Birdwatching in Ulaa
Avistamiento de Aves
North to south, from the sea to the mountains, there are 439 bird species in Chile. Of these, 296 make their homes in the country, while the rest are habitual or occasional visitors of the vast territory.
Eleven of these species can be found only in Chile, 6 living in the continent and 5 on the islands.
The species spotted in the forests near Ulaa are woodpeckers, kingfishers, and the “witchbird”, given that name by the locals because of its frightening squawk and nocturnal lifestyle.
Species
Several other bird species have been seen in the area, such as:
HARRIERS
Harriers (of the subfamily Circinae) are diurnal birds of prey which fly low over meadows and marshes and hunt small animals. Harriers have long wings and legs, while the beak is short. Their plumage is soft, with thickset feathers around their small face.
CARANCHO
The carancho, (Caracara plancus) is a bird of prey of considerable size, between 55 and 60 cm (21 and 24 in) long, belonging to the falconidae family.
The top of its head is of a blackish color, the rest being white. Its neck is whitish gray, and its chest and back are striped greyish brown and whitish gray. While it is flying, it’s possible to see its clear-colored underwings and whitish tail with its black stripe.
Conservation level: minor concern
CHUCAO
The chucao (Scelorchilus rubecula) is a bird species of the family Rhinocryptidae, native to Argentina and Chile. A very docile bird, its natural habitat is the temperate forest.
Conservation level: close to endangerment
BLACK PATAGONIAN WOODPECKER
The Picidae is a great family of birds which includes 218 species commonly known as woodpeckers, pitos, pinepeckers, and wrynecks. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with the exception of Australia, Madagascar, and the extreme Polar Regions. They can be sedentary or migratory. Many species remain in the same area for years whereas others travel great distances from the areas where they mate to those where they hibernate.
CONDOR
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is one of the two species of the genus Vultur. It’s the National Bird of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, and is of great importance in Venezuela, Argentina, and Peru.
The condor, like the six other carrion-eaters of the New World, belongs to the family Cathartidae, word derived from the Greek "Kathartes" which means “that which cleans”. Members of this family are characterized by the fact that they feed almost exclusively on carrion.
The Andean condor is recognized as the biggest soaring bird on the planet, and the one with the largest wingspan. Adult birds can measure up to 142 cm (4.6 ft )in height and between 270 to 330 cm (9 to 10 ft) in wingspan, weighing 11 a 15 kg (24 to 33 pounds) the males and 8 a 11 kg (16 to 24 pounds) the females.
Their relatively small head is usually of a reddish color, although it may vary according to the animal’s mood. It beak is quite sharp and shaped like a hook. Its wings are long and wide, and its feet, which do not bend much, show short, relatively straight nails, with an elevated hinder toe more adapted to walking than other species. The sexual maturity of these birds is reached at around the age of eight. When young, the plumage is brown for both sexes, and the color gradually changes to the characteristic bluish black. The back of each wing presents a wide white stripe, and a fringe of white feathers nearly surrounds the base of the neck, protecting its naked skin.
PARRAKEET
The blue-crowned parakeet (Aratinga acuticaudata) is a member of the family Psittacidae. The male’s head has an unmistakable bright plumage. This bird tends to fly in small, active flocks, soaring through the tree tops whilst chirping in high squeaky tunes.
It lives in the mountain’s low, temperate regions or lowland forests, especially where the trees border cultivated areas.
It tends to be very cautious on ground, usually eating in cereal and rice fields. It also feeds on various types of seeds, small fruits such as figs, and nectar. It huddles in big flocks at night, although breeding couples usually remain in the nest, to prevent other birds from doing any harm. Their chirping, though high-pitched, is relatively brief and musical.
THRUSH
The fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a member of the thrush family Turdidade.
It’s a big thrush, 26 cm (9.8 in) long and weighing up to 100 grams (3.5 oz). Males and females are very similar in appearance, with a brown back and bluish gray rear head, neck, and rump. Its chest is reddish with black spots and its underwing and other parts are of a whitish color, except for the upper part of its tail, which is brown.
CHILEAN PIGEON
The Chilean pigeon (Columba araucana), lives in South America, in southern Chile and Argentina, while hibernating more to the north. It’s about 34 to 40 cm (13 to 15 in) in size, and though both the male and female have similar plumage, the female presents a somewhat more opaque color. They have red feet and a black beak, with a white band at the back of the neck. This species lives in central Chile, although during mating season the birds make their nests in the south of Chile and Argentina, usually laying two eggs. They can be spotted in beech forests, among others.
Conservation level: vulnerable
