Iguazu Falls & Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic forest, formerly covering a huge territory from north-east Brazil southwards to the east of Paraguay and north-east Argentina, is one of the most endangered habitats in South America but also the one with the largest number of endemic birds.

Related to the Amazon forest (with which it was once connected, in prehistorical times), it is a lush ecosystem that varies locally, depending on the altitude over sea level, latitude and soil conditions. Tropical Atlantic forest is found in the proximities of the Brazilian Atlantic coast, but inland (in the Planalto) the Atlantic forest is subtropical and in its southern distribution is called “Parana forest”, because it overlaps with the high basin of the Parana river.

Despite being reduced to a 10% of its original territory, it still preserves most of its biodiversity and some great national and provincial (or state) parks located in the three countries where this forest subsists give refuge to a plethora of species, as well as some incredible landscapes.

Argentina hosts one of the largest continuous remnants of Atlantic Forest. Within it, different flora arrangements with their unique features are teemed with birds. From the very rare (though still breeding resident) Harpy Eagle to the much more local Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Vinaceous-breasted Parrot, Rusty-barred Owl, Long-trained Nightjar, Violet-crowned Plovercrest, Buff-breasted Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet, Helmeted Woodpecker, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail, Canebrake Groundcreeper, Black-billed Scythebill, White-bearded Antshrike, Planalto Tapaculo, Spotted Bamboowren, Blue Manakin, Cream-bellied Gnatcatcher, Green-headed Tanager, Black-throated Grosbeak, Blackish-blue Seedeater and many more, bird's diversity in the Argentine Atlantic Forest is absolutely stunning, being the most diverse single ecoregion in the country.

This beautiful forest is the natural frame that surrounds the impressive Iguazu Falls, one of South America's (and the world's) most attractive natural wonders.