This is a list of the bird species recorded in Chile. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 27 February 2026. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved February 28, 2026 The SACC list includes species recorded in mainland Chile, on the Chilean islands of the Cape Horn area, on other islands and waters near the mainland, and on and around the Juan Fernández Islands. The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 27 February 2026. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved February 28, 2026
According to the SACC, the avifauna of Chile has 526 confirmed species, of which 12 are endemic, 128 are rare or vagrants, six have been introduced by humans, and one is extinct. An additional seven species are unconfirmed (see below). Thirty-five of the species on the Chilean SACC list are globally threatened.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Chile (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Chile (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Chile as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (U) Unconfirmed - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC
Rheas
Order: RheiformesFamily: Rheidae
The rheas are large flightless birds native to South America. Their feet have three toes rather than four which allows them to run faster. One species has been recorded in Chile.
Lesser rhea, Pterocnemia pennata
Tinamous Order: TinamiformesFamily: Tinamidae
The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of birds. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emus, and kiwis. Six species have been recorded in Chile.
Ornate tinamou, Nothoprocta ornata Chilean tinamou, Nothoprocta perdicaria (E) Andean tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii Elegant crested-tinamou, Eudromia elegans Puna tinamou, Tinamotis pentlandii Patagonian tinamou, Tinamotis ingoufi
Screamers Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anhimidae The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs, and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and in territorial disputes. One species has been recorded in Chile.
Southern screamer, Chauna torquata (V)
Ducks
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. Thirty species have been recorded in Chile.
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (V) White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata (V) Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (V) Black-necked swan, Cygnus melancoryphus Coscoroba swan, Coscoroba coscoroba Andean goose, Oressochen melanoptera Upland goose, Chloephaga picta Kelp goose, Chloephaga hybrida Ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala Ruddy-headed goose, Chloephaga rubidiceps Comb duck, Sarkidiornis sylvicola (V) Torrent duck, Merganetta armata Flying steamer-duck, Tachyeres patachonicus Flightless steamer-duck, Tachyeres pteneres Crested duck, Lophonetta specularioides Spectacled duck, Speculanas specularis Puna teal, Spatula puna Silver teal, Spatula versicolor Red shoveler, Spatula platalea Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (V) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (V) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Chiloe wigeon, Mareca sibilatrix White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis Yellow-billed pintail, Anas georgica Yellow-billed teal, Anas flavirostris Rosy-billed pochard, Netta peposaca Black-headed duck, Heteronetta atricapilla Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (the local subspecies is also called Andean duck) Lake duck, Oxyura vittata
New World quails
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Chile.
California quail, Callipepla californica (I)
Pheasants Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. One species has been recorded in Chile.
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. Three species have been recorded in Chile.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis Andean flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus James's flamingo (Puna flamingo), Phoenicoparrus jamesi
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in Chile.
White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Great grebe, Podiceps major Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis Hooded grebe, Podiceps gallardoi (V)
Pigeons
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Twelve species have been recorded in Chile.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Picazuro pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro (V) Spot-winged pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa Chilean pigeon, Patagioenas araucana West Peruvian dove, Zenaida meloda Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata Bare-faced ground dove, Metriopelia ceciliae Black-winged ground dove, Metriopelia melanoptera Golden-spotted ground dove, Metriopelia aymara Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (V) Picui ground dove, Columbina picui Croaking ground dove, Columbina cruziana
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Four species have been recorded in Chile.
Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani (V) Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus (V) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (V)
Oilbird Order: SteatornithiformesFamily: Steatornithidae
The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.
Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis (V)
Potoos Order: NyctibiiformesFamily: Nyctibiidae
The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores that lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. One species has been recorded in Chile.
Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus (V)
Nightjars Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Five species have been recorded in Chile.
Nacunda nighthawk, Chordeiles nacunda (V) Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (V) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (V) Tschudi's nightjar, Quechuavis decussata Band-winged nightjar, Systellura longirostris
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Three species have been recorded in Chile.
White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica Andean swift, Aeronautes andecolus
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backward. Eleven species have been recorded in Chile.
Sparkling violetear, Colibri coruscans Green-backed firecrown, Sephanoides sephaniodes Juan Fernandez firecrown, Sephanoides fernandensis (E) Andean hillstar, Oreotrochilus estella White-sided hillstar, Oreotrochilus leucopleurus Northern giant-hummingbird, Patagona peruviana Southern giant-hummingbird, Patagona gigas Chilean woodstar, Eulidia yarrellii (E) Oasis hummingbird, Rhodopis vesper Peruvian sheartail, Thaumastura cora Glittering-bellied emerald, Chlorostilbon lucidus (V)
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae
The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub as far north as southern Florida.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (V)
Rails
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general, they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Fourteen species have been recorded in Chile.
Austral rail, Rallus antarcticus Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (V) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis Spotted rail, Pardirallus maculatus (V) Plumbeous rail, Pardirallus sanguinolentus Spot-flanked gallinule, Porphyriops melanops Dot-winged crake, Porzana spiloptera Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata Red-fronted coot, Fulica rufifrons Horned coot, Fulica cornuta Giant coot, Fulica gigantea Red-gartered coot, Fulica armillata Slate-colored coot, Fulica ardesiaca White-winged coot, Fulica leucoptera
Plovers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Fourteen species have been recorded in Chile.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Tawny-throated dotterel, Oreopholus ruficollis Diademed sandpiper-plover, Phegornis mitchellii Rufous-chested dotterel, Zonibyx modestus Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus