Top Spots for Bird Watching Holidays in South America
So, you definitely know you want to book a South American bird watching holiday. After all, it is the continent that hosts the Amazon Rainforest – representing half of all the planet’s rainforests, and the largest as well as most species-abundant tract of land in the world. It is, then, a foregone conclusion that it would be a veritable paradise for bird watchers. The question is, where exactly in South America should you go? If you’ve been indecisive about just where in South America to go for your bird watching holidays, don’t worry – that’s quite normal. With the bounty of birding opportunities available in practically every country in the region, it’s not surprising to find yourself being unable to choose. Here are some tips on the best countries for bird watching, as well as a little about what you may expect from them.
Brazil
Containing 60% of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil boasts about 1677 bird species, or 18% of the world’s total number of species. Bird watching holidays in Brazil’s national parks are definitely unforgettable, and you are likely to spot a large variety of birds such as green-beak toucans, macaws of many kinds, hummingbirds, emus and the endangered species such as the gray hawk the purple chest parrot, the monkey-hunter hawk, the red chest falcon, the king vulture, jacutinga, curicacas, gralhas-azuis and quero-queros.
Colombia
Security concerns can be a hindrance to many considering this nation for their South American bird watching holidays, but with a reputable tour company making arrangements you can find yourself in excellent birding areas that are perfectly safe – and even more importantly, very rewarding. It has more birds than any other country in South America, with a recorded 1800 species making it their home.
Peru
Peru also ranks among one of the best destinations for bird watching holidays, claiming 19% of the world’s bird species, and the second highest number of bird species in the area, numbering 1816 to date, with more species still being recorded. It also holds the world record for the most number of bird species spotted in a single day, created in 1982 at Cocha Cashu in southeast Peru. Among the endemic birds of Peru are the tinamous (a relative of the ostrich, emu and cassowary), the world’s largest flying bird – the Andean condor – the second smallest flying bird – the little woodstar – and the largest numbers of finch, flycatcher and ovenbird species of any country in the world.
Ecuador
This tiny nation situated right on the equator boasts the highest number of bird species to area ration in the world – totalling a recorded number of 1500 species to date, and possibly more yet to be discovered. Multiple species of toucans, tanagers, macaws, trogons and antbirds are commonly seen here, as well as the rarer rufous-headed woodpecker, pavanine quetzal and more.
Other South American countries to consider are Argentina, Guyana, and Bolivia which all offer amazing opportunities for bird watching holidays. And if you’re still having trouble deciding – don’t worry too much… they’re all great!
