FIELD GUIDES BIRDING TOURS: Birds & Wines of Chile and Argentina 2019

Field Guides Tour Report

Birds & Wines of Chile and Argentina 2019

Feb 9, 2019 to Feb 23, 2019

Marcelo Padua

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

We had a perfect day to explore Aconcagua Provincial Park and had perfect views of the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

The 2019 vintage of our Birds & wines of Chile and Argentina was a unique one. An El Nino year made everything a bit different than previous years, but in the overall math of things we benefited greatly from the changes. Weather was perfect for birding throughout the tour and we did not have the heavy winds or rains that sometimes make the birding a bit more challenging. We also found birds that lingered on their breeding grounds a bit long than usual, adding quite a few species to the tour such as Carbonated Sierra-finch, Hellmayr’s Pipit and White-winged Black-tyrant. All these are rarely seen on this tour.

Even though the birding was some of the best we ever had, the star of the show remains the people, the culture, the food and the scenery we encounter along the way. Who could forget our skillful driver Rodolfo, who spotted great birds like the Chilean Tinamou for us; or the immigration officer in Argentina, that practically threw a party for us at the airport when we met again; or Marcelo Zanotti, the talented birder from Mendoza that showed us so many great birds at the Telteca Reserve; or even Nacho and Myriam, my Chilean friends that welcomed us to their homes and cooked a fabulous home-made meal for us.

Ultimately, people are the very ingredient that make a birding tour great, and the participants are every bit as important as the people we meet along the way. In that respect, we had the best of two worlds, with a fun loving group that made this an unforgettable year for me and one that I will treasure for many years to come.

Thank you all for joining me and I hope our paths cross again some day.

Marcelo Padua

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

Rheidae (Rheas)

LESSER RHEA (Rhea pennata) – A great spot by Nancy on the day we visited Laguna Llancanelo.

Tinamidae (Tinamous)

CHILEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta perdicaria) – Seeing this hard to find tinamou on the very first day of our tour was a great way to kick off our birding. [E]

DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) [*]

ELEGANT CRESTED-TINAMOU (Eudromia elegans) – Several good views on our way to Mendoza.

It takes quite a bit of skill to wait on our Birds and Wines groups, but this waiter at Bodega Azul certainly took the prize for best waiter of the tour. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus) – Seen a few times in southern Mendoza.

COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba) – Great looks at Laguna Llancanelo.

ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus) – Great views at Embalse Yeso and at the Aconcagua Provincial Park.

UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta) – Seen from a great distance at Laguna Blanca in the southern part of the Mendoza Province. Unfortunately the lake has dried up, and I am not sure how much longer these birds will be around this area.

CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides) – Seen a few times on the tour route, but the best views were the first ones at Embalse Yeso, in Chile.

CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera) – Great scope studies of these handsome teals on different occasions of the tour.

CHILOE WIGEON (Mareca sibilatrix) – A common species.

YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)

YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris) – Although somewhat similar to the Yellow-billed Pintail, we had great opportunities to study both species side by side and appreciate the differences that set them apart.

BLACK-HEADED DUCK (Heteronetta atricapilla) – A single female seen at Miryam and Nacho's house.

ANDEAN DUCK (Oxyura ferruginea) – Great looks at Dique Galileo Vittalli outside of 25 de Mayo.

LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata) – Seen next to Andean Ducks, allowing us to study the differences between the two species in detail.

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) – An introduced species in Chile that has become remarkably common. [I]

Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)

CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – Good views at Laguna Llancanello.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – Seen several times both in Chile and in Argentina.

PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)

GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major) – Great looks at the Nihuil Lake where they were quite abundant.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Common in towns.

SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – This is one of many species that does not cross over the Andes into Chile. Although very common, in Mendoza the species is not found at all in the neighboring country.

CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana) – The geographical replacement of the Spot-winged Pigeon in Chile.

PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui) – Common throughout the tour.

BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera) – A high altitude specialist that we saw very well whenever we spent time in high altitudes in the Andes.

EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – The most common of the native members of the Columbidae family on this tour and one that was seen almost every day of the tour.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – Seen well around Salentein Winery in Mendoza.

ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – We had a group of birds flying low right outside the window of the bus on our way to Nihuil Lake. Sadly they did not stick around for better looks.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes) – We saw one briefly around Santiago, but a road block ended up producing close up views of a bird feeding on flowers by the side of the road. We later had even better views at La Campana National Park.

RED-TAILED COMET (Sappho sparganurus) – This year we really had to work for this one, but after looking hard for one at the San Martin Park in Mendoza we had brilliant views.

WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) – On our way to Embalse Yeso I spotted some flowers that looked appealing to hummers and so on the way back down the mountain we decided to stop by and wait around, and surely enough the birds came through.

GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – Fantastic views of an individual hawking insects over a stream at Rio Clarillo National Park.

GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus) – Seen well at San Martin Park in Mendoza.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – What a show from these Rails at Uspallata on our first morning in Argentina.

RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – Found in small numbers mixed in with Red-gartered Coots and hard to distinguish from the others, but we saw them in Chile and Argentina and eventually everyone was satisfied with the great scope views we had.

RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata) – Abundant.

WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera) – I have to admit I was getting ready to throw the towel on this one, but we found one on a pond by the road on the last full day of the tour as we returned to Vina del Mar.

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus) – Great views along the coast in Chile.

BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater) – Seen right from the parking lot of our hotel in Vina de Mar.

Inca Terns are among the most charismatic birds of Chile, and we had lots of time to enjoy great looks at them, as they nested right under the swimming pool of our hotel in Vina Del Mar. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

SOUTHERN LAPWING (CHILENSIS/FRETENSIS) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis) – A common sight in both countries.

DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii) – What a great experience. We got out and searched for this rare and unusual species at Embalse Yeso and found a bird with young that were merely a few days old. Perhaps the best experience I ever had with this species.

Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)

GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Found in great numbers this year.

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Common along the coast at Vina del Mar. The birds in Chile belong to the hudsonicus subspecies and are wintering birds from North America. [b]

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)

SURFBIRD (Calidris virgata)

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) – A common boreal breeder that is most often found at high altitudes. We had particularly good looks at Embalse Yeso when we were looking for the Diademed Sandpiper-plover.

SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (MAGELLANIC) (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica) – A few individuals see at Embalse Yeso.

GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Great looks around lakes in Southern Mendoza. They were particularly common around Nihuil Lake.

BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)

FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – It is always a treat to see thousands of these gulls along the coast of Vina del Mar with their pinkish bellies.

KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus) – The standard large gull on this tour route, being found quite a ways inland.

INCA TERN (Larosterna inca) – Much to our delight this species is quite common along the coast and several of them were nesting by the swimming pool of our hotel in Vina del Mar.

ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans)

Spheniscidae (Penguins)

HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti) – On the last full day of the tour, we headed north after visiting la Campana and visited a colony of these penguins.

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)

PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata) – Common along the coast.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) – This handsome cormorant is the least common of the three species occurring on our tour route but we managed to see it remarkably well around Vina del Mar.

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – The most common species we saw occurring, inland as well as along the coast.

GUANAY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) – Another scarce species of cormorant that we saw well along the coast.

Pelecanidae (Pelicans)

PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus)

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is our main target at Embalse Yeso, so we were very happy to find this adult with chicks that were merely a few days old. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) – Multiple good views in Mendoza.

BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis) – We found several individuals feeding on a soccer field on our way to Rio Clarillo Reserve.

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – Seen really well on the first day of the tour up near the Farellones Ski Resort outside of Santiago.

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – Great looks at one individual near Miryam's house.

HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) – Great scope views of a pair of birds at La Campana National Park.

VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – The most common hawk on the tour.

BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – Close up views of a soaring bird at Farellones.

Strigidae (Owls)

GREAT HORNED OWL (MAGELLANIC) (Bubo virginianus magellanicus) – A pair of birds seen roosting around Farellones ski station.

AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nana) – Close up views of one individual at Rio Clarillo Reserve.

BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – We found a pair of birds by the road on the drive from Malargue to Mendoza city.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum) – A very localized species that we saw well at Telteca reserve in Mendoza.

CHECKERED WOODPECKER (Dryobates mixtus) – This rare species is always a hard find, but we had great looks at one individual at the Telteca Reserve.

STRIPED WOODPECKER (Dryobates lignarius) – A great spot by Diane.

GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros) – Common around Mendoza.

CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius) – Scope views at Rio Clarillo Reserve.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – We had great looks at this handsome high altitude specialist around the parking lot of Aconcagua Provincial Park.

SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)

CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango) – Common around Mendoza.

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) – Our driver had a staked out spot for us near Embalse Yeso and we had great looks at a pair of birds.

MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)

BURROWING PARAKEET (Cyanoliseus patagonus) – We visited a nesting colony on our way to Salentein Winery and had great looks at them.

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)

MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) – Great looks at this charismatic tapaculo in Chile both around Farellones and at La Campana. [E]

WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) – We could not have asked for better views of this scarce Chilean endemic. [E]

CRESTED GALLITO (Rhinocrypta lanceolata) – We found these handsome tapaculos near our lodge at Salentein in Mendoza.

DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) – We made a stop at my secret spot on the way to La Campana National Park and I could not have asked for a better performance from this old friend. [E]

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis fasciata)

You know something good is about to happen when your lunch shows up on a wheel barrow. This is one of Chile’s most Iconic dishes (Pastel de Choclo) and our friends prepared it for us in their backyard in a dutch oven. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

SCIMITAR-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Drymornis bridgesii) – This odd looking woodcreeper is the only member of its genus.

NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) – Another great find at Telteca reserve.

BAND-TAILED EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus) – It took quite a bit of work, but we eventually got great looks at this species that is an Argentine near endemic.

CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) – A Chilean endemic and a close relative of the Band-tailed Earthcreeper. [E]

CHACO EARTHCREEPER (Tarphonomus certhioides) – Great looks around Salentein winery.

RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus) – This species is the national bird of Argentina.

WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Brief looks both in Chile and Argentina.

SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia dumetaria) – We found this one up at Embalse Yeso and at Aconcagua Provincial Park.

BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus) – The most abundant of the Cinclodes we saw on the tour.

GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti) – It was nice seeing this species very close to the Buff-winged Cinclodes for comparison at Farellones.

SEASIDE CINCLODES (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) – A Chilean endemic and a very special bird that only occurs right along the coast. We had a displaying pair around Vina del Mar. [E]

THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda) – We had to work hard for this one at Rio Clarillo reserve.

TUFTED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura platensis) – Common in Chile.

PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides) – Seen multiple times in Chile.

CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (Asthenes dorbignyi) – A cooperative bird put on a show for us at Telteca Reserve.

SHORT-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes baeri) – We found this one as we were looking for the Band-tailed Earthcreeper near Laguna Blanca.

SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca) – The most common Canastero on our tour route.

STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia) – Even though it was terribly hot after lunch, we found these guys right outside Villa 25 de Mayo.

DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) – A large canastero that is endemic to Chile. We saw it well on a few occasions. [E]

PATAGONIAN CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes patagonica) – Our tour barely makes it into the range of this species but we found it on our way to Laguna Llancanelo.

STEINBACH'S CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes steinbachi) – Sadly this one made a brief appearance and only a couple of people were able to get on it before it took off.

BROWN CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura lophotes) – Loud and conspicuous, which was a nice change from the skulkers we looked for in the deserts of Mendoza.

WHITE-THROATED CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura gutturalis) – A little less common than the Brown Cacholote but we found them near Laguna Llancanelo.

PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens) – This species is quite widespread and has 13 subspecies. The bird we found at the Telteca reserve belongs to the Australis subspecies.

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – We found a few of these cute flycatchers in Argentina.

We found these roosting Great Horned Owls near Farellones ski station on the first day of the tour. The birds in Chile belong to the Magellanicus subspecies which is often regarded as a separate species. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – This one is common in Chile.

WARBLING DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris) – This tiny flycatcher breeds way up in the Andes and migrates to the Brazilian lowlands in the winter. We found them around a river at Uspallata.

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (CHILEAN) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) – We saw several and heard many more.

STRANECK'S TYRANNULET (Serpophaga griseicapilla) – This species is very similar to the White-bellied Tyrannulet which also occurs in Mendoza and the best way to tell them apart is by its song. We had a couple of sightings. One at Salentein and the other at the Telteca reserve.

SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus) – Seen well at Cuesta los Terneros.

MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – Now that is what I call eye candy.

GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura budytoides)

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus) – A migrant that is often gone from here when we visit the area, so I was really pleased to find this guy lingering around Salentein.

SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus) – Present in good numbers in Mendoza this year.

CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus)

RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)

BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola frontalis)

BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus) – We had one individual sitting on top of the roof of one of the buildings around Farellones ski station on our first day of the tour.

GRAY-BELLIED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis micropterus) – We saw this large flycatcher on our way to Laguna Llancanelo.

FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Xolmis pyrope) – Multiple good looks at this striking flycatcher in Chile and we even had great scope views of the bird, allowing us to see the ruby-red eyes for which the bird is named.

BLACK-CROWNED MONJITA (Xolmis coronatus) – Once again, a visit to the Telteca reserve produced great looks at this dry forest dweller.

RUSTY-BACKED MONJITA (Xolmis rubetra) – This species is nomadic and we often miss it entirely on the tour, but this year we saw several individuals at Laguna Llancanelo provincial park.

CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)

GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) – Common in Mendoza.

CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus) – This is another species that is often gone when we visit the area but we found one at Cuesta Terneros and one at the Telteca reserve outside of Mendoza City.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

WHITE-TIPPED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rutila) – Several sightings in Mendoza.

RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara) – Far less abundant than the White-tipped Plantcutter but we saw it well in Chile.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica) – The most common swallow along our tour route.

SOUTHERN MARTIN (Progne elegans)

CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucopyga) – Particularly common at Miryam and Nacho's place.

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon musculus)

SEDGE WREN (AUSTRAL) (Cistothorus platensis hornensis) – A paper was published a few years ago proposing that this widespread species should be split into 11 species, and although there are probably not as many species as the paper suggests, you should always keep track of where you see these birds as they are bound to be split into multiple species in the future.

We were treated to many typical Argentine barbecues to pair with our Malbec. Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris) – Common in Mendoza.

AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii)

CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)

CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus thenca) – This Chilean endemic is a common sight on our tour route, even being common in Santiago. [E]

PATAGONIAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus patagonicus)

CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)

WHITE-BANDED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus triurus)

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera)

HELLMAYR'S PIPIT (Anthus hellmayri)

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)

YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN (Spinus uropygialis) – This Andean specialist was seen well in Chile on the days that we were in great altitude.

BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus)

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Leistes loyca)

SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)

AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus)

GRAYISH BAYWING (Agelaioides badius) – Formerly known as Baywing Cowbird, but this species is not a brood parasite. Instead it parasitizes the nests of other birds.

YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata) – We found these birds at the San Martin Park in Mendoza City.

RINGED WARBLING-FINCH (Microspingus torquatus)

BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – The only species of tanager on this tour and fortunately a common one in Mendoza.

GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi)

MOURNING SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus fruticeti)

CARBONATED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus carbonarius) – A couple of individuals seen on the tour, but we had a nice male while birding at Salentein Winery.

BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus) – A brief but good look at one individual while birding the road to Farellones Ski Resort on the first day of the tour.

COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca)

PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Geospizopsis unicolor)

CINNAMON WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza ornata) – This species is nomadic and can be quite hard to locate but we had great looks at them while visiting Telteca Park in Mendoza.

GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris) – Another high altitude specialist that we saw well on our first days in Chile.

SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)

GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (Embernagra platensis) – Common along streams in Mendoza.

DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)

BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)

MANY-COLORED CHACO FINCH (Saltatricula multicolor) – Our tour visits the southwestern limit of the range of this Chaco specialty. We saw this brightly colored species at Telteca Reserve in Mendoza.

GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris)

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)

PICHI (Zaedyus pichiy)

OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus)

SOUTHERN CAVY (Microcavia australis)

DEGU (Octodon degus)

Checklist time is always better when there is wine! Photo by guide Marcelo Padua.

SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus)

CULPEO FOX (Lycalopex culpaeus)

SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia)

GUANACO (Lama guanicoe)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Here is a list of the wonderful wines we tasted during our tour:

Miguel Torres, Santa Digna Reserva 2017, Sauvignon Blanc. Central Valley

MontGras, Estate Chardonnay 2018, Colchagua Valley

Montes, Montes Alpha Carmenere2017, Colchagua Valley

Concha Y Toro, Subercaseaux Grande Cuvee, Limari Valley

Concha Y Toro, Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley

Concha Y Toro, Terrunyo Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley

Almaviva, EPU 2015 Blend, Puente Alto

Concha Y Toro, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Maule Valley

Santa Rita, Medalla Real Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Casablanca Valley

Carmen, Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2017, Casablanca Valley

Santa Rita, Medalla Real Reserva Carmenere 2018, Rapel Valley

Santa Rita, Medalla Real Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, MaipoValley

Santa Rita, Medalla Real Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Leyda Valley

Santa Rita, Triple C Blend 2015, Maipo Valley

Carmen, Winemaker’s Black Blend 2016, Colchagua Valley

Santa Rita, Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley

RUI, Sparkling Rhubarb, Patagonia

Vina Roja, Vigno Carignan 2010, Maule Valley

Casa Marin, Estero Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017, San Antonio Valley

Santa Ema, Select Terroir Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Maipo Valley

Santa Ema, Select Terroir Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Maipo Valley

Familia Bussetti, Reservado Malbec 2014, Mendoza

Familia Falasco, NAMPE Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Mendoza

Navarro Correas, Brut Malbec Rose, Lujan de Cuyo. Mendoza

Zuccardi, Serie A Chardonnay/Viognier 2016, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Luigi Bosca, Pinot Noir 2017, Maipu. Mendoza

Salentein, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Reserve Malbec 2016, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Reserve Pinot Noir 2016, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Portillo Rose Malbec 2017, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Salentein, Numina Syrah 2015, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

La Azul, Azul Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

La Azul, Azul Malbec 2018, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

La Azul, Azul Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

La Azul, Azul Reserva Blend 2016, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

La Azul, Azul Gran Reserva Malbec Barrel, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Condeminal, Poncho Pampa Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Animal, Malbec Organico 2016. Mendoza

Rutini, Sauvignon Blanc 2017. Mendoza

Zuccardi, Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2014. Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Alfredo Roca, Fincas Rose 2018. Mendoza

FOW, Optimo Blend 2013. Mendoza

Huentala, Black Series Chardonnay 2016. Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Abras, Torrontes 2016. Valle de Cafayate. Salta

Durigutti, Cabernet Franc 2013. Mendoza

Cruzat, Cuvee Rose. Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Chaman, Aprendiz, Petit Verdot 2016. Mendoza

Bodega Yacochuya, Coquena, Torrontes 2017, Valle de Cafayate. Salta

Huentala, Zorro Salvaje de Uco 2018, Malbec Rose. Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Alma 4, Viognier 2012 Sparkling, Maipu. Mendoza

Catena Zapata, Angelica Zapata Malbec 2014. Mendoza

Bressia, Monteagrelo Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. Valle de Uco. Mendoza

Luigi Bosca, Brut Nature. Mendoza

Veramonte, Chardonnay 2016. Valle de Casablanca

Apaltagua, Reserva Pinot Noir 2016. San Antonio Valley

Morande, Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Valle de Casablanca

Leyda, Reserva Carmenere 2017. Valle Central

Leyda, Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2018. Valle de Leyda

Vina Mar, Rose Sparkling, Valle de Casablanca

Leyda, Single Vineyard Falaris Hill Chardonnay 2016. Valle de Leyda

Leyda, Reserva Syrah 2015. Valle de Leyda

Tarapaca, Late Harvest blend 2017.

Totals for the tour: 191 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa