Alerce Costero National Park

Birds

Alerce Costero National Park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with its towering trees, dense vegetation, and coastal cliffs providing a habitat for an incredible variety of avian species, including rare and endemic birds.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, the Magellanic woodpecker is easily recognized by its striking red head and powerful beak, which it uses to forage for insects in tree trunks.

Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
A small, secretive bird with a loud, melodious call, the chucao tapaculo thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth. It is an expert at navigating the forest floor in search of insects.

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
Known for its eerie, far-reaching call, the black-throated huet-huet is an elusive bird that forages among the leaf litter for insects and small invertebrates.

Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus)
An endemic parakeet of Chile, this species is often seen flying in noisy flocks over the park. It feeds on seeds and fruits from native trees, including the ancient alerce.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s cliffs, scanning for carrion. This magnificent scavenger plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nana)
A small but formidable predator, the Austral pygmy owl hunts small birds and rodents. It is active during the day and can often be seen perched on tree branches.

White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis)
This small bird behaves much like a woodpecker, climbing tree trunks in search of insects hiding beneath the bark. It is commonly found in the park’s ancient forests.

Des Murs’ Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
A small, unique bird with an elongated tail, the Des Murs’ wiretail is an agile forager that moves through the forest in search of insects.

Spectacled Duck (Speculanas specularis)
A rare and beautiful duck species, the spectacled duck is often seen in the park’s rivers and lakes. It is easily recognized by its distinctive facial markings and iridescent wing feathers.

Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrida)
A coastal waterfowl species, the kelp goose is well adapted to the rocky shores of southern Chile. Males are entirely white, while females have dark brown, barred plumage.

Alerce Costero National Park is a true natural wonder, preserving an ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched for millennia. From towering alerce trees to elusive Darwin’s foxes and magnificent Andean condors, this park is a sanctuary for some of Chile’s most fascinating and endangered wildlife. Whether hiking through its misty forests, spotting rare birds, or exploring its pristine rivers, visitors to Alerce Costero experience one of the last great temperate rainforests of the world.

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Alerce Costero National Park, located in the Los Ríos Region of southern Chile, is a breathtaking sanctuary that protects one of the last remaining stands of ancient alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides). This temperate rainforest, shaped by the cool, humid climate of Chile’s coastal range, is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including many endemic and endangered species. The park’s rugged terrain, lush forests, and pristine rivers make it a vital refuge for some of Chile’s most fascinating creatures.

Pudu (Pudu puda)
The world’s smallest deer, the pudu, thrives in the dense forests of Alerce Costero. Measuring only 40 cm (16 inches) at the shoulder, this shy herbivore feeds on leaves, fruits, and bark while remaining hidden from predators.

Darwin’s Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes)
One of the rarest canids in the world, Darwin’s fox is endemic to Chile and critically endangered. It is a nocturnal and highly elusive predator that hunts small mammals, birds, and insects while also feeding on forest fruits.

Kodkod (Leopardus guigna)
Also known as the güiña, this small wild cat is one of the most secretive inhabitants of the park. It is an excellent climber and primarily hunts rodents, birds, and insects in the dense temperate rainforest.

South American Coati (Nasua nasua)
A social and highly adaptable mammal, the South American coati is frequently seen foraging in groups. It uses its long snout to dig for insects, fruits, and small vertebrates, playing an important role in the ecosystem.

Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax)
This endangered otter species inhabits the park’s rivers and coastal areas. An excellent swimmer, it preys on fish, crustaceans, and amphibians while relying on clean freshwater environments.

Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)
A rare and endangered deer, the huemul prefers remote and rugged terrain. Though sightings are uncommon, Alerce Costero provides critical habitat for this elusive species.

Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja)
A small but fierce carnivore, the lesser grison is an agile predator that hunts rodents, birds, and reptiles. It is often seen darting through the forest undergrowth in search of prey.

Andean White-eared Opossum (Didelphis pernigra)
A nocturnal marsupial, this opossum is an important seed disperser in the park. It feeds on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates, helping maintain forest diversity.

Magellanic Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys magellanicus)
A subterranean rodent adapted to the cool and wet conditions of southern Chile, the Magellanic tuco-tuco spends most of its life underground, feeding on roots and grasses.

Black-necked Swamp Turtle (Acanthochelys spixii)
An uncommon freshwater reptile in the park, this turtle inhabits slow-moving rivers and wetlands, where it feeds on aquatic plants and small invertebrates.

Birds

Alerce Costero National Park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with its towering trees, dense vegetation, and coastal cliffs providing a habitat for an incredible variety of avian species, including rare and endemic birds.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, the Magellanic woodpecker is easily recognized by its striking red head and powerful beak, which it uses to forage for insects in tree trunks.

Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
A small, secretive bird with a loud, melodious call, the chucao tapaculo thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth. It is an expert at navigating the forest floor in search of insects.

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
Known for its eerie, far-reaching call, the black-throated huet-huet is an elusive bird that forages among the leaf litter for insects and small invertebrates.

Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus)
An endemic parakeet of Chile, this species is often seen flying in noisy flocks over the park. It feeds on seeds and fruits from native trees, including the ancient alerce.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s cliffs, scanning for carrion. This magnificent scavenger plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nana)
A small but formidable predator, the Austral pygmy owl hunts small birds and rodents. It is active during the day and can often be seen perched on tree branches.

White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis)
This small bird behaves much like a woodpecker, climbing tree trunks in search of insects hiding beneath the bark. It is commonly found in the park’s ancient forests.

Des Murs’ Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
A small, unique bird with an elongated tail, the Des Murs’ wiretail is an agile forager that moves through the forest in search of insects.

Spectacled Duck (Speculanas specularis)
A rare and beautiful duck species, the spectacled duck is often seen in the park’s rivers and lakes. It is easily recognized by its distinctive facial markings and iridescent wing feathers.

Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrida)
A coastal waterfowl species, the kelp goose is well adapted to the rocky shores of southern Chile. Males are entirely white, while females have dark brown, barred plumage.

Alerce Costero National Park is a true natural wonder, preserving an ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched for millennia. From towering alerce trees to elusive Darwin’s foxes and magnificent Andean condors, this park is a sanctuary for some of Chile’s most fascinating and endangered wildlife. Whether hiking through its misty forests, spotting rare birds, or exploring its pristine rivers, visitors to Alerce Costero experience one of the last great temperate rainforests of the world.