Birds and Wildlife of the Wet Chaco

Birds and Wildlife of the Wet Chaco

Tour Duration
8 Days – 7 Nights
Best time to go
April to November
Tour Type
Overland

Tour Features

Argentina’s wet Chaco region spreads through the north easternmost part of the country. This is, by all means, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Neotropics, with an outstanding diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, which find suitable habitat to thrive in its vast wetlands, grasslands, savannas, and forests.

Argentina’s wet Chaco habitats are home to a great number of endangered species, including South American Tapir, Marsh Deer, Collared Peccary, White Lipped Peccary, Black-and-gold Howler Monkey, Maned Wolf, and Giant Anteater among many others.

Birds are equally interesting in this region, with lots of endangered and rare species like Chaco Eagle, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Jabiru, Great Black Hawk, Greater Rhea, Muscovy Duck, Chaco Chachalaca, Barred Forest Falcon and Orange-backed Troupial to name but a few.

The wet Chaco is an area underexplored by ornithologists and birders. On top the already impressive number of birds that already live here, bird enthusiasts always have great chances to find new, rare species for the country, making from this destination a must-see for bird watchers wanting to make the most of a birding trip to Argentina.

Among the many birding locations that we’ll visit during this journey, the great wetland known as Bañado La Estrella stands out of the rest. This flooded savanna is home to such iconic species as Capybara, Yellow Anaconda and two species of caimans, all commonly seen everywhere around.

Birding is especially rewarding here, and it is possible to find wetland and forest birds alike, with many species restricted to this part of the country only. We will also explore two national parks; Pilcomayo, and Chaco. Pilcomayo National Park sits right on the border Between Argentina and Paraguay, and it is a unique place in terms of diversity. We’ll focus on birding the riverine forest along Pilcomayo River, which will surely produce a good number of birds including parrots, tucans, seriemas, kingfishers and oropendolas among others, but we will also have the opportunity to see mammals like Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey, which thrives in good numbers inside this park.

This fantastic and truly off-the-beaten-path wildlife expedition is perhaps one of the most inviting tours for naturalists hoping to discover areas of Argentina seldom visited by others. Join us on this unique journey through Argentina’s undiscovered subtropical wetlands and forests!

Tour Highlights

Some birds worth mentioning:

Greater Rhea, Red-winged Tinamou, Quebracho Crested Tinamou, Chaco Chachalaca, Muscovy Duck, Plumbeous Ibis, Jabiru, Pearl Kite, Chaco Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Ash-throated Crake, Red-legged Seriema, Black-legged Seriema, Blue-crowned Parakeet, Nanday Parakeet, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Chaco Puffbird, Toco Toucan, White-fronted Woodpecker, Golden-green Woodpecker, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Chaco Earthcreeper, Crested Hornero, Lrk-like Brushrunner, Great-rufous Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Stripe-backed Antbird, Crested Gallito, Hooded Tanager, Many-colored Chaco Finch, Orange-backed Troupial, Crested Oropendola, Scarlet-headed Blackbird.

Mammals and reptiles possibly found:

Grey-brocket Deer, Marsh Deer, Giant Anteater, Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey, Maned Wolf, Tayra, Collared Pecari, South-American Coati, Chacoan Mara, South American Tapir, Yellow Anaconda, Broad-snouted Caiman, Yacare Caiman, Black-and-White Tegu Lizard.

INFORMATION

Tour Interest:
Natural History and Birdwatching
Tour Type:
Overland
Tour Dates:
Runs on reques
Tour Duration:
8 Days – 7 Nights
Starts/Ends:
Starts in Resistencia or Corrientes ends in Formosa
Best time to go:
April to November
Prices:
Based on group size
What’s Included?
Private transportation for all transfers and excursions. Accommodations on a twin/double basis. Single supplements on request. Full time Trogon Tours’ leader to accompany the group from day 1 on arrival in Resistencia or Corrientes airport to day 8 on departure from Formosa airport. Local guides where required by law. All breakfasts, lunches, box-lunches and dinners, from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 8 of the tour. No drinks included. Admission fees to all national parks and nature reserves.
What’s Not Included?
International and domestic airfares and airport taxes. Tips to guides, drivers, hotel & restaurants personnel, etc. Drinks with your meals. Personal travel and medical insurance. Anything not specified under “What is included?”

Itinerary ( 8 days )

Day

1

Arrival

Afternoon meeting with your Trogon Tours’ guide at Trelew or Puerto Madryn airport. Drive to Valdés Peninsula. O/N Puerto Pirámides.

Day

2

Valdés Peninsula.

full day the Valdés Peninsula. O/N Puerto Pirámides.

Day

3

Valdés Peninsula.

full day the Valdés Peninsula. O/N Puerto Pirámides.

Day

4

Camarones.

Drive to Camarones, visiting Trelew and Laguna del Ornitólogo on the way. O/N Camarones.

Day

5

Puerto Deseado.

Drive to Puerto Deseado, visiting Cabo Dos Bahías on the way. O/N Puerto Deseado.

Day

6

Puerto Deseado.

Full day exploring Puerto Deseado and Penguin Island. O/N Puerto Deseado.

Day

7

Puerto Deseado.

Full day exploring Puerto Deseado and Penguin Island. O/N Puerto Deseado.

Day

8

Tour Conclusion.

Morning visit to Petrified Forest Natural National Monument. Afternoon drive to Comodoro Rivadavia airport. Tour Conclusion.

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