Naturalist Journeys, LLC - Small Group Birding and Natural History Tours

Panama 2009
February 28 - March 8, 2009 - Bird/Species Trip List
Peg Abbott, Rich Cahill and 6 participants

Birds
Little Tinamou – heard only as we walked on Pipeline Road
Least Grebe – pair at Volcan Lakes
Pied-billed Grebe – John spotted this species on a walk near our hotel
Brown Pelican – Miraflores Locks, several
Neotropic Cormorant – seen on our Jungle boat trip in the Panama Canal
Anhinga – boat harbor of Chagras River, close-up views from the Jungle Boat ride
Magnificent Frigatebird – seen regularly in small numbers soaring over Canal & hotel
Rufescent Tiger-Heron – a striped, immature bird seen from the porch of the hotel’s Chagras River restaurant
Great Blue Heron – Volcan Lakes
Great Egret – fairly common, seen numerous places along the Canal and in small ponds in the highlands of Chiriqui
Snowy Egret – common along wetlands of the Canal area
Little Blue Heron – common along wetlands of the Canal area, Volcan Lakes
Tricolored Heron – fairly common and seen quite well at the boat put in for our hotel
Cattle Egret – in frequent in the Canal area but abundant in the agricultural areas of the highlands.  Notable and mesmerizing to watch was the ‘fly-in’ to a tree near our hotel at Vulcan, hundreds and hundreds of bird!
Green Heron – a few individuals seen in small ponds of the Canal area and a few seen from our Jungle boat ride
White Ibis – John spotted these which turned out to be plentiful on mud flats, PC
Black Vulture – abundant, seen daily
Turkey Vulture – common, seen daily
Black-bellied Whistling Duck – seen on two occasions in the Canal area. On our Jungle boat ride we spooked up a group that went to roost in a Cecropia tree, delighting all with a show of color in their wings as they gook off from there
Blue-winged Teal – three birds flew from Volcan Lakes
Osprey – Seen daily, we had some classic views such as one carrying fish above our heads as we went upriver in our motorized dugout canoes with Embera guides. Several posed for us in the Canal and they were seen and heard circling above our hotel
Gray-headed Kite – John spotted this raptor on our afternoon walk from the hotel. Wow!  We got some fine views in the scope and really enjoyed watching its alert stance.
Swallow-tailed Kite – seen along the rive en route to the Embera village
Snail Kite – very common in one area of the Canal. We saw mainly juvenile birds but had the opportunity to watch them locate and pluck Apple Snails from the water, then perch to prune them out of the shell and dine
Barred Hawk – Finca Lerida
Roadside Hawk – several sightings, in lowlands and highlands. A pair mating while we strolled through a coffee farm near Volcan Lakes was memorable
Red-tailed Hawk – Peg heard a pair screaming and courting above us as we walked in the road of the Respingo entrance to Baru National Park and we had great views of them
Crested Caracara – seen near the airport in David as we came to the highlands
Yellow-headed Caracara  - seen from our porches at Gamboa Rainforest Lodge and again while walking in the coffee farm in the highlands
Peregrine Falcon – seen coming and going along the river en route to Embera Village
Gray-headed Chachalaca – wonderful views on our morning walk from the hotel at Gamboa.  They were feeding on fruit and pretty oblivious to our passing – scope views
White-throated Crake – heard only in a small pond “Ammo Dump” by Pipeline Road
Purple Gallinule – fantastic views from the deck of the river restaurant at Gamboa, then again on our Jungle boat ride.  Seen in the highlands at Volcan Lakes
Common Moorhen – common in wetlands areas, lowlands and highlands
American Coot – Volcan Lakes
Southern Lapwing – Walter spotted this species on the lawn of our Gamboa hotel, common
Black-bellied Plover – mud flats PC
Northern Jacana – two seen at Volcan Lakes in the highlands
Wattled Jacana – numerous great looks along the waterways of the Canal
Willet – mud flats, PC
Spotted Sandpiper – seen en route to visit the Embera people, then again in the highlands in artificial ponds at Hotel Bambito
Whimbrel – mud flats, Panama City
Laughing Gull – causeway in Panama City and Miraflores Locks
Royal Tern – flying over Panama Canal, also mud flats in large number
Common Tern  – mud flats, PC – a few amid Royals
Rock Dove – urban areas large and small
Pale-vented Pigeon – common in open areas of the lowlands of Pipeline Road & vicinity
Scaled Pigeon – great views from the Canopy Tower
Short-billed Pigeon – seen in flight from Canopy Tower and heard along pipeline road
Band-tailed Pigeon – 1 in Baru NP, then several at Finca Lerida
Mourning Dove – one seen flying and perched in an open area park near Volcan
Ruddy Ground Dove – Volcan and on our hotel grounds at Dos Rios
White-tipped Dove – seen on several occasions,  both lowlands at Pipeline and highlands in the coffee farm going into Volcan Lakes
Sulphur-winged Parakeet – Finca Lerida cloud forest trail .
Orange-chinned Parakeet – these noisy social gems entertained us in the trees off our porches on the grounds of our hotel in Gamboa, also seen from the canopy tower, PL Rd.
Blue-headed Parrot – Canopy Tower at eye-level and flying above our boat in the Canal
Red-lored Amazon – Canopy Tower
Mealy Amazon – Canopy Tower
Squirrel Cuckoo – first seen at Canopy Discovery Center, Pipeline Road & Volcan Lks
Greater Ani – Jungle boat
Groove-billed Ani – drive from David to Volcan
Pauraque – seen in Gamboa around hotel, heard in Volcan
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl – HO, calling behind Finca Lerida
White-collared Swift – ridgeline above Finca Lerida
Chimney Swift – coffee stop on windy day near Boquette
Short-tailed Swift – hotel in Gamboa
Long-tailed Hermit – Discovery Center at Pipeline Road
Green Hermit – Sitio Barriles
Violet Saberwing – Cerro Punta at orchid garden
White-necked Jacobin – Discovery Center of Pipeline
Green Violet-Ear – very common in the highlands, first seen well at the house by the magic Quetzal tree near Baru NP
Violet-bellied Hummingbird – Discovery Center of Pipeline road at feeders
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird – early am Pipeline road
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – Gamboa RFL on the grounds and at Finca Lerida
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird  - Cerro Punta at orchid garden feeders
White-throated Mountain-gem – seen first at the magic Quetzal tree house and then at the orchid garden
Green-crowned Brilliant – seen and photographed at orchid farm Cerro Punta
Magnificent Hummingbird – orchid farm at Cerro Punta, Finca Lerida
Magenta-throated Hummingbird – seen on arrival at Respingo entry to Baru NP
Volcano Hummingbird – at the end of our walk up the road near the onion fields above the Respingo entry to Baru NP
Scintillant Hummingbird – Finca Lerida
Violaceous Trogon – first seen at Discovery Center of Pipeline, then on am walk at our hotel our final Gamboa morning
Collared Trogon – Finca Lerida
Slaty-tailed Trogon – Discovery Center of Pipeline just behind the building, same Cecropia tree with Violaceous – a two trogon tree!
Resplendent Quetzal – fabulous looks with ample time to watch courting and feeding behaviors at the Respingo entry to Baru NP, then again on our walk above Finca Lerida
Blue-crowned Motmot – Gamboa RFL on afternoon walk, then a great look - Sitio Barriles
Rufous Motmot – HO, twice in the lowlands
Ringed Kingfisher – seen on the river going into Embera village
Green Kingfisher – seen also on river going into Embera village
Blue-throated (Emerald) Toucanet – heard only at Tapir Canyon road at dusk, then seen above Finca Lerida
Collared Aracari – Gamboa RFL and Pipeline Road
Keel-billed Toucan – very common and very vocal at Gamboa RFL and other lowland spots
Acorn Woodpecker – seen very well at Respingo entry to Volcan NP
Red-crowned Woodpecker – highlands and lowlands, seen most often of our woodpeckers
Hairy Woodpecker – Finca Lerida
Cinnamon Woodpecker – Walter spotted this beauty for us
Crimson-crested Woodpecker – adult female and at least one young male coming into plumage. These three were working a productive tree just over the road
Red-faced Spinetail – Respingo entry to Baru NP and Finca Lerida
Plain Xenops – one individual seen in vines above Pipeline Rd
Cocoa Woodcreeper – seen on ground of Gamboa RFL and also in highlands at Sitio Barriles
Streak-headed Woodcreeper – Respingo entry to Baru NP
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper – seen in scope at Respingo, great comparison to Streak-headed also seen within in the hour
Fasciated Antshrike – Discovery Center of Pipeline and again in lowland forest
Western Slaty Antshrike – Discovery Center trail of Pipeline
Dot-winged Antwren – mixed flock on Pipeline Rd
Chestnut-backed Antbird – HO Pipeline
Bicolored Antbird – Embera Village near garden patch on walk with the medicine man
Paltry Tyrannulet – Respingo, in the Quetzal tree, hard to compete!
Tufted Flycatcher – Finca Lerida
Dark Pewee – Finca Lerida
Yellow-bellied Elaenia – Gamboa RFL, Pipeline and Sitio Barriles
Mountain Elaenia – Respingo near Quetzal tree
Yellow-green Tyrannulet – great scope views on walk from Gamboa RFL
Southern Bentbill – HO, Discovery Center of Pipeline
Common Tody Flycatcher – Gamboa RFL, Sitio Barriles
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Volcan Lakes, spotted by Walter
Yellowish Flycatcher – Finca Lerida
Black Phoebe – hotel at Dos Rios
Dusky-capped Flycatcher – Sitio Barriles in open area of farm
Great-crested Flycatcher – Gamboa RFL
Lesser Kiskadee – Ammo Dump near Gamboa
Great Kiskadee – very common lowlands
Boat-billed Flycatcher – heard on Jungle boat ride, then seen well at Volcan Lakes
Social Flycatcher – seen building nest on Jungle boat ride and Gamboa RFL
Streaked Flycatcher – Gamboa RFL then at coffee farm going into Volcan Lakes
Tropical Kingbird – seen daily, very common
Fork-tailed Flycatcher – seen first day nesting on a light pole near the bridge light near Gamboa RFL, seen near airport at David, also near horses in Cerro Punta
Blue Cotinga – Canopy Tower, scope views, wow!
Purple-throated Fruitcrow – seen on our arrival at Discovery Center, Pipeline
Three-wattled Bellbird – Finca Lerida seen as a quick flyby, then taunting us with constant calls!
Gray-breasted Martin – very common at Gamboa RFL and in lowlands
Mangrove Swallow – common in lowlands on rivers and the Canal
Blue-and-white Swallow – common in the highlands
Southern Rough-winged Swallow – seen above the Canal, Jungle boat trip
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – seen above Volcan Lakes
Barn Swallow – airport at Panama City
Black-chested Jay – Sitio Barriles, flock of 7-8 noisy birds, great to see!
House Wren – common at all locations
Gray-breasted Wood Wren – seen well at Respingo and Finca Lerida
Tropical Gnatcatcher – seen near Dracula orchid farm
Black-faced Solitaire – seen at Respingo and at Pila (Parque International La Amistad)
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush – Respingo, great views near the house with the magic Quetzal Tree
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush – Respingo, seen early on by the bus and then again at lunch
Swainson’s Thrush – Volcan Lakes
Sooty Robin – seen at Respingo
Mountain Robin – Respingo and Finca Lerida
Clay-colored Robin – seen almost daily, common in multiple habitats
White-throated Robin – Finca Lerida
Tropical Mockingbird – light pole on highway paralleling Panama Canal
Yellow – throated Vireo – trail going into Volcan Lakes with several warblers
Yellow-winged Vireo – highlands, Respingo at the Quetzal tree
Philadelphia Vireo – Respingo
Red-eyed Vireo – Volcan Lakes
Lesser Greenlet – near the boat dock of Gamboa RFL
Green Shrike Vireo – HO, Discovery Center at Gamboa RFL
Rufous-browed Peppershrike – Respingo, fairly cooperative bird, we even got photographs
Golden-winged Warbler – Volcan Lakes
Tennessee Warbler – common at several locations, including Volcan Lakes and Sitio Barriles
Flame-throated Warbler – seen in mixed flock at lunch spot at Pila
Yellow Warbler – Jungle boat ride and Volcan Lakes
Chestnut-sided Warbler – Volcan Lakes and Pipeline
Black-throated Green Warbler – Respingo and lunch stop at Pila
Blackburn Ian Warbler – Volcan Lakes and then most days in the highlands
Black-and-white Warbler – Gamboa RFL and Volcan Lakes
Mourning Warbler – bamboo thicket at Sitio Barriles
Wilson’s Warbler – one of the most common Name. migrant
Slate-throated Redstart – first seen at orchid farm at Cerro Punta, then common at Finca Lerida
Collared Redstart – first saw at Respingo, then at each of the highland locations
Banana quit – Volcan Lakes
Silver-throated Tanager – Sitio Barriles in the ‘cranberry’ tree
Speckled Tanager – Sitio Barriles
Bay-headed Tanager – Sitio Barriles in the ‘cranberry’ tree, great tree!
Golden-hooded Tanager – Gamboa RFL, Pipeline and Sitio Barriles
Blue Dances – Discovery Center of Pipeline and Gamboa RFL
Green Honeycreeper – Pipeline Rd
Shining Honeycreeper – Gamboa RFL and Pipeline
Red-legged Honeycreeper – Gamboa RFL and Pipeline
Thick-billed Euphoria – trees off our balconies at Gamboa RFL
Blue-gray Tanager – common, seen daily
Palm Tanager – common in lowlands
White-shouldered Tanager – Discovery Center, male and female
Summer Tanager – parking lot of Gamboa RFL, lunch spot at Pila
Flame-colored Tanager – John and Walter enthusiastically reported seeing THIS one, then we all got great looks at Respingo, Boquete
Crimson-backed Tanager – Gamboa RFL
Cherrie’s (Scarlet-rumped) Tanager – Sitio Barriles, Boquete, Finca Lerida
Flame-rumped Tanager – Gamboa RFL
Common Bush Tanager – Respingo and orchid farm
Sooty-capped Bush Tanager – Respingo and orchid farm at feeder
Streaked Saltator – Sitio Barriles
Buff-throated Saltator – seen almost daily in a variety of locations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Sitio Barriles and Volcan Lakes
Indigo Bunting – Finca Lerida
Sooty-faced Finch – Respingo in mixed flock
Yellow-thighed Finch – very tame at our lunch spot near PILA and also at Respingo
Large-footed Finch – seen at Respingo
Yellow-throated Brush Finch – trail above Finca Lerida
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch – first saw at lunch at PILA
Blue-black Grassquit – open areas near Gamboa
Variable Seedeater – Gamboa RFL
Yellow-faced Grassquit – Respingo and Finca Lerida
Slaty Finch – seen well at feeders at Cerro Punta orchid garden
Slaty Flowerpiercer – great views at Respingo entry to Baru NP
Rufous-collared Sparrow – very common in highlands
Great-tailed Grackle – seen at almost all locations
Bronzed Cowbird – lawn at Finca Lerida
Giant Cowbird – Embera Village in with oropendolas
Yellow-backed Oriole – Canopy Tower of Pipeline
Yellow-tailed Oriole – Ammo Dump site of Pipeline (small pond)
Scarlet-rumped Cacique - Pipeline
Yellow-rumped Cacique – Jungle boat day
Chestnut-headed Oropendola – Embera Village colony right above village
Yellow-bellied Siskin – Respingo and Finca Lerida

Mammals
White-lined Sac-winged Bat
Agouti
Capybara
Variegated Squirrel
Red-tailed Squirrel
Hoffman’s Three-toed Sloth
Two-toed Sloth
White-nosed Coatimundi
White-faced Capuchin
Mantled Howler Monkey

Reptiles and Amphibians
Yellow-eared Slider
American Crocodile
South American Caiman
Green Iguana
Basiliscus Lizard

Close This Window