SOUTHERN & CENTRAL ARGENTINA TOUR REPORT 2025

1 - 18 December 2025

Mark Pearman

Southern and Central Argentina 2025 was another success in over thirty years of Birdquest tours to this area. In Cordoba, central Argentina, we picked off the main targets one by one including Dinelli’s Doradito, Dot-winged Crake, Spot-winged Falconet, Red-tailed Comet, Salinas Monjita, Black-legged Seriema, Cordoba and Olrog’s Cinclodes and Chaco Sparrow. Then, in the Pampas, we added Greater Rhea, Stripe-backed Bittern, Olrog’s Gull, Hudson’s Canastero, Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail, Bearded Tachuri, Pampas Pipit and the endangered Pampas Meadowlark. By now MP had received news that Hooded Grebe was going to be even more tricky than usual due an almost complete lack of birds on the Strobel Plateau, and hatched a plan that meant re-routing in the far south and new logistics to another remote plateau.

The tour began in Cordoba, Argentina’s third largest city, from where we drove east to Mar Chiquita, a vast inland saline lake. En route, and at stops, we connected with various common species such as Guira Cuckoo, Picui Ground Dove, Eared Dove, Campo Flicker, Crested and Chimango Caracaras, American Kestrel, Monk Parakeets, Cattle Tyrant, Rufous Hornero, Shiny Cowbird, Rufous-collared Sparrow and Red-crested Cardinal. We also managed a Whistling Heron.

On the outskirts of the town of Miramar, our group was out of the bus very sharpish for the outrageous-looking Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper where our attention eventually also turned towards Spot-winged Pigeon, Chalk-browed Mockingbird and Southern and Brown-chested Martins. A short drive away, we began to add many common birds including Yellow-billed Teal, Common Gallinule, Neotropic Cormorant, Striated Heron, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Burrowing Owl, Green-barred Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Great Antshrike, Solitary Cacique, Greyish Baywing, Southern Yellowthroat, Saffron Finch and Double-collared Seedeater. Before long we enjoyed great close-ups of a singing Dinelli’s Doradito which only breeds in Argentina and at very few localities.

Next, we walked on a narrow track through thorn woodland and out into some marshes bordering Mar Chiquita, adding Dark-billed Cuckoo, Picazuro Pigeon, White-barred Piculet, Checkered Woodpecker, many White-tipped Plantcutters, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant, Small-billed Elaenia, White Monjita, Chaco Earthcreeper for some, Brown Cacholote, Pale-breasted and Sooty-fronted Spinetails, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Yellow-winged Blackbird, a smart Many-colored Chaco Finch, Golden-billed Saltator, Great Pampa Finch, Black-capped Warbling Finch and Blue-and-yellow Tanager. Our main quarry was the elusive Dot-winged Crake and we managed two close flushed flight views after nailing it by voice to a particular spot. Our other main target was the skulking Olive-crowned Crescentchest of which we had already heard many that were not playing game. Finally, everyone had great views of two birds in the open.

In the morning, our first stop produced Plumbeous Rail, Collared and Two-banded Plovers, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilts, Brown-hooded Gulls, Maguari Stork, White-faced Ibis, White-rumped Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, Masked Gnatcatcher, Southern House Wren, Correndera Pipit, Screaming Cowbird and Sayaca Tanager. We stopped at a bridge, finding a pair of Little Thornbirds where some saw a Brazilian Teal fly over and others saw a Green Kingfisher. Soon, we walked into taller woodland finding Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Swainson’s and Streaked Flycatchers and Stripe-crowned Spinetail. Now, closer to the shores of Mar Chiquita we wandered out to check the waders, knowing there had been a recent Semipalmated Sandpiper which we re-located along with American Golden Plover, Wilson’s Phalarope, both yellowlegs, Stilt, Baird’s, Pectoral and White-rumped Sandpipers. There were a pair of White-cheeked Pintails, many Coscoroba Swans and a wall of pink in the hazy distance; thousands of Chilean Flamingos. We put up a Spotted Nothura on the walk back to the bus. A final stop further west in Mar Chiquita produced a Tawny-headed Swallow and lone Gull-billed and Snowy-crowned Terns. We sent Martin in to stomp for Painted Snipe, but his effort only added another Dot-winged Crake. A pair of Spot-backed Puffbirds posed nicely and sang a duet as we left for the sierras.

When we finally reached our comfortable lodgings in Capilla del Monte, a Chaco Earthcreeper was waiting under the eaves of one of the cabins and decided to show off, giving protracted views. Very strange behavior for a woodland bird! A pair of Variable Orioles also showed up in the gardens during the checklist.

We arrived at the Salinas Grandes by dawn, and kept a watchful eye along the track while birding the chaco woodlands quickly finding White-fronted Woodpecker, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet,  Suiriri and Crowned Slaty Flycatchers, Crested Hornero, striking Lark-like Brushrunner and smart Black-crested Finch. A lack of scopes meant that most dipped the only Black-legged Seriema that crossed the track and was gone, but we all enjoyed good looks at Brushland Tinamou and a Chacoan Mara which was a new mammal for the tour and sat on its haunches for some time. After an hour or so, we eventually tracked down our first main target, the rare and often raucous Spot-winged Falconet.

Moving on to the edge of the salt flats, we immediately scored our main target which was waiting for us in the sueda. The gorgeous Salinas Monjita, described new to science in 1979, provided many views in its limited habitat being the narrow ecotone around the vast salt pan which is the size of Luxemburg. Here too we connected with an isolated population of Patagonian Mockingbird before heading back into the chaco woodlands. We added Tufted Tit-Spinetail before our exit in soaring temperatures. Back in Capilla del Monte, we added Chiguanco Thrush and a nice flock of Blue-crowned Parakeets, but it was getting too hot to bird and we still had a long drive to our next hub so packed up and left. The drive, through some interesting habitat with stunted Caranday Palms (Trithrinax campestris) afforded us a fly-by view of Buff-necked Ibis (the only one of the tour) and a Darwin’s Nothura that crossed the road. An initial search for better looks at Black-legged Seriema drew a blank, although we added Bran-colored Flycatcher.

At dawn, we were back on the case of the Black-legged Seriema and this time homed in to a most likely spot. I asked a local if he had seen it, who replied that he had just heard them. Just around the corner we had a bold seriema come running in aggressively towards us, while we could hear its mate. We had multiple looks at this typically shy and elusive bird, in an angry and unsettled state. We enjoyed plenty of looks and then left him in peace. Adding a Chivi Vireo before breakfast, we headed to another area, clinching the gorgeous Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch and well behaved Straneck’s Tyrannulet.

It was time to cross the Sierras Grandes (or Altas Cumbres) which would see us drive over a 2200 m. mountain range. A first stop produced Band-tailed Sedeater and an unexpected pair of absolutely stunning Red-tailed Comets. Higher up, we connected with Cliff Flycatcher, Blue-and-white Swallow, White-winged Cinclodes, Grass Wren and Grey-hooded Parakeet as a noisy flock of White-collared Swifts whizzed past. At high altitude Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Andean Condor cruised by, but we were here for passerines; endemic ones! The endemic Cordoba Cinclodes fell easily with fine close ups but we were struggling to see Olrog’s Cinclodes and the “Sierran” Meadowlark being late in the year for breeding and hot in the day for activity. Eventually we nailed one of each but that took time. Lower down, and back in the heat, we failed to connect with Chaco Sparrow, a virtual endemic which has been only otherwise been rarely recorded in Paraguay in winter. With a delay in our flight to Buenos Aires, a hasty plan of action was drawn up for the morning in order to clinch that rogue sparrow.

After a night of beef-bingeing at a family asado, we headed back into the sierras and soon caught up with an Andean Tinamou that had been a heard only until now. Then we nailed the sparrow; just one, but very obliging. Heading to a site for the argentina form of Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Paul got us onto a female Blue-tufted Starthroat which was a result. Finally, we heard the crescentchest on a steep hillside, but our extended efforts drew a blank, not that we were complaining after adding three quality species that we would have missed if it were not for the change of flight.

Now in Buenos Aires, we met up with our driver Juan, and headed off into the vast Pampas. A first major stop produced Rosy-billed Pochard, Yellow-billed Pintail, White-tufted Grebe, Limpkin, Wattled Jacana, Bare-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egrets as a Long-winged Harrier and Snail Kite sailed by. Before long, we were scoping our first Greater Rheas and a dedicated stop produced a displaying male Bearded Tachuri, Firewood-gatherer, unexpected Bay-capped Wren-Spinetails which are usually found in marshes, White-browed Meadowlark, Brown-and-yellow Marshbird, Grassland Yellow Finch and Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch. Our main target was the localized Hudson’s Canastero which eventually showed well.

We had a busy day around San Clemente reaching a first spot for four Pampas specialties which all showed in quick succession. We had quick response from Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter and Freckle-breasted Thornbird, then a short walk provided us with Warbling Doradito and the smart Long-tailed Reedfinch. Here too we added White-crested Tyrannulet and Vermilion Flycatcher. Roadside stops provided us with the fluorescent Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Wren-like Rushbird and Yellow-browed Tyrant while a visit to a nearby estancia produced abundant Southern Screamers, Lake Duck, Black-necked Swan, Silver Teal, Chiloe Wigeon, Red-fronted and Red-gartered Coots. The rushes also held Sooty Tyrannulet and the stunning Many-colored Rush Tyrant, while the star bird was Stripe-backed Bittern with three seen.

Back in town we eventually tracked down a White-throated Hummingbird and bagged a surprise write-in Gilded Sapphire in the process. Finally, we checked the port and walked to Punta Rasa point as the road was trashed. We enjoyed a good variety of waders which included American Oystercatcher, Red Knot, three hundred or so Hudsonian Godwits and hundreds of White-rumped Sandpipers. Many Kelp Gulls and a single Grey-headed Gull were noted along with a large roost of Common Terns with many Royal and Cabot’s Terns plus a single Gull-billed Tern.

A first stop on our long drive to Bahia Blanca produced the expected Curve-billed Reedhaunter, looking rather like a large Acrocephalus warbler. A lake stop for lunch produced White-faced and Fulvous Whistling Ducks and our first Red Shovelers. By the time we got to Bahia Blanca we saw our first macaw-like Burrowing Parrots but couldn’t stop due to traffic. The tide was far out in the estuary and looked quite empty from an initial scan. Then, the Olrog’s Gull came to us as it were, and we were able to study all the identification features of this crab specialist which essentially only breeds here.

In the morning our main quarry was the endangered Pampas Meadowlark and we set off to a traditional site. We soon connected with our first Elegant Crested Tinamous, Common Miners of the hellmayri form and Grassland Sparrow. Eventually, we were able to compare White-browed, Long-tailed and Pampas Meadowlarks almost side by side. We only managed to see four Pampas Meadowlarks with some displaying, although it was late in the year. Here too we added a displaying Pampas Pipit. Finally, Swainson’s Hawks, White-tailed Kite and a second Darwin’s Nothura were noted on the way back.

Our next port of call was a sandy track through Calden woodland (Prosopis caldenia) in the province of La Pampa holding five endemic/ endemic breeders. White-banded Mockingbird was the most conspicuous of these. Soon we connected with a male White-winged Black Tyrant and a female Hudson’s Black Tyrant, not the direct comparison we hoped for, but satisfactory. A displaying male Carbonated Sierra Finch was the only one of the tour, although we didn’t serach for more. Here too we added Short-billed Canastero, a splendid and obliging male Cinnamon Warbling Finch, and more looks at Straneck’s Tyrannulets. It was becoming like a furnace and we needed to retreat. Soon after turning around, a Pampas Cat ran across the road in a diagonal at close range in front of the bus; it’s most striking features were its thickset back-banded tail, plain back and large head. Gordon Bennet! A fortunate encounter since the pajeros form is seldom seen, compared to the Andean form. The long drive to Las Grutas provided little, due to the heat, except for more Cinnamon Warbling Finches and the wonderful Patagonian Mara, like a cross between a deer and kangaroo but actually a rodent.

The monte desert of Las Grutas is a well-known hotspot for endemics and at dawn we quickly found Patagonian Canastero and Sandy Gallito, both giving protracted views. Scale-throated Earthcreeper and Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail also showed well. Then, after a short we walk, the stunning Black-crowned Monjita showed up in a usual territory. Further down the road several endemic White-throated Cacholotes put on a show and we could compare the very different displays of male Hudson’s and male White-winged Black Tyrant which otherwise look identical. Other species in the area included our first Austral Thrush and Diuca Finch, and a surprise Black-faced Ibis.

Trelew sewage lakes were thriving with ducks and perhaps as many as ten thousand Chilean Flamingos. Red Shoveler and Yellow-billed Pintails were abundant and we also noted a few White-winged Coots. Coastal stops produced Flying Steamer Duck, Crested Duck and Southern Right Whales could be seen fluking and blowing far offshore. A seawatch produced Great Grebe, Arctic Skua, South American Tern, and both Rock and Imperial Shags.

In the morning we headed south on the old road to Punta Tombo but within 10 km, a stone shattered a large side window of the bus. Whether the window was already weakened or not, we will never know but this may have been a blessing in disguise had it happened in a more remote place. We lost much of the morning getting a plastic replacement that could withstand the relentless Patagonian wind. Back on the same road, we quickly found the endemic Rusty-backed Monjita which showed well. Adding our first Austral Negritos, Mourning Sierra Finches and Upland Geese we made haste on the tarmac to Camarones. Blackish Oystercatchers and a pair of endemic Chubut Steamer Ducks were studied in town and we also noted two Humpback Whales close inshore, heading north. Just down the road, a Magellanic Horned Owl with two chicks waited for us in their cave, providing nice looks. After a couple of Sharp-billed Canasteros, Grey-hooded Sierra Finch and our first group of Lesser Rheas we arrived at Cabo Dos Bahias and had the penguin colony to ourselves. There were numerous young of different ages, while guanaco grazed through the colony. The large South American Sea Lion hauling ground had attracted many Dolphin Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills and Brown Skuas which added to the atmosphere.

With new logistics to reach the Buenos Aires Meseta for Hooded Grebe, we set off early but had to stop at a likely area for the now overdue Band-tailed Earthcreeper. Done and dusted, we were on our way. We only passed through one city and one town in what turned into an epic 17-hour drive. The only new birds of note in the endless steppe were Silvery Grebe, the first of many Least Seedsnipe and Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant. JF got us onto the first Tawny-throated Dotterel which had two chicks, and Bob found us a group of Black-chinned Siskins by a bridge. We experienced severe cross winds and wondered whether the window would pop. We were in one of the least populated areas of the planet, but we did have 5G Starlink and were thus connected to the outside World in case of an emergency. Finally, at a checkpoint we noticed that some military had stopped traffic from driving along the road we had just navigated. Eventually we reached the shores of the vast Lago Buenos Aires which looked more like the sea than a lake with continuous tall waves and white water.

After all our effort, in the morning we could feel that the grebes were in our grasp. We met up with Pablo and the rest of the gauchos after a couple of hours drive and switched to four wheel drives. The wind had weakened but was still enough to rip the door off a vehicle. There are ways of opening gates and car doors in Patagonia. An hour later and we were watching Hooded Grebes in all their glory; twenty-eight of them on two lakes. There were smiles all around and a sign of relief, after such a journey, overland from Buenos Aires. Some of the grebes were rebuilding their nests that had been swept away the day before. We had plenty of time to sit and enjoy the grebes, and also added White-throated Caracara, Short-billed Miner, the superb Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant, a pair of Grey-breasted Seedsnipe and Chilean Swallows.

It would take us another day’s driving to get back on track with the itinerary. But, we did arrive at our welcoming estancia in time to try for the Austral Rail, a species which was believed extinct for 49 years until it was rediscovered by a friend of Marks at this very spot. Almost immediately, we heard three and after less than an hour of trying, everyone managed decent views of this often tricky species.

In the morning we ventured onto the Strobel Plateau seeing plenty of Tawny-throated Dotterels and Least Seedsnipe, and finally connected with an Aplomado Falcon while some managed a Spot-billed Ground Tyrant. Heading south, we reached El Chalten and the Patagonian forest, adding our first Magellanic Snipe en route, and Bob got us onto some Patagonian Yellow Finches. We had reached civilization, a town full of trekkers and mountaineers, who had come to experience Mount Fitzroy and the surrounding massif, inside Los Glaciares National Park. The change of scenery and the chance of some forest birding was also most welcome for us. Our local park guide Evangelina had a few birds up her sleeve as well and we had a whole bunch of targets although the huge Magellanic Woodpecker was surely at the top of the list. In no time at all we were watching White-browed Ground Tyrant, Rufous-banded Miner and Plumbeous Sierra Finch on a rocky slope followed by Chilean Flicker, Fire-eyed Diucon, White-crested Elaenia, Patagonian Sierra Finch, stunning White-throated Treerunner and, of course, the ubiquitous and delightful Thorn-tailed Rayadito. After walking a few stretches of forest, a sudden double drum-tap meant only one thing and before we knew it, we were watching a pair of superb Magellanic Woodpeckers. Not only this, but we found the nest. Understandably, they were quite nervous, and the sudden appearance of uncommunicative French Canadian birders didn’t help. But we were happy with our views and still had plenty of targets. Just up the road we homed in on a pair of Black-throated Huet-huets, one of the largest of all tapaculos, one even foraging in the roadside leaf litter. One thing leads to another and soon we were watching a sneaky little Magellanic Tapaculo, creeping around and giving some point blank views. Then, Paul got us on to a juvenile Austral Pygmy Owl, that just sat around in the open. At the end of the road, Evangelina lead us into the woods where she had a pair of Patagonian Tyrants staked out, which was a nice bonus at this latitude. On the way back to town, we stopped once again for the outstanding Spectacled Duck, finding a pair which quickly disappeared into the forest. Only half of the group managed to get some views but need not have worried since we then found four more of these large and strange-looking ducks in the open.

In the morning we still had some outstanding targets and visited Evangelina’s local patch where we nabbed three common, but outstanding species. Firstly, we had a single perched Austral Parakeet; the World’s southernmost parrot. Soon after we bagged a Buff-winged Cinclodes and then a handsome pair of weird Rufous-tailed Plantcutters. One bird that did give us a merry dance was Striped Woodpecker and it took us quite a walk to nail one down, eventually for splendid views.

Rejuvenated by our El Chalten experience we were on our way to El Calafate, gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier, and another sector of Los Glaciares National Park. When we arrived, we were so anxious for the next mega target that we went straight for it before the hotel. That was a mistake, or at least the power of the Patagonian wind once again showed us who was boss. We just couldn’t walk in it, and hid beside a lone tree trying to get some views of the shore which was a waste of time. So we dumped our gear, re-grouped and headed out to another site, the breeding headland. On the way, we bagged a smart pair of Magellanic Oystercatcher, appreciating all the finer identification details. But it was now or never for Magellanic Plover and we had to cope with the wind, and walk back against the wind. It turned out to not be so bad as we originally feared but there was some distance to cover on sand and shingle. Then JF got us onto a first bird, and we crept up closer and closer to watch a pair, shielding each other for scope views of this outstanding species, in its own family, enjoying great looks.

We could now enjoy a relaxed final day at the glacier, picking up the odd outstanding species and marveling at the scenery and vast glacier with 50 sq km of exposed visible ice. Our local guide Ale is a nice enough chap and helped with the birds, even if he does support the unpresentable Boca Juniors. Our first stop in the morning saw us searching for Austral Canastero at a classic site which drew a blank, but would not be our last chance. Once we reached the forest, we scoped the only Austral Blackbird of the tour. Then, at a distance of 9 km from the glacier, we could begin to appreciate the magnitude of the glacier which has been shrinking for the first time in its history during the last five years. Both arms of Lago Argentina were strewn with icebergs, indicative of an accelerated frontal collapse, compared to very few icebergs years ago. By the time we reached the face of the glacier, we could feel the cold and set about searching for Dark-bellied Cinclodes and Dark-faced Ground Tyrant. Both cost us a lot more time than usual, perhaps due to disturbance by kayakers. Eventually we enjoyed scope studies of both. In the process, we stumbled upon a magnificent pair of Ashy-headed Goose with four chicks, another species that appears to be declining in both Chile and Argentina.

After enjoyed all sorts of views of the glacier at different levels, we stole ourselves away for one last outstanding species. On higher ground, outside of the park we tracked down the Austral Canastero for great views. Just as we were leaving, an Ochre-naped Ground Tyrant, usually of much higher altitude, showed up as a bonus bird.

A long, very long, one-way drive from Buenos Aires through the Pampas and through the back roads of much of the length of Patagonia meant we fulfilled so many goals. We had experienced and lived Patagonia to its full, its birds, its mammals, its wilderness, its gauchos, its weather, the big skies and endless roads.

Top birds of the tour

1. Hooded Grebe
2. Magellanic Plover
3. Magellanic Woodpecker
4. Black-legged Seriema
5. Tawny-throated Dotterel

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

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

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

Species which were heard only are indicated with (H)

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

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

Lesser Rhea ◊  (Darwin’s R)  Rhea pennata

Greater Rhea  Rhea americana 

Elegant Crested Tinamou ◊  Eudromia elegans 

Darwin’s Nothura ◊  Nothura darwinii 

Spotted Nothura   Nothura maculosa

Red-winged Tinamou ◊  Rhynchotus rufescens  (H)

Brushland Tinamou ◊  Nothoprocta cinerascens

Andean Tinamou ◊  Nothoprocta pentlandii

Tataupa Tinamou   Crypturellus tataupa  (H)

White-faced Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna viduata

Fulvous Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna bicolor

Lake Duck ◊  Oxyura vittata

Ruddy Duck  Oxyura ferruginea

Coscoroba Swan ◊  Coscoroba coscoroba

Black-necked Swan ◊  Cygnus melanocoryphus

Greylag Goose (intr) Anser anser

Upland Goose ◊  Chloephaga picta

Ashy-headed Goose ◊  Chloephaga poliocephala  A pair with chicks at Los Glaciares NP.

Crested Duck  Lophonetta specularioides

Bronze-winged Duck (Spectacled D) ◊  Speculanas specularis  NT Six at El Chalten.

Flying Steamer Duck ◊  Tachyeres patachonicus

Chubut Steamer Duck ◊  Tachyeres leucocephalus

Silver Teal  Spatula versicolor 

Red Shoveler ◊  Anas platalea

Cinnamon Teal  Anas cyanoptera

Chiloe Wigeon ◊  Anas sibilatrix

White-cheeked Pintail  Anas bahamensis 

Yellow-billed Pintail   Anas georgica

Yellow-billed Teal (Speckled T) Anas flavirostris flavirostris

Chaco Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis canicollis  (H)

Chilean Flamingo  Phoenicopterus chilensis 

White-tufted Grebe  Rollandia rolland

Great Grebe  Podicephorus major

Silvery Grebe  Podiceps [occipitalis] occipitalis                                                                                                                    

Hooded Grebe ◊  Podiceps gallardoi  A total of 28 with nesting activity.

Guira Cuckoo  Guira guira

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia  (H)

Dark-billed Cuckoo  Coccyzus melacoryphus

Picui Ground Dove  Columbina picui

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

West Peruvian Dove  Zenaida meloda 

Eared Dove  Zenaida auriculata

Picazuro Pigeon  Patagioenas picazuro

Spot-winged Pigeon  Patagioenas maculosa

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

Limpkin  Aramus guarauna

Plumbeous Rail  Pardirallus sanguinolentus

Austral Rail ◊  Rallus antarcticus  One showed well, but briefly, in Santa Cruz.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata

Red-fronted Coot ◊  Fulica rufifrons

Red-gartered Coot ◊  Fulica armillata

White-winged Coot  Fulica leucoptera

Dot-winged Crake ◊  Laterallus spiloptera   Close-up flight views at two sites at Mar Chiquita.

Magellanic Plover ◊  Pluvianellus socialis  VU  Prolonged studies of a pair at El Calafate.

Snowy Sheathbill ◊  Chionis albus 

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

Magellanic Oystercatcher ◊  Haematopus leucopodus

Blackish Oystercatcher  Haematopus ater

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliatus

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola 

American Golden Plover  Pluvialis dominica

Tawny-throated Dotterel  Oreopholus ruficollis  Numerous in Santa Cruz.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis

Collared Plover  Anarhynchus collaris 

Two-banded Plover ◊ Anarhynchus falklandicus

Grey-breasted Seedsnipe  Thinocorus orbignyianus

Least Seedsnipe  Thinocorus rumicovorus 

Wattled Jacana  Jacana jacana

Hudsonian Godwit  Limosa haemastica

Pantanal Snipe (South American S)  Gallinago paraguaiae  (H)

Magellanic Snipe ◊ Gallinago magellanica

Wilson’s Phalarope  Phalaropus tricolor

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes 

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca  NT

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres 

Red Knot  Calidrus canutus

Stilt Sandpiper  Calidris himantopus

Buff-breasted Sandpiper  Calidris subruficollis  Locally common on the Pampas.

Baird’s Sandpiper  Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper  Calidris melanotus

Semipalmated Sandpiper  Calidris semipalmatus  One at Mar Chiquita, Cordoba.

White-rumped Sandpiper  Calidris fuscicollis

Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua)  Stercorarius parasiticus

Brown Skua ◊  Stercorarius antarcticus

Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica 

Sandwich Tern (Cabot’s T)  Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus

Royal Tern  Sterna maxima

Snowy-crowned Tern  Sterna trudeaui

South American Tern  Sterna hirundinacea

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

Grey-headed Gull   Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Brown-hooded Gull ◊  Chroicocephalus maculipennis

Dolphin Gull ◊  Leucophaeus scoresbii

Olrog’s Gull ◊  Larus atlanticus

Kelp Gull  Larus dominicanus

Magellanic Penguin ◊  Spheniscus magellanicus

Southern Giant Petrel  Macronectes giganteus

Maguari Stork  Ciconia maguari

Neotropic Cormorant  Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Rock Shag ◊  Phalacrocorax magellanicus

Imperial Shag ◊ Phalacrocorax atriceps

Buff-necked Ibis  Theristicus caudatus   One in flight, north of Mina Clavero.

Black-faced Ibis ◊  Theristicus melanopis

Bare-faced Ibis  Phimosus infuscatus

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja

Stripe-backed Bittern  Ixobrychus involucris   Three in the Pampas.

Whistling Heron  Syrigma sibilatrix

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula                                                                                                                               

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Striated Heron  Butorides striatus

Great Egret  Ardea alba

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Cocoi Heron  Ardea cocoi

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Green-backed Firecrown ◊  Sephanoides sephaniodes

Red-tailed Comet  Sappho sparganura  Stunning close-ups.

Blue-tufted Starthroat ◊  Heliomaster furcifer

Glittering-bellied Emerald  Chlorostilbon lucidus

Gilded Sapphire  Hylocharis chrysura  One at San Clemente was unusual, and a write-in.

White-throated Hummingbird ◊  Leucochloris albicollis

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcata  (H) 

Burrowing Owl  Athene cunicularia 

Austral Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium nanum

Magellanic Horned Owl (Lesser H O) ◊  Bubo magellanicus

Andean Condor  Vultur gryphus

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus

Cinereous Harrier  Circus cinereus

Long-winged Harrier  Circus buffoni

Snail Kite  Rostrhamus sociabilis

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

Variable Hawk  Geranoaetus polyosoma

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle  Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana  NL

Spot-backed Puffbird ◊  Nystalus maculatus

White-barred Piculet  Picumnus cirratus

Green-barred Woodpecker  Colaptes melaniochloros

Chilean Flicker ◊  Colaptes pitius

Campo Flicker  Colaptes campestris

Magellanic Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus magellanicus  Nice looks at a pair nesting.

White-fronted Woodpecker  Melanerpes cactorum

Checkered Woodpecker  Veniliornis mixtus

Striped Woodpecker ◊  Veniliornis lignarius

Black-legged Seriema ◊  Chunga burmeisteri  A pair near Nono on the second attempt.

Spot-winged Falconet ◊  Spiziapteryx circumcinctus  Great looks at the Salinas Grandes

Crested Caracara  Caracara plancus

Chimango Caracara  Daptrius chimango

White-throated Caracara  Phalcoboenus albogularis

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Aplomado Falcon  Falco femoralis

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus cassini

Monk Parakeet  Myiopsitta monachus

Austral Parakeet ◊  Enicognathus ferrugineus

Burrowing Parrot ◊  Cyanoliseus patagonus byroni

Blue-crowned Parakeet  Thectocercus acuticaudatus

White-tipped Plantcutter ◊  Phytotoma rutila

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter ◊  Phytotoma rara

Many-coloured Rush Tyrant  Tachuris rubrigastra

Cliff Flycatcher  Hirundinea ferriginea

Greater Wagtail-Tyrant  Stigmatura budytoides

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant  Euscarthmus meloryphus

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum

Small-billed Elaenia  Elaenia parvirostris

White-crested Elaenia (Chilean E)  Elaenia chilensis

Suiriri Flycatcher  Suiriri suiriri

Dinelli’s Doradito ◊  Pseudocolopteryx dinelliana 

Warbling Doradito ◊  Pseudocolopteryx flavirostris 

Bearded Tachuri  Polystictus pectoralis

Sooty Tyrannulet  Serpophaga nigricans

White-crested Tyrannulet  Serpophaga subcristata

Straneck’s Tyrannulet  ◊  Serpophaga griseicapilla

Tufted Tit-Tyrant  Anairetes parulus

Patagonian Tyrant ◊  Colorhamphus parvirostris  A pair at Laguna del Desierto.

Swainson’s Flyactcher  Myiarchus swainsoni

Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Streaked Flycatcher (Solitary F)  Myiodynastes [maculatus] solitarius

Crowned Slaty Flycatcher  Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savanna

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Bran-colored Flycatcher  Myioborus fasciatus

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus obscurus

Yellow-browed Tyrant  Satrapa icterophrys

Spot-billed Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola maculirostris  NL

Dark-faced Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola maclovianus

White-browed Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola albilora

Ochre-naped Ground Tyrant  Muscisaxicola flavinucha

Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant ◊  Muscisaxicola capistrata

Austral Negrito ◊  Lessonia rufa

Spectacled Tyrant  Hymenops perspicillata

White-winged Black Tyrant  Knipolegus aterrimus

Hudson’s Black Tyrant ◊  Knipolegus hudsoni

White Monjita  Xolmis irupero

Fire-eyed Diucon ◊  Pyrope pyrope

Black-crowned Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis coronatus

Salinas Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis salinarum

Rusty-backed Monjita ◊  Neoxolmis rubetra

Chocolate-vented Tyrant ◊  Neoxolmis rufiventris

Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant ◊  Agriornis micropterus 

Olive-crowned Crescentchest ◊  Melanopareia maximilliani argentina  (H)

Olive-crowned Crescentchest ◊  Melanopareia maximilliani pallida

Great Antshrike  Taraba major

Variable Antshrike  Thamnophilus caerulescens  (H) 

Black-throated Huet-huet ◊  Pteroptochos tarnii 

Sandy Gallito ◊  Teledromus fuscus 

Crested Gallito ◊  Rhinocrypta lanceolata  (H)

Magellanic Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus magellanicus

Common Miner  Geositta [cunicularia] hellmayri

Rufous-banded Miner (Buzzing M)  Geositta rufipennis rufipennis  (H)

Rufous-banded Miner (Trilling M)  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  Earthcreeper ◊  Tarphonomus certhioides

Curve-billed Reedhaunter ◊  Limnornis curvirostris

Wren-like Rushbird  Phleocryptes melanops

Rufous Hornero  Furnarius rufus

Crested Hornero ◊ Furnarius cristatus

Scale-throated Earthcreeper  Upucerthia dumetaria

Buff-winged Cinclodes ◊ Cinclodes fuscus

Cordoba Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes comechingonus

Olrog’s Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes olrogi   

White-winged Cinclodes  Cinclodes atacamensis

Dark-bellied Cinclodes ◊  Cinclodes patagonicus

Thorn-tailed Rayadito ◊  Aphrastura spinicauda

Tufted Tit-Spinetail ◊  Leptasthenura platensis

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail  Leptasthenura aegithaloides pallida

Firewood-gatherer  Anumbius annumbi

Lark-like Brushrunner ◊  Coryphistera alaudina   

Little Thornbird ◊  Phacellodomus sibilatrix

Freckle-breasted Thornbird ◊  Phacellodomus striaticollis

Short-billed Canastero ◊  Asthenes baeri

Hudson’s Canastero ◊  Asthenes hudsoni

Austral Canastero ◊  Asthenes anthoides

Cordilleran Canastero  Asthenes modesta

Sharp-billed Canastero ◊  Asthenes pyrrholeuca

Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail  ◊  Spartonoica maluroides

Brown Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura lophotes

White-throated Cacholote ◊  Pseudoseisura gutturalis

Sulphur-bearded Reedhaunter ◊  Limnoctites sulphuriferus

Stripe-crowned Spinetail ◊  Cranioleuca pyrrhophia

Patagonian Canastero ◊  Pseudasthenes patagonica  

Pale-breasted Spinetail (Austral S)  Synallaxis albescens australis 

Sooty-fronted Spinetail  Synallaxis frontalis

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclharhis gujanensis  (H)

Chivi Vireo  Vireo chivi

White-rumped Swallow  Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Chilean Swallow  Tachycineta meyeni

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea

Southern Martin  Progne elegans

Brown-chested Martin  Progne tapera

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Tawny-headed Swallow  Alopochelidon fucata

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Masked Gnatcatcher  Polioptila dumicola

Grass Wren  Cistothorus platensis

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus

Patagonian Mockingbird ◊  Mimus patagonicus

Chalk-browed Mockingbird  Mimus saturninus

White-banded Mockingbird ◊  Mimus triurus

Common Starling (intr)  Sturnus vulgaris

Crested Myna (intr)  Acridotheres cristatellus

Andean Slaty Thrush  ◊  Turdus nigriceps  (H) 

Chiguanco Thrush (Coal Black T)  Turdus chiguanco anthracinus 

Austral Thrush ◊  Turdus falcklandii

Creamy-bellied Thrush  Turdus amaurochalinus

Rufous-bellied Thrush  Turdus rufiventris

House Sparrow (intr) Passer domesticus

Pampas Pipit ◊  Anthus chacoensis

Correndera Pipit  Anthus correndera

Black-chinned Siskin ◊  Spinus barbatus

Grassland Sparrow  Ammodramus humeralis

Chaco Sparrow ◊  Rhynchospiza strigiceps

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

White-browed Meadowlark  Leistes superciliaris

Pampas Meadowlark ◊  Leistes defilippii

Long-tailed Meadowlark ◊  Leistes loyca loyca

Long-tailed Meadowlark ◊  Leistes loyca obscurus

Solitary Cacique  Caccicus solitarius

Variable Oriole  Icterus pyrrhopterus

Screaming Cowbird  Molothrus rufoaxillaris

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis

Scarlet-headed Blackbird  Amblyramphus holosericeus

Austral Blackbird ◊  Cureus cureus

Yellow-winged Blackbird  Agelasticus thilius

Greyish Baywing  Agelaiodes badius

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird  Pseudoleistes virescens

Southern Yellowthroat  Geothlypis velata

Brown-capped Whitestart  Myioborus brunniceps  (H)

Grey-hooded Sierra Finch ◊  Phrygilus gayi

Patagonian Sierra Finch ◊  Phrygilus patagonicus

Yellow-bridled Finch ◊  Melanodera xanthogramma

Patagonian Yellow Finch ◊  Sicalis lebruni

Saffron Finch  Sicalis flaveola

Grassland Yellow Finch  Sicalis luteola

Plumbeous Sierra Finch  Geospizopsis unicolor

Band-tailed Seedeater  Catamenia analis 

Many-colored Chaco Finch Finch ◊  Saltatricula multicolor    

Golden-billed Saltator  Saltator aurantiirostris

Bluish-grey Saltator  Saltator coerulescens (H)

Great Pampa Finch  Embernagra platensis

Mourning Sierra Finch  Rhopospina fruticeti

Carbonated Sierra Finch ◊  Rhopospina carbonaria

Double-collared Seedeater  Sporophila caerulescens

Cinnamon Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza ornata

Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza whitii

Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch ◊  Poospiza nigrorufa

Rufous-sided Warbling Finch  Poospizopsis hypochondria  NL

Long-tailed Reedfinch ◊  Donocospiza albifrons

Black-capped Warbling Finch  Mitrospingus melanoleucus

Blue-and-yellow Tanager  Rauenia bonariensis

Black-crested Finch ◊  Lophospingus pusillus    

Diuca Finch  Diuca diuca

Red-crested Cardinal  Paroaria coronata

Sayaca Tanager  Thraupis sayaca    

MAMMALS (follows HMW taxonomy and sequence)

Southern Long-nosed Armadillo  Dasypus hybridus

Six-banded Armadillo  Euphractus sexcinctus

Pichi  Zaedyus pichiy 

European Hare (Intr) Lepus europeus                                                                                                          

Patagonian Mara  Dolichotis patagonum 

Chacoan Mara  Dolichotis salinicola  Salinas Grandes

Southern Mountain Cavy  Microcavia australis

Magellanic Tuco-tuco  Ctenomys magellanicus   NL

Brazilian Guinea Pig (Common Cavy)  Cavia aperea

Coypu (Nutria) Myocastor coypus

Southern Right Whale  Eubalaena australis

Humpback Whale  Megaptera noaeangliae  Two inshore at Camarones.

Guanaco  Lama guanicoe

Grey Brocket (Common Brown B)  Mazama gouazoubira  Salinas Grandes

Pampas Cat  (Colocolo)  Leopardus colocolo pajeros  One close-up in La Pampa.

Culpeo  Lycalopex culpaeus                                                                                                                       

South American Grey Fox  Pseudalopex griseus                                                                                      

Pampas Fox  Lycalopex gymnocercus

South American Sea Lion  Otaria byronia

Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk  Conepatus chinga

Lesser Grison  Galictis cuja

REPTILES

Ancient Lizard  Liolaemus archeforus  Endemic The sleepy one at the Hooded Grebe bothy.

Silvana’s Lizard  Liolaemis silvanae  Endemic LO at the second Hooded Grebe lake.

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