Ricardo Barbosa - Pica Pau Tours

Ricardo Barbosa is a Rio de Janeiro-based birding guide who founded Pica Pau Tours in 2012. Originally a journalist (graduated 1986) who moved into tourism in 1989, he discovered birdwatching in the early 1990s and has since explored the trails and forests of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states extensively, becoming fluent in local bird voices and stake-outs. His offerings range from half-day Tijuca National Park outings just 30 minutes from Rio hotels, to full-day trips to Serra dos Órgãos, and multi-day Itatiaia National Park itineraries in the species-rich Atlantic Forest. The southeastern Brazil region holds over 650 species, with strong Atlantic Forest endemics. When not guiding birders he works as a Rio city guide; he speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish and is reachable on WhatsApp at +55 21 99617-7921.