Río Pilcomayo National Park

Río Pilcomayo Overview

Río Pilcomayo National Park, or Parque Nacional Río Pilcomayo in Spanish, is a protected natural area in northern Argentina, within Formosa Province. Covering approximately 195 square miles (500 square kilometers), the park sits along the Paraguay border, where the Río Pilcomayo forms a natural boundary between the two countries.

The park is part of the Gran Chaco region, a vast and ecologically significant area known for its diverse habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and dry forests. The landscape features a mix of meandering rivers, marshes, lagoons, and palm-dotted savannas, creating an environment that supports a remarkable variety of flora and fauna. The Monte Lindo Lagoon is one of the park’s most notable features, attracting birdlife and providing a scenic spot for visitors.

The vegetation in Río Pilcomayo National Park varies depending on the terrain, with large expanses of quebracho trees, carob trees, and dense thorn forests in the drier sections, while the wetter areas support tall grasses, water lilies, and floating vegetation.

The mixture of ecosystems allows for a unique blend of wildlife, making the park an important conservation area. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including capybaras, howler monkeys, tapirs, and the elusive jaguar, which roams the more remote areas. Other predators, such as pumas and ocelots, also inhabit the park, adding to its ecological richness. The waterways are teeming with caimans, turtles, and an abundance of fish species.

The birdlife is particularly striking, with more than 300 species recorded, including herons, jabiru storks, kingfishers, and the strikingly pink roseate spoonbill. The park is also an important habitat for the crowned solitary eagle, one of the rarest raptors in the region.

Visitors to Río Pilcomayo National Park can explore the park through a network of trails and observation points that provide access to its diverse environments. The Laguna Blanca area is a favorite for birdwatchers, offering a chance to see migratory and resident species up close.

Canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the rivers and lagoons, allowing for a closer connection to the aquatic ecosystems. The park’s remote location means that it is relatively undisturbed by mass tourism, creating an ideal setting for those looking to experience nature in a tranquil and pristine environment. Camping and rustic accommodations are available, offering a way to immerse oneself in the park’s beauty over multiple days.

Río Pilcomayo National Park faces several conservation challenges, including deforestation, illegal hunting, and the impacts of climate change, which affect water levels and the overall health of the wetlands.

However, efforts have been made to improve conservation initiatives, including better park management, increased monitoring of key species, and collaboration with local communities to promote sustainable practices.

The park is part of the Ramsar Convention, which designates it as a wetland of international importance, highlighting its crucial role in regional biodiversity. Through continued conservation efforts, the park remains a valuable refuge for wildlife and a destination where visitors can experience the natural beauty of Argentina’s Gran Chaco region.

Park Map

Río Pilcomayo National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Río Pilcomayo National Park is also home to an incredible diversity of waterbirds, raptors, and forest species, making it one of the most important birdwatching destinations in Argentina.

Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)
One of the largest storks in the world, the jabiru is an iconic wetland species that wades through the park’s marshes in search of fish and amphibians.

Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata)
A large and distinctive wetland bird, the southern screamer is known for its loud calls and powerful wings, which allow it to soar over the marshes.

Rosy-billed Pochard (Netta peposaca)
A striking duck species with a bright red bill, the rosy-billed pochard is a common sight in the park’s lakes and wetlands.

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
A long-legged wader, the black-necked stilt is frequently seen in the park’s shallow waters, where it feeds on small invertebrates.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
A graceful and widespread wetland bird, the great egret hunts fish, amphibians, and crustaceans in the park’s marshes and along the Pilcomayo River.

Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis)
A powerful raptor commonly seen in the park’s grasslands and wetlands, the savanna hawk hunts rodents, reptiles, and small birds.

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
A striking and colorful scavenger, the king vulture helps clean the environment by feeding on carrion in the park’s forests and savannas.

White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
A highly social waterfowl species, the white-faced whistling duck gathers in large flocks in the park’s wetlands, where it feeds on seeds and aquatic plants.

Nacunda Nighthawk (Chordeiles nacunda)
A nocturnal bird that hunts insects over the park’s wetlands and grasslands, the nacunda nighthawk is an expert aerial forager.

Yellow-rumped Marshbird (Pseudoleistes guirahuro)
An eye-catching songbird, the yellow-rumped marshbird is commonly seen perched among the reeds and grasses of the park’s wetlands.

Río Pilcomayo National Park is a biodiversity hotspot in Argentina, offering a sanctuary for wetland species, large mammals, and an astonishing variety of birds. Whether spotting capybaras along the riverbanks, watching jabirus wade through the marshes, or listening to the calls of the southern screamer, visitors to the park experience one of South America’s most important and vibrant wetland ecosystems.

Río Pilcomayo National Park, located in Formosa Province, Argentina, is a vast protected area known for its subtropical wetlands, savannas, and gallery forests. The park is centered around the Pilcomayo River, which forms part of the border between Argentina and Paraguay. As a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, the park provides a crucial refuge for aquatic species, migratory birds, and large mammals. The combination of wetlands, grasslands, and forests makes it one of Argentina’s most biodiverse regions.

Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)
The largest deer species in South America, the marsh deer thrives in the park’s wetlands, grazing on aquatic vegetation. It is an important indicator of wetland health and a highly protected species.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
A distinctive canid with long legs and a reddish coat, the maned wolf is an elusive omnivore that feeds on rodents, birds, and fruits in the park’s grasslands.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
The apex predator of the region, the jaguar is rarely seen but plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by controlling populations of large herbivores and smaller predators.

Geoffroy’s Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)
A small and agile wild cat, Geoffroy’s cat is a nocturnal predator that hunts rodents, birds, and reptiles along the riverbanks and forest edges.

Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous)
A highly adaptable omnivore, the crab-eating fox is commonly seen in the park, scavenging and hunting small prey along riverbanks and wetlands.

Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
An important aquatic predator, the neotropical river otter thrives in the park’s rivers and wetlands, where it hunts fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara is abundant in the park, often seen grazing along the riverbanks and using the wetlands as a refuge from predators.

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
A striking insectivore, the giant anteater uses its long, sticky tongue to feed on ants and termites in the park’s savannas and open woodlands.

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
A well-armored nocturnal forager, the nine-banded armadillo digs for insects and small invertebrates in the park’s forests and grasslands.

South American Coati (Nasua nasua)
A highly social and curious mammal, the coati is often seen climbing trees and foraging on the forest floor for fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.