The continent of South America presents a large array of variety on the subject of birdwatching. The distinctive environments vary from high-altitude Andean peaks to biodiverse rainforests and coastal wetlands. With this variety, you’ll discover uncommon endemic species and distinct migration intervals throughout every nation.
Birding in South America is sort of a buffet desk that by no means ends although, so the problem is narrowing down your choices when you don’t need to spend years going from one ecosystem to a different. There are such a lot of species right here that aren’t discovered elsewhere that starting birders can get overwhelmed and skilled ones have to select from a protracted record of choices.
Except you will have your coronary heart set on one particular chicken to verify off your record, it’s finest to ebook with an skilled tour firm that focuses on birdwatching excursions, equivalent to Naturetrek. That approach you gained’t be combined in with a crowd extra excited by adrenaline adventures or monitoring pumas.
Birds to Spot in South America
Argentina’s subtropical forests, like these in Misiones, supply sightings of toucans and the colourful plush-crested jay. Birders come right here to identify the Hooded Grebe and Black-legged Seriema.
In Bolivia, the Yungas and Amazon areas mix cloud forest and lowland jungle, house to tanagers and macaws. Bolivia showcases the Crimson-fronted Macaw and Blue-throated Macaw.
Brazil has the Amazon, Pantanal wetlands, and forests, supporting greater than 1,800 chicken species. The Hyacinth Macaw is right here within the Brazilian Pantanal
Chile supplies arid Atacama coasts and temperate rainforests. The nation hosts the Chilean Tinamou and uncommon Moustached Turca.
Colombia is thought for its Andes, Llanos, and ChocĂł bioregion, which host a whole bunch of hummingbird species and tanagers. Birdwatchers come to identify the Santa Marta Parakeet and Multicolored Tanager.
Guyana’s Rupununi savannahs and forested highlands appeal to harpy eagles and cotingas, plus the endemic Solar Parakeet and the placing Guiana Toucanet.
Ecuador’s cloud forests and Amazon basin assist antpittas and well-known hummingbirds. The El Oro Parakeet and Jocotoco Antpitta are star sights for birders.
Peru combines Pacific coast, Andes, and Amazon, providing assorted habitats for ibis, manakins, and parrots. Large condors unfold their wings and you’ll spot iconic endemics such because the Andean Cock-of-the-rock in Peru and Colombia.
Locations for Birding in South America
You normally can’t simply decide a rustic and go to 1 spot to see the entire vary of birds there such as you would in much less various locations on the planet. Every of the nations in South America has a number of totally different climates that adjust due to altitude, coastal proximity, and vegetation density.
So whilst you’ll see loads of birds within the Galapagos islands, like Crimson-footed and Blue-footed Boobies, you’ll see a complete totally different vary of winged creatures within the jungle or the highlands on the mainland of Ecuador, as an illustration.
Birding Hotspots in Argentina and Chile

Argentina and Chile give you landscapes as assorted as glaciers, subtropical forests, and excessive Andean valleys. These nations are house to a few of South America’s most best-known birdwatching locales.
Patagonia’s southern reaches and Tierra del Fuego provide the probability to see birds in wild, windswept habitats. Key species right here embody Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins, the elegant Andean Condor, Rufous-chested Dotterel, and the uncommon Magellanic Plover. Tierra del Fuego Nationwide Park is right for recognizing woodpeckers, geese, and owls.
The Valdes Peninsula is thought for big colonies of penguins and cormorants.
Iguazu Nationwide Park, which can also be situated in Brazil, hosts greater than its well-known waterfalls: it’s house to greater than 400 chicken species. The plush forest helps Toucan, Manakin, Nice Dusky Swift, and Plush-crested Jay populations alongside well-marked trails.
The Atacama Desert Oasis in northern Chile defies the dryness of the area and is an otherworldly setting for birding. Oases, lagoons, and salt flats harbor species tailored to arid situations, equivalent to all three South American flamingo species (Andean, Chilean, and James’s Flamingos).

You’ll additionally see Puna Plover, Horned Coot, and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover at high-altitude lagoons equivalent to Laguna Chaxa, Laguna Miscanti, and Salar de Atacama. The stark panorama affords clear views for observing birds round shallow swimming pools and reed beds.
Wetlands to Highlands in Brazil and Bolivia
Wealthy river basins and distant parks in these three nations supply habitats for 1000’s of chicken species, together with macaws, toucans, and uncommon endemics. Distinctive ecosystems, easy-to-spot wildlife, and well-developed ecotourism infrastructure make these South American birding locations accessible even for first-time guests.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, stretching throughout central-western Brazil. Its open landscapes and seasonal flooding appeal to greater than 650 chicken species. Amongst them, you’ll discover Hyacinth Macaws (the world’s largest parrots), Jabiru storks, and Southern Screamers. Fortunate birders might also spot the Rufescent Tiger Heron and Toco Toucan.
Madidi Nationwide Park in Bolivia spans from excessive Andean peaks right down to Amazonian forest, with dramatic adjustments in elevation creating distinctive chicken variety. There are at the very least 1,000 recorded species, equivalent to Naked-faced Curassows, hoatzins, and Harpy Eagles.
Trails by Madidi’s rainforest offer you an opportunity to see specialty species just like the Band-tailed Manakin and Piping Guans. Should you’re on the lookout for less-crowded birding, Madidi is a robust selection. Neighborhood-run ecolodges assist conservation efforts whereas providing wonderful entry to birds and wildlife.
The Amazon Jungle Area of Three Nations

With 1000’s of chicken species thriving in these lush rainforests surrounding the Amazon river and its foremost tributaries, your binoculars shall be put to good use on each stroll or boat journey.
You’ll be able to go to well-known reserves like Reserva Mamiraua in Brazil or Manu Nationwide Park in Peru, each identified for his or her distinctive biodiversity and accessibility for birders.
The Amazon area holds a few of the richest chicken variety on Earth, with Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru providing distinct habitats and species.
Brazil’s Amazon Basin helps iconic species just like the Harpy Eagle and Crimson Topaz. Manaus serves as a main base, with entry to reserves like Jau Nationwide Park and Anavilhanas Archipelago. Each supply in depth path methods and boat journeys to identify macaws, toucans, and antbirds amongst various riverine and terra firme forests.
The Cristalino Lodge close to Alta Floresta is famend for its cover towers and Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is without doubt one of the prime upscale nature lodges in the entire area.
In Peru, the Tambopata Nationwide Reserve close to Puerto Maldonado attracts birders for its clay licks, the place a whole bunch of macaws and parrots collect each day. The realm’s lodges, equivalent to Tambopata Analysis Middle and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, supply early morning excursions alongside quiet riverbanks and forest trails.

Manu Nationwide Park is known for its species richness—over 1,000 chicken species. Cover platforms at lodges like Manu Wildlife Middle offer you excessive vantage factors to see cotingas, toucans, and mixed-species flocks.
Additional north, Pacaya-Samiria Reserve close to Iquitos affords flooded forest birding. River journeys reveal Horned Screamers, herons, and Riverine Raptors you gained’t discover elsewhere.
Peru affords essentially the most accessible choices for birdwatching within the Amazon area, with nature-focused upscale lodges and Amazon River cruise ships as properly.
Ecuador has a part of the Amazon River Basin in its territory, with three nice jungle lodges we’ve reviewed prior to now: Napo Wildlife Reserve, Sacha Lodge, and tk. You attain them by way of a flight to the closest metropolis, a quick boat up the Napo River, then a paddled boat by tributaries to succeed in the Yasuni Nationwide Park space.
Galapagos to the Cloudforest in Ecuador
As talked about above, Ecuador has loads of jungle birdwatching choices, however that’s simply the beginning. On the mainland you’ve bought Andean peak areas and the cloudforest the place Mashpi Lodge is situated, one of the vital attention-grabbing upscale motels within the Americas.
Mindo’s cloud forest sits simply two hours from Quito and is house to over 450 recorded chicken species. You’ll be able to spot the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, a number of forms of tanagers, and lots of hummingbirds, together with the emblematic Violet-tailed Sylph. The gentle local weather and wealthy flora appeal to each resident and migratory birds.
Should you like selection, you’ll be able to go to butterfly gardens and orchid reserves as properly. The realm stays one of the vital accessible birding areas in Ecuador, combining wonderful biodiversity with hospitality.
Situated in southern Ecuador, Podocarpus Nationwide Park supplies wonderful birding throughout cloud forest and paramo ecosystems. Greater than 560 chicken species have been recorded right here, together with rarities such because the Bearded Guan, Torrent Duck, and the Masked Mountain-tanager.
The realm is notable for combined flocks and a excessive price of endemism, particularly within the higher forest zones and across the Rio Bombuscaro.
Birds are simply a part of the combination within the Galapagos islands; see the tour tales on our luxurious Ecuador journey portal web page to get an concept of what’s in retailer there.
Cali and Santa Marta in Colombia
Cali and the Santa Marta area are Colombia’s premier birding hubs. Round Cali, the cloud forests within the Western Andes are house to sought-after species just like the Multicolored Tanager and Colombian Chachalaca. Quite a few reserves—equivalent to San Antonio Forest—supply guided excursions, feeders, and wonderful pictures alternatives.
The Santa Marta mountains, separated from the Andes, kind the very best coastal mountain vary on the planet. The realm boasts greater than 20 endemic species, together with the Santa Marta Parakeet and Santa Marta Warbler.

Guyana’s Untouched Wilderness
Guyana provides you entry to huge tracts of rainforest, mountains, and savannah, all house to a powerful number of birdlife. You’ll discover uncommon and endemic species and huge populations of macaws and different parrots in distant, largely undisturbed landscapes. This is without doubt one of the least-visited areas of South America, with out main inhabitants facilities.
Within the coronary heart of Guyana, the Iwokrama Forest Reserve covers almost a million acres of central rainforest. You’ll be able to spot a whole bunch of chicken species, together with the Harpy Eagle, Crimson Fruitcrow, and Blue-cheeked Amazon.
Birdwatching right here usually includes touring by canoe alongside the Essequibo River or exploring cover walkways. The realm is wealthy in each forest and river species, from Guianan Toucanets to Hoatzins.
The Kanuku Mountains are one of the vital biologically various areas in Guyana, that includes montane and lowland forest habitats. The mountains are a stronghold for the Solar Parakeet (additionally known as the Solar Conure), which is now uncommon within the wild.
With greater than 500 recorded chicken species, you’re more likely to observe Scarlet Macaws, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, and Gray-winged Trumpeters. The Kanuku area stays largely undeveloped, so count on quiet trails and minimal crowds. You’ll have to plan forward with lodges or eco-camps for entry and guiding.
The Rupununi Savannah affords a special atmosphere with expansive grasslands, gallery forests, and river methods. Right here, you’ll encounter open-country species just like the Jabiru Stork, Double-striped Thick-knee, and Crimson-legged Tinamou.
Throughout the moist season, in depth wetlands appeal to waterfowl, together with Anhingas, Muscovy Geese, and the occasional Agami Heron. You may as well watch parrots, ibis, and raptors in giant flocks throughout the plains.
So there you will have it, sufficient birding in South America locations to final you for 10 years of holidays when you’d like. Tell us within the feedback if we missed your favourite!
All images (c) Timothy Scott, editor of Luxurious Latin America. Most have been taken with a Panasonic Lumix super-zoom digital camera.