Introduction
This was a very targeted birding trip designed to try and see about 150 species missing from our list. We saw all but a handful of our targets. April-May seems to be a very good time to visit NW Argentina, it was not yet too cold in the puna and the lowlands had not completely dried out. Also many more southern species were in the area by this time. We had a full month more-or-less without any rain. The most notable species that we missed were Golden-collared Macaw, Slaty Elaenia and Black-legged Seriema.
Literature
As well as Wheatley’s ‘Where to Watch Birds in South America’ we relied for forward planning and help during the trip on quite a number of trip reports including:
Phil and Charlotte Benstead (2003); Goran Andersson et al (2006); Jan den Held (2006); Rob Goldbach (2000); Jan van der Laan (1999); Wildlife Travel – UK (2007).
For identification we used the latest edition of Narosky and Yzurieta and both volumes of Ripley & Tudor. For navigation we used the ‘Firestone’ and ‘Automapa’ road maps.
Logistics
We flew into Cordoba from Santiago, Chile. Cordoba Airport is relatively small and friendly and we had no difficulties there. We had pre-booked a car from Avis which we collected at the airport. An ordinary car was adequate for all the places we visited except for the road to Santa Victoria from Yavi, and getting into El Rey NP, where very high clearance is needed. If there had been any rain we would have had trouble with mud in Calilegua. In the narrative we have named the hotels and graded them, based on our experience and biases, as poor, adequate, good, very good or excellent. Prices ranged from. US$25 – 80 usually with a discount for cash and almost always included breakfast. Most hotels had secure parking (cocheras) and even the cheapest ones were heated at night. People everywhere were helpful and pleasant and Tessa’s fluency in Spanish was a definite asset in all aspects of the trip.
Narrative
12 April 2008 Cordoba Airport to Dean Funes (RN9)
Clear of airport by about 11.30 – straightforward drive to Dean Funes stopping to bird various dirt side roads to the east of the highway. Most productive area was about 20 km S of Jesus Maria. Here the fields of stubble and cereal crops are in relatively small fields separated by narrow strips of chaco. The area was alive with birds. Soon picked up three lifers: White-banded Mockingbird, Brown Cachalote and White-tipped Plantcutter. In the late afternoon after checking into the San Jorge Hotel (good) in Dean Funes we drove a short distance out of town on route 16 and found some good chaco which yielded Lark-like Brushrunner, Crested Hornero and Chaco Earthcreeper.
13 April 2008 Dean Funes to Concepcion (RN9 and RP38)
The main birding was at San Jose de Salinas. We turned west off the highway and followed the road down past Las Canas to the salt mining area. This road started off through good chaco which produced Ringed Warbling-Finch, Cinnamon Warbling Finch, Spot-winged Falcon (on the wires), Quebrado Crested Tinamou (pair on the road), Many-coloured Chaco-Finch, Black-crested Finch and many others. Once at the stunted vegetation near the lake, we quickly located both Salinas Monjita and Black-crowned Monjita, as well as a Least Shrike Tyrant. Crested Gallito’s responded to the tape, but would not show themselves!
Spent the night at Mirador Hotel on the main plaza (good) in Concepcion. Woman who booked us in insisted on us trying some mate tea after which Tessa became a convert and is still drinking it back in Australia!
14 April 2008 Concepcion to Tafi del Valle (Route 307)
Birded our way up the Rio Los Sosa to Tafi. Many good birds along the river and in the yungas including Torrent Duck (common), Brown-capped Redstart, Yellow-striped Brush-Finch, Speckled Teal, Red-tailed Hawk, Rust and Yellow Tanager, Black-backed Grosbeak, Rough-legged Tyrannulet, Rusty-browed Warbling Finch and Red-tailed Comet – but, disappointingly, NO Dippers despite repeated searches along most accessible stretches of the river. Checked into the Lunahuana Hotel (excellent) in Tafi and birded around the lake in the late afternoon where nothing particularly notable although quite a number of Greater Yellowlegs.
We bought a useful booklet (cheap) entitled Birds of Tafi del Valle by Patricia Capllonch at Los Artesanos (Avenida Pte Peron 252). Town also good for locally made cheeses and salamis.
15 April 2008 All day at El Inferniello above Tafi
Set off early in freezing darkness to be at the vegetated ravines (quebradas) near the top (around 3000m) as the sun came up. Birding was slow at first, but the quebradas at 78, 80 and 83 km were productive for most of the morning. Both Ornate and Brushland Tinamous were seen sunning themselves on the tops of the cliffs edging the gullies while Bare-eyed Ground Doves were common in the rocky areas of the gullies. Both Cordoba (Sierran) and Bar-winged Cinclodes were present along most of the streams together with White-browed Tapaculo in the thickets near the water.
Bushes on the flat land adjacent to the quebradas yielded Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Chestnut Canastero, Puna Canastero, Cordilleran Canastero and Streak-fronted Thornbird. In the scrubby areas we found Short-billed Pipit, Grey-hooded and Plumbeous Sierra-Finch. A Tucuman Mountain Finch appeared atop a boulder at km 78 for about 5 minutes, affording us great views. It was the only one we saw all day.
A pair of Andean Geese flew low over us in the afternoon. Returned to Tafi for the night, eating at the hotel.
16 April 2008 Tafi to Cafayate (Routes 307 and 40)
Birded our way up the pass again – nothing much new from yesterday until we got to the other side of the high point. The ravines of the pass coming down and the Los Cardones (cactus) area were very ‘birdy’. We saw Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Rufous-tailed Miner, Slender-billed Miner, Rufous-sided Warbling Finch, Greater Yellow Finch, Greenish Yellow Finch, Black Siskin and D’Orbigny’s Chat Tyrant through the rocky pass, where also a Buff-breasted Earthcreeper came to the tape. Among the tall cactus we recorded our first Patagonian and Brown-backed Mockingbirds and White-fronted Woodpeckers. We stopped off at the Quilmes ruins which were disappointing for birds (we were there at midday) – no White-throated Cachalotes, but we did find our first (of many) flock of Burrowing Parrots near the turn-off from the main road. Tufted Tit-Spinetails were found in the bushes among the ruins. We had planned to stay at the Quilmes Ruins Hotel, but it is closed indefinitely due to a dispute between local people and the owner. Drove on to Cafayate where we stayed at the ACA Hotel - Hotel Sol del Valle - (very good ) on the northern outskirts. In the late afternoon went out to the Reserve 7 km east of Cafayate on Route 68 seeking Sandy Gallito. They were very responsive to the tape and gave us great views both on the sand dunes and intervening bushes. Returning to town, about a km or so back from the dune area, we stopped at the beginning of the Reserve area where there is tall chaco and were lucky enough to locate a Black-billed Cuckoo.
17 April 2008 Cafayate to Cachi (Route 40)
The first new bird was Long-tailed Meadowlark in the pastures along the road and the first major stop was at the reservoir on the left just outside Cafayate. Here we found our first Andean Negrito and Ultramarine Grosbeaks were common. Back on Route 40, the road wound its way through some spectacular scenery, getting drier and drier.
Along the way we added White-throated Cachalote, Grey-hooded Parakeet, Creamy-crested Canastero and White-winged Black Tyrant. Burrowing Parrots were common all along this route. Stopped for the night at the ACA Hotel in Cachi – Hotel Sol del Valle - (very good but at the upper end price wise, but given a generous discount). A walk down to the river and football field was unproductive.
18 April 2008 Los Cardones NP and Cuesta del Obispo to San Lorenzo (Route 33)
Early morning searches along the road at the top of the pass in the National Park yielded Elegant-crested Tinamou, Hellmayr’s Pipit, Common Diuca Finch, White-throated Cachalote, White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Spot-billed Ground Tyrant, Black-winged Ground Dove and Sharp-billed Canastero. Andean Condors circled overhead. Further down the pass (near the obvious restaurant) we located Rufous-bellied Saltator in scrubby yungas. Towards Salta we stopped in some Yungas at Los Laureles and called up our first Two-banded Warblers. Drove through Salta to San Lorenzo and booked into Selva Montana Hotel (excellent). The garden of the hotel was full of birds and we soon located some Crested Becards. The Salvia’s in the garden attracted Slender-tailed Woodstar, White-bellied Hummingbird and Glittering-bellied Emerald and a Grey-necked Woodrail wandered across the lawn from the stream, while a Greater Pewee hawked from a tall tree. Stripe-crowned Spinetail was also seen in the garden .Evening meal at Andres’ restaurant, a short walk from the hotel.
19 April 2008 Quebrada San Lorenzo Nature Reserve and Abra Santa Laura.
Spent the morning in the San Lorenzo Reserve. Gate closed when we arrived but friendly dog walker showed us a hole in the fence and advised us to pay later! First bird we saw was a Dusky-legged Guan. This and Saffron-billed Sparrows were the highlights of a very pleasant walk through this yungas lined valley which also yielded Buff-banded Tyrannulet and Mountain Wren.
In the afternoon we drove out to Abra Santa Laura – beautiful yungas but very little about. Returned to Selva Montana for the night.
20 April 2008 San Lorenzo to Yala
Birded our way through Abra Santa Laura. More birds than yesterday pm and new ones included Euler’s Flycatcher and Buff-browed Spinetail. Booked into a converted house hotel - Casona del Camino Real Hotel in Yala. Afternoon spent in Portreros de Yala Reserve. Rufous-throated Dipper found at exactly the site described by Wheatley! Drove on up the winding road and came across a group of 5 Red-faced Guans at a water pumping station outflow. Further up we located a Cream-backed Woodpecker in alder forest as well as Spot-breasted Thornbird and Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch. Refreshments at very pleasant hotel at the top of the road next to a lake. Would have been a good place to stay if we had known about it – ph+54-388-154-291021, complejodelalaguna@argentina.com.
21 April 2008 Yala to Humahuaca (RN9)
Uneventful drive to Humahuaca. Booked into Hostel Azul (very good and well sign posted). Birding up the hill behind the hostel yielded Andean Tyrant and surprisingly a Piratic Flycatcher. Late afternoon birding the tall cactus west of town past the rubbish tip produced chalk-browed and Brown-backed Mockingbirds, Black-headed and Grey-Hooded Sierra Finches and a Creamy-breasted Canastero.
22 April 2008 Humahuaca to Abra Pampa (RN9) & Porzuelos (altitude about 3,800 metres)
The gorges on this very scenic route produced Puna Yellow-finch, Bright-rumped Yellow-finch, Ash-breasted Sierra Finch, Black hooded Sierra Finch, Mourning Sierra Finch, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper and Sharp-billed Canastero. Checked into Residencial Cesarito (adequate) in Abra Pampa and headed out for Porzuelos, reaching there by about mid-day. The lagoon just outside Abra Pampa on route 7 had Chilean Flamingo, Andean Avocet, Andean Geese, Crested Ducks, Andean Gull, Andean Negrito and Andean Lapwings. Spent the afternoon at Porzuelos where the following notable species recorded: all three flamingos, Puna Teal, Puna Snipe, Puna Miner, Puna Plover, Puna Ibis, Baird’s Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope (1000’s), Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Ringed Teal, Golden-spotted Ground Dove, Maquis Canastero. No Giant or Horned Coots and no Puna Rheas!
Dined on some excellent Argentinian steaks that night which cost the same as the accommodation!
23 April 2008 Abra Pampa – La Quiaca – Yavi
RN9 to La Quiaca was fairly birdless although a Puna Ground Tyrant was found along one cutting. Large numbers of Citron-headed Yellow Finches were found on the road out to Yavi and they were common around Yavi. Checked into the adobe Hostel de Yavi (very good). In the afternoon drove eastwards towards Santa Victoria but the road became too rough for our car once we started climbing. On the flats the only notable species was Grey-breasted Shrike Tyrant. A late afternoon walk along the river and through the gorge below the Hostel was productive and a Rock Earthcreeper was the highlight.
24 April 2008 Yavi to Jujuy (RN9)
Largely a travel day although a Straight-billed Earthcreeper was found at the pass 54 km south of Abra Pampa. We stayed at the Hotel Internacional near the cathedral in the centre of Jujuy (good) but ate at the nearby Hotel Augustus which had good opening hours.
25 – 27 April 2008 Jujuy to Libertador Gral. San Martin & Calilegua NP
Checked into Posada del Sol (excellent) in the morning. Watch out for the worn sign to the hotel on the main road which is directly opposite the hotel but you have to go up to the lights and turn left then right to reach it. The NP is only 30 min drive from town. The staff at the hotel ran off a copy of a map of the park. We spent the next three days in this beautiful forest area – returning to the hotel in the evening .We had our evening meals at the 24 hour Parador near the hotel which serves cheap and tasty meals. Giant Antshrikes were easy to locate in the lower parts of the park as were Ochre-faced Tody Flycatcher and Dot-fronted Woodpecker. Almost all of the yungas species were recorded, but we could not find any Yellow-collared Macaws. The highlight was definitely the White-throated Antpitta. On two successive days a number of individuals responded to the tape in the area around Tres Arroyos (the site described by Wheatley) coming very close, but it was only at the last minute as we were about to give up, that one finally revealed itself, and we were able to watch it for at least 10 minutes from a distance of 3-4 metres. Great Rufous Woodcreeper was found in the lower areas – this was a surprise as we were thought they were restricted to chaco. The road through the park was passable, but our small car struggled with the mud and ruts in some places. The walks in the lower part of the park were most productive in the mornings and there was very little activity after about 11 am with few birds even in the late afternoon. Entry to the park is free but there are registration forms and a post box for them at the information boards near the entrance.
28 April 2008 Libertador Gral. San Martin to Gral. Guemes (RN34) & Palomitas
Flocks of Turquoise fronted Amazons among the sugar cane just south of Libertador early in the morning. Good areas of chaco about 90 km south of Libertador – sections of old road parallel to new road run through thick bush – many chaco species including Xenopsaris, Checkered Woodpecker and Rufous-fronted Thornbird.
Checked into Hotel Roman (poor, but better than the other one next door) in Gral. Guemes. Afternoon spent on Palomitas road south of Gral. Guemes. Good chaco but disappointingly few birds although we did get our first party of Chaco Chachalacas.
29 April 2008 Gral. Guemes to J.V. Gonzalez (Routes 34 and 5)
We turned left on to the relatively quiet Route 5 and investigated the road to El Rey NP. This was in good condition, but the first major river crossing at about 9 km from the tar was completely impassable for ordinary cars. Nevertheless there is good forest between the turn-off and the first river crossing. Parrots were abundant and we saw Tucuman Parrot, Scaly-headed Parrot, Turquoise-fronted Parrot and Green-cheeked Parakeet. Other species seen in this area included Toco Toucan, Pale-vented Pigeon, and Bat Falcon. Back on route 5 heading east we stopped at a small lake about 7 km from the El Rey junction and found Austral Negrito and Hudson’s Black Tyrant – both southern migrants, as well as Southern Screamers. We took the dirt shortcut from route 5 south to route 16. Mostly broad-scale wheat and maize and very few birds, although a few Greater Rhea. Checked into Hotel Colonial (good) in JV. Late drive out on RP 41 produced several Crested Gallito at the 17 km mark – down a side-track, but little else.
30 April J.V. Gonzalez area
Explored RP 41 as far as 30 km. The chaco is now cleared up to about the 20 km mark. The road is exceptionally dusty and characterised by huge flocks of doves, mainly eared, feeding on grain. Beyond about 20 km we found some good habitat and notable species included Blue-crowned Parakeet, Little Thornbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Suriri Flycatcher, Grey Monjita, Spot-backed Puffbird, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Lark-like Brushrunner and Rufous-browed Peppershrike. In the afternoon we explored the chaco west and south of JV – taking an inconspicuous turning south off route 16 about 5 km west of JV – it goes to a small village called San Antonio (according to a passing farm-worker, but is unmarked). The chaco here was rich in birds and we got our first Black-bodied Woodpeckers – calling conspicuously. Other notables here were Variable Antshrike, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, White-tipped Dove and large numbers of Blue-crowned Parakeets.
1 May 2008 JVG to Rosario de la Frontera Routes 16 and 9)
A small lake next to the road about 90 km west of JVG gave us good views of Giant Wood-Rail (quite far west?) and Spot-flanked Gallinule. We diverted to explore Dique El Tunal. The bush around the dam wall yielded Solitary Black Cacique, Epaulet Oriole, Great Black Hawk and Aplomado Falcon. A group of Coscoroba Swans were the only notable water bird. Stayed the night at Mirko’s Hosteria in Rosario (good).
2 May 2008 Rosario de la Frontera to Santiago del Estero (Route 34)
Mainly a travel day. We recorded Spotted Nothura several times on the road between about 50 and 90 km south of Rosario. At some ephemeral pools at about 90 km a Black-headed Duck gave us good views while an Aplomado Falcon harassed the Picui Doves. Stopped the night at the Coventry Hotel in Santiago del Estero (very good).
3 May 2008 Santiago del Estero to La Para (Routes 9 and 17).
Our aim was to get to the Mar Chiquita sites described in Wheatley. Arrived in La Para by mid-afternoon and asked around for a hotel and were directed to the pleasant Hotel Lourdes. Late in the afternoon went out on the road to Campo Mare, stopping at the track about 6 km from La Para as shown in the map in Wheatley. Quickly located our first Stripe-headed Sparrows and the tape produced an immediate response from an Olive-crowned Crescent-chest in the rather scrubby chaco.
Evening meal at the petrol station on the main road as only breakfast served at the Hotel Lourdes.
4 May 2008 Campo Mare – Miramar – Va. del Rosario
Spent the first part of the morning in the reserve at Campo Mare.(small entry fee) Along the edges of the lake large numbers of Chilean Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Coscoroba Swans and Grey-headed Gulls. In the reedbeds we recorded Long-tailed Reedfinch and from the saltmarsh Red-winged Tinamou and excitingly – Speckled Crake. The bushes supported Short-billed Canastero, Chaco Earthcreeper, Little Thornbird, Spot-backed Puffbird, Greenish Yellow Finch, Double-collared Seedeater and Golden-billed Saltator.
We drove on to Miramar and tried to find the sites in Wheatley. We discovered that the tar road from Balnearia to Miramar is new and not the road shown in Wheatley. Hence it took us a while backtracking to find the school (now abandoned and derelict) and the track to the Doradito site. The track is now no longer passable so disappointingly, we were unable to access the river mouth. There is a new bird reserve just west of Miramar (follow the signs), but this is on the opposite side of the lake from the reed beds, and although it had large numbers of flamingos and coots was not very productive.
Drove south and west and stopped for the night at Hotel Libertador (adequate) in Villa del Rosario.
5 – 6 May 2008 Alta Gracia and Pampa de Achala region
We used Alta Gracia as a base (Hotel Solares del Alto – excellent) to explore the Pampa de Achala region, thus avoiding Carlos Paz. We spent a lot of time on the road past the radio towers opposite El Condor roadhouse where we found Rufous-naped and Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Black-bellied Shrike Tyrant, as well as large flocks of Ash-breasted and Plumbeous Sierra Finches. At a small spring and outflow adjacent to the road we got great views of Olrog’s Cinclodes. This area is just above the stream described in Wheatley. The Icho Cruz sites described in Wheatley appear to have disappeared under houses.
7 – 9 May 2008 Jesus Maria and Santa Catalina area
We used Colonia Carroya (Posada del Platanos – very good) near Jesus Maria as a base to explore the chaco region around Santa Catalina west of route 9. There is some excellent chaco in this agricultural region with most of the chaco specialities such as Stripe-headed Sparrow, Chaco Earthcreeper, White-tipped Plantcutter, Brown Cachalote, Great Antshrike, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper and Many-coloured Chaco-Finch. We were able to add Darwin’s Nothura and Bearded Tachuri to our list and the lake next to the Santa Catalina Jesuit estancia gave us good views of Plumbeous Rail and Lake Duck.
10 May 2008 Cordoba
We spent our final day at the Quorum Hotel near the airport. This area is currently being ‘developed’ but there is still a lot of weedy bushland around the complex. Here we got our last new bird – Black and Rufous Warbling Finch.
Abbreviations: Ach = Pampa de Achala; AP = Abra Pampa; Apt = Cordoba airport area; ASL = Abra Santa Laura; Cac = Cachi area; Caf = Cafayate area; Cal = Calilegua; Chq = Campo Mare; CO = Cuesta del Obispo; DF = Dean Funes area; ER = El Rey NP road; Hu = Humahuaca area; Inf = El Infernillo and over the pass; JVG = JV Gonzalez area; LC = Los Cardones NP; Pal = Palomitas area; Por = Lagoa Porzuelos; Q = Quilmes ruins area; SC = Santa Catalina area; SJS = San Jose de las Salinas; SL = San Lorenzo; Sos = Rio los Sosa; Tun = Dique el Tunal area; Yal = Yala; Yav = Yavi area; widespread = common in suitable habitat.
Greater Rhea Rhea americana Widespread
Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa Cal
Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens Chq
Ornate Tinamou Nothoprocta ornata Inf
Brushland Tinamou Nothoprocta cinerascens Inf, ASL
Darwin's Nothura Nothura darwinii SC
Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa widespread
Elegant Crested Tinamou Eudromia elegans LC
Quebracho Crested Tinamou Eudromia formosa SJS
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps ER, Chq
White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland Tun
Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis Por
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax olivaceus widespread
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix ER, JVG
Great Egret Egretta alba Widespread
Snowy Egret Egretta thula widespread
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Widespread
Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus CO
Puna Ibis Plegadis ridgwayi ASL, Por
Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus Pal
Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja Chq
Andean Flamingo Phoenicopterus andinus Por
Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis AP, Por, Chq, SJS
Puna Flamingo or James' Flamingo Phoenicopterus jamesi Por
Southern Screamer Chauna torquata ER, Chq
Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba Tun, Chq
Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera Inf, Por, AP, Cac, Caf
Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides AP, Por
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris widespread
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis widespread
Puna Teal Anas puna Por
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera widespread
Ringed Teal Callonetta leucophrys Por
Torrent Duck Merganetta armata Sos, Yal,
Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca widespread
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata ER
Lake Duck Oxyura vittata SC
Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla Tun
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus widespread
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura widespread
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus SJS
Andean Condor Vultur gryphus Inf, LC
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus SJS, LC, JVG
Crowned Eagle Harpyhaliaetus coronatus LC, CO
Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus SJS
Rufous-tailed Hawk Buteo ventralis Sos
Puna Hawk Buteo poecilochrous widespread
Red-backed Hawk Buteo polyosoma widespread
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Sos
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris widespread
Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga ER, Tun
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis JVG
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis Tun
Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus Por, Yav
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway widespread
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango widespread
Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis Cal
Spot-winged Falconet Spiziapteryx circumcinctus SJS
American Kestrel Falco sparverius widespread
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis Inf, Tun
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis ER
Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis Pal, JVG
Red-faced Guan Penelope dabbenei Yal
Dusky-legged Guan Penelope obscura SL, ASL
Grey-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea widespread
Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha Tun
Speckled Rail Coturnicops notatus Chq
Ash-throated Crake Porzana albicollis Cal
Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus SC
Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops Tun
American Coot Fulica americana widespread
White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera Widespread
Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons Widespread
Limpkin Aramus guarauna Tun
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana Widespread
South American Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Widespread
Andean Avocet Recurvirostra andina AP, Por
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Widespread
Andean Lapwing Vanellus resplendens AP, Por, Cac
Puna Plover Charadrius alticola Por
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Por, Chq
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Por
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Chq, Por
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Chq, Por
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Chq
Puna Snipe Gallinago andina Por
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Por
Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus AP, Por, Chq
Andean Gull Larus serranus Por
Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis ER
Picazuro Pigeon Columba picazuro SL
Spot-winged Pigeon Columba maculosa Widespread
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata Widespread
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Cal
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui Widespread
Bare-eyed Ground-Dove Metriopelia morenoi Inf, Yav
Golden-spotted Ground-Dove Metriopelia aymara Por
Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera Inf, LC
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi JVG
White-faced or Large-tailed Dove Leptotila megalura Cal
Blue-crowned Parakeet Aratinga acuticaudata JVG, Tun
Mitred Parakeet Aratinga mitrata Sos, SL, ASL
Burrowing Parakeet Cyanoliseus patagonus Caf, Cac, Q,
Green-cheeked Parakeet Pyrrhura molinae Cal, ER
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus widespread
Grey-hooded Parakeet Bolborhynchus aymara Caf, Cac, Q
Scaly-headed Parrot Pionus maximiliani ER
Tucuman or Alder Parrot Amazona tucumana ER
Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva Cal, ER, Tun
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus Cac
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus JVG
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana widespread
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani widespread
Guira Cuckoo Guira guira widespread
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia widespread
Andean Swift Aeronautes andecolus Caf, Cac, Por
Planalto Hermit Phaethornis pretrei Cal
Glittering-bellied Emerald Chlorostilbon aureoventris widespread
White-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia chionogaster SL, Cal,
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyia melanogenys Cal
Red-tailed Comet Sappho sparganura Sos, SC, Q, Cac
Slender-tailed Woodstar Microstilbon burmeisteri SL
Blue-crowned Trogon Trogon curucui Cal
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata widespread
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona widespread
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana widespread
Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus maculatus JVG, Chq,
Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco Cal, ER
Ocellated Piculet Sos
White-barred Piculet Picumnus cirratus SL, Tun
White-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes cactorum LC, Cac, Caf, Q, JVG
Checkered Woodpecker Picoides mixtus Pal, JVG
Dot-fronted Woodpecker Veniliornis frontalis Cal, ER
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus SL, Cal
Golden-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes melanolaimus widespread
Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola widespread
Campo or Field Flicker Colaptes campestris widespread
Black-bodied Woodpecker Dryocopus schulzi JVG
Cream-backed Woodpecker Campephilus leucopogon Yal
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Cal, ER
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper Drymornis bridgesii widepread
Great Rufous Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes major Cal, JVG
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes angustirostris Cal, JVG
Rufous-banded Miner Geositta rufipennis Inf
Puna Miner Geositta punensis Por
Common Miner Geositta cunicularia widespread
Slender-billed Miner Geositta tenuirostris Inf
Buff-breasted Earthcreeper Upucerthia validirostris Inf, Hu
Rock Earthcreeper Upucerthia andaecola Yav
Straight-billed Earthcreeper Upucerthia ruficauda AP
Chaco Earthcreeper Upucerthia certhioides widespread
Sierran Cinclodes Cinclodes comechingonus Inf, Ach
Olrog's Cinclodes Cinclodes olrogi Ach
Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus Inf, Chq, Yav
White-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes atacamensis Ach, Sos, Yav
Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus widespread
Crested Hornero Furnarius cristatus JVG, DF
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides Inf
Tufted Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura platensis Q, SC
Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura fuliginiceps Inf
Buff-browed Spinetail Synallaxis superciliosa ASL
Sooty-fronted Spinetail Synallaxis frontalis Cal
Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens Tun
Ochre-cheeked Spinetail Synallaxis scutata Cal
Stripe-crowned Spinetail Cranioleuca pyrrhophia SL, Cal, JVG
Maquis Canastero Asthenes heterura Por
Sharp-billed Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca LC, Hu, AP
Creamy-breasted Canastero Asthenes dorbignyi Hu
Steinbach's Canastero Asthenes steinbachi Inf, Q
Short-billed Canastero Asthenes baeri Chq
Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta Inf
Puna or Cordoba Canastero Asthenes sclateri Inf
Streak-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus striaticeps Inf, Q, LC
Rufous-fronted Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons Pal
Little Thornbird Phacellodomus sibilatrix JVG
Spotted-breasted Thornbird Phacellodomus maculipectus Yal
Lark-like Brushrunner Coryphistera alaudina DF, JVG, SC
Brown Cacholote Pseudoseisura lophotes DF, JVG, SJS, SC
White-throated Cacholote Pseudoseisura gutturalis Cac, LC
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufus Widespread
Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans Cal
Giant Antshrike Batara cinerea Cal
Great Antshrike Taraba major SC, Chq
Variable Antshrike Thamnophilus caerulescens JVG
Black-capped Antwren Herpsilochmus atricapillus Cal
White-throated Antpitta Grallaria albigula Cal
Crested Gallito Rhinocrypta lanceolata JVG
Sandy Gallito Teledromas fuscus Caf
Olive-crowned Crescent-chest Melanopareia maximiliani Chq
White-browed Tapaculo Scytalopus superciliaris Inf
Rough-legged Tyrannulet Phyllomyias burmeisteri Sos
Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet Phaeomyias murina SL
Southern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus modestus SJS
Chaco Suiriri or Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri JVG
White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps Yal, ASL
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster SL
Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris CO
White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys Sos, ASL
Buff-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus hellmayri SL
White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata Caf, JVG
White-bellied Tyrannulet Serpophaga munda ER
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant Stigmatura budytoides Widespread
Bearded Tachuri Polystictus pectoralis SC
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet Phylloscartes ventralis Sos
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer Pal
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum plumbeiceps Cal, ER
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens Cal
Euler's Flycatcher Lathrotriccus euleri ASL
Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea Sos
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax SL
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus ASL, Cal
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Sos
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Widespread
D'Orbigny's Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca oenanthoides Inf
Grey Monjita Xolmis cinerea JVG
Salinas Monjita Xolmis salinarum SJS
Black-crowned Monjita Xolmis coronata SC, SJS
White Monjita Xolmis irupero widespread
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis montana Ach
White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis andicola Inf, LC
Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis microptera Yav,
Lesser Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis murina SJS, Cac, SC
Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maculirostris LC
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana Ach
Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola rufivertex Ach
Puna Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola juninensis AP
Andean Negrito Lessonia oreas Caf, AP
Patagonian or Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa ER, Tun, Chq
Hudson's Black-Tyrant Knipolegus hudsoni ER
Andean Tyrant Knipolegus signatus Hu
White-winged Black-Tyrant Knipolegus aterrimus Cac,
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus Caf
Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea Widespread
Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus Widespread
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Cal
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Widespread
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Hu
White-naped Xenopsaris Xenopsaris albinucha Pal
Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus SL
White-tipped Plantcutter Phytotoma rutila widespread
Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops widespread
Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni widespread
Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Cac
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca widepread
Andean Swallow Stelgidopteryx andecola Cal
Sedge or Grass Wren Cistothorus platensis Inf,
House Wren Troglodytes aedon widespread
Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis SL, Cal
Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi Yal
Masked Gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola widespread
Chiguanco Thrush Turdus chiguanco widespread
Andean Slaty-Thrush Turdus nigriceps SL
Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris widespread
Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus widespread
Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus widespread
Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus LC, Apt
White-banded Mockingbird Mimus triurus DF, SJS, JVG, SC
Brown-backed Mockingbird Mimus dorsalis LC, Hu, AP
Short-billed Pipit Anthus furcatus Inf
Hellmayr's Pipit Anthus hellmayri LC
House Sparrow Passer domesticus (introduced) widespread
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis ASL, JVG, SC, Pal
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi Cal, ER, SL, ASL
Brown-capped Redstart Myioborus brunniceps Cal, ER, SL, ASL
Two-banded Warbler Basileuterus bivittatus Cal, ER, SL, ASL
Chestnut-vented Conebill Conirostrum speciosum Cal
Fawn-breasted Tanager Pipraeidea melanonota Cal, ER, SL, ASL
Golden-rumped Euphonia Euphonia cyanocephala Cal
Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis Widespread
Sayaca Tanager Thraupis sayaca Widespread
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava Cal, Pal
Rust-and-yellow Tanager Thlypopsis ruficeps Sos
Orange-headed Tanager Thlypopsis sordida Sos
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus Sos, Cal, ER, SL, ASL
Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Widespread
Golden-billed Saltator Saltator aurantiirostris Widespread
Rufous-bellied Saltator Saltator rufiventris CO
Black-backed Grosbeak Pheucticus aureoventris Sos, CO
Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanocompsa brissonii Caf, ER
Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata Widespread
Red-crested Finch Coryphospingus cucullatus Widespread
Many-coloured Chaco-Finch Saltatricula multicolor Widespread
Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch Atlapetes fulviceps Yal
Yellow-striped Brush-Finch Atlapetes citrinellus Sos
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch Atlapetes torquatus SL, ASL, Cal
Saffron-billed Sparrow Arremon flavirostris SL, ER, Cal
Dull-coloured Grassquit Tiaris obscura Pal, JVG
Plain-coloured Seedeater Catamenia inornata Inf, Ach
Double-collared Seedeater Sporophila caerulescens Widespread
Great Pampa-Finch Embernagra platensis Widespread
Puna Yellow-Finch Sicalis lutea Hu, AP
Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch Sicalis uropygialis Hu, AP, Yav
Citron-headed Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteocephala Yav
Greater Yellow-Finch Sicalis auriventris Inf
Greenish Yellow-Finch Sicalis olivascens Widespread
Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola Widespread
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola Widespread
Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch Poospiza hypochondria Yav, Caf
Ringed Warbling-Finch Poospiza torquata SJS, JVG, Cal
Black-capped Warbling-Finch Poospiza melanoleuca widespread
Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch Poospiza nigrorufa Apt
Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch Poospiza erythrophrys Sos, Cac, Q
Tucuman Mountain-Finch Poospiza baeri Inf
Cinnamon Warbling-Finch Poospiza ornata SJS
Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca LC
Long-tailed Reed-Finch Donacospiza albifrons Chq
Black-crested Finch Lophospingus pusillus Widespread
Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi Widespread
Black-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus atriceps Widespread
Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti Widespread
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor Widespread
Red-backed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus dorsalis AP
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch Phrygilus plebejus Widespread
Band-tailed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus alaudinus Widespread
Stripe-capped Sparrow Aimophila strigiceps Chq, SC
Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis Chq
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Widespread
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis Widespread
Screaming Cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris Widespread
Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius Widespread
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus Cal
Solitary Cacique Cacicus solitarius Tun
Epaulet Oriole Icterus cayanensis Tun, Chq
Lesser Red-breasted Meadowlark Sturnella defilippi Ach
Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca Caf
Hooded Siskin Carduelis magellanica Inf, Apt
Black Siskin Carduelis atrata Inf