Itatiaia National Park

🇧🇷 Brazil

🐒 Capuchin and Alpine Toad Highlands
🌍 #96 Global · 4.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #13 in South America #42 in Savanna & Grassland
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1276 spp. recorded

Itatiaia stacks Atlantic forest below and open alpine grassland above 2,000 m, and each level has its own animal. Black-horned capuchins are recorded on nine visits in ten in the lower forest, and the Itatiaia highland toad — a small dark frog that lives only on these summits — on nearly as many trips to the top.

-22.361° S   44.667° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Mono Cai ★
NT

Mono Cai

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sapajus nigritus

40–50% · Likely
Maldonada redbelly toad ★
NT Endemic

Maldonada redbelly toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Melanophryniscus moreirae

50–60% · Likely
Red-breasted Toucan ★
LC

Red-breasted Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos dicolorus

50–60% · Likely
Black-and-gold Cotinga ★
LC Endemic

Black-and-gold Cotinga

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lipaugus ater

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Dusky-legged Guan
LC

Dusky-legged Guan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Penelope obscura

70–80% · Very likely
Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

60–70% · Likely
Brazilian Ruby
LC

Brazilian Ruby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Clytolaema rubricauda

60–70% · Likely
Golden-crowned Warbler
LC

Golden-crowned Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Basileuterus culicivorus

60–70% · Likely
Maroon-bellied Parakeet
LC

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pyrrhura frontalis

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-bellied Thrush
LC

Rufous-bellied Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus rufiventris

60–70% · Likely
Picazuro Pigeon
LC

Picazuro Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas picazuro

60–70% · Likely
Blue-and-white Swallow
LC

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

50–60% · Likely
Violet-capped Woodnymph
LC

Violet-capped Woodnymph

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thalurania glaucopis

50–60% · Likely
White-eyed Parakeet
LC

White-eyed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga leucophthalma

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mono Cai ★
NT

Mono Cai

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sapajus nigritus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Tayra
LC

Tayra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eira barbara

10–20% · With luck
Crab-eating Fox
LC

Crab-eating Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Cerdocyon thous

Insufficient data
Black-fronted Titi Monkey
NT Endemic

Black-fronted Titi Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Callicebus nigrifrons

Insufficient data
Maned Wolf
NT

Maned Wolf

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Insufficient data
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

Insufficient data
Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

Insufficient data
Yellow Pygmy Rice Rat
LC

Yellow Pygmy Rice Rat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Oligoryzomys flavescens

Insufficient data
Nine-banded Armadillo
LC

Nine-banded Armadillo

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Dasypus novemcinctus

Insufficient data
Atlantic Forest hocicudo
LC Endemic

Atlantic Forest hocicudo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oxymycterus dasytrichus

Insufficient data
Capybara
LC

Capybara

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Insufficient data
South American Coati
LC

South American Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua nasua

Insufficient data
Southern Tamandua
LC

Southern Tamandua

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Tamandua tetradactyla

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Red-breasted Toucan ★
LC

Red-breasted Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos dicolorus

50–60% · Likely
Black-and-gold Cotinga ★
LC Endemic

Black-and-gold Cotinga

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lipaugus ater

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Dusky-legged Guan
LC

Dusky-legged Guan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Penelope obscura

70–80% · Very likely
Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

60–70% · Likely
Brazilian Ruby
LC

Brazilian Ruby

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Clytolaema rubricauda

60–70% · Likely
Golden-crowned Warbler
LC

Golden-crowned Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Basileuterus culicivorus

60–70% · Likely
Maroon-bellied Parakeet
LC

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pyrrhura frontalis

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-bellied Thrush
LC

Rufous-bellied Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus rufiventris

60–70% · Likely
Picazuro Pigeon
LC

Picazuro Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas picazuro

60–70% · Likely
Blue-and-white Swallow
LC

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

50–60% · Likely
Violet-capped Woodnymph
LC

Violet-capped Woodnymph

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thalurania glaucopis

50–60% · Likely
White-eyed Parakeet
LC

White-eyed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga leucophthalma

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu
LC

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Salvator merianae

40–50% · Likely
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

20–30% · Possible
Yarará Lancehead
LC

Yarará Lancehead

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bothrops jararaca

20–30% · Possible
Neuwied's False Fer-de-lance
LC

Neuwied's False Fer-de-lance

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Xenodon neuwiedii

20–30% · Possible
Paraguay Mabuya
LC

Paraguay Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aspronema dorsivittatum

10–20% · With luck
Jiboinha
LC

Jiboinha

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tropidodryas striaticeps

10–20% · With luck
Jackson's Fathead Anole

Jackson's Fathead Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Enyalius perditus

10–20% · With luck
Aesculapian False Coral Snake
LC

Aesculapian False Coral Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Erythrolamprus aesculapii

Insufficient data
Two-headed Sipo
LC

Two-headed Sipo

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chironius bicarinatus

Insufficient data
Chicken Snake
LC

Chicken Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Spilotes pullatus

Insufficient data
Neotropical Rattlesnake
LC

Neotropical Rattlesnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crotalus durissus

Insufficient data
Painted Coral Snake
LC

Painted Coral Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Micrurus corallinus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Maldonada redbelly toad ★
NT Endemic

Maldonada redbelly toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Melanophryniscus moreirae

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Yellow Cururu Toad
LC

Yellow Cururu Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella icterica

30–40% · Possible
Blacksmith Tree Frog
LC

Blacksmith Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Boana faber

10–20% · With luck
Pumpkin Toadlet
LC Endemic

Pumpkin Toadlet

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Brachycephalus ephippium

10–20% · With luck
Cope's Eastern Paraguay Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Cope's Eastern Paraguay Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana polytaenia

Insufficient data
Clay Robber Frog
LC Endemic

Clay Robber Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Haddadus binotatus

Insufficient data
Mantiqueira Smooth-horned Frog
LC

Mantiqueira Smooth-horned Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Proceratophrys mantiqueira

Insufficient data
Boie's Frog
LC Endemic

Boie's Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Proceratophrys boiei

Insufficient data
Teresopolis Treefrog
LC Endemic

Teresopolis Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Aplastodiscus arildae

Insufficient data
Elegant Forest Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Elegant Forest Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dendropsophus elegans

Insufficient data
Guinle Treefrog
LC Endemic

Guinle Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Aplastodiscus leucopygius

Insufficient data
Corcovado Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Corcovado Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dendropsophus seniculus

Insufficient data
Leopard Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Leopard Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Boana pardalis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐸

Highland Toads on the Summits

OctNovDec

The endemic Itatiaia highland toad emerges among the summit rocks during its brief breeding season.

Maldonada redbelly toad
NT Endemic

Maldonada redbelly toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Melanophryniscus moreirae

50–60% · Likely
🐒

Capuchins and Tegus in

DecJanFebMar

Black capuchins forage around the park roads while tegu lizards bask in the summer heat.

Mono Cai
NT

Mono Cai

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sapajus nigritus

40–50% · Likely
Argentine Black-and-white Tegu
LC

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Salvator merianae

40–50% · Likely
🐦

Hummingbird Feeder Gatherings

SepOctNovDec

Black jacobins and frilled coquettes crowd the lodge feeders and flowering trees.

Black Jacobin
LC

Black Jacobin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Florisuga fusca

30–40% · Possible
Frilled Coquette
LC

Frilled Coquette

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lophornis magnificus

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Mono Cai
50–60
20–30
60–70
20–30
10–20
40–50
60–70
70–80
50–60
30–40
10–20
30–40
Maldonada redbelly toad
40–50
60–70
60–70
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
50–60
70–80
40–50
Red-breasted Toucan
40–50
5–10
20–30
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Black-and-gold Cotinga
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
Rufous-collared Sparrow
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
Dusky-legged Guan
50–60
30–40
60–70
80–90
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
Saffron Finch
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Brazilian Ruby
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
Golden-crowned Warbler
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Maroon-bellied Parakeet
60–70
40–50
50–60
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Rufous-bellied Thrush
60–70
20–30
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Picazuro Pigeon
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
Blue-and-white Swallow
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
Southern House Wren
50–60
10–20
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Violet-capped Woodnymph
40–50
40–50
40–50
70–80
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
White-eyed Parakeet
50–60
50–60
60–70
20–30
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
Animal Events
🐸 Highland Toads on the Summits
🐒 Capuchins and Tegus in
🐦 Hummingbird Feeder Gatherings

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐒 Capuchin and Alpine Toad Highlands

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
780
🐒 Mammals
200
🦎 Reptiles
155
🐸 Amphibians
141
1276 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
52 Threatened 211 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
64%
📊
Coverage (270 species at ≥5% of 1276 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
21%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
203
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
11
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
44

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Itatiaia National Park?

The most likely sightings are Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Dusky-legged Guan (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Saffron Finch (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Brazilian Ruby (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Golden-crowned Warbler (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1276 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Itatiaia National Park for wildlife?

September has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Mono Cai in Itatiaia National Park?

Yes — about 49% of wildlife watchers report a Mono Cai sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 35 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Maldonada redbelly toad in Itatiaia National Park?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Maldonada redbelly toad sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 36 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Red-breasted Toucan in Itatiaia National Park?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Red-breasted Toucan sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 712 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black-and-gold Cotinga in Itatiaia National Park?

Yes — about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Black-and-gold Cotinga sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 289 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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