San Carlos backyard birds

Here, in the Venezuelan llanos (plains), Cojedes state, we are carrying out a study of birds that use the houses' backyards in the city of San Carlos.

These are two of the most common (captured) species: Sicalis flaveola (Saffron Finch) and Coereba flaveola (Bananaquit). 

If you want to help or participate, contact us: aramacaovenezuela@gmail.com




Sicalis flaveola (Saffron Finch)



Coereba flaveola (Bananaquit).

Paso de Mucubají Bird Banding Station

Banded birds at Paso de Mucubají Bird Banding Station (Mérida state, Venezuelan Andes) between September 28 and October 4, 2016:

- Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) - 1
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - 27
- Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) - 40
- Bank Swallow (or Sand Martin) (Riparia riparia) - 5
- Brown-chested Martin (Progne tapera) - 1
- Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) - 1
- Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) - 1
- Great Thrush (Turdus fuscater) - 1
- Andean Tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura andicola) - 1
- Eaestern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) - 2



Photos: Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Red-eyed Vireo and Yellow Warbler.

Global Shorebird Counting 2016

Shorebirds will be counted in Cojedes state, Venezuela, under the Global Shorebird Counting 2016. More information:

https://worldshorebirdsday.wordpress.com/


Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)

Neotropical Waterbirds Census (CNAA), July 2016, Cojedes

We are pleased to share with you our results for the Neotropical Waterbird Census (CNAA, its acronym in Spanish), at the Cojedes state (Venezuela) during July 2016, hoping it will be of your interest. Any suggestions or input is always welcome.
Will find more information about our activities and projects in our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aramacaovenezuela).

------- Laguna de las Chenchenas -------

ARDEIDAE

Ardea alba - 1
Butorides striata - 1

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Phimosus infuscatus - 6

RALLIDAE

Aramides cajaneus - 1
Porphyrio martinica - 1

JACANIDAE

Jacana jacana - 4

------- Laguna de los Laureles -------

PHALACROCORACIDAE

Phalacrocorax brasiliensis - 2

ANHINGIDAE

Anhinga anhinga - 1

ARDEIDAE

Syrigma sibilatrix - 2
Ardea alba - 2
Bubulcus ibis - 8
Butorides striatus - 2
Nycticorax nycticorax - 2
Tigrisoma lineatum - 2

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Phimosus infuscatus - 8
Theristicus caudatus - 2
Cercibis oxycerca - 2

JACANIDAE

Jacana jacana - 7

CHARADRIIDAE

Vanellus chilensis - 6

ANATIDAE

Dendrocygna autumnalis - 24
Dendrocygna viduata - 8

------- Laguna Llano ------- 

ANATIDAE

Dendrocygna autumnalis - 1

ARDEIDAE

Butorides striata - 1

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Phimosus infuscatus - 9

RALLIDAE

Phorphyrio martinica - 2

JACANIDAE

Jacana jacana - 5

------- Laguna Polvosito -------

ARDEIDAE

Syrigma sibilatrix - 2
Tigrisoma lineatum - 1
Pilherodius pileatus - 1

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Platalea ajaja - 1

RALLIDAE

Gallinula galeata - 1

JACANIDAE

Jacana jacana - 13

CHARADRIIDAE

Vanellus chilensis - 2
Vanellus cayanus - 2

ANATIDAE

Dendrocygna autumnalis - 32
Dendrocygna viduata - 6

------- Laguna Samancito -------

ANATIDAE

Dendrocygna autumnalis - 2
Dendrocygna viduata - 2

JACANIDAE

Jacana jacana - 2

CHARADRIIDAE

Vanellus chilensis - 1

Next February 2017 we will do again the Neotropical Waterbird Census (CNAA) at Cojedes state... We are waiting for you!

Neotropical Waterbirds Census (CNAA), February 2014, Cojedes

We are pleased to share with you the report we have prepared about the Neotropical Waterbird Census (CNAA, its acronym in Spanish), at the Cojedes state (Venezuela) during February 2014, hoping it will be of your interest. Any suggestions or input is always welcome.

Will find more information about our activities and projects in our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aramacaovenezuela).



Here you can download the PDF file (Spanish version):

https://sites.google.com/site/anillamientovenezuela/Informe%20CNAA%20ARA%20MACAO%20Cojedes%20febrero%202014.pdf

In summary, 2,858 individuals belonging to 33 species (10 herons and egrets, 7 shorebirds, 7 ibises and related and 4 ducks) were counted. The most abundant species was the Black-bellied Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) with 2,202 individuals, the Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) with 209 birds and White-faced Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) with 104 individuals. Was also observed, from North America, 8 Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) and 1 Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Fulvous Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), not observed in previous censuses, was counted with 84 individuals.

Next July we will do again the Neotropical Waterbird Census (CNAA) at Cojedes state... We are waiting for you!

1st Anniversary and partnership with GAVOT

On January 8th 2014, Fundación Científica ARA MACAO has completed its first year of operation. It is true that beginnings are difficult, but this year that has passed has been a witness of achievements and the birth of new projects.

We have begun, and drive with the right direction, an ornithological project at Cojedes state and another on the family of tyrant flycatchers in Venezuela. Also we are in the beginning to the study of the birds in the archipelago of Los Roques. This year we have received private and institutional support, which will serve to continue current projects and to start new targets. There have been two successful introductory courses in bird banding, one in the Bararida Zoological and Botanical Park, in the city of Barquisimeto (Lara state), and one in the "Pueblos de Agua" Biological Station in Maracaibo (Zulia state), with a total of 33 participants. We have taught several workshops and talks on birds, in Cojedes state, aimed at primary, secondary and university students.

During 2014 we will continue working in the Cojedes state, thanks to the help of people and organizations, in order to set different permanent study sites (including Neotropical Waterbird Census).

Coinciding with this anniversary, yesterday, January 9th, we signed a collaboration partnership with GAVOT association, a Spanish organization that conducts and supports research and outreach programs, their objectives are focused on projects from medium to long term.


GAVOT, associació per a l'estudi i la divulgació
de temes culturals i de medi ambient

Our Canadian Connection

This fall we joined Jim Smith and his team to band birds in Venezuela. Jim, director of Rock Point Bird Banding Station, Ontario (Canada), has sent us some bands and mist-nets to use during the field days of our projects, when we capture birds from North America. At Rock Point, they are banding birds when they are migrating south (September-October) and when they return north to breed (April-May). This collaboration has been made ​​possible because the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) has allowed Jim send some bands to us. Data collected will be sent to the CWS.


Here we show some migratory birds, observed or captured last October at Paraguaná Peninsula (northwestern Venezuela):


                                        Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)



Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres). Bird on the left
wears a lime green leg flag. This means that was tagged
in the United States. After reading the leg flag code, we
know that was tagged in May 2011 at Delaware coast, United States.


Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)


Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)



Protonothary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Also we captured other resident birds, including flycatchers (Inezia tenuirostris, Myiarchus tyrannulus and Sublegatus arenarum), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). You can see some pictures in our Facebook album: Paraguaná (Falcón, Venezuela)

These days in Paraguaná were accomplished with the participation and collaboration of J.C. Fernández-Ordóñez, Alberto Porta, Angélica M. León, Maritza Vargas, Antonio Claret Garcés (La Prueba farm) and Uvencio "Venchu​​" (El Vínculo) and his family.

Tyrannidae Project, Sierra de San Luis (Falcón state) (FATY001)

Tyrannidae Venezuela Project: from September 1st to 3rd 2013, we conduct some censuses and bird banding at San Luis Mountains (Falcón state). A total of 74 species of birds were recorded, 21 of which were captured, including 9 species of flycatchers and 11 hummingbirds species. Here are some pictures:
   

Bachaquero [Gray-headed Tanager] (Eucometis penicillata)


Colibrí cola de oro [Golden-tailed Sapphire] (Chrysuronia oenone)


Levanta alas gorro gris [Slaty-capped Flycatcher] (Leptopogon supercialiaris)

Participants at the banding sessions were: J.C. Fernández-Ordóñez, Angélica M. León, Alberto Porta, Maritza Vargas, Dominique Perrier, Virginia Perret and Rafael Perrier.

To view more pictures visit our Facebook album: "Proyecto Tyrannidae Venezuela (FATY002)".

Banding day at Lima Blanco municipality, Cojedes state

Among the activities of the project "Study on the bird phenology and distribution in the Cojedes state (Central Llanos), Venezuela", on Thursday March 28th, 2013, we held a banding day on a farm at the Lima Blanco municipality. There we found 48 species, 7 of which were captured (five banded). Here are some pictures of the most interesting birds:
   
Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus)

Wire-tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda) -Juvenile male

 
                                                 Buff-breasted Wren (Cantorchilus leucotis)

Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus sylvia)

 
                                            Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

Those attending the event were: J.C. Fernández-Ordóñez, Angélica M. León, Yitzhak Betancourt, Cleotilde M. Solórzano and Gladys M. Solórzano.