Parque das Aves sits at the entrance to the Iguaçu National Park, set within a genuine fragment of Atlantic rainforest. It is one of the finest bird parks in South America, with around 1,400 birds representing 150 species, many of them native to the Atlantic Forest biome, which has been reduced to less than 12% of its original cover. Walk-through aviaries let you mingle with toucans, parrots, macaws, and flamingos at close range — some birds land on your head whether you invite them or not.
The park is well-designed and genuinely wild-feeling in places. Hummingbird feeders draw dozens of species simultaneously, and the serpentarium section gives you an unsettling look at pit vipers and boa constrictors. Budget two to three hours here. It makes an excellent addition to a morning at the falls, since the park entrance is just 500 metres from the national park gate — you can easily combine both in a single day.