The magnificent Andean Condor by Dubi Shapiro.
- Andean Condors, three species of flamingos and Vicunas in the spectacular high Andes
- And Lesser Rhea, Burrowing Parrot, Red-tailed Comet and Spectacled Tyrant
- As well as many other specialities including Black-legged Seriema and Rufous-throated Dipper
- From the dry chaco of the lowlands up through cloud forests to the altiplano of the high Andes
- This account deals with the Salta area in the northwest where in order to see some birds it is necessary to travel up to 4500 m (14,800 ft) hence it is wise to acclimatise by birding for a few days below 3000 m (10,000 ft).
- Not far east is Copo National Park where Brushland and Quebracho Crested Tinamous, Black-legged Seriema, Crested Gallito and Olive-crowned Crescentchest, as well as Southern Tamandua occur. Farther east is Chaco National Park, a good place for Black-bodied and Cream-backed Woodpeckers, and Great Rufous Woodcreeper. To the east of there are the Ibera Marshes and Argentina's 'Pantanal' around Colonia Carlos Pellegrini which supports many waterbirds including Giant Wood-rail and other birds such as Ochre-breasted Pipit, Black-and-white Monjita, Bearded Tachuri, Strange-tailed Tyrant and Yellow Cardinal.
- And in the far northeast is the province of Misiones where Helmeted Woodpecker, as well as Tawny-browed Owl, and Long-trained and Silky-tailed Nightjars occur in the San Pedro area including Cruce Caballero Provincial Park, and Black-fronted Piping-guan, Great Dusky Swift and Black Jacobin in Uruguai Provincial Park. On the border with Brazil is Iguassu Falls where around the world’s most impressive waterfall it is possible to see Black-throated Piping-guan, Great Dusky Swift, Black Jacobin, Toco Toucan, Spot-billed Toucanet, Blond-crested Woodpecker, White-bearded Manakin (at lek on the Macuca Trail) and Plush-crested Jay, as well as maybe even Slaty-breasted Wood-rail and Red-ruffed Fruitcrow.
- South of Misiones and Corrientes provinces is Entre Rios Province, north of Buenos Aires, where there is a huge area of wet flatlands which support numerous waterbirds including Southern Screamer, Bare-faced Ibis and Maguari Stork, as well as Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Diademed Tanager and rarely seen seedeaters such as Tawny-bellied.
- South from Tucuman toward Cordoba the dry Chaco supports Spot-winged Falconet, Black-legged Seriema, Chaco Earthcreeper and Crested Gallito, with Salinas Monjita at Salinas Grandes. The Laguna Mar Chiquita, near Miramar, once a wintering ground of the extinct Eskimo Curlew, is often full of waterbirds and also a good place for Lark-like Brushrunner, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Crested and Dinelli's Doraditos, and Many-coloured Chaco-finch. To the west of Miramar is the Pampa de Achala in the Sierra de los Comechingones where Olrog’s Cinclodes, Cordoba Canastero and Black-crowned Monjita occur, and Icho Cruz is in a good area for the endemic Cinnamon Warbling-finch.
- Visitors with plenty of time may wish to combine Northern Argentina with Southern Argentina where it is possible to see Killer Whales hunting sealion pups on the beaches, Southern Right Whales, Southern Elephant Seals and Southern Sealions, up to a million Magellanic Penguins at their largest rookery in the world, and the rare Hooded Grebe.
Best Birds and other wildlife in Northern Argentina
Birds
Endemics 8 (out of 17)
Of Argentina’s 17 endemics eight occur in this region; Moreno's (Bare-eyed) Ground-dove, Steinbach’s Canastero, White-throated Cachalote, Sandy
Gallito, White-browed Tapaculo, Yellow-striped Brush-finch, Tucuman Mountain-finch (also a few records from Bolivia) and Monte Yellow-finch.
(The country's other endemics are White-headed Steamerduck, Hooded Grebe (also recorded in Chile), Cordoba and Olrog's Cinclodes, Patagonian Canastero, Rusty-backed (also recorded in Brazil and Chile) and Salinas Monjitas, Carbon(ated) Sierra-finch and Cinnamon Warbling-finch)
Near-endemics
Argentina and Bolivia 29 Huayco Tinamou, Red-faced Guan, Yungas (Large-tailed) Dove, Rothschild’s Swift, Red-tailed Comet, Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Blue-capped Puffleg, Slender-tailed Woodstar, Yungas Screech-owl, Dot-fronted Woodpecker, Tucuman Amazon, Zimmer’s Tapaculo, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Brown-capped Tit-spinetail, Spot-breasted Thornbird, Creamy-breasted Canastero, Maquis Canastero, Rufous-throated Dipper, Brown-backed Mockingbird, Stripe-crowned (Saffron-billed) Sparrow, Fulvous-headed Brush-finch, Brown-capped Whitestart, Bolivian Warbling-finch, Black-and-chestnut Warbling-finch, Rufous-sided Warbling-finch, Rusty-browed Warbling-finch, Citron-headed Yellow-finch, Rufous-bellied Mountain-tanager and Grey-crested Finch.
Argentina and Paraguay 4 Quebracho Crested Tinamou, Tucuman (Ferruginous) Pygmy-owl, Strange-tailed Tyrant and Pampas Pipit.
Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay 8 Chaco Owl, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Black-legged Seriema, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Crested Gallito, Stripe-capped Sparrow, Black-breasted (Ringed) Warbling-finch and Black-crested Finch.
Argentina, Bolivia and Peru 13 Ocellated Piculet, White-throated Antpitta, Tawny Tit-spinetail, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Rufous-webbed Bush-tyrant, Andean Swallow, White-browed Brush-finch, Pale-legged Warbler, Two-banded Warbler, Rust-and-yellow Tanager and Short-tailed Finch.
Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile 12 Andean and Puna (James's) Flamingos, Giant Coot, Andean Avocet, Diademed Sandpiper Plover, Puna Plover, Andean Hillstar, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, Rufous-naped Ground-tyrant, Black Siskin, Puna Yellow-finch and Black-hooded Sierra-finch.
Argentina, Bolivia and Chile 6 Elegant Crested Tinamou, White-sided Hillstar, Horned Coot, Rock Earthcreeper, Sombre (Chiguanco) Thrush and Red-backed Sierra-finch.
Other specialities
Chilean Flamingo, Black-legged and Red-legged Seriemas, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Burrowing Parrot, Chaco (Spot-backed) Puffbird, Cream-backed and
White-fronted Woodpeckers, Giant Antshrike and White-tipped Plantcutter. Also a chance of Toco Toucan, Great Rufous and Scimitar-billed Woodcreepers,
and White-throated Antpitta.
Others
Lesser (Puna) Rhea, tinamous, Andean Goose, Torrent Duck and other ducks, Great Grebe, Buff-necked Ibis, Andean Condor, (American) Swallow-tailed Kite,
Variable Hawk, Mountain Caracara, Aplomado Falcon, Plumbeous Rail, coots, shorebirds, Andean Gull, ground-doves, Yellow-collared Macaw, parakeets, Squirrel
Cuckoo, Burrowing Owl, Andean Swift, Giant Hummingbird, Blue-crowned Trogon, woodpeckers, miners, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, spinetails including
Ochre-cheeked, Variable Antshrike, Black-capped Antwren, many tyrant flycatchers including Plumbeous and Spectacled Tyrants, White Monjita, Greater
Wagtail-tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-flycatcher, and Black-billed and Grey-bellied Shrike-tyrants, Crested Becard, Yellowish Pipit, Orange-headed Tanager,
sierra-finches, warbling-finches, yellow-finches and Golden-winged Cacique.
Mammals
Vicuna, Mountain Vizcacha, Collared Peccary, Red Brocket Deer and Tawny Tuco-tuco. Also a chance of Brazilian Tapir,
Geoffroy's Cat, Brown Capuchin Monkey, Guanaco, Crab-eating Fox and Crab-eating Raccoon.
Plants
A great variety of cacti, including epiphytic ones hanging from trees, most of which usually flower in late
October-early November.
Other Natural Wonders of Northern Argentina
Humahuaca Valley The colourful rock faces known as the ‘Painter’s Palette’ are one of the highlights of this impressive high-altitude valley.
Best Sites for Birds and other wildlife in Northern Argentina
- Salta Area Red-legged Seriema and Rock Earthcreeper.
- Los Cardones NP Elegant Crested Tinamou, Red-tailed Comet, Steinbach's Canastero and a chance of Guanaco.
- Yala Valley Torrent Duck, Dusky-legged and Red-faced Guans, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Red-tailed Comet and Rufous-throated Dipper.
- Humahuaca Valley Bare-faced Ground-dove and Black-hooded Sierra-finch.
- Lago de los Pozuelos NM (3658 m (12,000 ft)) Lesser (Puna) Rhea, Ornate Tinamou, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Andean, Chilean and Puna Flamingos, Mountain Caracara, Vicuna and Tawny Tuco-tuco. Also a chance of Giant Coot, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, Andean Avocet and Grey-breasted Seedsnipe.
- Lagunilla A chance of Giant and Horned Coots.
- Sierra de Santa Victoria, La Quiaca (a pass at 4500 m (14,700 ft)) Red-backed Sierra-finch.
- Yavi Bare-faced Ground-dove, Red-backed Sierra-finch and Citron-headed Yellow-finch. Also a chance of Wedge-tailed Hillstar.
- Calilegua NP Yellow-collared Macaw, Alder Parrot, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Giant Antshrike, Plumbeous Tyrant and Ochre-faced Tody-flycatcher. Also a chance of Tataupa Tinamou, Blue-capped Puffleg and White-throated Antpitta, as well as Geoffroy's Cat, Brown Capuchin, Crab-eating Fox and Crab-eating Raccoon.
- El Rey NP Collared Peccary and Red Brocket Deer. Also a chance of Brazilian Tapir.
- Palomitas Black-legged Seriema and Spot-backed Puffbird.
- JV Gonzalez Crested Gallito, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper and Olive-crowned Crescentchest.
- Salta to Cachi (Cuesta del Obispo) Maquis Canastero, Sandy Gallito and White-throated Cachalote.
- Chicoana Valley, Cachi Red-tailed Comet.
- Cafayate to Tafi White-fronted Woodpecker and Steinbach’s Canastero.
- Tafi to El Infiernillo (Tucuman) Bare-eyed Ground-dove.
- El Infiernillo (Tucuman) Buff-breasted Earthcreeper and Tucuman Mountain-finch.
- Rio Sosa Rufous-throated Dipper, White-browed Tapaculo and Yellow-striped Brush-finch.
Best Times for Birds and other wildlife in Northern Argentina
Mid-October to mid-December, the southern spring, is the best time for birds. The best time to see the widest variety of cacti in flower is usually late October-early November.
Recommended Bird Books etc. for Northern Argentina
Birds of Argentina by M Pearman (Two volumes). Helm, 2021.
Birds of Argentina and Uruguay: A Field Guide by T Narosky and D Yzurieta. Vazquez Mazzini Editores SLR, 2003.
Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica by M R de la Pena and M Rumboll. Collins, 1998.
Birds of South America: Non-Passerines by J R Roderiguez Mata et al. Harper Collins, 2006.
Birds of South America: Passerines by R S Ridgely and G Tudor. University of Texas Press/Helm, 2009 (Updated paperback edition of books listed next with 400 more illustrations).
The Birds of South America: Passerines by R S Ridgely and G Tudor. University of Texas Press, 1989 and 1994 (Two volumes).
Mammals of South America by R D Lord. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007.
Where to watch birds in South America by N Wheatley. Helm, 1994.
Don’t know which country/countries to visit in South America? Then it may be worth considering taking a look at this book, written by this website’s author. It is many years old of course but it still provides a starting point, an overview and a guiding light to the best birds and the best places to look for them on the continent, and could save hours of searching for similar information on the internet. However, it is important to check more up-to-date sources for sites which have been opened up, sites and species which have been discovered, lodges that have been built etc. since the book was published.
Birding and Wildlife Trip Reports for Northern Argentina
Many trip reports, some for Northern Argentina, are posted on the websites listed here. On some of these websites some reports are independent and some are posted by tour companies who organize tours to Northern Argentina. These tour companies and others also post their own reports on their websites, which are listed under 'Some Organized Tours to Northern Argentina' below.
- The best website for trip reports is CloudBirders
- but these are also worth a look
- Birdtours
- Fatbirder
- Jon Hornbuckle
- Mammal Watching
Local bird and wildlife guides in Northern Argentina
The costs of organized tours partly reflect the quality of the tour leaders. Some leaders are certainly better than others and many companies claim their leaders are the best but even the best rely at least to some extent on the exceptional skills of the local guides they employ. If you are travelling independently, employing such local guides will greatly increase your chances of seeing the wildlife you wish to see.
- For visitors with time to spare in the Buenos Aires area
- Buenos Aires Birding
Accommodation for birders in Northern Argentina
Some Organized Tours for birds and other wildlife to Northern Argentina
There are many tour companies who organize tours to see mammals, birds, other wildlife and other natural wonders. The cost of these tours vary considerably according to such variables as the airlines used, the number of days the tours last, the number of sites visited, the number of people in the group (an important consideration if you wish to see such wildlife as rainforest mammals and birds), the number of tour leaders, the standard of accommodation and transport, and the percentage profit the company hopes to make. Generally, where the number of days tours last and the number of sites visited are similar, the cheapest tours are those that use the cheapest airlines, accommodation and local transport, that have the largest groups with the least number of leaders, and that make the least amount of profit. The most expensive tours tend to be those which are exceptionally long, use the most expensive accommodation (ridiculously lavish in some cases, even for single nights) and which make the most profit. Some tour costs partly reflect the quality of the tour leaders. Some leaders are certainly better than others and many companies claim their leaders are the best but even the best rely at least to some extent on the exceptional skills of the local guides they employ.
While tour companies organize tours with set itineraries many also organize custom tours for individuals and private groups who instead of taking a tour with a set itinerary want to follow their own itinerary to suit their own personal tastes, whether it be mammals, birds, other wildlife, other natural wonders or even man-made attractions, or a mixture of them all. Many organized tours with set itineraries are also fast-paced and target as many species as possible, whether they are mammals, birds or other wildlife or everything, which usually leaves little time to enjoy the best sites and individual species, but on a custom tour those taking part can specify the pace and the sites and species they wish to concentrate on. Custom tours also suit people who like to travel with people they already know, rather than with a group of strangers, and people with partners with different interests. Individuals and small groups will almost certainly have to pay more than the price of an organized tour with a set itinerary but a large group of friends may be able to travel for less than the price quoted for a set tour.
Tour companies who run organized tours or can arrange custom tours to Northern Argentina include the following.
