a tropical birding set departure tour northwest …€¦ · a tropical birding set departure tour...

Tropical Birding Tours Trip Report NW ARGENTINA & IGUAZU Extension: November 2017

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A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour

NORTHWEST ARGENTINA & IGUAZU EXTENSION 1-15 November 2017

TOURLEADER:ANDRESVASQUEZ

PhotosbyAndresVasquez

Acollageofsomeofthemostmemorablemoments.Fromtheleft(goingclockwise):Red-tailedComet,theexquisiteAndesatPumamarca(partoftheHumahuacaValley),afamilyoftheverylocalCitron-headedYellow-Finch,anda

viewfromthelowerloopatIguazuFallsduringtheextension.



INTRODUCTION:NorthwestArgentina is, inmyopinion (and according to allmy clients on this tour andpast tours), oneof themostUNDERESTIMATED,UNDERVALUEDtoursTropicalBirdingoffers.Inreality,itisoneonmyall-timefavoritetourstoguideandoneofmyall-timefavoriteplacestovisit.Thisisthanks,notonlytoincrediblebirdswefind,butalsothankstotheoverwhelmingcombinationofmesmerizinglandscapesthroughoutthetour(whichincludes2UNESCOWorldHeritageNaturalSites–IguazuFallsandHumahuacaValley),someofthebestwinesintheWorlddrankbynight,andavarietyof habitatswebirdwithin, from close to sea level to almost 15000ft, and fromhumidYungas to highAndes desert,upperChacoandhighlandMonte.

AndeanHillstarsloveperchingonrocksclosetogroundnearAbraLizoiteatover14500ft./4420m

Intermsofbirds,werecorded369speciesoutofwhichthemostmemorablewerethe3speciesoftinamouseenwell(Elegant Crested Tinamou being the favorite), Giant Antshrike (aka the “beast”) that we saw completely exposedperchedonarock,Rufous-throatedDipper,ofwhichwesaw5individualsin3differentspots,thealwayslovelyTorrentDuck,theendangeredandscarceBlack-frontedPiping-Guanweenjoyedatcloserangein Iguazu fromtheboardwalkwhilewalkingtowardstheDevil’sThroat,MontaneForestScreech-Owlofwhichwesawapairveryclose,thevarietyandbeautyofthewoodpeckers(RobustWoodpeckerandOchre-collaredPiculetthemostpopularofthese),bothTit-Tyrants(Yellow-billedandTufted)werechosenasthecutestofthetour,anditwasimpossibletochooseonlyonefinchoutofthehugearrayofthesewonderfullycoloredbirds,sothegroupasawholemadeittothelist.



Specialmentionswerealsogiventothesuperbhummingbirdswesaw,includingtheformerBolivianendemicWedge-tailed Hillstar, the superb Andean Hillstar, the super elegant Red-tailed Comet, and the minute Slender-tailedWoodstarofwhichweenjoyedgreatviewsofbothmaleandfemale.

It is worth mentioning the large amount ofwaterfowl and water related birds that we found on different places.ProbablythemostenjoyablewereacoupleofRingedTeals (outof17ducksandallies) thatwesawverywell,GiantCoots,3speciesofFlamingos, and the7ArgentineEndemics thatwe found:Steinbach'sCanastero,White-throatedCacholote,TucumanMountain-Finch,Yellow-stripedBrush-Finch,Bare-eyed(Moreno's)Ground-Dove,SandyGallito,andWhite-browedTapaculo.

Black-hoodedSierra-FinchsittingonawallofafallenbuildingatthepicturesquetownofYavi

Onadifferenttopic,thistour isoneofthemostenjoyabletours intheWorld intermsof landscapes.There isnotasingledayinwhichwedonothavetostopthecarortakeamomentonthewalkstotakepicturesofthescenery.TheareaswebirdatalongtheArgentinianAndesarespectacularwithhighlightsliketheUNESCO’sWorldHeritageSiteofLaQuebradadeHumahuacaandthebreathtakingQuebradadelasConchas;plus,theextensiontakesustoyetanotherUNESCO’ssite,thebreathtakingIguazuFallswhosebeautyandpoweraredifficulttodescribe,youhavetoliveit.

WewillrunthistouragaininOctober2018;donotmissitifyouhavenotvisitedoneofthemostunderratedplacesonEarth.



TheparticipantsattheHumahuacaValley(above)andfromthebalconyofourhotelinIguazu(below)



TOURSUMMARY:

Thistourtookustoaseriesofinterestinghabitatsverydifferentfromeachother,bothintermsofsceneryandbirdlife.For example, we birded within the Yungas (a type of subtropical Cloud Forest), theHigh Andes (Slopes, Puna, andDeserts), theChaco (asemidryshort forest),a short time in theMonteDesertalong theWineRoutenearCafayate,severalwetlandsandponds,andthesubtropicalhumidforestofIguazuwhichislikeaninlandextensionoftheAtlanticrainforestofSoutheastBrazil.

TheYungas:webirdedalongthisverdantforestduringseveraldaysofthistourandatdifferentsites.Thetourinfactstartswith an ascent from the city ofTucuman to the small town ofTafi going directly through some great YungaswithintheValleyoftheLosSosaRiver.Here,wefoundthefirstofvariousspecialtiesofthisforestlikeMitredParakeet,Slaty Elaenia, Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Brown-capped Redstart, White-belliedHummingbird, and a few other songbirds (passerines), but themost interesting birds of the location were the firstTorrentDucks,3individualRufous-throatedDippers(below),andtheArgentinianEndemicYellow-stripedBrush-Finch.

AveryapproachableRufous-throatedDipperinterriblecontrastinglight

A fewdaysafter that,we foundourselvesexploring this ecosystemagainnearSalta; and stayed inabeautiful lodgesurroundedbycloudforestcalledSelvaMontanawhere,fromthebalcony,wefoundafewgreatbirdslikethesuperbCream-backedWoodpecker, Crested Becard, Variegated, Piratic and Streaked Flycatchers, the first of many Plush-crestedJays,andinthelowergroundsofthehotelfoundtheonlyFulvous-headedBrush-Finchofthetrip.



Fromhere,wealsovisitedElHuaycoreserveononeofthenights,andweredelightedwiththequalityofnightbirding;wefound5 individualScissor-tailedNightjars,a loneBarnOwl,aresponsiveTropicalScreech-Owl, inadditiontotheand the true star of the area, the scarce and localMontane Forest (Hoy’s) Screech-Owl, ofwhichwe saw twobirdsperchedonthesamebranchcallingoutloudatcloserange.

ThenextcoupleofdayswealsohadterrificYungasbirding intwodifferentspots.Thefirstwasalongthewell-knownCornisa Road between Salta and Jujuy. This extremely sinuous, narrow road is great for many specialties of thisecosystemthatwesawlikeRothschild’sSwift,White-browedBrush-Finch,Two-bandedWarbler,Sclatter’sTyrannulet,thelocalsubspeciesofMountainWren,andDot-frontedWoodpeckerpluslotsofothermorewidespreadbirdswhichinthistriparelocaltothesewoodlandslikeoneofthefavoritebirdsofthetrip,thehulkingGiantAntshrike(below),amuchsmallerrelative,theRufous-cappedAntshrike,andOrange-headedTanager,Golden-oliveWoodpecker,Euler’sandCinnamonFlycatchers,Golden-wingedCacique,Buff-browedFoliage-gleaner,andmore.

Amaleofthisridiculouslylargeantbird(GiantAntshrike)cameinboldandtamealongtheCornisaRoad

The lastof theYungas forest siteswevisitedwas thevalleyaround theYalaRiver justnorthof Jujuy.Thisparticularplaceiskeyforafewspecies,outofwhichthemostlocalizedwesawwasthelargeRed-facedGuan.Otherspecialtiesincluded Plumbeous Black-Tyrant, the minuscule Slender-tailed Woodstar, Highland and White-crested (Chilean)Elaenias, Spot-breasted Thornbird, Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Dusky-legged Guan, and the widespread thoughparticularlyabundantatthissite,Red-tailedComet.TheriverhereproducedafamilyofTorrentDuckswithacoupleofbabies that wemanaged to enjoy with great scope views and, while we were watching those, a couple of Rufous-throatedDippersalsocameintoviewperchingonthesamerockstheduckswereat.Thiswasaveryenjoyablesite.



AtYalaValley,Rusty-browedWarbling-Finch(above)andbelowSlender-tailedWoodstar(femaleleft,malecenter)and

Red-facedGuan(right)



TheChaco:weonlyvisitedthevery last morning of the maintour this ecosystem around thetiny population of Palomitas.Thismeansthatbytheendofthetour we added quite a few newbirds in only a few hours ofbirding. This dry forest issomewhatsimilartotheCerradoinBrazilwithshorttreesandverylittle shadow which means thatonly the very first hours aftersunriseareactiveandafterwardsthe activity goes quiet as theheatquicklybuilds.

Wemanagedthebestoutofthistime and found, among others,the difficult but very rewardingStripe-backed Antbird, thestriking Many-colored Chaco-Finch, Black-capped Warbling-Finch, Black-crested and Red-crested Finches, SuiririFlycatcher, Variable Antshrike,Little Thornbird, ChacoChachalacas, Spot-backedPuffbird, Narrow-billedWoodcreeper, CheckeredWoodpecker, and the superbUltramarineGrosbeak.

Wegaveafairtryattwospeciesof tinamous that just did notwant to showup,BrushlandandTataupa,bothwereveryclosebybuttheirshynatureprovedonceagainimpossibletobreak.

ThephotoaboveofthisUltramarineGrosbeakwastakennearawaterholethatwefound,

whichwasvisitedbyacoupleotherspeciestoo.



TheMonteDesert:TheareasnearCafayateholdastrangeveryshrubbyareacalledMonte,whichincombinationwithsomeCacti-dominatedterrainandacoupledrymarshyareas,makesithometoafewspeciesthatarelocalizedandthatweusuallyonlyfindaroundhereonthistour.ThisisthecaseofthedullChacoEarthcreeper,theverycharismaticWhite-frontedWoodpecker, Sharp-billed Canastero, Long-tailedMeadowlark, Spectacled Tyrant, RingedWarbling-Finch,GreaterWagtail-Tyrant,White-belliedTyrannulet,TuftedTit-Spinetail,andtheiconicBurrowingParakeetthatisverycommonalongtheway,sometimesforminglargenoisyflocks.

ApairofWhite-frontedWoodpeckersinaterritorialdisplayatopofaCardonCactus

ThisgeneralareaisalsothemainlocationwherewelookedfortwoArgentineEndemics,White-throatedCacholoteandSandyGallito.Thefirstonewefoundwitheasebylocatingitsverylargethornynestsattachedtostrongbranchesoftheshortleaflesstrees.Thesecondonebroughtussometroubleasitremainedquietthroughthemorningbutlateintheafternoon we found one singing out loud from an exposed perch just east of town. Other birds that are morewidespreadon this tour, butwe found for the first timehere, included theweirdlynamedWhite-tippedPlantcutterwhosefunnyrattlingsoundgaveitawayevenfromagooddistance,thepristineWhiteMonjitathatisveryconspicuouswheninperchesonwiresoratopnakedtrees,andthenicelookingGolden-billedSaltator.

CafayateispartoftheArgentineWineRouteandwedecidedtotakeadvantageofthatonthistrip.Notonlydidwestayinahotelwithitsownvineyard,butalso,wedecidedtovisitoneofthelocalwineriesthatexportinternationally,andthatareopentopublicvisitsandtours.Duringtheslowbirdinghours,wevisitedBodegaPiattelliwherewelearnedtheparticularsofthemethodsinvolvedintheirvariedapproachestowinemaking,helpedbyMariathelocalguide,andat



theendofthevisitwedelightedourmouthswithatasteofTorrontes,Malbecandothervarietiesofwinestheyproducethere.Duetothepopularityofthisactivity,Imightmakethisapermanentfixtureonthetourincomingyears.

ThebeautifulfacilitiesofBodegaPiattelli(above)andthestrikingGolden-billedSaltator(below)



TheHighAndes:Severaldayswerespentatvariousbirdinglocationsthattookusabove12000ft/3660mwhilewestayedathotelsatthiselevation,wealsobirdeduptojustbelow15000ft/4570m.Atthisaltitudeoxygenisscarce,sowekeptphysicalactivitytoaminimum,earlymorningswereverycold,buttemperaturehadrisena lotbynoon,andwhiletheareaslookedquitelifelessattimes, inrealitytonsofbirdsarewelladaptedtotheseharshconditionsofdrythin air and high solar radiation. These circumstances apply for thePuna,highland deserts, andhighAndean slopes,wherewewererewardedwithsuperbbirdingandastonishingbirds.

ThelocalbutreliableTucumanMountain-FinchaboveTafi

The slopes above Tafi del Valle produced a few Argentine Endemics like Steinbach's Canastero, White-browedTapaculo,Bare-eyed(Moreno's)Ground-Dove,andTucumanMountain-Finch togetherwithotherspecialtiesthatwesawonlythereincluding,BlackSiskin,White-sidedHillstar,PunaCanastero,Scale-throatedEarthcreeper,SedgeWren,AndeanTinamou,andGiantHummingbird.Thiswasalso theareawherewesawthe firstofmanyAndeanCondors,RockandBuff-breastedEarthcreepers,White-wingedandCream-wingedCinclodes,Hellmayr'sPipit, Streak-frontedThornbird,andtheslenderandelegantAndeanSwift.

Los CardonesNP, near the town ofCachi, is also located in the high Andeswhere a combination ofPuna,highlanddesert,andmontaneslopesproducedMourning,Band-tailed,Gray-hooded,andAsh-breastedSierra-Finches,Yellow-billed and Tufted Tit-Tyrants, Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Short-billed Pipit, Least Seedsnipe,andPatagonianMockingbird, amongothers.Wealso gotGuanacos anda loneAndeanHairyArmadillo, in termsofmammals.Itmadeusworkalotforitbutjustwhenwewereabouttogiveup,afterthoroughscanning,wefinallyfoundoneofthebirdsofthetrip,theElegantCrestedTinamou,ofwhichwefinallysawafamilyoffourwalkingawayfromus.



RockEarthcreepernearthepassatLosCardonesNP(above)andMoreno’sGround-DovenearTafi



Thethreenightswespentat12000ft/3660melevationwereintheextremenorthofthecountry,withintheprovinceofJujuy.Here,wemostly spent timealong extensivehighlandplains scanning from the car aswedrove across the flatfieldssearchingforbirds.AllthisscanningproducedvariousspecialbirdslikeGray-breastedSeedsnipe,Rufous-banded,Puna,CommonandSlender-billedMiners,AplomadoFalcon,MountainCaracara,AndeanFlicker,twodifferentOrnateTinamous,PunaandBright-rumpedYellow-Finches,andmanyAndeanLapwings.WehadscopeviewsofGray-belliedShrike-Tyrantnearanabandonedhouseinthemiddleofnowhere,andfollowingthis,afewkilometersfurthernorthgotanotherShrike-Tyrant,whichfollowingdetailedstudyingwiththescopewasprovedtobetherareWhite-tailedShrike-Tyrant.

AresponsiveBuff-breastedEarthcreeperonarock

One morning we visited the mountain range of Santa Victoria near the border town of La Quiaca where severallocalizedbirdsawaitedus.Themostmemorablewastheultra-cuteMountainParakeetthatwehadthechancetoseeperchedatcloserange.Alsospecial,wasapairofmaleAndeanHillstarsthatweredisplayingtheirbrightgorgettoeachother during a territorial dispute. Other notable species found here included, Red-backed Sierra-Finch, Cinereous,Black-fronted,andPunaGround-Tyrants,anotherOrnateTinamou,Plain-mantledTit-Spinetail,CordilleranCanastero,andaveryinterestingmammal,thecrazylookingSouthern(Mountain)Viscacha.

Aworld apart in the highAndes, birdingwas done in a sort of oasis town inYavi just east of LaQuiaca,where thepresenceof taller treesandgreenbushesattracteda fewbirdsthatwewouldnotbepossibleelsewhere, likeCitron-headedYellow-Finches,Brown-backedMockingbird,Spot-wingedPigeon,Bare-facedGround-Dove,Creamy-breastedCanastero,d'Orbigny'sChat-Tyrant,andoneofmyall-timefavoritebirds,theexquisiteWedge-tailedHillstar.



TheincredibleWedge-tailedHillstar(above)andafamilyofcuteMountainParakeets



AlsopresentatYavi,Yellow-billedTit-Tyrant(above)andonSantaVictoria,Red-backedSierra-Finch



Wetlands and ponds: On various days scattered along the tour, we visited several lakes, ponds and floodedterrains,bothinthehighAndesandatlowerelevations,whichproducedlargenumbersofspeciesforthistour.Someofthehigh-altitudebirdsworthmentioningwerethreespeciesofFlamingos,Puna,AndeanandChilean,AndeanAvocet,AndeanGoose,GiantCoot,CrestedDuck,PunaPlover,PunaIbis,andevenasongbirdthatassociateswithwetlands,thecutetyrantflycatcherAndeanNegrito.AllthesewerefoundmainlyatLagunadePozuelosandaroundAbraPampa.

It is sad tomention thatduring recentyears,highlandpondshavebeenshrinkingconsiderablyand thatmanyof thesmallerpondsaredrynow,andeventhelargePozuelosissufferingalotandinordertogetclosetothewaterwehavetoridehundredsofmeterswiththecaracrossthedry lakebed.Thismeansthatthehugenumbersof flamingosandcootsthatpastyearswouldcreateapinkhorizondottedwithblackspots isno longerpresent.Waterbirdshadeithermigratedtowardsotherwaterareasorjustsadlydiedofstarvation.Wesawvariousdeadcootsforinstance,anditwasthesecondtourinarowinwhichIcouldnotfindthepreviouslycommonspeciesoftheSilveryGrebe,(andofcoursenochancefortherareandverylocalHornedCoot,whichinsomeyearsatleastusedtonestintheseareas).Rangershopethatthisismerelyacyclicalweatherpatternsincedroughtsimilartothishasbeenseeninthepast,butglobalwarmingforsureissurelyexacerbatingthisproblemtoo.

ThebeautifulPunaorJames’sFlamingowalkingclosettous.

In lowerareaswefoundtonsofbirds likeCoscorobaSwans,White-facedandFulvousWhistling-Ducks,Comb(Knob-billed), Lake and Ruddy Ducks, Red Shoveler, White-cheeked and Yellow-billed Pintails, Puna, Cinnamon, Yellow-billed, Brazilian, and Ringed Teals, Red-fronted,White-winged and Red-gartered Coots, Plumbeous Rail, SouthernScreamer,Wren-likeRushbird,andaplentymore.



AndeanAvocetsflyingoverthePuna(above)andCrestedDucksonatinypondnearLaQuiaca



IguazuFallsandthesubtropicalrainforest:HowtodescribeIguazu?Averydifficulttask,butforsurewordslike breathtaking, astonishing, magnificent, and humbling fit suitably in any description. This extension is mainlydesigned fornature lovers thathavealwayswanted tovisit thisuniquecornerof theWorld,anotherUNESCOWorldHeritageSite,andaddgoodqualitybirdingontheside,thereforegettingthemostoutofavisittoIguazu.Sceneryplusnewbirdsnotpossibleonthemaintour.

Aviewofasmallportionofthewaterfallsthatisthemostapproachablefromthelowertrail

OnefullmorningandonefullafternoonoutofthetwofulldayswehadinIguazuwerespentexploringthetrailsaroundthe waterfalls, during which only limited birding is done. That morning we visited themost impressive spot on thewaterfalls, the famousGargantadelDiablo (Devil’s Throat)wherea largeamountof thewaterdrops into anarrowgorgeproducingaspectacularphenomenon.The1km longboardwalk that takesyouto theviewpoint rightover the“throat”crossesmainlythroughwaterbutthesmallislandslinkedonthewayhostedsomebirdsthatwerenewforthetrip.Wewere particularly surprised by a normally shyBlack-fronted Piping-Guan that perched in themiddle of thecanopyofoneoftheislandswatchingthehundredsofvisitorsgoby.WealsoaddedSocialFlycatcher,GreaterAniandAnhingapluswegotthebestviewsofthehundredsofGreatDuskySwiftsthatliverightonthewallsofthegorge.

Aviewfromtheboatthattakesustothebottomofthefalls.



Duringtheafternoondedicatedtothefallswewalkedthelowertrailthattookusrighttothewaterfalls.Nothappywiththecloseapproachwegotfromwalkingthistrail,withalltheparticipantswantingtogetevencloser,wedecidedtotakeoneof theboat rides that visit both thewesternareasof the falls andalsoas closeaspossible to theGargantadelDiablo.Theboatmanofcoursegotusallwetdrivingrightintothefallingwaterforarefreshingsplash.Itwasaveryniceexperiencethankstothedrybagsgiventousalltoprotectourgear.

On the other hand, the first fullmorning, one full afternoon andmost of the last morning wededicated to find some of thespecialty birds of the area. Wemostly birded along the quieterMacuco Trail, where we foundtonsof good things like the localCreamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, thehulkingRobustWoodpecker, theornate Spot-backed Antshrikeand the brilliant Swallow-tailedManakin, as the favorites of thearea. Among other birds wefound were Rufous-winged andStreak-capped Antwrens, Ochre-collared Piculet, Yellow-frontedandBlond-crestedWoodpeckers(right), Surucua and Black-throated Trogons, Gray-hoodedand Sepia-capped Flycatchers,Rufous-capped Motmot, TocoToucan, Chestnut-eared Aracari,Southern Antpipit, LesserWoodcreeper, the minusculeEared Pygmy-Tyrant, SibilantSirystes, Guira, Black-goggled,and Green-headed Tanagers,Violaceous Euphonia, and abunchmore.

Theverylastmorningofthetourand just before going to theairportwhereweendedthetour,we took a cab towards the townof Puerto Iguazu outside thenational park to visit a private



houseownedbyaveryniceBrazilianladythathasapatioandaverynicehummingbirdgarden,withlotsofflowersandfeedersthatattractlotsofhummers.Wegot7speciesthere:Swallow-tailed,Versicolored,andGildedHummingbirds,BlackJacobin,Glittering-belliedEmerald,Violet-cappedWoodnymph,andBlack-throatedMango.

Glittering-belliedEmeraldhoveringnearthefeedersattheJardindePicafloresinPuertoIguazu

Landscapesandotherphotos:onthistripitisimpossiblenottostopbirdingforawhileandtakepicturesofthesuperbsceneryweobservedregularly.BelowandrightbeforethefinalchecklistforthetourIdecidedtoincludesomeexamples.

AphotostopalongthescenicroadcrossingthebeautifulQuebradadelasConchasnearCafayate



Previouspage:ElAnfiteatro,QuebradaLasConchas(left)andaghoulishscenefromSantaVictoriaMountains

OurhotelwithinthevineyardsinCafayate(above)andmeenjoyingthesoftsprayfromIguazuFallsbelow



FINALCHECKLIST:

369specieswererecordedonthemaintourandextensioncombinedofwhich19specieswereheardonly(H)andjust4wereseenonlybythetourleader(L)whichmeans346birdswereseenbyatleastoneoftheparticipants.Thefulllistforthistourisdetailedbelow.

TINAMOUS TINAMIDAE 1

H Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa

2

H Huayco Tinamou Rhynchotus maculicollis 3

Ornate Tinamou Nothoprocta ornata

4

H Brushland Tinamou Nothoprocta cinerascens 5

Andean Tinamou Nothoprocta pentlandii

6

Elegant Crested-Tinamou Eudromia elegans

SCREAMERS ANHIMIDAE

7

Southern Screamer Chauna torquata

DUCKS, GEESE, AND WATERFOWL ANATIDAE

8

White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata 9

Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

10

Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba 11

Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

12

Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera 13

Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides

14

Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys 15

Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis

16

Torrent Duck Merganetta armata 17

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

18

Red Shoveler Anas platalea 19

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis

20

Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica 21

Puna Teal Anas puna

22

Yellow-billed (Speckled) Teal Anas flavirostris 23

(Andean) Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea

24

Lake Duck Oxyura vittata

GUANS, CHACHALACAS, AND CURASSOWS CRACIDAE

25

Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis 26

Red-faced Guan Penelope dabbenei

27

Dusky-legged Guan Penelope obscura 28

Black-fronted Piping-Guan Pipile jacutinga

GREBES PODICIPEDIDAE

29

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland 30

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

31

Great Grebe Podiceps major

FLAMINGOS PHOENICOPTERIDAE

32

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis



33

Andean Flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus 34

James's (Puna) Flamingo Phoenicoparrus jamesi

STORKS CICONIIDAE

35

Wood Stork Mycteria americana

CORMORANTS AND SHAGS PHALACROCORACIDAE

36

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

ANHINGA AND DARTERS PHALACROCORACIDAE

37

Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS ARDEIDAE

38

Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi 39

Snowy Egret Egretta thula

40

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 41

Striated Heron Butorides striata

42

Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix 43

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

IBISES AND SPOONBILLS THRESKIORNITHIDAE

44

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi 45

Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi

46

Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus 47

Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus

48

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

NEW WORLD VULTURES CATHARTIDAE

49

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 50

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

51

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES ACCIPITRIDAE

52

Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis 53

Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea

54

H Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris 55

Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

56

Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma 57

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus

RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS RALLIDAE

58

Gray-cowled Wood-Rail (Gray-cowled) Aramides cajaneus cajaneus 59

Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail Aramides saracura

60

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus 61

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

62

Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata 63

Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons

64

Giant Coot Fulica gigantea 65

Slate-colored (Andean) Coot Fulica ardesiaca

66

White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera

STILTS AND AVOCETS RECURVIROSTRIDAE

67

Black-necked (White-backed) Stilt Himantopus mexicanus melanurus



68

Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina

PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS CHARADRIIDAE

69

Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis 70

Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens

71

Puna Plover Charadrius alticola

SEEDSNIPES THINOCORIDAE

72

Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus 73

Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus

JACANAS JACANIDAE

74

Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana

SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES SCOLOPACIDAE

75

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

GULLS, TERNS, AND SKIMMERS LARIDAE

76

Andean Gull Chroicocephalus serranus

PIGEONS AND DOVES COLUMBIDAE

77

Rock Pigeon Columba livia 78

Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis

79

Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro 80

Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa

81

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata 82

Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti

83

Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui 84

Bare-faced Ground-Dove Metriopelia ceciliae

85

Bare-eyed (Moreno's) Ground-Dove (E) Metriopelia morenoi 86

Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera melanoptera

87

White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 88

H Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla

89

L Large-tailed (White-faced/Yungas) Dove Leptotila megalura

CUCKOOS CUCULIDAE

90

Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 91

Guira Cuckoo Guira guira

92

H Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia 93

Greater Ani Crotophaga major

94

Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani

BARN-OWLS TYTONIDAE

95

Barn Owl Tyto alba

OWLS STRIGIDAE

96

Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba 97

Montane Forest (Hoy's/Yungas) Screech-Owl Megascops hoyi

98

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES CAPRIMULGIDAE

99

Scissor-tailed Nightjar Hydropsalis torquata 100

Rufous Nightjar Antrostomus rufus



SWIFTS APODIDAE

101

Rothschild's Swift Cypseloides rothschildi 102

Great Dusky Swift Cypseloides senex

103

White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 104

Sick's Swift Chaetura meridionalis

105

Gray-rumped Swift (Gray-rumped) Chaetura cinereiventris cinereiventris 106

Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus

HUMMINGBIRDS TROCHILIDAE

107

Black Jacobin Florisuga fusca 108

Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans

109

Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis 110

Red-tailed Comet Sappho sparganura

111

Andean Hillstar Oreotrochilus estella estella 112

White-sided Hillstar Oreotrochilus leucopleurus

113

Wedge-tailed Hillstar Oreotrochilus adela 114

Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas

115

Slender-tailed Woodstar Microstilbon burmeisteri 116

Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon lucidus

117

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird Eupetomena macroura 118

Violet-capped Woodnymph Thalurania glaucopis

119

White-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia chionogaster 120

Versicolored Emerald Amazilia versicolor

121

Gilded Hummingbird Hylocharis chrysura

TROGONS TROGONIDAE

122

Surucua Trogon (Red-bellied) Trogon surrucura surrucura 123

Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus

MOTMOTS MOMOTIDAE

124

Rufous-capped Motmot Baryphthengus ruficapillus 125

Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata

PUFFBIRDS BUCCONIDAE

126

Spot-backed (Chaco) Puffbird Nystalus maculatus striatipectus

TOUCANS RAMPHASTIDAE

127

Chestnut-eared Aracari Pteroglossus castanotis 128

Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco

WOODPECKERS PICIDAE

129

White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus 130

Ochre-collared Piculet Picumnus temminckii

131

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes flavifrons 132

White-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes cactorum

133

Checkered Woodpecker Veniliornis mixtus 134

Dot-fronted Woodpecker Veniliornis frontalis

135

Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus tucumanus 136

Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros leucofrenatus

137

Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola rupicola



138

Blond-crested Woodpecker Celeus flavescens 139

Robust Woodpecker Campephilus robustus

140

Cream-backed Woodpecker Campephilus leucopogon

SERIEMAS CARIAMIDAE

141

H Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata

FALCONS AND CARACARAS FALCONIDAE

142

H Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis 143

Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus

144

Southern Caracara Caracara plancus 145

Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango

146

American Kestrel Falco sparverius 147

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis

PARROTS PSITTACIDAE

148

Gray-hooded Parakeet Psilopsiagon aymara 149

Mountain Parakeet Psilopsiagon aurifrons

150

Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani 151

Blue-winged Parrotlet (Blue-winged) Forpus xanthopterygius xanthopterygius

152

H Green-cheeked Parakeet Pyrrhura molinae 153

Burrowing Parakeet (Parrot) Cyanoliseus patagonus

154

Mitred Parakeet Psittacara mitratus 155

White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS THAMNOPHILIDAE

156

Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus 157

Giant Antshrike Batara cinerea argentina

158

Rufous-capped Antshrike Thamnophilus ruficapillus cochabambae 159

Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens dinellii

160

Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis 161

Rufous-winged Antwren Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

162

Streak-capped Antwren Terenura maculata 163

Stripe-backed Antbird Myrmorchilus strigilatus suspicax

TAPACULOS RHINOCRYPTIDAE

164

Sandy Gallito (E) Teledromas fuscus 165

White-browed Tapaculo (E) Scytalopus superciliaris superciliaris

OVENBIRDS AND WOODCREEPERS FURNARIIDAE

166

Common Miner Geositta cunicularia titicacae 167

Slender-billed Miner Geositta tenuirostris

168

Puna Miner Geositta punensis 169

Rufous-banded Miner Geositta rufipennis

170

Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus griseicapillus 171

Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus fuscus

172

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris 173

Plain Xenops Xenops minutus

174

Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus 175

Rock Earthcreeper Ochetorhynchus andaecola



176

Straight-billed Earthcreeper Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus 177

Chaco Earthcreeper Tarphonomus certhioides

178

Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops 179

Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria

180

Buff-breasted Earthcreeper Upucerthia validirostris validirostris 181

Buff-breasted (Plain-breasted) Earthcreeper Upucerthia validirostris jelskii

182

Cream-winged (Bar-winged) Cinclodes Cinclodes albiventris 183

White-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes atacamensis

184

Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia lichtensteini 185

Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

186

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner Automolus leucophthalmus 187

Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura fuliginiceps

188

Tufted Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura platensis 189

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides berlepschi

190

Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons sincipitalis 191

Little Thornbird Phacellodomus sibilatrix

192

Streak-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticeps 193

Spot-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus maculipectus

194

Creamy-breasted Canastero Asthenes dorbignyi dorbignyi 195

Short-billed Canastero Asthenes baeri

196

Puna Canastero Asthenes sclateri lilloi 197

Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta

198

Sharp-billed Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca 199

H Maquis (Iquico) Canastero Asthenes heterura

200

Stripe-crowned Spinetail Cranioleuca pyrrhophia 201

Steinbach's Canastero (E) Pseudasthenes steinbachi

202

White-throated Cacholote (E) Pseudoseisura gutturalis 203

Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis

204

L Azara's Spinetail Synallaxis azarae superciliosa

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS TYRANNIDAE

205

Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri suiriri 206

Buff-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus hellmayri

207

White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys leucophrys 208

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant Anairetes flavirostris

209

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus 210

Large Elaenia Elaenia spectabilis

211

White-crested (Chilean) Elaenia Elaenia albiceps chilensis 212

Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris

213

Slaty Elaenia Elaenia strepera 214

Highland Elaenia Elaenia obscura

215

White-bellied Tyrannulet Serpophaga munda 216

Gray-hooded Flycatcher Mionectes rufiventris

217

Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus 218

Sclater's Tyrannulet Phyllomyias sclateri



219

Southern Antpipit Corythopis delalandi 220

Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus meloryphus

221

Greater Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura budytoides inzonata 222

Eared Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis auricularis

223

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer 224

White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus

225

Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus cinnamomeus 226

Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea pallidior

227

Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus 228

Euler's Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri

229

Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus 230

H Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus

231

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 232

Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus

233

Andean Negrito Lessonia oreas 234

Plumbeous Black-Tyrant (Andean Tyrant) Knipolegus cabanisi

235

Cinereous Tyrant Knipolegus striaticeps 236

White-winged Black-Tyrant Knipolegus aterrimus

237

Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus 238

Yellow-browed Tyrant Satrapa icterophrys

239

Puna Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola juninensis 240

Cinereous Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola cinereus

241

Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola frontalis 242

White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis albicauda

243

Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis micropterus 244

White Monjita Xolmis irupero irupero

245

Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant Polioxolmis rufipennis 246

d'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca oenanthoides

247

White-browed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca leucophrys tucumana 248

Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosa

249

Sibilant Sirystes Sirystes sibilator 250

Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer

251

L Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 252

Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus

253

Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 254

Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis

255

Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias trivirgatus 256

Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius

257

Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius 258

Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius

259

Crowned Slaty Flycatcher Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus 260

Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus

261

Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana



COTINGAS COTINGIDAE

262

White-tipped Plantcutter Phytotoma rutila

MANAKINS PIRPIDAE

263

Swallow-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia caudata 264

H Band-tailed Manakin Pipra fasciicauda

TITYRAS AND ALLIES TITYRIDAE

265

H White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus spixii 266

Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus

VIREOS VIREONIDAE

267

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus chivi 268

H Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis

CROWS, JAYS, AND MAGPIES CORVIDAE

269

Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops

SWALLOWS HIRUNDINIDAE

270

Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca 271

Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata

272

L Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 273

Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea

274

Southern Martin Progne elegans 275

Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera

276

White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer 277

White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa

278

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

WRENS TROGLODYTIDAE

279

House Wren Troglodytes aedon 280

Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis auricularis

281

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis tucumanus 282

H Thrush-like Wren Campylorhynchus turdinus

GNATCATCHERS POLIOPTILIDAE

283

Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher Polioptila lactea 284

Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola

DIPPERS CINCLIDAE

285

Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi

THRUSHES AND ALLIES TURDIDAE

286

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 287

Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas

288

Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris 289

Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus

290

H (Andean) Slaty Thrush Turdus nigriceps nigriceps 291

Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco

292

H White-necked Thrush Turdus albicollis

MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS MIMIDAE

293

Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus 294

Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus



295

Brown-backed Mockingbird Mimus dorsalis

WAGTAILS AND PIPITS MOTACILLIDAE

296

Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens 297

Short-billed Pipit Anthus furcatus

298

Hellmayr's Pipit Anthus hellmayri helmayri

NEW WORLD WARBLERS PARULIDAE

299

Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis velata 300

Tropical Parula Setophaga pitiayumi

301

Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 302

White-browed Warbler Myiothlypis leucoblephara

303

Two-banded Warbler Myiothlypis bivittata argentinae 304

Brown-capped Redstart Myioborus brunniceps

TANAGERS AND ALLIES THRAUPIDAE

305

Yellow-billed Cardinal Paroaria capitata 306

Orange-headed Tanager Thlypopsis sordida

307

Rust-and-yellow Tanager Thlypopsis ruficeps 308

Black-goggled Tanager Trichothraupis melanops

309

Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota 310

Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis

311

Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca 312

Green-headed Tanager Tangara seledon

313

Swallow Tanager Tersina viridis 314

Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana

315

Guira Tanager Hemithraupis guira 316

Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum

317

Rusty Flowerpiercer Diglossa sittoides 318

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus atriceps

319

Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi 320

Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti

321

Red-backed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus dorsalis 322

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus

323

Band-tailed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus alaudinus 324

Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca

325

Black-crested Finch Lophospingus pusillus 326

Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch Poospiza hypochondria

327

Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch Poospiza erythrophrys 328

Ringed Warbling-Finch Poospiza torquata

329

Black-capped Warbling-Finch Poospiza melanoleuca 330

Tucuman Mountain-Finch (E) Compsospiza baeri

331

Puna Yellow-Finch Sicalis lutea 332

Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch Sicalis uropygialis

333

Citron-headed Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteocephala 334

Greenish Yellow-Finch Sicalis olivascens

335

Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola



336

Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola 337

Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis olivascens

338

Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis 339

Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata

340

Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus 341

Bananaquit Coereba flaveola

342

H Rufous-bellied Saltator Saltator rufiventris 343

Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris

344

Many-colored Chaco Finch Saltatricula multicolor

BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS EMBERIZIDAE

345

Saffron-billed Sparrow Arremon flavirostris dorbignii 346

White-browed (Stripe-headed) Brush-Finch Arremon torquatus

347

Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch Atlapetes fulviceps 348

Yellow-striped Brush-Finch (E) Atlapetes citrinellus

349

Stripe-capped Sparrow Rhynchospiza strigiceps 350

Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis

351

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis 352

Common Chlorospingus (Bush-Tanager) Chlorospingus ophthalmicus argentinus

CARDINALS AND ALLIES CARDINALIDAE

353

Black-backed Grosbeak Pheucticus aureoventris 354

Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii

TROUPIALS AND ALLIES ICTERIDAE

355

Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca 356

Grayish Baywing Agelaioides badius

357

Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris 358

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis

359

Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus 360

Variable Oriole Icterus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus

361

Golden-winged Cacique Cacicus chrysopterus 362

Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous

363

Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS, AND ALLIES FRINGILLIDAE

364

Purple-throated Euphonia Euphonia chlorotica 365

Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia violacea

366

H Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea 367

Hooded Siskin Spinus magellanicus

368

Black Siskin Spinus atratus

OLD WORLD SPARROWS PASSERIDAE

369

House Sparrow Passer domesticus



MAMMALS

1

Andean Hairy Armadillo Chaetophractus nationi 2

Southern (Mountain) Viscacha Lagidium viscacia

3

Common Yellow-toothed Cavy Galea musteloides 4

Azara's Agouti Dasyprocta azarae

5

Highland Tuco-Tuco Ctenomys opimus 6

Brazilian Rabbit (Tapeti) Sylvilagus brasiliensis

7

European Hare (I) Lepus europaeus 8

Pampas Fox Lycalopex gymnocercus

9

South American Coati Nasua nasua 10

Guanaco Lama glama

11

Vicugna Vicugna vicugna 12

S. American Brown Brocket (Gray Brocket Deer) Mazama gouazoubira

Justtofinishthisreport,oneoftheselectedbirdsofthetrip,thetinybutgorgeousOchre-collaredPiculetatIguazu.

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