More to 720 species of bird and about to 180 species of mammals inhabit the diverse eco regions of Paraguay. Whether you are climbing the cordilleras of Central Paraguay, walking under the shadows of the deep forests of the Mbaracayú Reserve, contemplating the extensive wetlands of Pantanal, enjoying the pristine waters of the Tagatiyá River in the Cerrado, or touring the immensity of that ocean called Chaco, the birds and mammals will accompany you every step of the way, with the echo of their chirpings, the radiance of their colors and the freshness of their flight. Birdwatchers from everywhere agree in saying that Paraguay offers the possibility of making excellent registries easily. The oscillation of its weather, between tropical and subtropical, favors a biodiversity that reflects itself in the birds and their habitats. The Great Pantanal and its complex system of wetlands along the Paraguayan River, the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná and the spectacular Paraguayan Chaco, nourish Paraguayan birds and facilitate their circulation and distribution.

We have traveled through Paraguay extensively; birds fascinate us and we know where to find them. In fact, our constant trips accompanying biologists and birdwatchers, as well as our relationship with institutions that work for in pro of preservation, facilitate us with a constant flow of information about the distribution of birds. For a better service to the birdwatcher and knowing their necessities and expectations, we have designed diferents referential itineraries to visit zones where the frequency and diversity of sightings are greater. The programs can be modified to cover the specific requirements of each birdwatcher or group, prolonging or diminishing the amount of days, as well as eliminating or adding places. And while we search for birds, we also offer tours designed for those people interested in watching mammals!. All of our products and services include the assessment and support of guides and ornithologists, as well as, professionals who are dedicated to the research and conservation of nature.

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Ecoregions of Paraguay and Birds

Paraguay´s biogeographic diversity allows for a classification of our products based on key natural areas. A common biogeographical classification used in South America divides Paraguay in seven ecoregions. In the vast Western Region are the Humid Chaco, Dry Chaco and Pantanal Matogrosense ecoregions. In the diverse Eastern Region are the Campos Cerrados, Atlantic Forest of Alto Parana, Mesopotamian Grasslans and Central Paraguay ecoregions. Our packages and reference tours are focused to try to observe the greatest amount of Birds and wildlife in general that an Ecosystem and a certain area can offer us, for this reason we want to introduce them briefly to the ecoregions of Paraguay and to the sites that we normally visit during our tours and that are the Hotspots of the Country and the region. This will greatly help you see the species of birds that have been registered in the country and by sites. Remember that we can help you put together a completely customized tour to your species expectations or the type of experience you want to experience in Paraguay.

The country is politically divided into 17 departments and biogeographically into 2 major regions that contain according to the classification that we will consider a total seven Ecosystems of Paraguay, (six global ecoregions and one ecoregion that we take in this classification of the Eastern Region that intends in the center of it, to all the ecosystems called Paraguay Central): the Eastern region to the east and the Western region or Chaco to the west, separated geologically by the Paraguay River that cuts the country in these two very different regions. Its strategic position in the heart of South America and all its tremendous paleogeographical history makes that in Paraguay converge "SIX" of the main and most biodiverse ecosystems of South America and to this we owe our great biodiversity in relatively little territory. To give an example as soon as the enormous biodiversity of Paraguay we take to the Birds, the country has registered to the date 721 species in 406.752 Km2, while Brazil, one of the most biodiverse and big countries of the planet has registered to the date 1,919 species of birds in 8,515,770 km2, Paraguay being a country 21 times smaller and without having the Amazonian ecosystem, make your calculations. In less than 400 km radius and you can find the 721 species of birds, in Paraguay we live undoubtedly in a true earthly paradise.

Semi deserted areas and palm savannas, hills and cordilleras, wetlands and rivers, forests and subtropical jungles, Paraguay has it all!

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Ecorregiones de la Región Oriental:

Atlantic Forest of Alto Parana:

The Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná, known as BAAPA, conforms the regional complex eco Atlantic Forest, categorized by the WWF as one of the most important places of the planet, biologically speaking. This sanctuary of humid and millenary jungles overflows with wild life and constitutes, nowadays, a true natural “luxury”. The Mbaracayú Reserve and the Managed Resources Reserve of San Rafael, are top exponents of this area, including a large variety of habitats, from lowland jungles, natural prairies and wetlands, to caverns and forestall formations, such as Cerrado.

In these places, mountain ranges and hills undulate the green tapestry of forests that run along the tributaries of the Paraná River, one of the mightiest rivers in the world. In fact, many of these rivers have stretches of rapids that are ideal for kayaking. Birdwatchers will not find a better place than BAAPA, home of more than 542 species of birds, 76 % of all the species registered in Paraguay.

It is considered the second most biodiverse ecoregion in South America. It is the most humid area of Paraguay, characterized by high and humid forests, it is located east of the eastern region and covers the entire length of it from the center to the east and south bordering the coasts of the Parana River and north with the Cordillera of Mbaracayu and Amambay, is the westernmost region of the Global Ecoregion known as the Atlantic Forest of Alto Parana.

This ecoregion has registered in Paraguay a total of 542 species of birds of which 79 are considered endemic to this Ecoregion at a global level.

Top 5 Hotspots and list:

Reserva Natural del Bosque de Mbaracayu: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762566?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Reserva de Recursos Manejados San Rafael: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762791?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Estancia Itabo: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762211?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Reserva Ypeti: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762350?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Parque Nacional Ybycui: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762586?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Campos Cerrados:

In northeastern Paraguay, between the Paraguay and the Paraná rivers, one finds one of the most fabulous eco regions of this country. The system of “Campos Cerrados”, a very particular formation of savannah that includes a mosaic of forests and xerophitic pastures, extends through a very important part of Brazil and Paraguay. Up until now, this type of eco region was a mystery for scientists, since it is characterized by being a relatively dry area and, at the same time, having an important vegetation mass, endemic in its majority. During the spring months, crossing these forests means becoming an spectator of a symphony of colors and forms played by the flora as well as by the wild life that erupts everywhere. Flocks of Peach-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga aurea) and Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) accompany the traveler constantly and, when heard on top of that humming silence that characterizes the jungle, in pristine places like the Tagatiyá River, they give the ensation of being in a hidden paradise of the world. This is an area rich in rivers, streams and lagoons with forests and extensive beaches of white sands. The diversity of the Cerrado makes it perfect to enjoy snorkeling, fishing, trekking, canoeing and birdwatching.

Also, in the city of Vallemí, the traveler has the opportunity to deepen himself in the insides of the earth and poking millenary caves where even one’s voice can seem to come from a remote past. Meet the rich fauna that inhabits these humid obscurities and witness the monuments that nature took years to build: stalactites and stalagmites adorn this true underground museum.

This region is discontinuous in Paraguay, it is surrounded by several ecotones, it has interferences to the north of the Dry Chaco, to the Northeast and Northwest of the Atlantic Forest in the departments of Amambay, Canindeyu and to the North, Northeast and Northwest of Concepción where it amalgamates with the Humid Chaco. It consists of many environments: grasslands, savannahs, forest islands and gallery forest, wetlands, mountains and represents the south west extension of the Global Ecoregion Closed

This ecoregion has registered in Paraguay a total of 454 species of birds of which 11 are considered endemic to this Ecoregion at the global level.

Top 5 Hotspots and list:

Reserva de Mbaracayu: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762566?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Parque Nacional Paso Bravo: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762161?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Parque Nacional Serrania de San Luis: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762042?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Laguna Blanca: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762183?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Estancia Garay Cue: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2761770?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

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Mesopotamian Grasslands (Ñeembucú):

Vast grasslands and extensive wetlands attractaquatic birds that feed themselves gently during the day. With the sunset, they take off and, like a large swarm, let themselves be heardthem in thousands of voices until nightfall. Such is the spectacle offered each day by the greatwetlands of Ñeembucú, a region that conforms the most extensive system of wetlands of the planet, originating itself in the Great Wetlands of Brazil and connecting with diverse sub-systems across the Paraguay River, including the Lower Chaco, Arroyos y Esteros and the gigantic Ypoa Lake. This region is even more interesting due to the fact that one can find areas in which the vegetation and fauna are those associated with the Lower Chaco. This makes it able for the traveller to experience all the diversity associated to the great wetlands, as well as the typical connotations of the Chacoan profile.

Enjoy canoe trips through wetlands and pastures that look like oceans, hiding birds of vivid colors, like the Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) and the Rusty-collared Seedeater (Sporophila collaris), or families of otters that, once in a while, show their moustaches above the surface. The great Mesapotamian Grasslands of which also are part wetlands of Ñeembucú is an encounter with southeast Paraguayan nature; an encounter one can not postpone.

This region is characterized by extensive pastures and wetlands. In the southeast of the region with drier grasslands, it represents a northern extension of the South American Mesopotamian Savannas, present to the Northwest of Uruguay, extreme south of Brazil, and North Central of Argentina. To the west with more humid pastures is an extension of the Humid Chaco in the Eastern Region of Paraguay.

This ecoregion has registered in Paraguay a total of 403 species of birds of which 3 are considered endemic to this Ecoregion at the global level.

Hotspots and list:

Reserva Guyra Reta: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762150?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Reserva Isla de Yacyreta:https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2761562?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Paraguay Central:

In this classification, we consider it a large transitional area of the other ecosystems of the Eastern Region of Paraguay. It occupies the central and western region of the eastern region of Paraguay and is the most heterogeneous of all, containing an amalgam of the Cerrado, Alto Parana Atlantic Forest, Mesopotamian Grasslands and Humid Chaco respectively.

This ecoregion of transitions is the one that has registered the largest number of birds in Paraguay with a total of 594 species, none of them endemic since they can be found in other regions.

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Ecoregions of the Western Region or Chaco:

The Great South American Chaco, which spreads from the southeast of Bolivia to the west of Paraguay, the north of Argentina and a small portion of Brazil, constitutes one of the most important, although least known, ecosystems of the world. In fact, not too long ago, the mysterious

Paraguayan Chaco was so poorly studied by biologists, that the Chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri), a species of wild pig believed to be extinct for more than 15.000 years, was found wondering the Upper Chaco. In the same zone, exists, until today, an indigenous ethnic group, the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode, which still maintains itself isolated and without direct contact with our civilization.In Paraguay, the so-called Boreal o Paraguayan Chaco, occupies 61% of the country’s

territory. This unknown land has been classified in diverse forms due to the great diversity of eco regions that describes it. One of those classifications, based on satellite observations of the dominant plant communities, divides the Chaco into Humid (or Lower), Dry (or Upper) and Pantanal Matogrosense.

The Great Chaco constitutes a complex ecosystem where diversity is the most assertive qualifier to describe it: from extensive palm savannas and xerophytic brush woods of medium height in the zone of the Lower Chaco, to semi-arid zones dominated by dense, thorny brush woods of small height, pastures and a variety of cacti in the Alto Chaco; without mentioning the Matogrosense zone, part of the extensive ecosystem of the Pantanal, where sub-humid forests of medium height and jungles full of wetlands abound. The Chaco will not cease to amaze the tourist with the richness of its territories, from dry to humid, from thorny brush woods to gallery forests, a concert of eco-regions that make this place a real Mecca for the ecological or research tourist.

Flora and fauna

Towards the end of 15th Century, the Inca Empire was expanding its domains reaching the Great Chaco. In fact, the meaning of the word “Chaco” is related to the expression “Chacu”, term that denominated the ceremonial practice hunting of the inhabitants of the South of the Inca Empire. The fauna and the flora of the Chaco were, since then, valued for its splendour and diversity In fact, the savannah of the dry Chaco is part of the second largest ecosystem of South America, following the Amazon’s. This region contains a high diversity of flora, embracing nearly 5.000 different species of plants. Great zones of this region conserve an exemplar sample of landscape of the Chaco, including the transition of semi-arid zones to most humid ones close to the rivers. The vegetation in this área conserves mixed savannahs, humid tropical forests, shrubby forests and seasonally flooded lands. Cruising the roads that cross the Paraguayan Chaco, one can observe large extensions of flooded palms, high forests of quebracho and, in the border zones of the Bolivian Chaco, sand formations typical of deserted regions, covered by diverse species of thorny vegetation.

The Chaco is home of a great diversity of birds, including species that nest and remain in these territories as well as species that migrate annually from the north and from the south. In the swamps it is common to find the impressive Jabiru stork (Jabirú mycteria), the American stork (Ciconia magu ari) and the white heron (Casimerodius albus). Resting by the birds in streams and lagoons, one can observe South American crocodiles (Caiman yacare), capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) and the largest deer of South America (Blastocerus dichotomus). Woodier zones are inhabited by the South American tiger (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), Cachoan peccaries (Catagonus wagneri), giant ant-eaters (Myrmecophaga tridáctila) and a large variety of snakes and frogs.

Cultural Diversity

Only 2,8 % of the total country´s population of lives in the Chaco. However, the zone characterizes itself by an interesting mixture of communities and cultures: three large Mennonite colonies, a few

populations of Paraguayans and more than 12 different indigenous villages. This diversity of population implies a multi-cultural richness that reflects in the fact that, both the indigenous villages and the Mennonite colonies, conserve their languages and their economical and cultural activities.

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Pantanal Matogrosense:

The Pantanal of South America is one of the most immense, pristine and biologically rich environments on the planet. Often referred to as the world’s largest freshwater wetland system, it extends through millions of hectares of in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.

This area is an unparalleled wildlife sanctuary of spectacular beauty, an ecological paradise containing hundreds of species of birds, thousands of varieties of butterflies, myriads of brightly colored flowers, and swarms of fish of all kinds.In Alto Paraguay the periodic floodings from this complex system of wetlands cover 660.000 hectares and in a tour through the area is normal to get in touch with its amazing wildlife: more than 91 species of mammals, 386 of birds, 37 of amphibians, 55 of reptiles and 173 of fish, including endangered species such as the blue macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) or the jaguar (Panthera onca).

This ecoregion is located in the extreme northeast of the Western Region of Paraguay, forming a southern extension of the Pantanal Matogrosense of Brazil, with a transition with the dry Chaco and predominantly humid Chaco. It represents the Pantanal global Ecoregion. The ecoregion is characterized by having mid-height sud-humid forests, wetlands and gallery forests periodically flooded,

This ecoregion has registered in Paraguay a total of 386 species of birds of which 3 are considered endemic to this Ecoregion on a global level

Estación Biológica Tres Gigante: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2763426?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Bahía Negra: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762771?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec  

Estancia Fortin Patria:https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2763117?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

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Humid Chaco (Lower):

This region is characterized by extensive savannahs of Palms of Karanday (Copernicia alba), with wetlands, estuaries, islets of forests and gallery forests, with several rivers and rivers tributaries of the Paraguay River. Represents the Chaco global Ecoregion. This ecoregion has some intromissions in the western area of the Eastern Region of Paraguay and is located in the southeastern part of the western region, bordering the Pilcomayo and Paraguay rivers, the latter with its pulses of floods and droughts is the one who models and regulates this ecosystem to a large extent.

This ecoregion has registered a total of 407 bird species, none of which is endemic, that is, they can be found in other ecoregions, but without doubt one of the best places to observe several rare species.

Hotspots and list:

Estancia Golondrina: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762226?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Estancia La Rafaela: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762215?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

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Dry Chaco (Upper):

It is a semiarid region, the driest in Paraguay, dominated by xerophytic vegetation, low spiny forests and bushes, with abundant presence of cacti of different species. Represents the Chaco global Ecoregion. It occupies the Northwest part of the eastern region of Paraguay. To the south of this ecoregion where the salty lagoons are located, the center of the Chaco being a transitional area between the dry Chaco and the humid Chaco, but with predominance of the first.

This ecoregion has registered in Paraguay a total of 434 species of birds of which 18 are considered endemic to this Ecoregion at the global level,

Hotspots and list:

Laguna Capitán: https://ebird.org/paraguay/hotspot/L2761959?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Chaco Lodge: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2761887?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Fortín Toledo: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762262?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Parque Nacional Tte. Enciso: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2762087?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2761754?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec

Species of Birds of Paraguay of Ebird: https://ebird.org/region/PY?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec&hs_sortBy=taxon_order&hs_o=asc

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