Raising the Steaks

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  View of the grasslands from Rincao dos Infernos. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  The brown-and-yellow marshbird and yellow-rumped marshbird are both residents of the pampas, where they nest in the tall dense grassland. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  A native cactus (left) and a gaucho preparing yerba mate (right).  Photo: Photographs by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Traditional gauchos working on the farms.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  A green-barred woodpecker forages for ants in the trees (left). A gaucho dons the traditional garb (right). Photo: Photographs by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Horses used to wrangle cattle.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Fork-tailed flycatchers often perch on fences, from which they take to the wing in pursuit of flying insects. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  A cuchillo criollo, or the generic name for a gaucho's knife.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Sunset over the pampas (left). The thorn scrub and forest edge habitat that the yellow cardinal (right)—an endangered species—prefers has declined, but that alone doesn’t account for its decline. The species has been heavily trapped because of its popularity in the cagebird market. Photo: Photographs by Fernanda Preto — RAISING THE STEAKS
South America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.

Sunset over the pampas (left). The thorn scrub and forest edge habitat that the yellow cardinal (right)—an endangered species—prefers has declined, but that alone doesn’t account for its decline. The species has been heavily trapped because of its popularity in the cagebird market.

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Rincao dos Infernos Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  A flowering cactus.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  Chimango caracaras are a common bird in the open country of the Southern Cone.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  For centuries gauchos, who will sport the traditional baggy pants named after them, have inhabited the Southern Cone. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  The pampas fox, also known as the Azara's fox, are medium-sized animals with bushy tails. In Brazil they're completely protected. Controlled hunting occurs in Paraguay and Uruguay.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  The pampas are home to more than 500 species. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  In the Southern Cone, birds and cattle share the open country of the Southern Cone.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  The pampas at sunset.  Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

RAISING THE STEAKSSouth America's legendary gauchos are joining conservationists in a plan that could help save a way of life and millions of grassland birds.  In the Southern Cone native grasslands support the flightless greater rhea, which thrives alongside North American migrants like the Swainson's hawk and the bobolink. Photo: Photograph by Fernanda Preto

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