A Field Guides Birding Tours Report

Chile 2022

November 13-December 3, 2022 with Willy Perez & local guide guiding

Field Guides Birding Tours
We found all of the specialties of Chile, including the magnificent Magellanic Woodpecker. Photo by participant Linda Rudolph.

Chile is a country like no other: dramatic mountains, stunning forest, a beautiful coast line, an incredible desert, and of course, a lot of good birds. We started this trip flying from Santiago all the way down to Punta Arenas, where we visit the big island of Tierra del Fuego, where one of the main attractions for us was the King Penguin colony that we visit. Afterwards, we went to one of the most iconic National Parks in southern Chile, Torres del Paine, where we saw big herds of Guanacos, Andean Condors, Magellanic Woodpecker and Austral Parakeets.

Our next step on the trip was the Lagos region and after landing in Puerto Montt, we went to Puerto Varas where we stayed a night looking at the Llanquihue lake with stunning snow-capped volcanos in the back ground; what an incredible sight! Our visit to Los Nevados de Chillan was very productive, with nice views of the gorgeous Chestnut-throated Huet- Huet, and a superb visit to the forest in Rucapiren where we saw the very old giant Coihue trees (Nothofagus).

Central Chile was wonderful. On our visit to Vina del Mar, our hotel was surrounded by one of the prettiest birds on our trip, the Inca Tern, nesting just outside of the hotel. Our Pelagic in Valparaiso was full of action, with 5 species of Albatrosses, and luckily the weather was gentle with us that day.

The highlands near Santiago were busy with people but busy with birds, too. The Diademed Sandpiper-Plover adventure was almost a failure until Rodrigo found a bird nesting, and that saved the day. We also found the most charismatic birds on the trip, Moustached Turca, Crag Chilia and also Chilean Tinamou were along the way.

Finally we had a super early flight to the north, where the desert was like being in another world. Since we landed in Arica every bird was new for us,. The first one was Peruvian Thick-knee which was truly a relief for me because normally that bird takes more time to find, so it was great that we found it in the first hour. Our drive to Putre close to the Altiplano was exciting; there was an Andean Hillstar nesting at the hotel. Lauca National Park was absolutely stunning; Mountain Viscachas, Bolivian Pericote and Vicunas were some of the great mammals. The birds were even better, with 3 species of Flamingos, Giant Coots, and Amy even found a family of Andean Tinamous for us.

Going back to Arica, the challenge was still on, and we had to find the most endangered hummingbird on the planet. Luckily we found a couple of places where males were just perched on a twig (great for pictures!). But the most exciting time was when we saw hundreds of Raimondi's Yellow-Finches on an alfalfa field.

We saw a lot of birds and we managed to finish a trip that had few challenges along the way. I was lucky enough to have a great group of people who calmly went with the flow and had the patience to make this trip be a success, so I would like to thank you all for that! I hope that we will come across another birding adventure, until then Keep Birding.

Un abrazo,

—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


Rheidae (Rheas)

LESSER RHEA (PUNA) (Rhea pennata tarapacensis)

This subspecies is the one that we saw at Lauca and Chungara close to the Bolivian border.

Field Guides Birding Tours
Chile is a land of fantastic landscapes, and we had a chance to visit some of the most amazing places, including the wonderful Torres del Paine. Photo by guide Willy Perez.

LESSER RHEA (DARWIN'S) (Rhea pennata pennata)

We saw several of these in southern Chile on our way to Torres del Paine.

Tinamidae (Tinamous)

CHILEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta perdicaria) [E]

We had fantastic views of this endemic bird that showed up nicely on our way to Farellones.

PUNA TINAMOU (Tinamotis pentlandii)

A great sight of a group with chicks at Lauca.

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)

COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba)

ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus)

UPLAND GOOSE (Chloephaga picta)

KELP GOOSE (Chloephaga hybrida)

It was a treat to see a male and a female of this very handsome goose. I am glad that the flight schedule was changed so we had time to go all the way down from Punta Arenas to see these beauties.

RUDDY-HEADED GOOSE (Chloephaga rubidiceps)

FLYING STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres patachonicus)

FLIGHTLESS STEAMER-DUCK (Tachyeres pteneres)

CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides)

The most common duck along our trip.

SPECTACLED DUCK (Speculanas specularis)

This was the last minute bird just before we left Torres del Paine.

PUNA TEAL (Spatula puna)

CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)

RED SHOVELER (Spatula platalea)

CHILOE WIGEON (Mareca sibilatrix)

Field Guides Birding Tours
Black-necked Swans were one of the many species of waterfowl that we saw. This charming little family was photographed by participant Doug Clarke.

YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)

YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)

The most wide-spread one of the two subspecies, and this one has the very dark belly.

YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera)

This subspecies we saw in Lauca and Chungara lake.

ANDEAN DUCK (Oxyura ferruginea)

LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata)

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) [I]

Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)

CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis)

Widespread along our trip but always nice to see.

ANDEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus andinus)

The most numerous ones in the Altiplano.

JAMES'S FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)

Not many, but we had great views of this handsome Flamingo.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)

GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major)

SILVERY GREBE (ANDEAN) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis)

These ones we saw in the north at the Altiplano.

SILVERY GREBE (PATAGONIAN) (Podiceps occipitalis occipitalis)

Saw a few times in the south but also near Santiago.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (ALBIPENNIS) (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis)

Very common, especially in Putre.

CHILEAN PIGEON (Patagioenas araucana)

CROAKING GROUND DOVE (Columbina cruziana)

This handsome small dove we saw near Arica.

BARE-FACED GROUND DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)

Field Guides Birding Tours
The unusual Magellanic Plover was another special species that we were able to see well. Photo by participant Linda Rudolph.

BLACK-WINGED GROUND DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)

A few of them seen in Putre.

WEST PERUVIAN DOVE (Zenaida meloda)

EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris)

Apodidae (Swifts)

ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus)

Several birds were seen catching insects along the Camarones valley in the north.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN (Sephanoides sephaniodes)

The most southern hummingbird that we saw; we could spot the firecrown in some males.

ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella)

WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus)

We saw a female of this highland hummingbird on our day to Farellones.

GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas peruviana)

This one we saw in the deep valley near our hotel in Putre.

GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas)

The best view of this giant was at La Quebrada de Cordova.

PERUVIAN SHEARTAIL (Thaumastura cora)

The fantastic flowering tree put us eye to eye with this incredible hummingbird; the males with long tails were superb to watch.

OASIS HUMMINGBIRD (Rhodopis vesper)

CHILEAN WOODSTAR (Eulidia yarrellii)

We had to do a bit of a journey to see this speciality, but the effort payed off when a male was perched for few minutes.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Porphyriops melanops)

COMMON GALLINULE (AMERICAN) (Gallinula galeata pauxilla)

RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons)

This small coot was seen only once but we had great looks at a pair at Cartagena.

GIANT COOT (Fulica gigantea)

Field Guides Birding Tours
During the pelagic trip from Valparaiso, we saw six species of albatrosses, inclduing this Buller's Albatross. Photo by participant Doug Clarke.

RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata)

The most widespread coot that we enjoyed watching.

SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)

Pluvianellidae (Magellanic Plover)

MAGELLANIC PLOVER (Pluvianellus socialis)

This is always my favorite bird of this trip and I am so glad that we saw it.

Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

PERUVIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus superciliaris)

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

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

ANDEAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra andina)

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)

BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater)

MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus leucopodus)

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

TAWNY-THROATED DOTTEREL (Oreopholus ruficollis)

We had wonderful views of this stunning bird at the same time we were watching the Chocolate-vented Tyrant, along Ruta Pampa Larga.

SOUTHERN LAPWING (CHILENSIS/FRETENSIS) (Vanellus chilensis chilensis)

TWO-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius falklandicus)

KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) [N]

We saw one nesting at Lluta river mouth.

RUFOUS-CHESTED DOTTEREL (Charadrius modestus)

DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii) [N]

We had a great time looking for this incredible bird. In some ways we gave up some time, and during our lunch break Rodrigo went to have a wander and he found one sitting on a nest. What a treat.

Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)

RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi)

GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus)

Field Guides Birding Tours
We had great views of three flamingo species, including the widespread Chilean Flamingo, photographed by participant Linda Rudolph.

LEAST SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus rumicivorus)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (HUDSONIAN) (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus)

SANDERLING (Calidris alba)

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)

MAGELLANIC SNIPE (Gallinago magellanica)

Great looks at one in Los Tres Puentes in Punta Arenas.

RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius)

GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)

WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)

Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)

CHILEAN SKUA (Stercorarius chilensis)

PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)

BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)

DOLPHIN GULL (Leucophaeus scoresbii)

GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus)

FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) [b]

We saw them by the thousands.

BELCHER'S GULL (Larus belcheri)

Field Guides Birding Tours
We also saw three species of oystercatchers; this charming pair are American Oystercatchers. Photo by participant Doug Clarke.

KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)

INCA TERN (Larosterna inca)

We really enjoyed watching this stunning bird.

SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea)

SNOWY-CROWNED TERN (Sterna trudeaui)

We managed to see some along our drive from Puerto Varas to Temuco.

ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans)

BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens)

Spheniscidae (Penguins)

KING PENGUIN (Aptenodytes patagonicus)

It was a fantastic day going to see this bird. There were some young birds from last year that didn't look like their parents at all.

HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti)

MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus)

Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)

BULLER'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche bulleri)

Fantastic views of this bird during our pelagic from Valparaiso.

SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche salvini)

CHATHAM ALBATROSS (Thalassarche eremita)

Only Lalo and few other people managed to see this rare bird in Chile.

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris)

ROYAL ALBATROSS (SOUTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora epomophora)

ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi)

Oceanitidae (Southern Storm-Petrels)

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (FUEGIAN) (Oceanites oceanicus chilensis)

Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)

SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus)

The ones with the greenish bill tip.

NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli)

The ones that we saw with the pinkish color bill tip.

This lovely male Chilean Woodstar posed just long enough for guide Willy Perez to get some video. It's nice to be able to see the brilliant violet gorget shining in the sun!

WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis)

WESTLAND PETREL (Procellaria westlandica)

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Ardenna creatopus)

SOOTY SHEARWATER (Ardenna grisea)

PERUVIAN DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides garnotii)

MAGELLANIC DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides magellani)

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)

PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata)

The only Booby that we saw; their diving was fun to watch.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Poikilocarbo gaimardi)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)

MAGELLANIC CORMORANT (Leucocarbo magellanicus)

GUANAY CORMORANT (Leucocarbo bougainvillii)

IMPERIAL CORMORANT (Leucocarbo atriceps atriceps)

Many of them at Punta Arenas; the ones with white cheeks.

IMPERIAL CORMORANT (Leucocarbo atriceps albiventer)

This are the ones with the black cheeks.

Pelecanidae (Pelicans)

PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus)

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)

Field Guides Birding Tours
A gorgeous male White-bridled Finch posed nicely for participant Linda Rudolph.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (AMERICAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)

We saw them in Arica.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (DUSKY) (Nycticorax nycticorax obscurus)

This one we saw in Central Chile.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)

PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)

BLACK-FACED IBIS (Theristicus melanopis)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus)

We had superb views of several of them in Cerro Castillo but they were very common in the Andes, too.

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)

CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)

HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)

VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)

BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)

WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula)

It was fantastic to see this small hawk at Las Termas de Chillan.

Strigidae (Owls)

AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nana)

RUFOUS-LEGGED OWL (Strix rufipes) [*]

SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus)

Field Guides Birding Tours
The Fire-eyed Diucon lives up to its name when you see it well! Photo by participant Doug Clarke.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)

STRIPED WOODPECKER (Dryobates lignarius)

MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER (Campephilus magellanicus)

We did well with the woodpeckers, but to see a male of this species was quite something. It was very windy but this male wasn't bothered and stayed for few minutes looking for food.

CHILEAN FLICKER (Colaptes pitius)

ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola)

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)

CRESTED CARACARA (SOUTHERN) (Caracara plancus plancus)

CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango)

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)

Few of them were seen along the valleys in the desert.

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons)

It was a nice surprise to see this tiny parakeet at 12,000 feet.

MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)

AUSTRAL PARAKEET (Enicognathus ferrugineus)

The most southern parrot in south America. We saw it in Lago Grey.

SLENDER-BILLED PARAKEET (Enicognathus leptorhynchus) [E]

I couldn't believed our luck when some birds landed at the petrol station during one of our bathroom stops.

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)

CHESTNUT-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos castaneus)

It took a while to find them, but we had great views of a pair in Chillan.

BLACK-THROATED HUET-HUET (Pteroptochos tarnii) [*]

MOUSTACHED TURCA (Pteroptochos megapodius) [E]

WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO (Scelorchilus albicollis) [E]

We always say that Chile is a place to see tapaculos and certainly we saw them; a few times this bird came to the open.

CHUCAO TAPACULO (Scelorchilus rubecula)

We managed to see this species a couple of times.

Field Guides Birding Tours
Inca Terns are the prettiest tern, and we were able to see them nesting just outside of our hotel in Vina del Mar. Photo by participant Linda Rudolph.

OCHRE-FLANKED TAPACULO (Eugralla paradoxa) [*]

DUSKY TAPACULO (Scytalopus fuscus) [E]

This one stayed singing for some time; just wonderful.

MAGELLANIC TAPACULO (Scytalopus magellanicus)

We had to get inside the cemetery to try see this secretive bird; it was an interesting moment when he landed on the grave.

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)

Very clear view; we saw the creamy color on this bird that normally is hard to see in Chile.

WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER (Pygarrhichas albogularis)

One of the favorite birds of the trip for some people, and I agree with them.

CRAG CHILIA (Ochetorhynchus melanurus) [E]

WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)

PATAGONIAN FOREST EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia saturatior)

SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia dumetaria)

WHITE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia albigula)

BUFF-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes fuscus)

CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris)

We were serenaded by these birds every morning in Putre.

GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES (Cinclodes oustaleti)

WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis)

Guide Willy Perez got some video of the White-throated Hawk we saw at Las Termas de Chillan.

DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES (Cinclodes patagonicus)

SEASIDE CINCLODES (Cinclodes nigrofumosus) [E]

THORN-TAILED RAYADITO (Aphrastura spinicauda)

DES MURS'S WIRETAIL (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)

It was so lovely to see this tiny bird with two wires on its tail; they are very unique.

PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (AEGITHALOIDES) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides)

STREAKED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura striata)

CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (DARK-WINGED) (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae)

AUSTRAL CANASTERO (Asthenes anthoides)

CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta)

SHARP-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes pyrrholeuca)

DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes humicola) [E]

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rara)

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra)

What a colorful bird that everyone enjoyed watching.

PIED-CRESTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes reguloides)

YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris)

TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus)

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (CHILEAN) (Elaenia albiceps chilensis)

This is the widespread one that we saw most of the time.

Field Guides Birding Tours
A male Andean Hillstar was photographed at just the right angle to see the glowing green gorget, by participant Doug Clarke.

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (PERUVIAN) (Elaenia albiceps modesta)

We saw them in the north.

BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (RUFESCENT) (Myiophobus fasciatus rufescens)

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

AUSTRAL NEGRITO (Lessonia rufa)

ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas)

SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus)

PUNA GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola juninensis)

WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons)

OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha)

RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)

WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora)

CINNAMON-BELLIED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola capistratus)

FIRE-EYED DIUCON (Pyrope pyrope)

I love the red eye on this bird.

CHOCOLATE-VENTED TYRANT (Neoxolmis rufiventris)

BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus)

GREAT SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis lividus)

It was nice to see this uncommon bird and the scope views showed a nice chestnut vent.

PATAGONIAN TYRANT (Colorhamphus parvirostris)

FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)

It was a surprise but nice views of this handsome flycatcher.

Field Guides Birding Tours
Yellow-bridled Finches tried to blend in with the dandelions, but participant Linda Rudolph was able to get this great photo of one of them, showing the bright yellow face.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PERUVIANA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca peruviana)

This subspecies we found in Arica.

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PATAGONICA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca patagonica)

The most widespread in Chile, that we saw several times.

ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola)

CHILEAN SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucopyga)

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) [b]

BARN SWALLOW (AMERICAN) (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) [b]

CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) [a]

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon tecellatus)

We saw several of them at Arica.

HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon chilensis)

The common one along the trip from south to central Chile.

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus thenca) [E]

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

AUSTRAL THRUSH (Turdus falcklandii)

CHIGUANCO THRUSH (CHIGUANCO/CONRADI) (Turdus chiguanco chiguanco)

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera)

HELLMAYR'S PIPIT (Anthus hellmayri)

It was a nice surprise near Temuco.

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus bolivianus)

BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus)

A very stunning bird that was Joan's favorite.

BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN (Spinus barbatus)

Guide Willy Perez captured some of the excitement of our pelagic trip in this short video.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Leistes bellicosus)

LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Leistes loyca)

SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)

AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD (Curaeus curaeus)

YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (GREEN-MANTLED) (Rauenia bonariensis darwinii)

A beautiful male was seen in the gardens of our hotel in Putre.

TAMARUGO CONEBILL (Conirostrum tamarugense) [*]

CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum)

BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)

BLACK-HOODED SIERRA FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps)

GRAY-HOODED SIERRA FINCH (Phrygilus gayi)

PATAGONIAN SIERRA FINCH (Phrygilus patagonicus)

DIUCA FINCH (Diuca diuca)

WHITE-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera melanodera)

The males that we saw were just spectacular.

YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH (Melanodera xanthogramma)

I was very pleased to see so many of these birds that disguise themself nicely with the dandelion flowers.

WHITE-THROATED SIERRA FINCH (Idiopsar erythronotus)

GLACIER FINCH (Idiopsar speculifer)

Field Guides Birding Tours
Another wonderful view we had was this vista, showing the Parinacota volcano in the distance. Photo by guide Willy Perez.

PLUMBEOUS SIERRA FINCH (Geospizopsis unicolor)

ASH-BREASTED SIERRA FINCH (Geospizopsis plebejus)

SLENDER-BILLED FINCH (Xenospingus concolor)

MOURNING SIERRA FINCH (Rhopospina fruticeti)

GREATER YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis auriventris)

GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)

PATAGONIAN YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis lebruni)

GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)

RAIMONDI'S YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis raimondii)

It was another fantastic site to see hundreds of these birds feeding in the alfalfa plantations.

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)

CHESTNUT-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila telasco)

BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)


MAMMALS

OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [I]

EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) [I]

BOLIVIAN PERICOTE (BIG-EARED MOUSE) (Auliscomys boliviensis)

It was a surreal moment to see these very small mammals feeding together with the Mountain Viscachas at Lauca.

NORTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium peruanum)

NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus)

DUSKY DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus obscurus)

PEALE'S DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus australis)

SOUTHERN GRAY FOX (Pseudalopex griseus)

Field Guides Birding Tours
Finally, another image of the fantastic peaks of Torres del Paine, with our group posing in front. Photo by guide Willy Perez.

CULPEO FOX (Lycalopex culpaeus)

SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia)

GUANACO (Lama guanicoe)

ALPACA (Lama pacos)

VICUNA (Vicugna vicugna)

ANDEAN DEER (Hippocamelus antisensis)


HERPS

THIN TREE LIZARD (Lagarta esbelta)

BLACKISH-GREEN LIZARD (Lagartija negro)


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We also saw;

Chilean Lizard, Liolaemus chilanensis

Atacama Lava Lizard, Microlophus atacamensis

Big hairy armadillo, Chaetophractus villosus

Totals for the tour: 261 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa