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PANAMA - CENTRAL
29 August -- 6 September 2002
by Barry
Cooper and Gail Mackiernan
What
with the ongoing drought
in Maryland, unremitting heat and very slow early migration, we decided
to try
and go to a place where we could see a lot of birds! The “place” was
the
relatively new Canopy Tower Lodge, in Panama near Panama City in the
former
Canal Zone. The Lodge was offering an extremely attractive “Green
Season”
(read, “wet season”) package, and it was too good to pass up. We took
the week
package (all-inclusive from transport to food to expert bird-guiding)
and added
two extra days. A friend from Maryland, Joseph Halpin, joined us. We
visited a
number of sites near the Lodge, but did not go to any more distant
birding
areas (such as Achiote Road) that would have involved a special
arrangement
with the Lodge. We did have the office manager arrange a taxi one
morning to
visit Metropolitan Park, on the outskirts of Panama City, for some
special
birds. Although we have visited Costa Rica twice, there were a number
of new
birds possible for us in Panama, including several hard-to-find species.
Canopy Tower Lodge:
Situated
in Parque Nacional
Soberania and perched on top of the 900 foot Semaphore Hill, the lodge
is a
unique converted U.S. radar tower. The ground floor contains the
reception area
as well as a poster exhibit describing native birds and animals. The
first
floor contains the so-called “guide rooms” which are less posh and
sharing
bathrooms. The second floor consists of the main guest bedrooms, which
have en
suite bathrooms. There are also two suites with more space and
amenities. The
third floor is a general community area with comfortable couches, etc.
Also on
this floor is the dining area and a reference library very well stocked
with
bird and natural history books. Above this is the very impressive
observation
deck. This provides excellent views of good forest at canopy level, the
Panama
Canal and in the far distance, Panama City. The observation deck is
great for
watching parrots, toucans and other canopy species including the Blue
Cotinga.
It is also good for viewing both local and migrant raptors. The Lodge
grounds
have a limited number of hummingbird feeders, and plans are in place to
increase the number and also, to add a fruit feeder for tanagers and
other
birds.
We had
nothing but praise for
all the staff who were very friendly and went out of their way to be
helpful.
The rooms were clean and comfortable and the food excellent. We were
very
impressed with Carlos Bethancourt and Jose Soto, the two resident
birding
guides. Their birding knowledge and skills were absolutely excellent.
They had
good Leica scopes and Sony mini-disk players for bird calls, and knew
how to
use them! It was very impressive to see how quickly they got difficult
species
such as antpittas “in the scope.” We birded a couple of days with
Carlos, then
with Jose and found both of them top-quality, patient and personable
guides.
Weather/trail
conditions, insects and related items:
Since
it was the wet season,
we expected rain every day and generally got it! In fact, on our first
couple
of days, a storm system was sitting out in the Caribbean and causing
rainy
conditions throughout the region. After it passed through, the usual
tropical
pattern reasserted itself: dry mornings with gradual build-up of cloud,
and
rain in mid-to late afternoon. The birding time lost was minimal
although we
didn’t have many good owling nights. We never used raincoats, finding
an
umbrella to be better for birding in rain in warm, humid regions.
Sometimes
foggy conditions in the morning hampered viewing from the tower but
this was
rare.
Temperatures
at the elevation
of the Tower were pleasant and sleeping (with the overhead fan) was no
problem.
In fact, it sometimes was too cold! However, as the week passed,
temperatures
at the lower elevations increased and on our last day along the
Pipeline Road,
it was quite still, hot and humid. (and pretty birdless compared to the
start
of the week).
The
trails we walked were
generally quite well-maintained although the Pipeline Road had muddy
areas
where trucks had scoured the road. Certainly four-wheel-drive is
necessary in
the wet season to access this area. We wore Wellingtons on this trail
and also
on Old Gamboa Road (which has a lot of grassy, chiggery-looking areas)
and were
happy we had them, but a lot of folks just wore regular hiking boots or
even
sneakers. The main trails at Metro Park are wonderful, but if you want
to bird
the nursery area for the Yellow-GreenTyrannulet, be warned that it has
chiggers!
Before
we left for Panama, we
sprayed all our socks, our pants and shoes, with Permethrin to
discourage
chiggers and insects. While birding, we applied DEET cream to our feet
and
ankles, and to any areas (such as underpants’ waistbands) which had
tight
elastic against the skin. (30% DEET cream is enough). As a result we
never had
a chigger. Mosquitoes were an annoyance in some areas, especially at
Ammo Dump
Ponds and some parts of the Pipeline Road – we used 30% DEET cream or
spray and
this seemed to work. I would recommend taking Sting-eeze or similar
product to
apply to insect bites as soon as they happen. No malaria prophylaxis is
needed
in this part of Panama. We always bring A&D ointment and a
prescription
hydrocortisone cream to the tropics – the former is best to prevent
chafing
(which can be a problem when you walk a lot while sweaty, and once
severely
chafed, you don’t want to walk anywhere!). The cortisone cream is good
if you
run into an irritating plant or get an insect bite. There were some
very
annoying wasps at the top of the Tower trying to share our morning
coffee and
Joe and Barry both got stung once – we were glad for the cortisone
cream!
Sites
visited:
Semaphore
Hill
As
soon as you leave the
Lodge compound you are in the Soberania National Park on a one-mile
narrow
windy road [Semaphore Hill Road] that leads down to the new road to
Gamboa. The
Semaphore Hill Road passes through quite good forest and can be very
birdy. And
because the road dead-ends at the Lodge, it is also very quiet.Our best
birds
on this road were Ocellated Antbird, Collared Forest Falcon and Great
Jacamar.
Plantation
Trail
This
trail starts from the
Semaphore Hill Road between the bridge and intersection with the Gamboa
Road.
The trail is narrow, about 4 km long, passes through good forest and parallels a stream. We birded this trail
once in the early morning and it was very active particularly with
antbirds.
Our best birds here were Black-chested Jay, Green Shrike Vireo and a
number of
antbirds including Spotted and Bicolored.
Chagres
River
We
spent only a limited time
at this site as our one trip to this area was interrupted by rain. It
is
essentially a wide, slow river inlet (to the Canal) with a lot of
floating
vegetation, good for waterfowl and species such as Purple Gallinule.
Ammo
Dump Ponds
Despite
its name the ponds
are quite attractive and birdy with Rufescent Tiger Heron,
Grey-breasted Wood
Rail and White-throated Crake being seen. The ponds are adjacent to the
Canal
and close to Gamboa with the surrounding areas being mainly scrubby
open
country. We had Fork-tailed Flycatcher along the railroad lines.
Pipeline
Road
Not
suprisingly this was the
birdiest area and contained many of the best birds seen. Unfortunately
a bridge
was down at about 5 km along the Pipeline Road making it impassable
beyond this
point for vehicles. We could cross the bridge and bird for about
another 3 km
on foot. Therefore, our birding was concentrated between the entrance
gate and
8 km. This was disappointing as much of the better forest and all of
the forest
trails are beyond 8 km (and where one might have a chance of goodies
such as
Rufous-breasted Woodpecker or Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo). Just beyond
the
entrance gate (key needed) the habitat is scrubby growth but this
steadily
improves to mature second-growth and patches of old growth forest. The
best
forest and most productive birding was around 5 – 8 km. While we were
disappointed about not getting access to all of the Pipeline Road, the
birding
was still very good. We visited this area on three occasions with the
birding
being good to excellent on two of these visits. Amongst the many good
birds
seen here were Slaty-backed Forest Falcon, Great Jacamar,
Black-breasted
Puffbird and Spectacled Antpitta. We also hit a couple of small
ant-swarms with
attendant antbirds and woodcreepers.
Old
Gamboa Road and Summit Ponds:
The
Old Gamboa Road passes
through scrubby and poor secondary growth habitat as well as pastures
and other
open country areas. The road can be accessed either from the golf
course side
or from the police training academy side, and can be walked both north
and
south. The Summit Ponds are two medium size, well-vegetated ponds
surrounding by
a thin strip of woodland (adjacent to the police academy). Both the Jet
and
White-bellied Antbirds occur in the brushy thickets and both were seen
very
well. Other interesting birds in this area included Scrub Greenlet,
Golden-collared Manakin and many flycatcher species. We heard, but did
not see,
Rosy Thrush-tanager here as well. The ponds hold a variety of herons
including
roosting Boat-billed and Capped.
Metropolitan
Natural Park.
About
a thirty minute drive
from the Canopy Lodge and located on the outskirts of Panama City, the
park is
650 acres of largely Pacific dry
forest. We only had about three hours’ birding here and concentrated on
the
Mono Tito Trail and a semi-open area behind the bonsai garden used by
the park
service for growing trees and shrubs for re-planting elsewhere. After
paying
our $2. entrance fee at the park headquarters building we had the taxi
drop us
off at the guard station near the “canopy crane” – a research set-up
for
studying rainforest canopy ecology –
which marks the start of the Mono Titi trail. Afterwards we
walked back
along the Sendero El Robie Trail past the bonsai garden and nursery to
the park
headquarters where the taxi picked us up. The Mono Tito Trail is
reportedly the
birdest trail in the park and a good
spot for the Rosy Thrush Tanager and Lance-tailed Manakin. In fact, we
heard
the tanager singing just at the left turn onto the trail from the
crane. The
Mono Tito Trail leads up a hill through nice forest habitat and was
extremely
active during our entire time there, with a number of bird flocks;
probably the
highest concentration of forest birds
of our trip was on this trail. The nursery area, with its small trees
and open
areas, is the location for Yellow-green Tyrannulet, a Panama endemic.
We scored
nicely with a superb singing male Rosy Thrush-Tanager and the Y-G
Tyrannulet
and heard but had untickable views of the Manakin. Other species of
intereste
included Rufous-breasted Wren and Slaty Ant-wren. The area was more
birdy than
we had expected and definitely warrented a longer visit.
Itinerary:
8/28/02
Departed
Baltimore-Washington International Airport at about 10.30 a.m. with
connection
in Houston, Texas and arrived Panama Int. Airport at about 6.45 p.m
About 45
minutes car ride to the Canopy Tower Lodge arriving after dark at about
8.00
p.m.
8/29/02 6.00 – 7.30 a.m. Birded from the Canopy
Tower observation deck, 8.30 – 11.30 a.m. Summit Ponds and Old Gamboa
Road,
3.30 p.m. Chagres River and Gamboa Resort [we were rained out at this
site].
8/30/02 Early a.m. raining then 8.30 – 12.00
Semaphore Hill, 1.00 – 2.00 p.m.
observation deck, 3.00 – 5.00
Plantation Trail [rain after 5.00 p.m.]
8/31/02 7.00
- 11.30 a.m. Pipeline Road [between 4.9 km & 7.9 km from
entrance
gate]. 1.30 – 2..00 p.m. observation deck. 3.30 – 6.00 p.m. Pipeline
Road [2.5
km to 4.5 km from entrance gate].
9/1/02 6.15 . – 7.30 a.m.
Observation deck, 8..00 – 12.00 Plantation Trail, 1.00 –
1.30 observation deck, 3.30 – 6.00 p.m.
Gail – Semaphore Hill, Barry and Joe –
Plantation Trail.
9/2/02 6.15 – 7.30 a.m. Observation
deck, 8.30 – 11.30 a.m. Old Gamboa Road, 1.00 – 1.30
p.m. observation deck, [heavy rain after lunch] 4.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Semaphore
Hill, 5.00 – 5.30 p.m. observation deck.
9/3/02 7.00
- 12.00 Pipeline Road [between 4.9 km & 7.9 km from entrance
gate.].
2.00 – 2.30 p.m. observation deck, 3.00 – 5.00
Ammo Dump Ponds.
9/4/02 6.30
- 7.00 a.m. Observation deck, 8.45 – 11.30 a.m. Metropolitan
Park, 2.00
– 2.45 p.m. observation deck, 3.15 – 5.30 Old Gamboa Road.
9/5/02 6.30 – 11.30 a.m. Pipeline Road [between 2.5
km & 5.00 km from entrance gate] 1.30 – 2.00 p.m. observation deck, 3.30 – 5.45 p.m. Pipeline Road [ from
entrance gate to 3. km].
9/6/02 6.15 – 7.15 a.m. Observation deck &
immediate vicinity of Lodge. 7.15 – 8.15 drive to Panama International
AP.
Departed AP 10.30 a.m. arrived
Baltimore/ Washington International AP 7.15 p.m.
Books
etc:
“Guide
to the Birds of
Panama” (1989) by Robert Ridgely and John Gwynne Jr., Princeton
University
Press, was our only field guide. Some of the illustrations could be
improved
but it was a perfectly acceptable field guide.
We
also brought tapes of
selected central Panama birds copied from our Costa Rican tape
collection.
However, since the guides at Canopy Tower had excellent minidisk
capabilities,
we ended up not using these tapes much. We did use tape-playback on a
few
occasions.
A
number of trip reports on
Panama are available from the Canopy Tower web site
(www.canopytower.com) and
from Blake Maybank’s web site http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/main.htm. We also accessed the “Where do
You Want to Go Birding
In…Today?“ website for Panama at http://www.camacdonald.com/
birding/birding.htm
Species List:
We recorded 211 species of birds during our stay, of
which
five were heard only (as noted below). Of the seen birds, about 35-40
of them
were new for us.
Great
Tinamou Tinamus
major
Heard
calling regularly at
dawn and dusk around the Canopy Lodge and also heard along the Pipeline
Road.
The only bird seen was roosting about 10 feet up a small tree along
(and almost
over) the road up to Semaphore Hill at about 9.30 p.m [while we were
out
owling].
Little
Tinamou Crypturellus
soui
Only
heard calling along the
Pipeline Road. Two birds were taped in close but remained out of sight.
Based
on vocalization, less numerous than the previous species.
Brown
Pelican Pelecanus
occidentalis
Flocks
of up to 100 birds
were recorded quite often flying high over the forest & canal.
Neotropic
Cormorant Phalacrocorax
brasilianus
Two
single birds recorded in
the vicinity of the Chagres River.
Anhinga Anhinga
anhinga
Single
bird seen along the
Chagres River.
Magnificent
Frigatebird Fregata
magnificens
Up to
four birds recorded
virtually daily.
Rufescent
Tiger Heron Tigrisoma
lineatum
A handsome immature bird seen well at the Ammo Dump
Ponds.
Great
Egret Ardea
alba
Fairly
common in suitable
habitat with about fifteen birds seen on the drive to the Metropolitan
Park.
Snowy
Egret Egretta
thula
Just
one bird recorded [on
the drive to Metropolitan Park].
Little
Blue Heron Egretta
caerulea
Up to
five birds seen on both
visits to the Summit Ponds.
Cattle
Egret Bubulcus
ibis
Up to
five birds recorded on
three dates.
Green
Heron Butorides
virescens
Up to
four birds recorded
from both the Summit Road and Chagris River.
Striated
Heron Butorides
striatus
Interestingly
recorded in
similar numbers and from the same locations as the prior species.
Either this
represents an overlap zone or early winter migrants of the prior
species.
“A Guide to the Birds of Panama” treat
the Green and Striated Herons as forms of a single species whereas
other
authorities consider these as two distinct species.
Capped
Heron Pilherodius
pileatus
Single
individuals of this
attractive heron were seen at both the Summit and Ammo Dump Ponds and
one seen
from the drive to the airport on our last morning.
Boat-billed
Heron
Cochlearius cochlearius
Small
numbers roosting at the
Summit Ponds with up to three seen on both visits. Also, one seen at
the Ammo
Dump Ponds.
Black
Vulture Coragyps
atratus
This
species was extremely
common and vastly outnumbered all other raptors put together.
Turkey
Vulture Cathartes
aura
Far
less numerous than the
preceding species although still quite common and recorded daily.
King
Vulture Sarcoramphus
papa
A
superb adult was viewed
briefly soaring above the tree canopy about 8 km along the Pipeline
Road.
Osprey Pandion
haliaetus
Single
birds recorded on two
dates over the Canal.
Swallow-tailed
Kite Elanoides
forficatus
Small
migrant parties of this
very attractive raptor were observed from the observation deck at the
Canopy
Lodge on two dates. The total number of birds was estimated at
thirty-five. It
was quite enjoyable to actually look down
upon some of the kites.
Double-toothed
Kite Harpagus
bidentatus
A
total of three birds
recorded along the Pipeline Road, two (an adult and an immature)
perched for
scope views and one soaring above with prominent white under-tail
coverts.
Plumbeous
Kite Ictinia
plumbea
Only a
single bird identified
migrating over the observation deck, although several other Ictinia
kites seen soaring were probably
of this species.
Mississippi
Kite Ictinia
mississippiensis
An
impressive flock of about
100 birds seen migrating over the Old Gamboa Road and smaller numbers
seen
migrating from the observation deck.
Great
Black-Hawk Buteogallus
urubitinga
An
fine adult and an immature
were watched soaring over the forest from the observation deck, and a
sub-adult
seen overhead along the Pipeline Road.
Short-tailed
Hawk Buteo
brachyurus
A pair
made up of a pale
phase male and dark phase female were seen on several occasions from
the
observation deck. It appeared that they had a nest in the forest quite
close to
the Lodge as the male performed a number of steep descents into the
same
location and on one occasion apparently carrying food.
Yellow-headed
Caracara Milvago
chimachima
Single
bird seen briefly
along the Old Gamboa Road.
Slaty-backed
Forest-Falcon Micrastur
mirandollei
Superb
scope views of a
single perched immature about 6 km along the Pipeline Road. The bird
was
calling constantly with a repeated, rather nasal ANNH call, quite
different
from the call of the following species. The immature displayed a pale
buff
breast with well-marked dark scallop marks. It was somewhat smaller
with a
shorter tail than the following species but noticeably larger and more
powerful
than the Barred Forest Falcon we saw in Costa Rica.
It was perched only about 10 feet off the ground, and about 20
yards in from the road. Also a second bird heard calling along the
Pipeline
Road. Brilliant.
Collared
Forest-Falcon Micrastur
semitorquatus
Suprisingly
seen or heard on
five of our nine days. Our first sighting was of an immature along the
Semaphore Hill Road with scope-filling views. Up to two birds were
heard on
three different dates – twice from the Pipeline Road and once from the
observation deck. The call was single loud, hollow WHAAA note
constantly
repeated. In fact, on our final day at the Tower it was the first bird
heard in
the morning [while still in bed!!]. Upon following up on the calls we
found two
immatures perched and in flight
actually in the grounds of the Lodge! With its long slim body,
long
graduated tail and long legs, it reminded us of a huge Cooper’s Hawk.
We were
probably fortunate with our timing for forest falcons as, most likely,
all the
birds represented recently fledged young still under the care of their
parents
and were calling constantly for food.
Both
forest falcons were high
up on our hit list and to have such great connections with both species
was
definitely one of the very high points of the trip.
Bat Falcon Falco
rufigularis
A pair
were watched from the
observation deck flying briefly up from the forest to mob a
Short-tailed Hawk.
After a couple of minutes of spirited aerial attack, accompanied by a
constant
KEK-KEK-KEK call, they dropped back out of sight into the forest. In
flight
they appear very dark overall, save for the obvious white throat and
narrow
collar.
Gray-headed
Chachalaca Ortalis
cinereiceps
A
party of five birds seen
briefly along the Old Gamboa Road.
White-throated
Crake Laterallus
albigularis
This
attractive small crake
was quite common at the Ammo Dump Ponds with three birds seen and about
six others
heard calling.
Gray-necked
Wood-Rail Aramides
cajanea
About
four noisy birds seen
at the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Purple
Gallinule Porphyrula
martinica
A
single bird seen at the
Chagres River.
Common
Moorhen Gallinula
chloropus
Common
at the Chagres River
with an estimated twenty birds.
Wattled
Jacana Jacana
jacana
This
attractive jacana was
common both at the Chagres River and Ammo Dump Ponds. In all recorded
on three
dates with a daily maximum of thirty birds.
Black
Tern Chlidonias
niger
Two
birds watched feeding and
moving up the Panama Canal [which was otherwise pretty birdless].
Rock
Dove Columba
livia
A
couple of birds seen on two
dates in urban areas.
Pale-vented
Pigeon Columba
cayennensis
Fairly
common around the Ammo
Dump and to a lesser extent the Old Gamboa Road. Daily maximum was six
birds.
Scaled
Pigeon Columba
speciosa
Suprisingly
scarce with just
single birds recorded on two dates, both seen from the Tower itself.
Ruddy
Ground-Dove Columbina
talpacoti
Common
around Gamboa with up to
twenty seen regularly just driving
through the village.
White-tipped
Dove Leptotila
verreauxi
Rather
uncommon and usually
flushed from forest trails [most often Pipeline Road] with daily
maximum was
six birds. Also heard regularly, but only seen a few times, along
Semaphore
Hill Road.
Grey-breasted
Dove
Single
birds seen along
Pipeline Road and at Metropolitan Park. In both cases the birds were
observed
actually within the forest (from overlook spots) as they furtively
moved out of
sight. Much shyer than the preceding.
Violaceous
Quail-Dove Geotrygon violacea
Two
birds calling along
Plantation Trail and several along Pipeline Rd.
Ruddy
Quail-Dove Geotrygon
montana
Single
birds flushed from the
Pipeline and Radar Hill Roads and heard calling on several other dates.
Orange-chinned
Parakeet Brotogeris
jugularis
By far
the most numerous Psittacidae although seen in flight
& heard calling much more often than seen perched. More numerous in
partially disturbed areas than the rainforest. For example common with
several
roosts around the village of Gamboa. Seen daily with maximum daily
estimate of
40 birds. Doubtless with a little
effort many more could have been seen.
Brown-hooded
Parrot Pionopsitta
haematotis
Very
small numbers recorded
on three dates with good views of four perched birds seen from the
observation
deck our first morning.
Red-lored
Amazon Amazona
autumnalis
The
most numerous Amozonia parrot and recorded daily. The
observation deck was a good spot to observe this and the following
species.
Maximum daily count was thirty birds.
Mealy
Amazon Amazona
farinosa
Recorded
daily with maximum
daily count of fifteen birds.
Squirrel
Cuckoo Piaya
cayana
Suprisingly
scarce being
recorded on three dates with a low daily maximum of two birds.
Greater
Ani Crotophaga
major
Recorded
on two dates with
two birds seen around the Summit Ponds and six seen on the drive to the
airport.
Smooth-billed
Ani Crotophaga
ani
Four
birds seen around the
Ammo Dump Ponds were our only record.
Vermiculated
Screech-Owl Otus
guatemalae
Two
birds heard calling in
the vicinity of the Lodge.
Crested
Owl Lophostrix
cristata
Excellent
views of a single
bird perched at about 9.00 p.m.over the man road to Gamboa close to the
junction with the Semaphore Hill Rd. A truly superb bird.
Mottled
Owl Ciccaba
virgata
Two
birds responded to the
tape but did not allow views at the bottom of the Semaphore Hill Road.
Common
Nighthawk Chordeiles
minor
Six birds recorded on two dates migrating over the
observation deck.
Pauraque Nyctidromus
albicollis
A
total of four birds
recorded from the Pipeline & Old Gamboa Roads.
Common
Potoo Nyctibius
griseus
Single
bird taped into view
at 8.30 p.m. along the Old Gamboa Road.
We
were unable to identify
many of the high flying Chaetura
swifts seen, therefore, the numbers reflected below are substantially
low
estimates.
Band-rumped
Swift Chaetura
spinicauda
Common
and widespread being
seen daily.
Vaux's
Swift Chaetura
vauxi
Recorded
on two dates with a
maximum of five birds. The rump of this species shows a almost tawny
contrast
with the back and wings (rather than gray as in preceding and following
species).
Short-tailed
Swift Chaetura
brachyura
Recorded
on two dates
totaling three birds
Lesser
Swallow-tailed
Swift Panyptila cayennensis
Thee
birds recorded on two
dates with all sightings from the observation deck.
Long-tailed
Hermit Phaethornis
superciliosus
Single
bird well seen along
the Pipeline Road and a single bird seen on two occasions at the Lodge
feeders.
Little
Hermit Phaethornis
longuemareus
Single
birds recorded on two
dates along the Semaphore Hill Road and once along the Pipeline Road,
in all
cases feeding at “Hot Lips” flowers..
White-necked
Jacobin Florisuga
mellivora
Up to
six birds recorded
daily. Easiest to see at the feeders at the Lodge but occasionally also
seen in
the forest.
Blue-crowned
Woodnymph Thalurania
colombica
One
seen along Semaphore Hill
Rd. at flowers; this species was never seen at the feeders at the lodge.
Violet-bellied
Hummingbird Damophila
julie
Up to
two birds regularly
seen at the feeders. A very attractive hummingbird.
Blue-chested
Hummingbird Amazilia
amabilis
Up to
four birds seen
regularly at the feeders.
Snowy-bellied
Hummingbird Amazilia edward
Yet
another regular hummer at
the Lodge feeders with up to six birds daily.
Rufous-tailed
Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Recorded
most often along the
Old Gamboa Road. In all seen on three days totaling six birds.
White-vented
Plumeleteer Chalybura
buffoni
Up to
four birds recorded
regularly a the Lodge feeders.
Trogons
were common forest
birds and it was not unusual to see ten or more individuals on a three
hour
walk.
Violaceous
Trogon Trogon
violaceus
Recorded
on four dates with a
daily maximum of four birds. Most sightings from the PipelineRoad and
to a
lesser extent Semaphore Hill Road.
Black-throated
Trogon Trogon
rufus
Recorded
on three dates with
daily maximum of seven birds. The best locations for this species were
Plantation Trail and Semaphore Hill Road.
Black-tailed
Trogon Trogon
melanurus
The
least common trogon being
recorded just once with two males and a female along the first 2km of
the
Pipeline Road.
Slaty-tailed
Trogon Trogon
massena
This
large impressive bird
was the most common trogon and was particularly common along the
Pipeline Road
and Plantation Trail. Recorded almost daily with a daily maximum of ten
birds.
Blue-crowned
Motmot Momotus
momota
Single
birds seen on four
dates mainly on Semaphore Hill and Old Gamboa Roads.
Rufous
Motmot Baryphthengus
martii
Up to
two birds seen &/or
heard on five dates with the Pipeline Road and Plantation Trail being
the
favored locations.
Broad-billed
Motmot Electron
platyrhynchum
Recorded
on five dates with a
daily maximum of five birds and being seen most frequently along the
Pipeline
Road.
Ringed
Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Single
birds recorded from
the Summit Ponds, Chagres River and Pipeline Rd..
Green
Kingfisher Chloroceryle
americana
Up to
two birds seen on both
our visits to the Summit Ponds.
Black-breasted
Puffbird Notharchus
pectoralis
This
was one of our most sought-after species
and proved
quite elusive. After hearing but not seeing the birds on two different
days we
finally scored with nice views of a party
of 3 birds about 7 km along the Pipeline Road. Very satisfying.
White-whiskered
Puffbird Malacoptila
panamensis
Recorded
on four dates with
daily maximum of four birds. The most productive areas were the
Pipeline Road
and Plantation Trail. These engaging birds would sit very quietly quite
low
down in a tree, either singularly or in small parties..
Great
Jacamar Jacamerops
aurea
Yet
another top target
species which gave itself up quite quickly with a single bird on our
second day
on the Semaphore Hill Road. Two additional birds seen along the
Pipeline Road
at about 6 and 8 km. An extremely handsome, rather motmot-like Jacamar.
Much
more attractive than depicted in “A Guide to Birds of Panama”.
Collared
Aracari Pteroglossus
torquatus
Recorded
almost daily in
small numbers from most of the forested areas visited. The daily
maximum was
four birds and one of the best places to observe this species [and all
the
toucans] was in the early morning from the observation deck.
Keel-billed
Toucan Ramphastos
sulfuratus
Probably
the more regularly
seen of the two toucans being recorded virtually daily from most of the
forested areas visited with a daily maximum of twelve birds.
Chestnut-mandibled
Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
Seen
and or heard almost
daily with the maximum daily count of ten birds recorded along the
Pipeline
Road.
Black-cheeked
Woodpecker Melanerpes
pucherani
Probably
the most numerous
woodpecker being seen on six dates in a wide variety of habitats and a
daily
maximum of six birds.
Red-crowned
Woodpecker Melanerpes
rubricapillus
Very
like a pale version of
the Red-bellied Woodpecker we see daily in our yard in Maryland.
Another common
and widespread species being seen almost daily with a maximum daily
count of
five birds.
Cinnamon
Woodpecker Celeus
loricatus
Thee
birds of this attractive
woodpecker were well seen along the Pipeline Road.
Lineated
Woodpecker Dryocopus
lineatus
Single
birds seen along the
Old Gamboa Road and perched in a dead tree from the observation deck.
Crimson-crested
Woodpecker Campephilus
melanoleucos
Recorded
on four dates
including a party of four birds seen along the Plantation Trail.
Buff-throated
Foliage-gleaner Automolus
ochrolaemus
We
were amazed how few
Furnarids we saw. This bird was
recorded at about 7 km along the Pipeline Road.
Plain
Xenops Xenops
minutus
Recorded
in small numbers in
most forested areas we visited with a daily maximum of four birds.
Plain-brown
Woodcreeper Dendrocincla
fuliginosa
Three
birds each seen along
the Plantation Trail and Pipeline Road.
Olivaceous
Woodcreeper Sittasomus
griseicapillus
Our
sole record was a single
bird seen at Metropolitan Park.
Northern
Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes
sanctithomae
Again
just one sighting, that
of a bird at an ant-swarm along the Pipeline Road.
Cocoa
[Buff-throated]
Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus
susurrans
The
most widespread woodcreeper being recorded
in
small numbers in most forested areas including the Metropolitan Park.
Daily
maximum was three birds.
Black-striped
Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus
lachrymosus
A
handsome bird with its
distinctive black and white head & body markings and whinnying
call.
Recorded on two dates from the Pipeline Road with three birds seen and
three
other heard.
Antbirds
[along with the
forest falcons] were the most memorable groups of birds seen.
Collectively,
they were quite common and diverse [altogether we had sixteen species] including some quite beautiful birds. For us
seeing so many species so well in such a short trip was, together with
the mind-blowing
views of the forest falcons, the trip’s high point..
Fasciated
Antshrike Cymbilaimus
lineatus
Up to
three birds of this
very attractive antshrike were recorded almost daily. The Old Gamboa
and
PipelineRoads and Plantation Trail were all good sites as was the
Metropolitan
Park.
Barred
Antshrike Thamnophilus
doliatus
Surprisingly
the least
numerous antshrike with three birds recorded on two dates. All
sightings were
in scrubby areas along the Old Gamboa Road.
Western
Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus
atrinucha
The
most common and widespread
of all the antbirds. This species was recorded daily being seen and
heard in
virtually all forest and scrubby areas visted. Our daily maximum
estimate was
twelve birds.
Checker-throated
Antwren
Myrmotherula fulviventris
Recorded
on three dates with
a maximum of five birds seen along the Plantation Trail on 9/1.
White-flanked
Antwren Myrmotherula
axillaris
Recorded
on three dates with
a maximum of six birds seen along the Plantation Trail on 9/1.
Slaty
Antwren Myrmotherula
schisticolor
Four
birds seen on the Mono
Titi Trail in Metropolitan Park. One was seen carrying food to a deep
tangle
along an embankment.
Dot-winged
Antwren Microrhopias
quixensis
The
most attractive of the
antwrens [particularly the rusty breasted female] was recorded on four
dates
with maximum daily counts of six birds along the Pipeline Road and
eight birds
along the Plantation Trail.
Dusky
Antbird Cercomacra
tyrannina
This
drab uninspiring antbird
was fairly common and widespread [in both forest and scrubby areas] and
recorded virtually daily with the maximum daily count of six birds.
Jet
Antbird Cercomacra
nigricans
After
trying unsuccessfully
we managed to obtain good views of two birds in a thicket along the Old
Gamboa
Road. Quite an attractive bird with a most un-antbird like harsh
barking call.
Also unlike other antbirds, this species kept fairly high [up to eight
feet] in
the trees.
White-bellied
Antbird Myrmeciza
longipes
Like
the prior species, this
very attractive antbird preferred scrubby thickets rather than forested
areas.
Recorded n four dates with daily maximum of
two seen and four heard along the Old Gamboa Road, and another
two seen
along the first part of the Pipeline Road..
Chestnut-backed
Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
This
rather handsome antbird
was quite common along the Pipeline Road although heard much more often
than
seen. Its typical two-note call is very similar in tone and quality to
the
three-note call of the Black-faced Anthrush. In all recorded on four
dates with
the daily maximum of two seen and four heard along the Pipeline Road.
Also
recorded on the Plantation Trail.
Spotted
Antbird Hylophylax
naevioides
A
stunning charismatic
species which was recorded both along the Pipeline Road and the
Plantation
Trail. We averaged about three birds seen on most visits to these two
sites. –
Superb
Bicolored
Antbird Gymnopithys
leucaspis
Recorded
on three dates with
daily maximum of eight birds. The most productive sites were the
Pipeline Road
and at the bottom of the Semaphore Hill Road between the bridge and the
start
of the Plantation Trail. This species is a flock leader associated with
ant
swarm bird flocks. It certainly was in evidence on the ant swarms we
found
along the Pipeline Road.
Ocellated
Antbird Phaenostictus
mcleannani
This
brilliant antbird was
recorded on two dates with four birds seen along the Semaphore Hill
Road and at
least two birds associating with a Pipeline Road ant swarm. We had
previously
seen this species very well in Costa Rica, and, in fact, it was our top
bird of
that trip. It therefore ceded the number one antbird slot on this trip
to the
Spotted Antbird which was a new species for us. Still a truly superb
bird.
Black-faced
Antthrush Formicarius
analis
Suprisingly
common and
widespread in good forest habitat such as the Piepline Road, Semaphore
Hill and
Plantation Trail. Invariably heard much more frequently than seen. In
fact, we
even heard birds calling from our bedroom! Daily maximum was ten birds
heard
and two seen.
Spectacled
Antpitta Hylopezus
perspicillatus
One of
the trip’s top two
birds with scope-filling views of a single calling bird taped into view
along
the Pipeline Road. Initially, it superficially reminded us of a
ovenbird with
its heavily streaked underparts and conspicuous eye-ring. This
impression was
immediately dashed by its extremely long legs, completely tailless look
and
plump body. Superb
Paltry
Tyrannulet Zimmerius
vilissimus
Most
easily seen from the
observation deck where 1-2 birds could be watched feeding in the canopy
of the
neighboring trees. Recorded on four dates with a daily maximum of four
birds.
Brown-capped
Tyrannulet Ornithion
brunneicapillum
A
small short-tailed
flycatcher seen mainly along the Pipeline Road. Recorded on three dates
with
daily maximum of three birds.
Southern
Beardless
Tyrannulet Camptostoma
obsoletum
We
were fortunate that our
first trip along the Old Gamboa Road was very birdy, particularly for
flycatchers. This tyrannulet was seen on this date and proved to be the
only
one of our trip.
Yellow-crowned
Tyrannulet Tyrannulus
elatus
Three
birds seen over two
dates with one along the Old Gamboa Rd. and two at Chagres River/Ammo
Dump
Ponds.
Forest
Elaenia Myiopagis
gaimardii
Just a
single bird seen on
our first visit to the Old Gamboa Rd.
Greenish
Elaenia Myiopagis
viridicata
Again
just one bird seen
along the Old Gamboa Rd.
Yellow-bellied
Elaenia Elaenia
flavogaster
Yet
again our sole sighting
of this large Elaenia was a single bird seen on our first visit to the
Old
Gamboa Rd.
Lesser
Elaenia Elaenia
chiriquensis
A
single bird seen along
Pipeline Road in a bird flock was our only record.
Yellow-green
Tyrannulet Phylloscates
flavovirens
This
small, active, bright
yellowish flycatcher was our only Panamanian endemic .We recorded two
birds at
Metropolitan Park. They were feeding in a semi-open area used by the
park
service for growing trees and shrubs for re-planting elsewhere. The
species
characteristic habit of drooping its wings and flicking its rather long
tail
was well seen.
Black-capped
Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis
atricapillus
This
minute flycatcher was
heard but not too surprisingly not seen [despite diligent taping] along
the
Pipeline Road.
Southern
Bentbill Oncostoma
olivaceum
A fairly common forest flycatcher although its
drawn-out rasping
call was heard more often than the bird
was seen. Good views were eventually obtained, and, in all, it was
recorded on
five dates including Metropolitan Park, Semaphore Hill and Pipeline
Road.
Black-headed
Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum
nigriceps
A
total of four birds
recorded on three dates. Most easily seen from the observation deck
where birds
fed in the canopy of nearby trees.
Brownish
Twistwing Cnipodectes
subbrunneus
This
large, warm-brown
flycatcher was seen twice along the Pipeline Road. On both occasions it
was low
down in secondary grown close to stream crossings.
Olivaceous
Flatbill Rhynchocyclus
olivaceus
Two
birds seen in a small
bird flock at the entrance to the Plantation Trail and two more seen
along the
Pipeline Road.
Yellow-margined
Flycatcher Tolmomyias
assimilis
Single
birds seen along the
Pipeline Road and Semaphore Hill.
Golden-crowned
Spadebill Platyrinchus
coronatus
This
strange-looking,
charismatic small flycatcher was much anticipated and did not
disappoint us. We
had excellent views of two birds on the Plantation Trail and another
seen on
Semaphore Hill. Very entertaining birds.
Royal
Flycatcher Onychorhynchus
coronatus
Sadly
heard but not seen
along the Pipeline Road.
Ruddy-tailed
Flycatcher Terenotriccus
erythrurus
This
attractive small
flycatcher was a fairly common forest bird recorded from both the
Pipeline Road
and Plantation Trail. Seen on four dates with daily maximum of four
birds. This
bird is usually encountered in pairs.
Black-tailed
Flycatcher Myiobius
atricaudus
Single
birds seen briefly
along the Old Gamboa and Pipeline Roads.
Eastern
Wood-Pewee Contopus
virens
Pewees
were recorded on six
dates. However, as no vocalization was heard our identification is
somewhat
speculative. Based on plumage most birds [about five in all] were
believed to
be of this species.
Tropical
Pewee Contopus
cinereus
At
least two birds,
noticeably paler than the previous species and with whitish throats,
and judged
to be Tropical Pewees, were seen at Metropolitan Park. Behavior was
also
different (foraging lower in small trees, consistent with species’
description
in “Birds of Panama.”)
Bright-rumped
Attila Attila
spadiceus
Recorded
briefly twice along
the Pipeline Road.
Rufous
Mourner Rhytipterna
holerythra
Four
birds seen over two days
along the PipelineRoad.
Dusky-capped
Flycatcher Myiarchus
tuberculifer
Heard
only on the Semaphore
Hill Road.
We did
not spend a lot of
time sorting through all the “Kiskadee” type flycatchers. Therefore,
the
following accounts are only rough indicators and many birds were left
unidentified.
Lesser
Kiskadee Philohydor
lictor
Three
birds seen in the
vicinity of the Ammo Dump Ponds, and also heard at Summit Ponds.
Great
Kiskadee Pitangus
sulphuratus
Small
numbers identified on
four dates.
Boat-billed
Flycatcher Megarynchus
pitangua
Only
identified for certain
on one date with four birds seen along the Old Gamboa Rd. Almost
certainly this
greatly underestimated this species’ actual abundance.
Rusty-margined
Flycatcher Myiozetetes
cayanensis
Recorded
on two dates with at
least five birds seen along the Old Gamboa Road.
Social
Flycatcher Myiozetetes
similis
Apparently
the most numerous
of this flycatcher group with at last ten birds recorded on most dates.
White-ringed
Flycatcher Conopias
albovittata
Just a
single bird identified
in the vicinity of the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Streaked
Flycatcher Myiodynastes
maculatus
A
total of four birds
recorded on three dates with sightings from Metropolitan Park, Old
Gamboa &
Pipeline Roads.
Piratic
Flycatcher Legatus
leucophaius
Our
sole record was a single
bird seen along Old Gamboa Road on our first day..
Tropical
Kingbird Tyrannus
melancholicus
Common
and widespread in
disturbed and open country areas.
Eastern
Kingbird Tyrannus
tyrannus
Two
early fall migrants seen
from the observation deck.
Fork-tailed
Flycatcher Tyrannus
savana
A
single bird seen in the
vicinity of the Ammo Dump Ponds and two birds seen while driving to
Metropolitan Park.
Masked
Tityra Tityra
semifasciata
Recorded
on five dates in
small numbers of not more than two per day.
Blue
Cotinga Cotinga
nattererii
This
stunning bird is the
marquee species of the Canopy Tower Lodge . We observed two-three males
quite
regularly from the observation deck as they perched in full view in the
canopy
of the neighboring trees. The best time to see this species was between
6.15 - 7.00 a.m. although birds could
be seen at other times from the observation deck. As a canopy-loving
species,
the cotinga is not all easy to see when birding in the forest. In fact,
we saw
none at all! This absolutely beautiful bird was the top bird of the
trip for
Barry.
Purple-throated
Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
This
large attractive cotinga
was most easily seen along the Pipeline Road. In all recorded on five
dates
with daily maximum of five birds.
Thrush-like
Schiffornis Schiffornis
turdinus
Regrettably
[for Gail] only a
single bird heard singing along the Pipeline Road and none seen. Still
a
blocker!
Golden-collared
Manakin Manacus
vitellinus
A stunning male was watched displaying along the
Old Gamboa Rd. on
our first day and couple of drab females seen in the same general area.
Lance-tailed
Manakin Chiroxiphia
lanceolata
Sadly
we dipped on this bird
at Metropolitan Park although we heard it calling and Gail had
frustratingly
untickable flight views.
Blue-crowned
Manakin Pipra
coronata
This
small attractive manakin
was a fairly common forest bird which we saw on almost every visit to
the
forest. including Pipeline Rd., Plantation Trail and Semaphore Hill.
Usually
perched low down in the dark undergrowth and could be quite difficult
to see.
The daily maximum was six birds.
Red-capped
Manakin Pipra mentalis
Another
attractive fairly
common forest manakin which we saw in most forest areas.
Perhaps not quite as numerous as the previous species with
a daily maximum of four birds.
Purple
Martin Progne
subis
A
single male picked out
amongst the Grey-breasted Martins from the observation deck was no
doubt a
fairly early migrant.
Gray-breasted
Martin Progne
chalybea
A common and widespread species seen daily.
Quite large numbers
could be observed hawing for insects above the observation deck.
Mangrove
Swallow Tachycineta
albilinea
The
most numerous swallow
being common and widespread in lowland areas particularly around the
Canal.
Southern
Rough-winged
Swallow Stelgidopteryx
ruficollis
Not
nearly as numerous as the
previous species but small numbers
recorded daily.
Barn
Swallow Hirundo
rustica
Recorded
virtually daily
mainly in lowland non-forest ed areas.
Cliff
Swallow Pterochelidon
pyrrhonota
Two
individuals were noted
hawking around the observation deck on one day, in company with other
swallows
and martins. “Birds of Panama” note this as an “uncommon to fairly
common”
transient throughout in proper season.
Black-chested
Jay Cyanocorax
affinis
We
were delighted to obtain
excellent but brief views of at least two birds along the Plantation
Trail.
They were even more attractive then the illustration in
“A Guide to the Birds of Panama” with a
brilliant piercing yellow eye, blue “eyebrows” and brighter yellower
underparts
than illustrated. We later had more distant but longer views of two
adults and
an immature along the Pipeline Road. – One of the best birds of the
trip.
Black-bellied
Wren Thryothorus
fasciatoventris
This
large impressive forest
wren was quite common in most forested areas, although its loud dueting
song
was heard far more than this skulking species was seen. In all recorded
almost
daily with a daily maximum of ten birds [eight heard and two seen].
Rufous-breasted
Wren Thryothorus
rutilus
This
attractive wren was only
seen at Metropolitan Park with three birds well seen along the Mono
Titi Trail.
Rufous-and-white
Wren Thryothorus
rufalbus
Just a
single bird seen along
the Old Gamboa Road plus two singing individuals along this road.
Buff-breasted
Wren Thryothorus
leucotis
A
total of six birds seen in
shrubby areas along Chagras River and in the vicinity of the Ammo Dump
Ponds.
House
Wren Troglodytes
aedon
Recorded
on at least three
dates totaling 6-7 birds.
White-breasted
Wood-Wren Henicorhina
leucosticta
Two-three
birds seen or heard
almost daily in forested and secondary growth habitats.
Song
Wren Cyphorhinus
phaeocephalus
This
attractive and endearing
species with its bare blue facial skin rather resembled a cross between
a wren
and a small antbird. Its attractiveness was further enhanced by a
rather
beautiful whistled song. Recorded only from the Pipeline Road and
Plantation
Trail with about 2-3 birds seen and or heard per visit.
Long-billed
Gnatwren Ramphocaenus
melanurus
Recorded
on two dates with up
to two birds seen on both Semaphore Hill and Pipeline Road
Tropical
Gnatcatcher Polioptila
plumbea
Recorded
in small numbers in
forested areas with the daily maximum of only two birds seen along the
Pipeline
Road.
Clay-colored
Thrush Turdus
grayi
Fairly
common both in
forested and more disturbed areas. The daily maximum count was twelve
birds.
Tropical
Mockingbird Mimus
gilvus
Seen
in small numbers on most
of our drives through the village of Gamboa [up to four birds a day].
Red-eyed
Vireo Vireo
olivaceus
The
most numerous North
American migrant with up to six birds being seen daily.
Scrub
Greenlet Verdillo
flavipes
An
adult bird was watched
feeding a recently fledged juvenile along the Old Gamboa Road on our
first day.
Lesser
Greenlet Hylophilus
decurtatus
Single
birds recorded on four
dates. Birds were seen most frequently from the observation deck
feeding in the
canopy of the nearby trees. The song was quite similar to that of a
Red-eyed
Vireo.
Green
Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius
pulchellus
Another
one of our top target
birds. We had heard this species repeatedly at La Selva in Costa Rica
but had
been unable to connect with any. The species proved quite elusive also
in
Panama but eventually we managed to obtain a number of excellent views.
It
turned out to be a common forest species with its monotonous three
noted call
[Suprisingly quite similar to a Greater Yellowlegs call!] heard
repeatedly
throughout the day. Recorded daily with daily maximum of at least ten
birds.
Yellow
Warbler Dendroica
petechia
Three
birds recorded on two
dates.
Black-and-white
Warbler Mniotilta
varia
Three
birds recorded on two
dates.
Prothonotary
Warbler Protonotaria
citrea
We
were surprised to see a
single bird in the forest high up on
the Mono Titi Trail in Metropolitan Park. This is a quite different
habitat
from the lowland wooded swamps we see them in back home in Maryland.
Rufous-capped
Warbler Basileuterus
rufifrons
Fairly
common on our first
day’s birding with at least six birds (both confusing immatures and
bright
adults) seen along the Old Gamboa Road. Suprisingly no others recorded.
We
were surprised and
disappointed at the lack of tanager species, particularly in comparison
with
Costa Rica, probably in part due to the lower altitude of most sites
visited..
Plain-colored
Tanager Tangara
inornata
A
common species seen daily
with a daily maximum of eight birds. The observation deck was a good
spot to
observe this species with birds frequenting the nearby trees.
Golden-hooded
Tanager Tangara
larvata
Seen
on just two days with a
total of four birds. Seen from both the observation deck and Semaphore
Hill.
Blue
Dacnis Dacnis
cayana
Seen
fairly regularly in
forested areas with a daily maximum of eight birds. This and the
following
species were seen regularly from the observation deck.
Green
Honeycreeper Chlorophanes
spiza
Seen
virtually daily with
maximum daily total of eight birds.
Yellow-crowned
Euphonia Euphonia
luteicapilla
Recorded
on three dates with
a daily maximum of six birds seen in
secondary growth in the vicinity of the Ammo Dump Ponds and Old Gamboa
Road.
All three Euphonia species could be seen from the observation deck.
Thick-billed
Euphonia Euphonia
laniirostris
Probably
the most numerous
Euphonia species being seen almost daily with daily maximum of eight
birds.
Fulvous-vented
Euphonia Euphonia
fulvicrissa
Not as
common as the two
prior species with 1-2 birds seen on four dates.
Blue-gray
Tanager Thraupis
episcopus
Suprisingly
not that
common although small numbers were seen
on most days.
Palm
Tanager Thraupis
palmarum
Common
and widespread.
Normally this would be the first bird
seen on entering the observation deck as a couple of tame birds would
immediately arrive looking for handouts.
Gray-headed
Tanager Eucometis
penicillata
Fairly
common forest species
with the Pipeline Road and Plantation Trail being two reliable sites.
In all
recorded on seven dates with daily maximum of six birds.
White-shouldered
Tanager Tachyphonus
luctuosus
Common
and widespread in both
forested and scrubby habitats, and a common member of bird flocks.
Recorded
daily with an average of eight birds per day.
White-lined
Tanager Tachyphonus
rufus
Two
birds seen along the Old
Gamboa Road.
Red-throated
Ant-Tanager Habia
fuscicauda
Suprisingly
common along the
Mono Titi Trail in Metropolitan Park with an estimated twenty birds
including
quite a few juveniles. Otherwise recorded on three dates with a maximum
of six
birds along the Plantation Trail.
Crimson-backed
Tanager Ramphocelus
dimidiatus
Very
common on our first
visit along the Old Gamboa Road with an estimated twenty birds seen.
Suprisingly only seen on three other dates with five more along the Old
Gamboa
Rd.
Rosy
Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla
rosea
We had
frustratingly heard
but not seen this shy and skulking species twice along the Old Gamboa
Rd. It
resolutely ignored tape-playback. As this was another “most wanted”
bird it was
the main reason for our excursion to the Metropolitan Park. We
eventually
scored with nice views of a singing male about 6 feet up a tree along
the Mono
Titi Trail. Very good value.
Streaked
Saltator Saltator
striatipectus
Recorded
on two dates with
maximum of five birds along the Old Gamboa Road.
Buff-throated
Saltator Saltator
maximus
Common
along the Old Gamboa
Road with an estimated ten birds seen on one visit. In all recorded on
four
dates.
Blue-black
Grosbeak Cyanocompsa
cyanoides
Single
birds recorded on two
dates along the Pipeline Road and three birds seen at Metropolitan Park.
Orange-billed
Sparrow Arremon
aurantiirostris
Just
one sighting of this
attractive sparrow with a single bird seen along Semaphore Hill Road
between
the bridge and the start of the Plantation Trail.
Black-striped
Sparrow Arremonops
conirostris
Three
birds recorded on the
road-side edge at Chagres River and three more along the Old Gamboa
Road. Quite
similar looking to the Olive Sparrow of Texas.
Blue-black
Grassquit Volatinia
jacarina
Fairly
common in disturbed
and open country areas such as around the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Variable
Seedeater Sporophila
americanatorqueola
Another
common open country
species such as the around the Ammo Dump Ponds where we recorded about
twelve
birds with very little effort.
Yellow-bellied
Seedeater Sporophila
nigricollis
Just a
single bird seen with
other seedeaters around the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Lesser
Seed-Finch Oryzoborus
angolensis
The
sole record was a single
bird seen along the Old Gamboa Rd.
Great-tailed
Grackle Cassidix
mexicanus
Large
numbers seen from the
car on the drive from the Lodge to Metropolitan Park. Also fairly
common around
the Ammo Dump Ponds and Old Gamboa Rd.
Orchard
Oriole Icterus
spurius
Two
early migrants (both
male) were seen around the Ammo Dump Ponds.
Yellow-backed
Oriole Icterus
chrysater
This
rather large attractive
oriole was recorded on three dates with a maximum of five birds seen in
Metropolitan Park.
Yellow-billed
Cacique Amblycercus
holosericeus
Our
sole record was a party
of four birds seen along the Old Gamboa Road.
Scarlet-rumped
Cacique Cacicus
uropygialis
A
common and widespread forest species recorded daily with maximum
daily count of twenty birds.
Mammal List:
We saw
a number of mammals during our stay:
Mantled
Howler Monkey Alouetta palliata
-- common at Canopy
Tower area and also, along the Pipeline Road.
White-faced
Capuchin Cebus capucinus
-- this species was only
seen along the Pipeline Road, where it was common. These are rather
aggressive
little beasts – one male broke off a branch and advanced at us while
waving it
while the rest of his troupe departed. An example of tool use?
Geoffroy’s
Tamarin Leontocebus goeffroyi-- A real cutey, the little “monkey with a
mohawk” was seen primarily along Semaphore Hill Road and Plantation
Trail.
Hoffman’s
Two-toed Sloth Choloepus
hoffmani – Not as common as the following, a few individuals only
seen
along Pipeline Road and one right over the Semaphore Hill road at night
while
owling. It was so close that the tiny “sloth moths” which live in its
fur were
clearly visible flying around it.
Three-toed
Sloth Bradypus varigatus –
The most common
species, seen every day in most locations, including in trees right
next to the
lodge.
Tamandua Tamandua tetradacyla– One
individual of this large anteater was
seen along Pipeline Road, as it rapidly disappeared into a burrow at
the base
of a tree. As we discovered in Costa Rica, these creatures can move
quickly
when they want to!
Coatimundi Nasua nasua – Common in
forested habitat.
Tayra Eira barbara -- One of
this weasel-like predator was seen along the Pipeline Road.
Red
Brocket Deer Mazama americana
– One crossed the
Pipeline Road just in front of us. We heard what we assumed to be other
snorting and crashing off on occasion.
Varigated
Squirrel Sciurus
varigatoides– A very handsome squirrel, only seen a couple of times
near
Gamboa village.
Red-tailed
Squirrel S.
granatensis – Too common – a lot of “birds” in the trees turned out
to be
this species.
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydochaeris
– One individual seen grazing behind the southernmost pond at the Ammo
Dump. It
was being harrassed by Jacanas which seemed to be trying to pick
insects off
its fur.
Central
American Agouti Dasyprocta
punctata – Very common every where, despite their being hunted by
locals.
Brazilian
Rabbit Sylvilagus brasiliensis
– A
forest-dwelling rabbit believed to be of this species was seen a couple
of
times near the lodge.
White-lined
Sac-winged Bat Saccopteryx
bilineata – A very small bat which was seen quite often at dusk
flitting up
and down the trails – about the size (in flight) of a large silk moth.
(A
number of other bats were seen but not identified.)
Herps:
Spectacled
Caiman Caiman crocodilus –
Seen at Summit Ponds
and also, a rather large specimen in a tiny stream along the Pipeline
Road.
Basilisk
or Jesus Christ Lizard
Basiliscus basiliscus--This is
the olive-brown species on the Pacific slope; another (green) species
is found
on the Caribbean slope. Named for its habit of running on surface of
the water
to escape.
(A
number of skinks and anole-types were also seen.)
Two
snakes were seen – a dead juvenile Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops
asper) crushed to death on the
Old Gamboa Road and a large (almost 2 meter), unidentified very glossy
“racer”-type snake resembling an Indigo Snake, with a strong iridescent
sheen
to its grayish-brown skin, which crossed the Pipeline Road in front of
our
truck.
Insects:
Insects
of interest included Leaf-Cutter Ants (Atta species)
and Army Ants (Eciton
species) which were encountered primarily along the Pipeline Road.
A
number of handsome butterflies were seen, at least three species of
the genus Morpho, as well as the Owl
Butterfly, Caligo, and a number of Heliconia
species (and their mimics).
Barry
Cooper and Gail Mackiernan
216
Mowbray Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904