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One of our point-blank Mountain Caracaras at Farellones -- it was a real treat to see these beautiful raptors so well! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Teaming up with Pete to do this tour was a huge pleasure for me, and I knew even before the tour started that this was going to be a great one. The combination of good weather and great altitude allied to Peter's knowledge of the birds of the area contributed greatly to the improvement of our bird list, one that boasted 28 birds more than last year's tour and included many that were not previously on the checklist, including Many-colored Chaco-Finch, Patagonian Canastero, and two beautiful species of monjitas, the Black-crowned and Rusty-backed.
The weather was another major star of the tour, with very little wind in southern Mendoza and mostly sunny days with the exception of that one travel day when we came across a lot of rain. Although we may have missed a few birds because of the rain, I think the visual aspects of the tour were greatly improved, with the chance of seeing the mountaintops covered in fresh snow as we flew over the mountain range on our way back to Chile.
The terroir also came through strongly with our visit to Casa Palmero and to Myriam's house for some Pastel de Choclo, one Chile's great traditional dishes.
This is certainly a vintage of this tour to be remembered and treasured, and I give it 96+ points and hope you all enjoyed it as much as Pete and I did.
Enjoying reminiscing about our tour via the report below, including, at the end, a listing of the myriad wines we sampled!
--Marcelo
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Rheidae (Rheas)
The so-well-named Elegant Crested-Tinamou -- a tinamou that's easy to see! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
BRUSHLAND TINAMOU (Nothoprocta cinerascens) – We had heard several birds, but could not pull one into view, so Peter and I flushed a bird from the bushes and the group had a nice view of the bird in flight.
DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) – A lot of them singing, but we could not bring any of them into view. [*]
ELEGANT CRESTED-TINAMOU (Eudromia elegans) – Certainly one of the highlights of the tour was seeing so many of these birds. We had more than 10 of them!
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus) – We had several good looks at this elegant bird during our time in Mendoza province.
COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba) – Seen extremely well at Laguna Blanca.
UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta) – Several individuals around Laguna Blanca.
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides) – We saw this bird on a number of occasions during the tour but the best sightings were from Laguna Blanca.
CHILOE WIGEON (Anas sibilatrix) – One of the most common ducks seen on this tour, but that did not make them less impressive, especially when the light was just right on the males.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
RED SHOVELER (Anas platalea) – Another duck we picked up in the southern end of the Mendoza province!
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis) – We had a pair of birds right from the backyard of our friends in Chile.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica) – This species was common in both countries and although somewhat similar to the Yellow-billed Teal, we had excellent looks at it and had quite a workshop on how to set them apart.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris) – AKA Speckled Teal. This species was common both in Chile and Argentina.
ROSY-BILLED POCHARD (Netta peposaca) – The fist birds we saw had their heads tucked under their wings, but we later managed to get some excellent scope views of them at Laguna Blanca!
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – It was a real treat to see this species in the same field of view as the Lake Duck, for comparison.
LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata) – This is the most common of the Oxyura ducks on this tour!
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) – The California Quail have been introduced to Chile and have adapted really well. We were met by more than 20 of them upon our arrival at my friend's home, where we had lunch on our way to the coast.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – Several seen during the tour, but one in particular popped up right in front of our group at Laguna Llancanelo and the water was so clear that we could watch the bird under water as it was foraging.
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – We had several adults and several young birds seen during the tour.
GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major) – We had several good looks at these odd Grebes, but the ones seen from the coast of Valparaiso were especially nice.
The spectacular high-elevation landscape of Embalse Yeso above Santiago (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – Seeing them in flight is always entertaining. We had many of them in Southern Mendoza.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus griseus) – Many of them seen from a great distance from the coast of Vina del Mar.
Pelecanoididae (Diving-Petrels)
PERUVIAN DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides garnotii) – Seen well on the last day of the tour from the coast of Vina del Mar.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – This was quite an unexpected record from Laguna llancanelo. A single juvenile bird showed up as we were watching some ducks.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata) – Common along the coast of Vina del Mar.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – The most common Cormorant on the tour and one that we saw both in Chile and Argentina.
RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) – Perched up on the rocks along the coast of Vina del Mar.
GUANAY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) – A few birds flew by on the last day of the tour.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
A Red-tailed Comet blends right into this flowering shrub... (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi) – Seen well at my friend's backyard. That is about as productive birding as lunch can get.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Common throughout the tour.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – Many seen throughout the tour, but they were specially abundant at the mouth of the Aconcagua river.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – I am always blown away by how well these birds have adapted to such different habitats around the world and how successful they have been at colonizing different areas.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – A fairly common sight around Vina del Mar, but we had very few adults.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) – Huge flocks at Laguna Llancanelo Park.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis) – A group of birds seen around Laguna Blanca. We managed to get some nice scope views of them.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) – Sometimes I find it hard to believe that we actually saw more Andean Condors on this tour than Black Vultures.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Common in the Mendoza Province!
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – Seen on most days of the tour and extremely well on many occasions. I particularly remember one individual getting chased away by a Black-chested Buzzard-eagle at embalse Yeso.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – A Great spot by Bill Williams as we were heading north towards the city of Mendoza!
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
Variable Hawk (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – Several looks at these magnificent raptors during our time in Chile. It was especially nice to see adults and young together allowing us some excellent studies of both plumages.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – Most definitely a highlight of the tour was having a pair of birds singing practically at our feet. A real treat!
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Gallinula melanops) – We saw quite a few of these this year, but the ones swimming right next to us as we had lunch at my friend's house were very special.
RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata) – The most common of the three species of Coots we saw on the tour and we had some excellent looks at them both in Chile and Argentina.
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – This is probably the most easy to identify coot we saw on the tour. We had great looks!
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera) – The least common of the three coots we saw on the tour, but we had them near San Rafael, at Laguna Llancanello and Laguna Blanca.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – A distant pair of birds seen through the scope near the mouth of the Aconcagua River.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus) – Several individuals along the coast at Vina del Mar.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – Several birds seen in both countries.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – A few individuals seen well through the scope at the mouth of the Aconcagua river.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – There were more Lesse Yellowlegs present at the mouth of the Aconcagua river and we had really close looks at them.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Abundant around Vina del Mar.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – It is amazing how well these birds can camouflage themselves on the rocks, but we saw several of them close to our hotel at Vina del Mar.
SURFBIRD (Aphriza virgata) – Seen right from the breakfast room at our Hotel in Vina del Mar!
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – A single bird at Laguna llancanelo was a bit of a surprise for me and for Peter.
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Seen more than once on the tour, but the ones at Aconcagua Provicial park were especially cooperative.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – A few seen during our time in Argentina, but one bird in particular gave us a private show displaying an interesting foraging technique very close to our group.
The spectacular Inca Tern is one of the Humboldt Current specialties we saw well on the coast near Valparaiso. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus) – We found this one along the coast of Vina del Mar and although it was less common than the other Gulls that occurred in the area, we had excellent scope studies.
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – What a treat to see so many of them with their pinkish plumage right outside our Hotel. It will not be long before they start their journey to the north.
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus) – Common around Vina del Mar.
INCA TERN (Larosterna inca) – If I had to choose the most handsome bird of the tour, the Inca Tern would certainly take the prize, and to have seen so many of them and so well was a real treat.
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea) – This one was found on the very last morning of birding when Peter took folks out to bird from the coast.
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans) – Three birds sitting among hundreds of Franklin's Gulls at the mouth of the Aconcagua river.
BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens) – A few birds seen from the hotel early in the morning.
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus) – Yet another bird that Peter picked up for us right outside our hotel in Vina del Mar!
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – Very common on the Argentine side. They were particularly abundant around Salentein where we even had one nesting right outside the reception.
CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana) – Several birds in flight outside Rio Clarillo Reserve, outside of Santiago.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Common in countries. Especially so around the wineries.
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui) – Far more common in Argentina than in Chile, but we managed to see them in both countries.
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera) – Some really nice looks around farellones, but they were also seen around Embalse Yeso and on our crossing from Chile to Argentina.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
Strigidae (Owls)
AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nana) [*]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes) – We saw this bird several times during our stay in Chile, as they were just starting to migrate into the areas we visited, but It was not until we visited La campana national park that we had really good looks at one feeding near the entrance of the park.
Yes, we had to rough it at meals, forced to taste the fine yield of yet another terroir! It was, after all, a Birds & Wine trip... (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) – This high altitude specialist is always a tough one to find in the areas we visited, but we managed to get good looks at a female near embalse Yeso.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – Fantastic scope views of a bird feeding on some flowers, near the entrance of La Campana National Park.
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus) – Nice looks at a male at Casa Palmero Winery in Mendoza.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus maculatus) [*]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius) – Excellent looks at this handsome woodpecker during our visit to Rio Clarillo reserve, near Santiago.
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros) – Seen right behind our lodges at Salentein!
CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius) – Great looks on a number of occasions.
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris) – Seen on the Argentine side where it replaced the Chilean flicker on the eastern side of the Andes.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – A family was having a barbecue near Farellones and they were puting food scraps on the rocks for these beautiful birds, which were coming down to feed just a few feet away from us. A real treat.
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – This is one of the many species we saw that although common through South America, are restricted to the eastern side of the Andes.
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango) – Common in both countries.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Seen almost every day of the tour.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – Great looks on the first day of the tour near farellones.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Also seen near Farellones on the first day of the tour.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
The very snazzy Many-colored Chaco-Finch (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus) – Only some fly by views of these birds in the San Martin park in Mendoza city.
MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) – An unscheduled lunch stop at Portillo sky resort produced some great looks at these high altitude specialists.
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) – It is always fun to watch this cute Chilean endemic running and jumping on the hillsides. [E]
WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) – Unfortunately we only had a brief look at this bird as it darted across the road. [E]
CRESTED GALLITO (Rhinocrypta lanceolata) – Several looks at this handsome tapaculo during our time in Mendoza.
SANDY GALLITO (Teledromas fuscus) – This one is always a tough one to see, but we got incredible scope views of a displaying bird.
DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) – It took some work, but it finally came out in plain sight for the whole group to see it. A real treat! [E]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis) – There is currently work being done on the miners that may eventually split two forms that we saw on the tour. The bird seen in lower elevation in Mendoza is the nominate form and the one we saw in higher elevation in Argentina and in Chile is the subspecies fasciata.
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis fasciata)
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER (Pygarrhichas albogularis) – La campana national park is at the northernmost point of the distribution of this species and it is not a common bird in the area, but we managed to get some excellent looks at it near the entrance of the park.
BAND-TAILED EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus) – Until recently this bird was placed in its own genus "eremobius", but recent work has moved it to the same genus as the Chilean endemic Crag Chilia.
CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) – Excellent looks at this Chilean endemic on our way up to embalse Yeso. [E]
CHACO EARTHCREEPER (Tarphonomus certhioides) – Another neat furnarid that we were able to see as we moved south in the province of Mendoza.
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus) – The national bird of Argentina.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – This little marsh dweller can be hard to see but we saw it extremely well both in Laguna Llancanelo Park in Argentina and near the mouth of the Aconcagua River in Chile.
SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia dumetaria) – We saw this bird a number of times on the tour, but we saw it particularly well at the Aconcagua Park on our crossing to Argentina.
BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus) – The most common of Cinclodes.
GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti) – This one we saw a few times on the tour, but the first one we saw up at Farellones was certainly the best sighting of the tour, especially as we had a nearby Buff-winged CInclodes nearby for comparison of the two species.
DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES (Cinclodes patagonicus) – Seen in Chile by the group when we visited Embalse Yeso, but Peter and I also had one from the window of our hotel in Mallargue, which was a bit of a surprise for both of us.
A flock of Burrowing Parakeets was a lovely sight. (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda) – Most furnariids have a tendency to have a rather dull appearance, but this one brakes all the rules. Just a really neat bird.
TUFTED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura platensis) – Great looks on the Argentine side of the Andes.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides) – We saw this bird on both sides of the Andes, and there is such marked variations in the many sub-species that it is quite likely that there may be more than one species involved. This is the nominate bird and the one that we saw in Chile.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (PALLIDA) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida) – This is the sub-species we saw in Argentina.
SHORT-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes baeri) – Great looks at this bird right behind our lodge at Pousada Salentein.
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta) – Seen well after some work during our visit to Farellones on the first day of the tour.
SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca) – Seen well in Mendoza.
STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia) – We saw this handsome Spinetail at the southernmost area of its distribution.
DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) – We were trying to pull out a White-throated Tapaculo when a Dusky-tailed Canastero jumped out in the open in great view for the whole group. [E]
PATAGONIAN CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes patagonica) – Seeing this bird was a pleasant surprise in the area near Laguna Llancanelo. A lifer both for Peter and me!
STEINBACH'S CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes steinbachi) – Certainly one of the most range restricted bird we saw on the tour and an Argentine endemic.
BROWN CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura lophotes) – Quite common on the Argentine portion of our tour, even found right around the lodge during our stay at Salentein.
WHITE-THROATED CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura gutturalis) – Although less common than the previous species, we has several encounters with this bird with some great scope views at one point.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – This minute flycatcher is certainly one of the sharpest looking birds on this tour. Seen on the Argentina Portion of the trip.
The tiny Tufted Tit-Tyrant, probably appearing larger than life on your screen! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (CHILEAN) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) – We managed to see a few of these around Santiago, but they were clearly starting to migrate out of the area.
WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga munda) – Quite a find by Peter as we worked our way into Posada Salentein.
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus brevirostris) – This subspecies is very different from the nominate bird and will likely be split in the future.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – What a sharp looking bird and we managed to see it a few times on the tour.
GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura budytoides) – Although not nearly as good looking as some of the other flycatchers on this tour, this bird has a lot of character and is always fun to watch.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – On a cold, rainy travel day, this Vermilion Flycatcher certainly added a touch of warmth to the day.
AUSTRAL NEGRITO (Lessonia rufa) – The Chileans call this bird Colegial, something like schoolboy as the brown patch on its back resembles a backpack.
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus) – A female was seen as we arrived at Salentein.
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus) – This year we could not find any males around, but we spotted a few females during our time in Argentina.
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) – Seen on three days of the tour, both in Chile and Argentina. Most individuals we saw were juveniles.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus) – Seen during the crossing of the Andes.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora) – This is one we found at Embalse Yeso.
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus) – This is the most common Shrike-tyrant we saw on the tour, with several great looks at this bird.
GREAT SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis lividus) – We had a brief, but clear view of this bird that is the largest of the Tyrant flycatchers.
GRAY-BELLIED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis micropterus) – This was a bit of a surprise that Peter spotted as we worked in the extreme south of the Mendoza province.
FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Xolmis pyrope) – Common and conspicuous around Santiago, where we saw it extremely well.
BLACK-CROWNED MONJITA (Xolmis coronatus) – A lifer for Me and in my opinion the nicest looking of all Monjitas.
RUSTY-BACKED MONJITA (Xolmis rubetra) – These birds were clearly migrating out of the area by the time we came across them, but we saw several of them.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) – A common sight on the Argentine side of the Andes.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – Although this is a common and widespread bird in South America It only occurs on the Argentine portion of our tour.
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – The few birds seen around Salentein were clearly already migrating.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
Lesser Rheas (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara) – This is the one we saw on the Argentine side of the tour. Right around the city of Mendoza.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica)
SOUTHERN MARTIN (Progne elegans) – Scarce, but we managed to see some outside of Mendoza.
CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta meyeni)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – One single individual spotted among some Bank Swallows.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon musculus)
SEDGE WREN (PLATENSIS GROUP) (Cistothorus platensis hornensis) – Some times called Grass Wren, this bird is very distinctive from Its North American counterpart and will likely be split in the future.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii)
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus) – A few individuals seen at San Martin park in Mendoza.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
The odd Crested Gallito, sort of a cross between a towhee and a giant sparrow -- but of course it's a tapaculo! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
PATAGONIAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus patagonicus) – The most common Mockingbird on the Argentine section of the tour.
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus) – Seen once near the city of Mendoza.
WHITE-BANDED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus triurus) – This striking Mockingbird is a migratory bird and most of them had already left the area when We were there but we managed to get good scope views of one individual.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
SHORT-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus furcatus) – A pair of responsive birds flew close to us in response to the recording.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thraupis bonariensis) – The only Tanager on this tour but a striking one which we saw extremely well. Including a bird nesting right by our lodge At Salentein.
GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi) – Common both in Chile and Argentina.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
CARBONATED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus carbonarius) – A few birds of the year and some adults in heavy molt.
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus) – Not many around but we saw a nice adult male.
COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca)
RINGED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza torquata) – This striking bird was seen very well on our way to Malargue.
GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris) – This high altitude specialist was quite common on the crossing of the Andes.
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (Embernagra platensis) – This handsome bird is quite common wherever there is water and pampa grass on the Argentine section of the tour.
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens) – Seen several times during our stay in Argentina.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Another migrant bird that was present in low numbers.
MANY-COLORED CHACO FINCH (Saltatricula multicolor) – The area where we saw this bird is one of the westernmost spots of its distribution.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella loyca) – Seen several times during the tour, but we really had great looks at the mouth of the Aconcagua river in Chile.
AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus) – Seen several times during our stay in Santiago.
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius) – This species is not a true Cowbird and instead of parasitising other birds, it actually is parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds, which we also saw in good numbers.
In the cellars at the Santa Rita winery...so much wine, so little time! (Photo by guide Marcelo Padua)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – Seen near our hotel in Uspallata.
YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN (Spinus uropygialis) – Common in high Andes.
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
PICHI (Zaedyus pichiy) – Two of these minute Armadillos were seen on our way to llancanelo park
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus)
DEGU (Octodon degus) – This minute rodent was seen on our first day near Farellones.
DUSKY DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) – A few individuals seen very well on the very last morning from the shore of Valparaiso.
SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus)
SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
LIST OF WINES WE SAMPLED DURING THE TOUR
Carmen Classico 2013 Riesling
Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre 2011 Merlot
Concha Y Toro Trio Reserva 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Vina Almaviva EPU 2010 Blend
Concha Y Toro Trio Reserva 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz
Santa Rita 120 Reserva Especial 2013, Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Rita 120 Reserva Especial 2013 Chardonnay
Santa Rita 120 Reserva Especial 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Rita Reserva 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Rita Reserva 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Rita Medalla Real 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Aquitania Rose 2013
Freshly Done 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Aquitania Reserva 2013 Carmenere
Santa Ema Select Terroir 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Ema Select Terroir 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Ema Select Terroir 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Piedra Negra Alta Coleccion 2013 Malbec
Trapiche Fond de Cave 2013 Malbec
Finca El Origen Gran Reserva 2011 Malbec
Casa Palmero 2011 Chardonnay
Casa Palmero 2013 Malbec
Portillo 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Portillo Rose 2013 Malbec
Salentein Reserve 2012 Chardonnay
Salentein Reserve 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Salentein Reserve 2011 Pinot Noir
Salentein Reserve 2012 Malbec
Salentein Numina 2011 Malbec
Nieto Senetiner 2011 Bonarda
La Linda Unoaked 2011 Chardonnay
Algodon Wine Estates 2010 Pinot Noir
Algodon Wine Estates 2010 Malbec
Algodon Wine Estates 2010 Bonarda
Monteagrelo Bressia 2011 Malbec
Altas Cumbres 2013 Torrontes
El Enemigo 2010 Malbec
Cobos Bramare 2011 Malbec
Casas Del Bosque Gran Reserva 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Totals for the tour: 196 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa