The continent of South America presents a massive array of diversity when it comes to birdwatching. The unique environments range from high-altitude Andean peaks to biodiverse rainforests and coastal wetlands. With this diversity, you’ll find rare endemic species and distinct migration periods across each country.
Birding in South America is like a buffet table that never ends though, so the challenge is narrowing down your options if you don’t want to spend years going from one ecosystem to another. There are so many species here that are not found elsewhere that beginning birders can get overwhelmed and experienced ones have to choose from a long list of options.
Unless you have your heart set on one specific bird to check off your list, it’s best to book with an experienced tour company that specializes in birdwatching tours, such as Naturetrek. That way you won’t be mixed in with a crowd more interested in adrenaline adventures or tracking pumas.
Birds to Spot in South America
Argentina’s subtropical forests, like those in Misiones, offer sightings of toucans and the vibrant plush-crested jay. Birders come here to spot the Hooded Grebe and Black-legged Seriema.
In Bolivia, the Yungas and Amazon regions blend cloud forest and lowland jungle, home to tanagers and macaws. Bolivia showcases the Red-fronted Macaw and Blue-throated Macaw.
Brazil has the Amazon, Pantanal wetlands, and forests, supporting more than 1,800 bird species. The Hyacinth Macaw is here in the Brazilian Pantanal
Chile provides arid Atacama coasts and temperate rainforests. The country hosts the Chilean Tinamou and rare Moustached Turca.
Colombia is known for its Andes, Llanos, and Chocó bioregion, which host hundreds of hummingbird species and tanagers. Birdwatchers come to spot the Santa Marta Parakeet and Multicolored Tanager.
Guyana’s Rupununi savannahs and forested highlands attract harpy eagles and cotingas, plus the endemic Sun Parakeet and the striking Guiana Toucanet.
Ecuador’s cloud forests and Amazon basin support antpittas and famous hummingbirds. The El Oro Parakeet and Jocotoco Antpitta are star attractions for birders.
Peru combines Pacific coast, Andes, and Amazon, offering varied habitats for ibis, manakins, and parrots. Giant condors spread their wings and you can spot iconic endemics such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock in Peru and Colombia.
Destinations for Birding in South America
You usually can’t just pick a country and go to one spot to see the whole range of birds there like you would in less diverse places on the planet. Each of the countries in South America has several different climates that vary because of altitude, coastal proximity, and vegetation density.
So while you’ll see plenty of birds in the Galapagos islands, like Red-footed and Blue-footed Boobies, you’ll see a whole different range of winged creatures in the jungle or the highlands on the mainland of Ecuador, for instance.
Birding Hotspots in Argentina and Chile
Argentina and Chile offer you landscapes as varied as glaciers, subtropical forests, and high Andean valleys. These countries are home to some of South America’s most best-known birdwatching locales.
Patagonia’s southern reaches and Tierra del Fuego give you the chance to see birds in wild, windswept habitats. Key species here include Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins, the elegant Andean Condor, Rufous-chested Dotterel, and the rare Magellanic Plover. Tierra del Fuego National Park is ideal for spotting woodpeckers, geese, and owls.
The Valdes Peninsula is known for large colonies of penguins and cormorants.
Iguazu National Park, which is also located in Brazil, hosts more than its famous waterfalls: it is home to more than 400 bird species. The lush forest supports Toucan, Manakin, Great Dusky Swift, and Plush-crested Jay populations along well-marked trails.
The Atacama Desert Oasis in northern Chile defies the dryness of the region and is an otherworldly setting for birding. Oases, lagoons, and salt flats harbor species adapted to arid conditions, such as all three South American flamingo species (Andean, Chilean, and James’s Flamingos).
You’ll also see Puna Plover, Horned Coot, and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover at high-altitude lagoons such as Laguna Chaxa, Laguna Miscanti, and Salar de Atacama. The stark landscape offers clear views for observing birds around shallow pools and reed beds.
Wetlands to Highlands in Brazil and Bolivia
Rich river basins and remote parks in these three countries offer habitats for thousands of bird species, including macaws, toucans, and rare endemics. Unique ecosystems, easy-to-spot wildlife, and well-developed ecotourism infrastructure make these South American birding destinations accessible even for first-time visitors.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, stretching across central-western Brazil. Its open landscapes and seasonal flooding attract more than 650 bird species. Among them, you’ll find Hyacinth Macaws (the world’s largest parrots), Jabiru storks, and Southern Screamers. Lucky birders may also spot the Rufescent Tiger Heron and Toco Toucan.
Madidi National Park in Bolivia spans from high Andean peaks down to Amazonian forest, with dramatic changes in elevation creating exceptional bird diversity. There are at least 1,000 recorded species, such as Bare-faced Curassows, hoatzins, and Harpy Eagles.
Trails through Madidi’s rainforest give you a chance to see specialty species like the Band-tailed Manakin and Piping Guans. If you’re looking for less-crowded birding, Madidi is a strong choice. Community-run ecolodges support conservation efforts while offering excellent access to birds and wildlife.
The Amazon Jungle Region of Three Countries
With thousands of bird species thriving in these lush rainforests surrounding the Amazon river and its main tributaries, your binoculars will be put to good use on every walk or boat ride.
You can visit famous reserves like Reserva Mamiraua in Brazil or Manu National Park in Peru, both known for their exceptional biodiversity and accessibility for birders.
The Amazon region holds some of the richest bird diversity on Earth, with Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru offering distinct habitats and species.
Brazil’s Amazon Basin supports iconic species like the Harpy Eagle and Crimson Topaz. Manaus serves as a prime base, with access to reserves like Jau National Park and Anavilhanas Archipelago. Both offer extensive trail systems and boat trips to spot macaws, toucans, and antbirds among diverse riverine and terra firme forests.
The Cristalino Lodge near Alta Floresta is renowned for its canopy towers and Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is one of the top upscale nature lodges in the whole region.
In Peru, the Tambopata National Reserve near Puerto Maldonado draws birders for its clay licks, where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather daily. The area’s lodges, such as Tambopata Research Center and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, offer early morning excursions along quiet riverbanks and forest trails.
Manu National Park is famous for its species richness—over 1,000 bird species. Canopy platforms at lodges like Manu Wildlife Center give you high vantage points to see cotingas, toucans, and mixed-species flocks.
Further north, Pacaya-Samiria Reserve near Iquitos offers flooded forest birding. River trips reveal Horned Screamers, herons, and Riverine Raptors you won’t find elsewhere.
Peru offers the most accessible options for birdwatching in the Amazon region, with nature-focused upscale lodges and Amazon River cruise ships as well.
Ecuador has part of the Amazon River Basin in its territory, with three great jungle lodges we have reviewed in the past: Napo Wildlife Reserve, Sacha Lodge, and tk. You reach them via a flight to the closest city, a fast boat up the Napo River, then a paddled boat through tributaries to reach the Yasuni National Park area.
Galapagos to the Cloudforest in Ecuador
As mentioned above, Ecuador has plenty of jungle birdwatching options, but that’s just the start. On the mainland you’ve got Andean peak regions and the cloudforest where Mashpi Lodge is located, one of the most interesting upscale hotels in the Americas.
Mindo’s cloud forest sits just two hours from Quito and is home to over 450 recorded bird species. You can spot the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, multiple types of tanagers, and many hummingbirds, including the emblematic Violet-tailed Sylph. The mild climate and rich plant life attract both resident and migratory birds.
If you like variety, you can visit butterfly gardens and orchid reserves as well. The area remains one of the most accessible birding regions in Ecuador, combining excellent biodiversity with hospitality.
Located in southern Ecuador, Podocarpus National Park provides excellent birding across cloud forest and paramo ecosystems. More than 560 bird species have been recorded here, including rarities such as the Bearded Guan, Torrent Duck, and the Masked Mountain-tanager.
The area is notable for mixed flocks and a high rate of endemism, especially in the upper forest zones and around the Rio Bombuscaro.
Birds are just part of the mix in the Galapagos islands; see the tour stories on our luxury Ecuador travel portal page to get an idea of what’s in store there.
Cali and Santa Marta in Colombia
Cali and the Santa Marta region are Colombia’s premier birding hubs. Around Cali, the cloud forests in the Western Andes are home to sought-after species like the Multicolored Tanager and Colombian Chachalaca. Numerous reserves—such as San Antonio Forest—offer guided tours, feeders, and excellent photography opportunities.
The Santa Marta mountains, separated from the Andes, form the highest coastal mountain range in the world. The area boasts more than 20 endemic species, including the Santa Marta Parakeet and Santa Marta Warbler.
Guyana’s Untouched Wilderness
Guyana gives you access to vast tracts of rainforest, mountains, and savannah, all home to an impressive variety of birdlife. You’ll find rare and endemic species and large populations of macaws and other parrots in remote, largely undisturbed landscapes. This is one of the least-visited regions of South America, without major population centers.
In the heart of Guyana, the Iwokrama Forest Reserve covers nearly one million acres of central rainforest. You can spot hundreds of bird species, including the Harpy Eagle, Crimson Fruitcrow, and Blue-cheeked Amazon.
Birdwatching here often involves traveling by canoe along the Essequibo River or exploring canopy walkways. The area is rich in both forest and river species, from Guianan Toucanets to Hoatzins.
The Kanuku Mountains are one of the most biologically diverse areas in Guyana, featuring montane and lowland forest habitats. The mountains are a stronghold for the Sun Parakeet (also called the Sun Conure), which is now rare in the wild.
With more than 500 recorded bird species, you’re likely to observe Scarlet Macaws, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, and Grey-winged Trumpeters. The Kanuku region remains largely undeveloped, so expect quiet trails and minimal crowds. You’ll need to plan ahead with lodges or eco-camps for access and guiding.
The Rupununi Savannah offers a different environment with expansive grasslands, gallery forests, and river systems. Here, you’ll encounter open-country species like the Jabiru Stork, Double-striped Thick-knee, and Red-legged Tinamou.
During the wet season, extensive wetlands attract waterfowl, including Anhingas, Muscovy Ducks, and the occasional Agami Heron. You can also watch parrots, ibis, and raptors in large flocks across the plains.
So there you have it, enough birding in South America destinations to last you for 10 years of vacations if you’d like. Let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite!
