Thousands of migratory birds rely on water from the marshes and river during the dry season in the Pantanal. Perennial wetlands are critical habitat for jabiru, spoonbills, ibises, wood storks, and other resident waders. Other Pantanal habitats support a full complement of macaws, parrots, woodpeckers, kingfishers, hummingbirds, and more. Earthwatch volunteers working with Dr. Reginaldo Donatelli (scientist from Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo) has discovered things about the gallery forests, cerrado, grasslands, and wetlands that are unique to these biomes. The entire region is home to more than 600 species of birds, many endangered. Volunteers will be observing birds feeding in the wetland area, and taking a census of their numbers.

1. What life forms depend on a wetland for their survival?

2. The Pantanal has many bodies of water that are fresh, and some that are salty. The salt marshes, known as salinas, are home to dozens of insects within the waters. Why is it so important that these insects live and grow here?

Many birds are frugivores [look this word up at MiriamWebster.com]. Sometimes fruit is difficult to find.

3. The bird pictured above, the Jabiru stork (also called the Tuiulu) is the symbol of Brazil? What is the size of its wingspan (in U.S. terms)? http://www.mercedessanchez.com.br/pantanal/ingles/pantanal/fauna.asp What foods does this bird eat?

4. The Pantanal is the world's largest ___________________________________? Why is this so important?
(can you find the answer?)http://www.discoverbrazil.com/pantanalnaturalaspects.cfm

5. Why are most fruits in the Pantanal yellow or brown? http://ns.rc.unesp.br/ib/ecologia/fenologia/fruits.html

6. Why is a wetland such an important place? http://www.discoverbrazil.com/pantanalnaturalaspects.cfm

7. The word Pantanal is taken from a Portuguese word, 'pântano'. What does the word Pantanal really mean? Why do you think the area was named this?

8. Birds are a major attraction in the Pantanal. They feed mainly on what specific type of food? http://www.embratur.gov.br/en/regiaoturistica/ver.asp?servicoId=38&id=384

9. What is the largest snake found in the Pantanal? Describe how this animal looks - include measurements. http://www.nashvillezoo.org/anaconda.htm What does its name mean? What do they mainly eat?

10. Which animals eat aquatic vegetation (water plants)? http://www.embratur.gov.br/en/regiaoturistica/ver.asp?servicoId=38&id=384

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BONUS: What is the best time of year for bird watching?
http://www.amazontravel.com/am/amazontravel-tour-packages.asp

 

Answer each question.

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