Chile Birding
7 November - 5 December 1998
BARRY WRIGHT
NEIL BOSTOCK
KEITH TURNER
SIMON COLENUTT
MARTIN HUNNYBUN
INTRODUCTION
Chile has much to offer the visiting birder, with spectacular scenery;
excellent roads and internal air network and above all a host of fantastic birds
and endemic species.
Veterans of South America will still find that Chile is a must, with many
species restricted to southern South America reasonably common and easy to see
here. In comparison to Argentina the avifauna is similar and the two countries
may be incorporated on a single trip in order that all habitats are well covered
ornithologically. Chile was the last country in South America on this trip that
traveled the length of the Andes from Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. The emphasis
was on Chilean endemics and restricted range species found only in neighboring
Argentina or parts of Bolivia and Peru not previously covered. The ideal way to
bird Chile is to cover the country in a logical order from the northern most
deserts and Andes near Arica to the central specialties around Santiago and the
southern most birds of Tierra del Fuego.
To do justice to the country a three to four week trip is advisable using
hire cars and internal flights. Compared to a lot of South America, the country
has a distinct European feel and a reasonably low number of birds that means you
never feel overwhelmed or out of your depth in this continental land of over
three thousand bird species.
If anyone requires any further information, please contact me at my
GETTING THERE
We entered Chile from La Paz in Bolivia using an international flight with
Lloyd Aero Boliviana that cost £50 or U$80. The flight time was only an hour and
takes you from the dizzy heights of the Andes to the desert landscape and the
Atacama Desert in Arica situated at sea level. International flights operate
from most South American capitals and if coming from Europe the long haul
flights arrive in the capital city, Santiago. Another option would be to travel
overland from La Paz in Bolivia along the recently opened new road, a journey
time of about twelve hours apparently. If entering from Argentina there are
several border crossings in the country and this is reasonably easy to do so I
am told.
COSTS
The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean peso, easily obtained at
Santiago airport and moneychangers in Arica, in exchange for $US cash or
travelers cheques. At the time of our trip, the exchange rate was £1 = 750
Chilean pesos. We were led to believe that Chile was going to be
prohibitively expensive, but after four weeks in the country we were pleasantly
surprised by the costs. Food was more expensive than Peru or Bolivia but cheaper
than the UK, whilst accommodation was reasonably priced and from what I can
gather from other travelers cheaper than Argentina. The excellent internal
flight pass allowing all internal flights was good value, each sector costing
U$80, booked in the UK through Journey Latin America. Hire cars were not exactly
cheap but a necessity in this huge country.
ACCOMMODATION
We tried to stay in reasonably good but inexpensive accommodation, which in
most cases we managed to find though in the more tourist areas a few places
needed to be tried until we found some spare beds. The accommodation was safe,
clean and in the colder places such as Punta Arenas, warm and homely. At
residential Saly in Punta Arenas a light breakfast was included in the price of
the room. At Lauca we stayed in a very cold local house, and in Conguillio and
at La Campana we camped overnight.
FOOD
The food was plentiful, good quality, varied and reasonably priced. We used
to prepare rolls during days out in the field and eat in local restaurants or
cafes in the evening. Chile caters for all tastes with plenty of meat,
vegetables and fruit available. Please note that there are strict regulations
regarding the importing of food into the country particularly if arriving from
Argentina.
TRANSPORT
As stated previously we used internal flights to travel around the country,
these were efficient, comfortable and certainly saved a lot of time on buses or
driving huge distances. In the north we opted for a local guy (Manuel) who
despite not being able to drive properly, proved more than adequate in helping
us reach Lauca National Park. We chose this option mainly because all the hire
car companies were shut at the weekend and with limited time we wanted to go
birding as soon as possible. At Calama we hired a 4WD vehicle to access the high
altitude lakes and hot geysers a good move as the roads to the lakes are very
soft in places and rough in certain sections. Further south in Punta Arenas we
again hired a 4WD, cheaper than a saloon car and more comfortable on the rough
roads that we encountered though probably not essential, as the roads were
passable in a saloon. At Concepción and Santiago we hired saloon cars, the only
other form of transport used were the ferries to and from Tierra del Fuego
payable at the time of boarding and reasonably low priced.
We used hire cars at the following places. I have not included the costs as
they change so rapidly, but as an example the car at Calama cost £95 for 2.5
days.
Arica: Manuel and car.
Calama (AVIS) 2.5 days.
Punta Arenas (AVIS) 5.5 days.
Concepción (AVIS) 5 days.
Santiago (AVIS) 7 days.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
There are no major health risks in Chile, where tropical diseases are
virtually non-existent and good medical care exists in the modern hospitals. The
people were very friendly and I think the only area where there have been
problems in the past is in Arica where reputedly Peruvians cross the border to
steal from the wealthy tourists (according to the local Chileans).
LITERATURE
1. The Birds of South America Vol. 1 and 2. Ridgely and Tudor.
Essential books for the Ground Tyrants, Miners, Earthcreepers and Finches.
Bulky books but well worth taking if you have a car for the duration of the
trip.
2. Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica. La Pena and
Rumboll.
A possible replacement for the above, but hardly in the same league and
likely to confuse rather than help in the identification of difficult groups.
3. Where to Watch Birds in South America. Wheatley.
Useful for information on sites though Pearman's guide is much more complete.
4. The essential guide to Birding in Chile. Written by Mark Pearman
A useful book which is compact and lightweight though had a few mistakes on
some maps but more importantly doesn't cover southern Chile. All regularly
visited sites in Chile are covered, though in the case of the Slender-billed
Parakeets the birds evidently change their feeding sites dependant on food
availability.
5. Birds to Watch 2. The World List of Threatened Birds.
This book written by Birdlife International was useful for finding out those
species listed as threatened by Birdlife.
ITINERARY
Nov 7th La Paz to Arica. Overnight in Residencial Chungara, 4000
pesos per person.
Nov 8th Arica to Putre and Lauca National Park. Overnight in a
local house 2000 each.
Nov 9th Lauca National Park, Putre and travel back to Arica.
Overnight in Residencial Liz (next door to Chungara) 2000 pesos each per night.
Nov 10th Azapa valley. Overnight in Arica.
Nov 11th Arica. Overnight in Arica.
Nov 12th Azapa valley early am. Flight to Antofagasta onwards to
Calama at 1310. Hostal in Calama, 2500 each.
Nov 13th Calama to Lago Menique and Miscanti, return to San Pedro
de Atacama for evening, 4000 each (expensive, as this is a popular tourist
area).
Nov 14th Very early start 0400 to El Tatio, arriving back in
Calama at 1800.
Nov 15th Flight at 1150 to Antofagasta, onwards to Santiago. 1900
flight to Punta Arenas arrival at 2300. Overnight in residencial Saly, 3500
each.
Nov 16th Birding Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. Stayed in
Patagonian Adventures hostal in Puerto Natales, 3000 each.
Nov 17th 0700 departure for Torres del Paine National Park,
arriving at 1000. Overnight in a refugio in Torres del Paine, 2000 each (300
extra for a hot shower).
Nov 18th Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas.
Nov 19th Ferry to El Porvenir at 0815 birded Tierra del Fuego,
overnight in El Porvenir, residencial Patagonia 4000 each.
Nov 20th birded from the road to Bahia Azul where we caught ferry
to mainland. Drove to Punta Dungeness and back to Punta Arenas, arriving at
2330. Overnight in residencial Saly.
Nov 21st Early morning birding forest 20 km south of Punta Arenas.
1830 flight from Punta Arenas to Concepción arriving at 2145. Overnight in
cabañas at Salta de Laja near Los Angeles. Nov 22nd 0850 departure
for Laguna Laja, arriving at 1120. Birded here until 1600 then long drive to
Angol. Overnight in residencial Olympia 4000 each.
Nov 23rd 0620 departure for Vegas Blancas and Nahuelbuta.
Overnight in the park Nahuelbuta, 1000 each in the information center.
Nov 24th Early morning in the park, 1200 departure to Angol and
onto Temuco, arriving at 1730. Overnight in hospedaje Espejo in Temuco, 3500
each.
Nov 25th Birded Cerro Nieol in Temuco until 1115 then drove to
Parque Nacional Conguillio. Camping in the park, no cost.
Nov 26th Conguillio, slow drive to Concepción birding agricultural
land on route. Overnight in residencial Metro in Concepción, 5000 each.
Nov 27th 0910 flight to Santiago arriving at 1010. Late afternoon
at Estero de Lampa. Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Caripe in Santiago, 3500 each.
Nov 28th 0620 departure for Portillo birded here all day, 1730
drove to Cerro de la campana, overnight in Granizo in a cabaña (cost unknown).
Nov 29th Cerro de la Campana from 0630 to 1100, afternoon at
Laguna El Peral. Evening in Valparaiso. Hotel Reina Victoria in Valparaiso, 5200
each.
Nov 30th Pelagic out of Valparaiso. Evening camping at La Campana.
Dec 1st La Campana early morning then travel onto the Rio
Aconcagua. Overnight at La Campana.
Dec 2nd La Campana to El Yeso, overnight in San Alfonso, Los
Ciervos, 6000 each.
Dec 3rd El Yeso in the morning, evening at La Campana.
Dec 4th La Campana to Santiago, overnight in Hotel Caripe.
Dec 5th Santiago to Lima onwards to Cancun in Mexico for KT, NB
and BW. MH and SC return to the UK.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Manuel at Arica for driving us to Lauca and providing
us with a few laughs with his driving skills and pasty consumption. At Salta de
Laja the owner of the hostals kindly looked after our bags for a few days,
whilst at Nahuelbuta the research assistant allowed us to sleep in the park
information center for the night. At La Campana, Mark Pearman helped us out with
some gen., especially the Rufous-legged Owls and up to date info on Crag Chilia.
My thanks to the big tree at la Campana for not curtailing my life list by
missing the tent one night, not killing us as it crashed to the ground.
Finally my thanks to the others in the group that made the trip successful and
at times an adventure and to Martin for checking through the draft of this
report.
BIRDING SITES
The main birding sites are well covered in Pearman's book and to mention them
in detail here would only be repeating that already in print. The information
below is for less well-known sites that we visited and updates on sites in
Pearman's guide that may be of use.
ARICA
We birded the Alacran peninsula for waders and possible seabirds off shore.
Nearby the Azapa valley can be easily reached using the yellow Cab Company
out of Arica, 400 per person each way. We birded the dry riverbed on Pearman's
map and the vegetated shrubbery along the road. These areas produced all the
specialities, Peruvian Thick Knee was found along the dry riverbed to the left
after about 1km whereas Chilean Woodstar and Peruvian Sheartail were found only
in the flowering bushes adjacent to the start of this track. Chestnut-throated
Seedeater and Slender-billed Finch were both very common in and around the
village and especially in the vicinity of the dry riverbed.
PUTRE
See Pearman's book. We birded the valley marked on the map in the book, which
yielded several Earthcreepers. Identification of White-throated Earthcreeper not
as straightforward as expected due to literature in the books differing on
identification features. Apparently White-tailed Shrike Tyrant is possible here
but we never located any Shrike Tyrants of any description. Please note there is
a military base in Putre so be careful where you wander.
LAUCA
We managed to see all the key birds here though despite extensive searching
Red-backed Sierra Finch was only seen by KT. Birding sites as in Pearman's guide
based mainly around the small village of Parinocota. Key birds are
White-throated Sierra Finch, Puna Tinamou, and Puna Ground Tyrant, all present
in the area marked on Pearman's map adjacent to the small hills. We stayed the
night in a small house and for some in the van in the village. Fortunately we
were able to stay in one of the few houses due to the family visiting Arica for
the weekend. We were able to light a fire and blankets were provided for use.
LAGO MENIQUE and MISCANTI
The lakes are accessed as indicated in Pearman's book. We birded both lakes
and the slopes adjacent. This is an excellent site for Horned Coot, which we
failed to see in Northern Argentina six years before.
EL TATIO
In order to locate this popular tourist spot we left San Pedro de Atacama
very early in the morning and followed the trail and headlights of the organised
tours to the geysers at El Tatio. There is some logic in this because at times
the road isn't entirely that obvious and difficult to follow across the
featureless landscape. Once at the geysers it is a good idea to warm up, as it
is incredibly cold here early morning. We located several Red-backed Sierra
Finch and Puna Plover in the low wet area beyond the springs where there is also
plenty of scrubby bushes at the base of the hillside.
PUNTA ARENAS and TIERRA DEL FUEGO
We birded from the car for seabirds and a patch of woodland out of town which
didn't produce the hoped for Patagonian Tyrant. A few seabirds were seen from
the ferry to El Porvenir and from Bahia Azul. In the El Porvenir area we birded
various lakes and roadside vegetation for Magellanic Plover and Ground Tyrants
north and south of the town.
PUNTA DUNGENESS
The road to Punta Dungeness was very productive with Chocolate-vented Tyrant,
Austral Canastero and Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant. At Punta Dungeness there
were very few birds though a close pod of Commerson's Dolphins and a Southern
Right Whale made the trip here very worthwhile.
LAGUNA LAJA
Covered in Pearman's guide. A key site for Chestnut-throated Huet Huet as
marked on the map. Great Shrike Tyrant was also seen at this site on the upper
slopes further into the park.
NAHUELBUTA
Covered in Pearman's guide, we saw most of the specialties in the park and in
bamboo stands at Vegas Blancas. Chilean Pigeon was present on the approach road
to the park beyond Vegas Blancas whilst Slender-billed Parakeets were absent in
the area despite much searching. The main trail C starts opposite the
information center that leads to Piedra del Aguila. Key birds: Black-throated
Huet Huet, Chucao Tapaculo, Patagonian Tyrant, Des Mur's Wiretail, Ochre-flanked
Tapaculo and Green-backed Firecrown.
CERRO NIEOL
A good site for birding next to the city of Temuco where there is a healthy
population of Black-throated Huet Huet and Chilean pigeon is easy.
PARQUE NACIONAL CONGUILLIO
We visited here on the off chance that we might find Slender-billed Parakeet,
which unfortunately were nowhere to be found. The areas to bird are the large
areas of forest, the lake edge, and the open lava fields. Amazingly enough on
leaving the park a much-needed stop for a pee resulted in a Slender-billed
Parakeet seen flying over the car. We followed up calls of other parrots in the
area and located twenty-five of them feeding at close range in a garden.
PORTILLO
See Pearman's guide. We birded the area adjacent to the Argentinean border
and other neighbouring areas for nine hours, never locating any Creamy-rumped
Miners. This was a good site for Thick-billed Siskin and White-sided Hillstar,
but be careful not to upset the border guards and their dogs that were not too
happy with our presence in the area.
CERRO DE LA CAMPANA
Well covered in Pearman's guide. An excellent area for birding with several
Chilean endemics possible together with many other species found only in
neighbouring Argentina. The Crag Chilia site appeared to be inactive during our
stay according to Mark Pearman and Tom Gullick who had spent virtually a whole
day looking on the slopes in the park. Please note that the park gates don't
open until 8am though the park can be accessed by foot before this time by
walking round the gate. We left the vehicle parked outside the park in a lay-by
50metres from the entrance and paid for entry fee/camping (nominal charge) the
next morning or later in the day.
LAGUNA EL PERAL
An excellent site for Stripe-backed Bittern and Black-headed Duck as covered
in detail in Pearman's guide. The Duck was viewable from the hide near to the
warden's house, which apparently is a regular site for this species.
PELAGIC OFF VALPARAISO
In order to arrange a pelagic we went to the docks at Viña del Mar in
Valparaiso where we were soon approached by a boatman who was prepared to take
us out the next day for a negotiated price of 120000. On top of this we paid
another 15000 for three barrels of chum and arranged to leave at 0530 to try and
track down some fishing boats. Initially the captain was reluctant to go far out
to see and consequently we saw few seabirds. Eventually after much persuasion we
headed further out where we stayed close to two fishing boats surrounded by
seabirds and Mark Pearman also on a pelagic. We spent a total of six hours at
sea and scored heavily with the Albatrosses but not so lucky on the rarer
Petrels.
RIO ACONCAGUA
This site marked in Pearman's book was briefly visited in the hope of
locating Warbling Doradito, which unfortunately drew a blank. The best birds
seen were Many-coloured Rush Tyrants and a Spectacled Tyrant.
LA LAGUNA
This site was visited to fill in a bit of time and attempt to locate
Dusky-tailed Canastero, which we found in small numbers on the hillside above
the plots of houses. Chilean Tinamou was a bonus here together with
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter.
EL YESO
Another excellent site covered in Pearman's book. We found several Crag
Chilia here and good views of Grey-flanked Cinclodes. The Chilias were at
kilometre 3.9 and 13.7 from the turn off at the main road.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Endemic Species are in bold type
Near threatened species as classified by Birdlife International = NT.
LESSER RHEA Rhea pennata
Reasonably common on the road from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and very
common on the road to Punta Dungeness, where many of the birds were very
approachable.
PUNA RHEA Rhea pennata
A small group of birds close to the road approx. 2 to 7 Km. from El Tatio.
Considered a subspecies of Lesser Rhea by some authorities, others a full
species. NT
CHILEAN TINAMOU Nothoprocta perdicaria
A chance encounter with two birds seen near to Los Angeles at the Km88 Laja
sign 500m north of La Laja turnoff. Excellent views of a bird along the roadside
at Altavista, La Laguna. This species could easily be missed on a birding trip
to Chile even though there are several sites marked in Pearman's guide.
PUNA TINAMOU Tinamotis pentlandii
Three birds at Lauca on the slopes above the village, 7 seen along road 5 to
7Km from El Tatio also 5 very vocal birds at Laguna Miscanti. None of the birds
were particularly approachable usually scurrying away over the ridges or hiding
behind rocks
PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps
Two in Parque Nacional Conguillio, 10 at Laguna El Peral.
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE Rollandia rolland
Three pairs on roadside pools near to Puerto Natales, and 10 at Laguna El
Peral.
SILVERY GREBE Podilymbus occipitalis
Twenty plus at Lauca, 131 on Laguna Miscanti and ten on pools in Torres del
Paine. One on Tierra del Fuego at a pool where Hooded Grebe has been seen in the
past by Chris Gibbons et al.
GREAT GREBE Podilymbus major
Five in Torres del Paine, several offshore of Tierra del Fuego, four at
Laguna El Peral.
ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea epomophora
One bird paid a brief visit to the chum whilst on the pelagic off Viña del
Mar.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Diomedea melanophris
Very common offshore at Punta Arenas possibly as a result of the very strong
winds. Four birds at sea on the Viña del Mar pelagic, very common from the El
Porvenir and Bahia Azul ferry.
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS Diomedea
A minimum of twenty birds at close range on the Viña del Mar pelagic.
BULLER'S ALBATROSS Diomedea bulleri
At least two birds on the pelagic off Viña del Mar feeding amongst the other
Albatross species.
SOUTHERN GIANT PETREL Macronectes giganteus
Five on the Viña del Mar pelagic, common in the channel crossing to and from
Tierra del Fuego.
Three birds flew past the docks at Punta Arenas during the period of strong
winds.
SOUTHERN FULMAR Fulmarus glacialoides
Ten birds close offshore at Punta Arenas possibly as a result of the foul
weather and twenty plus on the El Porvenir crossing.
CAPE PETREL Daption capense
One bird on the pelagic off Viña del Mar was present for a few minutes.
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL Procellaria aequinoctialis
A few birds off Viña del Mar on the pelagic and one from the El Porvenir
ferry crossing.
SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus
One seen from the Porvenir ferry (MH).
WESTLAND (BLACK) PETREL Procellaria westlandica
One bird for certain off Viña del Mar from the pelagic but possibly up to
five in the area. This species has been seen a few times in Chilean waters in
recent years. Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife.
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER Puffinus creatopus
Fifty birds seen in small groups off Viña del Mar. Classified as Vulnerable
by Birdlife.
WILSON'S PETREL Oceanites oceanicus
A minimum of 600 birds from the Alacran peninsula in Arica was tentatively
identified as this species. 100 birds off Viña del Mar from the pelagic.
MAGELLANIC DIVING PETREL Pelacanoides magellani
Fifteen seen crossing from Punta Arenas to El Porvenir on the ferry most in
flight with a few seen settled on the water. Thirty from the ferry at Bahia Azul
mostly in flight.
PERUVIAN DIVING PETREL Pelacanoides garnotii
Ten birds seen from the boat on the Viña del Mar pelagic mostly within the
first two kilometres offshore. Further out to see where we encountered the
Albatrosses we saw none. This species is classified as endangered by Birdlife,
in Peru we only saw one off the Paracas peninsula during a four-hour pelagic.
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN Spheniscus humboldti
Five birds at sea off Viña del Mar. NT
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN Spenicus magellanicus
Fifteen seen from the ferry to El Porvenir. There is a colony near Punta
Arenas that can be visited though we spent time elsewhere in the area. Well over
a hundred from the ferry at Bahia Azul.
PERUVIAN BOOBY Sula variegata
Very common off Arica. Twenty birds off Viña del Mar.
PERUVIAN PELICAN Pelacanus thagus
Very common off Arica and Viña del Mar.
OLIVACEOUS CORMORANT Phalacrocorax brasilianus
One in Lauca national park, a few on Tierra del Fuego, and Laguna El Peral.
ROCK CORMORANT Phalacrocorax magellanicus
Fifty offshore at Viña del Mar. A few on Tierra del Fuego. Probably
overlooked/not noted.
RED-LEGGED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax gaimardi
Four off Arica seen by Martin(MH). NT
BLUE-EYED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax atriceps
Very common off Puerto Natales and on Tierra del Fuego
STRIPE-BACKED BITTERN Ixobrychus involucris
Six birds seen very well at Laguna El Peral, evidently a good site for this
species. The birds were easily seen as they clambered about in the reeds and
vegetated islands.
GREAT EGRET Casmerodius alba
One bird flying over the Azapa valley, a few at Laguna El Peral.
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis
Common at Laguna El Peral.
SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula
One at Estero de Lampa near Santiago, common at Laguna El Peral.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax
Common at Arica, one in the Azapa valley, fifteen at Laguna El Peral.
LITTLE BLUE HERON Egretta caerulea
Two on the rocks off Arica at the Alacran peninsula.
PUNA IBIS Plegadis ridgwayi
Very common in Lauca where some were incredibly tame and easy to photograph.
BLACK-FACED IBIS Theristicus melanopis
Common from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and in Torres del Paine.
CHILEAN FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus chilensis
Common in Lauca, 50 on Laguna Miscanti and in Torres del Paine
PUNA FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus jamesi
Two at Lauca. Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife.
COSCOROBA SWAN Coscoroba coscoroba
Four birds at km 40 on route from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales were the
only individuals seen.
BLACK-NECKED SWAN Cygnus melanocorypha
Eight in Torres del Paine, 35 at Laguna El Peral.
ANDEAN GOOSE Chloephaga melanoptera
Common in Lauca, two near to El Tatio.
ASHY-HEADED GOOSE Chloephaga poliocephala
Common on roadside fields from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and a few in
Torres del Paine.
RUDDY-HEADED GOOSE Chloephaga rubidiceps
One in fields at Km. 158 on the route south to Punta Arenas. Six at close
range on Tierra del Fuego were near to but not associating with Ashy-headed
Geese. NT
UPLAND GOOSE Chloephaga picta
Common on roadside fields from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales a few in Torres
del Paine. Common on Tierra del Fuego.
KELP GOOSE Cholephaga hybrida
Only one pair near the ferry at El Porvenir, another bird that could easily
be missed on a trip.
CRESTED DUCK Anas specularoides
Common in Lauca with a few on Laguna Miscanti and Menique. Common on Tierra
del Fuego.
FLYING-STEAMER DUCK Tachyeres petachonicus
Two birds in Torres del Paine, three on Tierra del Fuego.
FLIGHTLESS-STEAMER DUCK Tachyeres pteneres
Two on Tierra del Fuego seen just offshore south of El Porvenir.
SPECTACLED DUCK Anas specularis
Six in Torres del Paine on a small laguna near to Lago Grey. NT
SPECKLED TEAL Anas flavirostris
A few in Lauca, common in the south from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine
CHILOE WIGEON Anas sibilatrix
Very common in the southern part of Chile especially Torres del Paine.
BROWN PINTAIL Anas georgica
A few at Laguna El Peral.
RED SHOVELER Anas platalea
Twenty plus on a pool in Torres del Paine, twenty-five at Laguna El Peral.
LAKE DUCK Oxyura vittata
Ten birds in Lauca, a few near to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. Thirty
on the lakes at Laguna El Peral.
BLACK-HEADED DUCK Heteronetta atricapilla
One bird seen from the hide at Laguna El Peral was very difficult to see at
times as it hid amongst the vegetation and behind the islands in the channels.
NT
TURKEY VULTURE Catharates aura
Very common in the north around Lauca and the Azapa valley
ANDEAN CONDOR Vultur gryphus
A minimum of 12 birds spiraling together in Torres del Paine, one at Lauca,
one at Laguna Laja, eight in Parque Nacional Conguillio, one at Portillo. This
species appears to be reasonably easy to see in southern Chile compared to
further north.
CINEREOUS HARRIER Circus cinereus
Two in Torres del Paine, ten on Tierra del Fuego.
WHITE-THROATED HAWK Buteo albigula
One in Parque Nacional Conguillio.
RED-BACKED HAWK Buteo polyosoma
Two birds Putre, one on Tierra del Fuego and a few along the road to Punta
Dungeness. Two at Laguna Laja, two at Portillo and a few at Nahuelbuta.
PUNA HAWK Buteo poecilochrous
A few in Lauca.
MOUNTAIN CARACARA Phalcoboenus carunculatus
One at El Tatio, two at Portillo.
CRESTED CARACARA Polyborus plancus
A few in Torres del Paine and on Tierra del Fuego. A few at Nahuelbuta.
CHIMANGO CARACARA Milvago chimango
Six in Torres del Paine, common at Laguna Laja. A few at Temuco and Estero de
Lampa.
AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius
Common in the Azapa valley, one in Torres del Paine and a few at Nahuelbuta.
CALIFORNIAN QUAIL Callipepla californica
(Introduced). One in the Azapa valley, a few at Laguna Laja, common at La
Campana, a real pain when looking for Tapaculos.
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE Gallinula melanops
Two at Laguna El Peral.
RED-GARTERED COOT Fulica armillata
A few in Torres del Paine and ten near Punta Arenas. 300 at Laguna El Peral.
WHITE-WINGED COOT Fulica leucoptera
Five birds on roadside pools between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. A few
on the lakes at Laguna El Peral.
RED-FRONTED COOT Fulica rufifrons
A few at Laguna El Peral and the Rio Aconcagua. As with the previous Coot
species the numbers recorded are probably not totally representative of the
abundance of the species. Often Coots were simply not looked at or identified to
species level.
GIANT COOT Fulica gigantea
Very common in Lauca, with many birds nesting.
HORNED COOT Fulica cornuta
294 birds counted on Laguna Menique and Miscanti, an excellent site for this
species. A total of eighty nests were counted some still being built, and many
not yet occupied. Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife.
PERUVIAN THICK-KNEE Burhinus superciliaris
Two birds in the Azapa valley in the agricultural land adjacent to the dry
riverbed
SOUTHERN LAPWING Vanellus chilensis
Very common in Torres del Paine and on Tierra del Fuego. A few at Laguna El
Peral.
ANDEAN LAPWING Vanellus resplendens
A few in Lauca, possibly overlooked or not recorded elsewhere.
TWO-BANDED PLOVER Charadrius falklandicus
Common on Tierra del Fuego.
PUNA PLOVER Charadrius alticola
Ten birds at El Tatio in the wet area beyond the geysers.
MAGELLANIC PLOVER Pluvianellus socialis
Four adults and one juvenile watched feeding on the exposed mud and sand at
the kilometre 19 post to the north of El Porvenir. The birds were not very
approachable and flew a long way off one time when we approached too close.
NT
TAWNY-THROATED DOTTEREL Oreopholus ruficollis
Six in fields near to Punta Dungeness found whilst searching for
Rufous-chested Dotterel, a species not recorded by any birders as far as I am
aware this summer.
DIADEMED SANDPIPER-PLOVER Phegornis mitchellii
One pair near to Lauca was nesting close to the road. These birds are on the
last patch of bog on the right just before the right turn-off to a mine twenty
kilometres from the Putre turn off on the main road to Lauca, where there is a
sign 'Zonade de Viscachas.' The presumed male led us away from the nest, which
was only discovered by mistake as we walked back to the car. The bird soon
settled on the nest again having been away only a few minutes. NT
MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER Haemotopus leucopodus
Common in the south on all fields and beaches.
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER Haemotopus ater
Three on the rocks off Arica.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER Haemotopus palliatus
Two off Arica.
SOUTH AMERICAN STILT Himantopus himantopus
One at Laguna El Peral.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS Tringa melanoleuca
A few in Lauca.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes
Three at Laguna El Peral.
WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
A few at Arica on rocks at the Alacran peninsula.
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Common at Arica.
SURFBIRD Aphriza virgata
Common at Arica.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis
Two on the beach at Punta Dungeness. Others may have been overlooked
especially at Lauca where many birds were very distant and not identifiable.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Calidris bairdii
A few in Lauca, one at Laguna Miscanti and 30 at El Tatio. Hundreds Tierra
del Fuego.
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE Gallinago paraguaiae
Three birds in fields near to Punta Arenas, one at the Rio Aconcagua.
GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius
Four from the pelagic off Viña del Mar.
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE Attagis gayi
Thirty birds near to Lauca were incredibly flighty. The exact site is just
before the Diademed Sandpiper Plover locality in an area of bog on the left of
the road as you travel from Putre to Lauca.
GREY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE Thinocorus orbignyianus
Common in Lauca.
LEAST SEEDSNIPE Thinocorus rumicivorus
Common in Torres del Paine, 60 at Calama, a few at El Tatio and near to Punta
Arenas. Common on Tierra del Fuego.
DOLPHIN GULL Larus scoresbii
One juvenille in Punta Arenas, twenty on Tierra del Fuego. Possibly
overlooked/not recorded.
BAND-TAILED GULL Larus belcheri
Common in Arica.
KELP GULL Larus dominicanus
Very common in the south, a few off Arica.
ANDEAN GULL Larus serranus
One at El Tatio, one at Laguna Miscanti. Common in Lauca.
FRANKLIN'S GULL Larus pipixcan
Common at Arica where virtually every bird was an adult, also common in the
Valparaiso area.
BROWN-HEADED GULL Larus maculipennis
Common in Torres del Paine, two at Arica and a few in Punta Arenas and on
Tierra del Fuego. A few at Laguna El Peral.
GREY GULL Larus modestus
Common in Arica, a few at Valparaiso.
CHILEAN SKUA Catharacta chilensis
One flew past the Alacran peninsula at Arica. Very common on Tierra del Fuego
seen from the ferries, offshore and harassing the Tern colonies.
SOUTH-AMERICAN TERN Sterna hirundinacea
Common in colonies on Tierra del Fuego and fishing offshore.
PERUVIAN TERN Sterna lorata
Small numbers off Valparaiso.
INCA TERN Larosterna inca
Fifteen feeding offshore at Arica, six off the Viña del Mar pelagic.
ROCK DOVE Columba livia
Common in cities.
CHILEAN PIGEON Columba araucana
Three in roadside trees between Nahuelbuta and Vegas Blanca at Km28.9. Four
seen at close range at Cerro Nieol in Temuco. Three at La Campana. In order not
to miss this endemic it may well be worth visiting Cerro Nieol where the birds
appear to be easy to see. The birds at the other sites have been seen by some
but not other birders that have visited Chile. NT
EARED DOVE Zenaida auriculata
A few noted in Torres del Paine, three on Tierra del Fuego. Commonly seen
whilst travelling around in central Chile, common at La Campana.
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (MELODIOUS DOVE) Zenaida asiatica
Common in the Azapa valley.
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE Columbina cruziana
Common in the Azapa valley.
PICUI GROUND-DOVE Columbina picui
A few in the Santiago area, but possibly overlooked.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE Metropelia ceciliae
Very common in Lauca.
AUSTRAL PARAKEET Enicognathus ferrugineus
Four birds at Lago Grey in Torres del Paine, common at Nahuelbuta both in the
forest and the approach road from Vegas Blanca. A flock of sixty at Conguillio
was unfortunately all Australs with no Slender-billed Parakeets located within
the park boundaries.
SLENDER-BILLED PARAKEET Enicognathus leptorynchus
This species was eventually located in agricultural land near to Parque
Nacional Conguillio feeding cherry trees in the garden of Christian Ramirez
Motran. The site is 21Km south of the main Victoria to Caracatin road, 2Km south
of Puente Quente bridge and junction. Christian informed us that the birds were
present at this time of the year every year, and often feed in his garden on the
abundant fruits. NT
MAGELLANIC HORNED OWL Bubo magellanicus
One bird watched eyeing up prey on Tierra del Fuego. This bird has now been
split off of Great Horned Owl as noted in HBW volume 5.
RUFOUS-LEGGED OWL Strix rufipes
Two birds eventually seen well at La Campana at campsite number 8 after three
attempts. The birds responded to tape playback and although a little tricky to
see to start with they eventually paired up and called to one another on an
overhanging branch over the main track adjacent to the camping area. Note: the
recording on the ARA tape of the Owls is the recently split Chaco Owl of
Argentina, hence no response to the tape.
AUSTRAL PYGMY OWL Glaucidium nanum
One at La Campana, one other heard calling. This species was not recorded in
the south despite much searching.
BARN OWL Tyto alba
One probably heard at La Campana.
ANDEAN HILLSTAR Oreotrochilus estella
Common in the dry valley at Putre.
WHITE-SIDED HILLSTAR Oreotrochilus leucopleurus
One seen poorly at Laguna Laja, four at Portillo near the Argentinian border.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD Patagona gigas
One feeding in the dry valley at Putre.
GREEN-BACKED FIRECROWN Sephanoides sephanoides
Up to ten seen at Vegas Blanca and Nahuelbuta.
OASIS HUMMINGBIRD Rhodopis vesper
A minimum of ten birds in the Azapa valley.
PERUVIAN SHEARTAIL Thaumastura cora
Five birds feeding in the Azapa valley.
CHILEAN WOODSTAR Eulidia yarrellii
Three females seen feeding in a patch of flowering bushes in the Azapa valley
alongside Chilean Woodstar. Classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife.
STRIPED WOODPECKER Picoides lignarius
Two at Nahuelbuta.
CHILEAN FLICKER Colaptes pitius
Two seen distantly in Torres del Paine, two at La Campana.
ANDEAN FLICKER Colaptes rupicola
Common at Lauca.
MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER Campephilus magellanicus
One pair in the forest patches along the track to view the Torres. One pair
and several birds heard at Nahuelbuta.
PUNA MINER Geositta punensis
Very common in Lauca, a few around Laguna Miscanti and Menique.
COMMON MINER Geositta cunicularia
Two in Torres del Paine on two dates, overlooked/ not noted other sites.
SHORT-BILLED MINER Geositta antarctica
Abundant on Tierra del Fuego.
RUFOUS-BANDED MINER Geositta rufipennis
Common at Portillo.
SCALE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER Upucerthia dumeteria
One in Torres del Paine, one at Km.24 on the road to Punta Dungeness, one at
Portillo.
WHITE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER Upucerthia albigula
A few possibles at Putre. The literature on this species seems a little
confusing, hence we were undecided as to whether we saw this species for
certain.
PLAIN-BREASTED EARTHCREEPER Upucerthia jelskii
Three feeding at close range in the dry valley at Putre. One at Lauca.
STRAIGHT-BILLLED EARTHCREEPER Upucerthia ruficauda
One in the dry valley at Putre.
CRAG CHILIA Chilia melanura
Three at El Yeso, two at Km3.9, one at Km13.7 as marked on Pearman's map. The
birds were very approachable seen sitting on rocks and at the base of the
bushes.
DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES Cinclodes patagonicus
One in Torres del Paine, four on Tierra del Fuego, one in Conguillio, two at
Portillo.
GREY-FLANKED CINCLODES Cinclodes oustaleti
One pair nesting at El Yeso and one at Torres del Paine.
BAR-WINGED CINCLODES Cinclodes fuscus
Common in Lauca, two in Torres del Paine a few on Tierra del Fuego, one at El
Yeso.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES Cinclodes atacamensis
Common in Lauca.
CHILEAN SEASIDE CINCLODES Cinclodes nigrofumosus
Several pairs along the coast at Viña del Mar and Renaca, a good site for
this species where presumably any patch of rocky coastline could produce this
species. This species is most common in central Chile, becoming rarer
northwards. (Ridgely).
DES MUR'S WIRETAIL Sylviothorhynchus desmursii
Two at Nahuelbuta in dense bamboo eventually gave good views. One at Laja and
Cerro Nieol in bamboo. This species could easily be missed due to its secretive
nature.
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO Aphrastura spinicauda
Five in forest 20 kilometres south of Punta Arenas, two at Torres del Paine
and common in forest at Laguna Laja. Common at Nahuelbuta, a few seen at Parque
Nacional Conguillio.
STREAK-BACKED TIT-SPINETAIL Leptasthenura striata
Five birds feeding in the dry scrub at Putre.
PLAIN-MANTLED TIT-SPINETAIL Leptasthenura aegithaloides
Two birds feeding in low bushes around Laguna Miscanti, ten at El Tatio. Two
in Parque Nacional Conguillio, and La Campana, three at Altavista, two at El
Yeso.
DARK-WINGED CANASTERO
Very common in the Putre area.
DUSKY-TAILED CANASTERO Asthenes humicola
Four in chaparral type vegetation at Altavista near La Laguna, one at La
Campana.
CORDILLERAN CANASTERO Asthenes modesta
Common at Lauca, four at Laguna Miscanti, a few at El Tatio, one at Portillo.
AUSTRAL CANASTERO Asthenes anthoides
At least ten in vegetation at Km24 on the road to Punta Dungeness. Classified
as vulnerable by Birdlife.
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER Pygarrhichas albogularis
One in forests 20 kilometres south of Punta Arenas. Five at Nahuelbuta, one
at Vegas Blancas, one in Parque Nacional Conguillio.
CHESTNUT-THROATED HUET HUET Pteroptochos castaneus
One bird seen extremely well in the streambed and adjacent forest scrub 200
metres up trail at site A marked on Pearman's map in Parque Nacional La Laja.
The birds were very secretive often running along the ground and disappearing
under the vegetation and logs only to re appear a few metres away. Sitting
quietly the bird could easily be watched as it dug around in the moss and loose
vegetation.
BLACK-THROATED HUET HUET Pteroptochos tarnii
Two seen extremely well at Nahuelbuta and four others heard calling. They
were incredibly difficult to see at times and only responded to tape playback
sporadically or in some cases not at all. Two adults seen feeding an almost
fully-grown juvenile at Cerro Nieol in Temuco which spent a lot of time sitting
motionless in the low vegetation or on the ground.
MOUSTACHED TURCA Pteroptochos megapodius
Five at La Campana, easily taped out into view and sitting in full view on
tree stumps and rocks calling loudly. Several seen at El Yeso and on the rocky
slopes along the road to El Yeso from Santiago.
WHITE-THROATED TAPACULO Scelorchilus albicollis
Three at La Campana eventually gave excellent views in response to tape
playback. The birds were more reluctant to leave cover than the Turcas,
appearing more at home in dense vegetation. Calling birds would sit up in the
dense foliage partly hidden and at times difficult to locate.
CHUCAO TAPACULO Scelorchilus rubecula
A fantastic bird reasonably easy to see at Nahuelbuta where a minimum of
eleven were seen often in response to pishing or heard feeding amongst the
leaves. At Vegas Blanca one pair was watched carrying food to a nest site
located in the riverbank.
OCHRE-FLANKED TAPACULO Eugralla paradoxa
Three at Vegas Blanca seen well in dense bamboo in response to tape playback.
Two at Nahuelbuta located by call.
MAGELLANIC TAPACULO Scytalopus
One heard calling in Torres del Paine. Three seen at Nahuelbuta with a few
others heard calling.
DUSKY TAPACULO Scytalopus
Three at La Campana, taped out into view. They were incredibly tame and
approached to within a few feet calling loudly.
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA Elaenia albiceps
Ten birds in the Azapa valley in the dry riverbed and along the main road
near the museum. At least ten seen in Torres del Paine, very common in forest
near Punta Arenas. Common in forest at Laguna Laja and Nahuelbuta. Sub-species
chilensis considered by some taxonomists a separate species.
PIED CRESTED TIT-TYRANT Anairetes reguloides
A few at Putre in the dry valley near to town.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT Anaietes parulus
Two in forest twenty kilometres south of Punta Arenas, possibly not noted at
other places.
MANY-COLOURED RUSH-TYRANT Tachuris rubrigastra
One at the Rio Aconcagua.
VERMILLION FLYCATCHER Pyrocephalus rubinus
One in the Azapa valley.
PATAGONIAN TYRANT Colorhamphus parvirostris
Two in forest at Nahuelbuta were tape-recorded. They were sitting about 2 to
3 metres up in the trees calling and flycatching from the perches. They were
about one hours walk from the info center along trail C.
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT Agriornis montana
Two birds feeding around Laguna Miscanti and Menique, one at Lauca and two at
Portillo.
GREAT SHRIKE-TYRANT Agriornis livida
One at Laguna Laja on the lava and steep slopes well within the park.
CINNAMON-BELLIED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola maculirostris
Four at Km24 on the road to Punta Dungeness were the only ones seen despite
much searching.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola rufivertex
Common in Lauca.
PUNA GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola juninensis
Very common in Lauca.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola albilora
Four in Torres del Paine on one date, only one the next day. One at Laguna
Laja, one in Conguillio. Three at Portillo.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola cinerea
Two at Portillo, two at El Yeso.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola flavinucha
Three feeding along the lake edge at Laguna Miscanti.
BLACK-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola frontalis
Two on rocks at Laguna Miscanti.
DARK-FACED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola macloviana
Three birds in Torres del Paine along shore at Lago Grey.
CHOCOLATE-VENTED TYRANT Neoxolmis rufiventris
Two adults and three juveniles at Km15 on the road to Punta Dungeness, the
only site this species was seen.
FIRE-EYED DIUCON Xolmis pyrope
Three in forest 20 kilometres south of Punta Arenas. Two at Laguna Laja and a
few at Nahuelbuta.
SPECTACLED TYRANT Hymenops perspicillata
Five on fence wires north of Conguillio in agricultural land, a few at Estero
de Lampa and one at the Rio Aconcagua.
AUSTRAL NEGRITO Lessonia rufa
Common in Torres del Paine and on Tierra del Fuego.
RUFOUS-TAILED PLANTCUTTER Phytotoma rara
Four birds watched feeding and calling in vegetation along the track to view
the Torres. One at Laguna Laja, a few at Altavista, the birds was often located
by call.
CHILEAN SWALLOW Tachycineta meyeni
Common in the south, especially Torres del Paine. Common in central Chile.
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Common in the Azapa valley. Four at Laguna Menique.
BLUE AND WHITE SWALLOW Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
A few over the lake at Laguna Miscanti and Menique, common in Torres del
Paine. Abundant on Tierra del Fuego and at El Yeso.
HOUSE WREN Troglodytes aedon
Common in the Azapa valley and at Nahuelbuta.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH Turdus chiguanco
One in the Azapa valley.
AUSTRAL THRUSH Turdus falklandii
Common in Torres del Paine and on Tierra del Fuego. Only a few seen at La
Campana.
CHILEAN MOCKINGBIRD Mimus thenca
A few at Altavista, others seen whilst driving between sites, the specific
localities not noted, one at La Laja. Common at La Campana.
CORRENDERA PIPIT Anthus correndera
A few on Tierra del Fuego not noted elsewhere.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa brunneiventris
Two feeding on flowers in the dry valley at Putre.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL Conirostrum cinereum
Common in the Azapa valley.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER Thraupis bonariensis
A few in the Azapa valley.
LONG-TAILED MEADOWLARK Sturnella loyca
A few in Torres del Paine common on Tierra del Fuego and the road to Punta
Dungeness.
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK Sturnella bellicosa
One in the Azapa valley.
AUSTRAL BLACKBIRD Curaeus curaeus
Three in Torres del Paine, four in forest 20 kilometres south of Punta
Arenas. A few at Laguna Laja, common at Nahuelbuta. A few at La Campana and the
Rio Aconcagua.
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD Agelaius thilius
Two birds in Torres del Paine would appear too far south of their normal
range though Ridgely maps them in a similar location in Argentina. A few in the
dried up marshes at Estero de Lampa.
SHINY COWBIRD Molothrus bonariensis
Two birds in the Azapa valley (not mapped for this area in Ridgely), a few
near to Conguillio, common at the Rio Aconcagua.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT Volatinia jacarina
A few in the Azapa valley.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER Catamenia analis
Common at Putre.
CHESTNUT-THROATED SEEDEATER Sporophila telasco
One in the Lluta valley, very common in the Azapa valley.
PATAGONIAN SIERRA-FINCH Phrygilus patagonicus
Several along roadside in the south, six seen 20km south of Punta Arenas.
GREY-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH Phrygilus gayi
Four watched at close range in Torres del Paine and four on Tierra del Fuego.
Common at El Yeso.
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA FINCH Phrygilus atriceps
A few in Lauca, five at Laguna Menique.
MOURNING SIERRA FINCH Phrygilus fructiceti
Common in Lauca
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA FINCH Phrygilus unicolor
Common in Lauca, and a few at Laguna Miscanti and El Tatio.
RED-BACKED SIERRA FINCH Phrigulus dorsalis
Two at Lauca seen only by Keith (KT) and twelve watched feeding on the ground
and in low bushes to the east of the geysers and geothermal construction at El
Tatio.
WHITE-THROATED SIERRA FINCH Phrigulus erythronotus
Two birds feeding in the area of rough ground adjacent to the village on the
first day, commonly seen the next day.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA FINCH Phrigulus plebujus
A few at Lauca, common around Laguna Miscanti, and El Tatio.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA FINCH Diuca speculifera
Common in Lauca.
COMMON DIUCA FINCH Diuca diuca
Five at Laguna Laja in the same area as Great Shrike Tyrant.
SLENDER BILLED FINCH Xenospingus concolor
Common in the Azapa valley, where many juveniles were seen. Classified as
Vulnerable by Birdlife.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis
Common in the Azapa valley. Very common in the south.
BRIGHT-RUMPED YELLOW FINCH Sicalis uropygialis
Common in Lauca, a few at Laguna Menique.
GREATER YELLOW FINCH Sicalis auriventris
Common at Portillo in small groups in the surrounding scrub and hillside.
GREENISH YELLOW FINCH Sicalis olivascens
Common at Laguna Menique.
PATAGONIAN YELLOW FINCH Sicalis lebruni
A few near the ferry at Bahia Azul, one pair 2km south of the ferry.
THICK-BILLED SISKIN Carduelis crassirostris
Three feeding on the ground adjacent to the border crossing at Portillo.
HOODED SISKIN Carduelis magellanica
Common in Lauca.
BLACK SISKIN Carduelis atrata
Five at Lauca.
YELLOW-RUMPED SISKIN Carduelis uropygialis
Five seen at close range feeding in the dry valley at Putre, twenty-five at
Portillo.
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN Carduelis barbata
Commonly heard and seen in Torres del Paine. Very common on Tierra del Fuego.
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
A few in Torres del Paine. Not noted at other sites.
Total number of species recorded = 226
All mainland Chilean endemic bird species seen
BIRDS NOT RECORDED BY US
AUSTRAL RAIL Rallus antarcticus
Recently recorded in the southern part of Argentina and possibly in Chile.
Classified as Critical by Birdlife.
RUFOUS-TAILED HAWK Buteo ventralis
A scarce raptor possible on Tierra del Fuego, central Chile or at Torres del
Paine. NT
GREYISH MINER Geositta maritima
Possible in the north south to Atacama, in particular the road from Arica to
Putre.
CREAMY-RUMPED MINER Geositta isabellina
Possible at Portillo.
LESSER CANASTERO Asthenes pyrrholeuca
Possible in central Chile.
CANYON CANASTERO Asthenes pudibunda
Possible at Putre.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT Muscisaxicola albilora
Possible at Putre.
WHITE-TAILED SHRIKE-TYRANT Agriornis andicola
A very scarce species that has been reported in the Putre area. Classified as
Vulnerable by Birdlife.
TAMARUGO CONEBILL Conirostrum tamarugense
A few sites mentioned in Pearman's guide were not visited. Classified as
Vulnerable by Birdlife.
YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH Melanodera xanthogramma
Possible at Laguna Laja.
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