Bird(er)s of a feather, unite!
If you’re as captivated with spectacular plumages, eccentric trilling and soulful courtships, the planet’s fourth largest continent is looking you. Across a wide ranging array of pristine ecosystems, South American international locations are blessed with the best birding locations in the world. From the Toco Toucan’s outsized colourful invoice to the peculiar vocals of the Capuchinbird and the shrewdness of the beautiful Hyacinth Macaw, the unimaginable variety is a deal with for ornithologists and naturalists. Grab a pair of binoculars and digital camera and take flight with us for probably the most thrilling expeditions to identify nature’s feathered ambassadors, as our native wildlife specialists information you to probably the most spectacular locations for birding journeys in South America.
Costa Rica: Cloud Forest Residents
Bird watching throughout South America is unimaginable, and Costa Rica isn’t any exception. The enchanting cloud forests of Montverde are dwelling to greater than 200 species of birds. Many birders undertake the pilgrimage simply to identify the cleverly camouflaged Resplendent Quetzal with its shimmering plumage of metallic blues, greens, and crimson stomach. Set off in the early mornings with our Costa Rica birding guides and you may spot an array of different beauties just like the Three-Wattled Bellbird, Golden-Browed Chlorophonia and Orange-bellied Trogon.
For these searching for intimate, off-the-radar spots, the smaller Curi-Cancha reserve limits simply 50 guests at a time throughout a community of 9 well-maintained trails, the place cavorting monkeys, coati and armadillos hang around with their feathered pals. For a very immersive getaway, think about staying at San Gerardo de Dota. You can spot enchanting hummingbirds – together with the Magenta-throated Woodstar and Coppery-headed Emerald – whereas stress-free at apple and peach orchards, mountaineering up the mountains or trout fishing.
Colombia: Birding in espresso nation
With greater than 1,900 species of enchanting pájaros, Columbia hosts one fifth of the world’s whole hen inhabitants, together with 200 migratory species. The solely South American Country with two oceans, its proximity to the equator creates spectacular avian variety throughout Andean valleys, paramos (excessive altitude moorlands) and forests. The rolling hills and cascading waterfalls of Otun Quimbaya Nature Reserve make it to the highest of our hotlist for hen watching locations in South America. Best identified for the beautiful Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, they host a pleasant inhabitants of colourful toucans, parrots, antpittas, tanagers, tropical kingbirds and rufous-collared sparrows.
Set out on a tailored journey to the highlands to identify the Green-fronted Lancebill and Torrent Tyrannulet fluttering over Otun River, ready to catch bugs, whereas a big, mysterious Southern Lapwing – the one crested wader in South America – ambles by the meadows. One of probably the most placing birds you will see in the sanctuary is the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, distinguished by its curious fan-shaped crest, good orange plumage and a low, guttural croaking sound.
Mexico: Song of the Toh
Mexico shouldn’t be technically North America, however we couldn’t resist including the Turquoise-browed Motmot, often known as Toh or Pájaro Reloj (clock hen) to this listing. Characterized by its lengthy tail with disk-shaped feathers on the finish that swing like a pendulum clock, this creature is a Mexican warbler, Mayan fable and a lesson in humility, all rolled into one placing bundle.
Believed to information misplaced adventurers to hidden pure wells, the singing Toh awaits you close to and inside caves and cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula. Book the final word non-public hen watching tour with our native wildlife specialists on the intimate Chunyaxché Mayan Community and Muyil archaeological website, the place you’ll be able to spot over 80 species of birds together with the Collared Aracari, Olive-throated Parakeet and Masked Trogon.
Peru: Soaring over the Andes
With greater than 84 ecosystems, Peru’s extremely numerous panorama swings from rugged mountains to lush rainforests, making it one of the crucial underrated birding locations in South America. We suggest working with Peru specialists to find out the very best itinerary to your explicit birding pursuits. At a depth of roughly 13,600 toes – greater than double the depth of the Grand Canyon in the United States- Colca Canyon is one in every of South America’s most dramatic birding locations.
Besides the Giant Colibri, the Andean Goose and the Chilean flamingo, that is your probability to marvel on the mighty Andean Condor – the biggest and strongest raptor in the world – which may cowl a 100 miles with out flapping its wings. From the hovering Andes to an intimate Amazonian rainforest getaway, the forests of Puerto Maldonado are dwelling to the Plum-throated Cotinga, Striolated Puffbird, toucans, macaws, and cream-colored woodpeckers, together with jaguars, capybara and anaconda Our specialist birding information can prepare a custom-made tour for an unforgettable birding expertise in these Amazon lowlands.
Ecuador: Meet the ‘origin’als
A pictures and hen watching paradise in South America, Ecuador’s biologically numerous birding places shelter greater than 1,700 species of feathered wonders. Book a tailored Galapagos hen watching boat cruise for a wonderful introduction to the dwelling classroom of Charles Darwin, whose research of the three species of Galapagos Mockingbirds, 13 species of Galapagos Finches, and the enormous tortoises later grew to become his ground-breaking e book On the Origin of the Species. Pristine, remoted places and glorious daylight guarantee memorable sightings and images of endemic cuckoos, flycatchers, doves, mockingbirds, penguins, flamingos and albatross. From North Seymour’s seabirds together with frigatebirds and the Galapagos’ most wanted superstar, the Blue-Footed Boobie, to Mosquera’s ea lions and shorebirds, the World Heritage Site archipelago is unadulterated birding heaven.
Brazil: Feathered Republic
Brazil’s astounding wildlife features a dazzling array of over 600 species of idiosyncratic birds, from the good-looking Horned Sungem and elusive Collared Crescentchest to the gaudy Frilled Coquette. Eco pleasant lodges at spectacular places and pleasant native guides guarantee one in every of South America’s most awe inspiring hen watching experiences. Consult our South American wildlife specialists for a tour of Mato Grosso do Sul in the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland space. Spanning three international locations and greater than 42 million acres, it’s the holy grail to identify probably the most colourful forged of iconic characters – Scarlet Macaw, Hyacinth Macaw, Spectacled Owl Toco Toucan and the colossal Jabiru, South America’s tallest flying hen. Whether you select a personal ‘ethnobotanical’ tour of the Centro Ñape group in North Eastern Brazil or set out on an expedition to identify the critically-endangered Pato Mergulhao (Diving Duck) in Cerrado’s tropical savannah in Eastern Brazil, you’ll come again enamored.
Navigating South America’s beautiful avian variety is like wading into a lush, vivid wonderland. Call our South America specialists for thrilling bespoke experiences and uncommon sightings throughout an unforgettable birding trip.
The picture initially of the article was clicked by our Latin America professional, Katie Sturges.
