The Venezuelan llanos, or “flatlands”, provide a wildlife spectacle on a par with anything else America has to offer and, indeed, have sometimes been referred to as “America’s East Africa”.

The llanos flood during the wet season and some regions become a vast lake. With the onset of the dry season, the waters drop and isolated creeks and pools begin to dry up, creating a feeding bonanza for caiman, anacondas, mammals and birds alike.

Hato Piñero is a private cattle ranch nestling in the northern llanos and offering birding packages in comfortable accommodation. The draft list of birds found at the 800 square kilometre ranch currently stands at 300 and when you take your first ride in one of the open-top trucks, it’s easy to believe that the total will eventually be much higher.

Seven species of ibis can be found on a single excursion, herons and egrets abound, Yellow-knobbed Curassows are a traffic hazard and Sunbitterns are easier to view here than almost anywhere else. Besides its extensive wetlands, Hato Piñero also boasts one of the largest areas of intact deciduous forest in the entire llanos, a habitat which is home to White-fringed Antwren, White-throated Spadebill, Fuscous Flycatcher, Pale-tipped Inezia, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant and Trinidad Euphonia. Gallery forests hold Pale-headed Jacamar, Rusty-backed Spinetail and Orinocan Saltator while forest patches are good for Dwarf Cuckoo, Scarlet Macaw, Russet-throated Puffbird and White-bearded Flycatcher. Night excursions are a major attraction and typically produce Common and Great Potoos, Lesser Nighthawk, Pauraque and White-tailed Nightjar, though Nacunda Nighthawk and Striped Owl, Spectacled Owl and large cats are regular: Hato Piñero is one of the best places anywhere within its wide range to encounter a Jaguar.

Specialities and endemics

Rufous-vented Chachalaca S
Yellow-knobbed Curassow S
Dwarf Cuckoo S
Pale-bellied Hermit S
Copper-rumped Hummingbird S
Pale-headed Jacamar S
Russet-throated Puffbird S
Scaled Piculet S
Pale-tipped Inezia S
White-bearded Flycatcher S
Stripe-backed Wren S
Glaucous Tanager S
Trinidad Euphonia S
Orinocan Saltator S
Venezuelan Troupial S

Full bird checklist

Sharpe, C.J. in prep. Lista de las Aves del Hato Piñero, Venezuela. Caracas, Venezuela. 300 spp. confirmed so far and about 30 more likely.

(also: Llanos: Hato Cedral)