This was our second trip to Venezuela - last year we visited Bolivar, Los Llanos and Morrocoy NP near Chichiriviche - which influenced our choice of itinerary this time. (click here to read our first trip report) As last time we found the Venezuelans to be friendly and helpful and suffered no problems of any kind apart from being over-charged at a filling station on the autopista near Caracas. Hardly anyone speaks English and a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish is extremely helpful. In our case Dawn speaks good Spanish and this certainly made the trip easier and more enjoyable.
We hiredthe cars through Budget. It's less expensive to arrange this in the UK than Venezuela but it still cost us £850 for 23 days, although this did include insurance, CDW, local taxes and unlimited kms - not a bad deal. We paid for Fiat Unos but in both cases (Caracas and Merida) were upgraded to Ford Festives both of which were flawless. Drivers in Venezuela are undisciplined but not especially aggressive and seemed better in the north than in the south. The only problems we had were a couple of punctures. Petrol is dirt-cheap at about 20p per gallon. There are occasional alcabalas (military check points) on the roads - slow down to walking pace for these. They rarely stopped us but you should carry your passport at all times in case they do.
Venezuela is not very well served with maps. The best is published by Corpoven (an oil company). Try and get a copy in Britain, we had one but cleverly left it at home so had to waste 2 hours in Merida looking for another. In the end Inparques (the national parks service) let us photocopy a map they had and we bought a school atlas - neither were ideal. Whatever map you have you'll need to ask the way - luckily there are always people standing on street corners, even at 5 in the morning, but you'll need either Spanish or sign language. As well as the field guide, which is adequate but badly out of date on ranges, we took a North American field guide for migrants; Birding in Venezuela by Mary Lou Goodwin, Venezuela Audubon Society (despite some mistakes in directions this is invaluable and a new and much improved edition will be out soon); various trip reports; and The Lonely Planet Guide to Venezuela which is getting a bit out of date but is useful for hotels etc and has some city-centre maps.
We weren't especially careful with what we ate or drank - we generally drank the filtered water provided by hotels, which is probably no safer than tap water, and had ice with drinks, fruit juice, milk shakes, salads and other things you're supposed to avoid without suffering any ill effects. We'd already had the usual jabs. Malaria is a problem in the Orinoco basin (which we didn't visit this time) and depending on who you ask, Zulia. We decided not to take pills this time but it's probably best to try and get up to date advice.
We are vegetarian and despite this handicap in a country where fried chicken is the national dish we always managed to find good and cheap food from outlets ranging from fairly plush restaurants to snack bars. A good meal for two including beer, which is excellent, usually came to about £5. Panaderias (bakeries) are plentiful and sell very good bread, pasties etc and often open before dawn. Arepas - small maize pancakes with a variety of fillings - are good value and very filling. Hotels were usually easy to find at prices ranging from £5 to £22 but usually about £10 for a double. Booking in advance wasn't normally necessary but we did sometimes for peace of mind, some from Britain via the Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Venezuela and some by phone in Venezuela. The Audubon have an ecotourism section and can book hotels, arrange permits and give advice all at an extremely modest fee - which goes to a very good cause. They can be contacted by phone (58-2992 28 12) or fax (58-2991 07 16).
In theory a permit, issued free of charge, is required for all national parks but we didn't get one and nobody asked us about it. You are also supposed to get a permit for the trails at Rancho Grande in advance for some tiny fee, which we did via the Audubon. Possession of a permit seemed to make no difference - you just pay your 300Bs (about 35p) to the bloke on the door the same as everyone else.
We discovered when we got home that the Encontrados Road area has become a major area of activity for Columbian guerillas and bandits, whose activities have included kidnapping foreigners for ransom. Rio Negro has had similar problems in the recent past. It is probably worth checking (perhaps with the Audubon) on the safety of any areas near the Columbian border. I emphasise, however, that we had no problems whatsoever..
Dec 6th: Arrived at 4-30pm (an hour late) on KLM from Amsterdam and changed money at Italcambio before going through passport control - seems to be the best place. We needed to book a flight to Merida so walked to the national terminus (c400 yards, turn left out of the international terminus). We wanted to fly with Air Venezuela but they will only take bookings by 'phone and the office was shut so we ended up with Avensa, who will take bookings at the terminus and accept credit cards. Picked up the hire car from Budget - a process which always takes ages - and finally left at about 6-30. We then drove to Maracay - a journey which normally takes about 2½ hours but we missed the turning so had an interesting drive around Caracas and also had a puncture so it took us 3½ hours. In retrospect it would have been better to stay at Macuto that night. In Maracay we stayed at the Hotel Caroni, about £12 for a double room and handily placed for the road to Rancho Grande. The only slight problem was that the car often got blocked in so early morning departures involved various Venezuelans being woken up to move their cars.
Dec 7th: Drove up to Rancho Grande via various stops on the way to bird - several flocks were found, with the best bird being a great antshrike. It was a Sunday so the road quickly became busy but we spent the day on the trails and around the building at Rancho Grande. The trails were fairly hard going but produced some quality birds, notably guttulated foliage-gleaner, Venezuelan wood-quail and moustached puffbird.. There was more activity around Rancho Grande, with groove-billed toucanet in trees right next to the building and white-tipped quetzal in a tree on the forest edge..
Dec 8th: Up to Rancho Grande again, walked the loop trail and spent more time on the road between Rancho Grande and the high point of the pass, about ½km further along. The best birds of the day were handsome fruiteater and grey-throated leafscraper..
Dec 9th: Went up to the Choroni Road - a longer drive due to traffic in Maracay and the length of the road itself. The best birding we found was at the high point of the pass and walking along the road towards Choroni from there. Birds included golden-breasted fruiteater, rufous-eared tanager (which we didn't see on the other road) and highland tinamou. Some very good flocks here. We looked for the trail described as a site for both lance-tailed and wire-tailed manakins in Birding in Venezuela and failed to find it - it certainly isn't where the book says it is.
Dec 10th: Choroni Road again, until c11-30am - didn't see as much as yesterday. Left to return to Caracas via Colonia Tovar. Leave the autopista at La Victoria, turn left towards the town centre, crawl through the town and veer right at the end of town. From here it's about an hour along a very steep road to Colonia Tovar. We birded a steep concrete track which goes up to the left (coming from La Victoria) about 7 kilometres before Colonia Tovar and is obscurely signposted to Buenos Aires. It is only drivable for a few hundred metres but walkable after that. Although we spent less than an hour here in the early afternoon we found a good flock and saw black-throated spinetail and black-and-white becard amongst others. Then drove down to the coast (from here to the airport takes about 2 hours). Arrived in the town of Macuto just in time to see the trip's only brown pelicans and magnificent frigatebirds. This town, 10-20 minutes from the airport depending on traffic, is an ideal place to stay near to the airport and is a good base to visit the Avila National Park, which we didn't have time for. We stayed at Hotel Tojamar (tel 031 44559), about £10 for a double and very good - there are lots of other places and loads of restaurants too. At weekends the town is probably very busy with visitors from Caracas.
Dec 11th: Left on a 6-00am flight to Merida. The only problem was that Budget, despite repeated assurances that they open at 5-00, still weren't there at 5-50 and had no box to leave the keys in - we had to force them on another car rental woman who arrived at the eleventh hour. The Avensa flights (as last year) were punctual and well organised - remember to hang onto the tags they give you for checked-in luggage since they will want to see them at the other end. Budget in Merida were far better organised than in Caracas and we were in town by 7-45. Stayed at the Posada Las Compadres on Avenida 4 Calle 15, about £9 for double, very good again. There are loads of similar places. Got some money out on Visa at Banco Union - fairly straight forward but it took 45 minutes - and did some shopping. Be sure to visit the ice-cream parlour at Avenida 3 Calle 29 (open 2-10 but shut on our last Monaday) - I had very nice beer flavour ice-cream. In the afternoon we went up the road beyond Hotel Valle Grande. Go north-east out of town (towards Tabay, Santo Domingo etc) and immediately after the alcabala fork left onto the road signposted El Valle.. Follow this for about 20 minutes and it comes out into some decent woodland and scrub (Paramo de la Culata). Birds here included pearled treerunner, Merida flower-piercer and Merida sunangel.
Dec 12th: Left early to get to Humboldt Trail and were astonished to see torrent duck on one of the streams on the way up there. Walked the trail until about 1-00, saw loads of good birds including Andean guan and green-and-black and barred fruiteaters. Check the stream by the picnic site (but not on a weekend) for white-capped dipper - they are quite tame here and these are the best views we had. Drove on to Apartaderos (just over 1 hour) and Santo Domingo (another 45 mins). We stayed at Hotel Moruco (tel 073 88070) which we had booked, thinking hotels might be full-up which they weren't. Hotel Moruco is very nice but too expensive at £22 for a double and there are plenty of other places - the Posada las Tapias just below Hotel Los Frailes looked good, as did a couple of places in Santo Domingo itself. Spent the evening birding round the hotel - the best bird we saw was dull-coloured seedeater (in terms of rarity, not looks!).
Dec 13th: Drove up to Laguna Mucubaji - the park here doesn't open until 8-00 but we just parked the car outside and climbed over the wall. After looking at the lake (speckled teal etc) we walked the trail signposted Las Cascades and saw most of the paramo specialities along here. There was still frost on the ground for a couple of hours - take a woolly hat. After a reviving hot chocolate at the park centre we walked the trail to Laguna Negra which was more crowded with people and bird activity seemed to have died down anyway in the heat of the sun - time to swap woolly hat and gloves for cap and sunsceen! We then drove past Pico Aguila to the small pools beyond. The Paramo here was very flower-rich and bird activity was quite high and although we didn't see the hoped for bearded helmet crest we did get good views of paramo wren.
Dec 14th: It's Sunday so it must be Andean cock-of-the-rocks. The San Isidro track goes through a quarry and you might not get in any other day of the week. The turning is about 23km below Hotel Moruco, the first concrete track on the right you come to. It is, with caution, driveable to the quarry. Park there and walk, keeping to the right through the quarry. This was some of the best forest we visited for butterflies and orchids as well as for birds. As well as superb views of cock-of-the-rocks we saw red-ruffed fruitcrow, red-headed barbet, booted racket-tail, black mandibled toucan, orange-eared tanager etc etc. Dawn was feeling a bit poorly so we left mid-afternoon and saw a superb torrent duck from the lay-by with the coca-cola kiosk.. Dec 15th: Spent the early morning on the track near Posada las Tapias . The first hour or so, when it was still frosty, was very quiet but things livened up a bit and we had 4 species of flower-piercer, tyrian metaltail, golden-bellied starfrontlet etc. This track gives, as far as we could find, the best chance to look at high altitude scrub here away from the road. Dawn was still a bit poorly so we took it easy the rest of the day. On the road just above Hotel Los Frailes there is a stream crossing with a lay-by and a sign about the national park. From here we took a trail which follows the stream up to Laguna Victoria. The scrubby habitats and paramo would probably be good earlier in the morning. The top of the lake looked ideal for snipe but all I got was wet feet.
Dec 16th: Drove to Encontrados - a drive which didn't take as long as we expected, we arrived at about 2-30pm, despite some birding on the way. Took a small detour to the town of Las Lagunillas to look at Laguna de Urao, just north-west of the town. Best thing here was a rather unexpected sun-grebe. Between Santa Barbara (also called San Carlos del Zulia) and Encontrados the road goes past several marshes which were good even in the early afternoon. At Encontrados we were sure there must be a hotel and after asking about 10 people (some of whom had actually given us correct directions) a bloke got into the car and took us there. To find it you're best of asking locals but it's off the road with the huge radio mast on it. If you're facing this mast, turn left and take a dirt road second or third on the right. This goes into a very poor part of town (tin shacks etc) and forks. Follow the left hand fork along a stream / open sewer. The hotel, unmarked, is a low building, larger than the others with a gated off car port in the front of the building. The gates were painted brown when we were there. I don't know if we would recommend this place to anyone - it's a doss house really but we did have a shower and air-conditioning and didn't get robbed, poisoned or too badly bitten. The only other options for this area are to stay back in Sta Barbara (at least 45 mins from Encontrados and 1½ hours from the best birding) or kip in the car - probably very unwise given the security situation here. In the late afternoon we birded the Encontrados Road.
17th Dec: Morning at Encontrados Road. When we got back to Britain we found out that Columbian guerillas / bandits have been very active in this area - kidnapping people, seizing cars at gun-point, even attacking national guard posts. Clearly any birder should be cautious here and try and check out the situation before visiting (the same probably goes for anywhere within reach of the Columbian border). We had no problems but had we known we certainly wouldn't have driven around in the dark, as we did.. Practicalities of birding here have also changed a bit. The track which birders previously drove has been wired off, perhaps because of bandits . We failed to see northern screamer, but I should think they're still around. We did see several good species, including horned screamer, capped heron, masked duck and crimson-backed tanager. We left at about 10-00, by which time it was unpleasantly hot, hoping to find more marshes to the south but we just found one large pool near La Fria.. We drove to the town of San Pedro del Rio and found a reasonable hotel there. The town is very pretty but the surrounding countryside, where we hoped to do some birding, was rather de-forested. The main road went through some good forest but the traffic was annoying. A better option would be the bit we had driven through earlier (and seen black-mandibled toucan) between La Fria and San Juan de Colon where the forest looked even better, the traffic was much lighter and there are side tracks. Both towns have accomodation.
Dec 18th: Drove up to the town of La Petrolia (also called La Arquitrana) and took the Rio Chiquito Road. The best birds here have been recorded at high altititudes. At low altitudes the road goes through good forest and coffee plantations but higher up, although there is still good habitat, the road goes through farmland. To get to the better areas would probably take more time than we had. Nonetheless we saw several good birds, including bicoloured hawk and yellow-vented woodpecker. Then drove on to Rubio where we stayed at Hotel Marquez (076 623714), again very good and about £12 for a huge double room. Rubio is the obvious place to stay for Paramo del Tama and Rio Chiquito. For Rio Negro it might be better to stay in San Cristobal and leave early in the morning to beat the appalling traffic there since although Rubio is perhaps closer the road from Rubio to the main road is dreadful.
Dec 19th: Most of the day at Rio Negro, just over 1 hour from Rubio . The birding here was some of the best and easiest tropical forest birding we've ever done. On the first morning the road along the river was one huge feeding flock. Quality birds included swallow tanager, dusky and white-bellied antbirds, yellow-ridged toucan and spot-breasted woodpecker. In Afterthoughts to Birding in Venezuela she mentions that they recorded 260 species here, so we missed quite a few. Unfortunately this is another area where Columbian guerillas/bandits have caused serious problems in the recent past.
Dec 20th: Paramo del Tama. The only way to do justice to this site would be to camp up there but a day-trip was still worth while. The drive takes about 2½ hours each way from Rubio, the last half over dirt roads - perfectly passable with caution in a normal car. We've drawn a map, but the only real way to find the trail is to ask for Don Pedro's house. The only snag is that he has moved and his daughter and her family now live there. People still pointed us in the right direction but as time passes you might have to ask for Don Pedro's daughter's house - and hope he only has one daughter. Permission to walk the trail was readily given. The lower parts were quiet (including the large clearing which previous reports had said was good - perhaps it depends on the time of year) but higher up we saw some good stuff. We dipped on the two species we most wanted to see (white-capped tanager and black-mandibled mountain toucan) but did see blue-backed conebill, grey-hooded and black-headed hemispingus, golden-fronted whitestart etc. Also a species not in the field guide - pale-footed swallow. The woodland and paramo here is also excellent from a botanical point of view. A long day - 15 hours - but well worth the effort.
Dec 21st: Back to Rio Negro. The birds were much quieter today, perhaps because it was sunnier, but good birds included fasciated tiger-heron, bronze-winged parrot, jet antbird and lekking white-bearded manakins.
Dec 22nd: Until about 11-00 birded the Rio Chiquito road, seeing a large flock of bronze-winged parrots amongst other birds. Then drove via San Cristobal to Paramo de Zumbador.. The best habitat here is on the road to Queniquea. As you enter the village of Zumbador (from San Cristobal) and just before the alcabala, take a right hand turn which goes through several miles of high altitude woodland. We were here in the early afternoon but saw a few species including red-crested cotinga, black-crested warbler and lachrymose mountain-tanager. We then continued to La Grita where we stayed at Hosteria Los Naranjos on Calle 2 a couple of blocks below the church, about £10 for a double.
Dec 23rd: Left La Grita on the road that goes to Bailadores via La Pradera and Paramo La Negra - to find the road you go down to the bottom (south) of town and the road then loops back north round the town. The road goes through some reasonable habitat - not as good as at Zumbador. Our birding was hampered by a gale that was blowing but species we saw included brown-rumped tapaculo. Then continued via Bailadores, Tovar, Zea and El Vigia to La Azulita. If you take this route the turn-off to La Azulita was unmarked and shown in the wrong place on our maps - it is in the middle of the town of Santa Elena. In La Azulita we stayed at El Tao, which was a bit pricey at $50 per person per day, but this includes food, there isn't much choice around here and it was Christmas. The gardens are good for birding - this evening we saw magpie tanager, cinnamon becard, orange-crowned oriole, swallow tanager etc.
Dec 24th: Spent the day in some woodland which the owner of La Azulita showed us how to get to. Even so it was hard to find and wasn't really as good as the forest the road goes through. We did well for hummingbirds here, including glowing puffleg, gorgeted woodstar and bronzy inca.
Dec 25th: A day of relaxing and gentle birding at El Tao, produced a stripe-backed bittern at their fishpool first thing in the morning and other species included violet-fronted brilliant and Connecticut warbler. Beats watching the Queen's speech.
Dec 26th: Spent the day on the road up from La Azulita to Merida. Despite an alarming amount of deforestation in this area the road still goes through some excellent forest with numerous flocks and 20+ species of tanager each day. Goodies today included yellow-billed toucanet in the stretch of forest just up from the mirador (viewpoint), grey-throated warbler, barred forest-falcon and golden-headed quetzal.
Dec 27th: Spent the morning on the road again, additional species included barred becard and buff-tailed coronet. Then drove to Merida, a journey which takes about 2½ hours (not including changing a tyre again). Stayed at Posada Los Compadres again.. Many Venezuelans take holidays just after Christmas and things were fuller now - we booked these two nights when we were in Merida before and were glad we had..
Dec 28th: Humboldt Trail again. Harry hikers were out in force today - the Sunday after Christmas - but the birding was still excellent. Finally managed to see chestnut-crowned antpitta and got good views of 2 plush-capped finches, amongst many other good birds..
Dec 29th: Spent the day duding in Merida, notably taking the Teleferico (cable car) which was running for 3/4 of its length. It took 3 hours of queueing but it is very scenic.. We didn't have much time at the top but saw bar-winged cinclodes, brown-backed chat-tyrant and best of all superb views of bearded helmetcrest, which we dipped on at Apartaderos - a highly fitting last bird. Dragged ourselves unwillingly to the airport for a 5-20pm flight to Caracas and return to England.
Other Wildlife
We did rather poorly for mammals - we had good views of red howler at Henri Pittier, a species of agouti there, a species of arboreal opossum at La Azulita and bats and squirrels at most sites. We saw loads of lizards, including iguanas around Encontrados, a snake at La Azulita, lots of frogs and a Caecilian (earthworm-like amphibian) at La Azulita. Butterflies were abundant everywhere and included many spectacular species. Moths were also abundant, if mostly less spectacular. We saw a species of helicopter damselfly at Rancho Grande (Loop Trail) and other colourful Odonata, especially at the San Isidro track. Orthoptera were frequent, including a superb dead-leaf mimicing praying mantis at Rio Negro and a stick insect at the Humboldt Trail.
The plants were also good everywhere, with epiphytic bromeliads, aroids, ferns, cacti and orchids outstanding. Familiar plants seen included several species of Fuchsia, Begonia, Tradescantia and Ipomoea (morning glory), marvel-of-Peru, buzy lizzy and a passion flower. On the Paramo many genera were familiar, including Potentilla, Gentiana, Eryngium, Plantago and Senecio. The fraillajones (Espeletia spp) and many other plants were still in flower. The San Isidro track and Rio Chiquito road were very good for plants, especially orchids, and one of the botanical highlights of the trip was seeing cycads at Paramo de Tama.
Species List
Species marked * were ticks (following previous trips to Costa Rica and Venezuela)
*Highland Tinamou: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th.
Least Grebe: 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 6 near El Fria on 17th.
Pied-billed Grebe: c15 at Laguna de Urao on 16th.
Magnificent Frigatebird: 8 over Macuto on 10th.
Neotropic Cormorant: 1 on Laguna Mucubaji on 13th; 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th.
Brown Pelican: c15 at Macuto on 10th.
Horned Screamer: 3 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Black-bellied Whistling-duck: c40 near Encontrados on 16th & c20 there on 17th.
*Masked Duck: 4 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
*Torrent Duck: 1 female on way up to Humboldt Trail on 12th; 1 male near Santo Domingo on 14th.
*Speckled Teal: c20 on Laguna Mucujabi on 13th and c20 on Laguna Victoria on 15th.
Blue-winged Teal: 6 on Laguna Mucujabi on 13th; 2 at Laguna Victoria on 15th; 8 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 17th.
Little Blue Heron: 6 near Encontrados on 16th & 2 there on 17th.
Snowy Egret: 2 at Maracay on 8th; 6 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 1 there on 17th; c20 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 2 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 near El Vigia on 23rd.
*Capped Heron: 2ad & 1 juv at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Great Blue Heron: 1 at Airport on 6th; 7 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 1 near Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Cocoi (White-necked) Heron: 3 near Encontrados on 16th & 9 there on 17th.
Great Egret: Common in lowland areas and around lakes at high elevations.
Cattle Egret: Abundant around cattle.
Striated Heron: 2 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; c20 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Black-crowned Night-heron: 6 at Encontrados Road on 16th and 5 there on 17th.
Fasciated Tiger-heron: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Stripe-backed Bittern: 1 at La Azulita on 25th.
Scarlet Ibis: 9 near Santa Ana on 19th.
Bare-faced Ibis: c200 near Encontrados on 16th; c150 at Encontrados Road on 17th; c50 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; c30 near Santa Ana on 19th & c100 there on 21st.
Glossy Ibis: c10 near Encontrados on 16th.
*Maguari Stork: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Black Vulture: Common.
Turkey Vulture: Common.
Osprey: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Grey-headed Kite: 1 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th.
Hook-billed Kite: 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
White-tailed Kite: 1 at Hotel Moruco on 15th; 1 near Betania on 20th.
Double-toothed Kite: 1 below Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Bicoloured Hawk: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th.
Crane Hawk: 1 near Encontrados on 16th & 2 there on 17th.
Savanna Hawk: 9 near Encontrados on 16th; 1 near El Fria on 17th.
Black-collared Hawk: 4 at Encontrados Road on 16th and 2 there on 17th.
Grey Hawk: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Roadside Hawk: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 3 near Encontrados on 16th & 17th; 3 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 2 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st; 1 near Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 3 on 24th, 1 on 25th & 1 on 26th.
Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Rancho Grande on 8th; 2 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 1 near Los Frailes on 15th.
Short-tailed Hawk: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 over Merida on 29th.
*White-tailed Hawk: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Zone-tailed Hawk: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
*Crested Eagle: 1 at Rancho Grande on 9th.
Ornate Hawk-eagle: 1 at Rancho Grande on 9th.
*Black-and-chestnut Eagle: 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Red-throated Caracara: 1 imm at Rio Negro on 21st.
Crested Caracara: Common in lowland deforested areas.
Yellow-headed Caracara: Common in lowland deforested areas.
Barred Forest-falcon: 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
American Kestrel: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 2 at Hotel Moruco; 1 at Laguna Victoria on 15th; 2 at Encontrados Road on 16th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 2 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, 2 on 26th & 1 on 27th.
Aplomado Falcon: 4 at Encontrados Road on 16th and 2 there on 17th.
Bat Falcon: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
Rufous-vented Chachalaca: At Rancho Grande (low elevations on Choroni Road) 2 on 9th & 4 on 10th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 3 near Rubio on 19th.
Band-tailed Guan: 2 at Rancho Grande on 7th & 1 there on 10th.
*Andean Guan: 4 on Humboldt Trail on 12th & 1 there on 28th.
Guan sp: 2 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Helmeted Curassow: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Venezuelan Wood-quail: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
American Purple Gallinule: c50 near Encontrados on 16th & c30 there on 17th.
Common Gallinule (Moorhen): c40 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; c15 Encontrados Road on 16th & 17th.
Sungrebe: 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th.
Wattled Jacana: c20 near Encontrados on 16th & c40 there on 17th; 1 near El Vigia on 23rd.
Greater Yellowlegs: 1 on Laguna Mucujabi on 13th.
Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
Western Sandpiper: c20 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Least Sandpiper: 1 on Laguna Mucujabi on 13th.
Southern Lapwing: 4 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; c20 near Encontrados on 16th & 6 there on 17th.
Laughing Gull: 1 first-winter at Macuto on 10th.
Royal Tern: 4 past Macuto on 10th.
Band-tailed Pigeon: 2 at Hotel Moruco on 12th; c15 on San Isidro track on 14th; c20 near Apartaderos on 16th; 7 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 6 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, c20 on 26th; c30 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th.
Pale-vented Pigeon: c20 Encontrados Road on 16th; 4 at La Azulita on 25th & 2 there on 27th..
*Ruddy Pigeon: At Henri Pittier 4 on 7th, 1 on 8th & 2 on 10th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 1 on 24th, 2 on 25th.
Eared Dove: c40 near Apartaderos on 12th.
Scaled Dove: 3 at Rio Negro on 19th & 9 there on 21st.
Ruddy Ground-dove: Common.
White-tipped Dove: Common.
*Lined Quail-dove: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th & 1 on 8th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 3 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 below Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Brown-throated Parakeet: c30 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 2 at Encontrados Road on 16th.
*Blood-eared Parakeet: At Henri Pittier 12 on 8th & 25 on 9th.
*Rose-headed Parakeet: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; at La Azulita c40 on 24th & 8 on 27th.
Green-rumped Parrotlet: 4 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 2 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 near El Vigia on 23rd.
Orange-chinned Parakeet: 4 at La Azulita on 24th.
*Lilac-tailed Parrotlet: 2 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*Red-billed Parrot: 8 at Henri Pittier on 8th.
*White-capped Parrot: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Bronze-winged Parrot: 2 at Rio Negro on 21st; c40 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
Yellow-headed (crowned) Parrot: 2 at Macuto on 10th; 4 at Encontrados Road on 16th & c20 there on 17th.
Squirrel Cuckoo: At Henri Pittier 2 on 8th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 24th, 2 on 25th & 1 on 27th.
Greater Ani: c20 Encontrados Road on 16th and c15 there on 17th.
Smooth-billed Ani: Common in deforested lowland areas.
Groove-billed Ani: Common in deforested lowland areas.
White-collared Swift: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th & c15 on 10th; 5 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; c20 near Encontrados on 16th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd.
Grey-rumped Swift: at La Azulita 8 on 23rd, c20 on 25th & on 26th.
Vaux's Swift: At Henri Pittier c20 on 9th and on 10th.
*White-tipped Swift: At Rancho Grande c30 on 7th, c20 on 8th & c30 on 9th; c20 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Rufous-breasted Hermit: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Sooty-capped Hermit: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 2 on 24th & 25th.
*Grey-chinned Hermit: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Little Hermit: 1 at Henri Pittier on 7th.
*Lazuline Sabrewing: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; c15 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*White-necked Jacobin: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Green Violetear: 2 at Henri Pittier on 10th; at La Azulita 4+ on 24th.
*Sparkling Violetear: At Henri Pittier 1 on 9th & 1 on 10th; 1 at Hotel Moruco on 12th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
Black-throated Mango: c10 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 21st.
Blue-chinned Sapphire: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th & c20 there on 10th; 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Narrow-tailed Emerald: 2 at La Azulita on 24th.
White-chinned Sapphire: 2 at Henri Pittier on 10th.
Golden-tailed Sapphire: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
White-tailed Goldenthroat: 1 near Paramo La Negra on 23rd.
Steely-vented Humminbgbird: c10 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Copper-rumped Hummingbird: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 8th, c20 on 9th & 2 on 10th.
*Green-bellied Hummingbird: 4 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird: c40 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & c30 there on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 2 on 24th, c10 on 25th, 2 on 26th & 3 on 27th; 2 in Merida on 29th.
*White-vented Plumeleteer: 10 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Speckled Hummingbird: 1 at Henri Pittier on 10th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 2 on 26th & 27th; 5 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Violet-fronted Brilliant: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 7th; 1 female at La Azulita on 25th & 27th..
*Violet-chested Hummingbird: At Rancho Grande 2 on 7th.
*Bronzy Inca: At Henri Pittier 1 on 9th & 1 on 10th; 1 at La Azulita on 24th.
*Collared Inca: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 5 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Golden-bellied Starfrontlet: 1 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Buff-tailed Coronet: 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Orange-throated Sunangel: 6 near Los Frailes on 15th.
*Merida Sunangel: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; at La Azulita 4 on 24th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Glowing Puffleg: 1 at San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at La Azulita on 24th.
*Coppery-bellied Puffleg: 4 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Booted Racket-tail: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, 2 on 26th.
*Tyrian Metaltail: 4 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 5 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd.
*Bronze-tailed Thornbill: 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Bearded Helmetcrest: 1 at top of cablecar above Merida on 29th.
*Long-tailed Sylph: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th, 1 on 8th & 1 on 10th; 1 below Humboldt Trail on 12th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th & 26th & 4 on 27th.
*Wedge-billed Hummingbird: 1 male at Henri Pittier on 9th.
*Gorgeted Woodstar: at La Azulita 1 on 24th.
*Rufous-shafted Woodstar: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*White-tipped Quetzal: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*Golden-headed Quetzal: 1 at La Azulita on 26th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
White-tailed Trogon: 3 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Collared Trogon: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th & 1 there on 10th.
*Masked Trogon: 4+ on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 at La Azulita on 27th.
Ringed Kingfisher: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 3 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 24th.
Amazon Kingfisher: 1 at Encontrados Road on 16th; 1 near El Fria on 17th.
Rufous-tailed Jacamar: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th, 8th & 9th; all at low altitiudes.
*White-necked Puffbird: 1 at base of Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Moustached Puffbird: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*Red-headed Barbet: 3 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Emerald Toucanet: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 5 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 2 on 24th, 6 on 26th & 7 on 27th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Groove-billed Toucanet: At Henri Pittier 7 on 7th, 2 on 8th, 6 on 9th & 1 on 10th.
*Yellow-billed Toucanet: c20 at La Azulita on 26th.
*Yellow-ridged Toucan: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st.
*Black-mandibled Toucan: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 3 near El Fria on 17th; 2 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Scaled Piculet: At Henri Pittier 3 on 7th & 2 on 8th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Olivaceous Piculet: 1 at La Azulita on 24th.
Yellow-tufted Woodpecker: 3 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 22nd; 30+ at Rio Negro on 19th.
Red-crowned Woodpecker: 1 at Henri Pittier on 10th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 4 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 1 on 25th, 1 on 26th & 3 on 27th.
*Yellow-vented Woodpecker: 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
*Smoky-brown Woodpecker: At Henri Pittier 3 on 8th & 5 on 9th; 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th.
*Little Woodpecker: 1 near Petrolia on 22nd.
Red-rumped Woodpecker: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
Golden-olive Woodpecker: At Henri Pittier 2 on 8th & 1 on 9th; 3 at La Azulita on 26th & 1 there on 27th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Spot-breasted Woodpecker: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Lineated Woodpecker: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 26th & 27th.
Plain-brown Woodcreeper: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Olivaceous Woodcreeper: At Henri Pittier 6 on 7th, 5 on 8th & 5 on 9th.
Strong-billed Woodcreeper: 2 at Rancho Grande on 8th; 2 at La Azulita on 24th.
Black-banded Woodcreeper: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Straight-billed Woodcreeper: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th.
Striped Woodcreeper: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Buff-throated Woodcreeper: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th & on 22nd.
*Olive-backed Woodcreeper: 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper: 1 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th & 1 there on 22nd.
*Spot-crowned Woodcreeper: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 at La Azulita on 26th & 1 on 27th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Bar-winged Cinclodes: 3 near Laguna Mucujabiand 1 near Pico Aguila on 13th; 1 at top of cablecar above Merida on 29th.
*Andean Tit-spinetail: 4 near Laguna Mucujabi and 1 near Pico Aguila on 13th.
*Ochre-browed Thistletail: 3 near Laguna Mucujabi on 13th.
*Azara's Spinetail: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 1 at Hotel Moruco on 12th; 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Rufous Spinetail: 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Black-throated Spinetail: 5 at Colonia Tovar on 10th.
*Stripe-breasted Spinetail: 1 near Los Frailes on 15th.
*White-browed Spinetail: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
Crested Spinetail: 1 at Henri Pittier on 7th & 2 on 9th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at La Azulita on 25th.
Yellow-throated (chinned) Spinetail: 2 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
*Streak-backed Canastero: 2 near Laguna Mucubaji on 13th.
*Rusty-winged Barbtail: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th.
Spotted Barbtail: 3 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Pearled Treerunner: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 3 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at La Azulita on 27th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Streaked Tuftedcheek: At Henri Pittier 1 on 9th & 1 on 10th; 6 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Guttulated Foliage-gleaner: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*Montane Foliage-gleaner: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 3 on 9th; 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 2 on 24th & 26th & 3 on 27th.
*Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner: 6 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner: At Henri Pitttier 3 on 7th, 3 on 8th & 1 on 9th; 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th.
*Streak-capped Treehunter: 2 at Henri Pittier on 9th.
*Chestnut-crowned Foliage-gleaner: 2 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Grey-throated Leafscraper: 3 at Rancho Grande on 8th.
Plain Xenops: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Streaked Xenops: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
*Great Antshrike: 1 female at low altitude at Henri Pittier on 7th.
Barred Antshrike: 1 male at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
*Plain Antvireo: 2 at Rancho Grande 7th & 5 on 8th.
Slaty Antwren: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th & 3 on 8th.
*Long-tailed Antbird: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 7th.
*Dusky Antbird: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st.
Jet Antbird: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Plumbeous Antshrike: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 7th, 2 females there on 8th.
White-bellied Antbird: 1 male at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Chestnut-crowned Antpitta: Heard at Paramo de la Culata; 1 seen on Humboldt Trail on 28th..
*Unicoloured Tapaculo: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Brown-rumped Tapaculo: 1 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd.
*Red-crested Cotinga: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd.
*Green-and-black Fruiteater: A pair on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Barred Fruiteater: A pair on the Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Golden-breasted Fruiteater: 2 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 4 at La Azulita on 24th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Handsome Fruiteater: 1 male at Rancho Grande on 8th.
*Red-ruffed Fruitcrow: 2 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Barred Becard: 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Cinnamon Becard: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 25th.
White-winged Becard: 1 male at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Black-and-white Becard: 1 female at Colonia Tovar on 10th.
*Cinerous Becard: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Masked Tityra: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
Black-crowned Tityra: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Andean Cock-of-the-rocks: 10 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Golden-winged Manakin: 2 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at La Azulita on 24th.
*White-bearded Manakin: 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 4+ lekking at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Olive-striped Flycatcher: 2 at Henri Pittier on 9th & 4 there on 10th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 4 on San Isidro track on 14th; 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; 3 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 4 on 26th & 1 on 27th.
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
Flavescent Flycatcher: 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
*Rufous-breasted Flycatcher: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher: 3 on San Isidro Track on 14th; 3 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 25th, 2 on 26th.
Common Tody-flycatcher: 1 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 3 there on 17th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 25th.
Sooty-headed Tyrannulet: 2 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
*Black-capped Tyrannulet: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Paltry (Venezuelan) Tyrannulet: At Henri Pittier 1 on 8th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; c10 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 8 at Rio Negro on 19th; 4 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd. *Golden-faced Tyrannulet: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th.
Southern Beardless Tyrannulet: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 2 at La Azulita on 25th.
Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Scrub Flycatcher: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Forest Elaenia: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia: 2 at La Azulita on 25th.
Lesser Elaenia: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & on 22nd; 2 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Mountain Elaenia: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*White-throated Tyrannulet: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 3 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 6 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; c10 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 1 near Laguna Mucubaji on 13th; 6 near Los Frailes on 15th; 5 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 2 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; 12 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Torrent Tyrannulet: 3 near Santo Domingo on 14th.
*Agile Tit-tyrant: 3 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Marble-faced Bristle-tyrant: 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; 3 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Variegated Bristle-tyrant: 2 at La Azulita on 26th & 6 there on 27th.
*Venezuelan Bristle-tyrant: 2 at Rancho Grande on 8th.
*Yellow-bellied Bristle-tyrant: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
*Short-tailed Pygmy-tyrant: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th.
*Large-headed Flatbill: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Yellow-olive Flycatcher: 1 at Rancho Grande on 8th; 1 at La Azulita on 24th.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Cinnamon Flycatcher: 2 at Rancho Grande on 8th & 1 there on 9th.
Cliff Flycatcher: 4 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Fuscous Flycatcher: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Olive-sided Flycatcher: 3 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Greater Peewee: 1at Henri Pittier on 7th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Tropical Peewee: 2 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
Black Phoebe: Common near water.
Vermillion Flycatcher: 1at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 6 near Encontrados on 16th & 2 there on 17th.
*Yellow-bellied Chat-tyrant: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Brown-backed Chat-tyrant: c10 around Laguna Mucubaji and 1 near Pico Aguila on 13th; 2 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at top of cablecar above Merida on 29th.
*Streak-throated Bush-tyrant: 1 by road near Los Frailes on 13th.
*Smoky Bush-tyrant: 5 near Los Frailes on 15th.
Pied Water-tyrant: c15 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 6 there on 17th.
*White-headed Marsh-tyrant: 4 at Encontrados Road on 16th.
Cattle Tyrant: 2 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; c20 near Encontrados on 16th & 1 there on 17th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
*Dusky-capped Flycatcher: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
*Panama Flycatcher: 2 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Tropical Kingbird: Common.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher: c15 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 17th.
Grey Kingbird: c10 at Encontrados Road on 16th & c20 on 17th.
Boat-billed Flycatcher: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th; 2 at Encontrados Road on 16th; 4 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Lemon-browed Flycatcher: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Golden-crowned Flycatcher: 1 at Humboldt Trail on 12th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Streaked Flycatcher: 3 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 5 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher: 4 at Encontrados Road on 16th; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd & 1 on 24th.
Social Flycatcher: Common.
Piratic Flycatcher: 1 at La Azulita on 25th.
Lesser Kiskadee: 4 at La Azulita on 25th.
Greater Kiskadee: Common.
*Collared Jay: c20 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Black-chested Jay: 2 near Encontrados on 16th.
Green Jay: At Henri Pittier 3 on 7th & 2 on 9th; 2 on San Isidro track on 14th; c10 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita c15 on 24th & c20 on 26th; 1 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th; 2 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Red-eyed Vireo: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Warbling (Brown-capped) Vireo: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Golden-fronted Greenlet: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
Scrub Greenlet: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 25th & 26th.
*White-capped Dipper: 1 below Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 on San Isidro track and 1 near Santo Domingo on 14th & 15th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Andean Solitaire: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 8 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at La Azulita on 26th & 2 there on 27th.
Grey-cheeked Thrush: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
Swainson's Thrush: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Yellow-legged Thrush: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, 25th, 26th & 27th.
*Great Thrush: c30 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; near Apartaderos 12 on 12th, 38 on 13th, 24 on 15th & c25 on 16th; 2 near Santo Domingo on 14th; 1 near Betania on 20th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 9 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; 1 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th.
*Glossy Black Thrush: 2 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 2 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 1 near Betania on 20th; at La Azulita 2 on 24th & 1 on 26th & 27th.
*Chestnut-bellied Thrush: 4 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 8 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at La Azulita on 26th; 3 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Pale-breasted Thrush: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th & 1 on 10th; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd.
Black-billed Thrush: At Rio Negro c15 on 19th & 1 on 21st; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 3 on 25th & 27th.
Bare-eyed Thrush: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 2 on 25th, 1 on 26th & 27th.
White-necked Thrush: 2 at Henri Pittier on 8th, 1 there on 9th & 2 on 10th.
Tropical Mockingbird: Up to 3 at Hotel Moruco; 1 near Santo Domingo on 14th; 1 at Rubio on 21st; 3 near La Grita on 23rd; 1 at La Azulita on 24th; 1 below Humboldt Trail on 28th; 1 in Merida on 29th.
*Bicoloured Wren: 2 near Encontrados on 16th.
*Paramo (Merida) Wren: 1 near Pico Aguila on 13th.
*Moustached (whiskered) Wren: 2 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 2 at La Azulita on 26th.
Rufous-breasted Wren: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Rufous-and-white Wren: 3 on Humboldt Trail on 12th.
Buff-breasted Wren: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
House Wren: 2 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd & 24th, 4 on 25th, 6 on 26th & 4 on 27th; 2 in Merida on 29th.
*Mountain Wren: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 1 at Hotel Moruco on 13th; 2 on San Isidro Track on 14th.
Grey-breasted Wood-wren: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 at La Azulita on 26th.
Tropical Gnatcatcher: 3 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
White-winged Swallow: 4 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; c20 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st..
*Brown-chested Martin: 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th.
Grey-breasted Martin: 12 in Merida on 29th.
Purple Martin: 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*Brown-bellied Swallow: 2 near Pico Aguila on 13th.
Blue-and-white Swallow: At Henri Pittier 5 on 9th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; c20 on San Isidro track on 14th; 5 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; c10 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th; c20 below Humboldt Trail on 28th; c20 in Merida on 29th.
*Pale-footed Swallow: 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Rough-winged Swallow: Common.
Barn Swallow: c20 near Encontrados on 16th & c40 there on 17th.
*Paramo Pipit: 1 near Laguna Mucubaji on 13th.
Golden-winged Warbler: 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Tennessee Warbler: 1 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 25th & 2 on 26th.
*Tropical Parula: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 5 at Rio Negro on 19th & 3 there on 21st; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Yellow Warbler: 1 near Petrolia on 22nd.
Blackburnian Warbler: 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 2 on 24th, 3 on 25th, 6 on 26th & 2 on 27th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 3 at Rio Negro on 19th; 4 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 25th.
Blackpoll Warbler: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 8th; 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd.
Cerulean Warbler: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; c15 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; c15 at Rio Negro on 19th & 21st; 6 at Rio Chiquito on 19th & 5 there on 22nd; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 25th, 26th & 27th.
Black-and-white Warbler: 1 at Rancho Grande on 8th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 24th & 2 on 27th.
American Redstart: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 8th; 2 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 1 at Hotel Moruco on 12th; 1 at San Isidro Track on 14th; at Rio Chiquito 3 on 18th, 1 on 19th & 2 on 22nd; 2 at Rio Negro on 21st; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 24th, 5 on 25th, 2 on 26th & 1 on 27th.
Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
Northern Waterthrush: 1 at Rancho Grande on 7th& 2 on 8th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 3 on 23rd, 1 on 24th, 5 on 25th, 1 on 26th & 27th.
*Kentucky Warbler: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th.
*Connecticut Warbler: 1 at La Azulita on 25th.
Mourning Warbler: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 24th & 25th.
*Masked Yellowthroat: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Canada Warbler: 2 at Rio Negro on 21st; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd. Slate-throated Whitestart: Common at Henri Pittier, Paramo de la Culata, Humboldt Trail, San Isidro track and La Azulita.
*Golden-fronted Whitestart: c20 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*White-fronted Whitestart: 2 at Humboldt Trail on 12th & c30 there on 28th.
*Citrine Warbler: c30 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 3 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Black-crested Warbler: 1 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd;
*Grey-throated Warbler: 2 at La Azulita on 26th.
*Russet-crowned Warbler: c20 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 at La Azulita on 26th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Golden-crowned Warbler: 2 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 3 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Three-striped Warbler: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th, 8 on 9th & 3 on 10th; 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; c10 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 4 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 4 on 24th, c15 on 26th & 4 on 27th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Flavescent Warbler: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th, 9th & 10th; 2 on San Isidro track on 14th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 6 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Blue-backed Conebill: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Capped Conebill: 4 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Rufous-collared Sparrow: Common at higher altitudes at Colonia Tovar and in Andes.
Black-striped Sparrow: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
*Moustached Brush-finch: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 3 at La Azulita on 26th & 7 there on 27th; 4 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Slaty Brush-finch: 3 near Los Frailes on 13th & c10 there on 15th; 3 at Laguna Victoria on 15th; 8 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 6 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; 6 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Ochre-breasted Brush-finch: At Henri Pittier 1 on 8th, 3 on 9th & 3 on 10th; 2 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Chestnut-capped Brush-finch: 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 4 near Los Frailes on 15th; 4 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Stripe-headed Brush-finch: 2 at Henri Pittier on 9th; 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Bananaquit: Common.
*Magpie Tanager: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd & 2 on 24th.
Common Bush-tanager: At Henri Pittier 1 on 8th, c25 on 9th & c15 on 10th; 6 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; c10 at San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, c20 on 26th & c30 on 27th; c20 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Grey-hooded Hemispingus: c20 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Superciliaried Hemispingus: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th & 1 there on 28th.
*Grey-capped Hemispingus: c10 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 7 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; at La Azulita 4 on 26th & 2 on 27th; c30 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Oleaginous Hemispingus: 1 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 5 at La Azulita on 26th.
*Black-headed Hemispingus: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Fulvous-headed Tanager: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 8th.
*Orange-eared Tanager: 4 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Guira Tanager: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 4 on 23rd.
Grey-headed Tanager: At Henri Pittier 2 on 7th & 1 on 8th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th.
White-shouldered Tanager: 4 at Rio Negro on 19th & 2 there on 21st.
White-lined Tanager: Common.
Red-crowned Ant-tanager: 2 at Henri Pittier on 7th; 2 at Rio Negro on 21st.
Hepatic Tanager: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 25th & 1 on 26th.
*Summer Tanager: 1 at Henri Pittier on 10th; 4 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 19th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st.
*White-winged Tanager: 3 at Henri Pittier on 9th; at La Azulita c10 on 26th.
*Crimson-backed Tanager: 1 at Encontrados Road on 16th & 17th; 5 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 4 near El Vigia on 23rd; at La Azulita 8 on 23rd, 8 on 24th, 15 on 25th, 1 on 26th & 27th.
Silver-beaked Tanager: c15 at San Isidro track on 14th; c10 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; c20 at Rio Negro on 19th & 2 there on 21st; 6 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
Blue-grey Tanager: Common.
Palm Tanager: Common.
*Blue-capped Tanager: At Henri Pittier c15 on 9th & c10 on 10th; 4 at Colonia Tovar on 10th; 2 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 2 near Los Frailes on 15th; 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 1 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, 2 on 26th & 27th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Black-chested Mountain-tanager: 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Lachrymose Mountain-tanager: 3 near Los Frailes on 15th; 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 1 at Paramo de Zumbador on 22nd; 4 at Paramo La Negra on 23rd.
*Blue-winged Mountain-tanager: At Henri Pittier 8 on 8th, 5 on 9th & 10 on 10th.
*Golden-crowned Tanager: 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Fawn-breasted Tanager: 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
Trinidad Euphonia: 7 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Violaceous Euphonia: 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; 2 at La Azulita on 25th.
*Thick-billed Euphonia: 3 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 6 on 24th, 3 on 25th, 2 on 26th & 4 on 27th.
*Blue-hooded (golden-rumped) Euphonia: 1 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th.
Orange-bellied Euphonia: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th, 8th & 9th; c10 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 2 on 24th, 26th & 27th.
*Blue-naped Chlorophonia: 1 at Henri Pittier on 9th, at La Azulita 3 on 24th, c10 on 26th & on 27th.
*Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Golden Tanager: At Henri Pittier c10 on 9th & 2 on 10th; c10 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 4 on 24th, c15 on 26th & 3 on 27th.
*Saffron-crowned Tanager: 1 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 4 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 2 on 24th, c15 on 26th & c10 on 27th.
Speckled Tanager: At Henri Pittier 3 on 7th, 1 on 8th, 4 on 9th & 6 on 10th; c15 on San Isidro Track on 14th; 6 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; at La Azulita 4 on 24th.
Bay-headed Tanager: At Henri Pittier c30 on 7th, 3 on 8th & 1 on 9th; c15 on San Isidro track on 14th; at La Azulita 4 on 24th & 8 on 26th.
Burnished-buff Tanager: 2 at San Isidro Track on 14th; 2 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 2 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 4 on 24th, 6 on 25th, 3 on 26th & 5 on 27th.
*Rufous-cheeked Tanager: At Henri Pittier 3 on 9th.
*Blue-necked Tanager: 3 on San Isidro Track on 14th; 8 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 3 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 5 at Rio Negro on 19th & 2 there on 21st; 1 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 2 near Paramo La Negra on 23rd; at La Azulita 2 on 23rd, 12 on 24th, 8 on 25th & c20 on 26th.
*Beryl-spangled Tanager: At Henri Pittier c15 on 9th; 1 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; at La Azulita 10 on 24th, c20 on 26th & c100 on 27th.
*Blue-and-black Tanager: 1 near Los Frailes on 15th; 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; 6 at La Azulita on 27th.
*Black-capped Tanager: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; at La Azulita 1 on 24th, 4 on 26th & 8 on 27th.
Black-headed Tanager: 3 at Henri Pittier on 9th & 1 there on 10th; 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th.
Black-faced Dacnis: 1 male at Rio Negro on 19th.
Blue Dacnis: 2 at Rio Negro on 19th; 3 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd.
Green Honeycreeper: Common.
Purple Honeycreeper: 4 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 22nd; c20 at Rio Negro on 19th & 1 there on 21st.
Swallow Tanager: 20+ at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita c15 on 23rd & c10 on 25th.
*Plush-capped Finch: 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Plumbeous Sierra-finch: 1 near Apartaderos on 12th; c15 near Laguna Mucujabi and 1 near Pico Aguila on 13th.
*Stripe-tailed Yellow-finch: 2 at Rancho Grande (low elevation, Choroni Road) on 10th.
Saffron Finch: 1 at Laguna de Urao on 16th; 2 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 2 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; c10 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; 4 near Petrolia on 22nd; 4 at La Azulita on 27th.
Blue-black Grassquit: 6 at Encontrados Road on 17th; c20 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
Grey Seedeater: c10 at Rancho Grande on 9th; 2 near El Vigia on 16th; 1 at Rio Negro on 21st; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 25th & 27th.
*Black-and-white Seedeater: At La Azulita 1 on 24th.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater: 1 near El Fria on 17th; c15 at Rio Chiquito on 18th & 1 there on 22nd; 1 at La Azulita on 25th.
*Plain-coloured Seedeater: 1 near Laguna Mucubaji and 2 near Pico Aguila on 13th.
*Paramo Seedeater: c20 near Laguna Mucujabi on 13th.
*Dull-coloured Grassquit: c30 at Hotel Moruco on 12th.
*Rusty Flower-piercer: 2 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
*White-sided Flower-piercer: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th.
*Glossy Flower-piercer: 2 on San Isidro track on 14th.
*Black Flower-piercer: 4 at Paramo de Tama on 20th.
*Merida (Coal-black) Flower-piercer: 1 at Paramo de la Culata on 11th; 2 near Los Frailes on 15th.
*Bluish Flower-piercer: 6 on Humboldt Trail on 12th; 4 near Los Frailes on 15th; 2 at Paramo de Tama on 20th; at La Azulita 1 on 26th & 5 on 27th; 7 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
*Masked Flower-piercer: 4 near Los Frailes on 15th; 1 at La Azulita on 27th; 2 on Humboldt Trail on 28th.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 at La Azulita on 27th.
Buff-throated Saltator: At Henri Pittier 1 on 7th & 9th; 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; 1 at Rio Negro on 19th; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 25th.
Greyish Saltator: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; 1 at La Azulita on 25th & 3 on 27th.
Streaked Saltator: 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th.
Blue-black Grosbeak: 1 at Henri Pittier on 8th.
*Andean Siskin: c15 at Hotel Moruco on 12th; c15 near Laguna Mucubaji on 13th; c20 near Los Frailes on 15th; 6 at Laguna Victoria on 15th.
*Yellow-bellied Siskin: 1 at La Azulita on 24th & 2 there on 25th.
Dark-backed (lesser) Goldfinch: 1 on San Isidro track on 14th; c10 at La Grita on 22nd; c10 at La Azulita on 27th.
Crested Oropendola: At Henri Pittier 10 on 7th & 5 on 9th; 1 at San Pedro del Rio on 17th; 8 at Rio Chiquito on 18th; c30 at Rio Negro on 19th & 21st; 12 near St Ana on 21st; c20 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; c15 near Paramo La Negra on 23rd; at La Azulita 6 on 23rd, c20 on 24th, 4 on 25th, 5 on 26th & 9 on 27th.
*Russet-backed Oropendola: At Henri Pittier c40 on 7th & c20 on 9th; c20 on San Isidro track on 14th.
Yellow-rumped Cacique: c30 at Rio Negro on 19th.
*Yellow-backed Oriole: 3 at Rio Negro on 19th; 7 at Rio Chiquito on 22nd; 2 at La Azulita on 24th; c10 between La Azulita and Merida on 27th.
Yellow Oriole: 3 at Encontrados Road on 17th.
*Orange-crowned Oriole: At La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 1 on 26th.
*Yellow-backed Oriole: 1 at La Azulita on 24th & 2 there on 26th.
Northern Oriole: At La Azulita 1 on 23rd & 1 on 24th.
Yellow-hooded Blackbird: c50 near Encontrados on 16th & c100 there on 17th.
Red-breasted Blackbird: 2 near Encontrados on 16th.
Eastern Meadowlark: 3 at Hotel Moruco; 1 at La Azulita on 26th.
Carib Grackle: c100 at Maracay on 7th; c15 at Macuto on 10th.
Shiny Cowbird: 1 at Encontrados Road on 17th; at La Azulita c30 on 23rd, 7 on 25th & 26th & 10 on 27th; 9 in Merida on 29th.
*Giant Cowbird: 2 near Petrolia on 22nd; at La Azulita 1 on 23rd, 25th & 27th.