Coordinators: Miguel Lentino, Yemayá Padrón, Miguel Mata (Colección Ornitológica Phelps), Maggie MacPherson (Tulane University), Rosauro Navarro (Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana, Grupo de Investigaciones Ornitologicas – GIO), Nay Valero (Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana)
In Venezuela, we study the Fork-tailed Flycatcher (T. savana) during the austral winter. This species typically arrives here in May and stays until September.
We are currently studying the ecology, behavior and physiology of this migrant across an climatic gradient in the country to understand the different constraints faced by the birds in winter, depending on the habitat they occupy while in Venezuela. This gradient extends from humid habitats inland, to the arid regions of the north, on the Caribbean coast.
Estación Biológica Guayacán (10° S, 63° W): This site is located in the State of Sucre, near the fishing village of Chacopata. These habitat here is very arid, being composed primarily of thorn scrub and cactus. There is little seasonality of temperature, but rainfall is highly seasonal. Annual average precipitation is 80 mm, with the rainiest months begin November to January and the driest from March to June.
Caripito (10° S, 63° W): This site is located in the State of Monagas and is primarily composed of transitional habitat between grassland and mature forest. Rainfall is season, with the rainiest conditions being from June to August, and the driest from November to January. Average annual precipitation is about 1400 mm.