Marcelo Barbosa was born and raised in Iguatu, a small city in northeastern Brazil's, Ceará state (Caatinga biome). As a child, he was interested in birds and kept them in captive, but he soon abandoned that hobby and started watching them in the wild. At 17, he moved to Brasilia with his parents, where he lived until 1999. Then, he moved to the state of Tocantins where he has lived in Palmas ever since. He began college in 2002 at age 30 and recently is now a biologist with a master's degree in Ecology of Ecotones from the Federal University of Tocantins (2009 to 2011). 

He has specialized in ornithology in college, working with cytogenetics of birds (Dendrocolaptidae). For two years before his postgraduate studies and until recently he devoted himself to researching and conserving the Brazilian Merganser in the Jalapão region. He has also contributed to the research of the other threatened birds as well, helping his colleagues with their studies.

Since 2011, he has worked as a birdwathing guide, offering him services to lovers and enthusiasts of Brazilian birds (both foreigners and Brazilians) in the state of Tocantins, Pará (Carajás complex) and Maranhão. Initially, he defined itineraries focusing on rare, endangered and endemic birds.