Birdwatching in Peru's Coast

The Humboldt Current that kisses the Peruvian shores is a cold ocean undercurrent that flows northward off the west coast of South America. Originating in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic -and thus 7 to 8 C° cooler than the ocean at similar latitudes- it brings nutrient-rich seawater into the Peruvian coast, supporting an abundant and varied population of sea and bird life.

Paracas National Reserve
Wedged in the middle of the coastal desert in the department of Ica, covering an area of 335 000 hectares, Paracas is the only national reserve that protects part of the Peruvian sea which is chilled by the cold Humboldt current.

The Paracas National Reserve is home to guano-producing bird species and large colonies of sea lions, and are a haven for dozens of visiting migratory bird species and endangered species such as the marine wildcat or chingungo, the Humboldt penguin and pink flamingos. The area is also home to Guanay cormorant, Peruvian and brown booby, Inca tern, and Peruvian pelican.

Other birds that can be seen here are Vermilion Flycatcher, Pied billed Grebe, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White tufted Grebe, Sooty Shearwater, Wilson's Storm Petrel, Neotropic Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Cinnamon Teal, Puna Ibis, Chilean Flamingo, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey Harris' Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Surfbird, Kelp Gull, Peruvian Meadowlark, Shiny Cowbird.

Lomas de Lachay National Reserve
A burst of greenery amidst the barren Peruvian coastal desert, the Lomas de Lachay - or Lachay foothills - are a unique natural life zone created by the condensed winter haze that shrouds the western Andean mountain slopes. On specific spots along the coast, the humidity carried to the mountains by the trade winds is deposited on the desert sand as drops of water that nurture a wide range of seasonal plants and associated animal wildlife.

The most common plant species include sturdy tara and palillo trees as well as flowers, cacti and numerous fast-growth bushes like the stinging nettle and wild tobacco. Almost 60 bird species are home in the park -including the endemic Raimondi's Yellow-finch and Thick-billed Miner-, as well as the coastal fox, and the (recently reintroduced) white-tailed deer.

Other species to be seen in the Lachay foothills are Andean Tinamou, Broad winged Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Grayish Miner, Thick billed Miner, Oasis Hummingbird, Yellowish Pipit, Vermilion Flycatcher, Rufous collared Sparrow, Cactus Canastero.

Lima
Even the city of Lima, with all its metropolis-related problems, contributes into making Peru the most interesting country for birdwatchers. In El Olivar olive grove, for instance, in the heart of San Isidro, you can easily see more than 15 species, including bay-winged hawks. For serious birding, though, you should head to the Pantanos de Villa (Villa marshes), a natural reserve just 20 minutes south of Lima. Here you can see 150 species, among which great egrets, ospreys, puna ibises, and purple martins.

A pelagic trip off the Lima coast provides some unique experience for seeing scores of sea birds, including Shy Albatross, Antarctic Giant Petrel, Markham's Storm Petrel, Peruvian Pelican, Neotropic Cormorant, Long tailed Jaeger, South Polar Skua, Red Phalarope, Laughing Gull, Franklin's Gull, Inca Tern, and Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes.