Victor!Emanuel!NatureTours! EASTERN VENEZUELA · Victor!Emanuel!NatureTours!! EASTERN VENEZUELA !...

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

EASTERN VENEZUELA

March 7-16, 2014

Leader: David Ascanio Compiled by David Ascanio

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, inc. 2525 Wallington Drive, Suite 1003

Austin, TX 78746 www.ventbird.com

2014 VENT Eastern Venezuela & the Orinoco Delta. David Ascanio

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Victor Emanuel Nature Tours Eastern Venezuela 07-‐16 March 2014 Leader: David Ascanio Photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/sets/72157646302057564/

Our 2014 Eastern Venezuela tour started near the

southern bank of the Orinoco river in the Cachamay falls. This park is found at side of the Caroni river, one of the main tributaries of the Orinoco. Here, Orinocan Saltator was seen after much search. Also, we explored the edge of the dry and riverine forests and added to our list several species that are common in the northern part of the country. Continuing south, we drove to one of my favorite birding areas: Sierra de Lema. This was the closest resemblance

to the vegetation and landscape of the slope of the tepuis (table-‐top mountains) and hosts an incredibly rich endemic wildlife. From insectivorous plants to huge scorpions and an amazing array of endemic birds, Sierra de Lema is one of the most-‐go areas for naturalists and birdwatchers alike. The list of tepuis endemics was endless, from antwrens to manakins, tanagers and brush-‐finches. In Sierra de Lema we also admired the astonishing Guianan Cock-‐of-‐the-‐Rocks and the bright and distinctive White Bellbird. Also, we saw a Black Curassow walking along the road and a pair of Roraiman Barbtail climbing a mossy branch. Besides its beauty, this species has recently been subject to molecular studies and found not a true barbtail but a spinetail. A visit to the Gran Sabana allowed views of grassland and shrubland unique to this región as well as the endemic Tepui Goldenthroat, Fiery-‐shouldered Parakeets (in fligh)t and Tepui Swift sweeping insects. Once we cleaned up most of the target species in Sierra de Lema we moved to the lowlands and visited two areas: the Alto Cuyuni watershed and the Rio Grande forestry reserve. In the former we came across real gems: Yellow-‐throated Woodpecker, Guianan Toucanet, Golden-‐collared Woodpecker and Gray-‐winged Trumpeteer. In the later, we visited an active nest of Harpy Eagle (Martha climbed the observation tower for eye level views of the chick!) and were marveled by a Ferruginous-‐backed Antbird walking close to us. In the afternoon a pair of Red-‐and-‐green Macaw gave a show with loud and ungraceful serenate of cries and screams while they were looking after the cavity nest.


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Moving north, El Palmar gave us an introduction to Birding the Venezuelan plains (llanos) and it was complemented with grand finale boat trip to the Orinoco Delta. Here, we enjoyed views of the recently described River-‐island Spinetail and Delta Amacuro Softtail. Also, an unnamed wagtail-‐tyrant, Black-‐chested Tyrant and several river island specialist rounded up a tour where we managed to see 30 species of birds of prey, 10 woodpecker species, 12 species of macaws, parrots, parakeets and parrotlets, 21 species of antbirds and 44 species of tyrant-‐flycatchers! Five of you arrived a day earlier and accompanied me on a day tour to El Avila national park, near the airport. In this bird-‐rich area we managed to see about other 67 species including endemic species such as Caracas Tapaculo, Black-‐throated Spinetail, Blood-‐eared Parakeet, and Guttulate Foliage-‐Gleaner. Also, we enjoyed views of White-‐tipped Quetzal, Ornate Hawk-‐Eagle, Groove-‐billed Toucante, Golden-‐breasted Fruiteater, Glaucous Tanager ( hotel grounds), Golden-‐rumped Euphonia and Chestnut-‐crowned Antpitta. These species were not found in southeatern Venezuela thus became a nice adding to the checklist. I hope you enjoyed this part of my country as much as I have loved it for almost 30 years guiding tours here. When I am back home and have to deal with rush hour, bank transactions, car in the workshop and day-‐to-‐day city issues, I close my eyes and look back in time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and birds we saw in this tour. You bet this makes my day happier! I look forward to see you again. THE ITINERARY 7 March 2014. Arrival to Puerto Ordaz. Visit Cachamay park and waterfalls. Drive to Las Claritas. 8,9 March 2014. Sierra de Lema & Gran Sabana. 10 March 2014. Alto Cuyuni área; Sierra de Lema. 11 March 2014. Gran Sabana and Sierra de Lema. Drive to El Palmar. 12 March 2014. Chupadero – Imataca forestry reserve. 13 March 2014. Rio Grande – Imataca forestry reserve. 14 March 2014. El Palmar. Drive to Tucupita. 15 March 2014. Orinoco delta. 16 March 2014. Guasina. Drive to Maturin. Flight to Caracas. THE BIRDLIST Tinamous / Tinamidae Great Tinamou. Tinamus major. We Heard this species in the lowlands and Tim was fortunate to see one flushed at the forest edge (from the road).

Screamers / Anhimidae


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Horned Screamer. Anhima cornuta. We observed two pairs at El Piso farm. It was also seen in El Palmar wetland.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl / Anatidae White-‐faced Whistling-‐Duck. Dendrocygna viduata. Few individuals were obserbed at El Piso farm. It was also seen in El Palmar wetland.

Black-‐bellied Whistling-‐Duck. Dendrocygna autumnalis. The commonest whistling duck at El Piso farm. We observed about two dozen individuals. It was also seen in El Palmar wetland.

Blue-‐winged Teal. Anas discors. About 8 individuals were observed in El Palmar wetlands.

Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows / Cracidae Variable (Little) Chachalaca. Ortalis motmot. We had a brief view of an individual near our lodge in Las Claritas.

Rufous-‐vented Chachalaca. Ortalis ruficauda. More tan 12 individuals serenated us near Tucupita. A very noisy species!

Black Curassow. Crax alector. We enjoyed superb views of about 5 individuals in Sierra de Lema.

New World Quail / Odontophoridae Crested Bobwhite. Colinus cristatus. Common near El Palmar. Grebes / Podicipedidae Least Grebe. Tachybaptus dominicus. Three individuals were observed in a small wetland near El Palmar.

Storks / Ciconiidae Wood Stork. Mycteria americana. A single individual was seen near El Palmar. Cormorants & Shags / Phalacrocoracidae Neotropic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Common in wetlands in the lowlands.

Anhingas / Anhingidae Anhinga. Anhinga anhinga. This species was equally common than the cormorant but usually less numerous.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns / Ardeidae Pinnated Bittern. Botaurus pinnatus. We enjoyed scope views of an individual in El Piso farm.

Rufescent Tiger-‐Heron. Tigrisoma lineatum. A pair was observed near Las Claritas. Cocoi Heron. Ardea cocoi. Seen frequently in the lowlands in wetlands. Great Egret. Ardea (Egretta) alba. We observed this species in every day. Snowy Egret. Egretta thula. A single individual was seen along the road to Las Claritas. Cattle Egret. Bubulcus ibis. It was seen variuos times in farmland.


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Striated Heron. Butorides striata. Single individuals were seen in small wetlands at sides of the road.

Whistling Heron. Syrigma sibilatrix. Two pairs were seen in El Piso farm. Capped Heron. Pilherodius pileatus. We enjoyed great views of a single individual in El Palmar wetland.

Ibises & Spoonbills / Threskiornithidae Green Ibis. Mesembrinibis cayennensis. A single individual was observed at the entrance of Rio Grande.

Buff-‐necked Ibis. Theristicus caudatus. A pair was observed in El Piso farm. New World Vultures / Cathartidae Black Vulture. Coragyps atratus. This species was common in open areas. Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura. This species was common in open and semi-‐forested areas.

Lesser Yellow-‐headed Vulture. Cathartes burrovianus. Seen only in El Piso farm and El Palmar wetlands.

Greater Yellow-‐headed Vulture. Cathartes melambrotus. Two pairs were seen in lowland forested areas.

King Vulture. Sarcoramphus papa. Southeastern Venezuela is probably one of the most reliable locations to see this species. We enjoyed views of four individuals.

Osprey / Pandionidae Osprey. Pandion haliaetus. A single individual was observed in Cachamay falls. Later, towards the end of the tour we observed various individuals in El Palmar wetlands.

Hawks, Eagles & Kites / Accipitridae White-‐tailed Kite. Elanus leucurus. A single individual was seen along the road from Las Claritas to El Palmar. It was also seen in El Palmar near the hotel.

Hook-‐billed Kite. Chondrohierax uncinatus. We observed five individuals soaring up with a termal to then move to the south, near Tucupita. This was probably a local migration.

Gray-‐headed Kite. Leptodon cayanensis. We were surprised to see three individuals moving along with the previous species near Tucupita. One individual was lacking the tail!

Swallow-‐tailed Kite. Elanoides forficatus. We saw this species several times in lowland forested áreas.

Harpy Eagle. Harpia harpyja. Year 2014 represents my 25th consecutive year seeing Harpy Eagle in southeastern Venezuela! We enjoyed views of an 8 month old chick that was apparently fed by the adult recently.

Black Hawk-‐Eagle. Spizaetus tyrannus. A pair was seen flying in Sierra de Lema. Ornate Hawk-‐Eagle. Spizaetus ornatus. Heard in Sierra de Lema. Black-‐collared Hawk. Busarellus nigricollis. It was observed in El Palmar wetlands. Slender-‐billed Kite. Helicolestes hamatus. Contrary to previous years, we found only one individual in the Guasina road.


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Double-‐toothed Kite. Harpagus bidentatus. One individual was observed soaring in Sierra de Lema.

Plumbeous Kite. Ictinia plumbea. Common in lowland forested áreas. We observed a pair maiting from the lodge in Las Claritas.

Crane Hawk. Geranospiza caerulescens. Two individuals were seeen in separate moments in Rio Grande. A third one was seen along the road to Tucupita.

Savanna Hawk. Buteogallus meridionalis. We enjoyed daily views in open áreas and farmland.

Great Black-‐Hawk. Buteogallus urubitinga. It was observed near Tucupita. Roadside Hawk. Rupornis magnirostris. A common and widespread species in forest edge, riverine forest and open áreas. We saw it almost at every day.

White-‐tailed Hawk. Geranoaetus albicaudatus. We saw more than 50 individuals attending a farmland fire along the road to Tucupita. Among these individuals there were few in dark morph. NOTE: Along with this impressive number of White-‐tailed Hawk, we saw a pair that seemed like of Swainson´s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) given its long projecting wings. This hawk is not officially reported to occur in Venezuela but chances are high that a confirmed record will show up eventually.

White Hawk. Pseudastur albicollis. One individual was seen in Sierra de Lema. Gray Hawk. Buteo plagiatus. A pair was observed along the Guasina road. Zone-‐tailed Hawk. Buteo albonotatus. We had lenghty views of a single individual near El Palmar.

Rails, Gallinules & Coots / Rallidae Purple Gallinule. Porphyrio martinicus. Few individuals were seen in El Piso and El Palmar wetlands. In El Palmar we observe three indidivuals: an adult, a sub adult and a juvenile plumaje.

Common Gallinule. Gallinula galeata. About six individuals were seen in El Palmar wetlands.

Trumpeters / Psophiidae Gray-‐winged Trumpeter. Psophia crepitans. It was so frustrating to have a small group so closet o us and still not see it! This species has become so shy in the latest years due to the extensive hunting. It it reported here as a heard species.

Plovers & Lapwings / Charadriidae Southern Lapwing. Vanellus chilensis. A pair was seen in El Piso farm, and later many more were seen near el Palmar.

Jacanas / Jacanidae Wattled Jacana. Jacana jacana. Observed almost daily in wetlands. Sandpipers & Allies / Scolopacidae Solitary Sandpiper. Tringa solitaria. About four individuals were observed in Laguna Los Cerritos.

Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes. The commonest of the yellowlegs in Venezuela. We observed half a dozen individuals in Laguna Los Cerritos.


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Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla. The smallest sandpiper. About eight individuals were seen in Laguna Los Cerritos.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers / Laridae Yellow-‐billed Tern. Sternula superciliaris. Three individuals were observed near the Orinoco river, We noticed its small size and appareance to the more widespread Least Tern (Sternulla antillarum),

Large-‐billed Tern. Phaetusa simplex. Common in the Orinoco river at the entrance of Tucupita.

Pigeons & Doves / Columbidae Rock Pigeon (I). Columba livia. Common in urban populated areas. Pale-‐vented Pigeon. Patagioenas cayennensis. This species was common in lowland semi-‐open areas.

Scaled Pigeon. Patagioenas speciosa. About five individuals were seen in the Cuyuni river area.

Band-‐tailed Pigeon. Patagioenas fasciata. A single individual was observed in Sierra de Lema at 1400m. Not a common species in this area as it is frequently seen above 2000m.

Plumbeous Pigeon. Patagioenas plumbea. A pair was observed in the lowlands near Sierra de Lema.

Ruddy Pigeon. Patagioenas subvinacea. A single individual was heard by most participantd and seen only by Harvey.

Eared Dove. Zenaida auriculata. A pair was seen flying near El Palmar. Plain-‐breasted Ground-‐Dove. Columbina minuta. We saw an individual in a sedimentary river island in the Orinoco Delta.

Ruddy Ground-‐Dove. Columbina talpacoti. Common in lowland open áreas. Scaled Dove. Columbina squammata. Common in lowland dry and open areas. White-‐tipped Dove. Leptotila verreauxi. One individual was flushed near the Alto Cuyuni road.

Gray-‐fronted Dove. Leptotila rufaxilla. Heard in the Alto Cuyuni area. Hoatzin / Opisthocomidae Hoatzin. Ophistocomus hoazin. About seven individuals were observed moving along a Motrichardia shrub neat Tucupita.

Cuckoos / Cuculidae Little Cuckoo. Coccycua minuta. Heard only in the Orinoco delta. Squirrel Cuckoo. Piaya cayana. About three individuals were observed in Sierra de Lema.

Striped Cuckoo. Tapera naevia. We observe dan individual in El Palmar area. Smooth-‐billed Ani. Crotophaga ani. Common in lowland dry and open areas. Groove-‐billed Ani. Crotophaga sulcirostris. We observed this species near Tucupita. About five individuals were seen.

Owls/ Strigidae


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Tropical Screech-‐Owl. Megascops choliba. Heard only in Las Claritas lodge. Ferruginous Pygmy-‐Owl. Glaucidium brasilianum. Heard (and seen) in Las Claritas lodge.

Burrowing Owl. Athene cunicularia. We observed three individuals in a farmland contiguous to Rio Grande.

Nightjars & Allies / Caprimulgidae An unknown nightjar species was flushed in the Orinoco River Island. It could have been Ladder-‐tailed Nightjar, but I cannot confirm it.

Lesser Nighthawk. Chordeiles acutipennis. We observed more than 12 individuals in the vicinity of El Palmar, Bolivar. Apparently, two Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus) were also observed.

Common Pauraque. Nyctidromus albicollis. Heard in El Palmar. Swifts / Apodidae Tepui Swift. Streptoprocne phelpsi. An individual was seen in flight when we visited Gran Sabana.

White-‐collared Swift. Streptoprocne zonaris. This is the common large Swift in the area. More than a dozen were observed over Gran Sabana.

Short-‐tailed Swift. Chaetura brachyura. Few individuals were observed flying over lowland semi open áreas.

Band-‐rumped Swift. Chaetura spinicaudus. The commonest species in lowland áreas. Gray-‐rumped Swift. Chaetura cinereiventris. This was the common Swift in Sierra de Lema.

Lesser Swallow-‐tailed Swift. Panyptila cayennensis. An interesting species with a local movement pattern not clearly understood. We saw about half doen in the Cuyuni river.

Hummingbirds / Trochilidae White-‐necked Jacobin. Florisuga mellivora. A male was seen twice at tyhe entrance of Rio Grande. Notice the white flashes it gives by fanning the tail when forraging!

Straight-‐billed Hermit. Phaethornis bourcieri. A single individual was seen in Sierra de Lema. We noticed its distinctive call note.

Long-‐tailed Hermit. Phaethornis superciliosus. Normally, this is a common species in SE Venezuela. Probably given the weather conditions (quiet dry) we also observed two individuals in Rio Grande.

Reddish Hermit. Phaethornis ruber. Common in Rio Grande. Black-‐eared Fairy. Heliothryx auritus. A single individual was enjoyed in Sierra de Lema.

Tepui Goldenthroat (E). Polytmus milleri. A single individual perched few seconds on a shrub in Gran Sabana.

Green-‐throated Mango. Anthracothorax viridigula. Tim may have seen this species in the Orinoco Delta.

Black-‐throated Mango. Anthracothorax nigricollis. A couple of individuals were seen in Rio Grande.


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Gray-‐breasted Sabrewing. Campylopterus largipennis. Frequently seen in Sierra de Lema and contiguous lowlands.

Rufous-‐breasted Sabrewing. Campylopterus hyperythrus. This is a target species in this tour. We enjoyed views of two individuals in Sierra de Lema!

Fork-‐tailed Woodnymph. Thalurania furcata. A common species in Sierra de Lema. White-‐chested Emerald. Amazilia brevirostris. A pair was observed in the Orinoco Delta.

Glittering-‐throated Emerald. Amazilia fimbriata. Seen several times in lowland open áreas.

Green-‐bellied Hummingbird. Amazilia viridigaster. A male was seen in Gran Sabana. Sometimes treated as a tepui endemic and called Copper-‐tailed Hummingbird.

White-‐chinned Sapphire. Hylocharis cyanus. We enjoyed views of this wonderful hummingbird in the vicinity of Sierra de Lema.

Trogons / Trogonidae

White-‐tailed Trogon. Trogon chionurus. A pair was observed in Rio Grande. Sometimes named Green-‐backed Trogon (Trogon viridis).

Black-‐throated Trogon. Trogon rufus. Heard only in Rio Grande. Masked Trogon. Trogon personatus. Everyone enjoyed superb views of a male in Sierra de Lema.

Kingfishers / Alcedinidae Ringed Kingfisher. Megaceryle torquata. Seen along the road to El Palmar. Amazon Kingfisher. Chloroceryle amazona. A single individual was observed in a wetland near El Palmar.

Green-‐and-‐rufous Kingfisher. Chloroceryle inda. We had a flash view of an individual crossing a narrow river during the boat trip to the Orinoco delta.

Puffbirds / Bucconidae White-‐necked Puffbird. Notharchus hyperrhynchus. We had to work hard on this species to finally see it flying between branches in tall forest in Sierra de Lema. This species was recently split and accepted by the South American Classification Committee. Now called Guianan Puffbird (Notharchus macrorhynchos).

Russet-‐throated Puffbird. Hypnelus ruficollis. Seen twice near Tucupita. Swallow-‐winged Puffbird. Chelidoptera tenebrosa. Common in lowland areas at forest edge or in clearings.

Toucans / Ramphastidae Chestnut-‐tipped Toucanet. Aulacorhynchus derbianus. A single individual was observed in Sierra de Lema.

Green Aracari. Pteroglossus viridis. A nesting pair was seen along the road to Las Claritas.

Black-‐necked Aracari. Pteroglossus aracari. A single individual was seen distantly from the road near Las Claritas.

Guianan Toucanet. Selenidera culik. We enjoyed superb scope views of a male singing! White-‐throated Toucan. Ramphastos tucanus. Common in lowland forested areas.


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Channel-‐billed Toucan. Ramphastos vitellinus. Common in lowland forested areas. Woodpeckers / Picidae Yellow-‐tufted Woodpecker. Melanerpes cruentatus. A common species in lowland forested areas.

Red-‐crowned Woodpecker. Melanerpes rubricapillus. A common species in lowland open areas.

Golden-‐collared Woodpecker. Veniliornis cassini. This is one of my favorite woodpeckers in Venezuela. We enjoyed great views of it a couple of times in Sierra de Lema and later also saw it with a mixed species flock.

Little Woodpecker. Veniliornis passerinus. A pair was seen in the Orinoco Delta. Yellow-‐throated Woodpecker. Piculus flavigula. This is another of my favorite woodpeckers in Venezuela. We enjoyed scope views of a male singing!

Golden-‐olive Woodpecker. Colaptes rubiginosus. A pair was seen in Sierra de Lema. Waved Woodpecker. Celeus undatus. We had flash views of a single individual in Sierra de Lema.

Chestnut Woodpecker. Celeus elegans. Heard only near the Cuyuni river. Cream-‐colored Woodpecker. Celeus flavus. Great views of a pair in the Orinoco Delta. Lineated Woodpecker. Dryocopus lineatus. Two pairs were seen in El Palmar. Falcons & Caracaras / Falconidae Crested Caracara. Caracara cheriway. Common in lowland open areas. Yellow-‐headed Caracara. Milvago chimachima. Common in open areas and frequently found at sides of the road.

Laughing Falcon. Herpetotheres cachinnans. We enjoyed this one laughing (calling) in the Orinoco Delta.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius. Common in lowland open areas. Bat Falcon. Falco rufigularis. One individual was seen flying in Gran Sabana. Parrots / Psittacidae Painted Parakeet. Pyrrhura picta. About a dozen individuals were observed near the Cuyuni river.

Fiery-‐shouldered Parakeet (E). Pyrrhura egregia. We got only flashes of flocks flying across the road in Sierra de Lema.

White-‐eyed Parakeet. Aratinga leucophthalma. 50+ individuals were seen near El Palmar.

Brown-‐throated Parakeet. Aratinga pertinax. A common species in lowland semi open areas, specially in savannas.

Red-‐and-‐green Macaw. Ara chloropterus. We loved seeing pairs of this beautiful macaw in Sierra de Lema and Rio Grande. A pair gave us a wonderful show when looking after their forthcoming nesting site.

Blue-‐and-‐yellow Macaw. Ara ararauna. Only a pair was seen in flight in the Orinoco delta.

Red-‐bellied Macaw. Orthopsittaca manilata. A pair was observed in Rio Grande. Green-‐rumped Parrotlet. Forpus passerinus. A common species in lowland semi-‐open areas.


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Blue-‐headed Parrot. Pionus menstruus. Normally, this is a common species in SE Venezuela. We observed only one individual near Sierra de Lema!

Festive Parrot. Amazona festiva. Nice views of about six pairs in the Orinoco Delta. Orange-‐winged Parrot Amazona amazónica. The commonest parrot in SE Venezuela. Several were seen daily.

Yellow-‐crowned Parrot. Amazona ochrocephala. A pair was found nesting near Tucupita.

Typical Antbirds / Thamnophilidae Ash-‐winged Antwren. Euchrepornis spodioptila. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Black-‐throated Antshrike. Frederickena viridis. Seeing this species was a real surprise! We were astonished when a pair approached to us in Rio Grande. What a great view we had of this superb furtive species!

Black-‐crested Antshrike. Sakesphorus canadensis. A pair was seen in the Orinoco Delta. Mouse-‐colored Antshrike. Thamnophilus murinus. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Northern Slaty-‐Antshrike. Thamnophilus punctatus. A male was observed in Rio Grande. Called Eastern Slaty-‐Antshrike by some.

Streak-‐backed Antshrike (E). Thamnophilus insignis. A male was seen very well by everyone in Sierra de Lema.

Dusky-‐throated Antshrike. Thamnomanes ardesiacus. We came across this species when working with an understory mixed species flocks.

Cinereous Antshrike. Thamnomanes caesius. We came across this species when working with an understory mixed species flocks.

Brown-‐bellied Antwren. Epinecrophylla gutturalis. A single individual was seen in Rio Grande.

White-‐flanked Antwren. Myrmotherula axillaris. A male was observed near El Palmar in thorny scrub.

Gray Antwren. Myrmotherula menetriesii. A pair was seen in humid lowland forest of Rio Grande.

Roraiman Antwren (E). Herpsilochmus roraimae. A pair was seen in Sierra de Lema. We discussed it plumaje similarities with Black-‐and-‐white Warbler!

White-‐fringed Antwren. Formicivora grisea. A male was observed in El Palmar. Called Northern White-‐fringed Antwren Formicivora intermedia in Hilty, 2003.

Guianan Warbling-‐Antbird. Hypocnemis cantator. A pair was seen in Sierra de Lema. Black-‐chinned Antbird. Hypocnemoides melanopogon. We enjoyed great views of a pair in the Orinoco Delta.

Gray Antbird. Cercomacra cinerascens. We observed a male in Sierra de Lema. Dusky Antbird. Cercomacra tyrannina. A relatively common species found at edges of forest. It was reported in Rio Grande.

Jet Antbird. Cercomacra nigricans. An individual was observed in the Orinoco Delta. Ferruginous-‐backed Antbird. Myrmeciza ferruginea. One of the birds of the tour! We had this wonder walking near us in Rio Grande. It was so close that everyone noticed its blue orbital area!

White-‐plumed Antbird. Pithys albifrons. Hear only in Rio Grande.


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Rufous-‐throated Antbird. Gymnopithys rufigula. Despite our efforts to locate the species in a relatively open area, we failed to get it out of a thick forested understory. Tim was the only one to see this one, in Rio Grande.

Antpittas / Grallariidae Tepui Antpitta (E). Myrmothera simplex. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Ovenbirds & Woodcreepers / Furnariidae Plain-‐brown Woodcreeper. Dendrocincla fuliginosa. Heard only in Rio Grande. White-‐chinned Woodcreeper. Dendrocincla merula. An individual was seen with understory mixed species flock in Rio Grande.

Wedge-‐billed Woodcreeper. Glyphorynchus spirurus. Heard in Sierra de Lema and seen in Rio Grande.

Amazonian Barred-‐Woodcreeper. Dendrocolaptes certhia. We enjoy superb views of an individual in Rio Grande.

Black-‐banded Woodcreeper. Dendrocolaptes picumnus. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Striped Woodcreeper. Xiphorhynchus obsoletus. A common species in the Orinoco Delta.

Chestnut-‐rumped Woodcreeper. Xiphorhynchus pardalotus. Only a pair was seen in Sierra de Lema. This species is frequently found with mixed species flocks.

Buff-‐throated Woodcreeper. Xiphorhynchus guttatus. We came across this species twice, in Sierra de Lema.

Streak-‐headed Woodcreeper. Lepidocolaptes souleyetii. Heard in El Palmar. Plain Xenops. Xenops minutus. One ind was seen near Tumeremo and another was seen with a canopy mixed species flocks in Rio Grande.

White-‐throated Foliage-‐gleaner (E). Syndactyla roraimae. This species is always tricky to find. We firt heard it in Sierra de Lema, and in our last day searching for tepui endemics we managed to see an individual very well. Called Tepui Foliage-‐Gleaner in Hilty, 2003.

Roraiman Barbtail (E). Roraimia adusta. A common voice in Sierra de Lema. We enjoyed views of a pair of this astonishing species in Sierra de Lema.

Delta Amacuro Softtail (E). Thripophaga amacurensis. A recentlyd escribed speceis, we had excellent views of a pair in the Orinoco Delta.

Rusty-‐backed Spinetail. Cranioleuca vulpina. An interesting species being a good candidate for a future split. We observed a trio in the Orinoco delta.

Tepui Spinetail (E). Cranioleuca demissa. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Yellow-‐chinned Spinetail. Certhiaxis cinnamomeus. A pair was observed near Puerto Ordaz and a single one in El Palmar.

River Island Spinetail (E). Synallaxis beverlyae. A pair was seen in a river island of the Orinoco delta. This is another recently described species.

Plain-‐crowned Spinetail. Synallaxis gujanensis. A single individual was seen in the Orinoco delta.

Tyrant Flycatchers / Tyrannidae


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Southern Beardless-‐Tyrannulet. Camptostoma obsoletum. A pair was observed near El Palmar.

Mouse-‐colored Tyrannulet. Phaeomyias murina. A single individual was found near El Palmar.

Yellow Tyrannulet. Capsiempis flaveola. Only Tim got to see this species, when moving along the canopy of tropical dry forest in El Palmar.

Yellow-‐crowned Tyrannulet. Tyrannulus elatus. A common species of forest edge and claerings in southern Venezuela. We enjoyed nice studies at the garden of the hotel near Las Clarit.as.

Yellow-‐bellied Elaenia. Elaenia flavogaster. Heard only in El Palmar. Plain-‐crested Elaenia. Elaenia cristata. A pair was seen in Gran Sabana. Sierran Elaenia. Elaenia pallatangae. We found only one individual in Sierra de Lema. This is another good candidate for a future split.

River Tyrannulet. Serpophaga hypoleuca. This Little but agile and interesting species was seen in the river island of the Orinoco delta.

Ochre-‐bellied Flycatcher. Mionectes oleagineus. We saw it in the Alto Cuyuni area and was heard only in Rio Grande. A common voice in both locations this time of the year.

McConnell's Flycatcher. Mionectes macconnelli. This species deserves that I share an interesting story. Back in the late 90´s, Steve Hilty and myself were guiding a VENT tour to Eastern Venezuela. One morning we reached the top of Sierra de Lema at the crack of dawn and I heard a voice that was unknown to me. Having been visiting the area for more than 2 decades assured me it would be something interesting. We explored the forest interior to find the soecies giving the unknown voice and we realized we had found a lek of this species. But, more surprisingly, the voice of it was remarkably different from that of the lowlands subspecies. This discovery was indeed the beginning of a process that involved finding more leks and setting a protocol of playback experiments to conclude that the subspecies found in Sierra de Lema (roraimae) is indeed a separate species. This year we have submitted the article proposing that subspecies roraimae and mercedesfosteridae whould be considered a separate species and named Sierra de Lema Flycatcher.

Sooty-‐headed Tyrannulet. Phyllomyias griseiceps. A pair was observed at the forest edge of the Cuyuni road.

Unnamed Wagtail Tyrant. (E) Stigmatura sp. nov. Another recently discovered species in the Orinoco delta that still waiting for description. We saw a pair in the river island of the Orinoco delta.

Helmeted Pygmy-‐Tyrant. Lophotriccus galeatus. We enjoyed views of this very small and cryptic species in the Cuyuni road.

Ruddy Tody-‐Flycatcher (E). Poecilotriccus russatus. THis is quite a wonderful species despite being a tody flycatcher! Its wonderful plumage was enjoyed by everyone in Sierra de Lema.

Black-‐chested Tyrant. Taeniotriccus andrei. Do you remember seeing this species in the Orinoco delta. We had to deal with mud and tons of mosquitoes to be rewarded with great views of a pair in the understory of the riverine forest. Another highlight for the tour!


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Common Tody-‐Flycatcher. Todirostrum cinereum. A common species in open areas. We saw it in various times.

Yellow-‐olive Flycatcher. Tolmomyias sulphurescens. This species has a wide bill, probably adapted to deal with digesting caterpillars and other large insects. It was seen near Puerto Ordaz.

Yellow-‐margined Flycatcher. Tolmomyias assimilis. This species is similar to the previous one but differs in few plumage aspects, hábitat and voice. This one is found in humid forest and prefers higher elevations than the previous one. Called Zimmer'sFlatbill in Hilty, 2003.

Yellow-‐breasted Flycatcher. Tolmomyias flaviventris. A pair was seen well near El Palmar. Called Ochre-‐lored Flatbill in Hilty, 2003.

Smoke-‐colored Pewee. Contopus fumigatus. Sierra de Lema. It was observed perched in a open branch at edge of the forest.

Fuscous Flycatcher. Cnemotriccus fuscatus. Tim and Martin saw this species well in the Orinoco delta.

Vermilion Flycatcher. Pyrocephalus rubinus. A male was observed in Finca El Piso, near Puerto Ordaz.

Rufous-‐tailed Tyrant. Knipolegus poecilurus. A single individual was found in Sierra de Lema giving display call notes.

Riverside Tyrant. Knipolegus orenocensis. We found a male in the river island of the Orinoco delta.

Pied Water-‐Tyrant. Fluvicola pica. Seen in the Orinoco delta. White-‐headed Marsh Tyrant. Arundinicola leucocephala. Seen in the Orinoco delta. Long-‐tailed Tyrant. Colonia colonus. A pair was found in Rio Grande. It loves to hang around dead branches of forest clearings and forest edge.

Cattle Tyrant. Machetornis rixosa. Found in farmland near Puerto Ordaz and El Palmar. Cinnamon Attila. Attila cinnamomeus. Heard only in Rio Grande. Grayish Mourner. Rhytipterna simplex. This drab mourner was seen at the forest edge near the Harpy Eagle nest. Its drab color contrasts with the soft ascending voice.

Swainson's Flycatcher. Myiarchus swainsoni. A member of this resident population was observed in Gran Sabana.

Short-‐crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus ferox. We came across this species several times during the tour. It is the common lowland Myiarchus flycatcher in southern Venezuela.

Brown-‐crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus tyrannulus. A pair was observed twice in farmland near El Palmar.

Lesser Kiskadee. Pitangus lictor. A pair was observed at the edge of a wetland near Puerto Ordaz.

Great Kiskadee. Pitangus sulphuratus. A common and widepsread species in lowland open areas. It was seen almost daily!

Boat-‐billed Flycatcher. Megarynchus pitangua. A pair was observed in the Orinoco delta.

Rusty-‐margined Flycatcher. Myiozetetes cayanensis. The mourful whistle of this species was noticed at the surroundings of our inn near Sierra de Lema. We observed it both mornings.


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Social Flycatcher. Myiozetetes similis. This is an interesting species found in open areas in Venezuela. We saw it near Tumeremo and at the vicinity of El Palmar. The last sighting corresponds to a population with dark cheeks and wingbars thus probably an undescribed race!

Yellow-‐throated Flycatcher. Conopias parvus. Two pairs were seen at canopy level in Sierra de Lema.

Streaked Flycatcher. Myiodynastes maculatus. Four individuals were observed in the vicinity of El Palmar.

Piratic Flycatcher. Legatus leucophaius. A pair was observed near Red-‐rumped Cacique nesting colony. Notice its behavior to displace cacique females from its nest to use it.

Tropical Kingbird. Tyrannus melancholicus. A common and widepsread species in open areas.

Gray Kingbird. Tyrannus dominicensis. Seen repeated times in the Orinoco delta. Fork-‐tailed Flycatcher. Tyrannus savana. A pair was observed along the road to Tucupita. Not numerous this year.

Cotingas / Cotingidae Red-‐banded Fruiteater (E) Pipreola whitelyi. A pair was seen in Sierra de Lerma early in the trip. Later, toward the end of the week we enjoyed a superb scope view of a male!

Guianan Cock-‐of-‐the-‐rock. Rupicola rupicola. This was one of the top ten species of the tour. Also, we were rewarded with many views of males, females and juveniles although the last one was simply magic: A perched malewas enjoyed throughout the scope!

Purple-‐throated Fruitcrow. Querula purpurata. A family group was observed along the minning road near El Dorado.

Screaming Piha. Lipaugus vociferans. Heard frequently in forested lowland areas. Rose-‐collared Piha (E). Lipaugus streptophorus. A pair was seen after a downpour in Sierra de Lema. This was another of the top ten species of the tour!

White Bellbird. Procnias albus. Seeing the immaculate male of this bellbird singing from atop a dead branch is an extravagant experience since it is hard to believe that such white plumage can happen in nature. But, it is all about breeding and perpetuating and, for accomplishing this task there are thousand of strategies including such wonderful voice and immaculate white plumage. We enjoyed views of two males in Sierra de Lema.

Bearded Bellbird. Procnias averano. Only a male was seen in Sierra de Lema. Not as astonishing as the previous species but sitll, an interesting bellbird!

Manakins / Pipridae Olive Manakin (E). Xenopipo uniformis. A male was observed in Sierra de Lema. Definitively not the most beautiful manakin, but is an tepui endemic!

White-‐crowned Manakin. Pipra pipra. A pair was observed in Sierra de Lema. Golden-‐headed Manakin. Pipra erythrocephala. A female was observed in Rio Grande.


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Crimson-‐hooded Manakin. Pipra aureola. Wow! Another that could be in the top ten best birds of the tour. We fought with mosquitos to enjoy a male displaying in the Orinoco delta.

Orange-‐beilled Manakin. Lepidothrix suavissima. We had a couple of encounters with two males in Sierra de Lema. Not a tepui endemic species but found indistintively in the lowlands and tepui slope.

Tityras & Allies / Tityridae Black-‐tailed Tityra. Tityra cayana. A pair was seen from the bridge over the Cuyuni river.

Cinereous Becard. Pachyramphus rufus. A pair was seen in Cachamay park, and a female was observed near El Palmar.

Vireos / Vireonidae Red-‐eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus. Two pairs were observed in dry forest near Puerto Ordaz.

Black-‐whiskered Vireo. Vireo altiloquus. Heard in Rio Grande. Tepui Greenlet (E). Hylophilus sclateri. A brief view of a single individual in Sierra de Lema was our only record for this endemic species.

Buff-‐cheeked Greenlet. Hylophilus muscicapinus. A pair was observed in Rio Gramde. This species is usually first notice by its voice.

Scrub Greenlet. Hylophilus flavipes. A single individual (with pale eyes) was seen in El Palmar.

Slaty-‐capped Shrike-‐Vireo. Vireolanius leucotis. This one was heard only in Sierra de Lema. Yikes!

Rufous-‐browed Peppershrike. Cyclarhis gujanensis. Heard frequently in lowlands and highlands. It was seen in Sierra de Lema and near El Palmar.

Crows, Jays & Magpies / Corvidae Violaceous Jay. Cyanocorax violaceus. A pàir was seen along the road to Rio Grande. Cayenne Jay. Cyanocorax cayanus. Unlike other years, we found only a pair (not a family group) in Sierra de Lema.

Swallows / Hirundinidae Blue-‐and-‐white Swallow. Pygochelidon cyanoleuca. A common species around the exposed sandy areas in Sierra de Lema. Several pairs were nesting.

Tawny-‐headed Swallow. Alopochelidon fucata. Tim might have seen this species in Gran Sabana.

Southern Rough-‐winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. Few individuals were observed in El Palmar.

Gray-‐breasted Martin. Progne chalybea. Common in lowland open areas. White-‐winged Swallow. Tachycineta albiventer. Common in wetlands in lowlands. Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica. Seeveral individuals were observed in farmland near El Palmar.

Wrens / Troglodytidae


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Flutist Wren (E). Microcerculus ustulatus. What a view we got of this wren! Katharine even saw it singing! Although its plumage is not particularly beautiful it has an astonishing song.

House Wren. Troglodytes aedon. Common in urban areas. Stripe-‐backed Wren. Campylorhynchus nuchalis. Two pairs were observed in the Orinoco delta.

Bicolored Wren. Campylorhynchus griseus. Heard only in the Orinoco delta. Coraya Wren. Pheugopedius coraya. This wren has an astonishing black mask that contrasts with the rich rufous back. Also, an incredible loud song. We managed to see a single individual thus I specualte that it might had been nesting.

Buff-‐breasted Wren. Cantorchilus leucotis. A pair was observed in the riverine forest in the Orinoco delta.

White-‐breasted Wood-‐Wren. Henicorhina leucosticta. Heard only in Rio Grande. Musician Wren. Cyphorhinus arada. Another wonderful wren with an astonishing voice and an unforgettable song. We enjoyed views of an individual in Rio Grande.

Gnatcatchers / Polioptilidae Tropical Gnatcatcher. Polioptila plúmbea. Seen in farnland near Puerto Ordaz and in El Palmar.

Donacobius / Donacobiidae Black-‐capped Donacobius. Donacobius atricapilla. This amusing species was seen displaying in the Orinoco delta.

Thrushes & Allies / Turdidae Yellow-‐legged Thrush. Turdus flavipes. We found this species singing quite commonly in Sierra de Lema. This has not been the case in previous years. We saw a male.

Pale-‐breasted Thrush. Turdus leucomelas. Three individuals were observed near Puerto Ordaz.

Cocoa Thrush. Turdus fumigatus. We glimpsed this one in the Orinoco delta. Black-‐billed Thrush. Turdus ignobilis. Two pairs were observed in Sierra de Lema. Black-‐hooded Thrush. Turdus olivater. A male was seen in Sierra de Lema. Mockingbirds & Thrashers / Mimidae Tropical Mockingbird. Mimus gilvus. Common in open areas, from lowlands to Gran Sabana.

New World Warblers / Parulidae Tropical Parula. Setophaga pitiayumi. Two pairs were observed moving with mixed species flocks in Sierra de Lema.

Blackburnian Warbler. Setophaga fusca. Southeastern Venezuela is not a key site for neotropical migrants. For that reason we were happy to see this species with a mixed species flock in Sierra de Lema.

Yellow Warbler. Setophaga petechia. A single individual was seen near Las Claritas and another in El Palmar. A neotropical migrant species.


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Blackpoll Warbler. Setophaga striata. We managed to see this species in breeding plumage in Sierra de Lema, along with a mixed species flock. An interesting record for this part of the country.

Slate-‐throated Redstart (Whitestart). Myioborus miniatus. Seen in Sierra de lema with a mixed species flock.

Tepui Redstart (Whitestart) (E). Myioborus castaneocapilla. Two pairs were observed well in Sierra de Lema.

Tanagers & Allies / Thraupidae Masked (Red-‐capped) Cardinal. Paroaria nigrogularis. A pair was observed near Puerto Ordaz and in the Orinoco delta. Formerly considered a race of Red-‐capped Cardinal, a species now restricted to the Amazon basin.

Magpie Tanager. Cissopis leverianus. A pair was reported in farmland near El Palmar. Orange-‐headed Tanager. Thlypopsis sórdida. This river island specialist was seen in the river island at the Orinoco delta.

White-‐lined Tanager. Tachyphonus rufus. A common species in lowland semi-‐open hábitats. Pairs were seen in various days.

Red-‐shouldered Tanager. Tachyphonus phoenicius. A compact version of White-‐lined Tanager. We saw a male near Gran Sabana.

Fulvous Shrike-‐Tanager. Lanio fulvus. A single individual was found with a feeding flock in Sierra de Lema.

Silver-‐beaked Tanager. Ramphocelus carbo. A common and widespread species in forest edge. It was seen almost every day.

Blue-‐gray Tanager. Thraupis episcopus. We came across this species in every open hábitat.

Palm Tanager. Thraupis palmarum. A common species in southeatern Venezuela. It was seen almost every day.

Black-‐headed Tanager. Tangara cyanoptera. A very interesting species in the tepui area. This race is lilely to be wplit in the future and probable get species recognition. We observed about 4 pairs in Sierra de Lema.

Burnished-‐buff Tanager. Tangara cayana. A relatively common species found in the vicinity of El Palmar.

Speckled Tanager. Tangara guttata. An Andean species radiating to the tepuis. We saw few individuals in Sierra de Lema.

Yellow-‐bellied Tanager. Tangara xanthogastra. This is another tanager seen in Sierra de Lema. It was frequently foud wityh mixed species flocks.

Spotted Tanager. Tangara punctata. Martha and Anetter were lucky to see this one in Rio Grande. It is similar to the previous species but usually restricted to the lowlands.

Turquoise Tanager. Tangara mexicana. A single individual was observed in Sierra de Lema.

Paradise Tanager. Tangara chilensis. We were rewarded with a nice flock of this astonishing tanager in Sierra de Lema. Some of the individuals remained at eye level for several minutes!

Opal-‐rumped Tanager. Tangara velia. This tanager was also seen in Sierra de Lema. It was moving with a mixed species flock.


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Bay-‐headed Tanager. Tangara girola. A relatively common species in Sierra de Lema. Unlike the counterparts of the Andes, this race has a soft and delicate aquamarine color in the underparts. We observed about fivwe individuals in Sierra de Lema.

Blue Dacnis. Dacnis cayana. Pairs were seen in forested areas as well as in Kama falls. Purple Honeycreeper. Cyanerpes caeruleus. A pair was observed near Sierra de Lema. Red-‐legged Honeycreeper. Cyanerpes cyaneus. A female was seen in the lower part of Sierra de Lema. I found interesting that no male was observed during the trip.

Green Honeycreeper. Chlorophanes spiza. Two pairs were observed in lowland forest near Sierra de Lema.

Yellow-‐backed Tanager. Hemithraupis flavicollis. A female was found moving along with a mixed species flock near Sierra de Lema.

Orange-‐fronted Yellow-‐Finch. Sicalis columbiana. A common species alongside of the Orinoco river.

Saffron Finch. Sicalis flaveola. A common and familiar species usually found in farmland and in urban areas. We saw it near Puerto Ordaz and in El Palmar.

Wedge-‐tailed Grass-‐Finch. Emberizoides herbicola. A single individual was seen singing nicely atop a bare stem of a grass in Gran Sabana.

Blue-‐black Grassquit. Volatinia jacarina. Despite being a comoon and widespread species, we only saw a male near El Palmar.

Gray Seedeater. Sporophila intermedia. Few pairs were seen in the Orinoco delta. Lesson's Seedeater. Sporophila bouvronides. An individual in female plumage was observed in the farmland near El Palmar.

Yellow-‐bellied Seedeater. Sporophila nigricollis. The Orinoco delta is the only ecosystem away of mountains where this spcies is found in Venezuela. We saw a male near Tucupita.

Ruddy-‐breasted Seedeater. Sporophila minuta. A male was observed near Tucupita. Bananaquit. Coereba flaveola. A common and popular species of northen South America and the Caribbean. We saw it every day.

Olive-‐backed Tanager (E) Mitrospingus oleagineus. This is an endemic tanager, and an odd one. We came across a family group of about 5 individuals in Sierra de Lema.

Grayish Saltator. Saltator coerulescens. We found this species several times towards the end of the tour, from El Palmar to the Orinoco delta.

Orinocan Saltator. Saltator orenocensis. This was the first target species of the tour, and we nailed it right away as soon as we arrived to Puerto Ordaz. The Orinocan Saltator is basically restricted to Venezuela and Colombia and is certainly among the most beautiful saltators.

Slate-‐colored Grosbeak. Saltator grossus. Heard only in Sierra de Lema. Buntings & New World Sparrows / Emberizidae Pectoral Sparrow. Arremon taciturnus. When we talk about sparrows in North America what comes to our mind is a short, somehow drab species occuring in grassland or shrubland. In the neotropics we also have such sparrows but additionally a series of wonderful forest dwellers, smoe with black collar, some with Golden on the shoulders. The Pectoral Sparros is among the beautiful ones, and we enjoy it in the forest understory of Rio Grande.


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Tepui Brush-‐Finch (E). Atlapetes personatus. Another of the tepui endemics. We observed a family group containing about three to four individuals.

Yellow-‐browed Sparrow. Ammodramus aurifrons. A pair was observed near Tucupita. This is the species with a voice similar to a phone call: beeez-‐BEEZ!

Rufous-‐collared Sparrow. Zonotrichia capensis. This is another and familiar species in South America. Given the astonishing number of subspecies, it is a good candidate for future molecular studies. We saw two pairs of the subspecies roraimae in Gran Sabana.

Cardinals & Allies / Cardinalidae Yellow-‐green Grosbeak. Caryothraustes canadensis. A nice encounter with a small group (the behave like flock members) was enjoyed by everyone near the Cuyuni river.

Troupials & Allies / Icteridae Red-‐breasted Blackbird. Sturnella militaris. Common aorund El Palmar. Eastern Meadowlark. Sturnella magna. Equally to the previous species, this one was also common around El Palmar.

Carib Grackle. Quiscalus lugubris. A common species in lowland open areas as well as in farmland. We saw it almost every day.

Golden-‐tufted Grackle. Macroagelaius imthurni. Normally, this species is found in small groups. We first saw a pair in Sierra de Lema and later a larger group towards the end of the week.

Yellow-‐hooded Blackbird. Chrysomus icterocephalus. This species was seen in farmland near Puerto Ordaz and El Palmar. One group has more than 30 individuals!

Shiny Cowbird. Molothrus bonariensis. We saw this species only three times. The last observation was of a pair near a Red-‐rumped Cacique nesting colony and it was very clear the female was about to lay eggs in one of the cacique´s nest.

Orange-‐crowned Oriole. Icterus auricapillus. This oriole has an interesting distribution and a variable frequency. Whislt is uncommon in northern Venezuela, it is fairly common in the savannas and farmland south of the Orinoco. Nevertheless, we rarely see more than a pair. This year we a male at ecotone forest-‐farmland on the way to the Harpy Eagle nest.

Venezuelan Troupial. Icterus icterus. Two pairs visited the feeder at Parador Taguapire in El Palmar.

Yellow Oriole. Icterus nigrogularis. Seeveral individuals were observed in farmland near Puerto Ordaz and El Palmar.

Red-‐rumped Cacique. Cacicus haemorrhous. A nice breeding colony ahs established at the entrance of Rio Grande. We enjoyed seeing males displaying and females building nests.

Yellow-‐rumped Cacique. Cacicus cela. A common species in farmland and open areas. We saw it every day.

Green Oropendola. Psarocolius viridis. This is a forest-‐restricted oropéndola and its populations are declining due to forest fragmentation and deforestation. We saw few individuals near the Cuyuni river.


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Crested Oropendola. Psarocolius decumanus. A commoner oropendola and tolerant to human disturbance. We saw it every day.

Siskins, Crossbills & Allie / Fringillidae Plumbeous Euphonia. Euphonia plumbea. A male was seen in Rio Grande. This is one of the least common euphonias given the impact of the selective lumbering and forest fragmentation in Rio Grande. We saw a male near the reserve entrance.

Trinidad Euphonia. Euphonia trinitatis. A common species in northern Venezuela and usually replaced by Purple-‐throated Euphonia in wetter locations. It is found around El Palmar where patches of dry forest are found between large tracks of farmland.

Violaceous Euphonia. Euphonia violacea. A pair was seen near Las Claritas. Golden-‐bellied Euphonia. Euphonia chrysopasta. This used to be a common species in Rio Grande but selective lumbering has chased away most of it. We saw a pair singing atop an emergent tree in Rio Grande. Some taxonomists consider this population a separate species and call it White-‐lored Euphonia.

Orange-‐bellied Euphonia. Euphonia xanthogaster. A popular Andean species with a population in the tepuis of <southern Venezuela. We saw various individuals in Sierra de Lema.

Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria. A small group was seen in the last morning of the tour in Parador Taguapire.

OTHER SPECIES LIST Sloths / Bradypodidae Brown-‐throated Three-‐toed Sloth . Bradypus variegatus. We enjoyed nice views of a single individual (very active!) near El Palmar.

Monkeys / Cebidae Weeping Capuchin . Cebus olivaceus. Few individuals were observed at the waterfalls near Puerto Ordaz.

Red Howler Monkey. Alouatta seniculus. Heard in Rio Grande. Weasels, Skunks & Allies / Mustelidae (Greater) Grison .Galictis vittata. We saw an individual near the paved roa don route to Rio Grande. This species is rarely encontered!

Dogs / Canidae Crab-‐eating (Savanna) Fox . Cerdocyon thous. A single individual was observed near El Palmar.

River Dolphins / Platanistidae Gray Dolphin. Sotalia fluviatilis. We saw various individuals from the boat along the ride to the Orinoco delta.

Bats / Emballonuridae


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Sac-‐winged bats . Saccopteryx spp. This was the species we might have seen at the Orinoco delta.

Also seen: Whip-‐tailed Lizard (Sierra de Lema), several species of jumping spiders, a huge scorpion (Sierra de Lema), bullet ants, azteca ants, orb weaver, a large female beetle and spectacled cayman (El Palmar).

Victor!Emanuel!NatureTours! EASTERN VENEZUELA · Victor!Emanuel!NatureTours!! EASTERN VENEZUELA !...

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