Serra da Canastra National Park

🇧🇷 Brazil

🦫 Giant Anteaters Roam Ancient Grassland Plateaus
🌍 #101 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #16 in South America #45 in Savanna & Grassland
Cerrado, Brazil 1040 spp. recorded

Serra da Canastra National Park lies in Brazil’s Cerrado, a tropical savanna of grasslands, shrubs and scattered granite outcrops. The open plateaus host the park’s signature pampas deer grazing the fields and giant anteaters probing the termite‑rich soil.

-20.240° S   46.639° 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

Giant Anteater ★
VU

Giant Anteater

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

60–70% · Likely
Maned Wolf ★
NT

Maned Wolf

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Chrysocyon brachyurus

50–60% · Likely
Brazilian Merganser ★
CR

Brazilian Merganser

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mergus octosetaceus

10–20% · With luck
Pampas Deer ★
NT

Pampas Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ozotoceros bezoarticus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

70–80% · Very likely
Picazuro Pigeon
LC

Picazuro Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas picazuro

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Crested Caracara

Crested Caracara

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Caracara plancus

60–70% · Likely
Red-legged Seriema
LC

Red-legged Seriema

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cariama cristata

60–70% · Likely
Chalk-browed Mockingbird
LC

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mimus saturninus

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

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
White-eyed Parakeet
LC

White-eyed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga leucophthalma

50–60% · Likely
Sayaca Tanager

Sayaca Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis sayaca

50–60% · Likely
Pale-breasted Thrush
LC

Pale-breasted Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Toco Toucan
LC

Toco Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos toco

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Giant Anteater ★
VU

Giant Anteater

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

60–70% · Likely
Maned Wolf ★
NT

Maned Wolf

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Chrysocyon brachyurus

50–60% · Likely
Pampas Deer ★
NT

Pampas Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ozotoceros bezoarticus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Six-banded Armadillo
LC

Six-banded Armadillo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Euphractus sexcinctus

20–30% · Possible
Black-striped Capuchin
NT Endemic

Black-striped Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sapajus libidinosus

Insufficient data
Mountain Lion
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

Insufficient data
Cabasu
LC

Cabasu

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Cabassous unicinctus

Insufficient data
Black-pencilled Marmoset
LC Endemic

Black-pencilled Marmoset

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Callithrix penicillata

Insufficient data
South American Coati
LC

South American Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua nasua

Insufficient data
Neotropical Otter
NT

Neotropical Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra longicaudis

Insufficient data
Giant Armadillo
VU

Giant Armadillo

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Priodontes maximus

Insufficient data
Capybara
LC

Capybara

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Insufficient data
Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

Insufficient data
Hoary Fox
NT

Hoary Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lycalopex vetulus

Insufficient data
Mono Cai
NT

Mono Cai

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sapajus nigritus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Brazilian Merganser ★
CR

Brazilian Merganser

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mergus octosetaceus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Saffron Finch
LC

Saffron Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis flaveola

70–80% · Very likely
Picazuro Pigeon
LC

Picazuro Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas picazuro

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Crested Caracara

Crested Caracara

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Caracara plancus

60–70% · Likely
Red-legged Seriema
LC

Red-legged Seriema

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cariama cristata

60–70% · Likely
Chalk-browed Mockingbird
LC

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mimus saturninus

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

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
White-eyed Parakeet
LC

White-eyed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aratinga leucophthalma

50–60% · Likely
Sayaca Tanager

Sayaca Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis sayaca

50–60% · Likely
Pale-breasted Thrush
LC

Pale-breasted Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Toco Toucan
LC

Toco Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos toco

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Striped Worm Lizard
LC

Striped Worm Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ophiodes striatus

30–40% · Possible
Argentine Black-and-white Tegu
LC

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Salvator merianae

20–30% · Possible
Brazilian Bush Anole
LC

Brazilian Bush Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Polychrus acutirostris

20–30% · Possible
Neotropical Rattlesnake
LC

Neotropical Rattlesnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crotalus durissus

20–30% · Possible
Amazon Racerunner
LC

Amazon Racerunner

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ameiva ameiva

20–30% · Possible
Marbled lancehead
LC

Marbled lancehead

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops marmoratus

20–30% · Possible
Patagonian Racer
LC

Patagonian Racer

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philodryas patagoniensis

20–30% · Possible
Wagler's Snake
LC

Wagler's Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Xenodon merremii

20–30% · Possible
🦎 No photo available
Endemic

Cerrado-tykhovedanole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Enyalius capetinga

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Jararaca Pintada
LC

Jararaca Pintada

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops neuwiedi

Insufficient data
Guibe's Flame Snake
LC

Guibe's Flame Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Oxyrhopus guibei

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Rusty Toad
LC Endemic

Rusty Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rhinella rubescens

20–30% · Possible
Fazenda Salto tree frog
LC Endemic

Fazenda Salto tree frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bokermannohyla ibitiguara

20–30% · Possible
Yellow-spotted Tree Frog
LC

Yellow-spotted Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana albopunctata

Insufficient data
Cuyaba Dwarf Frog
LC

Cuyaba Dwarf Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Physalaemus nattereri

Insufficient data
Lutz's Poison Frog
LC

Lutz's Poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ameerega flavopicta

Insufficient data
Cururu Toad
LC Endemic

Cururu Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella diptycha

Insufficient data
🐸 No photo available
LC Endemic

Alpinopolis Snouted Tree Frog

Amphibian

Scinax maracaya

Insufficient data
Lesser Tree Frog
LC

Lesser Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus minutus

Insufficient data
Narrow-headed Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Narrow-headed Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Boana stenocephala

Insufficient data
Ornate Forest toad
LC Endemic

Ornate Forest toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella ornata

Insufficient data
Machado's Treefrog

Machado's Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ololygon machadoi

Insufficient data
Campo Grande Frog
LC

Campo Grande Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Leptodactylus furnarius

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦆

Brazilian Merganser Breeding Season

JunJulAug

Breeding of the critically endangered Brazilian Merganser on the upper São Francisco river system: egg-laying in and hatching in , during the dry season when detection along the rivers is highest.

Brazilian Merganser
CR

Brazilian Merganser

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mergus octosetaceus

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Grassland Bird Breeding Displays

SepOctNov

Start of the rains brings the Cerrado's threatened grassland birds into full breeding activity — display flights of the Cock-tailed Tyrant and song flights of Ochre-breasted Pipit over the campos

Cock-tailed Tyrant
VU

Cock-tailed Tyrant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alectrurus tricolor

30–40% · Possible
Ochre-breasted Pipit
VU

Ochre-breasted Pipit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthus nattereri

10–20% · With luck
🦌

Dry-Season Mammal Watching

AugSepOct

Late dry season on the Canastra plateau: giant anteaters, maned wolves and pampas deer forage in the open, short-grass campos and are at their most visible along the park tracks at dawn and dusk.

Giant Anteater
VU

Giant Anteater

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

60–70% · Likely
Maned Wolf
NT

Maned Wolf

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Chrysocyon brachyurus

50–60% · Likely
Pampas Deer
NT

Pampas Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ozotoceros bezoarticus

60–70% · Likely

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
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Giant Anteater
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Maned Wolf
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
30–40
30–40
60–70
10–20
Brazilian Merganser
20–30
10–20
5–10
10–20
20–30
20–30
10–20
5–10
30–40
10–20
20–30
5–10
Pampas Deer
60–70
20–30
40–50
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
Saffron Finch
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
Picazuro Pigeon
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
50–60
50–60
Rufous-collared Sparrow
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Crested Caracara
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
Red-legged Seriema
60–70
30–40
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
Chalk-browed Mockingbird
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Blue-and-white Swallow
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
30–40
Great Kiskadee
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
40–50
40–50
White-eyed Parakeet
60–70
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
Sayaca Tanager
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
Pale-breasted Thrush
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
30–40
Toco Toucan
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
Animal Events
🦆 Brazilian Merganser Breeding Season
🦌 Dry-Season Mammal Watching
🐦 Grassland Bird Breeding Displays

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
🦫 Giant Anteaters Roam Ancient Grassland Plateaus

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
595
🐒 Mammals
186
🦎 Reptiles
175
🐸 Amphibians
84
1040 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
33 Threatened 107 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
65%
📊
Coverage (271 species at ≥5% of 1040 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
26%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 2 mammal)
46% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
194
🌟
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
14
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
32

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Serra da Canastra National Park?

The most likely sightings are Saffron Finch (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Picazuro Pigeon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Pampas Deer (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Giant Anteater (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1040 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Serra da Canastra National Park for wildlife?

October 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 Giant Anteater in Serra da Canastra National Park?

Yes — about 68% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Anteater sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 52 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Maned Wolf in Serra da Canastra National Park?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Maned Wolf sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 25 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Brazilian Merganser in Serra da Canastra National Park?

Yes — about 17% of wildlife watchers report a Brazilian Merganser sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 87 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Pampas Deer in Serra da Canastra National Park?

Yes — about 69% of wildlife watchers report a Pampas Deer sighting in Serra da Canastra National Park, based on 53 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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