Iguazu Trip Report 2025
The Iguazu extension to the Patagonia Wildlife Safari started in Buenos Aris with a delicious traditional Argentinean dinner on the patio of a restaurant with the Puerto Madero skyline reflected in the Rio Dique. The next morning we took an early flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery to Puerto Iguazu. After meeting our local guide Marcos, we went straight to Iguazu National Park where we got a quick bite to eat while Plush-crested Jays patiently watched.
Plush-crested Jay © Adam Kent
We started our falls experience with a ride on the train to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) one of the most impressive of the saltos (falls). From the walkway to the falls overlook we spotted Snail Kites, Amazon Kingfisher, and various swallow species and we watched an Anhinga foraging right next to the walkway. After recent heavenly rains upriver in Brazil, water levels were high and the falls were roaring, occasionally dousing us with what felt less like a mist and more like rainfall! Dozens of Great Dusky Swifts flew in and out of the mist around the falls.
Devil’s Throat © Adam Kent
We spent the majority of the following day around the falls, and with special permission to enter the park before the crowds. Before we entered the forest we had some great birding from an open area in the park, seeing flyover Bat Falcon and Whistling Heron, a species Marcos had never seen inside the park before. On the Macuco Trail we found many birds including a pair of Blue-naped Chlorophonias at a likely nest spot and Atlantic Rainforest specialties such as Rufous-margined Antwren and Rufous-capped Motmot, as well as an uncommon Blacksmith Thrush singing its strange song.
Blue-naped Chlorophonia © Adam Kent
Toco Toucan © Adam Kent
Returning to the main park area we walked the Circuito Inferior (Lower Circuit) Trail where we soaked in multiple spectacular views of the falls and also some great look at roosting Great Dusky Swifts and a very cooperative Green-headed Tanager.
Great Dusky Swifts © Adam Kent
After our satisfying falls viewing we headed to Puerto Iguazu and spent some time at the Jardín de Picaflores (Hummingbird Garden). This clever personalized feeder setup right in the middle of town hosted several species of hummingbirds and dozens of Bananaquits. Before heading back to the hotel we took a quick tour through the tourist area, picking up some local craft brews and ended with a quick stop at the popular tourist destination, Hilo Tres Fronteras, where we could view Paraguay and Brazil from across the Parana and Iguazu Rivers.
Planalto Hermit © Adam Kent
Bananaquit © Adam Kent
The following day we got an early start to arrive in time for early birding at Urugua-i Provincial Park. The beautiful trail system followed a small river, with a high diversity of neotropical species. We had looks at several spectacular birds including Black-goggled and Ruby-crowned tanagers, Chestnut-crowned and Crested becards, a Blond-crested Woodpecker, and various flycatchers including Southern Bristle-Tyrant and Sepia-capped Flycatcher. On the drive back from the park we stopped at a grove of planted Araucarias where we found Araucaria Tit-Spinetails and a White-spotted Woodpecker. Before getting to the hotel we took a walk in a forest patch near to the hotel known as 600 hectáreas (Reserva Municipal Selva Iryapú). Some highlights of the walk were Chestnut-vented Conebill, Guira Tanager, and the infrequently encountered Mississippi Kite.
Araucaria trees © Adam Kent
Rufous Hornero © Adam Kent
Southern House Wren © Adam Kent
On our last morning in the area we visited a park not far from the airport. Here we had better looks at some birds such as a Red-crowned Anttanager and Sibilant Sirystes we had only heard before. We also heard a White-necked Thrush with a very interesting whistle added to its lovely song. At the river overlook we watched two Rufous-thighed Kites fly directly overhead and the big (literally) surprise came as a e were getting into the van and a King Vulture quickly soared past. Our final stop in the area was at the Daniel “Pupi” Somay Observatorio de Aves where a pair of Lineated Woodpeckers worked on a snag, a Rufous-sided Crake called from the wetland vegetation, and Southern Rough-winged Swallows foraged overhead.
On our last night we had another lovely dinner in the Puerto Madero area with stories of highlights about our experiences together. Our trip came to an end much too quickly as we boarded our flight to Buenos Aires the following day.
Our group © Adam Kent
