Argentina

The Andean Northwest

There is no region in Argentina with such diversity of life-forms as the north-west. While exploring the mountains we cannot fail to notice the rapid transition of habitats from woods to forest, to grasslands and high mountain deserts.

The Cloudforest , one of the most diverse ecosystems in South America, extends into Argentina as a wedge stretching south from Bolivia; this habitat covers the mountains from 600 to 2400 metres (2000- 7900 ft) above sea-level. A great variety of bird species can be found in the unique forests which vary with elevation. Ferns, epiphytes and bromeliads are particularly impressive as they cover every level of the vegetation.

A number of national parks and reserves protect this surprising array of flora and fauna, Calilegua being the most representative. Some species of note in Argentina's Yungas are the King Vulture, Alder Parrot, Mitred Parakeet, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Hoy's Screech-Owl, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Woodstar, Red-tailed Comet, Blue-crowned Trogon, Giant Antshrike, White-throated Antpitta and Rusty Flower-Piercer. On the fringes of the upper woods we can find the endemic Moreno's Ground-Dove, Tucuman Mountain-Finch, Yellow-striped Brush-Finch and in the torrents of crystalline water two very special birds: Rufous-throated Dipper and Torrent Duck.

Yet higher, the vegetation becomes dry brushland with columnar cactuses, the habitat for other species of birds such as Golden-spotted Ground-Dove, Mountain Parakeet, Giant Hummingbird, Rock and Straight-billed Earthcreepers, Rusty-vented and Maquis Canasteros, Andean Swallow, Black-hooded Sierra-finch, Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch, Rufous-bellied Saltator, Band-tailed and Plain-coloured Seedeaters.Yet higher again we move into upland grasslands where we can see Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, Puna Canastero, Andean Tinamou, Scribble-tailed Canastero and unmistakable form of the imposing Andean Condor.

Above 4000 m (13100 ft), we emerge onto the Altiplano. Perhaps the best way to reach this is along the Humahuaca Valley, 160 Km (100 mi) long which rises as one proceeds northwards along the Río Grande valley with spectacular scenery. The altiplano is a desert with sparse bunch grasses and stunted bushes; there are scattered saline and fresh-water lakes and ponds which act as high altitude oases, home to three species each of flamingos and coots as well as other high altitude beauties such as the Andean Avocet and Puna Plover.

The Chaco vegetation dominates the plains and foothills; it is one of the most characteristic and singular eco-regions on earth. Though it is rapidly being deforested, there are still unaltered extensions of habitat where interesting species occur, such as the Quebracho-crested Tinamou, Chaco Chachalaca, Turquoise-fronted Parrot, Chaco Owl, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Spot-backed (Chaco) Puffbird, Chaco Earthcreeper, Crested Hornero, Stripe-backed Antbird, Black-crested Finch and the Many-coloured Chaco-Finch.