Birding Sites:
Canopy Tower and environs – Semaphore Hill, the Old Gamboa Road, Pipeline Road, Summit Ponds, Summit Gardens, Camino de Cruces, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Ammo Dump Ponds, Plantation Road. Also includes some birds seen near Tocumen en route to airport 30th May
Canopy Lodge – Canopy Lodge gardens, Cerro Gaital, La Mesa, Cariguana and the “Canopy Adventure” area.
Annotated List of Species Recorded
Great Tinamou Tinamus major Heard on several dates near the Canopy Tower.
Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui Heard on four dates near the Canopy Tower and Pipeline Road.
Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Small number at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Small numbers at the Gamboa Forest Resort.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Several small flocks seen from the tower, near Panama City or the Canal.
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Small numbers near Canopy Tower and a couple of birds seen on the river near Canopy Lodge.
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Small numbers at wetland sites near Canopy Tower.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens A couple of birds near the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal.
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum A single at the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Great Egret Ardea alba Surprisingly scarce, most seen on the way to the airport near Tocumen on our final morning.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Status as above species.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Small numbers near Tocumen.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Small numbers seen en route to Canopy Lodge.
Green Heron Butorides virescens A couple at Camino de Cruces near the tower.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus Small numbers at the Ammo Dump Ponds and the Summit Ponds near the tower.
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius Two or three near the Summit Ponds.
Wood Stork Mycteria Americana A party of three birds soaring over the Canopy Tower one lunch time.
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Several small flocks seen from the tower, near Panama City or the Canal.
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Small numbers near Canopy Tower and a couple of birds seen on the river near Canopy Lodge.
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Small numbers at wetland sites near Canopy Tower.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens A couple of birds near the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal.
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum A single at the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Great Egret Ardea alba Surprisingly scarce, most seen on the way to the airport near Tocumen on our final morning.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Status as above species.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Small numbers near Tocumen.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Small numbers seen en route to Canopy Lodge.
Green Heron Butorides virescens A couple at Camino de Cruces near the tower.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus Small numbers at the Ammo Dump Ponds and the Summit Ponds near the tower.
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius Two or three near the Summit Ponds.
Wood Stork Mycteria Americana A party of three birds soaring over the Canopy Tower one lunch time.
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common.
Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus Recorded on five dates near Canopy Tower. Best seen on Pipeline Road.
Orange-bellied Trogon Trogon aurantiiventris A single male at La Mesa.
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus Recorded on four dates. Best views at Pipeline Road.
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus Pipeline Road only. Great views of a male at a termite nest.
Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena Seen on six dates; the most readily found trogon.
Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula One located at Cariguana. A Canopy Lodge specialty.
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota Seen on six dates. Best seen on the Pipeline Road.
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii Common near Canopy Tower. Smaller numbers near the lodge.
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum Common near Canopy Tower.
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata Seen near Canopy Tower only.
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Old Gamboa Road only.
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle Americana Seen on two dates on the river near Canopy Lodge.
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea Great views of one at Summit Ponds.
White-necked Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos Heard on the Old Gamboa Road and Pipeline Road.
Black-breasted Puffbird Notharchus pectoralis Frequently encountered near Canopy Tower, particularly Semaphore Hill.
White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis Great views of a pair at Semaphore Hill.
Great Jacamar Jacamerops aurea Heard on the Pipeline Road.
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus A couple seen at La Mesa and Cerro Gaital near Canopy Lodge.
Collared Araçari Pteroglossus torquatus Common in Soberania NP near the tower.
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus Recorded on ten dates. Seen very well from the tower.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguous Seen on seven dates. Great views from the upper deck of the tower.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani Seen on two dates near Gamboa.
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus The commonest woodpecker throughout the tour.
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus Great views on the Pipeline Road.
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus After hearing this large ‘pecker many times near the tower, we finally caught up with a pair at Cerro Gaital near the Canopy Lodge.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos Good views from Semaphore Hill.
Plain Xenops Xenops minutes Quite common, especially near Canopy Tower.
Scaly-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus guatemalensis Heard at the foot of Semaphore Hill, but one responded really well to playback along Pipeline Road and showed beautifully.
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa Seen a couple of times near the tower.
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Heard near the tower.
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus One seen well at El Hato.
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae Great views along the Pipeline Road of a couple of birds. Also seen on the Plantation Road near Semaphore Hill.
Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans Common and widespread.
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus Pipeline Road: Heard only, unfortunately.
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius Seen on three dates near Canopy Lodge.
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus Seen frequently near the tower.
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Best views of birds at Cariguana.
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha Common in Soberania NP and Pipeline Road (at least by voice).
Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis Recorded on a couple of dates near Canopy Lodge.
Spot-crowned Antvireo Dysithamnus puncticeps Seen well along the Pipeline Road and heard at La Mesa.
Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris Seen well at Semaphore Hill, Plantation Road and Cerro Gaital.
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaries Seen well on the Plantation Road.
Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor Only seen at Cerro Gaital near the Canopy Lodge.
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis Seen on three dates near the Canopy Tower.
Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina Quite common; seen on several dates.
Jet Antbird Cercomacra nigricans A nice male on the Old Gamboa Road.
Ocellated Antbird Phaenostictus mcleanani Heard only at an ant swarm on Pipeline Road.
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes Recorded on five dates, but best views on Old Gamboa Road South.
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul Good views on the Pipeline Road and at Cerro Gaital.
Spotted Antbird Hylophylax naevioides Seen easily near the tower on most trails.
Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys leucaspis Seen on two dates on the Pipeline Road.
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis Good views of this ground-dweller on the Pipeline Road and at El Hato.
Streak-chested Antpitta Hylopezus perspicillatus A very cooperative bird on the Pipeline Road.
Brown-capped Tyrannulet Ornithion brunneicapillum Best views from the tower and on Pipeline Road.
Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola Seen well on Pipeline and Old Gamboa Roads.
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus Best seen at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Forest Elaenia Myiopagis gaimardii Good views of one on the Pipeline Road.
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata Pipeline Road.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Seen on several occasions in Soberania NP.
Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis Frequently seen near Canopy Lodge.
Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus One at La Mesa.
Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus Seen on four dates and heard frequently.
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus Seen on three dates near Canopy Lodge.
Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Atolotriccius pilaris Heard twice on Old Gamboa Road.
Southern Bentbill Oncostoma olivaceum Seen on a couple of occasions, but heard more often.
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus Great views of one along the Pipeline Road and head on Semaphore Hill.
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum Seen on three dates.
Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum sylvia Seen very well on Old Gamboa Road.
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus A few on Pipeline Road and Plantation Trail.
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens One at Cariguana was eclipsed a bit by the Tody Motmot!
Yellow-margined Flycatcher Tolmomyias assimilis Seen on the Pipeline Road.
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus Close views of a pair at the Plantation Road.
White-throated Spadebill Platyrhynchus mystaceus Showed well (eventually) on Cerro Gaital.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus Good views of birds on the Pipeline Road.
Black-tailed Flycatcher Myiobius atricaudus One elusive bird on the Old Gamboa Road.
Northern Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus mexicanus Seen well on the Old Gamboa Road.
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus Seen on three dates, including one at a nest.
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus Great views at La Mesa.
Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra One in a small mixed flock on the Pipeline Road.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Always present around the tower, but not easy to see.
Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis Good studies of this confusing Myiarchus at the Summit Park and at Cariguana.
Lesser Kiskadee Pitangus lector Most wetlands near the Canopy Tower had a pair of these.
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Widespread; seen on six dates.
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Seen in Summit Park.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis One at the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes Common and widespread.
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculates Quite common near the tower.
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Seen on three dates.
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Common.
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus One lingering individual at the start of the Pipeline Road.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Seen on a couple of dates near the tower.
Thrush-like Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus Singles on the Pipeline Road and at Cerro Gaital.
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus A pair showed well in the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus Seen on three dates near the tower and at the lodge.
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Small numbers on three dates.
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor One in the Summit Park was the only one seen.
Blue Cotinga Cotinga nattererii Seen on three dates near Canopy Tower. Best views were of a male in the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata Seen well on the Pipeline Road.
Golden-collared Manakin Manacus vitellinus Seen on six dates.
Lance-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia lanceolata Seen on a couple of dates. Good views at Cariguana near Canopy Lodge.
Blue-crowned Manakin Pipra coronata Seen on three dates.
Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis Seen on five dates near Canopy Tower.
White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo leucorrhoa Great views of a male at La Mesa.
Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis Locally common; seen on four dates.
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus favipes Seen on three dates.
Golden-fronted Greenlet Hylophilus aurantiifrons Seen on two dates.
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus Common.
Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus Common in the canopy near the tower, but not easy to see. Good views from the upper deck.
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis Seen on five dates.
Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Seen on several dates near the tower.
Purple Martin Progne subis A couple seen near the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea Common over the lakes near the tower.
Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca Seen on two dates near Canopy Lodge.
Southern Rough-wing Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Widespread in small numbers.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Small numbers near the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Black-bellied Wren Thryothorus fasciatoventris Seen on three dates near the tower.
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus Seen on three dates near Canopy Lodge.
Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus Widespread in small numbers.
Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus One seen at El Hato.
Buff-breasted Wren Thryothorus leucotis Seen on three dates and best on the Old Gamboa Road.
Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus Recorded on four dates near the tower. Seen well in Gamboa.
Southern House Wren Troglodytes musculus Small numbers on eight dates.
Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus One seen on Cerro Gaital.
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticte Seen on three dates near the tower but also recorded near the lodge.
Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys Seen on two dates near Canopy Lodge.
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus Heard near Canopy Lodge.
Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus Great views along the Pipeline Road.
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris Heard on Cerro Gaital.
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus Recorded on six dates.
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea Seen several times near Canopy Lodge.
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris Great views of a bird just outside the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.
Clay-coloured Robin Turdus grayi Common.
Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus Good views of a bird at La Mesa.
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus A few near the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons Best seen in the Canopy Lodge garden.
Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda Heard on a stream above Canopy Lodge.
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Present in small numbers in the garden of Canopy Lodge.
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus Seen at La Mesa and Cerro Gaital.
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea Encountered quite frequently and seen on three dates at sites visited from both the tower and the lodge. Mind-blowing views of the first male at the start of the Pipeline Road.
Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii Common near Canopy lodge.
Grey-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata Seen on four dates in Soberania NP and along Pipeline Road.
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus Seen on six dates.
Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii Common near Canopy Lodge.
White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus Small numbers on two dates near Canopy Lodge.
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica Common near Canopy Lodge.
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Piranga roseogularis Common near Canopy Tower.
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava A couple near Canopy Lodge.
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus Common.
Flame-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus flammigerus Common, especially near Canopy Lodge.
Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus Common.
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum Common.
Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia luteicapilla Small numbers on five dates.
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris Common.
Fulvous-vented Euphonia Euphonia fulvicrissa A pair seen along the Pipeline Road.
Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae Easy to see near Canopy Lodge.
Plain-coloured Tanager Tangara inornata Easily seen at sites near the tower.
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala Small numbers near the Canopy Lodge.
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola Small numbers near the Canopy Lodge.
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata Seen on four dates.
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta Seen on three dates near the Canopy Tower.
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana Regular in the canopy near the upper deck of Canopy Tower.
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza Seen on four dates.
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus Seen on several dates.
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Small numbers on several dates in open country.
Variable Seedeater Sporophila Americana Common and widespread throughout.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis Common but easiest near the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Slate-coloured Seedeater Sporophila schistacea A recent arrival in the Canopy Lodge area. We saw a male really well on our way to La Mesa.
Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis Seen on four dates.
Blue Seedeater Amaurospiza concolor Frustratingly heard only on Cerro Gaital.
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea Common near Canopy Lodge.
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha Seen well at La Mesa.
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris Seen on the Old Gamboa Road but easiest near Canopy Lodge where they are even on the bird tables!
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris Seen on four dates.
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus Seen on five dates.
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus Seen on several dates.
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps Seen well near the Canopy Lodge.
Slate-coloured Grosbeak Saltator grossus Present near the tower and the lodge, but difficult to see in the sub-canopy. We saw one well on the Plantation Trail near the tower however,
Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothruastes poliogaster A party of about a dozen birds seen one morning at La Mesa.
Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides Heard near Canopy Lodge.
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Common.
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis Small numbers seen on three dates.
Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater Heard only on the Plantation Road.
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus Heard on two dates on the Old Gamboa Road.
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis Seen on three dates near the tour. Observed at a nest on the Pipeline Road.
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela Seen in small numbers near the Old Gamboa Road.
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri Common.
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Seen on two dates.
The following mammals were also seen:
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Bradypus tridactylus
Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth Choloepus hoffmanni
Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus
Red-naped Tamarin Saguinus geoffroyi
Mantled Howler Monkey Alouatta palliata
White-nosed Coati Nasua narica
Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis
Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides
Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata
Kinkajous Potos flavus
False Vamipre Bat Vampyrum spectrum
Central American Woolly Opossum Caluromys derbianus
Many other aspects of wildlife were observed during this tour including Blue Morpho Butterflies Morpho sp., Helicopter Damselflies Mecitogaster sp. / Megaloprepus caerulea, Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus, American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus, Giant Toad Bufo marinus, Rain Forest Toad Bufo valliceps, Central American Whip-tailed Lizard Ameiva festiva, Striped Basilisk (“Jesus Christ”) Lizards Basiliscus vittatus, Green Iguana Iguana iguana, Common Slider Turtle Trachemys scripta and tracks of White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virgianus were found. We also heard Talamanca Rocket Frogs Dendrobates arboreus and Tungara Frogs Physalaemus pustulosus.
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