Photographer: Daniel Danckwerts   Destination: Argentina

 

Confined to the stark saline lagoons and windswept shores of southern Argentina, these enigmatic shorebirds are so distinctive that they are placed in their own family. Plovers by name only, they have a form and behavior reminiscent of a small, long-legged dove. In contrast to the running-and-snatching strategy of true plovers, these birds are much more methodical, pecking repeatedly as they walk, often bobbing up and down as they go. And occasionally, unlike any other shorebird, they will go to great lengths to dig into the substrate with their feet to go after food. Indeed, if the food seems to justify the effort, a foraging bird will dig a hole nearly its own body size after only a few minutes of steady work. Encountering this monotypic Patagonian specialty against a backdrop of endless skies and shimmering steppe lakes is a moment that perfectly captures the raw grandeur of the far south.

 

Chile and Argentina together form one of the great birding frontiers of the world. Chile stretches for over 4,250 kilometres between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, from the stark Atacama Desert in the north to the fjords, glaciers and granite towers of Patagonia in the far south. Across the Andes, Argentina unfolds in immense landscapes that range from subtropical forests and vast wetlands to high puna, rolling pampas and the dramatic steppe of Tierra del Fuego.

 

For any global birder or wildlife enthusiast, the diversity is staggering. Towering above it all is the majestic Andean Condor, effortlessly patrolling mountain ridges and sheer cliffs. On the high altitude lakes of the Altiplano we search for Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, James’s Flamingo, Puna Ibis and Andean Avocet, while Grey-breasted Seedsnipe creep across barren slopes and the aptly named Giant Hummingbird powers between flowering shrubs. Chile’s endemic tapaculos, including the charismatic huet-huets and turcas, skulk in temperate forests where Magellanic Woodpecker hammers at ancient trunks and White-throated Treerunner works moss laden branches.

 

Pelagic excursions off the Pacific coast add another thrilling dimension, with Peruvian Diving Petrel, Chilean Skua and a suite of albatrosses and shearwaters possible. In Patagonia, Torres del Paine rises in jagged splendour above turquoise lakes, while highlight mammals include Guanaco and the mighty Puma. In Tierra del Fuego and along the Strait of Magellan, Magellanic Penguins crowd windswept shores and Fuegian Steamer Ducks navigate through cold southern waters.

 

Northern Argentina presents a striking contrast. The thunder of Iguazú Falls echoes across lush Atlantic Forests alive with toucans, parrots, manakins and the impressive Black-fronted Piping Guan. In the vast Esteros del Iberá, marshes teem with seedeaters including the remarkable Iberá Seedeater, alongside Strange-tailed Tyrant, Ochre-breasted Pipit and Black-and-white Monjita. Further south, the pampas and Atlantic coastlines hold endemics such as White-throated Cacholote and Sandy Gallito, while the Valdés Peninsula provides unforgettable marine spectacles, from Chubut Steamer Ducks to hunting Killer Whales.

 

Beyond the excellent birding, both countries offer rich cultural rewards. Argentina’s Mendoza province pairs superb high Andean scenery with world renowned Malbecs and refined Cabernet, while throughout Chile and Argentina warm hospitality, excellent cuisine and comfortable lodges ensure that every day ends as memorably as it began. From snow capped volcanoes and puna lakes to penguin colonies and Patagonian forests, this region delivers a seamless blend of exceptional birds, iconic wildlife, dramatic landscapes and vibrant culture, making it a perfect pairing of South America’s most compelling destinations for travelling birders.