: EL VALLE’S CANOPY LODGE

JANUARY 21–28, 2017

LEADERS: KEVIN ZIMMER & DANILO RODRÍGUEZ JR. LIST COMPILED BY: KEVIN ZIMMER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

PANAMA: EL VALLE’S CANOPY LODGE

JANUARY 21–28, 2017

By Kevin Zimmer

As always, the El Valle area treated us to some great , beautiful accommodations, and some unexpected surprises. It started, as it always does, upon our arrival at the Canopy Lodge, with the daily lodge feeder show. At peak times, it can be nearly impossible to tear a group away from the lodge feeders to go anywhere else! The activity at the feeders is often frenetic, and the diversity of tanagers, honeycreepers, and euphonias attracted is truly remarkable. To see such normally skulking birds as Dusky- faced Tanager and Red-crowned Ant-Tanager attending feeders is a rare treat, and the spectacular Rufous and Collared Aracaris are grand icing on the cake. We soon discovered the most recent feeder development—that being the habituation of the resident Gray-headed Chachalacas, which now descend upon the feeders multiple times per day for their banana-fix.

Dull-mantled Antbird, Los Altos del Maria, Panama, January, 2017 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Over the next several days, we explored habitats ranging from wet, middle elevation cloud forest to semi-deciduous forest, to dry Pacific lowlands, pastures, rice fields, and tropical dry forest. Highlights were many, but several stand out. There was the fabulous Sunbittern on the first afternoon hike up the road from the lodge. The following day produced two of roosting owls: a Tropical Screech-Owl in the morning and a Spectacled Owl in the afternoon. Our two visits to Los Altos del Maria treated us to mixed-species flocks of colorful tanagers; wonderful studies of some often difficult to see antbirds (Streak-chested Antpitta, Dull-mantled Antbird, and Spotted Antbird); a lovely male ; and intimate portraits of Orange-bellied Trogon, Broad-billed , Blue-throated (Emerald) Toucanet, and Yellow-eared Toucanet. The Pacific lowlands offered a complete change of pace, including flooded rice fields festooned with herons, egrets, and ibises, and pasturelands and dry forest alive with raptors and a confusing variety of flycatchers.

All in all, El Valle and the Canopy Lodge provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the diverse foothill and lowland avifauna of central Panama. I particularly wish to thank our local guide, Danilo Rodríguez Jr., for all of his hard work and assistance, particularly in taking the reins for the first few days when I was simply too sick to function in any capacity. Many thanks as well to Tino and the rest of the Canopy Lodge staff for taking such good care of us, and for providing such a wonderful base of operations for birding the El Valle area. It was great fun sharing this marvelous area with each and every one of you, and I look forward to birding with you again in the future.

ITINERARY:

January 21 – Arrival in Panama, with night at the Country Inn & Suites, Amador. January 22 – 0800h transfer to El Valle, arriving at the Canopy Lodge at about 1030h, with time for some feeder-watching prior to lunch (1230 h). After settling in to our rooms and spending some time watching the show of birds coming into the lodge feeders, we then birded our way on foot along the road to the adjacent Canopy Adventure property and back (1500–1800 h). January 23 – Morning excursion to La Mesa and the Cerro Gaital foothills; back to the lodge for lunch and break, followed by late afternoon excursion to the Cara Iguana Trail. January 24 – Day-trip to Los Altos del Maria, Panama Province; birded elevations from 930–1000 m mostly at three different sites within the Valle Bonito subdivision). January 25 – Day-trip to the Pacific lowlands (side road off of the Pan American Hwy. from the town of Antón [ca. km 131] toward the coast through pastures and dry forest, and then to the Juan Hombrón rice fields), where we birded the entire morning. Lunch at Raul’s Santa Clara beach house before return in late afternoon to Canopy Lodge. January 26 – Day-trip to Los Altos del Maria, Panama Province, where we revisited some areas from a few days prior, and also hit some different spots, again, mostly around Valle Bonito. January 27 – Morning excursion to La Mesa and Canopy Adventure, returning to the Canopy Lodge for lunch and checkout, followed by the return drive back to Panama City and the Country Inn & Suites. Final dinner at Alberto’s. January 28 – Flights home.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

KEY:

AM = Altos del Maria area CL = Canopy Lodge grounds (particularly the feeders) & adjacent Canopy Adventure CI = Cara Iguana Trail EV = El Valle (the town) LM = La Mesa (including the lower Cerro Gaital trail and forest patches along the main road above the lodge) PC = Panama City (Mostly around the grounds of our hotel, where some of you birded some before breakfast on the first morning, and again on the last afternoon.) PL = Pacific Lowlands (Mostly along the road from Antón to the dry forest, and along the Juan Hombrón road through the rice fields, but also including some sightings along the Pan American Hwy., and around Raul’s beach house at Santa Clara.) * = heard only

BIRDS:

GUANS, CHACHALACAS & CURASSOWS (Cracidae):

Gray-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps ) - CL (5-10 seen daily around the lodge, often at the feeders.)

Gray-headed Chachalaca, Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama, January, 2017 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

FRIGATEBIRDS (Fregatidae):

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificans ) - PC, PL

CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracidae):

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) - PC, PL

PELICANS (Pelicanidae):

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis ) - PL

HERONS, EGRETS & BITTERNS (Ardeidae):

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias ) - Great Egret (Ardea alba ) - Snowy Egret (Egretta thula ) - Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea ) - Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ) - Green Heron (Butorides virescens ) -

IBISES & SPOONBILLS (Threskiornithidae):

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus ) - Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus ) -

NEW WORLD VULTURES (Cathartidae):

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) - Daily; all locales Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ) - Daily; all locales. Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus ) - PL

OSPREY (Pandionidae):

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus ) - PC

HAWKS, EAGLES & KITES (Accipitridae):

Accipitrinae

Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus ) - PL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis ) - PL Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris ) - White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis ) - CL, CI Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus ) - Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus ) - LM, AM

SUNBITTERN (Eurypygidae):

Sunbittern (Eurygyga helias ) - CL (Great studies of one along the stream between the lodge and the adjacent Canopy Adventure.)

RAILS, GALLINULES & COOTS (Rallidae):

Gray-cowled Wood-Rail (Aramides cajaneus ) - CL (1-2 seen on different days by several people, usually near the bridge or by the compost pile.)

PLOVERS & LAPWINGS (Charadriidae):

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis ) - PL

JACANIDAE (Jacanas):

Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana ) - PL

SANDPIPERS & ALLIES (Scolopacidae):

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius ) - AM Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria ) - PL Willet (Tringa semipalmata ) - PL Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus ) - PL

GULLS, TERNS & SKIMMERS (Laridae):

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla ) - PC Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus ) - PC, PL

PIGEONS & DOVES (Columbidae):

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia ) - PC Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis ) - PC, PL Scaled Pigeon (Patagioenas speciosa ) - AM Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti ) - PC, CI, PL, EV to AM, LM White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi ) - Seen daily, and at most sites visited.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

CUCKOOS (Cuculidae):

Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana ) - CL, LM, CI, AM Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia ) - CI Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani ) - PL

TYPICAL OWLS (Strigidae):

Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba ) - LM Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata ) - CI Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum )* - PL* Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata )* - CL*

SWIFTS (Apodidae):

White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris ) - AM

HUMMINGBIRDS (Trochilidae) :

Topazinae

White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora ) - CI

Phaethornithinae

Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy ) - LM, AM, CL Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis strigularis ) - LM

Trochilinae

Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti ) - CL Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii ) - CL Garden Emerald ( assimilis ) - PL Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata ) - AM White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii ) - CL Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia ) - LM Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica ) - LM, AM, PL, CL Snowy-bellied (Amazilia edward ) - Seen daily at the lodge. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl ) - Seen daily, particularly around the lodge. Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis ) - PL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 TROGONS & QUETZALS (Trogonidae):

Orange-bellied Trogon (Trogon aurantiiventris ) - LM, AM

Orange-bellied Trogon, Los Altos del Maria, Panama, January, 2017 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

MOTMOTS (Momotidae):

Tody Motmot (Hylomanes momotula )* - CL*, LM*, road to AM* Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota coeruliceps ) - CI Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii ) - CL, LM, AM (Repeated great views of this spectacular , which regularly visits the feeders at the lodge!) Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum ) - AM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

Broad-billed Motmot, Los Altos del Maria, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

KINGFISHERS (Alcedinidae):

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon ) - AM Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona ) - PL Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana ) - CL (seen daily at the lodge.)

BARBETS (Capitonidae):

Spot-crowned Barbet (Capito maculicoronatus ) - CL, LM

TOUCANS & ARACARIS (Ramphastidae):

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis ) - AM {This wide- ranging species has been split by some taxonomists into as many as 7 species. Under this treatment, the Central American forms sort out as follows: Wagler’s Toucanet (highlands of sw. ), Emerald Toucanet (e. Mexico to ), Blue-throated Toucanet ( & w. Panama), and Violet-throated Toucanet (e. Panama to ). The birds we saw were “Blue-throated Toucanets”. The AOU checklist committees remain unconvinced, and are still recognizing a single, polytypic species for the time being, but this is likely to change.} Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus ) - CL, LM, AM Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus ) - CL*, LM, AM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

Emerald Toucanet, Altos del Maria, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Yellow-eared Toucanet, Los Altos del Maria, Panama, January 2017 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

WOODPECKERS (Picidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani ) - LM, AM Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus ) - Seen daily (CL, LM, CI, AM, PL) Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus ) - CI, AM

FALCONS & CARACARAS (Falconidae):

Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway ) - PL Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima ) - PC, PL, AM Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis ) - PL Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis )* - AM* Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ) - PL

PARROTS (Psittacidae):

Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax ) - PL Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis ) - CI, AM, PL, CL Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis ) - AM Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus ) - Seen daily (CL, LM, AM, PL) Yellow-crowned Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala ) - PC, PL

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS (Thamnophilidae):

Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus ) - CL Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus ) - PL Plain Antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis ) - AM Spot-crowned Antvireo (Dysithamnus puncticeps ) - CL (Nice views at the Canopy Adventure on our last morning.) Checker-throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla fulviventris )* - LM* Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul ) - LM, AM* Dull-mantled Antbird (Myrmeciza laemosticta ) - AM (Spectacular views!) Spotted Antbird (Hylophylax naevioides ) - AM Bicolored Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor )* - AM*

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

Spotted Antbird, Los Altos del Maria, Panama, January, 2017 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

GNATEATERS (Conopophagidae):

Black-crowned Antpitta (Pittasoma michleri )* - AM*

ANTPITTAS (Grallariidae):

Streak-chested Antpitta (Hylopezus perspicillatus ) - AM

OVENBIRDS & (Furnariidae):

Dendrocolaptinae

Plain-brown (Dendrocincla fuliginosa ) - AM Cocoa Woodcreeper ( susurrans ) - CL, LM, CI Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius ) - AM, LM

Furnariinae

Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops )* - AM*

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannidae):

Elaeniinae

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma obsoletum ) - PC Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster ) - CI, PL* Olive-striped Flycatcher (Mionectes olivaceus ) - CL Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus ) - CL Rufous-browed Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes superciliaris ) - AM Paltry Tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus ) - AM, LM*

Platyrinchinae

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus ) - AM, LM Common -Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum ) - PC

Fluvicolinae

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus ) - AM Pewee sp. (Contopus sp.) - PL (I think Danilo Jr. called this an Eastern Wood-Pewee [I wasn’t there], but that species is a passage migrant in Panama, and should not be present between December and March. On dates alone, I’m guess what you saw was a Tropical Pewee.)

Tufted Flycatcher, Altos del Maria, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

Tyranninae

Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus )* - AM* Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer ) - CL, AM* Panama Flycatcher (Myiarchus panamensis ) - PL Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus ) - PL Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus ) - PC, PL Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua ) - CI Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis ) - Seen/heard daily (CL, LM, CI, AM, PL) Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus ) - CL Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus ) - Seen daily (PC, CL, LM, CI, AM, PL) Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna ) - PL

BECARDS, TITYRAS & SCHIFFORNIS (Tityridae):

Northern Schiffornis (Schiffornis veraepacis ) - LM*, AM White-winged Becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus ) - CI Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata ) - CL, AM

MANAKINS (Pipridae):

White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera )* - AM*, LM* Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata )* - PL*

VIREOS, GREENLETS & ALLIES (Vireonidae):

Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis ) - PL

CROWS, JAYS & MAGPIES (Corvidae):

Black-chested Jay (Cyanocorax affinis ) - Seen/heard daily (CL, LM, CI, AM)

SWALLOWS & MARTINS (Hirundinidae):

Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea ) - LM Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea ) - PC Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ) - LM, AM

WRENS (Troglodytidae):

Scaly-breasted Wren (Microcerculus marginatus )* - LM* {The in this group is a mess. Stiles & Skutch, in A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica , treat this population as a separate species, M. luscinia (= Whistling Wren), both from northern

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Middle American populations ( M. philomela , Nightingale Wren) and from South American populations (true M. marginatus group, known variously as Scaly-breasted Wren or Southern Nightingale-Wren). All three groups differ from one another morphologically and, especially, vocally, and I think that Stile’s approach is the correct one. The English name of “Scaly-breasted Wren” is particularly unfortunate, given that of the entire complex, only the north Andean races are truly scaly-breasted. The AOU is still treating Panamanian luscinia as conspecific with marginatus , but don’t be surprised if they are ultimately split.} House Wren (Troglodytes aedon ) - Seen daily (CL, LM, CI, AM) Ochraceous Wren (Troglodytes ochraceus ) - AM Rufous-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius rutilus ) - CI, LM* Isthmian Wren (Cantorchilus elutus ) - PC, PL* {This is a split from what used to be called “Plain Wren” ( C. modestus ). Bay Wren (Cantorchilus nigricapillus ) - CL, LM White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta ) - LM, CL Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys ) - AM

GNATCATCHERS (Polioptilidae):

Tawny-faced Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris )* - LM* Long-billed Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus )* - LM* Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea ) - AM

THRUSHES & ALLIES (Turdidae):

Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus ) - AM to EV (Seen nicely at the spot where we came so close to seeing the Tody Motmot.) Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi ) - Seen daily in good numbers, particularly at the lodge feeders.

MOCKINGBIRDS & THRASHERS (Mimidae):

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus ) - PL, PC

NEW WORLD WARBLERS (Parulidae):

Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum ) - PC, AM Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera ) - LM, AM Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia ) - PC, AM, LM Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina ) - LM, CI, AM, CL Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia ) - CL, LM, AM American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla ) - CI Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea ) - CL Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca ) - AM, LM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia aestiva ) - PC, CL, AM, PL {These are the migratory birds that breed in North America and winter in Panama.} Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica ) - LM Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens ) - CI, AM Buff-rumped Warbler (Myiothlypis fulvicauda ) - CL, AM* Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons ) - CL, LM, CI, AM Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis ) - LM, AM

Buff-rumped Warbler, Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

TANAGERS & ALLIES (Thraupidae):

Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus ) - Seen daily (CL, LM, CI, AM, PL) Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum ) - Seen all but one day (CL, LM, AM, PL) Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata ) - LM, CI, AM Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola ) - CL, LM Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala ) - LM, AM Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola ) - PC Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza ) - AM Black-and-yellow Tanager (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas ) - AM Tawny-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus delatrii ) - LM, AM Flame (Lemon)-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus ) - Seen daily at the lodge feeders.{Also known as “Lemon-rumped Tanager”, which, as we discussed, is a far better name.} Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus ) - Seen daily, mainly at lodge feeders.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus ) - AM Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus ) - CI, PL, LM Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola ) - Seen daily (CL, LM, AM) Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus ) - LM Variable Seedeater (Sporophila americana ) - PC Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta ) - PL Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus ) - LM, CL Streaked Saltator (Saltator striatipectus ) - CI

Genus Incertae sedis :

Rosy Thrush-Tanager (Rhodinocichla rosea ) - PC Dusky-faced Tanager (Mitrospingus cassinii ) - CL, LM

Dusky-faced Tanager, Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

BUNTINGS, SPARROWS & ALLIES (Emberizidae):

Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris ) - LM, CL Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch (Arremon brunneinucha ) - LM, AM Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris )* - LM* Common Chlorospingus (Bush-Tanager) (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus punctulatus ) - AM {This subspecies is fairly different looking, with a very dark, blackish-brown head, more orange-buff tint to the yellow throat, and with obvious dark speckling on the throat.}

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017

CARDINALS & ALLIES (Cardinalidae):

“Highland” Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava testacea ) - AM {Panama birds are of the subspecies testacea , which is part of the lutea subspecies group found in the highlands of Costa Rica/Panama and extending down to the Andes in South America [= “Highland Hepatic-Tanager”]. They differ vocally and morphologically from the hepatica group of northern Middle America to the sw United States [= “Northern Hepatic-Tanager”], as well as from the lowland flava group found east of the Andes in South America [= “Lowland Hepatic-Tanager”]. A three-way split seems likely, but for now, the AOU treats them all as a single species.} Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra ) - CL, LM Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (Habia rubica ) - LM, CL Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea ) - CI

TROUPIALS & ALLIES (Icteridae):

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna ) - PL Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus ) - Seen daily (PC, EV, LM, OL) Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis ) - PC, LM, PL Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula ) - PL Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri ) - Seen/heard daily.

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS, EUPHONIAS & ALLIES (Fringillidae):

Euphoninae

Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla ) - CI, PL Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris ) - Seen daily, particularly at the lodge feeders (CL, LM, AM) Tawny-capped Euphonia (Euphonia anneae ) - AM Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria ) - PC

OLD WORLD SPARROWS (Passeridae):

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus ) - PL

Total = 195 species

MAMMALS:

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus ) - AM Western Dwarf Squirrel (Microsciurus mimulus ) or Alfaro’s Pygmy-Squirrel (Microsciurus alfari ) - AM (You saw this on the first visit to AM on 1/24, and it was

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017 identified as “Western Dwarf Squirrel” by Danilo Jr.. One previous trips, we had identified these as “Alfaro’s Pygmy-Squirrel” which is in the same genus and also occurs in the region. I’m unsure of the criteria for separating these two similar congeners in the field, and I’m also uncertain of their respective microhabitat requirements and elevational limits in Panama. You saw one or the other!) Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis ) - Several seen daily, particularly monopolizing bananas at the lodge feeders! Rothschild’s Porcupine (Coendou rothschildi ) - CL (Hanging out by day in the lodge treehouse!)

Rothschild’s Porcupine, Canopy Lodge, El Valle, Panama (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata ) - CL (Seen daily.) Common Big-Eared Bat (Micronycteris microtis ) - CL

OTHER VERTEBRATES:

Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus ) - Seen basking on rocks in the stream next to the dining room every day. (CL, PL) Green Iguana (Iguana iguana ) - PL Helicopter Damselfly sp. (Megaloprepus caerulatus ?) - AM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January, 2017