My dad and I spent from June 29-July 3, 2006 in Venezuela. The trip was a quick trip to Venezuela targeting several of the birds my dad had previously not seen. He had made one prior (3 week) trip to Venezuela with a USA tour company in March of 1998. That trip toured the entire country but he missed several species and at least two species (Plain-flanked Rail and Scallop-breasted Antpitta) have been rediscovered since then. I had a limited amount of time that I could be away so a short trip was perfect for me. I had never been to Venezuela so many birds were new to me.
We decided to hire a guide for this trip. I usually prefer to bird on my own without paying for a local guide. However, having never been to Venezuela and the difficulty with several of our target species, we decided to hire a local guide. We contacted David Ascanio and booked the entire trip with his company using him as a guide. This turned out to be the best decision we made. We sent David a list of target species for the five days of birding. We wished to get birds at Colonia Tovar, Henri Pittier, east Falcon and Coro. David’s company handled all of our arrangements. I would highly recommend him as a guide. As we booked this through his company, I will not go into depth on specific directions/locations of specialty birds in this report.
For more information see his website at http://www.ascaniobirding.com/html/home_en.php
Primary Locations:
Colonia Tovar and the descent to La Victoria
Henri Pittier National Park (Choroni Road and Ocumare Road)
East Falcon (Morrocoy National Park and Tucacas area)
Coro (area south of Coro towards San Luis)
Itinerary
June 28: We departed Atlanta on Delta airlines and arrived in Caracas at 10:45pm. Mario (our driver) was waiting for us at the airport and he quickly took us to our nearby hotel (<10 minute drive). David was waiting for us at the hotel and we quickly made some plans for the next morning.
June 29: We made an early departure for Colonia Tovar. We stopped for some early morning birding at lower elevations (Striped Spinetail and Venezuelan Tyrannulet). After this first stop we headed up to the town of Colonia Tovar and birded along a dirt road (required 4-wheel drive). Here we located several Caracas Tapaculos, Chestnut-crowned and Slate-crowned Antpittas. It seems like this is a reliable spot for the Caracas Tapaculo (ENDEMIC) as we heard several. We can only thank David for locating and showing us both the Antpittas as he called them in to us. We had several Black-throated Spinetails (ENDEMIC) in Colonia Tovar (even a pair in bushes next to a grocery store). We later drove down the road from Colonia Tovar to La Victoria and on to Maracay. We stopped at multiple locations on the descent to La Victoria including a nice lowland location near La Victoria. We also located Green-tailed Emerald (ENDEMIC) on the descent from Colonia Tovar.
June 30: We started the morning at Henri Pittier National Park along Choroni Road in the morning. We were successful in locating such specialties as Gluttulated Foliage-gleaner (ENDEMIC), Golden-breasted Fruiteater, and a family of three Handsome Fruiteaters (ENDEMIC), but the weather was not cooperating (wind, clouds, and rain) and David decided that we were better off to leave and start the drive to Coro. Thus, we checked out of our hotel and drove to Coro arriving near dusk. We birded along the way including multiple stops in east Falcon (Tucacas, Sanare, and Morrocoy National Park) and at ponds along Highway 3 on the way to Coro. Highlights of this drive included Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis, Plain-flanked Rail (ENDEMIC), and Black-backed Antshrike. David knew exactly where to go for Plain-flanked Rail and quickly located two birds for us (at least 3 birds immediately responded to the tape). We also stopped at a location for Rusty-flanked Crake but had no success. As we approached Coro, two parrots flew over the road which were most certainly Yellow-shouldered Parrot but the views were not sufficient for proper identification.
July 1: We spent the morning along the road south of Coro that goes up into the foothills to San Luis. At sunrise, we were in the scrub just south of a bridge and were fortunate to locate ~15 Yellow-shouldered Parrots. In addition, we had both White-whiskered Spinetail (ENDEMIC) and Vermillion Cardinals. Both of these birds have striking plumages and are well worth the drive to Coro. We additionally located Maracaibo (Short-tailed) Tody-Flycatcher (ENDEMIC), Slender-billed Inezia (Tyrannulet) and Black-crested Antshrike (subspecies: phainoleucus which is likely to be split in the future). Thus, in less than one hour we had located all the targets at Coro. We therefore, continued south along the road from Coro to San Luis with the intention of getting into the foothills (and a chance for Red Siskin). Although we made it into the foothills and began seeing species of this habitat, it became apparent that the foothills were receiving significant rain and we opted to drive back towards Maracay. Along Highway 3 from Coro to Sanare, we stopped multiple times in dry scrub and eventually succeeded in locating Tocuyo Sparrow. Once we neared Tucacas, we stopped at several sites David thought would be rewarding and located White-eared Conebills and Rusty-flanked Crake (ENDEMIC). Eventually, we arrived back in Maracay.
July 2: Henri Pittier National Park (both Choroni Road and Ocumare road with a stop at the Biological Station): We again went up Choroni Road and arrived at the pass before daylight. On this day, the weather was much better and we saw several Short-tailed Nighthawks flying around the pass. We also had a Black-and-white Owl calling down slope but were never able to see it. As daylight came, we had much more success along the road including Schwartz’s Antthrush (ENDEMIC), Violet-chested Hummingbird (ENDEMIC) and Rufous-cheeked Tanager (ENDEMIC). The highlight, however, was Scallop-breasted Antpitta (ENDEMIC). David knew exactly where to go for this species and within minutes of trying we were looking at a pair. We had great views of this species and it was likely the highlight of the trip. In the afternoon, we went over to Ocumare Road and to the Biological station. This was a Sunday and I can only say that Henri Pittier National Park should be avoided on weekends (David had previously warned us of this and tried to arrange our schedule to spend as little time as possible at Henri Pittier on the weekend). Lots of cars going up and down the road including plenty of people drinking alcohol. Highlights along the road included a pair of Golden-headed Manakins, Flavescent Warbler, and Moustached Puffibird (along the trails at the Biological station). We had car trouble this day but David quickly hired us a taxi for the rest of the day and July 3rd. Fortunately, David knew a reliable person to call and we lost minimal time birding due to the car troubles. In fact, the only Flavescent Warbler and Orange-crowned Oriole of the trip were located because we were walking along the main road while waiting for our taxi to pick us up.
July 3: Henri Pittier National Park (Ocumare road), Cutombo and Ocumare. Today we went up again to Henri Pittier National Park along Ocumare Road. We arrived before daylight and stopped outside the Biological Station. We had not walked far from the car, when he heard two Black-and-white Owls spontaneously hooting. We walked down the road towards one of the birds and easily spotlighted it. We also tried to tape Foothills Screech Owl and one called and came very close to us but we were unable to see it. In the Biological Station we located Short-tailed Antthrush, Venezuelan Antvireo (ENDEMIC), and Plain-backed Antpitta (amazingly close but we could not see it). We also had Venezuelan Wood-Quails (ENDEMIC) calling on two separate occasions. We subsequently drove down the road to Ocumare and birded at various stops along the way. This yielded Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Amazon and Green Kingfishers along the river. In the lowlands towards Cumboto, we located such interesting species as Lance-tailed and Wire-tailed Manakins, Scaled Piculet Crimson-crested Woodpecker, and Rufous-winged Antwren. We returned to Caracas at dark.
July 4: Depart from Caracas on Delta airlines at 8:50am.
General Comments:
Travel in Venezuela can be somewhat difficult. These problems were solved for us by booking through David’s company and having a driver with us at all times. We had a driver waiting for us at the airport (prior reports suggest that safety and navigating the airport can be problematic), thus no problem at the airport.
Driving:
Traffic can be a problem especially around Caracas. Due to a bridge still being out in Caracas, travel time from the international airport to Caracas can be quite long (up to 2 hours). If possible avoid Caracas, itself. The autopista from Marcay to Caracas had a moderate amount of traffic on our return on July 3rd.
Be very careful driving at night or on the roads of Henri Pittier National Park. I was very thankful that we had a driver. Although Choroni Road is a wonderful place for birding, it is a very narrow winding road. Traffic on weekends can be incredible and birding on a weekend borders on unsafe (David had advised us against birding Henri Pittier on a weekend and tried to get us to adjust our dates to avoid it, but our dates were not flexible, so we were forced to spend one weekend day on Henri Pittier). I would especially avoid birding from the road on Sunday as it appeared the entire city of Maracay was on the road and drinking beer. Also, buses run up and down the road and frequently honk their horn as they are passing you. We drove up Choroni Road on a Sunday morning at 5am. We were surprised to see a fair number of cars heading from Maracay to Choroni (obviously out after a night of drinking). Also, a large part of birding Henri Pittier National Park involves walking along the road so you must be careful and pay attention to the cars going up and down the road. Cars are driving fast, honk at you and in many instances probably involve drunk driving. All I can say is be careful if you decide to bird Henri Pittier on a weekend.
Hotels:
We stayed at the Hotel Playa Grande Caribe near the airport on the night we arrived (June 28) and night before we departed (July 3). This is a simple hotel that is close to the airport and thus you do not have to drive into Caracas. They have a restaurant.
Maracay: We stayed at Hotel Biblyos. This is a simple, average hotel. There are certainly better hotels in Maracay, but this is adequate for a birding trip.
Coro: We stayed at the Hotel Miranda Cumberland which is located next to the airport. We spent Friday night there and they were having a banquet in the back portion of the hotel grounds. We requested and received a room on the front side of the hotel. Thus, our room was not affected by the noise from the party, but a room on the backside of the hotel would likely be very loud. The party was still going on when we left at 0500. http://www.hotelescumberland.com/falcon.htm
Directions: I have not provided specific directions to locations for specialties as we were guided. I would highly recommend contacting and hiring David as he knows exactly where to go for certain species. For example, we missed at our first spot for Rusty-flanked Crake but he had a back-up spot that worked well.
Weather & Clothing:
It was warm during our stay with occasional rain. We went during the rainy season and did have some problems with rain. Most tour companies organize their tours for Venezuela from December to March which coincides with the dry season (most go to Henri Pittier in February).
June 29: We had rain (~1 hour) with clouds during the afternoon on Colonia Tovar. Portions of the rain were so heavy that we were unable to bird.
June 30: We drove up Choroni Road (Henri Pittier National Park) in the morning only to be engulfed with clouds and wind with intermittent rain. We focused primarily on the north slope as the south slope was too windy. After several hours and declining weather, David made the decision to head for Coro earlier than planned.
July 1: We had very minimal rain on the road south of Coro (did not affect our birding). However, it appeared to be raining heavily as the road continued south to San Luis. Due to time constraints and apparent rain, we opted not to continue to San Luis, but it appeared to be receiving heavy rain.
July 2: No weather problems.
July 3: We had some afternoon rainshowers that limited birding for about 45 minutes.
Biting animals:
Henri Pittier National Park (especially the Biological Research Station) is known for its chiggers. I can testify that chiggers are a problem at this site. Be prepared. I saw a minimal number of mosquitos and actually never put on repellant. I was bitten by a couple of ants, but otherwise I did not have any problems with biting animals. I did not see any snakes.
(heard only birds are in most cases not listed here):
Least Grebe: seen on small ponds along highway 3 on drive to Coro
Brown Pelican: common along coast
Brown Booby: seen from the Ocumare beach
Neotropic Cormorant: at the Ocumare beach and drive to Coro
Anhinga: east of Falcon
Magnificent Frigatebird: multiple birds along the coast
Whistling Heron: seen twice, one bird in Savannah west of Tucacas and another bird northwest of Sanare. These records appear to be further north than illustrated in the field guide maps.
Great Egret
Reddish Egret: one along river outlet to beach near Tucacas.
Tricolored Heron: Tucacas
Little Blue Heron: Morrocoy
Snowy Egret: the least common of all the egrets
Cattle Egret: abundant
Striated Heron: seen at small ponds off hwy 3 along drive to Coro
Fasciated Tiger-Heron: along river as you approach Ocumare/Cumboto
Bare-faced Ibis: multiple sites
Scarlet Ibis: Morrocoy N.P.
Caribbean Flamingo: Morrocoy N.P.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: in ponds off hwy 3 along drive to Coro
Black Vulture: common
Turkey Vulture: common
King Vulture: one flying over ridge in east Falcon
Pearl Kite: one perched on wire south of Coro
White-tailed Kite: along highway south of Tucacas
Plain-breasted Hawk: one in foothills south of Coro
Savanna Hawk: several along drive to Coro
Harris's Hawk: group hunting along road south of Coro
Roadside Hawk: several along highways
Zone-tailed Hawk: one in foothills south of Coro
Crested Caracara: several locations
Yellow-headed Caracara: several locations
American Kestrel: along drive to Coro
Rufous-vented Chachalaca: multiple locations
Band-tailed Guan: one heard and seen flying across road near Biological Research Station in Henri Pittier. Alas, I was trailing David and my father and did not see it in fllight.
Crested Bobwhite: Four seen along the road south of Coro (just past the bridge).
Venezuelan Wood-Quail (ENDEMIC): Two groups heard calling. One group was outside the Rancho Grande Biological Station and the other group was on the trails behind the Biological Station.
Limpkin: We had multiple birds in a flooded field in east Falcon.
Rusty-flanked Crake (ENDEMIC): After, failing in our first attempt, David took us to a second spot in east Falcon and we had great looks at a bird standing in the reeds of a pond.
Plain-flanked Rail (ENDEMIC): David had a stakeout spot in east Falcon that proved to be very reliable. We saw two birds (one a dark morph) and heard an additional bird.
Common Moorhen: several in ponds along Highway 3 on the way to Coro.
Wattled Jacana: present in most marshy areas.
Black-necked Stilt: Morrocoy N. P.
Southern Lapwing: several in grassy areas along side of road near Maracay.
Laughing Gull: one on the beach at Ocumare.
Royal Tern: one on the beach at Ocumare.
Rock Pigeon: at all cities/towns.
Bare-eyed Pigeon: several seen along road south of Coro.
Ruddy Pigeon: seen in Henri Pittier N.P. on both Choroni and Ocumare Roads.
Eared Dove: along Highway 3 on drive to Coro.
Common Ground-Dove: multiple locations
Ruddy Ground-Dove: multiple locations
Scaled Dove: multiple locations
White-tipped Dove: multiple locations
Lined Quail-Dove: Two birds heard in the Colonia Tovar area. Unfortunately, neither were seen.
Red-and-green Macaw: heard in east Falcon.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw: birds seen flying in Maracay.
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet: Henri Pittier National Park (both Choroni and Ocumare Roads)
Brown-throated Parakeet: multiple locations (lowlands)
Red-eared Parakeet (ENDEMIC): Henri Pittier National Park (both Choroni and Ocumare Roads)
Green-rumped Parrotlet: Henri Pittier National Park (both Choroni and Ocumare Roads)
Red-billed Parrot: along Ocumare Road
Yellow-shouldered Parrot: about 15 birds seen on the road south of Coro. Most were seen just past the bridge.
Orange-winged Parrot: Maracay
Squirrel Cuckoo: multiple locations
Smooth-billed Ani: multiple locations
Groove-billed Ani: multiple locations
Vermiculated Screech-Owl (Foothills Screech-Owl): One bird was heard calling along Ocumare Road and approached us but we could never locate it.
Black-and-white Owl: One bird heard on Choroni Road and two birds heard on Ocumare Road (one seen).
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl: Birds were seen at Ocumare and Coro.
Short-tailed Nighthawk: Birds flying at sunrise at the pass at Choroni Road.
Lesser Nighthawk: Birds flying at sunrise along the road south of Coro.
Band-winged Nightjar: one seen at sunrise on the north slope of Choroni road in Henri Pittier N.P.
White-tailed Nightjar: One seen at low elevation in dark in Maracay.
White-collared Swift:
Vaux's Swift: several along Choroni Road
White-tipped Swift: at the Rancho Grande Biological Station
Fork-tailed Palm-Swift: several around Maracay
Sooty-capped Hermit: seen south of Coro and near La Victoria
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird: one south of Coro
Blue-tailed Emerald: several in foothills south of Coro
Green-tailed Emerald (ENDEMIC) : one along road driving down from Colonia Tovar
Buffy Hummingbird: several in scrub south of Coro
Glittering-throated Emerald: one near La Victoria
Copper-rumped Hummingbird: several in Henri Pittier
White-vented Plumeleteer: at Comboto and La Victoria
Speckled Hummingbird: several in Henri Pittier
Violet-fronted Brilliant: one female at the Biological Research Station in Henri Pittier
Violet-chested Hummingbird (ENDEMIC): one female in Henri Pittier (Choroni Road)
Bronzy Inca: Henri Pittier (Choroni Road)
Tyrian Metaltail: several in Colonia Tovar region
Long-tailed Sylph: common in Henri Pittier
Wedge-billed Hummingbird: several in Henri Pittier
Collared Trogon: one on Choroni Road and one on Ocumare Road
Ringed Kingfisher: We had one along highway 3 on a wire next to a pond as we were approaching Coro (within 1 hour of Coro). This appears to be a range extension per the Hilty book. I would guess they wander into this normally dry area with the rainy season. We also had one in east Falcon near Sanare.
Amazon Kingfisher: One along Ocumare Road and one in east Falcon.
Green Kingfisher: One along Ocumare Road as we approached Ocumare.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar: multiple locations
Russet-throated Puffbird: One bird (with one band) in the foothills south of Coro and one bird (two bands) near la Victoria.
Moustached Puffbird: Two birds in trails behind Biological Research Station.
Groove-billed Toucanet: Seen multiple times along Ocumare Road and Choroni Road.
Scaled Piculet: One bird in Cumboto.
Red-crowned Woodpecker: Multiple locations
Smoky-brown Woodpecker: one on Choroni Road
Crimson-crested Woodpecker: Two birds in Cumboto.
Caribbean Hornero: One bird in east Falcon.
White-whiskered Spinetail: Several birds south of Coro and also east of Coro in scrub along Highway 3.
Black-throated Spinetail (ENDEMIC): multiple birds in Colonia Tovar. This endemic appeared very easy to locate.
Pale-breasted Spinetail: 2 birds south of Coro.
Stripe-breasted Spinetail: 2 birds in Colonia Tovar area
Crested Spinetail: One bird in Colonia Tovar and one at the Biological Research Station
Common Thornbird: multiple birds around La Victoria
Plain Xenops: two along Ocumare Road
Montane Foliage-gleaner: multiple birds in Henri Pittier.
Streaked Tuftedcheek: One bird in Colonia Tovar region.
Guttulated Foliage-gleaner (ENDEMIC): Multiple birds in Henri Pittier
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner: Multiple birds in Henri Pittier
Plain-brown Woodcreeper: One bird in Cumboto
Olivaceous Woodcreeper: Multiple birds in Henri Pittier
Strong-billed Woodcreeper: One on Choroni Road
Cocoa Woodcreeper: several in Henri Pittier
Olive-backed Woodcreeper: One on Choroni Road
Straight-billed Woodcreeper: several south of Coro and in Morrocoy N.P.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper: Two birds in Cumboto.
Montane Woodcreeper: One near Colonia Tovar
Black-crested Antshrike: Several along road south of Coro. This subspecies phainoleucus is a likely future split.
Black-backed Antshrike: Male and female in Morrocoy N.P.
Barred Antshrike: several locations
Plain Antvireo: several in Henri Pittier
White-streaked Antvireo (Venezuelan Antvireo): Male and female in trails behind
Biological Research Station
Rufous-winged Antwren: One in Cumboto.
White-fringed Antwren: multiple locations in Falcon
Long-tailed Antbird: Choroni Road (south slope)
White-bellied Antbird: One bird in Morrocoy N.P.
Black-faced Antthrush: several birds along trails behind Biological Research Station.
Short-tailed Antthrush: several birds singing (one seen) on trails behind Biological Research Station
Schwartz's Antthrush: One bird seen very well in Henri Pittier N.P. along Choroni Road and several others heard. A very difficult species that we only saw because of David being our guide.
Plain-backed Antpitta: Birds heard frequently on both Choroni Road and Ocumare Road in Henri Pittier N.P., but seeing this species is a much different story as it is quite difficult. We saw one briefly as it flew by us in response to a tape. We taped a 2nd bird very close but never got a look at it despite it sounding like it was right next to us.
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta: One seen in Colonia Tovar area.
Scallop-breasted Antpitta (ENDEMIC): Two seen in Henri Pittier N.P. An amazing experience when David was able to show us this species. To see this species, I would definitely suggest hiring David as a guide.
Slate-crowned Antpitta: One seen in Colonia Tovar.
Caracas Tapaculo (ENDEMIC): One seen and several others heard in Colonia Tovar. This is apparently the place to see this species.
Green-and-black Fruiteater: Two birds (male and female) in Colonia Tovar.
Golden-breasted Fruiteater: Male and female along Choroni Road.
Handsome Fruiteater (ENDEMIC): I was worried about seeing this species as it is reportedly more difficult to see during the rainy season. However, we saw three birds the first day on
Choroni Road (male, immature, and immature/female) and another female on our 2nd day on Choroni Road.
Lance-tailed Manakin: A nice male in Morrocoy N.P. and two immatures/females in Cumboto.
Wire-tailed Manakin: One female in Cumboto.
Golden-headed Manakin: A male and female in the lower portion of Ocumare Road shortly after entering Henri Pittier National Park.
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet: One in La Victoria
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet: Seen in both La Victoria and Cumboto.
Forest Elaenia: One along Ocumare Road.
Greenish Elaenia: One in Cumboto.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia: One near La Victoria
Small-billed Elaenia: seen in multiple lowland locations
Lesser Elaenia: multiple locations
Olive-striped Flycatcher: One at the Biological Research Station
Slaty-capped Flycatcher: Several sightings in Henri Pittier N.P.
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant: Seen on both Ocumare and Choroni Roads.
Venezuelan Bristle-Tyrant (ENDEMIC): Seen on both Ocumare and Choroni Roads.
Venezuelan Tyrannulet: One along drive from Colonia Tovar to La Victoria
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher: Subspecies pallens in mangroves near Tucacas and
subspecies glaver seen south of Coro (very common). Rumors are that these may be split in the future.
White-throated Tyrannulet: Very common in Colonia Tovar and 2 also seen along Choroni Road
Slender-billed Tyrannulet: Several birds seen south of Coro.
Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant: foothills south of Coro.
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant: One seen along the trails behind Rancho Grande.
Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant: Two birds in the foothills south of Coro.
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant: Two birds in the foothills south of Coro.
Short-tailed (Maracaibo) Tody-Flycatcher (ENDEMIC): Several birds seen along the road south of Coro and in scrub along Highway 3 east of Coro.
Common Tody-Flycatcher: several in lowland locations
Yellow-olive Flycatcher: near La Victoria
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher: One near La Victoria
Cinnamon Flycatcher: Pair apparently at a nest along Choroni Road.
Fuscous Flycatcher: One in Morrocoy N.P.
Smoke-colored Pewee: One at Rancho Grande
Black Phoebe: several along stream approaching Ocumare
Vermilion Flycatcher: multiple locations in Falcon.
Pied Water-Tyrant: multiple locations in east Falcon.
Cattle Tyrant: several locations
Dusky-capped Flycatcher: One calling bird on Ocumare Road
Venezuelan Flycatcher: Two birds in Cumboto.
Brown-crested Flycatcher: multiple locations
Great Kiskadee: common
Boat-billed Flycatcher: several birds in La Victoria
Rusty-margined Flycatcher: Birds at La Victoria and Choroni Roads
Social Flycatcher: common
Golden-crowned Flycatcher: Several sightings on Choroni Road
Streaked Flycatcher: Several sightings on Ocumare Road and around Cumboto
Tropical Kingbird: common
Gray Kingbird: Two birds in east Falcon.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Along road as we descended from Colonia Tovar.
White-winged Becard: One seen carrying food in Tucacas area.
Black-and-white Becard: Seen several times on Choroni Road including a young bird
begging for food.
Cinereous Becard: One at Morrocoy N.P.
Black-tailed Tityra: Two at Rancho Grande
Masked Tityra: Several seen along Ocumare Road.
Brown-chested Martin: common
White-winged Swallow: A small group at a pond along highway 3 east of Coro.
Blue-and-white Swallow: several at Colonia Tovar and near Marcay.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow: common
Black-capped Donacobius: one in east Falcon
Bicolored Wren: A pair at a nest along road south of Coro.
Whiskered Wren: One singing on trails behind Rancho Grande.
Rufous-breasted Wren: Seen twice (near Colonia Tovar and Ocumare Road)
Rufous-and-white Wren: One near Cumboto.
Buff-breasted Wren: One near Colonia Tovar.
House Wren: common
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren: Heard singing at multiple sites in Henri Pittier, and seen poorly
Scaly-breasted Wren: Seen and heard on both Choroni and Ocumare Roads
Tropical Mockingbird: common
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush: along road from Colonia Tovar to La Victoria
Yellow-legged Thrush: one Colonia Tovar
Glossy-black Thrush: several Colonia Tovar and Henri Pittier
Black-hooded Thrush: one carrying nesting material on trails behind Rancho Grande
Pale-breasted Thrush: common
Cocoa Thrush: two at Cumboto
Bare-eyed Thrush: around La Victoria
White-necked Thrush: several in Henri Pittier
Long-billed Gnatwren: several heard and seen at Cumboto
Tropical Gnatcatcher: common
Green Jay (Inca Jay): at both Colonia Tovar and Henri Pittier
Brown-capped Vireo: Henri Pittier
Red-eyed Vireo: several in foothills south of Coro
Scrub Greenlet: common
Golden-fronted Greenlet: common
Rufous-browed Peppershrike: one south of Coro and heard along Ocumare Road
Lesser Goldfinch: several sites
Tropical Parula: seen in foothills south of Coro and Cumboto
Slate-throated Redstart: common at higher elevations
Black-crested Warbler: several at Colonia Tovar
Golden-crowned Warbler: several in Henri Pittier
Three-striped Warbler: several in Henri Pittier
Flavescent Warbler: one on south slope of Ocumare road (foothills)
Bananaquit: common
White-eared Conebill: one in lowlands of east Falcon with Hooded Tanagers
Bicolored Conebill: one in mangroves of Tucacas
Common Bush-Tanager: common
Oleaginous Hemispingus: common in Colonia Tovar
Fulvous-headed Tanager: several seen in Choroni Road (south slope) and Ocumare Road
Hooded Tanager: several in east Falcon
Gray-headed Tanager: on Ocumare Road and Cumboto
White-lined Tanager: common
Hepatic Tanager: foothills south of Coro and Choroni Road
White-winged Tanager: male and female on Choroni Road
Silver-beaked Tanager: common
Blue-gray Tanager: common
Glaucous Tanager: Morrocoy N.P and road south of Coro
Blue-capped Tanager: one on Colonia Tovar
Palm Tanager: several on north slope of Ocumare Road down to Ocumare
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager: both Ocumare and Choroni Roads
Fawn-breasted Tanager: one on Colonia Tovar
Trinidad Euphonia: two birds in the foothills south of Coro
Thick-billed Euphonia: several sites
Orange-bellied Euphonia: Henri Pittier
Golden Tanager: perhaps the most common passerine in Henri Pittier
Speckled Tanager: multiple birds on both Choroni and Ocumare Roads
Bay-headed Tanager: multiple birds on both Choroni and Ocumare Roads
Burnished-buff Tanager: foothills of both Choroni and Ocumare Roads
Rufous-cheeked Tanager (ENDEMIC): one bird on the north slope of Choroni Road
Blue-necked Tanager: two birds, foothills (south slope) Choroni Road
Beryl-spangled Tanager: common at Colonia Tovar
Black-headed Tanager: several along foothills of Ocumare Road
Purple Honeycreeper: one along stream on Ocumare Road
Red-legged Honeycreeper: one along stream on Ocumare Road
Swallow-Tanager: common and nesting at Rancho Grande
Pileated Finch: male and female in scrub east of Coro along Highway 3
Blue-black Grassquit: common
Gray Seedeater: several birds in east Falcon
Lesson's Seedeater: a group of males, females, and immatures in a pasture with stream in east Falcon
Yellow-bellied Seedeater: multiple sites
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater: near La Victoria
Black-faced Grassquit: foothills of Choroni Road
Saffron Finch: along road south of Coro and in La Victoria
Ochre-breasted Brush-Finch: both Choroni Road (pass) and Colonia Tovar
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch: one at the Choroni Road pass
Tocuyo Sparrow: one in brush along Highway 3, east of Coro. This bird took us some time as we stopped in multiple areas of good habitat before we located a singing bird.
Black-striped Sparrow: two birds near La Victoria
Grassland Sparrow: one bird on the descent from Colonia Tovar to La Victoria
Rufous-collared Sparrow: common at Colonia Tovar
Streaked Saltator: multiple sites
Grayish Saltator: multiple sites
Buff-throated Saltator: Henri Pittier N.P.
Orinocan Saltator: several birds along road south of Coro and along Highway 3 east of Coro
Vermilion Cardinal: several birds along road south of Coro
Ultramarine Grosbeak: one bird singing near La Victoria
Blue-black Grosbeak: one bird singing at Cumboto
Yellow-hooded Blackbird: common in marshy areas, east Falcon
Carib Grackle: common
Shiny Cowbird: several sites
Giant Cowbird: one bird at La Victoria
Yellow-backed Oriole: four birds near Colonia Tovar
Yellow Oriole: several birds along road south of Coro
Orange-crowned Oriole: one bird along Ocumare Road, south slope
Venezuelan Troupial: common in scrub along road south of Coro
Crested Oropendola: multiple locations
Russet-backed Oropendola: four birds near Rancho Grande
Oriole Blackbird: one bird near La Victoria
Jim Holmes
Sacramento, CA
jfholmes@ucdavis.edu