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The trip started at the border of La Amistad National Park and the beautifully located Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Lodge. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
This year we enjoyed excellent weather and some fine birding again at two of the best birding lodges in Panama. The contrast between the highlands and lowlands was a huge hit with the group, along with the fine hospitality and excellent meals at both Mount Totumas and Tranquilo Bay. Our birding highlights included seeing many Chiriqui Highland Endemics like Black Guan, Chiriqui Quail-Dove, Magenta-throated Woodstar, Prong-billed Barbet, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Yellow-winged Vireo, and Flame-throated Warbler. The lowlands were equally productive where we enjoyed Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, Snowy Continga, Great Potoo, lots of eye-level parrots, and cool mammals. Thanks again to Jeff, Alma, and Karin (at Mount Totumas) and Jim, Jay, Renee, and Ramon (at Tranquilo Bay) for all their help. And thank you for joining me in Western Panama, all the best for good birding in 2019!
Jesse aka Motmot (from Lima, Peru)
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
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – The next three species of waterfowl were seen on the Caribbean side. Black-bellied WD at the Changuinola River mouth and at Puerto Robalo, single Muscovy Ducks were seen in flight, and Blue-winged Teal again at the Changuinola River mouth.
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
And we are off! Here we are in Panama City boarding our flight to David and the Chiriqui Highlands. Thanks to participant Alice Whitmore for capturing this fun moment.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps)
CRESTED GUAN (Penelope purpurascens) [*]
BLACK GUAN (Chamaepetes unicolor) – Seen pretty well on the Quetzal Trail, but super looks feeding on palm fruit on the Fortuna Road.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SPOTTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus guttatus) [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa) – A few of you saw this large pigeon in flight from the tower.
WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON (Patagioenas leucocephala) – One was seen on our first afternoon at Tranquilo Bay.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – The common, large pigeon at Mount Totumas.
SHORT-BILLED PIGEON (Patagioenas nigrirostris)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi) [*]
CHIRIQUI QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon chiriquensis) – Incredible looks on the trail during our morning birding Romalo's Trail.
Our fun group with Jeffrey Deitrich and Mount Totumas as a backdrop.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
MANGROVE CUCKOO (Coccyzus minor) – A good bird to see. One was spotted at the outhouse along the Changuinola Canal.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – A day roosting bird was seen along (over!) the Changuinola Canal.
Apodidae (Swifts)
BLACK SWIFT (Cypseloides niger) – From past experience, we identified this species from the tower at dusk. A few photos were taken, but difficult conditions and light at this hour.
SPOT-FRONTED SWIFT (Cypseloides cherriei) – A group of 10 or so were seen mid-morning flying low over the Changuinola Canal. A very good record for Panama.
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica) – A pair were flying with the Spot-fronted over the Changuinola Canal. I believe some photos were taken.
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis) – Seen well from the tower.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri) [*]
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae) – Both violetears were regular visitors to the Mount Totumas feeders. Lesser, however, was far more common.
LESSER VIOLETEAR (Colibri cyanotus)
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii) – This small hummingbird was feeding on flowers at Willy Mazou on the Fortuna Road.
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula)
TALAMANCA HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes spectabilis) – Split by some taxonomic authorities (including Clements/eBird) from Magnificent. Some also call it "Admirable Hummingbird." In this case, a Chiriqui Highland endemic.
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
We had great luck with bellbirds this year. One of our first birds at Mount Totumas was this young male "boinking" from an exposed snag near the lodge. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
WHITE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis castaneoventris) – Females made appearances at the Mount Totumas feeders a few times. Males not so much.
MAGENTA-THROATED WOODSTAR (Calliphlox bryantae) – A splendid male was visiting the feeders regularly at Mount Totumas.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris) – These are rare on the Caribbean side. We saw a male and female on Isla Bastimento.
SCINTILLANT HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus scintilla) – This tiny hummingbird was common at Mount Totumas. A few of you saw the male displaying his gorget.
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti)
VIOLET SABREWING (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica)
STRIPE-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupherusa eximia)
BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia amabilis)
SNOWY-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia edward niveoventer) – Good numbers at the Mount Totumas feeders.
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
UNIFORM CRAKE (Amaurolimnas concolor) [*]
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (Laterallus albigularis) [*]
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis) – Now fairly common in the region, but only a recent expansion from South America.
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
This Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, a Chiriqui Highland endemic, was building a nest near the Mount Totumas lodge. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster) – A group of three was seen during our morning boatride to Changuinola Canal.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum) – Awesome looks at this species in the canal. I believe we saw two different individuals. This is near the southernmost point in their distribution.
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)
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
We were fortunate (and very pleased) to find a pair of quetzals in the tall forest at Mount Totumas. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius) – Seen at our gas station stop near Puerto Robalo. Odd nesting site.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) – Seen on Isla Bastimento and on the road to Puerto Robalo.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – Lovely creatures. Seeing them soar below eye-level from the Mount Totumas deck was a real treat.
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus) – Heard in the forest on the Big Tree Trail, but we spotted one soaring over the lodge at lunch.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – Nice to see perched during a stop on the Fortuna Road.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
BICOLORED HAWK (Accipiter bicolor) – A rare record (maybe the second?) for the Mount Totumas property.
COMMON BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus)
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps) – Always good to see this species on the Fortuna Road.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
RED-TAILED HAWK (COSTARICENSIS) (Buteo jamaicensis costaricensis) – The resident subspecies in the Chiriqui Highlands.
The awesome forest of Mount Totumas included this species of oak, Quercus costaricensis. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Strigidae (Owls)
COSTA RICAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium costaricanum) [*]
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
RESPLENDENT QUETZAL (Pharomachrus mocinno) – Very good looks of a pair on the Big Tree Loop Trail at Mount Totumas.
ORANGE-BELLIED TROGON (Trogon aurantiiventris) [*]
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – We nearly swept the kingfishers for the tour with four species seen on our day at the canal.
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii)
Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)
PRONG-BILLED BARBET (Semnornis frantzii) – This Chiriqui Highland endemic was seen well at Romalo's Trail.
We had some nice "mothing" evenings at Mount Totumas. Jeff's collection is truly amazing. This one is Rothschildia triloba, which is fairly common on the property. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
NORTHERN EMERALD-TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) – This subspecies is endemic to the Chiriqui Highlands.
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus) [*]
YELLOW-THROATED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii)
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus flavotinctus)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)
RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
HAIRY WOODPECKER (COSTA RICAN) (Dryobates villosus extimus) – The subspecies seen at Mount Totumas.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis) [*]
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima) – Seen on Pacific side, but now has expanded to Caribbean region.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) – Common from the tower at Tranquilo Bay.
WHITE-CROWNED PARROT (Pionus senilis) – One seen on the Fortuna Road.
RED-LORED PARROT (Amazona autumnalis) – Hundreds (?) around Tranquilo Bay.
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa) – Just a few from the Tranquilo Bay tower. Outnumbered 50:1 by the Red-lored.
SULPHUR-WINGED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura hoffmanni) – Common at Mount Totumas.
OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET (AZTEC) (Eupsittula nana astec) – Seen on the Caribbean side.
CRIMSON-FRONTED PARAKEET (Psittacara finschi) – A few in the park trees as we walked to the airport in Bocas.
Guide Jesse Fagan, in full birding mode. Thanks to participant Alice Whitemore for the photo.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha) – Common in the forest at Tranquilo Bay.
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
SLATY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula schisticolor) – This foothills species was seen in the tall forest at Mount Totumas.
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Poliocrania exsul)
DULL-MANTLED ANTBIRD (Sipia laemosticta) – Seen pretty well on the Fortuna Road. Certainly heard by all!
BICOLORED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys bicolor) – This species was following an ant swarm on the entrance road to Mount Totumas.
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
SILVERY-FRONTED TAPACULO (Scytalopus argentifrons)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) [*]
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius) – Great looks at a responsive bird near the quarry along the entrance road to Mount Totumas.
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) [*]
SPOT-CROWNED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes affinis)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum) – Rare in Western Panama. Seen in the tall forest at Mount Totumas.
SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia variegaticeps) – One of three foliage-gleaner species seen at Mount Totumas.
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris)
STREAK-BREASTED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes rufobrunneus) [*]
Next stop: Tranquilo Bay! We stayed four nights on the island of Bastimento in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops) – Seen well at Mount Totumas.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
MOUNTAIN ELAENIA (Elaenia frantzii)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
MISTLETOE TYRANNULET (Zimmerius parvus)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus) – The smallest passerine in the world was seen at Willy Mazou, just a speck up in the tree.
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus) [*]
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) – Another tiny flycatcher seen fairly low, near eye-level at our bathroom stop on the canal.
STUB-TAILED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus cancrominus) – The only spot in Panama to see this species is on the Bocas del Toro islands.
DARK PEWEE (Contopus lugubris) [*]
TROPICAL PEWEE (Contopus cinereus) [*]
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flaviventris) – At their southern most point in winter. We saw them along the entrance road to Mount Totumas.
YELLOWISH FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flavescens)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
Our comfortable cabins at Tranquilo Bay as seen from their tower. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) [*]
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
GOLDEN-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes hemichrysus)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) [*]
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus) – A migrant was seen on the Changuinola Canal.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
THREE-WATTLED BELLBIRD (Procnias tricarunculatus) – Wonderful experience with this species (a large cotinga!) at Mount Totumas. Each day we heard several males calling "boinking" away.
SNOWY COTINGA (Carpodectes nitidus) – Amazing spot by Ramon! White specks in the tall tree at Isla Popa.
Pipridae (Manakins)
WHITE-RUFFED MANAKIN (Corapipo altera)
GOLDEN-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus vitellinus) – Nice, close encounters on the grounds at Tranquilo Bay.
RED-CAPPED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra mentalis)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata) – Seen super well from the tower at Tranquilo Bay.
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) – We called in a responsive pair on the Fortuna Road.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis) [*]
LESSER GREENLET (Pachysylvia decurtata)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
YELLOW-WINGED VIREO (Vireo carmioli) – A pair were seen well on Romalo's Trail. A Chiriqui Highland endemic.
PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus)
Here we are as a group birding the Tranquilo Bay tower. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis) – One had just arrived back to its breeding grounds - the gas station tree.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) – Migrants were over the tower and canal in Bocas del Toro. A few males helped cinch the i.d.
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
MANGROVE SWALLOW (Tachycineta albilinea)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (WHISTLING) (Microcerculus marginatus luscinia) [*]
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
OCHRACEOUS WREN (Troglodytes ochraceus) – This small arboreal wren was seen well (surprisingly) in the tall forest at Mount Totumas.
BLACK-THROATED WREN (Pheugopedius atrogularis) [*]
ISTHMIAN WREN (Cantorchilus elutus) [*]
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus) – It showed very well on the grounds of Tranquilo Bay.
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) [*]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
This male Blue-black Grosbeak was singing his head off near our cabins at Tranquilo Bay. Video by guide Jesse Fagan.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) [*]
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
BLACK-FACED SOLITAIRE (Myadestes melanops) – Seen well at Mount Totumas. The song was often a characteristic sound of the forest here.
ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus aurantiirostris)
RUDDY-CAPPED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus frantzii)
BLACK-HEADED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus mexicanus) [*]
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
MOUNTAIN THRUSH (Turdus plebejus)
PALE-VENTED THRUSH (Turdus obsoletus) – This was a good bird to see so well. Rare to uncommon on the Fortuna Road where we saw one perched for a long time.
WHITE-THROATED THRUSH (Turdus assimilis)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
LONG-TAILED SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Ptiliogonys caudatus) – Lots of nice looks at Mount Totumas including one building a nest.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
GOLDEN-BROWED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia callophrys) – Awesome looks at Mount Totumas.
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
ELEGANT EUPHONIA (Euphonia elegantissima) – Seemed common in mistletoe clumps at Mount Totumas.
OLIVE-BACKED EUPHONIA (Euphonia gouldi)
TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia anneae)
This male Nicaraguan Seed-Finch sat up nicely for us during our birdy morning along the Changuinola Canal. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN (Spinus xanthogastrus) – Small numbers around the lodge at Mount Totumas.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus flavopectus) – Indeed "common" at Mount Totumas and Fortuna Road.
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
YELLOW-THIGHED FINCH (Pselliophorus tibialis) – We managed to see a couple of pairs finally in the scrubby understory at Mount Totumas. Another Chiriqui Highland Endemic.
WHITE-NAPED BRUSHFINCH (YELLOW-THROATED) (Atlapetes albinucha brunnescens)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
MONTEZUMA OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius montezuma)
BLACK-COWLED ORIOLE (Icterus prosthemelas)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) – One briefly at Tranquilo Bay was a good record.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) – A nice bird to see several times.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea)
FLAME-THROATED WARBLER (Oreothlypis gutturalis) – The beautiful Chiriqui endemic was seen along Romalo's Trail.
Despite being fairly common in the Caribbean lowlands of Central America, the Keel-billed Toucan is always cool to see. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia)
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis semiflava) – We called one up at the Continental Divide.
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)
BLACK-CHEEKED WARBLER (Basileuterus melanogenys) – Good numbers in the understory at Mount Totumas.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda)
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Piranga bidentata)
WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera) – Always nice to see this one. The males are especially flashy.
RED-THROATED ANT-TANAGER (Habia fuscicauda)
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia cyanoides) – Awesome, close looks of a singing male on the Tranquilo Bay property.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata) [*]
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii) – Seen near our cabins at Tranquilo Bay. Loud and vocal, but sometimes difficult to see as they move quickly.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
SCARLET-RUMPED TANAGER (Ramphocelus passerinii)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SPECKLED TANAGER (Ixothraupis guttata)
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata)
PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER (Tangara inornata)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
EMERALD TANAGER (Tangara florida) – Always nice to see this Tangara. We had several along the Fortuna Road.
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala)
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta) – Did you see the scarlet thighs?
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
A final look at us zipping down the Changuinola Canal after a fantastic day of birding. Video by guide Jesse Fagan.
SHINING HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes lucidus) – The bright yellow legs really stood out on this one.
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
SLATY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa plumbea)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea)
NICARAGUAN SEED-FINCH (Sporophila nuttingi) – This local species was seen very well singing in the early morning at the start of the Changuinola Canal.
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (Sporophila corvina)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
MAMMALS
GRAY FOUR-EYED OPOSSUM (Metachirops opossum) – Seen in the evening at the Tranquilo Bay banana feeders.
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta palliata) – Good numbers in the La Amistad NP forest at Mount Totumas. Heard every morning, part of the dawn chorus.
CENTRAL AMERICAN SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles geoffroyi) – Small groups were sharing the forest at Mount Totumas with howlers.
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – These bizarre creatures were seen well in Cecropia trees at Tranquilo Bay. Also, seen along the canal, but we didn't get lucky enough to see one giving birth!
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis) – Presumably, this is what was along the Fortuna Road and in the lowlands around Tranquilo Bay. Many named subspecies and variation in coat color make the taxonomy confusing.
MONTANE SQUIRREL (Syntheosciurus brochus) – This highland squirrel was seen at Mount Totumas.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus) – From the Tranquilo Bay Tower.
CRAB-EATING RACCOON (Procyon cancrivorus) – Seems labeling this "Procyon sp." is better b/c the two species (Incld. Northern Raccoon) overlap in W Panama. I didn't see this individual well enough to separate it from Northern. They overlap in habitat and behavior.
NEOTROPICAL OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) – Just a few brief looks at this species on the Changuinola Canal.
Herps
GREEN IGUANA (Iguana iguana) – Seen in trees along the canal.
STRAWBERRY POISON DART FROG (Dendrobates pumilio) – Different color morphs exist of this widespread species. In the Bocas del Toro archipelago, close islands even have different color varieties!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 280 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa