Download Southern South America

Birding
in
Southern
South America
About us
In 1991 we started developing our
company which is dedicated to
sharing our passion: birding and
nature. Buenos Dias Birding is
based in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
and directed by Horacio Matarasso
(biologist and bird-watching
guide) and Alejandro Ronchetti
(Nature Photographer, Guide and
professional tourist manager).
Together with a dynamic group
of guides, birding guides who live
in different parts of Argentina, we
offer ample diversity in our field:
long tours as well as short trips
which include courses to enjoy
birdwatching. A strong value we
aim for in our trips is to take care
of the details in order to focus in
biodiversity not only of birds and
nature, but also in people.
Why Southern South America?
Plenty of birds to see,
with almost 1.200 bird
species.
12 bio-diverse natural
regions to visit.
It’s a safe region, with
friendly and welcoming
+ people -plenty of English
speakers.
Wide diversity of
cultures, including native
communities, gauchos, etc.
Good value for money.
Excellent services at very
competitive prices.
Regional, tasty food and
high quality local wines.
Nature of
Southern South
America
The Pampas
Paraná River
Delta
The Gran
Chaco
Southern South America
hosts a surprising diversity
of habitats and landscapes.
From worm Amazonian
rainforest to cold islands in the
southernmost tip of the world;
from the highest peak in the
Western Hemisphere
(Mt. Aconcagua 6989 m) to
the rich wildlife vastness of
both, Atlantic and Pacific
coastlines; these countries
offer superb birding
experiences in the following
habitats:
Atlantic
Rainforest in
“Misiones”
The Iberá
Wetlands
Cloud forest or
“Yungas”
Bolivia
The Puna and
high Andes
Brazil
a
Rio P
Pacific Ocean
Paraguay
ragu
Jujuy
ay
Asunción
Rio
Pa
ra
ná
Iguaz Falls
Iguazú
San Miguel
de Tucumàn
Río U
rugu
ay
Iberá
Argentina
Rio
Par
ana
The Monte
Region
Chile
egro
Rio N
Uruguay
Santiago
Buenos Aires
Rio
Montevideo
de
La
Pla
ta
Punta
Rasa
The Patagonian
Steppes
Osorno
cea
Península
Valdés
Patagonian
Forests
Atl
an
tic
O
Puerto
Madryn
n
Bariloche
South
American
Shoreline
Calafate
Tierra del
Fuego
Usuahia
Central Valley
(Chile)
The Pampas
It comprises most of central and east Argentina and Uruguay, with regular
year-round rainfalls. This area is covered mostly by vast and dense grasslands,
and still has protected areas though today it’s mainly farmland. It contains
lakes, mudflats and Tala woods.
Paraná
River Delta
It is one of the five largest deltas in the world: a pristine system of islands, with
diverse habitats and a very rich birdlife. It is mostly wetlands, with patches of
grasslands, reed-beds and riverside forests. Miles of dirt roads and bridges
allow easy birding, with abundant amount of individuals and good levels of
active bird life all year round, even at midday’s!
The Gran
Chaco
The Chaco is a complex array of forests in central-South America (North of
Argentina and most of Paraguay). Habitats in this area include savannas with
palm groves, wet woods on the East (Humid Chaco) and thick woods on the
West (Dry Chaco). Usually warm, with low annual rain fall. The Espinal area
(which means “thorny area”) is included here and occupies huge surfaces
around the Pampas.
Atlantic
Rainforest
in “Misiones”
This area has subtropical, warm and humid rainforests in the northeast of
Argentina, around the Iguazú Falls, and following the Paraná and Uruguay
rivers. Including the crowns of gigantic emerging trees, Misiones also has the
largest number of endemic or exclusive species in the country, making it a
paradise for birdwatchers.
The Iberá
Wetlands
The Iberá Wetlands are a relatively “new” birding destination, and is the
2nd largest wetland area in South America after the Pantanal in Brazil.
Encompassing such diverse habitats as permanent subtropical wetlands,
grasslands, palm groves, forests, savannahs and woods, Iberá provides a
haunting natural habitat for more than 330 bird species.
Cloud forest
or “Yungas”
It is a mountain rainforest that comes from Colombia and enters Argentina along
the eastern side of the Andes, around 350 m. to 3100 m. ASL. The weather
is usually warm and humid. It rains mainly in southern spring and summer
(September to March). It is a region rich in bird species, with many endemic ones
too.
The Puna and
high Andes
This is a region that covers the vast Andean Mountain Range and its foothills from
Peru to the north of Patagonia, including the Andean Plateau, over 3200 m. ASL. It
is usually cold and dry, with precipitations in our summer (December to March) mainly in the form of snow or hail. Most of the species are endemic, and its lakes and
mountain springs concentrate a big number and variety of species.
The Monte
Region
This is a region in the centre of Argentina and north Patagonia which is
extremely arid and covered by bushy steppes and cacti in the north, and very
scattered thorny, small trees in the south (north of Patagonia). Extremely arid
and treeless, but home to several endemic species of birds.
The
Patagonian
Steppes
This is a vast, grassy and shrubby steppe that covers most of Patagonia (South
of Argentina). The climate is cold, dry and very windy. Although birds are easy
to observe, the number and abundance of species is lower than in other regions
due to the scarcity of resources, except in wetlands and transitional areas. But it
still offers plenty of interesting species to be sighted.
Patagonian
Forests
This forest lies in the Patagonian Andes and Tierra del Fuego, in both Argentina
and Chile. It is cold and humid, mostly covered by thick beech forests of the
genus Nothofagus, and the living fossil “Araucarias” (in the North). Numerous
endemic species are found here, in one of the wildest regions of South
America.
South
American
Shoreline
It extends along the South Atlantic Coast on the Argentinean side and the
South Pacific Coast on the Chilean side. It includes very different areas, from
crab-crowded coastal marshes to vast sandy and rocky beaches at the foot of
high cliffs - very important for resident and migratory bird species.
Central Valley
(Chile)
The Central Valley is an endemic region of Chile that used to be a forest with
drier surrounding woods in the Region of Araucanía. At present it has the highest
concentration of human population and is mostly farmland landscape, interesting for
birding because some endemic species from the north have dispersed to this area.
Programs &
Main trips
We have selected the
richest itineraries in terms of
environments and species, in
order to include the widest
diversity of birds and wildlife
that are possible to be seen in
each one.
From the Pampas grasslands to the Iguazú Falls, birding in Parana Delta, Chaco
forests, the Ibera Wetlands and subtropical rainforest around Iguazu Falls,
this is a region surrounded by the Paraná, Uruguay, Iguazú and Río de la Plata
Rivers (see the map). An amazing birding trip traversing the best subtropical
landscapes with plenty of wildlife.
This tour will take you from the Pampas around Buenos Aires to the northern
rainforest around Iguazú Falls, crossing through a wide variety of subtropical
environments like the Parana River Delta, the native palm tree forest of El Palmar
in Entre Rios, the great warm wetlands of the Esteros del Iberá (Corrientes), the
Gran Chaco woods and the Tropical jungle in Misiones.
As your local guides, we will provide you with our thorough knowledge of the
wonderful biodiversity of this region as well as a broader understanding of
nature’s amazing ecosystem in this 1,000 km birding trip… a dream for birders!
Iguazú Falls.
3 National Parks and several protected areas.
Highlights
Iberá Wetlands.
uay
arag
Rio P
These are all tailor-made
expeditions that can be modified
according to your special
interests and aims (amount of
days, season of the year, etc).
The combinations are endless,
so we want to make sure we
create the perfect trip for you.
1. From the Pampas to Iguazu
Asunción
Iguazú falls
Chaco
1. From the Pampas to Iguazu
2. Grand Patagonia: 7 regions
Cordoba
5. NEW! Birds & wines of
Argentina’s Northwest
gu
Ur
u
ná
Argentina
Santa Fe
Rosario
Par
a
4. Southern Patagonia and Tierra
del Fuego
Riv
er
Mercedes
ay
Ri
ve
r
Corrientes
Iberá
3. Buenos Aires: Pampas, delta
and coast
Uruguay
Ceibas
Buenos Aires
Colonia
Montevideo
Rí
od
e la P
lata
Brazil
> 10 days
Length
Bird
Species
640 species
All year round
Season
Habitats
(Best: February - November)
Pampa’s grasslands, Chaco
Woods, Paraná River Delta,
Iberá Wetlands, Atlantic
Rainforest
Ten target
birds
• Strange-tailed Tyrant,
• Greater Rhea,
• Straight-billed Reedhaunter,
• King Vulture,
• Black-fronted Piping-Guan,
• Southern Screamer,
• Yellow Cardinal,
• Black-banded Owl,
• Southern Red-billed
Scythebill,
• Saffron-cowled Blackbird
2. Grand Patagonia: 7 regions
Among all the various birding trips available in Patagonia this one is uniquely
designed to cover all the seven natural regions that make up Patagonia. The
forest area of Patagonia has 4 subdivisions and all of them are included in this
circuit: the Araucaria forest (only existing in the north), the Southern beech
Patagonian forest, the cypress area and the Valdivian rainforest (only on the
Chilean coast).
In this itinerary you not only go through all the seven different kinds of
Patagonian landscapes, but you can also come across some mammals such as
guanacos, red and grey foxes, armadillos, etc.; you can taste local foods and
enjoy one the wildest spots remaining in the world. All this in a single trip of
about 540 km and, where all this amazing biodiversity converges, we can find
about 40 endemic bird species!
Wildest environments of southern South
America
5 National Parks and several protected areas
Highlights
90% of the whole patagonian bird list
in only 500 km
Zapala
Maicolpué
Osorno
San Martín
de los Andes
Bariloche
Puerto Montt
Esquel
Neuquén
10 days
Length
Bird
Species
360 species
October to March
Season
Habitats
Patagonian Forests, High
Andes, Patagonian Steppes,
Monte, Coast, Central Valley
(Chile).
Ten target
birds
• Andean Condor,
• Humboldt Penguin,
• Lesser Rhea,
• Torrent Duck,
• Des Murs’ Wiretail,
• Burrowing Parrot,
• Green-backed Firecrown,
• Chucao Tapaculo,
• Many-Colored Rush-Tyrant,
• Least Seedsnipe
3. Buenos Aires: Pampas, delta and coast
uay
arag
Rio P
Buenos Aires and its surroundings is an amazing birding city. With more than
400 wild species, plenty of reserves and natural landscapes, it is also close to
hotspots where you can find more than 100 species in a single day.
Our favourite birding trip close to Buenos Aires includes the Paraná River Delta
(south of Entre Ríos), the seacoast in Punta Rasa and the Pampas grasslands off
Punta Rasa (which mark the outer limit of the River Plate estuary). This is the
best spot for migratory waders (plovers and sandpipers) and also for wintering
migrators during our summer (September to March) which migrate from as far
as Alaska.
Between the Delta and Punta Rasa is the Pampas grassland with plenty of natural
lakes. You can enjoy and see the local culture of gauchos, taste our famous beef
barbacue -locally called “Asado”- and explore a touch of Tango in the city!
One of the 5 largest deltas on Earth.
Buenos Aires’ passions: Tango, football, and the
best beef of the Pampas.
Riv
er
Great birding in a short distance.
Brazil
ná
Cordoba
Par
a
Highlights
Rosario
o
Negr
Ceibas
r
Rive
Uruguay
Buenos Aires
La Plata
Argentina
Río
de
Montevideo
la
Pla
ta
Punta
Rasa
Mar del Plata
10 days
Length
Bird
Species
410 species
All year round
Season
(species depend of the
season)
Habitats
Pampas’ grasslands, Chaco
Woods, Paraná River Delta,
Coasts (and Mudflats).
Ten target
birds
• Saffron-cowled Blackbird,
• Straight-billed Reedhaunter,
• Southern Screamer,
• Giant Wood-Rail,
• Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper,
• Scissor-tailed Nightjar,
• Red-winged Tinamou,
• Blue-and-yellow Tanager,
• Glittering-bellied Emerald,
• Vermilion Flycatcher.
4.Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego
We offer you a trip to the uttermost part of the world in southern Patagonia, with the
choice of stopping in a northern Patagonia sea town in Valdes Peninsula. Here you
can enrich your experience by adding pelagic birds and wildlife species.
The southern part of Patagonia has several points of interest. We can design different
tours that may include glaciers on the Andes, the southern Atlantic seacoast, the
Patagonian steppe and forest, and Tierra del Fuego, with its canals and islands. The
trip we offer includes the Glaciers National Park, the Tierra del Fuego National Park,
the Strait of Magellan , the Beagle Channel up to Penguin Island, the southern Atlantic
seacoast and a visit to a typical Anglo-argentine “Estancia” (extensive farm ranch).
The stop in Valdes Peninsula allows you to visit this important nature reserve
which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, home to the biggest colony of
penguins during spring (September to November). We can also organize special trips
in search of some target birds such as the Hooded Grebe.
The southernmost city of the world.
Valdés Peninsula
Puerto Madryn
Calafate
an
Río Gallegos
to
fM
ag
ell
Str
ai
Highlights
Following Darwin’s steps.
Valdes Península.
A mix of South American, Antarctica and
pelagic species.
Tierra del
Fuego
Usuahia
10 days
Length
Bird
Species
210 (260 including Peninsula Valdes)
November to February
Season
Habitats
Patagonian Forests, Coast
and Patagonian Steppes
Ten target
birds
• Magellanic Woodpecker,
• King Penguin,
• Black-browed Albatross,
• Patagonian Sierra-Finch,
• Tufted Tit-Tyrant,
• Snowy Sheathbill,
• Ruddy-headed Goose,
• Magellanic Plover.
• Hooded Grebe and
Austral Rail requires a
special trip inland.
W
NE
5. Birds & wines
12 days
of Argentina’s Northwest
Length
The northwest of Argentina is a region of amazing natural contrasts and diversity. This
trip will offer you an ample variety of habitats, from the Tucuman grasslands and cloud
forests or Yungas to the Andean Plateau at more than 3,300 m close to the border with
Bolivia. It will include explorations and stops through the ravines and canyons covered
by enormous cacti and thickets in search of various endemic species. Since 1880 these
valleys and ravines have been home to altitude vineyards that produce world-class
Malbec and Cabernet wines, plus a local renowned variety known as “Torrontes”,
cultivated at the foot of stunning reddish limestone formations.
Regarding nature and birding, this trip combines the extreme natural environment of the
rainforests with that of the arid Altiplano, and the different species that come with each.
The high altitude lakes and steppes of the Andean plateau or Puna are home to endemic
species of this extreme habitat. The land that was once part of the Inca Empire awaits
you with numerous birding surprises and superb wines!
Bird
Species
March to November
Season
Habitats
Old wineries and the best wines.
Inca villages still standing.
Highlights
The highest forests of the world (at 4,000 m).
Bolivia
Paraguay
ná
Riv
er
San Miguel
de Tucumán
Argentina
Chile
ma
yo
Riv
er
Par
a
Tafi del
Valle
Pilc
o
ay
ragu
Chaco
Tilcara
Quebrada de
Humahuaca
Salta
a
Rio P
Puna
Jujuy
650 species
Monte, Chaco Woods, Yungas
and High Andes
Ten target
birds
• Giant Hummingbird
• Rufous-throated Dipper
• Chaco Chachalaca
• Sandy Gallito
• Black-legged Seriemas
• Andean Flicker
• Andean Flamingos
• Andean Goose
• Diademed DandpiperPlover
• Tucuman MountainFinch
Five
Extensions
5 short extensions in
order to complement
the main trips or
improve the bird list:
A. Iguazú falls
B. Buenos Aires: Pampas,
Delta and Woods
C. The Pampas and
seacoast from
Buenos Aires
D. Southern
Patagonia: Ushuaia
and its surroundings
A. Iguazú falls
Length
The Iguazú Falls is one of the most
stunning places in the world. Its
unique beauty, surrounded by a well
conserved rainforest in the National
Park, creates a perfect home to a
great number of endemic or exclusive
species. Subtropical, warm and humid,
this rainforest includes the crowns of
gigantic emerging trees. It is located
in the northeast of Argentina on the
border with Brazil.
You can fly to Iguazú from several cities
in Argentina. It is possible to combine
your visit by staying in birding lodges
at different levels or in the middle the
forest, enjoying ample variations of bird
communities and wildlife in general.
E. Valdes Peninsula
arag
Rio P
uay
Brazil
Iuazú Falls
Andresito
Paraguay
á
n
ra
a
P
r
ve
Ri
Posadas
a
g
Ar
e
in
nt
Urugu
ay Riv
e
r
Bird
Species
3 or 4 days
500 species
All year
Season
Habitats
Atlantic Rainforest
B. Buenos Aires: Pampas, Delta and Woods
Pa
ra
n
á
Urugu
ay
Entre Ríos
River
If you are planning to visit this city, don’t miss a birding trip
around Buenos Aires city, which can take half a day, a whole
day or even several days. The city is located in one of the most
important birding hot spots of the continent: you can visit local
reserves inside the city or natural areas around it, with more than
300 wild species to enjoy and discover.
For a morning birding trip, half a day is enough to visit the biggest
natural reserve of the city: Costanera Sur. Located in Puerto
Madero, downtown Buenos Aires and 10 minutes from the hotel
areas, you can come across very confident birds. You can spot
around 50 species in spring.
For a full day our favourite outing is a birding trip to Ceibas and
Paraná River Delta (south of Entre Ríos). It is one of the best
hotspots in the country, where it is possible to find more than 100
species in a day, and only two hours away from the city. If you
choose to extend this trip to 2 or 3 days you can raise the list to
150 species and gain memorable wildlife experiences.
Ceibas
Uruguay
Ibicuy
Río
Buenos Aires
Colonia
de
la
Pla
ta
Montevideo
Argentina
Punta
Rasa
Length
Bird
Species
1 to 4 days
350 species
All year
Season
Habitats
Pampas grasslands, Chaco
Woods, Paraná River Delta
and Coast (and Mudflats).
C. The Pampas and seacoast from
Buenos Aires
Río
Pa
ra
n
á
If you are in Buenos Aires and love shore birds and pampas
grasslands, your best option for a birding trip is to Punta Rasa.
You need at least 2 days as it’s more than 4 hours drive from
the city. Punta Rasa is in the outer geographical limit of the River
Plate estuary. It is the best place for spotting migratory waders
(plovers and sandpipers), and also for wintering migrators.
It can be visited all year round, though the best seasons are
autumn and spring.
Uruguay
Buenos Aires
Río
Colonia
de
la
Montevideo
Pla
ta
Punta Indio
Samborombón
Punta
Rasa
Mar del Plata
Length
Bird
Species
2 or 3 days
250 species
All year
Season
Habitats
Pampas’ grasslands
and Coast
D. Southern Patagonia: Ushuaia
and its surroundings
Length
A trip to the end of the world! You fly directly to Ushuaia in Tierra
del Fuego, the southernmost city in the world. Surrounding
Ushuaia are Patagonian forests, canals and islands. This trip
can include a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park, a boat trip
through the Beagle Channel to Penguin Island and a visit to a
typical Anglo-argentine “Estancia” (a large cattle ranch), to see
British heritage there.
Ushuaia is also a passageway for boats and cruises to Antarctica.
Bird
Species
an
tic
October to march
Oce
Río Grande
Chile
Tierra del
Fuego
Tolhuin
Usuahia
Argentina
Beagle
Pa
ci
fic
Oce
an
150 species
Season
Habitats
Atl
3 or 4 days
an
Patagonian Forests
and Coast
E. Valdes Peninsula
Length
Valdes Peninsula is in northern seacoast of Patagonia, where
you’ll get an important nature reserve which is listed as a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is home to the largest
colony of Magellanic penguins during the spring (September to
November).
The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals such as sea lions
and elephant seals, as well as orcas. Southern right whales can
be found in the Gulf between September and December, as
they go there to mate and breed.
Bird
Species
Puerto
Madryn
Gaiman
Trelew
Punta Tombo
Atlantic Ocean
Patagonia
190 species
October to February
Season
Habitats
Península
Valdés
3 or 4 days
Coast, Monte and
Patagonian Steppes
Notes:
www.buenosdiasbirding.com
[email protected]
Telephone: (054) 11-47180463
Celular: +54911 61283667
José Marmol 1559 6to B (1602)
Florida - Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA