DAY 1 - CAMIRI

The semiarid Chaco region of southeastern Bolivia is rarely included in birding tour itineraries. Some of the Chaco birds can be seen in the Lomas de Arena area, but many are only found farther south. On this day we'll drive south to our base for the next 3 nights, about a 4 hour drive to the town of Camiri. Thanks to a recently paved road, this drive is no longer the challenge it once was. During the transfer we'll pass through a transitional zone of tall, dry forests where we'll spend some time looking for the near-endemic Bolivian Slaty-Antshrike and Stripe-backed Antbird. We'll also pass through some more humid foothill woodlands where we'll stop to look for Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Green-cheeked Parakeet, and Plush-crested Jay. Overnight at a hotel in Camiri.

DAY 2 - SOUTH OF CAMIRI

During this day we'll drive south much the way to the Argentina border. We'll spend all day looking for specialties found in thorn forests, scrub, and savanna of this region. It's essential that we get an early start, as bird activity drops off precipitously once it gets hot during the middle of the day. Probably the best birding in Chaco habitat is the Boyuibe Chaco, located about 2 hours south of Camiri. Here we will be seeking a variety of Chaco specialties including Chaco Chachalaca, Chaco Earthcreeper, the rather scarce Crested Hornero, Little Thornbird, Lark-like Brushrunner, Short-billed Canastero, Fawn-breasted Wren, and Many-colored Chaco Finch. We'll make a special effort to see the secretive Crested Gallito in thorn scrub of the area. A major target species is Black-legged Seriema, more easily seen here than elsewhere. With luck we could even find the very scarce Black-bodied Woodpecker and Spot-backed Falconet and maybe even the rather rare Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper. Other possibilities include White-barred Piculet, Checkered Woodpecker, Cream-backed Woodpecker, and Cinereous Tyrant. At dusk we'll be on the lookout for Little Nightjar. Overnight at a hotel in Camiri.

DAY 3 - CAMIRI

We'll spend our second full day in the Chaco birding some foothill woodlands north of town. Along the road we're sure to see Red-crested Cardinal, Black-capped Warbling Finch, Red-crested Finch, and Golden-billed Saltator. We'll work denser vegetation to ferret out a couple skulkers, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher and Moss-backed Sparrow. We also hope to see Yungas Guan and Ocellated Piculet. We'll eventually reach the town of Launillas, where nearby wetlands offer chances for birds such as Southern Screamer, Comb Duck, Ringed Teal, Brazilian Teal, and Spot-flanked Gallinule. Overnight at a hotel in Camiri.

DAY 4 - CAMIRI & SANTA CRUZ

Since this extension would normally precede our Central Bolivia tour, we should have all morning to bird around Camiri to look for anything missed on previous days before returning to Santa Cruz in time for linking up with that tour.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Camiri Area
• Lagunillas Area