Yacutinga Private Nature Reserve. A birding paradise close Iguazu Falls
Exclusive for nature lovers
The area of the Iguazu Falls and surrounding Parks & Reserves offers important bird diversity.
Located 80 kilometers East from the Iguazu Falls with an exiting bird-list of over 320-bird species identificated and registered, the exclusive Yacutinga Private Reserve and the comfort of Yacutinga Lodge guarantee a successful birding expedition.
The Iguazu Falls area belongs to the phyto-geographical area of the Parana Forest. This is one of the most bio-diverse areas in Argentina.
The main characteristics that generate this exuberant Nature are its warm climate, constant humidity, and the lack of dry seasons and changing climate.
These environmental conditions make the area of Iguazu a sort of giant greenhouse. This is a completely green, stubborn and many a times, impenetrable forest. The forest structure becomes apparent in its different plant strata, which provide more than 320 bird species listed in Yacutinga with shelter, food and reproduction sites.
The highest Forest stratum, which reaches 30 meters in height, includes adult trees that form an uninterrupted roof of ramifications and dense foliage. This is the stratum that filters and administers the right amount of sunlight to the lower strata.
The smallest trees, between 3 and 10 meters high, make up to the so-called intermediate stratum. Its discontinuous canopy, presence of young trees to renew the forest, several fruit trees, bamboos and arborescent ferns, characterizes this layer.
The lowest stratum, up to 3 meters from the ground, receives little sunlight. Broad-leafed grasses, a large number of smaller ferns, and non-woody plants like begonias are abundant. This vegetal group covers and dresses the forest ground.
Other characteristics of this forest are the presence of two palm species, Pindo (Syagrum romanzoffianum) and Palmetto (Euterpe edulis), the latter being endangered; there are also a number of bamboos that proliferate between the low and the intermediate strata of the forest. Tacuara Guazú (Guadua angustifolia), with its 30 meters in height, is outstanding.
It is important for the bird-watcher to know and to identify the tree species of the environment visited. The most bird species find shelter to nest in certain trees; frugivorous species, for example, concentrate at certain time and on certain trees in a daily search for food, mainly wild fruits. Knowing the ecology of jungle trees and how to identify them is an essential tool for all bird watchers.
Bird abundance in this natural district is relevant.
Birds’ songs and colors enhance the beauty of the Iguazu Forest
Some birds inhabiting the high forest stratum are Rufous-thighed Kite, Rusty-margined Guan, White-eyed Parakeet, Reddish-bellied Parakeet, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet and White-necked Puffbird.
Also, Yellow-fronted, Lineated and White-spotted Woodpeckers, Ochre-breasted Foliage -Gleaner, Spot-backed Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, Streak-capped Antwren, Black-tailed and Black-crowned Tityra, Long-tailed Tyrant, Streaked and Boat-billed Flycatchers, Sirystes, Short-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Greenish and Gray Elaenia, Southern-beardless Tyrannulet, Greenish Tyrannulet, Pale-breasted Thrush, Eastern-slaty Thrush, Cream-bellied Gnatcatcher, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Blue Dacnis and Guira Tanager.
In the area of the central marsh of Yacutinga Private Reserve, we can see Limpkin, Muscovy Duck, Green Ibis at twilight, always an Everglade Kite, and Wattled Jacana. Also, Slaty-breasted Wood Rails often flying across the roads of the area.
When navigating down the San Francisco Stream, we go through its galleries to identify Rufescent-Tiger Heron, the elusive Sungrebe, Greater Ani, Swallow-tailed Manakin, White-browed Foliage-Gleaner, White-winged Swallow and River Warbler.
Along the interpretation trails in Yacutinga Lodge, it is common to observe Brown Tinamou, a Solitary Tinamou at times, Gray-fronted Dove, if we are lucky, a Pavonine Cuckoo; we can discover an Ochre collared Piculet, Gray-bellied Spinetail, Rufous-breasted Leafscraper, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Large-tailed Antshrike, Tufted Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Short-tailed Antthrush can always be heard, RufousGnateater, White-throated Spadebill, Fuscous Flycatcher, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Chestnut-headed Tanager.
In the intermediate stratum, characterized by vines and epiphytes, we can observe Black-throated Trogon, Surucua Trogon, RufousMotmot, una pair of Green-barred Woodpecker, the magnificent Blond-crested Woodpecker, White-browed Woodpecker, and the White throated Woodcreeper, PlanaltoWoodcreeper, Plain-winged Woodcreeper and Lesser Woodcreeper.
Plain Xenops, Plain Antvireo, Bertoni´sAntbird, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Green-backed Becard, and the rest of White-bearded Manakin, Band-tailed Manakin, Wing-barred Manakin.The Yellow Tyrannulet, Euler´s Flycatcher, Ochre-faced Tody-Tyrant, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant and Sepia-capped Flycatcher.The White-necked Thrush, Black-goggled Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Green-winged Saltator and Ultramarine Grosbeak.
The garden areas surrounding the lodge are ideal to comfortably observe Blue-winged Parrotlet, Scaly headed Parrot, Red-capped Parrot, Scale-throated Hermit. Violet-capped Woodnymph, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Plush-crested Jay, some Swallow-Tanagers. We can make a close observation of Purple-throated Euphonia and the Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Magpie Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, the noisy Red-rumped Caciques and the Epaulet Orioles.
When floating down the waters of the Iguazu River, we can see Black-collared Swallow and White-winged Swallow, Herons, Kingfishers and probably some birds of prey.
In the plantations and grassland areas near Yacutinga Private Reserve, we can observe TataupaTinamou and Small-billed Tinamou, Plumbeous Kite, Pale-vented and Picazuro Pigeons, Striped Cuckoo, White-eared Puffbird, Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant, Yellow-bellied Elaenia and the impressive Red-crested Finch.
Maybe we can enjoy the high flight of a King Vulture, surely Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture. Also, Great Dusky Swift, Ashy-tailed Swift; in summertime a group of Swallow tailed Kites, and some eagles.
Night hours are ideal for observation walks with powerful lights to discover Black-banded Owl, Rusty barred Owl and Mottled Owl. Tropical Screech-Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl.Semicollared Nighthawk, Pauraque and Common Potoo.
Yacutinga Lodge is nested in the heart of the Iguazu Jungle, just 2 hours from Port Iguazu and the main access to the Iguazu Falls.
Yacutingas programs include the transportation from Puerto Iguazu to Yacutinga Reserve, and return.
Guests must be at our meeting point in Puerto Iguazu at 2 PM.
The transfer departs from this meeting point towards Yacutinga Lodge at 2.30PM.
Reservations must be done in advance.
Please contact yacutinga@yacutinga.com for more information.
