Birding Chile trip. This trip has an easy to moderate pace, and the small size group makes for a personalized guided experience. Chile being a very long country, besides our regular walking around at the birding spots we might have a few days when we’ll spend a few hours either flying or driving in order to get from one main birding area or country’s region to the next. The country’s road infrastructure and internal flights are excellent. Driving between birding areas doesn’t mean no birding while driving, and we usually do several stops along the way if anything worth them comes along the way. The walking is easy to moderate, and weather is mostly quite benign all over the country, although some rain can be expected in Lake District and strong winds might be present in Patagonian latitudes. Pelagics can affect people who are prone to seasickness but the use of medication should prevent any trouble. In northern Chile we’ll reach elevations of around 4,000m and consequently we’ll reduce the walking to a minimum, as altitude sickness can be a problem sometimes. As with seasickness, medication usually solves the problem. Birding Chile trip

Day 1 • Flight to Arica – Arica coastal areas

Our Chile birding adventure begins today! You will be met by your leader at Santiago airport for a morning flight (c.2.5 hours) to Arica, at 18°S, Chile’s northernmost city. After our arrival, you will be transferred to our seaside hotel, a convenient base for our explorations of Arica’s coastal areas and the surrounding oasis valleys in search of a wealth of desert-loving bird species. Along the rocky coast south of Arica we expect to see a great array of seabirds including Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, the stunning Inca Tern plus Belcher’s and Grey Gulls. Other birds include Little Blue Heron, Willet, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Surfbird, Franklin’s Gull and Elegant Tern.
Overnight Arica (Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 2 • Azapa, Chaca and Camarones valleys – Lluta River mouth

Early in the morning, we will search the bird-rich valleys of Azapa and Chaca, the haunt of specialties such as Croaking Ground Dove, Chilean Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Tamarugo and Cinereous Conebills, Bran-coloured and Vermillion Flycatchers, Peruvian Meadowlark and the odd-looking Slender-billed Finch. We will extend our journey southwards along the coast to the Camarones Gorge where we expect to see Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant and Yellowish Pipit. In the afternoon we will comb the productive estuary of the Lluta River in order to study the various coots, egrets, shorebirds, terns and gulls gathered here to roost, usually in large numbers.
Overnight Arica (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 3 • Pelagic trip off Arica – Drive to Putre – Putre surroundings

Early morning we will take a boat trip off Arica to continue our search for the endemic seabirds of the Humboldt Current. We will look for Peruvian Diving Petrel and we may also find Elliot’s and Markham’s Storm Petrels. The delightful Inca Tern will be a common sight around the harbour plus Common and South American Terns. The endangered and local Peruvian Tern is another potential species for the morning. Later we will leave the coast and head towards the imposing slopes of the Andes, but first we will search around the lowland cultivated valleys for the intriguing Peruvian Thick-knee. Andean Swifts and Grayish Miners are possible species just before we reach the hyper-arid desert stretch, as we drive up to the highlands and into our destination, the mountain village of Putre. The picturesque Andean settlement of Putre is located at 3,400 meters above sea level (11,483 ft); this friendly Aymara village will be our base for the following two nights. The “pre-puna” semi-arid bushy slopes are very rich in species. Sparkling Violetear and Andean Hillstar, Creamy-breasted and Canyon Canasteros, Golden-billed Saltator and Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Hooded and Thick-billed Siskins are among the range of exciting birds that occur here.The gardens, cultivated terraces, eucalyptus groves and rocky walls surrounding Putre are the perfect habitat for Aplomado Falcon, Mountain Parakeet, Bare-faced Ground Dove, Spot-winged Pigeon, White-throated, Plain-breasted and Straight-billed Earthcreepers, White-winged Cinclodes, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Chiguanco Thrush, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Band-tailed Seedeater and Black-hooded, Mourning and Ash-breasted Sierra Finches.
Overnight Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 4 • Putre – Polylepis forests and specialties

Today we will spend the morning hours birding around Putre for any missing birds andin the afternoon we will look for the bird specialties that are mostly restricted to the Polylepis forest environment. Polylepis is a group with the highest-living species of trees, and some habitat-restricted species like D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Thick-billed Siskin and White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant. This is also where we can find the rare Andean Deer (locally known as Taruca), and we might be rewarded with haunting views of small herds scattered in the hillsides.
Overnight Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 5 • Parinacota – Lauca National Park

The altiplano (or High Andean plateau) is truly a ‘mecca’ for wildlife and we will have the whole day to discover its many secrets and stunning landscapes.Established to protect the highest lake in the world, Lauca National Park (a World Biosphere Reserve) supports a great diversity of Andean (or ‘puna’) specialties. All three flamingo species – Chilean, James’s and Andean flamingos are often found here. On the other hand, the surrounding barren plains are a very good habitat for both Puna Rhea and Puna Tinamou.The high-altitude bogs, locally known as ‘bofedales’, hold a remarkable number of species (all endemic to this eco-region) including Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Giant and Andean Coots, Rufous-bellied and Gray-breasted Seedsnipes, Andean Avocet, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, and the exquisite Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. Lake Chungara will be highest spot during our entire trip (4,500 meters / 14,763 ft) and is surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanos; this is a magnificent place and probably one of the most beautiful vistas that we will have during our whole Chilean Birding Adventure. Among the species we will see here are Andean Gull, Andean Flicker, Cordilleran Canastero, Puna and White-fronted Ground Tyrants, Andean Negrito, White-winged Diuca Finch and Black Siskin.
Overnight Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 6 • Surire – Drive to Arica

Early morning we drive to the impressive Surire saltpan basin, where we will look for high-altitude specialties like Andean Swallow, Andean Lapwing, Puna Flamingo and Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant among others, mammals like Vicuña and the large rodent, Vizcacha are also present here. In the afternoon we drive back to Arica.
Overnight Arica (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 7 • Flight to Santiago – Lampa – Batuco

We will spend the morning birding around Arica to catch our plane back to Santiago in the afternoon. After our arrival, we will move a short distance north of Chile’s capital to visit some marshes around the locality of Batuco. Our targets here will be Cocoi Heron, Rosy-billed Pochard, White-cheeked Pintail and South American Painted Snipe. The Coastal Range separates Chile’s central valley from the Pacific coast and we will drive across it through La Dormida Pass. The highest peak around, Mount La Campana (The ‘Bell’), dominates the entire scene; this area receives enough moisture from the ocean to sustain broad-leaf forests and a xeric shrub comunity named ‘matorral’ (Chile’s equivalent to California’s chaparral).
Overnight Olmue (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 8 • La Campana National Park – Cachagua – Mantagua

During the morning we will bird at La Campana National Park, where we will be looking for an interesting array of passerines, all endemic to Chile: Dusky-tailed Canastero, Moustached Turca, Dusky Tapaculo and White-throated Tapaculo. We are also likely to encounter the remarkable Giant Hummingbird, Striped Woodpecker, Austral Pygmy Owl and Chilean Pigeon. In the afternoon, we will head to the productive rocky coast north of Valparaiso. We have planned a visit to a protected breeding colony of the endangered Humboldt Penguin; the endemic Seaside Cinclodes and the delightful Marine Otter are bothpossible here as well. Before ending the day, will stop in a coastal marsh to see a variety of waterfowl including Red Shoveler, Yellow-billed Pintail, Speckled Teal and Chiloe Wigeon, all three lowland coot species (Red-gartered, White-winged and Red-fronted), Spot-flanked Gallinule and Plumbeous Rail, which is surprisingly quite easy to spot as it often walks in the open.
Overnight Quintero (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

Day 9 • Pelagic trip off Quintero – Drive to Cajon del Maipo

Today we will make an unforgettable visit to the cold and productive waters of the Humboldt Current, considered one of the world’s finest pelagic birding destinations. Here, we should see a great variety of tubenoses including up to six albatross species: Black-browed, Salvin’s, Buller’s, Chatham, Wandering (Antipodean) and both Northern and Southern Royal albatrosses. We also hope to find Southern and Northern Giant Petrels, Pintado, Masatierra, White-chinned and Westland Petrels, Pink-footed, Buller’s and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Other seabirds we may encounter include Red Phalarope, Sabine’s Gull and Chilean Skua. There are good chances of seeing cetaceans although they are always difficult to predict; on recent trips we have recorded Dusky Dolphin, Southern Right Whale Dolphin, and Orca!After a whole morning at sea, we will enjoy the delicious seafood of Quintero. Afterwards we will drive up to the stunning ‘Cajon del Maipo’, a deep and gorgeous Andean valley above Santiago. While ascending the foothills we will look for the endemic Chilean Tinamou and Chilean Mockingbird and we have chances of seeing Variable Hawk and Aplomado Falcon as well.
Overnight Cajon del Maipo (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 10 • El Yeso Reservoir and Baños Morales

We will have a full day to explore the surroundings of El Yeso reservoir in the Andean foothills, where will hopefully be rewarded with sightings of the endemic Crag Chilia plus our first Andean Condors, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and several other Andean specialities such as Black-winged Ground Dove, Grey-flanked Cinclodes, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant and Yellow-rumped Siskin. Careful scanning of grasslands and streams may produce the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, our main target species for the day. El Yeso valley is a lovely mountain spot where we will also have good chances for Mountain Parakeet flocks. During the afternoon we will visit another valley, Baños Morales. This location offers great chances for several other specialties including Mountain Caracara, White-sided Hillstar, Rufous-banded and Creamy-rumped Miners, Cinereous, Black-fronted, White-browed and Rufous-naped Ground Tyrants plus Greater Yellow Finch and Grey-hooded and Band-tailed Sierra Finches.
Overnight Cajon del Maipo (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 11 • Maipo River estuary and El Peral Reserve – Colbún – Drive to Vilches

This morning we will explore the productive Maipo river mouth and surrounding coastal wetlands, including El Peral Reserve. Our target birds here will be the cryptic-colored Stripe-backed Bittern, the brood-parasitic Black-headed Duck and the striking Many-colored Rush Tyrant; we will also have a chance to find the scarce and local Ticking Doradito. We will continue driving south along the central valley and the Panamerican Highway in direction to Talca (35°S). We will head to the mountains once more to briefly visit Lake Colbún where our search will focus on the threatened local race of Burrowing Parakeet, which usually congregates in noisy flocks. The forested rural locality of Vilches will be our base tonight. Rufous-legged Owl usually roosts in the woodlands behind the lodge, a very good reason for a short owling night excursion.
Overnight Vilches (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 12 • Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve – Drive to Temuco

At dawn, we will visit the temperate southern beech forests of Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve to seek for several Patagonian woodland specialties. The Nothofagus forests are the home for an interesting array of species, including the rare Rufous-tailed and White-throated Hawks, Austral Parakeet, Thorn-tailed Rayadito and White-throated Treerunner. We will keep searching in the undergrowth bamboo thickets for the quasi-endemic Chestnut-throated Huet-huet and Magellanic Tapaculo, our main target birds here. Along the road we might see the largest of the tyrant flycatchers, the Great Shrike-Tyrant, which usually perches on wires looking for large insects and even small birds and rodents!Later we will stop for some marsh birds near Chillán to continue heading south towards Temuco, the northern gate to Chile’s Lake District (38°S), where we´ll be in the afternoon.
Overnight Temuco (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 13 • Conguillio National Park – Llaima Volcano

During the morning we will visit the slopes of the Llaima Volcano located east of Temuco, in the gorgeous Conguillio National Park. This protected area offers spectacular vistas and remarkable vegetation, including stands of the peculiar Chilean Pine (also known as Araucaria or Monkey-puzzle tree). These woodlands are reminiscent to pre-historic landscapes and we will have good chances of seeing the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet and Magellanic Woodpecker together with a variety of Patagonian songbirds such as Des Murs’s Wiretail, Fire-eyed Diucon, Patagonian Tyrant, Austral Blackbird and Black-chinned Siskin. The soils of the forests and volcano slopes show an attractive array of wildflowers including several species of ground orchids, anemones, geraniums and lady slippers.
Overnight Temuco (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 14 • Drive to Puerto Montt – Alerce Andino National Park

We will drive towards Puerto Montt (41°S) and as we head south in clear skies we will admire a line of volcanos which form part of the section of the Andes; the most striking is no doubt Volcano ‘Osorno‘ and its almost perfect cone-shaped profile.

The city of Puerto Montt is located at the very end of Chile’s central valley. The topography south of here starts to break out, forming the maze of archipelagos and channels known as the Patagonian Fjords. The grasslands, orchards and agricultural fields are ideal habitat for Black-faced Ibis, Chimango Caracara, Southern Lapwing, Chilean Flicker, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Common Diuca Finch and Grassland Yellow Finch. Today we explore the lush temperate rainforest of Alerce Andino National Park, located just one hour south of Puerto Montt. Here we will search for other Patagonian rainforest specialties including Chilean Hawk, Green-backed Firecrown, the skulking Black-throated Huet-huet, Ochre-flanked Tapaculo and White-crested Elaenia. Later, on route back to Puerto Montt, we will scan the intertidal mudflats in search of wintering flocks of Nearctic visitors such as Hudsonian Godwit, Red Knot and Sanderling; other common coastal birds include the stocky Flightless Steamer Duck, Black-necked Swan, American Oystercatcher, Brown-hooded Gull and the local Snowy-crowned (Trudeau’s) Tern.
Overnight Puerto Montt (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 15 • Ferry ride to Chiloe Island – Pelagic trip off Chiloe

We drive south to the ferry across the Chacao Channel. This short 30-minute journey offers great marine wildlife viewing opportunities and we are likely to see pods of Peale’s Dolphin, groups of South American Sea Lion and a great array of seabirds including Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty and Pink-footed shearwaters, Imperial and Red-legged cormorants, Peruvian Pelican and South American Tern.
Once in the island we’ll take a scenic drive to the little fishermen’s cove of Puñihuil. Here we will circumnavigate the islets to see one of the few mixed breeding colonies of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. Marine Otter, Magellanic Cormorant, Kelp Goose and Flightless Steamer Duck are all usually found here, too. If you are interested to spend more time at sea to have more opportunities for wildlife, we can arrange for a highly recommendable 3-4 hour boat trip to Metalqui Island. Pygmy Blue Whales, one of the races of the world’s largest living animal, are often seen from December until March; we also have other great pelagic prospects such as the poorly-known Subantarctic Shearwater, which probably nests in this rugged, densely forested coastline.
Overnight Puerto Montt (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 16 • Pelagic trip off Reloncavi Sound – Flight to Punta Arenas – San Juan Bay

Early morning with the first light of the day, we will take a boat trip into the Reloncavi Sound to look for seabirds, particularly the recently discovered Pincoya Storm Petrel, a new species to science, overlooked during many years because of its strong similarities to sympatric Wilson’s Storm Petrels. The range of this species seems to be very local and restricted to the nearby waters south of Puerto Montt and between Chiloé Island and the Continent. Later we will take an evening fight to Punta Arenas (53°S), Chile’s southernmost city. This can be a truly enjoyable plane journey, as we’ll fly over seemingly endless Patagonian icecaps, deep fjords and the rugged peaks of the southern Andes. After our arrival, we will bird along the coast of the mythic Straits of Magellan looking for Flying Steamer and Crested Ducks, Kelp Goose, King and Rock Cormorant and Magellanic Oystercatcher. The coastal grasslands can produce other interesting sheldgeese including the ubiquitous Upland Goose, the smaller Ashy-headed Goose and the endangered Ruddy-headed Goose.
Overnight Punta Arenas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 17 • Ferry ride to Tierra del Fuego – Useless Bay for King Penguins

This morning, we will take a 2-hour ferry ride across the Straits of Magellan towards the town of Porvenir, in Tierra del Fuego. We will be entertained by an interesting array of tubenoses such as Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar, the delightful Cape (or ‘Pintado’) Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Magellanic Diving Petrel. We will see other seabirds including Magellanic Penguin, Chilean Skua, Kelp and Dolphin Gulls and South American Tern. Possible marine mammals will include the common South American Sea Lion and playful pods of Peale’s Dolphin. Once we land in Tierra del Fuego, we will check the coast where we shall see Crested Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers, Magellanic Oystercatcher and Dark-bellied Cinclodes, among several other ‘goodies’.We will continue east to explore the large embayment of Useless Bay (Bahía Inútil), where it is likely to find a wealth of seabirds and other aquatic birds. On route we will be checking for potential raptors including Variable Hawk, Aplomado and Peregrine Falcons. Magellanic Horned Owl nests in some ravines we will pass by. The main target of our visit to this scenic part of the island is the newly established King Penguin breeding colony. This splendid species congregates year-round on this site and they have successfully started to breed and raise young here. Later, and before heading back to Porvenir, we will drive through the shrubby slopes and moorlands of the Baquedano Hills searching for Rufous-chested Dotterel, Austral Canastero and the stunning White-bridled Finch.
Overnight Porvenir (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 18 • Laguna Verde – Ferry to mainland – Pali Aike road

During the morning we will visit some alkaline lagoons east of the village. Our target here will be the local and odd-looking Magellanic Plover. This enigmatic wader looks more similar to a little dove rather than to any shorebird, and is often seen feeding ‘scratching’ the mud with its bright pink legs! Other birds of the area will include Two-banded Plover, Wilson’s Phalarope, the abundant White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-billed Miner and the ubiquitous Austral Negrito. The windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia hold a number of specialties including Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. A short ferry ride will allow us to be on mainland once again and if we are lucky, to see the striking Commerson’s Dolphin following the wake. Chilean Flamingo, Coscoroba Swan, Silver Teal plus thousands of waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadsidewetlands while we explore and enjoy the beauty of this ‘big sky’ country. On the journey, we should encounter Lesser Rhea, Cinereous Harrier, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant and Patagonian Mockingbird. Large herds of camel-like Guanacos will be a common sight along the entire drive towards Puerto Natales and other possible mammals will include Southern Grey (Chilla) Fox, Patagonian Hairy Armadillo and Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk.
Overnight Puerto Natales (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 19 • Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine is one of the ‘gems’ of Chile and certainly one the most visited parks in Patagonia. We will have the whole day to explore its diverse habitats, but above all, to appreciate the colossal magnitude and rugged beauty of the awe-inspiring granite peaks which name the park.The reed-fringed lagoons of the eastern side of the park will keep us busy during the whole morning. Here we will find a wealth of waterbirds including Great, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes, Ruddy (Andean) and Spectacled Ducks, Speckled Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, and with luck, the elusive and recently re-discovered Austral Rail. We also hope to see Andean Condors and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle hovering in these turbulent skies.During the afternoon we will visit Lake Grey to enjoy the stunning sight of its southern shore dominated by stranded blue icebergs. We will scan the fast-flowing rivers hoping to find the remarkable and colourful Torrent Duck. birding chile trip
Overnight Puerto Natales (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 20 • Sierra Baguales – Drive to Punta Arenas

Early in the morning we will explore the impressive Sierra Baguales Range, located northeast of Torres del Paine. Along the road and in the scrubby gullies, we will look for more restricted-range songbirds in Chile such as Patagonian Mockingbird and Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. As we continue exploring this montane habitat we might find the local White-throated Caracara, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Rufous-banded Miner, Cinnamon-bellied and Ochre-naped Ground Tyrants, Patagonian and Greater Yellow Finches and the stunning Yellow-bridled Finch. birding chile tour
Overnight Punta Arenas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)

Day 21 • Punta Arenas – Flight to Santiago

Transfer to Punta Arenas airport for our connecting flight to Santiago. End of the trip. (Breakfast) (Guide). birding chile tour Birding Chile trip. 

Trip Code	CHL09
Trip Length	21 days, 20 nights
Starts/Ends	Santiago, Chile
Dates	2019	October 26 – November 15
	2020	October 24 – November 13
	2021	October 23 – November 12
Price per person (USD)	$6,998 (2019)
Single Supplement (USD)	$850
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size of 7 participants.

What the trip includes/excludes

The above price is per person in US Dollars, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested. | Chile Birding trip

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, 4 pelagic trips (Arica, Quintero, Chiloe and Puerto Montt), ferry rides to Chiloé Island and Tierra del Fuego, and park entrance fees. Tipping for restaurants and a daily bottle of water is also included.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flight package (4 flights – add $300-400), tipping for drivers and guides, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, alcoholic drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature. Chile Birding trip

ORDER STRUTHIONIFORMES

Family Rheidae [Rheas]

Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata

ORDER TINAMIFORMES

Family Tinamidae [Tinamous]

Ornate Tinamou Nothoprocta ornata

Chilean Tinamou Nothoprocta perdicaria

Puna Tinamou Tinamotis pentlandii

ORDER ANSERIFORMES

Family Anatidae [Swans, Geese and Ducks]

Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus

Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba

Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera

Upland Goose Chloephaga picta

Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida

Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala

Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps

Torrent Duck Merganetta armata

Flying Steamer-Duck Tachyeres patachonicus

Flightless Steamer-Duck Tachyeres pteneres

Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides

Spectacled Duck Speculanas specularis

Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix

Yellow-billed Teal Anas flavirostris

Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis

Puna Teal Anas puna

Silver Teal Anas versicolor

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

Red Shoveler Anas platalea

Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca

Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Lake Duck Oxyura vittata

ORDER GALLIFORMES

Family Odontophoridae [New World Quails]

California Quail Callipepla californica

ORDER PODICIPEDIFORMES

Family Podicipedidae [Grebes];

White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Great Grebe Podiceps major

Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis

ORDER PHOENICOPTERIFORMES

Family Phoenicopteridae [Flamingos]

Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis

Andean Flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus

James’s Flamingo Phoenicoparrus jamesi

ORDER SPHENISCIFORMES

Family Spheniscidae [Penguins]

King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus

Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti

Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus

ORDER PROCELLARIIFORMES

Family Diomedeidae [Albatrosses]

Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea [e.] epomophora

Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea [e.] sanfordi

Antipodean Albatross Diomedea [e.] antipodensis

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri

Salvin’s Albatross Thalassarche salvini

Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita

Family Procellariidae [Petrels and Shearwaters]

Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus

Northern Giant-Petrel Macronectes halli

Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides

Cape Petrel Daption capense

Masatierra Petrel Pterodroma defilippiana

Stejneger’s Petrel Pterodroma longirostris

Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis

Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica

Buller’s Shearwater Puffinus bulleri

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis

Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

Family Hydrobatidae [Storm-Petrels]

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

White-vented Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis

Pincoya Storm-Petrel Oceanites pincoyae

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma tethys

Markham’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma markhami

Ringed Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma hornbyi

Family Pelecanoididae [Diving-Petrels]

Peruvian Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides garnotii

Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani

ORDER SULIFORMES

Family Sulidae [Boobies]

Peruvian Booby Sula variegata

Family Phalacrocoracidae [Cormorants]

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi

Magellanic Cormorant Phalacrocorax magellanicus

Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvillii

Imperial Cormorant Phalacrocorax atriceps

ORDER PELECANIFORMES

Family Pelecanidae [Pelicans]

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus

Family Ardeidae [Herons]

Stripe-backed Bittern Ixobrychus involucris

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi

Great Egret Ardea alba

Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea

Family Threskiornithidae [Ibises]

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi

Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi

Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis

ORDER CATHARTIFORMES

Family Cathartidae [New World Vultures]

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

Andean Condor Vultur gryphus

ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES

Family Pandionidae [Osprey]

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Family Accipitridae [Hawks and Eagles]

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus

Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus

Bicolored Hawk Accipiter bicolor

Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

Variable Hawk Geranoaetus polyosoma

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus

White-throated Hawk Buteo albigula

Rufous-tailed Hawk Buteo ventralis

ORDER GRUIFORMES

Family Rallidae [Rails and Coots]

Austral Rail Rallus antarcticus

Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis

Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops

Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata

Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons

Giant Coot Fulica gigantea

Slate-colored Coot Fulica ardesiaca

White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera

ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES

Family Charadriidae [Lapwings and Plovers]

American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis

Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis

Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus

Collared Plover Charadrius collaris

Puna Plover Charadrius alticola

Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus

Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Phegornis mitchellii

Family Haematopodidae [Oystercatchers]

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater

Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus

Family Recurvirostridae [Avocets and Stilts]

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina

Family Burhinidae [Thick-knees]

Peruvian Thick-knee Burhinus superciliaris

Family Chionidae [Sheathbills]

Snowy Sheathbill Chionis albus

Family Pluvianellidae [Magellanic Plover]

Magellanic Plover Pluvianellus socialis

Family Scolopacidae [Sandpipers]

South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae

Puna Snipe Gallinago andina

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Willet Tringa semipalmata

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Surfbird Aphriza virgata

Red Knot Calidris canutus

Sanderling Calidris alba

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius

Family Thinocoridae [Seedsnipes]

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe Attagis gayi

Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus

Family Rostratulidae [Painted-Snipe]

South American Painted-Snipe Nycticryphes semicollaris

Family Stercorariidae [Skuas]

Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus

Family Laridae [Gulls and Terns]

Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini

Andean Gull Chroicocephalus serranus

Brown-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus maculipennis

Gray-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Dolphin Gull Leucophaeus scoresbii

Gray Gull Leucophaeus modestus

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla

Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan

Belcher’s Gull Larus belcheri

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus

Peruvian Tern Sternula lorata

Inca Tern Larosterna inca

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea

Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui

Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

Family Rynchopidae [Skimmers]

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

ORDER COLUMBIFORMES

Family Columbidae [Pigeons]

Picui Ground Dove Columbina picui

Croaking Ground Dove Columbina cruziana

Bare-faced Ground Dove Metriopelia ceciliae

Black-winged Ground Dove Metriopelia melanoptera

Golden-spotted Ground Dove Metriopelia aymara

Rock Pigeon Columba livia

Spot-winged Pigeon Patagioenas maculosa

Chilean Pigeon Patagioenas araucana

West Peruvian Dove Zenaida meloda

Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

ORDER CUCULIFORMES

Family Cuculidae [Cuckoos]

Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris

ORDER STRIGIFORMES

Family Tytonidae [Barn Owls]

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Family Strigidae [Owls]

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Rufous-legged Owl Strix rufipes

Peruvian Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium peruanum

Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nana

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

ORDER CAPRIMULGIFORMES

Family Caprimulgidae [Nightjars]

Band-winged Nightjar Systellura longirostris

ORDER APODIFORMES

Family Apodidae [Swifts]

Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus

Family Trochilidae [Hummingbirds]

Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans

Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes

Andean Hillstar Oreotrochilus estella

White-sided Hillstar Oreotrochilus leucopleurus

Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas

Chilean Woodstar Eulidia yarrellii

Oasis Hummingbird Rhodopis vesper

Peruvian Sheartail Thaumastura cora

ORDER CORACIIFORMES

Family Alcedinidae [Kingfishers]

Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata

ORDER PICIFORMES

Family Picidae [Woodpeckers]

Striped Woodpecker Veniliornis lignarius

Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius

Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola

Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus

ORDER FALCONIFORMES

Family Falconidae [Falcons]

Southern Caracara Caracara plancus

Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus

White-throated Caracara Phalcoboenus albogularis

Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

ORDER PSITTACIFORMES

Family Psittacidae [Parrots]

Burrowing Parakeet Cyanoliseus patagonus

Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus

Slender-billed Parakeet Enicognathus leptorhynchus

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus

Mountain Parakeet Psilopsiagon aurifrons

ORDER PASSERIFORMES

SUBORDER TYRANNI [Suboscines]

Family Rhinocryptidae [Tapaculos]

Chestnut-throated Huet-huet Pteroptochos castaneus

Black-throated Huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii

Moustached Turca Pteroptochos megapodius

White-throated Tapaculo Scelorchilus albicollis

Chucao Tapaculo Scelorchilus rubecula

Ochre-flanked Tapaculo Eugralla paradoxa

Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus

Dusky Tapaculo Scytalopus fuscus

Family Furnariidae [Ovenbirds]

Common Miner Geositta cunicularia

Short-billed Miner Geositta antarctica

Creamy-rumped Miner Geositta isabellina

Grayish Miner Geositta maritima

Puna Miner Geositta punensis

Rufous-banded Miner Geositta rufipennis

White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis

Straight-billed Earthcreeper Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus

Band-tailed Earthcreeper Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus

Crag Chilia Ochetorhynchus melanurus

Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops

Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper Upucerthia saturatior

Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria

White-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthis albigula

Plain-breasted Earthcreeper Upucerthia jelskii

Buff-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus

Cream-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes albiventris

White-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes atacamensis

Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti

Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus

Seaside Cinclodes Cinclodes nigrofumosus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda

Des Murs’s Wiretail Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides

Streaked Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura striata

Creamy-breasted Canastero Asthenes dorbignyi

Austral Canastero Asthenes anthoides

Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta

Sharp-billed Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Canyon Canastero Asthenes pudibunda

Dusky-tailed Canastero Pseudasthenes humicola

Family Tyrannidae [Tyrant Flycatchers]

White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps

Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant Anairetes reguloides

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant Anairetes flavirostris

Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus

Ticking Doradito Pseudocolapteryx citreola

Many-colored Rush Tyrant Tachuris rubrigastra

Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus

Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus

Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa

Andean Negrito Lessonia oreas

Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maculirostris

Puna Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola juninensis

Cinereous Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola cinereus

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albifrons

Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola flavinucha

Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola rufivertex

Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maclovianus

White-browed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albilora

Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola capistratus

Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola frontalis

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis montanus

White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis albicauda

Great Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis lividus

Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis micropterus

Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope

Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant Polioxolmis rufipennis

Chocolate-vented Tyrant Neoxolmis rufiventris

d’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca oenanthoides

White-browed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca leucophrys

Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris

Short-tailed Field Tyrant Muscigralla brevicauda

Family Cotingidae [Cotingas]

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara

SUBORDER PASSERES [Oscines]

Family Hirundinidae [Swallows]

Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Andean Swallow Orochelidon andecola

Peruvian Martin Progne murphyi

Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Family Troglodytidae [Wrens]

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Family Turdidae [Thrushes]

Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii

Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco

Family Mimidae [Mockingbirds]

Chilean Mockingbird Mimus thenca

Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus

White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus

Family Motacillidae [Pipits and Wagtails]

Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens

Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera

Hellmayr’s Pipit Anthus hellmayri

Family Thraupidae [Tanagers]

Blue-and-yellow Tanager Pipraeidea bonariensis

Cinereous Conebill Conirostrum cinereum

Tamarugo Conebill Conirostrum tamarugense

Giant Conebill Oreomares fraseri

Black-throated Flowerpiercer Diglossa brunneiventris

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus atriceps

Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus

Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor

Red-backed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus dorsalis

White-throated Sierra-Finch Phrygilus erythronotus

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus

Band-tailed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus alaudinus

White-winged Diuca-Finch Diuca speculifera

Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca

White-bridled Finch Melanodera melanodera

Yellow-bridled Finch Melanodera xanthogramma

Slender-billed Finch Xenospingus concolor

Puna Yellow-Finch Sicalis lutea

Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch Sicalis uropygialis

Greater Yellow-Finch Sicalis auriventris

Greenish Yellow-Finch Sicalis olivascens

Patagonian Yellow-Finch Sicalis lebruni

Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola

Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina

Chestnut-throated Seedeater Sporophila telasco

Band-tailed Seedeater Catamenia analis

Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris

Family Emberizidae [Sparrows]

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Family Parulidae [Wood-Warblers]

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

Family Icteridae [New World Blackbirds]

Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus

Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelasticus thilius

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis

Peruvian Meadowlark Sturnella bellicosa

Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca

Family Fringillidae [Finches]

Thick-billed Siskin Sporagra crassirostris

Hooded Siskin Sporagra magellanica

Black Siskin Sporagra atrata

Yellow-rumped Siskin Sporagra uropygialis

Black-chinned Siskin Sporagra barbata

Family Passeridae [Old World Sparrows]

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

NOTE: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to during the following working day.

Cancellation Policy

Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made less than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.