Due to many requests from our clients as well as to our own interest in and enthusiasm about the avifauna of this amazing and diverse continent, we are now offering custom birding tours to Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. The owner of MBT has birded, worked and lived in South America for 17 years while MBT guides are native to and residents of South America. Our tours elsewhere in South America offer the same superior quality as our Ecuador tours, and our goal will always be to show you as much of the continent´s fantastic birdlife as possible in a professional, comfortable and worry-free tour.

Contact us for additional information.

 

NOTHURAS, SERIEMAS AND BELLBIRDS:
THE BEST OF PARAGUAY BIRDING

The small, friendly country of Paraguay is not known as a top tourist destination in spite of its exquisite harps, beautiful hand-made lace, delicious food and tranquil countryside. It has always been overshadowed by its richer and larger neighbors, Brazil and Argentina. However, birders are beginning to realize that birding in Paraguay is not only easier and cheaper than in neighboring countries but also offers world-class birding opportunities especially for many of the Chaco, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest specialty species.
Paraguay encompasses 7 biogeographical zones and is crisscrossed by the Paraguay and Paraná Rivers and their many tributaries, in a macro-drainage zone from the Pantanal south to the Rio de la Plata. The word Paraguay is a Guaraní Indian word meaning “source of water”. With such extensive waterways, Paraguay is a prime location for overwintering migrant shorebirds, not to mention the many local and regional specialties.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Asunción. Accommodation in Hotel Portal del Sol in Central Asunción. Optional visit to Botanical Gardens (birding), birding Asunción Bay or City Tour.

Days 2-4 – Birding to Estancia Santa Hermina, birding the Humid Chaco along the Ruta Trans Chaco en route.

Days 5-7 – Birding en route to Loma Plata. Accommodation in Loma Plata Inn. Visits to Laguna Capitán, IBA Cuenca del Upper Yacaré Sur, Lagunas del Chaco Central, Campo Maria Private Reserve

Day 8 - Birding to Concepción, birding in the surrounding area. Accommodation Hotel Francés.

Day s 9-11 Journey to Santa Rosa del Aguaray birding en route. Accommodation in Santa Rosa at Hotel Cristal. Birding in cerrado at Laguna Blanca.

Days 12-15 Journey from Santa Rosa to Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve. Birding in humid forest and cerrado at Aguara Ñu.

Day 16 Return to Asunción and accommodation in Hotel Portal del Sol.

AGUARA ÑU – Cerrado habitat at Mbaracayu Forest Reserve. A number of species of interest found here principally the White-winged Nightjar (see Laguna Blanca!). White-eared Puffbird, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Burnished-buff Tanager, Planalto Hermit, Helmeted Manakin, Toco Toucan, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-tyrant etc are amongst the numerous other birds to look out for. Maned Wolf is occasionally encountered and Spectacled Caiman is commonly seen.

ARROYOS AND ESTEROS – The main reason for this stopover is the chance to see the spectacular and globally threatened Strange-tailed Tyrant. However it also provides a great opportunity to observe waterbirds such as Jabiru, Maguari and Wood Storks, herons, Azure Gallinule and other species including Yellow-rumped Marshbird, migrant seedeaters, Long-tailed Reedfinch, doraditos etc. A large number of snake species are found here, though unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you feel about snakes!) most encounters are with dead individuals on the nearby road.

ASUNCIÓN BAY – Internationally important migration centre for waders and IBA. At certain times of year (mainly September through November) vast flocks of migrant waders are present including Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwit, White-rumped and Pectoral Sandpiper, both Yellowlegs etc. Black Skimmer, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern are usually easy to see, along with herons, ducks and resident species such as Wattled Jacana etc. Birding the reedbeds brings several skulkers of interest such as Grey-breasted Crake, South Ameican Painted-snipe, Crested and Warbling Doradito, Greater Thornbird, Bay-capped Wren-spinetail (winter), Pale-breasted Spinetail. Also usually flocks of seedeaters about and more obvious species such as Yellowish Pipit, Spectacled Tyrant, Black-backed Water-tyrant, White Monjita etc. Raptors include White-tailed and Snail Kites, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture and Osprey. This is a particularly interesting site being situated on the Rio Paraguay (a major “motorway” for birds on the move!) and frequently turns up surprises of national importance! We found a pair of Grey-headed Gulls here for example (first record in Paraguay for over a century), and a pair of Bar-winged Cinclodes (4th record for Paraguay) amongst others.

BOTANICAL GARDENS – Offers a gentle introduction to birding in Paraguay in the former estate of the dictatorial Lopez family. Species of interest that may be expected include Red-crested Cardinal, Thrush-like Wren, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Purple-throated Euphonia, Green-barred Woodpecker, White-barred Piculet, Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant, Masked Gnatcatcher etc. Brown Capuchin monkey is also present. There is also a small zoo and a museum in the Lopez family home that can be visited if there is enough interest in doing so!

CAMPO MARIA – Main attraction here are the Chilean Flamingoes (most numerous in winter) and the large numbers of ducks (including Ringed Teal, White-cheeked Pintail, Black-headed Duck, Brazilian Duck, Red Shoveller etc again best in winter), coots (mainly White-winged but also occasionally Red-gartered), Silvery and White-tufted Grebes, Cosocoroba Swan and migrant waders. Surrounding forest also good for Chaco endemics including Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Cream-backed Woodpecker and Chaco Earthcreeper and Greater Rhea is seen here with regularity. Mammals also abound. Species that we would expect to see include Geoffroys Cat, Crab-eating Raccoon, Crab-eating and Azaras Foxes, Grey Brocket Deer, Coypu, various armadillo species (including Three-banded which a surprising number of people specifically want to see!!), all three peccary etc. With luck we can also see Puma, Lowland Tapir, Jaguar and Capybara.
CITY TOUR – The city tour visits all the major tourist attractions of Central Asunción with historical background. Amongst other sites it visits the Panteon de los Heroes (where many important national figures are interred), the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, Casa de la Independencia (where the peaceful revolution was planned) etc. It includes a visit to the impressive new tourist office which has displays of national arts and crafts and there will be the opportunity to buy souvenirs.
CONCEPCIÓN – The area around Concepción is home to a number of species very particular to this area of the country including Grey-headed Tanager, Red-and-green Macaw, Reiser´s Tyrannulet, Crowned Eagle, Crimson.crested Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot, White-bellied Warbler etc. Bare-faced Currasow is also a possibility in this area as well as more visible species like those of the Humid Chaco.

CUENCA DE UPPER YACARE SUR/LAGUNAS DEL CHACO CENTRAL – A group of seasonal saline lagoons in the Central Chaco that has been declared an IBA. These are important stopping points for migrant waders and excellent sites for many of the Chaco endemics. (See Laguna Capitan and Campo Maria). This area is also a superb place for mammal watching. Species that we would expect to see include Geoffroys Cat, Crab-eating Raccoon, Crab-eating and Azaras Foxes, Grey Brocket Deer, Coypu, various armadillo species (including Three-banded which a surprising number of people specifically want to see!!), all three peccary etc. With luck we can also see Puma, Lowland Tapir, Jaguar and Capybara.

ESTANCIA SANTA HERMINA – A chance to stay at a rustic, typically Paraguayan estancia and experience a bit of the “gaucho” lifestyle with home-cooking and stunning wilderness. Another dry Chaco site providing us with an opportunity to log as many of the Chaco endemics as possible. See Campo Maria, Cuenca Upper Yacare Sur, Laguna Capitan, PN Tte Enciso etc for possible species.

FARO MORO – The main attraction of Faro Moro is the chance to see wild Jaguar. Numerous animals are radio-tracked here to greatly increase the chances of seeing this spectacular creature. The birding is also, needless to say, well worth the journey!
FORTIN PATRIA – Up in the Paraguayan Pantanal, the fauna here is uniquely different from the rest of the country. Amongst the local bird specialities that you wont see anywhere else in Paraguay are Common Tody-flycatcher, Mato Grosso Antbird, Crested Oropendola, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Bolivian Slaty-antshrike, Cinereous-breasted, White-lored and Rusty-backed Spinetails, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Band-tailed Nighthawk, Silver-beaked Tanager, Grey-crested Cacholote, Golden-collared Macaw, Pale-legged Hornero, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Wren etc etc.
It is also a fantastic location for mammals, especially for Giant Otter which is seen with regularity. Other potential mammals of interest include Coati, Giant Anteater, Black howler Monkey, Dusky Titi Monkey, Jaguar, Tapir, Marsh Deer, Grey brocket deer, Capybara etc. Reptiles are particularly numerous here, amongst the larger more spectacular species being Spectacled Caiman, False water cobra, Yellow Anaconda , Black Tegu, Caiman lizard, and Green Iguana.

HUMID CHACO/RUTA TRANS CHACO – Roadside pools along the Ruta Trans Chaco attract a host of spectacular waterbirds and large numbers of raptors. Species we might expect include Jabiru, Maguari Stork, any number of herons and egrets, Black-collared, Great Black, Savanna and Roadside Hawks, Laughing Falcon, Snail Kite, Plumbeous, Buff-necked, Bare-faced and White-faced Ibis, Limpkin, Southern Screamer, various species of swallows etc. In denser marshier areas Scarlet-headed, Unicoloured, Chestnut-capped and Chopi Blackbirds, Screaming and Shiny Cowbirds, Baywing, Donacobius, Dinellis Doradito, Masked Yellowthroat etc. Several parrot species are also possible, most likely Nanday and Monk Parakeets, Turquoise-fronted Amazon and Scaly-headed Parrot. Black-bodied Woodpecker is another exciting possibility.

JAKOB UNGER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM – Jakob Unger was a prolific Mennonite collector of bird specimens in the early 20th Century and though most of his collections were sent to museums in Germany some of it still resides here. Its small, but an interesting bit of ornithological history!
LAGUNA BLANCA – 14 species of global conservation concern occur in just 2500ha here. The cerrado birds are the big attraction including threatened species such as White-banded Tanager, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant, Black-masked Finch and Cock-tailed Tyrant. Other birds of interest are White-rumped Tanager (the only known site in Paraguay), cerrado endemics Black-throated Saltator and Curl-crested Jay, Rusty-backed Antwren, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Red-winged, Tataupa, Small-billed and Undulated Tinamou, White-rumped Monjita, Rufous Casiornis, various Myiarchus flycatchers Peach-fronted Parakeet and flocks of migrant seedeaters (at certain times of year including threatened Chestnut, Marsh and Dark-throated).
In the humid forest Helmeted Woodpecker, Rusty-margined Guan, three species of tityra, Surucua Trogon, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Sirystes etc are all possible. The two biggest ticks of all though are the endangered White-winged Nightjar (one of only three global locations where it is regularly recorded see Aguara Ñu – we found the first proof of the species breeding here) and vulnerable Lesser Nothura (the only known location outside of Brazil for this locally distributed species). Nightbirding is spectacular, Grey Potoo, Rufous, Little and Scissor-tailed Nightjars are commonly seen in addition to the White-winged, and Tropical Screech-owl and Ferruginous Pygmy-owl are amongst the frequently recorded owl species. The crystal clear waters of the lagoon and the white sand beach also make for pleasant resting time and nearby sand-dunes are a popular nesting area for various swallows (as well as providing a fantastic photo opportunity). On the last tour we added a new species for the Paraguayan list here with the finding of a winter plumaged Common Tern.

LAGUNA CAPITÁN – A Mennonite resort area with great birding. Chaco endemics such as Crested Hornero, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Larklike Brushrunner and Chaco Chachalaca are easy enough to see. Other species with a mainly Chaco distribution in Paraguay are also relatively easy to see here such as Great Antshrike, Stripe-backed Antbird, White-winged Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator, Brushland Tinamou, White-bellied Nothura, Firewood-gatherer, Golden-billed Saltator, various woodpeckers (especially White-fronted, Golden-green and Checkered etc), Spot-backed Puffbird etc. Mammals species that we would expect to see include Geoffroys Cat, Crab-eating Raccoon, Crab-eating and Azaras Foxes, Grey Brocket Deer, Coypu, various armadillo species (including Three-banded which a surprising number of people specifically want to see!!), all three peccary etc. With luck we can also see Puma, Lowland Tapir, Jaguar and Capybara.

MBARACAYU FOREST RESERVE – Difficult to know where to start with this location as over 450 species of birds have been recorded here, including the vast majority of the Atlantic Forest endemics. Target birds include the endangered Black-fronted Piping-guan, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-capped Screech Owl, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets and Helmeted Woodpecker. Other species of interest that are frequently recorded include Red-breasted Toucan, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Surucua Trogon, Blond-crested and Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, various woodcreepers and tanagers, Streak-capped Antwren, Solitary Tinamou, Red-rumped Cacique, Rufous-capped Motmot, River Warbler etc etc etc. – the list could easily become very very long! Forest mammals such as Azaras Agouti, Paca and cats (including Jaguar) are among the mammal fauna.

PN MEDANOS DEL CHACO – Almost on the Bolivian border! This park conserves the last wild herd of the endangered lowland race of the Guanaco. It is more open than PN Tte Agripino Enciso and shares many of the same birds, but also counts on two of the biggest Chaco endemic ticks that are not present at Enciso – the Black-legged Seriema and the Spot-winged Falconet. It is also an excellent place to see Plains Viscacha and the Chaco Cavy.

PN TENIENTE AGRIPINO ENCISO – In the highest of the High Chaco this area is conserved mainly for its healthy population of Chaco Peccary. It is a great place for Chaco specialities that are not so common elsewhere. We might expect Solitary Cacique, Orange-backed Troupial, Black-crested Finch (winter), Ringed and Black-capped Warbling-finch, Many-coloured Chacofinch, Greater Wagtail-tyrant, Little Thornbird, Short-billed Canastero, the “Unnamed Tyrannulet”, Zone-tailed Hawk, Bay-winged Hawk, the threatened Crowned Eagle and Rufous-thighed Hawk. Specialities here are Quebracho Crested-Tinamou and Chaco Owl. Mammal wise Puma and Lowland Tapir are seen regularly in addition to some of the other smaller species (Three-banded Armadillo and Azaras Fox are both particularly abundant!). Jaguar is also present. The park is also of historical significance, conserving some of the trenches and barracks of the Chaco War.
PROYECTO TAGUA – Captive breeding programme for the threatened Chaco Peccary (Tagua) supported by San Diego Zoo. They have already released over 250 captive bred individuals. They have examples of all three peccary species and it is a good opportunity to highlight the differences between the species that are not always that obvious in wild animals. The very different temperaments of the species make for a fascinating trip (the aggressive reactions of White-lipped Peccary to observers always have the clients talking afterwards!!). There is also a healthy wild population of Chaco Mara in this area!

Tour Guides

Mindo Bird Tours has teamed up with twp superb naturalists who know Paraguay, its habitats and its birds.

Paul Smith - Co-author of the Field Guide to the Birds of Paraguay, the mini field-guide to the birds of Paraguay series and founder of FAUNA Paraguay www.faunaparaguay .com, Paul has lived in Paraguay since 2003. A qualified zoologist he has extensive field experience in Paraguay, but is still amazed on a daily basis by the beauty of the country´s "naturaleza". He also works as a South American correspondent author for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Footprint travel books which give him an excuse to travel and get intimate with the continent´s animals. After covering Paraguay for the Rough Guide to South America in 2002 he fell in love with the country and its wildlife and moved out here for good!!

Hugo del Castillo - Co-author of the Checklist of the Birds of Paraguay, the Atlas of the Birds of Paraguay and the mini field-guide to the birds of Paraguay series. Hugo is a Paraguayan ornithologist with a life-time of field experience. He works for Guyra Paraguay charged with the maintenance of the Biodiversity Database which gives him an unrivalled knowledge of animal distribution in Paraguay.

 

Contact us for more details: jlyons@pi.pro.ec

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