14 - 22 March 2007

by Barry Cooper and Gail Mackiernan

With our miserable cold Maryland winter extending well into March, we decided to on a getaway to some place warm. where we could see lots of birds. Having had a very enjoyable experience at the Panama Canopy Tower in 2002 we decided this time to visit the new Canopy Lodge for seven days, with a single day at the Canopy Tower. (The latter would be to target some species being seen along the Pipeline Road, specifically Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo.)

Both lodges are owned by Raul Arias de Para. The Canopy Lodge is a new, very luxurious facility on the outskirts of El Valle deAncon, and has habitat nearby (highland forest and lowland dry forest) not found near the Tower. We, along with friend Sally Wechsler, arrived in the morning at Panama City International Airport, and were met by a van from the Lodge. It is about a 1 1/2 to two-hour drive from the city to the rural and beautiful Ancon Valley. The small town is a favored vacation and outing spot for Panamanians and, increasingly, visitors from the USA.

Our accommodations at the Lodge, with king-sized beds, decorations of local handicrafts, and balconies overlooking the river, were wonderful. It should be mentioned that we missed Brad and Angelina (really ) by a couple of days, a tribute to the secluded ambiance of this lovely hotel. The grounds contain many flowering trees and shrubs, numerous hummingbird feeders, and fruits feeders in front of the main dining area that attracted a wide variety of species. As we left, Raul had started construction of a small wetland to further enhance the lodge’s natural environment.

The guides at both facilities are excellent. At the Lodge we had (at different times) Danilo Rodriguez and Tino Sanchez, while at the Tower we went out with Carlos Bethancourt – the latter excursion specifically targeting the Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo.

From the Lodge, we made day visits to a number of good local sites, including La Mesa (fragmented but still productive forest), Altos de Maria (highland forest), and El Chiru (lowland dry forest and scrub). One unexpected downside was the weather, as March appears to be a very windy month and we struggled with wind (and some rain) most days. A January visit, which had been our original plan (postponed by a family emergency) might be better. Also, some species were not as vocal in March as earlier in the year – unfortunately this included the Black-crownedAntpitta.

Another downer was that Altos de Maria, THE premier spot for the Antpitta and many other top birds, is being slowly and methodically degraded for an upscale housing development. Raul told us that 60% of the buyers are from North America. I wonder how many of them would like it that virgin cloud forest is being cut up to build their little vacation homes? The worst thing is that there is absolutely no attempt to use environmentally sensitive construction means. There is a total lack of basic sediment control and so whole hillsides, stripped of their forest cover, are washing away, and slash and dirt is being bulldozed into streams which (used to) be home for the endangered Golden Frog. The future of birding at Altos appears bleak unless these sorts of construction practices can be halted. However, at the time of our visit there was still a good selection of quality birds including Black-crowned Antpitta [seen by a bird group the same week as our visit].

Itinerary:

March 14th

Departed Baltimore Washington International Airport at 6.00 a.m. and arrived Panama International Airport at 1.30 p.m.[via a connecting flight in Houston]. We were picked-up at the airport by and driven the approximately 2 1/2 hours to the Canopy Lodge. This allowed us some late afternoon birding on the Lodge’s grounds including time watching the numerous hummingbirds, tanagers and other species at the feeders.

March 15th

Morning hike along the Waterfall Trail, which starts across the bridge from the Lodge’s restaurant.. In the afternoon we drove a short distance to some dry forest just outside the local town of El Valle. Good birds seen were Striped Cuckoo which was whistled-in by our guide a gave brilliant views. Also brief views of the Tody Motmot  at its stakeout site.

March 16th

In morning a short drive to some productive forest fragments at La Mesa. Afternoon we birded the lower portion of the Cerro de Gaital Trail. The top birds seen today were the White-tipped Sicklebill and Blue-throated Toucanet.

March 17th

Drove about one hour to Altos de Maria and spent the day at this site. A slow day with the only real standout species being a superb pair of Barred Hawks..

March 18th

Visited the La Mesa area, driving down to Rio Indio. In the afternoon birded the La Zamia Trail, which was exceptionally quiet. Good birds today included Black Hawk-Eagle, a second White-tipped Sicklebill  and our only White-throated Thrush of the trip.

March 19th

BC and SW visited the dry forests and cattle pastures at El Chiru and GM birded the Waterfall Trail and La Mesa. Good birds seen today were Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, great views of eight Crested Bobwhites, two Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds  and our only Panama Flycatchers and Black-faced Grosbeaks of the trip.

March 20th

Two-thirds of the day at Altos de Maria, which was far livelier than before,  followed by birding the trail behind the Canopy Adventure. Good birds seen included a group of displaying Yellow-eared Toucanets, two Sunbitterns, Tody Motmot, and Brown-billed Scythebill.

March 21st

Morning spent along the Cerro de Gaital Trail, doing the entire loop in intermittent rain. This was followed by the two hour drive to the Canopy Tower with late afternoon birding around the Tower and partway down the Semaphore Hill Road.  Great looks at Spotted Antbird was today’s highlight.

March 22nd

Almost the whole day spent along the Pipeline Road followed by late afternoon visit to the Summit Ponds and to the stakeout roosting site of  a Great  Potoo. A very memorable day  with tremendous birding at a large army antswarm along the Pipeline Road. The swarm covered a large area on either side of the first stream crossing. Easily the top bird of he trip was an obliging Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. Other great birds at this antswarm were two Ocellated Antbirds, large numbers of Spotted and Bicolored Antbirds plus Chestnut-backed Antbird. Large numbers of  Ruddy Woodcreepers and Gray-headed Tanagers were also in attendance. In addition to this we had mind-blowing views of Streaked-chested [Spectacled] Antpitta, an adult King Vulture, our fourth White Hawk of the trip, Black Hawk-Eagle and Great Potoo. This brilliant day’s birding made up for the sometimes difficult experience at El Valle where we struggled at times with strong gusty winds.

Bird List: 

We saw 233  species with a rather high 14 species heard-only.

The following species were relatively common and widespread and see virtually every day in appropriate habitat:

Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Rock Pigeon, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Social Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher,, Tropical Kingbird, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, House Wren, Clay-colored Thrush, Thick-billed Euphonia, Blue-gray Tanager, Variable Seedeater, Yellow-faced Grassquit.
 
Little Blue Heron
Two birds seen at the Summit Ponds was the sole record.

Green Heron
Two birds at the Summit Ponds.

Boat-billed Heron
We saw this species five years ago at the Summit Hill Ponds, and this is still a reliable site with four birds seen there on 22nd March.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Rather surprisingly, just a single bird seen.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
A single bird seen at El Chiru.

King Vulture
Brief views were obtained of an adult of this striking vulture as it soared over the Pipeline Road.

Gray-headed Kite
Single birds seen at La Mesa and Altos de Maria.

Swallow-tailed Kite
Recorded on five dates with the daily maximum of twenty birds on March 17th -- no doubt early northbound migrants.

Barred Hawk
A pair of this large, impressive hawk was seen at Altos de Maria. They were calling noisily and appeared agitated suggesting a nest nearby.

White Hawk
Single birds recorded on four dates including birds recorded on both of our visits to Altos de Marie.

Black Hawk-Eagle
Extended views of a single bird on the drive to Rio Indio and a second bird seen soaring above the Pipeline Road.
Crested Caracara
Surprisingly scarce with just two birds seen at El Chiru.

Yellow-headed Caracara
Single birds recorded on three days.

Broadwinged Hawk
Northbound migrants were seen in small numbers on most days with the maximum count of 100 birds on March 16th.

Swainson’s Hawk
A single bird was seen from the Canopy Lodge on March 20thh  was no doubt a migrant.

Gray-headed Chachalaca
Recorded on four dates including ten birds in dry forest near the Canopy Lodge.

Black-breasted Wood-Quail
We heard several birds calling noisily at Altos de Maria. Unfortunately they did not respond to the tape.

Crested Bobwhite
Extended good views of a party of eight birds seen at El Chiru. The birds were resting from the hot sun under the shade of some trees and allowed a close approach. Excellent value.

Gray-necked Wood-Rail
A single bird watched feeding at the Summit Ponds.

Sunbittern
Two birds of this impressive species were seen along the stream above the Canopy Lodge; the birds sometimes foraged in the stream on the Lodge grounds.

Southern Lapwing
Our sole sighting was a single bird feeding in a pasture at La Mesa.

Scaled Pigeon
Five birds recorded over three days in forested patches in La Mesa and around the Canopy Lodge.

Pale-vented Pigeon
Five birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our sole record.

Short-billed Pigeon
Surprisingly, just a single bird seen along the Pipeline Road although others were heard.

Mourning Dove
A single bird seen at El Chiru.

Plain-Breasted Ground–Dove
Just a single bird seen at El Chiru.

Grey-breasted Dove
This dove was recorded in very small numbers on most days, usually flushed from forest trails. The daily maximum was three birds.

Purplish-backed Quail Dove
A single bird heard calling at Altos De Maria

Brown-hooded Parrot
Parties of five birds at Altos de Maria and six birds seen along the Cerro de Gaital trail.

Blue-headed Parrot
Recorded on three dates including six birds at La Mesa and six more along the Cerro de Gaital Trail.

Squirrel Cuckoo
Up to two birds recorded in forest patches on five dates.
 
Striped Cuckoo
Brilliant, prolonged views of a single bird in dry forest just outside El Valle was an early highlight of the trip.

Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo
Without doubt this was the top bird of the trip. This individual was seen in the forest interior along the Pipeline Road and was associating with a large ant swarm, which had attracted many ant birds, woodcreepers and tanagers. Watched for several minutes before it finally stalked off through the undergrowth. (There may have been two birds as later we heard bill-clapping from a thicket behind us  and not in the direction the first bird had disappeared.) Absolutely superb.

Smooth-billed Ani
Recorded on two dates with a maximum of four birds at La Mesa.

Groove-billed Ani
Four birds seen at El Chiru.

Mottled Owl
A single bird at a roost site in a vine thicket off of the Waterfall Trail near the Canopy Lodge.

Great Potoo
A single individual seen at its roosting site in a tall tree above a fairly busy road near the Canopy Tower.

Band-rumped Swift
Recorded on four dates with a daily maximum of ten birds.

Short-tailed Swift
Four birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our only record.

White-tipped Sicklebill
Recorded on two dates at La Mesa. We had close albeit brief views of a single individual that visited a stand of Lobster-claw Heliconia .  This unique-looking hummingbird was one of our top targets and did not disappoint us.

Green Hermit
One-two birds seen or heard most days in forest patches while staying at the Canopy Lodge.

Little Hermit
Recorded in small numbers on most days with the daily maximum of three birds seen at Altos de Maria.

White-necked Jacobin
Common at the feeders at the Canopy Tower with an estimated eight birds seen during a thirty-minute feeder watch.

Green-breasted Mango
Nice views of a single bird at El Chiru.

Violet-headed Hummingbird
Two birds of this attractive hummer were seen feeding on flowering bushes on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.

Garden Emerald
Recorded daily in small numbers both at the Canopy Lodge feeders and around the adjacent trails.

Snowcap
Two birds seen briefly at Altos de Maria.

Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Easy to see at the feeders at the Canopy Tower with up to four birds seen daily.

Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Common at the Canopy Tower feeders with at least six birds seen on both days we were staying at this lodge.

Sapphire-throated Hummingbird
Two birds seen by BEC at El Chiru.

Blue-chested Hummingbird
Three birds seen including a male at the Canopy Towers’ feeders.

Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
This attractive hummer was quite common in the forest  patches around the Canopy Lodge. Up to five birds recorded daily.
 
White-vented Plumeleteer
Another fairly common hummer with up to four birds recorded virtually daily at both the Canopy Lodge feeders and adjacent forest patches.

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
Recorded on three dates with an estimated six birds visiting the Canopy Tower feeders during a thirty minute feeder watch.

Purple-crowned Fairy
Single birds of this striking hummer were recorded on three dates, with birds seen on two occasions along the Waterfall Trail just outside the Canopy Lodge.

Long-billed Starthoat
Three birds seen over two days at the Canopy Lodge feeders.

Orange-bellied Trogon
Up to two birds recorded on four dates at various sites around the Canopy Lodge. Probably the most reliable spot was the forest fragments at La Mesa.
 
Black-throated Trogon
Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and La Zamia trail.

Black-tailed Trogon
Two birds recorded along the Pipeline Road.

 Slaty-tailed Trogon
Our only sighting was a female seen at Altos de Marie.

Ringed Kingfisher
A single bird seen at the Summit Ponds was our only sighting.

Amazon Kingfisher
Two birds seen at the Summit Ponds.

Green Kingfisher
Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and Summit Ponds.

Tody Motmot
Single birds seen on two dates at the stakeout site behind the Canopy Adventure. This much desired species proved extremely difficult to see, sitting still in dense forest while calling continuously.

Blue-crowned Motmot
Three birds seen including two at La Mesa on March 18th.

Broad-billed Motmot
Fairly easy to see while at the Canopy Tower with two birds seen at Semaphore Hill and the Pipeline Road. Distinctly more difficult at the Canopy Lodge, with only a single sighting over eight days.
.
Rufous Motmot
The most numerous motmot, being recorded on eight days with a daily maximum of four birds.

Black-breasted Puffbird
Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road including one excavating a nest hole in a sandy bank.

White-whiskered Puffbird
A single bird along the Pipeline Road was our only record.

Pied Puffbird
A single bird heard calling along the Pipeline Road.

Spot-crowned Barbet
A single individual of this handsome barbet was seen in a forest patch at La Mesa.

Blue-throated Toucanet
Fairly easy to see at La Mesa with five birds seen over two visits. Also a single bird at Altos de Marie.

Collared Aracari
Fairly widespread with up to three birds seen over five dates.

Yellow-eared Toucanet
Another high priority species which proved quite elusive. We eventually saw a total of four birds  on our two visits to La Mesa. This attractive charismatic species proved to be one of the top birds of the trip.

Keel-billed Toucan
The most numerous toucan species being recorded almost daily. It was particularly widespread around the Canopy Tower with ten birds seen. Easy to see from the observation deck and along the Pipeline Road.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
Less numerous than the previous species being seen on just two days with the maximum of  four birds seen along the Pipeline Road.

Red-crowned Woodpecker
A fairly common & widespread species being recorded daily with the daily maximum of eight birds.

Cinnamon Woodpecker
A single bird of this attractive woodpecker was seen along the Pipeline Road.

Lineated Woodpecker
Surprisingly scarce with just one sighting [plus two heard birds].

Plain Xenops
Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and at Altos de Maria.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper
Large numbers seen at the antswarm along the Pipeline Road. We conservatively estimated fifteen birds. As we did not cover the full extent of the antswarm [so as not to disturb the birds], we probably underestimated the numbers of this and other ant-followers.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper
Just a single bird recorded along the Waterfall Trail [Canopy Lodge].

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
A single bird at La Mesa was our sole record.

Barred Woodcreeper
This uncommon woodcreeper was recorded twice with a single bird at La Mesa and three birds associated with the antswarm along the Pipeline Road.

Brown-billed Scythebill
A single bird of this very distinctive woodcreeper was seen well at Altos de Marie.

Spotted Woodcreeper
A single birds seen at La Mesa and the Pipeline Road.

Fasciated Antshrike
A total of six individuals recorded over three dates with the daily maximum of three birds at Altos de Maria.

Great Antshrike
A single bird heard calling at La Mesa was the only record.

Barred Antshrike
Surprisingly scarce with just three birds seen over two dates including two birds seen along the Waterfall Trail.

Western Slaty-Antshrike
A single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

Russet Antshrike
Single individual seen along the Pipeline Road.

Plain Antvireo
Five birds recorded over three dates including two birds each at Altos de Maria and Cerro de Gaital Trail.

Checker-throated Antwren
Single birds seen along both the Pipeline Road and the Waterfall Trail.

Dot-winged Antwren
Two birds seen along the Semaphore Hill Road followed by two the next day along the Pipeline Road.

Chestnut-backed Antbird
Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road with one associating with the antswarm.
Bicolored Antbird
At least fifteen birds associating with the large antswarm along the Pipeline Road.

Spotted Antbird
This very attractive antbird was also well represented at the antswarm with a minimum estimate of eight birds. In addition two more were seen along the Semaphore Hill Road.

Ocellated Antbird
Two individuals of this superb antbird were seen feeding actively just a few feet from us at the antswarm along the Pipeline Road. One of the highlights of the trip.

Black-faced Antthrush
Heard calling on four days and two birds seen with singles on the Waterfall Trail and at La Mesa.

Streak-chested Antpitta
Several heard calling and mind-blowing views obtained of a single bird along the Pipeline Road, just a few feet away from us calling continually.

Black-crowned Antpitta
Regrettably, heard calling only at Altos de Maria despite a major effort over two days to see this spectacular species. The tape recording we had (from the “All the Antbirds” CD) is apparently not the same “dialect” as that of the Panamanian birds and consequently did not seem to attract much interest.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road.

Thrush-like Schiffornis
Single birds recorded on both our visits to Altos de Maria plus another bird seen on the Pipeline Road.

Golden-collared Manakin
Heard on four days at various sites around the Canopy Lodge and two birds seen at La Mesa.

White-ruffed Manakin
A total of seven birds recorded over five days including three on March 19th.

Lance-tailed Manakin
Two males and a female seen in dry forest above El Valle.

Red-capped Manakin
Two birds seen along the Semaphore Hill Road and two more the following day along the Pipeline Road.

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet
A total of four birds seen between the Waterfall Trail and La Mesa.

Gray Elaenia
A single bird of this uncommon species was seen along the Pipeline Road.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Very common in the dry woodlands and pastures of El Chiru with an estimated twenty birds seen during our morning’s birding.

Lesser Elaenia
Also numerous at El Chiru with an estimated ten birds seen.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
This rather attractive flycatcher was recorded just twice with singles on two dates along the Waterfall Trail.

Olive-striped Flycatcher
Six birds recorded over four days at various sites around the Canopy Lodge including two birds along the Waterfall Trail.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher
Single birds seen on three dates at sites around the Canopy Lodge including La Mesa.

Paltry Tyrannulet
Widespread in small numbers with up to two birds recorded daily.

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant
Recorded on four dates with two birds seen at Altos de Maria [but usually heard much more frequently than seen].

Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher
A single bird well seen at El Chiru.

Common Tody-Flycatcher
Single bird recorded on three dates on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge [where it was nest building].

Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Just a single bird seen along the La Zamia Trail [about the only bird seen on this very unproductive trail].

Yellow-margined Flycatcher
Two birds seen along the Waterfall Trail on our first day turned out to be our only sightings.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Our only sighting of this very attractive flycatcher was of a single bird along the Pipeline Road.

Tropical Pewee
Just a single bird seen on the Pipeline Road was our only record.

Acadian Flycatcher
One bird seen and others heard calling along the Pipeline Road.

Bright-rumped Attila
Single birds recorded at Le Mesa and Altos de Maria.

Rufous Mourner
One seen along the Pipeline Road.

Panama Flycatcher
Three birds seen in dry forest and scrub habitat at El Chiru.

Several of the following large tyrant flycatchers were underecorded by us as we chose not to spend a lot of time looking for many of the more common & widespread species.

Great Kiskadee
 Just single birds seen on three dates no doubt a reflection on the above comments.

Boat-billed Flycatcher
Just a single bird recorded.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher
A single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher
A total of eight birds seen over three days, many along the road from Panama City to El Valle.

Masked Tityra
Recorded on two dates including two birds seen at La Mesa.

Gray-breasted Martin
A total of five birds seen over two visits to La Mesa.

Blue-and-white Swallow
Two birds seen at La Mesa was, surprisngly the sole record.

Black-chested Jay
This colorful and charismatic species was seen almost daily, including on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge. The daily maximum was twenty birds seen at various sites around El Valle.

Bay Wren
Quite common at sites around the Canopy Lodge being seen or heard daily. The daily maximum was four birds seen and others heard.

Rufous-Breasted Wren
This attractive species was recorded on five dates around El Valle with the daily maximum of five birds.

Rufous-and-white Wren
Recorded on three days with the daily maximum of three birds seen in dry open forest just outside of El Valle..
 
Plain Wren
Recorded only once with a single bird in dry open forest just outside of El Valle.

White-breasted Wood-Wren
A  bird heard singing at La Mesa was our only record.

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
Recorded on four dates with the maximum being two birds at Altos de Maria.

Song Wren
A single individual of this interesting  wren was seen along the Pipeline Road. The bare blue facial skin is quite reminiscence of some antbirds.
 
Tropical Mockingbird
Five birds seen on the drive from the Canopy Lodge to the Canopy Tower.

Gray-cheeked Thrush
Single bird seen along the Waterfall Trail.

Swainson's Thrush
Single birds seen at Altos de Maria and along the Waterfall Trail.

Pale-vented Thrush
Single individuals seen at both La Mesa and Altos de Maria.

White-throated Thrush
Just a single individual of this attractive thrush was seen along the La Zamia Trail.

Tawny-faced Gnatwren
This quite striking species was seen along the Pipeline Road with two individuals seen.

Long-billed Gnatwren
Even more bizarre than the prior species, two birds were seen at Altos de Maria followed by a a single individual seen from the Semaphore Hill Road.

Tropical Gnatcatcher
Our sole sighting was of a single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

Yellow-throated Vireo
Five birds seen over four days at sites from the Canopy Lodge including two birds in the dry woodlands of El Chiru

Yellow-green Vireo
Common in the dry woodlands at El Chiru with an estimated ten birds seen. Otherwise recorded on three dates including four birds along the Pipeline Road.
Lesser Greenlet
Five birds recorded over three days.

Green Shrike-Vireo
This is always a very impressive bird to see. On this trip seen only on the final day with individuals seen from the Canopy Tower platform and along the Pipeline Road.

Golden-winged Warbler
Single birds seen on four separate days at various sites around El Valle including two individuals on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.

Tennessee Warbler
The most widespread and numerous of the wintering neo-tropical warblers. In all recorded on seven days with the daily maximum of ten birds.

Yellow Warbler
Just a single individual seen on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.

Chestnut-sided Warbler
Six birds seen over four days at various sites around El Valle.

Black-throated Green Warbler
Three birds seen at Altos de Maria.

Blackburnian Warbler
Two birds seen at Altos de Maria.

Bay-breasted Warbler
Fairly widespread in small numbers with a total of eight birds recorded over six days at various sites around El Valle.

Black-and-white Warbler
Five birds seen over three dates at various sites around El Valle including two birds at La Mesa.

Prothonotary Warbler
A single bird along the Pipeline Road was the sole record.

Northern Waterthrush
Widespread in small numbers with 1-2  birds being seen almost daily. A good spot for this species was along the river right by the bridge at the Canopy Lodge.

Mourning Warbler
Another neo-tropical migrant seen in surprisingly good numbers. In all seven birds seen at various sites around El Valle including three males at La Mesa.

Canada Warbler
Another surprisingly well represented warbler with a total of eight birds seen over four dates. The Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails were particular good sites for this species.

Rufous-capped Warbler
Common & widespread  in suitable habitat around El Valle. The Waterfall Trail was particularly good with this species being seen there on every visit. In all, recorded on six dates with the daily maximum of twelve birds.

Buff-rumped Warbler
A single bird along the Waterfall Trail was our sole record.

Bananaquit
Common & widespread in suitable habitat around El Valle. Recorded virtually daily with the daily maximum of twelve birds.

Common Bush-Tanager
A party of ten birds seen at Altos de Maria were supposedly outside of the range shown in A Guide to the Birds of Panama, but this highland area supports species which previously were thought to be restricted to areas in the west or east of Panama (fide Raul Arias). 

Plain-colored Tanager
This species is a lot more attractive that the illustration in Birds of Panama. Fairly common along the Waterfall Trail and in the vicinity of the Canopy Lodge. In all recorded on four dates with the daily maximum of four birds.

Dusky-faced Tanager
Parties of this noisy species were seen regularly along the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails. In all recorded on five dates with a daily maximum of ten birds.

Olive Tanager
Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our only sighting.

Gray-headed Tanager
We had great views of this handsome tanager that was a common species at the large ant-swarm along the Pipeline Road. Our estimate of ten birds is probably on the low side.

Sulphur-rumped Tanager
Two sizeable parties seen including fifteen birds seen along the Waterfall Trail.

White-shouldered Tanager
Six birds recorded over four dates at widely scattered locations around El Valle and  two birds along the Pipeline Road.

Tawny-crested Tanager
Usually seen in fairly large groups particularly along the Waterfall Trail and along the road outside of the Canopy Lodge. Daily maximum was an estimated thirty birds.

White-lined Tanager
Another tanager that was seen most often along the Waterfall Trail and Canopy Lodge Road. The daily maximum was twelve birds.

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager
Fairly common and widespread around El Valle being recorded virtually daily. The daily maximum was ten birds. Good sites were the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails.

Red-throated Ant-Tanager
Three birds seen along the Pipeline Road [not associating with the antswarm].

Hepatic Tanager
A total of five birds seen over our two visits to Altos de Maria.

Summer Tanager
One or two birds seen almost daily during our stay at the Canopy Lodge.

Crimson-backed Tanager
 Very common and widespread species around El Valle. A frequent and noisy visitor to the feeders at the Canopy Lodge.

Lemon-rumped Tanager
Common at the feeders at the Canopy Lodge with up to fifteen birds daily.

Palm Tanager
Fairly common around El Valle being seen on most days with a daily maximum of six birds.

Yellow-crowned Euphonia
A party of six birds seen in dry forest just outside of El Valle.

Fulvous Vented Euphonia
Rather surprisingly, just a single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

White-vented Euphonia
Two birds seen in a mixed bird flock at Altos de Maria.

Tawny-capped Euphonia
Common & widespread being seen at most sites around El Valle including the feeders at the Canopy Lodge. The daily maximum was eight birds.

We encountered several very colorful mixed flocks of Tangara tanagers around El Valle.  The Waterfall Trail and the tree-lined road outside of the Canopy Lodge were particularly favored.

Silver-throated Tanager
This beautiful tanager was also one of the most numerous. We saw this species at most sites visited around El Valle. In all recorded on seven dates with the daily maximum of ten plus birds. This species was the most numerous bird in the mixed tanager flocks.

Bay-headed Tanager
Another very attractive and quite common Tangara species around El Valle. Recorded on five dates with a daily maximum of six birds.

Golden-hooded Tanager
Another very striking tanager, this species was a less numerous flock participant. In all a total of six birds recorded over four dates at El Valle.

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis
A total of six birds over three days with sightings from La Mesa [four birds] and Altos de Maria [two birds].

Blue Dacnis
Just a single female seen along the Pipeline Road.

Green Honeycreeper
A total of ten birds recorded over four days at sites around El Vale. The daily maximum was four birds seen along the Cerro de Gaital Trail & the trail behind Canopy Adventure.

Shining Honeycreeper
Our sole record was a single bird seen along the Waterfall Trail.

Red-legged Honeycreeper
A total of six birds recorded over three days in and around the Canopy Lodge including the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails.

Blue-black Grassquit
Fairly common at El Chiru with at least six birds seen.

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater
Two birds including a very attractive male were seen at El Chiru..

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch
Recorded on four dates including two birds at La Mesa and four in the forest along the Semaphore Hill Road.

Orange-billed Sparrow
This attractive sparrow would come to crumbs left out for it at the Canopy Lodge. It was also seen in small numbers at sites around the Lodge. In all recorded on five dates with the daily maximum of four birds.

Black-striped Sparrow
A total of five birds were recorded on three days on the trails around the Canopy Lodge including the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails.

Streaked Saltator
Recorded almost daily in small numbers at various sites around El Valle.
Buff-throated Saltator
This attractive saltator was seen in disturbed and open woodland and at slightly higher elevation than the prior species. Seen regularly particularly on the drive up to and at La Mesa. Daily maximum was six birds.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Just a single bird seen at Altos de Maria.

Blue-black Grosbeak
Two males and a female along the Cerro de Gaital Trail, plus a single bird seen on the Waterfall Trail.

Black-faced Grosbeak
A party of six birds seen along the Cerro de Gaital Trail.

Red-breasted Blackbird
Just a single bird seen at El Chiru.

Eastern Meadowlark
Fairly common in the pastures at El Chiru with at least eight birds seen.

Great-tailed Grackle
Seen in good numbers on the drive to the Canopy Lodge and on the drive from the Lodge to the Tower.

Shiny Cowbird
Recorded on four dates including at least six birds at El Chiru and seen in good numbers on the drive from the Lodge to the Tower.

Baltimore Oriole
Two birds seen at El Chiru.

Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Six birds seen at La Mesa.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Recorded in small numbers on eight days with the daily maximum being eight birds seen along the Pipeline Road.

Lesser Goldfinch
A daily maximum of five birds seen on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.

Barry Cooper and Gail Mackiernan
216 Mowbray Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-989-1828, katahdinss@comcast.net