Wildlife of Barra da Tijuca: Urban Birds, Lizards and Spiders

Barra da Tijuca and neighbouring Recreio dos Bandeirantes sit on Rio de Janeiro's western coastal plain, with the forested hills of the Tijuca and Pedra Branca massifs close by. The author's sightings come from gardens, parks, grassy lots, pavements and nearby hilly terrain, and include common birds such as Great Kiskadee, Ruddy Ground Dove, Andean Sparrow and Southern Lapwing, raptors like Roadside Hawk and Black Vulture, plus a lava lizard, a garden spider and small invertebrates. All sightings were made over 8 days in July and August, the southern winter, and almost all between midday and late afternoon. July gave slightly more records, mostly around noon, while August finds leaned toward the afternoon. This is a virtual guide written by someone who has been there, not a tour. You get the author's notes for each species and can message the author with questions about the area. Wildlife is wild and sightings are never guaranteed.