|
Lesser Rhea
|
The impression before the trip from some
reports was that these were often difficult to see when amongst low bushes. The
opposite was the case - despite all the birds noted being from the window of a
bus, they were in god numbers, often with chicks, in the open and often next to
the boundary fences. (At least 50 on Journey from El Calafate to Torres del
Paine. First seen at rest stop half way along, in occasional singles or more usually
small groups of about 10; 2 on exit from Torres del Paine; Quite common. Journey
from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport, starting from about half way into
journey. Many birds with large crèches)
|
|
Coscoroba
Swan
|
These were only seen (in good numbers) in
the bay at El Calafate when leaving for the Perito Moreno glacier, where their
bright pink legs and pink bills against white plumage was obvious
|
|
Black-necked
Swan
|
Seen at various locations, the prime site
for these was the shore front at Puerto Natales, followed by the ferry docking
area of Chiloe. (2
on Lake Argentinos on journey to Perito Moreno Glacier; 2 on lake in Torres del
Paine; Very common along shoreline of Puerto Natales; Small numbers on
occasional lakes Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport; ~30 Chiloe
near ferry terminal)
|
|
Flying
Steamer Duck
|
Always similar to Fuegian Steamer Duck, one
of the aids to identification was the presence on an inland water. The pure
orange bill of Fuegian wasn't much help, since some Flying Steamer Ducks also
seemed to have this. (1 in front of restaurant at Explora Hotel on Pehoe Lake,
Torres del Paine; Pair with 2 immatures on Tarn just West of the Los Torres
Hotel, Torres del Paine; 2 on first lake Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche;
Bariloche 2+1)
|
|
Fuegian
Steamer Duck
|
Best aid to identification of the birds seen
on Chiloe was to photograph them and then look at the wing length in relation
to the tail. (2 Punahuil (Penguin Colony), Chiloe near ferry terminal, 2 Ferry
to Chiloe Island)
|
|
Torrent
Duck
|
This was the surprise of the trip, with the
habitat and difficulty in finding them in mind. Even more surprising and
rewarding was that from the first female seen to the two pairs with young, all
had been searched for due to the likely habitat. That being said, all three
sightings were in the Torres del Paine national park and nowhere else. (1 above
Salto Grande falls, Torres del Paine; 2 families - 2 adults with 3 immatures
just up from snack kiosk, 2 adults with 2 immatures on stream 800 metres to West
of Los Torres Hotel)
|
|
Upland
Goose
|
This turned out to be a very common sighting
in Patagonia, and sometimes in very good numbers. Birds generally seemed to be
paired up. (~8 pairs El Calafate; Abundant on Lake Argentinos, including in El
Calafate bay;
Very common, sometimes in very large flocks on Journey from El Calafate to
Torres del Paine; Lesser numbers in Torres del Paine; 4 past Los Torres Hotel
in morning; Regular and sometimes common on journey to Puerto Natales; Very
common in Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport)
|
|
Kelp
Goose
|
As expected from the maritime habits of this
goose, the only birds seen were on the coast, and more precisely, the rocky
(penguin) islands and beach of Puñihuil on Chiloe, where there were 4 pairs – 3
on the islands and one pair on the beach
|
|
Ashy-headed
Goose
|
The only pair seen was lucky to be found,
hiding in the corner of the Tarn just West of the Los Torres Hotel in Torres
del Paine
|
|
Crested
Duck
|
~30 El Calafate; Quite common on shoreline
of Puerto Natales
|
|
Bronze-winged
Duck
|
Another species which we were fortunate to
see, since a pair was hugging the edge of the lake as we descended the trail
adjacent to the Porito Moreno glacier
|
|
Chiloe
Wigeon
|
Not in huge numbers but regularly seen. (2
El Calafate; At least 12 birds on 3 different lakes in Torres del Paine; Quite
common on shoreline of Puerto Natales; Occasionally seen on Journey from Puerto
Natales to Punta Arenas airport; 2 on pool on Chiloe)
|
|
Yellow-billed
Teal
|
6 on pool on Chiloe; Bariloche - 4
|
|
Yellow-billed
Pintail
|
One of the commoner species of duck seen in
smallish numbers on lake shores. (1 El Calafate; ~8 on shoreline of Puerto
Natales; 6 in front of hotel Puerto Varas; Puerto Varas - 6 on lake; Bariloche
~15)
|
|
Magellanic
Penguin
|
This is the signature species in terms of
numbers at Puñihuil on Chiloe. The timing meant that we saw adults with some
fairly well grown young, mostly on the rocky islands where they nested, but
also in lower numbers on the surrounding sea. Only one was seen on the ferry
crossing to the island
|
|
Humboldt
Penguin
|
Puñihuil is where the two species of
Humboldt & Magellanic Penguins meet from their different geographical
distributions to breed, with the former in much smaller numbers- about 5 pairs. We had to be patient passing many of the
latter before much smaller numbers of Humboldt were found, again some with
young
|
|
Black-browed
Albatross
|
Of the handful of albatross species that can
be seen in the area, this is the more likely within the bay, and it was good to
see one had read this script, passing not too far from the ferry on the crossing
to Chiloe
|
|
Sooty
Shearwater
|
Very common on the ferry on the crossing to
Chiloe
|
|
Pink-footed
Shearwater
|
3 on the ferry on the crossing from Chiloe
|
|
White-tufted
Grebe
|
2 birds on smallish lake in Torres del Paine
|
|
Great
Grebe
|
1 on Pehoe Lake, Torres del Paine; 5 last
lake Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche - Pair
|
|
Chilean
Flamingo
|
These were expected in the bay of the lake
at El Calafate, but the small groups seen from the bus spattered on smallish
pools and lakes elsewhere were less likely. (Common at El Calafate bay; 3 small
groups of birds on separate open water on Journey from El Calafate to Torres
del Paine)
|
|
Black-faced
Ibis
|
These birds turned out to be one of the most
common and regular birds seen, as well as heard (they are very noisy and vocal
from the early dawn to late sunset) in many locations in Patagonia. (Common El
Calafate, including in main street trees; Regularly
seen on journey to Perito Moreno Glacier; 5 over Hotel Los Torres, Torres del
Paine; A few groups of up to 6 birds overhead Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del
Paine; 10 on Tarn just West of the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine; Occasional
on journey to Puerto Natales; Occasionally seen Journey from Puerto Natales to
Punta Arenas airport; reasonably common Puerto Varas; Common Puerto Varas; Occasional
Punahuil, Chiloe; Occasional Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche –
2)
|
|
Black-crowned
Night Heron
|
1 on lake shore at Puerto Varas
|
|
Great
Egret
|
1 over Puerto Varas
|
|
Snowy
Egret
|
1 on lake shore Puerto Varas
|
|
Peruvian
Pelican
|
After returning from seeing the penguin
colony at Puñihuil, a single bird landed on the sea just off the beach,
drifting closer to the shore as time progressed
|
|
Red-legged
Cormorant
|
This species is very much more dapper and
almost un-cormorant like in colouration than others in the family. After the first bird seen flying a little
distance away from the ferry to Chiloe, the best site for them was at Puñihuil.
(1 Ferry to Chiloe Island, ~12 Puñihuil)
|
|
Neotropic
Cormorant
|
The most regularly seen cormorant species. (Few in docks at Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires; 2
Puerto Varas; ~20 Puñihuil; 3 Ferry to Chiloe Island; 2 Lago Frias Journey from
Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche 5; Buenos Aires 20)
|
|
Imperial
Shag
|
The unlikely site of a broken jetty from the
shore at Puerto Natales held many birds initially. The pair on the islands at
Puñihuil were much closer however. (~50 on broken jetty at Puerto Natales; Pair
and other single Puñihuil; 1 Ferry to Chiloe Island)
|
|
Turkey
Vulture
|
1 Puerto Varas, perched on a boat; Fairly
common Chiloe in flight
|
|
Black
Vulture
|
~10 over Puerto Varas; Common Chiloe, mainly
in flight with small numbers on the ground; Common high over peaks journey from
Puerto Varas to Bariloche
|
|
Andean
Condor
|
Numbers of this huge and majestic glider
were predictably low, but were always a welcome and impressive site when seen
in either the El Calafate or Torres del Paine localities. (1 on journey to Perito
Moreno Glacier, with 2 adults and 1-2 juveniles above lower car park at Perito
Moreno Glacier; 1 and group of 4 on Argentinian leg of Journey from El Calafate
to Torres del Paine towards border; 1 Torres del Paine; 1 juvenile late evening
Hotel Los Torres, Torres del Paine; 2
separate birds overhead high up on Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine, with
4 birds lower down soaring up the valley)
|
|
Cinereous
Harrier
|
Best views were on a small dryish marsh on
the landward side of the road from the small nature reserve at El Calafate. The
birds here seemed to be in courtship. (3 on dry marsh El Calafate, with 1 over
El Calafate; 1 on journey to Perito Moreno Glacier; 1 on Journey from El
Calafate to Torres del Paine, near to Argentinian / Chilean border; 1 Journey
from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport; 1 male Punahuil, Chiloe)
|
|
Black-chested
Buzzard-Eagle
|
Usually seen in flight, one was good enough
to land on the cliffs on the opposite side of the valley from where we were at
Torres del Paine. (1 over Laguna Amarga entrance gate to Torres del Paine; 1
flew over our heads and landed on opposite cliff face; 1 over Tarn just West of
the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine; 1 on journey to Puerto Natales)
|
|
Roadside
Hawk
|
2 over Buenos Aires
|
|
Red-gartered
Coot
|
5 on Tarn just West of the Los Torres Hotel,
Torres del Paine
|
|
Magellanic
Oystercatcher
|
1 at Argentinian / Chilean border crossing; Pair
Chiloe
|
|
Blackish
Oystercatcher
|
2 Punahuil (Penguin Colony), Chiloe
|
|
Southern
Lapwing
|
Very common throughout, as well as very
vocal. They can't be missed. (~20 El
Calafate; Occasional on journey to Perito Moreno Glacier; Occasional on Journey
from El Calafate to Torres del Paine; Parents with 2 immatures at Hotel Los
Torres, Torres del Paine; Pair with young at Los Torres Hotel; ~8 on Tarn just
West of the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine; Occasional on journey to Puerto
Natales; 4 at Puerto Natales; Quite common Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta
Arenas airport; 6 Puerto Varas; ~8 Puerto Varas; Common Chiloe; Occasional
Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche – 4)
|
|
Hudsonian
Godwit
|
~20 Chiloe near ferry terminal
|
|
Whimbrel
|
3 Chiloe
|
|
Greater
Yellowlegs
|
~6 on pools, Chiloe
|
|
Lesser
Yellowlegs
|
~25 on pools Chiloe
|
|
Baird's
Sandpiper
|
1 on lake shore at Puerto Varas
|
|
Brown-hooded
Gull
|
Very common and regular throughout. (Common
El Calafate; 6 at Los Torres Hotel in morning; Common Puerto Natales; Quite
common Puerto Varas; Occasional FX Ferry to Chiloe Island)
|
|
Dolphin
Gull
|
At least one bird on the shoreline at Puerto
Natales, which looked like a second year immature
|
|
Franklin's
Gull
|
Occasional near to the shore of Chiloe near
ferry terminal
|
|
Kelp
Gull
|
1 El Calafate; 6 Puerto Varas; Fairly common
Puerto Varas; Common Chiloe; Quite common on some of lakes Journey from Puerto
Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche ~10
|
|
South
American Tern
|
3 at Puerto Natales; Common from ferry to
Chiloe
|
|
Chilean
Skua
|
One on the water near the ferry terminal at
Puerto Natales, with a second bird flying along the shore front further along
|
|
Picazuro
Pigeon
|
1 in Buenos Aires hotel garden; Buenos Aires
3
|
|
Eared
Dove
|
Common Buenos Aires
|
|
Green-backed
Firecrown
|
This seems to be the only likely hummingbird
to be encountered in Patagonia, and is very active. (2 separate females around
hotel at Puerto Varas; 1 feeding late afternoon Puerto Varas; 1 near hotel in
morning at Puerto Varas; 2 Natura Hotel Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche)
|
|
Green-barred
Woodpecker
|
The only bird seen was flying within one of
the parks on the Puerto Madero island in Buenos Aires
|
|
Chilean
Flicker
|
1 near Tarn just West of the Los Torres
Hotel, Torres del Paine; 2 together at Los Torres Hotel on the same day
|
|
Magellanic
Woodpecker
|
Single female in forest above kiosk on Ascencio
Valley Walk, Torres del Paine. Initially picked up by a few pecking sounds,
very good views were had before it flew off into the woodland
|
|
Southern
Crested Caracara
|
2 together El Calafate; 3 around car parks
at Perito Moreno Glacier; 5 on journey to Perito Moreno Glacier; 2 on Journey
from El Calafate to Torres del Paine; 1 at Hotel Los Torres, Torres del Paine; 1
at kiosk on Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; 5 Journey from Puerto
Natales to Punta Arenas airport; 2 Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche
|
|
Chimango
Caracara
|
This was a surprisingly common and
approachable Caracara found in almost all locations, including one seen
catching a dragonfly from the departure terminal at Buenos Aires airport. (At
least 6 El Calafate; 2 at Perito Moreno Glacier; 1 over Hotel Los Torres,
Torres del Paine; 1 at Los Torres Hotel; 2 Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta
Arenas airport; ~6 Puerto Varas; Common Chiloe; Common Journey from Puerto
Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche ~10)
|
|
American
Kestrel
|
1 flying overhead in Torres del Paine; 1 on Ascencio
Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; 1 on wires Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche
|
|
Monk
Parakeet
|
Common Buenos Aires
|
|
Slender-billed
Parakeet
|
These birds are apparently seasonal in the
Chiloe/Puerto Montt area, so it may be that the couple of small flocks seen
flying were newly arrived. (2 groups of 5 & 8 towards Chiloe ferry terminal
on mainland)
|
|
Buff-winged
Cinclodes
|
Only one bird was seen (twice), the first
sighting being from our bedroom window on the first evening at Los Torres hotel
in Torres del Paine. It was only on the day after when it was seen again that
the characteristic buff wing bars could be seen in flight
|
|
Dark-bellied
Cinclodes
|
After the initial excitement of the first
bird being briefly seen near to the kiosk up the Torres del Paine Ascencio
Valley walk, this turned out to be a very regular and almost predictable sight
near any water. A pair were even displaying on the roof outside of our window
of the hotel at Puerto Varas. (1 near to kiosk Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del
Paine; 1 at Tarn just West of the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine; 1 on lake
shore Puerto Varas; ~7 Puerto Varas; 2 Chiloe Island; 2 Punahuil (Penguin
Colony), Chiloe; 1 waterfall Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche
2)
|
|
Rufous
Hornero
|
The only place these were seen was in Buenos
Aires, where they were common and regularly seen. (2 Puerto Madero docks; 2
parents feeding 3 young in centre of Buenos Aires; Buenos Aires 10 on last
morning)
|
|
Thorn-tailed
Rayadito
|
This small and very active, attractive bird
was only seen in the woodland high up on the Ascencio Valley walk in Torres del
Paine. A few were eventually seen, but they didn't settle for long at any
point. (3, then 2, then 2 singles in the forest around and above the kiosk on Ascencio
Valley Walk, Torres del Paine)
|
|
White-crested
Elaenia
|
In some locations, these were regularly seen
and heard. (2 separate birds at Perito
Moreno Glacier; 2 Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; 3 Tarn just West of
the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine; 1 Puerto Varas; ~10 Puerto Varas)
|
|
Tufted
Tit-Tyrant
|
1 Puerto Varas; 1 near Puerto Varas hotel in
morning; Bariloche 4 together
|
|
Austral
Negrito
|
When seen, these can be very confiding and
approachable. Most of the birds seen
were males. (4 pairs El Calafate; Pair in Torres del Paine; male at Hotel Los
Torres, Torres del Paine; 1 at Los Torres Hotel; 1 at Los Torres Hotel; 1 at
Puerto Natales; 1 on Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport)
|
|
Spectacled
Tyrant
|
Another reasonably confiding and
unmistakable bird, where they were only seen near the nature reserve in El
Calafate bay (At least 4 El Calafate)
|
|
Dark-faced
Ground Tyrant
|
Care has to be taken with these - they can
look a lot like Rufous-naped Ground Tyrant, showing a rufous tinge to the crown
in certain lights. (2 together on shingle beach at Perito Moreno Glacier; 2
just before kiosk on Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine)
|
|
Cattle
Tyrant
|
Another species which would be expected away
from the towns in cultivated areas, the first one was in the centre of Buenos
Aires on a small patch of grass, the second feeding outside of the glass of the
departure terminal of Buenos Aires airport
|
|
Fire-eyed
Diucon
|
2 separate birds Tarn just West of the Los
Torres Hotel, Torres del Paine
|
|
Great
Kiskadee
|
Buenos Aires 2
|
|
White-rumped
Swallow
|
This species can look very similar to the
more southerly distributed Chilean Swallow until the characteristic white frontal
stripe is seen on the head. (Common Puerto Madero docks, Buenos Aires)
|
|
Chilean
Swallow
|
Very common and regularly seen throughout
Patagonia. (At least 3 El Calafate ; Small
numbers at both upper and lower car parks at Perito Moreno Glacier; Common
within Torres del Paine and at Hotel Los Torres, Torres del Paine; Common at
all altitudes on Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; Common Tarn Walk,
Torres del Paine; Fairly common Puerto Varas; Common Puerto Varas; Common
Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche)
|
|
Grey-breasted
Martin
|
Very common and nesting in the Puerto Madero
docks area of Buenos Aires
|
|
Brown-breasted
Martin
|
Smaller numbers than Grey-breasted Martin in
the Puerto Madero docks of Buenos Aires
|
|
Blue-and-white
Swallow
|
Quite common Puerto Varas; Quite common
Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche
|
|
House
Wren
|
Commonly heard and seen in various areas. (1
singing at Hotel Los Torres, Torres del Paine; At least 8 on Ascencio Valley
Walk, Torres del Paine; ~6 Puerto Varas; Buenos Aires 4)
|
|
Chalk-browed
Mockingbird
|
10 around Puerto Madero docks, Buenos Aires,
and 2 in centre of Buenos Aires
|
|
Austral
Thrush
|
A common species throughout Patagonia. (1 in
garden in El Calafate; 4-5 at Perito Moreno Glacier; 2 Torres del Paine; At
least 15 from Los Torres Hotel to higher part of Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres
del Paine; Common Tarn Walk, Torres del Paine; Quite common Puerto Varas; Common
Chiloe; Fairly common Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche ~6)
|
|
Rufous-bellied
Thrush
|
Common in parks in centre of Buenos Aires; (Buenos
Aires 8)
|
|
House
Sparrow
|
Unfortunately introduced and as with many
other areas of the world, now seen in small numbers throughout
|
|
Correndera
Pipit
|
Only one pipit seen of any species, this one thankfully landing on an nearby post
next to El Calafate nature reserve and showing diagnostic white back stripes
|
|
Black-chinned
Siskin
|
2 then flock of ~10 higher up but before
forest on Ascencio Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; Pair Punahuil, Chiloe
|
|
Long-tailed
Meadowlark
|
A stunning Meadowlark, with quite a few seen
from buses as well as at the El Calafate nature reserve. (6 El Calafate; 2 Tarn
Walk, Torres del Paine; ~8 Journey from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport)
|
|
Shiny
Cowbird
|
Quite common in parks in Buenos Aires
|
|
Austral
Blackbird
|
Juvenile and then adult on Ascencio Valley
Walk, Torres del Paine; 3 Tarn just West of the Los Torres Hotel, Torres del
Paine; 1 at Los Torres Hotel; 2 Puerto Varas; 2 Punahuil, Chiloe
|
|
Yellow-winged
Blackbird
|
1 Hotel Natura marsh Journey from Puerto
Varas to Bariloche
|
|
Rufous-collared
Sparrow
|
This was perhaps the most ubiquitous sight
and sound throughout the trip, being seen at all altitudes as well as almost
all locations. (Common singing El Calafate; Common at Perito Moreno Glacier; Most
common bird in Torres del Paine; Very common at all altitudes on Ascencio
Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; Common Tarn Walk, Torres del Paine; Few around
Hotel Natura Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche; Buenos Aires 1)
|
|
Patagonian
Sierra Finch
|
Male Patagonian Sierra Finch, when well
marked with the chestnut tinged back, is easy to identify. Unfortunately, some of the birds encountered
had the duller olive back usually found with Grey-hooded. The more defining
characteristic seems to be the extent of the white/yellow on the flanks. Those
seen well seemed to have the white only on the undertail coverts, ruling out
Grey-hooded. (1 male and a pair at Perito Moreno Glacier; 2 males Hotel Los
Torres, Torres del Paine; At least 3 males with other regular females on Ascencio
Valley Walk, Torres del Paine; 1 at hotel Puerto Varas; 1 Journey from Puerto
Varas to Bariloche; Bariloche 1)
|
|
Mourning
Sierra Finch
|
One bird seen briefly from a restaurant on
the lakefront at Bariloche
|