Scarlet ibises
A red sunset sky.
MTur Destinos — Public domain · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0
The Parnaíba Delta is where the Parnaíba River, after 1,450 km, meets the Atlantic between Piauí and Maranhão, opening into five arms around 73 river islands, dunes, mangroves and islets; the largest island, Ilha Grande de Santa Isabel, is in Piauí. It is part of the Rota das Emoções tourist route between the Lençóis Maranhenses and Jericoacoara, and the city of Parnaíba calls itself the 'Gateway to the Delta'. The classic outing leaves Porto dos Tatus by speedboat through the maze of islands, stops at the Morro do Meio dunes for a swim, and ends at sunset with the revoada dos guarás, when more than 5,000 scarlet ibises fly in to roost, turning the sky red. Tours take about four hours; full-day versions run 10:00-19:00 with lunch. Prices start around R$200-230, up to R$445 for a full day with lunch.
A red sunset sky.
By speedboat.
A river swim.
Porto dos Tatus, Parnaíba, Piauí
At sunset, when more than 5,000 return to their roosting island; tours are timed to arrive then.