Horacio Matarasso (born January 6, 1967) is an
ornithologist and leader of
South American
South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...
bird watchers.
Biography
Born in
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...
in 1967, where he lived until 1995. He joined
Aves Argentinas
Aves Argentinas / Asociación Ornitológica del Plata (in English: ''Argentine Birds''), is an Argentine non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation and birdwatching. Created in 1916, it is the oldest environmental organization ...
in 1984 and studied Biology at the
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires ( es, Universidad de Buenos Aires, UBA) is a public research university in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Established in 1821, it is the premier institution of higher learning in the country and one of the most prestigi ...
, specialized in
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...
. He is currently member of the team of
Ibera Birding Lodge, consultor of
Fundación Humedales, representative of
Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from ...
in Argentina, and director of
Buenos Dias Birding and make trips to study birds in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil and other countries of the continent.
Contributions to birdwatching
Since 1996 to 2014 he lived in northern
Patagonia
Patagonia () refers to a geographical region that encompasses the southern end of South America, governed by Argentina and Chile. The region comprises the southern section of the Andes Mountains with lakes, fjords, temperate rainforests, and g ...
, where was director of the
Centre for Ornithology Neuquén from
Universidad Nacional del Comahue
The National University of Comahue ( es, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, UNCNavarro, Fernando A. ''. Tremédica, Asociación Internacional de Traductores y Redactores de Medicina y Ciencias Afines/UNCoPortal de Prensa de la Uncoma, Universida ...
. He has made several contributions to the
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...
, including the discovery of 2 new species for Argentina: The Tenca (''
Mimus thenca'') and the Slender-billed Parakeet''
Enicognathus leptorhynchus''
Since 1996 dictates Birding courses in different locations in
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
and
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
. He has participated as an honorary advisor of national and provincial governments, representing the country in meetings held in other continents (USA, England, etc.). In 2008, he chaired the XII
Argentina Ornithological Meeting. In 2010, along with
Tito Narosky wrote the Checklist of Birds of Argentina.
His biggest contribution, however, could be the impact on bird watching in
South America
South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sout ...
. From 2008 he began working on the development and integration of birding in South America and is currently the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the
South American Bird Fair
The South American Birdwatching Fair is an annual event for birdwatchers, held every year in a different country of the continent. It is described as the birders' principal meeting in South America, with people from all over the world.
Lovers of ...
, the main point of contact between the birders across the continent.
External links
* E
South American Bird Fair* E
Aves Patagonia* Entrevista online e
Surea AlmacénBirdfair of Argentina Northeast*
News
Diario AndinoWebsite del Gobierno Argentino* Government Pres
gobierno del NeuquénLa Voz de los Andes webnews
1967 births
Living people
Argentine ornithologists
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