Argentina’s wet Chaco region spreads through the north easternmost part of the country. This is, by all means, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Neotropics, with an outstanding diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, which find suitable habitat to thrive in its vast wetlands, grasslands, savannas, and forests.

Argentina’s wet Chaco habitats are home to a great number of endangered species, including South American Tapir, Marsh Deer, Collared Peccary, White Lipped Peccary, Black-and-gold Howler Monkey, Maned Wolf, and Giant Anteater among many others.

Birds are equally interesting in this region, with lots of endangered and rare species like Chaco Eagle, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Jabiru, Great Black Hawk, Greater Rhea, Muscovy Duck, Chaco Chachalaca, Barred Forest Falcon and Orange-backed Troupial to name but a few.

The wet Chaco is an area underexplored by ornithologists and birders. On top the already impressive number of birds that already live here, bird enthusiasts always have great chances to find new, rare species for the country, making from this destination a must-see for bird watchers wanting to make the most of a birding trip to Argentina.

Among the many birding locations that we’ll visit during this journey, the great wetland known as Bañado La Estrella stands out of the rest. This flooded savanna is home to such iconic species as Capybara, Yellow Anaconda and two species of caimans, all commonly seen everywhere around.

Birding is especially rewarding here, and it is possible to find wetland and forest birds alike, with many species restricted to this part of the country only. We will also explore two national parks; Pilcomayo, and Chaco. Pilcomayo National Park sits right on the border Between Argentina and Paraguay, and it is a unique place in terms of diversity. We’ll focus on birding the riverine forest along Pilcomayo River, which will surely produce a good number of birds including parrots, tucans, seriemas, kingfishers and oropendolas among others, but we will also have the opportunity to see mammals like Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey, which thrives in good numbers inside this park.

This fantastic and truly off-the-beaten-path wildlife expedition is perhaps one of the most inviting tours for naturalists hoping to discover areas of Argentina seldom visited by others. Join us on this unique journey through Argentina’s undiscovered subtropical wetlands and forests!

Some birds worth mentioning:

Greater Rhea, Red-winged Tinamou, Quebracho Crested Tinamou, Chaco Chachalaca, Muscovy Duck, Plumbeous Ibis, Jabiru, Pearl Kite, Chaco Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Ash-throated Crake, Red-legged Seriema, Black-legged Seriema, Blue-crowned Parakeet, Nanday Parakeet, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Chaco Puffbird, Toco Toucan, White-fronted Woodpecker, Golden-green Woodpecker, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Chaco Earthcreeper, Crested Hornero, Lrk-like Brushrunner, Great-rufous Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Stripe-backed Antbird, Crested Gallito, Hooded Tanager, Many-colored Chaco Finch, Orange-backed Troupial, Crested Oropendola, Scarlet-headed Blackbird.

Mammals and reptiles possibly found:

Grey-brocket Deer, Marsh Deer, Giant Anteater, Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey, Maned Wolf, Tayra, Collared Pecari, South-American Coati, Chacoan Mara, South American Tapir, Yellow Anaconda, Broad-snouted Caiman, Yacare Caiman, Black-and-White Tegu Lizard.