Argentine Birds - Part One...

We were lucky indeed to the "the boy" Pikey along on this trip. He selflessly lugged huge and heavy cameras and lenses through marsh, waterfall, thorny brush and mountain trail, never asking for assistance - well, only sometimes...actually quite a lot really, but never mind that now. Indeed he almost got SWALLOWED up in marshes, ending up IN the waterfall, being impaled ON the thorny brush and ending up at the BOTTOM of the mountain trail faster than expected! Did he ever complain? You bet he did! However, he is sharing these amazing images with you all so don't be too hard on the lad...

The wonderful bird above is a male Strange-tailed Tyrant. It was in just about everyone's top five of most-wanted birds for the trip. We were lucky to see a bunch of them very well. The boy Steve got some stunning shots using the van as a hide, like the photo above. This species used to be more widespread throughout its small range. However, in recent years the trend of converting grasslands to ranch lands has had an adverse affect on this, and many other species dependent upon natural grasslands. The area around Ibera marsh in the province of Corrientes is a particularly good place to see this desirable tyrant. Check out the crazy modified tail feathers...


Everyone loves a Dipper in the rain - and we were no exception to that rule. This is especially true when the Dipper concerned is the scarce and highly range restricted Rufous-throated Dipper. The fast-flowing clear water stream that runs through Parque Nacional Yala just north of Jujuy in NW Argentina is a reliable stake-out for this lovely bird. We had to wait a few minutes for the first one to appear, but when one is watching a pair of equally lovely Torrent Ducks, time passes in a rather pleasant warm and fuzzy way. After careful observation, whilst MM was off looking for Spot-breasted Thornbirds (successfully I might add), a partially constructed nest was found on a rocky overhang by the water's edge. One feature of this species that is rarely evident in field guide illustrations is the white edging to the primaries - looking very striking in the low whizzing flight typical of the family.


When in Argentina large 'peckers are never far away...if you see what I mean! There are some dramatic looking woodpeckers in this huge country and we were hell bent on seeing as many as possible. We did well, though the rarely seen Helmeted Woodpecker eluded us at Iguazu, sadly. This one is a superb male Cream-backed Woodpecker which was photographed near the obscure town of Pampa de Infierno, which, basically, is in the middle of nowhere - though I do seem to recall there being a particularly good flan there! This species has quite a big range in Argentina and can be found in better developed Chaco woodland as well as montane forest.


In the grasslands of Entre Rios and Corrientes in NE Argentina this large bird, the Greater Rhea, is very common - and hard to miss! They were especially easy for us, even when asleep in the back of the van, because Steve would slam on the brakes and dash out with his big lens. "Oh no, must be another Rhea" would be the collective groan...


The rather odd-looking bird above is a White-tipped Plantcutter. There are three species, Rufous-tailed in southern Argentina and Chile, Peruvian in coastal central to north Peru and this one, the most widespread of the bunch. As a group they have flip-flopped between being part of the cotingidae or their own family. At the moment they are firmly in with the cotingas. Indeed, they do resemble the Ampelion cotingas, especially the streaky females. This one is a male, which bears some resemblance to a Pine Grosbeak from a distance, and a little imagination! White-tipped Plantcutters are found in Chaco woodland and montane scrub.


One of the birds I really really wanted to see in the high Andes of NW Argentina was this gorgeous hummingbird, the Red-tailed Comet. I think it just about lives up to its name! In some areas, especially around the town of Humahuaca, this beautiful hummer was quite common, usually around a certain yellow flower whose name escapes me right now. Often all you would see is a flash of vivid shining red as a male whizzed by. At other times they could be quite confiding and would sit atop a shrub in full view for some time - simply amazing...


It has taken me a while but these days I'm rather fond of parrots. This is certainly one of the nicest we saw on this trip, the lovely Turquoise-fronted Amazon. It is quite common in Chaco woodland, especially so near the town of JV Gonzales. One morning in particular, when this photo was taken, was particularly memorable. Apart from the Amazons, that were noisily flying over on a regular basis, we saw a number of great birds in beautifully clear sunny morning light. Black-legged Seriema, Crested Gallito and several White-fronted Woodpeckers stand out. However, the sight of Comb Ducks, Muscovy Ducks and, strangest of all, Coscoroba Swans flying over the dry Chaco really made the morning.


Pigeons and doves are less desirable in my mind but I was very pleased to see this little guy - the endemic Bare-eyed Ground-Dove. Lovely innit. We saw a few small of flocks of this diminutive sprite, usually in shrubby quebradas.


Finally, no account would be complete without a Puffbird! I love Puffbirds, and I make a point of trying to see one new puffer per trip. I can tell ya it's getting hard these days! I managed it in Peru with a fantastic Grey-cheeked Nunlet and we saw this Spot-backed Puffbird near Parque Nacional Copo in the Chaco. Some authorities split this southern form off as the "Chaco Puffbird" but I think it is in limbo right now. I'll count it as new anyway!

I will pry a few more images out of Steve and will post some more photos soon. Hope you like 'em...