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The wonderful Sunbittern foraging along the creek near the Canopy Lodge. Photos by guide Chris Benesh.
Following the Canopy Tower tour of 2018, four of us headed to the Canopy Lodge at El Valle de Anton to enjoy a few days of birding in and around this ancient volcanic massif. It was a wonderful complement to the earlier birding around the canal zone.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps) – Some great looks at these birds visiting the lodge feeders.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus) – Richard was lucky enough to spot one, but a heard bird for the rest of us.
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY (Sula nebouxii) – Some distant ones scoped from Raul's place in Santa Clara.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
The group birding along the start of the Las Minas Trail.
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – A treat to see this attractive species at Juan Hombron.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
COMMON BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus) – One was at Juan Hombron.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga) – Nice encounter with one at our lunch spot at Altos del Maria.
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) – A terrific look at one at the Canopy Adventure site.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) – One at the lodge was a treat. Formerly part of Gray-necked Wood-Rail.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (BLACK-BACKED) (Jacana jacana hypomelaena)
The wonderful Yellow-eared Toucanet that showed so well at Altos del Maria.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
ROYAL TERN (AMERICAN) (Thalasseus maximus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (CABOT'S) (Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
PURPLISH-BACKED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon lawrencii) – Nancy was fortunate to see this species.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major) – It was an ani sweep at Juan Hombron with three species including a couple of these big ones!
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) [*]
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) [*]
A Tropical Screech-Owl roosting at the Canopy Lodge.
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba luctisonus) – We had two different encounters with this species thanks to Danilo. The first was a hard to see pair tucked tightly together at a roost tree. The second was on a roost right at the lodge!
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) – We had one that was hanging out at Cariguana despite its habitat being hacked away. A second one was at Altos del Maria the following day.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) – Danilo spotted some roosting birds near the lodge.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – One of the last new birds of the trip, Danilo spotted a day roosting bird at Juan Hombron!
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri)
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
LONG-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis longirostris)
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
VERAGUAN MANGO (Anthracothorax veraguensis) – We had views of two at Juan Hombron. This species is essentially a Panama endemic. [E]
GARDEN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon assimilis)
WHITE-VENTED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura buffonii)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica)
SNOWCAP (Microchera albocoronata)
One of the Southern Lapwings seen at Juan Hombron.
BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia amabilis)
SNOWY-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia edward collata) [E]
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
SAPPHIRE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis coeruleogularis) [E]
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
ORANGE-BELLIED TROGON (Trogon aurantiiventris) – Terrific looks at this species.
Momotidae (Motmots)
TODY MOTMOT (Hylomanes momotula) – This one got the extension off to a good start!
LESSON'S MOTMOT (Momotus lessonii lessonii) – We had three of these on our way down to Juan Hombron. This species differs from the Whooping in having a greener throat and a doubled call.
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii) – We did have one visiting the feeders at the lodge.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SPOT-CROWNED BARBET (Capito maculicoronatus maculicoronatus) – Nice to see two of these at the lodge. [E]
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
NORTHERN EMERALD-TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis)
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
YELLOW-EARED TOUCANET (Selenidera spectabilis) – A terrific look at this species at Altos del Maria.
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
A Lesson's Motmot seen on our way down the mountain from El Valle. This species is at the eastern limit of its range here.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani) [*]
RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis) – We had one zooming around Altos del Maria.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis)
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (VERAGUAS) (Eupsittula pertinax ocularis)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) [*]
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha) [*]
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE (Thamnistes anabatinus) – Good view of this canopy species at Altos del Maria.
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
One of the MEGAS of the trip was this Black-crowned Antpitta!
SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus puncticeps)
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla fulviventris)
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
DULL-MANTLED ANTBIRD (Sipia laemosticta) – After a lot of searching, we eventually connected with this species.
BICOLORED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys bicolor bicolor)
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
BLACK-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Pittasoma michleri michleri) – Wow! One of the big highlights of the extension was this spectacular species!
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) [*]
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens)
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) [*]
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (NORTHERN) (Phaeomyias murina eremonoma) [E]
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola semiflava) [*]
But this Spectacled Owl was also quite a treat!
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
RUFOUS-BROWED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes superciliaris)
PALTRY TYRANNULET (MISTLETOE) (Zimmerius vilissimus parvus)
NORTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus arenarum arenarum)
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) [*]
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus mystaceus)
TUFTED FLYCATCHER (COSTA RICAN) (Mitrephanes phaeocercus aurantiiventris)
TROPICAL PEWEE (Contopus cinereus) [*]
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) [*]
A Hepatic Tanager of the highland form. Quite a bit more red than those that make it to the United States, with an odd stuttering call to match.
PANAMA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus panamensis)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus dominicensis) – A couple of these were along the road into Juan Hombron.
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – Just a few of these wonderful flycatchers at Juan Hombron. Always a treat to see!
Pipridae (Manakins)
LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) [*]
WHITE-RUFFED MANAKIN (Corapipo altera) – Good look at one of these on our first afternoon.
GOLDEN-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus vitellinus)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
NORTHERN SCHIFFORNIS (NORTHERN) (Schiffornis veraepacis dumicola) [E*]
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (NORTHERN) (Cyclarhis gujanensis perrygoi) – One seen on our final day of birding. [E]
SCRUB GREENLET (Hylophilus flavipes) [*]
GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLET (Pachysylvia aurantiifrons aurantiifrons)
One of the Greater Anis seen at Juan Hombron.
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BLACK-CHESTED JAY (Cyanocorax affinis)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (WHISTLING) (Microcerculus marginatus luscinia)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon inquietus)
OCHRACEOUS WREN (Troglodytes ochraceus ligea) [E]
RUFOUS-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius rutilus)
ISTHMIAN WREN (Cantorchilus elutus)
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
We had great looks at this Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch on La Mesa.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-VENTED THRUSH (Turdus obsoletus) – A couple of these were hanging out at some fruiting trees at Altos del Maria along with some Clay-colored Thrushes.
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (TROPICAL) (Mimus gilvus tolimensis) [I]
Rhodinocichlidae (Thrush-Tanager)
ROSY THRUSH-TANAGER (Rhodinocichla rosea) [*]
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia)
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (Setophaga castanea)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)
RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Basileuterus rufifrons mesochrysus) – Seen daily.
A few of the tree full of Dickcissels at Juan Hombron.
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – Seen along the stream at the lodge, its rump impressively bright even in the shadows!
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis) – Another highlight was this popular warbler.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus)
CRIMSON-BACKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus dimidiatus)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata)
PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER (Tangara inornata)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala)
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas) – Looking a bit like Prothonotary Warblers, we had a flock at Altos del Maria.
This was a wonderful Therinia moth hanging out at the lodge.
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola) – A good look at one on La Mesa.
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLACK-HEADED SALTATOR (Saltator atriceps)
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus)
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (CENTRAL PANAMA) (Chlorospingus flavopectus punctulatus)
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris) [*]
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris)
Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER (Mitrospingus cassinii)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava testacea) – These birds are impressively different than birds that occur between the southern United States and Belize being much brighter red and having a different, stuttering call.
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER (NORTHERN) (Habia rubica vinacea)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
A Brown Longtail Skipper, Urbanus procne seen at La Mesa.
YELLOW-BILLED CACIQUE (Amblycercus holosericeus)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia luteicapilla)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta) – Several of these at Altos del Maria were a nice treat!
TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia anneae) – This attractive species was seen almost daily.
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – One was roosting near the lodge.
VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
El Chorro Macho, the big waterfall near the Canopy Lodge.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 206 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa