Birding in Bolivia
Bolivia, an extraordinary birdwatching destination
More than 1,400 recorded species in the heart of South America.
Why Bolivia
Bolivia is one of the world's standout countries for birdwatching. With more than 1,400 recorded species, its extraordinary diversity makes it the landlocked country with the richest birdlife on the planet and one of South America's essential destinations for bird lovers.
- 1,400+
- recorded bird species
- 6,000 m
- Andean peaks above sea level
- 650+
- species possible in about three weeks
In the heart of South America
One of the main reasons for this richness is its privileged location in the centre of South America. Bolivia lies in a transition zone between different climatic and biogeographic regions, which means that numerous ecosystems and habitats are represented within its borders.
The country also has one of the most impressive altitudinal gradients on the continent. From the great mountains of the Andes, with peaks above 6,000 metres, the landscape gradually descends through montane forests, the Yungas, dry forests, the Amazon and the vast plains and savannas of eastern Bolivia.
The gradient
From Andean peaks to the eastern savannas
▦ Puna Miner01Andes & Altiplano
Above 6,000 m
▦ Band-tailed Fruiteater02Yungas & montane forest
Humid slopes
▦ White-tipped Plantcutter03Dry forests
Inter-Andean valleys
▦ Streamer-tailed Tyrant04Amazon & savannas
Eastern lowlands
Every region, different birds
This enormous variety of environments translates into an extraordinary diversity of birds. As we change region and altitude, the community of species we find changes too, making it possible to see, on a single trip, birds from completely different environments.
For the birder, this diversity offers exceptional possibilities. Bolivia is home to an impressive combination of endemic species, habitat specialists, threatened birds and species characteristic of South America's great ecosystems.
650+
With a carefully planned route, a trip of about three weeks can yield more than 650 species, depending on the season, the regions visited and the observing conditions.
Map
Routes of our tours
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Natural Earth · © OpenStreetMap
- Tour start
- 2Stop
- By road
- Flight
For all these reasons, Bolivia is much more than a destination for building a big bird list. It is a chance to travel through some of South America's most spectacular natural landscapes and discover how the country's extraordinary variety of ecosystems is reflected in its birdlife.