Rio Balaio, Amazon

The Amazon rises annually, overflowing its main channel.

A scattering of local people live around the waterway, dependent on canoes and small wooden vessels for movement. Islands of vegetation are magnets for birds. Watch for flying parrots, both small and large, and the occasional birds of prey. On the ground look for Black-bellied Whistling-ducks, the Jabiru Stork and the Horned Screamer (yes, that is a bird!). Larger areas of trees support a variety of forest birds and monkeys. Monkeys love the trees but seldom travel on the ground and generally hate the water and avoid swimming. The large rivers of the Amazon Basin have acted as barriers for many species. The monkeys we are most likely to see are Squirrel Monkeys which energetically move about the trees in small groups. Howler Monkeys are larger than most monkeys and sit in the trees and howl, loudly. You always hear the distinctive call before seeing them. Fishing is important for locals seeking protein. Fish thrive in the Amazon waters. The sheer size of the Amazon Basin and the variety of habitats has allowed a huge diversity of fish to evolve, with 1500 species having been recorded in the vast catchment. The best way to appreciate the fish is to watch the locals catch them or see the catch at their settlements or on the way to a local market (the biggest got away).