David Ascanio is a Venezuelan birder, naturalist, and field guide author with nearly four decades of experience leading tours across the Neotropics. Over the past 39 years, he has guided throughout Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, the Guianas, the Lesser Antilles, Cuba, Chile, Panama, and beyond.

Renowned for his extraordinary ear, David has built a private collection of bird vocalizations that includes recordings of more than 70% of Venezuela’s species. His fascination with sound and behavior has inspired a lifelong passion for sharing the language of birds with others—whether through guiding, teaching, or writing.

He coauthored the scientific descriptions of two new species—the Río Orinoco Spinetail and the Delta Amacuro Softtail—and has published extensively on the birds of the llanos, Orinoco River islands, and the unique pan-tepui endemics. David is also senior author of the Field Guide to the Birds of Venezuela (2017) and the author of a children’s book on bird songs.

Known for his humor, generosity, and tireless energy in the field, David brings unmatched expertise and enthusiasm to every VENT tour he leads.