Books by Carlos Verea
The book "Names of the Birds of Venezuela: Common, Scientific, Aboriginal (Passeriformes: Oscines... more The book "Names of the Birds of Venezuela: Common, Scientific, Aboriginal (Passeriformes: Oscines)” compiles the different names used on the Venezuelan bird species, both in everyday speech and in the scientific community. This book collects the historical information of the common names, in a way that allows the reader to visualize its changes over time. In many cases, geographical variations of those common names are included to improve our understanding about the name origins and their variations. In addition, this work provides the common names used for Venezuelan bird species in other languages within the continental and insular America (English, French, and Portuguese), a fundamental tool to establish their equivalences within the region. The book also compiles the bird names used by the 44 Venezuelan aboriginal groups, current and extinct, throughout the country history and across its geography. Wherever possible, brief explanations about the name meaning and influence ofover many of the ethnic groups involved are provided. This information is complemented with each bird scientific name, both at the species and subspecies levels, together with an explanation of its etymology and the bird characteristic that the scientific name intended to highlight (homology). In a broader sense, this book describes the etymologies that various authors have proposed for each scientific name in their search for the most appropriate one. This description of the names etymologies is firmly based on an exhaustive literary revision, which in many cases covers documents dating back to Ancient Greece to the present. This book also includes the changes in scientific names for each Venezuelan bird species since its description; changes that have been the result of continuous revisions in avian taxonomy. In those cases where a scientific name honors a person (eponymous) associated in some way with the history of Ornithology, a brief biography is provided. Finally, this book compiles many popular and road trip stories associated with the names given to birds in Venezuela. Altogether, this work constitutes an unprecedented effort to preserve the cultural and scientific heritage of Venezuela.
Los Nombres de las Aves de Venezuela, 2023
The book “Names of the Birds of Venezuela: Common, Scientific, Aboriginal (Passeriformes: Subosci... more The book “Names of the Birds of Venezuela: Common, Scientific, Aboriginal (Passeriformes: Suboscines)” compiles the different names used on the Venezuelan passerine species, both in everyday speech and in the scientific community. This book collects the historical information of the common names, in a way that allows the reader to visualize its changes over time. In many cases, geographical variations of those common names are included to improve our understanding about the name origins and their variations. In addition, this work provides the common names used for Venezuelan bird species in other languages within the continental and insular America (English, French, and Portuguese), a fundamental tool to establish their equivalences within the region. The book also compiles the bird names used by the 44 Venezuelan aboriginal groups, current and extinct, throughout the country history and across its geography. Wherever possible, brief explanations about the name meaning and influence ofover many of the ethnic groups involved are provided. This information is complemented with each bird scientific name, both at the species and subspecies levels, together with an explanation of its etymology and the bird characteristic that the scientific name intended to highlight (homology). In a broader sense, this book describes the etymologies that various authors have proposed for each scientific name in their search for the most appropriate one. This description of the names etymologies is firmly based on an exhaustive literary revision, which in many cases covers documents dating back to Ancient Greece to the present. This book also includes the changes in scientific names for each Venezuelan bird species since its description; changes that have been the result of continuous revisions in avian taxonomy. In those cases where a scientific name honors a person (eponymous) associated in some way with the history of Ornithology, a brief biography is provided. Finally, this book compiles many popular and road trip stories associated with the names given to birds in Venezuela. Altogether, this work constitutes an unprecedented effort to preserve the cultural and scientific heritage of Venezuela.
Paraulatas de Venezuela, 2016
Thrushes of Venezuela by Carlos Verea, Nelson Espósito and Miguel Lentino
LOS NOMBRES DE LAS AVES DE VENEZUELA: COMUNES, CIENTÍFICOS, ABORÍGENES PRIMERA PARTE: NO PASSERIFORMES, 2018
Henri Pittier National Park/Parque Nacional Henri by Carlos Verea
Cotinga, 2006
Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant Myiornis ecaudatus in northern Venezuela
Cotinga, 2005
New altitudinal range extension for the Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus in Venezuela
Ornitología Neotropical, 2004
Contribution to knowledge of the Scallop-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula loricata) (For-micariida... more Contribution to knowledge of the Scallop-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula loricata) (For-micariidae) from cloud forests of Henri Pittier National Park, northern Venezuela.-In order to improve the limited knowledge about the biology of the Scallop-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula loricata), mist-net samples and observations were taken in a cloud forest of Henri Pittier National Park, northern Venezuela. These samples provided, for the first time, information about Scallop-breasted Antpitta songs, relative abundance, ecology, and molt. They also improved the information about the breeding season, behavior, habitat preference and distribution of this specie. From the mist net captures (20) and observations (9), it appeared as a lonely and sedentary specie that inhabits near the ground in cloud forest under-stories, where dense and semi-open vegetations are more diverse. In this habitat, individuals search actively for food on branches, including within the mosses that grow on them. Their food consists of small arthro-pods like crustaceans (Isopoda), arachnids (Aranae), and insects (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera). Scallop-breasted Antpittas share the lower forest strata with other related species of Tham-nophilidae and Formicariidae, as well as other insectivorous species (Rhinocryptidae, Troglodytidae, and Emberizidae). Their song is described for the first time. It mostly consists of melancholic "shiiiuu" notes, repeated successively three to five times, or separated by three second intervals. Males produce a second vocalization"shiiiiiiiiiiuuuuuu", formed of a single note, longer, descendent, and melancholic, probably used for territory defense. Contrary to common knowledge, the Scallop-breasted Antpitta resulted to be a common specie from cloud forest understories, occurring between 1400-2100 m a.s.l. They represent 2.4-3.5% of the bird community and were present in 80-83% of the surveys. They are probably monogamous, and breed from March to November. Molting takes place from August to December. Resumen.-A fin de ampliar el escaso conocimiento sobre la biología del Ponchito Pechiescamado (Grallaricula loricata), se realizaron muestreos con redes de neblina y observaciones en un bosque nublado del Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, norte de Venezuela. De las muestras obtenidas se recogió por primera vez información referida a su canto, abundancia relativa, ecología y muda, así como una mejor información acerca de su época reproductora, comportamiento, hábitat y distribución. De las capturas (20) y observa-ciones (9) realizadas, se determinó que es una especie generalmente solitaria y sedentaria, que vive cerca del suelo de los sotobosques nublados, donde la vegetación densa o semi-abierta es más diversa. Allí busca activamente su alimento sobre las ramas, incluyendo el musgo que crece sobre ellas, el cual consiste de pequeños artrópodos que incluyen crustáceos (Isopoda), arácnidos (Aranae) e insectos (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera e Hymenoptera). Comparte el estrato inferior del bosque con otras especies rela-cionadas de Thamnophilidae y Formicariidae, así como otras especies insectívoras de Rhinocryptidae, Tro-glodytidae y Emberizidae, que viven cerca del suelo. Se describe por primera vez su canto, una nota "shiiiuu" melancólica, que se repite de tres a cinco veces consecutivas, o separadas por intervalos de tres
Ornitología Neotropical, 1998
This study reports on the composition of the understory bird community of a tropical deciduous fo... more This study reports on the composition of the understory bird community of a tropical deciduous forest in northern Venezuela. We sampled birds monthly with mist nets, over a 12-month period within an area of approximately 1 ha. Nets were operated from early morning to late afternoon. A total of 450 birds were captured, involving 72 species from 16 families. Emberizidae and Tyrannidae were the most diverse with 17 species each. Insectivores were the most abundant, followed by granivores and nectarivores-insectivores. Within the sample, the 81% of species were considered rare (less than 2% of all captures). Continuos capturing of individuals belonging to rare species caused a high monthly variability. Constant sampling of new species seemed to be primarily related to high species richness, to the incidental capture of canopy species and to mark seasonal changes in foliage density within canopy.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2000
In order to compare the composition and structure of two understory bird communities and their po... more In order to compare the composition and structure of two understory bird communities and their possible relationships, mist-net samples of avifauna were taken weekly in two forest types: a deciduous forest and a gallery forest, during 11 months in north-central Venezuela. Both samples were somewhat similar
(Sorensen Index = 54), showing a high monthly variability of its similarity index and a high number of rare species. The insectivorous species were the most common feeding guild in both forests. Both forests showed the same feeding guild with changes in richness and abundance. The low degree of similarity between monthly samples, the feeding guild, and the general communities, were perhaps related to a marked species segregation to each habitat. Likewise, the wet mountaintop forest seemed to have an important influence upon the structure of the gallery forest, as well as mountain savannas over the deciduous forest.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2004
Some birds of northern Venezuela as hosts of Ixodoidea ectoparasites.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2007
Some notes about the external characteristics of the Scallop-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula lori... more Some notes about the external characteristics of the Scallop-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula loricata), an endemic species from northern Venezuela. – Numerous discrepancies in plumage characteristics exist between those described by several authors and mist-netted Scallop-breasted Antpittas (Grallaricula loricata) from the cloud forest of Henri Pittier National Park, northern Venezuela. While reviewing several descriptions, I found a lack of important data about plumage such as the black streaks in crown and nape, alula and tenth primary strongly edged with buff yellow, hidden wing patch and black scales in breast with a thin olive margin. In addition, inaccuracies were found in beak and feet color,
as well as in tarsus length. Other characteristics described by several authors such as white breast, breast feathers edged with dark brown, white throat, brown upper parts, a prominent buff loreal patch and a
white crescent at the base of the throat, do not correspond to the Scallop-breasted Antpittas. In a detailed analysis, based on 17 captured live individuals and 7 specimens examined from three Venezuelan museum collections, a definitive plumage description was obtained. Plumage variation was determined according to age but not by sex. In juvenile individuals, head feathers were completely chestnut, lacking black streaks on crown and olivaceous or fuscous in forehead; olive margin in breast feathers was wider than black ones, and the lower jaw was totally buff yellow. A lack of sexual dimorphism was also found when morphometric data or weights were considered.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2007
Longevity of two bird species from northern Venezuela.
Interciencia, 2011
Mist nets samples of avifauna were taken from a mossy understory at Henri Pittier National Park (... more Mist nets samples of avifauna were taken from a mossy understory at Henri Pittier National Park (Guacamaya Peak) in order to determine their community structure and the forest role in bird conservation as refuge for endemic, threatened and migratory birds, as well as for families and feeding guilds indicators of environmental quality. Richness resulted moderate with 52 species captured; another 29 species observed allowed to raise up to 81 the mossy forest richness, incorporating 66 new records for Guacamaya Peak. A high number (32) of registered birds were of patrimonial importance as endemic (31) and threatened (1) birds, but the mossy forest had a low important for migratory birds. Captured birds belonging to 17 families, with Trochilidae leading the richness (13 species) and abundance (183 captures), an unusual avian community design to Venezuelan environments. From the eight families known as indicators of environmental quality, seven were present. Also, five feeding guilds were recorded in the sample, where the insectivores dominated in richness, an aspect that add importance to the mossy forests for bird conservation. But they were displaced by nectarivore-insectivores in abundance (50% of captures), a phenomenon related to the high abundance of Bromeliaceae in the forest. Our results outline the mossy forest of Guacamaya Peak as the most important habitat for bird conservation in Henri Pittier National Park due to the high number of birds of patrimonial value and indicators of environmental quality living on it. Additionally, new altitudinal records for five of the bird founded are reported.
Memoria de la Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, 2005
In order to determine temporal variations in the understory bird community of a tropical deciduou... more In order to determine temporal variations in the understory bird community of a tropical deciduous forest from Venezuela, were compared the results of a mist-net sample of avifauna carried out from Henri Pittier National Park. Variations was measured in terms of richness and relative abundance using the Sorensen similarity index (IS=[2C/(A+B)] x 100) and χ 2 test, as much at general community level as for families and feeding guilds. The entire richness diminished from 73 species in the first period (PP) to 60 in the second (SP), being equivalent to 18%; likewise, the total captures dropped from 676 to 344, a decrease of 49%. Five of 16 families involved showed a significant variation in their abundances, as well as three of nine feeding guilds (α=0,05), without important changes in species composition. This abundance variation was related to lack of captures of many rare species obtained during PP of sampling, owed probably to the changes generated by several vegetation fires in the outskirts of the forest, pushing many species away, looking for better conditions.
Ornitología Neotropical, 1999
Ornitología Neotropical, 2001
In order to determine the composition and variation of the understory bird community of a tropica... more In order to determine the composition and variation of the understory bird community of a tropical deciduous forest (350 m a.s.l.) in Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela, bird diversity and abundance were sampled each month using mist nets from October 1994 to September 1995. A total of 306 birds were captured, involving 59 species (57 resident, 2 migratory) from 15 families. The number of species and individuals was highest in the Trochilidae family, followed by Emberizidae and Pipridae. Rare species (defined as those with 2% or less of total captures) reached a high percentage (80%) of species caught, a fact attributed to the presence of wet forest near the sample site, and the high number of nomadic species associated with these neighboring , wet environments. This neighborhood effect resulted in a high turnover throughout the year. Besides, the richness (number of species) and abundance (number of individuals) of the avifauna peaked in the wet season, after the breeding period (April-May). Each species captured was assigned to one of eight feeding guilds: insectivores, nectarivores-insectivores, frugivores, frugivores-insectivores, frugivores-foli-vores, granivorous, granivorous-insectivores, and carnivores, of which the insectivores were the most common. These results differ from those of a previous study carried out in a deciduous forest, less elevated (100 m a.s.l), dryer and 12 km away from our study site. Species composition resulted poorly similar (IS = 32) between the two site, probably as a result of the different forest structure (high canopy) and vegetational composition of both forests, as well as vegetational composition of their surrounding habitats. Although feeding guilds were practically the same (only the omnivores species were absent in this study), each showed variations in its richness and abundance: insectivores were impoverished, due to the absence of canopy species; nectarivores-insectivores were more abundant due to a gallery forest rich in Heliconia flowers near the study site; frugivores showed a high abundance which we attributed partly to the nearby presence of wet forests. The decrease in the granivorous species richness and abundance was due to the absence of Gramineacea within the forest and its surrounding habitats. We obtained the first record of Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi; Cracidae) in a deciduous forest and at the low altitude of 350 m.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2007
Longevity of two bird species from northern Venezuela.
Ornitología Neotropical, 2009
Record of breeding and molt activities in some birds of northern Venezuela.-In order to determine... more Record of breeding and molt activities in some birds of northern Venezuela.-In order to determine the breeding and molt periods and their relationship (breeding-molt overlap) for some Vene-zuelan birds, annual samples from avifauna were taken with mist-nets in several natural and cultivated environments from northern Venezuela (1992-2005). General sample was composed by 7452 individuals of 185 species (182 residents, 2 migratory, 1 exotic) from which 175 (95%) provided information about their breeding activities, 133 (72%) about their molts, and 123 (66%) both of them. Including those birds with breeding capacity throughout the year (15), most birds preferred breeding at the end of the dry season (March-April) and beginning of the rainy season (May-June), showing some variations along the former. Besides, molt took place mostly after breeding, within the rainy season, with few records out of it. Also, we obtained seven new records of Venezuelan birds with molt capacity throughout the year, and 11 birds with two molt peaks in a year for the first time. In 70% of those species (123) that showed both activities, there was breeding-molt overlap, at least in one of the months of records. Nevertheless, only 21 (0.3%) of the 7452 captured individuals showed overlapping between both activities, therefore breeding and molt must be seen as a population strategy, where a part of the population breeds whereas the other one is in molt. Although migratory birds just molt their contour feathers, Sporophila bouvronides (Emberizidae), a local migratory bird, molt in tail and contour feathers simultaneously, time before to departure toward non-breeding grounds. Our study confirms the Lonchura malacca (Estrildidae) as an exotic bird breeding actively in natural Venezuelan environments, with two breeding peaks in the year. Also, it improved the knowledge about the breeding season in more than 50% of studied birds and set the molt season for almost all of them.
Agroforestry/Agroforestería by Carlos Verea
BOLETÍN DEL CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES BIOLÓGICAS, 2020
In order to know the bird diversity on a cacao Theobroma cacao plantation with high agricultural ... more In order to know the bird diversity on a cacao Theobroma cacao plantation with high agricultural management, and its role as habitat for local birds and avifauna conservation, 36 mist-netting sessions (2,592 net-h) were carried out from January to December 2012. A total of 635 individuals from 59 species were captured. A high diversity index was obtained. Additionally, 26 species were visually and/or acoustically
recorded, for a total richness of 85 species. The following conservation indicators were obtained from the overall avifauna: five endemic birds (species/subspecies), five migratory species (boreal, austral, and local travelers), and four waterbirds. Also, the families bioindicators of environmental quality were well represented. The insectivores
were the richest feeding guild. These attributes confer certain value for bird conservation to the plantation studied. Nonetheless, a high fraction (86%) of these species were transient birds that eventually (1–3 captures/year) visited the plantation. These birds were benefited from the lack of a well-structured understory and many of them (29%) are catalogued as disturbed area birds. Thus, the plantation studied was
only able to hold a low number of local birds and it was practically dominated by one nectar-dependent species: Glaucis hirsutus (32.1% of total captures). Due to this, Trochilidae was the main taxonomic group (51.3% of total captures), and also made the nectarivores-insectivores the main feeding guild (56.4% of total captures). These results suggest that our cacao plantation with a high level of management does not stand out as an appropriate ecosystem for local birds or bird conservation.
Uploads
Books by Carlos Verea
Henri Pittier National Park/Parque Nacional Henri by Carlos Verea
(Sorensen Index = 54), showing a high monthly variability of its similarity index and a high number of rare species. The insectivorous species were the most common feeding guild in both forests. Both forests showed the same feeding guild with changes in richness and abundance. The low degree of similarity between monthly samples, the feeding guild, and the general communities, were perhaps related to a marked species segregation to each habitat. Likewise, the wet mountaintop forest seemed to have an important influence upon the structure of the gallery forest, as well as mountain savannas over the deciduous forest.
as well as in tarsus length. Other characteristics described by several authors such as white breast, breast feathers edged with dark brown, white throat, brown upper parts, a prominent buff loreal patch and a
white crescent at the base of the throat, do not correspond to the Scallop-breasted Antpittas. In a detailed analysis, based on 17 captured live individuals and 7 specimens examined from three Venezuelan museum collections, a definitive plumage description was obtained. Plumage variation was determined according to age but not by sex. In juvenile individuals, head feathers were completely chestnut, lacking black streaks on crown and olivaceous or fuscous in forehead; olive margin in breast feathers was wider than black ones, and the lower jaw was totally buff yellow. A lack of sexual dimorphism was also found when morphometric data or weights were considered.
Agroforestry/Agroforestería by Carlos Verea
recorded, for a total richness of 85 species. The following conservation indicators were obtained from the overall avifauna: five endemic birds (species/subspecies), five migratory species (boreal, austral, and local travelers), and four waterbirds. Also, the families bioindicators of environmental quality were well represented. The insectivores
were the richest feeding guild. These attributes confer certain value for bird conservation to the plantation studied. Nonetheless, a high fraction (86%) of these species were transient birds that eventually (1–3 captures/year) visited the plantation. These birds were benefited from the lack of a well-structured understory and many of them (29%) are catalogued as disturbed area birds. Thus, the plantation studied was
only able to hold a low number of local birds and it was practically dominated by one nectar-dependent species: Glaucis hirsutus (32.1% of total captures). Due to this, Trochilidae was the main taxonomic group (51.3% of total captures), and also made the nectarivores-insectivores the main feeding guild (56.4% of total captures). These results suggest that our cacao plantation with a high level of management does not stand out as an appropriate ecosystem for local birds or bird conservation.
(Sorensen Index = 54), showing a high monthly variability of its similarity index and a high number of rare species. The insectivorous species were the most common feeding guild in both forests. Both forests showed the same feeding guild with changes in richness and abundance. The low degree of similarity between monthly samples, the feeding guild, and the general communities, were perhaps related to a marked species segregation to each habitat. Likewise, the wet mountaintop forest seemed to have an important influence upon the structure of the gallery forest, as well as mountain savannas over the deciduous forest.
as well as in tarsus length. Other characteristics described by several authors such as white breast, breast feathers edged with dark brown, white throat, brown upper parts, a prominent buff loreal patch and a
white crescent at the base of the throat, do not correspond to the Scallop-breasted Antpittas. In a detailed analysis, based on 17 captured live individuals and 7 specimens examined from three Venezuelan museum collections, a definitive plumage description was obtained. Plumage variation was determined according to age but not by sex. In juvenile individuals, head feathers were completely chestnut, lacking black streaks on crown and olivaceous or fuscous in forehead; olive margin in breast feathers was wider than black ones, and the lower jaw was totally buff yellow. A lack of sexual dimorphism was also found when morphometric data or weights were considered.
recorded, for a total richness of 85 species. The following conservation indicators were obtained from the overall avifauna: five endemic birds (species/subspecies), five migratory species (boreal, austral, and local travelers), and four waterbirds. Also, the families bioindicators of environmental quality were well represented. The insectivores
were the richest feeding guild. These attributes confer certain value for bird conservation to the plantation studied. Nonetheless, a high fraction (86%) of these species were transient birds that eventually (1–3 captures/year) visited the plantation. These birds were benefited from the lack of a well-structured understory and many of them (29%) are catalogued as disturbed area birds. Thus, the plantation studied was
only able to hold a low number of local birds and it was practically dominated by one nectar-dependent species: Glaucis hirsutus (32.1% of total captures). Due to this, Trochilidae was the main taxonomic group (51.3% of total captures), and also made the nectarivores-insectivores the main feeding guild (56.4% of total captures). These results suggest that our cacao plantation with a high level of management does not stand out as an appropriate ecosystem for local birds or bird conservation.
Our results indicate that simple environments in structure like citrus monocultures could be ecologically viable in the avifauna conservation, even though it favors to those species not so susceptible to perturbations.
individuals. Percentage of birds colonized by keratinolytic bacteria, prevalence of the most common bacteria, average number of bacteria species harbored per bird, and average abundance per bird of the most prevalent bacteria were not dependent on season. Capacity to degrade feathers in liquid culture varied extensively among bacterial isolates; four of them were able to noticeably damage feathers, but only B. cereus totally disintegrated them in 14 days. Degrading activity of B. cereus was as intense as that of our positive control, B. licheniformis, well known for its feather degrading properties. The rest of the bacteria, although showing perceptible growth on feathers, did not visually damage them under our experimental conditions. Contrary to previous studies on wild birds, most feather-degrading isolates (11) in our sample were Gram-negative, likely because our culture protocol was less restrictive than that of previous studies.
offer protection from most natural predators.