Nevado Tres Cruces National Park

Birds

Nevado Tres Cruces National Park is also a critical stopover for migratory birds, particularly in its high-altitude salt flats and lagoons, which provide essential feeding and breeding grounds.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s mountains and cliffs, searching for carrion. It plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
A high-altitude specialist, the Puna flamingo is one of the rarest flamingo species in the world. It migrates through the park’s salt flats, feeding on algae and plankton.

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
The most endangered flamingo species, the Andean flamingo relies on the park’s high-altitude lagoons, where it feeds on microscopic organisms in the mineral-rich waters.

Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
Distinguished by its pink plumage and gray legs with red joints, the Chilean flamingo is a frequent visitor to the park’s wetlands, where it filters food from the shallow waters.

Puna Teal (Spatula puna)
A striking waterfowl species, the Puna teal is commonly found in the park’s high-altitude lagoons, feeding on aquatic plants and small invertebrates.

Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)
A large and hardy goose species, the Andean goose grazes in the park’s wetland areas and puna grasslands, where it feeds on vegetation.

Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta)
An unusual high-altitude coot species, the horned coot is recognized by its distinctive frontal shield. It builds large floating nests in Andean wetlands.

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis gayi)
An expert at blending into rocky slopes, this high-altitude bird forages for small seeds and vegetation in the arid plains of the park.

Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera)
A hardy species adapted to cold desert conditions, the black-winged ground dove is commonly seen foraging for seeds near rocky outcrops.

Puna Miner (Geositta punensis)
A small ground-dwelling bird, the Puna miner is well adapted to the dry and barren landscapes of the park, where it searches for insects and seeds.

Nevado Tres Cruces National Park is a spectacular high-altitude wilderness, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the unique wildlife that thrives in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Whether observing flamingos in the shimmering lagoons, spotting guanacos grazing on the puna grasslands, or witnessing the majestic flight of the Andean condor, the park provides an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Andes.

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Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, located in the Atacama Region of northern Chile, is a high-altitude wilderness dominated by towering Andean peaks, vast salt flats, and shimmering lagoons. The park is home to Nevado Tres Cruces, one of the tallest mountains in Chile, and is a crucial habitat for wildlife adapted to extreme conditions. Despite the harsh, arid environment, the park’s wetlands and salt flats sustain a diverse array of species, including high-altitude mammals and migratory birds.

Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna)
A relative of the llama, the vicuña is well-adapted to the high-altitude conditions of the park. It has a dense coat that insulates it from freezing temperatures and grazes on sparse vegetation in the puna grasslands.

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
A highly resilient herbivore, the guanaco thrives in the dry, mountainous terrain of the park. It is an important prey species for pumas and plays a key role in the Andean ecosystem.

Puma (Puma concolor)
The apex predator of Nevado Tres Cruces, the puma is an elusive and powerful hunter. It preys on guanacos, vicuñas, and small mammals, using stealth and agility to survive in the rugged landscape.

Culpeo Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus)
Also known as the Andean fox, this intelligent predator hunts rodents, birds, and insects. It is well adapted to the arid, rocky environment of the park.

Andean Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus nationi)
This well-armored burrowing mammal thrives in dry, high-altitude environments. It feeds on insects, roots, and small invertebrates and is often seen foraging near rocky outcrops.

Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja)
A small but aggressive predator, the lesser grison hunts rodents, birds, and reptiles in the desert-like landscapes of the park.

Mountain Viscacha (Lagidium viscacia)
Resembling a large rabbit, the mountain viscacha is a rodent that lives among rocky slopes and cliffs. It feeds on shrubs, mosses, and lichens, using its agility to evade predators.

Darwin’s Leaf-eared Mouse (Phyllotis darwini)
A nocturnal rodent, Darwin’s leaf-eared mouse is well adapted to high-altitude environments. It plays an essential role in seed dispersal and serves as prey for raptors and foxes.

Puna Mouse (Auliscomys sublimis)
A small rodent that thrives in the cold desert conditions of the park, the Puna mouse is a vital food source for local predators.

Andean Toad (Rhinella spinulosa)
One of the few amphibians found in high-altitude environments, the Andean toad depends on the park’s seasonal wetlands for breeding and survival.

Birds

Nevado Tres Cruces National Park is also a critical stopover for migratory birds, particularly in its high-altitude salt flats and lagoons, which provide essential feeding and breeding grounds.

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s mountains and cliffs, searching for carrion. It plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi)
A high-altitude specialist, the Puna flamingo is one of the rarest flamingo species in the world. It migrates through the park’s salt flats, feeding on algae and plankton.

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)
The most endangered flamingo species, the Andean flamingo relies on the park’s high-altitude lagoons, where it feeds on microscopic organisms in the mineral-rich waters.

Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)
Distinguished by its pink plumage and gray legs with red joints, the Chilean flamingo is a frequent visitor to the park’s wetlands, where it filters food from the shallow waters.

Puna Teal (Spatula puna)
A striking waterfowl species, the Puna teal is commonly found in the park’s high-altitude lagoons, feeding on aquatic plants and small invertebrates.

Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)
A large and hardy goose species, the Andean goose grazes in the park’s wetland areas and puna grasslands, where it feeds on vegetation.

Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta)
An unusual high-altitude coot species, the horned coot is recognized by its distinctive frontal shield. It builds large floating nests in Andean wetlands.

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis gayi)
An expert at blending into rocky slopes, this high-altitude bird forages for small seeds and vegetation in the arid plains of the park.

Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera)
A hardy species adapted to cold desert conditions, the black-winged ground dove is commonly seen foraging for seeds near rocky outcrops.

Puna Miner (Geositta punensis)
A small ground-dwelling bird, the Puna miner is well adapted to the dry and barren landscapes of the park, where it searches for insects and seeds.

Nevado Tres Cruces National Park is a spectacular high-altitude wilderness, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the unique wildlife that thrives in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Whether observing flamingos in the shimmering lagoons, spotting guanacos grazing on the puna grasslands, or witnessing the majestic flight of the Andean condor, the park provides an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Andes.