PANAMA: EL VALLE’S CANOPY LODGE JANUARY 5–12, 2020
Sunbittern © Erik Bruhnke
LEADERS: ERIK BRUHNKE & DANILO RODRIGUEZ, JR. LIST COMPILED BY: ERIK BRUHNKE
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
Our Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge tour was teeming with memorable birding moments every day. Over the course of the week we observed over two hundred bird species, most of which are unique to the tropics, and a few of which have come down from “our backyards” for the winter months. The food was exceptional. Our local guide, Danilo Jr., took exceptional care of us every day. Our rooms were exquisite. The entire experience of birding through the Canopy Lodge was incredible and memorable.
Our first morning started out in front of the Radisson Panama Canal Hotel. Although located among the downtown Panama City ambience, the surrounding woods and manicured courtyard plants are home to many tropical bird species, and a moment’s walk away was the great Panama Canal. Crimson-backed Tanagers and Clay-colored Thrushes fluttered among the lower branches while Yellow-crowned Euphonias fed near the tops of the Cecropia trees. The beautiful Tropical Kingbirds that we would be seeing every day of the tour made a bright and early appearance this morning. After breakfast we rode a bus to the Panama Canal and to the stunning Canopy Lodge, where we explored the property and nearby trails that afternoon.
Home sweet home at the incredible Canopy Lodge © Erik Bruhnke
Upon arriving at our home-sweet-home for the week to come, we were greeted by welcoming staff and the many vibrant birds that live here. A Buff-rumped Warbler patrolled the rocks along the creek as Blue-gray Tanagers, wintering Tennessee Warblers, and a Rufous Motmot bounded in a feeding frenzy just feet from our seats. An afternoon walk up to the Canopy Adventure area offered great views of TWO Mottled Owls, chatty Keel-billed Toucans, and a Dusky Antbird. While heading to the waterfall, we found a delicate yet strong Violet-headed Hummingbird nest, initially seen with the female incubating her eggs! The views of the amazing scenery just kept getting better and better, and it was only our first day of the tour! Without a doubt, we all went to sleep that night dreaming of the colorful array of stunning life we witnessed that afternoon.
After a delicious and hearty breakfast and the ambience of energetic Thick-billed Euphonias and Gray- headed Chachalacas, we headed to La Mesa, where vast fields and densely wooded trails awaited us. Southern Lapwings fed among the grassy fields as Smooth-billed Anis called inside a cluster of trees. Several less commonly observed birds sang in the woods not far from us, including the colorful Rufous- and-white Wren, Song Wren, and a Black-crowned Antpitta. Bursts of neon colors glistened at the tops of trees as Silver-throated Tanagers and Bay-headed Tanagers fed in a mixed flock. In the afternoon and after some valiant effort, we scored views of both the elusive Rosy Thrush-Tanager and a family of
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Spectacled Owls. We ended the day at Cara Iguana, where two Lesson’s Motmots were perched out in the open for us, seemingly waiting for us to arrive and look in their direction. Out along the scenic cliffside stretch, we set our views on an adult light morph Short-tailed Hawk, adult Lesser Goldfinch, and swirling kettles of Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures.
Over the next two days, our travels would take us well into the cloud forest of Altos Del Maria. This intermingled stretch of old-growth rainforest is unfortunately being taken over by lots and upcoming houses. On the drive up we stopped at a pull-off, where we had glimpses of the uncommon Golden- winged Warbler and a White-tipped Sicklebill, a unique and scarce hummingbird species that favors Heliconian flowers. As the day progressed, our trails led us higher and higher. Scaled Pigeons rowed through the air with force as elusive Northern Emerald-Toucanets and Collared Aracaris fed on fruit throughout the nearby canopy. A little hummingbird persistence payed off when everyone got stunning scope views of a male Snowcap! This gorgeous little hummingbird species is unique to the higher elevations, and it was so great to see the burgundy head and body of this little stunner, topped with its unique snow-white cap. On the drive back we spotted a Gray-lined Hawk flying from a telephone post.
Our next day had us repeating the Altos Del Maria landscape. We headed out a little earlier, straight to the higher elevations (instead of birding our way there), to maximize our chances of several specialties. Little did we know what thrills were to come, especially on the Biodiversity Trail that we would be revisiting first thing this morning. On every tour I lead, I find there are several moments where the scenery is not just “impressive” or “great” but truly near- perfect in a sentimental sense. The Biodiversity Trail captivated our senses as a bubbling creek rushed along our trail and ancient trees towered towards the sky, with much of the undergrowth and surface area along their trunks covered in complex arrays of vibrant green plant life. Two Bat Falcons flew high overhead just before entering the corridor of green. Watching the female Crimson-bellied Woodpecker was breathtaking! Shortly after getting on the trail, a pair of Spotted Antbirds caught our attention. © Erik Bruhnke Walking further down the trail, Tufted Flycatchers sallied insects from branches, almost always returning to the same perch that they departed from. We came across the massive tree where a pair of Crimson-bellied Woodpeckers had been seen earlier before our tour. We waited a little bit in absolute silence, keeping our eyes on high alert for movement both near and far. And then it happened…a female Crimson-bellied Woodpecker came into view, calling briefly and working her way along the sides of a nearby tree. Her bright red belly
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 complemented her head of off-white, black, and red feathers. During most visits to Panama, this species is simply not possible due to elusiveness and scarcity within their preferred habitat. We were all on a birding high when we returned to the vehicles. A highly unexpected adult Zone-tailed Hawk flew over us as a Green Kingfisher cackled along the pond’s edge.
Following a delicious dinner that night, we would partake in a night hike around the Canopy Lodge property. A brief stroll provided views of a Fleischmann’s Glass Frog, Red-webbed Tree Frogs, and a very large Smoky Jungle Frog. While carefully using our flashlights among the lower branches, we found a roosting Ringed Kingfisher and two Gray-cowled Wood-Rails. Before Curious Olingo, seen during our night hike! © Erik Bruhnke calling it a night, we located a very inquisitive Olingo in the trees. A few moments of watching this beautiful animal had us viewing it over our heads as it crossed the road via power lines!
The next day we headed through vast lowlands while on our way to the beach. Our first stop near the town of Anton offered great views of TWO Ferruginous Pygmy- Owls, Brown-throated Parakeets, and resident Eastern Meadowlarks. We could feel the heat and dry air, quite different from the cooler, humid conditions experienced on earlier days of the tour. The long, hot stretch of Juan Hombron to come would delight our birding hopes of displaying Lance-tailed Manakins, Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Savanna Hawks, and so much more! We heard Crested Bobwhites calling among the vast Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture © Erik Bruhnke fields while a pair of Orchard Orioles fed close to the road. A high-up Peregrine Falcon was spotted soaring over our heads during our snack break. Among the nearby fields were many vultures, including the very common Black Vultures, Turkey Vultures, and a few Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures!
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 We spent the midday hours at Raul’s beach house on Santa Clara beach, where we were immersed in the comfort of an amazing home-cooked lunch, shade from large nearby trees, and a beach-going view of Brown Pelicans, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Royal Terns, and a few distant Blue-footed Boobies.
Our final morning was truly overflowing with birds. A simple morning walk around the immediate Canopy Lodge property boasted views of 62 species, including a Rufous-crested Coquette, two Green Thorntails, two Spot-crowned Barbets, and more! Additional icing on the cake was a Sunbittern feeding nearby and out-in-the-opening to the Canopy Lodge welcoming bridge. Pair of Blue Dacnis © Erik Bruhnke Throughout this last morning extravaganza, we also saw numerous gorgeous butterflies including a Starry Cracker, Malachites, Banded Peacocks, and Zebra Heliconians. Over the course of the week our adventure through central Panama reached 217 bird species. I’m already looking forward to coming back this fall!
Tour grand finale with the Sunbittern! © Erik Bruhnke
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Tinamous Tinamidae
Great Tinamou Tinamus major Altos Del Maria… not just heard, but seen!
Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows Cracidae
Gray-headed Ortalis cinereiceps Seen at the Canopy Lodge feeders every day Chachalaca
Black Guan (RE) Chamaepetes Altos Del Maria unicolor
New World Quail Odontophoridae
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus Juan Hombron
Pigeons and Doves Columbidae
Rock Pigeon (I) Columba livia Panama City
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Mata Ahogado cayennensis
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas Altos Del Maria speciosa
Plain-breasted Ground Columbina minuta Antón Dove
Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti Seen most days along roadsides
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Frequent visitor below Canopy Lodge feeders. Heard while out in the field many days too.
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Juan Hombron
Cuckoos Cuculidae
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani La Mesa Road, Mata Ahogado, Antón
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga Antón sulcirostris
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana La Mesa Road, Canopy Lodge
Swifts Apodidae
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne La Mesa Road zonaris
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura Radisson Inn Panama Canal
Hummingbirds Trochilidae
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora Canopy Lodge
White-tipped Sicklebill Eutoxeres aquila Altos Del Maria
Rufous-breasted Glaucis hirsutus Canopy Lodge Hermit
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy Canopy Lodge, Altos Del Maria
Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis Canopy Lodge/Adventure Trail, La Mesa Road, Altos striigularis Del Maria
Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae Altos Del Maria
Veraguan Mango (E) Anthracothorax Juan Hombron veraguensis
Green Thorntail Discosura conversii Canopy Lodge
Rufous-crested Lophornis delattrei Canopy Lodge Coquette
Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster Canopy Lodge longirostris
Garden Emerald Chlorostilbon Canopy Lodge assimilis
Violet-headed Klais guimeti Adventure Trail, Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge Hummingbird
White-vented Chalybura buffonii Adventure Trail, Canopy Lodge Plumeleteer
Bronze-tailed Chalybura La Mesa, Altos Del Maria Plumeleteer urochrysia
Crowned Woodnymph Thalurania Canopy Lodge, Altos Del Maria colombica
Snowcap Microchera Altos Del Maria albocoronata
Blue-chested Amazilia amabilis La Mesa Road, Canopy Lodge Hummingbird
Snowy-bellied Amazilia edward Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria, Mata Hummingbird Ahogado
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Rufous-tailed Amazilia tzacatl A gorgeous stunner of a hummingbird, seen every Hummingbird day!
Rails, Gallinules & Rallidae Coots
Gray-cowled Wood- Aramides cajaneus Seen every day on/around the Canopy Lodge Rail feeders
Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis La Mesa Road, Juan Hombron
Jacanas Jacanidae
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana Juan Hombron
Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Juan Hombron (specifically the beach access near El Chirú)
Sanderling Calidris alba Juan Hombron (specifically the beach access near El Chirú)
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Juan Hombron
Gulls, Terns & Laridae Skimmers
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Santa Clara Beach
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Santa Clara Beach
Sunbittern Eurypygidae
Sunbittern Eurypyga helias Canopy Lodge - Truly exceptional experience… observed
Storks Ciconiidae
Wood Stork Mycteria americana Juan Hombron
Frigatebirds Fregatidae
Magnificent Fregata magnificens Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Juan Hombron, Santa Frigatebird Clara Beach
Boobies & Gannets Sulidae
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii Santa Clara beach
Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax Observed nearly every day brasilianus
Pelicans Pelecanidae
Brown Pelican Pelecanus Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Santa Clara beach occidentalis
Herons, Egrets & Ardeidae Bitterns
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Seen while driving from Canopy Lodge to Panama City
Great Egret Ardea alba Radisson Inn Panama Canal, La Mesa Road, Juan Hombron, Santa Clara Beach
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Juan Hombron
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Juan Hombron
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis La Mesa Road, Mata Ahogado, Jaun Hombron, Radisson Inn Panama Canal
Green Heron Butorides virescens Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Altos Del Maria, Juan Hombron
Ibises & Spoonbills Threskiornithidae
White Ibis Eudocimus albus Radisson Inn Panama Canal
New World Vultures Cathartidae
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Seen every day in good numbers
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Seen every day in good numbers
Lesser Yellow-headed Cathartes Good study/comparison of this species at Juan Vulture burrovianus Hombron
Osprey Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Altos Del Maria, Santa Clara beach
Hawks, Eagles & Kites Accipitridae
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus Juan Hombron meridionalis
White Hawk Pseudastur albicollis Altos Del Maria
Gray-lined Hawk Buteo nitidus Altos Del Maria
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus La Mesa, Mata Ahogado, Altos Del Maria
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Adventure Trail, La Mesa
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus Cara Iguana, and a big surprise to see up in Altos Del Maria
Owls Strigidae
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix El Valle perspicillata
Ferruginous Pygmy- Glaucidium Antón Owl brasilianum
Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata Canopy Adventure
Trogons Trogonidae
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus Altos Del Maria
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris Altos Del Maria
Motmots Momotidae
Tody Motmot Hylomanes La Mesa Road momotula
Lesson's Motmot Momotus lessoni Cara Iguana, Juan Hombron
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus Seen nearly every day at the Canopy Lodge feeders martii
Kingfishers Alcedinidae
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle Creek that goes through Canopy Lodge, Altos Del torquata Maria. Seen during the Canopy Lodge night hike!
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge americana
New World Barbets Capitonidae
Spot-crowned Barbet Capito La Mesa Road, Canopy Lodge maculicoronatus
Toucans Ramphastidae
Northern Emerald- Aulacorhynchus Altos Del Maria Toucanet prasinus
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus Altos Del Maria torquatus
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Yellow-eared Toucanet Selenidera Altos Del Maria spectabilis
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos Canopy Lodge, Adventure Trail, Altos Del Maria sulfuratus
Woodpeckers Picidae
Black-cheeked Melanerpes Altos Del Maria Woodpecker pucherani
Red-crowned Melanerpes Seen every day! Woodpecker rubricapillus
Smoky-brown Dryobates fumigatus An uncommon treat located in Altos Del Maria Woodpecker
Crimson-bellied Campephilus INCREDIBLE experience with this rare woodpecker - Woodpecker haematogaster in Altos Del Maria
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria, Mata Ahogado
Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Commute between Panama City and Canopy Lodge, Juan Hombron
Yellow-headed Milvago chimachima Seen nearly ever day among the fields and Caracara woodlands
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis Altos Del Maria
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Juan Hombron
African & New World Psittacidae Parrots
Blue-fronted Parrotlet Touit dilectissimus A very rare sight to see - located in Altos Del Maria (a small, disconnected population on the range map)!
Orange-chinned Brotogeris jugularis Panama City, Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge Parakeet
Brown-hooded Parrot Pyrilia haematotis La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge
Brown-throated Eupsittula pertinax Antón Parakeet
Typical Antbirds Thamnophilidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus Canopy Lodge lineatus
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Cara Iguana doliatus
Russet Antshrike Thamnistes Altos Del Maria anabatinus
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria mentalis
Spot-crowned Antvireo Dysithamnus La Mesa Road puncticeps
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula Altos Del Maria schisticolor
Dusky Antbird Cercomacroides Adventure Trail tyrannina
Dull-mantled Antbird Sipia laemosticta Mata Ahogado
Spotted Antbird Hylophylax Altos Del Maria naevioides
Gnateaters Conopophagidae
Black-crowned Pittasoma michleri La Mesa Road Antpitta
Antpittas Grallariidae
Streak-chested Hylopezus Altos Del Maria Antpitta perspicillatus
Ovenbirds & Furnariidae Woodcreepers
Plain-brown Dendrocincla La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria Woodcreeper fuliginosa
Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road susurrans
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus Altos Del Maria erythropygius
Straight-billed Dendroplex picus Juan Hombron Woodcreeper
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Brown-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus Mata Ahogado pusillus
Buff-throated Foliage- Automolus Heard from Biodiversity Trail in Altos Del Maria gleaner ochrolaemus
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca Altos Del Maria erythrops
Manakins Pipridae
Lance-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia Great study of this species along Juan Hombron lanceolata
Golden-collared Manacus vitellinus La Mesa Road Manakin
Tityras & Allies Tityridae
Northern Schiffornis Schiffornis Altos Del Maria veraepacis
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus Altos Del Maria polychopterus
Tyrant Flycatchers Tyrannidae
Olive-striped Mionectes olivaceus La Mesa Road Flycatcher
Ochre-bellied Mionectes Canopy Lodge Flycatcher oleagineus
Sepia-capped Leptopogon La Mesa Flycatcher amaurocephalus
Scale-crested Pygmy- Lophotriccus pileatus Altos Del Maria Tyrant
Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocylclus An unexpected write-in!! Found in Altos Del Maria brevirostris
Common Tody- Todirostrum Seen nearly every day - great views at Canopy Flycatcher cinereum Lodge!
Southern Beardless- Camptostoma Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Juan Hombron Tyrannulet obsoletum
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola La Mesa Road
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Mata Ahogado, Juan Hombron
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Mistletoe Tyrannulet Zimmerius parvus Altos Del Maria
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes Altos Del Maria phaeocercus
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Canopy Lodge - a lingering winter bird
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus Altos Del Maria
Dusky-capped Myiarchus Altos Del Maria Flycatcher tuberculifer
Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus Juan Hombron panamensis
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Observed nearly every day. Fairly common
Rusty-margined Myiozetetes Juan Hombron Flycatcher cayanensis
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Great experience seeing them hunt over fields at Juan Hombron
Vireos, Shrike-Babblers & Erpornis Vireonidae
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes Altos Del Maria
Lesser Greenlet Pachysylvia Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge decurtatus
Golden-fronted Pachysylvia Juan Hombron Greenlet aurantiifrons
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria
Crows, Jays & Magpies Corvidae
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis Seen/heard nearly every day from Canopy Lodge vicinity
Swallows Hirundinidae
Blue-and-white Pygochelidon La Mesa Road Swallow cyanoleuca
Southern Rough- Stelgidopteryx Observed every day throughout clearings winged Swallow ruficollis
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Radisson Inn Panama Canal, La Mesa Road, Juan Hombron
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica La Mesa Road, Juan Hombron
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020
Gnatcatchers Polioptilidae
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates Mata Ahogado cinereiventris
Wrens Troglodytidae
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Daily observation - seen frequently at Canopy Lodge and also among daily travels
Ochraceous Wren (RE) Troglodytes Altos Del Maria ochraceus
Rufous-breasted Wren Pheugopedius rutilus Adventure Trail
Rufous-and-white Thryophilus rufalbus La Mesa Wren
Isthmian Wren Cantorchilus elutus Altos Del Maria
Bay Wren Cantorchilus Beautiful trickster that teased us every day at nigricapillus Canopy Lodge. Worked hard to get looks at this species!
White-breasted Wood- Henicorhina Altos Del Maria Wren leucosticta
Gray-breasted Wood- Henicorhina La Mesa Road Wren leucophrys
Song Wren Cyphorhinus La Mesa Road phaeocephalus
Mockingbirds & Mimidae Thrashers
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Commute between Panama City and Canopy Lodge, (I) Juan Hombron
Thrushes & Allies Turdidae
Orange-billed Catharus Mata Ahogado Nightingale-Thrush aurantiirostris
Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus Mata Ahogado
Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi Common daily sight at Canopy Lodge feeders, as well as in our travels
Old World Sparrows Passeridae
House Sparrow (I) Passer domesticus Antón gas station
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020
Finches, Euphonias & Fringillidae Allies
Yellow-crowned Euphonia luteicapilla Seen nearly every day Euphonia
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris Common sight in our travels, especially at Canopy Lodge feeders
Tawny-capped Euphonia anneae La Mesa Road, Mata Ahogado Euphonia
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Cara Iguana, Canopy Lodge
Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichlidae
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea El Valle
New World Sparrows Passerellidae
Common Chlorospingus Altos Del Maria Chlorospingus flavopectus
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops La Mesa Road conirostris
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon Juan Hombron, Canopy Lodge aurantiirostris
Chestnut-capped Arremon Altos Del Maria Brushfinch brunneinucha
Troupials & Allies Icteridae
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Antón
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus Altos Del Maria holosericeus
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius Adventure Trail decumanus
Chestnut-headed Psarocolius wagleri Canopy Lodge, Altos Del Maria Oropendola
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Juan Hombron
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Common everyday sight
New World Warblers Parulidae
Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla Canopy Lodge
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Northern Waterthrush Parkesia Canopy Lodge noveboracensis
Golden-winged Vermivora Mata Ahogado Warbler chrysoptera
Black-and-white Mniotilta varia Canopy Lodge, Altos Del Maria Warbler
Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypis peregrina Fairly common sight in our travels, especially at Canopy Lodge feeders
Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea Near-daily sighting among our travels
Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca Mata Ahogado
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia Near-daily sighting among our travels. Interesting to note, most were females.
Chestnut-sided Setophaga La Mesa Road Warbler pensylvanica
Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata Seen on our last morning, at Canopy Lodge. Unexpected sighting.
Rufous-capped Basileuterus Common sight at Canopy Lodge, and a few times Warbler rufifrons while out in the field
Buff-rumped Warbler Myiothlypis Altos Del Maria, and along the creek by the Canopy fulvicauda Lodge
Canada Warbler Cardellina Mata Ahogado canadensis
Mitrospingid Tanagers Mitrospingidae
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii Canopy Lodge, Mata Ahogado, Altos Del Maria
Cardinals & Allies Cardinalidae
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava Altos Del Maria
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Near-daily sighting, and seen regularly around the Canopy Lodge
Red-throated Ant- Habia fuscicauda Canopy Lodge Tanager
Rose-breasted Pheucticus Male and female seen at Altos Del Maria Grosbeak ludovicianus
Tanagers & Allies Thraupidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 White-shouldered Tachyphonus Altos Del Maria Tanager luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii La Mesa Road
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Canopy Lodge
Flame (Lemon)- Ramphocelus Altos Del Maria, Canopy Lodge feeders rumped Tanager flammigerus
Crimson-backed Ramphocelus Seen every day at Canopy Lodge feeders and in our Tanager dimidiatus travels
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus Common at Canopy Lodge feeders, and in our daily travels
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum Canopy Lodge
Golden-hooded Stilpnia larvata Gorgeous bird, seen most days! Tanager
Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata Radisson Inn Panama Canal, Canopy Lodge
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola Canopy Lodge
Silver-throated Tangara La Mesa Road, Altos Del Maria Tanager icterocephala
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana Canopy Lodge
Shining Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus Altos Del Maria
Red-legged Cyanerpes cyaneus Canopy Lodge, Juan Hombron Honeycreeper
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza La Mesa Road
Black-and-yellow Chrysothlypis Altos Del Maria Tanager chrysomelas
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina Good views at Radisson Inn Panama Canal, seen several times afterward too
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Handsome little bird, seen nearly every day both in the field and at the Canopy Lodge feeders
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus La Mesa Road
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus Uncommon visitor at the Canopy Lodge feeders, seen a few times in the field
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps Altos Del Maria
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus Altos Del Maria
MAMMALS
Opossums Didelphidae
Central American Caluromys derbianus Canopy Lodge night hike Woolly Opossum
Three-toed Sloths Bradypodidae
Brown-throated Three- Bradypus variegatus Seen nearly every day! Such a treat to see them! toed Sloth
Two-toed Sloths Megalonychidae
Hoffman's Two-toed Choloepus Observed along Cara Iguana Sloth hoffmanni
Squirrels, Prairie Dogs & Marmots Sciuridae
Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis A regular visitor to the Canopy Lodge feeders
Variegated Squirrel Sciurus Radisson Inn Canopy Lodge variegatoides
Porcupines Erethizonitidae
Rothschild's Porcupine Coendou rothschildi Altos Del Maria
Agoutis Dasyproctidae
Central American Dasyprocta punctata "cleanup crew" below the Canopy Lodge feeders, Agouti seen all but one day.
Raccoons Procyonidae
Olingo Bassaricyon gabbii Awesome experience during our night hike at Canopy Lodge!
INSECTS
Butterflies
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020 Variable Crescent Eresia Canopy Lodge ithomioides Hewitso n
Starry Cracker Hamadryas Canopy Lodge laodamia
Erato Heliconian Heliconius erato Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road
Zebra Heliconian Heliconius Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road, Juan Hombron charithonia
Malachite Siproeta stelenes Canopy Lodge
Blue Morpho Morpho helenor Seen almost every day at Canopy Lodge and throughout our field travels!
Cattleheart Parides sp. Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road
Rusty-tipped Page Siproeta epaphus Canopy Lodge, La Mesa Road
Banded Peacock Siproeta epaphus Daily sight at both Canopy Lodge and throughout our field travels!
White Peacock Anartia jatrophae Canopy Lodge
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Basalisk Lizard Basiliscus basiliscus Canopy Lodge
Green Iguana Iguana iguana Canopy Lodge
Black Shiny-tailed Ctenosaura similis Juan Hombron Iguana
Central American Holcosus festivus Canopy Lodge, Altos Del Maria Whiptail
Fleischmann's Glass Hyalinobatrachium Canopy Lodge Frog fleischmanni
Smoky Jungle Frog Leptodactylus Canopy Lodge pentadactylus
Red-webbed Tree Frog Hypsiboas rufitelus Canopy Lodge
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Panama: El Valle’s Canopy Lodge, January 2020