On the Andean foothills

Back to the gallery

Discover the Andean fauna at the heart of the beautiful landscapes of Western Argentinian Patagonia.

Here, the Araucano forest, a humid forest that is characteristic of the Southern part of the Andean Cordillera, is home to many typical species, such as the Chucao tapaculo or the Magellanic woodpecker.

Back to the gallery

Share album

Chimango caracara - Milvago chimango

This Chimango Caracara flies over the sea of ice of Perito Moreno. This raptor, common throughout Argentina, has a shrill cry that will surprise the inattentive walker.

Chucao tapaculo - Scelorchilus rubeluca

The Chucao tapaculo is a typical passerine of the forests of Andean Patagonia, the Araucano forest. It can be heared it more often than be seen. His scream resembles a turkey chuckle.

Culpeo - Lycalopex culpaeus

A few steps from the Lago de los Tres, facing Cerro Fitz Roy, an Andean fox is walking among hikers without any fear. The Culpeo lives mainly along the Cordillera of the Andes, from southern Colombia to the southern tip of the continent, Tierra del Fuego.

Andean condor - Vultur gryphus

The flight of the majestic Condor from the Andean peaks offers a sparkling view of the white feathers of its huge wings.

With a wingspan of more than 3 meters, the condor uses hot air currents to gain altitude without even fluttering.

Southern-crested caracara - Caracara plancus

This young Crested Caracara is preparing to land high up just a few steps from the Río Pichi Traful, in the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi.

Spectacled duck - Speculanas specularis

Here is a typical duck from the lakes and rivers of Araucano forest, highland forest of western Patagonia. The characteristic white spots at the eye level earned him the spanish name of Pato de anteojos, that means "Duck with glasses".

Magellanic Woodpecker - Campephillus magellanicus

New typical species of the Araucano forest in the southern Andean Cordillera, the Magellanic woodpecker. Called Carpintero gigante in Spanish, it is the largest South American woodpecker.

This is a female with very dark plumage. The male has a bright red head.

Austral parakeet - Enicognathus ferrugineus

In the Araucano forest, you are hearing noisy but invisible animals. A little more attention and you will distinguish bands of "Cachañas" feeding in the foliage of Nothofagus pumilio (native trees of the southern Andes).

The Magellanic Conure is a typical species of the forest of Andean Patagonia.

Andean condor - Vultur gryphus

This majestic Condor of the Andes flies over the mountains and volcanoes of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi: an impressive sight from the Cerro de la Mona.

Austral thrush- Turdus falcklandii

The Austral thrush has the same attitudes as the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula). Indeed, postures, flights and jumps remind those of this very common European passerine.

Culpeo - Lycalopex culpaeus

New encounter with the Culpeo, on the wild banks of Lago Filo Hua Hum, south of Parque Nacional Lanin. In a captivating atmosphere, this Andean fox is approaching a few tens of centimeters, without paying the slightest attention.