Checking Out Birds in Argentina

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Feb 25, 2008

Technology is wonderful: it makes it possible for me to take a vacation while readers continue to read articles on the Birds page—and new things to read will continue to appear. From now until mid-March, I’ll be trying to catch glimpses—and maybe photos—of some South American birds. I know that lots of North American birds fly south to spend winters in South America, but the continent also has many birds of its own. Other travelers have posted collections of South American bird photos for us all to enjoy and I’ll be happy to do even half as well with my camera.

Argentina, of course, has penguins, but I probably won’t get far enough south to see any—another trip perhaps. Other possibilities include hummingbirds, toucans, skuas, unfamiliar raptors, petrels, parrots, ibises, rheas and many others. Any of these would be wonderful to see living in the wild.

Whenever I travel and see unfamiliar birds, I’m reminded that my local birds only seem ordinary to me because I’m so used to them—while people visiting my part of the world must find them interesting and exotic. Blue Jays, Downey Woodpeckers, Yellow-shafted Flickers, and even Chickadees are all beautiful birds. Wherever you are, enjoy the birds while I’m away.

Where have you travelled that you particularly enjoyed the birds? Start a discussion.