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.
Salvin's Albatross was just one of the amazing birds we saw on the pelagic trip out of Valparaiso. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Chile is an extraordinary country with an incredible diversity of habitats and breathtaking sceneries but what makes this great country so diverse is exactly what makes exploring Chile such a difficult task. The country is over 2600 miles long and on average 170 miles wide, a geography dictated by the Andes Mountains and for that reason exploring the country from north to south is a monumental task. We have decided to offer this introductory tour to Chile focusing in the central area of the country and its endemics.
We started things off in the gorgeous town of Puerto Varas overlooking the Osorno volcano and the Llanquihue Lake. From there we were able to explore Chiloe Island and enjoy great looks at Kelp Goose, Magellanic Cormorant and both Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins. Our tour continued northwards to the Nothofagus forests of the lake district, where we explored both the forest and high Andean habitats, enjoying great looks at Yellow-bridled Finch, Dark-faced Ground-tyrant and White-browed Ground-tyrant feeding around snow fields in a volcano crater, while the in forests below our hotel we enjoyed great looks at Magellanic Woodpeckers, the wonderful Black-throated Huet-huet, Rufous-legged Owl and many others.
After a brief stop at Temuco we flew north to Santiago where our birding in Matorral habitat was as productive as it gets as we found many of Chile’s central endemics with great looks at Chilean Tinamou, Crag Chilia, White-throated Tapaculo and Dusky-tailed Canastero but the true highlights during our stay in Santiago came from our incursions to high Andean habitats where we got great views of Andean Condor and the scarce Diademed Sandpiper-plover which we saw remarkably well.
The last days of our tour were divided between the forests of Altos de Lircay and the coastal town of Vina del Mar. In the first we had great looks at Chestnut-throated Huet-huet and more Green-backed Firecrowns than you could shake a stick at and great numbers of White-throated Treerunners and Thorn-tailed Rayadito. We also took advantage of our proximity to the Maule Lake to enjoy looks at thousands of water fowl. In the coast we lodged ourselves in the lovely Oceanic hotel with Inca Terns, Chilean Seaside Cinclodes and Gray Gulls as our neighbors.
We also enjoyed a pelagic trip from the neighboring town of Valparaiso that, although too long, was very productive with great looks at Salvin’s, Black-browed and Royal Albatrosses along with White-chinned Petrels, Buller’s Shearwater and Northern and Southern Giant-Petrels.
This tour was everything we hoped it would have been. A lovely sample of Chile’s birds with great weather, fabulous food and unforgettable scenery.
Thanks for joining us and we hope to see you all again on a trail somewhere.
-Marcelo Padua and Marcelo Barreiros.
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
One of the highlights of the tour was this Diademed Sandpiper-Plover! Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
CHILEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta perdicaria) [E]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus)
UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta)
KELP GOOSE (Chloephaga hybrida)
FLIGHTLESS STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres pteneres)
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides)
SPECTACLED DUCK (Speculanas specularis)
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)
CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)
One of three species of Oystercatcher we saw on the tour, this is the American Oystercatcher. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
RED SHOVELER (Spatula platalea)
CHILOE WIGEON (Mareca sibilatrix)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major)
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti)
A big group of Magellanic Penguins warming up on the Penguins Island. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche salvini)
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris)
ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi)
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus)
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli)
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Ardenna creatopus)
BULLER'S SHEARWATER (Ardenna bulleri)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Ardenna grisea)
PERUVIAN DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides garnotii)
The Magellanic Cormorant is one of the most beautiful of the cormorants. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus)
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax gaimardi)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
MAGELLANIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax magellanicus)
GUANAY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii)
IMPERIAL CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax atriceps atriceps)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Participant Jeanette Shores got this wonderful image of a soaring Andean Condor.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (DUSKY) (Nycticorax nycticorax obscurus)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)
This Plumbeous Rail put on a nice show for us as it high-stepped along the edge of a pond. Photo by participant Jane Barnette.
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Porphyriops melanops)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata)
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons)
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater)
MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus leucopodus)
A bunch of Peruvian Pelicans were close to our boat on the pelagic trip. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (CHILENSIS/FRETENSIS) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii)
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (HUDSONIAN) (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
SURFBIRD (Calidris virgata)
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
The Magellanic Woodpecker was one of the “most wanted” birds of the trip, and we saw them well! Here is an elegant male with his funny crest. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (MAGELLANIC) (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)
GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)
INCA TERN (Larosterna inca)
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea)
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans)
BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens)
We saw a pair of “Magellanic” Great Horned Owls during the day at Farellones mountains. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (MAGELLANIC) (Bubo virginianus magellanicus)
AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nana)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
RUFOUS-LEGGED OWL (Strix rufipes)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes)
WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus)
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (PATAGONIAN) (Megaceryle torquata stellata)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius)
CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius)
MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER (Campephilus magellanicus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
AUSTRAL PARAKEET (Enicognathus ferrugineus)
SLENDER-BILLED PARAKEET (Enicognathus leptorhynchus) [E]
BURROWING PARAKEET (CHILEAN) (Cyanoliseus patagonus bloxami)
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
CHESTNUT-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos castaneus)
BLACK-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos tarnii)
We saw two majestic Royal Albatrosses during our pelagic trip. Here, one of them shows off its amazing wingspan. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) [E]
WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) [E]
CHUCAO TAPACULO (Scelorchilus rubecula)
OCHRE-FLANKED TAPACULO (Eugralla paradoxa)
MAGELLANIC TAPACULO (Scytalopus magellanicus)
DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) [E]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis fasciata)
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER (Pygarrhichas albogularis)
CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) [E]
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)
BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus)
GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti)
DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES (Cinclodes patagonicus)
Participant Alan Leeds got this lovely photo of Volcan Osorno.
SEASIDE CINCLODES (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) [E]
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda)
DES MURS'S WIRETAIL (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides)
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta)
SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca)
DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) [E]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (CHILEAN) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra)
AUSTRAL NEGRITO (Lessonia rufa)
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus)
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)
DARK-FACED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maclovianus)
The Chimango Caracara was the most common raptor on the tour. Photo by guide Marcelo Barreiros.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora)
BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola frontalis)
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus)
FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Xolmis pyrope)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica)
CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucopyga)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon chilensis)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus thenca) [E]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi)
PATAGONIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus patagonicus)
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus)
COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca)
YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH (WHITE-TAILED) (Melanodera xanthogramma barrosi)
GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella loyca)
Our happy group at our last lunch together, at the Vineyard Vino del Mar. Photo by participant Claire Moore.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN (Spinus uropygialis)
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [I]
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) [I]
NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus)
PEALE'S DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus australis)
This Southern Gray Fox was warming up in the sun, and posed nicely for participant Jacob Plotkin.
SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus)
SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia)
Totals for the tour: 162 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa