Birds of Patagonia, a information for fowl watching lovers

Patagonia attracts 1000’s of tourists yearly on the lookout for guanacos, pumas, and glaciers. However the birds of Patagonia are equally spectacular! Right here’s an inventory of 32 Patagonian birds that you simply would possibly spot throughout your travels. However first, a brief introduction to birding hotspots in Patagonia.

The range of habitats in Torres del Paine Nationwide Park, in Chilean Patagonia, is house to over 100 fowl species together with 15 birds of prey. Torres del Paine and the environs have 4 sorts of vegetation – pre-Andean scrubland on the banks of rivers and lakes, beech forests, Magallanes tundra, and high-altitude vegetation which disappears because the altitude will increase.

This array of habitats helps all kinds of wildlife. From condors to rheas and pelicans to flamingos, this nationwide park gives many alternatives for fowl watchers.

Subsequent door to the favored city of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park, in Argentine Patagonia, is known for its shoreline, waterways, and forests. With over 220 species of birds, this nationwide park is a must-see when visiting the southernmost tip of South America.

Ushuaia, the port the place boats to Antarctica depart, can be an ideal place to look at seabirds or take a ship tour to see penguins.

One other place value mentioning is Bahía Inútil, a bay a number of hours north of Ushuaia. A couple of years in the past a number of king penguins visited. They got here again the subsequent yr and determined to settle and kind a small colony. You possibly can go to the colony of this penguin species on a birding tour (extra data beneath).

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32 Birds of Patagonia

Southern-crested caracara

The Crested caracara (Caracara plancus) is present in open and semi-open habitats from Tierra del Fuego NP in Patagonia to southern Peru. Feeds on carcasses, however can even take small birds.

The place to see Crested caracara: Torres del Paine NP, Tierra del Fuego NP, Puerto Natales space.

Black-chested Buzzard-eagle

The black-chested buzzard eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) is a powerful-built raptor that lives at excessive altitudes in mountain ranges. Solely adults current the black chest and white stomach which might be so attribute of this species, whereas juveniles are extra of a mottled-brown coloration.

The place to see the black-chested buzzard eagle: Torres del Paine NP, Puerto Natales space

Chilean Flamingos

Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) are present in Patagonia’s salt lakes, estuaries, and lagoons. In comparison with the American flamingo, the Chilean flamingo’s head and neck are lighter coloured, and their payments have a bigger quantity of black.

The place to see them: Laguna Azul and Laguna Amarga in Torres del Paine NP

Magellanic penguin

You don’t need to go to Antarctica to see penguins. The Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) breeds as far north as Caleta Valdés (Valdés peninsula) and the most important colony of Magellanic penguins in South America is discovered 115 miles north of Puerto Madryn, in Punta Tombo Nationwide Reserve.

The place to see penguins in Patagonia: Seno Otway, Martillo Island, Punta Tombo Nationwide Reserve (Puerto Madryn)

Lesser Rhea

You gained’t discover the lesser rhea (Rhea pennata) up within the sky as that is a wholly flightless fowl. Assume ostrich however smaller. Often known as Darwin’s Rhea, it’s discovered within the Patagonian steppes or grasslands. They unfold their wings when operating. These rhea dwelling on the Patagonian Steppe are referred to as Lesser Rhea.

The place to see lesser rhea: Torres del Paine NP

Austral Parakeet

The Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) is the southernmost parrot on this planet. Discovered from Tierra del Fuego within the south to as far north as Temuco. This parrot is primarily inexperienced, calmly barred, with some uninteresting crimson on the brow, stomach, and higher tail.

The place to see the Austral Parakeet: Tierra del Fuego NP, Torres del Paine NP

Darkish-bellied Cinclodes

The dark-bellied cinclodes (Cinclodes patagonicus) is discovered within the western southern tip of South America, from Valparaiso to Ushuaia. Within the northern components of its vary, it may be discovered at altitudes as much as 8,200 ft, and within the southern half, they’re discovered at decrease altitudes. They’re usually discovered close to the water on riverbanks, coastlines, lakes, and streams.

The place to see the dark-bellied cinclodes: Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park

Dolphin Gull

The dolphin gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii/ Larus scoresbii)is native to southern Chile and Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Likes rocky shores and seabird colonies, however can be present in lakes close to the coast. May be recognized by their gray physique and their crimson invoice and crimson legs.

The place to see dolphin gulls: Pretty straightforward to identify across the Ushuaia coast.

Austral Pygmy Owl

The Austral Pygmy owl (Glaucidium nana) is the smallest owl in Patagonia. These tiny owls inhabit the temperate forests of Patagonia and it’s simpler to identify them throughout the day perched on low branches. From these perches they hunt for reptiles, small birds, bugs, and small mammals.

The place to see them: Torres del Paine NP, Tierra del Fuego NP

Andean Condor

On the wishlist of all nature lovers that go to Patagonia, the Andean condor (Vultures gryphon) has one of many greatest wingspans of any fowl on this planet: 10.5 ft! They’re certainly one of many largest flying birds. The Andean condor soars by means of the sky like a glider, and catching a glimpse of this fowl in locations like Torres del Paine is an unbelievable sight.

The Andean condor is the nationwide fowl of Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador.

The place to see Andean condors in Patagonia: Cerro Palomares, Coyhaique, Torres del Paine Nationwide Park

Rock Cormorant

The rock cormorant (Phalacrocorax magellanicus) is a small cormorant discovered alongside rocky coastlines. They construct their nests out of aquatic vegetation (like seaweed) in November, and the chicks don’t fledge till January/February, so this can be a good time to identify them whereas they have an inclination to their offspring.

The place to see rock cormorants: Straightforward to identify alongside Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP

Kelp Goose

Present in coastal areas the kelp goose (Chloephaga hybrida) is well identifiable as a result of the male is pure white whereas the feminine is brown with white barring and a white tail.

The place to see kelp goose: Coast round Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego

Kelp Gull

The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) is frequent within the Southern Hemisphere and is discovered as far south as Antarctica. Grownup kelp gulls have black backs, and wings with little white. They’re omnivorous and they’re going to use their {powerful} beaks to harass proper whales and feed on items of blubber and pores and skin of reside whales, a conduct noticed in Peninsula Valdés.

The place to see the kelp gull: Tierra del Fuego NP

Southern Lapwing

The beautiful Southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) is the one crested wader in South America. Identifiable by its sample and colours, has a white stomach, black breast, grey head, and bronzy and inexperienced shoulder. They’re present in small flocks in open habitats close to water.

The place to see Southern lapwings: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Torres del Paine

Upland Goose

The upland goose (Chloephaga picta) is discovered on Patagonian steppe grasslands, lakes, wetlands, and coastal areas. The male has a white head, neck and breast, whereas the remainder of the physique is generally barred. Females are brown with a barred chest. They nest close to water and like to sleep in lakes the place they’re secure from predators.

The place to see upland geese: Grasslands round Torres del Paine Nationwide Park

Ashy-headed Goose

The ashy-headed goose (Chloephaga poliocephala) will be present in lakes and wetlands round forested areas. They’re usually present in small teams with different teams of upland geese. Women and men look alike.

The place to see ashy-headed geese: Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park

Cinereous Harrier

Widespread in open habitats, the cinereous harrier (Circus cinereous) will be discovered perched on posts or on the bottom throughout its vary from the Andean Altiplano to lowland marshes. This fowl of prey nests on the bottom, normally on clumps of tall grass or reeds.

The place to see cinereous harriers: Torres del Paine Nationwide Park, Tierra del Fuego

Black-faced Ibis

Usually heard earlier than being seen, the black-faced ibis (Theristicus melanopis) is a standard fowl within the grasslands of Patagonia. Foraging on the bottom, they are often noticed in teams whereas searching. The black-faced ibis roosts on bushes and cliffs.

The place to see black-faced ibis: Torres del Paine NP

Chiloe (Southern) Wigeon

This beautiful duck is commonly seen on grassy areas close to the shore. The Chiloé wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) has putting head colours with an iridescent green-blue-teal cap, pale face, and a blueish invoice with a black tip.

The place to see the Chiloé (southern) wigeon: Final Hope Sound close to Puerto Natales, Tierra del Fuego.

Black-necked Swan

Black-necked swans (Cygnus melancoryphus) can measure as much as 4.5 ft and are migratory, flying north in winter to hotter climates. These stunning birds are simply recognized by their white physique and black neck. Cygnets are born white.

The place to see black-necked swans: Final Hope Sound in Puerto Natales.

Imperial Cormorant

Discovered on coastal water in southern Patagonia, the imperial cormorant (Leucocarbo atriceps) is commonly discovered on piers, seawalls, and rocks. Their plumage varies regionally with some having extra white on their heads and cheeks, and a few having extra black (just like the subspecies referred to as the king cormorant). All of them have white bellies and black backs and wings. Often known as the imperial shag.

The place to see Imperial cormorants: Isla de los Leones, Final Hope Sound (Seno Ultimo Esperanza) by Puerto Fatales.

Yellow-billed pintail

The yellow-billed pintail (Anas georgica) is a standard sight round lakes and wetlands. Much like yellow-billed teals, pintails are bigger and with dark-mottled sides.

The place to see yellow-billed pintails: Tierra del Fuego NP

Yellow-billed teal

Yellow-billed teal (Anas flavirostris) is well misidentified as yellow-billed pintail. The teal is smaller and with gray sides, whereas the pintail has mottled sides (see earlier fowl description)

The place to see yellow-billed teals: Tierra del Fuego NP

Coscoroba Swan

The Coscoroba swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) is typically discovered with black-necked swans. The Coscoroba swan is white with black wingtips, that are solely seen when in flight.

The place to see coscoroba swans: Tierra del Fuego NP, Cerro Castillo NP

Austral Blackbird

The Austral blackbird (Curaeus curaeus) will be present in small flocks on the edges of beech forests and round shrubland.

The place to see Austral blackbirds: Torres del Paine NP

Chilean Flicker

The Chilean flicker (Colaptes pitius) lives in beech forests. Simply recognized by its barred wings and uninteresting yellow rump. They feed on the bottom and nest in tree cavities.

The place to see Chilean flicker: Torres del Paine Nationwide Park

Flightless steamer duck / Magellanic steamer duck

The flightless steamer duck (Tachyeres pteneres), often known as the Fuegian duck, is discovered alongside rocky coasts and never discovered on lakes. This huge and heavy duck nests in heavy vegetation or in deserted penguin burrows from September by means of December.

The place to see the flightless steamer duck: Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park

Chimango Caracara

A year-round resident in its vary, the chimango caracara (Milvago chimango) will be discovered throughout Patagonia in all sorts of habitats, from shrubland to grassland, city, open woodlands, and marshes. Whereas males have yellow pores and skin across the eyes and yellow legs and ft, females have pink reddish pores and skin across the eyes and grey/blue legs and ft.

The place to see chimango caracara: Tierra del Fuego NP, Torres del Paine NP

Nice Grebe

The nice grebe (Podiceps main) is the most important species of grebe on this planet and may weigh as much as 4.4 kilos. It’s discovered from southeastern Brazil to Patagonia to central Chile. Nice grebes present in southern Chile and Argentina are thought of a subspecies (Podiceps main navasi). Present in open waterways and estuary marshes.

The place to see nice grebes: Tierra del Fuego NP

Gray-hooded Sierra finch

The grey-hooded sierra finch (Phrygilus gayi) is present in scrubby habitat. Whereas the males are bicolor (darkish gray hood and wings and greenish yellow physique), females and juveniles have a whitish stomach and darkish whiskers.

The place to see grey-hooded Sierra finches: Tierra del Fuego NP

Spectacled Duck (or Bronze-winged Duck)

Identifiable by its daring white patch below the attention, the spectacled duck (Speculanus specularis) is present in lakes and ponds, but additionally close to fast-flowing water. Their bronze wing panel is hidden when not in flight. Their outdated identify was bronze-winged duck.

The place to see spectacled geese: Torres del Paine NP, Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas

Plumbeous Rail

Present in marshes and ponds, the plumbeous rail (Rallus sanguinolentus) has a brown again and crimson eyes and legs. Their beaks are colourful, yellow with a crimson spot on the decrease mandible and a blue spot on the higher mandible. Beaks are duller in juveniles, just like the one within the photograph.

The place to see the plumbeous rail: Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park, Torres del Paine NP

Last ideas on the birds of Patagonia

Patagonia is an unbelievable place for birdwatchers. With such an array of ecosystems, the range of Patagonian birds will make any nature lovers comfortable. Get out and benefit from the birds of Patagonia!

Cristina Garcia

Zoologist and wildlife photographer. She has labored within the subject with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. She serves on the Board of Administrators of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation group.

Learn her posts at Journey For Wildlife and see extra of her work at Actually Wild, & Our Wild Yard.