National Animals of South America
South America carries the most megafauna of any continent, and its national symbols reflect that density. The jaguar appears across the Amazon basin, the Andean condor soars over the Andes from Colombia to Chile, and the golden lion tamarin, the spectacled bear and the llama all appear on national emblems from Bolivia to Venezuela.
Argentina
Furnarius rufus
The hornero builds elaborate oven-shaped mud nests, giving it its name.
Bolivia
Lama glama
Llamas can carry a quarter of their body weight for 30 km a day.
Brazil
Turdus rufiventris
This songbird's melodic call is heard across Brazilian backyards at sunrise.
Chile
Vultur gryphus
The condor has the largest wingspan of any land bird - up to 3.3 meters.
Colombia
Vultur gryphus
Colombia shares the condor as a symbol with several Andean neighbors.
Ecuador
Vultur gryphus
The condor stands with wings outstretched on Ecuador's coat of arms.
Guyana
Panthera onca
Two jaguars support Guyana's coat of arms, holding a pickaxe and sugar cane.
Paraguay
Procnias jaranii
The male's metallic 'clang' call is among the loudest of any bird.
Peru
Vicugna vicugna
Vicuna wool is the finest and most expensive natural fiber in the world.
Suriname
Panthera onca
Suriname's rainforest is one of the last strongholds of large healthy jaguar populations.
Uruguay
Vanellus chilensis
Uruguayans call this territorial bird 'tero' and admire its bravery.
Venezuela
Icterus icterocephalus
This vivid orange and black bird was declared the national bird in 1958.
National animals of other continents
Can you place them on the globe?
Explore how many you can identify from the animal alone.