Furo dos Botos, Brazil

Botos means river dolphins. Furo means hole. At the entrance to this narrow channel we have a good chance to see botos. A quiet drift along the channel lets us enjoy the bird chorus and look out for travelling flocks of birds of many species. Who knows what we may see? Perhaps some glorious trogons, shiny anis, pointy-beaked oropondolas or big-billed toucans. The direction and colour of the current in the channel depend on the water level in the main Amazon River. During high flows, white water, coloured by fine clay sediments, from the Amazon flows into the channel. When the main river is low, black tannin-rich water flows from the forest. The river height in the central Amazon varies during the year by about 10 metres (33 feet). It slowly rises during the first half of the year to a June peak and then slowly falls. During high river levels the forests beside the river flood, allowing small boats to explore amongst the trees. Flora and fauna of the river, land and treetops are adapted to this cyclic flooding. The Boto, also called the Pink River Dolphin, is famous for its pink colour. The Boto has an extra-long beak and a large domed head. Another dolphin of the Amazon is the Tucuxi. It is grey, with a typical dolphin shape. The Boto’s dome shapes the sound waves of its sonar (echolocation), enabling it to find obstacles and fish in the murky Amazon waters and amongst flooded trees. Young are born dark grey and fade to become pink as adults. Males are larger and pinker. Think “pink for boys”.