TRIP OVERVIEW
The following pages give our tour report of a complete birdwatching trip throughout Chile. We began in Arica: north portal of the country, crossing its calm waters between whales and
dolphins, swallows and seagulls. Its fertile valleys with small hummingbirds that manage to survive and thrive despite having totally moved from their previous habitat and then the
impressive high Andean plateau with its high volcanoes and lagoons full of coots and flamingos.
The south-central zone of Chile delighted us with the endemic species of our country. Tinamous, Tapaculos and Canasteros thickened our list of birds. In the centre south we walked through the last small patches of native forest of the zone that represents the home of Rayaditos, Tapaculos, Treerunners, Woodpeckers and Huet-huets. Finally, the iconic Patagonia with its eternal windswept steppes gave us specialties such as the Chocolate-vented Tyrant and White-bridled Finch and two highly endangered species: the Magellanic Plover and Ashy-headed Goose that put the finishing touch to 21 days for an enthusiastic group of birdwatchers all over Chile.
The route took us from north to south and from sea to inland to mountain range. We enjoyed sightings of all of the land based endemic birds for Chile, several species with restricted
distribution ranges and with very small population numbers and a diversity of landscapes such as only Chile can deliver to its visitors.
The North Zone - October 31
The early flight from Santiago allowed us to go straight to the coast at the mouth of the Lluta river. The wetland is the largest of the first region of the country and congregates numerous esident and migratory birds. In addition, it is a common place to find rare species for the area and this time was no exception: Purple Gallinule, Western and Stilt Sandpiper are rare species for Chile.
Large flocks of seagulls and terns, among them the Little Tern and a good selection of shorebirds that included: Least, Semipalmated and Baird`s Sandpiper, as well as the Snowy and Semipalmated Plover and Killdeer marked the starting point of our trip. At noon we moved to the Azapa valley where, among its greenhouses of tomatoes and corn, still manages to survive in very few numbers (less than 400 individuals according to the latest censuses) one of the most threatened birds in Chile. A single male of Chilean Woodstar perched on a small side street, gave us very good views.
After lunch we visited an unusual site that gave us more than 20 Peruvian Thick-knee, a nocturnal species, cryptic and difficult to observe. The day ended with a visit to the Hummingbird Sanctuary, just to delight the photographers of the trip with good views and photographs of Oasis Hummingbird and the beautiful Peruvian Sheartail.
1 November
The tranquil sea of Arica gave us a pleasant trip in its warm waters. Departing early from the Arica dock several common species of the Humboldt current began to appear: Peruvian Pelican and Booby and Inca tern went out to feed on the sea. Soon after sailing several hundred Sooty Shearwater began to fly near to us and the small flutterings of the Peruvian Diving-Petrel and Elliot´s Storm-Petrel were made noticeable before the passage of our boat.
It was not only the birds we were able to enjoy. A large group of dusky dolphins accompanied us for a long portion of the trip while the blow of a whale and some South American Sea Lion provided the other mammals of the trip. Three species of parasitic robbers (Chilean Skua, Pomarine and Parasitic Jaeger), two rare seagulls for the area (Sabine's and Swallow-tailed Gull) and large flocks of Red-legged and Guanay Cormorant livened up our return to the port to enjoy the coastal cuisine of Arica.
The rest of the day was spent journeying up into the Andes at Putre with the main bird sighting on the way up being the Bran-coloured Flycatcher
02 November
Putre is a small village located at 3500 metres of altitude and a hotspot for birdwatchers. In the morning we started observing birds walking from our own hotel and ending in the depths of the creek bed, with very good morning sightings: Andean Hillstar, Dark-winged and Canyon Canasteros, Yellow-billed Tit-tyrant and Black-throated Flowerpiercer among others.
With our final destination being the road up to Lake Chungará we stopped on the way for some specialties of the area: Ornate Tinamou and Black Siskin. In addition we found White-winged Diuca-finch, and the sparsely distributed White-throated Sierra-finch, Puna Ground-tyrant and a pair of the spectacular Diademed Sandpiper-plover were some of the findings of the Las Cuevas sector.
Finally we arrived at Lake Chungará at 4500 metres at the base of the Pomerapy and Parinacota volcanoes which was the scene to find: Giant Coot, Puna Plover, Andean Lapwing and Puna Teal. Our last stop of the day was in the surroundings of the village of Parinacota with a colony of Andean Flickers nesting in the nearby ravines and a fertile wetland housed a pair of Andean Avocet, among other birds from the Puna.
03 November
The next day we completed two of the specialties for the Putre area: Buff-breasted and Straight-billed Earthcreeper. On our route back to Arica we deviated from the path looking for the last forests of Polylepis, one of the trees that grow at the highest altitude in the world in conditions of extreme aridity, strong winds and intense solar radiation. This was the scenario to find the D´Orbigny´s Chat-tyrant and Thick-billed Siskin.
04 November
Our last destination in the north of Chile was the Camarones ravine. Much better preserved than the other two quebradas (Lluta and Azapa), where we looked for Pied-crested Tit-tyrant
in the tamarugo forests. We found in the same sector several Chilean-Woodstar nests, which holds some hope for this threatened bird. We ended up looking for the Tamarugo Conebill and visiting the newly discovered colony of Markham's Storm-Petrel which have been occupying some of the most absolute desert to reproduce and no one knew! We finished the north of Chile with more than 140 species of birds, having covered every good birding place and tasting in Arica and Putre the best of the local cuisine and of course the first Pisco Sours of the trip.
Central-South Zone
The central zone of Chile meant a change of scenery for all, the inclusion of new passengers and the expectation of getting the best selection of endemic birds in the country.
05 November
With the mountains of Farellones as a backdrop and several stops along the way the day began with excellent sightings: Chilean Tinamou,Moustached Turca and Dusky Tapaculo ; the first three endemics of the trip. As we gained altitude andapproached the kingdom of the Condors, we searched for birds that included: Yellow-rumped Siskin,Band-tailed Sierra-finch, Greater
Yellow-finch, White-browed and Rufous-naped Ground-tyrant and, of course, the Andean Condor itself
06 November
The mouth of the Maipo River is one of the largest and most important wetlands in the central zone. The reeded areas are home to 3 interesting species: Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Wren-like Rush bird and Sedge Wren. At the mouth of the estuary large flocks of Black Skimmer and Gulls were resting and some
shorebirds such as Collared Plover, Red Knot and Hudsonian Goodwit were feeding by the low tide.
At a short stop at the Cartagena lagoon we got excellent views of ducks and swans that included: Lake Duck, Cinnamon Teal and the two swans of the country: Coscoroba and Black-necked. Lunch on a comfortable terrace in sight of the sea was the perfect place to find another of our endemics, the Seaside Cinclodes. The last stop of the day was in Algarrobo where a small wetland survives among the apartment towers. In this small patch of wetland is one of the rarest herons of the country: Stripe-backed Bittern, which we could see and photograph two specimens just a few meters from us!
Then we went to a small ravine with native vegetation which was the place to find: Striped Woodpecker, Chilean Pigeon (uncommon for this area) and another of our endemics; Dusky-tailed
Canastero.
07 November.
Valparaiso always offers excellent pelagic trips and the Humboldt Current generates the ideal conditions to transform each trip into a unique experience. Although the conditions showed low cloud, little visibility and little wind, we sailed out safely. On the side of the Albatrosses we recorded 4 species: Black-browed, Salvin´s, Northern Royal and the less frequent Buller´s. The group of Shearwaters was represented by: Sooty and Pink-footed. Finally Wilson's Storm-petrel, PeruvianDiving-petrel and a Southern Fulmar marked an excellent trip.
After a break for lunch on the coast we continued visiting the last coastal sectors to obtain better sightings of Inca Tern and Cormorants.
November 08
We started the day heading to the Quebrada de Córdoba in search of another endemic Tapaculo, the White-throated Tapaculo. This shy bird made us wait a couple of hours before we could get excellent sightings for our passengers. The rest of the day we used to go north to the Isla Cachagua Natural Monument which houses a colony of Humboldt Penguins. While walking along the beach we enjoyed a Marine Otter that was feeding in the water and that memory stayed with us enlivening the trip back to Santiago.
November 09
The Yeso Valley is located south east of Santiago in the central Andes taking us into a landscape of mountains full of contrasting views and good stops for birding. Before taking the secondary road we stopped to see a male Torrent Duck who rested on the rocks of the river, then decided to stop to continue growing our list of endemic birds finding Moustached Turca and Crag Chilia, obtaining good views and Incredible pictures.
We stopped again on the way to see Mountain Parakeet, Sharp-billed Canastero and the first Ground Tyrants that included Spot-billed and White-browed. In the upper las parts of the sector we had sightings of Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Creamyrumped
Miner and completed the Ground-Tyrants with Cinereous and Black-fronted. Unfortunately, due to the late and heavy snow thaws we could not access the highest places of the Valley.
10 November
The last day in the Santiago area, we split into two parts. In the morning we used it to search the Lampa wetlands for the rare South American Painted Snipe of which the whole group
managed to spot at least 4 individuals flying our way. Then we walked through the lagoons of Batuco in search of the Black-headed Duck and we had the unexpected visit of a group of Andean Geese that use this wetland as a wintering place and had decided to extended their stay in the warmer area. The rest of the day was the long drive to the Colbún reservoir to visit the noisy colony of Burrowing Parrot which use the cliffs above the river to nest. In the same place we could see Spectacled Duck and our second Torrent Duck. We arrived at our comfortable cabins on the outskirts of the Lircay National Reserve to rest and recharge.
11 November
The Altos de Lircay National Reserve at the foothills of the Andes of central-southern Chile represents one of the scarce primary or original forests of the area, home to iconic forest species such as Magellanic Woodpecker, Chestnut-throated Huet-huet and Chucao Tapaculo. We spent part of the morning and afternoon in the search for them. With very good sightings and enjoying the beautiful viewpoints we returned to relax in the pool of our hotel, while the little Green-backed Fire crowns were feeding in the nearby trees. During the two nights we slept in the area, we spent a couple of hours searching for Rufous-legged Owl, from whom we only got distant answers and no sightings.
12 November
The following day we traveled further south to Temuco, in search of our last Tapaculos that included: Magellanic and Ochre-flanked, as well as other birds typical of the southern deciduous forests that include: Des Murs' Wiretail and Slender-billed Parakeet, our last continental endemic of Chile!
13 November
The initial plan was to reach the highest part of Lonquimay to look for Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper. (A recent split of Scale-throated) which is not yet well known in its reproductive range in Chile. But again, the later than usual spring thaw conditions of the route, forced us to retrace our steps not being able to reach the site we were expecting on the instructions of the local police. We stopped in the small town of Curacautín where we looked for Saffron Finch, a species that is recently colonizing the country and we decided to look for Black-throated Huet-huet, who despite answering us on many occasions around us, only flew in front of some of our passengers, lucky them! Thus we finished the south central zone of Chile, obtaining all the land based endemic species of Chile and with about 250 species in total.
At the same time the central zone of Chile allowed us to enjoy the varied gastronomic offer that included a select sample of sea food on the coast and traditional Chilean food in the valley, in excellent restaurants with good samples of white and red wines from the fertile valleys through which we travelled for many hours.
Patagonia
The last stop of our trip took us to the southern end of the continent. With Punta Arenas as the main city we toured the mythical Tierra del Fuego, former home of the extinct Kaweskar Indians. We sailed across the Strait of Magellan and visited the Torres del Paine National Park. All this was accompanied by the best selection of birds of the area and crowned with the traditional local gastronomy that included: crab, guanaco and the revered Patagonian lamb. Of course accompanied by good Chilean wines and the Sour Calafate: a variation of Pisco Sour, but prepared with a local berry.
14 November
Patagonia always enchants and surprises us with its contrasting landscapes of steppes and snowy mountains. The early flight allowed us to arrive in the morning to Punta Arenas and go directly to the beautiful Tres Puentes wetland where we began to quickly add several of the specialties of the area which Include: Upland Goose, Ashy-headed Goose, and the most threatened goose in Chile, Ruddy-headed Goose that breeds in very low numbers in our country. Among the Chilean Flamingos who coloured the lagoons, Flying Steamer Duck added to our list of highlights for the area. Finally, among a flock of Baird's Sandpipers (finally I managed to pronounce it!), Some smaller individuals, with somewhat striped flanks delivered for some of our passengers the last of the Sandpipers of their world-wide list, the White-rumped Sandpiper, Well done! The rest of the afternoon we use to visit the Ruddy-headed Goose reserve, traveling 60kms from the coastal route south of Punta Arenas, stopping to get the Flying Steamer Duck, Magellanic (Rock) Cormorant, Imperial Cormorant, Dolphin Gull, Magellanic Oystercatcher and with beautiful views of Austral Parakeet, finishing the afternoon with excellent sightings of the the small Two-banded Plover.
15 November
The next day dawned windy, which is not new for Patagonia, and the ferry crossing the Strait of Magellan gave conditions in which it was difficult but possible to spot the Magellanic Diving petrel, Wilson's Storm-petrel and the locally common Black-browed Albatross and Southern Giant-petrel. Once in Tierra del Fuego, we set out immediately to find one of the most interesting species of the trip: Magellanic Plover, which represents the only member of his family. This little plover with colorful pink feet reproduces on the shore of rocky lagoons close to Porvenir. Then we started our way to the northern limit of the island, stopping for a Magellanic Horned Owl and Short-billed Miner before moving on to sleep in Cerro Sombrero.
16 November
Our second day in Tierra del Fuego was definitely the most eagerly anticipated by many of the group as we would visit the King Penguin Colony. Before that we decided to go north looking for the birds of the Patagonian pampas. That's how we got a great encounter with 3 Chocolate-vented Tyrants and it was here that the "Crawling Team" (the photographers) began to show their skills on the steppes. Then, our longed for destination: the King Penguin Colony, a growing colony and we were delighted with 157 adults and 7 juveniles in full moult. We enjoyed these incredible birds that in their slow wanderings do not seem to care about the visitors nor the strong wind that constantly strikes their home in Bahia Inutil From the beach, it was possible to distinguish some pelagic birds that the wind attracted to the interior of the bay: White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Giant-petrel and Black-browed Albatross.
Before returning to our lodge we decided to continue walking through the steppes to find Patagonian Yellow-finch, always perched on the numerous fences of Tierra del Fuego and
excellent views of Rufous-chested Dotterel coming from the north of the country to nest during the austral summer season.
17 November
A much shorter ferry back to the continent and with friendlier conditions gave us the last penguin we were looking for, the Magellanic Penguin. Back on the mainland a long journey through lagoons flooded with colours in front of the Atlantic mouth of the Strait of Magellan and long steppes that border the border with
Argentina, we would add some of the most beautiful and interesting species for our trip, Kelp Goose (the last of Our geese), the Silver Teal, and three specialties from this habitat, the small
Band-tailed Earthcreeper, Tawny-Throated Dotterel and the beautiful White-bridled Finch, from which we all got great views. We ended the day in Puerto Natales.
18 November
Our last day in Patagonia would take us to visit one of the most famous national parks in Chile and the world. With its incredible granite formations of rock and surrounded by wildlife wherever you look, Torres del Paine National Park has well earned its title of the eighth natural wonder of the world. We started the tour stopping at some viewpoints to contemplate its imposing mountain chain. Inside the park, the objective was to look for one of the rarest birds known for the country: the Austral Rail. Inhabitant of dense reedbeds and seldom leaving them, it nevertheless peeped out at us for a few moments so that we were able to obtain good views. The Austral Canastero gives us the last canastero of Chile and after some good photographs of the landscape, the road took us to the highest part that we would visit of the region, Sierra Baguales. With some interesting stops to observe the Ochre-naped and Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, the grasslands were filled with the colourful Yellow-bridled Finch and the "Crawling Team" again took advantage of their technique to obtain incredible images. Finally we reached the highest part of the road, where we would look for the last highlight of the trip, the scarce White-throated Caracara. After scanning the cliffs again and again and almost thinking that we were returning empty-handed, one of our passengers spotted a small white spot that rests on the rocks that the scopes brought closer. Thus we completed our own list of the "highlights" proposed by the guests as the targets for this trip. The return to Puerto Natales and the dinner with Magellanic lamb prepared in its most traditional form, marked the end point of our trip.
19 November
Tired but happy we returned to Punta Arenas and took our flights back to Santiago to conclude a long and successful Chilean adventure with more than 290 species in this beautiful trip.
RR = Restricted-range species (total range < 50.000 km2)
Conservation Status follows Birdlife International (April 2012)
RHEAS (Rheidae)
1. Darwin's (Lesser) Rhea (Pterocnemia pennata pennata) Near Threatened Common in Patagonia, especially during our drive from Sierra Baguales to Puerto Natales.
TINAMOUS (Tinamidae)
2. Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornate) Viewed twice, on the roads around Putre.
3. Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria) Chilean Endemic
DUCKS (Anatidae)
4. Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) In Laguna Cartagena and more common in Patagonia.
5. Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) Laguna Cartagena and Patagonia.
6. Andean Goose (Oressochen melanopterus) Abundant in Lauca NP, and large group seen in Batuco wetland.
7. Upland Goose(Chloephaga picta) Common in Patagonia.
8. Kelp Goose(Chloephaga hybrid) A solitary male in the lagoons of Buque Quemado, Patagonia.
9. Ashy-headed Goose (Chloephaga poliocephala) Almost daily seen in Patagonia, but in small numbers.
10. RR Ruddy-headed Goose (Chloephaga rubidiceps) A couple in the Tres Puentes Wetland, on the south coast of Punta Arenas and Tierra del Fuego.
11. Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata) A male resting on a rock on the way to the Yeso Valley and another on the Maule River.
12. Flying Steamer-Duck (Tachyeres patachonicus) Excellent views at Patagonia.
13. Flightless Steamer-Duck (Tachyeres pteneres) Great views on the coastal line in Patagonia.
14. Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) Common in Patagonia and in Lauca NP.
15. Spectacled Duck (Speculanas specularis) Near Threatened First seen in Colbún Lake and again in Patagonia.
16. Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) Common in the Central area, but more abundant at Patagonia.
17. Yellow-billed Teal (Anas flavirostris) Subspecies flavirostris commonly seen in Patagonia and hundreds of individuals of oxyptera in Lauca NP.
18. Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica) Common in all Chile.
19. White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) A group in the estuary of the Rio Lluta.
20. Puna Teal (Anas puna) Common in el Lauca NP.
21. Silver Teal (Anas versicolor) Only a couple in a small stream in Patagonia.
22. Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) Sighted all over Chile.
23. Red Shoveler (Anas platalea) Abundant in the wetlands of the central area and Patagonia.
24. Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) Only a couple seen with telescope in a very hot morning in Batuco wetland.
25. Andean (Ruddy) Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) Abundant in el Lauca NP.
26. Lake Duck (Oxyura vittata) In coastal wetlands of Central Chile and Patagonia.
NEW WORLD QUAIL (Odontophoridae)
27. California Quail (Callipepla califórnica) Seen and heard several times in the central area.
GREBES (Podicipedidae)
28. White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia Rolland) We saw groups of this small grebe at several wetlands in the central area and Patagonia.
29. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) In several wetlands in the central area.
30. Great Grebe (Podiceps major)In some wetlands in the central area and even at sea.
31. Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis) An enormous flock of juninensis subspecies in Lauca NP and occipitalis subspecies in coastal wetlands of Central Chile and also saw in Patagonia.
FLAMINGOS (Phoenicopteridae)
32. Chilean Flamingo(Phoenicopterus chilensis) Near Threatened Big group at Lauca NP and also good views in Patagonia.
33. Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) We recognize his yellow legs over the lagoon, near to Lauca NP.
PENGUINS (Spheniscidae)
34. King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) We counted 157 adult and 7 juvenile at the colony in Tierra del Fuego. Last year was the first year in which one of the chicks born in the colony survives, It is thought that the majority of individuals in this colony are young individuals who have no experience in raising offspring.
35. Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) Vulnerable We visited a large colony in Cachagua north of Valparaíso.
36. Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) Near-Threatened The second ferry in the Strait of Magellan give us a better view.
ALBATROSSES (Diomedeidae)
37. Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi) Endangered We saw these gigantic albatrosses during the Valparaiso pelagic trip.
38. Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) Endangered Several juvenile during pelagic trip from Valparaiso.
39. Buller's Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) Near-Threatened During our pelagic trip off Valparaiso.
40. Salvin's Albatross (Thalassarche salvini) Vulnerable Most common albatross in our pelagic trip.
SHEARWATERS (Procellariidae)
41. Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) Observed during Valparaiso pelagic, also seen during ferry crossing in Patagonia.
42. Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli) Arica and Valparaiso pelagic trip
43. Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) Close views coming to Valparaíso port.
44. White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) Vulnerable Arica and Valparaiso pelagic trip.
45. Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) Vulnerable Just in Arica.
46. Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea) Near-Threatened Large numbers on both pelagic.
47. Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus) Vulnerable More than 20 during our pelagic trip off Valparaiso.
DIVING-PETRELS (Procellariidae)
48. Peruvian Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides garnotii) Endangered More abundant in Arica, but also viewed in Valparaiso.
49. Magellanic Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides magellani) Bad conditions and views of this small petrel, but one of our pax has got a good picture, well done!
STORM-PETRELS (Hydrobatidae)
50. Fuegian (Wilson's) Storm-Petrel
(Oceanites oceanicus chilensis) We saw this species during pelagic trip off Valparaiso and also a group small from the ferry to Tierra del Fuego.
51. Elliot's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites gracilis) More than 20 during our pelagic trip off Arica.
52. Markham's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma markhami) We saw only one juvenile who had been rescued in the city. The adults apparently migrate already, since we did not see individuals offshore and this would correspond to a delayed chick.
BOOBIES (Sulidae)
53. Peruvian Booby (Sula variegata) Common in the north and central Chile.
CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracidae)
54. Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) Near-Threatened Good views in the north and central Chile.
55. Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) Abundant in the north and central Chile.
56. Guanay Cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) Near-Threatened Big flocks in both of the pelagics trips.
57. Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) Abundant in Patagonia.
PELICANS (Pelecanidae)
58. Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus) Near-Threatened Abundant in the north and central Chile.
HERONS (Ardeidae)
59. Stripe-backed Bittern (Ixobrychus involucres) Excelent views, and pictures! Very close to our position in Algarrobo.
60. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Abundant in el Lluta river estuary and also we saw it in el Maipo river.
61. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Several flocks along the central valleys.
62. Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) A single bird in Batuco wetland.
63. Great Egret (Ardea alba) Observed at several of the wetlands we visited.
64. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Observed at several of the wetlands we visited.
65. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Adult and juvenile in El Lluta river estuary.
IBISES (Threskiornithidae)
66. White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) Two birds in Batuco wetland.
67. Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) Abundant in the north of Chile.
68. Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) Common in central Chileand Patagonia.
NEW WORLD VULTURES (Cathartidae)
69. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Very common in the north of Chile.
70. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Common in the center of Chile.
71. Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) Near-Threatened Excellent views close distance at Farellones, and also Patagonia.
HAWKS (Accipitridae)
72. Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus) At least 3 sights in Patagonia.
73. Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) Sights in northern and central Chile.
74. Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) Abundant in the north and center of Chile.
75. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) Views in north and Patagonia.
RAILS (Rallidae)
76. Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus) Vulnerable In a very small pond covered in local rush, all the group has a good view of it. Within Torres del Paine NP.
77. Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) In a small pond by a gas station on the way to Vilches.
78. Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) In a couple of wetlands in the central area of Chile.
79. Common Gallinule (Moorhen) (Gallinula galeata) Common in the north of Chile.
80. Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) Abundant in the north and Patagonia.
81. Red-fronted Coot (Fulica rufifrons) In a couple of wetlands in the central coast of Chile.
82. Giant Coot(Fulica gigantean) Abundant in the breeding grounds, lagoons in northern Chile.
83. Andean (Slate-colored) Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) Views in north Chile.
84. White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) Regular sightings during the trip.
85. Purpule Gallinue (Porphyrio martinicus)Rare species in Chile. Sighted at the mouth of the Lluta.
PLOVERS (Charadriidae)
86. American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) A single bird on the coast of Arica.
87. Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Largest groups in Arica.
88. Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) Some individuals in the steppe of Patagonia. Even one nesting, great views.
89. Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) Abundant, from Central Chile to Patagonia.
90. Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) two birds in Lauca NP.
91. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) Small group in the coast of Arica.
92. Killdeer(Charadrius vociferous) A couple of birds seen in coast of Arica.
93. Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus) two birds in Lluta river estuary.
94. Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris) Two birds in El Maipo estuary.
95. Puna Plover (Charadrius alticola) Two birds in Lauca NP.
96. Two-banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus) Very good views on the coast of Punta Arenas, Patagonia.
97. Rufous-chested Dotterel (Charadrius modestus) A great flock in Tierra del Fuego.
98. Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (Phegornis mitchellii) Near-Threatened A couple in the Lauca NP.
OYSTERCATCHERS (Haematopodidae)
99. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) In several wetlands in the north and center of Chile.
100. Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) In smaller numbers, but sighted throughout Chile.
101. Magellanic Oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus) Cmmon in Patagonia.
AVOCETS and STILTS (Recurvirostridae)
102. White-backed (Black-necked) Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) Common in the center of Chile, Maipu estuary, and Batuco wetlands.
103. Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina) Only one couple in a small wetland near Parinacota.
THICK-KNEES (Burhinidae)
104. Peruvian Thick-knee (Burhinus superciliaris) A large group of 24 birds in an orchard in the middle of the desert in nirthern Chile.
MAGELLANIC PLOVER (Pluvianellidae)
105. RR Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) Near-Threatened A couple in Verde lagoon in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia.
SANDPIPERS (Scolopacidae)
106. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Abundant in the north and central area.
107. Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) Common in the north and central area.
108. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Common in the north and central area.
109. Red Knot (Calidris canutus) Small group in the coast of Arica.
110. Sanderling (Calidris alba) Small group in the coast of Arica.
111. Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) The most common wader in all Chile.
112. Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) A couple of birds seen in coast of Arica.
113. White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) Seen in Patagonia, a few times in the coast and wetlands.
114. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)Small group in the coast of Arica.
115. Magellanic (South American) Snipe (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica) In small numbers, but in the central and Patagonia.
116. Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) seen in the north of Chile (pelagic and cost) and also in Batuco wetland.
117. Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) Valparaiso pelagic trip.
118. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) In small numbers in the north of Chile.
119. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) Seen in the north and Patagonia.
120. Willet (Tringa semipalmata) Just in the north of Chile.
121. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Seen in the north of Chile.
122. Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) A couple of birds seen in coast of Arica.
123. Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) uncommon bird seen in the north of Chile.
SEEDSNIPES (Thinocoridae)
124. Gray-breasted Seedsnipe (Thinocorus orbignyianus) In high Andean bofedales of the north of Chile and in the vegas in the Valley of El Yeso.
125. Least Seedsnipe (Thinocorus rumicivorus) Abundant in Patagonia.
PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratulidae)
126. South American Painted-snipe (Nycticryphes semicollaris) At least 4 birds flying very close to us.
SKUAS (Stercorariidae)
127. Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) In the pelagics of Arica and Valparaíso, more common in Patagonia.
128. Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) A single bird on the pelagic trip.
129. Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) A couple of birds seen in the Arica pelagic trip.
GULLS (Laridae)
130, Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) Rare sea gull on the coast of Chile, sighted in the Pelagic of Arica.
131. Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) Rare seagull on the coast of Chile, sighted in the Pelagic of Arica.
132. Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus) Abundant in the north of Chile. A single bird in el Maule river.
133. Brown-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus maculipennis) Abundant in the central area and Patagonia.
134. Dolphin Gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii) Just in Patagonia.
135. Gray Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) Abundant in the north and central area of Chile.
136. Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) Big flock in the north and central area of Chile.
137. Belcher's (Band-tailed) Gull (Larus belcheri) Just in the north of Chile.
138. Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) The most common and abundant seagull of Chile.
139. Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) Near-Threatened Big group in the north and also a big colony in the central area of Chile.
140. South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) common in all Chile.
141. Snowy-crowned (Trudeau's) Tern (Sterna trudeaui) seen just for a couple of pax in the north of Chile.
142. Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Near-Threatened Abundant in the north and central area of Chile.
143. Peruvian Tern (Sternula lorata) A single bird in the cost of northern Chile.
144. Artic Tern (Sterna vittata)A single bird in the pelagic trip of Arica.
SKIMMERS (Rynchopidae)
145. Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) seen in the north of Chile and very common in the central area.
PIGEONS (Columbidae)
146. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) In every city.
147. Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa) common around Putre.
148. RR Chilean Pigeon (Patagioenas araucana) Just one bird in the central area and more common at south.
149. West Peruvian Dove (Zenaida meloda) common in the north of Chile.
150. Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) All Chile.
151. Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui) seen in the central area.
152. Croaking Ground Dove (Columbina cruziana) common in the north of Chile.
153. Bare-faced Ground Dove (Metriopelia ceciliae) Abundant around Putre.
154. Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera) Common in the highest zones of the central mountain range of Chile.
OWLS (Strigidae)
155. Magellanic (Great) Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus magellanicus) A couple resting in Tierra del Fuego.
156. Austral Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium nana) An individual on a cable in the road to the coast in central Chile.
157. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) A couple in the central area and others seen around Batuco wetland.
158. Rufous-legged Owl (Strix rufipes) Only heard in the distance around the Lircay National Reserve .
SWIFTS (Apodidae)
159. Andean Swift (Aeronautes andecolus) A couple in Camarones gorge.
HUMMINGBIRDS (Trochilidae)
160. Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephaniodes) Several individuals in Lircay and also in Ñielol.
161. Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella) Very good views around Putre.
162. White-sided Hillstar (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) Sighted in our two incursions in the central Andes range.
163. Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) Peruvian subspecies in the north of Chile and gigas in the central zone.
164. RR Chilean Woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii) Endangered Excellent views of this sparse hummingbird in the valley of Azapa and Camarones.
165. Oasis Hummingbird (Rhodopis vesper) Common in northern Chile.
166. Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora) Excellent views and pictures at the Sanctuary of Picaflor, Azapa.
WOODPECKERS (Picidae)
167. Striped Woodpecker (Veniliornis lignarius) Seen in the central area.
168. Chilean Flicker (Colaptes pitius) Central area and Patagonia.
169. Andean Flicker (Colaptes rupicola) We visited the breeding colony around Parinacota.
170. Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) Excellent views of a female in the national reserve Lircay.
FALCONS (Falconidae)
171. Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) Abundant in Patagonia.
172. Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) Arround Lauca NP and en the central area.
173. White-throated Caracara
(Phalcoboenus albogularis) Just one bird in Sierra Baguales, Patagonia.
174. Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) Common in all Chile.
175. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Abundant in the north and central area of Chile.
176. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) A single bird flying near the Camarones Gorge.
PARROTS (Psittacidae)
177. Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) A flock fed on the way to the Valley of Yeso.
178. Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) Common in the south and Patagonia area, great pictures.
179. RR Slender-billed Parakeet
(Enicognathus leptorhynchus) Chilean Endemic Good views on the way to Curacautín.
180. Burrowing Parakeet (Cyanoliseus patagonus) Distant views of the colony on the Maule river.
TAPACULOS (Rhinocryptidae)
181. RR Chestnut-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos castaneus) Excellent views in Lircay National Reserve.
182. RR Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii) We heard it on many occasions, but only crossed the small path for 2 people in our group to see it, lucky ones! Ñielol, Temuco.
183. RR Moustached Turca (Pteroptochos megapodius) Chilean Endemic Excellent views in Farellones and El Yeso.
184. RR White-throated Tapaculo (Scelorchilus albicollis) Chilean Endemic Despite having to wait to see it, we had very good views and excellent photographs! Cordoba gorge.
185. Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) Clear views of this tapaculo in Altos de Lircay NP.
186. RR Ochre-flanked Tapaculo (Eugralla paradoxa) Very good views in Ñielol, Temuco
187. Magellanic Tapaculo (Scytalopus magellanicus) Great views in Ñielol, Temuco.
188. Dusky Tapaculo (Scytalopus fuscus) Chilean Endemic Literally walked by our feet on the way to Farellones.
OVENBIRDS (Furnariidae)
189. Common Miner (Patagonia) (Geositta cunicularia cunicularia) On the way to Puerto Natales belonging here to the cunicularia subspecies.
190. Puna Miner (Geositta punensis) Good views at Lauca NP.
191. Rufous-banded Miner (Geositta rufipennis) common in the cordilleran areas around Santiago.
192. RR Short-billed Miner (Geositta antarctica) Good views on this restricted-range miner in Tierra del Fuego.
193. Creamy-rumped Miner (Geositta isabellina) Good views, even of its rumped at el Yeso Valley.
194. White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis) Common in the south forest of Chile.
195. Straight-billed Earthcreeper (Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus) Just a single birdnear Putre
196. Band-tailed Earthcreeper (Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus) Good pictures of two birds in Patagonia.
197. RR Crag Chilia (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) Chilean Endemic Excelents views on 2 birds on the way to Yeso Valley.
198. Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops) Seen in several wetlands in Central Chile and also at Torres del Paine.
199. Scale-throated Earthcreeper (Upucerthia dumetaria) Seen in the highland Central Chile and also at Patagonia.
200. Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Upucerthia validirostris) Seen arround Putre.
201. Buff-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus) Seen in the central area and also Patagonia.
202. Cream-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes albiventris) Arround Putre and also at Lauca NP.
203. Gray-flanked (Oustalet's) Cinclodes (Cinclodes oustaleti) A couple in a small valley near Farellones.
204. White-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes atacamensis)A few seen in Putre and at Lauca NP.
205. Dark-bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes patagonicus) Common in the coast in Patagonia.
206. Seaside Cinclodes (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) Chilean Endemic Excellent views near our lunch place north of San Antonio.
207. Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) Seen in the central area, but more common in the south of the country.
208. Des Murs's Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii) Excellent views and photographs were obtained in Cerro Ñielol, Temuco.
209. Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides) Common in Central (aegithaloides subspecies) and pallia subspecies in Patagonia.
210. Streaked Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura striata) Good views at Putre gorge.
211. Dark-winged (Creamy-breasted) Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae) Good views, even at Putre town.
212. Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides) Excellent view at Torres del Paine NP.
213. Cordilleran Canastero (Asthenes modesta) Excellent pictures at Lauca NP.
214. Sharp-billed Canastero (Asthenes pyrrholeuca) Seen in our two visits to the mountain range of the central zone.
215. Canyon Canastero (Asthenes pudibunda) Seen at Putre gorge.
216. RR Dusky-tailed Canastero Pseudasthenes humicola) Chilean Endemic Close to Algarrobo and in Córdova gorge.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannidae)
217. Chilean (White-crested) Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps) The common summer flycatcher in Chile! All the ones seen in the north of the country belong to the modesta subspecies, and all the other ones, from Central Chile to Patagonia, belong to the chilensis
subspecies.
218. Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant(Anairetes flavirostris) A couple of birds around Putre.
219. Tufted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes parulus) Common from Central Chile to Patagonia.
220. Pied crested tit tyrant (Anairetes reguloides) Family group at Camarones gorge.
221. Many-colored Rush Tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra) Gorgeous views at el Maipo estuary
222. Rufescent (Bran-colored) Flycatcher(Myiophobus fasciatus rufescens) Just one bird on the way up to Putre.
223. Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Common in the north of Chile.
224. Austral Negrito (Lessonia rufa)Common in the central Chile and Patagonia.
225. Andean Negrito (Lessonia oreas) A few at Lauca NP.
226. Spectacled Tyrant (Hymenops perspicillatus) A few pairs at the Maipo estuary.
227. Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) Some birds in the Andes above Santiago.
228. Puna Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola juninensis) A few in the Lauca NP.
229. Cinereous Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola cinereus) Just one single bird on the way at Yeso Valley.
230. White-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albifrons) Several at Lauca National Park.
231. Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) Seen at Sierra Baguales.
232. Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) Great views, could compare directly with White-fronted Ground-Tyrant.
233. White-browed Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albilora) Common in Farellones, in the Andes above Santiago.
234. Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola capistratus) Common in Patagonia.
235. Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola frontalis) A couple of birds around el Yeso Valley.
236. Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis montanus) A couple well seen in Chapiquiña,North of Chile.
237. Great Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis lividus) A single bird roosting in Yerba Loca NR.
238. Fire-eyed Diucon (Xolmis pyrope) Regular sighting from Central Chile to Patagonia.
239. Chocolate-vented Tyrant (Neoxolmis rufiventris) RR Excellent views and photografies in Tierra del Fuego.
240. d'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) Just a single bird at polylepis forest, far views and not for all the group.
241. White-browed Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca leucophrys) A few around Putre town.
COTINGAS (Cotingidae)
242. Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) Several views in the central area and also in Patagonia.
SWALLOWS (Hirundinidae)
243. Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) Widespread and common.
244. Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola) A few seen at Lauca National Park.
245. Chilean Swallow (Tachycineta meyeni) Common in Central Chile and Patagonia.
246. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Good views in Camarones gorge.
247. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Seen it at Sobraya dam and Camarones gorge.
248. Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Good views in Camarones gorge.
WRENS (Troglodytidae)
249. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Everywhere and common.
250. Austral (Sedge) Wren (Cistothorus platensis hornensis) Good views at El Maipo estuary and in Patagonia.
THRUSHES (Turdidae)
251. Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii) Almost every day in the central area and Patagonia.
252. Chiguanco Thrush (Turdus chiguanco) Several seen around Putre.
MOCKINGBIRDS (Mimidae)
253. RR Chilean Mockingbird (Mimus thenca) Near to Endemic Very common in Central Chile.
PIPITS (Motacillidae)
254. Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera) In several wetlands at central area and also seen in Patagonia.
TANAGERS (Thraupidae)
255. Blue-and-yellow Tanager (Pipraeidea bonariensis) Several seen near Putre.
256. Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrum cinereum) We found a few in the valleys around Arica and a few more in Putre.
257. Tamarugo Conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense) RR-Vulnerable.A Family group at Quebrada Vitor, in front of our group.
258. Black-throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa brunneiventris) We saw several of these active singer in Putre.
259 Black-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus atriceps) One near the picnic tables at Lago Chungara and several in Putre.
260. Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus gayi) Common in the Santiago area and in Patagonia.
261. Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus) Common in the forested (Nothofagus) area.
262. Mourning Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus fruticeti)Several birds seen around Santiago but in high quantities around Putre.
263. Plumbeous Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus unicolor) Good views in Farellones.
264. White-throated Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus erythronotus) Seen in the caves region at Lauca National Park.
265. Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus plebejus) Found on the old road to Putre.
266. Band-tailed Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus alaudinus) Some singing in Farellones.
267. White-winged Diuca-Finch (Diuca speculifera) Surrounding bofedales at Lauca NP.
268. Common Diuca-Finch (Diuca diuca) Common in Central Chile.
269. Fuegian (White-bridled) Finch (Melanodera melanodera princetoniana) At least 4 birds seen very well in the Patagonian steppe.
270. Yellow-tailed (Yellow-bridled)Finch (Melanodera xanthogramma xanthogramma) Gorgeous pictures at Sierra Baguales, Patagonia.
271. Slender-billed Finch (Xenospingus concolor) Several seen very well at Río Lluta Estuary.
272. Greater Yellow-Finch (Sicalis auriventris) We found groups of these finches on several occasions, Farellones, El Yeso and also in Patagonia¡¡.
273. Greenish Yellow-Finch (Sicalis olivascens) Found in the highlands of the North.
274. Patagonian Yellow-Finch (Sicalis lebruni) In different places at Tierra del Fuego.
275. Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)Curacautín town.
276. Grassland Yellow-Finch (Sicalis luteola) In different wetlands at central area.
277. Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) A male in Molinos, on way to Putre.
278. Chestnut-throated Seedeater (Sporophila telasco) Several sightings in the north of the country.
279. Band-tailed Seedeater (Catamenia analis) Common around Putre.
SPARROWS (Emberizidae)
280. Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) All over the country.
BLACKBIRDS (Icteridae)
281. Austral Blackbird (Curaeus curaeus) A common blackbird in Central and South of Chile.
282. Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelasticus thilius) A common blackbird in Central and South of Chile.
283. Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) Seen in north and central Chile.
284. Peruvian Meadowlark (Sturnella bellicose) Common in the North of Chile.
285. Long-tailed Meadowlark (Sturnella loyca) common in the South and Patagonia.
FINCHES (Fringillidae)
286. Thick-billed Siskin (Spinus crassirostris) Just one bird at Polylepis forest.
287. Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus) Common in the North of Chile.
288. Black Siskin (Spinus atratus) Seen near Putre.
289. Yellow-rumped Siskin (Spinus uropygialis) A few birds seen at El Yeso, Farellones and also around Putre.
290. Black-chinned Siskin (Spinus barbatus) Common in Central Chile.
OLD WORLD SPARROWS (Passeridae)
291. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Common all over the country.