Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebecca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
Formerly the estate of the ruling López family the Jardín Botanico de Asunción is less of a botanical gardens and more of an extensive green oasis in the centre of Paraguay´s capital city. Incorporated within the vast park-like expanses of the Botánico is a small forest reserve which houses an interesting community of birds and plays host to a troop of Brown Capuchin monkeys. With a variety of species gathering here the Jardín Botánico offers a gentle introduction to birding in Paraguay with a list of 70 species possible in a single morning at peak times of year.
HALF-DAY JARDÍN BOTÁNICO DE ASUNCIÓN
This is the ideal trip for first time visitors to the Southern Cone of South America wanting to familiarise themselves with the fascinating birdlife of the region. Amongst the first species that will attract your attention will be the gorgeous Red-crested Cardinal, it is usually found in mixed flocks with other seedeating birds such as Saffron Finch, Shiny and Screaming Cowbirds, Greyish Saltator and Chalk-browed Mockingbird. There are three species of thrush possible here, Creamy-bellied being the most numerous, but look out also for the handsome Rufous-bellied and more muted Pale-breasted Thrush. Cast your eyes into the tree-tops and you´ll see the enormous communal nests of the Monk Parakeets, but that is by no means the only parrot species found here, you may also see Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, the dimunitive Blue-winged Parrotlet and the spectacular Turquoise-fronted Amazon. Tyrant flycatchers are, as usual, amongst the most conspicuous of bird species, you´ll undoubtedly see Great Kiskadee, Tropical Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher and even Crowned Slaty-Flycatcher and Vermillion Flycatcher. Sayaca Tanager and Purple-throated Euphonia will both brighten your day with a does of colour, but the Thrush-like Wren, whilst less likely to grab your attention for his plumage, will impress you with his size, especially when viewed alongside his "normal-sized" cousin the Southern House Wren. Everybody likes woodpeckers, so you´ll be please to hear that several species are present in "the Botánico", the two largest and most eyecatching are the gaudy Green-barred and Campo Flickers, their loud calls ringing out through the woodland, but at the other extreme is the tiny White-barred Piculet, barely larger than a hummingbird. Speaking of hummingbirds you can expect to see those too, with possibilities including Gilded Sapphire, Blue-tufted Starthroat and Glittering-bellied Emerald. Within the forest reserve Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Masked Gnatcatcher, Barred Antshrike and Rufous-browed Peppershrike skip through the branches, Variegated Flycatcher perches prominently and Blue-crowned Trogon is sometimes encountered. Plush-crested Jays are one of the most distinctive and beautiful birds that we are likely to see, but Guira Cuckoo and Narrow-billed Woodcreeper overcome the handicap of their dull plumage with their quirky characters. Black Tegu and Banded Skinks are part of the reptile fauna that are commonly seen on the forest tracks here, oh and don´t forget those monkeys!!
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The cost includes pick up and return to hotel, transport to the botanic gardens and guiding fees. This is a half-day trip and does not include lunch:
Price: 35 EUROS per person per day
This trip can be combined with an afternoon visit to the Bahía de Asunción for a special reduced price of 65 EUROS per person per day not including lunch, or 75 EUROS per person per day including a restaurant lunch.
