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This Chestnut-headed Oropendola is looking rather menacing as it eyes David¹s camera. We saw a lot of these at the feeders as well as at the large tree with 30+ nests. Photo by participant David Baker.
We had a great week of birding at the very comfortable Canopy Lodge in the cool foothills at El Valle as members of the Mearns Bird Club shook off the cold of Orange County, NY to migrate south to Panama. I did a bit of researching and could not find any reference to Edgar Alexander Mearns spending any time in Panama so you were all representing the name well as we birded wet and dry forests, open pastures, a large city park, coastal lowlands and marshes. Except for our day birding the Rio Indio and Jordanal area where we had a day of rain the weather was spot on, not too hot and fairly dry. Even on our wet day we did quite well with the specialties we searched for.
Highlights of the trip were many and included those Crested Bobwhites walking right across the road at Juan Hombron, great views of several Swallow-tailed Kites, a wonderful Spectacled Owl on a day perch, the Common Potoo on its branch, perhaps on a nest, finally getting our White-tipped Sicklebill, the thin-tailed male Green Thorntail, the very fancy and diminutive Rufous-crested Coquette, scope views of the rare Snowcap, Orange-bellied Trogon, five species of motmots including our Tody Motmot, Barred Puffbird being harassed by a few hummingbirds, great looks at Keel-billed Toucans, our good view of Dull-mantled Antbird, a cooperative Long-tailed Tyrant exposed on a broken limb, Lance-tailed and Golden-collared manakins, the great look at the Rosy Thrush-Tanager, seeing a few Golden-winged Warblers getting ready to head north, and the Crested Oropendolas working at their nests, among many others.
It was great to have Danilo Jr. taking us around and spotting and finding birds in an incredible fashion. The entire staff at the Canopy Lodge was so wonderful and made our stay so comfortable. We have to do this again somewhere.
Best, 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
David managed to capture this well-camouflaged Common Potoo with its eye open. We enjoyed great looks at this strange bird at Metro Park on our first morning of birding. Photo by participant David Baker.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus) – usually a very difficult bird to see since it is quite shy, we had six individuals walking in the road at Juan Hombron, then another pair a bit further down the road.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY (Sula nebouxii) – Danilo pointed out about six individuals that were perched atop the stone structure off the beach at Santa Clara.
BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster)
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)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – We had a few nice looks at this savanna species, even seeing the bluish crown on the yellow head.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – We saw one perched on an exposed tree in the Juan Hombron area with another sitting on a nest.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – We had several nice looks at this quite handsome raptor. These are moving north this time of year.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus blakei)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) – A very odd species and the only member of its family; we were so fortunate to see this great bird sitting on a nest near the Canopy Lodge. Tino told us a few days later the single egg had hatched but the young was not visible in the nest.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
The sharply marked Green Honeycreeper is always a favorite. Photo by participant David Baker.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (BLACK-BACKED) (Jacana jacana hypomelaena)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (HUDSONIAN) (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus) – About four were spotted on the beach at Santa Clara.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) – Two individuals were with the tern flock on the beach right in front of the beach house at Santa Clara.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
ROYAL TERN (AMERICAN) (Thalasseus maximus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (CABOT'S) (Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus)
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans) – There were two with all the Sandwich Terns and a few Royal Terns on the beach at Santa Clara.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE (Columbina minuta elaeodes) – A pair of these tiny doves were seen walking on the dirt road in the Juan Hombron area.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
PURPLISH-BACKED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon lawrencii) [*]
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) – We scoped an individual singing from a tree top on the way to Juan Hombron.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba luctisonus) – A single bird was on a day perch just inside the gate at the Canopy Lodge and we saw it several days.
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) – We had nice views of this great owl on a day roost in the Cara Iguana area.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) – Danilo found this well-camouflaged forest owl in a dense thicket at the Canopy Lodge. We had it in the scope and could see the face of this great bird through the vegetation.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – This was one of the highlights of our first morning of birding at Metro Park. We spotted this odd species perched atop a broken limb where it looked like an extension of the tree.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – We had nice views of several individuals flying together quite low over the road to Jordanal.
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – A fabulous looking hummingbird, we saw it flying about above the stream along our walk at Altos del Maria.
WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL (Eutoxeres aquila) – A great hummingbird of the Canopy Lodge area, it is a specialist at feeding on Heliconia flowers. We watched a few of these flowers for longer than we thought possible before we spotted a bird perched on the red structure with small yellow flowers. Yip! Yip! Yip!
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri) – I may have been the only one to see this bird at Altos del Maria.
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
LONG-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis longirostris)
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
VERAGUAN MANGO (Anthracothorax veraguensis) – We saw two males in the dry country of the Juan Hombron area. This is one of a handful of birds that is found in Panama and no where else. [E]
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii) – At a stop on our way back from Altos del Maria, Moyo spotted a female feeding in a roadside tree. We got out for a better view and also found a fantastic male showing the wire-like tail feathers.
The large Rufous Motmot was a frequent visitor to the feeder trays at the Canopy Lodge. Photo by participant David Baker.
RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE (Lophornis delattrei) – This beautiful tiny hummingbird with the spiky crest was seen very well along the roadside on the Jordanal Road. We were treated to extended views of a feeding male in a shrub right next to the road.
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula)
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
GARDEN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon assimilis)
WHITE-VENTED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura buffonii)
BRONZE-TAILED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura urochrysia) – This is the mid-sized hummingbird with the pink feet that we saw a few times with our best views along the Las Minas Trail.
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica)
WHITE-TAILED EMERALD (Elvira chionura)
SNOWCAP (Microchera albocoronata) – This purplish hummingbird with a white crown is quite rare within its range. We saw one perching briefly in the forest at Altos del Maria and we followed it for quite awhile before it stopped long enough for us to get it in the scope.
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)
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (MASSENA) (Trogon massena hoffmanni) [*]
GARTERED TROGON (Trogon caligatus) [*]
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus) – This yellow-bellied trogon with a green head was seen just above us on the trail at Metro Park on our first morning of birding.
ORANGE-BELLIED TROGON (Trogon aurantiiventris) – A rather uncommon species of the foothills and mountains, we saw them on three different days. Most of the trogons have yellow or red breasts so an orange one is unusual.
Momotidae (Motmots)
TODY MOTMOT (Hylomanes momotula) – We did quite a bit of searching before finding this small motmot on a side trail above the Canopy Lodge. We even got it in the scope for a nice view of this uncommon species.
LESSON'S MOTMOT (Momotus lessonii lessonii)
WHOOPING MOTMOT (WHOOPING) (Momotus subrufescens conexus)
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii)
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus) – A very local species in the El Valle area, we had a great look at an individual perched nearby that was being mobbed by a few hummingbirds.
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis) – We had a calling bird at the end of the Jordanal Road but we got chased out by the rainstorm before we could find it. [*]
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SPOT-CROWNED BARBET (Capito maculicoronatus maculicoronatus) – This is a member of an unusual family of neotropical birds. We had a nice look at a male and female in a fruiting fig tree just up the road from the Canopy Lodge. [E]
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
NORTHERN EMERALD-TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) – Another quite difficult bird in this area, we had a nice scope view of a calling bird along the Las Minas Trail. This species has had a few names and is illustrated in some guides as Blue-throated Toucanet
At the small barranco in the La Mesa area, we managed to get nice looks at this male Spot-crowned Antvireo, a species that is rather uncommon in its range. Photo by participant David Baker.
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
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)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis)
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis) – We had a couple or three individuals feeding in a tree quite close to the road on our way to La Mesa.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (VERAGUAS) (Eupsittula pertinax ocularis) – A quite local species in the area we birded, we saw six of these long-tailed birds together in a tree in the Juan Hombron area.
CRIMSON-FRONTED PARAKEET (Psittacara finschi) – There is a population of these mountain birds that is seen in the vicinity of our motel along the Panama Canal. These were certainly escapees from the Panama City area that have been able to do well here. [I]
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus) – This large antbird showed well and we got it in the scope as we birded along the Jordanal Road.
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha)
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE (Thamnistes anabatinus) – A bird that is not common anywhere within its range, we had a calling bird that we spotted in the forest at Altos del Maria..
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus puncticeps) – We had nice views of a male and female at the small canyon on La Mesa. We even got nice looks at the spots on the crown.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes) [*]
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Poliocrania exsul)
DULL-MANTLED ANTBIRD (Sipia laemosticta) – An area specialty, we had a great view of this uncommon species at the edge of the stream along the trail at Altos del Maria.
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
BLACK-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Pittasoma michleri) – We had a bird singing up the slope and it moved down to with 25 feet of us, but it was in a dense patch of vegetation and we could never get a look at it. This is always a toughy. [*]
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) – A singing bird that was walking on the forest floor and came into view along the Candalario Trail on La Mesa.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius)
Although we saw this colorful tropical bird several times, you never get tired of looking at a Keel-billed Toucan. Photo by participant David Baker.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus extimus) – A dry country specialist, we managed to coax one into a large tree near the big lagoon at Juan Hombron.
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens) – A higher elevation species, we had a pretty good view of one feeding on a mossy trunk at one of our early stops as we got to Altos del Maria.
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops) – There were two of these local specialties working with a mixed-species flock at Altos del Maria.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus) [*]
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (NORTHERN) (Phaeomyias murina eremonoma) [E]
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
PALTRY TYRANNULET (MISTLETOE) (Zimmerius vilissimus parvus) – Not the most inspiring name for a bird, we had a scope view of one just above the Lodge on the road to La Mesa.
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
PALE-EYED PYGMY-TYRANT (Atalotriccus pilaris wilcoxi) [E*]
SOUTHERN BENTBILL (Oncostoma olivaceum) [*]
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) – Typically a bird of the tree tops, we had great looks near eye level of this sharply marked species at our roadside stop on the road to La Mesa.
EYE-RINGED FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (YELLOW-OLIVE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens flavoolivaceus)
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus mystaceus)
TUFTED FLYCATCHER (COSTA RICAN) (Mitrephanes phaeocercus aurantiiventris) – We saw two of these quite handsome orange-colored flycatchers in the higher elevations of Altos del Maria.
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens) [*]
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – A distinctive flycatcher with the white cap and long tail, we saw it flying out and back from its exposed branch several times.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
RUFOUS MOURNER (Rhytipterna holerythra)
We may have been in the tropics, but jays, like this Black-chested Jay, are just as raucous as they are everywhere. Photo by participant David Baker.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
PANAMA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus panamensis)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – An austral migrant that arrives in Panama from South America in late-January, this species takes over another bird's nest to lay its eggs and raise its own young. We saw a calling bird along La Mesa Road.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Pipridae (Manakins)
LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) – A rather fancy manakin that showed well at Metro Park on our first morning. We had the blackish male with a blue back and red crown as well as a female-plumaged greenish individual.
WHITE-RUFFED MANAKIN (Corapipo altera)
GOLDEN-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus vitellinus) – We heard a couple of males snapping their wings as they did their display and followed one around until we had a good look at a brightly colored male in the scope.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
NORTHERN SCHIFFORNIS (NORTHERN) (Schiffornis veraepacis dumicola) – A rather dull looking but quite interesting bird that has bounced around in a few different families in recent years, we saw one in the forest at Altos del Maria. [E]
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (NORTHERN) (Cyclarhis gujanensis perrygoi) [E]
LESSER GREENLET (Pachysylvia decurtata)
GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLET (Pachysylvia aurantiifrons aurantiifrons)
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)
Very uncommon to rare throughout its range in Panama, the Dull-mantled Antbird is often found in damp ravines. That¹s just where we saw it at Altos del Maria. Photo by participant David Baker.
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (WHISTLING) (Microcerculus marginatus luscinia) – Some of us had a quick look at this mouse-like wren along the forested trail at the Canopy Lodge.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
OCHRACEOUS WREN (Troglodytes ochraceus ligea) [E*]
RUFOUS-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius rutilus)
RUFOUS-AND-WHITE WREN (Thryophilus rufalbus)
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) – This odd little species with the very long bill showed well for us at Metro Park as it sang from the viney tangle above us.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) – This great North American breeder popped up at the compost pit at the Canopy Lodge.
PALE-VENTED THRUSH (Turdus obsoletus)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (TROPICAL) (Mimus gilvus tolimensis) [I]
Rhodinocichlidae (Thrush-Tanager)
ROSY THRUSH-TANAGER (Rhodinocichla rosea) – This is a quite unusual species that is usually a very difficult bird to see, as it inhabits thick vegetation. We were fortunate to have a male with a brilliant rose-colored breast pop into the open at the compost pit. This species is now in its own monotypic family.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla) [*]
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) – It's always a good day when you see a Golden-winged Warbler. We saw this great bird on four different days.
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)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – Another species that showed well at the compost pit. It is usually found hopping about on rocks in a fast flowing stream.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
Orange-bellied Trogon can often be a quite difficult species to find, but we were fortunate to see this beauty three different days of our trip. Photo by participant David Baker.
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)
EMERALD TANAGER (Tangara florida)
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala)
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta) – Another pretty fancy and brightly-colored species, we saw one feeding in a fig tree and briefly had this small bird in the scopes.
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola) – We saw two in the grass at the motel on our first morning. It is thought this quite common open-country bird from South America was introduced in to Panama in the 1950's.
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola) – On the morning we left early to head to the Pacific lowlands we stopped at the volcano rim and tracked down a singing individual up the slope from us.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER (Sporophila minuta centralis)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (VARIABLE) (Sporophila corvina hoffmanni)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLACK-HEADED SALTATOR (Saltator atriceps) – An Atlantic slope species, this bird slips through the gaps in the mountains and is found in the La Mesa area. We saw a few of them on La Mesa and also along the Jordanal Road.
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus)
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (CENTRAL PANAMA) (Chlorospingus flavopectus punctulatus) – Formerly known as Common Bush-Tanager, there were a few seen in flocks at Altos del Maria.
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris) – A quite stunning species, some of us saw this fine bird near the feeder at the Lodge.
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER (Mitrospingus cassinii)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava testacea) [*]
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER (NORTHERN) (Habia rubica vinacea)
Although Green Thorntail is a very small hummingbird, the long thin tail of the male is quite distinctive as it moves through a flowering tree, hitting every flower. Photo by participant David Baker.
RED-THROATED ANT-TANAGER (RED-THROATED) (Habia fuscicauda willisi)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus) – A very local species in this part of Panama, we stopped along the highway to Anton and saw a few individuals tending to their distinctively long nests.
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
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)
FULVOUS-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia fulvicrissa) [*]
TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia anneae)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS
HOFFMANN'S TWO-TOED SLOTH (Choloepus hoffmanni) – Danilo spotted one curled up in a small tree while we were looking for the Spectacled Owl.
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – We had good views of this guy at Metro Park on our first morning.
VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
NEOTROPICAL OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) – Gerhard saw this rarely seen mammal along the stream.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 249 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa