List of birds of Chile

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Chile. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society.^[1] The SACC list includes species recorded in mainland Chile, on the Chilean islands of the Cape Horn area, on other islands and waters near the mainland, and on and around the Juan Fernández Islands. The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC.^[2]

According to the SACC, the avifauna of Chile has 509 confirmed species, of which 12 are endemic, 113 are rare or vagrants, six have been introduced by humans, and two are extinct or extirpated. An additional eight species are hypothetical (see below). One additional vagrant species is added from another source. Thirty-five of the species on the Chilean SACC list are globally threatened.^[3]

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.

• (V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Chile
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Chile
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Chile as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
• (H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC

Rheas[]

Order: Rheiformes   Family: Rheidae

The rheas are large flightless birds native to South America. Their feet have three toes rather than four which allows them to run faster. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Lesser rhea, Rhea pennata

Tinamous[]

Order: Tinamiformes   Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of birds. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emus, and kiwis. Six species have been recorded in Chile.

• Ornate tinamou, Nothoprocta ornata
• Chilean tinamou, Nothoprocta perdicaria (E)
• Andean tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii (Extirpated)
• Elegant crested-tinamou, Eudromia elegans
• Puna tinamou, Tinamotis pentlandii
• Patagonian tinamou, Tinamotis ingoufi

Ducks[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Chile.

New World quails[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• California quail, Callipepla californica (I)

Pheasants[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)

Flamingos[]

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis
• Andean flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus
• James's flamingo (Puna flamingo), Phoenicoparrus jamesi

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in Chile.

• White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Great grebe, Podiceps major
• Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis
• Hooded grebe, Podiceps gallardoi (V)

Pigeons[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Twelve species have been recorded in Chile.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Picazuro pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro (V)
• Spot-winged pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa
• Chilean pigeon, Patagioenas araucana
• West Peruvian dove, Zenaida meloda
• Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata
• Bare-faced ground dove, Metriopelia ceciliae
• Black-winged ground dove, Metriopelia melanoptera
• Golden-spotted ground dove, Metriopelia aymara
• Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (V)
• Picui ground dove, Columbina picui
• Croaking ground dove, Columbina cruziana

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
• Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus (V)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (V)

Oilbird[]

Order: Steatornithiformes   Family: Steatornithidae

The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.

• Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis (V)

Potoos[]

Order: Nyctibiiformes   Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores that lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus (V)

Nightjars[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Four species have been recorded in Chile.

• Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (V)
• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (V)
• Band-winged nightjar, Systellura longirostris
• Tschudi's nightjar, Systellura decussata

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (V)
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
• Andean swift, Aeronautes andecolus

Hummingbirds[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backward. Ten species have been recorded in Chile.

• Sparkling violetear, Colibri coruscans
• Green-backed firecrown, Sephanoides sephaniodes
• Juan Fernandez firecrown, Sephanoides fernandensis (E)
• Andean hillstar, Oreotrochilus estella
• White-sided hillstar, Oreotrochilus leucopleurus
• Giant hummingbird, Patagona gigas
• Chilean woodstar, Eulidia yarrellii (E)
• Oasis hummingbird, Rhodopis vesper
• Peruvian sheartail, Thaumastura cora
• Glittering-bellied emerald, Chlorostilbon lucidus (V)

Limpkin[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub as far north as southern Florida.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (V)

Rails[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general, they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Fourteen species have been recorded in Chile.

• Austral rail, Rallus antarcticus
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (V)
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
• Spotted rail, Pardirallus maculatus (V)
• Plumbeous rail, Pardirallus sanguinolentus
• Spot-flanked gallinule, Porphyriops melanops
• Dot-winged crake, Porzana spiloptera
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
• Red-fronted coot, Fulica rufifrons
• Horned coot, Fulica cornuta
• Giant coot, Fulica gigantea
• Red-gartered coot, Fulica armillata
• Slate-colored coot, Fulica ardesiaca
• White-winged coot, Fulica leucoptera

Plovers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Fourteen species have been recorded in Chile.

• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• Tawny-throated dotterel, Oreopholus ruficollis
• Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
• Andean lapwing, Vanellus resplendens
• Rufous-chested dotterel, Charadrius modestus
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (V)
• Collared plover, Charadrius collaris
• Puna plover, Charadrius alticola
• Two-banded plover, Charadrius falklandicus
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus
• Diademed sandpiper-plover, Phegornis mitchellii

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus
• Blackish oystercatcher, Haematopus ater
• Magellanic oystercatcher, Haematopus leucopodus

Avocets and stilts[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• Andean avocet, Recurvirostra andina

Thick-knees[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Peruvian thick-knee, Burhinus superciliaris

Sheathbills[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Chionidae

The sheathbills are scavengers of the Antarctic regions. They have white plumage and look plump and dove-like but are believed to be similar to the ancestors of the modern gulls and terns. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Snowy sheathbill, Chionis alba

Magellanic plover[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Pluvianellidae

The Magellanic plover is a rare wader found only in southernmost South America. In its build and habits it is similar to a turnstone. Its upperparts and breast are pale gray and the rest of the underparts are white. It has short red legs, a black bill and a red eye. In young birds, the eyes and legs are yellowish.

• Magellanic plover, Pluvianellus socialis

Sandpipers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-two species have been recorded in Chile.

Seedsnipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Thinocoridae

The seedsnipes are a small family of birds that superficially resemble sparrows. They have short legs and long wings and are herbivorous waders. Four species have been recorded in Chile.

• Rufous-bellied seedsnipe, Attagis gayi
• White-bellied seedsnipe, Attagis malouinus
• Gray-breasted seedsnipe, Thinocorus orbignyianus
• Least seedsnipe, Thinocorus rumicivorus

Jacanas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Wattled jacana, Jacana jacana (V)

Painted-snipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• South American painted-snipe, Nycticryphes semicollaris

Skuas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. Six species have been recorded in Chile.

• Chilean skua, Stercorarius chilensis
• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
• Brown skua, Stercorarius antarctica (V)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger

Gulls[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, and terns. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Thirty-one species of Laridae have been recorded in Chile.

Tropicbirds[]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
• Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus

Penguins[]

Order: Sphenisciformes   Family: Spheniscidae

The penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater. Nine species have been recorded in Chile.

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
• Emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri (V)
• Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua
• Chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica (V)
• Little penguin, Eudyptula minor (V)
• Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti
• Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus
• Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
• Rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome

Albatrosses[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Eleven species have been recorded in Chile.

• Waved albatross, Phoebastria irrorata (V)
• Royal albatross, Diomedea epomophora
• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
• Sooty albatross, Phoebetria fusca (V)
• Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris
• Gray-headed albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma
• Buller's albatross, Thalassarche bulleri
• White-capped albatross (also called shy albatross), Thalassarche cauta (V)
• Salvin's albatross, Thalassarche salvini
• Chatham albatross, Thalassarche eremita

Southern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae. Seven species have been recorded in Chile.

• White-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria
• Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica (V)
• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• Pincoya storm-petrel, Oceanites pincoyae
• Elliot's storm-petrel, Oceanites gracilis
• Gray-backed storm-petrel, Garrodia nereis (V)
• White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina

Northern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Wedge-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates tethys
• Markham's storm-petrel, Hydrobates markhami
• Hornby's storm-petrel, Hydrobates hornbyi

Shearwaters[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Thirty-seven species have been recorded in Chile.

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Maguari stork, Ciconia maguari (V)
• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (V)

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (V)
• Great frigatebird, Fregata minor

Boobies[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Six species have been recorded in Chile.

• Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii
• Peruvian booby, Sula variegata
• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula (V)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (V)
• Nazca booby, Sula granti (V)^[4]

Cormorants[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful. Five species have been recorded in Chile.

• Red-legged cormorant, Phalacrocorax gaimardi
• Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus
• Magellanic cormorant, Phalacrocorax magellanicus
• Guanay cormorant, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
• Imperial cormorant (shag), Phalacrocorax atriceps

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (V)
• Peruvian pelican, Pelecanus thagus

Herons[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-neeecked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. Twelve species have been recorded in Chile.

• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (V)
• Stripe-backed bittern, Ixobrychus involucris
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (V)
• Striated heron, Butorides striata (V)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Cocoi heron, Ardea cocoi
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Whistling heron, Syrigma sibilatrix (V)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (V)
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea

Ibises[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. Six species have been recorded in Chile.

• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
• Puna ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi
• Bare-faced ibis, Phimosus infuscatus (V)
• Andean ibis, Theristicus branickii
• Black-faced ibis, Theristicus melanopis
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja (V)

New World vultures[]

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Andean condor, Vultur gryphus
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. Ten species have been recorded in Chile.

• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
• Cinereous harrier, Circus cinereus
• Long-winged harrier, Circus buffoni (V)
• Bicolored hawk, Accipter bicolor
• Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus
• Variable hawk, Geranoaetus polyosoma
• Black-chested buzzard-eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus
• White-throated hawk, Buteo albigula
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (V)
• Rufous-tailed hawk, Buteo ventralis

Barn owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Six species have been recorded in Chile.

• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Rufous-legged owl, Strix rufipes
• Peruvian pygmy-owl, Glaucidium peruanum
• Austral pygmy-owl, Glaucidium nanum
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquatus
• Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana (V)

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Four species have been recorded in Chile.

• Striped woodpecker, Dryobates lignarius
• Magellanic woodpecker, Campephilus magellanicus
• Chilean flicker, Colaptes pitius
• Andean flicker, Colaptes rupicola

Falcons[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Nine species have been recorded in Chile.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus
• Mountain caracara, Phalcoboenus megalopterus
• White-throated caracara, Phalcoboenus albogularis
• Striated caracara, Phalcoboenus australis
• Chimango caracara, Milvago chimango
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Orange-breasted falcon, Falco deiroleucus (V)
• Aplomado falcon, Falco femoralis
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

New World and African parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. Five species have been recorded in Chile.

• Mountain parakeet, Psilopsiagon aurifrons
• Monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (I)
• Austral parakeet, Enicognathus ferrugineus
• Slender-billed parakeet, Enicognathus leptorhynchus (E)
• Burrowing parakeet, Cyanoliseus patagonus

Tapaculos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhinocryptidae

The tapaculos are small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species in South and Central America. They are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed. Eight species have been recorded in Chile.

• Chestnut-throated huet-huet, Pteroptochos castaneus
• Black-throated huet-huet, Pteroptochos tarnii
• Moustached turca, Pteroptochos megapodius (E)
• White-throated tapaculo, Scelorchilus albicollis (E)
• Chucao tapaculo, Scelorchilus rubecula
• Ochre-flanked tapaculo, Eugralla paradoxa
• Dusky tapaculo, Scytalopus fuscus (E)
• Magellanic tapaculo, Scytalopus magellanicus

Ovenbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. Thirty-four species have been recorded in Chile.

Cotingas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored or decorated with plumes or wattles. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Rufous-tailed plantcutter, Phytotoma rara

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Forty-eight species have been recorded in Chile.

Vireos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Chivi vireo, Vireo chivi (V)

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Eleven species have been recorded in Chile.

• Blue-and-white swallow, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
• Tawny-headed swallow, Alopochelidon fucata (V)
• Andean swallow, Orochelidon andecola
• Brown-chested martin, Progne tapera (V)
• Gray-breasted martin, Progne chalybea (V)
• Southern martin, Progne elegans (V)
• Peruvian martin, Progne murphyi
• Chilean swallow, Tachycineta leucopyga
• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Grass wren, Cistothorus platensis

Thrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Five species have been recorded in Chile.

• Veery, Catharus fuscescens (V)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus (V)
• Austral thrush, Turdus falcklandii
• Creamy-bellied thrush, Turdus amaurochalinus (V)
• Chiguanco thrush, Turdus chiguanco

Mockingbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull-grays and browns. Four species have been recorded in Chile.

• Long-tailed mockingbird, Mimus longicaudatus (H)
• Chilean mockingbird, Mimus thenca
• Patagonian mockingbird, Mimus patagonicus
• White-banded mockingbird, Mimus triurus

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Pipits and wagtails[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Three species have been recorded in Chile.

• Peruvian pipit, Anthus peruvianus
• Correndera pipit, Anthus correndera
• Hellmayr's pipit, Anthus hellmayri

Finches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Five species have been recorded in Chile.

• Thick-billed siskin, Spinus crassirostris
• Hooded siskin, Spinus magellanica
• Black siskin, Spinus atrata
• Yellow-rumped siskin, Spinus uropygialis
• Black-chinned siskin, Spinus barbata

Sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. One species has been recorded in Chile.

• Rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis

Blackbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. Eleven species have been recorded in Chile.

• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (V)
• White-browed meadowlark, Leistes superciliaris (V)
• Peruvian meadowlark, Leistes bellicosa
• Long-tailed meadowlark, Leistes loyca
• Variable oriole, Icterus pyrrhopterus (V)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula (V)
• Screaming cowbird, Molothrus rufoaxillaris
• Shiny cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis (I)
• Austral blackbird, Curaeus curaeus
• Grayish baywing, Agelaioides badius (H)
• Yellow-winged blackbird, Agelasticus thilius

Wood-warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Nine species have been recorded in Chile.

• Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis (V)
• Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina (V)
• Masked yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis (V)
• American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla (V)
• Tropical parula, Setophaga pitiayumi (V)
• Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca (V)
• Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata (V)
• Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens (V)
• Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis (V)

Cardinal grosbeaks[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Two species have been recorded in Chile.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (V)
• Black-backed grosbeak, Pheucticus aureoventris (V)

Tanagers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Thirty-four species have been recorded in Chile.

References[]

See also[]

• Wildlife of Chile
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birds of Chile.

• Birds of Chile for the country and by region - World Institute for Conservation and Environment