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The Andean Hillstar is one of Chile's high altitude species. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
I have to say that Chile is a country with the most impressive landscape, climate, and, of course, weather in the the world. There is a reason for that: simply that it is very long, with the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Andes -- with its very high mountain peaks -- on the east. The contrast between the Patagonia in the south and the desert in the north is out of this world. This year we had all types of weather but, in general, it was relatively warm in comparison to other years, with little rain except one morning in Chillan. Everything worked out well, and I have to say that the entire group was great fun and "game on" (adventurous), so thanks to all of you for making it a great trip!
The birding was fantastic on land but our sea trips were also great: two pelagic trips that were different but very productive, giving us the incomparable feeling of being on the Pacific Ocean. Looking for some specific species was challenging, the chase for the South American Painted-Snipe was a great team effort, with a successful result. The challenge of finding the Mountain Parakeets was quite something, thank heavens that Dave was there to spot them! Our success with tapaculos was very impressive, some were curious other ones stayed for views through the scope.
Chile is also a country for quality birds, for color, behavior, and location, as we saw with the King Penguin colony. It was superb; many birds were around, including some chicks. Our two finches (White and Yellow-bridled), the White walking on the road and the Yellow-bridled eating something on the red flowers, really... The enormous Royal Albatross that appeared a couple of times in our pelagic was stunning. But the winner of all was the incredible Magellanic Plover with his LITTLE PINK LEGS! Oh... and the big Cougar that was having a siesta in Torres del Paine.
Rodrigo and I had a great time and really enjoyed birding with all of you. I hope that I will see you again on another birding adventure. In the meantime, take care and good birding!
-- Willy
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
The Salvin's Albatross ranges across the Southern oceans. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
Rheidae (Rheas)
LESSER RHEA (PUNA) (Rhea pennata tarapacensis) – Several seen in the Lauca National Park in the north.
LESSER RHEA (DARWIN'S) (Rhea pennata pennata) – This is the subspecies that we saw in Patagonia.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
ORNATE TINAMOU (Nothoprocta ornata) – A pair was seen nicely above Putre.
CHILEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta perdicaria) – The first one was walking on the road along the Lo Prado hill, but our best views of this endemic came on our drive up to Farellones near Santiago. [E]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)
COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus) – A few pairs were seen in the highlands of Lauca.
UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta)
We found more than 90 King Penguins at the Bahia Inutil colony, which is growing every year. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
ASHY-HEADED GOOSE (Chloephaga poliocephala)
RUDDY-HEADED GOOSE (Chloephaga rubidiceps) – These were the last minute birds of the trip thanks to Bruce, who spotted a pair in Humedal Tres Puentes just before our trip to the Punta Arenas airport.
FLYING STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres patachonicus)
FLIGHTLESS STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres pteneres)
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides) – The most numerous duck on the trip.
SPECTACLED DUCK (Speculanas specularis) – At least four were seen in Torres del Paine.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata armata) – A female was spotted from the bridge in the Maipo valley.
CHILOE WIGEON (Anas sibilatrix)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
RED SHOVELER (Anas platalea)
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna)
The Magellanic form of the Great Horned Owl differs in voice and morphology from subspecies further north, and is considered a distinct species by some taxonomists. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera) – This subspecies shows paler flanks; we saw them in Lauca.
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) [I]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
SILVERY GREBE (ANDEAN) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis) – Many in Lago Chungara, all with black heads.
SILVERY GREBE (PATAGONIAN) (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis) – A few, all with golden colored heads, were seen in the wetlands of Buque Quemado in Patagonia.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – It was amazing to have three species of flamingo in the same scope view, allowing good comparisons of the differences between them. This happened in Lauca National Park.
ANDEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
JAMES'S FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
KING PENGUIN (Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus) – At least 90 were present in the Bahia Inutil colony; it's nice to know that more and more are coming to that location.
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti)
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche salvini)
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris) – The most common albatross of the trip.
ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi) – We could see its huge size when one came close to the boat a couple of times during our pelagic trip from Valparaiso.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus) – Great views several times, especially in the south.
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli) – Great looks at the red tip on the bill, which confirms that the bird was this species.
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis) – Common on the Valparaiso pelagic.
WESTLAND PETREL (Procellaria westlandica)
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Ardenna creatopus)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Ardenna grisea)
PERUVIAN DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides garnotii)
MAGELLANIC DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides magellani)
The group scans for Diademed Sandpiper-Plover in El Yeso valley. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus)
ELLIOT'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites gracilis) – A few of this species on our Arica pelagic.
MARKHAM'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanodroma markhami) – At least five were seen on our Arica pelagic.
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) – It was so nice to see this bird, even from our hotel in Punta Arenas.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus)
We had just a few Peruvian Pelicans following the boat on our pelagic! Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN (Ixobrychus involucris) – It took some time, but one eventually popped out of the reeds for great views.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (AMERICAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) – The light color form of the species was seen in the north.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (DUSKY) (Nycticorax nycticorax obscurus) – This very dark form was seen in Patagonia.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)
BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis)
The Inca Tern must surely rank among the world's handsomest terns. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – This was the tour favorite for some people -- and why not, when we saw so many and they were so close!
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula) – I'm counting this species as heard-only, even though we saw a nest, plus the tail of a young bird. We heard at least one adult calling a couple of times. [*]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Porphyriops melanops) – One was seen along the road near the Tolten River.
COMMON GALLINULE (AMERICAN) (Gallinula galeata pauxilla)
RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata)
GIANT COOT (Fulica gigantea)
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera)
Pluvianellidae (Magellanic Plover)
MAGELLANIC PLOVER (Pluvianellus socialis) – By unanimous decision, this was the bird of the trip. We had stunning views of this unique plover near El Porvenir.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
PERUVIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus superciliaris) – A pair was extremely well camouflaged in a field along the road in Arica, but Barbara managed to find them anyway. Great!
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
ANDEAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra andina) – Very long distance views of a pair -- but they WERE there!
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater)
MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus leucopodus) – We had several views of these oystercatchers, sometimes far away from the sea.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
TAWNY-THROATED DOTTEREL (Oreopholus ruficollis)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (CHILENSIS/FRETENSIS) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis) – Another common but handsome bird seen throughout the trip.
TWO-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius falklandicus)
Sometimes we struggle to get Surfbirds on this tour -- but not this year! Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
RUFOUS-CHESTED DOTTEREL (Charadrius modestus) – It was nice to see a good number of these incredibly good-looking birds on the Patagonia steppe.
DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii) – Looking for this bird was exciting, but it was even more exciting to see a pair. They were just stunning -- and a relief!
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – Patricia finally saw her missing seedsnipe; there were plenty in Lauca.
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus)
LEAST SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus rumicivorus) – The smallest of the seedsnipes was seen in Patagonia, close to the road. They really are tiny!
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
SOUTH AMERICAN PAINTED-SNIPE (Nycticryphes semicollaris) – I have never seen this bird so well -- what a treat. This was voted the second favorite bird of the trip.
We saw a pair of the southern (Magellanic) subspecies of South American Snipe; some taxonomists think this should be split from the northern form. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (HUDSONIAN) (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
SURFBIRD (Calidris virgata) – Sometimes it's hard to get this bird on this trip, but we saw at least six close to the Renaca rock in Vina de Mar.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (MAGELLANIC) (Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica) – A pair fed in Humedales Tres Puente, in Punta Arenas.
RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
CHILEAN SKUA (Stercorarius chilensis)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)
DOLPHIN GULL (Leucophaeus scoresbii) – Not as common as in some other years, but we saw some in the south.
GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus) – Very numerous in the Arica area, especially close to some fishing boats.
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
BELCHER'S GULL (Larus belcheri)
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)
INCA TERN (Larosterna inca) – The best views that we had of this most colorful tern were from the balcony of our hotel in Vina.
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea)
SNOWY-CROWNED TERN (Sterna trudeaui)
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans)
BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens) – At least 50 were just resting on the afternoon that we went to Parque La Isla in the Rio Aconcagua.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (ALBIPENNIS) (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis) – They are colonizing the town of Putre and the military base near our hotel.
CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
The group keys in a bird or two on the Valparaiso pelagic. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE (Columbina cruziana)
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
WEST PERUVIAN DOVE (Zenaida meloda)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (MAGELLANIC) (Bubo virginianus magellanicus) – It was a nice surprise to see this big owl in Farellones. Wow!
AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nana)
RUFOUS-LEGGED OWL (Strix rufipes) – We had a great look at this big Strix on our first night in Chillan.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes)
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella)
By unanimous decision, the Magellanic Plover was the bird of the trip. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) – Many females nested under the roof of our hotel in Putre, while several males patrolled the gardens. [N]
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas peruviana) – Some people saw this species in Putre.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – There was one on a nest and another taking a bath when we visited Quebrada de Cordoba. [N]
CHILEAN WOODSTAR (Eulidia yarrellii) – This is one of the rarest birds in the trip. I am so glad that we managed to see a male and female that hot day.
OASIS HUMMINGBIRD (Rhodopis vesper)
PERUVIAN SHEARTAIL (Thaumastura cora)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (PATAGONIAN) (Megaceryle torquata stellata) – One was seen in flight near the Tolten River.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius)
CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius) – Cris spotted one close to La Posada in Chillan.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola)
It took a bit of time and patience, but we eventually got great looks at a pair of Magellanic Woodpeckers. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER (Campephilus magellanicus) – We had to work a bit to see this big woodpecker -- until we found a pair at Las Thermas de Chillan. Later, a male showed up and gave us some nice photo opportunities.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
WHITE-THROATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus albogularis) – Watching this bird having breakfast was a unique experience; it's not an easy bird to see, especially while it's eating!
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) – They are so tiny and well camouflaged, but (in the end) we got them on our way back from El Yeso reservoir.
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)
AUSTRAL PARAKEET (Enicognathus ferrugineus)
SLENDER-BILLED PARAKEET (Enicognathus leptorhynchus) – We had scope views of a pair on the drive from Puerto Varas to Temuco. [E]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
CHESTNUT-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos castaneus) – These huet-huets gave us an incredible show, parading in and out of the bushes to the road. They kept doing it for several minutes!
BLACK-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos tarnii) – This was harder than the previous species, until we scoped one calling from a tree. What a bird!
MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) – We initially had several not-so-good views of this turca -- until our day at El Yeso, when one came to have a look at us while we were watching the Crag Chilia. [E]
WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) – Another tapaculo that showed up for some nice scope views. [E]
CHUCAO TAPACULO (Scelorchilus rubecula) – He was out for everyone to see at Lahuen Nadi.
OCHRE-FLANKED TAPACULO (Eugralla paradoxa) – We play hide and seek with this one in the bamboo, but eventually we saw it during our visit to Cerro Nielo.
MAGELLANIC TAPACULO (Scytalopus magellanicus) – This was the mousy-looking bird that came in, almost on top of my shoe, to see what was going on when I played the tape.
DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) – To finish, a pair of these were so active that they came to the open several times. [E]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COMMON MINER (PATAGONIAN) (Geositta cunicularia cunicularia)
PUNA MINER (Geositta punensis)
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis fasciata)
SHORT-BILLED MINER (Geositta antarctica)
CREAMY-RUMPED MINER (Geositta isabellina)
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER (Pygarrhichas albogularis) – What a cute bird, seen especially well in the Valdivia and Patagonia forests.
Watching a White-throated Caracara with its breakfast was a unique experience! Photo by guide Willy Perez.
BAND-TAILED EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus)
CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) – Everything is unique about this bird: name, habitat, behavior, even the place where we saw it! The road to El Yeso was definitely a good place to see them. [E]
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)
SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia dumetaria)
WHITE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia albigula)
BUFF-BREASTED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia validirostris)
BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus)
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris)
GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti)
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis)
DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES (Cinclodes patagonicus)
SEASIDE CINCLODES (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) [E]
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda)
Looking for the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover was half the fun, but seeing two of these very specialized shorebirds was a real treat -- and a real relief for your guide! Photo by guide Willy Perez.
DES MURS'S WIRETAIL (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii) – Being on Bill's list, this bird was definitely not an easy one; however, we had a nice pair along the trail at Lahuen Nadi.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides)
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (PALLIDA) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida)
STREAKED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura striata)
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (DARK-WINGED) (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae)
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta)
SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca)
CANYON CANASTERO (Asthenes pudibunda)
DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) [E]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (CHILEAN) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (PERUVIAN) (Elaenia albiceps modesta)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (RUFESCENT) (Myiophobus fasciatus rufescens) – This rufescent form doesn't look like the Bran-colored Flycatcher that we normally see!
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
AUSTRAL NEGRITO (Lessonia rufa)
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas)
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus) – Several sightings of both males and females along the way.
PUNA GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola juninensis)
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons)
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha)
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)
DARK-FACED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maclovianus)
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora)
CINNAMON-BELLIED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola capistratus)
BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola frontalis)
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus)
GREAT SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis lividus) – This was the best find for Bill; it looks almost like a thrush.
GRAY-BELLIED SHRIKE-TYRANT (MICROPTERUS) (Agriornis micropterus micropterus)
FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Xolmis pyrope)
CHOCOLATE-VENTED TYRANT (Neoxolmis rufiventris)
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
PATAGONIAN TYRANT (Colorhamphus parvirostris) – Good sightings of this forest tyrant at Lahuen Nadi.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara)
The group heads out at Quebrada de Cordova. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PERUVIANA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca peruviana) – This subspecies is just a bit darker than the next; we saw it in the north.
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica) – Widespread around most of Chile; one of the most colorful of the Blue-and-white Swallow subspecies.
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola)
CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta meyeni)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (AMERICAN) (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon chilensis)
SEDGE WREN (AUSTRAL) (Cistothorus platensis hornensis)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (CHIGUANCO) (Turdus chiguanco chiguanco)
The twin cones of the Parinacot and Pomerape volcanos made a spectacular backdrop for one day's birding. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus thenca) [E]
PATAGONIAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus patagonicus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis darwinii) – A colorful male was seen nicely near our hotel in Putre.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum)
TAMARUGO CONEBILL (Conirostrum tamarugense) – This conebill is tied to Tamarugo trees; that's where we found a pair along the Chaca valley.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps) – We had some nice males sharing lunch with us at Lago Chungara; it seems that they've learned that the tourists leave food around!
GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi)
PATAGONIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus patagonicus)
MOURNING SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus fruticeti)
The Gray-breasted Seedsnipe is found along much of western South America. Photo by participant Daphne Gemmill.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus)
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera)
COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca)
WHITE-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera melanodera) – This bright yellow bird showed up nicely in the middle of the road of Ruta Pampa Larga.
YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera xanthogramma) – Small groups fed atop red flowers at Baguales.
SLENDER-BILLED FINCH (Xenospingus concolor)
GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris)
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)
PATAGONIAN YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis lebruni)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila telasco) – They are common along the oasis in Arica.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella bellicosa)
LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella loyca)
AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED SISKIN (Spinus crassirostris) – Rodrigo did a great job finding this rare siskin when we were at Lauca. These birds like to hang around the Polylepis trees, where we saw them.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus bolivianus)
YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN (Spinus uropygialis)
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [I]
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) [I]
The Thorn-tailed Rayadito is typically found in noisy flocks in a variety of forest habitats. Photo by participant Bernie Grossman.
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium peruanum)
NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus)
SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN (Delphinus delphis) – At least two different groups were seen on our Arica pelagic.
COMMERSON'S DOLPHIN (Cephalorhynchus commersonii)
SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus)
CULPEO FOX (Pseudalopex culpaeus)
COUGAR (MOUNTAIN LION) (Puma concolor) – We knew that they liked to hang around the roads in Torres del Paine, but I never expected anything like that! What a great sighting of this big cat!
SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia)
GUANACO (Lama guanicoe) – Many of them in the south, but we also saw some in the antiplano.
LLAMA (Lama glama)
VICUNA (Vicugna vicugna)
ANDEAN DEER (Hippocamelus antisensis) – Locally called Taruca, this rare deer is always found near the alfalfa plantations. There were few of them above Putre.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 271 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa