THE BEST PLACES TO BIRDWATCH IN SOUTH AMERICA

Of the ten countries on the planet with the greatest number of bird species, six are located in South America making this continent an excellent choice for ornithologists. Here are some of the best places to visit for birding in South America and the most impressive species you can find there.

Toucan

The Galapagos Islands

One of the top birdwatching destinations in South America has to be the impressive Galapagos Islands. This archipelago of islands, off the coast of Ecuador, is where Charles Darwin studied his theory of evolution. He studied in depth the different species of finches inhabiting these remarkable islands and most of these birds are endemic to each Galapagos Island. This allows for an exceptional birding experience where you can see notable species such as the blue and red-footed boobies, Galapagos hawks, cormorants, and the albatross amongst others.

Blue footed booby 

Mindo, Ecuador

Also located in Ecuador is Mindo cloud forest, just a 2 hour drive from Quito and offers prime birdwatching opportunities. The Mindo Cloud Forest is rich in flora and fauna and visitors can witness an abundance of hummingbird species here and the area hosts over 500 species of birds. These species include the Cock-of-the-Rock, common potoo, yellow-throated toucan, and scaled fruiteater, among others.

Hummingbird in Mindo

Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador

Ecuador is renowned for its bird life, boasting more species than the North America. Most of these live in the Amazon region and an excellent place to spot them is in the world famous Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. This ideal natural habitat offers the perfect environment for over 600 different bird species. La Selva Amazon Eco Lodge lies on the edge of the reserve and has specially built observation towers and bird watching programmes.

Green and blue macaws in Yusuni

 Alta Floresta Brazil

Alta Floresta has an excellent selection of birds to spot in South America. In fact, 50% of the species found in the whole of the Amazon Rainforest can be found in Alta Floresta.  With several rivers running through the rainforest, it is easy to spot kingfishers, cuckoos, macaws, and parakeets. 

Kiskadee, Alta Floresta

Cristalino Reserve, Brazil

This specially designated eco-reserve located near the Brazilian town of Alta Floresta is Brazil’s premier birding destination, home to 586 reported species with many more being added all the time. Able to accommodate all budgets, the Cristalino Lodge offers both luxury private and shared dormitory rooms. When not out exploring the region on foot or by motorized canoe, visitors can admire a wide range of bird life from the observation towers, especially a great opportunity to see the majestic harpy eagle.

Toucan in Cristalino

The Pantanal, Brazil

Brazil’s Pantanal is the world’s largest wetlands, home to an impressive array of wildlife including 1,000 species of bird. Although diversity may be lower than in the Amazon region, spotting our feathered friends is super easy due to the fact the area is more open with less thick vegetation than in the Amazon region. This massive wetland is a must on any twitchers South American list!

Macaws over the Pantanal

Chile

Birdwatchers may be surprised that Chile is on this birding list, however, Chile has some great places for birdwatching such as Patagonia, the Andes and the Atacama Desert. Twitchers will have opportunities to visit penguin colonies in the Lakes District and Patagonia where you can spot penguins nesting and swimming. In Los Flamencos National Park, observe flamingos feast in the lagoons of the Atacama Desert. Lastly, in the Andes Mountains, look out for hawks, owls, and eagles.

Andean Condors in Chile

Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Aside from the usual sightings of exotic Amazonian species, Tambopata is most famous for having the highest concentration of clay licks in all of the Amazon. Tambopata has an abundance of bird life, most notably the rainbow-coloured Macaws, who come to feast on the mineral rich deposits in the clay licks. The Tambopata Research Centre is conveniently situated between the best licks and has numerous expert guides on hand as well as the Posada Amazonas.

Tambopata clay lick

Madidi National Park, Bolivia

One of the world’s largest protected areas, Madidi stretches from snowy Andean peaks right down to the Amazon jungle, below. Home to a massive 1,254 species which is 14% of the world’s known bird species, Madidi really is a twitchers paradise. Tourism in general is less developed in Bolivia than elsewhere in South America, which is perfect for excellent bird-spotting conditions. 

Madidi toucan

Amacayacu National Park, Colombia

Colombia has the highest diversity of birds on the planet, with over 2,000 confirmed species, endemic in the country. Many, however, actually reside outside the Amazon in cloud forests or the tropical lowlands along the Caribbean coast. The best bet within the great rainforest is the renowned Amacayacu National Park which is easily accessible from Leticia and home to 450 bird species.

Amacayacu National Park