SOUTHERN & CENTRAL ARGENTINA TOUR REPORT 2023

24 November - 11 December 2023

by Mark Pearman

The 2023 Birdquest Southern & Central Argentina tour was another success story in well over 30 years of tours to this region focusing principally on the vast, mostly uninhabitable desert that is Patagonia. We managed to see 319 species including 118 diamond birds of restricted range, referring to Patagonian and Pampas specialties.

The Critically Endangered Hooded Grebe stood out as the major target of the tour. Logistically challenging, we enjoyed prolonged studies of six of these glorious and stunning grebes on a very remote lake.
Highlights in Central Argentina and the Pampas included South American Painted-snipe, Spot-winged Falconet, Dot-winged Crake, Olrog’s Gull, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Black-legged Seriema, Red-tailed Comet, Hudson’s Canastero, Dinelli’s Doradito, both (soon to be spit) forms of Olive-crowned Crescentchest, endemic Salinas Monjita, Chaco Sparrow, Cordoba and Olrog’s Cinclodes and the endangered Pampas Meadowlark.
Argentine Patagonia holds an outstanding number of endemics and endemic breeders of which we obtained great looks at Chubut Steamer Duck, White-throated Cacholote, Hudson’s Black Tyrant, Black-crowned Monjita, Rusty-backed Monjita, Sandy Gallito, Carbonated Sierra Finch and such standout highlights as the poorly known Patagonian Tinamou, nesting White-throated Caracara, endangered Yellow Cardinal, Magellanic Horned Owl, Snowy Sheathbill, superb Magellanic Plover (voted bird of the tour), White-throated Treerunner, Spectacled Duck, Black-throated Huet-huets at a nest, and not least, the magnificent Magellanic Woodpecker.
Mammals were of course visible everywhere in the form of grazing Guanaco almost throughout Patagonia, but we also saw Southern Elephant Seals, Peale’s and Commerson’s Dolphin, Southern Right Whale, endemic and enigmatic Patagonian Mara, Large Hairy and Pichi Armadillos, a rare look at Patagonian Weasel, superb Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk and the poorly known Magellanic Tuco-tuco.

As usual the tour began in Cordoba, central Argentina, where we first headed to Mar Chiquita, South America’s largest saline lake. Our main target was the localized Dinelli’s Doradito, an endemic breeder which duly obliged. Our efforts also concentrated on the poorly known Dot-winged Crake with two satisfactory close-up flight views, and the skulking chaco (pallida) form of Olive-crowned Crescentchest which proved tough, providing various glimpses and decent looks for a lucky few. The supporting cast included poorly known Ringed Teal, Collared Plover, outrageous Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Brown Cacholote. Chaco Earthcreeper, White-tipped Plantcutter, Ringed Warbling Finch and around 100,000 Chilean Flamingos.

Moving on to the Sierras Chicas mountain range, we quickly bagged displaying Cinereous Tyrant (a Chaco endemic), smart Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch and several flight views and a brief perched view of Black-bodied Woodpecker, one of South Americas rarest of woodpeckers.

We reached the remote Salinas Grandes soon after dawn. These salt pans are twice the size of Mar Chiquita lake and span four provinces. After various looks at the scarce and unusual looking Spot-winged Falconet, as well as Brushland and Elegant Crested Tinamous as well as smart Lark-like Brushrunner and Black-crested Finches, we reached the edge of the white expanse. The endemic Salinas Monjita inhabits the Suaeda-like vegetation around the periphery and we found four of them as soon as we stepped out of the bus. Here too, a Lesser Shrike-Tyrant was displaying and we also noted one Patagonian Mockingbird. As temperatures were quickly rising, we made the most of the chaco woodlands adding the secretive Crested Gallito, protracted views of a Striped Cuckoo, Crested Hornero, Chaco Puffbird and numerous Many-coloured Chaco-Finches.

Now, in the western foothills of the Sierras Grandes we soon homed in on a pair of Black-legged Seriemas, blissfully ignorant at the joy of a bus load of birders. Our targets in the morning were slow to come, even though we were clocking up a huge day list, but diligence paid off when we connected with three localized species that only breed in Argentina with Straneck’s Tyrannulet, the smart Chaco Sparrow and corking argentina “subspecies” of Olive-crowned Crescentchest which put on a superb show.

Soon we were crossing the formidable Sierras Grandes with a sky full of Andean Condors with some nice scoped perched views also obtained. We quickly homed in on the trio of cinclodes including endemic Cordoba and Olrog’s Cinclodes. On the eastern slope, a male Red-tailed Comet put on a fantastic performance in all its glory.

After a short flight to Buenos Aires, we soon departed southwards and onto the vast plain of the Pampas. With increasing numbers of Maguari Storks and displaying White-browed Blackbird, we eventually scrutinized our first Southern Screamers and Greater Rheas; all iconic birds of the pampas. A stop produced Giant Wood Rail, Spix’s Spinetail, White-winged Becard and Golden-crowned Warbler, and thereafter several delightful Bearded Tachuri and the declining Hudson’s Canastero; the largest species of canastero and restricted to the pampas. Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail put in a surprise appearance here.

Rain played havoc in the morning but as soon as it subsided, we secured such a host of goodies including South American Painted-snipe, Lake Duck, Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Warbling Doradito, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Long-tailed Reed Finch.

In the morning we added the glowing Scarlet-headed Blackbird and stumbled upon a well-behaved Curve-billed Reedhaunter at the edge of its range. Near Bahia Blanca, we scrutinized several Olrog’s Gulls in breeding plumage, adding Sharp-billed Canastero and White-banded Mockingbird. The rarest bird of the pampas is undoubtedly the declining Pampas Meadowlark. It took some time to reach our site on a rough road, and a general lack of new grass given the late spring was a little worrying. Nevertheless, four Pampas Meadowlarks put on a show with Long-tailed Meadowlarks for comparison. Several Darwin’s Nothuras also put on a performance as did a pair of Common Miners with increasing numbers of the macaw-like Burrowing Parrot.

Our next stop was a sector of Calden woodland where we quickly located a smart pair of Ash-coloured Cuckoos followed by displaying Hudson’s Black Tyrant while Straneck’s Tyrannulet proved to be abundant here. Next, we had a long drive and a detour to make for a major target, the critically endangered Yellow Cardinal. It wasn’t long before a female showed up and eventually, we had multiple views of a stunning male, as another piece of the jigsaw fell into place.

As rain subsided after dawn, the innocent looking low scrub out of Las Grutas became alive with a host of five endemic species: seen in quick succession. First, we had great views of the smart Black-crowned Monjita, followed by responsive White-throated Cacholote, Patagonian Canastero, displaying Carbonated Sierra Finch, and singing Sandy Gallito to wrap it up. In the afternoon, a lake stop provided the promised parasitic Black-headed Duck in numbers, amongst hordes of Red Shoveler and Lake Ducks. Back on the coast, a sea watch produced Black-browed Albatross, White-chinned Petrel, Flying Steamer Duck and Commerson’s Dolphin.
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The road to Punta Tombo produced fantastic close-ups of a pair of Magellanic Horned Owl at a usual stake-out. Then, a coastal stop then produced close up endemic Chubut Steamer Ducks, endemic Rusty-backed Monjita and a bunch of moulting Southern Elephant Seals. Another coastal watch and lunch stop produced Blackish Oystercatcher, two Southern Right Whales which were breaching and fluking, and a pod of Peale’s Dolphins. Our visit to Cabo Dos Bahias nature reserve was an experience in itself with hundreds, if not thousands, of active Magellanic Penguin burrows, while Guanaco grazed through the colony, backed by a South American Sea Lion colony with numerous scavenging Dolphin Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills and Brown Skuas. A tame group of Patagonian Yellow Finches and a well performing Band-tailed Earthcreeper rounded off a memorable day.

Several Least Seedsnipe later, we peered over a cliff top to watch close-up breeding Red-legged Cormorants, arguably the most handsome of all cormorants. Hundreds of kilometres later we set out for the Strobel Plateau in search of the critically endangered Hooded Grebe. Leaving our bus behind, we switched to four-wheel drives for the long drive to the first possible grebe lake. Soon we were treated to great looks at a pair of Patagonian Tinamou, at first along the edge of the road and eventually on a facing slope. This tough Patagonian endemic was a welcome sight as it had been eluding us for two days.

Stunning Tawny-throated Dotterels, Chocolate-vented Tyrants and Short-billed Miners became more and more common during the drive. We passed various lakes but our drivers assured us that they would not hold our quarry, even though I checked several to be sure. And when the new improved gravelled track ended it was another hour of driving directly over rocks. Finally, we reached Lago Espana, walked to edge of the cauldron where there were six Hooded Grebes waiting for us, sometimes mixing with a large raft of Silvery Grebes. Four of the birds were paired but there was insufficient milfoil growth for nesting. We enjoyed the grebes for several hours, as well as nesting White-throated Caracaras on the cauldron cliffs before making the long journey back to base.

In the morning, it took a while to nail down Grey-breasted Seedsnipe but eventually it behaved and even displayed. Our Hooded Grebe contingency day was also used to search potential sites for Magellanic Plover and our ongoing, yet frustrating, search for Austral Rail with water levels conceivably too high. Further south, we could hear the rails but not see them for the same reason. It was time for some Patagonian forest birding, a new habitat and a new set of birds with the magnificent scenic backdrop of the Mount Fitzroy range. In an afternoon and a morning our targets fell thick and fast. Among the most impressive were Spectacled Duck, Austral Pygmy Owl, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, an amazing pair of Black-throated Huet-huets taking food to a nest, Austral Parakeets (certainly the most austral of the parrots), Striped Woodpecker and unforgettable walk-away views of a male Magellanic Woodpecker.

Our final base of the tour was El Calafate and we quickly homed in on the enigmatic Magellanic Plover, a bizarre species in its own family. An adult allowed close approach as it energetically foraged by foot-pattering in continuous circles. This dove-like ”wader” with shocking pink legs is now known to number as few as 5000 and was voted bird of the tour.

Heading towards the Perito Moreno Glacier, a first stop produced cooperative Austral Canastero and the range-restricted and vulnerable Magellanic Tuco-tuco, accommodating its burrow. Thereafter we encountered a cow trying to give a breech birth with ten Andean Condors standing around her. Soon after we enjoyed the chunky Austral Blackbird and unique White-throated Treerunner. As we neared the glacier, we located a Dark-faced Ground Tyrant and pair of Dark-bellied Cinclodes. The skulking Magellanic Tapaculo which we had only heard up till now, performed nicely as it danced on a fallen trunk. With time to enjoy the glacier, it was a jaw-dropping experience as we gazed at 100 sq. km of ice, with chunks cracking off and thundering into the water, including a huge piece revealing age-old dark blue ice. Amazingly, a pair of Spectacled Duck were swimming amongst icebergs in an icy slush. Fully satisfied with our glacier experience, we headed back to a rush bed for the second time in the hope of Austral Rail but it was not to be. As a consolation we managed scope studies of several Magellanic Snipe.

The tour will be remembered for so many quality birds, mammals, huge skies and the endless landscapes of Patagonia.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1^st Magellanic Plover

2^nd Hooded Grebe

3^rd Black-throated Huet-huet

4^th  Magellanic Woodpecker

5^th Black-legged Seriema

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). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v13.2) (this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created).

BIRDS

Greater Rhea  Rhea americana

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

Tataupa Tinamou ◊  Crypturellus tataupa  heard-only

Brushland Tinamou ◊  Nothoprocta cinerascens

Andean Tinamou  Nothoprocta pentlandii heard-only

Darwin’s Nothura ◊  Nothura darwinii 

Spotted Nothura  Nothura maculosa

Elegant Crested Tinamou ◊  Eudromia elegans

Patagonian Tinamou  ◊  Tinamotis ingoufi

Southern Screamer  Chauna torquata

White-faced Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna viduata

Greylag Goose (introduced)  Anser anser

Coscoroba Swan ◊  Coscoroba coscoroba

Black-necked Swan ◊  Cygnus melancoryphus

Flying Steamer Duck ◊  Tachyeres patachonicus

Chubut Steamer Duck ◊ Tachyeres leucocephalus Endemic

Upland Goose ◊  Chloephaga picta

Ashy-headed Goose ◊  Chloephaga poliocephala

Ringed Teal ◊  Calloneta leucophrys

Crested Duck  Lophonetta specularioides

Bronze-winged Duck ◊ (Spectacled D)  Speculanas specularis

Silver Teal  Spatula versicolor

Red Shoveler ◊  Spatula platalea

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

California Quail  (introduced)  Callipepla californica

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Red-tailed Comet ◊ Sappho sparganurus

Glittering-bellied Emerald  Chlorostilbon lucidus

White-throated Hummingbird  Leucochloris albicollis

Guira Cuckoo  Guira guira

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia 

Ash-colored 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

West Peruvian Dove  Zenaida meloda

Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Austral Rail ◊  Rallus antarcticus  heard-only

Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus

Red-fronted Coot ◊  Fulica rufifrons

Red-gartered Coot ◊  Fulica armillata

White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera

Dot-winged Crake ◊  Laterallus spiloptera

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps

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

American Golden Plover  Pluvialis dominica

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola

Collared Plover  Charadrius collaris

Two-banded Plover ◊  Charadrius falklandicus

Tawny-throated Dotterel  Oreopholus ruficollis

South American Painted-snipe ◊  Nycticryphes semicollaris

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe  Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicivorus

Hudsonian Godwit  Limosa haemastica

Baird’s Sandpiper  Calidris bairdii

White-rumped Sandpiper  Calidris fuscicollis

Pectoral Sandpiper  Calidris melanotus

Magellanic Snipe ◊  Gallinago magellanica

Wilson’s Phalarope  Phalaropus tricolor

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularia

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca

Black Skimmer  Rhynchops niger

Brown-hooded Gull ◊  Chroicocephalus maculipennis

Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Dolphin Gull ◊  Leucophaeus scoresbii

Olrog’s Gull ◊  Larus atlanticus  Endemic breeder

Kelp Gull  Larus dominicanus

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus

Cabot’s Tern ◊  Thalasseus acuflavidus

Yellow-billed Tern ◊  Sternula superciliaris

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

South American Tern ◊  Sterna hirundinacea

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

Chilean Skua ◊  Stercorarius chilensis

Brown Skua ◊  Stercorarius antarcticus

Magellanic Penguin ◊  Spheniscus magellanicus

Black-browed Albatross  Thalassarche melanophris

Southern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus

White-chinned Petrel  Procellaria aequinoctialis

Wood Stork  Myctaria americana

Maguari Stork  Ciconia maguari

Red-legged Cormorant ◊  Poikilocarbo gaimardi

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

Rock Shag ◊  Leucocarbo magellanicus

Imperial Shag ◊  Leucocarbo atriceps

Black-faced Ibis ◊  Theristicus melanopis

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Striated Heron  Butorides striata

Western Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

Cocoi Heron  Ardea cocoi

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea alba

Whistling Heron  Syrigma sibilatrix

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Rufous-thighed Hawk ◊  Accipiter erythronemius

Long-winged Harrier  Circus buffoni

Cinereous Harrier  Circus cinereus

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

Variable Hawk  Geranoaetus polyosoma

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni

Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium brasiliensis

Austral Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium nana

Lesser Horned Owl ◊ (Magellanic H O)  Bubo magellanicus

Chaco Puffbird ◊  Nystalus striatipectus

White-barred Piculet  Picumnus cirratus

White-fronted Woodpecker  Melanerpes cactorum

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

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Grey-hooded Parakeet  Psilopsiagon aymara

Monk Parakeet  Myiopsitta monachus

Austral Parakeet ◊  Enicognathus ferrugineus

Burrowing Parrot ◊  Cyanoliseus patagonus

Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticaudatus

Common Miner  Geositta cunicularia

Common Miner  Geositta  [cunicularia] hellmayri

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

Curve-billed Reedhaunter ◊  Limnornis curvirostris

Scale-throated Earthcreeper ◊  Upucerthia dumetaria

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

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail  ◊  Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida

Little Thornbird ◊ Phacellodomus sibilatrix

Freckle-breasted Thornbird ◊  Phacellodomus striaticollis

Firewood-gatherer  Anumbius annumbi

Lark-like Brushrunner ◊  Coryphistera alaudina

Short-billed Canastero ◊  Asthenes baeri

Hudson’s Canastero ◊  Asthenes hudsoni

Austral Canastero ◊  Asthenes anthoides

Streak-backed Canastero ◊ (Puna C)  Asthenes wyatti sclateri

Cordilleran Canastero  Asthenes modesta

Sharp-billed Canastero ◊  Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter ◊  Limnoctites sulphuriferus

Stripe-crowned Spinetail ◊  Cranioleuca pyrrhophia

Patagonian Canastero ◊  Pseudasthenes patagonica  Endemic

Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail ◊  Spartonoica maluroides

Brown Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura lophotes

White-throated Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura gutturalis  Endemic

Chotoy Spinetail  Schoeniophylax phryganophilus

Spix’s Spinetail  Synallaxis spixi

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

Chilean Elaenia  (White-crested E) Elaenia chilensis

Small-billed Elaenia  Elaenia parvirostris

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum

Suiriri Flycatcher  Suiriri suiriri

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus

Tufted Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus

Sooty Tyrannulet  Serpophaga nigricans

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

Southern Scrub Flycatcher  Sublegatus modestus

Bran-colored Flycatcher  Myiophobus fasciatus  heard-only

Many-colored Rush Tyrant  Tachuris rubrigastra

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant  Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer  heard-only

Cliff Flycatcher  Hirundinea ferruginea

Scarlet Flycatcher  [Vermilion F]  Pyrocephalus rubinus

Yellow-browed Tyrant  Satrapa icterophrys

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

Lesser Shrike-Tyrant ◊  Agriornis murinus  Endemic breeder

Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant ◊  Agriornis micropterus

Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Streaked Flycatcher (Solitary F)  Myiodynastes [maculatus] solitarius 

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

White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis

Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi

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

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chaybea

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

Crested Myna (introduced)  Acridotheres cristatellus

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

Correndera Pipit  Anthus correndera

Hellmayr’s Pipit  Anthus hellmayri

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

Pampas Meadowlark ◊  Leistes defilippii

Solitary Cacique  Cacicus solitarius

Variable Oriole  Icterus pyrrhopterus

Screaming Cowbird ◊  Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis

Austral Blackbird ◊  Curaeus curaeus

Scarlet-headed Blackbird   Amblyramphus holosericeus

Greyish Baywing  Agelaioides badius

Yellow-winged Blackbird  Agelasticus thilius

Chestnut-capped Blackbird  Chrysomus ruficapillus

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird  Pseudoleistes virescens

Southern Yellowthroat  Geothlypis velata

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi

Brown-capped Whitestart  Myioborus brunniceps

Red Tanager (Lowland Hepatic T)  Piranga flava

Great 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

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Red Pileated Finch  Coryphospingus cucullatus

Double-collared Seedeater  Sporophila caerulescens

Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza nigrorufa

Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza whitii

Long-tailed Reedfinch ◊  Donocospiza albifrons

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

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

Yellow Cardinal ◊  Gubernatrix cristata

Red-crested Cardinal  Paroaria coronata

Sayaca Tanager  Thraupis sayaca

MAMMALS

Large Hairy Armadillo  Chaetophractus villosus

Pichi ◊  Zaedyus pichiy

Culpeo  Lycalopex culpaeus

Argentine Gray Fox  (South American G F)  Lycalopex griseus

South American Sea Lion  Otaria flavescens

Southern Elephant Seal   Mirounga leonina

Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk  Conepatus humboldtii

Patagonian Weasel ◊  Lyncodon patagonicus

Guanaco  Lama guanicoe

Southern Right Whale  Eubalaena australis

Peale’s Dolphin ◊  Lagenorhynchus australis

Commerson’s Dolphin ◊  Cephalorhynchus commersonii

European Hare  Lepus europaeus

Brazilian Guinea Pig  Cavia aperea

Patagonian Mara ◊   Dolichotis patagonum  Endemic

Coypu  (Nutria)  Myocastor coypus

Magellanic Tuco-tuco ◊ Ctenomys magellanicus

REPTILES

Black Tegu  Tupinambis merinae  NL

Di Tada’s Lizard  Liolaemus ditadai  Endemic  Salinas Grandes

Magellanic Lizard  Liolaemus magellanicus  Strobel Plateau

El Bagual Lizard  Liolaemus baguali  Endemic  Strobel Plateau

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