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| Lauca National Park |
Chile is ideal for bird watching holidays, with its
ever-changing terrain and differing weather conditions. Its 4000-kilometre
length exposes it to extreme contrasting climates, ranging from the scorching
Atacama Desert to the sub-Antarctic southern islands. This wide range of
habitats has resulted in a hugely varied bird population, which will be
fascinating for both newer and more experienced birders. From the high altitude
specialists to the sub-Antarctic seabirds, Chile promises to fulfil any nature
lover's desires with these stunning locations.
Putre/Andes Mountains
Many Chilean bird-watching holidays will feature a drive
to Putre that takes visitors through the Andes foothills, revealing the various
species of Sierra-Finches that are attracted to the vegetation there. It is
advisable to stop often and explore each habitat that the drive travels
through. It is likely participants will see species such as Mountain Parakeet,
Greyish Miner, Andean Tinamou, Black-winged Ground Dove, Andrean Swift and many
more. The mountains are home to myriad high altitude avian varieties making it
a fascinating area to investigate in detail.
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| A Sierra-Finch |
Lauca National Park
Another place that should definitely be on the itinerary
for any bird watching holidays in Chile is Lauca National Park. It rests on the
Bolivian border and has an elevation of between 3,200 and 6,300 metres.
Welcoming lake and high altitude bird species, the park is home to one of the
highest lakes in the world, Lake Chungara. For those passionate about sighting
water-loving species, here you'll find Crested and Andean Ruddy Ducks, Puna
Plover, Silvery Grebe, Giant Coot, Andean, Chilean and Puna Flamingos, Puna
Teal and many more.
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| Lake Chungara |
Lake Chungara promises an array of wildlife that will
make a wonderful addition to the itinerary of bird watching holidays. After
exploring the area around the lake, visitors can head to the bogs and wetter
grasslands in search of species such as the Red-backed Sierra-finch, Puna
Snipe, White-winged Diuca Finch and the rare Diademed Sandpiper-plover.
The incredible mountain landscape reveals breathtaking
views of Chile but is also home to an exciting number of high altitude birds,
including the Puna Tinamou, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Torrent Duck, Andean
Lapwing, Puna Rhea, Andean Avocet, Andean Gull, Peruvian Martin, Puna Miner,
White-winged Cinclodes and Andean Flicker.
Porvenir
Porvenir lies within the Chilean sector of Tierra Del
Fuego and hosts an array of birdlife influenced by the sub-Antarctic
conditions. On board the ferry to Porvenir is the perfect opportunity for
sightings of seabirds such as the Magellanic Penguin and Magellanic
Diving-petrel. This is often also an exciting first glance at penguins for
amateur birders on their first bird watching holidays.
Once at Porvenir, the Swans Lake Sanctuary is a great
place to sight avian species that can survive in a cold and windy terrain.
Inhabitants here include the Short-billed Miner, Least Seedsnipe, Two-banded
Plover, Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatchers and Correndera Pipits. In rare
cases, visitors may even get the chance to see the rare Magellanic Plover.
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| The Magellanic Plover |
Parrillar Reserve
One of the must-see sub-Antarctic beech forests is in the
Parrillar Reserve, where birders can explore the forest terrain in the hopes of
sighting the Magellanic Woodpecker. Its large size and surprisingly tame nature
makes it easily sighted. The secluded forest pools are also home to the quiet
Spectacled Duck. Parrillar has beautiful surrounding countryside, home to many
avian species such as the Chilean Swallow, Austral Parakeet, Black-chinned
Siskin, Rufous-back Negrito, White-cheeked Pintail and many more exciting
varieties.
Author: Marissa Elis-Snow
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