programs
The archipelago of Chiloé is a place of high ecological value because of the different ecosystems that host unique biodiversity of plant and animal life.
On one hand, forests are formed basically by arboreal species of perennial leaves with growing activity during the whole year.These complex tempered rainforests are organized in multiple strata from the soil to the canopy, with hundreds of species of ferns, vines, shrubbery, and bryophytes, most of them endemic. The latter is the ideal shelter for hundreds of arboreal birds such as Chucao, Huet-Huet, Magellanic Tapaculo, Des Murs’s Wiretail, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-crested Elaenia, Green-backed firecrown, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Magellanic Woodpecker, Rufous-legged Owl among other species, most of them endemic of southern Chile and Argentina. Chiloé itself counts with four endemic subspecies.
On the other hand, the coastline of the inland sea of Chiloé has a large tidal amplitude that creates wetlands rich in nutrients in a protected scenario, becoming an ideal ecosystem for thousands of migratory and resident birds like the Hudsonian Godwit that travels every summer from Alaska, the Chilean Flamingo that visits our coasts from Patagonia in winter, Black-necked Swan, Flightless steamer duck, Egrets, Coots and Brown-hooded Gull among many others.
Finally, in the most exposed coasts at the Corcovado Gulf and the Pacific Ocean, we may find marine and pelagic birds like the Black-browed albatross, Antarctic Petrel, South American Tern, Sooty Shearwater, 4 species of Cormorants, Penguins, Storm petrel, etc. Sailing through its waters we will also have the opportunity to see from small to large-sized cetaceans like the Chilean and Austral dolphins and if we are lucky enough we may see blue whales, humpback whales, sei whales and orca whales depending on the time of the year.
For ornithology and nature lovers, being able to go all over the diverse ecosystems of Chiloe searching for species that live in this territory can be a simply fascinating adventure. Aves Chiloé invites you to enjoy the natural settings along with the local culture and its warm-hearted people. We have full-day programs, 2 and 3 days, and more including customized programs.
You will discover the best places for birdwatching in Chiloe, visiting Bosquepiedra Forest Reserve and the Coastal Wetlands of Putemún and Pullao, both part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network(WHSRN).
Available for cruises at Castro Port (activity schedules are adjusted to the arrival and departure of the cruises)
Transfer to the Chepu River Valley where we will embark on a boat with local fisherman to some birding at Laguna Coluco and among the sunken forest- a reminder of the 1960’s earthquake that reshaped Southern Chile, we will be able to spot a great variety of birds.
