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Altos del Maria (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
This year's' Canopy Lodge will tour was a great success. Beginning with a birdy morning at the Metro Park in Panama City, we enjoyed a great variety of species, all the while attended to by the wonderful hospitality of the Canopy Lodge staff. Earning top honors as trip favorite was a fantastic experience we had with a pair of Sunbitterns along the stream above the Lodge. The whistled song of the male bird was very ethereal. Although it took a bit of time, finally getting spectacular looks at the singing Black-crowned Antpitta also made quite an impression on all of us. Another favorite nearby was the regional-endemic Orange-bellied Trogon -- this colorful bird gave us fine views. While not as rare or unusual as the Black-crowned Antpitta sighting, our encounter with the Streak-chested Antpitta was first rate. Silver-throated Tanager was another species that got more than one vote as trip favorite.
Thanks to Danilo for all his help tracking down birds, and to Alexis for his expertise at the Metro Park. And my thanks to all of you for making this trip such a joy to lead. It was a real pleasure, and I look forward to seeing all of you again in the field and future. Until then, good birding to all!
-- Chris
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
One of several Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures seen at Juan Hombron on the final full day (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BLACK GUAN (Chamaepetes unicolor) – Glimpsed at best.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CRESTED BOBWHITE (Colinus cristatus) – A couple of birds that flushed from the side of the road at Juan Hombron.
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
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) – Green Herons in Panama are a bit fuzzy at times, suggesting hybridization with Striated Heron.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
A wonderful Sunbittern in song (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis) – Nice looks at a couple at Juan Hombron.
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps) – A distant calling bird at Altos del Maria.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) – Fantastic display of two birds at the Canopy Adventure site!
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (Laterallus albigularis) [*]
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (BLACK-BACKED) (Jacana jacana hypomelaena)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
A male Plain-breasted Ground-Dove (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
RUFOUS-VENTED GROUND-CUCKOO (Neomorphus geoffroyi) – This species is one of the most sought-after tropical species, and we were fortunate to see it on our visits to Chorro el Macho.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Strigidae (Owls)
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) – Great views of three birds at Cariguana.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) [*]
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – Wonderful looks at one on our first morning at the Metro Park.
Apodidae (Swifts)
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi) – Most of the birds in the large flock seen at Altos del Maria seemed to be this species.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura) – A few were seen at the Metro Park.
BAND-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura spinicaudus) – A couple of birds at Altos were this species.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL (Eutoxeres aquila) – Nice views of this species feeding on heliconia flowers.
One of three Spectacled Owls we saw in El Valle (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae) – A couple singing on territory at Altos del Maria.
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii)
RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE (Lophornis delattrei) – Scope views of a perched bird near the lodge.
PURPLE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis calolaemus calolaemus)
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti)
WHITE-VENTED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura buffonii)
BRONZE-TAILED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura urochrysia)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica)
SNOWCAP (Microchera albocoronata) – Great looks at a couple of different birds.
SNOWY-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia edward edward) [E]
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
SAPPHIRE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis coeruleogularis)
VIOLET-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Damophila julie panamensis) – Well seen at the Metro Park.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (MASSENA) (Trogon massena hoffmanni)
ORANGE-BELLIED TROGON (Trogon aurantiiventris)
Momotidae (Motmots)
TODY MOTMOT (Hylomanes momotula) – It took some time, but we eventually connected with this petite species.
BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT (LESSON'S) (Momotus coeruliceps lessonii) – The bird we saw at Cariguana belongs to this species, a double whoop species at the eastern limit of its range.
WHOOPING MOTMOT (WHOOPING) (Momotus subrufescens conexus) – Great looks at a couple of birds at the Metro Park on our first morning.
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii) – A regular sight around the lodge.
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
We saw this apparent Blue-crowned Motmot along the Cariguana Trail. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SPOT-CROWNED BARBET (Capito maculicoronatus) – Seeing at least six together in one tree was quite a sight!
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) – After a lot of looking, we did connect with this species at Altos del Maria.
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RED-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET (VERAGUAS) (Aratinga pertinax ocularis)
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis)
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala panamensis)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE (Thamnistes anabatinus)
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
SPOT-CROWNED ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus puncticeps) – This one eluded us for much of the trip, but we did eventually connect with it well.
SLATY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula schisticolor)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza longipes) [*]
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza exsul)
DULL-MANTLED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza laemosticta) – It took quite a bit of searching, but we did find a nice pair of this species at Altos del Maria.
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
A Streak-chested Antpitta from Altos del Maria (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STREAK-CHESTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus perspicillatus) – We had a terrific study of this species at Altos del Maria. Rather uncommon here.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus extimus) – Nicely seen at Juan Hombron.
BROWN-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus pusillus olivaceus)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens)
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (MOUSE-COLORED) (Phaeomyias murina eremonoma) – Juan Hombron.
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola semiflava)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
RUFOUS-BROWED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes superciliaris)
PALTRY TYRANNULET (MISTLETOE) (Zimmerius vilissimus parvus) – There has been some discussion recently about splitting this species into three.
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (YELLOW-OLIVE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens flavoolivaceus) – This is the distinctive southern Central American population.
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus mystaceus) – Good looks at this egg shaped bird at Altos del Maria.
BLACK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius atricaudus)
This roosting Common Potoo was a treat. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)
RUFOUS MOURNER (Rhytipterna holerythra)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
PANAMA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus panamensis)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Pipridae (Manakins)
WHITE-RUFFED MANAKIN (Corapipo altera)
LANCE-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia lanceolata)
GOLDEN-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus vitellinus)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
BROWN-WINGED SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis turdina) – Until recently, part of the Thrushlike Schiffornis species. [*]
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
This shy Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo was a rare treat along the Chorro el Macho trail. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
GOLDEN-FRONTED GREENLET (Hylophilus aurantiifrons aurantiifrons)
LESSER GREENLET (Hylophilus decurtatus)
GREEN SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius pulchellus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BLACK-CHESTED JAY (Cyanocorax affinis)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (WHISTLING) (Microcerculus marginatus luscinia)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon inquietus)
OCHRACEOUS WREN (Troglodytes ochraceus ligea) – Surprisingly good looks at this normally shy species. [E]
RUFOUS-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius rutilus)
PLAIN WREN (Cantorchilus modestus) [*]
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
SONG WREN (Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
Dusky-faced Tanager (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-VENTED THRUSH (Turdus obsoletus) – It took a while, but we eventually had some pretty good looks at the species.
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
WHITE-THROATED THRUSH (Turdus assimilis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (TROPICAL) (Mimus gilvus tolimensis) [I]
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla) – It was nice to get to compare the species and the next at the Canopy Lodge.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea)
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia)
KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (Setophaga castanea)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
A singing Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)
RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Basileuterus rufifrons mesochrysus) – It's not clear to me why this is still considered the same species as birds found in Mexico and northern Central America since they sound completely different and have a number of visual differences as well.
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – Terrific encounter with a couple of singing birds at Chorro el Macho.
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
CRIMSON-BACKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus dimidiatus)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata)
PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER (Tangara inornata)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
A Straight-billed Woodcreeper at Juan Hombron (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
SHINING HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes lucidus)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (Sporophila corvina hoffmannii)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus funereus)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
DUSKY-FACED TANAGER (Mitrospingus cassinii)
ROSY THRUSH-TANAGER (Rhodinocichla rosea)
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (CENTRAL PANAMA) (Chlorospingus flavopectus punctulatus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava testacea) – Birds here in the highlands of southern Central America sound rather different to those in Mexico and northern Central America.
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER (Habia rubica vinacea)
A clearwing butterfly seen near El Valle (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa cyanoides)
DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia luteicapilla)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
FULVOUS-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia fulvicrissa)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)
TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia anneae)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
MAMMALS
GRAY FOUR-EYED OPOSSUM (Metachirops opossum) – Nancy had a couple of late night encounters with this species outside her room at the lodge.
TOLTEC FRUIT-EATING BAT (Artibeus toltecus) – Nancy also saw some sort of fruit bat outside her room.
NORTHERN TAMANDUA (Tamandua mexicana)
VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
WESTERN PYGMY SQUIRREL (Microsciurus mimulus) – Fantastic look at this species that Danilo was able to call in. Amazing!
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 224 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa