4 Top Bird Watching Tours in South America

The vast continent of South America is rich in bird life across its varied habitats, making it a rewarding destination for bird watching tours. The only difficulty is choosing where to go first. The ones outlined below are four of the best, to give birders an indication of the diversity and wonders they can expect if they choose to visit South America.

Patagonia (Argentina)

The southern, stony plateau of Patagonia in Argentina (and, partly, in Chile) points to Antarctica. It is the end of the Americas. Bird watching tours to this southern extremity take birders to a land of unique wildlife, with highly specialised bird species as well as exciting mammals. Some species are found in no other part of Argentina. From Valdes Peninsula to the lakes and mountains of Glaciares National Park, and the sub-Antarctic fringe of the Andes and Beagle Channel, Patagonia is stunning in its landscape and its avian inhabitants. Highlights include Magellanic Penguin, Least Seedsnipe, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Andean Condor, Magellanic Woodpecker and Fireeyed Diucon.

Machu Picchu (Peru)

The stunning ruins of Machu Picchu in the mountains of Peru are an iconic sight and absolutely worth a visit. There is no better way to visit Machu Picchu than to hike along a quiet trail, bird watching all the way to the ruins. Hiking under expert guidance through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, past Mount Salkantay, Mount Humantay and over the Salkantay pass, birders will look for the local specialities: hummingbirds, conebills, canesteros, Pearled Treerunners, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanagers, Torrent Duck, Andean Condors and many more.

Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

The isolation of the Galapagos Islands and the consequent proliferation of endemic species famously contributed to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Visiting the islands today on bird watching tours, wildlife enthusiasts can still see many of those endemic species — from the Waved Albatross to Flightless Cormorants and the Small Ground Finch. Many other remarkable animals inhabit these islands, including the giant tortoises, iguanas, crabs and, out to sea, the passing Killer or Bryde’s Whales. Birders will revel in the full spectrum of animal life, in between key sightings of Masked Boobies, Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Owls and more.

Amazon Rainforest (Ecuador)

The Amazon rainforest is a quintessential South American experience and a highly rewarding destination for bird watching tours. The Ecuadorian Amazon offers an unforgettable array of bird species along the Napo and Shiripuno rivers and in the Huaorani Anthropological Reserve. Enthusiasts can search for the Upper Amazonian species of Rufous Potoo and Pavonine Quetzal, the canopy-dwelling White-lored Euphonia and Buff-throated Woodcreeper, the Scarlet Macaw and Casqued Oropendola on the Shiripuno, as well as many others including Spotted Puffbird, Fiery Topaz, White-lored Antpitta and Great Tinamou.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for bird watching tours, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to Jaguar watching tours in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.