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An Austral Rail out in full view for the group was one of the tour highlights this year! (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
This year's tour to Chile had the makings of a somewhat unusual circumstance as there were some signs of El Nino affecting the Humboldt Current, an event that occurs irregularly in the southern hemisphere. While this event does seem to be gaining strength closer to the Equator, its effects are not being felt that strongly in Chile, or at least as strongly as we were anticipating. Nonetheless, there were some weather events that were a "bit off" from the norm, and in some cases it made for some great birding.
Probably the biggest surprise was the snow event when we visited Sierra Baguales of the southern Andes in Patagonia. Driving through a steady snowfall to our destination, Ricardo and I were anticipating a good day's birding as we knew it could drive down birds from higher altitudes into the valley. A memorable day did follow, with flocks of birds scattering off of the lonely mountain road -- culminating with Yellow-bridled Finch and White-throated Caracara -- two very difficult birds to find.
Of course there were other birds to keep us entertained at almost every turn of the long road through Chile. Wether it was Ochre-flanked Tapaculo playing hide-and-seek in the bamboo, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant flitting in the reeds almost at our feet, a Northern Royal Albatross climbing high into the air during our pelagic off Valparaiso, Giant Hummingbird hovering motionless below eye level in the Andean scrub, or Gray-hooded Sierra-Finches hopping around us looking for crumbs in the Yeso Valley, the birds were varied and beautiful throughout the country. Just as pleasing to the eye was the scenery -- the rugged Andes made for many different faces of Chile, and I hope that these images will be just as memorable for you as the birds.
Of course there were some sightings that deserve special mention. The chance to watch the mating rituals of a pair of White-throated Hawks at Termas de Chillan was truly a rare sighting. Having an Austral Rail offer us such clear views of itself AND swimming put us in a select group of birders to have ever seen this species so well. The tolerance of a pair of Magellanic Woodpeckers to let us watch them at close range was magical. Seeing three Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers at two different locations in their Andean haunts requires just a bit of luck, I would say. Being right in the middle of a feeding frenzy of the "guano birds" (Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Booby, and Peruvian Pelican) off the shores of Arica was almost dream-like in the sheer abundance of birds. And of course there were other memories of the trip that were special to you, and I hope they last for years to come.
Ricardo and I would like to thank you for the camaraderie, experiences, and laughs that we had together during our three weeks touring this great country. We hope to see you again out on the birding trail soon and wish you the best in birding.
--Peter and Ricardo
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)
Rufous-chested Dotterel (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
LESSER RHEA (DARWIN'S) (Rhea pennata pennata) – Common on mainland Patagonia.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
ORNATE TINAMOU (Nothoprocta ornata) – A great number of observations this year around Putre. Super birds!
CHILEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta perdicaria) – John spotted two out in a field in the outskirts of Los Angeles that we had brief scope views of. [E]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus) – These elegant swans were common.
COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba) – Observed mainly in the open wetlands of Patagonia and Torres del Paine.
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera) – Common in Lauca.
UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta) – Abundant in Patagonia. We saw both clear and barred breasted males (forms).
ASHY-HEADED GOOSE (Chloephaga poliocephala) – This beautiful woodland sheldgoose was well seen at Torres del Paine.
RUDDY-HEADED GOOSE (Chloephaga rubidiceps) – A couple of pairs on Tierra del Fuego and Boque Quemado on the mainland. One of Chile's rarest birds.
FLYING STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres patachonicus) – Numerous pairs in Patagonia.
FLIGHTLESS STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres pteneres) – A pair along the Punta Arenas outskirts and the Seno Otway penguin colony were lingering from winter.
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides) – Common in the south and the north of Chile.
SPECTACLED DUCK (Speculanas specularis) – A handsome and local species of the southern Andes, we saw it very well a few times.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata berlepschi) – A cooperative male with recently hatched duckling on our way up to El Yeso near Santiago. This is the nominate dark bellied (male) subspecies.
CHILOE WIGEON (Anas sibilatrix) – A very handsome and widespread duck of central and southern Chile.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – The southern subspecies of Cinnamon Teal, these males are very dark on the head.
RED SHOVELER (Anas platalea) – Wonderful looks at this bird in Cartegena reserve, including a female with a brood.
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis) – Five birds at Lluta river mouth en route to the Airport our last day.
Heading up to look for Diademed Sandpiper-Plover in the Yeso Valley above Santiago -- as ever Chile provided some fantastic backdrops for our birding on this tour. (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
SILVER TEAL (Anas versicolor) – A few smart looking birds at Boque Quemado in Patagonia.
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna) – Abundant at Lauca.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris) – The southern form of this species group. We saw a pair with ducklings on the road into Torres del Paine- something our North American waterfowl never do- biparental care of young.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera) – The northern form of this species, common in the highlands, but also seen at Lluta river mouth.
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – Males are all black headed and monstrous compared to our Ruddy Duck- yet considered a part of the species complex (for now).
LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata) – The smaller Stifftail duck of Chile, quite a bit more diminutive than the Andean Duck when seen side by side.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) – Introduced, but still a smart looking bird!
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – A small widespread grebe throughout the country.
SILVERY GREBE (JUNINENSIS) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis) – The northern form of the species complex, found in the high Andean altiplano lakes in abundance.
SILVERY GREBE (OCCIPITALIS) (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis) – The southern form of this species group, and quite a smart looking grebe!
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – Seen throughout the south and in the high Andes of the north.
ANDEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus andinus) – A distant look at about 8 adults at Lauca was the best we could muster this year.
JAMES'S FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) – Another species we had to settle for a distant look at. These were all young birds in the company of Andean Flamingos.
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Part of the madness of a feeding frenzy we drove alongside during our pelagic off of Arica -- these were mainly Guanay Cormorants but also included Peruvian Booby and Elegant and Inca terns. (Photo by guide Peter Burke)
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti) – Several swimming birds during our Valparaiso pelagic.
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus) – We visited the Seno Otway colony near Punta Arenas to see birds coming into their nesting burrows. We also saw them on the ferry crossings at Punta Arenas and Chacao Channel to Chiloe.
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
BULLER'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche bulleri) – A single young bird on the Arica pelagic.
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche salvini) – A sparse year for this species off Valparaiso; we saw a handful of young birds.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris) – Seen well on the Porvenir Ferry and Valparaiso pelagic.
ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi) – A spectacular young bird came in close to the boat twice during our Valparaiso pelagic. The all-dark wings and dusky tail tips ruled out Southern Royal and Wandering albatrosses.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
The snow-covered mountains of majestic Torres del Paine, in far southern Chile (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
SOUTHERN FULMAR (Fulmarus glacialoides) – Great looks on the Porvenir ferry at many birds.
CAPE PETREL (Daption capense) – A surprise bird off of Valparaiso; we formerly saw many more here 15 years ago.
SLENDER-BILLED PRION (Pachyptila belcheri) – A distant bird flew past us on the Porvenir ferry; Ricardo surmised that this bird was from a colony in the southern fjords.
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis) – Numerous birds off of Valparaiso but numbers were below average.
WESTLAND PETREL (Procellaria westlandica) – Randy had a singleton off of Valparaiso during our pelagic. They can blend into the more numerous White-chinneds very easily!
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus creatopus) – Common off Valparaiso. The world population breeds mainly on two small Chilean islands south of Concepcion.
Magellanic Woodpecker (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus) – Good numbers off our Valparaiso pelagic. These birds showed characters of the chilensis subspecies, with white mottling on the belly and underwings. This is different from what appears on the coasts of North America- the antarctic breeding exasperatus.
ELLIOT'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites gracilis) – A good number of birds off of Arica. Also called White-vented Storm-Petrel.
Pelecanoididae (Diving-Petrels)
PERUVIAN DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides garnotii) – Seen well on both pelagics.
MAGELLANIC DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides magellani) – A few scattered in front of the Porvenir ferry- a couple of distant birds were seen off of the Chacao ferry to Chiloe as well.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata) – Abundant in the Humbolt current off Chile.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Common in the northern half of Chile.
RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) – Some great looks at this handsome cormorant!
MAGELLAN CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax magellanicus) – Also called Rock Cormorant- a handsome black and white cormorant of the south.
GUANAY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) – We encountered a feeding flock hitting anchovy schools in the ocean off of Arica that was truly an avian spectacle. Who can forget being immersed in such an amazing bird behavior event?
IMPERIAL CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax atriceps atriceps) – The 'King Cormorant' form with dark cheeks.
IMPERIAL CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer) – Also known as the 'Blue-eyed Cormorant'. These two forms freely interbreed where their ranges come in contact.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus) – The pelican giants were common along the central and north coasts.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – A few observations.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – Most common in the Azapa valley.
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – An immature in the Azapa Valley. A rare northern resident.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common in central Chile.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (AMERICAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) – The lighter form of BCNH; seen more in the north of Chile.
Birding along the edge of Lago Grey (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – A small number in Lauca and one at the mouth of the Lluta River.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis) – Abundant and noisy breeder in the south.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) – Most common in the central agricultural zone of Chile.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – These dark birds are also very brightly colored on the head, making them very different than North American migrants.
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – It is a treat to get commonplace with Condors- even so, we still were 'wowed' by a field full of adults and immatures beside the highway near Torres del Paine.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – One fishing outside our hotel in Arica was an unusual observation of this scarce winter visitor.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – A couple of roadside observations in central Chile.
King Penguin colony at Bahia Inutil, Tierra del Fuego (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
BICOLORED HAWK (CHILEAN) (Accipiter bicolor chilensis) – Bill had a single flyover the road in Torres del Paine from the bus.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – Scattered observations, including an active nest outside of Santiago. Formerly split into Red-backed and Puna Hawks.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – A few birds scattered through the trip, including a very close juvenile feeding on a road-killed hare near Torres del Paine.
WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula) – One of the trips highlights, a pair that offered superb viewing near the Termas de Chillan. The male delivered food to the perched female which then picked some branches and flew into the woods to a nearby nest being built.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AUSTRAL RAIL (Rallus antarcticus) – Followed by another trip hightlight- an aggressive bird that swam and scolded us at very close range in Torres del Paine. This individual offered views that very few people have had the priviledge to witness. What a bird!
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – This large colorful rail came in for close views along the coastline near Temuco.
COMMON GALLINULE (AMERICAN) (Gallinula galeata pauxilla) – Several at the Lluta river mouth on our last day.
A high-Andean specialty, Creamy-rumped Miner at Valle Nevado above Santiago. (Photo by guide Peter Burke)
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – We saw this species best at Cartegena; it has a very Gallinule-type of profile when swimming.
GIANT COOT (Fulica gigantea) – This monstrous coot was part of the wetlands of the scenic Lauca National Park. We observed them in numbers.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – A common coot species of the high Andean lakes and wetlands. They come in different bill color morphs, including the bone white colored shield that we saw in the Azapa Valley. Also known as Andean Coot.
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera) – Most common in central Chile, we saw them well at Cartegena. Some show deep golden shields while others are a soft lemon yellow.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis) – Abundant in all parts of Chile except the far north. This is chilensis, a form that is unique in its appearance to the rest of South America.
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens) – Several at Lago Chungara in Lauca and down at the Lluta river mouth. We often miss this species that seems to be declining.
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) – A singleton on the beach at the Lluta river mouth.
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – Good looks at Lampa on the extensive dry marsh flats.
PUNA PLOVER (Charadrius alticola) – Unfortunately, we had to settle for a hideously distant bird on the shoreline of Lago Chungara at Lauca. This bird is getting tough to find up there in recent years.
TWO-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius falklandicus) – Several splendid males put on roadside shows in Patagonia for us.
SNOWY PLOVER (HUMBOLDT) (Charadrius nivosus occidentalis) – A couple on the beach at the Lluta river mouth; these are the southern South American subspecies occidentalis with rufous on the head.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – A single on the beach at the Lluta river. Part of an isolated southern South American population.
RUFOUS-CHESTED DOTTEREL (Charadrius modestus) – This handsome shorebird put on a thrilling show at the base of Sierra Baguales for us. We also saw them scattered around in Patagonia.
DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii) – One of the world's most sought after bird species due to its poorly known life history and remote habitat. We saw it in two locations on this tour, including an adult with young in Lauca.
Participant Michael Martin sent in this photo with a caption, which gave us a chuckle: "Guide Peter Burke leads the participant choir in the 'OMG' resistive from his 'OH WOW' Oratorio while discussing the field marks of the Magellanic Plover."
Pluvianellidae (Magellanic Plover)
MAGELLANIC PLOVER (Pluvianellus socialis) – You have to travel to the far end of South America to find this one- and we enjoyed great views of a pair on Tierra del Fuego in their shallow saline lake shoreline habitat.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus) – Observed along the central and northern coastlines.
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater) – Seen along central and north Chile coastlines.
MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus leucopodus) – The most terrestrial oystercatcher in the world- it frequents the open steppe of Patagonia.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – Also called 'perrito' (little dog) by chileans due to its dog-like yelps.
A pair of Upland Geese at Lago Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – A single at the Lluta mouth.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – A boreal wintering species we saw at a few locations.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – Large numbers winter in several marshes in central Chilean estuaries.
WHIMBREL (AMERICAN) (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus) – Abundant along some sections of coastline.
HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica) – We saw some small flocks in Patagonia and central Chile; also a few at the Lluta river mouth.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Several with Surfbirds near Vina.
SURFBIRD (Aphriza virgata) – Foraging in the littoral zone at the rock of Renaca north of Vina del Mar.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – A small group in central Chile and a few at the Lluta river mouth.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis) – We only saw a small number on Tierra del Fuego our first day en route to the King Penguin colony.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) – Encountered throughout the trip, but mainly in the Patagonian steppe.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (Tryngites subruficollis) – Whoa! The second documented record for Chile: the first came about 3 years ago. This species winters on the pampas of southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina so it was off track a bit. We found this bird our last day at the Lluta river mouth.
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (MAGELLANIC) (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica) – Common in the steppe of Patagonia near wetlands.
Our group at Laguna Verde, Tierra del Fuego (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – What a treat to see 19 together at a bofedal in Lauca, right at the roadside.
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Super views at Valle Nevado and other Andean locations around Santiago and in Lauca.
LEAST SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus rumicivorus) – A male that jumped up on a roadside fence in Patagonia gave us our first views of a seedsnipe during the trip.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Common in Lauca and a single at the Lluta mouth.
BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis) – Abundant in Patagonia and central Chile. Looks amazingly similar to Black-headed Gull of Europe.
DOLPHIN GULL (Leucophaeus scoresbii) – This handsome gull adorned shorelines around Tierra del Fuego and Punta Arenas.
GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus) – The common gull of Arica; this species nests in huge colonies in the absolute desert of northern Chile.
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – The contingent of wintering birds was just arriving in Chile, and we saw a very good number of them from central Chile northwards.
BELCHER'S GULL (Larus belcheri) – Sister species of Olrog's Gull of Argentina, formerly lumped into Band-tailed Gull. This species is doing well in the north of Chile.
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus) – Abundant in the southern cone of South America.
PERUVIAN TERN (Sternula lorata) – A very distant view of several flying amongst Elegant Terns off of Arica during our pelagic.
INCA TERN (Larosterna inca) – We couldn't have asked for more great views of this stunning tern.
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea) – Found throughout the country; we saw breeding adults best during the Porvenir ferry in Patagonia.
SNOWY-CROWNED TERN (Sterna trudeaui) – Our visit to the coastline south of Temuco paid off with a number of these unique terns.
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans) – Abundant off of Arica, mixed into a foraging flock of Guanay Cormorants and Inca Terns.
BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens) – A roosting flock along a watercourse on the coastline of Chile south of Temuco. These were the dark subspecies that breeds in the Amazon basin and winters on the coast of Chile.
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
CHILEAN SKUA (Stercorarius chilensis) – Common in Patagonia but also seen on our pelagic trips.
PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus) – Newly arrived migrants were pirating other birds off of Arica, giving some pretty good views of their unfamiliar winter plumage.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Widespread.
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (ALBIPENNIS) (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis) – A recent addition to Chile's avifauna, this bird is common around Putre.
CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana) – Some nice looks at Cierro Nielol in Temuco.
WEST PERUVIAN DOVE (Zenaida meloda) – Common in the valleys around Arica.
A handsome portrait of the "red-backed" form of Variable Hawk by participant Randy Siebert
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui) – A small ground dove of central agricultural zones.
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE (Columbina cruziana) – We saw and heard this odd ground dove in the north.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae) – An attractive ground-dove of the Putre area.
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera) – We saw this high andean ground-dove above Santiago quite well.
Strigidae (Owls)
RUFOUS-LEGGED OWL (Strix rufipes) – It took a while for one to come in, but we eventually got on one briefly before it faded back into the dark Nothofagus forest during our owling trip at the termas de Chillan.
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica) – A single was amongst at group of Andean Swifts in the Lluta Valley.
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – Several groups of this sharp looking swift in the Lluta Valley.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes) – We eventually had some fine looks at this hummer of central and southern Chile.
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella) – Several stunning males at our hotel in Putre.
WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) – Distant but decent views of several during our trip up into the Yeso Valley above Santiago.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas peruviana) – A rather cooperative bird gave us great viewing at Putre.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – While we were trying to get a Dusky Tapaculo to cooperate, one flew in for a quick look along the Lo Prado road.
CHILEAN WOODSTAR (Eulidia yarrellii) – A pair of displaying males in the Azapa Valley offered super views. This is a globally endangered bird and they seem to be hanging on in several places that we visit.
OASIS HUMMINGBIRD (Rhodopis vesper) – Some wonderful looks at males and females at the Hummingbird garden in the Azapa Valley.
PERUVIAN SHEARTAIL (Thaumastura cora) – Several, including a wonderful male at the Azapa Hummingbird garden.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (PATAGONIAN) (Megaceryle torquata stellata) – A roadside bird along the highway enroute to the Chacao ferry crossing to Chiloe island.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius) – We finally caught up with this bird along the Lo Prado tunnel road west of Santiago.
CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius) – Rather elusive this year; a pair cooperated well near our lodging at the Termas de Chillan.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – A high Andean flicker, we saw it well in Lauca.
MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER (Campephilus magellanicus) – Wow! Ricardo save the day with a nesting cavity in Torres del Paine. It took a little bit of waiting but eventually the pair offered mind altering views!
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
Teamwork time! Things got a bit muddy in spots up in the Yeso... (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
WHITE-THROATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus albogularis) – A young bird and an adult that flew over us at Sierra Baguales was a treat for all, including myself- a long awaited lifer!
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – Common in the Patagonian steppe- now separate from the Crested Caracara of North America and northern South America.
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango) – The ecological equivilent to corvids, these birds are common in much of Chile.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Scattered throughout the trip.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – A decent view of a perched bird in Patagonia.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
AUSTRAL PARAKEET (Enicognathus ferrugineus) – Small groups gave us some good looks in the Termas de Chillan area.
SLENDER-BILLED PARAKEET (Enicognathus leptorhynchus) – Several roadside groups that gave us some pretty good looks at that crazy upper mandible; a Chilean endemic. [E]
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus) – An introduced bird from Argentina, now common around Santiago.
MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) – A real highlight of the trip, we have never seen this bird so well! A group during our picnic stop in the Yeso valley just sat and went about their business right in plain view. Super stuff!
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
CHESTNUT-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos castaneus) – It doesn't get much better with Huet-Huets than this! We had a pair jump right out onto the tops of a bamboo stand and then proceed to cross the dirt track in full view!
BLACK-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos tarnii) – A rather more difficult bird to see; we had very close responses to playback and then one finally gave brief views along the trail in Cierro Nielol.
MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) – This was crowd favorite - a big tapaculo in the open. What else can one ask for?! [E]
WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) – We had the Tapaculo charm working with this one. Bill spotted the pair working the edge of a clearing in the scrub and then they proceeded to show off for 20 minutes! [E]
In spite of its "siete colores," the Many-colored Rush-Tyrant can blend right into the cattails sometimes... (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
OCHRE-FLANKED TAPACULO (Eugralla paradoxa) – A pair came in nice and close at Cerro Nielol for us, offering some fine views of their odd 'coot-like' bill process.
MAGELLANIC TAPACULO (Scytalopus magellanicus) – A particularly white headed bird showed well for us at Termas de Chillan, as well as a grey-headed bird. Additionally we saw the odd High Andean form above Santiago. Some expert consider this bird a candidate for a split due to its different habitat, song and coloration.
DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) – We played cat and mouse with this species on the Lo Prado road just after finishing with the White-throated Tapaculo. [E]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COMMON MINER (PATAGONIAN) (Geositta cunicularia cunicularia) – This was the small, short-winged miner we saw in Patagonian while we were on the mainland of South America.
SHORT-BILLED MINER (Geositta antarctica) – The was the other small miner of the south, that we saw on Tierra del Fuego and up in the snowy roads of Sierra Baguales. It had long wings compared to Common Miner.
CREAMY-RUMPED MINER (Geositta isabellina) – Check! We saw this high Andean bird extremely well at Valle Nevado when a pair came in to playback very close. This bird takes as much effort as Diademed Sandpiper Plover to see.
PUNA MINER (Geositta punensis) – Pretty commonly seen up in Lauca.
Black-browed Albatross from the Punta Arenas-Porvenir ferry (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER (Pygarrhichas albogularis) – A boldy pattern ecological equivilent of a Nuthatch. We saw them well in several places in the south and central portions of Chile.
STRAIGHT-BILLED EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus) – Very nice views of a bird above Putre.
CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) – Despite having to compete with some locals camping beside our stakeout, we prevailed with some wonderful looks at this endemic. [E]
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Some brief views by some while we pursued Austral Rail, and a few other calling birds.
SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia dumetaria) – A couple of very cooperative birds in Patagonia and near Farallones; we saw this species in a number of places.
WHITE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia albigula) – A pair attending a nest below Putre offered some fine views.
PLAIN-BREASTED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia jelskii) – Our nicest looks were just outside the Hotel Qantati below Putre. Formerly separate from Buff-breasted Earthcreeper (Argentina) with which it is now lumped.
BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus) – Common in the south and above Santiago in the Andes. Formerly lumped with Cream-winged Cinclodes as Bar-winged Cinclodes.
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Common around Putre and in Lauca.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – We saw several pairs in Lauca. It tends to be found higher up than the sympatric and similar Cream-winged Cinclodes.
GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti) – A single at the DSP wetland offered fine viewing to separate from other similar Cinclodes.
Snow at Sierra Baguales in Patagonia...not the norm at this time of year, but we made the most of it and it pushed some good birds down to lower elevations! (Photo by guide Peter Burke)
SEASIDE CINCLODES (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) – The largest Cinclodes, restricted to a 200 m band of littoral habitat along the Pacific coast of Chile. [E]
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda) – Common, chickadee-like inhabitants of the Nothofagus forests.
DES MURS'S WIRETAIL (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii) – We had a few opportunities with this bird in Puerto Varas, Cierro Nielol and Termas de Chillan that offered many of us some fine views of this oddly tailed bird.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (GRISESCENS) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides grisescens) – This was the grey form of the northern deserts that we saw in the Chaxa Valley while looking for the Tamarugo Conebill.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides) – Another Furnariid that has tit-like behavior. These energetic birds are often seen in pairs, moving rather quickly in search of food. This form is the nominate form of central Chile.
STREAKED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura striata) – A pair of these birds put in an appearance below Putre.
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (DARK-WINGED) (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae) – This form is part of a larger complex that occurs in Peru and Argentina. The population of the western slope of the Andes of Chile is known as Dark-winged Canastero. A pair put on a lovely show in the evening light near our lodging in Putre.
AUSTRAL CANASTERO (Asthenes anthoides) – One bird came in for close views at the Seno otway penguin colony. It is the only streaked Canastero in Chile.
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta) – A rather dull Canastero of the Andes; we saw them best in the north up in Lauca, but we also had them in Patagonia and above Santiago.
SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca) – A very cooperative bird in Farallones allowed for good views of its subtle field marks that separate it from Cordilleran.
CANYON CANASTERO (Asthenes pudibunda) – A rather recent find in Chile this is a bird of high Andean valleys around Putre. We had a cooperative bird along the hedgerows near our hotel below Putre.
DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) – The road across Lo Prado was a great place to see this endemic Canastero with its stocky tail and peaked crest. [E]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – The area below Putre yielded a nice pair of these active flycatchers.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – These snazzy little flycatchers were quite cooperative- we saw them well in Temuco, Chillan and around Santiago.
Yellow-winged Blackbird (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (PERUVIAN) (Elaenia albiceps modesta) – These sedentary birds remain year round in the oasis valleys of the north. With more work, it is likely that a split will come in the White crested Elaenia group.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – A wonderful experience with a cooperative male along the coastline of Chile south of Temuco. We all were able to appreciate its Chilean name "Seven colors".
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (RUFESCENT) (Myiophobus fasciatus rufescens) – Birds on the western dry valleys of the Andes in Peru and Chile are best described as 'unique' in that they pocess a rich rufescent coloration on the underparts. Watch for future work to support this as a full species.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
AUSTRAL NEGRITO (Lessonia rufa) – Very common yet, as Randy stated, so personable. This is a characteristic bird of the open Patagonian steppe but also much of central Chile as well.
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas) – We saw a few of these along the shores of Lagos Chungara in Lauca.
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus) – A snazzy tyrant of wetlands, we saw males in wetlands along the coastline of central Chile.
PUNA GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola juninensis) – A common ground-tyrant in Lauca.
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons) – This is the largest ground-tyrant and found only in the north of Chile, in the high altiplano of Lauca.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – Another large Ground-tyrant, we were helped by the cold weather in the south to keep them lower down than the high altitude they typically use for breeding.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – A single at Putre on our way into town and another beside Lago Chungara were good sightings- we often miss this sparsely distributed Ground-tyrant.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora) – This is the common Ground-tyrant of the central Chilean Andes. It is very similar in appearance to Puna Ground-tyrant.
CINNAMON-BELLIED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola capistratus) – This is one of the most southern Ground-tyrants, quite common in Patagonia. It may remind one of a Say's Phoebe of North America, but with long legs!
BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola frontalis) – This is a large, high elevation Ground-tyrant of central Chile. It has a crisp black forehead mark and a drooped bill tip. It was present in small numbers up in the Yeso valley.
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus) – Ricardo put us on to two different pairs up in Farallones and the Yeso Valley. They are quiet birds that sit for long periods of time.
FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Xolmis pyrope) – A common bird of central Chile, the Diucon was seen mostly during our time at Termas de Chillan but also around Santiago.
The very local Tamarugo Conebill was another trip highlight! (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – A couple of these sharp looking birds were near our hotel below Putre.
PATAGONIAN TYRANT (Colorhamphus parvirostris) – It took a little while but we all eventually got on this treetop flycatcher at Termas de Chillan. This is a true Nothofagus specialist.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara) – We saw a few of these in scattered locations, including a fancy male where we picked up our lunch empanadas at Santo Domingo.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PERUVIANA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca peruviana) – A common swallow in the north of Chile both in the highlands and lowlands.
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica) – Common austral migrant in the majority of Chile.
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola) – A high Andean bird that is found readily in Lauca.
CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta meyeni) – Common from central Chile and southwards.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – A smattering of this boreal migrant in the northern valleys near Arica.
BARN SWALLOW (AMERICAN) (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) – Small numbers were present in the northern valleys of Chile.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
Lago Chungara and Volcan Parinacota in Lauca National Park (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon chilensis) – Common in rural areas of Chile.
SEDGE WREN (PLATENSIS GROUP) (Cistothorus platensis hornensis) – We saw a couple at the King Penguin colony on Tierra del Fuego. Called Grass Wren by some authorities.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii) – An abundant resident south of the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus thenca) – An abundant endemic of the central zone of Chile. [E]
PATAGONIAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus patagonicus) – This species was seen in small numbers during our snowy visit to Sierra Baguales in Patagonia.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (ANTHRACINUS) (Turdus chiguanco anthracinus) – This is a gray colored subspecies with a deep crimson eyes, found only in the northern corner of Chile.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
No mistaking this silhouette! An adult Andean Condor passes over Cerro Castillo north of Puerto Natales. (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thraupis bonariensis darwinii) – A brilliant male came by for a look below Putre. This is one of the brightest subspecies of this tanager with a broad Andean distribution.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – These active birds were pretty common in the Azapa and Chaxa Valleys of the north.
TAMARUGO CONEBILL (Conirostrum tamarugense) – A quick trip down to the Chaxa Valley resulted in a nice pair of birds clinging to their small patch of trees.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris) – These smart looking flowerpiercers brightened up the dry andean scrub below our hotel in Putre.
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps) – A common resident of the high Andean valleys and altiplano of the north.
GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi) – Sierra-finches are a bit of an identification issue in Chile. We saw a good number of Gray-hoodeds in Patagonia as well as above Santiago in the Andes.
PATAGONIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus patagonicus) – This was the more brightly colored Sierra Finch of the forests of Patagonia and the Andes as far north as Chillan.
MOURNING SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus fruticeti) – A few in the south and central regions of Chile but it is abundant around Putre in the north.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor) – We saw a few throughout the trip up in the Andes; most numerous at Sierra Baguales.
WHITE-THROATED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus erythronotus) – A pair landed on the highway while we were watching Rufous-breasted Seedsnipes on our day up a Lauca.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus) – These are the smallest Sierra Finches- tiny bills and a Chipping Sparrow-like impression. Common around Putre.
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus) – Nice looks at a male at the entrance to Yerba Loca above Santiago.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – Long slender finches of the High Andes. We saw them well at several bofedales on our day up in Lauca.
COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca) – One of the characteristic birds of the Chilean countryside. Its sweet warbling song greeted us on many mornings.
WHITE-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera melanodera) – This is one beautiful bird! We were treated to a lovely male as he skirted around the group, showing off his flashy lemon yellow wings and bold facial pattern during our drive across the Patagonian steppe.
YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera xanthogramma) – Hurray!! Not an easy bird to find, we lucked out with a snow event at Sierra Baguales and had half a dozen superb males in a glorious wintery backdrop.
Male Torrent Duck with young (Photo by participant Randy Siebert)
GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris) – This is the largest, brightest Yellow-Finch of Chile. We saw them up in the Andes above Santiago.
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens) – This Yellow-Finch is a bit duller than most with olive suffused throughout the plumage of the male. It is very common in the north of Chile in the dry scrub/desert.
PATAGONIAN YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis lebruni) – As the name suggests, we found this species in the south, out in the open steppe. It is grayish yellow with medium wing projection for a Yellow-Finch.
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris) – The common Yellow-Finch of central Chilean farmland and rural areas; this is a small Yellow-Finch that tends to occur in numbers.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina) – John picked up a male as we exited the Hummingbird garden in the Azapa Valley. It is a widespread bird in the Americas, but only occurs in the northern valleys in Chile.
A splash of color in an otherwise subdued palette: Anarthrophyllum desideratum shrubs in bloom in the Sierra Baguales area north of Puerto Natales (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Sort of looks like a miniature version of the Band-tailed Sierra-Finch, but this bird is only found in the north of Chile.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – A very handsome male sang out in plain view below Putre.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Abundant and widespread; we saw both the gray-headed and black-striped forms.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella bellicosa) – This is a relative of the Long-tailed Meadowlark found in the dry desert valleys of the north. We saw it well in the Lluta Valley.
We were really roughin' it on this tour for food (ha!): Traditional breads of Chile presented as an appetizer during our dinner at Peumayen Restaurant in Santiago. (Photo by guide Peter Burke)
AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus) – Rather plain in appearance, but quite musical in voice. Common in the southern half of the country.
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – Like our Red-winged Blackbird, a bird of the wetlands, however it is quite distantly related genetically.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) – We saw these birds in small numbers throughout the tour north of Patagonia.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus bolivianus) – Small numbers around Putre. A bird only of the north of Chile but quite common on the east side of the Andes well to the south in Argentina.
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus) – A few of these smart-looking siskins in Lauca, way up in the altiplano.
YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN (Spinus uropygialis) – Anothe high Andean siskin, we saw it well in Yeso and also above Putre.
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus) – Although a common countryside bird in Chile, we didn't come across that many this year. We saw them best at Termas de Chillan.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Widespread.
MAMMALS
BIG HAIRY ARMADILLO (Chaetophractus villosus) – A single animal beside the road in Patagonia made a quick exit into a tunnel.
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) – Common. [I]
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) – Abundant, especially in Patagonia. [I]
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium peruanum) – These sleepy looking rodents were common in Lauca.
NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus) – An introduced aquatic mammal we saw at Cartegena and Lampa.
CORURO (Spalacopus cyanus) – A pair of these curious rodents were up in Farallones, excavating in the open soil.
PEALE'S DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus australis) – Some nice looks from the Primera Angostura ferry.
ORCA (Orcinus orca) – One from the Chacao ferry.
SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus) – Quite common and it was interesting to learn how Carlos, our driver in Patagonia, had a way of communicating with them by using his bus horn.
CULPEO FOX (Pseudalopex culpaeus) – A single beside the road in Farallones.
Guanacos along the road en route to Puerto Natales (Photo by participant Linda Nuttall)
SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia) – Numerous, especially in Arica's harbor!
GUANACO (Lama guanicoe) – Abundant in the south, this is the wild relative of the Llama.
LLAMA (Lama glama) – We saw them in herds up in Lauca.
ALPACA (Lama pacos) – We saw them in herds up in Lauca, mixed with Llama.
VICUNA (Vicugna vicugna) – The wild relative of the Alpaca, this was a common mammal up in Lauca.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 279 bird taxa and 16 mammal taxa