#Didyouknowthat in Chile there are more than 20 different types of wetlands, which represents 6% of our national territory. That 's right! and a lot of them are home to the Tachuris rubrigastra, or better known as “sietecolores” (seven colors). This bird is the inspiration of the #Santiago2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, the largest multisport event that Chile has had in its history.

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Over the years and thanks to its colorful feathers, Fiu has become the favorite of birdwatchers and photographers that frequent certain locations to capture the best pictures of these wonderful creatures.

In this sense and to commemorate this great day, we want to talk about three wetlands that are located in the Metropolitan Region where, if you have luck, you can be amazed with the “real version” of our beloved Fiu.”
 

1. Laguna de Batuco: located in the province of Chacabuco, this is one of the most important wetlands of the Metropolitan Region. According to the official website of Fundación San Carlos de Maipo: “the Laguna de Batuco is one of the most important components of the wetland and is characterized by a high concentration of resident and migratory aquatic avifauna… gathering up to 140 species in different conservation categories”, among them is the Tachuris rubrigastra.
    
2. Next to the Laguna de Batuco is the Tranque San Rafael, one of the three artificial lagoons of the wastewater treatment plant (PTAS) La Cadellada. Undoubtedly, this is a very important place in the Metropolitan Region where the birdwatchers confirm that there exists a relevant diversity of these species, especially of the seven colors. Bonus: inside there is a viewpoint from where you can appreciate the Laguna de Batuco.
    
3. Finally, the Humedal Urbano de Quilicura is the largest wetland in the Metropolitan Region, the second most important in Chile and which contains three other wetlands: Humedal O’Higgins, Humedal San Luis and San Luis Norte. These areas are home to more than 85 species of birds and it is also possible to admire the beauty of the seven colors.

It is necessary that you know that even when we recommended three places near Santiago, from Atacama to Aysén there are many more wetlands where we can find Fiu.

The United Nations (UN) declared February 2nd as World Wetlands Day and from #Santiago2023 we want to join the importance of raising awareness about these fundamental ecosystems, not only for our environment but also for thousands of bird species that, like the seven colors, inhabit these places.

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