List of birds of Venezuela facts for kids

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Venezuela. The avifauna of Venezuela has 1402 confirmed species, of which 45 are endemic, six have been introduced by humans, 35 are rare or vagrants, and one has been extirpated. An additional 21 species are hypothetical (see below).

Except as an entry is cited otherwise, the list of species is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society. The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain categories of occurrence.

• (V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Venezuela
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Venezuela
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Venezuela as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
• (H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC

Tinamous

Order: Tinamiformes   Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emus, and kiwis. Fourteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Tawny-breasted tinamou, Nothocercus julius
• Highland tinamou, Nothocercus bonapartei
• Gray tinamou, Tinamus tao
• Great tinamou, Tinamus major
• White-throated tinamou, Tinamus guttatus
• Cinereous tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus
• Little tinamou, Crypturellus soui
• Tepui tinamou, Crypturellus ptaritepui (E)
• Brown tinamou, Crypturellus obsoletus
• Undulated tinamou, Crypturellus undulatus
• Gray-legged tinamou, Crypturellus duidae
• Red-legged tinamou, Crypturellus erythropus
• Variegated tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus
• Barred tinamou, Crypturellus casiquiare

Screamers

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anhimidae

The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and in territorial disputes. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Horned screamer, Anhima cornuta
• Northern screamer, Chauna chavaria

Ducks

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Guans

Order: Galliformes   Family: Cracidae

The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments. Fourteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Band-tailed guan, Penelope argyrotis
• Andean guan, Penelope montagnii
• Marail guan, Penelope marail
• Spix's guan, Penelope jacquacu
• Crested guan, Penelope purpurascens
• Blue-throated piping-guan, Pipile cumanensis
• Wattled guan, Aburria aburri
• Rufous-vented chachalaca, Ortalis ruficauda
• Variable chachalaca, Ortalis motmot
• Nocturnal curassow, Nothocrax urumutum
• Yellow-knobbed curassow, Crax daubentoni
• Black curassow, Crax alector
• Crestless curassow, Mitu tomentosum
• Helmeted curassow, Pauxi pauxi

New World quails

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. Four species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Crested bobwhite, Colinus cristatus
• Marbled wood-quail, Odontophorus gujanensis
• Black-fronted wood-quail, Odontophorus atrifrons
• Venezuelan wood-quail, Odontophorus columbianus (E)

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps

Pigeons

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Seventeen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Oilbird

Order: Steatornithiformes   Family: Steatornithidae

The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.

• Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis

Potoos

Order: Nyctibiiformes   Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars. Six species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Rufous potoo, Phyllaemulor bracteatus
• Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis
• Long-tailed potoo, Nyctibius aethereus
• Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus
• Andean potoo, Nyctibius maculosus
• White-winged potoo, Nyctibius leucopterus

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Twenty species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Seventeen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. One hundred species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Hoatzin

Order: Opisthocomiformes   Family: Opisthocomidae

The Hoatzin is pheasant-sized, but much slimmer. It has a long tail and neck, but a small head with an unfeathered blue face and red eyes which are topped by a spiky crest. It is a weak flier which is found in the swamps of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.

• Hoatzin, Opisthocomus hoazin

Limpkin

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna

Trumpeters

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Psophiidae

The trumpeters are dumpy birds with long necks and legs and chicken-like bills. They are named for the trumpeting call of the males. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Gray-winged trumpeter, Psophia crepitans

Rails

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica

Plovers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Ten species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• Pied lapwing, Vanellus cayanus
• Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (V)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
• Collared plover, Charadrius collaris
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (H)

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Double-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus

Sandpiperss

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of waders found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Wattled jacana, Jacana jacana

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. Five species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Great skua, Stercorarius skua (H)
• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (V)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (H)

Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, and terns. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Sunbittern

Order: Eurypygiformes   Family: Eurypygidae

The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae) and genus Eurypyga.

• Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (H)

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (V)

Southern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Northern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhoa

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Four species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (H)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (H)
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. Three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Maguari stork, Ciconia maguari
• Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
• Wood stork, Mycteria americana

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Boobies

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster

Anhingas

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Ibises

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. Eight species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus
• Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Sharp-tailed ibis, Cercibis oxycerca
• Green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
• Bare-faced ibis, Phimosus infuscatus
• Buff-necked ibis, Theristicus caudatus
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja

New World vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. Six species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa
• Andean condor, Vultur gryphus
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
• Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus
• Greater yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes melambrotus

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Forty-five species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Trogons

Order: Trogoniformes   Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. Twelve species have been recorded Venezuela.

• Pavonine quetzal, Pharomachrus pavoninus
• Golden-headed quetzal, Pharomachrus auriceps
• White-tipped quetzal, Pharomachrus fulgidus
• Crested quetzal, Pharomachrus antisianus
• Black-tailed trogon, Trogon melanurus
• Green-backed trogon, Trogon viridis
• Gartered trogon, Trogon caligatus
• Amazonian trogon, Trogon ramonianus
• Guianan trogon, Trogon violaceus
• Black-throated trogon, Trogon rufus (see note)
• Collared trogon, Trogon collaris
• Masked trogon, Trogon personatus

Motmots

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft and creating a racket-shaped tail. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Whooping motmot, Momotus subrufescens
• Amazonian motmot, Momotus momota

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Six species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata
• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
• Amazon kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
• American pygmy kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
• Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
• Green-and-rufous kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda

Jacamars

Order: Galbuliformes   Family: Galbulidae

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America, with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing, and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. In appearance and behavior they resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to puffbirds. Eight species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Brown jacamar, Brachygalba lugubris
• Pale-headed jacamar, Brachygalba goeringi
• Yellow-billed jacamar, Galbula albirostris
• Rufous-tailed jacamar, Galbula ruficauda
• Green-tailed jacamar, Galbula galbula
• Bronzy jacamar, Galbula leucogastra
• Paradise jacamar, Galbula dea
• Great jacamar, Jacamerops aureus

Puffbirds

Order: Galbuliformes   Family: Bucconidae

The puffbirds are related to the jacamars and have the same range, but lack the iridescent colors of that family. They are mainly brown, rufous, or gray, with large heads and flattened bills with hooked tips. The loose abundant plumage and short tails makes them look stout and puffy, giving rise to the English common name of the family. Fourteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• White-necked puffbird, Notharchus hyperrhynchus
• Guianan puffbird, Notharchus macrorhynchos
• Brown-banded puffbird, Notharchus ordii
• Pied puffbird, Notharchus tectus
• Chestnut-capped puffbird, Bucco macrodactylus
• Spotted puffbird, Bucco tamatia
• Collared puffbird, Bucco capensis
• Russet-throated puffbird, Hypnelus ruficollis
• White-chested puffbird, Malacoptila fusca
• Moustached puffbird, Malacoptila mystacalis
• Rusty-breasted nunlet, Nonnula rubecula
• Black nunbird, Monasa atra
• White-fronted nunbird, Monasa morphoeus
• Swallow-winged puffbird, Chelidoptera tenebrosa

New World barbets

Order: Piciformes   Family: Capitonidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored. Three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Black-spotted barbet, Capito niger
• Gilded barbet, Capito auratus
• Red-headed barbet, Eubucco bourcierii

Toucans

Order: Piciformes   Family: Ramphastidae

Toucans are near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colorful bills which in some species amount to half their body length. Sixteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Twenty-seven species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Sixteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae.

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)

New World and African parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae.

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. Forty-seven species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Antbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae

The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds which tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat small invertebrates that leave their hiding places to flee from the ants. Many species lack bright color; brown, black, and white being the dominant tones. Seventy-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Antpittas

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Grallariidae

Antpittas resemble the true pittas with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills. Eighteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Tapaculos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhinocryptidae

The tapaculos are small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species in South and Central America. They are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head. Eight species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Ocellated tapaculo, Acropternis orthonyx
• Ash-colored tapaculo, Myornis senilis
• White-crowned tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus
• Blackish tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans
• Caracas tapaculo, Scytalopus caracae (E)
• Pale-bellied tapaculo, Scytalopus griseicollis
• Perija tapaculo, Scytalopus perijanus
• Merida tapaculo, Scytalopus meridanus (E)

Antthrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Formicariidae

The ground antbirds are a group comprising the antthrushes and antpittas. Antthrushes resemble small rails while antpittas resemble the true pittas with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills. Five species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Rufous-capped antthrush, Formicarius colma
• Black-faced antthrush, Formicarius analis
• Rufous-breasted antthrush, Formicarius rufipectus
• Short-tailed antthrush, Chamaeza campanisona
• Schwartz's antthrush, Chamaeza turdina

Ovenbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. The woodcreepers are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks. Eighty-eight species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Manakins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries and insects. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Cotingas

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored, or decorated with plumes or wattles. Twenty-five species have been recorded in Venezuela

Tityras

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tityridae

Tityridae are suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae, and Cotingidae. They are small to medium-sized birds. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Sharpbill

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oxyruncidae

The sharpbill is a small bird of dense forests in Central and South America. It feeds mostly on fruit but also eats insects.

• Sharpbill, Oxyruncus cristatus

Royal flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Onychorhynchidae

In 2019 the SACC determined that these five species, which were formerly considered tyrant flycatchers, belonged in their own family.

• Royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
• Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
• Tawny-breasted flycatcher, Myiobius villosus
• Sulphur-rumped flycatcher, Myiobius barbatus
• Black-tailed flycatcher, Myiobius atricaudus

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. One hundred sixty-seven species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Jays

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Six species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Black-collared jay, Cyanolyca armillata
• Violaceous jay, Cyanocorax violaceus
• Black-chested jay, Cyanocorax affinis
• Cayenne jay, Cyanocorax cayanus
• Azure-naped jay, Cyanocorax heilprini
• Green jay, Cyanocorax yncas

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Twenty species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Nineteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, which nest in bushes or trees. Four species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Collared gnatwren, Microbates collaris
• Trilling gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus
• Tropical gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea
• Rio Negro gnatcatcher, Polioptila facilis

Donacobius

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Donacobiidae

The black-capped donacobius is found in wet habitats from Panama across northern South America and east of the Andes to Argentina and Paraguay.

• Black-capped donacobius, Donacobius atricapilla

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• White-capped dipper, Cinclus leucocephalus

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (V)

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Mockingbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull-grays and browns. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus
• Pearly-eyed thrasher, Margarops fuscatus (extirpated)

Weavers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black; some species show variation in color only in the breeding season. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus (I)

Estreldids

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca (I)
• Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora (I)

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Venezuela.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Pipits and wagtails

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Two species have been recorded in Venezuela.

• Yellowish pipit, Anthus chii
• Paramo pipit, Anthus bogotensis

Finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Twenty species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Thrush-tanager

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhodinocichlidae

This species was historically placed in family Thraupidae, the "true" tanagers. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Rosy thrush-tanager, Rhodinocichla rosea

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Blackbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Twenty-nine species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Wood-warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Fifty species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Mitrospingids

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mitrospingidae

Until 2017 the four species in this family were included in the family Thraupidae, the "true" tanagers.

• Olive-backed tanager, Mitrospingus oleagineus

Cardinal grosbeaks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Nineteen species have been recorded in Venezuela.

Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Most have short, rounded wings. One hundred twenty-seven species have been recorded in Venezuela.

See also

• List of echinoderms of Venezuela
• List of Poriferans of Venezuela
• List of introduced molluscs of Venezuela
• List of marine molluscs of Venezuela
• List of molluscs of Falcón state, Venezuela
• List of non-marine molluscs of El Hatillo Municipality, Miranda, Venezuela
• List of non-marine molluscs of Venezuela
• List of mammals of Venezuela
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

Other reading