5 - 26 June 1999

by Jan van der Laan

Introduction

Between June 5th and 26th 1999 I visited Argentina together with my girlfriend Marieke Wiringa. The main goal was to have a good and pleasant vacation, with some occasional birding. The itinerary was cunningly planned and while visiting nice places, I made it possible to see as many as possible endemics plus some of the better species shared with neighbouring countries. Like Chile, Argentina is a very pleasant country, and even more expensive, but a perfect country for a vacation.

Itinerary

5th June

We took the KLM flight 791 (ƒ 1500) from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires 23:15 hours (actually on June 4th). We made one stops at São Paulo, Brazil but it was dusky and clouded, so we could not see this huge city from above. Without any problems we reached Buenos Aires at 9:55 hours. Without delay we passed the customs and went straight to AVIS desk for the rental car, for the cost of a respectable $ 670 for three weeks. This car, a Ford Ka, proved to be very good and solid. Then we drove to the centre of Buenos Aires. After checking out the outskirts first (very against our will), we arrived at the old run-down hotel Eibar (we booked that in advance and it was one of the conditions of the travel agency to spend a certain amount of money in order to get the cheapest air-fare). We walked around for two hours and went for a afternoon nap back to the hotel, but we woke up only the next morning!

6th June

This morning we went to Costanera Sur, a reserve in the centre of Buenos Aires. Interesting birds were Green Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Spot-flanked Gallinule, a juvenile Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Yellow-winged Blackbird. At noon we drove west in the direction of Cordoba. Night fell early and at 21:00 hours we stopped driving and found a motel in Villa Maria ($35), which proved to be a rendez-vous house...

7th June

We drove from Villa Maria to Cordoba. From there we drove to Vila Carlos Paz and after a minor lunch there we went straight to El Condor village in the Pampa de Achala, where according to several birding reports no less then three endemic species could be found: Cordoba Cinclodes, Olrog’s Cinclodes and Cordoba Canastero. Only the Olrog’s Cinclodes was present with White-winged Cinclodes, Black-billed Shrike Tyrant and the both common Chiguanco Thrush and Long-tailed Meadowlark. In the evening we drove back to Villa Carlos Paz, where we found a good hotel ($60!), had dinner and went to sleep.

8th June

In the morning we drove from Villa Carlos Paz to El Condor for a second attempt for the Cordoba Canastero and Cordoba Cinclodes. On our way to El Condor, I spotted a Spot-winged Falconet next to the road. At El Condor I had again no luck. The Cordoba Cinclodes is apparently not prsesent in winter and the Canestero too or just silent. Again Olrog?s Cinclodes was present, together with Corderillean Canastero, White-winged Cinclodes, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Common Miner. On our way back to Villa Carlos Paz, a nice Aplomado Falcon sat next to the road. Next we drove north through Cruz del Eje and finally we found a small hotel in Dean Funes ($35).

9th June

After breakfast we drove in the direction of Tucaman. On our way we passed San José de la Salinas, which is according to several sources a reliable spot for the endemic Salinas Monjita. We searched in good habitat for more than two hours in this Camargue-like habitat, but failed to find any. The bird probably disperse north in winter and gather in groups, so it is more difficult to find. 50 km before Tucaman the road became very bad (although good numbers of passerines), without any warning, so we had to make a by-pass and we arrived in Tucaman after sunset. We checked in Hotel Colonial ($50) and before we went to sleep, we had dinner in a local restaurant.

10th June

After breakfast with again good Argentinean Coffee we went south and then west on Ruta 307 to Tafi del Valle. First we passed the Yunga forest along the Rio los Sosas. Just before the statue of an Indian, we stopped to scan the rocks and boulders in the river. There we saw a pair of Torrent Ducks and suddenly a Rufous-throated Dipper, the number one speciality of this area. Other birds included Mitred Parakeet, Brown-capped Warbler, Black Phoebe, Mountain Wren, Common Bush-Tanager and White-winged Cinclodes. When driving further on we saw another pair of dippers accidentally at the spot explained on page 54 in Where to Watch Birds in South America by Nigel Wheatley. Finally we arrived in Tafi del Valle, which was completely deserted of tourists, but we found a very good hotel still open for $35 per night. In Tafi I did some final birding in a river bed, which produced the only Night Heron, a lot of White-winged Cinclodes, Tropical Parula, Spot-billed Ground-tyrant and Band-tailed Seed-eater. In the evening when the sun disappeared it was suddenly very cold, almost at freezing point!

11th June

This morning I checked the ravine at 3000 meters at Kilometre Post 80 north of Tafi del Valle for the localised and endemic Tucaman Mountain-Finch. No luck, but I managed to see Cinereous Harrier, Andean Flicker, the endemic Bar-eyed Ground Dove and Black-billed Shrike-tyrant. Next we drove to Cachi. Just before Abra del Infiernillo a truck could not pass the hairpin bend due to slippery melting ice and water and we had to wait an hour until somebody managed to get the truck out. In the afternoon we finally reached Cachi, but not before seeing some Burrowing Parrots! In Cachi we took a room in Hotel Colon for a reasonable $ 25.

12th June

After a good night sleep we left Cafayate for Cachi. Outside Cafayate at San Carlos we discovered a large group of Burrowing Parrots, coming from everywhere. Obviously this species is not threatened here. Other interesting birds just outside Cafayate were Andean Swift and Black-capped Monjita. The tarmac road stopped and turned into gravel for 70-100 km. However, the landscape was the most beautiful we should see in the whole of Argentina. It reminded me somehow of the Sinai Desert in Egypt or the Arava valley in Israel. A short stop produced Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail and a good and close observation of another Argentine endemic, the Steinbach’s or Chestnut Canastero. Our car suffered a punctuated tyre, but this was changed without any problems. Besides, every passing car stopped and offered help! In the evening we reached Cachi and after some searching we found a nice and fully recommended hostel Hosteria Samay Huasi. Night was very cold!

13th June

After a cold night, but a good breakfast, we left Cachi and decided to drive to Salta. The first 30 kilometres were tarmac, but it changed again into dirt, but this road was overall better then the Cafayte - Cachi Road. We saw some Llamas and one Rock Earthcreeper. I hope to find the Tucaman Mountain-Finch/Rufous-bellied Saltator spot, supposed to be at San Carlos, according to Juan Mazar Barnett. We could not find the place and at a village called San Martin, the habitat suited both species best, but at that moment I thought driving on to San Carlos was better. At the end of the road the tarmac reappeared and the outskirts of Salta too. At home I checked Cotinga and the place to be was San Martin! At that time I was unaware (and of the fact at that moment the firs Heuglin?s Gull for the Netherlands was seen that day!). We took a rather expensive hotel in Salta, because we thought we earned it. Good dinner in some family restaurant with the unavoidable good wines!

14th June

Today we drove south from Salta to Cafayate. South of Salta we the only Andean Lapwings. The route to Cafayate was again very scenic, but no special birds were seen. In Cafayate we checked in the ACA-motel for a reasonable $ 30. Behind the hotel I discovered a beautiful male Red-tailed Comet, but I did not succeed in photographing it.

15th June

In Cafayate we took an excursion in the Etchard Vineyard and after that I did some walking in the heat at milepost 1030 of Ruta 40, just to tell my fellow birders I have been looking for the White-throated Cachalote and Sandy Gallito. Behind our hotel I found the third Black-crowned Monjita of the holiday and a Lesser Shrike-Tyrant.

16th June

From Cafayate we drove to Tafi del Valle. There I did a final attempt to find Tucaman Mountain- Finch, first at KM 80, later at the Tafi water works (OST: Obra Sanitario de Tafi or something) at KM 67. The water works were very good for birding. Ask permission at the gate and explain you are a birdwatcher and want to see the Monterita Garganta Castaña. I had no luck, but I find a Puno Canastero and pished-out two beautiful Yellow-striped Brush-finches. Suddenly clouds came out of the valley and quickly it became cold and foggy. We decided to leave the area and headed east to Iguazu. We made it to Santiago del Estero, a very busy town and after a long search we found a good were we had dinner too.

17th June

This day we drove from Santiago del Estero to Resistencia. The road went first through a huge area (700 km only) of Chaco woodland, which produced at least 7 Spot-winged Falconets and a probable dozen more. Other interesting birds along this road were Great Black-Hawk, Grey-necked Wood-Rail and my only Blue-crowned Parakeet. Then we came into vast wetland areas and the first Maguari Storks appeared and large numbers of Bare-faced Ibis. Just before dark we reach Resistencia were we had to take a rather expensive hotel ($ 80).

18th June

We drove a whole day from Resistencia to Iguazu. The landscape changed from enormous wetlands (with Grey Monjita, Long-winged Harrier, Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures, Black-collared Hawk, Yellow-headed Caracara, Greater Rhea, Maguari Stork, Brazilian Duck, Yellow-rumped Marshbirds, Large-billed Terns, White-browed, Unicolored and Chestnut-capped Blackbirds, and good numbers of Wattled Jacanas) into the hilly landscape of Misiones. The main industry in Misiones is logging: everywhere paper factories and big lorries carrying large logs. Not a single patch of primary forest left. The soil is very sticky and cars coming from Misiones were all dark brown-red. At the gate of Iguaza Nationa Park a leaflet was given to us for a nice hotel (named Orguidas Palace Hotel) for only $ 33 plus breakfast. We took three nights there, just outside Puerto Iguazu.

19th June

This day we spent the whole day walking around the Iguazu Falls and later the whole afternoon was spent walking along the Senduro Macuco trail, which produced good numbers of birds, although the birds were not vocal and the lack of any flowering tree produced not a single hummingbird and the absence of the famous numbers of the Great Dusky Swift was also noteworthy.

20th June

In the morning we visited the beautiful Garganta del Diabolo, and enormous waterfall in a beautiful primary forest. In the afternoon I walked the Sendero Macuco trail again, which produced some new species plus an Axara?s Agouti and a flock of Brown Capuchin Monkeys (noisy).

21st June

In the morning it was very foggy, so any birding was not possible. We drove south to the Corrientes Province to see some of the famous Ibera Wetlands. We drove on some 20 kilometers on the unsurfaced road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. Good wetland with lots of passerines. Eventually I found a pair of Strange-tailed Tyrants and a pair of Black-and-White Monjitas. Next I looked for Saffron-cowled Blackbirds at the junction of roads 40 and 14, but no luck, although good numbers of Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds and Spectacled Tyrants were seen there plus Greater Thornbird, Savanana Hawk, Long-winged Harrier, and a Ringed and an Amazon Kingfisher together on a bridge. At nightfall we drove south and in this poor not dense populated area no hotel could be find. In the end, we found the very run-down Hotel Ibera in Paso de Los Libros ($ 35), but the alternative was a prostitute motel along the road!

22nd June

We conitinued to drive south from Paso de Los Libros in the direction of Buenos Aires. A pair of Plumbeous Ibis was seen and at the end of the morning we reached El Palmar NP, but although very beautiful, no special birds were seen. Spotted Nothura is common along the roads here. Finally we decided to stay at Colon, a little town at the Rio Parana, obviously very crowded in the summer, but nice and quiet when we were there.

23rd June

We drove south to Buenos Aires. On our way to Buenos Aires, we visit the Puerto Boca area to look for Saffron-cowled Blackbird, but no luck. I managed to find a Paraguayan Snipe, the fourth Black-crowned Monjita of the holiday, Ringed Teal, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Long-tailed Reed-Finch, Black-capped Warbling-Fich, Grayish Saltator and good numbers of Brow-and-yellow Marshbirds, but no Saffron-cowled Blackbirds. Next, we continued south and reached Buenos Aires after dark. We went looking for an hotel and found one in the Ricoletta area for a terrible $ 80,- a night.

24th June

The whole day was spent in Buenos Aires. No special birds were seen. We took hotel Eibar again in Florida street, only because it was included in the flight ticket. Excellent dinner in one of the retaurants in the docks.

25th June

Buenos Aires. Playing the occasional tourist. Beautiful city. Full metal rip-off in a restaurant (another bottle of water?, yes please, $ 8 each when the bill came…).

26th June

In the morning we looked in the docks and finally saw on definite Olrog?s Gull in dock 1 flying by. In the afternoon we took a taxi to the Airport. Our flight departed in time and next day we arrived in Schiphol, Amsterdam.

Suggested Reading

In Argentina several identification guides are available and several good bird reports. I used the following:
  De la Peña, M. R. and Rumboll, M. (1998). Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica.
  Fjeldså, J and Krabbe, N. (1990). Birds of the High Andes.
  Gardner, N. and Gardner, D. (1990). A Birder?s Guide to Travel in Argentina. Private report.
  Mc Carthy, B. (1989). Birding Trip To Northern Argentina.
  Ridgley, R.S. and Tudor, G. (1989). The Birds of South America. Volume 1: The Oscine Passerines.
  Ridgley, R.S. and Tudor, G. (1994). The Birds of South America. Volume 2: The Suboscine Passerines.
  Wheatley, N. (1996). Where to watch Birds in South America.

Acknowledgements

The following persons were very helpful in providing information and useful material like tapes and I like to thank them for that: Juan Mazar Barnett, Marc Pearman, Jelle Scharringa, Eric Bos, Ruud Schenk, George Sangster, Roy de Haas (especially him for kindly lending me his telelens, recording microphone and the Birds of the High Andes), Lee Sterrenburg and German Pugnali. Finally we like to thank my father, Jur van der Laan and Greetje Brink for respectively bringing us to and picking us up from the Airport.

Red-winged Tinamou - Rhynchotus rufescens
 22 June 2 El Palmar NP, Entre Rios (photographed)

Andean Tinamou - Nothoprocta pentlandii
 7 June 1 between Villa Carlos Paz and Icho Cruz, Cordoba (photographed)
 8 June 1 along the road between Icho Cruz and El Condor, Cordoba
 11 June 1 El Infiernillo, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Brushland Tinamou - Nothoprocta cinerascens
 9 June 1 c 50 km south of Tucaman, Tucaman
  1 c 30 km south of Tucaman, Tucaman

Spotted Nothura - Nothura maculosa
Regularly seen (c 5 daily) along roadsides in Corrientes and Entre Rios, especially (c 15) in El Palmar NP (photographed).

Greater Rhea - Rhea americana
 18 June 2 along Ruta 12, c 30 km east of Corrientes (photographed)
 21 June 14 along Ruta 14, c 20 km south-west of Paso de los Libres, Corrientes

White-tufted Grebe - Rollandia rolland
 6 June c 20 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps
 7 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 13 June 1 in a small lake c 20 km south of Cachi, Salta
 18 June c 10 along Ruta 12 between Corrientes and Ituzaingo, Corrientes

Great Grebe - Podiceps major
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 21 June 1 along Ruta 40 between Santo Tome and La Cruz, Corrientes

Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Very common.

Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga
 20 June 1 near Garganta de Diabolo, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Southern Screamer - Chauna torquata
First seen in the Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires. Fairly common in the Corrientes province and Entre Rios province.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna bicolor
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

White-faced Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna viduata
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Lake Duck - Oxyura vittata
 6 June c 25 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Black-necked Swan - Cygnus melanocoryphus
 6 June c 50 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Coscoroba Swan - Coscoroba coscoroba
 6 June 2 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Ringed Teal - Callonetta leucophrys
 23 June 1 just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Brazilian Teal - Amazonetta brasiliensis
 18 June 3 along Ruta 12 c 30 km east of Corrientes, Corrientes
 23 June 2 just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Torrent Duck - Merganetta armata
 10 June 2 (pair) in the Rio de las Sosa just before the El Indio Statue, Tucaman

Speckled Teal - Anas flavirostris
 6 June 5 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 16 June c 10 Embalse La Anostara, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

White-cheeked Pintail - Anas bahamensis
 7 June 2 along Ruta 10, between Villa Maria, Cordoba and Cordoba city.

Silver Teal - Anas versicolor
 6 June 3 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Rosy-billed Pochard - Netta peposaca
 6 June 5 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires (photographed)

Chilean Flamingo - Phoenicopterus chilensis
 9 June c 15 Salinas Grande between Dean Funes, Cordoba and Recreo, Tucaman.

Whistling Heron - Syrigma sibilatrix
Fairly common along the roads where there was water present in the Corrientes, Misiones and Entre Rios provinces.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula
Small numbers along the roads where there was water present in all provinces.

Cocoi Heron - Ardea cocoi
Small numbers along the roads where there was water present in the Tucaman, Santiago del Estero, Chaco Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces.

Great Egret - Ardea alba
Fairly common along the roads where there was water present in all provinces.

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
Common, seen almost daily in all provinces, sometimes in large flocks.

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
 10 June 1 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum
 6 June 1 immature, Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires. I did not expect to see juveniles in this time of year.

Bare-faced Ibis - Phimosus infuscatus
 17 June c 1000 along ruta 16 between Quitilipi and Resistencia, Prov. Del Chaco.
 18 June c 100 between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi
Good numbers along the roads where there was water present in the Tucaman, Corrientes, Misiones and Entre Rios provinces.

Plumbeous Ibis - Theristicus caerulescens
 22 June 2 south-west of Paso de los Libres, Corrientes

Buff-necked Ibis - Theristicus caudatus
 14 June c 10 La Merced, south of Salta city

Roseate Spoonbill - Ajaia ajaja
 18 June c 10 between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes
 21 June c 5 between Santo Tome and La Cruz, Corrientes

Wood Stork - Mycteria americana
 17 June c 50 along ruta 16 between Quitilipi and Resistencia, Prov. Del Chaco
 18 June c 10 between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes

Maguari Stork - Ciconia maguari
Common in Chaco, Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces, with up to 30 seen daily. On 26 June 3 at Dock 2 in Buenos Aires.

Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus
Fairly common throughout the whole country.

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura
Seen regularly throughout the whole country.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture - Cathartes burrovianus
 18 June c 10 between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes. Easy to identify from Turkey Vulture by the light pattern on the primaries.

Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus
 7 June c 10 between Copina and El Condor, Cordoba
 8 June c 5 near El Condor, Cordoba
 11 June 1 El Infiernillo, Tucaman
 15 June 2 near Etchard Vinery, Cafayate, Salta

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus
Seen regularly along roadsides throughout the country

Snail Kite - Rostrhamus sociabilis
Locally common (e.g. in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Corrientes provinces), seen feeding in ditches along roads.

Long-winged Harrier - Circus buffoni
 18 June 1 between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes
 21 June 1 Ibera Marshes, near the junction of Ruta 14 and the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Corrientes
 23 June 1 Ceiman, Entre Rios

Cinereous Harrier - Circus cinereus
 6 June 1 c 50 km east of Rosario, Buenos Aires
 11 June 2 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Great Black-Hawk - Buteogallus urubitinga
 17 June 3 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco.

Savanna Hawk - Buteogallus meridionalis
 21 June 2 Ibera Marshes, near the junction of Ruta 14 and the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Corrientes
 22 June 1 along ruta 14 between Paso de los Libres, Corrientes and Chajari, Entre Rios
The raptors proved to be very nasty, since a lot of unidentifiable immature birds were seen through the whole country. Several were even photographed but are till today unrecognised.

Black-collared Hawk - Busarellus nigricollis
 18 June 1 adult between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes (photographed)

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle - Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Regular in the north-west in mountainous areas, especially around El Condor, Cordoba and Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Roadside Hawk - Buteo magnirostris
Common throughout the whole country

Short-tailed Hawk - Buteo brachyurus
 21 June 1 near Wanda, Misiones

White-tailed Hawk - Buteo albicaudatus
 18 June 1 adult between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes

Red-backed Hawk - Buteo polyosoma
 7 June 3 El Condor, Cordoba
 8 June 2 El Condor, Cordoba
 11 June 1 between El Infiernillo and Amaicha del Valle, Tucaman

Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
Common along roadsides and occasional rubbish dumps.

Yellow-headed Caracara - Milvago chimachima
 18 June 1 c 10 km east of Corrientes
 19 June 2 Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 21 June 1 Ibera Marshes, near the junction of Ruta 14 and the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Corrientes

Chimango Caracara - Milvago chimango
Widespread. A large flock of c 500 birds was seen in Ibera marshlands on 21 June, feeding behind a plough!

Spot-winged Falconet - Spiziapteryx circumcinctus
 8 June 1 just south of Icho Cruz, Cordoba
 17 June min 7 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco.

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
The most common raptor, seen daily.

Aplomado Falcon - Falco femoralis
 8 June 1 c 20 km south of Icho Cruz, Cordoba (photographed)
 16 June 2 near Tucaman along the ruta 9, Tucaman.

Grey-necked Wood-Rail - Aramides cajanea
 17 June 2 2 km before Suncha, along the ruta 6, Santiago del Estero

Giant Wood-Rail - Aramides ypecaha
First seen along ruta 6. After that regularly seen (1-3 daily) in the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes and Entre Rios.

Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
At least noted in Costanera Sur, but I haven forgotten other observations.

Spot-flanked Gallinule - Gallinula melanops
 6 June 4 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 21 June 2 c 10 km along the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

White-winged Coot - Fulica leucoptera
 6 June c 20 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Red-gartered Coot - Fulica armillata
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Red-fronted Coot - Fulica rufifrons
 6 June c 20 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
I did not pay much attention to coots at Costanera Sur, nor in the whole country, so this a very rough underestimate of all coots I have seen and I hope readers of this report will forgive me. And do not misunderstand me, I like coots!

Limpkin - Aramus guarauna
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 9 June 1 c 30 km south of Tucaman along ruta 157, Tucaman
 20 June 1 Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Wattled Jacana - Jacana jacana
Fairly common (especially in Corrientes province) along the roads where there was water present in all provinces.

South American (Paraguayan) Snipe - Gallinago paraguaiae
 23 June 1 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca
 6 June 1 (calling) Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

White-backed Stilt - Himantopus melanurus
Common, seen almost daily in marshy areas

Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis
Very common, already seen from the aeroplane on arrival.

Andean Lapwing - Vanellus resplendens
 14 June 4 La Merced, south of Salta city

Olrog's Gull - Larus atlanticus
 26 June 1 adult flying in Dock 3, Buenos Aires

Kelp Gull - Larus dominicanus
Common in Buenos Aires

Grey-headed Gull - Larus cirrocephalus
Common in Buenos Aires

Brown-hooded Gull - Larus maculipennis
Common in Buenos Aires

Large-billed Tern - Phaetusa simplex
 18 June 2 between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes

Picazuro Pigeon - Columba picazuro
Common, especially in the eastern part of Argentina (or was that coincidental?)

Spot-winged Pigeon - Columba maculosa
Common throughout the whole country

Eared Dove - Zenaida auriculata
Fairly common throughout the whole country

Ruddy Ground-Dove - Columbina talpacoti
 7 June 2 near Cordoba city

Picui Ground-Dove - Columbina picui
Very, very common

Bare-eyed Ground-Dove - Metriopelia morenoi
 11 June 3 in the ravine at km 80, El Infiernillo, Tucaman
 16 June 2 in the ravine at km 80, El Infiernillo, Tucaman. Beautifully close, but my camera was in the car!

White-tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi
Common throughout the whole country. Several doves seen along the Rio de la Sosa were most probably Great-tailed Doves.

Blue-crowned Parakeet - Aratinga acuticaudata
 17 June 4 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco.

Mitred Parakeet - Aratinga mitrata
 10 June 4 Rio del la Sosa, just before the El Indio statue, Tucaman

White-eyed Parakeet - Aratinga leucophthalmus
 14 June 2 near Talapampa, Salta

Burrowing Parrot - Cyanoliseus patagonus
Common around Cafayate and Cachi, Salta

Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus
Common, even in the centre of Buenos Aires

Blue-winged Parrotlet - Forpus xanthopterygius
 19 June c 20 parking lot, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June c 10 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Scaly-headed Parrot - Pionus maximiliani
 19 June 2 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Squirrel Cuckoo - Piaya cayana
 19 June 3 Dos Hermanes, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 1 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 22 June 1 El Palmar NP, Entre Rios

Smooth-billed Ani - Crotophaga ani
Common in the Misiones province and especially in the Iguazu NP

Guira Cuckoo - Guira guira
Common and widespread. Nice bird, though!

Burrowing Owl - Speotyto cunicularia
Several times birds were seen along roadsides in the Cordoba and Corrientes provinces. 3 birds were seen behind the hotel in Tafi del Valle, Tucaman on 10 June and 2 birds near Talapampa, Salta on 14 June and 2 birds behind the ACA hotel in Cafayate, Salta.

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus
 16 June 1 car victim along the ruta 9, 10 km southeast of Tucaman city

Great Dusky Swift - Cypseloides senex
 19 June 2 (only) above the Visitor Centre, Iguazu Falls, Misiones. Are they gone this time of year?

Andean Swift - Aeronautes andecolus
Common (c 10 birds daily) around Cafayate and Cachi and between Cachi and Salta, Salta province (photographed).

Scale-throated Hermit - Phaethornis eurynome
 19 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones
 20 June 1 in the backyard of the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones

Violet-capped Woodnymph - Thalurania glaucopis
 20 June 1 in the backyard of Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones

Red-tailed Comet - Sappho sparganura
 12 June c 10 south Cachi, Salta
 14 June 5 ACA Hotel, Cafayate, Salta
 15 June 1 ACA Hotel, Cafayate, Salta
Hummingbirds were scarce due to the lack of flowers in the whole of Argentina this time of year.

Surucua Trogon - Trogon surrucura
 19 June 3 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones
  2 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Ringed Kingfisher - Ceryle torquata
Regular throughout the whole country.

Green Kingfisher - Chloroceryle americana
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Amazon Kingfisher - Chloroceryle amazona
 21 June 1 c 10 km along the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes (photographed).

Chestnut-eared Aracari - Pteroglossus castanotis
 19 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones
 20 June c 10 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones

Red-breasted Toucan - Ramphastos dicolorus
 19 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones

Toco Toucan - Ramphastos toco
 19 June c 10 Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Ochre-collared Piculet - Picumnus temminckii
 20 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones
  2 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-fronted Woodpecker - Melanerpes cactorum
 10 June 1 Etchard Vinery, Cafayate, Salta
 13 June 1 Cachi, Salta

White-spotted Woodpecker - Veniliornis spilogaster
 20 June 2 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Golden-breasted Woodpecker - Colaptes melanolaimus
 8 June 4 El Condor, Cordoba
 10 June 2 just north of Cafayate, Salta
 22 June 2 El Palmar NP, Entre Rios

Andean Flicker - Colaptes rupicola
11 June 4 between Tafi del Valle and El Infiernillo, Tucaman

Field Flicker - Colaptes campestris
The most common woodpecker, seen almost daily.

Pale-crested Woodpecker - Celeus lugubris
 20 June c 10 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Iguazu, Misiones

Lineated Woodpecker - Dryocopus lineatus
 20 June 1 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Olivaceous Woodcreeper - Sittasomus griseicapillus
 20 June 2 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Common Miner - Geositta cunicularia
 7 June c 5 El Condor, Cordoba
 8 June c 10 El Condor, Cordoba (in some cases, Rufous-banded Miner was not excluded satisfactory)
 11 June c 10 between Amaicha del Valle and Tafi del Valle, Tucaman
 13 June c 5 between Cachi and Salta, Salta
 16 June c 10 between Amaicha del Valle and Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Rock Earthcreeper - Upucerthia andaecola
 13 June 1 30 km east of Cachi on the road between Cachi and Salta, Salta

Bar-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes fuscus
 9 June 1 Salinas Grande, south of Recreo, Tucaman. I did my very best to see a Cordoba Cinclodes in it.

Olrog's Cinclodes - Cinclodes olrogi
 7 June 2 in the famous creek at the El Condor cafe, Pampa de Achala, Cordoba
  1 Copina, Cordoba
 8 June 2 at a stream near the antenna at El Condor cafe, Pampa de Achala, Cordoba

White-winged Cinclodes - Cinclodes atacamensis
 7 June 1 El Condor cafe, Pampa de Achala, Cordoba (the darker subspecies C. a. schocolatinus)
 10 June c 10 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman
 14 June c 10 between Cachi and Salta, Salta
 16 June c 5 OST, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus
Common throughout the whole country, even on the Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires

Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail - Leptasthenura fuliginiceps
 16 June 3 at OST, north of Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail - Leptasthenura aegithaloides
 12 June 2 c 5 km north of Angastaco, Cafayate - Cachi, Salta

Chotoy Spinetail -Schoeniophylax phryganophila
 23 June 1 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios
  1 Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Short-billed Canastero - Asthenes baeri
 23 June 2 (together) just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Cordilleran Canastero - Asthenes modesta
 7 June 1 near the antenna, El Condor, Pampa de Achala, Cordoba
 8 June 1 (another location then the previous day) near the antenna, El Condor, Pampa de Achala, Cordoba

Steinbach's Canastero - Asthenes steinbachi
 12 June 1 well seen 5 km north of Angastaco, Cafayate - Cachi, Salta

Puna Canastero - Asthenes punensis
 16 June 1 Tafi water works OST (Obra Sanitario de Tucaman), Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Greater Thornbird - Phacellodomus ruber
 21 June 1 Ibera, 20 km along the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrino, Corrientes (Photographed)

Brown Cacholote - Pseudoseisura lophotes
Common in Chaco habitat in Cordoba province and a few in the El Palmar NP, Entre Rios

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner - Philydor rufus
 19 June 5 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 3 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Plain Xenops - Xenops minutus
 20 June 1 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Plain Antvireo - Dysithamnus mentalis
 19 June 2 (pair) Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 2 (another pair) Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-shouldered Fire-eye - Pyriglena leucoptera
 19 June 1 (pair) well seen at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-tipped Plantcutter - Phytotoma rutila
 9 June 2 c 30 km south of Tucaman, Tucaman
 12 June 5 c 5 km east of Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet - Camptostoma obsoletum
 20 June 1 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Yellow Tyrannulet - Capsiempis flaveola
 20 June 3 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Yellow-bellied Elaenia - Elaenia flavogaster
 20 June 1 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-crested Tyrannulet - Serpophaga subcristata
 6 June 4 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant - Anairetes flavirostris
 13 June 2 behind the Hosteria Samay Huasi, Cachi, Salta

Many-colored Rush-Tyrant - Tachuris rubrigastra
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Warbling Doradito - Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Eared Pygmy-Tyrant - Myiornis auricularis
 20 June 1 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Cliff Flycatcher - Hirundinea ferruginea
 12 June c 20 between Cachi and Cafayate, Salta (photographed)
 13 June c 10 between Cachi and Salta, Salta
 16 June 1 between Amaicha del Valle and Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans
 10 June 2 Rio de la Sosa, south of Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus
 9 June 1 male at Salinas Grande between Dean Funes, Cordoba and Recreo, Tucaman

Grey Monjita - Xolmis cinerea
 18 June 2 between Corrientes en Posada, Corrientes
 21 June 1 c 20 km along the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes
 23 June 1 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Black-crowned Monjita - Xolmis coronata
 9 June 1 c 30 km south of Tucaman (photographed)
 12 June 1 just north of the junction at San Carlos, north of Cafayate, Salta
 15 June 1 behind the ACA hotel, Cafayate, Salta; also on 16 June.
 23 June 1 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios
One of the nicest birds seen this holiday!

White Monjita -Xolmis irupero
very common, but absent in Misiones.

Black-and-white Monjita - Heteroxolmis dominicana
 21 June 2 (pair) c 20 km along the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant - Agriornis montana
 7-8 June 2 El Condor, Cordoba
 11 June 1 K80, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Lesser Shrike-Tyrant - Agriornis murina
 15 June 1 behind the ACA Hotel, Cafayate, Salta; also on 16 June.

Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola maculirostris
 10 June 1 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant - Muscisaxicola rufivertex
 7-8 June c 5 El Condor, Cordoba

Austral Negrito - Lessonia rufa
 8 June 1 (male) Villa Carlos Paz, Cordoba

White-winged Black-Tyrant - Knipolegus aterrimus
 13 June 2 (pair) behind the Hosteria Samay Huasi, Cachi, Salta

Spectacled Tyrant - Hymenops perspicillatus
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 21 June c 25 along the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes
 23 June c 10 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Strange-tailed Tyrant - Alectrurus risora
 21 June 2 (pair) c 20 km along the road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes (photographed).

Yellow-browed Tyrant - Satrapa icterophrys
 23 June 1 Puerto Boca, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Cattle Tyrant - Machetornis rixosus
 9 June c 10 south of Tucaman along ruta 157, Tucaman
 23 June c 5 Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Sirystes - Sirystes sibilator
 19 June c 10 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus melancholicus
Common in marshy areas

Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulphuratus
Very common and widespread, even seen in the centre of Buenos Aires

Greenish Schiffornis - Schiffornis virescens
 19 june 4 singing at Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones (tape-recorded)
 20 june 2 singing at Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
Plush-crested Jay - Cyanocorax chrysops
Common in moist forests in Tucaman, Salta and Misiones

Rufous-throated Dipper - Cinclus schulzi
 10 june 1 Rio de la Sosa, just before the El Indio statue, Tucaman province
  2 Rio de la Sosa at k35 (see Wheatley?s “where to watch birds in South America”).

Chiguanco Thrush - Turdus chiguanco
Common El Condor, Cordoba and Tafi del Valle, Tucaman (photographed)

Rufous-bellied Thrush - Turdus rufiventris
Common in Buenos Aires city and Entre Rios province

Pale-breasted Thrush - Turdus leucomelas
 19 june 1 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  3 Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 june 2 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Creamy-bellied Thrush - Turdus amaurochalinus
19-20 june 1 or 2 Iguazu Falls, Misiones
Several thrushes seen at Iguazu were either this species or the previous species,

Chalk-browed Mockingbird - Mimus saturninus
Common around Buenos Aires and in Entre Rios State

Patagonian Mockingbird - Mimus patagonicus
Common in north-west (Tucaman and Salta provinces)

White-banded Mockingbird - Mimus triurus
 9 June 1 between Dean Funes, Cordoba and Recreo, Tucaman
 12 June c 5 between Cafayate and Cachi, Salta
 14 June c 5 between Salta and Cafayate, Salta

Southern House Wren - Troglodytes aedon
Common, seen almost daily

Mountain Wren -Troglodytes solstitialis
 10 June 1 El Indio, along Rio de la Sosa, Tucaman

Masked Gnatcatcher - Polioptila dumicola
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 10 June 2 South of Tucaman, near El Indio Statue, Tucaman
 20 June c 5 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-winged Swallow - Tachycineta albiventer
 20 June c 10 Garganta de Diabolo, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Chilean Swallow - Tachycineta meyeni
Common, the most common swallow

Blue-and-white Swallow - Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Common, the second most common swallow

Black-collared Swallow - Atticora melanoleuca
 21 June c 10 Garganta del Diabolo, Iguazu Falls, Misiones (photographed)

Tawny-headed Swallow - Stelgidopteryx fucata
 9 June c 30 c 30 km south of Tucaman along ruta 157, Tucaman

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Very common throughout the whole country.

Correndera Pipit - Anthus correndera
 21 June 1 (at least an anthus species) c 10 km along the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Hooded Siskin - Carduelis magellanica
Seen regularly and locally common (e.g. Costanera Sur, OST at Tafi del Valle)

Tropical Parula - Parula pitiayumi
 10 June 2 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman
 19 June c 10 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 3 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  c 5 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Brown-capped Redstart - Myioborus brunniceps
 9 June 1 San Jose de Salinas
 10 June c 5 near El Indio Statue along the Rio de la Sosa, Tucaman
  c 5 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman
 16 June 1 near El Indio Statue along the Rio de la Sosa, Tucaman

Golden-crowned Warbler - Basileuterus culicivorus
 20 June 2 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Neotropical River Warbler - Basileuterus rivularis
 20 June 1 Garganta de Diabolo, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Rufous-collared Sparrow - Zonotrichia capensis
Very common, especially in mountainous areas.

Grassland Sparrow - Ammodramus humeralis
 21 June 4 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Stripe-capped Sparrow - Aimophila strigiceps
 8 June 2 Icho Cruz, Cordoba

Yellow-striped Brush-Finch - Atlapetes citrinellus
 16 June 6 Tafi OST (waterworks at km 67, north of Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Red-crested Cardinal - Paroaria coronata
Regularly seen, south of Tucaman (c 5) and c 10 along the long stretch between Santiago del Estero and Resistencia and along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Yellow-billed Cardinal - Paroaria capitata
 6 June 2 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires (photographed)
 23 June 2 Puerto Boca camping, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Chestnut-vented Conebill - Conirostrum speciosum
 19 June 2 parking lot, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June c 10 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  c 5 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
  c 5 Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Common Bush-Tanager - Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
 10 June 2 near El Indio Statue along the Rio de la Sosa, Tucaman

Guira Tanager - Hemithraupis guira
 20 June 2 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  2 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Hooded Tanager - Nemosia pileata
 20 June 8 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  4 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

White-lined Tanager - Tachyphonus rufus
 19 June 4 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Black-goggled Tanager - Trichothraupis melanops
 19 June c 10 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June c 5 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager - Habia rubica
 19 June 2 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Hepatic Tanager - Piranga flava
 22 June 3 El Palmar NP, Entre Rios

Sayaca Tanager - Thraupis sayaca
 20 June 2 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  1 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 21 June c 30 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Blue-and-yellow Tanager - Thraupis bonariensis
The most common and widespread tanager (and easy to identify when driving), seen almost daily in small numbers.

Fawn-breasted Tanager - Pipraeidea melanonota
 20 June 3 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  2 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
  4 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Purple-throated Euphonia - Euphonia chlorotica
 20 June 2 (pair) behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia - Euphonia pectoralis
 19 June 1 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 1 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Green-headed Tanager - Tangara seledon
 20 June 2 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Blue Dacnis - Dacnis cayana
 19 June 2 parking lot, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June 3 behind Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones
  2 El Nandu camping, Iguazu Falls, Misiones
  2 at the Sendero Macuco, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Many-coloured Chaco-Finch - Saltatricula multicolor
 9 June c 5 near San José de las Salinas, Cordoba
 16 June c 10 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco

Red-crested Finch - Coryphospingus cucullatus
 9 June c 5 between Dean Funes, Cordoba and Recreo, Tucaman
 16 June c 10 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco

Plumbeous Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus unicolor
 7-8 June c 25 El Condor, Cordoba

Band-tailed Sierra-Finch - Phrygilus alaudinus
 11 June c 10 El Infiernillo, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman
 16 June 1 El Infiernillo, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Black-crested Finch - Lophospingus pusillus
 14 June 2 near Talapampa, Salta
 15 June 1 Cafayate, Salta

Long-tailed Reed-Finch - Donacospiza albifrons
 23 June 2 Puerto Boca camping, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios
  1 just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Common Diuca-Finch - Diuca diuca
 12 June 1 between the long stretch between Cafayate and Cachi, Salta

Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch - Poospiza hypochondria
 12 June 1 between the long stretch between Cafayate and Cachi, Salta

Black-and-Rufous Warbling-Finch - Poospiza nigrorufa
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires
 22 June 1 El Palmar NP, Entre Rios
 23 June 2 Puerto Boca camping, Entre Rios

Ringed Warbling-Finch - Poospiza torquata
 10 June 1 Etchard Vinery, Cafayate
 14 June 1 ACA Hotel, Cafayate

Black-capped Warbling-Finch - Poospiza melanoleuca
 23 June 4 Puerto Boca camping, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Saffron Finch - Sicalis flaveola
 9 June c 50 at the Salinas Grande between Dean Funes, Cordoba and Recreo, Tucaman.

Misto (Grassland) Yellow-Finch - Sicalis luteola
 21 June c 30 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch - Emberizoides herbicola
 21 June c 10 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Great Pampa-Finch - Embernagra platensis
Common and widespread throughout the whole country. Both subspecies seen (C. p. platensis photographed)

Tawny-bellied Seedeater - Sporophila hypoxantha
 21 June c 20 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes

Band-tailed Seedeater - Catamenia analis
 7 June 4 El Condor, Cordoba
 9 June c 5 Tafi del Valle, Tucaman

Grayish Saltator - Saltator coerulescens
 23 June 2 Puerto Boca camping, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Green-winged Saltator - Saltator similis
 19 June 1 behind the Orguidas Palace Hotel, Puerto Iguazu, Misiones

Golden-billed Saltator - Saltator aurantiirostris
 10 June 2 c 30 km south of Tucaman along ruta 157, Tucaman
 16 June 2 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco

Red-rumped Cacique - Cacicus haemorrhous
 19 June c 10 Iguazu Falls, Misiones
 20 June c 20 Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Solitary Cacique - Cacicus solitarius
 16 June c 5 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco

Epaulet Oriole - Icterus cayanensis
 19 June 4 parking lot, Iguazu Falls, Misiones

Yellow-winged Blackbird - Agelaius thilius
 6 June c 10 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires

Unicolored Blackbird - Agelaius cyanopus
 16 June c 10 along ruta 6 and 89 between Suncho Corral, Santiago del Estero and Charata, Prov del Chaco
 18 June c 20 in several loose flocks between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes

Chestnut-capped Blackbird - Agelaius ruficapillus
 18 June 1 between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes
 23 June c 30 just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

White-browed Blackbird - Leistes superciliaris
 18 June c 25 between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes
 22 June 1 along ruta 14 between Paso de los Libres, Corrientes and Chajari, Entre Rios

Long-tailed Meadowlark - Sturnella loyca
 7-8 June c 20 El Condor, Cordoba (photographed)
 11 June c 10 El Infiernillo, Tafi del Valle, Tucaman; also on 16 June

Yellow-rumped Marshbird - Pseudoleistes guirahuro
 18 June c 50 in several loose flocks between Corrientes and Posada, Corrientes (photographed)

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird - Pseudoleistes virescens
 21 June c 30 along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes
 23 June c 10 Puerto Boca camping, Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios (photographed)
  c 25 just south of Gualeguaychú, Entre Rios

Scarlet-headed Blackbird - Amblyramphus holosericeus
 6 June 1 Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires (photographed)

Chopi Blackbird - Gnorimopsar chopi
 21 June 8 (seen with certainty) along the 20 km stretch of the ruta 40 to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, Ibera, Corrientes
Note: most blackbird species were seen while driving and stopping was not very safe in most cases

Bay-winged Cowbird - Molothrus badius
Very common in swampy areas

Screaming Cowbird - Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Widespread and sometimes in large flocks. Most birds were seen when driving, but identification was not difficult since males and females show no sexually dimorphism.

Shiny Cowbird - Molothrus bonariensis
Widespread and sometimes in large flocks. Most birds were seen when driving, but identification was not difficult since males and females are sexually dimorphic
______________________

Jan van der Laan
j.laan@worldonline.nl