Introduction
Instead of making the so-called Atlantic Odyssey, a boat trip from Ushuaia to Cape Verde, which was cancelled for the third consecutive year because of COVID-risks, we (Dick Meijer, Peter van Scheepen and Dick Groenendijk) decided to bird the northwestern part of Argentina with an extension of a few days in Buenos Aires and surroundings. Our itinerary took us through the provinces of Jujuy, Salta and Tucumán in the northwest and the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entre Rios around the capital, encompassing a variety of ecoregions and habitats, including Puna and High Andes, Yungas, Monte Desert, Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, Chaco and Pampas. We focused on the endemic and near-endemic species occurring in these areas, though each of us had his own wish list, hopes and expectations, depending on previous birding experiences in southern South America.
In total we found 401 species of bird, 339 species in the northwest and 180 in and around Buenos Aires. We succeeded in finding all seven endemic species possible in our itinerary: Bare-eyed or Moreno’s Ground-Dove, Sandy Gallito, White-browed Tapaculo, White-throated Cacholote, Steinbach’s Canastero, Yellow-striped Brushfinch and Monte Yellow-Finch and three of the six possible endemic breeders: Straneck’s Tyrannulet, Black-crowned Monjita and White-banded Mockingbird. Despite considerable efforts the also possible endemic breeders Lesser Shrike-Tyrant, Chaco Sparrow and Cinnamon Warbling-Finch could not be found. We did succeed in finding all seven near-endemic species possible in our itinerary: Elegant Crested Tinamou, Burrowing Parrot, Tufted Tit-Spinetail, Patagonian Mockingbird, Rufous-throated Dipper, Yungas Sparrow and Tucuman Mountain-Finch. Finally we were quite happy to find nine Saffron-cowled Blackbirds of the approximately 200 individuals which are left of this species in Argentina. Seven species were only heard: Montane Forest Screech-Owl, Tataupa Tinamou, Yungas Manakin, Crested Gallito, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Speckled Nightingale-Thrush and Andean Slaty Thrush. In total we recorded 17 species of mammals, 11 in the northwest and seven in and around Buenos Aires.
The top five birds, chosen by the three of us, were: Saffron-cowled Blackbird, ex aequo Tucuman Mountain Finch and White-throated Antpitta and ex aequo Black-legged Seriema and Giant Antshrike, on the 6th till the 11th place we chose Pinnated Bittern, Torrent Duck, White-browed Tapaculo, White Monjita, Bicolored Hawk and James’s Flamingo.
In the northwest we were guided by Mario Mosqueira (phegornis@gmail.com) of Clark Expediciones in Salta (www.clarkexpediciones.com and clark@clarkexpediciones.com), organized by the Dutch company BirdingBreaks (www.birdingbreaks.com and info@birdingbreaks.nl). In Buenos Aires and Entre Rios we were guided for two days by Horatio Mattarasso (info@sandpipertours.com) and for two days by Diego Oscar, both of the Argentinian company Sandpiper Tours (www.sandpipertours.com and info@sandpipertours.com), organized by ourselves. We were quite satisfied with all three guides: they all spoke English, had the necessary bird finding and guiding skills, had the right perseverance and were prepared to answer our many questions in detail. Moreover they were very pleasant company and careful drivers as well.
Since most of the birding trips to northwest Argentina are being organized between late September and late November, early to midspring, we wondered whether a trip in March to April, at the end of the austral summer and rainy season, would be as good as those in September to November. We had our concerns to be honest. The weather during our trip was very good though: we had only one rainy day in Calilegua NP, followed by a clouded colder day, whereas all the other days we had clear and beautiful weather. There was sufficient bird activity to be able to find the goodies resulting in a clean sweep of the possible endemics and near-endemics. March/April is apparently too early for some austral migrants or partial austral migrants such as Cinnamon Warbling-Finch and Chiloe Wigeon and too late for a few of the migrants from the north, such as Ash-colored Cuckoo, Mississippi Kite, Swainson’s Hawk and Gray Elaenia.
We had a rather relaxing and very interesting bird watching trip with some great birds often seen in a breathtaking and unspoilt landscape!
Itinerary
23 March Flew from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires. Slept on the plane.
24 March Flew from Buenos Aires to Salta in the morning and birded the lagoon in Parque Bicentenario in the afternoon. San Lorenzo, Hotel Selva Montana.
25 March Walked the trails of Huaico reserve in the morning and drove to Mojotoro valley and La Costa in the afternoon. San Lorenzo, Hotel Selva Montana.
26 March Birded Santa Laura mountain ridge with Laguna Campo Alegre, La Angostura valley and Dique La Ciénega in the morning and the Yungas forest along Rio Yala in the afternoon. San Salvador, Hostería Pura Vida.
27 March Birded the Yungas forest along Rio Yala again in the morning and drove through the Quebrada Humahuaca with stops at Tilcara, El Cañoncito and the dunes of El Huancar to Abra Pampa in the afternoon. Abra Pampa, Residencial Cesarito.
28 March Drove from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos and back to Abra Pampa with a stop at Laguna Runtuyoc. Abra Pampa, Residencial Cesarito.
29 March Drove from Abra Pampa through the Quebrada Humahuaca 3000 m downhill to Calilegua and birded in Calilegua NP in the afternoon. Calilegua, Benitez Hostaría.
30 March Birded in Calilegua NP in the morning and the lowlands near Puente San Francisco in the afternoon. Calilegua, Benitez Hostaría.
31 March Birded in Calilegua NP again in the morning and drove via the Chaco of El Sauce back to San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo, Hotel Selva Montana.
1 April Drove from San Lorenzo through the Quebrada Escoipe to the pass of Piedra de Molino and Cachipampa through Los Cardones NP downhill to Payogasta. Payogasta, Sala de Payogasta.
2 April Drove from Payogasta to Piedra de Molino again and a little downhill to Valle Encantado, made a walk there in the morning, drove back to Payogasta and birded around our hotel in the afternoon. Payogasta, Sala de Payogasta.
3 April Drove from Payogasta through Quebrada Escoipe to El Carrril, birded the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña and continued through Monte Desert to Cafayate. Cafayate, Hotel Kallpa.
4 April Drove from Cafayate back into Monte Desert, made a walk near Los Castillos and drove via El Infiernillo pass to Tafi del Valle. Tafi del Vale, Hostería ACA Tafi del Valle.
5 April Drove uphill to El Infiernillo pass, made a walk along an arroyo, drove back via Tafi del Valle to the lagoon of El Mollar in the morning, birded along Rio Los Sosa in the afternoon and drove uphill to El Infiernillo pass again. Tafi del Vale, Hostería ACA Tafi del Valle.
6 April Drove from Tafi del Valle along Rio Los Sosa, to the lowlands around Tucumán and flew from Tucumán to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, Cyan Americas Towers Hotel.
7 April Birded Costanera Sur in the morning and around Vincente Lopez reserve in the afternoon. Buenos Aires, Bisonte Libertad Hotel.
8 April Drove from Buenos Aires to Ceibas, birded the higher part in the morning and the lower, seasonally flooded part in the afternoon and continued to Gualeguachú. Gualeguaychú, Hotel Berlin.
9 April Drove from Gualeguachú to Palmar de Colon NP, birded all day in the park and drove back to Gualeguaychú. Gualeguaychú, Hotel Berlin.
10 April Drove from Gualeguaychú to Perdices, birded there in the morning, drove to Ceibas in late afternoon and drove back to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, Hotel Palermo Bridge.
11 April Flew from Buenos Aires to Amsterdam via Paris. Slept on the plane.
12 April Flew from Paris to Amsterdam. Slept at home.
Day-by-day account
23 March
Flew from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires with KLM flight 701 (13 hrs. and 20 min.). Slept on the plane.
24 March
Arrived at Aeropuerto Ministro Pistarini (EZE), south of Buenos Aires, at 7.05 hrs. and were shuttled from the international airport to the national airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) (one hour) to take our flight to Salta (one hr. and 50 min.), while we encountered our first Argentinian birds: Picazuro and Spot-winged Pigeon, Eared Dove, Southern Lapwing, Crested and Chimango Caracara, American Kestrel, Rufous Hornero, Gray-breasted Martin, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Great Kiskadee, House Wren, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, House Sparrow and Grassland Yellow-Finch and above the Rio de la Plata opposite the airport Gray-hooded Gull and Neotropic Cormorant. Met our guide Mario Mosqueira (phegornis@gmail.com) at Salta airport and drove to San Lorenzo, checked in at our hotel, left our luggage there and went out to explore the area, including Parque Bicentenario. Parque Bicentenario produced an array of waterbirds: Southern Screamer, White-faced and Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Ringed, Brazilian, Cinnamon and Silver Teal, Red Shoveler, White-cheeked Pintail, Inca Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Rosy-billed Pochard, our only two Black-headed Ducks, Lake Duck, White-tufted Grebe, Common Gallinule, Red-gartered and White-winged Coot, Purple Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, Cattle Egret, Whistling Heron, Pinnated Bittern, found by ‘hawkeye’ Dick G (the first ever for northwest Argentina, which caused some excitement and prompted Juan Areta, co-author of the Birds of Argentina, to come and check), White-faced, Buff-necked and Bare-faced Ibis and Snail Kite. In the surroundings of the lagoon we found amongst others: White-bellied Hummingbird, some very tame Burrowing Owls, White-barred Piculet thamnophiloides with spotted breast, Green-barred or Golden-breasted Woodpecker, White-tailed Kite seen only by Peter v S, Scaly-headed Parrot, Great Antshrike, Small-billed Elaenia, White-bellied Tyrannulet, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Tropical Pewee, the striking White Monjita, Masked Gnatcatcher, Creamy-bellied Thrush, the near-endemic Yungas Sparrow, Crested Oropendola, Masked Yellowthroat, Brown-capped Redstart, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Sayaca Tanager, Saffron Finch and Double-collared Seedeater and the quite common Shiny Cowbird and Grayish Baywing. An excellent first birding day with beautiful weather, albeit with a little rain in the evening. Had a meal in a nearby restaurant and slept in Hotel Selva Montana at 1340 m (www.hotelselvamontana.com.ar) which had a beautiful garden and all the necessary facilities, except for a restaurant.
25 March
Had Yungas Guan from our breakfast table and left early to bird the trails in the Yungas Cloud Forest of the Huaico reserve and its surroundings, where we connected with many new birds: the elegant Red-tailed Comet, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, our first Andean Condors, Black and Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned or Rufous-thighed Kite, Roadside Hawk, Dot-fronted Woodpecker, great views of a pair of Cream-backed Woodpecker, the common Mitred Parakeet in the Yungas, a pair of Rufous-capped Antshrike, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, Azara’s Spinetail, a pair of White-winged Becard, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Cliff Flycatcher, White-throated Tyrannulet, our only Sclater’s Tyrannulet, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, a pair of Crested Becard, Blue-and-white Swallow, Mountain Wren, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Hooded Siskin, Common Chlorospingus, White-browed Brushfinch, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned and the more common Two-banded Warbler and Golden-billed Saltator. Slender-billed Woodstar and Rufous-fronted Thornbird were so far not very cooperative, neither was Red-legged Seriema. We explored an area called La Costa in the afternoon and boosted our day list with Spotted Nothura along the main road, Neotropic Cormorant, Picui Ground-Dove, Guira Cuckoo, our only and quite rare Dark-billed Cuckoo, the unexpected Upland Sandpiper, Snowy Egret, Swallow-tailed Kite, Cinereous Harrier, Ringed Kingfisher, Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Highland Elaenia, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Swainson’s and Streaked Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, the first of many Rufous-collared Sparrows, glimpses of Black-capped Warbling-Finch, Blue-and-yellow Tanager and Great Pampa Finch. Had a Striped Owl in the garden of our hotel at dusk. Slept in Hotel Selva Montana again.
26 March
Left early to drive north to Santa Laura mountain ridge where Huaico Tinamou didn’t show up, but we had plenty of additions to our trip list at other places. Laguna Campo Alegre: Coscoroba Swan, Yellow-billed and Inca Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, White-tipped Dove, Limpkin, Black-necked Stilt, an unexpected Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Wood Stork, Cocoi Heron, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and Cattle Tyrant. In the Angostura valley: Savanna Hawk, eventually Red-legged Seriema, which came to a few meters from our car, Aplomado Falcon, White-tailed Kite, now also seen by the three others, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Golden-winged Cacique, Screaming Cowbird, Black-backed Grosbeak, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Green-cheeked Parakeet and Blue-gray or Grayish Saltator. En route we found Spot-backed Puffbird. At Dique La Ciénega, where we had lunch: our only Great Rufous Woodcreeper and on the lake Andean Gull and Great Grebe.
Driving to Rio Yala in the afternoon we had great views of a soaring Black-and-chestnut Eagle and after some effort we found the near-endemic Rufous-throated Dipper and the delightful Torrent Duck in the river, to the great satisfaction of all participants of the trip. Other new birds included: the much sought-after and rare Red-faced Guan, Rothschild’s and White-collared Swifts flying to their night roosts in a nearby cliff face, a female Lyre-tailed Nightjar above our heads, Euler’s Flycatcher and Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch. Slept in Hostería Pura Vida (www.puravidahosteria.com.ar) in San Salvador de Jujuy with an unforgettable helpful and friendly hostess.
27 March
Went back to Rio Yala, where we watched a perfect Torrent Duck-show from our first row seats, a great improvement of the fly-by records the day before. Also along Rio Yala: Glittering-bellied Emerald, Smoke-colored Pewee, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Toco Toucan, heard a Spot-breasted Thornbird, saw Fawn-breasted Tanager and our only Fulvous-headed Brushfinches. Then we started the long drive to Abra Pampa, uphill through the Quebrada Humahuaca (Variable Hawk) with a lunch stop at Tilcara (Andean Swift) and a visit to a nearby lake: Plumbeous Rail, White-tipped Plantcutter, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Chivi Vireo and Spectacled Tyrant. Another intermediate stop along the way at El Cañoncito, a striking cave not far from the road, produced Andean Hillstar, Sparkling Violetear, Creamy-breasted Canastero and Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant. En route we had the near-endemic Patagonian and Brown-backed Mockingbird. At the dunes of El Huancar with an interesting lake loaded with birds, we could add to our trip list: Ornate Tinamou, Andean Goose, Puna and Cinnamon Teal, Crested and Andean Duck, Silvery Grebe, the endemic Bare-eyed or Moreno’s Ground-Dove, Giant and Slate-colored Coot, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Puna Ibis, Mountain Caracara, Wren-like Rushbird, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Chiguanco Thrush, Black-headed, Ash-breasted and Mourning Sierra-Finch, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Band-tailed Seedeater and Great Pampa-Finch. Slept in Residencial Cesarito (https://www.argentino.com.ar/residencial-cesarito), the only hotel of Abra Pampa with basic facilities and dogs walking around freely in the dining room doing less hygienic things now and then.
28 March
Drove from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos passing the roof of our trip at 3760 m above sea level with some intermediate stops: Black-winged and Golden-spotted Ground-Dove, Rock and Buff-breasted Earthcreeper jelskii, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Cordilleran Canastero, Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant, Puna and Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch and Plain-colored Seedeater. The Laguna de los Pozuelos, where Vicuñas were common, produced the expected flamingos: James’s, Chilean and Andean. After a long walk we could assess that James’s was the most numerous. New waders included Andean Avocet with pulli, American Golden Plover, our only Andean Lapwings and our only Gray-breasted Seedsnipe, over a thousand Baird’s Sandpipers and dozens of Wilson’s Phalarope. To our surprise Puna Plover could not be found. In addition we were able to add as new species: Lesser Rhea, Andean Flicker, Mountain Parakeet, Common and Puna Miner, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Andean Negrito and Correndera Pipit. The Horned Coot we were hoping for, was said to be absent from the small lake it used to favor, neither could it be found at Laguna Runtuyoc, close to Abra Pampa. Slept in Residencial Cesarito in Abra Pampa again.
29 March
Drove the long way (350 km) downhill from the Altiplano at Abra Pampa at 3500 m through the Quebrada Humahuaca to Calilegua NP at 500 m. Found Sick’s Swift and Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant en route. Birded in very warm Calilegua NP from 15.00 hrs. till dusk, which produced as new species: King Vulture, Amazonian Motmot, Bat Falcon, Giant and Variable Antshrike, Olivaceous and Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Ochre-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher and Rufous Casiornis. Had an exceptionally warm day with temperatures above 30˚C. Slept in Benitez Hostería (https://benitez-hosteria.hotelesenjujuy.com) in Calilegua.
30 March
Drove into Calilegua NP again to an altitude of 1700 m where Loma Chata reserve begins. Despite the rain succeeded in finding Solitary Eagle, Yellow-collared Macaw, our only Planalto Hermit, after some patience but without using earth wurms White-throated Antpitta, Yungas Manakin (unfortunately heard only), Buff-banded Tyrannulet and Greenish Elaenia. As the weather didn’t improve decided to go downhill to the lowlands and to bird from and around Puente San Francisco, which produced quite a few new species: Tataupa Tinamou which refused to leave the vegetation but came very close, Ruddy Ground-Dove, our second Yellow-billed Cuckoo, cooperative Rufous-sided Crakes, Turquoise-fronted Parakeet, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Yellow-chinned and Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Sooty Tyrannulet, Barn Swallow, Variable Oriole, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Red-crested Finch and Blue-black Grassquit. The weather on the mountain in Calilegua NP was really bad, so it was a very good idea to go to the lowlands where the weather was much better and the birding very much okay. Slept in Benitez Hostería in Calilegua again.
31 March
As the weather had improved, it was dry at least though pretty chilly, we went into Calilegua NP again and could add to our trip list: Blue-crowned Trogon, much better views of White-throated Antpitta (again without using wurms), Black-banded Woodcreeper, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Speckled Nightingale-Thrush and Andean Slaty Thrush, both unfortunately heard only. On our way to San Lorenzo made a detour to the Chaco of El Sauce with quite a different set of birds: Chaco Chachalaca, Stripe-backed Antbird, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Suiriri Flycatcher, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Brown-chested Martin and Purple-throated Euphonia. Did some nocturnal birding in Huaico reserve in San Lorenzo after dinner and found Tropical Screech-Owl and Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Montane Forest Screech-Owl was heard only. Slept in Hotel Selva Montana in San Lorenzo again.
1 April
Drove from San Lorenzo via Piedra de Molino and Los Cardones NP to Payogasta. Found driving uphill to Piedra de Molino Spot-breasted Thornbird, an improvement of our earlier heard only of this species, Maquis Canastero, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper validirostris, Gray-hooded Parakeet, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Puna Canastero, Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant, Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant, Rufous-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch and Broad-winged Hawk. Kept saying to each other: ‘What a landscape!’ Took a side road to explore the Cachipampa where we were treated to fantastic views of both Tawny-throated Dotterel and Least Seedsnipe, as well as Hellmayr’s Pipit and Guanaco. Stopped at various places in Los Cardones NP and readily found the endemic White-throated Cacholote and the endemic Sandy Gallito and Diuca Finch, the near-endemic Elegant Crested Tinamou, the near-endemic Burrowing Parakeet, the endemic Steinbach’s Canastero, Rufous-banded Miner, D’Orbigny’s and White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Band-tailed Sierra-Finch and Black Siskin. Slept in Sala de Payogasta Guest House (www.saladepayogasta.com) in Payogasta, a former estantería with a lot of atmosphere and Andean Condor from the breakfast table. Our best hotel of the trip on one of the best days of the trip.
2 April
Made a pre-breakfast walk around our hotel: Sedge Wren, drove uphill to Piedra de Molino again and took a side road a little downhill to Valle Encantado, again an incredibly beautiful scenery. Made a few walks in this truly enchanting place and encountered: the impressive Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, White-vented Violetear, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, the unexpected Puna Snipe, Zimmer’s Tapaculo and Cinereous Ground-Tyrant. Scribble-tailed Canastero and Magellanic Owl remained unseen unfortunately. Birded around our hotel in Payogasta in the afternoon: Peregrine, White-fronted Woodpecker and Long-tailed Meadowlark. Subtropical Doradito, may be heard by our guide, could not be re-found. Slept in Sala de Payogasta Guest House in Payogasta again.
3 April
Drove from Payogasta - rather poor views of Ringed Warbling-Finch around our hotel during our pre-breakfast walk - through the Quebrada Escoipe to the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña with Black-legged Seriema in our minds. Found: Cinereous Tyrant, Chaco Earthcreeper and Black-crested Finch, found Many-colored Chaco-Finch and Hepatic Tanager near lake at La Morada Cabañas, Rust-and-Yellow Tanager, White-crested and Yellow-bellied Elaenia. Crested Gallito was heard only. Had to continue to Cafayate, one last side road to try for that elusive seriema and there they were: a pair of Black-legged Seriema slowly walking between the trees, a euphoric moment. Continued to Cafayate, a pleasant and inviting city, through again an incredibly beautiful landscape. Had Blue-crowned Parakeet in the Monte Desert. Slept in hotel Kallpa (https://kallpacafayate.com) in Cafayate.
4 April
Drove from Cafayate - Ringed Warbling Finch, an improvement of the day before, eventually Southern Martin, Checkered Woodpecker and Short-billed Canastero - back to Los Castillos in the Monte Desert, where we made a walk between red sandstone rocks. Seen around Los Castillos: the endemic Monte Yellow-Finch, Gay-hooded Sierra-Finch, Sandy Gallito, White-throated Cacholote and Harris’s Hawk. Drove back to Cafayate to pick up our luggage. Continued to Tafi del Valle and saw in Valle Calchaquíes near Rio Santa Maria: the endemic breeder Black-crowned Monjita, Andean Swallow, an enormous number of Burrowing Parakeets, White-browed Meadowlark and Collared Plover. Several attempts to find Cinnamon-browed Warbling-Finch remained unsuccessful. Had a few very productive stops driving downhill from El Infiernillo pass: the endemic White-bowed Tapaculo, White-winged Cinclodes, a heard only Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, the near-endemic Tucuman Mountain Finch and a bit lower the endemic Yellow-striped Brushfinch. Slept in Hostería ACA Tafi del Valle (https://nl.hotels.com/ho492625568/hosteria-aca-tafi-del-valle-tafi-del-valle), a stately hotel, in Tafi del Valle. A very good day!
5 April
Drove uphill to El Infiernillo pass again, found one australis Rufous-collared Sparrow in a small flock along the road, made a walk along an arroyo at 2700 m, saw Hellmayr’s Pipit, Puna Canastero, Andean Hillstar and Bare-eyed or Moreno’s Ground-Dove, but failed to find the much sought-after Scribble-tailed Canastero. Drove downhill to the laguna of El Mollar, just beyond Tafi del Valle, where we found four species of coot: Slate-colored, Red-fronted, Red-gartered and White-winged. Drove further downhill along de Rio Los Sosa with Torrent Duck, Yellow-striped Brushfinch and Fawn-breasted Tanager. Then drove uphill again to El Infiernillo pass, where we did find Andean Tinamou, another White-browed Tapaculo, Tucuman Mountain Finch and a Black-billed Shrike which caused some debate because of it having features (small bill, yellowish eye) of Lesser Shrike-Tyrant. However, the searching for Rusty Flowerpiercer remained fruitless unfortunately. Slept in Hostería ACA Tafi del Valle in Tafi del Valle again.
6 April
Drove from Tafi del Valle downhill along Rio Los Sosa with intermediate stops to see our last Andean species: good views and song of Yungas Dove half way down the descent and Smooth-billed Ani in the lowlands. Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch and Yungas Pygmy-Owl could not be found. Said goodbye to our Andean guide Mario at Tucumán airport and flew from Tucumán to Buenos Aires in the afternoon (one hour and 25 min.). Slept in Cyan Americas Towers (https://cyan-americas-towers.buenosaireshotelsargentina.com) in Buenos Aires.
7 April
Met our new guide Horatio and drove to the entrance of Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur but first walked on the boulevard along the park which produced: Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch, Monk and the introduced Nanday Parakeet. Then went into the park, which is much drier now than it used to be, and found Large-tailed Reed-Finch, Black-backed Water-Tyrant, White-crested Tyrannulet, Gilded Hummingbird, Solitary Black Cacique and above Rio de la Plata Kelp Gull and Yellow-billed Tern. Drove to Vincente Lopez reserve - en route saw Anhinga and Black-necked Swan in the city park Lagos De Regatas De Palermo - which turned out to be closed because of maintenance. But Campo Flicker on the lawn along the fence behaved very friendly to the photographers. Slept in Bisonte Libertad Hotel (https://www.bisontelibertad.com) in Buenos Aires. Not our best day.
8 April
Drove from Buenos Aires to Ceibas. Birded the higher access road in the morning: Maguari Stork, Paraguayan Snipe, Little Thornbird, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, the endemic breeder White-banded Mockingbird, the near-endemic Tufted Tit-Spinetail, Chotoy Spinetail and Brown Cacholote. Later explored the seasonally flooded part: Long-winged Harrier, Savanna Hawk, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Giant Wood-Rail, White-rumped Swallow and Chestnut-capped Blackbird. After a slightly too extensive lunch, visited the local rubbish dump (Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Many-colored Rush-Tyrant), birded dry meadows in the afternoon, loaded with birds, amongst others: hundreds of Southern Screamers, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Brown-and-yellow Marshbird, Rusty-collared Seedeater, Greater Rhea, Lark-like Bushrunner, Firewood Gatherer and the altitudinal migrant Buff-winged Cinclodes. Saw 114 species today. Met our new guide Diego Oscar (info@sandpipertours.com) and said goodbye to Horatio. Slept in hotel Berlin in Gualeguaychú (hotelberlin@yahoo.com).
9 April
Drove from Gualeguaychú to Palmar de Colon NP (two hours), a nice park dominated by palms and inhabited by many Capybaras. In the morning there was a lot of activity, producing a few new birds: White-barred Piculet picomayensis with barred breast, frequently calling Striped Owl, Diademed Tanager, Blue-tufted Starthroat, fantastic views of a perched and on Monk Parakeets hunting Bicolored Hawk, the endemic breeder Straneck’s Tyrannulet (whitish underparts, responding to its song by raising crown feathers and flying in), Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Crane Hawk, White-browed or White-rimmed Warbler and Large Elaenia. Because of the heat activity slowed down in the afternoon, but we still found White-throated Hummingbird and White-lined Tanager. A female Peregrine Falcon successfully hunting an Eared Dove above Rio Uruguay was another highlight. Drove back to Gualeguaychú and slept in Hotel Berlin again.
10 April
Drove from Gualeguaychú to Perdices (30 minutes). Saw some very good birds in the morning: White-tailed Hawk, White Woodpecker, Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Grassland Sparrow, Straneck’s Tyrannulet eventually singing as well, Andean Negrito, Gray Monjita, Rufous-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Glaucous Blue Grosbeak, Unicolored Blackbird and together with Blue-and-yellow Marshbirds a small flock of nine Saffron-cowled Blackbirds. The latter species became the bird of the trip because of its rarity in Argentina (about 200 individuals) and the necessary adventure - including Dick G’s near-electrocution when crossing a fence and our guide’s enthusiastic jump after he discovered this bird - to find it. Drove to Ceibas in the late afternoon where the guaranteed Curve-billed Reedhaunter refused to show itself. Drove back to Buenos Aires and said goodbye to our guide Diego. Slept in Hotel Palermo Bridge (https://www.palermobridge.com.ar) in Buenos Aires.
11 April
Drove to the airport by taxi (one hour) and flew from Buenos Aires to Amsterdam with a stopover in Paris (12 hrs. and 25 min. and 45 min.). Slept on the plane.
12 April
Arrived at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam at 11.00 hrs.. Slept at home.
Weather
The weather was outstanding on all but one rainy day in Calilegua NP and a pretty cold and clouded day the day after. We may have missed a few species because of that rain. Sun tan lotion was needed on all other days when we had exuberate sunshine. Specially during the day temperatures were very pleasant to hot. High in the Andes we had temperatures below zero early in the morning, but we never really needed our thermal clothing.
Dangers and annoyances
We felt very safe everywhere during our trip, although careful driving is essential in both the hairpin curves to e.g. Piedra de Molino and on the crowded and rather unorganized five-lane’ roads in the centre of Buenos Aires. At the time of our trip a negative PCR-test was still required to enter Argentina, which was understandable, but annoying and rather stressful. One of us got stomach problems. Most likely because of taking water from the tap after brushing his teeth. At some places repellents were needed to chase unfriendly insects: on the first very warm afternoon in Calilegua and in the lowlands near Buenos Aires. All of us had to deal with a few ticks obtained in the grasslands on the lower slopes of the Andes, but these were not known to transmit diseases. On most days a sun block was needed to protect our faces against the sunshine. Sleeping in Abra Pampa at an altitude of 3500 m may be a bit difficult, some of us had a slight headache after the first night.
References
Books:
Louise Emmons and François Feer, Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide, The University of Chicago, Press,1990
Jon Fjeldså and Niels Krabbe, Birds of the High Andes, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen and Apollo Books, 1990
Harold F. Greeney, Antpittas and Gnateaters, Helm Identification Guides, 2018
Alvaro Jaramillo, Peter Burke and Davi Beadle, Birds of Chile, Christopher Helm, 2005
S.K. Herzog, R.S Terrill, A.E. Jahn, J.V. Remsen Jr., O. Maillard Z, V.H. García-Solíz, R. MacLeod, A. Maccormick & J. Q. Vidoz, Birds of Boliva, Field Guide, Future Generations University Press, 2016
Mark Pearman & Juan I. Areta, Birds of Argentina, Helm, 2020
Trip reports:
Mark Pearman (BirdQuest), Northern Argentina, 28 October – 19 November 2015
Mark Pearman (BirdQuest), Northern Argentina, 21 October –
12 November 2016
Mark Pearman (BirdQuest), Northern Argentina, 13 October – 5 November 2018
Juha Honkale (Kontiki Tours), Luoteis Argentiinan, 23.11 – 8.12 2018 (in Finnish)
Willy Perez (Field Guides), Northwestern Argentina 2018, Oct. 13 to Oct. 31, 2018
Andres Vasques N (Tropical Birding), NW Argentina & Iguazu Falls extension, 3 - 17 October 2018
Jan Vermeulen, Vital van Gorp and Eric Wille, Argentina, November and December 1994
Ronald van der Vliet, Jan Bisschop, Arnoud van Kleunen en Arnoud Linckens, Argentina, Bird watching trip report, 17 January – 14 February 2004
Articles:
Juan I. Areta, Ignacio Hernandez and Jaimie Prieto, Birds of sand: birding the central Monte Desert, Neotropical Birding 8, 2011
Diego Monteleone and Ignacio Roesler, The Argentine endemics route, Neotropical Birding 9, 2011
Germán Pugnali, Capital Birding: Buenos Aires, Neotropical Birding 3, 2008
Websites:
www.ebird.com
www.xeno-canto.com
www.neotropicalbirdclub.org
www.birdsoftheworld.org
www.cloudbirders.com
www.birdingbreaks.nl
www.sandpipertours.com
www.surfbirds.com
www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download
Apps:
Merlin
Acknowledgements
We thank Mario Mosqueira and Diego Oscar for answering our questions which we had back home while writing our trip report. Mario in particular is thanked for his help in identifying the butterflies. Both photographers in our team Dick Groenendijk and Peter van Scheepen deserve special appreciation for their efforts. We are grateful to Kees Verburg for his suggestions after proof reading an earlier version of our report.
dfmeijer@hotmail.com
p.van.scheepen@casema.nl
dickgroenendijk@solconmail.nl
Systematic list of birds
Sequence and taxonomy follow Clements 2021:
Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
We mention all the subspecies that we think we have seen. If Clements distinguishes a group, we also mention it, adding the suggested name for this group in parentheses. In the case of Yellow-billed Teal we follow the name of the groups suggested by Pearman.
NW = Northwest Argentina (Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán).
BA & ER = Buenos Aires and Entre Rios.
I = Introduced species.
E = Endemic or endemic breeder.
NE = Near-endemic.
1. Greater Rhea (Rhea americana albescens)
BA & ER: Five, one male with four juveniles seen at Ceibas and 17 at Perdices.
2. Lesser Rhea (Puna) (Rhea pennata garleppi)
NW: Eight seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and one south of Abra Pampa.
3. Tataupa Tinamou (Crypturellus tataupa tataupa)
NW: Heard near Puente San Francisco.
4. Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornate rostrata)
NW: Two seen in Quebrada Humahuaca and six en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
5. Andean Tinamou (Nothoprocta pentlandii patriciae)
NW: One seen and one heard at El Infiernillo pass.
6. Spotted Nothura (Nothuramaculosa pallida)
NW: One seen at La Costa.
BA & ER: Five seen at Perdices.
7. Elegant Crested Tinamou
(Eudromia elegans
intermedia) NE
NW: Up to six seen in Los Cardones NP on two days.
8. Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: Six seen in Costanera Sur and 1000+ at Ceibas and Perdices.
9. White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
NW: 50 seen in Parque Bicentenario and 50 at Laguna Campo Alegre.
BA & ER: Ten seen in Costanera Sur, one at Ceibas and eight at Perdices.
10. Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
NW: 150 seen in Parque Bicentenario and 15 at Laguna Campo Alegre.
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas.
11. Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
BA & ER: Three seen in Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires and six flying by at Ceibas.
12. Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba)
NW: Five seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, five en route from Abra Pampa to Calilegua and one at lake of El Mollar.
BA & ER: Three seen in Costanera Sur and eight at Ceibas.
13. Andean Goose (Oressochen melanopterus)
NW: Four seen on lake at El Huancar, 50 en route from Abra Pampa to
Laguna de los Pozuelos and at Laguna Runtuyoc, two at the hotel at Payogasta on two days and 260 at lake of El Mollar on two days.
14. Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides alticola)
NW: Two seen on lake at El Huancar and 40 on Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
15. Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: 20 seen at Ceibas.
16. Brazilian Teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis ipecutiri)
NW: Three seen in Parque Bicentenario, three in the Huaico reserve and five on Laguna Campo Alegre.
BA & ER Three seen in Costanera Sur, ten at Ceibas, one in Palmar de Colon NP and two at Perdices.
17. Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata berlepschi)
NW: A pair seen on Rio Yala on two days and one female on Rio Los Sosa.
18. Silver Teal (Spatula versicolor versicolor)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: Nine seen in Costanera Sur and two at Ceibas.
19. Puna Teal (Spatula puna)
NW: Ten seen on lake at El Huancar, and 15 on Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
20. Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera cyanoptera)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario, one at Laguna Campo Alegre, four on lake at El Huancar and two on lagoon of El Mollar.
21. Red Shoveler (Spatula platalea)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario and two at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
22. White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis rubrirostris)
NW: Three seen in Parque Bicentenario and 25 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
23. Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica spinicauda)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario.
24. Yellow-billed Teal (Anas flavirostris flavirostris & oxyptera)
a. Yellow-billed Teal (Speckled) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
NW: 30 seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, two on lake at El Huancar, 35 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
b. Yellow-billed Teal (Inca) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera)
NW: Five seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, ten on lake at El Huancar, common at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc, 30 in Valle Encantado, five at Payogasta and 25 on lagoon of El Mollar.
25. Rosy-billed Pochard (Netta peposaca)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, eight on Laguna Campo Alegre and three on lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: 50 seen in Costanera Sur and three on Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires, 100 at Ceibas and five at Perdices.
26. Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario.
27. Andean Duck (Oxyura ferruginea ferruginea)
NW: 25 seen on lake at El Huancar.
28. Lake Duck (Oxyura vittata)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario and two at Laguna Campo Alegre.
29. Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis canicollis)
NW: Four seen at the Chaco of El Sauce.
30. Red-faced Guan (Penelope dabbenei)
NW: One seen near Rio Yala.
31. Yungas Guan (Penelope bridgesi)
NW: Up to five seen at San Lorenzo on three days, ten near Rio Yala, and up to five in Calilegua NP on two days.
32. Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
NW: 26 seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
33. Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
NW: 25 seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
34. James's Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
NW: 685 seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
35. White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland chilensis)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, ten on Laguna Campo Alegre and three on lake at El Huancar.
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas.
36. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps antarcticus)
NW: Three seen on Laguna Campo Alegre and ten on lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: 50 seen in Costanera Sur and one on Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires.
37. Great Grebe (Podiceps major major)
NW: 50 seen on Laguna Campo Alegre and ten on lake at La Morada Cabañas between El Carril and La Viña.
BA & ER: Five seen on Rio de la Plata.
38. Silvery Grebe (Andean) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis)
NW: 20 seen on lake at El Huancar and 30 on Laguna de los Pozuelos and on Laguna Runtuyoc.
39. Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro picazuro)
NW: Common.
BA & ER: Common.
40. Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis & maculosa)
a. Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis)
NW: Common.
b. Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa maculosa)
BA & ER: Common.
41. Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti talpacoti)
NW: Ten seen near Calilegua, one en route from Calilegua to San Lorenzo and two near Tucumán.
42. Picui Ground Dove (Columbina picui picui)
NW: Small numbers seen on nine days; common in Monte Desert.
BA & ER: Common at Ceibas and Perdices.
43. Bare-eyed Ground Dove (Metriopelia morenoi) E
NW: Four seen at the Quebrada Humahuaca, three en route from San Lorenzo to Payogasta, ten at Piedra de Molino and in Valle Encantado, up to ten at El Infiernillo pass on two days.
NW: 15 seen in Parque Bicentenario, 50 at Laguna Campo Alegre, eight on lake at La Morada Cabañas between El Carril and La Viña and 50 on lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur and two on Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires and four at Ceibas.
79. Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)
NW: Three seen in Parque Bicentenario and one at Laguna Runtuyoc.
80. Rufous-sided Crake (Laterallus melanophaius melanophaius)
NW: Three seen near Calilegua.
81. Limpkin (Brown-backed) (Aramus guarauna guarauna)
NW: One seen at Laguna Campo Alegre and one at the Chaco of El
Sauce.
BA & ER: Ten seen in Costanera Sur and three at Ceibas.
82. Black-necked Stilt (White-backed) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
NW: 30 seen at Laguna Campo Alegre and Dique La Ciénega, one at Tilcara, 50 at Laguna de los Pozuelos, 250 at Laguna Runtuyoc and up to 15 at lagoon of El Mollar on two days.
BA & ER: 45 seen at Ceibas and ten at Perdices.
83. Andean Avocet (Recurvirostra andina)
NW: 38 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
84. American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
NW: 150 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
85. Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis ruficollis)
NW: 55 seen at Cachipampa.
86. Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensi lampronotus)
NW: Common.
BA & ER: Common.
87. Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens)
NW: 50 seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
88. Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)
NW: Two seen in Valle Calchaquíes along Rio Santa Maria.
89. Gray-breasted Seedsnipe (Thinocorus orbignyianus ingae)
NW: One female seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos.
90. Least Seedsnipe (Thinocorus rumicivorus bolivianus)
NW: 30 seen at Cachipampa.
91. Wattled Jacana (Chestnut-backed) (Jacana jacana jacana)
NW: Ten seen in Parque Bicentenario, two at Laguna Campo Alegre and
three at lake of El Mollar.
BA & ER: Ten seen in Costanera Sur, 25 at Ceibas and ten at Perdices.
92. Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
NW: Two seen at La Costa.
93. Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
NW: 1000+ seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos.
94. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
NW: One seen at Dique La Ciénega and 50 at Laguna de los Pozuelos.
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas.
95. Paraguayan Snipe (Gallinago paraguaiae)
BA & ER: Two seen and more heard at Ceibas and two seen at Perdices.
96. Puna Snipe (Gallinago andina andina)
NW: One seen in Valle Encantado.
97. Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
NW: 25 seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc.
98. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
NW: One seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, five at Laguna de los Pozuelos and four along Rio Conchas in Monte Desert at Los Castillos.
99. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
NW: Seven seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, seven at lagoon at El Huancar, 750 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc and five at the lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: 20 seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
100. Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)
NW: Two seen at Dique La Ciénega, 65 at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna Runtuyoc, one near lake at La Morada Cabañas between El Carril and La Viña and up to ten at lagoon of El Mollar.
101. Gray-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus cirrocephalus)
BA & ER: One seen at Rio de la Plata on two days.
102. Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus dominicanus)
BA & ER: 25 seen at Rio de la Plata.
103. Yellow-billed Tern (Sternula superciliaris)
BA & ER: One seen at Rio de la Plata and one at Ceibas.
104. Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari)
BA & ER: 100 seen at Ceibas and 30 at Perdices.
105. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
NW: Four seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, two near Puente San
Francisco and one en route from Tafi del Valle to Tucumán.
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas.
106. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga anhinga)
BA & ER: One seen at Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires.
107. Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum brasilianum)
NW: One seen at La Costa, 100+ at Laguna Campo Alegre and 150 at the lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: 50 seen in Costanera Sur and Rio de la Plata and 15 at Ceibas.
108. Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus pinnatus)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario. A first for the region!
109. Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum marmoratum)
BA & ER: Ten seen in Costanera Sur, two at Ceibas and one in Palmar de Colon NP.
110. Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi)
NW: Two seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, two near lake at La Morada Cabañas between El Carril and La Viña and one at lake of El Mollar on two days.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur and ten at Ceibas.
111. Great Egret (American) (Ardea alba egretta)
NW: Five seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, two in Quebrada Humahuaca, two in Valle Calchaquíes along Rio Santa Maria and five at lake of El Mollar.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur, common at Ceibas and 30 at Perdices.
112. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula thula)
NW: Up to five seen on six days.
BA & ER: One at Rio de la Plata and ten at Ceibas.
113. Cattle Egret (Western) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
NW: Up to 50 seen on nine days.
BA & ER: Up to 20 seen on three days.
114. Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix sibilatrix)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, one at Laguna Campo Alegre, wo near Puente San Francisco and two at El Sauce.
BA & ER: 12 seen at Ceibas and one in Palmar de Colon NP.
115. Black-crowned Night-Heron (American) (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)
NW: One seen at lagoon at El Huancar.
BA & ER: 15 seen at Lagos De Regatas De Palermo at Buenos Aires.
116. White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
NW: Eight seen near San Lorenzo, common at Laguna Campo Alegre, 20 en route from Abra Pampa to Calilegua, five en route from Calilegua to San Lorenzo and 80 at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
BA & ER: 20 seen at Ceibas and 25 at Perdices.
117. Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
NW: 25 seen at El Huancar, common at Laguna de los Pozuelos and 20 at Abra Pampa.
118. Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus infuscatus)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, four near San Lorenzo, common at Laguna Campo Alegre, 20 at El Huancar, one near Puente San Francisco, one near lake at La Morada Cabañas between El Carril and La Viña and 15 en route from Tafi del Valle to Tucumán.
BA & ER: One seen in Costanera Sur and common at Ceibas and Perdices.
119. Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus hyperorius)
NW: Four seen in Parque Bicentenario, two at La Costa, six at Laguna Campo Alegre and two at Calilegua.
120. Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
NW: Five seen at Laguna Campo Alegre and one at the lagoon of El Mollar.
BA & ER: 35 seen at Ceibas.
121. Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
NW: Five seen in the Mojotoro valley, four in La Angostura valley,
three in Quebrada Humahuaca, up to nine in Quebrada Escoipe, in Los
Cardones NP and at Payogasta on three days and one in Valle
Calchaquíes along Rio Santa Maria.
122. King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
NW: Five seen in Calilegua NP and two along Rio Los Sosa.
123. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus foetens & brasiliensis)
NW: foetens, common.
BA & ER: brasiliensis, five seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
124. Turkey Vulture (Tropical) (Cathartes aura ruficollis)
NW: Common
BA & ER: 20 seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
125. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus leucurus)
NW: One seen near San Lorenzo, one in La Angostura valley, one in
Quebrada Escoipe and one at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
126. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus yetapa)
NW: Two seen in Mojotoro valley and up to 20 in Calilegua NP on three
days.
127. Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori)
NW: One seen near the nest site along Rio Yala.
128. Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: Five seen at Ceibas.
129. Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni)
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas and one at Perdices.
130. Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus)
NW: One seen at La Costa, three at Laguna de los Pozuelos and Laguna
Runtuyoc, one at Payogasta and one in Valle Calchaquíes along Rio
Santa Maria.
131. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Rufous-thighed) (Accipiter striatus
erythronemius)
NW: Two seen in Huaico Reserve, one at Calilegua and one at El
Infiernillo pass.
BA & ER: One seen at Perdices.
132. Bicolored Hawk (Spotted) (Accipiter bicolor guttife)
BA & ER: Four seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
133. Crane Hawk (Banded) (Geranospiza caerulescens flexipes)
BA & ER: Three seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
134. Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis)
NW: One seen in La Angostura valley and three en route from
Tilcara to Calilegua.
BA & ER: Eight seen at Ceibas and five at Perdices.
135. Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius solitarius)
NW: Up to two seen in Calilegua NP on two days.
136. Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris saturatus & pucherani)
NW: saturatus, up to 20 seen on eight days.
BA & ER: pucherani, one seen in Ceibas, five in Palmar de Colon NP and
two at Perdices.
137. Harris's Hawk (Bay-winged) (Parabuteo unicinctus unicinctus)
NW: Two seen in Valle Calchaquíes along Rio Santa Maria.
BA & ER: Five seen in Costanera Sur and 20 in Palmar de Colon NP.
138. White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus albicaudatus)
BA & ER: One seen at Perdices.
139. Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma polyosoma)
NW: Up to 15 seen on eight days.
140. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus australis)
NW: One seen in Valle Encantado, one in Quebrada Escoipe, one in
Monte Desert and up to three at El Infiernillo pass on two days.
141. Broad-winged Hawk (Northern) (Buteo platypterus platypterus)
NW: One seen in Quebrada Escoipe.
142. Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba wetmorei)
NW: Two seen in Huaico Reserve.
143. Montane Forest Screech-Owl (Megascops hoyi)
NW: One heard in Huaico reserve.
144. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia juninensis & cunicularia)
a. Burrowing Owl (Littoral) (Athene cunicularia juninensis)
NW: Up to eight seen on six days.
b. Burrowing Owl (Southern) (Athene cunicularia cunicularia)
BA & ER: Four seen at Ceibas and one at Perdices.
145. Striped Owl (Asio clamator midas)
NW: One seen at San Lorenzo.
BA & ER: Two heard in Palmar de Colon NP.
146. Blue-crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui behni)
NW: Two seen in Calilegua NP.
147. Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota pilcomajensis)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
148. Ringed Kingfisher (Northern) (Megaceryle torquata torquata)
NW: One seen at La Costa, one at Dique La Ciénega and three along Rio
Los Sosa.
BA & ER: Four seen at Ceibas.
149. Spot-backed Puffbird (Chaco) (Nystalus maculatus striatipectus)
NW: One seen and one heard en route to Dique La Ciénega and one
heard at El Sauce.
150. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco albogularis)
NW: Up to four seen near San Lorenzo on two days, two near Calilegua
and two in Calilegua NP on two days.
151. White-barred Piculet (Picumnus cirratus tucumanus & pilcomayensis)
NW: tucumanus, two seen in Parque Bicentenario, one in Huaico
reserve, one in Mojotoro valley and one in Calilegua NP on two days.
BA & ER: pilcomayensis, one seen in Palmar de Colon NP and one at
Perdices.
152. White Woodpecker (Melanerpes candidus)
BA & ER: Five seen at Perdices.
153. White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum)
NW: Up to two seen at Payogasta on two days and two near Cafayate.
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas and one at Perdices.
154. Checkered Woodpecker (Dryobates mixtus malleator & mixtus)
NW: malleator, one seen near Cafayate.
BA & ER: mixtus two seen in Costanera Sur.
155. Dot-fronted Woodpecker (Dryobates frontalis)
NW: One seen along Rio Yala on two days, heard near San Lorenzo
and one seen along Rio Los Sosa.
156. Cream-backed Woodpecker (Campephilus leucopogon)
NW: One pair seen in Huaico reserve.
157. Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus tucumanus)
NW: One seen in La Angostura valley.
158. Green-barred Woodpecker (Golden-breasted) (Colaptes melanochloros
leucofrenatus & nigroviridis)
NW: leucofrenatus, one seen in Parque Bicentenario, four in La
Angostura valley, one at Tilcara, three at Payogasta and one near
Cafayate.
BA & ER: nigroviridis, one seen in Costanera Sur, three at Ceibas, three
in Palmar de Colon NP and two at Perdices.
159. Andean Flicker (Southern) (Colaptes rupicola rupicola)
NW: Two seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos, 15
in Valle Encantado and up to eight at El Infiernillo pass.
160. Campo Flicker (Field) Colaptes campestris campestroides)
BA & ER: One seen at Vincente Lopez reserve, three at Ceibas and
seven at Perdices.
161. Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)
NW: Six seen and more heard in La Angostura valley and en route to
San Salvador and heard there.
162. Black-legged Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri)
NW: One pair seen and one heard at the Chaco between El Carril and La
Viña.
163. Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
NW: Up to six seen around Abra Pampa and en route to Laguna de los
Pozuelos on three days.
164. Crested Caracara (Southern) (Caracara plancus plancus)
NW: Common, seen almost daily.
BA & ER: Common, seen daily.
165. Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango chimango)
NW: Common, seen on eight days.
BA & ER: Common, seen almost daily.
166. American Kestrel (South American) (Falco sparverius cinnamominus)
NW: Common, seen on 12 days.
BA & ER: One seen at Buenos Aires, one at Ceibas and two in Palmar
de Colon NP.
167. Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis pinchinchae & femoralis)
NW: pinchinchae, one seen in La Angostura valley, one in Quebrada
Humahuaca, three en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos,
one near Puente San Francisco, one in Los Cardones NP, two in Valle
Encantado and one along Rio Los Sosa.
BA & ER: femoralis, three seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
168. Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis rufigularis)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
169. Peregrine Falcon (South American) (Falco peregrinus cassini)
NW: One seen at Payogasta and one along Rio Los Sosa.
BA & ER: Three seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
170. Gray-hooded Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aymara)
NW: Six seen and more heard en route from and to Quebrada Escoipe
to Piedra de Molino on two days.
171. Mountain Parakeet (Psilopsiagon aurifrons margaritae)
NW: Five seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
172. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus monachus)
BA & ER: Common.
173. Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani lacerus)
NW: Up to 20 seen near San Lorenzo, five along Rio Yala and four near
Puente San Francisco.
174. Turquoise-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva xanthopteryx)
NW: Two seen near Calilegua.
175. Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae australis)
NW: Five seen in La Angostura valley and heard in Calilegua NP.
176. Burrowing Parakeet (Olive) (Cyanoliseus patagonus andinus) NE
NW: Up to 60 seen at Payogasta and 1000+ in Valle Calchaquíes along
Rio Santa Maria.
Burrowing Parakeet, Rio Santa Maria (Photo PvS)
Burrowing Parakeet, Rio Santa Maria (Photo DG)
177. Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) I
BA & ER: 30 seen at Costanera Sur.
178. Yellow-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis)
NW: Up to three seen in Calilegua NP on two days.
179. Blue-crowned Parakeet (Blue-headed) (Thectocercus acuticaudatus
acuticaudatus)
NW: Eight seen at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
180. Mitred Parakeet (Psittacara mitratus mitratus & tucumanus)
NW: mitratus, common at San Lorenzo and San Salvador on four days
and tucumanus, common at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
181. Giant Antshrike (Batara cinerea argentina)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP, a pair and a juvenile there the next day
and heard on the third day.
Giant Antshrike, Calilegua NP
(Photo DG)
182. Great Antshrike (Taraba major major)
NW: A pair seen in Parque Bicentenario, one in Mojotoro valley, one in
La Angostura valley, heard near Puente San Francisco and two seen at
the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
183. Rufous-capped Antshrike (Southern) (Thamnophilus ruficapillus
cochabambae)
NW: A pair seen in Huaico reserve.
BA & ER: A pair seen at Perdices.
184. Variable Antshrike (Thamnophilus caerulescens dinelli & gilvigaster)
NW: dinelli, three seen in Calilegua NP and heard there the next two
days.
BA & ER: gilvigaster, a pair seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
185. Stripe-backed Antbird (Myrmorchilus strigilatus suspicax)
NW: Two seen at the Chaco of El Sauce.
186. White-throated Antpitta (Grallaria albigula)
NW: Two seen and more heard in Calilegua NP and one seen and more
heard there the next day.
White-throated Antpitta, Calilegua NP (Photo DG)
187. Crested Gallito (Rhinocrypta lanceolata lanceolata)
NW: One heard at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
188. Sandy Gallito (Teledromas fuscus) E
NW: One seen in Los Cardones NP and one seen and one heard near
Los Castillos.
Sandy Gallito, Los Cardones NP (Photo DG)
189. White-browed Tapaculo (Scytalopus superciliaris superciliaris) E
NW: One seen at El Infiernillo pass on two days.
White-browed Tapaculo, El Infiernillo pass (Photo DG)
190. Zimmer's Tapaculo (Scytalopus zimmeri)
NW: One seen in Valle Encantado and one a few hundred meters
downhill from Piedra de Molino.
191. Common Miner (Altiplano) (Geositta cunicularia titicacae)
NW: One seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
192. Puna Miner (Geositta punensis)
NW: 50 seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
193. Rufous-banded Miner (Geositta rufipennis rufipennis)
NW: Two seen in Quebrada Escoipe and two at Los Castillos.
194. Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Amazonian) (Sittasomus griseicapillus
griseicapillus)
NW: One and two seen in Calilegua NP on two days.
195. Black-banded Woodcreeper (Pale-billed) (Dendrocolaptes picumnus
casaresi)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
196. Great Rufous Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major major)
NW: One seen at Dique La Ciénega.
Great Rufous Woodcreeper,
Dique La Ciénega
(Photo DG)
197. Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper (Drymornis bridgesii)
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas.
198. Narrow-billed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris certhiolus &
praedatus)
NW: certhiolus, one seen in Calilegua NP on three days.
BA & ER: praedatus, three seen in Costanera Sur, one at Vincente
Lopez reserve, one at Ceibas and three in Palmar de Colon NP.
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Vincente
Lopez reserve (Photo PvS)
199. Streaked Xenops (Xenops rutilans connectens)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP on three days.
200. Rock Earthcreeper (Ochetorhynchus
andaecola)
NW: Seven seen en route from Abra
Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos,
one in Quebrada Humahuaca, one in
Valle Encantado and one a few
hundred meters downhill from Piedra
de Molino.
Rock Earthcreeper, between Abra Pampa and
Laguna de los Pozuelos (Photo DG)
201. Chaco Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhioides estebani)
NW: Two seen at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
202. Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus paraguayae & rufus)
NW: paraguayae, common, not seen in the higher parts of our trip.
BA & ER: rufus, common.
Rufous Hornero, Parque Bicentenario (Photo DG)
203. Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops schoenobaenus & melanops)
NW: schoenobaenus, five seen at lake of El Huancar.
BA & ER: melanops, one seen at Ceibas.
Wren-like Rushbird, El Huancar (Photo DG)
204. Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Upucerthia validirostris jelskii &
validirostris)
a. Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Plain-breasted) (Upucerthia
validirostris jelskii)
NW: Four seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
b. Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Upucerthia validirostris validirostris)
NW: One seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de Molino and
one at El Infiernillo pass on two days.
205. Buff-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus)
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas.
206. Cream-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris & tucumanus)
NW: albiventris, two seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los
Pozuelos, one a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de Molino, ten
in Valle Encantado; tucumanus, up to 15 at El Infiernillo pass on two
days.
207. White-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes atacamensis atacamensis)
NW: Two seen at El Infiernillo pass.
208. Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata oleaginea)
NW: Seven seen in Huaico reserve, heard along Rio Yala, up to two
seen and more heard in Calilegua NP on three days and heard along Rio
Los Sosa.
209. Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura fuliginiceps paranensis)
NW: Ten seen when driving uphill to Piedra de Molino and three at El
Infiernillo.
210. Tufted Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura platensis) NE
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas.
211. Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides berlepschi)
NW: Two seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos.
212. Rufous-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons sincipitalis)
NW: Four seen near Puente San Francisco.
213. Streak-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticeps striaticeps)
NW: Five seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos, six
a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de Molino and ten in Valle
Encantado.
214. Little Thornbird (Phacellodomus sibilatrix)
BA & ER: Five seen at Ceibas.
Little Thornbird, Ceibas (Photo DG) Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Ceibas
(Photo DG)
215. Spot-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus maculipectus)
NW: Heard along Rio Yala and two seen in Quebrada Escoipe.
216. Freckle-breasted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticollis)
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas and two at Perdices.
217. Firewood-gatherer (Anumbius annumbi)
BA & ER: Six seen at Ceibas and two at Perdices.
Firewood-gatherer, Ceibas (Photo PvS)
218. Lark-like Brushrunner (Coryphistera alaudina alaudina)
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas and one at Perdices.
219. Creamy-breasted Canastero (Rusty-vented) (Asthenes dorbignyi
dorbignyi)
NW: One seen at El Cañoncito, three in Quebrada Humahuaca and one
at the start of the road to El Infiernillo pass.
220. Short-billed Canastero (Asthenes baeri baeri)
NW: Two seen near Tafi del Valle.
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas.
221. Puna Castanero (Asthenes sclater lilloi)
NW: Two seen at Piedra de Molino and one at El Infiernillo pass.
222. Cordilleran Canastero (Asthenes modesta modesta)
NW: Two seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos and
one in Valle Encantado.
223. Maquis Canastero (Asthenes heterura)
NW: Four seen below Piedra de Molino.
224. Stripe-crowned Spinetail (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia pyrrhophia)
NW: One seen in La Angostura valley and one near Puente San
Francisco.
BA & ER: Three seen at Ceibas.
Puna Canastero, El Infiernillo pass (Photo DG)
Steinbach’s Canastero, Los Cardones NP (Photo DG)
225. Steinbach's Canastero (Pseudasthenes steinbachi) E
NW: One seen in Los Cardones NP.
226. Brown Cacholote (Pseudoseisura lophotes)
BA & ER: One seen and one heard at Ceibas and one seen at Perdices.
227. White-throated Cacholote (Pseudoseisura gutturalis) E
NW: Two seen in Los Cardones NP and two near Los Castillos.
228. Yellow-chinned Spinetail (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus russeolus)
NW: Two seen at the Chaco of El Sauce.
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas.
229. Chotoy Spinetail (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus phryganophilus)
NW: Ten seen at Ceibas.
230. Ochre-cheeked Spinetail (Synallaxis scutate whitii)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
231. Sooty-fronted Spinetail (Synallaxis frontalis fuscipennis & frontalis)
NW: fuscipennis, one seen near Puente San Francisco.
BA & ER: frontalis, two seen and more heard in Costanera Sur, five
seen in Palmar de Colon NP and three heard at Perdices.
232. Azara's Spinetail (Synallaxis azarae superciliosa)
NW: One seen and more heard in Huaico reserve.
233. Yungas Manakin (Chiroxiphia boliviana)
NW: Heard in Calilegua NP on two days.
234. White-tipped Plantcutter (Phytotoma rutila angustirostris & rutila)
NW: angustirostris, up to five seen in Quebrada Humahuaca on two
days, nine in Quebrada Escoipe and one at Payogasta on three days.
BA & ER: rutila, two seen at Ceibas and three at Perdices.
White-tipped Plantcutter, Tilcara (Photo PvS)
235. White-winged Becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus spixii)
NW: One pair seen in Huaico reserve.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur and two at Perdices.
236. Crested Becard (Pachyramphus validus audax)
NW: Two seen in Mojotoro valley and one in La Angostura valley.
237. Many-colored Rush Tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra rubrigastra)
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas.
238. Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes ventralis tucumanus &
ventralis)
NW: tucumanus, four seen in Huaico reserve, one in Calilegua NP on
three days and three along Rio Los Sosa.
BA & ER: ventralis, two seen in Costanera Sur.
239. Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer
magaritaceiventer)
NW: One seen at the Chaco of El Sauce.
240. Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps viridiceps)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP and one heard near Puente San
Francisco.
241. Cliff Flycatcher (Swallow) (Hirundinea ferruginea pallidior)
NW: One seen in Huaico reserve, three in Valle Encantado and up to ten
near Los Castillos.
Cliff Flycatcher, Los Castillos (Photo DG)
242. Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum bolivianum &
obsoletum)
NW: bolivianum, one seen in Mojotoro valley and one near Puente San
Francisco.
BA & ER: obsoletum, one seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet, La Costa (Photo DG)
243. Suiriri Flycatcher (Suiriri suiriri suiriri)
NW: One seen at the Chaco of El Sauce and one at the start of the road
to El Infiernillo pass.
BA & ER: Two seen at Ceibas.
244. Buff-banded Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus hellmayri)
NW: Two seen in Calilegua NP.
245. White-throated Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus leucophrys leucophrys)
NW: Two seen in Huaico reserve, one in La Angostura valley, two along
Rio Yala, five in Calilegua NP and one in Quebrada Escoipe.
246. Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes flavirostris flavirostris)
NW: One seen in Quebrada Humahuaca, one in Quebrada Escoipe and
one in Valle Encantado.
247. Tufted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes parulus aequatorialis)
NW: Three seen in Valle Encantado.
248. Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata viridicata)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
249. Highland Elaenia (Elaenia obscura)
NW: One seen at La Costa.
250. Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster flavogaster)
NW: One seen at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
251. Small-billed Elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, one in Mojotoro valley, two at
the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña and one along Rio Los Sosa.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur, one at Ceibas, one in Palmar de
Colon NP and one at Perdices.
Small-billed Elaenia, Ceibas (Photo DG)
252. Large Elaenia (Elaenia spectabilis)
BA & ER: Two seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
253. White-crested Elaenia (Chilean) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis)
NW: One seen at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
254. Sooty Tyrannulet (Serpophaga nigricans)
NW: Ten seen near Puente San Francisco.
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas.
255. White-crested Tyrannulet (Serpophaga subcristata subcristata)
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur, two at Ceibas, ten in Palmar de
Colon NP and one at Perdices.
White-crested Tyrannulet, Palmar de
Colon NP (Photo DG)
256. White-bellied Tyrannulet (Serpophaga munda)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, one in Mojotoro valley, one at
the Chaco of El Sauce and one at the Chaco between El Carril and La
Viña.
257. Straneck's Tyrannulet (Serpophaga griseicapilla) E
BA & ER: Two seen and heard in Palmar de Colon NP and two at
Perdices.
258. Sclater's Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias sclateri sclateri)
NW: One seen in Huaico reserve.
259. Rufous-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant (Euscarthmus meloryphus meloryphus)
BA & ER: One seen at Perdices.
260. Greater Wagtail-
Tyrant
(Stigmatura
budytoides
inzonata)
NW: Five seen at
the Chaco of El Sauce,
heard at the Chaco
between El Carril and
La Viña and three seen
near Los Castillos.
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Monte Desert (Photo DG)
261. Bran-colored Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus auriceps)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas.
262. Euler's Flycatcher (Lathrotriccus euleri argentinus)
NW: One seen along Rio Yala.
263. Smoke-colored Pewee (Contopus fumigatus brachyrhynchus)
NW: One seen along Rio Yala.
264. Tropical Pewee (Contopus cinereus pallescens)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, heard in Huaico reserve, one
seen in Mojotoro valley and up to five in Calilegua NP on two
days.
265. Black Phoebe (White-
winged) (Sayornis
nigricans latirostris)
NW: Two seen in
Mojotoro valley, up to
two along Rio Yala on
two days, up to two in
Calilegua NP on two
days, one near Puente
San Francisco and two
along Rio Los Sosa.
Black Phoebe, Mojotoro valley (Photo PvS)
266. Vermilion Flycatcher (Austral) (Pyrocephalus rubinus rubinus)
NW: One seen near San Lorenzo.
BA & ER: 25 seen at Ceibas, three in Palmar de Colon NP and six at
Perdices.
267. Austral Negrito
(Lessonia rufa)
BA & ER: One seen at
Perdices.
Austral Negrito, Perdices (Photo PvS)
268. Andean Negrito (Lessonia oreas)
NW: One seen at Laguna de los Pozuelos and one close to Abra Pampa.
269. Blue-billed Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus cyanirostris)
BA & ER: One seen in Palmar de Colon NP and one at Perdices.
270. Cinereous Tyrant (Knipolegus striaticeps)
NW: Two seen at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
271. White-winged Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus aterrimus aterrimus)
NW: One seen at La Costa, one in La Angostura valley, one at
Payogasta and one at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
272. Spectacled Tyrant (Hymenops perspicillatus perspicillatus)
NW: One seen at Tilcara, five at Payogasta and three in Valle
Calcahquíes along Rio Santa Maria.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur, ten at Ceibas and one at Perdices.
273. Yellow-browed Tyrant (Satrapa icterophrys)
NW: Two seen at the Chaco of El Sauce and two in Quebrada Escoipe.
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas and two at Perdices.
274. Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maculirostris maculirostris)
NW: Two seen en route from Abra Pampa to Laguna de los Pozuelos,
one a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de Molino and
one in Valle Encantado.
275. Cinereous Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola cinereus argentinus)
NW: Three seen in Valle Encantado.
276. Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola rufivertex pallidiceps)
NW: One seen in Quebrada Humahuaca.
277. Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant (Cnemarchus rufipennis rufipennis)
NW: One seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra
de Molino.
278. White Monjita (Xolmis irupero
irupero)
NW: Up to ten seen on seven
days.
BA & ER: Ten seen at Ceibas
and five at Perdices.
White Monjita, La Angostura valley (Photo PvS)
279. Gray Monjita (Nengetus cinereus cinereus)
BA & ER: Three seen at Perdices.
Gray Monjta, Perdices (Photo PvS)
280. Black-crowned Monjita
(Neoxolmis coronatus) E
NW: Two seen in Valle
Calchaquíes along Rio Santa
Maria.
BA & ER: Seven seen at Ceibas
and two at Perdices.
Black-crowned Monjita, Perdices
(Photo PvS)
281. Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis montanus montanus)
NW: One seen at El Cañoncito, three a few hundred meters downhill
from Piedra de Molino, eight in Valle Encantado and one at El
Infiernillo pass.
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, El Infiernillo pass
(Photo PvS)
282. Gray-bellied Shrike-Tyrant (Agriornis micropterus andecola)
NW: One seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de
Molino.
283. Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant (Myiotheretes striaticollis pallidus)
NW: Heard at El Infiernillo pass.
284. Black-backed Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola albiventer)
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur.
285. d'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca oenanthoides oenanthoides)
NW: Two seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de
Molino and one at El Infiernillo pass.
286. White-browed Chat-Tyrant (Ochthoeca leucophrys tucumana)
NW: Three seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra
de Molino, one in Valle Encantado and one at El Infiernillo pass.
287. Rufous Casiornis (Casiornis rufus)
NW: One seen in Calilegua NP.
288. Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer atriceps)
NW: One seen in Huaico reserve, one in Calilegua NP and one at
Payogasta.
289. Swainson's Flycatcher (Myiarchus swainsoni ferocior)
NW: One seen at La Costa and one at the Chaco between El Carril and
La Viña.
290. Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosa rixosa)
NW: One seen at Laguna Campo Alegre, two near Puente San Francisco
and two at Payogasta.
BA & ER: 20 seen in Costanera Sur and at Vincente Lopez reserve, five
at Ceibas, 15 in Palmar de Colon NP and three at Perdices.
Cattle Tyrant and Capybara, Palmar de Colon NP (Photo DG)
291. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus argentinus)
NW: Common.
BA & ER: Common.
292. Streaked Flycatcher (Southern) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
NW: Two seen at La Costa.
293. Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus)
NW: Up to 15 seen on eight days.
BA & ER: Up to five seen on three days.
294. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana savana)
NW: One seen at San Salvador and one at Abra Pampa.
295. Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis viridis &
ochrocephala)
a. Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Chaco) (Cyclarhis gujanensis
viridis)
NW: Two seen in Mojotoro valley.
b. Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Ochre-crowned) (Cyclarhis
gujanensis ochrocephala)
BA & ER: One seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
296. Chivi Vireo (Vireo chivi diversus)
NW: Three seen along Rio Yala, one in Calilegua NP and one near
Puente San Francisco.
297. Plush-crested Jay (Cyanocorax chrysops tucumanus)
NW: Up to 20 seen on nine days.
BA & ER: Six seen in Palmar de Colon NP.
Plush-crested Jay, Calilegua NP (Photo PvS)
298. Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)
NW: Up to 150 seen on twelve days.
BA & ER: 25 seen in Costanera Sur and at Vincente Lopez reserve and
two at Ceibas.
299. Tawny-headed Swallow (Alopochelidon fucata)
NW: Five seen in Parque Bicentenario.
300. Andean Swallow (Orochelidon andecola andecola)
NW: 25 seen in Valle Calchaquíes along Rio Santa Maria and three at El
Infiernillo pass.
301. Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ruficollis)
NW: Two seen in Parque Bicentenario, two in Calilegua NP, 150 near
Puente San Francisco and three at the Chaco of El Sauce.
302. Southern Martin (Progne elegans)
NW: Seven seen at two different spots near Cafayate.
303. Brown-chested Martin (Progne tapera fusca)
NW: 70 seen near Puente San Francisco and one at Payogasta on two
days.
BA & ER: 40 seen at Ceibas and 60 at Perdices.
304. White-rumped Swallow (Tachycineta leucorrhoa)
BA & ER: 150 seen at Ceibas and 500 at Perdices.
305. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster)
NW: One seen near Puente San Francisco, two at Payogasta and one
near Cafayate.
306. Masked Gnatcatcher (Polioptila dumicola dumicola)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, one in La Angostura valley and
six at the Chaco between El Carril and La Viña.
BA & ER: Three seen in Costanera Sur, eight at Ceibas and 20 in
Palmar de Colon NP.
307. House Wren (Southern) (Troglodytes aedon bonariae)
NW: Up to five seen on seven days.
BA & ER: Up to ten seen on four days.
308. Mountain Wren (Troglodytes solstitialis auricularis)
NW: Five seen in Huaico reserve, up to five seen along Rio Yala on two
days and five in Calilegua NP.
309. Grass Wren (Tucuman)
(Cistothorus platensis
tucumanus)
NW: One seen at Payogasta.
310. Rufous-throated Dipper
(Cinclus schulzii) NE
NW: Two seen along Rio Yala,
including one wearing a ring.
Rufous-throated Dipper, Rio Yala
(Photo DG)
311. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) I
BA & ER: Up to 40 seen on four days.
312. Patagonian Mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus) NE
NW: Up to ten seen on six days.
313. Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus modulator)
BA & ER: Up to 30 seen on five days.
314. White-banded Mockingbird (Mimus triurus) E
BA & ER: Four seen at Ceibas, one in Palmar de Colon NP and two at
Perdices.
315. Brown-backed Mockingbird (Mimus dorsalis)
NW: One seen near Tilcara, three in Quebrada Humahuaca and one
near Cafayate.
316. Speckled Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus maculatus blakei)
NW: One heard in Calilegua NP.
317. Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris rufiventris)
NW: Up to five seen on nine days.
BA & ER: Up to 20 seen at Buenos Aires on three days and two in
Palmar de Colon NP.
318. Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus)
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario.
BA & ER: One seen in Costanera Sur and two in Palmar de Colon NP.
319. Chiguanco Thrush (Turdus chiguanco anthracinus)
NW: Up to 35 seen on eight days.
Chiguanco Thrush, El Infiernillo pass (Photo DG)
320. Andean Slaty Thrush (Turdus nigriceps)
NW: One heard in Calilegua NP.
321. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus spec.) I
NW: Common in villages and cities.
BA & ER: Common.
322. Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera catamarcae)
NW: One seen at Laguna Runtuyoc and two at Cachipampa.
323. Hellmayr's Pipit (Anthus hellmayri hellmayri & brasilianus)
NW: hellmayri, five seen at Cachipampa and two at El Infiernillo pass.
BA & ER: brasilianus, one seen at Perdices.
Hellmayr’s Pipit, El Infiernillo pass (Photo DG)
324. Golden-rumped Euphonia (Chlorophonia cyanocephala cyanocephala)
NW: One seen in Huaico reserve, one in La Angostura valley and one
and two in Calilegua NP on two days.
325. Purple-throated Euphonia (Euphonia chlorotica serrirostris)
NW: Four seen at the Chaco of El Sauce and one at the Chaco between
El Carril and La Viña.
326. Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus tucumanus & magellanicus)
NW: tucumanus, three seen in Mojotoro valley, two at La Angostura
valley, two along Rio Yala, ten in Calilegua NP, two at the Chaco
between El Carril and La Viña and three along Rio Los Sosa.
BA & ER: magellanicus, eight seen in Costanera Sur, two at Ceibas and
five at Perdices.
327. Black Siskin (Spinus atratus)
NW: Two seen a few hundred meters downhill from Piedra de Molino and
six in Valle Encantado.
328. Common Chlorospingus (Argentina) (Chlorospingus flavopectus
argentinus)
NW: Up to 20 seen on eight days.
329. Yungas Sparrow (Rhynchospiza dabbenei) NE
NW: One seen in Parque Bicentenario, seven in Mojotoro valley and five
in La Angostura valley.
Yungas Sparrow, Parque Bicentenario (Photo DG)
330. Grassland Sparrow (Ammodramus humeralis xanthornus)
BA & ER: Five seen at Perdices.
331. White-browed Brushfinch (Arremon torquatus borellii)
NW: Four seen in Huaico reserve and one in Calilegua NP on two days.
332. Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis arenalensis, australis &
hypoleuca)
NW: arenalensis and hypoleuca, common; australis, once at El Infiernillo
pass.
BA & ER: hypoleuca, common.
333. Fulvous-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes fulviceps)
NW: Four seen along Rio Yala.
334. Yellow-striped Brushfinch (Atlapetes citrinellus) E
NW: Two seen near Tafi del Valle and two along Rio Los Sosa.
335. White-browed Meadowlark (Leistes superciliaris)
NW: One seen in Valle Calchaquíֵes near Rio Santa Maria.
BA & ER: Five seen at Ceibas and ten at Perdices.
336. Long-tailed Meadowlark (Leistes loyca catamarcanus)
NW: Four seen at Payogasta.
Long-tailed Meadowlark, Payogasta (Photo DG)
337. Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus maculosus)
NW: Up to two seen at and near San Lorenzo on three days and one at
San Salvador.
338. Solitary Black Cacique (Cacicus solitarius)
BA & ER: Three seen in Costanera Sur.
Solitary Black Cacique, Costanera Sur (Photo DG)
339. Golden-winged Cacique (Cacicus chrysopterus)
NW: One seen in La Angostura valley and five near San Lorenzo.
340. Variable Oriole (Chestnut-shouldered) (Icterus pyrrhopterus
pyrrhopterus)
NW: Two seen near Puente San Francisco and four near Cafayate.
BA & ER: Two seen in Costanera Sur and six in Palmar de Colon NP.
341. Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)
NW: Six seen in La Angostura valley and two near Puente San Francisco.
BA & ER: One seen at Ceibas and 100 at Perdices.
342. Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bo