Uruguay, or "river of painted birds" as it was christened by early inhabitants, is a country where few birders have gone. A small nation, it has a wonderful assortment of habitats--grasslands or pampas dotted with wetlands, thorn forest mingling with riparian gallery forest, palm savanna and shrubby, rocky "sierra" highlands. Classic birds include Greater Rhea, Southern Screamer, Rufous Hornero, Firewood-gatherer, and Great Pampa-Finch. But among these, we could find many rarer species as well such as the unusual Saffron-cowled Blackbird foraging cooperatively with the Black-and-white Monjita.

Based in the Pampas where we'll stay at rural estancias and guesthouses, we'll encounter both the birds and the people who make this a special place. And while this is a tour short on endemics, the birding is superb. We'll return home with fond memories of flamingos, canasteros, and monjitas, and of vast open vistas, friendly Uruguayans, and a colorful and vibrant culture. So don your gaucho beret, drink your yerba mate, and let's ride off into the sunset in search of Scissor-tailed Nightjars and whatever else comes our way.

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