Lauca National Park

🇨🇱 Chile

🦙 Vicuña Herds Beside Lago Chungará
🌍 #182 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #31 in South America #57 in Savanna & Grassland
Altiplano, Chile 335 spp. recorded

Lauca National Park is a protected high-altitude grassland situated in the Chilean Altiplano, featuring vast plateaus, high-altitude wetlands, and towering volcanoes. Visitors walk along tracks that wind through sweeping Andean steppes and shimmering bogs surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

-18.232° S   69.400° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Vicuña ★
LC

Vicuña

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vicugna vicugna

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Mountain Viscacha ★
LC

Northern Mountain Viscacha

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lagidium viscacia

80–90% · Very likely
Chilean Flamingo ★
NT

Chilean Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicopterus chilensis

30–40% · Possible
North Andean Huemul ★
VU

North Andean Huemul

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Hippocamelus antisensis

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mourning Sierra-Finch
LC

Mourning Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhopospina fruticeti

70–80% · Very likely
Black-hooded Sierra-Finch
LC

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phrygilus atriceps

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Bolivian Big-eared Mouse
LC

Bolivian Big-eared Mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Auliscomys boliviensis

60–70% · Likely
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch
LC

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geospizopsis plebejus

60–70% · Likely
Greenish Yellow-Finch
LC

Greenish Yellow-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis olivascens

60–70% · Likely
Buff-winged Cinclodes
LC

Buff-winged Cinclodes

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinclodes fuscus

60–70% · Likely
Spot-winged Pigeon
LC

Spot-winged Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas maculosa

60–70% · Likely
Andean Hillstar
LC

Andean Hillstar

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oreotrochilus estella

60–70% · Likely
Bare-faced Ground-Dove
LC

Bare-faced Ground-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Metriopelia ceciliae

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Siskin

Hooded Siskin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus magellanicus

60–70% · Likely
Creamy-breasted Canastero
LC

Creamy-breasted Canastero

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Asthenes dorbignyi

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Vicuña ★
LC

Vicuña

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vicugna vicugna

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Mountain Viscacha ★
LC

Northern Mountain Viscacha

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lagidium viscacia

80–90% · Very likely
North Andean Huemul ★
VU

North Andean Huemul

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Hippocamelus antisensis

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bolivian Big-eared Mouse
LC

Bolivian Big-eared Mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Auliscomys boliviensis

60–70% · Likely
Guanaco
LC

Guanaco

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lama guanicoe

30–40% · Possible
Culpeo
LC

Culpeo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycalopex culpaeus

30–40% · Possible
White-bellied Grass Mouse
LC

White-bellied Grass Mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Akodon albiventer

Insufficient data
Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

Insufficient data
Highland Tuco-tuco
LC

Highland Tuco-tuco

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ctenomys opimus

Insufficient data
Jelski's altiplano mouse
LC

Jelski's altiplano mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Abrothrix jelskii

Insufficient data
Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk
LC

Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Conepatus chinga

Insufficient data
Andean Cat

Andean Cat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leopardus jacobitus

Insufficient data
Mountain Degu
LC

Mountain Degu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Octodontomys gliroides

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Chilean Flamingo ★
NT

Chilean Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicopterus chilensis

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Mourning Sierra-Finch
LC

Mourning Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhopospina fruticeti

70–80% · Very likely
Black-hooded Sierra-Finch
LC

Black-hooded Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phrygilus atriceps

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

70–80% · Very likely
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch
LC

Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geospizopsis plebejus

60–70% · Likely
Greenish Yellow-Finch
LC

Greenish Yellow-Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sicalis olivascens

60–70% · Likely
Buff-winged Cinclodes
LC

Buff-winged Cinclodes

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinclodes fuscus

60–70% · Likely
Spot-winged Pigeon
LC

Spot-winged Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas maculosa

60–70% · Likely
Andean Hillstar
LC

Andean Hillstar

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oreotrochilus estella

60–70% · Likely
Bare-faced Ground-Dove
LC

Bare-faced Ground-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Metriopelia ceciliae

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Siskin

Hooded Siskin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus magellanicus

60–70% · Likely
Creamy-breasted Canastero
LC

Creamy-breasted Canastero

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Asthenes dorbignyi

50–60% · Likely
Chiguanco Thrush
LC

Chiguanco Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus chiguanco

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Chungará-glatstrubeleguan
LC

Chungará-glatstrubeleguan

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liolaemus chungara

50–60% · Likely
Tarapaca Smooth-throated Lizard
LC

Tarapaca Smooth-throated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liolaemus jamesi

30–40% · Possible
Yanez's Lava Lizard

Yanez's Lava Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Microlophus yanezi

20–30% · Possible
Brilliant Tree Iguana
LC

Brilliant Tree Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liolaemus alticolor

Insufficient data
Peru Slender Snake
LC

Peru Slender Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tachymenis peruviana

Insufficient data
Liolaemus tacnae
NT

Liolaemus tacnae

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liolaemus tacnae

Insufficient data
🦎 No photo available
LC Endemic

Liolaemus pleopholis

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Liolaemus pleopholis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Warty Toad
LC

Warty Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella spinulosa

Insufficient data
Arico Water Frog
CR Endemic

Arico Water Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Telmatobius pefauri

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Giant Coot Nesting at Lago Chungará

OctNovDec

Giant Coots build and tend enormous floating nest platforms of aquatic vegetation on Lago Chungará, with breeding activity peaking in the austral spring

Giant Coot
LC

Giant Coot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fulica gigantea

40–50% · Likely
🦙

Vicuña Calving Season

DecJanFeb

Vicuña family groups give birth to their single crias during the altiplano wet season, with newborns visible beside the herds on the bofedales

Vicuña
LC

Vicuña

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Vicugna vicugna

70–80% · Very likely
🦩

Altiplano Flamingo Congregation

DecJanFeb

Wet-season (Andean summer) congregation of three flamingo species — Chilean, Andean and James's — feeding in the shallow wetlands of Lago Chungará and the Cotacotani lagoons

Chilean Flamingo
NT

Chilean Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicopterus chilensis

30–40% · Possible
James's Flamingo
NT

James's Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicoparrus jamesi

20–30% · Possible
Andean Flamingo
VU

Andean Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicoparrus andinus

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Vicuña
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
Northern Mountain Viscacha
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
90–100
80–90
70–80
80–90
Chilean Flamingo
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
North Andean Huemul
60–70
20–30
50–60
80–90
30–40
20–30
80–90
80–90
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
Mourning Sierra-Finch
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
Black-hooded Sierra-Finch
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
Rufous-collared Sparrow
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Bolivian Big-eared Mouse
50–60
70–80
60–70
30–40
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
50–60
50–60
Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
Greenish Yellow-Finch
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
Buff-winged Cinclodes
70–80
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
Spot-winged Pigeon
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Andean Hillstar
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Bare-faced Ground-Dove
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
Hooded Siskin
70–80
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
Creamy-breasted Canastero
40–50
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🦩 Altiplano Flamingo Congregation
🐦 Giant Coot Nesting at Lago Chungará
🦙 Vicuña Calving Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦙 Vicuña Herds Beside Lago Chungará

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
227
🐒 Mammals
69
🦎 Reptiles
31
🐸 Amphibians
8
335 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
21 Threatened 16 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
71%
📊
Coverage (115 species at ≥5% of 335 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
34%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 3 mammal)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
92
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
10
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
32

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Lauca National Park?

The most likely sightings are Northern Mountain Viscacha (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Mourning Sierra-Finch (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black-hooded Sierra-Finch (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Vicuña (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 335 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Lauca National Park for wildlife?

May has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Vicuña in Lauca National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a Vicuña sighting in Lauca National Park, based on 41 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Northern Mountain Viscacha in Lauca National Park?

Yes — about 84% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Mountain Viscacha sighting in Lauca National Park, based on 66 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Chilean Flamingo in Lauca National Park?

Yes — about 38% of wildlife watchers report a Chilean Flamingo sighting in Lauca National Park, based on 332 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see North Andean Huemul in Lauca National Park?

Yes — about 60% of wildlife watchers report a North Andean Huemul sighting in Lauca National Park, based on 24 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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