BA Birds and Contera Sur Reserva Ecológica

On Sunday, 20-March, we were in the middle of a stop-over in Buenos Aires doing some trip planning and visiting parts of the city we hadn’t seen on our first stop. One of the areas we had intended to visit was the Contera Sur Reserva Ecológica just east of the polluted channel, financial commercial area of Puerto Madera. As an ecological reserve, it has an interesting history. According to the Rough Guide, the entire area was intended to be a development where they attempted to fill the wetlands. Supposedly to build more bank buildings in the model of Puerto Madera. Fortunately for the residents of the city, the project failed and the area returned to nature. It is a huge ecological reserve in the Parana River Delta, downstream from Tigre where we visited before. It is right in the city and easy to access. That is, at least, when it is open, which is not on Sundays. Again, when planning, check hours! Luckily for us, there is a huge section of the park that can be seen via a stroll down a very large sidewalk dotted with food trucks.

Even though we couldn’t get in the park, we walked the entire length just outside and enjoyed the scenery and actually a lot of birds. You may notice from the photo that the ubiquitous pigeon is a common bird. However, one uncommon bird in North America who we saw hanging out with the pigeons and stealing their grounders are the Monk Parakeets. It is really crazy to see and hear these as common city birds. Here’s one we watch harass the pigeons and steal their food.

Another thing you may notice from the photo of the park and walkway is the common water lettuce that covers most of the wetland. Most of the birds treat is as ground, as does the stilty legged Jacana. They’re everywhere walking on the water.

The lanky legs and red body really make them stand out against the background. Another water walker with bright plumage is the Great Kiskadee. He’s a real show-off with his bright red chest and black and white crown.

That really sums up the small birds we watched. Next on the size scale was this huge pigeon-type bird we couldn’t identify. It was about the size of a chicken! “How terrifying!” was Ande’s comment about a pigeon that large. If you’re able to identify it, let us know.

Loud screeches drew our attention to an island in the middle of the wetlands where we saw a group of birds we assumed to be turkeys. Zooming in with the camera revealed that they were not even close to turkeys. They had black rings on their necks and a distinctive crown feather off the back of their heads. Our research identified them, aptly, as Southern Screamers. Take the time to visit the BA Bird link and hear their call.

Here’s another shot of the habitat and the island they were populating in the wetland from a distance.

Another large bird that was fun to watch and sported some fancy plumage was the Limpkin. We initially thought that maybe it was a heron, but it definitely was not once we got closer. We watched this one preening its feathers for a while and actually took several pictures. This was our favorite.

There were, of course, herons. Would be odd to see a wetland without them. We did spot a common Great White Heron on the shores where you’d typically find them.

Our big surprise from the heron family was the Rufescent Tiger-Heron we spotted. Our research said it was very uncommon and seeing one was a big score! He was definitely watching Ande watch him with the camera.

And, last but not least, there were raptors. We’ve already commented in the Tigre/Nordelta post how common the Caracas were. Being just downstream from where we saw our first, it isn’t surprising that we saw several circling and sitting in the top of the highest trees as they’re inclined to do. Not a great picture, but didn’t want to leave the raptors out.

All in all, it was a great day of birding. Not sure either of us expected to become avid birders, but the abundance of species and the challenge of identifying them has made it a lot of fun. We’re currently in Northern Patagonia in Baraloche in the lake district. There’s are a ton of interesting birds here, and we hope to share some of those soon. We hope you enjoy these photos. I still can’t get over how common and how mischievous the parakeets are. You can always hear them before you see them. Happy birding!

Jake & Ande