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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Panama - January 2011 - Canopy Tower & Lodge (1 Viewer)

Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 17 - Signs

I love photographing signs. Here are my favourites for the day.

Coming up: butterflies.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 17 - Butterflies pt 1

Here are three butterflies to which I placed tentative identifications:

Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima)
Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)
Rare Emporer, female (Doxocopa linda plesaurina)

Next up: two unidentifed butterflies
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 17 - Butterflies pt 2

Here are upper and under-wing shots of two unidentified butterflies -- there were many other such shots, but these two individuals seem to offer the best chance of being identified via photograph.

Next up (and last for the day): dragonflies
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 17 - Dragonflies

I know - it is difficult to ID dragonflies, even with good photographs. But the views below at least show the beauty of the unidentified dragonflies in question.

The next post will be from Jan. 18, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 18 - Pipeline Road

Day 7 - January 18 - Pipeline Road

We headed back to the Pipeline Road, this time for the Full Monty treatment, aboard 4WD vehicles, which were required to tackle the untamed muddy road. With Alexis’s advice we walked certain stretches of the road, and we were then driven further along to the next likely portion.

But wait: what is this Pipeline Road of which I speak? A quick orientation. The road was built by the U.S. military in W.W.II to aid in the construction and maintenance of an oil pipeline, to be use in the event that the canal became inoperational. But it was never used, and since W.W.II the road has been more or less left to its own devices. The road now lies completely with Soberanía National Park, and while there has been intermittent grading and clearing of the road, it has become a rougher and rougher ride, now requiring 4WD vehicles in all seasons. Progress along the road is measured by the crossing of small rivers, and the bridges are also becomming increasingly dubious. How long is the road? I’ve read a reference to it being 17+ km, but from the map it looks to be longer.

I have prepared an orientation map, included with this post as one of the photos. It was based on a map at the Plantation Trailhead parking lot, but I’ve jazzed it up. And along the Pipeline Road I’ve indicated a “Wash-Out”, at roughly KM 9.2. This occurred last December during a period of extremely heavy rains, that caused much disruption across the country, and even caused the Canal to be closed for a period of time. Will the national park (or the national government) repair or rebuild the road at the wash-out? I deem it unlikely which, if my prediction holds, means that half the Pipeline Road will no longer be of practical access, save for those will to undertake a long hike.

To further complete your orientation of the Pipeline Road I took a hand-held video of the rougher sections of the road from the perspective of the 4WD truck, which followed the 4WD “Birdmobile”. Thrills, chills, but no spills. The video (13 minutes long, an eternity) is on-line on Youtube. There is no narration, but it will at least impart a sense of what driving the road is like. The video is here.

One of the day’s highlights came early on, with the sighting of a Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) , munching its way through an ant nest (it looked as if it were eating a cob of corn). This was a fine addition to our mammal list, as were the White-headed (or White-faced) Capuchins (Cebus capucinus) we saw soon after. There were many new birds: we added two more manakins (Blue-crowned and Red-capped) to our trip list, and the Great Jacamar, which unfortunately was heard only. Alexis continued to show his mettle as our leader, and despite us birding within a jungle he never stopped looking up, and he thereby alerted us to King Vulture and Lesser Swallow-tailed Swifts.

The activity was neither constant nor frenetic, but there were many birds and other diversions, such that before we knew it (notwithstanding the mid-morning snack and the wonderful picnic lunch), it was mid-afternoon, and time to drive back. In any case we could go no further along the Pipeline Road, for we had reached the Wash-Out. And we were perhaps tired of all the various incarnations of "ant-thingys", with 13 species recorded for the day.

So we slithered and slipped and slogged our way back the way we’d come, but our day was not over. Alexis, who needed no further excuse to demonstrate his superb birding and leadership qualities, did something quite remarkable. Despite driving the Birdmobile, and keeping one eye always on the road, he noted something off the road down a shrubby, shaded slope, a grayish lump that aroused his curiosity. The vehicles stopped, and he proudly pointed out a Great Tinamou which, confident of its camouflage, remained still (or nearly so) for quite a while, allowing everyone extended views of this secretive (usually “heard-only”) species, and despite the low light level I snapped a record shot or two.

This was a most satisfying end to a memorable day of birding.


Bird List - 19 January 2011 - The Pipeline Road - 69 species

Panama Life Birds are in Boldface.
World Life Birds are in Orange.

Great Tinamou
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
King Vulture
Black Hawk-Eagle
Gray-chested Dove
Brown-hooded Parrot
Red-lored Parrot
Band-rumped Swift
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Long-billed Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Black-throated Trogon
Rufous Motmot
Broad-billed Motmot
Green Kingfisher
Pied Puffbird
White-whiskered Puffbird
Great Jacamar
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
Keel-billed Toucan
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Cinnamon Woodpecker
Crimson-crested Woodpecker
Plain Xenops
Plain-brown Woodcreeper
Black-striped Woodcreeper
Fasciated Antshrike
Western Slaty-Antshrike
Spot-crowned Antvireo
Checker-throated Antwren
Moustached Antwren
White-flanked Antwren
Dot-winged Antwren
Dusky Antbird
Chestnut-backed Antbird
Bicolored Antbird
Spotted Antbird
Black-faced Antthrush
Streak-chested Antpitta
Brown-capped Tyrannulet
Forest Elaenia
Gray Elaenia
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant
Yellow-margined Flycatcher
Golden-crowned Spadebill
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Blue-crowned Manakin
Red-capped Manakin
Green Shrike-Vireo
Bay Wren
White-breasted Wood-Wren
Song Wren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Gray-headed Tanager
White-shouldered Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Green Honeycreeper
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Some orientation and landscape photos are attached. I'll place some wildlife photos next.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 18 - Wildlife Photos

As promised, some wildlife photos from our day-trip on the Pipeline Road in Panama.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 19 morning

Day 8 - January 19 - a.m. - Rainforest Discovery Centre

On our previous visit in 2005 the Rainforest Discovery Centre had not been developed, so we were keen to visit it. On the drive to the tower we stopped for Gray-necked Wood-Rails that crossed our path, but otherwise we didn’t stop until we reached the Centre.

Morning visits are preferable, both for the birds, and to avoid the heat of the day for the long climb up to the top of the Centre’s Observation Tower (someone in our group counted the steps, but I forgot to record the number – there were many steps. . .). Reservations for the tower must be made for the preferred morning period, and there is a limit on the number of observers at that time. But the limit was sufficiently large to accommodate all our group, plus two smaller groups, and a few independent birders. There was certainly room on top for all us, though some gymnastics were needed for the queue at the scopes. [Note: the tower was solidly constructed, with minimal vibration and swaying, so scoping was not a problem].

The target bird from the tower was the Blue Cotinga – there had been a brief unsatisfactory view earlier on one of our Chagres River outings, but the species showed well for all at the tower, and other birds made the list as well, including Gray-headed and Double-toothed Kite, and Short-billed Pigeon.

The tower offers no shade, and as the sun rose it became increasingly uncomfortable, so we repaired to the Discovery Centre, where there are WCs, a gift shop, and many hummingbird feeders. Most of the hummers were the same species as those at the Canopy Tower, but there regular visits by a couple of different species, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and White-vented Plumeleteer.

After the hummer feeder watching we hiked the Lago Trail to Calamito Lake, where a few water birds were in view, and a Thrush-like Schiffornis performed in the underbrush nearby. Brownish Twistwing and White-bellied Antbird were new to the trip list.

Morning’s Bird List - Rainforest Discovery Centre - 63 Species

Personal Panama Life Birds are in Boldface.

Great Tinamou
Pied-billed Grebe
Brown Pelican
Magnificent Frigatebird
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Gray-headed Kite
Double-toothed Kite
Gray-necked Wood-Rail (along Pipeline Road en route to Centre)
Common Moorhen
Wattled Jacana
Scaled Pigeon
Short-billed Pigeon
Blue-headed Parrot
Red-lored Parrot
Mealy Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Band-rumped Swift
Long-billed Hermit
White-necked Jacobin
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
White-vented Plumeleteer
Black-tailed Trogon
Broad-billed Motmot
Pied Puffbird
Keel-billed Toucan
Cinnamon Woodpecker
Fasciated Antshrike
Western Slaty-Antshrike
Dot-winged Antwren
White-bellied Antbird
Bicolored Antbird
Forest Elaenia
Brownish Twistwing
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Black-tailed Flycatcher
Bright-rumped Attila
Great Kiskadee
Social Flycatcher
Blue Cotinga
Golden-collared Manakin
Masked Tityra
Thrush-like Schiffornis
Song Wren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Golden-winged Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Gray-headed Tanager
White-shouldered Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Blue Dacnis
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Red-throated Ant-Tanager
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Yellow-rumped Cacique

Next up: an afternoon at Summit Metropolitan Park
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 19 afternoon & evening

Day 8 - January 19 - p.m. - Summit Metropolitan Park


Our afternoon field trip was to Summit Metropolitan Park. This excursion usually includes visiting the Summit Ponds, but this area was temporarily closed due to damage from the previous month’s heavy rains.

The park is popular with Panamanians on weekends, but was not too busy when we were present. We accumulated a modest list of species, but there were some new ones for the trip, including Masked Tityra, Rufous-breasted Wren, Panama Flycatcher, and two different cowbirds, Great and Shiny (it sounds like a good name for a band – the Great and Shiny Cowbirds).

Then back to the Tower for supper, after which we had scheduled a night excursion, which I'll describe after the bird list.

Afternoon’s Bird List - Summit Metropolitan Park - 40 species

Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-headed Caracara
White-tipped Dove
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Gartered Trogon
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Paltry Tyrannulet
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Panama Flycatcher
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Streaked Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Blue Cotinga
Masked Tityra
Gray-breasted Martin
Rufous-breasted Wren
House Wren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Yellow Warbler
White-shouldered Tanager
Crimson-backed Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Variable Seedeater
Summer Tanager
Great-tailed Grackle
Shiny Cowbird (Panama Life Bird)
Giant Cowbird
Yellow-backed Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Thick-billed Euphonia

Day 8 - January 19 - evening - night excursion Semaphore Hill

Our post-supper night excursion consisted of a slow drive down Semaphore Hill on the Rainfomobile, with Alexis shining a bright Q-beam on the surrounding forest. There were other flashlights in play as well, but Alexis had the experience, skill, and brightest light, and so found most of the attractions. We did not encounter any owls, but there were some new mammals (all nocturnal) for our list, including Derby’s (or Central American) Wooly Opossum (Caluromys derbianus), Kinkajou (Potos flavus), and Bushy-tailed Olingo (Bassaricyon gabbii).

The prize of the evening, however, was the discovery of a large pit viper snake, Bothrops asper, known locally as Terciopelo, but often called a Fer-de-lance, though this latter common name is applied to at least four different species across the Americas. The individual we saw was on a horizontal tree branch, at least 4 to 5 metres above the ground. And it was immense, apparently 2 metres in length, and so likely a female. I had always imagined them as much smaller. Well, the babies are, at least.

We were relieved to see the species under such relatively safe circumstances. They are often found near (or even inside) buildings, so bites are not rare, as the snakes are said to be irritable and often aggressive. There are anti-venoms available, so the number of deaths from bites is much reduced, but any bite is a serious matter.

My point-and-shoot camera is useless for nocturnal photography, but Paul took many photos of the snake, which he has yet to post.

An exciting night excursion.

I've attached several photos from the Summit Gardens, as well as a couple of bird photos from earlier in the trip that I couldn't fit in on earlier posts.

Coming up tomorrow - we leave the Tower and the Canal zone for the Canopy Lodge, in the western Highlands.
 

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Great pics love that Blue Cotinga! On a side note, the image labelled "female Chestnut-backed Antbird" is actually a Bicolored Antbird.
 
Panam - Jan 19 - misidentified photo

Great pics love that Blue Cotinga! On a side note, the image labelled "female Chestnut-backed Antbird" is actually a Bicolored Antbird.

My thanks for noting my error. I can't seem to edit that particular post, so I have attached a copy of the photo, with the corrected ID.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 20 morning

Day 9 - January 20 - a.m. - Summit Metropolitan Park

This was our transfer day to El Valle, but the morning started with an alteration to the schedule. The company that had been contracted to supply a bus and driver to transport our group had recorded an incorrect start time, so instead of a departure after breakfast the new schedule did not have the bus arriving before 1100. But the Canopy Tower reacted quickly, and after a discussion with Alexis we decided on a morning excursion to Summit Metropolitan Park. The bus would pick up our luggage at the Tower, then pick us up for the transfer to El Valle.

The park was productive, and we enjoyed a busy morning -- the photographers had a lot of fun. Paul, however, was looking the wrong way when a Gray-headed Kite flew overhead: it was the third time he dipped on this species.

Before I post the morning’s bird list, a quick note to advise you that I’ve compiled some additional information. I have tabulated the daily lists for our first week in Panama, and placed it on-line in PDF format. It should, in part, give a sense of how regularly we sighted different species on different days, and the table also includes our rough estimates of how many of each species we saw each day. The table can be viewed (or downloaded) here.

But on to the morning's list.

Morning's Bird List - Summit Metropolitan Park - 52 species

Gray-headed Chachalaca
Magnificent Frigatebird
Gray-headed Kite
Gray Hawk
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Short-tailed Swift
Band-rumped Swift
White-necked Jacobin
Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Keel-billed Toucan
Lineated Woodpecker
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Brown-capped Tyrannulet
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher
Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Panama Flycatcher
Lesser Kiskadee
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Streaked Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Blue Cotinga
Yellow-throated Vireo
Green Shrike-Vireo
Buff-breasted Wren
Plain Wren
House Wren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Clay-colored Thrush
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
White-shouldered Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Bay-headed Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Buff-throated Saltator
Variable Seedeater
Summer Tanager
Indigo Bunting (new to my Panama life list)
Great-tailed Grackle
Giant Cowbird
Yellow-backed Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Yellow-rumped Cacique
Chestnut-headed Oropendola

We boarded the bus at around 1130h and began our 2.5 hour journey to El Valle. We crossed over the Panama Canal on the old bridge, as the new one was been repaired – the heavy December rains had undermined the bridge’s support structures.

Much of the drive was along the Pan-American Highway, and (at my request) we made a restroom stop at Quesos Chela, which is located in Capira. Telephone: 507-223-7835. This is a favourite stop for Panamanians for empanadas, cheeses, and fresh fruit drinks. Takeout only. They also serve an interesting variety of cold grain drinks, the most popular being Chicheme. It is a beverage made by pounding, and then soaking maize overnight. It is cooked until soft. Boiled milk is added, the mixture is allowed to cool, and finally, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, or cane sugar are thrown in.

There are many other interesting cold drinks, and my favourite is Chicha de Avena, an oatmeal drink. Well, I am half Scots, so that may explain it. Here is the recipe, in Spanish (you'll have to arrange your own translation -- good time to practice your Spanish). I have made it at home, and it is wonderful. Add rum to it, if you wish. Or to the Chicheme, if you prefer.

Chicha De Avena

Chicha:
1 taza de harina de avena Lassie
6 tazas de agua
½ taza de almíbar de papelón
1 lata de leche condensada
2 cdtas. de vainilla

Almíbar:
¼ de panela o papelón
2 tazas de agua

Almibar:

Cueza a fuego lento y deje que se disuelva la panela. Apague cuando espese el almíbar.

Chicha:

Hierva el agua; agregue la avena revolviendo; tape y apague el fuego. Deje enfriar. Agregue el almíbar, leche condensada y la vainilla, licue muy bien y cuélelo. Sirva bien frío.

==================================

And I have uploaded two plant photos, both unidentified. I especially enjoy taking portraits of orchids, but it was not flowering season, so few were in evidence. More were promised in El Valle.

Next up - our first afternoon in El Valle, at the Canopy Lodge.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 20 afternoon

Day 9 - January 20 - p.m. - El Valle de Antón

We arrived around 1400h, and were treated to a wonderful lunch at the Canopy Lodge. The main part of the Lodge was constructed in 2005-2006, and consists of a number of double rooms, a couple of them the pricier suites. There is a separate, and somewhat older, smaller building with five single rooms (which need some refurbishment, which is scheduled). There are bird feeding platforms adjacent to the open-air dining area (and some as well opposite the more expensive double room suites), and these platforms are periodically replenished with fresh fruit, usually bananas, for which many birds go, well, bananas. There are a few hummingbird feeders as well, but these are, for no obvious reason, not much patronised by hummers, though bats drink from them at night. Hummers were, however, much in evidence at the Lodge’s surrounding floral plantings.

Other amenities: there is WIFI in the dining area, as well as a computer for those who travel without personal laptops or netbooks. A small river runs past the Lodge, between the buildings and the road leading to the town of El Valle de Antón, and some of the river’s water is diverted to fill an adjacent swimming pond. When the guests are not in the "swimming hole" it is often freqented by Green and Amazon Kingfishers.

The feeders were a distraction during our meal, as well as later in the last hour of daylight. The most numerous and aggressive patrons were Clay-colored Thrushes, but with persistence and patience many other species secured pieces of banana: Bananaquit; various tanagers and Euphonias; saltators, and others. The stars of the feeders were, however, a lone Emerald (Blue-throated) Toucanet and a group of Collared Aracaris. I’ve uploaded a short video clip of the Lodge’s feeders to YouTube, and you may view it here.

After lunch we took a guided stroll, in the company of our new guide, Augustino, who was, as are all the Canopy Tower and Lodge guides, excellent. We strolled along the road that winds up the river valley from El Valle to agricultural areas higher up the slope. The road is lightly travelled, and makes for convenient birding. The initial excitement came from hummingbirds, first with a male Rufous-crested Coquette, then subsequently by a staked-out nest of a Long-billed Starthroat. We reached the site of the Canopy Adventure (owned and operated by the Canopy Lodge), where participants go on ziplines between trees, but such adventure was not for us. We, instead, had the adventure of hiking a trail at the facility to where another of the Lodge’s guides had earlier that day discovered a Mottled Owl roost. There had been two birds present earlier that day, and though only one was in view when we arrived we were all quite satisfied with the lengthy scope views of this magnificent owl: it was a life bird for everyone, myself included.

We doubled our owl list later that same evening, when a Tropical Screech-Owl began calling from the hillside behind the main Lodge complex. Indeed, it called every evening we were present, but it frustratingly never revealed itself, remaining a “heard-only” on our list.

We had a wonderful start to our week-long stay in El Valle, and were looking forward to the adventure beginning in earnest the following day.

Afternoon's Bird List - El Valle de Antón- 36 species

Birds in boldface were personal Panama life birds

Gray-headed Chachalaca
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
White-tipped Dove
Tropical Screech-Owl (heard only)
Mottled Owl (World Life bird)
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Violet-headed Hummingbird
Rufous-crested Coquette
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Long-billed Starthroat
Rufous Motmot
Amazon Kingfisher
Emerald Toucanet
Collared Aracari
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Black-chested Jay
Bay Wren
Clay-colored Thrush
Bananaquit
White-lined Tanager
Crimson-backed Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Buff-throated Saltator
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Thick-billed Euphonia
Tawny-capped Euphonia

A trio of bird photos from the afternoon is attached.

Next up: Las Minas and Cara Iguana trails.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 21

Day 10 - Jan. 21 - Las Minas (a.m.) and Cara Iguana (p.m.) trails

After a filling breakfast we drove the road to a higher elevation, to the Las Minas Road. The Lodge describes Las Minas as “an excellent place to get a wide variety of birds. The road follows the ridge line, with sweeping vistas of forested mountains, speckled with grasslands and small fincas [farms]. The views from here are fantastic, as on a clear day near the summit, both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen.

And so it was. It was an ideal area for a large group, and we enjoyed a wide array of species. As always, some generated more excitement than others, especially the Black Hawk-Eagle that offered an extended series of fly-overs. Most of the offerings were forest birds, of course, and while some were sneaks (Plain Antvireo, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren) others were more cooperative, such as the Spot-crowned Barbet and Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. A Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch was much more frustrating for most of the group – it played an unpredictable game of hide-and-seek (mostly hide) and showed itself, randomly, to only a few that happened to looking at the right gap at the right time. I was one so blessed, and it was my lifer for the day, but I would have been happier if everyone had got on to the bird.

Other birds were more cooperative: Golden-winged Warbler, Silver-throated Tanager, and Lance-tailed Manakin.

We returned to the Lodge for lunch and siesta, then at 1500 headed into the village of El Valle de Antón, where we hiked along the Cara Iguana road, which passes through some of the last Dry Pacific Forest habitat in the foothills of El Valle. The key species here was the Tody Motmot, and although seven or eight pairs are known to nest along the road the birds refused to show themselves, and the one that called was heard by only a few in the group. Slight frustration, but there would be more chances for this compelling species later in the week. The birding was otherwise fairly slow along the road, but we did encounter White-vented Plumeleteer, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, and American Redstart. And I can't forget the very showy Blue-crowned Motmot (from which the Whooping Motmot was recently split) -- we were pleased to have seen both species so well.

Our day-list eventually turned out to be the highest of any day in our second week, and it was a great way to start our El Valle explorations.

Day’s Bird List - 84 species

This list also includes species noted at the Canopy Lodge.

Personal Panama Life Birds in Boldface
Personal World Life Birds in Orange.

Little Tinamou (heard only)
Gray-headed Chachalaca
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Black Hawk-Eagle
Yellow-headed Caracara
Merlin
Bat Falcon
Gray-necked Wood-Rail
Southern Lapwing
White-tipped Dove
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Tropical Screech-Owl
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Green Hermit
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
White-vented Plumeleteer
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
Tody Motmot (heard only)
Blue-crowned Motmot
Rufous Motmot
Amazon Kingfisher
Green Kingfisher
Spot-crowned Barbet
Emerald Toucanet
Collared Aracari
Keel-billed Toucan
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Spotted Woodcreeper
Plain Antvireo
White-bellied Antbird
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Paltry Tyrannulet
Yellow-margined Flycatcher
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Lance-tailed Manakin
Lesser Greenlet
Black-chested Jay
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Rufous-breasted Wren
House Wren
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
Scaly-breasted Wren
Clay-colored Thrush
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Canada Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Tawny-crested Tanager
White-lined Tanager
Crimson-backed Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Silver-throated Tanager
Bay-headed Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Streaked Saltator
Buff-throated Saltator
Variable Seedeater
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch
Orange-billed Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Yellow-crowned Euphonia
Thick-billed Euphonia
Tawny-capped Euphonia

A few bird photos are attached, as well as a scenic on for orientation. I also took a number of orchid photos, but as this is BirdForum, not OrchidForum, I will refrain from posting any, unless there is some interest.

Next up: The Caribbean Slope (Rio India and Jordanal)
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 22 - The Caribbean Slope

Day 11 - Jan. 22 - The Caribbean Slope (Rio Indio and Jordanal)

This was a day for 4-wheel drives. After an early breakfast we drove uphill, past the extensive Oleando chicken farms, then down a steep and pothole-ridden road on the Caribbean slope. This is a fairly new trip option for the Lodge, and the birding delights and possibilities are still being discovered.

Our first stop was the village of Rio Indio, where, through the encouragement and support of the Canopy Lodge, several homes are now keeping feeders. The delightful day continued, with frequent stops as we gradually continued further downhill. We also took the time to explore the life of the rustic villages of Rio Indio and Jordanal – school, church, store. . .

At several locations some desultory road repairs were underway, occasioned by the heavy rains the previous December.

We ate a superb picnic lunch at a picnic site developed by the Canopy Lodge in the village of Jordanal, as a thank-you for the villagers support for birders visiting the area.

But was the excursion worthwhile? Absolutely. It was one of our finest days of the trip. A few highlights:

- on the drive up Paul noted a Wilson’s Snipe in a wet area, but by the time the bus stopped the bird had vanished.

- An Ornate Hawk-Eagle, a rare raptor, gave us extended looks as it soared above a ridge in the distance. Scope views, but wonderful.

- Two Jet Antbirds played a very elusive game, calling constantly, but providing brief views to only a few in the group. Ant-thingys can be very frustrating.

- Dusky-faced Tanagers and Tropical Pewees made it on to the group list, as did Roadside Hawk and Common Black-Hawk.

- A Long-tailed Tyrant gave a wonderful show to all.

- A Crested Oropendola finally appeared - in the distance, scope views, but on the list.

- The last possible Puffbird for our trip, the Barred Puffbird, was elusive for much of the day, when a pair suddenly appeared and put on a superb show, including one of the birds posing with a dead snake in its bill, looking like a strand of spaghetti.

We returned to the Lodge in late afternoon, giving time to unwind by the feeders. A great day for the group, and for me, with three personal life birds.

Day List for The Caribbean Slope - 71 species

Birds new for my Panama List are in boldface.
Birds new for my World Life list are in orange.

Little Tinamou
Gray-headed Chachalaca
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Common Black-Hawk
Roadside Hawk
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Merlin
Bat Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Wilson’s Snipe
White-tipped Dove
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Blue-headed Parrot
Smooth-billed Ani
White-collared Swift
Band-rumped Swift
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Long-billed Hermit
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Motmot
Amazon Kingfisher
Barred Puffbird
Spot-crowned Barbet
Keel-billed Toucan
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Jet Antbird
Brown-capped Tyrannulet
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Yellow-margined Flycatcher
Tropical Pewee
Long-tailed Tyrant
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Streaked Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Masked Tityra
Cinnamon Becard
Black-chested Jay
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Bay Wren
Plain Wren
House Wren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Dusky-faced Tanager
White-lined Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Green Honeycreeper
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Buff-throated Saltator
Variable Seedeater
Black-striped Sparrow
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Giant Cowbird
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Crested Oropendola
Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Addtional Species from the Canopy Lodge - 12

Tropical Screech-Owl
Emerald Toucanet
Clay-colored Thrush
Canada Warbler
Bananaquit
Crimson-backed Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Streaked Saltator
Orange-billed Sparrow
Thick-billed Euphonia

Next: Retail Therapy, and local El Valle birding. But first a few photos.
 

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Panama - Jan. 22 - Caribbean Slope butterflies

Here are a few images of butterflies from the Caribbean Slope.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 23 - El Valle

Day 12 - Jan. 23 - El Valle Market, and Watercress Trail

Before relating this day’s events and activities, a quick mention of a special outing the previous evening. Raul made us aware of a special concert in conjunction with the 20th annual Festival Musical de El Valle, and nine of us chose to attend. The concert was to take place in the town’s church, the only venue large enough to host the expected audience. The focus of the concert was two pianists, Anna Kurasawa of Japan and Alexandra Beliakovich from BeloRussia, both of whom had competed in Panama’s International 2010 Piano Competition (Ms. Beliakovich had been awarded the runner-up prize, while Ms. Kurasawa came fourth, and had won the people’s choice award). The pianists were backed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama.

It was a pleasant evening. Both pianists performed well, though of the two only Ms. Beliakovich showed the poise and skill that suggests she might be capable of a medium-to-high-level soloist career. Both pianists’ performances were, however, negatively impacted by: 1) the historic church’s acoustics, which were understandably poor, and 2) by the surprisingly poor performance by the orchestra, which made numerous mistakes, and in one case played the wrong piece entirely.

But we enjoyed ourselves, regardless. Now on to the day's adventures.


On our 2005 visits to El Valle we had missed the weekend market, which is at its best on Sunday. I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity this time around. The group, by consensus, had agreed that scheduling a market visit was a good idea. Part of the market is open daily, but on weekends many more vendors arrive, with farmers and nursuries offering fresh fruit and vegetables, and garden and house plants, flowers and orchids, and local artisans offering a wide array of art and handicrafts, including colourful molas and jewellery made by Kuna Indians.

And so, dutifully, we descended upon the market, and money exchanged hands. There was bargaining, there were cheers, there were tears. Such are the emotions wrought by retail therapy.

We returned to the Lodge for lunch, as well as post-lunch feeder photography. And with some of us wandering the grounds, a decent list was compiled, though nothing new or eventful.

Canopy Lodge Jan. 23 species list - 25

White Hawk
White-tipped Dove
Tropical Screech-Owl
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Amazon Kingfisher
Emerald Toucanet
Collared Aracari
Black-chested Jay
House Wren
Clay-colored Thrush
Tennessee Warbler
Bananaquit
White-lined Tanager
Crimson-backed Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Streaked Saltator
Buff-throated Saltator
Orange-billed Sparrow
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Thick-billed Euphonia

At 1500h we headed of to hike the Watercress Trail, named after the herb which is commercially grown in the terraced creek near the trail’s entrance. The trail passes under good secondary forest, with the mountains of Cerro Gaital Natural Monument as a backdrop. There were no new trip species, but we enjoyed extended scope views of a Roadside Hawk dining on its latest meal, and a brazenly posing Little Blue Heron.

Watercress Trail species list - 33 species

Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Roadside Hawk
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
White-vented Plumeleteer
Rufous Motmot
Green Kingfisher
Keel-billed Toucan
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Long-tailed Tyrant
Great Kiskadee
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Scrub Greenlet
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Gray-breasted Martin
Bay Wren
Plain Wren
Bay-breasted Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Rufous-capped Warbler
Dusky-faced Tanager
Green Honeycreeper
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Black-headed Saltator
Variable Seedeater
Great-tailed Grackle

I've posted a few photos from the Watercress hike.

Next post: The Pacific Forest and coastline
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 24

Day 13 - Jan. 24 - Pacific Coast:
El Chiru, Playa Juan Hombron, Playa Santa Clara


We broke fast early and were on the road before sunrise, making for the Dry Forests and beaches of the Pacific coastal lowlands. Different climate, habitats, and species awaited.

An over-indulgence in breakfast coffee occasioned a washroom stop at a petrol station on the Pan American Highway, where some of us purchased a few beers for lunch, throwing them in the cooler (sometimes one needs a break from mango juice (really!), and it promised to be a hot day).

We spent the morning doing roadside birding, investigating forests, fields, and gardens. One key species was the Veraguan Mango, an endemic Panamanian hummingbird, and Tino impressed us (yet again) by his skill and doggedness. He picks up upon (and identifies) the wide variety of hummingbirds by their calls alone, and true to form he heard the mango and, with some patience, we were all able to view the bird through the scope – a lifer for all.

But there were many other coastal lowland species that we were seeking, and our group trip list grew significantly this day: Crested Bobwhite (elusive and brief looks for some); Brown-throated Parakeets; Sapphire-throated Hummingbird; Rufous-browed Peppershrike; Groove-billed Ani (giving us “El Trio de las Anis”); Savannah Hawk; Plain-breasted Ground-Dove; Orchard Oriole; Yellow-crowned Parrot (fly-over); White-tailed Kite; Crested Caracara; Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl; and Eastern Meadowlark (a resident form surely to be split). And many others. This all made for a busy, rewarding morning. We needed a break.

We found said break at our luscious lunch-stop on Playa Juan Hombron, from a base in a lovely beach-side hacienda. The picnic lunch was divine, the beers were cold, and we could change into swimming costumes for swims in the sultry Pacific (and shower to rinse the salt off afterwards). There was time to photograph cooperative Sandwich Terns, watch for fly-by Blue-footed Boobies, look for waders, or doze in the warm shade.

As the afternoon wore on we roused ourselves from our torpor and headed to agricultural fields and wetlands along a dusty road leading to Playa Santa Clara. Here we were hoping for Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures and the birds did not disappoint, eventually providing convincing looks to all – the yellow heads are surprisingly hard to pick out, and they are otherwise very similar to the abundant Turkey Vulture. The wetlands held no new species, but we had fun and frustration looking through hundreds of Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets for some new heron for the list. We had to settle for an America Kestrel.

Then, back to the Lodge, with 20 trip birds under our belt, and warm fuzzy feelings all ‘round, though that may have been due to the humidity and beers.

Pacific Coast Bird Species List - 72 species

Personal Panama life birds are in boldface.
The Veraguan Mango was a World life bird for me.

Crested Bobwhite
Blue-footed Booby
Brown Pelican
Neotropic Cormorant
Magnificent Frigatebird
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Osprey
White-tailed Kite
Savanna Hawk
Crested Caracara
Yellow-headed Caracara
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Southern Lapwing
Willet
Whimbrel
Laughing Gull
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dove
White-tipped Dove
Brown-throated Parakeet
Yellow-crowned Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Smooth-billed Ani
Groove-billed Ani
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Band-rumped Swift
Veraguan Mango
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Barred Antshrike
Panama Flycatcher
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Streaked Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Lance-tailed Manakin
Yellow-throated Vireo
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
House Wren
Clay-colored Thrush
Tropical Mockingbird
Tennessee Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Blue-gray Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Streaked Saltator
Variable Seedeater
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-breasted Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Great-tailed Grackle
Giant Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Yellow-crowned Euphonia

I offer a few highlight photos for the day.

Next: two new trails in the El Valle de Anton area.
 

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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 25

Day 14 - Jan. 25 - Cerro Gaitál (a.m.) and Valle Chiquito (p.m.)

Our trip was nearing its end, but there were still new places to explore in the El Valle area. In the morning we visited Cerro Gaitál Natural Monument, seeking new birds (and for me, orchids). We had good fortune on both counts.

After a sensibly-timed breakfast we headed uphill, past the Oledano chicken farms (shrouded in fog, but still noisy), to the road access for Cerro Gaitál . The forests were quite active with bird activity, but I became distracted at first by some lovely orchids, which caused me to miss seeing the Orange-bellied Trogon, the last of the possible trogons for our list. A male had showed itself well to the entire group, but refused to reappear for me. And no more were encountered that morning – a big dip for me, and entirely my fault. But I was on hand to see the other new trip birds that Cerro Gaitál offered, including a quartet of flycatchers: Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Rufous Mourner, and Dusky-capped Flycatcher. Blackburnian Warbler, a winter migrant, was new as well, as were a group of Common Bush-Tanagers.

We were quite pleased by the morning’s birding, as we had not expected so many new birds. We had clearly not exhausted the possibilities.

But it was not all birds, or orchids. A sub-adult Three-toed Sloth gave us a fine display of sloth acrobatics and personal hygiene. A photo is attached to this posting, but to really appreciate the sloth’s antics I encourage you to watch a three-minute video I posted to Youtube. Click here.

I also added two new butterflies to my slowly growing list. The two images are attached to this post.

We returned to the Lodge for lunch. Here is our morning bird list:

Cerro Gaitál Bird Species List - 60 species

Personal Panama lifers in boldface.

Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Roadside Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Short-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Blue-headed Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Green Hermit
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Orange-bellied Trogon
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Plain Xenops
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Spotted Woodcreeper
Plain Antvireo
Checker-throated Antwren
White-bellied Antbird
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant
Bran-colored Flycatcher
Bright-rumped Attila
Rufous Mourner
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Thrush-like Schiffornis
Bay Wren
Rufous-breasted Wren
House Wren
White-breasted Wood-Wren
Scaly-breasted Wren
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Canada Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Bananaquit
Common Bush-Tanager
Tawny-crested Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager
Silver-throated Tanager
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Variable Seedeater
Thick-billed Seed-Finch
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch
Orange-billed Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Yellow-backed Oriole
Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Later in the afternoon we went to a side valley, the Valle Chiquita, with but a single species in mind – Tody Motmot. Tino again showed his mettle, and this time we were successful (though it took some time), and everyone enjoyed scope views. I managed a fuzzy digital photo for a record shot, but it is too abysmal to share on this fine forum. The motmot was a lifer for the others in the group (though not for me), but the outing, though not producing many species, did have another welcome surprise, three White-thighed Swallows, a very rare bird locally, and a lifer for all. The swallows distracted us away from two Lesser Goldfinches, lifers for most, and a trip bird.

And so it was that what we had thought might be a routine, uneventful day, in fact produced a fine array of new sights and sounds.

Valle Chiquita Bird Species List - 16 species

Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
White-vented Plumeleteer
Tody Motmot
Rufous Motmot
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Acadian Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Lesser Greenlet
Black-chested Jay
White-thighed Swallow (personal world life bird)
House Wren
Lesser Goldfinch

Next up: Altos del Maria (high altitude excursion)
 

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  • Togarna Hairstreak (Arawacus togarna) - Valle Chiquito, Panama - photo by Blake Maybank.jpg
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Panama - January 2011 - Jan. 26

Day 15 - Jan. 26 - Altos del Maria (high altitude excursion)

This was our final day of birding, and it was “brilliant”, as several of my Brit birding friends might be wont to say. We left after an early breakfast, travelling in 4WD vehicles, which were needed not because of any rough roads, but due to the steepness of the grade. We were driving on private roads constructed to permit access to a high elevation, for the purpose of developing subdivisions full of weekend get-away homes - the “Altos del María Estate and Gated Mountain Community”. Yes, this is as tacky as it sounds. Check out the web site.

Access to the forest was via the main road, and various side cul-de-sacs. The forests were still in reasonable shape, and as the proposed lots were large there was no reason they couldn’t be left somewhat intact, but I feared the worst, as, upon available evidence, Panamanian developers follow the North American model – cut everything down (improves the “view” and aids “security”) and replant with non-native species.

But that is for the future. For the day we were present we looked for, and found, many new species for our trip list. There was nothing special about the strategy: drive, stop, listen, look, and repeat as necessary, with additional stops for snacks and lunch. The weather provided distractions we had not heretofore enjoyed, including the extended foggy periods typical of a Cloud Forest. These were interspersed with clear breaks and brief showers. Never a dull moment.

By day’s end we had ticked only 48 species, but fully a third were new for the group. For my part I added 12 to my Panama list, including a catch-up Orange-bellied Trogon upon which I’d dipped a day earlier. And six of my 12 were world lifers, easily making this last day of Panama birding my most productive.

Snowcap, a high-altitude hummingbird, was high on our list of desired species, and while we failed to catch a glimpse of the striking male, two females were much more cooperative. Less so was a Band-tailed Barbthroat, that only a few caught a view of before it zipped away. The least-expected species was the Smoky-brown Woodpecker, which had not been included on the checklist I prepared, though I suspect this was my fault. Never mind – we all saw the bird well. Write-ins count as much as the others.

The Ochraceous Wren played hide-and-seek (mostly hide), and the ant-things were skulky as ever. The Black-eared Wood-Quail was a frustrating “heard-only”, and while it seemed as if the Black-and-yellow Tanager might fall into that category, we all eventually secured fine looks. We even took the time to enjoy an over-wintering Olive-sided Flycatcher. It is a widespread and fairly common breeder across Canada’s boreal forest, but is often difficult to see well.

As always I became occasionally distracted by new plants and butterflies.

This was a wonderful way to play out our last day of the Panama trip. Too soon it was time to return to the Lodge for our last supper, and then packing.

I've attached a few photos - two birds, two butterflies, and a redundant road sign.

Bird Species list ~ Altos Del Maria ~ 48 species

New Trip Birds are indicated with an *.
Personal Panama Life Birds are in Boldface.
Personal World Life Birds are in Orange.

Gray-headed Chachalaca
Black-eared Wood-Quail *
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
White Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Blue-fronted Parrotlet *
Blue-headed Parrot
Band-tailed Barbthroat *
Brown Violetear *
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Snowcap *
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
Orange-bellied Trogon
Broad-billed Motmot
Emerald Toucanet
Keel-billed Toucan
Smoky-brown Woodpecker *
Spotted Barbtail*
Spotted Woodcreeper
Russet Antshrike *
Dull-mantled Antbird *
Streak-chested Antpitta
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Tufted Flycatcher *
Olive-sided Flycatcher *
Bright-rumped Attila
Tropical Kingbird
White-ruffed Manakin *
Rufous-breasted Wren
Ochraceous Wren *
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
Tennessee Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Canada Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Common Bush-Tanager
Black-and-yellow Tanager *
Buff-throated Saltator
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Hepatic Tanager *
Black-faced Grosbeak *
Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Next Up:
Our return home, and trip wrap-up.
 

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  • Two-barred Flasher (Astraptes fulgerator azul) -  - Panama - photo by Blake Maybank.jpg
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