Marcelo Padua

Field Guides Leader

Marcelo Padua, born in Belem at the mouth of the Amazon, spent his free time growing up on his uncle's farm in a rainforest reserve observing everything from insects to mammals and birds. Following university, Marcelo entered law school, but working as an English-speaking naturalist-guide made clear to him that birding was more than a hobby!

In 2009 he embarked on a fulltime guiding career with Field Guides. He guides many of our Brazil tours as well as his birds-and-wines addition to our Birding Plus tours, and his schedule now also includes Spain. With his great sense of humor and love of birds, Marcelo has become a most popular and highly respected guide. He makes his nest at the crossroads of the Pantanal and the Amazon in Cuiaba with his wife, Ana.

Scroll down to see Marcelo's current schedule of tours.

Client comment
"Marcelo Padua was the best feature of the tour. His expertise was exhibited daily and ceaselessly. He is an expert at his profession, a diplomat, and his obvious enthusiasm for what he does is much appreciated. Marcelo is second to none and heads above most other guides with whom we have traveled." J. K., JAGUAR SPOTTING IN BRAZIL

"Marcelo has a remarkable birding ear. I am a good birder and am a field ornithologist by trade, and I was amazed at the birds he was hearing way, way out there. The fact that he is a Brazilian and appears to know almost everyone on the tour route was a major plus--not only did he interact with the service providers supremely well, but by being Marcelo he managed to iron out any travel and logistical issues wit apparent ease. I cannot think of a better guide to re-introduce me to Brazil than being on a trip with Field Guides and having Marcelo as a leader--muito obrigado, Marcelo." R. D., SAFARI BRAZIL: THE PANTANAL & MORE

"Several friends recommended Field Guides and Marcelo Padua in particular. As a birder, I was intrigued by the new species I could see but the jaguar was the clincher. This was an amazing tour. Everything was so well organized, down to the 'seemingly' insignificant details. Marcelo was by far the best tour leader I have encountered. He really went above and beyond both with sharing his birding expertise and smoothly handling every detail or problem. His patience was infinite! We all saw every bird. And his sense of humor was a delight." N.H., JAGUAR SPOTTING IN BRAZIL


Marcelo's Upcoming Tours


BRAZIL NUTSHELL: INTERVALES, IGUAZU FALLS & THE PANTANAL
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Mar 9-23, 2024 ($6875) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
This medium-length tour hits three of Brazil's premier birding venues, staying several nights at each to ensure an unhurried pace as we rack up some 400 species of birds.
BEYOND THE PORTS OF PORTUGAL: A BIRDS & WINE TOUR
Status: One space available
Apr 22 - May 3, 2024 ($7150) with Marcelo Padua & local guide
Tour Limit: 12
A new itinerary in our popular Birds & Wine tour series.
FRANCE'S LOIRE VALLEY: BIRDS, CHATEAUX & WINE
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
May 31 - Jun 10, 2024 ($5775) with Marcelo Padua & Megan Edwards Crewe
Tour Limit: 12
A tour of France's lovely Loire Valley, combining lowland birding with visits to the chateaux of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, as well as some of the region's famous vineyards.
JAGUAR SPOTTING IN BRAZIL: PANTANAL & GARDEN OF THE AMAZON
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Jul 20-31, 2024 ($5350) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
This short but action-packed Brazil birding tour features the Pantanal at its best, a nice taste of southern Amazonian birds, and excellent chances of seeing a Jaguar.
SOUTH AFRICA: BIRDS, WINES & WILDFLOWERS
Status: Open
Aug 31 - Sep 12, 2024 ($9475) with Marcelo Padua & Tarry Butcher
Tour Limit: 12
A fabulous combo of great birding with fine wines and a spectacular wildflower display.
SAFARI BRAZIL: THE PANTANAL & MORE
Status: Open
Sep 22 - Oct 7, 2024 ($6925) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 12
The spectacular wetlands of the Pantanal, with Hyacinth Macaws and Jabirus, combine with the many specialties of Brazil's Planalto Central to make for the perfect first birding trip to Brazil.
BRAZIL: ATLANTIC FOREST GETAWAY
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Oct 24 - Nov 3, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$3650) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
A short but rich immersion in the avifauna of the Atlantic Forest, based at one lovely site near Rio.
URUGUAY: BIRDS & WINES IN THE LAND OF THE GAUCHOS
Status: Open
Nov 23 - Dec 5, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$7575) with Marcelo Padua & local guide
Tour Limit: 10
Great birding and fine wines in the land of the gauchos.
BIRDS & WINES OF CHILE AND ARGENTINA
Status: One space available
Feb 1-15, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$8195) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
A tour combining an exploration of the great birds and vineyards of these two wonderful countries!
BRAZIL NUTSHELL: INTERVALES, IGUAZU FALLS & THE PANTANAL
Status: One space available
Mar 8-22, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$6875) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
This medium-length tour hits three of Brazil's premier birding venues, staying several nights at each to ensure an unhurried pace as we rack up some 400 species of birds.
BEYOND THE PORTS OF PORTUGAL: A BIRDS & WINE TOUR
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Apr 29 - May 10, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$7150) with Marcelo Padua & local guide
Tour Limit: 12
A new itinerary in our popular Birds & Wine tour series.
FRANCE'S LOIRE VALLEY: BIRDS, CHATEAUX & WINE
Status: Open
Jun 1-11, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$5775) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 12
A tour of France's lovely Loire Valley, combining lowland birding with visits to the chateaux of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, as well as some of the region's famous vineyards.
JAGUAR SPOTTING IN BRAZIL: PANTANAL & GARDEN OF THE AMAZON
Status: One space available
Jul 5-16, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$5350) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
This short but action-packed Brazil birding tour features the Pantanal at its best, a nice taste of southern Amazonian birds, and excellent chances of seeing a Jaguar.
BRAZIL: PARROTS & COTINGAS: THE MOUTH OF THE MIGHTY AMAZON
Status: Open
Aug 1-14, 2025 (Fee TBD) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
A two-week birding tour through diverse habitats around the mouth of the mighty Rio Amazonas as we seek most of the endemics of lower Amazonia and lots of flashy parrots and cotingas.
SOUTH AFRICA: BIRDS, WINES & WILDFLOWERS
Status: Open
Aug 30 - Sep 11, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$9475) with Marcelo Padua & Tarry Butcher
Tour Limit: 12
A fabulous combo of great birding with fine wines and a spectacular wildflower display.
SAFARI BRAZIL: THE PANTANAL & MORE
Status: Open
Sep 20 - Oct 5, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$6925) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 12
The spectacular wetlands of the Pantanal, with Hyacinth Macaws and Jabirus, combine with the many specialties of Brazil's Planalto Central to make for the perfect first birding trip to Brazil.
BRAZIL: ATLANTIC FOREST GETAWAY
Status: Open
Oct 23 - Nov 2, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2023=$3650) with Marcelo Padua
Tour Limit: 8
A short but rich immersion in the avifauna of the Atlantic Forest, based at one lovely site near Rio.
URUGUAY: BIRDS & WINES IN THE LAND OF THE GAUCHOS
Status: Open
Nov 22 - Dec 4, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2023=$7575) with Marcelo Padua & local guide
Tour Limit: 10
Great birding and fine wines in the land of the gauchos.