Parque das Aves

Parque das Aves, Portuguese for "Bird Park", sits beside the entrance to Iguaçu National Park in Foz do Iguaçu and gives visitors close views of Brazilian birds, many of them species of the threatened Atlantic Forest. Many of its birds came from rescues or confiscations from the illegal wildlife trade, and the park's work centres on caring for these animals and on conserving Atlantic Forest species.

A trail winds through subtropical forest and passes large walk-through aviaries, where birds fly freely around and above visitors. Brightly coloured macaws, toucans and parrots draw the most attention, and the trail also passes flamingos, birds of prey and smaller forest species, along with enclosures for butterflies and reptiles.

Privately run since it opened in the 1990s, the park receives nearly 300,000 visitors a year, many of them combining it with a day at the falls. Walking the trail takes around an hour or two, and the park suits families as well as birdwatchers and photographers.