Actually a 'Ramsar Site'

Cuare was the first fauna refuge decreed in Venezuela, in 1972. Although its name is less known, its lands are crossed from tip to tip to arrive to Chichiriviche, and its water limit with National Park Morrocoy. At present is a 'Ramsar Site', just as they are appointed to the wetlands protected by the International Convention of Ramsar.

The refuge, of 11.852 hectares, has two parts: a continental one and an insular one, with five keys. Its water are tranquil, with inlets that give life to the mangrove swamp communities, that at the same time, harbor great variety of birds and marine invertebrates. Eighteen channels are opened among the mangrove swamps, so that the visitors take boat rides. Crossing over each one of these channels is to enter to a natural tunnel, where the light penetrates with intermittent greenish tones and refracting in the water. The longest and most traveled are The Buco and Guanabito, and they conduct to the north of the refuge, where the cayman of the coast, master and mister of those water resides.

Cuare is a secret that spreads among the bird observers of the entire world. This is the place where birds of stunning color live, eat and reproduce, some under the threat of extinction. In the refuge different species can be seen, according to the ecosystem that inhabit each one. In Cuare zones of lagoons exist, kind of swamps, of keys, of coastal plains, and a similar vegetation to the forests in the Bosque of Chichiriviche.

The species that more abound, and the most sought by the observers, are the fast Corocoros, that find there an important place of nest-building, and they light up in two colors: red and white. Also in the pipes and lagoons inhabit the elegant Real Heron, the brave Kingfisher, the disturbed Chusmita and the buceadora Cotúa. The Caricare sabanero or haughty lives in the plains, while the lion bird, of unmistakable characteristics, has been found in the forest of the hill. Among the migratory birds are the ducks and the long and patient, pink flamingos.

To see the birds in the refuge you can park in the side of the highway that conducts to the Chichiriviche town, near some of the observatories that are built along the road. If the visitor decides to approach, it is possible that they undertake an abrupt flight. If one gets scared, all the birds will fly off. That's why it is better to bring your binoculars, because you will havethe advantage of being found meters above the floor to observe their natural form of coping.

This refuge is one of the multiple options that have the bird observers in Venezuela. Those national or international tourists that have sensibility for nature and the necessary patience to be dedicated to this activity, in a full country of multiple and natural wealth landscapes. Each one of these landscapes harbors a different bird life, by which Venezuela constitutes a paradise of almost 1.400 species of birds. As if this was little, Venezuela is the shelter of numerous migratory birds. Every year, large groups displace themselves from both extremes of the American continent towards our latitude, in search of food, that is scarce in the places of origin in the winter. As well as many birds arrive from distant confines of the continent, others have never left the natural borders of the country, being Venezuela the exclusive home of more than 30 species.

If when you close your eyes you cannot imagine so much wealth and variety, we invite you to grab your binoculars and take a walk by this Land of Grace. In Cuare and everywhere in Venezuela we will wait for you to share a world of feathered diversity. Besides observing birds, the major tourist attraction of the zone are the precious beaches of the numerous keys of the National Park Morrocoy. It doesn't matter which one you decide to visit since all of them are highly recommended.