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.
A piece of wood shaped like the Virgin Mary supposedly saved an indigenous man from his pursuers, resulting in the construction of the Sanctuario de Itacúa in her honour. Today this religious sanctuary, located on a bend in the Rio Paraná is also a sanctuary for local birdlife with some remnant Atlantic Forest and nearby flooded grasslands. With a variety of species gathering here the Sanctuario del Itacúa offers a gentle introduction to birding in southern Paraguay with a list of 50-65 species possible in a single morning at peak times of year.
HALF-DAY SANCTUARIO DE ITACÚA
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. We will arrive birding the roadside pools in the Cambyreta area, here we may see Snail Kite, South American Snipe, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Striated Heron and Wattled Jacana. En route we also pass a series of seasonally-flooded grasslands where Wedge-tailed Grassfinch, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Guira Cuckoo and even Bearded Tachuri are sometimes encountered. As we approach the Sanctuario we will check the sky for Turkey and Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk and species more asociated with humid forest such as Plumbeous and Rufous-thighed Kites. Sick´s Swift is usually on the wing here, as are hirundines including Grey-breasted and Brown-chested Martins and Blue-and-white Swallow.
On arrival at the Sanctuario the magnificent church and its impressive setting on the Rio Paraná will catch your attention. We will briefly check the river for Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns which often patrol along the coast line. Then we will head into the forest. An unusual mixture of Atlantic Forest birds occurs here along with species more usually associated with open areas. Greyish Saltator, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Pale-breasted and Rufous-bellied Thrush and Variegated Flycatcher are present here alongside forest birds such as Hooded and Fawn-breasted Tanager, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Euler´s Flycatcher and Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail. Planalto Woodcreeper is sometimes encountered, as is Lineated Woodpecker and Pavonine Cuckoo is frequently heard calling at dawn and dusk.
Outside the forest an area of scrubland is home to a different array of species. Here Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Red-crested and Saffron Finch, Double-collared Seedeater, Smooth-billed Ani and Tropical Kingbird are amongst the regularly recorded species, whilst we´ll have to listen out for species such as Striped Cuckoo, Variable Antshrike and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant in order to lcoate them. During summer the charming White-crested Tyrannulet flits through the trees his dull plumage in contrast to the eyecatching colours of the male Purple-throated Euphonia which is also regularly seen here. Nightbirds include Pauraque and Tropical Screech-Owl and both are sometimes flushed during the day.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The cost includes pick up and return to an Encarnación hotel, transport to the Sanctuario 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 Hotel Tirol 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.
