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North-central Argentina is covered by this unique biogeographic formation characterized by a succession of deciduous woods, savannahs and palm groves. In the central areas the Quebracho tree (Shinopsis spp) dominates, with its incredibly hard wood, while in the arid western and southern reaches this is replaced by the Monte, an ecosystem endemic to Argentina dominated by Creosote Bushes (Larrea spp).
Some of the most spectacular species live in these regions: Crowned Eagle, Chaco Owl, Red-legged Seriema, Chaco Chachalaca, Spot-backed (Chaco) Puffbird, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Stripe-backed Antbird and Many-coloured Chaco-Finch are but a few examples of birds in this rich biome. In the drier west and south the Black-legged Seriema , the endemic Steinbach's Canastero, Burrowing Parrot and many more, while in the savannahs and marshes of the wetter east and north we find an array of completely different species such as the Whistling Heron, Jabiru Stork, Plumbeous Ibis, Pale-crested and Golden-green Woodpeckers, Purplish Jay and Red-crested Cardinal.
Most of the larger mammals of South America are found here also, including the Brown Brocket, peccaries, the South American Tapir and the elusive Puma, as well as the conspicuous Black Howler Monkey, Crab-eating Raccoon, Red Brocket, and armadillos of several species.
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| In the geographic centre of the country rise the Cordoba Hills, separated from the Andes by some 320 Km (200 mi) of salt flats, known as Salinas . The region has acted as a true island for speciation and is home to several endemics both with elevation and in the adjacent lowlands. Such is the case of the Cordoba Cinclodes and Salinas Monjita, two of the most sought-after birds of the region. Here too Andean Condors patrol the skies; small jewels like the Red-tailed Comet and the Olive-crowned Crescent-chest are but a few examples of what can be found in the area. Dense stands of Chaco vegetation support an amazingly rich assortment of birds which includes Brushland Tinamou, Spot-winged Falconet, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Chaco Owl, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper and the Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch. |
