Republic of Panama

• Chiriqui Highlands

  Satellite View
  Los Quetzales Trail - (1800-2500 m) recently (August 2014) fully re-opened after a 5-year closure due to landslides. To hike the whole trail, start at the Boquete side and hike to Cerro Punta, because if it starts to rain the last river crossing coming from Cerro Punta can be to high too cross. The best area is around the ranger station on the Boquete site until the trout farm, on the dirt road; even for Quetzales - best from May to July. A good wattled Bellbird spot is the open grassy area near the ranger station towards the trout farm. (Bellbirds are easy to see there from January until mid June) On the los Quetzales trail in the area where you have the little trail to "las Rocas", just sit and wait for the birds to come to you! Most of the time you see Quetzales there and a lot of mixed flocks. On the other side of the trail near the ranger station in Guadelupe, you have an open grassy area with a lot of flowers, here you can see there Fiery-throated Hummingbird (December & January) and Wren-thrush (Zeledonia).Sheep Farm It is on the road up the volcano which is drivable (4x4) with an entrance fee of $5 - good for those who have trouble walking. Good for Black-capped Flycatcher and Large-footed Finch and Quetzals. - after passing the ranger station there is a steep hike for two hours on a bad road. But you can reach the Sheepfarm now with a good 4 wheel drive car, you have to park your car at the sheepfarm. However, there is a very good chance to see Quetzales (and their nests in season) any time of year, although they are least evident in September, October and November.The Hidden Waterfall Trail - This is a very steep and slippery trail and, for the most part, not of great interest for birdwatchers. At the waterfall at the right season (April/May) a Barred Hawk nests and there are Spot-fronted Swifts. Take great care not to fall on the trail. (In the same area you will find more signs with new trails as more farmers open their property's to the public. They mostly ask $3 to $5 per person entry fee.Pipeline Trail (Pipa de Aqua or its new name: waterfall trail) – This is private property so you have to pay $3 at the entrance (1600m). It is a 3 hour hike, but for birdwatchers there is so much to see it will take much longer!. The first half hour is meadow, agriculture surrounded by forest and then you walk into nice cloud forest with different birds. This trail is one that even non-birders will see lots of birds on. The Hike ends at a Waterfall and the owners changed the name of the trail in Waterfall trail, there is a sign at the entrance. The first half hour is meadow, agriculture surrounded by forest and then you walk into nice cloud forest with different birds. This trail is one that even non-birders will see lots of birds on. Almost the whole year can be very rewardeing with a good chance of seeing Resplendent Quetzales.Buena Vista on the road to Cerra punta - just go down the dirt road down and you will be amazed at the birds; Rufous tailed Jacamar, Buff-rumped Warbler, Green Honeycreepers, Purple-crowned Fairy and many more.Continental divide trail and surroundings - on the trail, with a lot of luck, you could see Umbrella bird and Green Thorntail Hummingbirds. There is a trail after the continental divide crossing, up to the road with the "palo seco sign". A great place to go birding is the ANAM office little bit further along from the continental divide sign (in the province of Bocas del Toro), drive a little bit further and on the left is the house of the late Willy Mazu, nice area to see birds behind the house (the front washed away).Las Lajas (70 km from David) Here there are lots of wetlands including the river delta iso it s great for water birds. It can be reached by a dirt road or you walk along the beach on the left side.

• Gonzalo Horna

  | gonzalohorna@hotmail.com

  http://www.panamabirdguide.com/

• Terry van der Vooren

  Boquete Chiriqui | info@coffeeadventures.net

  http://www.coffeeadventures.net

• Number of bird species: 986

  (As at October 2018)

  National Bird: Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja

• Number of endemics: 13

  Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker Piculus callopterus, Veraguan Mango Anthracothorax veraguensis, Glow-throated Hummingbird Selasphorus ardens, White-throated Mountain Gem Lampornis castaneoventris, Azuero Parakeet Pyrrhura eisenmanni, Brown-backed Dove Leptotila battyi, Yellow-green Tyrannulet Phylloscartes flavovirens, Coiba Spinetail Cranioleuca dissita, Beautiful Treerunner Margarornis bellulus, Yellow-green Finch Pselliophorus luteoviridis, Pirre Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus inornatus, Green-naped Tanager Tangara fucosa, Orange-throated Bush-tanager Chlorospingus hypophaeus

• A Guide to the Birds of Panama with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras

  | By Robert S Ridgely & John A Gwynne | Princeton University Press | 1992 | Paperback | 534 pages, 48 colour plates, 53 b/w line drawings | ISBN: 9780691025124 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Panama

  | By George R Angehr | Sociedad Audubon de Panama | 2006 | Paperback | 74 pages, no illustrations | ISBN: 9789962884767 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Birds of Central America

  | (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) | By Andrew Vallely & Dale Dyer | Princeton University Press | 2018 | Paperback | 560 pages, 260 plates with colour illustrations; 1190+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691138022 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Birds of Panama: A Field Guide

  | By George R Angehr & Robert Dean | Cornell University Press | 2010 | Paperback | 455 pages, 908 colour illustrations | ISBN: 9780801476747 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Directory of Important Bird Areas in Panama

  | By George R Angehr | Sociedad Audubon de Panama | 2003 | Paperback | 342 pages, Tabs, maps | ISBN: 9789962884712 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Panama Birds

  | (A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species) | By James R Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2016 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781583559840 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Panama: Birds, Central Panama

  | By Robert Dean & Mark Wainright | Rainforest Publications | 2009 | Unbound | 14 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781888538601 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Panama: Birds, Western Panama

  | By Robert Dean & Mark Wainwright | Rainforest Publications | 2014 | Unbound | 14 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781888538724 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Where to find birds in Panama

  | By George R. Angehr, Dodge Engleman & Lorna Engleman | Sociedad Audubon de Panama | 2006 | Paperback | 391 pages, maps | ISBN: 9789962884750 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• 

  Panama Birds Field Guide

  Apple iOS |

  | Michael Mullin | 501.4 MB | Requires iOS 8.0 or later |
  
  Why this birding app is meant for anyone who plans on visiting Panama or learning about the hundreds of bird species that live in this incredible country: It’s easy to use: This field guide weighs as much as your device, and birds can be found with quick search tools and or by quickly scrolling down the screen with the touch of a finger.

• List of birds of Panama

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Panama This is a list of the bird species recorded in Panama. The avifauna of Panama includes a total of 972 species, of which 12 are endemic, 6 have been introduced by humans, and 120 are rare or accidental. 20 species are globally threatened

• The Canopy Tower

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Panama has some of the most easily accessed forests anywhere in the tropics. The Canopy Tower is located on top of Semaphore Hill, in a well preserved semideciduous tall forest in the heart of Soberan

• Conservation through Research Education and Action

  Webpage
  Dedicated to the promotion of ecological literacy and the conservation of tropical biodiversity. Conservation through Research Education and Action [CREA] is a UK registered charity organisation dedicated to the conservation of tropical environments that offers short field courses in several disciplines of Tropical Biology in Panama. One such course is Ornithology. Panama, a country smaller than the UK contains over1000 species of birds and straddles two of the worlds 25 biodiversity hotspots. We run separate courses for gap year, undergraduates and naturalists at our field station in the hilly forested region of centralPanama. Courses are given by university lecturers and participants take part in research being conducted at the station. All proceeds from our courses gotowards conserving forests and undertaking research.

• Liquid Jungle Lab

  Website
  Located on a remote island in Pacific Panama, the LIQUID JUNGLE LAB (LJL) seeks to merge traditional scientific research with state-of-the-art technology to improve the understanding of ocean and terrestrial sciences and advance conservation ecology for the future benefit of the planet. An international group of scientists and students from around the world use the marine lab facilities and experimental farm to conduct their multidisciplinary research…

• Asociacion Nacional para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza

  Website
  La misi

• Fundación Natura

  Website
  The objective of the national fund is to serve as a permanent source of funding for environmental initiatives, with an emphasis on initiatives within the Panama Canal Watershed.

• Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation

  Website
  As in many areas of tropical America, the Bocas del Toro region suffers some environmental problems. In cooperation with national, regional and local conservation organizations, ITEC works to maintain the environmental health of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago through several initiatives

• Sociedad Audubon de Panam

  Website
  Panama has an extraordinary wealth of birds for a country of its size. Although only about the size of the U.S. state of South Carolina, a total of 976 species has been recorded to date, exceeding the list for the continental United States and Canada combined. This remarkable diversity owes much to Panama

Abbreviations Key

• NP Chagres

  InformationSatellite View
  The park contains tropical rain forests and a set of rivers which provide sufficient water to guarantee the operation of the Gatun Lake, main lake of the Panama Canal: The Chagres River and the Gatun River.

• NP Coiba

  InformationSatellite View
  Coiba is the largest island in Central America, with an area of 503 km2 (194 sq mi), off the Pacific coast of the Panamanian province of Veraguas. Its unique location protects it from the damaging winds and other effects of El Niño, allowing it to sustain the uninterrupted evolution of new marine species including whale and tiger sharks, sperm whales, sea turtles, angel rays and giant schools of fish. It is also the last refuge for a number of threatened terrestrial animals such as the crested eagle and several sub-species of agouti, possum and howler monkey (including a Coiba Island howler monkey).

• NP Darién

  InformationSatellite View
  The park contains the most extensive lowland tropical forest on the Pacific coast of Central America. Darien harbours a variety of habitats ranging from sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves, swamps and lowland and upland tropical forests containing several endemic faunal species…

• NP La Amistad

  InformationSatellite View
  The park area is equally split between Costa Rica and Panama, as part of the former La Amistad Reserves of the Talamanca mountain range. It covers 401,000 ha of tropical forest and is the largest nature reserve in Central America. It has 600 species of birds, including the three-wattled bellbird, resplendent quetzal, yellow-green finch, and bare-necked umbrellabird.

• NP Los Katíos

  InformationSatellite View
  Los Katíos supports a number of species which are characteristic of Central America and are only found in this part of South America such as the mouse Heteromys desmarestianus and grey-headed chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps. The Serranía del Darién is home to many endemic species such as the rufous-cheeked hummingbird Geothalsia bella and violet-capped hummingbird Goldmania violiceps and the frog Rhamphophyrne acrolopha. More than 450 species of bird (representing respectively 25% and 50% of the avifauna of Colombia and Panama) have been recorded within the park…

• NP Soberanía

  InformationSatellite View
  Soberanía National Park (Parque Nacional Soberanía) is a national park in Panama near the banks of the Panama Canal in the provinces of Panamá and Colón, some 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Panama City. The Chagres River runs through the park. Established as a national park in 1980, the park covers 55,000 acres (220 km2). The park is popular with birdwatchers due to its abundance of bird species; some 525 bird species are found here. Pipeline Road extends for 17.5 km north-south through the park and passes through old-growth and secondary forest. Pipeline Road is one of the best places to see tropical birds in the Americas, with a bird species list exceeding 400

• NP Volcán Barú

  InformationSatellite View
  The volcano was declared Volcán Barú National Park in 1976, with an area of 14,325 ha (35,400 acres). It is a part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Fauna include the black guan, black-and-white hawk-eagle, Underwood's water mouse, volcano junco, wrenthrush, and yellow-thighed finch. Over 250 species of birds have been identified within the park, and all five species of big cats live here as well. The national park protects a range of habitat, including humid montane forests, low humid montane forests, and montane rainforests.

• NR Barro Colorado Island

  InformationSatellite View
  Barro Colorado Island (BCI) is located in the man-made Gatun Lake in the middle of the Panama Canal. The island was formed when the waters of the Chagres River were dammed to form the lake in 1913. When the waters rose, they covered a significant part of the existing tropical forest, but certain hilltops remained as islands in the middle of the lake. It has an area of 15.6 km2 (6.0 sq mi).

• NR Punta Patiño

  InformationSatellite View
  The 65,025 acre preserve is owned by conservation group ANCON. The area is on the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance. Fauna in the reserve include harpy eagles, three-toed sloths, capybaras, bottlenose dolphins, crocodiles, jaguar, and humpback whales. Bird species include black oropendola, brown pelicans, frigate birds, terns, oystercatchers, willet, whimbrel, and spotted sandpiper, kingfishers, white ibis, heron, and laughing gulls.

• Panama's Protected Areas

  WebpageSatellite View
  In a country where the sun rises over the Pacific and sets in the Caribbean you should have unusual expectations: well, you are unlikely to be disappointed: Panama has some of the most accessible rainforests and high altitude cloud forest on earth. In Panama, even the most experienced travelers can discover wonders of creation that open eyes and minds to a deeper understanding of our planet's incredible richness and infinite variety…

• Wetlands of International Importance

  WebpageSatellite View
  Panama currently has 5 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 183,992 hectares.

• Xenornis

  Mailing List
  Latest sightings

• Ancon Expeditions of Panama

  Tour Operator
  Ancon Expeditions of Panama welcomes you to enjoy an experience of a lifetime, offering you the best nature and culture oriented tours, as well as adventure and academic programs. Our expertise and the friendly, enthusiastic, nature of the people of Panama will ensure that your vacation is educational, comfortable and hassle-free.

• Birding Ecotours

  Tour Operator
  We offer the classic Panama tours as well as an "off the beaten track" Wild West of Panama birding tour. Panama forms the boundary between Central and South America and is one of the richest places on Earth for bird diversity. Harpy Eagle, Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo and many of the dazzling species also found in Costa Rica (such as hummingbirds and Resplendent Quetzal), are sought on our trips to this fantastic piece of land. The infrastructure is excellent so travel is easy...

• Birding Panama

  Tour Operator
  Birding Panama is a group of Panama bird guides specialists in birdwatching and natural history. We provide guide services for birders and nature lovers around the best natural areas of the Isthmus. We do private trips and bird photography tours to the best places of Panama

• Birding in Panama

  Tour Operator
  With more than 970 species of birds (including 12 endemic and 122 migratory species) and with 45% of the country covered with tropical rainforest with easy access and few visitors, Panama is the new choice for your tropical vacation

• Caligo Ventures

  Tour Operator
  …This forest is considered one of the most accessible tropical forests in the world, with close to 400 species having been recorded; it has been the site of world record Christmas Bird Counts. You will look for Great Curassow, Barred Forest Falcon, Tiny Hawk, Broad-billed and Rufous Motmots, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Black-tailed Trogon, Rufous-crested Coquette, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Royal Flycatcher, as well as Gray-headed, Sulphur-rumped and Dusky-faced Tanagers…

• Coffee Adventures

  Tour Operator
  Terry & Hans offer professional half day or full day birding tours in Boquete and the Chiriqui highlands

• Eco-Circuitos

  Tour Operator
  This great adventure will take you birding across Panama. The great biodiversity of the Isthmus will allow participants to see many specialties as the Resplendent Quetzal, Crimson- backed Tanager, Montezuma Oropendola, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Sapayoa, Speckled Antshrike among others

• Gonzalo Horna - Panama Bird Guide

  Guide
  Panama Bird Guide Co. Is a leading birding company dedicated to promote guided birding tours within the country of Panama. Since 2007 specializes in the area of Central Panama (Soberania National Park -Pacific side) and Achiote Road (San Lorenzo National Park -Caribbean side

• Rockjumper Birding Tours

  Tour Operator
  Panamá is a superb Neotropical birding destination, and our tour allows us to explore some of the most accessible rainforests and high-altitude cloud forests on Earth. The native flora is simply stunning, and with roughly 29% of its territory protected within 15 nature reserves, Panamá is fast becoming a must-see destination for nature travelers the world over.

• Tranquilo Bay

  Website
  Tranquilo Bay has listed nearly 200 species of birds on site and over 460 from our daily excursions to nearby bird-rich environments. Bocas del Toro, Panama is geologically gifted, creating extreme species diversity; there are an incredible variety of ecosystems, habitats and altitudinal zones only a short distance from the lodge. Our guides are passionate about observing wildlife, excellent at spotting as well as identification and frequently work with bird watching groups and individuals with birding specific itineraries...

• 2015 [01 January] - John Rowlett & Eliecer Rodrigues

  Report
  ...Among the least commonly seen species we saw in the immediate vicinity of the Lodge were Tody Motmot (one of which sat for fifteen minutes not two meters away!), a pair of roosting Mottled Owls (at a stakeout), a roosting Tropical Screech-Owl (stakeout at a yard in El Valle), a family of four Spot-crowned Barbets, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, and Buff-rumped Warbler...

• 2015 [02 February] - Chris Benesh & Alexis Sanchez - Canopy Tower

  Report
  ...The third day found us visiting the Metropolitan Park in downtown Panama City. Anything but an urban park, this place was loaded with birds, including lots of small forest flycatchers and colorful Lance-tailed Manakins.

• 2015 [02 February] - John Coons & Nando Quiroz - Lowland Darien

  Report
  ...We also encountered at least three quite unexpected species. We relocated a Bicolored Wren that Nando had reports of in Yaviza from earlier in the season -- we had great looks in the town cemetery of this mega-rarity for the area. We saw two Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds at the Canopy Camp feeding in the verbena flowers, where a male was seen for a few weeks in January and February of 2014. Nando spotted a brilliant male, and we also found an immature male at the same time. This is another South American species with only a few Panama records. Then, on our last day we had wonderful looks at a Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker at the San Francisco Reserve. It's typically a bird of higher elevations, and it was a real surprise to find this Panamanian endemic here for the first time.

• 2015 [04 April] - Jon Hornbuckle

  Report
  An amazing list of 480 species with itinerary & notes.

• 2015 [10 October] - Ecotours

  PDF Report
  Our record was an unbelievable 1.2 million birds within a few hours! Later on we added a huge variety of rare and colourful tropical denizens such as Blue Cotinga, dozens of Hummingbirds, 5 Trogon species, Motmots, Toucans, Woodpeckers, Puffbirds, Manakins, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Chuck-will’s-widow, about 30 species of Flycatchers, various Anthshrikes, Antwrens, Antbirds, Ant-thrushes & Antpittas, Green Shrike-Vireo, Wrens, tropical Warblers, Caciques & Orioles, dazzling variety of Tanagers.

• 2016 [01 January] - Eduardo Ormaeche - Canopy Tower, Darien, Canopy Lodge & Tranquilo Bay

  PDF Report
  ...Guests are able to visit the tower at dawn before breakfast and are enchanted by the calls of Slaty-backed and Collared Forest Falcons and views of Brown-hooded Parrot, Red-lored Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot, Green Honeycreeper, Plain-colored Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and with luck and persistence even the elusive Green Shrike-Vireo...

• 2016 [01 January] - Eduardo Ormaeche - Scouting Trip

  PDF Report
  Guests are able to visit the tower at dawn before breakfast and are enchanted by the calls of Slaty-backed and Collared Forest Falcons and views of Brown-hooded Parrot, Red-lored Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot, Green Honeycreeper, Plain-colored Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and with luck and persistence even the elusive Green Shrike-Vireo. We

• 2016 [01 January] - John Rowlett - Canopy Camp, Darien

  Report
  ...We headed off for the Camp from the Hotel Riande in Tocumen, with a two-hour or so digression along the Llano-Carti Road near Nusagandi, where, birding along the road only, we picked up some nice foothill birds we wouldn’t see elsewhere on the tour: stellar looks at highly responsive Black-and-yellow Tanagers, Tawny-crested Tanagers, Sulphur-rumped Tanagers, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Stripe-throated Wren (which sat motionless for five minutes in response to brief playback), and Shining Honeycreeper...

• 2016 [02 February] - John Coons - Panama's Canopy Tower

  Report
  ...Highlights of our trip were many and included that Rufescent Tiger-Heron perched just below us, a rarely encountered Agami Heron, Panama's first White-faced Ibis, those two perched Gray-headed Kites from the tower followed soon after by two soaring Swallow-tailed Kites, a family of White-throated Crakes, the Common Potoo on a day roost, all those hummingbirds including scope views of a tiny male Rufous-crested Coquette, five species of trogons, great looks at American Pygmy-Kingfisher, several studies of White-whiskered Puffbird, the Collared Forest-Falcon that perched in front of us, a Streak-chested Antpitta, the baby Brown-capped Tyrannulet in the leaf litter in full song, a wonderfully bright male Blue Cotinga, males of four species of manakins, all those tanagers and euphonias, and a colorful male Painted Bunting, among others...

• 2016 [03 March] - John Coons - Panama's Canopy Tower & Lodge

  Report
  This was a wonderful week of birding, mammal-watching, and laughing at the Canopy Lodge and Canopy Tower, as we experienced nice weather in a very comfortable setting. We had a great time with our local guides -- Eliecer at the Lodge and Alexis at the Tower; their ability to spot birds is amazing! The staff at both sites looked after us very well....

• 2016 [04 April] - Kathie Claydon

  PDF Report
  We were out by first light at 06.15hrs and immediately started seeing birds. Some of the species around the gardens andwoodland edge were Red-crowned Woodpecker, Whooping and Rufous Motmots, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Clay-colouredThrush, Vermilion, Dusky-capped and Social Flycatchers, Black-headed Saltator, Crimson-backed, Blue-greyand Palm Tanagers and Baltimore Oriole...

• 2016 [05 May] - Johan Chaves

  Report
  ...Buff-rumped warbler, (Myiothlypis fulvicauda semicervina), a very common bird to both CR (M.f. leucopygia) and PA, however I found interesting the race here in east Pa. has a darker buff rump...

• 2016 [10 October] - John Rogers - Canal Zone

  PDF Report
  ...We had a great start to the trip with 123 species seen on the first day: the Pacific lowlands in Metropolitan Park and the areas surrounding Canopy Tower. Canopy Tower was a friendly place to stay as well as providing tree top views of Black and White Owl, Green Shrike Vireo and Blue Cotinga....

• 2016 [11 November] - Ecotours

  PDF Report
  What a colourful tour & great variety of habitats, birds and accommodations! We hope that the below description and pictures which we all did during this tour will give a taste of it. Although Ecotours Kondor & Worldwide Travel has visited and organized several tours in Panama for more than 10 years by now, this was the first time that we birded different corners of the country with staying everywhere based just solely at Canopy Family properties.

• 2016 [11 November] - Stefan Schlick - Canopy Camp

  PDF Report
  List

• 2016 [12 December] - Hans Matheve

  Report
  ...Dusky-backed Jacamar (it took some time to find, eventually we heard 1 bird calling distantly and soon had great views of a pair, perched high up in some trees), Black Oropendola (several groups seen along the rivers, both on the way to El Real as to the jacamar site, more than 20 birds in total)...

• 2017 [01 January] - John Coons & Danilo Rodriguez Jr - El Valle de Anton

  Report
  Highlights were many and included lengthy views of a Fasciated Tiger-Heron which we saw catch and swallow a fish; a close Black Hawk-Eagle and stunning views of White Hawks; a Gray-cowled Wood-Rail basking in the sun; a pair of Tropical Screech-Owls on a perch right over the road; the fabulous Crested Owl, plus three Spectacled Owls during the day; a White-tipped Sicklebill feeding at a Heliconia flower and a scope view of a tiny male Green Thornbill; a pair of Orange-bellied Trogons hovering to pluck fruit from a tree....

• 2017 [02 February] - Chris Benesh & Alexis Sanchez - Canopy Tower

  Report
  This year’s Canopy Tower tour was a real treat with a number of exciting highlights and even a bit of adventure. Our first afternoon we spent watching hummingbird feeders (with White-necked Jacobins, Blue-chested Hummingbirds, and a Long-billed Hermit) and watching the sunset from the upper observation deck. Short-tailed and Band-rumped swifts were zipping around (with a few Gray-breasted Martins), and several Keel-billed Toucans showed off nicely for us....

• 2017 [02 February] - Nando Quiroz

  PDF Report

• 2017 [02 February] - Sam Woods - Canal Zone & Foothills

  PDF Report
  ...Yellow-headedCaracara too. Our local guide and companion throughout, Luis Paz, was quick to find some otherspecialties of the area, the diminutive Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, (which were the only ones seen onthe entire tour), and a typically vocal Striped Cuckoo. While the latter was definitely not one of thesespecies, Panama is a tropical country, seemingly packed full of exotic and extremely colorful species, andthis was revealed to us that afternoon, with Red-breasted Meadowlark (recently renamed from blackbirdto meadowlark), Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Red-lored Parrot, and a handsome male RuddybreastedSeedeater...

• 2017 [03 March] - Forrest Rowland - Darién & Chiriqui Highlands

  PDF Report
  With over 1,000 species recorded within its 28,640 mi2, there is no doubt that Panama is the premierbirding destination of Central America.

• 2017 [03 March] - John Coons, Alexis Sanchez & Danilo Rodriguez Jr - Canopy Tower & Lodge

  Report
  ...Bird highlights were many and included the Great Tinamou quietly walking through the forest; Crested Bobwhite flushing from the roadside brush; a young Rufescent Tiger-Heron on a nest; a perched Gray-headed Kite across the lake; at least ten Swallow-tailed Kites above the Canopy Lodge; the fabulous view of the close singing Pheasant Cuckoo; a Spectacled Owl perched just above the road; both Great and Common potoos on perches during the day; all those hummingbirds including a White-tipped Sicklebill, a tiny Rufous-crested Coquette, and a perched Long-billed Starthroat; great views of several trogons, motmots, and puffbirds; a close perched American Pygmy Kingfisher; our Emerald Toucanet and colorful and huge Keel-billed Toucans...

• 2017 [04 April] - George Armistead - Darién

  PDF Report
  Enigmatic, remote and rich with wildlife, the Darién has long intrigued birders as a tantalising, impenetrable wilderness. Brimming with regional specialities and endemics, until recently, accesshere was possible only through fairly rigorous expedition-style travel...

• 2017 [10 October] - Barry Zimmer - Canopy Lodge

  PDF Report
  ...We visited a number of nearby areas in the foothills above El Valle. At La Mesa, we found roosting Tropical Screech-Owls, Stripe-throated and Green hermits, Orange-bellied Trogon, Broad-billed Motmot, Lineated Woodpecker, Spotted Woodcreeper, Emerald Toucanet, and Silver-throated Tanager. Two full days in Altos del Maria yielded a plethora of great birds including White Hawk, Barred Hawk, the amazing Snowcap, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Brown-billed Scythebill, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, Black-crowned Antpitta, Dull-mantled Antbird, Spot-crowned Ant-Vireo, Palevented Thrush, Black-and-yellow Tanager, and White-vented and Tawny-capped euphonias among many others...

• 2017 [11 November] - David Ascanio

  PDF Report
  ...The bird feeder was our first step to identify some of the common and colourful species that included Plain-coloured, Blue-grey, Palm, Crimson-backed, and Golden-hooded tanagers. In addition to this kaleidoscope of colours, we also saw Red-legged and Shining honeycreepers, Orange-chinned Parakeet, and Buff-throated Saltator...

• 2017 [12 December] - Brent Steury

  Report
  Mammals that were commonly observed around the GRR were Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, White-throated capuchin, mantled howler monkey, white-nosed coati, capybara, and the Central American agouti. Below is a list of 84 bird species found with little effort during this far too brief trip to central Panama...

• 2017 [12 December] - Jesse Fagan - Chiriqui & Bocas del Toro III

  Report
  We timed it perfectly for the Storm of the Century. Nevertheless, it didn't stop us from getting out in the rain and wind to see birds. And despite many uncontrollable obstacles in our way, we saw 258 bird taxa, 9 species of mammal, and had a heck of a critter list...

• 2018 [01 January] - Chris Benesh & Danilo Rodriguez Jr.

  Report
  This year’s Canopy Lodge New Year tour brought together a terrific bunch of people and a lot of terrific wildlife experiences. Thanks to Danilo’s great job in assuring we were well looked after throughout the trip. Alas, it will undeniably be known as the tour the coincided with a massive storm system affecting weather from the eastern United States as far south as northern South America. Instead of enjoying the start of the dry season at El Valle, we were left with unsettled, wet weather hanging over the region for much of the tour...

• 2018 [01 January] - John Coons & Eliecer Rodriguez

  Report
  Highlights of the trip were many and included a Little Tinamou that walked across the dirt road right in front of us, three rather close Great Curassows picking at grain just off the Pan-American Highway, a perched King Vulture in the scope, a quite small Tiny Hawk that was also perched for us, a Common Potoo we spotlighted from the canoe out of Yaviza, nearly daily views of Pale-bellied Hermits, a fabulous male Rufous-crested Coquette, a Green-and Rufous Kingfisher at the lagoon, eight species of puffbirds including our Russet-throated and the small Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Spot-crowned Barbet, Golden-green Woodpecker, Aplomado Falcon, Great Green Macaws at a distance, the very local Black Antshrike, Bare-crowned Antbird, Streaked Xenops...

• 2018 [01 January] - Pat Lueders

  PDF Report
  Annotated list

• 2018 [01 January] - Pat Lueders

  PDF Report
  Everyone in the group was very excited to leave the harsh US winter and arrive in Panama City to a sunny 80 degrees. The welcoming Riande Airport Hotel was the perfect place to relax and enjoy some of the beautiful resident birds of Panama before our adventure began.

• 2018 [03 March] - Rich Lindie

  PDF Report
  We kicked off this year's first tour to Panama with a visit to the very birdy little village of Cerro Azul, only an hour from the country's capital. As always, we had a very productive morning there, seeing a range of species that would help take our trip list to almost one hundred species by the end of the day! Walks along some of the quiet backroads in town gave us several tanager species – including Toothbilled, Black-and-yellow, Speckled, Emerald and Carmiol's – a host of warblers that included our only Blackpolls of the trip, both Red-capped Manakin and White-ruffed Manakin, Isthmian Wren, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker (our main target for the morning), and – one of the highlights of the trip – a pair of Yellow-eared Toucanets!

• 2019 [01 January] - Pat Lueders

  PDF Report
  After settling into our rooms and enjoying a delicious lunch, we took our first ride in the “birdmobile” to the Gamboa Resort, along the Chargres River, and had our first views of the Panama Canal. What an exciting start to our visit! Wattled Jacana, Common Gallinule, and Purple Gallinule were close to shore with Southern Lapwings. A Red-legged Honeycreeper was seen at eye level, and we spotted our first of many Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloths low in a close tree. Our first toucans of the trip vocalized at the top of trees filled with colorful tanagers, dacnis, and honeycreepers.

• 2019 [02 February] - Robert Gallardo

  PDF Report
  A fruiting melastome tree was attracting some Red-capped Manakins and Fulvous-vented Euphonias. A male Dusky Antbird also made a brief appearance nearby. On our way back up the hill, the same melastome was attracting some new visitors. A Shining Honeycreeper and Green Honeycreeper came in, as well as several Golden-hooded and Plain-colored Tanager. It was a great way to start the trip.

• 2019 [05 May] - Frank Clayton

  PDF Report
  Our aim: to see as many of the Cerro Pirre endemics as inexpensively feasible along with as many other local specialties as we could find in a week.

• 2019 [08 August] - Naturalist Journeys

  PDF Report
  A sensational week with six of the nights being based at the fabulous Canopy Camp in Darien Province. This was a ‘green season’ trip, rain and humidity to be expected. Fortunately for us, while it rained and rained heavily at times, the weather never disrupted our plans and we skillfully (or perhaps luckily!) skirted around the daily thunderstorms with great success.

• 2020 [02 February] - Robert Gallardo

  PDF Report
  This years’ tour included six clients and Robert Gallardo was brought down from Honduras as a host guide. It would end up being a very memorable trip with some incredible highlights and discoveries that would include nearly 245 species of birds and 25 mammals.

• 2021 [03 March] - Sam Woods

  PDF Report
  This impressive bird list is aided by the geography, which differs starkly from west to east. Our focus on this tour, was to visit the most revered birding zone of all, the Canal Zone, including the famed Pipeline Road. We combined with this an extended stay at Canopy Camp in The Darien of eastern Panama, as well as a single, cracking, day in the cooler eastern foothills of Cerro Azul.

• 2021 [05 May] - Sam Woods

  PDF Report
  he Darien produced some great birds, like a large, nearly three-year-old, Harpy Eagle (photo page 3) sitting near its old nest site, which was visited on horseback, to reduce the rigors of the walk in and out of the site. This was voted as the best bird of the tour, which was very hard to argue with. Other Darien highlights included a perched Black Hawk-Eagle (photo page 8), close ups of several Red-throated Caracaras (photo page 5), the extremely local Dusky-backed Jacamar (photo page 10), Choco Sirystes, Double-banded Graytail, Barred Puffbird, Spot-crowned Barbet, Pale-billed Hermit, Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, several parties of Spectacled Parrotlets, Gray-cheeked Nunlet (photo front page), White-fronted Nunbird (photo page 12), Black-crowned Antpitta, Black Antshrike (photo page 6), Rufous-winged Antwren, Golden-green and Spot-breasted Woodpeckers, Black-capped Donacobious, Royal Flycatcher (photo page 11), and some recently arrived Yellow-hooded Blackbirds. A single night drive there also yielded 1 Black-and-white Owl (photo page 7), 2 Tropical Screech-Owls, 2 Great Potoos and 5 Common Potoos, during one of the only dry nights.

• 2021 [10 October] - Robert Gallardo

  PDF Report
  There was a nice assortment of hummingbirds in the garden that included Band-tailed Barbthroat, White-necked Jacobin, Stripe-throated Hermit and Purple-crowned Fairy. The latter species can often be difficult to see elsewhere, but the perch of this individual was found as we were afforded scope views. Small flocks of different swallows went by and as well as a few swifts. The beautiful Golden-collared Manakin male was also seen feeding on Melastome fruits along with many Red-eyed Vireos. Swainson’s Thrush bounced around everywhere. A small assortment of migrant wood-warblers and Scarlet Tanagers were seen from the observation tower. From the tower, we also saw a Peregrine Falcon and two Common Black-Hawks. The day ended when hundreds of Red-lored Parrots and a few Mealys passed by en route to their roosting site nearby - what a great way to start the trip!

• 2022 [04 April] - Robert Gallardo

  PDF Report
  ...A large flock of migrating Turkey Vultures first passed, then a flock of mostly Broad-winged Hawks, then two small flocks of mostly Swainson’s Hawks. All were slowly making their way back to North America to breed...

• 2022 [08 August] - Andrew Haffenden

  PDF Report
  ...Then at three we headed out for our first expedition, and one of our main target birds – Crested Eagle, a slightly smaller look-alike of the Harpy. The area we were to search was about 30 minutes away, along a muddy road then a hike into an area protected for environmental education for regional schools...

• 2022 [10 October] - Robert Gallardo

  PDF Report
  ...In some pastures there were Green Ibis and we stopped to admire numerous Red-breasted Blackbirds. Sitting on the road itself were several Crested Caracaras. Up the road we made a ‘pit stop’ and also visited a pond behind some buildings. There was one roosting Boat-billed Heron hidden deep within a large coral tree. Hunting for fish was also a small Spectacled Caiman as well as a pair of the giant Ringed Kingfishers and one Green Kingfisher. We spotted a pair of the cute Common TodyFlycatchers before moving on...

• 2023 [03 March] - Ann Duff

  PDF Report
  Our room overlooked some feeding stations which had recently been replenished with fresh fruit and were attracting Collared Araçari, Whooping Motmot and Buffthroated Saltator, with Central American Agouti and White-nosed Coati also enjoying the feast. Best birds on a short walk were a pair of Dusky Antbirds very close to the Butterfly House.

• Al Natural Resort - Old Point, Bocas del Toro

  Accommodation
  Between jungle and sea, Al Natural Resort has created for you a comfortable and private retreat, perfectly integrated into the lush tropical environment…

• Canopy Lodge

  Accommodation
  Inches from your bedroom window, the cloud forest canopy is riotous with early morning bird life

• Canopy Tower

  Accommodation
  Your bedroom is at treetop level, no more than 40 feet from the birds. In the cool Panamanian dawn you can feel Panam

• Cielito Sur B&B - Chiriqui

  Accommodation
  Run away to Cerro Punta, a scenic and tranquil agricultural community surrounded by a beautiful tropical cloud forest, in the province of Chiriqui, Panama. The estate is a natural bird sanctuary nestled in the rustic landscape of the Chiriqui highlands

• Coffee Adventures B&B - Boquete

  Accommodation
  We have three cottages B&B and organize Birding and Nature tours here in Boquete Panama. We have been doing this for 11 years and have built up a good reputation among birders

• Gamboa Panama Rental

  Accommodation
  Gamboa, Panama is a unique place to visit or live. Mostly built in the 1930's to house a Division of the Panama Canal Company, it is small, quiet, and charming, with the feeling of a place from an earlier time. Perfect for birders as well as other nature lovers, Gamboa has the ambiance of both an isolated outpost in the rainforest and a comfortable modern suburb. It is embedded in Soberania National Park and bordered on one side by the Panama Canal. Fingers of the jungle run between the houses in Gamboa, providing access for wildlife to our backyard

• Gamboa Tropical Rainforest Resort

  Accommodation
  The resort is located on the banks of the Chagres River where it intersects the Panama Canal, adjacent to the Soberania National Park. The Soberania Park is a large tract of protected tropical rainforest located within the Panama Canal watershed. Thousands of different species of birds, mammals, insect, trees, reptiles and flora co-exist in the national parks adjacent to the resort.

• Hostal Cielito Sur

  Accommodation
  Hostal Cielito Sur Bed & Breakfast is a quiet, private, country estate inn on 2

• Hotel Campestre

  Accommodation

• La Montaña y el Valle - The Coffee Estate Inn - Boquete

  Accommodation
  Our native forest and citrus grove provide excellent habitat for traditional coffee, butterflies, insects and over 100 species of birds. Some of the most vividly colored and most commonly seen birds are Red-legged Honeycreepers, Bay-headed, Blue-gray and Flame-colored Tanagers, Thick-billed Euphonias, Emerald Toucanets, Violet Sabrewing Hummingbirds and Blue-crowned Motmots. Based on multiple sightings by ourselves and hotel guests, we have compiled a comprehensive bird list…

• Panama Canal Lodge

  Accommodation
  Davis Suites offers lodging in a quiet and peaceful setting for tourists, business travelers, birdwatchers and anyone that needs to remain in the Province of Colon

• Park Eden Country Retreat

  Accommodation
  Located but 75 miles from the city capital of Panama, is El Valle de Ant

• Tinamou Cottage Jungle Lodge

  Accommodation
  These Deluxe Cottages offers you an unique experience of a genuine stay in the Jungle - you stay on Finca Habbus de Kwie a 22 Acre private forest reserve. Located relatively close to Boquete with all it's services and restaurant...

• Tranquilo Bay

  Website
  Tranquilo Bay is an owner-operated eco adventure lodge located on Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama adjacent to Bastimentos National Marine Park. We specialize in all-inclusive adventure eco tours and rejuvenation. We have over a kilometer of Caribbean coastline covered in coral gardens teaming with tropical fish...

• Birdwatching In Panama

  Website
  Bird photos and a few hiking tips from Panama

• Cinnamon Becard

  Website
  Cinnamon Becard footage taken behind Gamboa resort December 2009

• Fatbirder Watching Hummers

  Website
  Cooled by the wings of angels!

• Panama Hummingbirds

  Website
  More video footage

• Tiny Hawk Video

  Website
  Filmed through my scope in December 2009 Rainforest Discovery Centre, Pipeline Road

• Xenornis

  Website
  The latest reports of rare birds in Panama - updated throughout the year

• Bird Sampler Panama

  BLOG
  This blog highlights the avifauna of Panama, illustrating the systematic data always the same to promote a better understanding of these beautiful organisms that enrich the country's biodiversity. The entries begin with the Order, Family and common and scientific name of the species of bird shown.

• Jan Axel's Blog

  BLOG
  I'm a birdwatcher since the age of fourteen. With my beloved wife, I travel all around Panamá, enjoying everything this diverse country has to offer…

• John Afdem

  BLOG
  Superb photoblog of this American's three month sojourn in Panama just taking pictures of the wildlife!

• Terry's Boquete Bird Stories - Terry van Niekerk

  BLOG
  Terry van Niekerk of the tour company Coffee Adventures Boquete - follow her birding tales…

• Photographer - Noah Stryker

  Gallery
  Gallery of bird photos

• Photographer - Robert Scanlon

  Gallery
  Photos taken on a trip to Panama in January 2004

• Photographer - Will Cook

  Gallery
  Here's a selection of bird images from a trip to Panama, March 17-April 4, 2004