Viking Cruises

T he world boasts more than 10,000 types of bird, and Viking's new itineraries to Antarctica and South America provide opportunities to see some truly charismatic examples. Here are ten of the best. Spot a group of Magnificent Frigatebirds cruising over Rio de Janeiro's famous beaches and you could be forgiven for fretting that pterodactyls have returned from beyond the grave to reclaim Brazil's skies. Flying effortlessly on rakish, 2-metre-long wings, these seafarers are renowned pirates – harassing smaller birds into releasing their food. Wandering the streets of Buenos Aires, you cannot but notice a brick-toned songbird striding boldly at your feet: this is Argentina's national bird, the Rufous Hornero. Its name comes from the Spanish horno, which means 'oven' – and derives from the bird's spherical mud nests, which recall wood-fired ovens. Cruising between Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica, there is no need to strain your eyes to see a Black-browed Albatross. is spectacular seabird will come to you, as it readily follows ships across the open ocean, allowing passengers ample time to enjoy intimate encounters. Guests on Antarctica cruises embark or disembark at the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, which lies at the toes of the Andes in Argentine Tierra del Fuego. e skies above this famed mountain range are lorded over by Andean Condors, the world's heaviest soaring bird – a behemoth the height of a 7-year-old boy. With the longest wingspan of any living bird – up to 3.5 metres – the Wandering Albatross is a prized sight on the seas of the Drake Passage, en route to Antarctica. It is well named too, with one individual tracked flying for 15,500 miles in just nine weeks. Itineraries including the rugged archipelago of the Falkland Islands offer spectacular birdwatching experiences, including a visit to the hustle and bustle of Andean Condor Rufous Hornero Snowy Sheathbill Wandering Albatross 88 VIKING

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