Buenos Aires

Southern Screamer Chauna Torquata ©Allan Sander Website
Birding Buenos Aires State

He we refer to the State of Buenos Aires – there is a separate page for the city itself. Argentina offers some very interesting birding as it has several distinctive nature regions. The biggest number of bird species is found in the central, eastern and north eastern areas because of the direct influence by the Chaco Plains and the Amazon Basin. Consequently the nearby Pampas have their own birding scenery that by no means should be overlooked. The sites suggested below will allow you to see many of the birds but not all on your own.

Otamendi Nature Reserve – Driving to the north of the city of Buenos Aires, along the Panamerican highway for about 60 km (40 miles) you will see to your right several signs showing you how to get to the nearby Otamendi Nature Reserve. This place gives the birder a chance to look at birds of the bushy highlands and the neighbouring marshy lowlands. This is the home to the Straight and Curve-billed Reedhaunters and the White-tipped Dove, Spectacled Tyrant, different Hummingbirds, Finches, Warblers and Tanagers. Grey-breasted Martins and White-rumped Swallows fly all over the place while in the adjacent marshes Brown and Yellow marshbirds and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds can be seen flying over the reeds with the Giant Wood Rail walking on the water edges. The Road-side hawk is very common.

Top Sites
  • The Pampas in the Buenos Aires province

    Going out of Buenos Aires city to the west along Route 5 after driving260 km (162 m.) you arrive to a town by the name 9 de Julio ( 9th. July). From there onwards large fields -the Pampas- stretch on both sides of the road interspersed from time to time by small lagoons full of diferent ducks, Coscorobas and Black-necked swans. The Great Grebe and the Long-winged Harrier can be seen as well as Flamingos. Spotted Tinamous run often along the roads and Greater Rheas can be seen in the fields. The Burrowing Owl and the Short-eared Owl are often present as well as bunches of Eared Doves and Monk Parakeets. Also it is fairly easy to spot Field Flickers, Grassland Yellow Finches and where there are trees or bushes Siskins and Mockingbirds appear. White-browed Blackbirds and Pampas Meadowlarks can be seen getting in and out of the grasses.
Contributors
  • Sergio Corbet

    | sergiobdfan@surfbirder.com

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 463

    As at July 2016
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NR El Destino Private Reserve

    WebsiteSatellite View
    On provincial road #11, some 18 Km. past town of Magdalena, Prov. of Buenos Aires, About 2+ hours by car from Buenos Aires city
  • NR Otamendi Nature Reserve

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Otamendi Nature Reserve covers an approximate area of 2,600 hectares. It is located in the Partido de Campana, Province of Buenos Aires, on the banks of the Paraná de las Palmas River, at the height of the town of Rómulo Otamendi Engineer.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Alec Earnshaw

    Tour Operator
    Alec Earnshaw is available to guide you around Ribera Norte Nature Reserve and on daytrips to all the hotspots in the BA area. He can also supply maps, plans, bird lists, photos, opening times, etc. Do the illustrated virtual trail walk now! See photos of birds, native plants, etc.
  • Trogon Tours

    Tour Operator
    Trogon Tours is the official nature travel company of Birding Argentina, the leading birding and nature specialists for southern South America since 2001
Trip Reports
  • 2016 [02 February] - Alan Tate - Buenos Aires to Los Angeles cruise

    Report
    So at the end of February we arrived in Buenos Aires, the day before our huge cruise liner was due to sail. A quick look at Costanera reserve was in order, but sadly "progress" has reared it's ugly head in the ten years since our previous visit. Most of the same species are still there, but the trails have been widened, the marsh area is much more vegetated and difficult to view. Whilst this is obviously better for birds the trails are now in use to a large extent by joggers and cyclists, so many birds are now staying hidden that used to be easily viewed.
  • 2022 [11 November] - Colin Reid

    PDF Report
    ...On the way I almost stepped on Eared Doves feeding on the path beside the Feral Pigeons. In the plaza – Rufous-bellied Thrush (3), Rufous Hornero (1), Picazuro Pigeon (1), House Sparrow and European Starling. In the trees finally got onto White-eyed Parakeet and in the street a Great Kiskadee and a single Chalk-browed Mockingbird...
Places to Stay
  • Los Dos Vagones

    Accommodation
    Los Dos Vagones (The Two Boxcars), is located near the Biosphere Reserve Parque Costero del Sur, declared by UNESCO in 1984, an excellent bird watching point in Buenos Aires province, Argentina
Photographers & Artists
  • Photographer - Alec Earnshaw

    Gallery
    Includes 500+ of his own photos of Argentine birds - great stuff [as well as information on some birding places in the BA area. Alec is available as a guide to drive you out to the best hotspots].
  • Photographer - Hern

    Gallery
    Hern

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