A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Uruguay: Birds & Wines of the Land of the Gauchos 2022
November 26-December 8, 2022 with Marcelo Padua & local guide guiding
Uruguay continues to fly under the radar of the tourism masses but word is slowly getting around and each year we see more visitors from other countries. Our tour covers much of the country and quite often we find ourselves off the beaten path and therefore we get to savor the true culture of this beautiful country.
Our tour started in the lovely Artesana Winery and we quickly realized that we were in for a treat as the wines of this boutique winery that works in partnership with some American wine makers are amongst my favorite in Uruguay. We toured the winery and sampled the elegant wines made here paired with an excellent meal; what a way to set the mood for the following days before continuing on to the lovely UNESCO World Heritage site Colonia del Sacramento, where we spent our first night.
Colonia del Sacramento is a town on the edge of the Rio de la Plata. It was a very strategic point of access to South America and therefore it was heavily disputed by the Portuguese and the Spanish during colonial times, and as a result its well-preserved urban landscape illustrates the successful fusion of the Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles, so after some early morning birding along the Rio de la Plata we took some time to explore this lovely historic town and learn about its history before heading north towards the countryside of Uruguay.
Our journey into the countryside of the country started with a visit to the lovely Almacen de la Capilla, a small family run winery that has been in the same family for 5 generations. There, we learned about the history of winemaking in this country as we savored some delicious grilled beef before we continued to the charming Esoteric La Paz where we would spend the following two nights. Out of all the places we stayed this is probably the most modest accommodations but it is also my favorite, as it offers some true insight into the Uruguayan way of life and the birding is great right outside the door. We enjoyed many great birds right by our lodge and even had some great night birds in the day time, such as the Scissor-tailed Nightjar Javier spotted for us and the Tropical Screech-owls that were roosting near the kitchen that Gonzalo found while exploring the surroundings.
Our next stop was the town of Rivera, from where we made a day trip to Lunarejo Valley for some good forest birds such as the Mottled Piculet, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet and Olivaceous Elaenia as well as many nesting water fowl. It was from here that we also visited the Cerro do Chapeu winery and birded both in Brazil and Uruguay as our van weaved its way between the two countries. A little marsh in the town of Rivera also produced many good sightings such as the Striped Cuckoo we saw well in the scope, Blue-and-Yellow Tanager, Large Elaenia and Long-tailed Reed-finch just to name a few.
We then crossed the country over two days, overnighting in Melo and birding our way through the heart of Uruguay picking up goodies such as Spectacled Tyrants, Warbling Doradito, Rosy-billed Pochard and Lake Ducks along the way, until we made it to the lovely town of Jose Ignacio.
Jose Ignacio is the perfect place to end a tour. This upscale beach community is central to many great birding areas and close to some outstanding wineries, and we used the three days we had to explore everything from the shoreline with lots of waders, tidal marshes and lakes where we found great birds like the Pinnated Bittern and Many-colored Rush-tyrant and the forested areas nearby, where we found Blue-billed Black-tyrant, Blue-and-Yellow Tanager and many others.
Uruguay has been good to us once again and we enjoyed great birding, excellent food and world class wines once again. Its low key vibe continues to dazzle those who visit it and I can hardly wait to come back again.
Thank you all for taking this journey with me and I look forward to seeing you again someday wherever the birding and the wines may take us in the future.
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)
GREATER RHEA (Rhea americana)
We started seeing these giant birds on our way north towards Rivera and they were a fairly common sight while we were in the north of the country.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
RED-WINGED TINAMOU (Rhynchotus rufescens)
SPOTTED NOTHURA (Nothura maculosa)
Gonzalo found our first one and we later saw several others.
Anhimidae (Screamers)
SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata)
Huge numbers of these birds at Estero Farrapos and later on some lovely views of the adults with chicks.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
Common and not so white-faced as they had very muddy heads.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor)
BLACK-NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)
Good views of these elegant birds at Laguna Rocha as we looked for some flamingos.
COSCOROBA SWAN (Coscoroba coscoroba)
A common species throughout the tour.
RINGED TEAL (Callonetta leucophrys)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis)
Seen almost every day on our tour.
SILVER TEAL (Spatula versicolor)
Another handsome duck that was seen regularly on our tour.
CHILOE WIGEON (Mareca sibilatrix)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (FLAVIROSTRIS) (Anas flavirostris flavirostris)
ROSY-BILLED POCHARD (Netta peposaca)
Great scope views along some of the lakes by the road on our way from Rivera to Melo.
LAKE DUCK (Oxyura vittata)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (Penelope obscura)
A brief view of some birds that were along the road at Valle Lunarejo
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa)
PICUI GROUND DOVE (Columbina picui)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)
We managed to bring one in for scope views in the town of Rivera.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
DARK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus melacoryphus)
We found this discreet species at Esteros de Farrapos. Always a tricky bird to see but we got pretty good looks at it.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda)
A bird roosting in the parking lot of an abandoned Duty Free shop in the town of Rivera allowed us to get pretty close to it.
SCISSOR-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis torquata)
Our driver Javier found one in the daytime for us at Estancia La Paz.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BLUE-TUFTED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster furcifer)
Cynthia spotted this one for us.
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
The most common species on our tour and we had great looks at them through the scope.
WHITE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucochloris albicollis)
Our local guide Gonzalo spotted this one for us.
GILDED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis chrysura)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
GIANT WOOD-RAIL (Aramides ypecaha)
The most common Wood-Rail on our route and one that we saw repeatedly.
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
Far less common than the Giant Wood-Rail but we had pretty good views of them on the road on our drive from Melo to Jose Ignacio.
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Porphyriops melanops)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
RED-GARTERED COOT (Fulica armillata)
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius)
We saw this minute crake on the Las Delicias Trail in Colonia de Sacramento.
RED-AND-WHITE CRAKE (Laterallus leucopyrrhus)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
We had good looks at them on the rocks near the lighthouse in Jose Ignacio.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (LAMPRONOTUS) (Vanellus chilensis lampronotus)
Seen every day on our tour.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (Calidris subruficollis)
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
PARAGUAYAN SNIPE (Gallinago paraguaiae)
A few sightings of this species that has been split and is now called Pantanal Snipe.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BROWN-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus maculipennis)
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN (Sterna hirundinacea)
SNOWY-CROWNED TERN (Sterna trudeaui)
SANDWICH TERN (CABOT'S) (Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus)
BLACK SKIMMER (INTERCEDENS) (Rynchops niger intercedens)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
PINNATED BITTERN (Botaurus pinnatus)
This was a great find on the last full day of our tour. We headed to Punta del Este and enjoyed scope views of one of these shy birds tucked into the reeds at Laguna Diario.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
Similar to the the Bare-faced Ibis but longer legged and with a shinier plumage.
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus)
Great scope views.
PLUMBEOUS IBIS (Theristicus caerulescens)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Seen on most days of the tour.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
The least common of the vultures on this tour and one that we only saw once in the north of the country.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni)
These elegant birds are relatively common in Uruguay and we even saw them in towns like Rivera, where we had excellent looks at one individual flying over the Cuñapiru wetlands.
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)
A single individual seen along the road to Melo.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (RUFOUS-THIGHED) (Accipiter striatus erythronemius)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
We spotted one individual along the edge of the river when we visited Estero Farrapos.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
Seen nicely perched on a high voltage electrical tower.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba)
Gonzalo found a pair of roosting birds right behind our lodge at Estacia La Paz.
LONG-TUFTED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops sanctaecatarinae)
After a lovely outdoor dinner we enjoyed a nice look at this species in the Lunarejo Valley.
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus cirratus)
MOTTLED PICULET (Picumnus nebulosus)
Excellent looks at Valle de Lunarejo.
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus)
A few sightings of these gregarious woodpeckers.
WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum)
Seen early in the morning at estancia La Paz before we headed north to Rivera.
WHITE-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates spilogaster)
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (GOLDEN-BREASTED) (Colaptes melanochloros melanolaimus)
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
The most common woodpecker on our tour route and one that we saw on most days of the tour.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
This species had been split into two species for many years and was recently lumped together again.
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
CHIMANGO CARACARA (Milvago chimango)
A common sight in Uruguay, especially along roads where they patrol for road kill.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
Seen almost every day on our tour.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus)
Very common and something of a pest for the local farmers, but they are native in Uruguay unlike many other places where they occur.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus ruficapillus)
Nice views at Colonia de Sacramento.
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
Seen in the forested areas of Valle de Lunarejo.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
SCIMITAR-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Drymornis bridgesii)
Beautiful looks at this odd woodcreeper at Estancia La Paz. Unlike many other woodcreepers this species does much of its foraging on the ground.
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
Very common but always interesting to see, with their neat clay nests up on trees, posts and houses.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)
CURVE-BILLED REEDHAUNTER (Limnornis curvirostris)
A quick visit to Bañado del Indio produced great views of this unique bird.
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) [*]
TUFTED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura platensis)
LITTLE THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus sibilatrix)
We made a special side trip for this species at San Javier and found the birds around a camp ground.
FRECKLE-BREASTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticollis)
Some good looks at this species around Rivera.
FIREWOOD-GATHERER (Anumbius annumbi)
LARK-LIKE BRUSHRUNNER (Coryphistera alaudina)
A nice looks at some nesting birds in San Javier.
STRAIGHT-BILLED REEDHAUNTER (Limnoctites rectirostris)
SULPHUR-BEARDED REEDHAUNTER (Limnoctites sulphuriferus)
Seen side by side with the Curve-billed Reedhaunter at Bañado del Indio.
STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia)
Seen right around the main square in Colonia and later on around our lodge at Estancia La Paz.
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus)
SPIX'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis spixi)
Heard several times on our tour but we only managed to lay eyes on it once.
SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis frontalis)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
GREEN-BACKED BECARD (Pachyramphus viridis)
Good looks at this good looking species in Valle de Lunarejo.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra)
It took a bit of work but we eventually managed to bring one out into view near Punta del Este.
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (Suiriri suiriri)
WARBLING DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris)
A roadside stop along the road from Melo to Jose Ignacio ended up producing some very good looks at this scarce little flycatcher.
SMALL-HEADED ELAENIA (Elaenia sordida)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA (Elaenia parvirostris)
This is the "standard" Elaenia on this tour and we saw them almost daily.
LARGE ELAENIA (Elaenia spectabilis)
We had seen this species last year at the same spot so we decided to try for it again and sure enough it is still hanging in there.
OLIVACEOUS ELAENIA (Elaenia mesoleuca)
SOOTY TYRANNULET (Serpophaga nigricans)
WHITE-CRESTED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga subcristata)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
CRESTED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus lophotes)
Nice looks at this flycatcher that closely resembles a Phainopepla, on our way to Cerro Chapeu winery.
BLUE-BILLED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus cyanirostris)
We found a femala around the Caracoles forest near our hotel in Jose ignacio.
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus)
Great looks at these striking birds along the road from Melo to Jose Ignacio.
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys)
WHITE MONJITA (Xolmis irupero)
In my opinion one of the most elegant flycatchers in the world and one that we saw almost every day on our tour.
GRAY MONJITA (Nengetus cinereus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE MONJITA (Heteroxolmis dominicana)
This is a very scarce species and it is almost always found together with Saffron-cowled Blackbirds. Nobody knows why these two species hang together but they seem to be inseparable.
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (SWAINSONI GROUP) (Myiarchus swainsoni swainsoni)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOUTHERN) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
CHIVI VIREO (MIGRATORY) (Vireo chivi chivi)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
We saw these colorful jays at Estero Farrapos after working for a while to see them.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (CYANOLEUCA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
SOUTHERN MARTIN (Progne elegans)
This species is quite scarce in Uruguay but there is a pair that has been nesting around Colonia de Sacramento for the past couple of years and we managed to relocate them.
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (FUSCA) (Progne tapera fusca)
WHITE-RUMPED SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucorrhoa)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola dumicola)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon bonariae)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
Cynthia and Sandy spotted this one for us and we never saw another one.
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
We watched as a thrush fed a young Cowbird tirelessly near the city walls at Colonia de Sacramento.
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens)
HELLMAYR'S PIPIT (Anthus hellmayri brasilianus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
One of the most common and widespread species in South America, but you should not overlook them as there are a total of 27 different subspecies. It's anyone's guess how many species we will end up with if someone ever decides to split them.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WHITE-BROWED MEADOWLARK (Leistes superciliaris)
Formerly known as White-browed Blackbird but the name was changed to White-browed Meadowlark to remove the misleading notion that this species is closely related to true blackbirds.
VARIABLE ORIOLE (CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED) (Icterus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus)
SCREAMING COWBIRD (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
SCARLET-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Amblyramphus holosericeus)
Stunning views of these gorgeous birds allowing us to even see their distinctive red trousers.
GRAYISH BAYWING (Agelaioides badius)
Formerly known as Baywing Cowbird.
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BLACKBIRD (Chrysomus ruficapillus)
SAFFRON-COWLED BLACKBIRD (Xanthopsar flavus)
Great looks at these scarce birds at Bañados del Indio. This species is declining due to habitat loss in all of its range.
YELLOW-RUMPED MARSHBIRD (Pseudoleistes guirahuro)
BROWN-AND-YELLOW MARSHBIRD (Pseudoleistes virescens)
First seen at Estero Farrapos and later on seen repeatedly towards the end of the tour.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)
This species is now called Southern Yellowthroat as it has been recently split.
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
Seen many times during our tour but the first one that we saw in the square at Colonia del Sacramento was definitely the one that I remember the most.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus)
WHITE-BROWED WARBLER (Myiothlypis leucoblephara)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
GLAUCOUS-BLUE GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea)
We first saw a female at Esteros De Farrapos but later found a few more around Jose Ignacio.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata)
A common species that has been introduced to many places but is native to Uruguay.
GRAY-THROATED WARBLING FINCH (Microspingus cabanisi)
DIADEMED TANAGER (Stephanophorus diadematus)
We had multiple looks at this handsome tanager.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (BLUE-AND-YELLOW) (Rauenia bonariensis bonariensis)
After some frustrating views we finally nailed this species at Rivera and later saw it again a few more times.
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
CHESTNUT-BACKED TANAGER (Stilpnia preciosa)
What to say about a bird that has precious in its name? We saw them both at rivera and later on at Caracol, near Jose Ignacio.
LONG-TAILED REED FINCH (Donacospiza albifrons)
Another great species that we saw at the Cuñapiru wetlands right in the middle of Rivera.
BLACK-AND-RUFOUS WARBLING FINCH (Poospiza nigrorufa)
SAFFRON FINCH (PELZELN'S) (Sicalis flaveola pelzelni)
Seen every day on our tour.
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (GRASSLAND) (Sicalis luteola luteiventris)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (EASTERN) (Embernagra platensis platensis)
This bird is named Embernagra platensis after the Plata River so nothing is more fitting than seeing this bird in Uruguay as the Plata river starts on the border of Uruguay and Argentina.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
MARSH SEEDEATER (Sporophila palustris)
This is a very scarce seedeater but we found a couple of birds at Bañado del indio and got pretty good looks at them.
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)
GREEN-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator similis)
Seen nicely at Lunarejo Valley.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris)
The prettiest of the saltators in my opinion, and one that we saw very well at Estancia La Paz.
MAMMALS
NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO (Dasypus novemcinctus)
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus) [I]
NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus)
PAMPAS FOX (Pseudalopex gymnocercus)
Cynthia spotted one for us on the last day of our tour.
SOUTHERN RIVER OTTER (Lontra provocax)
BROWN BROCKET DEER (Mazama gouazoubira)
HERPS
BLACK-AND-WHITE TEGU (Tupinambis merianae)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Winery – Wine – Grape Vintage
Artesana – Tannat Rosado – Tannat 2021 Rosé
Artesana – Reserva – Tannat/Zinfandendel 2020
Artesana – Reserva – Chardonnay/Petit Manseng 2021
Artesana – Reserva – Tannat/Zinfandendel/Merlot (limited edition) 2020
Artesana – Reserva – Cabernet Fanc/Merlot 2020
Familia Deicas – Castelar Brut Reserve – Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier No vintage
Familia Deicas – Atlantico Sur – Albariño 2022
Bouza – Viñedo Pan de Azucar – Pinot Noir 2019
Almacen de la Capilla – Vino Blanco – Chardonnay 2021 White
Almacen de la Capilla ¬– Vino Rosado – Moscatel de Hamburgo 2019 Rose
Almacen de la Capilla ¬– Vino Rosado – Tannat 2020 Rose
Almacen de la Capilla -5ta Generacion – Syrah 2021 Red
Almacen de la Capilla -Entre Viñas – Moscatel de Hamburgo/Chardonnay 2021 Rose
Pisano – RPF – Chardonnay 2020 White
Bertolini & Broglio – Tannat Exotico Senza Crianza – Tannat 2022 Red
Ariano – Del Colorado – Petit Gain Muscat 2020 White
Ariano – Don Adelio – Chardonnay 2021 White
Bertolini & Broglio – Tannat Exotico Ultra Premium – Tannat 2020 Red
Narbona – Sauvignon Blanc 2017 White
Narbona – Luz de Luna – Tannat 2017 Red
Familia Traversa – Traversa – Chardonnay 2020 White
Castel Pujol – Altos – Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Red
Gimenez Mendez – Alta Reserva – Touriga Nacional 2020 Red
Bodega Garzon – Sauvingon Blanc de Corte – Sauvignon Blanc 2021 White
Castel Pujol – Altos – Chardonnay 2021 White
Cerro Chapeu – Reserva – Pinot Noir 2021 Red
Cerro Chapeu – Reserva – Tannat 2020 Red
Cerro Chapeu – Batovi – Tannat 2017 Red
Cerro Chapeu – Sur Lie Reserva – Sauvignon Blanc 2021 White
Don Pascual – Crianza en Roble – Tannat 2021
Don Pascual – Varietal – Chardonnay 2021 White
Bouza – Cocó – Chardonnay/Albariño White
Bouza - Viñedo Pan de Azucar – Riesling 2013 White
Familia Deicas – Single Vineyard – Chardonnay 2021 White
Sacromonte – Seis Cepas - Tannat/Cab.Sauvignon/Cab.Franc/Merlot/Syrah/Marselan 2020 Red
Gimenez Mendez – Alta Reserva – Chardonnay 2021 White
Sierra Oriental – Reserva – Sauvignon Blanc 2020 White
Sierra Oriental – Gran Reserva – Pinot Grigio 2020 White
Compañia Uruguaya de Vinos de Mar – Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir 2021
Favretto Dragone – Dragone – Viognier 2021 White
Favretto Dragone – Dragone – Tannat 2020 Red
Bodega Garzon – Brut Nature Rose – Sparkling
Bodega Garzon – Reserva –Albariño 2022 White
Bodega Garzon – Reserva – Pinot Noir 2022 Rosé
Bodega Garzon – Reserva – Marselan 2020 Red
Bodega Garzon – Reserva – Tannat 2020 Red
Bodega Garzon – Extra Brut – Sparkling
Bodega Garzon – Single Vineyard – Albariño 2021 White
Bodega Garzon – Single Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2018 Red
Bouza – Monte Vide El – Tannat/Merlot/Tempranillo 2020 Red
Totals for the tour: 221 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa