Birds
Amazon Kingfisher
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Nature by river
Which river wildlife would you love to see?
Explore birds, mammals and freshwater habitats along ten rivers. Some species live in deltas, protected wetlands or distant river reaches requiring a separate excursion. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Amazon · 34 species
Evidence covers Peru’s Iquitos/Nauta tributary cruises and separately Brazil’s Rio Negro–Anavilhanas. Birds and dolphins are documented in naturalist trip reports; forest birds require skiff, canoe or shore outings. A Peru record is not a Brazil sighting promise.
Mammals
Amazon River Dolphin
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan water surface.
Birds
Anhinga
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Ash-breasted Antbird
Brazil — Rio Negro, Anavilhanas National Park islands
Optional guided canoe/island forest excursion; small forest birds require close-range birding.
Birds
Black-collared Hawk
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Black-crested Antshrike
Brazil — Rio Negro, Anavilhanas National Park islands
Optional guided canoe/island forest excursion; small forest birds require close-range birding.
Mammals
Brown-throated Sloth
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Capped Heron
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Cocoi Heron
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Common Potoo
Brazil — Rio Negro, Anavilhanas National Park islands
Optional guided canoe/island forest excursion; small forest birds require close-range birding. Evening canoe trip.
Birds
Great Black Hawk
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Great Egret
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Greater Ani
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Green Kingfisher
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Green-tailed Jacamar
Brazil — Rio Negro, Anavilhanas National Park islands
Optional guided canoe/island forest excursion; small forest birds require close-range birding.
Birds
Hoatzin
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Horned Screamer
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Large-billed Tern
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Birds
Leaden Antwren
Brazil — Rio Negro, Anavilhanas National Park islands
Optional guided canoe/island forest excursion; small forest birds require close-range birding.
Birds
Neotropic Cormorant
Peru — Iquitos/Nauta, Ucayali and connected tributaries (2017 cruise)
Guided skiff/side-channel viewing; not guaranteed from main ship. Scan river-edge trees, banks and open water.
Wildlife along rivers and wetlands
Riverbanks, floodplain forests and quiet side channels provide very different habitats from open water. Birds can be visible from the deck, while elusive mammals often require a local guide and a suitable shore excursion.
Choose the right river reach
A species found in a river basin may live far from your sailing route. Danube delta outings, the Douro International cliffs, northern Cambodian dolphin pools and Tonlé Sap wetlands are distinct experiences. Confirm the actual excursion and access conditions before booking.
Responsible observation
Keep a respectful distance, avoid feeding or disturbing animals and follow local guides and protected-area rules. Weather, water levels and wildlife movement affect every outing.
