Nature

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  Also known as tropical cloud forest, the yungas can be found in the eastern frontal range of the Andean Cordillera, where the wet winds from the northeast unload their heavy rain. With increasing elevation, vegetation turns into forests, and above 2300 meters into high grasslands. This biogeographic region has a complex structure and biodiversity similar to the jungle of Misiones.

  In the yungas we can find big raptors, toucans, motmots, guans, dippers, hummingbirds, tropical finches, antbirds, and tyrants.

  Endemic species and highlights: Penelope obscura, Micrastur ruficollis, Harpyhaliaetus Pyrrhura molinae, Piaya cayana, Pulsatrix perspicillata, Picummus dorbignyanus, Campephilus leucopogon, Lepidocolaptes angustirostris, Synallaxis scutatus, Thamnophilus caerulescens, Todirostrum plumbeiceps, Phylloscartes ventralis, Myioborus brunniceps, Cinclus schulzi, Turdus albicollis, Basileuterus bivittatus, Atlapetes fulviceps, and more.

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  Relatively stable high temperature and air humidity over long periods of time have fostered the greatest species richness and structural complexity (together with the Yungas). Several layers of vegetation can be distinguished, up to 30 meters (100 feet) high. Vegetation occurs at every point reached by sunlight, including climbing plants and epiphytes. Diversity of resources allowed specialized diets in animals (including birds).

  In the jungle we can find great eagles, guans, anis, toucanets, trogons, puffbirds, many hummingbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, antbirds, tanagers and flycatchers.

  Endemic species and highlights: Tinamus solitarius, Aburria jacutinga, Spizaetus ornatus, Falco rufigularis, Amazona petrei, Otus atricapilllus, Caprimulgus sericocaudatus, Anthracothorax nigricollis, Dryocopus galeatus, Syndactila rufosuperciliata, Chamaeza campanisoma, Pachyramphus castaneus, Pyroderus scutatus, Basileuterus culicivorus.

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  Emerging from a plain made of sedimentary soils in the north of the country, the Chaco has forests, palm groves, tidelands, and high grasslands. To the west, the dry Middle Chaco supports an almost continuous forest of up to 25 meters high, with several thorny plants. One of the main characteristics is the alternation of seasons, very dry in fall and winter, and heavy rains in spring and summer. The diversity is not as great as in the jungle due to the limiting influence of the dry season, but the wetlands harbor a spectacular concentration of birds.

  We can find seriemas, tinamous, chachalacas, puffbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, falcons, owls, nighthawks, woodcreepers, and wetlands abounding in herons, storks, ibises, screamers and crakes.

  Endemic species and highlights: Eudromia formosa, Ortalis canicollis, Podiceps dominicus, Anhinga anhinga, Trigrisoma lineatum, Jabiru mycteria, Sarcoramphus papa, Buteo magnirostris, Phaetusa simplex, Cariama cristata, Nandayus naday, Strix chacoensis, Nystalus maculatus, Celeus lugubris, Furnarius cristatus, Thamnophilus doliatus, Hirundinea ferruginea, Donacobius atricuapillus, Anthus chacoensis, Sporophila leucoptera, Poospiza nigrorufa, Icterus cayanesis, and more.

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  It is one of the largest arid regions of the country. Shrubby steppes are predominant, with trees present only where the conditions are milder. This phytogeographic province is unique to Argentina and extends irregularly east from the Andes. It is relatively uniform in its flora and fauna due to the similar climatic conditions across its latitude. Its main vegetation community is the jarillal, a shrubby steppe up to 2.5 meters tall.

  In the monte we can find tinamous, caracaras, cuckoos, owls, ground-doves, ovenbirds, gallitos, mockingbirds, monjitas and finches.

  Endemic species and highlights: Nothoprocta cinerascens, Nothura darwini, Eudromya elegans, Metropelia morenoi, Cyanoliseus patagonus, Coccyzus cinereus, Pseudoseisura gutturalis, Teledroma fuscus, Xolmis coronata, Neoxolmis rubetra, Anairetes flavifrons, Phytotoma rutila, Mimus dorsalis, Saltator aurantirostris, Poospiza ornata, and others.

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  This biogeographic region includes a great plain to the south and undulating terrain to the north, barely interrupted by heavy meandering rivers and some lagoons, and is covered by tall grasslands. The weather is moderate and wet, with no dry season. To the east it reaches the marine coast with sand and dunes. Due to the high productivity there are numerous species adapted to the grasslands, nesting on the ground and cryptically colored. Some species are migratory and several families are non-flying birds. Lagoons concentrate the greatest diversity of birds.

  In the Pampas we can watch rheas, tinamous, kites, ovenbirds, pipits, tyrants, cowbirds and meadowlarks. Great diversity at wetlands with ducks, egrets, swans, grebes, etc.

  Endemic species and highlights: Rhea americana, Rhynchotus rufescens, Podiceps occipitalis, Syrigma sibilatrix, Ciconia maguari, Cygnus melancorhyphus, Anas versicolor, Aramus guarauna, Chauna torquata,Athene cunicularia, Nycticryphes semicollaris, Himantopus melanurus, Charadrius collaris, Colaptes campestris, Geosita cunicularia, Cranioleuca sulphurifera, Asthenes hudsoni, Carduelis magellanica, Sturnella defilippi, etc.

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  This is a higher elevation biogeographic region, generally above 3000 meters, though extending up to 4500 meters above sea level in the northwest. Toward the southwest, in the Mendoza area, it descends to 2000 m. It has very dry weather, with a wide daily temperature range, and is drier to the east. The scant vegetation, specially to the east, is represented by low shrubs and cactus that leave the ground partly exposed. As can be expected, fauna is also rare, with several endemic species and similarities with the birds of Patagonian steppe.

  In the puna and prepuna we can find flamingos, several kind of coots, highland hummingbirds, ovenbirds, finches, and others.

  Endemic species and highlights: Tinamotis pentlandii, Plegadis ridgwayi, Phoenicoparrus andinus, Chloephaga melanoptera, Anas puna, Polyborus megalopterus, Fulica gigantea, Recurvirostra andina, Metropelia morenoi, Oreotrochilus estella, Colaptes rupicola, Geositta punensis, Lessonia oreas, Mimus dorsalis, Sicalis lutea, Phrygilus atriceps.

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  This is an arid steppe of grass and low shrubs that covers great plains. The rocky ground appears naked among the sparse thorny vegetation, adapted to scant water and strong winds. This region represents most of Patagonia, and is a succession of plateaus, terraces and gently undulous country, up to the Atlantic Littoral.

  In the Steppe we can find patagonian rheas, tinamous, geese, seed-snipes, eagles, ibises, nighthawks, canasteros, shrike-tyrants and finches.

  Endemic species and highlights: Rhea pennata, Tinamotis ingoufi, Podiceps gallardoi, Chloephaga picta, Anas sibilatrix, Geranoaetus melanoleucus, Rallus antarcticus, Charadrius falklandicus, Thinocorus rumicivorus, megaceryle torquata, Eremobius phoenicurus, Neoxolmis rufiventris, Phrigilus fructiceti, Sicalis lebruni, and others.

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  This is found in the patagonian portion of the Andes Mountain Range. It is a moderate-cold forest of evergreen and deciduous southern beech trees. These beech forests densely cover hillsides and valleys, alternating with crystalline lakes, rapid rivers, and huge mountains, some of them blanketed in glaciers. The weather is moderately cold, with a dry season in summer. The region has several endemic species associated with its Antarctic origin, distinguishing this from the other neo-tropical regions.

  In the forest we can woodpeckers, owls, parakeets, tapaculos, rayaditos, elaenias, tyrants, siskins and finches.

  Endemic species and highlights: Theristicus caudatus, Podiceps major, Chloephaga poliocephala, Speculanas specularis, Buteo ventralis, Enicognathus ferrugineus, Strix ruficeps, Sephanoides sephaniodes, Campephilus magellanicus, Aphrastura spinicauda, Pygarrhichas albogularis, Scelorchilus rubecola, Colorhamphus parvirostris, Phytotoma rara, Turdus falklandii, Carduelis barbata, Curaeus curaeus, and others.

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  This is a vast and diverse area, extending through 4500 kilometres of sand beaches, muddy or rocky beaches, dune-scrub, and cliffs. Cold streams induce arid coastal areas, with the exception of some islands where dense grasslands are found. Tidal fluxes are great in places, offering an intertidal zone that is a very rich resource. Below the surface are “submarine forests” composed of kelp and other algae. This diversity is complemented with a great variety of resident marine birds, migratory and shorebirds.

  In the Atlantic Littoral we can find penguins, albatrosses, petrels, oystercatcher, plovers, sandpipers, skimmers, shags, gulls and more.

  Endemic species and highlights: Spheniscus magellanicus, Phalacrocoraxs magellanicus, Diomedea exulans, Macroneutes giganteus, Chloephaga hybrida, Tachyeres leucocephalus, Haematopus leucopodus, Stercorarius skua, Sterna hirundinacea, Zonibyx modestus, Chionis alba, Rynchops niger, etc.