Monte Desert Endemics
Birding expedition from Puerto Madryn
Monte Desert Endemics birding is a private adventure into Argentina’s unique Monte Desert ecosystem—a biodiversity hotspot, home to striking endemic bird species like Sandy Gallito and White-throated Cacholote. Departing from Puerto Madryn, we venture into a captivating landscape of creosote shrubs, canyons and salt flats to seek Patagonia’s rarest birdlife.
Spring and summer months (September – March) are ideal for this tour, offering mild weather, peak bird activity, and vibrant Patagonian landscapes perfect for bird photography and nature walks.
Target Birds & Highlights
Early morning finds us traversing the Patagonian steppe, where we may encounter Elegant Crested‑Tinamou, Darwin’s Nothura, Lesser Rhea (Choique) and the shy Rusty‑backed Monjita. Among the thorny scrub, highlights include endemic Patagonian Canastero, Carbonated Sierra‑Finch with its dazzling aerial display, and the secretive Steinbach’s Canastero.
As we journey further into the Monte’s sandy terrain, our primary target—the swift and elusive Sandy Gallito—may dash into view, running like a local roadrunner among bushes. The area’s remarkable avifauna also includes Band‑tailed Earthcreeper, Black‑crowned Monjita, Lesser Shrike‑Tyrant, and the beautifully marked White‑banded Mockingbird. With patience, we might spot ground specialists like the cryptic Least Seedsnipe or the graceful Tawny‑throated Dotterel.
Other targets we often seek include Chubut (White‑headed) Steamer‑duck, Bay‑capped Wren‑Spinetail, Burrowing Parakeet, Straneck’s Tyrannulet, Snowy Sheathbill, White‑tipped Plantcutter, Patagonian Yellow‑finch, Greater Wagtail‑Tyrant and the unique Black‑headed Duck.
When it’s time to refuel we’ll spread a relaxed field picnic—perhaps on a cliff above the Atlantic, in a hidden Monte canyon, on the clear‑water banks of the Chubut River, or beside a brackish lagoon where Chilean Flamingos and Silvery Grebes feed. Guanacos, Patagonian Maras, cavies, foxes and armadillos are frequent, adding a true wilderness backdrop.
This itinerary is fully customizable from a half‑day introduction up to multi‑day expeditions, allowing us to comprehensively explore and maximize sightings of Patagonia’s remarkable endemic birdlife. Ideal for keen birders, wildlife photographers, or anyone eager to dive deep into the region. Reach remote areas while chasing special targets and add optional cultural stops – e.g. the MEF Museum in Trelew, home to fossils of giants like Patagotitan mayorum and the fearsome Patagonian “Terror Birds” (Phorusrhacids).
What guests say
“Thank you for a great day of birding around Puerto Madryn; it was the highlight of our trip to Argentina. We appreciated the dozens of new species that we saw, and the chance to watch them in their natural habitat. The most engaging part of the experience was listening to your insights from your research on the White-throated Cacholote and the two species of Canasteros. Your understanding of the natural history of these birds, their life cycle, feeding habits, and nest building would have been worth listening to in a lecture hall, but hearing about them in the Patagonia scrubland, seeing them emerge from the brush, and seeing the nests was just wonderful. It was totally worth all the effort to get to Argentina from Hawaii. Aloha.”
“I embarked on a private tour with Agustin and I can confidently say that he is the best guide you could possibly find. Firstly, Agustin is extremely knowledgeable and has immense respect for the birds, a crucial factor for me as I’ve seen many guides engage in questionable activities without considering the impact on the birds. Moreover, Agustin is a delightful conversationalist who can enlighten you about local spots, bird research projects, and much more. His book is truly impressive. We managed to spot 4 endemics: White-throated Cacholote, Sandy Gallito, Steinbach’s and Patagonian Canasteros, and many other birds, including Burrowing Parakeets and the Rusty-backed Monjita. Trust me, there is no way you’d find these birds on your own, even if you spent a month there. Agustin has done a tremendous job of identifying these spots in the middle of nowhere. When we were driving to the spot with the Burrowing owl, Agustin told me that in 10 meters we would reach the spot, and indeed, after 10 meters, these birds were sitting right there. It was as if he had trained them 😀 All the local guides on the subsequent excursions we took in Puerto Madryn, including trips to see the penguins, were using his book. I cannot recommend Agustin enough – he should unquestionably be your first choice for a guide!”
“A friend and I were lucky enough to have Agustín as a guide. We could not have had a more knowledgeable and personable guide than Agustín. His in-depth knowledge of the birds of the Valdés Peninsula was astonishing and he shared it with us willingly. I would recommend him as a guide for anyone who loves birds and nature and wants to explore this unique area in Argentina with an expert. For three days he not only located and identified the endemic and special birds of the area but also shared their behaviors and natural histories. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Duration
Half-day · Full-day · Multi-day (customizable)
Includes
- Round-trip transportation
- Bilingual ornithologist guide
- Snacks & drinks
- Protected-areas entrance fees
- Complimentary Birds of Península Valdés book
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