NORTHERN ARGENTINA TOUR REPORT 2024

25 October - 9 November 2024

by Mark Pearman

The 2024 Northern Argentina tour provided a great overview of a variety of important ecosystems including Yungas forest, Monte desert (unique to Argentina), mid-range Andean steppe, dry chaco woodlands and the Ibera wetlands. In 16 days we recorded 386 species which included 7 Argentine endemics. Highlights in Northwest Argentina included the highly sought-after handsome Rufous-throated Dipper, jay-sized Giant Antshrike, secretive Black-legged Seriema, the rare Black-bodied Woodpecker, the elusive White-throated Antpitta which walked past us without even a sideways look, stunning White-throated Quail-Dove at point-blank range, speedy gonzales Sandy and skulking Crested Gallitos, the fabulous Chaco Owl, stunning Tucuman Mountain Finch and a clean run (for the first time) on all 8 available canastero species including Maquis and Scribble-tailed, plus cracking scope view of Olive-crowned Crescentchest and a host of others. Then, in the Iberá Wetlands we bagged the Critically Endangered Yellow Cardinal and Saffron-cowled Blackbird at the only known breeding site, threatened Black-and-white Monjita, eight species of seedeaters (many threatened) of which Marsh and Iberá stood out. Finally, as we exited the marshes, we secured point blank studies of the enigmatic Sickle-winged Nightjar.

Leaving the bustling city of Tucumán and its sugar cane fields behind, we soon entered the verdant subtropical Yungas forest. Before we knew it, we were watching a variety of common species including Picazuro Pigeon, Mitred Parakeet, Plush-crested Jay, Chivi Vireo, Southern Martin, Southern Yellowthroat, Common Chlorospingus and Sayaca Tanager. We stopped to search the river in many places, meeting with our first Torrent Duck and many Black Phoebes. Little did we know that our main target, the localized Rufous-throated Dipper, had not been seen for over a year on the river. Eventually we found a pair at a usual breeding haunt and obtained many scope views of this stunning gem. Now in alder and tropical walnut-dominated Yungas forest our next major target was the endemic Yellow-striped Brushfinch which also played hard-to-get but eventually showed well. The forest also held White-throated Tyrannulet, Highland Elaenia, Brown-capped Whitestart and a smart Rusty-browed Warbling Finch, a Yungas endemic. At the tree line, we watched our first Andean Condors sail past, and a flock of twelve Burrowing Parrots was a most unusual sight at our hotel, since they usually only occur on the other side of the Aconquija massif and there would be plenty more of those to come. Venturing into the Andean grass steppe crisscrossed by deep gulleys, we headed straight to a stake-out for the handsome endemic Tucuman Mountain Finch and scored immediately. The endemic White-browed Tapaculo played hide and seek for a while but was soon nailed. Suddenly a male Andean Hillstar showed up and we also obtained prolonged looks at a stunning male Red-tailed Comet. Andean Tinamous showed well and we also connected with Black-winged Ground Dove,  Andean Lapwing, Whistling Heron, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Cream-winged Cinclodes, abundant Chiguanco Thrush and Plain-colored Seedeater.

In the morning we drove above the clouds, and set out on a trek at 3000 m. above sea level. A host of ovenbirds included White-winged Cinclodes, Streak-backed and Cordilleran Canasteros, Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, raucous Streak-fronted Thornbirds and even a Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail. Ornate Tinamous were plentiful with seven seen as Andean and White-collared Swifts screeched overhead. The walk also produced Spot-billed Ground Tyrant, D’Orbigny’s and White-browed Chat-Tyrants, Hellmayr’s Pipit, Mourning, Plumbeous and Ash-breasted Sierra Finches and smart Black Siskins. Unfortunately for us, the high grasslands were overgrazed and we had no response from the rare Scribble-tailed Canastero so we had to give up on it. A nasty miss or would we possibly catch up with it elsewhere? Then Lizzie spotted some distant movement of soil and a protruding head. Scope views revealed it to be a Scaglia’s Tucu-tuco, a rodent endemic to the area. The smart endemic Moreno’s Ground Dove was also eluding us but six showed well on the way down. Greenish Yellow Finches were abundant at the pass where we also studied a pair of Band-tailed Sierra Finch and a Slender-billed Miner made an appearance. Driving back to town, we stopped to scope a fine pair of Andean Flickers and a flock of twenty Grey-hooded Parakeets welcomed us at the hotel as they fed on the tiny flowers of Polylepis trees. With the cloud cover now high in the mountains we spent the afternoon going through the teaming waterfowl at the vast reservoir of La Angostura. Andean Geese were unusually common for the time of year, and ducks included Red Shoveler, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Ruddy Duck and both lowland and highland forms of Speckled alias Yellow-billed Teal which are syntopic here, meaning that they are undoubtedly different species. Coscoroba Swans were common as were Neotropic Cormorants, Andean and Red-gartered Coots with a single White-winged Coot seen. A Southern Screamer was completely out of place here. Grebes included Pied-billed, White-tufted and smart Great Grebes. Waders included White-backed Stilts, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and a South American Snipe. The usual Andean Gulls were present but it was very surprising to see a breeding colony of some eighty Grey-headed Gulls here in the Andes. Finally, we also found a pair of Chilean Flamingos and a lone Yellowish Pipit.

Crossing the Infiernillo Pass in the morning, we made a variety of stops as we headed down into the intermontane Monte desert cactus and thornscrub. What a dramatic change of habitat ! Soon we were watching Spot-winged Pigeon, a stunning Giant Hummingbird, Sparkling Violetear, Rufous-banded Miner, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Rusty-vented Canastero, Grey-hooded Sierra Finch, Ringed Warbling Finch, Diuca Finch, Band-tailed Seedeater and Blue-and-yellow Tanager as Patagonian Mockingbird greatly outnumbered Chalk-browed, and Cliff Flycatcher started to become a common feature. The local town had turned our historical Sandy Gallito canyon into a huge landfill site, but after a lot of perseverance we eventually connected with a pair of these unusual and endemic tapaculos. Meanwhile the endemic, and often tricky, White-throated Cacholote gave itself up easily. With rising temperatures, we entered the Monte Desert thornscrub and quickly bagged Chaco Earthcreeper, White-fronted Woodpecker, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, White-winged Chat-Tyrant, Golden-billed Saltator and a surprise Many-colored Chaco Finch. With growing numbers of Burrowing Parrots, finally we entered the picturesque badlands near Cafayate. Soon we lucked in to the endemic Steinbach’s Canastero ahead of time. We had a long wait for our main target but eventually managed to see a male and two female endemic Monte Yellow Finch near a tiny trickle of water, a lost species that Mark and colleagues resurrected in 2012 to its former species status of 1888. At night we visited a stake-out for Chaco Owl and tried for a quite a while with no response. Just as we were about to leave, a Chaco Owl came storming in followed by its mate. We got one or two good scope views before they retired into dense foliage, but that was a good show for what has become quite a difficult bird that requires portly trees in the ever-shrinking chaco.

On to Cachi through the badlands and our first stop produced the expected Sharp-billed Canastero, Spectacled Tyrant, Great Pampa Finch and Long-tailed Meadowlark. Our next port of call was the San Carlos reservoir which is generally a lottery given its variable water levels but every so often holds a nice surprise. Here we added Red-fronted Coot, Silvery Grebe, Wood Stork, White-crested Tyrannulet and a surprise pair of Chiloe Wigeon and a lone Andean Avocet, sadly the only one of the tour. The magnificent badlands here were a real eye-opener, with jagged rocks pulled out of the earth and stuck back in by the devil, or rather an event that happened millions of years ago. Irrigated fields and channels, mixed with thornscrub allowed us to catch up with Buff-necked Ibis, Spot-backed Puffbird, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, Bran-colored Flycatcher, the bizarre White-tipped Plantcutter, Variable Oriole and Greyish Baywing. Emerging from the desert we reached a high plateau which produced a smart male Least Seedsnipe, a pair of elegant Tawny-throated Dotterel and good numbers of grazing Guanaco.

It was time to drive back over the east Andean slope through a heart-stopping descent of back-switches with clouds hanging in the valley. First up, we grabbed great looks at a pair of now overdue Elegant Crested Tinamou, by no means as common here as in Patagonia. The gorgeous Tawny-throated Dotterels were on full parade and we managed fantastic views of at least twenty-five. At the pass we scoped a Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant and then attempted to pick off our targets one by one during the descent. Rock Earthcreepers showed well, and some were able to upgrade their views of Slender-billed Miner. It was a great day for Red-tailed Comets with eight of these glowing hummingbirds seen whereas sometimes we might only find one on the whole tour. Our endeavors with the near-endemic Maquis Canastero (a bird that Mark first discovered in Argentina in a museum drawer) took a while but we were eventually rewarded with great views. In the process we added Tufted Tit-Tyrant (of the obscure aequatorialis subspecies), a pair of Rufous-sided Warbling Finch and it was great to get another look at the magnificent Tucuman Mountain Finch which also occurs here.  Alas, our searches for Zimmer’s Tapaculo and Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager proved futile and we still had various sites to visit and other targets to find. In the process we did connect with the rare and local Thick-billed Siskin and the high altitude albipennis subspecies of Spot-winged Pigeon. Then in a final long-shot attempt, and in all disbelief, we pulled out the long lost Scribble-tailed Canastero at the final minute, with protracted scope views as it sang on a very steep Andean slope.

On the outskirts of Salta we visited a site for the threatened Tucuman Amazon and managed to see around one hundred and fifty with small groups passing through almost continuously, as well as Scaly-headed Parrots for comparison. A pair of Yungas Guan made an appearance as did three Red-legged Seriemas, and we also added Grey-cowled Wood Rail, Bare-faced Ibis, White Monjita, Variegated and Swainson’s Flycatchers, and our first White-rumped Swallows. But it was time to pack in another locality before dark in order to see the very poorly known Rothschild’s Swift. It took a while before the swifts came low enough for identification and the majority were White-collared, but finally we managed decent views of up to twenty Rothchild’s Swift at their breeding site. A pair of Scissor-tailed Nightjars sailed overhead as we made our way back to Salta.

In the morning a reservoir stop produced White-faced and abundant Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Rosy-billed Pochard, White-faced Ibis, Scarlet Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Brown-chested Martin and Ultramarine Grosbeak. The yungas forest beckoned and we were soon walking different sections of the old road to Jujuy. The birding was fabulous as we connected with Dot-fronted Woodpecker and superb Cream-backed Woodpecker, White-bellied Hummingbird, Squirrel Cuckoo, Yungas Dove, Swallow-tailed Kite, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, Azara’s Spinetail, Slaty Elaenia, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Euler’s, Piratic Flycatcher, Streaked and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Andean Slaty Thrush, Golden-winged Cacique, Two-banded Warbler, Black-backed Grosbeak and Fawn-breasted Tanager. We tried for Giant Antshrike at a regular spot and before we knew it, a male arrived, gave a few growls and raised its crest as it checked us out. What a beast ! Down in the drier forest we came across many Rufous-fronted Thornbirds at nests and viewed our first Red Pileated Finch. We rounded off a great morning with a delicious fish and chips lunch before heading off to Calilegua National Park. In the evening we set off owling, finally tracking down Yungas Screech Owl for great looks.

With two full days at Calilegua a full knowledge of the habitats, altitudinal ranges and specific sites of all the targets was imperative. High on our agenda was the chance to see the superb White-throated Antpitta which is common by voice. We managed glimpses of one in gaps between the vegetation, but need not have worried because later one hopped right past us at close range. Here too we managed point blank views of a smart White-throated Quail-Dove and Yungas Manakin, a species which has invaded north-west Argentina in recent years. The many new birds at the park included Sick’s Swift, Planalto Hermit, King Vulture, Band-tailed and Pale-vented Pigeons, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Black-capped Antwren, Variable Antshrike, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Cinnamon and Brown-crested Flycatchers, Plumbeous Tyrant, White-winged and Crested Becards, Glossy Black Thrush, Crested Oropendola, Pale-legged Warbler and Fulvous-headed Brushfinch. At night we finally nailed down Rufous Nightjar after hearing so many.

It was time to move on to a new habitat, the sierran or upland chaco with its mix of mainly chaco and some yungas species. One of our main targets here was Black-legged Seriema and although we saw ten or more Red-legged Seriema, the Black-legged did not show and would have to wait for another day. Chaco Chachalacas were common, as was Brushland Tinamou with six seen. Two special birds were the unforgettable Great Rufous Woodcreeper and the near endemic Yungas Sparrow (known from one Bolivian record) which had been eluding us up until now. A reservoir provided us with Limpkin, Wattled Jacana, Black-backed Water Tyrant. Other additions in the area included Ruddy Ground Dove, White-barred Piculet, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Suiriri Flycatcher, our first of many Crowned Slaty Flycatchers, Creamy-bellied Thrush and White-browed Meadowlark. Driving on, another reservoir provided us with Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Brazilian Teal, gorgeous Ringed Teal, Smooth-billed Ani, American Golden Plover, a somewhat surprising lone Jabiru, Cocoi Heron, Rufous-thighed Hawk, Snail Kite, Great Black Hawk, perky Lark-like Brushrunners and both  Lined and Rusty-collared Seedeaters. We then visited a stake-out and quickly obtained great looks at the skulking, yet brightly colored, Olive-crowned Crescentchest of the chaco form pallida, plus our first Screaming Cowbird. It was too hot to do much more until the late afternoon when we birded a dusky track in the heart of the dry chaco adding Checkered Woodpecker, the glorious Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Crested Hornero, the boisterous Brown Cacholote and Bluish-grey Saltator.

At dawn, we had unfinished business with Black-legged Seriema and heard several before one eventually wandered out on the track for scope studies. Here too we added Blue-crowned Parakeet, a second Cream-backed Woodpecker, Little Thornbird, Short-billed Canastero, the skulking Crested Gallito, Plain Inezia and Solitary Cacique. We checked out some other tracks as the temperature soared and were thrilled to find a male Black-bodied Woodpecker (one of South Americas rarest woodpeckers) drumming and foraging on telegraph posts. Here too we added Fulvous-crowned Scrub Flycatcher before being forced to take a siesta.

Much of Salta’s dry chaco has been destroyed with, in places, 20 metres-wide strips of chaco dividing outrageously large fields of nothing, that have long-lost their top soil, an appalling scenario. In one such strip of woodland we added the delightful Black-capped warbling Finch and a surprise Fuscous Flycatcher, found by voice. While a group of five Greater Rheas foraged in one field, Savanna Hawks were in evidence and we also added Harris’s Hawk, pulled out a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl and at dusk spot-lighted a male Little Nightjar. We left the dry chaco at night in order to catch up with, the now long overdue, Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch at Salta which took a while, and added Large Elaenia in the process.

Two flights later, and we were on the other side of the country, crossing the mighty Parana river into Corrientes province, home to the vast Iberá wetlands which covers a similar area as that of Wales or Israel.  This was very like turning up in a different country.

Our drive into the heart of the wetlands ensured many new species such as Red-winged Tinamou, Dark-billed Cuckoo, the now abundant Giant Wood Rail, Purple Gallinule, Large-billed Tern,  Maguari Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Campo Flicker, Ringed and Amazon Kingfishers, Grassland Sparrow, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Yellow-billed Cardinal, the now abundant Capybara and our first pair of threatened Marsh Deer.

From our comfortable lodge, we visited climax grasslands at dawn where we were soon enjoying the outrageous-looking Strange-tailed Tyrant with its global range almost entirely restricted to these marshes. Here too we quickly added Long-winged and Cinereous Harriers, the threatened Marsh and Ibera Seedeaters as well as Lesser Grassfinch, Grassland Yellow Finch and both Brown-and-yellow and Yellow-rumped Marshbirds. Next, we took a private boat out into Laguna Iberá where a few Rufescent Tiger Herons and many Anhingas were in strong evidence, as we cruised between Black Caiman and a lone Broad-snouted Caiman. Busy in the reeds and rushes were Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Greater Thornbirds at nests, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Sooty Tyrannulet and Unicolored Blackbird as we lured in Rufous-sided Crake and had fantastic close-ups of Least Bittern, while American Cliff Swallow busied overhead. A nearby boardwalk provided great looks at the stunning Black-capped Donacobius and glowing Scarlet-headed Blackbird. It was now late morning, but there was one species on everyone’s mind, the Critically Endangered Yellow Cardinal. We had already dipped at a couple of sites on the way in which was par for the course and were prepared to visit many more sites. We quickly drove to a longshot site of Mark’s with some remote potential and were shocked to find a stunning pair of Yellow Cardinal almost immediately, allowing fantastic looks and walk-away views. This is a hush species in Iberá where locals know not to talk about it which is a good thing. We soon left the birds in peace, hoping for their continued survival. After a late lunch and welcome siesta, we headed out in search of another threatened species, the majestic, yet declining, Black-and-white Monjita. Unusually we found two males in a newly invaded termite field and enjoyed great views. Further on we connected with Chotoy Spinetail and the now overdue Grey Monjita. At dusk, we added our only Pauraque of the tour and the bizarre Plains Vizcacha, a large chinchilla.

At dawn we had unfinished seedeater business and spent as long as it took to find Dark-throated and threatened Chestnut Seedeaters while adding the smart Long-tailed Reedfinch. A trail through a forest island produced Little Woodpecker, Saffron-billed Sparrow and Green-winged Saltator. Later we added several Spotted Nothura, White-lined Tanager and the smart Blue-tufted Starthroat. Our exit through the eastern esteros ensured many more looks at mind-blowing Strange-tailed Tyrant bringing our tally to twelve. Here too we added the long overdue Firewood-gatherer, a Crab-eating Fox and the endangered Pampas Deer which has relictual populations in eastern Iberá. Our destination was a remote colony of Endangered Saffron-cowled Blackbird. We didn’t know at the time, but this now turns out to be the last colony of Saffron-cowled Blackbird in Argentina. We were met and escorted by the project team and after a short walk were able to observe around twenty-five individuals coming and going from the active nests. All of the nests were monitored by cameras and had anti-predator measures in place. Other colonies in Argentina have succumbed to Shiny Cowbird parasitism, modern farming practices including pesticides and even trapping has been reported in recent years. Although many claim that the species is common in Brazil, that population has also now crashed, so we count ourselves lucky to have had the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular species at close range. We also watched a pair of Black-and-white Monjita here which interacts symbiotically with the blackbird, plus a couple of Tawny-headed Swallows and a male Pearly-bellied Seedeater. The day was not over and we made haste to the Paraná River, where it was still very hot except for a singing Wedge-tailed Grassfinch. After a while a curious and wailing Ash-throated Crake crept up for cracking scopes views. Suddenly a Short-tailed Nighthawk was flying in circles overhead as a prelude for what was to come. One by one, the Sickle-winged Nightjars woke up and started their vocal repertoire, interspersed with knee-height flights, providing a variety of protracted close-up perched views of this seldom-seen species to round off a yet another spectacular day.

In the early morning, just as we said our goodbyes and packed up the 4WD, there was a final unexpected thrill. Mark heard a Pale-crested Woodpecker drumming from afar (not on the itinerary) and lured it into an emergent tipa tree right beside the hotel carpark, making sure everyone had great scope views. What a great finale.

TOP BIRDS OF THE NORTHWEST

1^st Black-bodied Woodpecker

2^nd Chaco Owl

3^rd Rufous-throated Dipper

4^th White-throated Antpitta

5^th White-throated Quail-Dove

TOP BIRDS OF THE IBERA MARSHES

1^st Saffron-cowled Blackbird

2^nd Yellow Cardinal

3^rd Sickle-winged Nightjar

4^th Black-and-white Monjita

5^th Strange-tailed Tyrant & Black-capped Donacobius

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). Conservation threat categories are taken from BirdLife. EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.2).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS
Greater Rhea  Rhea americana  NT
Tataupa Tinamou ◊ Crypturellus tataupa Heard-only.
Red-winged Tinamou  Rhynchotus rufescens 
Huayco Tinamou ◊  Rhynchotus maculicollis Heard-only.
Ornate Tinamou  Nothoprocta ornata 
Brushland Tinamou ◊ Nothoprocta cinerascens 
Andean Tinamou ◊   Nothoprocta pentlandii 
Spotted Nothura  Nothura maculosa 
Elegant Crested Tinamou  Eudromia elegans 
Quebracho Crested Tinamou ◊  Eudromia formosa  Heard-only.
Southern Screamer  Chauna torquata 
White-faced Whistling-Duck  Dendrocygna viduata  
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis  
Fulvous Whistling-Duck  Dendrocygna bicolor  
Coscoroba Swan ◊  Coscoroba coscoroba 
Torrent Duck   Merganetta armata 
Andean Goose  Chloephaga melanoptera 
Brazilian Teal  Amazonetta brasiliensis 
Ringed Teal  Calloneta leucophrys
Red Shoveler  Anas platalea  
Cinnamon Teal  Anas cyanoptera 
Chiloe Wigeon  Mareca sibilatrix
Yellow-billed Pintail  Anas georgica 
Yellow-billed Teal (Speckled T)  Anas f. flavirostris 
Yellow-billed Teal (Inca T)  Anas favirostris oxyptera
Rosy-billed Pochard ◊ Netta peposaca 
Andean Duck  Oxyura ferruginea 
Chaco Chachalaca  Ortalis canicollis 
Yungas Guan ◊  Penelope bridgesi
Short-tailed Nighthawk  Lurocalis semitorquatus 
Little Nightjar  Caprimulgus parvulus 
Sickle-winged Nightjar ◊  Eleothreptus anomalus  VU
Scissor-tailed Nightjar  Hydropsalis torquata
Rufous Nightjar  Antrostomus rufus 
Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus  Heard-only.
Rothschild’s Swift ◊  Cypseloides rothschildi
White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris 
Sick’s Swift  Chaetura meridionalis 
Andean Swift   Aeronautes andecolus 
Planalto Hermit  Phaethornis pretrei
Sparkling Violetear  Colibri coruscans 
White-vented Violetear  Colibri serrirostris  Heard-only.
Speckled Hummingbird  Adelomyia melanogenys  Leader-only.
Red-tailed Comet Sappho sparganura 
Andean Hillstar  Oreotrochilus estella
Giant Hummingbird  Patagona gigas 
Blue-tufted Starthroat ◊ Heliomaster furcifer 
Glittering-bellied Emerald  Chlorostilbon lucidus 
White-bellied Hummingbird  Amazilia chionogaster 
Guira Cuckoo  Guira guira 
Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani 
Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia 
Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana 
Dark-billed Cuckoo  Coccyzus melacoryphus
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)  Columba livia 
Picazuro Pigeon  Patagioenas picazuro 
Spot-winged Pigeon  Patagioenas m. maculosa 
Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata 
Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis 
Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti 
Picui Ground Dove  Columbina picui 
Moreno’s Ground Dove ◊ (Bare-eyed G D)  Metriopelia morenoi 
Black-winged Ground Dove  Metriopelia melanoptera 
White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi 
Yungas Dove ◊ (Large-tailed D)  Leptotila megalura 
White-throated Quail-Dove  Zentrygon frenata 
Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata 
Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus 
Ash-throated Crake ◊ Porzana albicollis 
Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus 
Giant Wood Rail ◊ Aramides ypecaha 
Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata 
Red-fronted Coot  Fulica rufifrons 
Red-gartered Coot  Fulica armillata 
Andean Coot (Slate-coloured C)  Fulica ardesiaca 
White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera 
Purple Gallinule  Porphyrio martinicus 
Yellow-breasted Crake  Laterallus flaviventer  Heard-only.
Rufous-sided Crake  Laterallus melanophaius
Limpkin Aramus guarauna 
Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps 
White-tufted Grebe  Rollandia rolland
Great Grebe  Podicephorus major 
Silvery Grebe  Podiceps occipitalis juninensis  NT
Chilean Flamingo  Phoenicopterus chilensis  NT
White-backed Stilt  Himantopus melanurus 
Andean Avocet  Recurvirostra andina 
American Golden Plover  Pluvialis dominica
Tawny-throated Dotterel  Oreopholus rufcollis
Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis 
Andean Lapwing  Vanellus resplendens 
Wattled Jaçana  Jacana jacana 
Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicivorus 
South American Snipe (Pantanal S)    Gallinago paraguaiae 
Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria
Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes  VU
Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca  NT
Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa melanoleuca
Large-billed Tern  Phaetusa simplex
Andean Gull  Chroicocephalus serranus 
Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Wood Stork  Mycteria americana 
Jabiru Jabiru mycteria 
Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari 
Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga 
Neotropic Cormorant  Phalacrocorax brasilianus 
Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens 
Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus 
Bare-faced Ibis (Whispering I)  Phimosus infuscatus 
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi 
Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja 
Rufescent Tiger-Heron  Tigrisoma lineatum 
Least Bittern  Botaurus exilis
Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax 
Whistling Heron  Syrigma sibilatrix 
Snowy Egret  Egretta thula 
Striated Heron  Butorides striata 
Great Egret  Ardea alba 
Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis 
Cocoi Heron  Ardea cocoi 
King Vulture  Sarcoramphus papa 
Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus  VU
Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus 
Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura 
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture  Cathartes burrovianus 
White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus 
Swallow-tailed Kite  Elanoides forfcatus 
Rufous-thighed Hawk  Accipiter erythronemius
Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni 
Cinereous Harrier  Circus cinereus 
Snail Kite  Rostrhamus sociabilis 
Savanna Hawk  Heterospizias meridionalis 
Great Black Hawk  Buteogallus urubitinga 
Roadside Hawk   Rupornis magnirostris 
Harris’s Hawk  Parabuteo unicinctus
Variable Hawk  Geranoaetus polyosoma 
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus 
Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia  
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl ◊ Glaucidium brasilianum 
Tropical Screech Owl  Megascops choliba   Heard-only.
Yungas Screech Owl ◊ (Hoy’s SO)  Megascops hoyi 
Chaco Owl ◊  Strix chacoensis  NT
Blue-crowned Trogon  Trogon curucui  Heard-only.
Amazon Kingfsher  Chloroceryle amazona 
Ringed Kingfsher  Megaceryle torquatus
Spot-backed Puffbird ◊  Nystalus striatipectus 
White-barred Piculet  Picumnus cirratus thamnophiloides
White-fronted Woodpecker  Melanerpes cactorum 
Little Woodpecker  Veniliornis passerinus
Dot-fronted Woodpecker ◊  Veniliornis frontalis 
Checkered Woodpecker  Veniliornis mixtus 
Green-barred Woodpecker Colaptes melanochloros 
Andean Flicker  Colaptes rupicola 
Campo Flicker (Field F)  Colaptes campestris 
Pale-crested Woodpecker  Celeus lugubris 
Black-bodied Woodpecker ◊ Dryocopus schulzii  NT
Cream-backed Woodpecker ◊ Campephilus leucopogon 
Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata 
Black-legged Seriema ◊ Chunga burmeisteri  
Crested Caracara  Caracara plancus 
Chimango Caracara  Milvago chimango
American Kestrel  Falco sparverius 
Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus
Grey-hooded Parakeet  Psilopsiagon aymara 
Monk Parakeet  Myiopsitta monachus 
Scaly-headed Parrot  Pionus maximiliani 
Tucuman Amazon ◊ Amazona tucumana
Turquoise-fronted Amazon  Amazona aestiva  NT
Green-cheeked Parakeet ◊ Pyrrhura molinae 
Burrowing Parrot ◊ Cyanoliseus patagonus 
Golden-collared Macaw ◊ Primolius auricollis  Heard-only.
Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticauda 
Mitred Parakeet  Psittacara mitratus 
Slender-billed Miner  Geositta tenuirostris 
Rufous-banded Miner  (Buzzing M) Geositta r. rufipennis 
Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus 
Great Rufous Woodcreeper ◊ Xiphocolaptes major 
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper ◊ Drymornis bridgesii 
Narrow-billed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes angustirostris 
Rock Earthcreeper  Ochetorhynchus andaecola 
Chaco Earthcreeper ◊ Tarphonomus certhioides 
Rufous Hornero  Furnarius rufus 
Crested Hornero ◊ Furnarius cristatus 
Scale-throated Earthcreeper  Upucerthia dumetaria 
Buff-breasted Earthcreeper ◊ Upucerthia validirostris 
Cream-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes albiventris 
White-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes atacamensis 
Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner  Syndactyla rufosuperciliata 
Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura fuliginiceps 
Rufous-fronted Thornbird  Phacellodomus ruffrons 
Streak-fronted Thornbird  Phacellodomus striaticeps 
Little Thornbird ◊ Phacellodomus sibilatrix 
Greater Thornbird   Phacellodomus ruber 
Firewood-gatherer  Anumbius annumbi 
Lark-like Brushrunner ◊ Coryphistera alaudina 
Rusty-vented Canastero  Asthenes dorbignyi 
Short-billed Canastero  ◊ Asthenes baeri 
Scribble-tailed Canastero  ◊ Asthenes maculicauda
Streak-backed Canastero ◊  Asthenes wyatti
Cordilleran Canastero  Asthenes modesta 
Sharp-billed Canastero  Asthenes pyrrholeuca 
Maquis Canastero  ◊  Asthenes heterura 
Stripe-crowned Spinetail  Cranioleuca pyrrhophia 
Steinbach’s Canastero ◊ Pseudasthenes steinbachi 
Brown Cacholote ◊ Pseudoseisura lophotes 
White-throated Cacholote ◊ Pseudoseisura gutturalis 
Yellow-chinned Spinetail  Certhiaxis cinnamomeus 
Chotoy Spinetail  Schoeniophylax phryganophilus 
Ochre-cheeked Spinetail  ◊  Synallaxis scutata
Pale-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis albescens
Sooty-fronted Spinetail   Synallaxis frontalis  
Azara’s Spinetail  Synallaxis azarae 
Black-capped Antwren  Herpsilochmus atricapillus 
Variable Antshrike  Thamnophilus caerulescens 
Great Antshrike  Taraba major  Heard-only.
Giant Antshrike ◊ Batara cinerea  
White-throated Antpitta ◊ Grallaria albigula  
Crested Gallito ◊  Rhinocrypta lanceolata 
Sandy Gallito ◊  Teledromas fuscus 
White-browed Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus superciliaris 
Olive-crowned Crescentchest ◊  Melanopareia maximilliani pallida
Sclater’s Tyrannulet ◊  Phyllomyias sclateri 
Large Elaenia  Elaenia spectabilis 
Small-billed Elaenia  Elaenia parvirostris 
Slaty Elaenia ◊  Elaenia strepera 
Highland Elaenia  Elaenia obscura 
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum 
Suiriri Flycatcher  Suiriri suiriri 
White-throated Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus leucophrys 
Buff-banded Tyrannulet  Mecocerculus hellmayri 
Tufted Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus 
Sooty Tyrannulet  Serpophaga nigricans 
White-crested Tyrannulet  Serpophaga subcristata 
Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant  Euscarthmus meloryphus 
Greater Wagtail-Tyrant  Stigmatura budytoides 
Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet  Phylloscartes ventralis 
Southern Scrub Flycatcher ◊ Sublegatus modestus 
Plain Inezia ◊ Inezia inornata 
Bran-colored Flycatcher  Myiophobus fasciatus 
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant  Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer 
Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps 
Cinnamon Flycatcher  Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
Cliff Flycatcher  Hirundinea ferruginea 
Euler’s Flycatcher  Lathrotriccus euleri 
Fuscous Flycatcher  Cnemmotriccus fuscatus 
Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans 
Scarlet Flycatcher  (Vermillion F) Pyrocephalus rubinus 
Yellow-browed Tyrant  Satrapa icterophrys 
Spot-billed Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola favinucha  
Spectacled Tyrant  Hymenops perspicillata 
Plumbeous Tyrant  Knipolegus cabanisi 
White-winged Black Tyrant  Knipolegus aterrimus 
White Monjita  Xolmis irupero 
Grey Monjita  Xolmis cinereus 
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant  Agriornis montanus
Black-backed Water Tyrant  Fluvicola albiventer 
White-headed Marsh Tyrant  Arundinicola leucocephala 
Black-and-white Monjita  ◊ Heteroxolmis dominicana  VU
Strange-tailed Tyrant ◊ Alectrurus risora  VU 
D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca oenanthoides 
White-browed Chat-Tyrant  Ochthoeca leucophrys 
Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa 
Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius 
Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus 
Streaked Flycatcher (Solitary Flycatcher)  Myiodynastes [maculatus] solitaria
Variegated Flycatcher  Empidonomus varius 
Crowned Slaty Flycatcher  Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus 
Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus 
Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana 
Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer 
Swainson’s Flycatcher  Myiarchus swainsoni 
Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannus 
White-tipped Plantcutter  Phytotoma rutila 
Yungas Manakin  Chiroxiphia boliviana 
White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus
Crested Becard  Pachyramphus validus
Black-tailed Tityra  Tityra cayana 
Crested Becard  Pachyramphus validus 
Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis
Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi 
Plush-crested Jay  Cyanocorax chrysops 
Sand Martin  Riparia riparia
White-rumped Swallow  Tachycineta leucorrhoa 
Brown-chested Martin  Progne tapera 
Southern Martin  Progne elegans 
Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx rufcollis 
Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca 
Tawny-headed Swallow  Alopochelidon fucata
Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica 
American Cliff Swallow  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 
Black-capped Donacobius  Donacobius atricapilla 
Grass Wren  Cistothorus platensis  Heard-only.
Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus
Mountain Wren  Troglodytes solstitialis 
Masked Gnatcatcher  Polioptila dumicola 
Chalk-browed Mockingbird  Mimus saturninus 
Patagonian Mockingbird ◊ Mimus patagonicus 
Swainson’s Thrush  Catharus ustulatus  Heard-only.
Chiguanco Thrush  Turdus chiguanco anthracinus
Andean Slaty Thrush ◊ Turdus nigriceps 
Glossy-black Thrush  Turdus serranus
Rufous-bellied Thrush  Turdus rufventris 
Creamy-bellied Thrush  Turdus amaurochalinus 
Rufous-throated Dipper ◊ Cinclus schulzi  VU  
House Sparrow  Passer domesticus 
Yellowish Pipit  Anthus lutescens  
Hellmayr’s Pipit ◊  Anthus hellmayri 
Hooded Siskin  Spinus magellanicus 
Black Siskin  Spinus atratus 
Thick-billed Siskin ◊  Spinus crassirostris
Purple-throated Euphonia  Euphonia chlorotica  Heard-only.
Common Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus flavopectus argentinus
Yungas Sparrow ◊ Rhynchospiza dabbenei
Grassland Sparrow  Ammodramus humeralis
Saffron-billed Sparrow  Arremon favirostris 
Moss-backed Sparrow ◊  Arremon dorbignyi
Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis 
Fulvous-headed Brush Finch ◊ Atlapetes fulviceps
Yellow-striped Brush Finch ◊ Atlapetes citrinellus 
White-browed Meadowlark (W-b Blackbird)  Sturnella superciliaris 
Long-tailed Meadowlark  Sturnella loyca 
Crested Oropendola  Psarocolius decumanus 
Solitary Cacique  Procacicus solitaries 
Golden-winged Cacique Cacicus chrysopterus 
Variable Oriole  Icterus pyrrhopterus 
Screaming Cowbird  Molothrus rufoaxillaris 
Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis 
Scarlet-headed Blackbird  Amblyramphus holosericeus 
Greyish Baywing  Agelaioides badius 
Unicoloured Blackbird  Agelasticus cyanopus 
Chestnut-capped Blackbird  Chrysomus rufcapillus
Saffron-cowled Blackbird ◊  Xanthopsar flavus  EN              |
Brown-and-yellow Marshbird  Pseudoleistes virescens 
Yellow-rumped Marshbird ◊  Pseudoleistes guirahuro 
Southern Yellowthroat  Geothlypis velata 
Tropical Parula  Parula pitiayumi 
White-rimmed Warbler  Basileuterus leucoblepharus 
Pale-legged Warbler  Basileuterus signata 
Two-banded Warbler  Basileuterus bivittatus 
Brown-capped Whitestart  Myioborus brunniceps 
Black-backed Grosbeak  Pheucticus aureoventris 
Ultramarine Grosbeak ◊ Cyanocompsa brissonii 
Great Pampa Finch  Embernagra platensis 
Lesser Grass Finch ◊ Emberizoides ypiranganus 
Wedge-tailed Grass Finch   Emberizoides herbicola 
Mourning Sierra Finch  Rhopospina fruticeti 
Band-tailed Sierra Finch  Rhopospina alaudinus 
Many-colored Chaco Finch ◊  Saltatricula multicolor 
Green-winged Saltator  Saltator similis 
Bluish-grey Saltator  Saltator coerulescens 
Golden-billed Saltator  Saltator aurantiirostris 
Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina 
Red Pileated Finch  Coryphospingus cucullatus 
White-lined Tanager  Tachyphonus rufus
Lined Seedeater  Sporophila lineola
Double-collared Seedeater  Sporophila caerulescens 
Rusty-collared Seedeater  Sporophila collaris 
Tawny-bellied Seedeater ◊  Sporophila hypoxantha 
Dark-throated Seedeater ◊  Sporophila ruficollis  NT
Ibera Seedeater ◊  Sporophila iberaensis  NT
Pearly-bellied Seedeater ◊  Sporophila pileata 
Chestnut Seedeater ◊ Sporophila cinnamomea  VU 
Marsh Seedeater ◊ Sporophila palustris  EN 
Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch ◊ Poospiza whitii
Tucuman Mountain Finch ◊ Compsospiza baeri
Orange-headed Tanager  Thlypopsis sordida 
Long-tailed Reed Finch  Donacospiza albifrons 
Rufous-sided Warbling Finch ◊ Poospizopsis hypochondria 
Rusty-browed Warbling Finch ◊ Microspingus erythrophrys 
Ringed Warbling Finch ◊ (Chaco W F) Microspingus pectoralis 
Black-capped Warbling Finch  Microspingus melanoleuca 
Saffron Finch  Sicalis faveola 
Grassland Yellow Finch   Sicalis luteola 
Greenish Yellow Finch  Sicalis olivascens 
Monte Yellow Finch ◊ Sicalis mendozae  E
Grey-hooded Sierra Finch  Phrygilus gayi 
Ash-breasted Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis plebejus 
Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis unicolor 
Band-tailed Seedeater  Catamenia analis 
Plain-coloured Seedeater  Catamenia inornata 
Rusty Flowerpiercer  Diglossa sittoides 
Fawn-breasted Tanager  Pipraeidea melanonota 
Blue-and-yellow Tanager  Thraupis bonariensis 
Diuca Finch  Diuca diuca 
Yellow Cardinal ◊ Gubernatrix cristata  EN  A pair showed brilliantly at Ibera.
Red-crested Cardinal  Paroaria coronata 
Yellow-billed Cardinal  Paroaria capitata 
Sayaca Tanager  Thraupis sayaca 

MAMMALS
Garlepp’s Pampas Cat ◊  Leopardus colocolo garleppi
Crab-eating Fox  Cardocyon thous
South American Grey Fox  Lycalopex griseus
Guanaco  Lama guanicoe
Marsh Deer  Blastocerus dichotomus
Common Red Brocket  Mazama americana
Common Brown Brocket  Mazama gouazoubira
Pampas Deer  Ozotoceros bezoarticus
European Hare  Lepus europaeus 
Brazilian Guinea Pig  Cavia aperea 
Common Yellow-toothed Cavy  Galea musteloides
Greater Capybara  Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris 
Common Plains Viscacha  Lagostomus maximus 
Coypu (Nutria)  Myocastor coypus
Bolivian Squirrel  Sciurus ignitus
Scaglia’s Tuco-tuco ◊  Ctenomys scagliai

REPTILES
Quilmes Lizard  Liolaemus quilmes
Stripeless Whiptail Aurivela tergolaevigata
Four-toed Whiptail  Teius oculatus
Black-and-white Tegu  Salvator merinae
Black Caiman  Caiman yacare
Broad-snouted Caiman  Caiman latirostris