Throughout this land of extreme contradictions, a variety of over 450 different species of aquatic and terrestrial birdlife can be found, ranging from the larger Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), pelican (Pelecanus thagus) and Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) down to the minute hummingbird (Sephanoides galeritus), Chilean swallow (Tachycineta meyeni) and House wren (Troglodytes aedon). Many are native species and others have been introduced by man or by a natural process of migration. The Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, bequeathed us his literary contribution in his book entitled "The Art of Birds" (1966).
We have selected and focused our bird watching expeditions into four distinctive types of landscape in terms of natural habitat and the varieties of birdlife to be encountered there:

a) Putre and the Province of Parinacota, Chilean Altiplano
b) Coastal and Central Zone, outskirts of Santiago
c) Valdivia, Petrohué and Chiloé, in the Lake Region
d) Paine Towers National Park in Patagonia

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Putre and the Province of Parinacota, Chilean Altiplano

A unique landscape of extraordinary beauty for its sweeping spaces and altitudes reaching over 4,600 metres high at Lake Chungará in the Northern territories of Chile, this is an indispensable destination for those who seek to get acquainted with Chilean birdlife. One of the secrets essential to the enjoyment of the birdwatching programme, which we recommend to all ornithologists, birdwatchers and nature lovers in general, is the process of acclimatization to the altitude; the birdwatching programme includes the opportunity for observation of the Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata), Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus gayi), Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) , several varieties of ducks, and Ñandu (Pterocnemia pennata), amongst others. All this and more, as well as viewing in their natural habitat some of the fauna of the Altiplano: vicuñas, guanacos, alpacas and llamas, the Andean camelids of South America.

Coastal and Central Zone, outskirts of Santiago

The urban development of the central valleys and the growth of the big cities has nonetheless allowed the maintenance and development of some nesting habitats for local birdlife, both resident and migratory. The Black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocorypha), several species of duck, the Austral thrush (Turdus falcklandii), the Common Diuca-Finch (Diuca diuca), Chilean mockingbird (Mimus thenca), Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria), Californian Quail (Callipepla californica), Austral blackbird (Curaeus curaeus), Eared dove (Zenaida auriculata), Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) and the Bay-winged Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) can be observed. Several varieties of aquatic birds, as well as being of aesthetic value, are of great scientific interest including the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus), as well as other species of cormorant (Rock Cormorant, Red-footed Cormorant, Blue-eyed Cormorant and King Cormorant) and pelican.

Valdivia, Petrohué and Chiloé, in the Lake Region

Valdivia (riverain), Petrohué (lacustrine) and Chiloé (maritime) habitats. Both endemic and migratory species add a special flavour and very distinctive sounds to the various Nature Reserve Parks in which the flora and fauna of the South of Chile are protected. The temperate rainforests are filled with the movement and song of the Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata) and the Black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocorypha), and the coasts of the Pacific Ocean are the natural habitat of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) and the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus).

Paine Towers National Park in Patagonia

This classic destination in Patagonia, declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, is without doubt another of the highlights for any observer of Chilean fauna and for birdwatchers in particular. Amongst the rivers, lakes, glaciers and forests, the bird species which have chosen the extreme south as their habitat are represented by the lesser rhea (Ñandú), Dark-Bellied Cinclodes (Churrete), Thorn-Tailed Rayadito (Rayadito) and Magellanic Woodpecker (Carpintero negro) and those who nest near the Pacific Ocean, near Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, such as Black Necked Swan (Cisne de Cuello Negro), Upland Goose (Caiquen), Kelp Goose (Caranca), Crested Duck (Pato Juarjual) and basically, by the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) and the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti).

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