CHILE TOUR REPORT 2025

31 October - 22 November 2025

Mark Pearman

This year’s Chile tour was a blinder with, as usual, all of the endemics including the critically endangered Chilean Woodstar and all eight species of tapaculo from the giant Moustached Turca to the skulking White-throated Tapaculo and elusive huet-huets. Waders featured strongly with walk away views of the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, enigmatic Magellanic Plover, superb Tawny-throated and Rufous-chested Dotterels as well as three species of seedsnipe.

Seabirds were another major attraction during our three pelagics and four ferry crossings at different latitudes producing 22 species of tubenoses. In the north we had fantastic looks at Buller’s Albatross, Markham’s, Elliot’s and Ringed Storm Petrels. Central Chile produced five species of albatross including White-capped, the recently described “Andean Storm Petrel” and Masatierra Petrel. Off Chiloe Island we saw Common Diving Petrel and many Pincoya Storm Petrels. Finally, in the Magellan Straits we encountered the recently split Fuegian Storm Petrel and Southern Fulmar.

Other major highlights included the enigmatic Horned Coot, poorly known Red-backed Sierra Finch, the iconic Magellanic Woodpecker, repeated looks at a circling Rufous-tailed Hawk which perched briefy, smart White-bridled and Yellow-bridled Finches, such fantastic ovenbirds as Des Murs’ Wiretail and White-throated Treerunner, the memorable Puna Tinamou alias the walking bush, incredible looks at Austral Rail and the King Penguin colony was an unforgettable experience. In all we managed a tally of 289 species plus 19 species of mammal which included prolonged views of four pumas, close-up Fin Whales, Tarucas and Marine Otters.

The tour began at Calama where, once out of the barren Atacama Desert, we watched a small group of Guanaco before heading to higher ground through badlands and stunning volcano-dotted steppe. Here, Ash-breasted Sierra Finch and Greenish Yellow Finch were abundant with brief views of a White-winged Cinclodes and a lone Northern Mountain Viscacha (the largest chinchilla) sunning itself on a cliff, as a pair of Mountain Caracara came swooping by with one perching briefly on a cairn to round off our first afternoon.

After a night of acclimatization, we drove to Machuca lakes at 4000 m. where we studied Chilean, sixty Puna and over two hundred “dancing” Andean flamingos at close range, along with Andean Avocet, the often tricky Puna Plover, Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Andean Goose, Crested Duck, Puna, Yellow-billed and Cinnamon Teals, Andean Gull, Puna Ibis, Variable Hawk, Black-winged Ground Dove, Andean Negrito, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Cordilleran Canastero and the smart Black-hooded Sierra Finch.

We were here to see the rare and enigmatic Horned Coot with eight present among many Andean Coots and a few Giant Coots. Ground Tyrants were everywhere with Cinereous, Ochre-naped, Rufous-naped and Black-fronted seen. Driving across a barren steppe we enjoyed great looks at a pair of Lesser Rhea, relating to one of the scarce Puna forms. Soon we reached the site for our second major target where two Red-backed Sierra Finches were waiting for us, and walked around our feet looking for food. Later, we drove to Iquique via the coast, adding various regular waders plus Belcher’s Gull and Spot-billed Ground Tyrant.

After four days of storms, we found that Iquique port was closed but improving conditions promised that our first pelagic would go ahead. We sailed around the harbour waiting for permission and soaking up the atmosphere, with mewing Grey Gulls everywhere and a few thousand glorious Inca Terns on ship decks, masts, ropes, piers and cables, while South American Sea Lions loafed on buoys and we enjoyed great looks at the stunning Red-legged Cormorant. Here too, we watched six endangered Peruvian Terns, an important bird for the tour, and a trio of cheeky Marine Otters.

With the port now open we sailed west into the Pacific on what was to be a memorable pelagic. Leaving the Kelp Gulls and Elegant Terns behind we were soon shocked by the sheer numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes in their hundreds, swirling and landing again and again on the sea in front of our boat. Peruvian Diving Petrels were becoming common in an inshore belt, as numbers of Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters slowly increased. We only managed a single Peruvian Booby and a single Peruvian Pelican, both known to be victims of avian flu, whereas we have seen many hundreds in the past. But, we were of course here for the tubenoses of which there was no shortage. Northern Giant Petrels greatly outnumbered Southern’s, as we started to get nice fly-bys of the superb large chocolate Markham’s Storm Petrel with its creamy wing stripe, and diminutive Elliot’s Storm Petrel, up to two thousand seen. Before we knew it, the odd Ringed Storm Petrel flew past us, perhaps due to the recent storm or some kind of food-rich conditions while reaching deep water. The shelf here plummets to well over 4,000 metres and here we gave it our best with a relentless chumming session. This brought in Black-browed and the odd Salvin’s Albatross as well as two prize Buller’s Albatross, one of which was practically feeding out of the hand, with even more Markham’s, Ringed and Elliot’s Storm Petrels continuously patrolling. White-chinned Petrels and a Westland Petrel also showed up, before it was time to head back to port which added Chilean Skua and some Franklin’s Gulls when someone shouted “whales ahoy!!!” We then enjoyed a very close encounter with three Fin Whales, the giant adults swimming back and forth and even under our boat for fun.

Back on dry land, we headed south of the city to search for the endemic Chilean Seaside Cinclodes finding our first Blackish Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper and Surfbird before this huge coastal cinclodes showed well.  

Soon after dawn, we arrived at the Tamarugo woodlands (Strombocarpa tamarugo), an endemic tree to this part of Chile rescued from extinction, where we were greeted by the first of several Tamarugo Conebills. Done and dusted, we were soon on our way north, up and down through dramatic oasis gorges until we reached Cuya. Here, we added Croaking Ground Dove, Burrowing Owl, White-crested (Peruvian) Elaenia, the very smart and localized Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Cinereous Conebill and the ubiquitous Slender-billed Finch.

Our next port of call was a site that promised three hummingbirds, hopefully including Chile’s most threatened species, the endemic Chilean Woodstar. Once we reached the site, I couldn’t believe that the first hummer we saw was a stunning male Chilean Woodstar which gave us repeated close-ups over the next hour. A female woodstar also showed up, and a pair of Peruvian Sheartail were frequently chased off by boisterous Oasis Hummingbirds. Fully satisfied, we headed on to Arica, stopping at a first site for Peruvian Thick-knee where we drew a blank but added our first Chestnut-throated Seedeater, singing away on a cable.

The Lluta river mouth beckoned where we watched our first glowing Peruvian Meadowlarks as well as exceptionally high numbers of Little Blue Heron, an out-of-place Puna Ibis and Andean Gull as well as numerous Belcher’s Gulls and at last a few hundred Peruvian Pelicans. Just up the coast we tried our luck at another Peruvian Thick-knee site and waited at dusk for Tschudi’s Nightjar, but it was not to be.

We never give up though and a pre-dawn excursion to another Tschudi’s Nightjar spot gave us multiple looks at a male flying around and calling. And, after breakfast, nothing would stop us from connecting with a smart pair of Peruvian Thick-knee, still sleepy from their nocturnal activity.

Stops along the Lluta Valley provided us with Spot-winged Pigeon (surprising to see the highland albipennis form almost in the lowlands), Harris’ Hawk, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, the smart and recently split Rufescent Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Streak-backed Tit-Spinetail and Mourning Sierra Finch. We had a long tug-of-war with a Pacific Pygmy Owl which we eventually won, and once we reached our base in Putre, in the high Andes, we soon added Andean Hillstar, Canyon Canastero, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Andean Swallow, Hooded and Yellow-rumped Siskins, Band-tailed Seedeater and Blue-and-yellow Tanager. But, we needed a two nightjar day (yes, it was the same day!), so at dusk we pulled in two Band-winged Nightjars, of the soon to be split Andean form atripunctatus, for close fly-bys.

In the morning we caught up with Dark-winged Canastero, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Northern Giant Hummingbird, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper and eventually upgraded our views of White-throated Earthcreeper. Then, we set out on a trek with high expectations of the magical Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. At over 4000 m., and after a somewhat testing walk, suddenly there was a DSP at fairly close range in all its glory. Other additions here included the smart Glacier Finch as well as Puna, White-fronted and Black-fronted Ground Tyrants; the latter very unexpected here. A group of four Puna Tinamous showed well as they fled uphill. Some also managed to see a pair of Puna Snipe in the process. The vast Lago Chungara was teeming with coots and duck including our first Ruddy Ducks, as well as Andean Lapwing. Other stops ensured Puna Miner, Black Siskin and the raucous Andean Flicker to round off a very profitable day.

In the morning, we headed back up to Lauca, bagging four Ornate Tinamous on the way and managed fantastic looks at four oblivious Tarucas, grazing in a field. After another high altitude trek we connected with many White-throated Sierra Finches, our main target here. But that was not all, Mountain Caracaras were nesting in the cliffs that were full of Mountain Viscachas, not to mention a couple of Bolivian Big-eared Mouse and a smart Ornate Soft-haired Mouse.

With word of a road blockade back towards Arica we began the downhill drive, where some roadworks enabled us to catch up with the now overdue Straight-billed Earthcreeper. Ten km or more of Bolivian trucks forced to a standstill was not a pretty sight, but we skipped the queue and argued to be let past, which worked with a bit of old spiel. Back on the coast, we connected with large numbers of Red-necked Phalarope, Sanderling and of course Grey Gulls, as well as Black Skimmers and Grey Plover.

After a flight to Santiago, we were soon on our way to the coast with roadside birds including Chimango Caracara, Diuca Finch, Chilean Mockingbird and Long-tailed Meadowlark. Reserva Natural Maipo produced the expected Ticking Doradito but we had to work a little before everyone managed decent views. Here too we added Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans, Yellow-billed Pintail, Picui Ground Dove, Black-necked Stilt, Southern Lapwing, Brown-hooded Gull, White-faced Ibis, Cinereous Harrier, the strange Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, White-crested (Chilean) Elaenia, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Spectacled Tyrant, Fire-eyed Diucon, Chilean Swallow, Austral Thrush, Yellow-winged Blackbird and Grassland Yellow Finch. We heard Black Rail and Dusky Tapaculo but neither were responsive. Other lake and river stops provided Chiloe Wigeon, Lake Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-gartered Coot and wild Coypu. Eventually we birded a wooded valley where we got to grips with various common species such as the delightful Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, endemic Dusky-tailed Canastero, Grey-hooded Sierra Finch, and Austral Blackbird. Suddenly a Moustached Turca appeared at close range and we quickly discovered its nesting cavity obtaining great looks at this huge and impressive endemic tapaculo. We had hoped for White-throated Tapaculo here but only Jesper managed a brief view.

It was time for our second pelagic and we left Valparaiso port in calm conditions at dawn with our local guide Pablo Gutierrez. We started with plenty of Inca and South American Terns, Peruvian Booby, Peruvian Pelicans and many Red-legged Cormorants. Soon, we headed through a belt of Peruvian Diving Petrels, adding a couple of Red Phalarope and soon after met with increasing numbers of Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters which we would see for the rest of the pelagic. Eventually, we reached 32 nautical miles from shore over deep water, and chumming brought many distant tubenoses in for close looks. We managed five species of albatross including the ubiquitous Black-browed and Salvin’s Albatrosses, but also seven Northern Royals, two Buller’s and an adult White-capped Albatross which is rare in these waters. A photograph strongly suggests that it was subspecies steadi which is even rarer. Adding to the mayhem were White-chinned Petrels, a single Westland Petrel, numerous Wilson’s-type storm-petrels of the newly described “Andean Storm Petrel”, and four close fly by views of Masatierra Petrel. Returning to port, we added a flock of Franklin’s Gulls and a flock of Guanay Cormorants to round off a successful pelagic.

After a nice seafood lunch and watching our second Chilean Seaside Cinclodes, we headed to a Humboldt Penguin colony where we were able to scope around forty birds, many at their burrows. The colony did hold up to a thousand individuals at the start of the decade but the species has suffered a major decline due to avian flu.

Now based inland by La Campana National Park, we made a dawn search for White-throated Tapaculo where a pair outwitted us and never allowed views. At another area, and with different tactics, we nailed it with great looks at one in a tree. Predicting exactly what the bird will do, helps! A short distance along the road, an endemic Dusky Tapaculo performed nicely with point blank views. Then, we added Chilean Flicker, Striped Woodpecker and the endearing White-throated Treerunner as a Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle soared overhead.

Next, we headed to Batuco Lake with its long stretches of boardwalks and viewing platforms. Our prime target was Stripe-backed Bittern plus we had a long shot chance of Black-headed Duck. Before long we were watching Red-fronted Coots, a smart Plumbeous Rail, many Many-colored Rush Tyrants and Wren-like Rushbirds. Mark suddenly spotted a stunning Stripe-backed Bittern and amazingly we saw five different bitterns before leaving. The lake had very few duck and we scoured all corners, adding a couple of Cocoi Herons and plenty of Great Grebes. Just as we were leaving, and right on cue, a pair of Black-headed Duck swam slowly past us on the open water.

It was time to visit the high central Andes and we set off early with an extensive shopping list. After gaining some altitude, our first stops revealed a good number of Moustached Turcas scuttling across the road like small frightened chickens, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Band-tailed Sierra Finch and a Great Shrike-Tyrant with a lizard in its bill, in the exact same spot as on our 2024 tour. Before long the endemic Crag Chilia showed up and sang on boulder tops as expected. A short distance away, we watched a sleepy Magellanic Horned Owl that had chosen to roost right beside the road. Flowering wet meadows were full of Greater Yellow Finches as well as Grey-flanked and Buff-winged Cinclodes, Sharp-billed Canastero, many White-browed Ground Tyrants and a few Black-fronted’s as well as a pair of feeding Mountain Caracaras. With a little patience, we eventually nailed good looks at the somewhat tricky White-sided Hillstar. Rufous-banded Miners were common but we just couldn’t connect with a Creamy-rumped this time around. Some, you have to let go ! New mammals today included close-up looks at a Culpeo Fox and those cute little Coruros, an endemic black “Prairie Dog-like” Octodontid with no close relatives.

Time to head south and deeper into the Patagonian forest with all its beauty. After a lengthy five-hour drive we parked up in pole position for the endemic Chilean Tinamou and found a few calling straight away. Then followed a well-coordinated group manoeuvre, in which everyone managed multiple looks at this chunky yellow-legged tinamou. Onwards and upwards, we reached our hub in the forest where hummingbird feeders provided great looks at Green-backed Firecrowns. We also managed perched Austral Parakeets in the hotel grounds before hiking through magical beech forest with giant Coihues (Nothofagus dombeyi). Our main target was the near endemic Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, a huge master-skulking tapaculo. First, we homed in on a Patagonian Tyrant obtaining multiple looks in the mid strata and subcanopy. Then, after a fair walk we heard our only huet-huet of the day, and set about trying to see it. Before long, a male Chilean Hawk flew directly past us with a large passerine in its talons, possibly a huet-huet or more likely an Austral Thrush. This was in any case a fortunate sighting of the hawk, and was our only record on the tour. The huet-huet singing continued and drew us into a “proper nasty” dark water-logged forest where all our attempts to see it failed. We already knew it was a toughie, so new sites and tactics would be required. There was no sign of Rufous-legged Owl at a regular site but this was compensated by a fine gourmet dinner provided by our hosts.

In the morning, flocks of raucous Burrowing Parrots were found perching in the Vilches Valley, north of their usual range which was a welcome, and time-saving observation, and allowed close scope studies. Then, in the Maule Valley we watched our first Upland Geese, overdue White-winged Coots, Black-chinned Siskins and a Dark-bellied Cinclodes when Mark got us onto a pair of Spectacled Ducks, our main target here. This special and very smart duck allowed drive-away views, so that was that, leaving just the tricky and now delicate question of how in hell we would see a Chestnut-throated Huet-huet at our last possible chance. Then, MP could hear some very distant calling huet-huets, found an obscure trail that we hiked up, did a few group manoeuvres and eventually we all got each other onto that king of skulkers. Job well done, which only left an eight-hour drive to our next one-night hub. In a country the size of Chile, some long drives were to be expected. Several Black-faced Ibis were worming on the hotel lawns when we arrived, and some of us managed looks at the magical Des Murs’s Wiretail.

At dawn, the striking orange and grey Chucao Tapaculo was fearlessly walking along a stream gully by the hotel providing great views. A short drive away, into the Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana) forest, we quickly homed in on the localized Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper finding an obliging pair, a species that MP split back in 2009. Up, by Tolhuaca volcano we upgraded our looks at Des Murs’s Wiretail. Then, after breakfast, we wandered back through the hotel gardens, viewing a fine pair of Torrent Ducks and adding our first Magellanic Tapaculo. Time to leave, as timing is always crucial.

When we arrived in Temuco it was hot and perfect. We climbed the tower and within five minutes an adult Rufous-tailed Hawk was circling at eye-level. Magic ! Every twenty-five minutes or so, it gave another fly-by and even once perched. One of South America’s rarest raptors – in our pocket. We also managed some flight views of the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet. And then, on the walk down through the bamboo forest, we bagged the Ochre-flanked Tapaculo with great views.

In the morning, we had more looks at Slender-billed Parakeet, Des Murs’s Wiretail and MP managed a glimpse of a Black-throated Huet-huet. But, by now, the most important bird on the agenda was the largest and one of the most impressive woodpeckers of South America. Magellanic Woodpecker is endemic to Patagonian forest but their density is very low. After a fair drive, and adding our first Crested Caracara, we reached a site where only a few managed a fleeting glimpse of the woodpecker. We thoroughly searched the area to no avail. But then out popped a Black-throated Huet-huet providing great views. Moving on to another area which was more of a long shot, I asked a local about the woodpecker who replied “they’ll be just over there”. We entered a tall silent forest near the treeline, and little happened for a while, until a male flew in. After 20 minutes it was joined by a female and we enjoyed these giants for an hour or so with walk away views. What a result !

In the morning we had more views of Chucao Tapaculo and our best looks at Slender-billed Parakeet before heading to Chiloe Island. The ferry crossings were calm and produced many Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Rock and Imperial Shags, Peruvian Pelican and great looks at two Common Diving Petrel. Unfortunately, we saw no Pincoya Storm Petrels. On Chiloe we immediately found five steamer ducks of the undescribed flightless form and watched good numbers of Hudsonian Godwits.

Another port, and another pelagic; this time on a private yacht. Our objective was to find the Pincoya Storm Petrel; described new to science in 2013, Pincoya being the Chilotan goddess who protects the local fishermen. We spent seven hours at sea and were rewarded with up to twenty-five Pincoyas which passed in twos and threes and were all seen in the morning. We also saw Magellanic Penguin, Black-browed Albatross, Pink-footed and abundant Sooty Shearwaters, as well as an Arctic Skua and more Chiloe Steamer Ducks.

A morning excursion to the Chamiza estuary produced five Flying Steamer Ducks and a cassini Peregrine that caught and fed on what appeared to be an American Oystercatcher. We said our goodbye’s to Norma and to our driver Rodo, and then flew to a windy Punta Arenas.

Top birds of the main tour

1. Diademed Sandpiper-Plover
2. Ringed Storm Petrel
3. Magellanic Woodpecker
4. White-throated Tapaculo
5. Chucao Tapaculo

A small marsh on the outskirts of Punta Arenas held Magellanic Oystercatcher, Two-banded Plover, Magellanic Snipe and Correndera Pipit. On the shores of the Magellan Straits, by our hotel, we watched our first smart Dolphin Gulls.

Our ferry trip to Tierra del Fuego was in jeopardy due to high winds, but by 11 am they decided to sail anyway. All the vehicles were tied down, and after less than an hour we were evacuated from the uppermost deck due to the roll and high splash. The three hour crossing produced Magellanic Penguin, Black-browed Albatross, Fuegian Storm Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Westland and White-chinned Petrels and Magellanic Diving Petrel. Heading south, we reached one of the few sites for Ruddy-headed Goose on Tierra del Fuego and immediately found a pair; the only pair ! Eventually we reached South America’s only King Penguin colony where, braving the wind, we enjoyed great looks at 120 King Penguins including many woolly juveniles. Here too, and on the entrance road we added Short-billed Miner, Patagonian Yellow Finch and a lone Large Hairy Armadillo. Our trip over the Baquedano mountains was just too late in the day for activity as we had been behind schedule all day.

Of course, we were back in the Baquedanos early and this time had great looks at four Rufous-chested Dotterels, with superb high aerial displays. What a bird ! After a hearty breakfast we were on our way, and the first stop was at a classic site for the enigmatic Magellanic Plover. Get innn ! No messing and we scored straight away. Brilliant views of this top bird. Further on, there was an unexpected roadside Magellanic Horned Owl on a post. Get a load of that ! Now at the narrows of the straits, everyone knew there was a chance of the dinky little Commerson’s Dolphin and it was just a question of brunting the freezing cold wind without bottling it. Only one dolphin showed up, almost at the last, but a nice prize for those that stood their ground.

Now, back in mainland South America we were faced with a serious drive to Torres del Paine, but with so much still to see. Just down the road we bagged a pair of Silver Teal (extralimital here) and then a search along sandy side roads eventually turned up four Elegant-crested Tinamous plus great looks at an Austral Canastero. Driving west, parallel with the straits, we stopped to enjoy the smart Band-tailed Earthcreeper, before driving through 200 kilometres of occasionally sign-posted minefields, the product of the cold war between Argentina and Chile in 1980 when Pinochet prepared himself for a war with Galtieri which never happened, because Galtieri invaded the Falklands instead. This long drive through uninhabited lands produced all sorts of wonderful and expected birds which included large numbers of Lesser Rheas, up to fifty sleek, pot-bellied Tawny-throated Dotterels, abundant Least Seedsnipes, superb Chocolate-vented Tyrants, many Common Miners and four stunning White-bridled Finches. The towers of Paine stood boldly above the plains with a rosy hew as we finally reached our hotel.

After a superb buffet dinner, we slept what we could, still in daylight, before leaving at night with our Puma trackers. They were right on the case of a Guanaco kill and we were in the perfect position at sunrise as we watched a female Puma and her well grown cub, coming from the feed and strolling around a nearby hillside. Awesome! Now, the decision was to try for Austral Rail (a species that was believed to be extinct for 50 years) and after a few tries we had exceptional luck in finding an extremely obliging bird on the corner of a rush-covered lake. The bird was a complete show-off and I have never seen anything like it ! Fully content, we reconnected with our prime tracker who then got us onto a different large female Puma and her cub which took to jumping from one large square boulder to another. We enjoyed this for a while until they hunkered down to sleep. We were back for breakfast by 7.30 am having experienced such a great spectacle. Of course we were all knackered and needed to recuperate from our intensive last 24 hours.

In the afternoon, we headed out to Sierra Baguales which straddles the border with Argentina in a remote area. Patagonian Mockingbirds proved easier than usual, but the area was extremely dry for ground tyrants and we only managed two Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrants. As Andean Condors sailed overhead, we connected with our main target, the very smart Yellow-bridled Finch with six seen mostly at close range. We rounded off the day with nice looks at a Pichy armadillo en route back to our hotel.

Beginning our long drive back to Punta Arenas, we enjoyed a pair of handsome Ashy-headed Geese amongst gaggles of Uplands, while many Andean Condors circled low, and an immature Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle posed at a carcass on a roadside fence. We still had unfinished business with two Anatids and pulled the strings to drive well south of Punta Arenas, finding three pairs of striking Kelp Geese (snow white males, and chocolate females) and twenty-seven, long overdue, chunky Fuegian Steamer Ducks sleeping it off on a long pebble peninsula. A fitting end to such an enduring tour of Chile from one extreme to the other, and such an amazing range of habitats with a great group of Birdquesters.

Top birds of the southern Patagonian extension

1. King Penguin
2. Austral Rail
3. Tawny-throated Dotterel
4. Magellanic Plover
5. White-bridled Finch

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR
Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2025. IOC World Bird List (v15.1).
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

Species which were not personally recorded by the leaders are indicated by the symbol (NL).

Species which were only seen by the leader are indicated with (LO).

Species which were heard only are indicated with (H)

Species that were only seen on the tour extension are marked with (X).

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g. only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species.

Lesser Rhea (Darwin’s R)  Rhea [pennata] pennata  (X)

Lesser Rhea (Puna R)  Rhea [pennata] tarapacensis  A pair above San Pedro.

Puna Tinamou ◊  Tinamotis pentlandii

Elegant Crested Tinamou ◊  Eudromia elegans  (X)  Four at Buque Quemado.

Ornate Tinamou  Nothoprocta ornata

Chilean Tinamou ◊  Nothoprocta perdicaria  Repeated looks near Talca.

Black-headed Duck ◊  Heteronetta atricapilla A pair at Batuco.

Lake Duck ◊  Oxyura vittata

Ruddy Duck (Andean D)  Oxyura ferruginea

Coscoroba Swan ◊  Coscoroba coscoroba

Black-necked Swan ◊  Cygnus melanocoryphus

Torrent Duck  Merganetta armata 

Andean Goose  Chloephaga melanoptera

Upland Goose ◊  Chloephaga picta

Kelp Goose ◊  Chloephaga hybrida  (X)  Three pairs near Punta Arenas.

Ashy-headed Goose ◊  Chloephaga poliocephala  (X)  A pair out of Torres del Paine.

Ruddy-headed Goose ◊  Chloephaga rubidiceps  (X) Just one pair on Tierra del Fuego.

Crested Duck  Lophonetta specularioides

Bronze-winged Duck (Spectacled D) ◊  Speculanas specularis

Flying Steamer Duck ◊  Tachyeres patachonicus

Fuegian Steamer Duck ◊ (Flightless SD)  Tachyeres pteneres  (X)

“Chiloe Steamer Duck” ◊  Tachyeres sp. nov.  Endemic. Distinctive, yet still undescribed.

Puna Teal  Anas puna 

Silver Teal  Spatula versicolor  (X)

Red Shoveler ◊  Anas platalea

Cinnamon Teal  Anas cyanoptera

Chiloe Wigeon ◊  Anas sibilatrix

White-cheeked Pintail  Anas bahamensis 

Yellow-billed Pintail   Anas georgica

Yellow-billed Teal (Speckled T) Anas [flavirostris] flavirostris

   Yellow-billed Teal (Inca T) Anas [flavirostris] oxyptera

California Quail (Intr) Calipepla californica

Andean Flamingo ◊  Phoenicopterus andinus

Chilean Flamingo  Phoenicopterus chilensis 

James’s Flamingo (Puna F) ◊  Phoenicopterus jamesi

White-tufted Grebe  Rollandia rolland

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilmbus podiceps

Great Grebe  Podicephorus major

Silvery Grebe  Podiceps [occipitalis] occipitalis                                                                                                                    

   Silvery Grebe  Podiceps [occipitalis] juninensis  

Bare-faced Ground Dove  Metriopelia cecilae

Black-winged Ground Dove  Metriopelia melanoptera 

Picui Ground Dove  Columbina picui

Croaking Ground Dove  Columbina cruziana

West Peruvian Dove  Zenaida meloda 

Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata

Spot-winged Pigeon  Patagioenas maculosa albipennis

Chilean Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas araucana

Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)  Columba livia   The less said, the better.

Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Austral Rail ◊  Rallus antarcticus   (X)  Outstanding views at Torres del Paine.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata

Red-fronted Coot  Fulica rufifrons

Horned Coot ◊  Fulica cornuta   Just 8 of these bizarre coots above San Pedro.

Red-gartered Coot  Fulica armillata

Giant Coot  Fulica gigantea 

White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera

Andean Coot  Fulica ardesiaca

Black Rail  Laterallus [jamaicensis] salinasi  H

Magellanic Plover ◊  Pluvianellus socialis  (X)  Walk-away views of one on Tierra del Fuego.

Peruvian Thick-knee  Burhinus superciliaris 

Andean Avocet  Recurvirostra andina 

Black-necked Stilt (White-backed S)  Himantopus [mexicanus] melanurus

Magellanic Oystercatcher ◊  Haematopus leucopodus  (X)

Blackish Oystercatcher  Haematopus ater

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliatus

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola 

American Golden Plover  Pluvialis dominica

Tawny-throated Dotterel  Oreopholus ruficollis  (X) Numerous in the Magellan Straits.

Rufous-chested Dotterel (R-c Plover) ◊  Zonibyx modestus  (X) 4 in Tierra del Fuego.

Diademed Sandpiper-Plover ◊  Phegornis mitchellii    One of these dream birds at Lauca.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis

Andean Lapwing  Vanellus resplendens 

Two-banded Plover ◊ Anarhynchus falklandicus  (X)

Puna Plover ◊ Anarhynchus alticola   Four above San Pedro de Atacama.

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe  Attagis gayi 

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe  Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicovorus  (X)

Hudsonian Whimbrel  Numenius hudsonicus 

Hudsonian Godwit  Limosa haemastica

Puna Snipe  Gallinago andina  A couple at Lauca.

Magellanic Snipe ◊ Gallinago magellanica

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Red Phalarope  Phalaropus fulicarius

Red-necked Phalarope  Phalaropus lobatus

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes 

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres 

Surfbird  Aphriza virgata

Sanderling  Calidris alba

Baird’s Sandpiper  Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper  Calidris melanotus

Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua)  Stercorarius parasiticus

Chilean Skua ◊  Stercorarius chilensis

Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger

Peruvian Tern  Sternula lorata  Six at Iquique.

Inca Tern ◊  Larosterna inca

Elegant Tern  Thalasseus elegans 

South American Tern  Sterna hirundinacea

Brown-hooded Gull  Chroicocephalus maculipennis

Andean Gull  Chroicocephalus serranus

Dolphin Gull ◊ Leucophaeus scoresbii  (X)

Grey Gull ◊  Leucocephalus modestus

Franklin’s Gull  Leucophaeus pipixcan 

Belcher’s Gull ◊ Larus belcheri

Kelp Gull  Larus dominicanus

King Penguin ◊ Aptenodytes patagonicus  (X)

Humboldt Penguin ◊  Spheniscus humboldti

Magellanic Penguin ◊  Spheniscus magellanicus

Northern Royal Albatross ◊  Diomedea sanfordi

Black-browed Albatross  Thalassarche melanophrys

Buller’s Albatross  Thalassarche b. bulleri  Two or more off both Iquique and Valparaiso.

Shy Albatross (White-capped A)  Thalassarche cauta steadi  An adult off Valparaiso proves to be steadi.

Salvin’s Albatross  Thalassarche salvini 

Fuegian Storm Petrel  Oceanites chilensis  (X)  Seen in the Magellan Straits. Recently split from O. oceanicus.

“Andean Storm Petrel” ◊  Oceanites barrosi   Forty off Valparaiso pelagic of this newly described (2023) species, the validity of which remains unconfirmed at the time of writing.

Pincoya Storm Petrel  ◊  Oceanites pincoyae   Twenty-five from a pelagic off Puerto Montt.

Elliot’s Storm Petrel ◊  Oceanites gracilis 

Markham’s Storm Petrel  Hydrobates markhami   Abundant off Iquique.

Ringed Storm Petrel  Oceanodroma hornbyi  A total of 17 recorded off Iquique.

Southern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus

Northern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus

Southern Fulmar  ◊  Fulmarus glacialoides

Westland Petrel  Procellaria wetlandica 

White-chinned Petrel  Procellaria aequinoctialis   

Sooty Shearwater  Puffinus griseus 

Pink-footed Shearwater  Puffinus creatopus 

Peruvian Diving Petrel ◊  Pelecanoides garnotii

Common Diving Petrel ◊  Pelecanoides urinatrix  Two on the Chiloe ferry crossing.

Magellanic Diving Petrel ◊  Pelecanoides magellani  (X)

Masatierra Petrel  Pterodroma defilippiana   Four off Valparaiso.

Peruvian Booby  Sula variegata

Red-legged Cormorant  Phalacrocorax gaimardi

Neotropic Cormorant  Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Rock Shag ◊  Phalacrocorax magellanicus

Guanay Cormorant  Phalacrocorax bougainvillii

Imperial Shag (Blue-eyed Cormorant) ◊ Phalacrocorax [atriceps] atriceps

   Imperial Shag (King C) ◊  Phalacrocorax [atriceps] albiventer (X)

Black-faced Ibis ◊  Theristicus melanopis

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

Puna Ibis  Plegadis ridgwayi 

Peruvian Pelican  Pelecanus thagus

Stripe-backed Bittern  Ixobrychus involucris  Five at Batuco. Amazing !

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula                                                                                                                               

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Great Egret  Ardea alba

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Cocoi Heron  Ardea cocoi

Tschudi’s Nightjar ◊  Quechuavis decussata

Band-winged Nightjar  (Siku N)   Systellura [longirostris] atripuntatus 

Green-backed Firecrown ◊  Sephanoides sephaniodes

Andean Hillstar  Oreotrochilus estella

White-sided Hillstar ◊  Oreotrochilus leucopleurus

Northern Giant Hummingbird  Patagona peruviana  Three at Lauca. Recently split from P. gigas.

Southern Giant Hummingbird  Patagona gigas  Small numbers in central Chile.

Oasis Hummingbird ◊  Rhodopis vesper

Peruvian Sheartail ◊  Thaumastura cora

Chilean Woodstar ◊  Eulidia yarrellii  Superb male and a female at our regular site.

Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia 

Pacific Pygmy Owl (Peruvian P O) ◊ Glaucidium peruanum

Magellanic Horned Owl (Lesser H O) ◊ Bubo magellanicus Singles at Farallones and Tierra del Fuego.

Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus  NL

Chilean Hawk  ◊  Astur chilensis  A close fly-by of a male inside the forest at Alto Vilches.

Harris’s Hawk  Parabuteo unicinctus

Variable Hawk  Geranoaetus polyosoma

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Rufous-tailed Hawk ◊  Buteo ventralis  One circling and even perching at Temuco. Wow!

Chilean Flicker ◊  Colaptes pitius

Andean Flicker  Colaptes rupicola

Magellanic Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus magellanicus  Walk-away views of a pair.

Striped Woodpecker ◊  Veniliornis lignarius

Mountain Caracara  Phalcoboenus megalopterus

Crested Caracara  Caracara plancus

Chimango Caracara  Daptrius chimango

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus cassini

Monk Parakeet (Intr)  Myiopsitta monachus

Slender-billed Parakeet ◊  Enicognathus leptorhynchus

Austral Parakeet ◊  Enicognathus ferrugineus

Burrowing Parrot ◊  Cyanoliseus patagonus byroni

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter ◊  Phytotoma rara

Many-coloured Rush Tyrant  Tachuris rubrigastra

White-crested Elaenia (Peruvian E) Elaenia [albiceps] modesta

White-crested Elaenia (Chilean E)  Elaenia chilensis

Ticking Doradito ◊ Pseudocolopteryx citreola 

Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant ◊  Anairetes reguloides

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes flavirostris

Tufted Tit-Tyrant ◊ Anairetes parulus

Rufescent Flycatcher ◊ Myiophobus rufescens

Patagonian Tyrant ◊  Colorhamphus parvirostris

White-browed Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca leucophrys

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus obscurus

Spot-billed Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola maculirostris

Puna Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola juninensis

Cinereous Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola cinereus

White-fronted Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola albifrons

Ochre-naped Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola flavinucha

Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola rufivertex

White-browed Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola albilora

Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola capistrata  (X)

Black-fronted Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola frontalis 

Austral Negrito ◊  Lessonia rufa

Andean Negrito  Lessonia oreas 

Spectacled Tyrant  Hymenops perspicillata

Fire-eyed Diucon ◊  Pyrope pyrope

Chocolate-vented Tyrant ◊  Neoxolmis rufiventris  (X)

Great Shrike-Tyrant ◊ Agriornis lividus 

White-throated Tapaculo ◊  Scelorchilus albicollis 

Chucao Tapaculo ◊  Scelorchilus rubecula 

Chestnut-throated Huet-huet ◊  Pteroptochos castaneus

Black-throated Huet-huet ◊  Pteroptochos tarnii 

Moustached Turca ◊  Pteroptochos megapodius

Ochre-flanked Tapaculo ◊  Eugralla paradoxa

Dusky Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus fuscus

Magellanic Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus magellanicus

Common Miner  Geositta [cunicularia] hellmayri

Puna Miner  Geositta punensis

Rufous-banded Miner (Trilling M)  Geositta [rufipennis] fasciata

Short-billed Miner ◊  Geositta antarctica

White-throated Treerunner ◊  Pygarrhichas albogularis

Straight-billed Earthcreeper  Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus

Band-tailed Earthcreeper ◊  Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus  (X)

Crag Chilia ◊  Ochetorhynchus melanura 

Wren-like Rushbird  Phleocryptes melanops

Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper ◊ Upucerthia saturatior 

Scale-throated Earthcreeper  Upucerthia dumetaria

White-throated Earthcreeper ◊  Upucerthia albigula

Buff-breasted Earthcreeper  Upucerthia validirostris 

Buff-winged Cinclodes ◊ Cinclodes fuscus

Cream-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes albiventris

Grey-flanked Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes oustaleti oustaleti

White-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes atacamensis

Dark-bellied Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes patagonicus

Chilean Seaside Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes nigrofumosus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito ◊  Aphrastura spinicauda

Des Murs’s Wiretail ◊  Sylviorthorhymchus desmursii 

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura aegithaloides

Streak-backed Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura striata

Dark-winged Canastero  Asthenes arequipae

Austral Canastero ◊  Asthenes anthoides  (X)

Cordilleran Canastero  Asthenes modesta

Sharp-billed Canastero  Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Canyon Canastero ◊  Asthenes pudibunda 

Dusky-tailed Canastero ◊  Pseudasthenes humicola

Sand Martin (Bank Swallow)  Riparia riparia

Chilean Swallow  Tachycineta meyeni

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Andean Swallow  Orochelidon andecola

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota  LO

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus

Chilean Mockingbird ◊  Mimus thenca

Patagonian Mockingbird ◊  Mimus patagonicus  (X)

Chiguanco Thrush  Turdus [chiguanco] chiguanco

   Chiguanco Thrush (Coal Black T)  Turdus [chiguanco] anthracinus 

Austral Thrush ◊  Turdus falcklandii

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Correndera Pipit  Anthus correndera

Hooded Siskin  Spinus magellanica

Black Siskin  Spinus atrata

Yellow-rumped Siskin ◊  Spinus uropygialis

Black-chinned Siskin ◊  Carduelis barbata

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

Peruvian Meadowlark ◊  Sturnella bellicosa

Long-tailed Meadowlark  Sturnella loyca

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis

Austral Blackbird ◊  Cureus cureus

Yellow-winged Blackbird  Agelaius thilius

Tamarugo Conebill ◊  Conirostrum tamarugense

Cinereous Conebill  Conirostrum cinereum

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus atriceps

Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch  Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra Finch  Phrygilus patagonicus

White-bridled Finch ◊  Melanodera melanodera  (X)

Yellow-bridled Finch ◊  Melanodera xanthogramma  (X)

Greater Yellow Finch ◊  Sicalis auriventris

Greenish Yellow Finch  Sicalis olivascens

Patagonian Yellow Finch ◊  Sicalis lebruni  (X)

Grassland Yellow-Finch  Sicalis luteola

Red-backed Sierra Finch ◊  Idiopsar dorsalis

White-throated Sierra Finch ◊  Idiopsar erythronotus

Glacier Finch ◊  Idiopsar speculifer

Ash-breasted Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis plebejus

Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Gewospizopsis unicolor

Band-tailed Seedeater  Catamenia analis 

Black-throated Flowpiercer  Diglossa brunneiventris

Mourning Sierra Finch  Phrygilus patagonicus

Band-tailed Sierra Finch  Phrygilus alaudinus

Chestnut-throated Seedeater  Sporophila telasco

Slender-billed Finch ◊  Xenospingus concolor

Blue-and-yellow Tanager  Thraupis bonariensis

Diuca Finch  Diuca diuca

MAMMALS

Large Hairy Armadillo  Chaetophractus villosus  (X) One leaving the King Penguin colony.

Pichi  Zaedyus pichiy  (X) One heading back from Sierra Baguales.

Puma  Puma concolor  (X) Two females each with a cub at Torres del Paine.                       

Culpeo Fox  Lycalopex culpaeus                                                                                                                       

South American Grey Fox  Pseudalopex griseus                                                                                      

South American Sea Lion  Otaria byronia

Guanaco  Lama guanicoe

Vicuña  Vicugna vicugna

North Andean Huemul (Taruca)  Hippocamelus bisulcus  Four near Putre.

Fin Whale  Balaenoptera physalus  Three at sea off Iquique, swimming under our boat.                                                                                          

Commerson’s Dolphin  Cephalorhynchus commersonii  (X)

European Hare (Intr) Lepus europeus                                                                                                          

European Rabbit (Intr)  Oryctolagus cuniculus 

Northern Mountain Viscacha  Lagidium viscacia                                                                                          

Coruro  Spalacopus cuanus  Three at Los Farallones.

Coypu (Nutria) Myocastor coypus

Bolivian Big-eared Mouse  Auliscomys boliviensis   Lauca NP.

Ornate Soft-haired Mouse  Abrothrix jelskii  Lauca NP.

Marine Otter  Lontra felina   Three in Iquique harbour.

REPTILES

Four-banded Pacific Iguana  Microlophus quadrivittatus  Abundant near Iquique.

Small Pacific Iguana  Microlophus theresioides  One or two at Arica.

Northern Painted Smooth-throated Iguana  Liolaemus septentrionalis  One at Alto Vilches.

Painted Tree Iguana  Liolaemus pictus  One at Puyehue NP.

Black-green Tree Iguana  Liolaemis nigroviridis  A few at Farallones.

Leopard Iguana  Liolaemus leopardinus  LO. One at Farallones.