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Our group at Siete Hermanos in yet another grand landscape of Northwestern Argentina (Panorama by guide Dave Stejskal)
I have to say that this year we had another very successful Northwest Argentina trip. It was fantastic to visit a country featuring such a variety of different places, and this tour manages to cover a lot of them. To find the birds we traveled from very hot chaco to the pleasant moist yungas and to the breathtaking altiplano. To reach these fascinating places we drove across canyons, large dry valleys, and high mountains. The journeys were worth it to find the most incredible birds with very peculiar names like Firewood-gatherer, which we saw gathering; Sandy Gallito, which observed in a very arid place; and Salinas Monjita, an obligate of the salt flats. These birds are named for what they do or where they live.
Our tour also provided the opportunity to see many endemics and a lot of important and very range-restricted species. Cordoba was a really great place with many birds unique to the area, including the Spot-winged Falconet. Tucuman enabled us to see a great variety of good birds such as Rufous-throated Dipper, Yellow-striped Brush-Finch, White-browed Tapaculo, Bare-eyed Ground-Dove, and Tucuman Mountain-Finch. During our drive along the dry valley between Tucuman and Cafayate, we made another good stop with several more endemics, the best being White-throated Cacholote and Sandy Gallito. But the scenery was also spectacular. We watched a lot of exciting birds in Salta, including Maquis Canastero, Zimmer's Tapaculo, Rufous-bellied Saltator, and Rock Earthcreeper. The Chaco was possibly the hardest place for us on the trip, but there was a lot of good birding to had nevertheless. Highlights were Stripe-backed Antbird and a possible split, the "Red-billed" Scythebill found here. In the Yungas we were especially lucky with nightbirds, including a perched Rufous Nightjar. The Montane Forest Screech-Owl was the winner the first night, it was soon surpassed the next night when a Lyre-tailed Nightjar gave us a fantastic show.
To add an exciting finale, the Altiplano was also amazing! On our visit to Pozuelos we had Wedge-tailed Hillstar, three species of flamingos, families of Horned Coots, avocets, Puna Plovers, and two species of seedsnipe. The highlands near La Quiaca completed the fun with big numbers of Citron-headed Yellow-Finches, Red-backed Sierra-Finches, and the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. And yet the top prize among highlights in the Antiplano was not a bird but the big Puma!
Argentina was fantastic for all the above, but I have to also mention the fantastic meat dishes (parrilla) and the inexpensive but delicious wine that we enjoyed!
From Dave and me, many thanks to all of you for coming with us on this tour! We hope that you had a great time -- we certainly enjoyed it.
--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
BIRDS
Rheidae (Rheas)
A tinamou out in the open? Yes, it's Argentina! This Ornate Tinamou was photographed by participant Peter Bono.
LESSER RHEA (PUNA) (Rhea pennata tarapacensis) – A group of four were seen in the Antiplano along the road to Pozuelos.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
TATAUPA TINAMOU (Crypturellus tataupa) [*]
HUAYCO TINAMOU (Rhynchotus maculicollis) [*]
ORNATE TINAMOU (Nothoprocta ornata) – Tinamous are hard to see but not this one. The best show was close to Pozuelos when 4 were feeding near the road.
BRUSHLAND TINAMOU (Nothoprocta cinerascens) – A few of them feeding along the San Miguel road.
ANDEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta pentlandii) – Seen a few times along the way.
DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) – Nice show of four of them feeding in the open grassland on our way back from Pampas de Achala.
SPOTTED NOTHURA (Nothura maculosa) [*]
ELEGANT CRESTED-TINAMOU (Eudromia elegans) [*]
QUEBRACHO CRESTED-TINAMOU (Eudromia formosa) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor)
Coscoroba Swan (Photo by participant Michael Bowen)
COMB DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – Several of therm were spotted flying along the road 41 near J. Gonzales.
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera)
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis) – The last day we managed to see this species in La Cienega.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
RED SHOVELER (Anas platalea)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
SILVER TEAL (Anas versicolor)
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera) – This is the highland race with a paler belly.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
CHACO CHACHALACA (Ortalis canicollis) – Still very common in the Chaco.
RED-FACED GUAN (Penelope dabbenei) – For a very scarce species the place in Jujuy has to be the best.
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (Penelope obscura)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major) – The only place we saw this Grebe was in Cordoba.
SILVERY GREBE (JUNINENSIS) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis)
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – It was great to have the three species of Flamingos in the same scope view so we could compare them and make sure what we were looking at...
ANDEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
JAMES'S FLAMINGO (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Crested Ducks (Photo by participant Peter Bono)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – A single bird was seen flying the day that we visited El Rey National Park.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
Birding at Pozuelos (Photo by guide Willy Perez)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK-HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
WHITE-RUMPED HAWK (Parabuteo leucorrhous)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
VARIABLE HAWK (VARIABLE) (Geranoaetus polyosoma polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus) – A dark morph of this species was spotted in flight eating an unlucky small bird.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) [*]
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata)
Giant Coots (Photo by participant Peter Bono)
HORNED COOT (Fulica cornuta) – We had the best views ever for this very strange looking coot. It seems that they are doing well with reproduction. There were a couple of families with chicks feeding.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
ANDEAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra andina) – Nice looks on the way to Pozuelos.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)
PUNA PLOVER (Charadrius alticola) – A good number of them were feeding during our visit to Pozuelos.
DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER (Phegornis mitchellii) – This has to be one of the most stunning birds that we saw in the highlands and the short hike paid off.
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus)
LEAST SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus rumicivorus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Gallinago paraguaiae paraguaiae)
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
Spot-winged Pigeon (Photo by participant Peter Bono)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (ALBIPENNIS) (Patagioenas maculosa albipennis)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
BARE-EYED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia morenoi) [E]
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
GOLDEN-SPOTTED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia aymara) – This time they were numerous along the Antiplano.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
LARGE-TAILED DOVE (Leptotila megalura) – Very common noise in the Yungas, sometimes hard to see but we managed to see them well a couple of times.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
MONTANE FOREST SCREECH-OWL (Megascops hoyi) – This year was a success for this one, great views and at least two birds were around in the Yungas.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (TUCUMAN) (Glaucidium brasilianum tucumanum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) – It was a nice surprise in the Antiplano, we saw them twice on different days.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris)
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra) – Even with a few people around the picnic spot it was a huge success when a male of this Nightjar gave us a show. It was a shame that we had finished the wine already.
LITTLE NIGHTJAR (Setopagis parvulus)
RUFOUS NIGHTJAR (Antrostomus rufus) – Same place where we saw Screech Owl, a winner location for this one too.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – Flew by, good calls were heard by everyone.
Apodidae (Swifts)
ROTHSCHILD'S SWIFT (Cypseloides rothschildi)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SICK'S SWIFT (Chaetura meridionalis)
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
RED-TAILED COMET (Sappho sparganura) – We saw them several times but the male at Yala with the irridesent tail was the best of all.
WEDGE-TAILED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus adela) – We saw a couple of males interacting in the same place were we had seen them before, so they are hanging around this area.
BLUE-TUFTED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster furcifer)
SLENDER-TAILED WOODSTAR (Microstilbon burmeisteri) – Another yungas specialty, a male and female showed nicely feeding on white flowers when we were in Jujuy.
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster)
Horned Coot family at Lagunillas, photographed by guide Dave Stejskal
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD (CHACO) (Nystalus maculatus striatipectus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco) – The only Toucan possibility on the trip was seen nicely along the corniza road.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus cirratus)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus)
WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum)
CHECKERED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis mixtus)
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros melanolaimus) [N]
Spot-winged Falconet (Photo by guide Willy Perez)
CAMPO FLICKER (FIELD) (Colaptes campestris campestroides)
BLACK-BODIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus schulzi) – Seen in flight twice but never stoped, at least we know that they are still around the Chaco.
CREAM-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus leucopogon)
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata)
BLACK-LEGGED SERIEMA (Chunga burmeisteri) [*]
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango)
SPOT-WINGED FALCONET (Spiziapteryx circumcincta) – Normally hard to find, but luckily not this time when we saw them a few times around the Chaco forest.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
BURROWING PARAKEET (OLIVE) (Cyanoliseus patagonus andinus) – Very numerous along the valley near Cafayate.
GREEN-CHEEKED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura molinae)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)
GRAY-HOODED PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aymara)
MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons)
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (BLUE-CROWNED) (Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata)
MITRED PARAKEET (Aratinga mitrata)
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani)
TUCUMAN PARROT (Amazona tucumana) – A flock of 15 were seen along the Yungas on the way to the Cuesta del Obispo.
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) [*]
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus ruficapillus cochabambae)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
STRIPE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmorchilus strigilatus) – We had a very responsive one during our day in the very hot Chaco forest.
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
CRESTED GALLITO (Rhinocrypta lanceolata)
SANDY GALLITO (Teledromas fuscus) – We had to work very hard to see this Gallito, until he came up and went to sing on the top of a dead log so we could see it well. [E]
ZIMMER'S TAPACULO (Scytalopus zimmeri) – All the Tapaculos are hard to see but this trip was great for them, especially when this one went to a dead branch on top of a tree to sing.
WHITE-BROWED TAPACULO (Scytalopus superciliaris superciliaris) – He was not as cooperative as the previous one but even so we had very good looks of one of them in the Yungas. [E]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COMMON MINER (ALTIPLANO) (Geositta cunicularia titicacae)
PUNA MINER (Geositta punensis)
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER (Geositta rufipennis)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (AMAZONIAN) (Sittasomus griseicapillus griseicapillus)
GREAT RUFOUS WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes major)
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris hellmayri)
SCIMITAR-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Drymornis bridgesii)
Red-billed Scythebill (Photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
ROCK EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus andaecola)
STRAIGHT-BILLED EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus)
CHACO EARTHCREEPER (Tarphonomus certhioides)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
CRESTED HORNERO (Furnarius cristatus)
BUFF-BREASTED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia validirostris)
CORDOBA CINCLODES (Cinclodes comechingonus) [E]
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris tucumanus)
OLROG'S CINCLODES (Cinclodes olrogi) – Nice to know that they are common still in Cordoba. [E]
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis)
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) – Very common voice in the Yungas and seen every time that we visited this habitat.
BROWN-CAPPED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura fuliginiceps)
TUFTED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura platensis)
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL (BERLEPSCHI) (Leptasthenura aegithaloides berlepschi)
RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD (RUFOUS-FRONTED) (Phacellodomus rufifrons sincipitalis)
LITTLE THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus sibilatrix)
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) [N]
SPOT-BREASTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus maculipectus)
FIREWOOD-GATHERER (Anumbius annumbi) – We saw them only the day that we were in Cordoba. [N]
LARK-LIKE BRUSHRUNNER (Coryphistera alaudina)
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (CREAMY-BREASTED) (Asthenes dorbignyi dorbignyi) [N]
SHORT-BILLED CANASTERO (Asthenes baeri)
PUNA CANASTERO (Asthenes sclateri lilloi)
PUNA CANASTERO (Asthenes sclateri sclateri) – This is the subspecies that we saw in Cordoba.
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO (Asthenes modesta)
MAQUIS CANASTERO (Asthenes heterura) – Even the dust didn't stop us finding this one, it used to be a Bolivian endemic but not anymore.
STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia)
BROWN CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura lophotes) – Many of them seen with nesting material. [N]
WHITE-THROATED CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura gutturalis) – It was very easy to see this unique bird. Normally you have to be patient but we were lucky this time. [E]
SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis frontalis)
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae superciliosa)
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens australis)
OCHRE-CHEEKED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis scutata)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (Suiriri suiriri) – This very grey flycatcher was split from what was called Chaco Suiriri.
BUFF-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus hellmayri)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina)
DINELLI'S DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx dinelliana) – This year we tried for this Doradito in a new place but very few people managed to see it.
Lark-like Brushrunner at its nest, photographed by participant Michael Bowen
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) [a]
SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA (Elaenia parvirostris)
SLATY ELAENIA (Elaenia strepera)
HIGHLAND ELAENIA (Elaenia obscura)
WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga munda)
STRANECK'S TYRANNULET (Serpophaga griseicapilla)
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis) – A pair were building a nest when we were in Jujuy. [N]
ROUGH-LEGGED TYRANNULET (BURMEISTER'S) (Phyllomyias burmeisteri burmeisteri)
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri)
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus)
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata)
TAWNY-CROWNED PYGMY-TYRANT (Euscarthmus meloryphus)
GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura budytoides)
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea pallidior)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri) [*]
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas)
CINEREOUS TYRANT (Knipolegus striaticeps) – The clearing of the Chaco is making this bird harder to find.
ANDEAN TYRANT (Knipolegus signatus)
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus)
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus)
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys)
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris)
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus)
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)
BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola frontalis) – The weather was so nice this year to look for this species and it was fantastic to see them close up.
The range-restricted Salinas Monjita in its salt-flat habitat (Photo by guide Willy Perez)
GRAY-BELLIED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis micropterus) – Perched on the wire on the way to Pozuelos.
LESSER SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis murinus) – Not easy but most of us managed to see this small Shrike Tyrant.
BLACK-CROWNED MONJITA (Xolmis coronatus)
WHITE MONJITA (Xolmis irupero)
SALINAS MONJITA (Xolmis salinarum) – The habitat of this handsome looking bird is very unique.....how they can make a living there?! Great looks anyway. [E]
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis)
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus) – This very colourful flycatcher was seen well in the Chaco.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
A brief break from birding against the awesome Cafayate backdrop (Photo by guide Willy Perez)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
WHITE-TIPPED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rutila)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha) – We saw only one of this beauty but one was enough.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus) [*]
CRESTED BECARD (Pachyramphus validus)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Red-faced Guan at the Rio Yala (Photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
TAWNY-HEADED SWALLOW (Alopochelidon fucata)
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola)
SOUTHERN MARTIN (Progne elegans)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-RUMPED SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucorrhoa)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis)
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) – This bird in Argentina looked very pale in comparison with the ones further north.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
RUFOUS-THROATED DIPPER (Cinclus schulzi) – It was difficult to find a grey bird on a grey rock, but it was so nice to find them nesting.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)
SLATY THRUSH (Turdus nigriceps) – Singing everywhere along the Yungas but hard to spot.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
PATAGONIAN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus patagonicus)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
BROWN-BACKED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus dorsalis)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens)
SHORT-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus furcatus)
HELLMAYR'S PIPIT (Anthus hellmayri hellmayri) – Very common in the Puna grassland above Tafi.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
Red-backed Sierra-Finch at Abra Lizoite (Photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
TWO-BANDED WARBLER (Myiothlypis bivittata)
BROWN-CAPPED REDSTART (Myioborus brunniceps)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata)
ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER (Thlypopsis sordida)
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis)
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL (Conirostrum speciosum) – Male and female seen when we went to visit El Rey National Park.
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides)
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps)
GRAY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus gayi)
MOURNING SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus fruticeti)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
RED-BACKED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus dorsalis) – There were plenty of them in the usual place in the very high mountains east of La Quiaca.
The lovely and endemic Tucuman Mountain-Finch (Photo by guide Willy Perez)
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus)
COMMON DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca diuca)
BLACK-CRESTED FINCH (Lophospingus pusillus)
RUFOUS-SIDED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza hypochondria)
RUSTY-BROWED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza erythrophrys) – Restricted to the Yungas where we saw them several times.
BLACK-AND-RUFOUS WARBLING-FINCH (BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT) (Poospiza nigrorufa whitii)
RINGED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza torquata)
BLACK-CAPPED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza melanoleuca)
TUCUMAN MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Compsospiza baeri) – Great photos of this good looking endemic above Tafi. [E]
PUNA YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis lutea)
BRIGHT-RUMPED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis uropygialis)
CITRON-HEADED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteocephala) – Big flocks of them were flying around the agriculture area near Yavi.
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (WESTERN) (Embernagra platensis olivascens)
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata)
RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SALTATOR (Saltator rufiventris) – Very scarce but we had a great look at them eating leaves.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris)
MANY-COLORED CHACO FINCH (Saltatricula multicolor)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
SAFFRON-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon flavirostris dorbignii)
WHITE-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon torquatus) – Split from Stripe headed, this type occurs in the Yungas of west Bolivia and south through the Argentine Yungas.
FULVOUS-HEADED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes fulviceps)
YELLOW-STRIPED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes citrinellus) – Another endemic who lives in the nice habitat of the Yungas. Seen a couple of times. [E]
STRIPE-CAPPED SPARROW (Rhynchospiza strigiceps) – Seen only when we were in Cordoba.
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (ARGENTINA) (Chlorospingus flavopectus argentinus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (LOWLAND) (Piranga flava flava)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris)
ULTRAMARINE GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa brissonii)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella loyca)
Golden-billed Saltator (Photo by participant Michael Bowen)
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius)
SCREAMING COWBIRD (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (Icterus pyrrhopterus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
GOLDEN-WINGED CACIQUE (Cacicus chrysopterus)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala) – A female seen the last day of the tour.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium viscacia)
CRAB-EATING FOX (Cerdocyon thous)
JAGUARUNDI (Puma yagouaroundi)
COUGAR (MOUNTAIN LION) (Puma concolor) – What a sight... You don't see this incredible animal very often and It was a treat to see it well. Now we know way they are called mountain lion.
VICUNA (Vicugna vicugna)
BROWN BROCKET DEER (Mazama gouazoubira) – One of these small deer jumped across the road when we were in the Chaco.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 357 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa