ARGENTINA
(Part 1)
(Part 1)
11TH FEBRUARY TO 4TH MARCH, 1995
DAVID & JOHN COOPER
Itinerary
11/2/95 : Arrived Buenos Aires, hired a car and drove to San Clemente birding roadside lagoons. Slept in car as hotels in the area were very expensive.
12/2/95 : Punta Rasa marsh, wood and beach area. In afternoon visited Campo del Tuyu Reserve. Slept in car again.
Abra Pampa marsh
13/2/95 : Attalaya area then drove back to Buenos Aires for afternoon flight to Salta where we hired another car.
14/2/95 : Yala River and Yala National Park all morning and then drove to Humahuaca with frequent roadside stops.
Yala River
Four views taken on the drive to Humahaca
15/2/95 : Drove from Humahuaca to Abra Pampa with long birding stops in suitable areas. Birded the Abra Pampa marsh before driving to Lago Pozelos where we spent the late afternoon and evening birding.
Early morning at Humahaca.
Drive to Abra Pampa
16/2/95 : All morning at Laguna Larga, afternoon drive to Libertador San Martin.
Laguna Larga National Park sign
Four views taken in the Laguna Larga National Park
Alpine flower in the Laguna Larga National Park.
17/2/95 : All day Calilegua National Park.
Three views taken inside the Calilegua National Park.
18/2/95 : Calilegua National Park entrance road during morning then drive to Palomites where we spent the afternoon and evening birding in the chaco habitat.
19/2/95 : Early morning spent birding the Palomites chaco then drove to Joaquin V. Gonzalez birding the chaco there late afternoon and evening.
Chaco habitat at J.V.G.
20/2/95 : All day birding in the chaco at J.V.G.
21/2/95 : Early morning birding the chaco near J.V.G. then drove to Tafi del Valle birding along the river between Tucuman and Tafi del Valle.
The Gully at Tafi del Valle
22/2/95 : Tafi del Valle birding both sides of the town with afternoon drive to Cafayate with birding stops
enroute.
Drive to Cafayate
Cafayate area
View from Cafayate looking towards the snow-capped Andes.
23/2/95 : Birded sandy area close to Cafayate, drove through the Andes stopping several times towards Salta and on to San Lorenzo.
Two views of the sandy desert at Cafayate.
Poppies growing in the sandy desert.
Three views of the Condor Valley near Cafayate
Drive from Cafayate towards the Andes.
24/2/95 : Birded San Lorenzo Yunga Forest before late afternoon drive back to Salta.
25/2/95 : Flight from Salta to Buenos Aires and then from Buenos Aires to Iguazu.
Flying into Iguazu with the rainforest below.
26/2/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
The river leading to the Iguazu waterfalls.
The Spectacular Iguazu waterfalls.
Flowers in the National Park.
27/2/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
28/2/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
1/3/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
2/3/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
3/2/95 : All day Iguazu National Park.
4/2/95 : Flight to Buenos Aires, birded the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve before our flight back to London.
Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, Buenos Aires
Systematic List
Greater Rhea - Rhea americana albescens C
A party of 9 were seen feeding in fields on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th. Listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Brown Tinamou - Crypturellus obsoletus obsoletus C
Superb views of a single bird walking out in the open down to 10 yards range along the Sendero Macuso trail at Iguazu National Park on the 1st.
Darwin's Nothura (Tinamou) - Nothura darwinii C
A single bird was flushed on the walk back from Laguna Larga on the 16th which was immediately taken by an Aplomado Falcon. We were able to obtain the Tinamou for full identification purposes and photographed it before returning it to the Falcon which quickly made off with its kill. The outer web of the primaries lacked the distinctive white spotting which was so obvious on the outer primaries.
Darwin's Nothura at Laguna Larga - We unfortunately flushed this individual and
it was immediately taken by an Aplomado Falcon which had been following us
for some time, no doubt hoping we would flush a bird.
Aplomado Falcon which took the Darwin's Nothura.
Quebracho Crested-Tinamou - Eudromia formosa formosa C
Two were briefly seen on the ground before they took flight in the chaco at JVG on the 20th. They were seen along the second track leading through the chaco.
White-tufted Grebe - Podiceps rolland chilensis C
Around 40 were present on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 10 were seen on a lagoon at Punta Rasa marsh on the 12th. Around 50 were present at Costanera Sur Reserve on the 4th.
White Tufted Grebe on roadside pools near San Clemente
A single bird was seen on roadside lagoons on the 11th and 2 were seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Great Grebe - Podiceps major major C
Four were seen on the roadside lagoons on the 11th and 2 were seen at Punta Rasa marsh lagoon on the 12th. A single bird was seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga anhinga C
Three were seen along the river at Iguazu on the 27th and 2 on the 2nd.
Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus C
Small numbers on seven dates with a maximum of 10 seen on both the 11th and 12th.
Cocoi (White-necked) Heron - Ardea cocoi C
Five were seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th with 4 at Attalaya on the 13th. One at Tafi del Valle on the 22nd and 3 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Juvenile Cocoi Heron at Costanera Sur
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrsoma lineatum C
A single bird was seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th. It was seen in exactly the same area as a bird we had seen there two years earlier.
Whistling Heron - Syrigma sibilatrix sibilatrix C
Seen on 7 dates with a daily maximum of 20 on the 12th in the Punta Rasa and Campo del Tuyu area.
Whistling Herons at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta C
Seen on 6 dates with a maximum of 20 on the 12th.
Great White Egret with Snowy Egret and Black-necked Swans.
Snowy Egret - Egretta thula brewsteri C
Seen on 8 dates with a maximum of 150 on the 12th.
Cattle Egret - Bulbulcus ibis ibis C
Seen on 4 dates with a maximum of 500 being seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th.
Little Blue Heron - Florida caerulea C
An intermediate morph was seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax obscurus C
Small numbers on 7 dates with a maximum of 15 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Striated Heron - Buteroides striatus striatus C
Singles were seen at the river on the drive to Tafi del Valle on the 21st and at Iguazu on the 26th and 28th.
Wood Stork - Mycteria americana C
A single bird seen soaring over the Andes near Cafayate on the 23rd.
Maguari Stork - Euxenura maguari C
7 seen in fields on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 6 on the 12th. A single bird was seen over Calilegua NP and 2 in flight near Palomites on the 19th.
Buff-necked Ibis - Theristicus caudatus hyperorius C
A pair of Maguari Storks near San Clemente
12 seen in a ploughed field in the middle of the chaco at Palomites on the 18th.
Green Ibis - Mesembrinibis cayennensis C
5 seen at the camp site at Iguazu on the 2nd.
Bare-faced Ibis - Phimosus infuscatus infuscatus C
8 seen at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th, and 10 on the drive to Attalaya on the 13th and 15 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Bare Faced Ibis at Campo del Tuyu
Puna Ibis - Plegadis ridgwayi C
10 seen at Abra Pampa on the 15th and 25 near Humahuaca on the 16th.
Puna Ibis’s at Abra Pampa marsh
White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C
80 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th, 20 at Punta Rasa on the 12th and 10 seen near Attalaya on the 13th.
Roseate Spoonbill - Ajaja ajaja C
2 seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th with 8 at seen Campo del Tuyu on the 12th. Five seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Roseate Spoonbill at Costanera Sur
Chilean Flamingo - Phoenicopterus chilensis C
25 feeding at low tide on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th with 1 at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th. At least 700 were feeding at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th with probably many more in the heat haze.
Chilean Flamingoes at Punta Rasa.
All three species of Flamingos in the heat haze at Lago Pozuelos
Andean Flamingo - Phoenicoparrus andinus C
15 at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th and at least 700 with probably many more at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th. Listed as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994).
Puna Flamingo - Phoenicoparrus jamesi C
At least 100 were seen at Largo Pozelos on the 15th. Listed as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994).
Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata C
20 seen on both drives on the 11th and 12th with a further 6 on the 13th. Also 6 present at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Southern Screamers at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve
Comb Duck - Sarkidiornis melanotos sylvicola C
2 flew into a flooded field near JVG on the 21st.
White-faced Tree Duck - Dendrocygna viduata C
20 seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th.
Coscoroba Swan - Coscoroba coscoroba C
10 seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th with 100 chiefly at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th, 5 near Attalaya on the 13th and 30 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Coscoroba Swans on roadside pools near San Clemente
Coscoroba Swan at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Black-necked Swan - Cygnus melancoryphus C
50 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th with 350 chiefly at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th and 200 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Andean Goose - Chloephaga melanoptera C
Black-necked Swans at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
20 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 40 at Laguna Larga on the 16th
Andean Geese at Laguna Larga
Crested Duck - Lophonetta specularoides alticola C
100 seen at Lago Pozuelos and 10 at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th and 30 at Laguna Larga on the 16th.
Crested Duck at Laguna Larga
Chiloe Wigeon - Anas sibilatrix C
50 were seen on a roadside lagoon near Campo del Tuyu on the 12th.
Yellow-billed Pintail - Anas georgica spinicauda C
Seen on 7 dates with a maximum of 40 seen on the 11th and 22nd
Yellow Billed Pintails at Abra Pampa
Yellow-billed Pintail at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Speckled Teal - Anas flavirostris C
Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 12th and 15th.
Speckled Teal at Abra Pampa
Red Shoveler - Anas platalea C
15 seen on roadside pools on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th with 10 at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th and 20 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera cyanoptera C
2 seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th and 1 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Puna Teal - Anas puna C
8 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th.
Silver Teal - Anas versicolor C
10 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 12 seen at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th. 5 seen on the drive to Attalaya on the 13th and 20 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Torrent Duck - Mergaetta armata berlepschi C
A female was seen on the river below Tafi del Valle on the 22nd.
Rosy-billed Pochard - Netta peposaca C
40 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th with just 2 at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th and 1 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Brazilian Duck - Amazonetta brasiliensis ipecutiri C
A single bird was seen both in flight and swimming on a roadside lagoon on the 11th.
Black-headed Duck - Heteronetta atricapilla C
5 were seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th. Listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Lake Duck - Oxyura vittata C
4 seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 1 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Drake Lake Duck on roadside pool near San Clemente
Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus C
2 seen over Yala NP on the 14th and an amazing 70 including 40 in the air together on the spectacular drive through the Andes from Cafayate to Salta on the 23rd. Some birds passed low over our heads allowing good photographs to be obtained.
Juvenile Andean Condor
Adult Andean Condors between Cafayate and Salta.
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura C
Small numbers seen on 14 dates with a daily maximum of 10. Not seen on the coast.
Turkey Vulture in the Calilegua National Park.
Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus brasiliensis C
Seen on 14 dates in good numbers but not seen on the coast. Daily maximum of 250.
King Vulture - Sarcoramphus papa C
2 seen soaring with other Vultures at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
King Vulture soaring over Calilegua National Park.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle - Geranoaetus melanoleucus australis C
1 seen on the drive to Humahuaca on the 14th and 2 seen on the drive through the Andes at Cafayate on the 23rd.
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle - Spizastur melanoleucus C
Three of these attractive Eagles were seen well at Calilegua NP on the 17th. This species is listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Swallow-tailed Kite - Elanoides forficatus yetapa C
9 were seen over forest below Tafi del Valle on 21st with 1 seen on the 27th and 6 at Iguazu on the 28th.
White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus leucurus C
3 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th, 2 near Attalaya on the 13th and 1 at San Lorenzo on the 23rd and the 24th.
Plumbeous Kite - Ictinia plumbea C
1 at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Harris's Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus unicinctus C
4 seen on the drive to JVG on the 19th.
Snail Kite - Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis C
1 seen near Attalaya on the 13th and 1 seen near Tucuman on the 21st.
Long-winged Harrier - Circus buffoni C
5 seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 8 seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Cinereous Harrier - Circus cinereus C
Single males seen near Campo del Tuyu on the 12th and at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th.
Male Cinereous Harrier at Campo del Tuyu
Bicolored Hawk - Accipiter bicolor guttifer C
An adult showed well in flight at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Rufous-thighed Hawk - Accipiter erythronemius C
1 along the Yala River on the 14th, 1 at Palomites on the 19th and 1 at JVG on the 20th.
Roadside Hawk - Buteo magnirostris C
Seen on 11 dates with a daily maximum of 4.
Juvenile Roadside Hawk near Punta Rasa marsh.
Adult Roadside Hawk near Calilegua National Park
White-tailed Hawk - Buteo albicaudatus albicaudatus C
1 seen on the 15th on the drive from Humahuaca and 2 in the same area on the 16th.
Variable (Red-backed) Hawk - Buteo polysoma polyosoma C
1 seen at Calilegua NP on the 17th and 2 seen at Tafi del Valle on the 22nd.
Variable Hawk at Tafi del Valle
Solitary Eagle - Harpyhaliaetus solitarius solitarius C
An adult was seen alongside a Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle which it dwarfed at the high section of Calilegua NP on the 17th. Listed as Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Savanna Hawk - Heterospizias meridionalis C
Up to 2 were seen on three dates near JVG.
Mountain Caracara - Polyborus megalopterus C
15 seen near Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 8 in the same area on the 16th.
Mountain Caracara at Lago Puzuelos
Crested Caracara - Polyborus plancus plancus C
Seen on 14 dates with a daily maximum of 50. Only 1 individual seen at Iguazu NP.
Crested Caracara at Palomites
Chimango Caracara - Milvago chimango chimango/temucoensis C
Seen on 8 dates proving very common on the coastal strip with 150 seen on the 11th. Not seen at Iguazu.
Yellow-headed Caracara - Milvago chimachima chimachima C
1 immature seen on the edge of the camp site at Iguazu NP on the 2nd.
Peregrine - Falco peregrinus cassini C
An adult was seen on a cliff-face along the entrance road to Calilegua NP on the 18th.
Aplomado Falcon - Falco femoralis pichinchae C
1 seen near Abra Pampa on the 15th and 2 seen at Laguna Larga on the 16th including the individual that took the Darwin's Tinamou. Singles seen in the chaco at Palomites on the 18th and 19th and 2 seen in chaco near JVG on the 20th and 21st.
Aplomado Falcon at Laguna Larga
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius cinnamonimus C
Seen on 14 dates with a daily maximum of 20 being seen on the 14th.
Chaco Chachalaca - Ortalis canicollis canicollis C
3 seen in chaco at JVG on the 20th and 6 seen along the road in chaco near JVG on the 21st.
A distant Chaco Chachalaca in the chaco at JVG
Dusky-legged Guan - Penelope obscura bridgesi C
1 seen briefly along the Yala River on the 14th while 10 allowed prolonged views at Calilegua NP on the 17th with 4 also seen there on the 18th.
A distant Dusky Legged Guan at Calilegua National Park.
Limpkin - Aramus guarauna guarauna C
Small numbers seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Attalaya on the 13th. All seen along coastal strip except 2 along the river near Tucuman on the 21st.
Limpkin at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail - Aramides saracura C
A single bird walked along a forest trail near the camp site at Iguazu NP on the 27th and a second individual spent 10 minutes in the open sunning itself and stretching its wings on the same trail on the 2nd.
Plumbeous Rail - Rallus sanguinolentus C
1 seen on a roadside lagoon on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th, 4 seen at Punta Rasa marsh on the 12th, 1 seen in a small marsh on the drive through the Andes near Cafayate on the 23rd and 3 seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Giant Coot - Fulica gigantean C
2 were seen with Andean Coot at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th with probably more in the haze and 4 were seen well at Laguna Larga on the 16th.
Andean Coot - Fulica ardesiaca C
70 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th with several at the Abra Pampa marsh the same day. 30 seen at Laguna Larga on 16th.
Red-gartered Coot - Fulica armillata C
10 at Campo del Tuyu on 12th and 100+ at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Red Gartered Coot at Campo del Tuyu.
Red Gartered Coots at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
White-winged Coot - Fulica leucoptera C
At least 200 seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 100 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Red-fronted Coot - Fulica rufifrons C
30+ seen on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th were the only ones identified.
Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus garmani / galeata C
1 garmani seen near Cafayate on the 23rd and 100 galeata seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
American Purple Gallinule - Porphyrula martinica C
3 (including 2 immatures) were seen at the marsh at Iguazu NP on 3 dates.
Wattled Jacana - Jacana jacana jacana C
1 seen near Punta Rasa on the 12th and 5 seen on a river close to Attalaya on the 13th. 40 seen at Costanera Sur Reserve on the 4th.
Wattled Jacana at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve
South American Painted Snipe - Nycticryphes semicollaris C
6 of these superb birds were seen extremely well (including 1 on the ground) at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th. One of the highlights of the trip.
South American Painted Snipe at Campo del Tuyu
American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus palliatus C
25 resting on a beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
American Oystercatchers on Punta Rasa beach
Andean Avocet - Recurvirostra andina C
1 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 2 posing for the camera at Abra Pampa marsh on the 16th.
Andean Avocets at Abra Pampa marsh
Andean Avocet at Lago Pozuelos
White-backed Stilt - Himantopus melanurus C
Seen on 8 dates in suitable areas with daily maximum of 40 seen on both the 15th and the 4th.
Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis C
Seen on 16 dates including a pair ever-present in the car park at Iguazu NP. Daily maximum recorded was 300 on 13th.
Southern Lapwing near San Clementine
Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens C
20 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 8 at Laguna Larga the next day.
Andean Lapwing at Lago Pozuelos
Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C
4 were seen Punta Rasa on the 12th.
American Golden Plover - Pluvialis dominica C
1 seen along the roadside near San Clemente on the 11th and 20 at Punta Rasa marsh on the 12th and 5 at the Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th.
American Golden Plover at Punta Rasa marsh
Two-banded Plover - Charadrius falklandicus C
10 were watched feeding on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Puna Plover - Charadrius alticola C
Two-banded Plover at Punta Rasa
40 were seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th.
Puna Plover at Lago Pozuelos
Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C
6 were seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th, 1 seen near Attalaya on the 13th and 15 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th.
Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes C
4 were seen on roadside lagoons on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th, 10 were seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th, 20 were seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and finally 20 were seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Turnstone - Arenaria interpres morinella C
1 seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Sanderling - Calidris alba C
1 seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Knot - Calidris canutus rufa C
40 seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Pectoral Sandpiper - Calidris melanotos C
6 were seen on roadside pools on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th, 10 seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th, 10 at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th, 100 at Lago Pozuelos on 15th and 4 at Laguna Larga on the 16th.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Abra Pampa marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper at Lago Pozuelos.
Baird's Sandpiper - Calidris bairdii C
300+ were seen at Lago Pozuelos and a few at Abra Pampa marsh on the 15th and 20 at Abra Pampa marsh on 16th.
Various Baird’s Sandpipers at Lago Pozuelos.
White-rumped Sandpiper - Calidris fuscicollis C
1 seen along the roadside to San Clemente and 50 at Punta Rasa beach on 12th.
Some of the White-rumped Sandpipers on Punta Rasa beach
Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C
2 were seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Hudsonian Godwit - Limosa haemastica C
40 were seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th. This species is listed as Near- threatened by Collar et al. (1994).
Hudsonian Godwit with Brown-headed Gull at Punta Rasa beach
Short-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus C
We saw 20 at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th.
Paraguan Snipe - Gallinago paraguaiae magellanica C
1 seen on a stream near Attalaya on the 13th and 3 seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Paraguan Snipe at Attalaya
Paraguan Snipe at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve
Paraguan Snipe at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve
Stilt Sandpiper - Micropalama himantopus C
60 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 6 at Abra Pampa marsh on the 16th
Stilt Sandpipers at Lago Pozuelos
Wilson's Phalarope - Phalaropus tricolor C
40 were seen at Abra Pampa marsh on 15th and 16th, and 10 at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th.
Wilson’s Phalaropes at Abra Pampa marsh
Grey-breasted Seedsnipe - Thinocorus orbignyianus ingae C
5 were seen along the track leading to Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 4 were seen nearby on the 16th.
Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus C
Grey Breasted Seedsnipe at Lago Pozuelos
1 seen out to sea from Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Kelp Gull - Larus dominicanus C
6 seen on the beach at San Clemente on 11th and 40 on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th and 1 on the beach at Attalaya on the 13th.
Olrog's Gull - Larus atlanticus C
An adult in winter plumage was photographed at close range on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th . A recent split from Band-tailed Gull. Listed as Vulnerable by Collar et al. (1994).
Adult Orlog's Gull at Punta Rasa.
Andean Gull - Larus serranus C
2 seen at Lago Pozuelos on the 15th, 5 seen at Laguna Larga on 16th and 5 seen near Tafi del Valle on the 22nd.
Grey-hooded Gull - Larus cirrocephalus cirrocephalus C
Common on the coast with 200 seen on the 11th and 12th and 100 at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Brown-hooded Gull - Larus maculipennis C
Common on the coast with 10 seen on the 11th, 100 on the 12th and 70 on the 13th. 20 seen at Costanera Sur on the 4th.
Brown-headed Gull on Punta Rasa beach.
Gull-billed Tern - Gelochelidon nilotica groenvoldi C
6 seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Snowy-crowned Tern - Sterna trudeaui C
6 of these attractive Terns were seen on roadside pools on the drive to San Clemente on the 11th and 50 were seen on Punta Rasa beach on the 12th.
Snowy Crowned Terns on Punta Rasa beach
Two Snowy Crowned Terns with Common Terns on Punta Rasa beach
Snowy Crowned Tern in flight at Pnnta Rasa
Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo C
Large numbers were passing out to sea past San Clemente on the 11th where in a short period of time we saw an estimated 1,000 birds. Also 200 seen past Punta Rasa on the 12th
Common Terns on Punta Rasa beach
Common Terns with Snowy Crowned Terns on Punta Rasa beach
Yellow-billed Tern - Sterna superciliaris C
2 were watched feeding at Campo del Tuyu on the 12th being somewhat of a surprise there.
Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis acuflavidus C
6 seen at Punta Rasa beach on the 12th.
Royal Tern - Sterna maxima maxima C
12 seen on the beach at Punta Rasa on the 12th.
Black Skimmer - Rynchops nigra C
400 seen on Punta Rasa beach on the 12th proving a fine sight when they all took flight.
Picazuro Pigeon - Columba picazuro picazuro C
Fairly common and widespread and seen on all but 7 days with a daily maximum of 60.
Spot-winged Pigeon - Columba maculosa C
4 seen in chaco near JVG on the 21st and 5 seen between Cafayate and Salta on the 23rd.
Eared Dove - Zenaida auriculata virgata C
Very common and widespread but not seen at Iguazu. Up to 500 seen every day in chaco habitat.
Eared Dove in the Calilegua National Park.
Picui Ground-Dove - Columbina picui picui C
Very common in chaco with up to 100 seen daily but far less common in other areas and just the odd bird at Iguazu.
Picui Ground-Dove at Palomites
Ruddy Ground-Dove - Columbina talpacoti talpacoti C
10 seen along the entrance road at Calilegua NP on the 18th andeyed Ground Dove 10 on the drive to JVG on the 19th and 2 near JVG on the 20th.
Ruddy Ground-Doves along the entrance road to the Calilegua National Park.
Golden-spotted Ground-Dove - Metriopelia aymara C
5 of these fine doves located along the mountain road between Humahuaca and Abra Pampa on the 15th and 15 were seen on the walk back from Laguna Larga on the 16th. Tame and approachable with the gold-spotting only visible at certain angles.
Golden Spotted Ground Doves at Laguna Larga.
Bare-eyed Ground-Dove Metriopelia morenoi C
4 seen along the mountain road above Humahuaca on the 15th and 6 were seen around the Tafi del Valle gullies on the 22nd.
Bare Eyed (Moreno’s) Ground-Dove above Humahuaca
White-tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi chalcauchenia C
Seen in small numbers on 6 dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 19th.
White-faced (Large-tailed) Dove - Leptotila megalura C
Only seen at San Lorenzo forest where 1 showed well in the car park on the 23rd and 2 on the 24th.
Grey-fronted Dove - Leptotila rufaxilla reichenbachii C
Only seen at Iguazu NP usually walking on forest trails. Two seen on the 27th, 1 on the 28th, 2 on the 1st and 1 on the 2nd.
Golden-collared Macaw - Ara auricollis C
A pair of these fine Macaws were located feeding in a fruiting tree along the main track at lower elevation in Calilegua NP on the 17th. They were watched using their feet to hold the fruit whilst feeding. One of the highlights of the trip.
Golden-collared Macaw in the Calilegua National Park.
50 seen in Yala NP on the 14th and 6 below Tafi del Valle on the 21st.
Blue-crowned Parakeet - Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata C
25 seen in chaco at JVG on the 20th and 30 in the sandy desert near Cafayate on the 23rd.
White-eyed Parakeet - Aratinga leucophthalmus leucophthalmus C
70 seen in Calilegua NP on 17th and seen on 5 days at Iguazu with a daily maximum recorded of 30.
Burrowing Parrot - Cyanoliseus patagonus C
Seen at the sandy soil area around Cafayate with 10 on the 22nd and 50 on the 23rd. Impressive, tame and very noisy.
Burrowing Parrots near Cafayate.
Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus C
Common along the coast and also seen in chaco near JVG. Seen on 7 days with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 12th.
Monk Parakeets in the early morning at Runta Rasa marsh.
Monk
Parakeet at Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Green-cheeked Parakeet - Pyrrhura molinae australis C
15 seen along the entrance road to Calilegua NP on the 18th.
Maroon-(Reddish-)bellied Parakeet - Pyrrhura frontalis chiripepe C
Seen on 4 days in Iguazu NP but never in excess of 10 a day.
Maroon Bellied Parrot at Iguazu National Park.
Mountain Parakeet - Bolborhynchus aurifrons C
A pair of these fine small Parakeets came into drink on two occasions at a small stream high up on a mountain slope on the drive above Humahuaca on the 15th.
Blue-winged Parrotlet - Forpus crassirostris vividus C
Seen on five days but only at Iguazu NP with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 28th.
Scaly-headed Parrot - Pionus maximiliani melanobelpharus C
Seen on 8 days with up to 30 a day seen at Calilegua and 15 melanobelpharus a day seen at at Iguazu NP.
Scaly Headed Parrots at Iguazu National Park.
Blue- (Turquoise-) fronted Parrot - Amazona aestiva xanthopteryx C
7 were seen at JVG chaco on the 20th with 25 seen there on the 21st. Good views were obtained of this impressive Parrot.
Alder Parrot - Amazona tucumana C
9 seen in forest below Tafi del Valle on the 21st and 5 on the 22nd.
Dark-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus melacoryphus C
1 seen at Attalaya on the 13th, 10 seen in the Palomites area on the 18th, 6 seen in chaco on the 19th, 15 seen in chaco at JVG on the 20th and 6 on the 21st and finally 1 seen near Salta on the 23rd.
Dark Billed Cuckoo at Palomites
Smooth-billed Ani - Crotophaga ani C
Seen on 12 dates being most numerous at Iguazu with up to 50 seen daily there.
Greater Ani - Crotophaga major C
A party of 10 were seen at Iguazu NP on the 2nd with 1 there on the 3rd.
Greater Ani at Iguazu National Park.
Guira Cuckoo - Guira guira C
Seen virtually daily being common in various habitats. A daily maximum of 12 seen on the 11th and 12th.
Guira Cuckoos with a Toco Toucan at Iguazu National Park.
Guira Cuckoos at Iguazu National Park
Squirrel Cuckoo - Piaya cayana mogenseni / macroura C
Seen on 7 days with mogenseni seen at Calilegua and macroura at Iguazu NP with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 28th.
Squirrel Cuckoo at Iguazu National Park.
Barn Owl - Tyto alba tuidara C
1 flew in to the busy town square after dark at Libertador San Martin on the 16th.
Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia C
2 seen at Attalaya on the 13th, 3 at Abra Pampa on the 15th, 3 seen at JVG on the 20th and 4 there on the 21st and 3 on the 22nd.
Burrowing Owl in the chaco at JVG
Common Nighthawk - Chordeiles minor C
1 seen hawking over chaco in the evening at JVG on the 19th.
White-collared Swift - Streptoprocne zonaris kuenzeli C
400 flew up the Yala river on the 14th, 40 were seen high above the chaco on the 19th and finally 30 were seen near Cafayate on the 23rd.
Great Dusky Swift - Cypseloides senex C
A single individual seen at Iguazu waterfall on the 26th and 1000+ appeared over the waterfall in cloudy weather on the 1st.
Ashy-tailed Swift - Chaetura andrei meridionalis C
Seen at Calilegua NP with 6 seen on the 17th and 15 on the 18th.
Grey-rumped Swift - Chaetura cinereiventris cinereiventris C
Only seen at Iguazu with 15 being seen on the 25th and 2 on the 27th and 28th.
Andean Swift - Aeronautes andecolus C
12 seen low during the early morning as we left Cafayate on the 23rd. Superb.
Scale-throated Hermit - Phaethornis eurynome paraguayensis C
A single individual was seen at Iguazu on the 26th.
Red-tailed Comet - Sappho sparganura sapho C
A superb Hummingbird with 1 watched at Tafi del Valle on the 21st, up to 6 seen in gullies above Tafi del Valle on the 22nd and 2 seen at San Lorenzo on the 24th.
Juvenile
Red Tailed Comet at Tafi del Valle
White-sided Hillstar - Oreotrochilus leucopleurus C
2 were watched feeding at red flowers high in the Andes on the drive to Abra Pampa on the 15th.
White Sided Hillstar near Abra Pampa
Sparkling Violetear - Colibri coruscans coruscans C
A male was seen with the previous species on the drive to Abra Pampa on the 15th.
White-throated Hummingbird - Leucochloris albicollis C
A fine Hummingbird with 2 seen showing well at Punta Rasa wood on the 12th.
White-bellied Hummingbird - Amazilla chionogaster hypoleucus C
10 were seen on the 17th and 4 on the 18th at Calilegua NP, 4 were seen in the forest below Tafi del Valle on the 21st and 1 near Salta on the 23rd.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph - Thalurania furcata baeri C
2 seen at Yala NP on the 14th.
Violet-capped Woodnymph - Thalurania glaucopis C
At Iguazu a male was seen on the 28th and 2 were seen on the 2nd.
Glittering-bellied Emerald - Chlorostibon aureoventris berlepschi / igneus C
3 berlepschi seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th and 1 seen near Attalaya on the 13th, 1 igneus seen at Calilegua NP on the 18th and 2 in chaco near JVG and finally 1 berlepschi seen at Iguazu on the 26th.
Gilded Sapphire - Hylocharis chrysura C
6 were seen at Attalaya on the 13th, 1 in forest below Tafi Del Valle on the 21st and 1 at Iguazu on the 25th.
Slender-tailed Woodstar - Microstilbon burmeisteri C
A fine male showed well at San Lorenzo village feeding at some flowers outside a garden on the 24th.
Giant Hummingbird - Patagona gigas peruviana C
3 were seen above Humahuaca on the 15th and 1 on the drive back on the 16th.
Giant Hummingbird above Humahuaca
Black-throated Trogon - Trogon rufus chrysochloros C
A male showed extremely well at Iguazu on the 2nd.
Black-throated Trogan taken against the light at Iguazu.
A young male was taped in to view from some distance at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Young male Blue Crowned Trogon at Calilegua National Park.
Surucua Trogon - Trogon surrucura surrucura C
Only seen at Iguazu with 2 seen on the 26th, a family party of 5 on the 27th, 2 on the 2nd and 2 on the 3rd.
Surucua Trogon at Iguazu National Park.
Ringed Kingfisher - Ceryle torquata stellata C
A single bird was sat on overhead wires at a bridge near Attalaya on the 13th.
Green Kingfisher - Chloroceryle americana mathewsii C
One was seen near Attalaya on the 13th.
Spot-billed Toucanet - Selenidera maculirostris maculirostris C
A fine adult with a fully grown immature was found at the far end of the Sendero Macuco trail at Iguazu NP on the 28th and another individual was seen in a large fruiting tree at Puerto Canoas car park at Iguazu on the 2nd.
Spot Billed Toucanet taken against the light at Iguazu National Park
Chestnut-eared Aracari - Pteroglossus castanotis australis C
A party of 5 allowed good views as they moved through an area of trees in front of the hotel at Iguazu NP during the early morning of the 27th.
Red-breasted Toucan - Ramphastos dicolorus C
A party of 5 were found feeding in fruiting trees around the administration buildings at Iguazu NP on the 27th and 2 showed well in a fruiting tree near the car park at Iguazu on the 2nd. Quite superb.
Red Breasted Toucan at Iguazu National Park
Toco Toucan - Ramphastos toco albogularis C
This splendid species proved one of the highlights of the trip with 2 seen at Calilegua NP on the 17th and good numbers seen virtually daily at Iguazu NP with several feeding low in a fruiting tree in the car park on our first two days. Generally we saw around 12 a day although 25 were seen on the 27th and oddly only 1 on the 2nd. They were very obvious early in the morning but would usually depart from view and were absent in the afternoons.
Toco Toucans at Iguazu National Park.
Rusty-breasted Nunlet - Nonnula rubecula rubecula C
Singles were seen on three dates along the Sendero Yataratia trail at Iguazu NP on the 26th, 28th and 3rd. The last individual allowed close approach and for some good photographs to be obtained.
Rusty Breasted Nunlet at Iguazu National Park
Spot-backed Puffbird - Nystalus maculatus striatipectus C
A single bird was seen at Palomites on the 18th with 6 seen on the 19th chiefly on the drive to JVG and 10 were seen on the drive from JVG on the 21st. The species seemed to prefer more dry scrub areas close to chaco often along roadsides rather that in true chaco habitat.
Spot Backed Puffbird on the drive to JVG
White-necked Puffbird - Notharchus macrorhynchus swainsoni C
A single bird was seen along the road leading to Puerto Canoas at Iguazu NP on the 27th.
Campo (Field) Flicker - Colaptes campestris campestroides C
Seen on 3 days along the coastal strip with a maximum of 10 seen on the 13th chiefly seen along the road. A pair was present on four dates in the Car Park at Iguazu NP.
Campo Flicker in the car park at Iguazu National Park
Andean Flicker - Colaptes rupicola rupicola C
A pair showed well at the start of the track by the church leading to Laguna Larga on the 16th and a single individual was seen in the gullies above Tafi del Valle on the 22nd.
A record shot of a distant Andean Flicker at Laguna Larga.
Golden-breasted Woodpecker - Colaptes melanolaimus C
2 were seen in the Punta Rasa wood on the 12th and 1 was seen in the San Lorenzo forest on the 24th.
Golden Breasted Woodpecker in Punt Rasa wood.
Green-barred Woodpecker - Colaptes melanochloros C
1 was seen at Iguazu NP on the 3rd.
Blond-crested Woodpecker - Celeus flavescens flavescens C
This superb Woodpecker being surely one of the best in the world was seen extremely well on two occasions in Iguazu NP on the 1st and 3rd.
Just record shots of a Blond Crested Woodpecker in Iguazu National Park.
Golden-olive Woodpecker - Piculus rubiginosus tucumanus C
2 were seen in Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker - Melanerpes flavifrons C
Another fine Woodpecker with 2 seen at Iguazu NP on the 28th.
White-fronted Woodpecker - Trichopicus cactorum C
4 seen in chaco at Palomites on the 18th and 6 on the 19th. 3 seen at JVG on the 20th and a party of 6 feeding in a large cacti near Cafayate on the 23rd.
Checkered Woodpecker - Dendrocopus mixtus C
1 allowed good views to be obtained at Attalaya on the 13th and 4 were seen along the entrance track to Calilegua NP on the 18th.
White-spotted Woodpecker - Veniliornis spilogaster C
2 were seen in Iguazu NP on the 2nd and 1 there on the 3rd.
Dot-fronted Woodpecker - Veniliornis frontalis C
2 were seen at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Ochre-collared Piculet - Picumus temminkii C
6 were seen in Iguazu NP on the 28th and 1 on the 3rd.
White-barred Piculet - Picumnus cirratus C
1 was seen in chaco along the road near JVG on the 21st.
Great Rufous Woodcreeper - Xiphocolaptes major C
1 was seen during a roadside stop in chaco near JVG on the 21st. An impressive Woodcreeper with a huge yellow bill.
Black-banded Woodcreeper - Dendrocolaptes picumnus casaresi C
At Calilegua NP 3 were seen on the 17th.
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper - Drymornis bridgesii C
A highlight of the trip was 1 found feeding on the dirt road leading through chaco on the 19th. It allowed close approach. We were surprised to find another 3 in chaco at JVG on the 20th and 1 in the same area on the 21st.
Scimitar Billed Woodcreeper in the evening light on the dirt road at JVG
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper - Lepidocolaptes angustirostris certhiolus C
Seen in small numbers on a total of six dates but not seen in the Andes or at Iguazu. A daily maximum of 4 being seen at the chaco sites on the 19th.
Scaled Woodcreeper - Lepidocolaptes squammatus falcinellus C
A single bird was seen at Iguazu on the 27th.
Lesser Woodcreeper - Lepidocolaptes fuscus fuscus C
Singles were seen at Iguazu on the 27th and 2nd.
Olivaceous Woodcreeper - Sittasomus griseicapillus griseicapillus/sylviellus C
The form sylviellus was seen on five days at Iguazu NP and 3 griseicapillus were seen at Calilegua NP on the 17th.
Rufous-banded Miner - Geositta rufipennis C
6 were seen at high elevations in the Andes between Abra Pampa and Lago Pozuelos on the 15th and 20 on the 16th.
Common Miner - Geositta cunicularia cunicularia C
2 were seen at Punta Rasa on the 12th and 10 were seen between Humahuaca and Abra Pampa on the 15th and 1 on the 16th.
Puna Miner - Geositta punensis C
Around 50 were seen on the drive up from Humahuaca through the Andes and around Lago Pozuelos but only 8 were seen on the return drive on the 16th.
Puna Miner in the heat haze near Humahuaca.
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