Nueva Esparta is a Venezuelan state located in the Caribbean region. It is well known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, but it is also home to many birds.
The state is home to various species, ranging from tropical seabirds to colorful parrots. Nueva Esparta is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers, offering a variety of habitats and landscapes to explore.
From soaring raptors to tiny hummingbirds, the birdlife of Nueva Esparta is sure to delight any bird enthusiast.
9 Birds to Watch in Nueva Esparta
If you are a bird lover, you might want to visit Nueva Esparta, a Venezuelan state located in the Caribbean region. Nueva Esparta is well known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, but it is also home to a diverse array of birds.
Here are nine birds you can watch in Nueva Esparta, some of which are endemic or endangered.
1. Red-crowned Woodpecker
The red-crowned woodpecker is a unique species of bird found in Central and South America. It belongs to the subfamily Picinae, part of the woodpecker family Picidae. Specifically, it can be found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Tobago.
This bird species has a distinct red-colored crown, which helps distinguish it from other woodpeckers. Its body is primarily black and white, and its wings are large and robust, giving it the power to fly quickly and efficiently climb trees.
Its long, sharp bill helps it peck and drill into the bark of trees to find food, such as insects and larvae.
The red-crowned woodpecker is an essential species in Central and South America’s ecosystems, as it helps control insect populations and disperse seeds. As a result, it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy forests and other habitats in the region.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Melanerpes |
| Species | M. rubricapillus |
2. Yellow-shouldered Amazon
The yellow-shouldered amazon, also known as the yellow-shouldered parrot, is a beautiful and unique species of parrot that is found in the dry regions of northern Venezuela, the Venezuelan islands of Margarita and La Blanquilla, and the Caribbean island of Bonaire.
This bird is characterized by its bright yellow feathers covering the shoulders. Sadly, due to human activities, the yellow-shouldered Amazon has been extirpated from Aruba, meaning it is no longer found in the wild.
It has, however, been introduced to the neighboring island of Curaçao, where it has become an established species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittacidae |
| Genus | Amazona |
| Species | A. barbadensis |
3. Yellow Oriole
The yellow oriole is a passerine bird belonging to the family Icteridae. It should not be confused with the green oriole, sometimes called the Australasian yellow oriole.
This is because the green oriole is an Old World oriole, not from the same family as the yellow oriole.
The yellow oriole is found in the Americas, while the green oriole is found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The yellow oriole is a striking bird with bright yellow and black plumage. It is a medium-sized bird, usually around 10-12 inches long.
Its diet consists of insects, fruits, and nectar, which it captures in flight or foraging.
The yellow oriole can be found in various habitats, such as woodlands, parks, gardens, and agricultural areas. The green oriole, on the other hand, is a medium-sized bird with a greenish-yellow plumage.
It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its diet is similar to the yellow oriole, consisting of insects, fruit, and nectar.
The green oriole is also found in various habitats, from woodlands to agricultural areas. Although the yellow and green orioles are from different families, they share a few things.
They are both striking birds with their bright colors and feed on a similar diet. Both birds can be found in various habitats, and both are found in the Americas and Old World regions.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Icterus |
| Species | I. nigrogularis |
4. Buffy Hummingbird
The buffy hummingbird is a unique species of bird that belongs to the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It is the only species in the Leucippus genus, making it a particular bird.
It is found in dry forest and scrubland habitats in northern South America, where it relies on various sources for its food. It feeds on insects and cactus fruits’ nectar, flesh, and juice.
Its small size and ability to hover make it a fascinating sight in the wild. The buffy hummingbird has a bright yellow-brown body and a greenish-brown tail with white-tipped feathers. Its wings, which beat rapidly, are metallic blue-green.
This bird has a long, thin beak perfectly adapted for feeding on the nectar of flowers. It also has long, curved claws that help it cling to surfaces while drinking nectar.
This species of hummingbird is a valuable pollinator, as its long beak can reach into the depths of flowers to collect nectar. Its long claws also enable it to cling to plants while it feeds, further aiding in pollination.
The buffy hummingbird plays an essential role in its ecosystem, and its presence is a welcome sight in northern South American forests and scrublands.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Leucippus |
| Species | L. fallax |
5. Spot-breasted Woodpecker
The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is a bird species from the Picinae subfamily of the woodpecker family Picidae. This species is found in Panama and every other mainland country in South America except for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is a reasonably large bird with a length of around 20 cm. Its plumage is primarily black, with white spots on the breast and red patches on the wings.
Its bill is long, chisel-shaped, and its tail is long and pointed. The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is an omnivore whose diet consists of various insects, small reptiles, fruits, and seeds.
It is primarily active during the day and can often be seen foraging on tree trunks or in the air. It builds its nest in cavities in trees or old buildings’ walls.
It is a monogamous species, with pairs usually staying together for life. The spot-breasted woodpecker or spot-breasted flicker is a widespread species found in various habitats, including dry forests, wetlands, and urban areas.
It is an essential species in the ecosystem, as it helps to control insect populations and disperse seeds. Despite this, it is still considered Least Concern regarding conservation status.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Colaptes |
| Species | C. punctigula |
6. Carib Grackle
The Carib Grackle is a species of blackbird native to the tropical regions of the New World. It is found in the Lesser Antilles and parts of northern South America east of the Andes. Its range extends from Colombia east to Venezuela and northeastern Brazil.
It is a resident breeder, meaning it does not migrate and lives in the same area year-round. The Carib Grackle is a large blackbird with bright yellow eyes. Its bill is long and slightly decurved, and its tail is long and broad.
Its call is a loud and metallic “tchow-tchow”. The male has a glossy black body, while the female is a duller black with brown highlights. The Carib Grackle feeds mainly on insects, fruits, and seeds. It will also eat some small animals, such as lizards and frogs.
It can be found alone, in pairs, or small flocks. It is often found in open areas, such as pastures and fields. The Carib Grackle is not considered an endangered species. However, its population is decreasing due to habitat loss.
It is essential to protect its habitats so its population can remain healthy.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Quiscalus |
| Species | Q. lugubris |
7. Black-faced Grassquit
The black-faced grassquit is a small bird in the West Indies, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is a species of tanager, a family of birds that includes Darwin’s finches.
This bird species can be found in the West Indies except for Cuba, on Tobago, but not Trinidad, along the northern coasts of Colombia and Venezuela.
The habitat of the black-faced grassquit is generally tropical and subtropical shrublands, as well as moist to dry lowland forests. It feeds on insects, larvae, and seeds and is a very active and acrobatic forager.
The black-faced grassquit is an integral part of the ecosystem in the regions it inhabits and serves an essential purpose in its respective food webs.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Thraupidae |
| Genus | Melanospiza |
| Species | M. bicolor |
8. Crested Bobwhite
The crested bobwhite is a species of bird found in northern South America, extending its range into Panama and even reaching Costa Rica. This bird is part of the Odontophoridae family and can also be found on the islands of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles.
Its preferred habitat is dry grasslands, although it can also be found in open woodlands. It has a range of vocalizations, including a distinctive “bob-white” call used to attract mates. The crested bobwhite is an omnivore, eating various seeds, fruits, and insects.
It is a gregarious bird, typically found in small flocks of up to 10 individuals. It is most active during the day and roosts in trees or bushes at night. The crested bobwhite is a valuable food source for many larger predators, including hawks, eagles, and foxes.
As its population is threatened by habitat loss due to human activity, conservation efforts are needed to help protect this species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Odontophoridae |
| Genus | Colinus |
| Species | C. cristatus |
9. Lance-tailed Manakin
The lance-tailed manakin is a small passerine bird native to tropical Central and South America. It is found in countries ranging from Costa Rica to northern Venezuela.
This manakin is a reasonably common bird in dry and moist deciduous forests but does not live in rainforests. It prefers more open areas with more sunlight than the dense rainforest.
The lance-tailed manakin is a colorful bird with a bright orange-red head, black wings, and a white and black patterned tail. Its diet consists of small insects and fruit. The lance-tailed manakin is a social bird often seen in small flocks.
It is most active during the day when it will fly from tree to tree in search of food. During the breeding season, the male lance-tailed manakin will perform courtship displays to attract a mate. The female will then build a nest in a tree or shrub and lay eggs.
The chicks are cared for by both parents until they are ready to fly.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pipridae |
| Genus | Chiroxiphia |
| Species | C. lanceolata |
Conclusion
The birds of Nueva Esparta are a testament to the beautiful biodiversity of the region. With over 180 species of birds, this region offers an incredible variety of birdlife to observe and enjoy.
For birdwatchers, Nueva Esparta is an ideal destination, as it allows them to witness a wide variety of species in their natural habitat. With its diverse terrain and rich variety of habitats, Nueva Esparta is a true birding paradise.