SOUTHERN & CENTRAL ARGENTINA TOUR REPORT 2022

24 November - 9 December 2022

by Mark Pearman

The 2022 edition of Southern & Central Argentina produced some 296 species with 126 diamond birds of restricted range: testimony to the unique avifauna of Patagonia. Among these, we secured all eight available Argentine endemics and all of Argentina’s 12 endemic breeders, most of which are austral migrants.

The mega target bird of the tour was the now Critically Endangered Hooded Grebe which only breeds in western Santa Cruz province. It took some important logistics, coordination and a huge amount of luck, to see just a single bird. The fate of this stunning species, discovered new to science in 1974, hangs in the balance with all the odds against its survival, mainly due to five years of elevated temperatures, stronger winds and lack of meltwater flow from the Patagonian snowfields; numerous lakes have dried out over the past 25 years. The tour group was relieved to have seen it but, at the same time, bewildered to see a single bird seemingly paired with a Silvery Grebe (a classic survival tactic), and witness its breeding lakes drying out with no nesting material available, knowing that introduced trout, introduced American Mink and wandering predatory Kelp Gulls could thwart any breeding attempt.

The numerous highlights, beyond the tragic plight of the Hooded Grebe, included Spectacled Duck, Red-tailed Comet, Austral Rail, the unforgettable Magellanic Plover, Tawny-throated Dotterel, striking Dolphin and Olrog’s Gulls, a vagrant Macaroni Penguin, raucous Rufous-legged Owl, impressive Magellanic Horned Owl at a daytime roost, the scarce Black-bodied Woodpecker, stunning male and female Magellanic Woodpecker (you have to see both !), the peculiar Black-legged Seriema, and even more peculiar Spot-winged Falconet, the macaw-like Burrowing Parrot, outrageous Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, whacky outsized tapaculos such as Black-throated Huet-huet and Crested Gallito, both forms of the colourful, skulking, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, the poorly known Dinelli’s Doradito, stunning Black-crowned, Rusty-backed and Salinas Monjitas, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Rufous-tailed and White-tipped Plantcutters, endangered Pampas Meadowlark and the smart Cinnamon Warbling Finch.

As usual the tour began in Cordoba, central Argentina, where a first visit into the forested foothills provided great views of the handsome and range-restricted Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch and a superb male Blue-tufted Starthroat. Later in the day we bagged a highly cooperative pair of Chaco Sparrows, an endemic breeder, barely known outside of Argentina.

After a nice pre-dawn breakfast, we headed into the Sierras Grandes to gain altitude before our dawn birding. Our first stops produced a stunning Red-tailed Comet, Buff-necked Ibis, obliging Plumbeous Rail, and a number of perched Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles. The endemic Cordoba and Olrog’s Cinclodes showed well along with White-winged Cinclodes for comparison. Various interesting endemic subspecies were also found including Ash-breasted and Plumbeous Sierra Finches, Puna Canastero, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant and the distinctive local form of Long-tailed Meadowlark. A shockingly bright lime green Argentine Anole (an iguanid lizard, endemic to these mountains) also put on a fine show.

Dropping down the west slope of the moon-scaped sierras we scoured the thorn woodlands and gardens for the sleek Black-legged Seriema and enjoyed lengthy views of one hunting. Outrageous Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, smart Lark-like Brushrunner, raucous Brown Cacholote and the beasty “Chaco” Puffbird provided the supporting cast.

A final stop before reaching our hub in the Sierras Chicas produced two male Cinereous Tyrant (a chaco endemic) and our first Many-coloured Chaco Finches and Greater Wagtail-Tyrants. As we left, amazingly a male Black-crested Finch was observed foraging on a street in the town.

Our next objective was the endemic Salinas Monjita, known primarily from the Salinas Grandes salt lakes spanning three provinces and covering an area of over 3700 square miles. First on our agenda today was the enigmatic Spot-winged Falconet and we eventually had corking views of this characterful and scarce falcon. After adding a pair of Crested Horneros, we were itching to reach the salt pans. The monjita only inhabits the low sueda bordering the salt pans and the first of six was found as soon as we stepped out of the bus. A Lesser Shrike-Tyrant put in a brief performance, while back in the chaco woodlands we added the secretive Crested Gallito and poorly known Plain Inezia.

Surreal and beautiful sierran chaco woodlands mixed with Carandilla palms was the setting for another major target, the localized Black-bodied Woodpecker but we would have to work hard for this specialty. In the meantime, we enjoyed point-blank views of the stunning Olive-crowned Crescentchest, of the Andean form argentina. Moving on to another trail we finally scored a superb, Black-bodied Woodpecker flying back and forth across a valley with various perched views to round off an excellent day’s birding.

Our drive across monotonous farmland to Mar Chiquita was punctuated by some unexpected raucous Chaco Chachalacas at a bridge and four Greater Rheas but very little else of note. Once we reached the “Small Sea”, a lake of 2000 sq. km, we immediately homed in and got familiar with the poorly known Dinelli’s Doradito which is common here. The rest of our Mar Chiquita experience included some reasonable looks at the skulking chaco (pallida) form of Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Brown-hooded Gulls, and Dot-winged Crake glimpsed by some. We had an interesting meal that strangely included a lot of Coypu on the menu.

After two short flights we reached our new hub of Bahia Blanca, in the south of the Buenos Aires close to some remnant pristine Pampas grasslands. Our number one target was the endangered Pampas Meadowlark although overnight rain could hamper our endeavour. Several Pampas and now Patagonian birds were new for us including Elegant Crested Tinamou, abundant Burrowing Parrots, Common Miner, the aptly named Firewood-gatherer, White-banded Mockingbird as well as Pampas and Short-billed Pipits to mention a few.

Eventually the mud was too much for our bus and we abandoned it and our driver Roy to continue on foot for the meadowlark, scrutinizing many Long-tailed Meadowlarks and White-browed Blackbirds on the walk. Eventually we reached the spot with a notable change in habitat and ten or more displaying Pampas Meadowlarks…. glorious ! We also had great looks at the crippling Bearded Tachuri. A swirling mass of forty or more Swainson’s Hawk provided great entertainment while leaving the area.

In the afternoon we visited some lakes with the localized Hudson’s Canastero in mind and scored immediately with repeated looks at four individuals. Here too we added Silver Teal, White-cheeked Pintail and Rosy-billed Pochard. Our final stop of the day was the Bahia Blanca estuary where we were treated to scope studies of the endemic breeding Olrog’s Gull with Kelp Gulls for comparison. We also enjoyed Great Grebe, Snowy-crowned Tern, Grey and Semipalmated Plovers, Hudsonian Godwit, White-rumped Sandpiper and Sharp-billed Canastero.

Leaving Bahia Blanca behind, we headed into La Pampa province and a first stop produced sought-after displaying endemic breeders such as Carbonated Sierra Finch and Hudson’s Black Tyrant and now abundant Straneck’s Tyrannulet. Bang, bang, bang !!! Here too, everyone caught up with “in your face” views of Brushland Tinamou, and we had great looks at both Ash-coloured and Dark-billed Cuckoos as well as Blue-crowned Parakeets. After a long drive, we rolled up to a prairie full of Maras playing around, at first nervous, trotting off on all fours, but then they got used to us. I don’t remember ever seeing so many maras at once. More stops produced the stunning endemic Cinnamon Warbling Finch, a pair of endemic Rusty-backed Monjitas, the first of many Patagonian Mockingbirds and distant views of the endemic White-throated Cacholote. At dusk we added stunning views of the Patagonian form (“species”) of Band-winged Nightjar, before a night out on the town where most of us got stuck into some serious seafood paellas and stews, except rib-eye John of course.

At first, Las Grutas doesn’t really look like a birding hotspot, surrounded by low monotonous scrub-steppe. Those bushes are mostly three endemic species of creosote at the south end of the Monte Desert and it turns out to be the number 1 spot for endemics in Argentina with four outright endemics and seven breeding endemics. By now we were missing just a few of these, and soon after dawn we quickly bagged territorial endemic Sandy Gallito, stunning Black-crowned Monjita, endemic Patagonian Canastero, many more Cinnamon Warbling Finches and upgraded our White-throated Cacholote with point blank views.

To feel Patagonia, you have to live it and drive it, and by now we had that feel that nowhere was going to be close, towns were few and far between and the real journey had begun. You drive hundreds and hundreds of miles through wilderness and the scenery can stay the same. You’ve never seen such straight roads or endless horizons. There are no people or towns or villages, and soon you become used to seeing herds of roaming guanaco. So, finally we reach Welsh Patagonia where 4,000 people speak Welsh; bloody mental. A lake in town provided us with parasitic Black-headed Duck among hundreds of Lake Ducks.

No journey to Patagonia would be complete without a visit to a Magellanic Penguin colony. Today we modified the itinerary to visit a different colony knowing that a vagrant Macaroni Penguin had just been found there. The bird seemed quite lethargic but in spectacular plumage and may have been carrying an egg. Meanwhile the scene of thousands of Magellanic Penguins mixed with guanacos was surreal, and unforgettable. We even watch a chick hatching. A viewing platform overlooked an action-packed South American Sea Lion colony, complete with numerous Snowy Sheathbills, Brown Skuas and Dolphin Gulls as Southern Giant Petrels sailed by. The endemic Chubut Steamer Duck proved to be common here, and other additions included now numerous Lesser Rhea, Least Seedsnipe, Two-banded Plover, Rock and Imperial Shags and the near endemic Band-tailed Earthcreeper. Finally, we also had a bizarre experience with a Large Hairy Armadillo trotting around us, presumably looking for handouts.

In the morning we visited a stake-out for Magellanic Horned Owl which was readily found under a bush. With a little extra time on our hands due to flight changes, we made a visit to Rawson and had a productive seawatch from the pier which included Black-browed Albatross, White-chinned Petrel, Manx Shearwater and both Cabot’s and Royal Terns. Embarking a short distance into the ocean we enjoyed repeated looks at several smart Commerson’s Dolphin, a Patagonian endemic, as well as several South American Terns.

On our final morning in Trelew we visited Laguna Negra where the sheer numbers of Chilean Flamingos and ducks, not to mention a flock of over a thousand Wilson’s Phalaropes was extraordinary. Red Shovelers alone may have numbered over ten thousand. A lone Franklin’s Gull was a vagrant here.

After flying to El Calafate we had quite a drive to a remote estancia which would be our base while searching for Hooded Grebe. En route we added the stunning Chocolate-vented Tyrant and scoped a perched Andean Condor.

Soon after dawn we helped ourselves to prolonged scope views of Austral Rail just inside the rush bed which was a great start the day. We re-checked a staging lake for Hooded Grebe drawing a blank and quickly headed up onto the Strobel Plateau. Various quality birds came thick and fast with good numbers of amazing Tawny-throated Dotterels, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe and a White-throated Caracara. Small numbers of Hooded Grebes had been moving between lakes and with most of the lakes now dried out, we had to check all the available water bodies after a bumpy drive in four-wheel-drives. A first lake, where there had been six grebes the previous day, had none although we added Flying Steamer Duck and Andean Ruddy Duck. The next lake had a very low water level and we were surprised to see a Magellanic Plover here. We did our best to enjoy the plover, being such a top bird, but the thought of Hooded Grebe was nagging in the back of the mind, and we had to move on. Another lake drew a blank but did provide us with Patagonian and Greater Yellow Finches, Buff-winged Cinclodes and nearby Rufous-banded Miner. This only left one lake to check. In the distance we could see a pair of grebes that we thought were probably just Silvery Grebes and moved closer just to be sure. They turned out to be a Hooded Grebe seemingly paired with a Silvery Grebe. We got as close as possible in somewhat windy conditions to make the most of it. We had scored with a lot of odds stacked against us. This bird wasn’t there the previous day, and we had run out of options anyway, so luck was really on our side.

Moving on to the picturesque town of El Chalten with its dramatic backdrop of Mount Fitzroy we soon headed to the Patagonian beech forest. This quickly provided us with protracted views of a family group of Spectacled Duck, Striped Woodpecker, Patagonian Sierra Finch, Austral Pygmy Owl, unique White-throated Treerunner, the abundant, yet crippling, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Chilean Elaenia, Dark-faced and White-browed Ground Tyrants as well as obliging Austral Parakeets much to the joy of Helge. At night we lost no sleep in bagging an amazing pair of Rufous-legged Owls in a 40-minute round trip from the hotel…. no messing !

In the morning we were back in the forest scoring a superb male Magellanic Woodpecker (get innnnn !!!!), an amazing Black-throated Huet-huet nesting in a tree cavity, and a pair of smart Ashy-headed Goose. Back in town we studied the now overdue Rufous-tailed Plantcutter and Chilean Flicker. Moving on to El Calafate we enjoyed close-ups of our second Magellanic Plover.

A full day at the Perito Moreno glacier provided a jaw-dropping experience as we gazed at 100 sq. km of ice, with chunks cracking off and thundering into deep blue water, floating away as icebergs. The park also gave us our now awaited Austral Blackbirds, Dark-bellied Cinclodes and nearby memorable Austral Canastero as well as scope views of a female Magellanic Woodpecker.

On the final morning we added the fantastic Many-colored Rush Tyrant and several Magellanic Snipe to round off a magnificent tour.

BIRDS OF THE MAIN TOUR

1st: Hooded Grebe

2nd=: Black-bodied Woodpecker & Spot-winged Falconet

4th: Magellanic Plover

5th: Magellanic Woodpecker

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

BIRDS

Greater Rhea  Rhea americana

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

Brushland Tinamou ◊  Nothoprocta cinerascens

Andean Tinamou  Nothoprocta pentlandii

Darwin’s Nothura ◊  Nothura darwinii  Heard only.

Spotted Nothura  Nothura maculosa

Elegant Crested Tinamou ◊  Eudromia elegans

Southern Screamer  Chauna torquata

White-faced Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna viduata

Coscoroba Swan ◊  Coscoroba coscoroba

Black-necked Swan ◊  Cygnus melancoryphus

Flying Steamer Duck ◊  Tachyeres patachonicus

Chubut Steamer Duck ◊ (White-headed SD) Tachyeres leucocephalus Endemic.

Upland Goose ◊  Chloephaga picta

Ashy-headed Goose ◊  Chloephaga poliocephala

Brazilian Teal  Amazonetta brasiliensis

Crested Duck  Lophonetta specularioides

Bronze-winged Duck ◊ (Spectacled D)  Speculanas specularis

Silver Teal  Spatula versicolor

Red Shoveler ◊  Spatula platalea

Cinnamon Teal  Spatula cyanoptera

Chiloe Wigeon ◊  Mareca sibilatrix

White-cheeked Pintail  Anas bahamensis

Yellow-billed Pintail  Anas georgica

Yellow-billed Teal (Speckled T)  Anas flavirostris

Rosy-billed Pochard ◊  Netta peposaca

Black-headed Duck ◊  Heteronetta atricapilla

Andean Duck (A Ruddy D)  Oxyura ferruginea

Lake Duck ◊  Oxyura vittata

Chaco Chachalaca ◊ Ortalis canicollis

Band-winged Nightjar ◊ [Patagonian N] Systellura [longirostris] bifasciata

Scissor-tailed Nightjar  Hydropsalis torquata

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Andean Swift  Aeronautes andecolus

Red-tailed Comet ◊ Sappho sparganurus

Blue-tufted Starthroat ◊  Heliomaster furcifer

Glittering-bellied Emerald  Chlorostilbon lucidus

Guira Cuckoo  Guira guira

Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia  Heard only.

Ash-coloured Cuckoo ◊  Coccycua cinerea

Dark-billed Cuckoo  Coccyzus melacoryphus

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Spot-winged Pigeon  Patagioenas maculosa

Picui Ground Dove  Columbina picui

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata

Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Austral Rail ◊  Rallus antarcticus

Red-fronted Coot ◊  Fulica rufifrons

Red-gartered Coot ◊  Fulica armillata

White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera

Dot-winged Crake ◊  Laterallus spiloptera

White-tufted Grebe  Rollandia rolland

Great Grebe  Podiceps major

Silvery Grebe  Podiceps occipitalis

Hooded Grebe ◊  Podiceps gallardoi  Endemic breeder.

Chilean Flamingo  Phoenicopterus chilensis

Snowy Sheathbill ◊  Chionis albus

Magellanic Plover ◊  Pluvianellus socialis

Magellanic Oystercatcher ◊  Haematopus leucopodus

Blackish Oystercatcher  Haematopus ater

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliatus

White-backed Stilt  Himantopus melanurus

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus

Two-banded Plover ◊  Charadrius falklandicus

Tawny-throated Dotterel  Oreopholus ruficollis

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe  Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicivorus

Hudsonian Godwit  Limosa haemastica

Baird’s Sandpiper  Calidris bairdii

White-rumped Sandpiper  Calidris fuscicollis

Magellanic Snipe ◊  Gallinago magellanica

Wilson’s Phalarope  Phalaropus tricolor

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca

Brown-hooded Gull ◊  Chroicocephalus maculipennis

Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Dolphin Gull ◊  Leucophaeus scoresbii

Franklin’s Gull  Leucophaeus pipixcan

Olrog’s Gull ◊  Larus atlanticus  Endemic breeder.

Kelp Gull  Larus dominicanus

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus

Cabot’s Tern ◊  Thalasseus acuflavidus

South American Tern ◊  Sterna hirundinacea

Snowy-crowned Tern ◊ (Trudeau’s T)  Sterna trudeaui

Large-billed Tern  Phaetusa simplex

Chilean Skua ◊  Stercorarius chilensis

Brown Skua ◊  Stercorarius antarcticus

Magellanic Penguin ◊  Spheniscus magellanicus

Macaroni Penguin  Eudyptes chrysolophus  A vagrant, likely to originate from Falklands stock.

Black-browed Albatross  Thalassarche melanophris

Southern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus

White-chinned Petrel  Procellaria aequinoctialis

Manx Shearwater  Puffinus puffinus

Maguari Stork  Ciconia maguari

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

Rock Shag ◊  Leucocarbo magellanicus

Imperial Shag ◊  Leucocarbo atriceps

Buff-necked Ibis  Theristicus caudatus

Black-faced Ibis ◊  Theristicus melanopis

Bare-faced Ibis  Phimosus infuscatus

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Striated Heron  Butorides striata

Western Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

Cocoi Heron  Ardea cocoi

Great Egret (G White E)  Ardea alba

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus

Long-winged Harrier  Circus buffoni

Cinereous Harrier  Circus cinereus

Variable Hawk  Geranoaetus polyosoma

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcata

Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia

Austral Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium nana

Lesser Horned Owl ◊ (Magellanic H O)  Bubo magellanicus

Rufous-legged Owl ◊  Strix rufipes

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata

Chaco Puffbird ◊  Nystalus striatipectus

White-barred Piculet  Picumnus cirratus

Checkered Woodpecker  Veniliornis mixtus

Striped Woodpecker  Veniliornis lignarius

Green-barred Woodpecker [Golden-breasted W]  Colaptes [melanochloros] melanolaimus

Chilean Flicker ◊  Colaptes pitius

Campo Flicker  Colaptes campestris

Black-bodied Woodpecker ◊  Dryocopus schulzii

Magellanic Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus magellanicus

Black-legged Seriema ◊  Chunga burmeisteri

White-throated Caracara ◊  Phalcoboenus albogularis

Crested Caracara  Caracara plancus

Chimango Caracara  Milvago chimango

Spot-winged Falconet ◊  Spiziapteryx circumcincta

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon  Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Monk Parakeet  Myiopsitta monachus

Austral Parakeet ◊  Enicognathus ferrugineus

Burrowing Parrot ◊  Cyanoliseus patagonus

Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticaudatus

Common Miner  Geositta cunicularia

Rufous-banded Miner ◊  [Trilling Miner] Geositta [rufipennis] fasciata

Short-billed Miner ◊  Geositta antarctica

Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper ◊  Drymornis bridgesii

Narrow-billed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes angustirostris

White-throated Treerunner ◊  Pygarrhichas albogularis

Band-tailed Earthcreeper ◊  Ochetorhynchus phoenicurus

Chaco Earthcreeper ◊  Tarphonomus certhioides

Rufous Hornero  Furnarius rufus

Crested Hornero ◊  Furnarius cristatus

Wren-like Rushbird  Phleocryptes melanops

Scale-throated Earthcreeper ◊  Upucerthia dumetaria

Buff-winged Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes fuscus

Cordoba Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes comechingonus  Endemic.

Olrog’s Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes olrogi  Endemic.

White-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes atacamensis

Dark-bellied Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes patagonicus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito ◊  Aphrastura spinicauda

Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail ◊  Leptasthenura fuliginiceps

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida

Firewood-gatherer  Anumbius annumbi

Lark-like Brushrunner ◊  Coryphistera alaudina

Hudson’s Canastero ◊  Asthenes hudsoni

Austral Canastero ◊  Asthenes anthoides

Puna Canastero ◊  Asthenes sclateri

Cordilleran Canastero  Asthenes modesta

Sharp-billed Canastero ◊  Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Stripe-crowned Spinetail ◊  Cranioleuca pyrrhophia

Patagonian Canastero ◊  Pseudasthenes patagonica  Endemic.

Brown Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura lophotes

White-throated Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura gutturalis  Endemic.

Chotoy Spinetail  Schoeniophylax phryganophilus

Pale-breasted Spinetail ◊ [Austral S] Synallaxis [albescens] australis

Sooty-fronted Spinetail  Synallaxis frontalis

Variable Antshrike  Thamnophilus caerulescens

Great Antshrike  Taraba major

Black-throated Huet-huet ◊  Pteroptochos tarnii

Crested Gallito ◊  Rhinocrypta lanceolata

Sandy Gallito* ◊  Teledromas fuscus  Endemic.

Magellanic Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus magellanicus

Olive-crowned Crescentchest ◊  Melanopareia maximiliani argentina  Endemic.

Olive-crowned Crescentchest ◊  Melanopareia maximiliani pallida The chaco form of this cryptic species complex.

Chilean Elaenia  (White-crested E) Elaenia chilensis

Small-billed Elaenia  Elaenia parvirostris

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum

Suiriri Flycatcher  Suiriri suiriri

Tufted Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus

White-crested Tyrannulet  Serpophaga subcristata

Straneck’s Tyrannulet ◊  Serpophaga griseicapilla  Endemic breeder.

Bearded Tachuri  Polystictus pectoralis

Dinelli’s Doradito ◊  Pseudocolopteryx dinelliana  Endemic breeder.

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant  Euscarthmus meloryphus

Greater Wagtail-Tyrant  Stigmatura budytoides

Plain Inezia ◊  Inezia inornata

Bran-coloured Flycatcher  Myiophobus fasciatus

Many-colored Rush Tyrant  Tachuris rubrigastra

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant  Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Scarlet Flycatcher  [Vermilion F]  Pyrocephalus rubinus

Dark-faced Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola maclovianus

White-browed Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola albilora

Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola capistratus

Austral Negrito ◊  Lessonia rufa

Spectacled Tyrant  Hymenops perspicillatus

Cinereous Tyrant ◊  Knipolegus striaticeps

White-winged Black Tyrant  Knipolegus aterrimus

Hudson’s Black Tyrant ◊  Knipolegus hudsoni  Endemic breeder.

White Monjita  Xolmis irupero

Fire-eyed Diucon ◊  Pyrope pyrope

Black-crowned Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis coronatus  Endemic breeder.

Rusty-backed Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis rubetra  Endemic breeder.

Salinas Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis salinarum  Endemic.

Chocolate-vented Tyrant ◊  Neoxolmis rufiventris

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant  Agriornis montanus

Lesser Shrike-Tyrant ◊  Agriornis murinus  Endemic breeder.

Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant ◊  Agriornis micropterus

Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Crowned Slaty Flycatcher  Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana

Swainson’s Flycatcher  Myiarchus swainsoni

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter ◊  Phytotoma rara

White-tipped Plantcutter ◊  Phytotoma rutila

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis

Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi

Sand Martin (Bank Swallow)  Riparia riparia

White-rumped Swallow  Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Chilean Swallow ◊  Tachycineta leucopyga

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Tawny-headed Swallow  Alopochelidon fucata

Brown-chested Martin  Progne tapera

Southern Martin  Progne elegans

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Grass Wren  Cistothorus platensis

House Wren  Troglodytes aedon

Masked Gnatcatcher  Polioptila dumicola

Chalk-browed Mockingbird  Mimus saturninus

Patagonian Mockingbird ◊  Mimus patagonicus

White-banded Mockingbird ◊  Mimus triurus  Endemic breeder.

Common Starling (introduced)  Sturnus vulgaris

Chiguanco Thrush  Turdus chiguanco

Austral Thrush ◊  Turdus falcklandii

Creamy-bellied Thrush  Turdus amaurochalinus

Rufous-bellied Thrush  Turdus rufiventris

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

Short-billed Pipit ◊  Anthus furcatus

Pampas Pipit ◊  Anthus chacoensis  Endemic breeder.

Correndera Pipit  Anthus correndera

Black-chinned Siskin ◊  Spinus barbatus

Hooded Siskin  Spinus magellanicus

Chaco Sparrow ◊  Rhynchospiza strigiceps  Endemic breeder.

Grassland Sparrow  Ammodramus humeralis

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

White-browed Blackbird  Leistes superciliaris

Long-tailed Meadowlark ◊  Leistes loyca

Long-tailed Meadowlark (Sierran M) ◊  Leistes [loyca] obscura Endemic. The distinctive form from the sierras of Cordoba which is being split.

Pampas Meadowlark ◊  Leistes defilippii

Solitary Cacique  Cacicus solitarius

Variable Oriole  Icterus pyrrhopterus

Screaming Cowbird ◊  Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis

Austral Blackbird ◊  Curaeus curaeus

Greyish Baywing  Agelaioides badius

Yellow-winged Blackbird  Agelasticus thilius

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird  Pseudoleistes virescens

Southern Yellowthroat  Geothlypis velata

Brown-capped Whitestart  Myioborus brunniceps

Pampa Finch  Embernagra platensis

Mourning Sierra Finch  Rhopospina fruticeti

Carbonated Sierra Finch ◊  Porphyrospiza carbonaria  Endemic.

Many-colored Chaco Finch ◊  Saltatricula multicolor

Golden-billed Saltator  Saltator aurantiirostris

Red Pileated Finch  Coryphospingus cucullatus

Double-collared Seedeater  Sporophila caerulescens

Cinnamon Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza ornata  Endemic breeder.

Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza whitii

Ringed Warbling Finch [Chaco W F] Microspingus [torquatus] pectoralis

Black-capped Warbling Finch  Microspingus melanoleucus

Saffron Finch  Sicalis flaveola

Grassland Yellow Finch  Sicalis luteola

Patagonian Yellow Finch ◊  Sicalis lebruni

Greater Yellow Finch ◊  Sicalis auriventris

Grey-hooded Sierra Finch ◊  Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra Finch ◊  Phrygilus patagonicus

Ash-breasted Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis plebejus

Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis unicolor

Band-tailed Seedeater  Catamenia analis

Blue-and-yellow Tanager  Rauenia bonariensis

Black-crested Finch ◊  Lophospingus pusillus

Diuca Finch  Diuca diuca

Red-crested Cardinal  Paroaria coronata

MAMMALS

Big Hairy Armadillo  (Large H A)  Chaetophractus villosus

Yellow Armadillo (Six-banded A)  Euphractus sexcinctus

Andean Fox (Culpeo)  Lycalopex culpaeus

Argentine Gray Fox  (South American G F)  Lycalopex griseus

Azara’s Fox ◊  (Pampas F)  Lycalopex gymnocercus

South American Sea Lion  Otaria flavescens

Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk  Conepatus humboldtii

Guanaco  Lama guanicoe

Commerson’s Dolphin ◊  Cephalorhynchus commersonii

European Hare  Lepus europaeus

Brazilian Guinea Pig  Cavia aperea

Patagonian Cavy ◊  (Mara)  Dolichotis patagonum  Endemic.

Southern Mountain Cavy  Microcavia australis

Coypu  (Nutria)  Myocastor coypus

Patagonian Tuco-tuco ◊ Ctenomys haigi  Endemic, heard only.

REPTILES

Argentine Anole  Prystidactylus achalensis  Endemic.

Di Tada’s Lizard  Liolaemus ditadai  Endemic.

Graceful Tree Iguana  Liolaemus gracilis  Endemic.

Four-toed Tegu (F-t Whiptail)  Teius teyou