Dates: December 2 - 16, 2025

Leaders: Andrew Whittaker, Local Leader

E-bird

Total Species: 261 birds

Click Here to view list.

Overall Summary

After a twenty-five-year hiatus, it was a truly phenomenal experience to visit Argentina’s magical southern tier again. Our revamped Southern Argentinian itinerary took us steadily south through a tremendous variety of habitats. We began in the famous pampas grasslands and rich marshes, followed by low Monte deserts, the towering Andes, coastal mudflats, Patagonian forests, tremendous glacial fields, and finally the wild expanse of the remote Patagonian steppe.

Throughout our travels, we were surrounded by breathtaking scenery as we enjoyed spectacular birding and unforgettable wildlife moments. Our efforts resulted in a list of 260 bird species, including almost all of the possible endemics and near-endemics.

Our adventure began in bustling Buenos Aires, famous for its passionate tango and steaks; for us, the city meant birding the Costanera Sur Reserve. Here in the city center, wetlands and secluded forest trails offered a perfect introduction, with a respectable 75 bird species observed. We enjoyed a good selection of waterfowl—most notably Rosy-billed Pochard, Silver Teal, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and, best of all, an amazing concentration of 19 Masked Ducks. Massive Southern Screamers with young also stole the show, along with a neat Spot-flanked Gallinule. Other species of interest included the colorful Nanday Parakeet, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Checkered and Green-barred woodpeckers, Black-backed Water-Tyrant, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, and the lovely Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch.

Leaving the capital, we entered the great expanse of pampas grasslands with their iconic gaucho cowboys. We were here for the birds—and wow, did they deliver. A close encounter with the rare Bearded Tachuri was outstanding. Sought-after boreal migrants included flocks of Buff-breasted Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, Hudsonian Godwits, and even a lone Swainson’s Hawk. The rich marshes were also alive, and we had good luck with the range-restricted Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail; we also heard Dot-winged Crakes. Just as noteworthy were crippling views of Stripe-backed Bittern, Coscoroba and Black-necked swans, Maguari Stork, Plumbeous Rail, Sulphur-bearded and Curve-billed reedhaunters, Freckle-breasted Thornbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Warbling Doradito, Grass Wren, Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Great Pampa-Finch, and much more.

Next up were the calm seas off Mar del Plata, where an exciting morning pelagic trip turned up countless White-chinned Petrels, Black-browed Albatross, and a handful of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Other pelagics included a Westland Petrel, Southern and Northern giant-petrels, delicate Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, and a few Cape Verde, Manx, and Great shearwaters. We also found many South American Terns and both Parasitic and Pomarine jaegers, while the sheltered harbor held breeding-plumaged Great Grebes and a large colony of basking Southern Sea Lions.

The next morning, before our flight, we had stellar looks at flocks of gorgeous Burrowing Parakeets, the endemic White-throated Cacholote, Patagonian and Sharp-billed canasteros, Patagonian Mockingbird, and Diuca Finch. We arrived in Trelew that afternoon, gateway to the famous Valdés Peninsula, where we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of fresh seafood.

Over the next two days, we had a real blast exploring the fascinating coastal region of the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to unique birds and mammals. A fabulously calm day greeted our boat excursion on the bay, where we enjoyed amazingly close studies of endangered Southern Right Whales, including a female and calf, as well as the much-wanted Snowy Sheathbills. The desert held several comical Patagonian Mara, while the beaches were home to giant, snorting Southern Elephant Seals in molt. The cute Patagonian Cavy touched our hearts. A carefully constructed wooden boardwalk gave us access to a colony of countless thousands of Magellanic Penguins—a sight just as awe-inspiring as our mega-close studies of a pair of endemic White-headed Steamer-Ducks.

Other significant observations included the striking Elegant Crested-Tinamou, Darwin’s Nothura, Cinereous Harrier, Magellanic and Imperial cormorants, Dolphin Gull, Blackish Oystercatcher, the endemic Carbonated Sierra Finch, Rusty-backed and Black-crowned monjitas, Band-tailed Earthcreeper, Lesser Shrike-Tyrant, and Short-billed Pipit.

Birding the town’s park and pool, we searched through the waterfowl to find Crested and Lake ducks, Red Shoveler, Yellow-billed Pintail, and Yellow-billed Teal. Our patient watching paid off with a pair of the uncommon Black-headed Duck—a real oddball. This is the only duck known to be an obligate brood parasite, often laying its eggs in the nests of gulls or even Snail Kites. A nice surprise was a large flock of very tame Chilean Flamingos offering mega views.

Next up was a flight inland to the famous ski resort of Bariloche, nestled in the charming foothills of the snow-capped Andes. This starkly different scenery was the backdrop to a new set of birds as well. The grounds of our delightful hotel held flocks of striking Ashy-headed Geese, Chiloe Wigeon, Austral Parakeet, and Patagonian Sierra Finch. At the top of everyone’s wish list, the mighty Magellanic Woodpecker gave us stunning looks, as did a responsive Austral Pygmy Owl and a White-throated Treerunner.

Birding in the towering Southern Beech forests was great fun. We taped out Black-throated Huet-huet, many Thorn-tailed Rayaditos, and the charming Chucao, Magellanic, and Ochre-flanked tapaculos. An exciting ski lift ride took us higher into the mountains for specialists such as the rare Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper, White-browed Ground-Tyrants, Fire-eyed Diucon, and our first Andean Condor. Equally noteworthy were superb looks at White-throated Hawk, Chilean Flicker, the odd Des Murs’s Wiretail, Green-backed Firecrown, and Black-chinned Siskin.

Adjacent to the airport, we had great looks at Least Seedsnipe, Austral Canastero, and Hellmayr’s Pipit before saying goodbye to this wonderful area and flying south to Calafate. When we arrived at our delightful lodgings, we found the gardens ablaze with every imaginable color of lupine. Our much-anticipated afternoon excursion to one of the world’s most spectacular glaciers—Perito Moreno, in Los Glaciares National Park—was truly sensational. A Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle even soared over the park’s wooded entrance. Arriving at the headquarters, we were met by an awe-inspiring vista: an ever-shifting icy landscape punctuated by explosive cracking as sheets of calving ice crashed into the turquoise waters.

Calafate’s impressive lagunas and muddy inlets were alive with birds as we searched the secluded pebble beaches. Shorebirds ran around on the mud among the Upland Geese and Chilean Flamingos; Baird’s Sandpipers were the most abundant, but there were also a few Magellanic Oystercatchers. The blue waters held Red-gartered and White-winged coots, Andean and Lake ducks (side by side), and our first Flying Steamer-Ducks. John spotted our first Magellanic Snipe, which gave great views. The grasslands were frequented by feeding Black-faced Ibis and agile pairs of Austral Negrito.

After a good amount of searching, I finally spotted the Patagonian holy grail: a pair of Magellanic Plovers, the only species in the family Pluvianellidae. These birds delighted us with their odd display, chests puffed out as they zigzagged their way along the beach side by side. Simply WOW.

A stunning Rufous-chested Dotterel and Patagonian Yellow-Finch landed right in front of us, trying to steal the show among a few White-rumped Sandpipers. A search of several remote pools rewarded us with hunting Cinereous Harrier, lovely Silvery and White-tufted grebes, the odd dusky Black-crowned Night Heron, Coscoroba and Black-necked swans with cygnets, Plumbeous Rail, Lesser Yellowlegs, Chilean Swallow, Spectacled Tyrants, and striking Long-tailed Meadowlarks. At the eleventh hour, I thankfully spotted the very uncommon Spectacled Duck—a pair not in the water but resting on the bank.

A secluded foothill valley with a stream and stunted vegetation harbored a nice collection of species, among them a responsive, colorful male Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, the rare Great Shrike-Tyrant, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Cordilleran Canastero, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Austral Blackbird, and Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrants.

We thoroughly enjoyed sharing southern Argentina’s wildlife and hope to cross paths again on one of my many exciting VENT tours worldwide.

Happy birding to you on our simply amazing planet!

Abrazos,

Andy

Day-by-Day Summary

December 2 - The group arrived in Buenos Aires and settled in, preparing for the days of birding ahead.

December 3 - We spent the day birding the Costanera Sur Reserve, where wetlands and forest trails provided an excellent introduction. Masked Ducks, Southern Screamers, Nanday Parakeet, and a variety of waterfowl and passerines highlighted the day.

December 4 - We traveled into the vast pampas grasslands, where Bearded Tachuri, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, American Golden Plovers, Hudsonian Godwits, and numerous marsh specialists kept us busy throughout the day.

December 5 - We headed to the coast for a morning pelagic trip off Mar del Plata. Countless White-chinned Petrels, Black-browed Albatross, Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, and several shearwaters and storm-petrels made for an exciting outing.

December 6 - Before our flight, we enjoyed excellent views of Burrowing Parakeets, White-throated Cacholote, Patagonian Canastero, and Diuca Finch. Later in the day, we flew to Trelew, gateway to the Valdés Peninsula.

December 7 - A calm day on the bay allowed for unforgettable close views of Southern Right Whales, including a female with calf. Snowy Sheathbills, Patagonian Mara, Southern Elephant Seals, and a massive Magellanic Penguin colony rounded out a spectacular day.

December 8 - We continued exploring the peninsula, finding Elegant Crested-Tinamou, Darwin’s Nothura, Carbonated Sierra Finch, monjitas, Band-tailed Earthcreeper, and other regional specialties.

December 9 - We birded the town park and pools, locating Black-headed Duck, Crested Duck, Lake Duck, and a flock of tame Chilean Flamingos. In the afternoon, we flew to Bariloche in the foothills of the Andes.

December 10 - The hotel grounds produced Ashy-headed Geese, Chiloe Wigeon, Austral Parakeet, and Patagonian Sierra Finch. We also enjoyed memorable encounters with Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Pygmy Owl, and White-throated Treerunner.

December 11 - We birded the towering Southern Beech forests, finding Black-throated Huet-huet, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, Chucao Tapaculo, and Ochre-flanked Tapaculo. A ski lift ride took us higher into the mountains for Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper, White-browed Ground-Tyrant, Fire-eyed Diucon, and our first Andean Condor.

December 12 - Before departing Bariloche, we enjoyed Least Seedsnipe, Austral Canastero, and Hellmayr’s Pipit near the airport. We then flew south to Calafate, where blooming lupines greeted us on arrival.

December 13 - Our afternoon visit to Perito Moreno Glacier was unforgettable. Dramatic calving events echoed across the valley, and a Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle soared over the park entrance.

December 14 - We explored Calafate’s lagoons and inlets, finding Baird’s Sandpipers, Magellanic Oystercatchers, Red-gartered and White-winged coots, Andean and Lake ducks, Flying Steamer-Ducks, Magellanic Snipe, and Austral Negrito.

December 15 - After persistent searching, we finally located the Magellanic Plover, a major highlight of the trip. Remote pools also produced Silvery and White-tufted grebes, Plumbeous Rail, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spectacled Tyrants, Long-tailed Meadowlarks, and a rare pair of Spectacled Ducks.

December 16 - A secluded foothill valley yielded Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Great Shrike-Tyrant, Scale-throated Earthcreeper, Cordilleran Canastero, and Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrants. Afterward, we transferred to the airport and concluded our Southern Argentina adventure.

Wildlife Seen: 

MAMMALS:

Southern Mountain Cavy (Microcavia australis) 

Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum) 

Nutria (Coypu) (Myocastor coypus) 

European Hare (Lepus europaeus) 

Culpeo Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) 

South American Gray Fox (Lycalopex griseus) 

South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens) 

Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) 

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) - Abundant; herds with many young. 

Southern Right Whale (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) 

REPTILES:   

Hilair’s Side-necked Turtle (Phrynops hilarii) 

Black-and-white Tegu (Salvator merianae) 

Black-faced Smooth-throated Lizard (Lioamus melanops) - Endemic 

  
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