Birdwatching in Potrero de Yala

Information

Potrero de Yala is a protected area whose surface belongs mostly to the Yungas ecoregion and has a wide range of altitudes, which means that many species of birds are present. Moreover, it is a good place for bird watching as it has trails for hiking and access to lagunas (like lakes).

To mention a few species:
- Along the stretch of Route 4 coming from the town of Yala, arriving at the park, you can see in the trees the red-faced guan (Penelope dabbenei), which is rare to find in other places.
- Along the Yala River, as it runs parallel to Route 4, several classic species of the Argentinean Yungas are abundant, such as the fulvous-headed brushfinch (Atlapetes fulviceps), the common Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus flavopectus) and the rusty-browed warbling-finch (Microspingus erythrophrys). The buff-browed foliage-gleaner (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) and the black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) can also be found here.
- Two species of interest are the rufous-throated dipper (vulnerable species, Cinclus schulzii) and the torrent duck (Merganetta armata).
- Along the paths, the spot-breasted thornbird (Phacellodomus maculipectus) is a common sight. And in the lagunas, the Andean lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) wanders along the banks, while in the water, coots and ducks can be seen.
- At night the lyre-tailed nightjar (Uropsalis lyra) usually appears and with luck the Yungas screech-owl (Megascops hoyi) can be recorded.