Chaco

Chaco is one of the twenty-three provinces of Argentina, covering an area of 99,633 km² (38,469 square miles) in the northeastern part of the nation. It has a population of less than 1.25 million people and its capital and largest city is Resistencia with a population of around 300,00 people. It is bordered by Formosa province to the northeast, Salta to the northwest, Santiago del Estero to the west, Santa Fe to the south and Corrientes to the east. In the east it also shares a border with the nation of Paraguay.

The highest part of the province is the most western area but is less than 900 feet above sea level; te rest is part of the ‘Gran Chaco’ lowland plain that extends across parts of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. In the north of the province its border with Formosa province is formed by the Bernejo River and its border with Paraguay and Corrientes province is formed by the Paraná and Paraguay rivers. Other important rivers include: the Negro, Tapenagá, Palometa, and Salado, all tributaries or anabranches of the Rio Paraná.

Rio Negro – ©User Pertile CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

The province has a subtropical climate. It is divided in two different climate zones: a more humid one in the east and a drier subtropical climate in the centre and west. The eastern parts of the province has no dry season with some rain throughout the year. In the west where precipitation is lower, it has a dry winter and is classified as a semi-arid climate due to potential evapotranspiration exceeding precipitation.

The economy is mixed but not highly developed and agriculture is important with the province producing 60% of the nation’s cotton 17 % of the nation’s food, particularly maize, soy, sorghum, rice and sugar cane as well as tobacco. There is also some animal rearing.

Carpincho Lake, Chaco NP – ©Pertile CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

It is also home to the Chaco National Park which covers 150 km². The area harbours several environments: scrubland, savanna, swamps, and small lakes. The fauna includes large predators such as cougars. In the lakes there are caiman and capybaras. Elsewhere there are armadillos, South American tapirs and plains viscachas, as well as more than 340 species of birds. The fauna also includes black howler monkey.

Birding Chaco

If just visiting the provincial capital Colonia Benítez Educational Nature Reserve is on the doorstep and a must visit site. It covers just eight hectares, so is small, but a scientifically important protected area located near the town of Colonia Benítez approximately 15 km from Resistencia. The avifauna there is exceptionally rich given the reserve’s small size, with over 200 bird species recorded, including Jabiru and Maguari Storks and the Chaco Chachalaca.

The top destination for birders has to be the Chaco National Park. Although originally established to stop the over exploitation of Red Quebraco Forest the National Park has become an important wildlife reserve, for both mammals and reptiles, as well as the over three hundred and forty bird species that have been recorded there. Among the most iconic are forests and woodland species such as Pale-crested Woodpecker Celeus lugubris, Golden-green Woodpecker Piculus chrysochloros, Chaco Chachalaca Ortalis canicollis, Bare-faced Curassow Crax fasciolata, Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva and Tataupa Tinamou Crypturellus tataupa. In the wetlands and its lagoons can be found Giant Wood-Rail Aramides ypecaha, Jabiru Jabiru mycteria and Southern Screamer Chauna torquata. Always keep an eye out for its numerous raptors such as Chaco Eagle Buteogallus coronatus, Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens, Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans, and Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis.

Strange-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus risora – ©Dubi Shapiro

This sparsely populated and agricultural province is off the main birding routes, but has much to offer. Great birds can be found anywhere there mis suitable habitat and other birds to watch out for include Chaco Eagle Buteogallus coronatus; the endangered, large grey raptor that is native to open woodlands and a major highlight for birdwatchers. Greater Rhea Rhea americana is often found roaming the open plains and Red-legged Seriema Cariama cristata, the long-legged, ground-dwelling bird that is known for its loud, clattering calls are there to be found. In forested and semi-open habitats look out for Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco, which is instantly recognizable by its massive orange bill. Then there are Crested Hornero Furnarius cristatus a relative of Argentina’s national bird, known for its distinct mud-oven nests and lively demeanour. Among smaller raptors you may spot or hear Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans, which is famous for its loud, human-like laughing vocalizations. Among the most spectacular are Strange-tailed Tyrants Alectrurus risora a dramatic flycatcher with an elongated and very distinctive tail feather.