Birds of Uruguay

More than 450 bird species have been recorded in the country, making Uruguay an interesting destination both for ecotourism and for people who consider environmental quality when choosing a place to live.

Winged diversity

There are several versions of the origin of the name Uruguay, and one of the best known is connected with the Guaraní language. According to this interpretation, the name can be translated as “river of birds” or “river where birds live” (urú — bird, gua — place, y — water).

Even if this version is not the only one, it reflects the country’s geographical reality well: a large number of rivers, lagoons and wetlands that attract diverse bird species.

Flamingos regularly appear on salt lagoons, seabirds live along the Atlantic coast and the Río de la Plata estuary, and birds of prey — caracaras, hawks and falcons — can be observed over the plains.

Importantly, many of these species live outside protected areas and are easy to observe without special infrastructure, which indicates ecosystems in good condition.

Tero — one of Uruguay’s symbols

This bird has a loud, piercing cry and is known for its bravery and territoriality. The tero often settles near people, actively defends its nest and does not hesitate to “attack” anyone it considers too close. In Uruguay, the tero is regarded as a symbol of vigilance, character and independence.

It is no coincidence that Los Teros (“Teros”) is what Uruguay’s national rugby team calls itself. The team chose this bird as a reflection of its style: persistence, collective defence and readiness to fight a stronger opponent.

A paradise for birdwatchers

Uruguay is a popular, though underrated, destination for birdwatching.

Many species here:

• are easy to observe without special equipment;
• live near cities and rural roads;
• are not afraid of people.

You can watch birds literally on a beach, in a Montevideo park or on a farm in the countryside.

A high share of renewable energy, low pressure on natural territories and the absence of heavy industrialisation create conditions in which biodiversity is preserved without strict isolation from people.

Useful links

BirdNET (from Cornell Lab)

A free app for identifying birds by song

Red Book of Uruguay (Spanish, with illustrations)

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