Panama Hummingbirds
Hola Cedric:
Hope you enjoyed your time in Panama and managed to see many birds. Sorry to have been out of touch for a while, but have been spending little time by the computer, and mostly out birding...tough life
We recently concluded a birding program with members of the Tennessee Ornithological Society in Panama. Our group birded around the country for two weeks and managed to record 460 different species, including more than half of the country’s hummingbirds, which considering a total of 56 species in Panama, that was really good; and even a lifer for me ! a heavenly Snowy Cotinga.
In response to your hummingbird pictures,.. the Sapphire-throated Hummingbird and Garden Emerald look about right.
Your picture #4, taken at El Valle, is a really interesting shot. It is a Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia edward) notice the whitish lower belly. What is interesting is that Cocle province, around El Valle, corresponds to the westernmost distribution of the widespread A. edward niveoventer race that would have a greener lower back, but you were fortunate enough to capture the nominate endemic race A. edward edward found normally in eastern Cocle and Eastern Panama, with the rufous lower back.
As for pic #5 @ El Valle, you are right it is very hard to pick any features in the photo. If you provide more info as to where it was taken (garden, cattle ranch, forest/edge, etc) we might come up with some educated guesses
I agree with your #7 at Pipeline Road being a Band-Tailed Barbthroat. The contrasting light malar stripe and the dark throat, gives it away. The White-tipped Sicklebill that we regularly see in the Eastern foothills, doesn’t show that pattern in the face and has a more curved bill; although I can see how the angle of the bird’s face in the picture can give a sickle appearance.
In addition, the first section of Pipeline Road, where the picture was probably taken, is much drier than the type of forest Sicklebills usually dwell.
Look forward to your comments.
Warm regards from Panama,
Guido
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Guido C. Berguido
Biologist - Operations
Advantage Tours Panama
"Adventures in nature with the local advantage"
P.O. Box 69, Balboa
Republic of Panama
Tel. 011-507-676-2466
fax: 011-507-228-6535
e.mail:
[email protected]
web:
www.advantagepanama.com
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Cedric K said:
Thanks guys.
I have to say I'm leaning towards Band-tailed Barbthroat for exactly the same reasons as Peachfront mentioned: black throat and shape of bill. I just don't think that bill is curved enough to be a White-tipped Sicklebill, and the black throat also doesn't really fit.
Maybe it's just impossible to ID due to the (lack of) quality of the picture...
Any Panamanians out there with some ideas?
Regards,
Cedric
