Uyuni – Bolivia

About

When travelers think of Uyuni, Bolivia, they often imagine an otherworldly expanse of salt — a blinding white landscape that transforms into a shimmering mirror during the rainy season. The Salar de Uyuni is famous for its surreal beauty, but far fewer people realize it’s also home to a rich and surprising mix of birds, especially for those willing to venture beyond the salt crust into the high-altitude lagoons and arid plateaus of the Altiplano.

Among the most breathtaking sights are the flamingos. The three distinct species are the Chilean, the Andean, and the rare and striking James’s flamingo. These elegant birds gather in flocks by the thousands during the rainy season, painting the shallow lagoons pink with their reflections. Places like Laguna Colorada, Laguna Hedionda, and Laguna Ramaditas become vibrant ecosystems, where flamingos feed, nest, and perform elaborate courtship rituals in synchronized displays. Their colors come from algae and brine shrimp, and their postures are a dance of survival and elegance in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

The landscape of Uyuni is as much a character in this story as the birds themselves. At over 3,600 meters above sea level, Uyuni’s terrain is harsh and thin-aired, yet filled with delicate ecological relationships. Cactus-covered islands like Isla Incahuasi rise from the salt flats.

The best months to go birding here are between December and March, when the rains arrive and turn the salar into a perfect mirror of the sky.  This setting is so surreal that it seems suspended between two worlds. This is when bird activity is at its peak, and the flamingos are most abundant. In the dry season, from April through November, the landscape is starker and more accessible by vehicle, but the flamingos are more scattered across the region’s remote lagoons.

A successful birding trip to Uyuni calls for preparation. The high altitude demands a few days of acclimatization, especially if you’re coming from lowland cities like La Paz or Sucre. Early mornings and late afternoons are when birds are most active, and the light during these hours, especially at golden hour, is magical for bird photographers. A good telephoto lens, plenty of water, and warm layers are essential, as temperatures can shift dramatically from sun-drenched afternoons to freezing nights.

Conservation remains a growing concern in the region. Although parts of the area, such as Laguna Colorada, are protected under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, threats from lithium mining and unchecked tourism continue to grow. Responsible travel is critical — supporting eco-conscious tours, hiring local guides who understand the land, and respecting nesting sites can all help safeguard these fragile habitats for the future.

Birding in Uyuni is not just about ticking species off a list. It’s about standing in a place where life persists against the odds. Where flamingos dance in freezing waters, where finches flit among cactus thorns, and where silence is broken only by the sound of wings in the thin mountain air. It’s a reminder that even in the starkest landscapes, beauty and biodiversity flourish in a delicate balance.

This site is featured in Owen’s new book, Birds of the Tropical Andes, available July 8, 2025.

Owen traveled to Uyuni, Bolivia, in December 2023.