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Both adult male (shown here) and immature male Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds gave us great views as they fed in the verbena flowers at the edge of the Canopy Camp. This was an unexpected surprise as the species is extremely rare in Central America, with only a few record. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
We certainly saw a lot of great birds during our week at the Canopy Camp. It was wonderful to stay in comfortable accommodations and bird such a relatively remote place with great meals each day. It was not that long ago when access to much of the area was only by boat. Indeed, we got to experience the old days by traveling in a dugout canoe along the Rio Chucunaque and Rio Tuquesa to reach the Embera village of Nueva Vigia. It was this route that got us to our Dusky-backed Jacamars, Spectacled Parrotlet, and Chestnut-fronted Macaws.
The province of Darien is known for its specialty birds that are very local or reach their northern limit here. We ended up with a large list of lowland specialties that included Capped Heron, Pale-bellied Hermit, Barred Puffbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Dusky-backed Jacamar, Red-rumped, Golden-green and Spot-breasted woodpeckers, Spectacled Parrotlet, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Black Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Choco Sirystes, Golden-headed Manakin, White-headed Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, White-eared Conebill, Orange-crowned Oriole, and Black Oropendola, among others.
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.
We had a good number of other memorable sightings, from Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, nearly daily King Vultures, a perched Gray-headed Kite and Black Hawk-Eagle, two Striped Owls, our Great Potoo sailing overhead, two Common Potoos, Rufous-breasted Hermit chicks in a nest, Blue-throated Goldentail, Red-throated Caracaras in camp, Bare-crowned Antbird, several male Blue Cotingas, and Buff-rumped Warblers to several encounters with Red-naped Tamarins, a rather close Gray-bellied Night Monkey, and a Two-toed Sloth.
The staff at the Camp looked after us very well, and I can't say enough about Nando's expertise with not only the birds but the local people. It was a real joy to share this wonderful place with all of you, and I look forward to being together in the field the next time.
--John
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
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
Capped Herons can be quite shy, but these certainly were not, and we got to see them in full breeding regalia, with buffy plumage and bright facial skin. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) – It was the same story with this tough to see species [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata) – There was an adult male that flew by us at La Laguna. This is usually a very shy duck in its native habitat.
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana) – There was one with the Blue-winged Teal along the highway pond.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) – There were a good number of these at the pond along the Pan-American Highway on our first last birding days.
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) – It was a bit of a surprise to find this diving duck in the shallow pond along the highway on our last day.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps)
GREAT CURASSOW (Crax rubra) – We heard one calling way up the slope on our morning on the trails at the Camp. [*]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
Long-billed Starthroat (Photo by participant François Grenon)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) – Our best view was an adult along the roadside on our way to La Laguna.
BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum) – We enjoyed nice views of an adult on the wooded bank of Lake Bayano on our first morning.
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi) – There were a lot of these at the highway pond on our way to the Canopy Camp.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus) – It was somewhat of a surprise to find three of these right long the Pan-American Highway at the pond. This species is often quite shy but these three stayed for great views. We later flushed another in the forest near Nuevo Vigia.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – We saw a few at Lake Bayano on the way to and from the Camp.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – There were a handful around Lake Bayano with nice looks at one perched on a fencepost showing all the colors on the head.
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – The Darien areas we visited have to be one of the best places for seeing this species. We saw them on several days of the trip.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii) – François spotted one in a tree at our lunch stop on our way back from La Laguna.
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis) – We had great scope looks at a perched adult along a wooded creek on our way to La Laguna.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – After seeing a calling bird soaring high above us, we flushed, then watched an adult perched along the roadside on the El Salto Road.
This Laughing Falcon gave our group a careful look. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – Another great look at a perched raptor along the trail side.
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens) – We saw one perched at Terra Nuevo and Leah saw another at the Camp one afternoon.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis) – Good views of a couple of these open country specialists on our drive to the Canopy Camp.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis) – Nando heard one calling overhead as we were in the dining area and we watched this beautiful raptor soaring above the forest while another soared nearby.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus) – There were a few seen soaring around the Camp area.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – After seeing a flying bird on our first day, Nando spotted one perched above us in a tall tree while we walked Nando's Trail. With a scope view François realized it had an Orange-chinned Parakeet in its talons which ended up as lunch.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – Quite rare this far east in Panama, we saw one pass overhead twice while we birded at La Laguna.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (Laterallus albigularis) – We had a few calling at La Laguna but there was not a good spot to see them. [*]
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinicus)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna) – We saw a couple of these unusual birds at La Laguna.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – There were a good number at the roadside pond.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis) – We found a few here and there during the week.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – We saw a surprising number of these scattered about our travels including one at the Yaviza sewage ponds.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – There was at least seen one at the highway pond on our way to and from the Camp.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – Several were present at the shrinking pond along the Pan-American Highway.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) – Also, seen at the highway pond.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus) – While this is probably the species we saw at the Pan-American Highway pond, based on probability it should be a dowitcher sp.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – These were quite common in the open country.
This fine portrait of a Southern Lapwing shows off nicely one of its curious features: the pinkish spurs at the bend of wing! (Photo by participant François Grenon)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa) – We had good views of this often shy forest species. As usual, one hears many more than one sees.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) – We saw a few of these large and widespread cuckoos.
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) – Great looks at our first that was perched on a powerline one morning. We heard them most mornings along the roadside drives.
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major) – We saw a fair number with a lot seen at La Laguna.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – We heard these every night at the Camp but couldn't get one into view. [*]
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) [*]
BLACK-AND-WHITE OWL (Ciccaba nigrolineata) [*]
STRIPED OWL (Pseudoscops clamator) – We saw one at late-dusk that was perched on a powerline as we returned from Yaviza, then another during our night drive. This is a bird I rarely encounter.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – There were lots of these around the Camp and the roads in the evening and early morning.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – We had great views of this wonderful bird as it sailed right overhead at the Camp looking like a giant moth. We then got it perched in the light for a nice view.
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – We found two during our night drive on the side roads near the Canopy Camp.
Apodidae (Swifts)
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus) – François saw one pass overhead near Puerto Penita.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus) – We only saw a couple of adults shoot by, but we saw two soon-to-be fledglings in a nest at the Camp.
PALE-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis anthophilus) – A quite local species we saw them most days around the Camp.
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti) – Leah found one at the verbena flowers near the Camp one afternoon and we all saw it the next day.
RUBY-TOPAZ HUMMINGBIRD (Chrysolampis mosquitus) – What a treat! Nando found a brilliant male at the verbena flowers near the Camp but it was gone by the time we got there. The next afternoon we made a concerted effort to look for it and first found a young male individual before the stunning male showed again and gave us many great views. This is a very rare species for anywhere in Central America and was the site of a male last year around this time of year.
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis) – Good views of males and females at the feeders at the restaurant in Torti, but we saw them many other days as well.
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris) – At least two were frequent to the feeders at the restaurant in Torti and at the Canopy Camp.
SCALY-BREASTED HUMMINGBIRD (Phaeochroa cuvierii) – Also, several seen at the feeders.
WHITE-VENTED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura buffonii) – A few were seen here and there.
BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia amabilis)
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Photo by participant François Grenon)
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl) – Fairly common in various habitats.
SAPPHIRE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis)
VIOLET-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Damophila julie) – Males and females were feeding in the verbena flowers at the Camp.
BLUE-THROATED GOLDENTAIL (Hylocharis eliciae) – We had a few good views of these feeding in the verbena flowers at the Camp.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (Trogon massena) – Nice scope views of one near Lake Bayano.
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) – Quite common in the Lake Bayano area we had a few good looks.
WHITE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon chionurus) – Nice views of a male along the trail at the Camp.
GARTERED TROGON (Trogon caligatus)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus) – Our only ones were calling at the San Francisco Reserve. [*]
Momotidae (Motmots)
WHOOPING MOTMOT (Momotus subrufescens) – Our only one was along the trail near Nuevo Vigia.
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii) [*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – These were around the large bodies of water.
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana) – We saw both males and females.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) – We saw a couple of these large puffbirds perched in a cecropia tree.
BLACK-BREASTED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus pectoralis) – Nice looks at a pair that we first heard calling at the San Francisco Reserve.
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus) – This cute little puffbird showed well a few times on our forest trail walks.
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus) – Somewhat of a specialty at the Camp, we saw one well on our first morning in the clearing.
GRAY-CHEEKED NUNLET (Nonnula frontalis stulta) – A real specialty of the area, we found one near the Rio Chucunaque.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
DUSKY-BACKED JACAMAR (Brachygalba salmoni) – Great looks at this real rarity. Nando had first found them for the area a couple of weeks before along the Rio Tuquesa. We stopped and soon had great looks at a pair of these handsome birds.
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda) – We had nice looks at this striking bird near the Camp where they were nesting in a stump on the ground. Most days we would see one of the birds fly out as we drove by.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SPOT-CROWNED BARBET (Capito maculicoronatus rubrilateralis) – Another handsome species, we had good views of both males and females.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, normally found at higher elevations than where we were birding, was also a surprise find. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
BLACK-MANDIBLED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) – This chestnut-billed form is often split and probably will be again one of these days.
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus) – One of the classic looking toucans we saw these daily around the Camp.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus) – This cute tiny woodpecker gave us a few good looks as they tapped out their messages on thin vines.
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani) – Leah spotted one on our last day at the San Francisco Reserve.
RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis kirkii) – This small woodpecker occurs only in Central America in eastern Panama.
STRIPE-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Piculus callopterus) – It was a surprise to find this uncommon species at the San Francisco Reserve. It is mostly a foothill and mountain bird so it was quite unusual at this hilly but lowland elevation.
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros) – A quite fancy looking woodpecker and another eastern Panama specialty, Leah spotted the first one along the trail near Nuevo Vijia.
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula) – Formerly thought to be a very local species in eastern Panama we saw a few of them with our first on the power poles in Nuevo Vijia.
CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus) – A member of a quite fancy group of South American woodpeckers we enjoyed a nice look near the Rio Chucunaque.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos) – A few of these large guys were encountered.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus) [*]
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) – A group of five started calling, quite loudly, near the camp one afternoon and flew into one of the tall trees in the Camp for a nice look.
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima) – Quite common along the drive to the Camp where they hunt the Pan-American Highway for food.
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – We had a couple of great looks at birds perched along the trails.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – I think most if not all of the sightings were of males, the females could have been with young in tree cavities.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis) – We had a nice look at a perched bird in the large savanna near La Laguna.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis) – We saw these at least flying by every day in fair numbers but the most memorable one was in the talons of the Zone-tailed Hawk.
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis) – We had a handful flying by but never got one perched.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) – There were a couple of sizable flocks to go along with the pairs we saw daily.
RED-LORED PARROT (Amazona autumnalis) – The most common of the larger parrots we saw in Darien.
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa) – One of the larger of the Amazon parrots, these were conspicuous on most days.
SPECTACLED PARROTLET (Forpus conspicillatus) – After some searching we ended up with great scope views of this tiny parrot along the Rio Tuquesa in Nuevo Vigia. This is another eastern Panama specialty.
A lovely portrait of a Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, one of the common voices around the Canopy Camp. This small flycatcher rarely offers a view like this! (Photo by participant François Grenon)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) [*]
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – Although this is not a species that is normally seen in Darien, we had them at Lake Bayano and the San Francisco Reserve on our way to and from the Camp.
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha) – Formerly known as Western Slaty-Antshrike we saw a couple and heard them nearly daily.
BLACK ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus nigriceps) – This eastern Panama specialty showed well a couple of times. The females are quite striking with their rich chestnut back.
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla fulviventris) – A flock bird in the forest we only saw a couple of these. This species is outnumbered by White-flanked Antwrens here.
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula ignota) – This tiny antwren is always a tough one to see in the tall trees but we ended up with nice views of one and pretty good looks at another.
PACIFIC ANTWREN (Myrmotherula pacifica) – We had good views of a male along the trail near the La Tortuga marsh. Then we had an orangish female on the way to La Laguna.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
RUFOUS-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus) – After hearing one calling just out of range near Lake Bayano we finally got on one in the very tall trees at Tierra Nueva.
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis) – I may have been the only one to see this species in the flock on Nando's Trail.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra tyrannina) – A skulker in thick vegetation we had a pair along the El Salto Road.
BARE-CROWNED ANTBIRD (Gymnocichla nudiceps) – We heard several calling this year and had nice looks at a fancy male with a blue forehead. Although it has a sizeable range it is quite local.
The tiny Spectacled Parrotlet is one of the most sought-after species of the area. It obviously can be hard to see in a sea of green, but we had wonderful looks at Nueva Vigia. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza exsul) [*]
SPOTTED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevioides) – A real beauty, we saw a singing male along the trail near Nuevo Vigia.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) – We saw a few in the forests but never came upon an antswarm where these are often found.
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus) – François found our first then we had another later in the trip.
NORTHERN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) – Good looks at this large woodcreeper which, unfortunately, was not feeding at an antswarm.
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) – We heard far more than we saw.
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – After chasing a couple of singing birds we finally nailed one right along the Pan-American Highway not far from the Camp. A quite unusual woodcreeper it is quite specialized in its feeding with that long bill.
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus) – We saw a few with the forest flocks.
DOUBLE-BANDED GRAYTAIL (Xenerpestes minlosi) – Often a very tough bird to see, we had very close views of a few of these unusual birds. Our first was right at the edge of the camp and came in right above us singing.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) – I believe our only one was near Lake Bayano on our drive to the Camp.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – A quite common voice, we ended up seeing a few individuals.
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus) – François found one near the Camp during a break.
YELLOW-GREEN TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes flavovirens) – One of the few birds endemic to Panama, we had a very responsive pair at the San Francisco Reserve that gave us good views. This is often a very difficult species.
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps) – A quite common bird around the Camp we had great views of a quite close individual right next to the dining room.
PALTRY TYRANNULET (Zimmerius vilissimus)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus) – We just couldn't get this tiny bird in to view. [*]
SOUTHERN BENTBILL (Oncostoma olivaceum) – A couple of these small forest flycatchers showed well during our trail birding.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) – We had surprisingly good views of a rather low individual on our first day.
OLIVACEOUS FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (YELLOW-MARGINED) (Tolmomyias assimilis flavotectus) – We encountered this species several times during the week.
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris) – A species with an usually isolated range in Panama we found these to be fairly common in some of the habitats we visited.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus coronatus) – We had nice looks at this member of an unusual looking group of flycatchers along Nando's Trail at the Camp.
Black-capped Donacobius (Photo by participant François Grenon)
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus)
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens) – This is the major wintering area for this northern migrant.
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii) – It was somewhat of a surprise to hear and see a singing bird at La Laguna.
PIED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola pica) – Another local species in Panama, we saw one along the back water of Lake Bayano. Then François spotted another at La Laguna.
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa) – A South American species that has spread its range into Panama with forest cutting, we had good views of one of two at La Laguna.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) – Another common song from the forest we saw a few of these aggressive looking flycatchers.
CHOCO SIRYSTES (Sirystes albogriseus) – A quite uncommon species in Panama we saw one along the El Salto Road and another at San Francisco Reserve. Formerly known simply as Sirystes, this is one of four species to be recently split.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) – We heard these wintering birds daily.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – We found these along the edges of the marshes and lakes we visited.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) [*]
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis) – These were quite common just about everywhere we birded.
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis) – Not a Darien species, we saw a couple in the Lake Bayano area on our way to the Camp.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – Another common voice we had a few including one perched up right in the Camp.
Another surprise for the tour was Bicolored Wren, an extreme rarity for Central America. Literally at the end of the road, we found this species at the regional terminus of the Pan-American Highway. (Photo by participant François Grenon)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata) – These quite vocal and large cotingas showed well a few times.
BLUE COTINGA (Cotinga nattererii) – We had great looks at about four males and a female along the El Salto Road. A real dazzler with its electric blue color.
Pipridae (Manakins)
GOLDEN-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus vitellinus) – We had several nice encounters with this lekking species as the males snapped near the ground in the forest. Another dazzler.
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) – Although we only saw this rather uncommon manakin once, the Canopy Camp is one of the best places to see this brightly colored species.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
RUSSET-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis stenorhyncha panamensis) – We gave this one a lot of effort but could not get a calling bird in to view. [*]
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) – We ended up seeing several of these including a few around Camp.
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus) – We saw a female near the La Tortuga marsh near Nuevo Vigia.
ONE-COLORED BECARD (Pachyramphus homochrous) – It was a late save when Nando spotted a pair at the San Francisco Reserve on our last day.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis) – We had pretty good views of a singing bird at Lake Bayano on our first day.
LESSER GREENLET (Hylophilus decurtatus) [*]
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BLACK-CHESTED JAY (Cyanocorax affinis) – These loud jays showed a handful of times with our first at the edge of the Camp.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
MANGROVE SWALLOW (Tachycineta albilinea) – We saw a few around Lake Bayano and again along the Rio Chucunaque.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – There were a few wintering birds around La Laguna.
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – François spotted one of these migrants in the savanna near La Laguna.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
WHITE-HEADED WREN (Campylorhynchus albobrunneus harterti) – Usually a quite conspicuous bird around the Camp, they were rather shy this year and we speculated they might be nesting. We did end up with a great few of two of these large wrens right in the camp as well as a couple more along the El Salto Road.
BICOLORED WREN (Campylorhynchus griseus) – After hearing from Nando that this rarity for Central America had recently been seen for the first time at Yaviza we decided to go for it. We checked the cemetery for several minutes before François spotted it flying in over the town. It landed in the large tree and gave us great looks even calling a few times. This can be a rather common bird in the appropriate habitat in Colombia and Venezuela but this is probably the first accessible individual seen in Panama. Yip! Yip! Yip!
BLACK-BELLIED WREN (Pheugopedius fasciatoventris) – There were several we heard calling in the forest edge and we got a few looks at them.
BUFF-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus leucotis) – After hearing a lot of these we finally got a good view at the Red-billed Scythebill spot along the highway.
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
Amazon Kingfisher (Photo by participant François Grenon)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi) – These were rather common around Panama City and the hotel.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – This wintering warbler was heard often along the rivers and creeks. We saw a couple of them on the banks.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) – A couple of us saw a quite dull female plumaged bird along the trail near the Rio Chucunaque.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea) – A couple of these bright denizens of the bogs were encountered.
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia) – Panama is the main wintering area for this species. We saw one along the shore of the Rio Tuquesa at the Dusky-backed Jacamar site.
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (Setophaga castanea) – This was the most common wintering warbler we encountered in the forests we visited.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) – Also seen in fair numbers.
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – We ended up with pretty good views of two individuals at the San Francisco Reserve where they were working amongst the rocks in the creek.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata) – This is a tanager that is often associated with army antswarms but ours were hanging out without ants.
Black-collared Hawk (Photo by participant François Grenon)
CRIMSON-BACKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus dimidiatus)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (Ramphocelus flammigerus) – We saw a couple of these in Nuevo Vigia.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata)
PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER (Tangara inornata) – These were quite common in the second growth areas we visited, especially around the Camp clearing.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
WHITE-EARED CONEBILL (Conirostrum leucogenys) – After our first one near Lake Bayano we ended up seeing a few more. This is another eastern Panama specialty.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea) – We saw a couple of these on our last day at San Francisco Reserve.
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (Sporophila corvina)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus) – Saltators were surprisingly lacking in the areas we visited, but we had this species at San Francisco Reserve.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris) [*]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) – A handful of these wintering birds were seen and heard through the week.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD (Sturnella militaris) – We saw a few of these in open pastures and heard them giving there buzzy calls.
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) – There was a fair-sized flock at the highway pond on our final day in the field.
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus) – These are relatively new invaders to Panama.
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus) – We ended up encountering many of these large nest predators near oropendola colonies and other open country areas.
ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius)
YELLOW-BACKED ORIOLE (Icterus chrysater)
ORANGE-CROWNED ORIOLE (Icterus auricapillus) – This South American species reaches eastern Panama but is still not very common.
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas) – François had one on our day to La Laguna.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) – We should all be seeing this species again in a few months.
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus uropygialis) – We saw a pair beginning construction of a nest at San Francisco Reserve.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela) – These were rather common around the clearing at the Camp.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri) – By far the most common oropendola we saw.
BLACK OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius guatimozinus) – We saw at least 20 individuals along the Pan-American Highway near Yaviza. This is a quite local species that most birders only see in Darien.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia luteicapilla) – This was the most conspicuous of the euphonias we saw.
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
FULVOUS-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia fulvicrissa) – We had one along the El Salto Road.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS
COMMON OPOSSUM (Didelphis marsupialis) – On our night drive we spotted one in a tree below the Camp.
LESSER WHITE-LINED BAT (Saccopteryx leptura) – This was almost certainly the small bats we saw on the large tree trunk along the trail that had the zigzag pattern on the back. The other possible species, Greater White-lined Bat, is larger with whiter stripes while our bats had less distinct buffy stripes.
RED-NAPED TAMARIN (Saguinus geoffroyi) – Good numbers of these small, colorful and agile monkeys were seen during the week. We even got to see a couple of them make long leaps from one tree to another.
GRAY-BELLIED NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus lemurinus) – We had a nice view of one during our night drive, then I had a group of three just off my veranda one night.
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta palliata) – We never saw one, but their voices were always present in the early morning and evening at the Camp. [*]
WHITE-THROATED CAPUCHIN (Cebus capucinus) [*]
HOFFMANN'S TWO-TOED SLOTH (Choloepus hoffmanni) – There were two quite close to each other that we spotlighted during our night drive.
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis) – We saw one in the clearing of the Camp during our first night of owling.
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) – It was a surprise to see one walk out of the forest and on to the dirt road on our first morning near Lake Bayano.
TAYRA (Eira barbara) – We scared one off the road below the camp and saw it dash up the drainage.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 269 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa