Melimoyu National Park

Birds

Melimoyu National Park is also home to a rich variety of bird species, thriving in the park’s old-growth forests, high-altitude ridges, coastal fjords, and freshwater ecosystems.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s mountain ridges, searching for carrion.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, the Magellanic woodpecker drills into tree trunks in search of insects in the park’s ancient forests.

Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
A secretive bird with a loud and melodic call, the chucao tapaculo thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth, where it forages for insects.

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
Often heard before it is seen, this ground-dwelling bird is known for its deep, echoing calls and thrives in Melimoyu’s old-growth forests.

Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nana)
A small but fierce predator, the Austral pygmy owl hunts rodents and small birds. It is active during the day and frequently seen in the park’s forests.

Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus)
An endemic parakeet of Chile, this species flies over the park’s forested areas in noisy flocks, feeding on seeds and fruits from native trees.

Des Murs’ Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
A small bird with an elongated tail, the Des Murs’ wiretail is an agile insect hunter that moves quickly through the forest.

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

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

Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
Perfectly adapted to fast-flowing rivers, the torrent duck is often seen navigating Melimoyu’s rapids, feeding on aquatic insects and crustaceans.

Melimoyu National Park is a hidden gem in Chilean Patagonia, offering visitors the chance to explore untouched rainforests, dramatic fjords, and glacial rivers teeming with wildlife. Whether trekking through ancient Alerce forests, spotting rare mammals, or observing seabirds along the coast, the park provides a unique and immersive experience in one of Chile’s most remote and ecologically rich landscapes.

Popular

Melimoyu National Park, located in the Aysén Region of southern Chile, is a remote and pristine wilderness characterized by dense temperate rainforests, glacial valleys, fjords, and the towering Melimoyu Volcano. The park is part of Chile’s vast Patagonian rainforest ecosystem, featuring ancient Alerce (Fitzroya) trees, crystalline rivers, and an extensive coastline teeming with marine life. Its diverse habitats provide refuge for a wide range of wildlife, from elusive forest mammals to large marine species, making it an ecologically significant conservation area.

Puma (Puma concolor)
The top predator of the park, the puma roams the forests and mountains in search of guanacos, rodents, and other mammals. It plays a crucial role in regulating the ecosystem.

Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)
An endangered deer species, the huemul thrives in the park’s remote and rugged landscapes, particularly in dense forests and mountainous areas. Its presence is an indicator of a healthy and undisturbed ecosystem.

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
A large herbivore that thrives in the park’s open areas and volcanic slopes, the guanaco is an essential prey species for pumas and a key component of the ecosystem.

Kodkod (Leopardus guigna)
One of the smallest wild cats in the world, the kodkod is a nocturnal and elusive predator that hunts rodents, birds, and reptiles in the dense rainforests of the park.

Culpeo Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus)
Also known as the Andean fox, this adaptable predator hunts small mammals, birds, and insects, making it a key species in Melimoyu’s ecosystem.

South American Gray Fox (Lycalopex griseus)
A smaller and highly adaptable fox, the South American gray fox scavenges and preys on small vertebrates, insects, and fruits throughout the park’s forests and coastal regions.

Southern Pudu (Pudu puda)
The world’s smallest deer, the pudu is a shy and secretive species that feeds on leaves, fruits, and bark. It thrives in the dense undergrowth of Melimoyu’s temperate rainforests.

Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax)
An endangered species, the southern river otter is found in the park’s rivers and lakes, where it preys on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Marine Otter (Lontra felina)
Also known as the chungungo, this endangered otter species inhabits the park’s coastal areas, hunting for fish, crustaceans, and mollusks along the fjords.

Monito del Monte (Dromiciops gliroides)
An ancient marsupial considered a living fossil, the monito del monte is a crucial seed disperser in Melimoyu’s temperate rainforests, helping regenerate native vegetation.

Birds

Melimoyu National Park is also home to a rich variety of bird species, thriving in the park’s old-growth forests, high-altitude ridges, coastal fjords, and freshwater ecosystems.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s mountain ridges, searching for carrion.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, the Magellanic woodpecker drills into tree trunks in search of insects in the park’s ancient forests.

Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
A secretive bird with a loud and melodic call, the chucao tapaculo thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth, where it forages for insects.

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
Often heard before it is seen, this ground-dwelling bird is known for its deep, echoing calls and thrives in Melimoyu’s old-growth forests.

Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nana)
A small but fierce predator, the Austral pygmy owl hunts rodents and small birds. It is active during the day and frequently seen in the park’s forests.

Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus leptorhynchus)
An endemic parakeet of Chile, this species flies over the park’s forested areas in noisy flocks, feeding on seeds and fruits from native trees.

Des Murs’ Wiretail (Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii)
A small bird with an elongated tail, the Des Murs’ wiretail is an agile insect hunter that moves quickly through the forest.

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

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

Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
Perfectly adapted to fast-flowing rivers, the torrent duck is often seen navigating Melimoyu’s rapids, feeding on aquatic insects and crustaceans.

Melimoyu National Park is a hidden gem in Chilean Patagonia, offering visitors the chance to explore untouched rainforests, dramatic fjords, and glacial rivers teeming with wildlife. Whether trekking through ancient Alerce forests, spotting rare mammals, or observing seabirds along the coast, the park provides a unique and immersive experience in one of Chile’s most remote and ecologically rich landscapes.