue face
- Sound
- Liquid gurgling display
- When seen
- Common near colonies in trees
Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
- Size
- Small (~13 cm)
- Key marks
- Blue back, white underparts, notched tail
- Sound
- Soft twittering
- When seen
- Year-round over open areas
Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
- Size
- Small (~15 cm)
- Key marks
- Grey head with rufous collar stripes, black moustache
- Sound
- Repeated ringing song
- When seen
- Year-round in gardens and edges
Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
- Size
- Very small (~8 cm)
- Key marks
- Male glittering green with blue tail; female green below
- Sound
- Chipping near flowers
- When seen
- Year-round hummingbird in gardens
FAQs
What is Brazil's national bird?
The rufous-bellied thrush (sabiá-laranjeira) — known for its dawn song.
Are hummingbirds common in Brazilian cities?
Yes — glittering-bellied emeralds and other species visit gardens with flowers or feeders.
How do I tell a kiskadee from a flycatcher?
Great kiskadees are larger, louder, and have bold rufous wings with a black-and-white head pattern.
Do Brazil guides cover the Amazon?
This page focuses on common urban and garden species; Amazon species differ greatly.
Sources & references
Identification marks and calls are compiled from established field guides and ornithological references for Brazil.
-
RSPB wildlife guides
UK and international bird identification.
-
Cornell Lab — All About Birds
Photos, calls, and ID tips for North American species.
-
iNaturalist
Community-verified species observations worldwide.
- Global Animal Guide editorial standards