Guira Oga

In the Guarani tongue, "Guira Oga" means Bird House, and you'll find scores of extravagantly plumed residents—toucans, macaws, parrots, parakeets, owls, eagles, guans, tinamous, and many more—flitting about their spacious jungle enclosures. This is a rescue center, not a zoo, and most residents were brought here after being badly wounded, often by careless drivers in the national park. Many animals in display are being rehabilitated at the onsite hospital for future release, while others can no longer survive in the wild and are here permanently.

In addition to the birds, this is also a great place to see, and photograph, rather portly local wildlife, including monkeys, caimans, anteaters, agoutis, raccoons, and capybaras, the world's largest (and arguably most adorable) rodent. The park is conveniently located 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Puerto Iguazu, on the road to the waterfalls.




Photo courtesy of Frank via Wikimedia Commons

Practical Info

You must visit as part of a 90-minute tractor tour, leaving every half hour from the visitors center. Some guides do speak English (as well as Portuguese), but call ahead to find out when they're available. The park is outdoors, so come prepared with sunscreen, umbrella, and/or DEET-based insect repellant.