Iguazú National Park

National Park · Argentina

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Photo © Graci pitz

Photo © Graci pitz — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Paraná Plateau plunges toward the Atlantic watershed, nearly 800 square kilometers of subtropical rainforest drape across Misiones Province in a landscape carved by millennia of erosion and shaped by the Iguazú River's relentless power. This national park protects one of South America's most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems, where the canopy layers rise in dense, interlocking tiers above the forest floor. The habitat mosaic encompasses primary rainforest, gallery woodland along watercourses, and transitional margins where the forest yields to river-carved valleys. Here, in this warm, humid climate fed by abundant rainfall, the wildlife community reflects the richness of Neotropical fauna: aerial insectivores quarter the airspace above the canopy, forest raptors hunt along woodland edges, small mammals forage through leaf litter and climbing vines, and numerous reptile species exploit the humid understory and rocky outcrops scattered throughout the reserve. Amphibians thrive in the perpetually moist environment, their calls layering the soundscape at dusk and dawn.

For naturalists seeking to encounter the full spectrum of subtropical Atlantic forest fauna, this park delivers an unparalleled combination of accessibility and ecological integrity. Visitors arrive during the drier months—May through September—when humidity yields slightly and forest canopy birds become more responsive to dawn surveys, and the river's volume stabilizes for comfortable observation from established vantage points. The river itself is a magnet for wading birds, cormorants, and other water-dependent species, while the forest interior and mid-story vegetation concentrate arboreal mammals and mixed feeding flocks of woodland songbirds. The interplay of morning mist rising from the gorge, tropical light filtering through the canopy layers, and the constant percussion of the river creates conditions that reward both patient observation and opportunistic photography. Few protected areas in the region combine such easy access with such undisturbed forest structure, making this an essential destination for any expedition into the living heart of the Atlantic rainforest.

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Ramphastos toco

Pitangus sulphuratus

Zenaida auriculata

Pale-breasted Thrush

Turdus leucomelas

Furnarius rufus

Thraupis sayaca

Coereba flaveola

Passer domesticus

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Coragyps atratus

Red-rumped Cacique

Cacicus haemorrhous

Gilded Sapphire

Hylocharis chrysura

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Tataupa Tinamou

Crypturellus tataupa

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Cairina moschata

Rusty-margined Guan

Penelope superciliaris

Spot-winged Wood Quail

Odontophorus capueira

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius griseus

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Florisuga fusca

Planalto Hermit

Phaethornis pretrei

Scale-throated Hermit

Phaethornis eurynome

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird

Eupetomena macroura

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

White-throated Hummingbird

Leucochloris albicollis

Crotophaga major

Smooth-billed Ani

Pavonine Cuckoo

Dromococcyx pavoninus

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Dark-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus melacoryphus

Picazuro Pigeon

Patagioenas picazuro

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Pardirallus nigricans

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

Tachybaptus dominicus

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

Butorides striata

Sarcoramphus papa

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Rufous-thighed Kite

Harpagus diodon

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Rupornis magnirostris

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Athene cunicularia

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Trogon surrucura

Atlantic Black-throated Trogon

Trogon chrysochloros

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Rufous-capped Motmot

Baryphthengus ruficapillus

White-eared Puffbird

Nystalus chacuru

Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Nonnula rubecula

Red-breasted Toucan

Ramphastos dicolorus

Chestnut-eared Aracari

Pteroglossus castanotis

Spot-billed Toucanet

Selenidera maculirostris

Ochre-collared Piculet

Picumnus temminckii

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes flavifrons

Colaptes campestris

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Robust Woodpecker

Campephilus robustus

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Falco rufigularis

Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet

Forpus xanthopterygius

Maroon-bellied Parakeet

Pyrrhura frontalis

Rufous-breasted Leaftosser

Sclerurus scansor

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Plain-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla turdina

Planalto Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes platyrostris

Lesser Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus fuscus

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaner

Anabacerthia lichtensteini

Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner

Automolus leucophthalmus

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Certhiaxis cinnamomeus

Rufous-capped Spinetail

Synallaxis ruficapilla

Streak-capped Antwren

Terenura maculata

Rufous-margined Antwren

Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Dysithamnus mentalis

Variable Antshrike

Thamnophilus caerulescens

Tufted Antshrike

Mackenziaena severa

Spot-backed Antshrike

Hypoedaleus guttatus

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Pyriglena leucoptera

Short-tailed Antthrush

Chamaeza campanisona

Wing-barred Piprites

Piprites chloris

Grey-headed Elaenia

Myiopagis caniceps

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Elaenia spectabilis

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Fulvous-crowned Scrub Tyrant

Euscarthmus meloryphus

Grey-hooded Flycatcher

Mionectes rufiventris

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Eared Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis auricularis

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Masked Water Tyrant

Fluvicola nengeta

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Machetornis rixosa

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Three-striped Flycatcher

Conopias trivirgatus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Variegated Flycatcher

Empidonomus varius

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Sibilant Sirystes

Sirystes sibilator

Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Pyroderus scutatus

Chiroxiphia caudata

White-bearded Manakin

Manacus manacus

Band-tailed Manakin

Pipra fasciicauda

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Tityra semifasciata

Pachyramphus validus

Oxyruncus cristatus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Rufous-crowned Greenlet

Hylophilus poicilotis

Plush-crested Jay

Cyanocorax chrysops

White-winged Swallow

Tachycineta albiventer

Brown-chested Martin

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Black-capped Donacobius

Donacobius atricapilla

Thrush-like Wren

Campylorhynchus turdinus

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia cyanea

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

Chestnut-bellied Euphonia

Euphonia pectoralis

Saffron-billed Sparrow

Arremon flavirostris

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Golden-winged Cacique

Cacicus chrysopterus

Variable Oriole

Icterus pyrrhopterus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Chopi Blackbird

Gnorimopsar chopi

Southern Yellowthroat

Geothlypis velata

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Riverbank Warbler

Myiothlypis rivularis

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia brissonii

Hemithraupis guira

Swallow Tanager

Tersina viridis

Green-winged Saltator

Saltator similis

Black-goggled Tanager

Trichothraupis melanops

Red Pileated Finch

Coryphospingus cucullatus

Ruby-crowned Tanager

Tachyphonus coronatus

Lined Seedeater

Sporophila lineola

Double-collared Seedeater

Sporophila caerulescens

Chestnut-bellied Seed Finch

Sporophila angolensis

White-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila leucoptera

Chestnut-headed Tanager

Thlypopsis pyrrhocoma

Chestnut-vented Conebill

Conirostrum speciosum

Sicalis flaveola

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Pipraeidea melanonota

Cissopis leverianus

Yellow-billed Cardinal

Paroaria capitata

Green-headed Tanager

Tangara seledon

Solitary Tinamou

Tinamus solitarius

Crypturellus obsoletus

Small-billed Tinamou

Crypturellus parvirostris

Red-winged Tinamou

Rhynchotus rufescens

Amazonetta brasiliensis

Black-fronted Piping Guan

Pipile jacutinga

Little Nightjar

Setopagis parvula

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus

Cypseloides fumigatus

Chaetura meridionalis

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

Blue-tufted Starthroat

Heliomaster furcifer

Purple-crowned Plovercrest

Stephanoxis loddigesii

Pearly-breasted Cuckoo

Coccyzus euleri

Columbina squammata

Picui Ground Dove

Columbina picui

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Grey-fronted Dove

Leptotila rufaxilla

Heliornis fulica

Pardirallus maculatus

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Mycteria americana

Buff-necked Ibis

Theristicus caudatus

Bare-faced Ibis

Phimosus infuscatus

Roseate Spoonbill

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

American Barn Owl

Black-capped Screech Owl

Megascops atricapilla

Tawny-browed Owl

Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana

Rusty-barred Owl

Strix hylophila

Black-banded Owl

Buff-bellied Puffbird

Notharchus swainsoni

Saffron Toucanet

Pteroglossus bailloni

White Woodpecker

Melanerpes candidus

White-spotted Woodpecker

Veniliornis spilogaster

Green-barred Woodpecker

Colaptes melanochloros

Helmeted Woodpecker

Celeus galeatus

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Myiopsitta monachus

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet

Brotogeris chiriri

Pileated Parrot

Pionopsitta pileata

Turquoise-fronted Amazon

Amazona aestiva

White-throated Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes albicollis

Black-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus falcularius

Scalloped Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes falcinellus

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Streaked Xenops

Xenops rutilans

Black-capped Foliage-gleaner

Philydor atricapillus

Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla rufosuperciliata

Araucaria Tit-Spinetail

Leptasthenura setaria

Olive Spinetail

Cranioleuca obsoleta

Grey-bellied Spinetail

Synallaxis cinerascens

Spix's Spinetail

Synallaxis spixi

Sooty-fronted Spinetail

Synallaxis frontalis

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Rufous-capped Antshrike

Thamnophilus ruficapillus

White-bearded Antshrike

Biatas nigropectus

Large-tailed Antshrike

Mackenziaena leachii

Bertoni's Antbird

Drymophila rubricollis

Dusky-tailed Antbird

Drymophila malura

Variegated Antpitta

Grallaria varia

Rufous Gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

Spotted Bamboowren

Psilorhamphus guttatus

Planalto Tapaculo

Scytalopus pachecoi

Greenish Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias virescens

Planalto Tyrannulet

Phyllomyias fasciatus

White-crested Elaenia

Elaenia albiceps

Small-billed Elaenia

Elaenia parvirostris

Small-headed Elaenia

Elaenia sordida

Sooty Tyrannulet

Serpophaga nigricans

White-crested Tyrannulet

Serpophaga subcristata

Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

Nesotriccus murinus

Southern Antpipit

Corythopis delalandi

Southern Bristle Tyrant

Pogonotriccus eximius

Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes ventralis

Bay-ringed Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes sylviolus

Bran-colored Flycatcher

Myiophobus fasciatus

Drab-breasted Bamboo Tyrant

Hemitriccus diops

Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Euler's Flycatcher

Lathrotriccus euleri

Fuscous Flycatcher

Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Southern Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Yellow-browed Tyrant

Satrapa icterophrys

Blue-billed Black Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Swainson's Flycatcher

Myiarchus swainsoni

Large-headed Flatbill

Ramphotrigon megacephalum

Bare-throated Bellbird

Procnias nudicollis

Black-tailed Tityra

Greenish Schiffornis

Schiffornis virescens

Green-backed Becard

Pachyramphus viridis

Chestnut-crowned Becard

Pachyramphus castaneus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Riparia riparia

White-rumped Swallow

Tachycineta leucorrhoa

Black-collared Swallow

Pygochelidon melanoleuca

Tawny-headed Swallow

Alopochelidon fucata

Hirundo rustica

Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher

Polioptila lactea

Masked Gnatcatcher

Polioptila dumicola

Blacksmith Thrush

Turdus subalaris

Creamy-bellied Thrush

Turdus amaurochalinus

Rusty-flanked Thrush

Turdus albicollis

Spinus magellanicus

Golden-rumped Euphonia

Chlorophonia cyanocephala

Purple-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chlorotica

White-browed Meadowlark

Leistes superciliaris

Greyish Baywing

Agelaioides badius

Unicolored Blackbird

Agelasticus cyanopus

Chestnut-capped Blackbird

Chrysomus ruficapillus

White-rimmed Warbler

Myiothlypis leucoblephara

Blackish-blue Seedeater

Amaurospiza moesta

Glaucous-blue Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea

Nemosia pileata

Embernagra platensis

Bluish-grey Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

Black-throated Grosbeak

Saltator fuliginosus

Sooty Grassquit

Asemospiza fuliginosa

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Temminck's Seedeater

Sporophila falcirostris

Haplospiza unicolor

Blue-and-yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

Diademed Tanager

Stephanophorus diadematus

Chestnut-backed Tanager

Stilpnia preciosa

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Nomonyx dominicus

Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Grey-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

White-faced Ibis

Pilherodius pileatus

Grey-bellied Hawk

Accipiter poliogaster

Microspizias superciliosus

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Giant Antshrike

Yellowish Pipit

Greater Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

South American Coati

Black-horned Capuchin

Sapajus nigritus

Dasyprocta azarae

Brazilian Squirrel

Sciurus brasiliensis

Sylvilagus brasiliensis

Southern Long-nosed Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

Tapirus terrestris

Leopardus pardalis

Southeastern Red Brocket

Southern Black-eared Opossum

Didelphis aurita

Southern Four-eyed Opossum

Philander quica

Herpailurus yagouaroundi

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