Uruguay
Uruguay is a gently rolling country between southern Brazil and Argentina, bordered by the Río de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Rather than dramatic mountains, its landscape is characterised by open grasslands, low hills, rivers, wetlands and coastal lagoons. Native grasslands cover much of the country and are an important part of its natural character, while the Atlantic coast contains dunes, beaches and a chain of shallow lagoons. The Sierras de Minas and Rocha provide more rugged terrain, with small valleys and native woodland. Uruguay has a temperate, humid climate with four distinct seasons, although temperature extremes are relatively uncommon. The combination of extensive grasslands and coastal wetlands makes Uruguay particularly representative of the Río de la Plata region.
Overview
Uruguay is particularly strong for grassland birds, wetland species and coastal migrants. The Rocha Lagoon and surrounding Bañados del Este are among the country's most important birding areas, supporting more than 220 species and large concentrations of Black-necked Swan, Coscoroba Swan, shorebirds, terns and waterfowl. The lagoon is also one of the few places in Uruguay where Chilean Flamingo regularly occurs. Laguna de Castillos adds extensive marshes and the distinctive Monte de Ombúes woodland, while Esteros de Farrapos on the Uruguay River combines wetlands, grassland and riverine forest and is important for threatened birds and migrants. Uruguay is relatively easy to explore independently, with good road access and established observation points, making it a practical destination for birders interested in the open-country and wetland avifauna of southeastern South America.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus | 68.8% | 67.6% | 65.0% | 66.2% | 69.6% | 73.4% | 74.2% | 70.7% | 68.2% | 69.9% | 67.7% | 67.1% | 65.5% |
| Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus | 68.6% | 67.4% | 67.0% | 67.8% | 71.3% | 70.9% | 72.0% | 69.3% | 67.2% | 69.5% | 67.9% | 67.3% | 66.3% |
| Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus | 59.2% | 61.4% | 60.0% | 59.0% | 60.5% | 62.0% | 60.2% | 58.8% | 57.2% | 59.1% | 59.2% | 55.6% | 57.9% |
| Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis | 54.5% | 53.6% | 45.5% | 47.0% | 52.6% | 52.5% | 53.1% | 52.6% | 56.3% | 59.0% | 61.0% | 60.5% | 60.4% |
| Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis | 53.5% | 50.2% | 50.7% | 48.4% | 51.3% | 53.0% | 51.6% | 56.1% | 56.2% | 59.8% | 58.2% | 55.0% | 51.5% |
| Picazuro Pigeon Patagioenas picazuro | 51.7% | 48.9% | 47.5% | 47.9% | 49.0% | 53.9% | 54.2% | 53.7% | 53.2% | 54.5% | 54.9% | 53.8% | 49.2% |
| Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata | 50.0% | 55.2% | 55.4% | 48.5% | 39.8% | 39.5% | 42.6% | 46.2% | 49.6% | 54.3% | 57.0% | 56.6% | 55.8% |
| Rufous-bellied Thrush Turdus rufiventris | 39.3% | 35.5% | 30.8% | 33.1% | 37.9% | 38.3% | 39.5% | 38.1% | 40.0% | 42.9% | 46.4% | 46.4% | 43.1% |
| Southern House Wren Troglodytes musculus | 37.7% | 37.5% | 33.3% | 31.7% | 40.3% | 39.4% | 35.7% | 33.7% | 36.1% | 42.0% | 43.3% | 40.2% | 39.4% |
| Chalk-browed Mockingbird Mimus saturninus | 36.6% | 36.7% | 32.5% | 32.7% | 37.1% | 39.3% | 38.5% | 40.2% | 37.9% | 38.9% | 36.4% | 34.1% | 35.0% |