| La Mucuy Bird Observatory Sierra Nevada National Park Merida, Venezuela |
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| Although Venezuela is not widely recognized as an important place for Neotropical migrant birds, its importance appears to be underestimated. The possible explanation for this misconception is that few ecoregions based studies have been done of the Neotropical migrants that occur in the Andean/Southern Cone Regions. Some aurthors listed the Northern Andes as the most important area in South America for the following "potentially endangered" neotropical migrant birds: Cerulean Warbler, Blackbournian Warbler, Canada Warbler and Scarlet Tanager. These species were deemed to be at risk because of their narrow altitudinal range and because their wintering grounds are especially vulnerable to agricultural conversion. |
| The M�rida Mountains have been recognized by the World Conservation Monitoring Center (1992) as an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) with a high value of restricted range species, such as the M�rida sunangel, White fronted whitestart, Rose-headed parakeet, M�rida Flower-piercer, Gray-capped Hemispingus, and others. Several "Potentially endangered" resident bird species also inhabit the M�rida mountains: Helmeted currasow, Saffron-headed parrot, Rusty- faced parrot, Scaly-naped parrot, Torrent duck, Andean Cock of the Rock, Black and chestnut eagle, these species are at risk because their habitat is vulnerable to severe human disturbances. |
| Management plans for "potentially endangered" resident and migrant bird species suggest monitoring studies, to accumulate baseline data. Monitoring programs are an important part of responsible management. Only through knowledge of the status and trends of a species, and the habitats in which it occurs, can managers take appropriate actions. |
| The overall objective of "La Mucuy" Bird Observatory is to monitor Neotropical migrant and resident birds at the Sierra Nevada National Park in the M�rida Mountains of Venezuela, and promote bird studies in our area, specially projects that involve bird-plant interactions. It is also the goal of this project to adequately train a sufficient number of local personnel in the methods of census, capture and processing of birds. An ancillary objective will be to educate the staff of the area, visitors and local people as to the international importance of the National Park, and the Venezuelan Andes in general, for migratory and resident birds. Understanding that public support of conservation programs is an essential ingredient for success. |
| "La Mucuy" Bird Observatory works with the collaboration of INPARQUES (Venezuelan National Parks Institute), INIA, The laboratory of Animal Ecology of the University of the Andes, Last Mountain Bird Observatory of the Canadian Wildlife Service, and The James L. Baillie Memorial Fund. |
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| i.- Monitoring of Neotropical migrant and resident birds in the Venezuelan Andes. ii.- Foraging strategy of Heliangelus spencei (Trochilidae) on two Ericaceas in a Venezuelan Andean Cloud Forest. iii.- Avian consumers of Miconia meridensis (Melastomataceae) fruits in a Venezuelan Andean Cloud Forest. iv.- Corolla retraction of Aphelandra runcinata (Acanthaceae): an adaptation to short-billed hummingbirds. v.- Diet of High Mountain Hummingbirds. vi.- Redefining a bird-flower mutualism: avian nectar robbing in an ericacea of the Venezuelan Andes vii.- Ecology of the Rusty-faced parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina theresae) in an Venezuelan Andean Cloud Forest. viii.- Population and reproductive strategy of the Torrent duck (Merganetta armata colombiana: Anatidae) in the high mountain rivers of the M�rida Andes, Venezuela. iv.- Impact of the human intervention on the biodiversity in river basins of the north slope of the Venezuelan Andes |
| Carlos Rengifo G. (main researcher) Address: Apartado Postal 229 M�rida 5101, Venezuela Ph & Fax: +58-274-252-9102 Mobile: + 58-414-744-0260 e-mail: |
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| A female M�rida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei), this hummingbird is endemic to the Andes of Central M�rida, inhabits cloud forest and Paramo from 2000-3600 m. |
| Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus), feeds in large proportion of Clusia fruits. |
| Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) |
| A male Longtailed Sylph ( Aglaiocercus kingi ) |
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| -Carlos Rengifo G. (Main researcher, contact person), Laboratorio de Ecolog�a Animal, Universidad de los Andes. -Pascual Soriano (Cooperating scientist), Laboratorio de Ecolog�a Animal, Universidad de los Andes, M�rida, Venezuela. -Carlos Bosque (Assessor scientist), Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela. -Alan Smith (Collaborating scientist), �last Mountain� Bird Observatory, Canadian Wildlife Service, Canada. -Alirio Nava (Field assistant), Instituto Tecnologico de Ejido, M�rida, Venezuela. -Mario Zambrano (Field assistant), Universidad de los Andes, Club Ornitol�gico Monta�a Azul, M�rida, Venezuela. -Ivan Akirov (Assesor Botanist and cientific ilustrater), Universidad de Los Andes, M�rida, Venezuela. |
| Blue-capped Tanager (Thraupis cyanocephala), one of the most important seed dispersers in the Venezuelan Cloud Forest |
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| Male Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) |
| Forest Ranger Jesus Farias collaborating with the monitoring program |
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| Copyright � 1999, Estaci�n Ornitol�gica La Mucuy Derechos Reservados Pictures credists: (M�rida Sunangel), � Iv�n Akirov; (remaining pictures), � Carlos Rengifo G. |
| Projects taken place at "La Mucuy" Bird Observatory: |
| Working team: |
| Support: |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: |
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| Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus), |
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| Click each project |
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