Nahuelbuta National Park

Birds

Nahuelbuta National Park is also home to an incredible variety of bird species, many of which rely on the park’s towering Araucaria forests, high-altitude ridges, and lush understory for survival.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, this striking bird is easily recognized by its bright red head and powerful beak, which it uses to drill into tree trunks in search of insects.

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

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
An elusive and ground-dwelling bird, the black-throated huet-huet is best known for its distinctive, haunting calls that echo through the forest.

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 often seen perched in the park’s trees.

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

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

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

Patagonian Tyrant (Colorhamphus parvirostris)
A small flycatcher that thrives in Nahuelbuta’s cool, humid forests, the Patagonian tyrant feeds on insects and small invertebrates.

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara)
An unusual bird with a powerful beak, the rufous-tailed plantcutter is known for its ability to eat tough vegetation, including leaves and buds.

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.

Nahuelbuta National Park is a sanctuary for ancient forests and rare wildlife, offering visitors a chance to experience one of Chile’s most ecologically significant regions. Whether hiking through the towering Araucaria trees, listening to the calls of elusive forest birds, or spotting rare mammals in their natural habitat, the park provides an unforgettable connection to Chile’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage.

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Nahuelbuta National Park, located in the Araucanía Region of Chile, is a unique and ecologically significant area that preserves one of the last remaining stands of ancient Araucaria trees (Monkey Puzzle trees) in the coastal mountain range. The park’s dense forests, rolling hills, and high-altitude viewpoints provide a refuge for a diverse array of wildlife, many of which are endemic to Chile. The name Nahuelbuta, meaning “Big Tiger” in the Mapudungun language of the Mapuche people, reflects the park’s wild and rugged nature.

Puma (Puma concolor)
As the top predator in the park, the puma plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. It hunts guanacos, rodents, and other small mammals in the dense forests and mountainous terrain.

Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)
An endangered deer species, the huemul finds refuge in the remote valleys of Nahuelbuta. It is a symbol of Chilean conservation efforts and thrives in the park’s old-growth forests.

Culpeo Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus)
Also known as the Andean fox, this adaptable carnivore preys on rodents, birds, and insects while scavenging for food throughout the forested and open areas of the park.

South American Gray Fox (Lycalopex griseus)
A smaller and highly adaptable fox, this species is a skilled hunter and scavenger, feeding on small mammals, fruits, and invertebrates in the park’s diverse landscapes.

Kodkod (Leopardus guigna)
One of the smallest wild cats in the world, the kodkod is an elusive and nocturnal predator that thrives in Nahuelbuta’s dense forests, hunting birds, rodents, and reptiles.

Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus chinga)
A nocturnal forager, this skunk digs for insects, small vertebrates, and plant material. Like other skunks, it has a powerful defensive spray to deter predators.

Southern Pudu (Pudu puda)
The world’s smallest deer, the pudu is a secretive forest dweller that feeds on leaves, fruits, and bark. It is often seen in the undergrowth of the park’s ancient Araucaria forests.

Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax)
An endangered species, the southern river otter is found in the park’s freshwater streams, where it hunts for fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Darwin’s Leaf-eared Mouse (Phyllotis darwini)
A small but ecologically important rodent, this species plays a key role in the park’s ecosystem by dispersing seeds and serving as prey for predators.

Andean Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus nationi)
This armored mammal is a burrowing expert that thrives in Nahuelbuta’s drier forested areas, where it forages for insects, roots, and small invertebrates.

Birds

Nahuelbuta National Park is also home to an incredible variety of bird species, many of which rely on the park’s towering Araucaria forests, high-altitude ridges, and lush understory for survival.

Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world, this striking bird is easily recognized by its bright red head and powerful beak, which it uses to drill into tree trunks in search of insects.

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

Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)
An elusive and ground-dwelling bird, the black-throated huet-huet is best known for its distinctive, haunting calls that echo through the forest.

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 often seen perched in the park’s trees.

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

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

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

Patagonian Tyrant (Colorhamphus parvirostris)
A small flycatcher that thrives in Nahuelbuta’s cool, humid forests, the Patagonian tyrant feeds on insects and small invertebrates.

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara)
An unusual bird with a powerful beak, the rufous-tailed plantcutter is known for its ability to eat tough vegetation, including leaves and buds.

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.

Nahuelbuta National Park is a sanctuary for ancient forests and rare wildlife, offering visitors a chance to experience one of Chile’s most ecologically significant regions. Whether hiking through the towering Araucaria trees, listening to the calls of elusive forest birds, or spotting rare mammals in their natural habitat, the park provides an unforgettable connection to Chile’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage.