PANAMA & DARIEN SPECIALITIES TOUR REPORT 2025

18 / 24 January - 9 / 14 February 2025

by Leo Garrigues

The Panama & Darien Specialties 2025 version was a very successful tour, where we saw some of the finest species in this most diverse Central American country. Some very wild locations were visited during this tour, in order to look for some of the most exclusive and iconic birds Panama has to offer. We managed to record a stunning number of 597 species and the main bird was the Harpy Eagle; our group enjoyed an active nest at Darien National Park.

It will be hard to mention all of the highlights of this tour, but starting with some from the pre-tour extension, we can say that Maroon-chested Ground Dove was definitely one of them! We got excellent views of a male and two females during our time at Cerro Punta. The Panamanian endemic Yellow-green Brushfinch was the favourite bird of this part of the tour. It wasn’t easy to see, but eventually everyone got great views! Another endemic for Panama that showed really well during the pre-tour was the Coiba Spinetail. Despite it being fairly easy to see, not many birders have seen this interesting spinetail yet! Other highlights from the pre-tour extension include Veraguan Mango, Talamanca, Fiery-throated, Volcano and Scintillant Hummingbirds, White-bellied, Purple-throated and White-throated Mountaingems, Magenta-throated Woodstar, Azuero Dove, Grey-breasted Crake, Cocos Booby, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Resplendent Quetzal, Collared (Orange-bellied) Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Prong-billed Barbet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Scarlet Macaw, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Chriqui Foliage-Gleaner, Western Woodhaunter, Spot-crowned Antvireo, Dull-mantled Antbird, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (two different subspecies), White-fronted Tyrannulet, Northern Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Dark Pewee, White-throated Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Lance-tailed Manakin, Orange-collared Manakin, Scrub Greenlet, Yellow-winged Vireo, Black-and-yellow Phainoptila, Band-backed, Isthmian, Riverside and Song Wrens, Black-faced Solitaire, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Costa Rican, White-naped and Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Large-footed Finch, the monotypic Wrenthrush, Flame-throated and Black-eared Warblers, Chiriqui Yellowthroat, Black-thighed Grosbeak, Blue-and-gold, Speckled, Spangled-cheeked, Emerald and Black-and-yellow Tanagers.

The quality of species during the main tour was superb, where we saw almost all the Darien specialties and obtained really good views of some elusive and rare species.  Some of the highlights included Choco Tinamou, Black-eared Wood Quail, Tawny-faced Quail, Chapman’s Swift (a rarity for Panama!), Pale-bellied Hermit, the local subspecies of Greenish Puffleg [galindoi], Tooth-billed, Violet-capped, Pirre and Violet-bellied Hummingbirds, Plumbeous Pigeon, Violaceous and Russet-crowned Quail-Doves, Black, Ornate and Black-and-white Hawk-Eagles, Plumbeous and Semiplumbeous Hawks, Central American Pygmy Owl, Choco Screech Owl, White-tailed Trogon, Tody Motmot, Dusky-backed and Great Jacamars, Black-breasted Puffbird, Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Spot-crowned Barbet, Stripe-cheeked, Spot-breasted and Splendid Woodpeckers, Red-throated Caracara, Slaty-backed and Barred Forest Falcons, Saffron-headed Parrot, Spectacled Parrotlet, Chestnut-fronted, Great-green and Red-and-green Macaws, Sapayoa (another monotypic family), Dusky and Scaly-throated Leaftossers,  Little Long-tailed Woodcreepers, Slaty-winged and Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaners, Double-banded Greytail, and an interesting selection of antbirds, such as Wing-banded, Ocellated, Bicolored, Spotted, Zeledon’s and Jet Antbirds, Moustached and Pacific Antwrens, Black and the very localized Speckled Antshrike (the only member of the genus Xenornis). A major achievement was that everyone got to see the elusive Black-crowned Antpitta.  We also had good views of Streak-chested Antpitta, Choco Tapaculo, Choco Elaenia, Panama Tyrannulet, Olive-striped Flycatcher, the localized Black-billed Flycatcher, the tiny Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant, Western Olivaceous Flatbill, Choco Sirystes, Cattle Tyrant, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Rufous Piha, Blue Cotinga, Sharpbill, Speckled Mourner, One-colored Becard, Green-shrike Vireo, Bicolored, White-headed, Sooty-headed, Black-bellied and Stripe-throated Wrens, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Varied Solitaire, three different subspecies of Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush [mirabilis ssp at Cerro Pirre, arcanus ssp at Chucanti and hellmayri at Fortuna Road], Pale-vented Thrush, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Tacarcuna and Pirre Chlorospingus, Black Oropendola, Yellow-backed, Yellow-tailed and Orange-crowned Orioles, Carib Grackle, Lemon-spectacled Tanager, Black-faced Grosbeak, Scarlet-browed, Sulphur-rumped, Yellow-backed Tanagers, Purple Honeycreeper, White-eared Conebill, Grey-and-gold, Green-naped and Rufous-winged Tanagers.

The Glow-throated Hummingbird post-tour extension once again succeeded in seeing its namesake, but we also saw a few interesting species such as the undescribed forms of Purple-throated Mountaingem (Azuero Mountaingem) and Black-cheeked Warbler (Azuero Warble), Rufous-necked Wood Rail, Scaly-throated Leaftosser and Rosy Thrush-Tanager.

On the mammal-front we managed to record 15 species including Derby’s Woolly Opossum, Kinkajou, Mexican Red Brocket, Panamanian Night Monkey and Central American and Western Dwarf Squirrels.

The Western Panama pre-tour extension started at Tocumen where we had an early flight to David. Ito was our great local guide here and once we arrived at David, we visited the Querevalo Road, where we did the first birding session of the tour. Our main objective was the Veraguan Mango of which we saw at least three different individuals! Other species seen at Querevalo Road included Blue-winged Teal, Smooth-billed Ani, Northern Jacana, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pearl Kite, Savanna Hawk, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Brown-throated Parakeet, Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Scrub Greenlet, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Myrtle Warbler and Morelet’s Seedeater. After lunch we continued our way up to the Volcan area, stopping at different elevations to try to see the majority of near-endemics from Costa Rica and Western Panama. During the first stops en route, we looked for Riverside Wren, Scarlet-rumped (Cherrie’s) Tanager and some other widespread species like Purple-crowned Fairy, Crowned Woodnymph and Green Kingfisher. We continued to the area of Volcan where the elevation is around 1200m asl. Our main objective was the restricted near-endemic Chiriqui Yellowthroat, that also occurs in the far southwestern areas of Costa Rica, but has become increasingly tricky there.Luckily, our group enjoyed really good views of this yellowthroat, and other specialties like Costa Rican Brushfinch and the very localized White-throated Flycatcher. Some other species seen during the afternoon session were Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Scaled Pigeon, Swallow-tailed Kite, Blue-headed Parrot, Slaty and Pale-breasted Spinetails, Lesser Elaenia, Yellow Tyrannulet, Isthmian Wren, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Crested Oropendola, Black-and-white, Mourning, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided and Wilson’s Warblers and Silver-throated Tanager. After our first successful birding day we went to our comfortable hotel to enjoy a nice dinner and work on our list.

Next morning our main objective was to find the mythical Maroon-chested Ground Dove where, with a bit of patience, our group managed to see three different individuals, including an adult male. Other good species seen at the site of the ground dove were White-fronted Tyrannulet, Ruddy Pigeon, Prong-billed Barbet and Volcano Hummingbird. After achieving outstanding views of the ground dove we continued to Los Quetzales Forest Reserve, where we enjoyed an amazing session of highland birds eating moths, such as Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Ruddy Treerunner, Yellowish Flycatcher, Ochraceous Wren, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Black-billed and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrushes, Large-footed Finch, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Flame-throated and Black-cheeked Warblers and Collared Whitestart. Other highlights of the morning included a male Resplendent Quetzal, the monotypic Wrenthrush and the endemic White-throated Mountaingem. While having our field breakfast we enjoyed hummingbird feeders where Fiery-throated and Talamanca Hummingbird showed nicely and also Green-crowned Brilliant, Lesser Violetear and Striped-tailed Hummingbird. Seeing Prong-billed Barbet coming to feed on grapes was quite fancy too. We also tried to locate some tricky bamboo specialists, as we went to an area where bamboo was seeding and there could be chances to see some of those nomadic specialists, but sadly nothing relevant showed. A good selection of highland species for the morning included Volcano and Scintillant Hummingbirds, Violet Sabrewing, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Blue-throated Toucanet, Acorn and Hairy Woodpeckers, a fly-by flock of Sulphur-winged Parakeets, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (seen well!), Dark Pewee, Yellow-winged Vireo, White-naped Brushfinch, Flame-colored Tanager and Slaty Flowerpiercer. We spent the afternoon to search for other western Panama and southwest Costa Rica specialties, such as Orange-collared Manakin of which we some males and females, Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner finally put in an appearance and White-tailed Emerald. The afternoon complemented our morning very well with species like Crested Guan, Lesson’s Motmot, Red-faced Spinetail, Slaty Antwren, Plain Antvireo, Yellow-olive Flatbill [cinereiceps], Rose-throated Becard, Brown and Black-chested Jays, Rufous-breasted Wren, White-throated Thrush [cnephosus], Lesser Goldfinch, Yellow-crowned and Thick-billed Euphonias, Crested Oropendola, Melodius Blackbird, Golden-winged, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian and Golden-crowned Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Bay-headed Tanagers. Once we finished our afternoon session we went to the city of David, where we spent the night.

This day we visited Cerro Colorado, an area within the territory of the Ngobe-Bugle Comarca, where 4×4 vehicles are required. During the first part of the morning the weather was fine, but after about an hour, rain began to fall, so we had to contend with rainy conditions for most of the morning. Despite the weather, we managed to obtain excellent views of Yellow-green Brushfinch, which was our main reason for visiting the area. Other species seen included Purple-throated Mountaingem, Prong-billed Barbet, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Spotted Barbtail, Ruddy Treerunner, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo [chiriquensis], Sooty-capped and Common Chlorospingus, Collared Whitestart, and Spangle-cheeked Tanager. To avoid the bad weather, we birded at lower elevations where we observed different species, such as Magenta-throated Woodstar, Scintillant Hummingbird, White-tailed Emerald, Mountain Elaenia, Elegant and Thick-billed Euphonias, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, and Flame-coloured Tanager. We also saw an individual of Selasphorus hummingbird which appeared to be a female Glow-throated Hummingbird, as it had light colouring on the outer tips of the tail and also seemed larger than a Scintillant Hummingbird. It is quite possible that the individual we saw was a female Glow-throated Hummingbird, but the identification features between female Glow-throated and Scintillant Hummingbirds are not very clear, and technically both species could occur at this site. After our productive visit to Cerro Colorado, we focused on the drive to Santa Catalina, where we stayed for two nights. En route, we made some brief stops, during which we saw Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant and the first Crimson-backed Tanagers of the tour.

After an early breakfast, we went to the beach and took the boat to Coiba Island. Although we spent almost two hours on the boat, we didn’t see much aside from a Cocos Booby and common species such as Magnificent Frigatebird, Laughing Gull, and Brown Pelican. Once we reached the island, we went birding along the forest trail, were we observed several pairs of Coiba Spinetails, another Panamanian endemic—in fact, a Coiba Island endemic. Our other main target was the Azuero Dove, a Panama endemic that only occurs on Coiba Island and the Azuero Peninsula. We were fortunate enough to get excellent views of one dove singing in a tree, belonging to the endemic subspecies “battyi” from Coiba Island. Coiba Island also boasts an interesting variety of birds, which include Garden Emerald, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Blue-throated Sapphire, White-tipped Dove, Grey-cowled Wood Rail, King Vulture, Osprey, Common Black Hawk, Red-crowned and Red-rumped Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Mealy Amazon, Scarlet Macaw, Barred Antshrike [eremnus], Greenish Elaenia, Yellow Tyrannulet, Northern Tropical Pewee [aithalodes], Streaked and Sepia-capped [idius] Panama Flycatchers, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-browed Peppershrike [coibae], Scrub Greenlet [xuthus], Yellow-green and Philadelphia Vireos, Southern House Wren [carychrous], White-browed Gnatcatcher [cinericia], Tropical Mockingbird, Swainson’s and White-throated Thrush [coibensis], Thick-billed Euphonia, Black-striped Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, American Yellow, Chestnut-sided and Chestnut-capped [actuosus] Warblers, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Bananaquit [mexicana] (a widespread subspecies in Mesoamerica), Yellow-faced Grassquit [ravidus], and Crimson-backed [arestus] and Blue-grey Tanagers. We returned to Santa Catalina in the afternoon, where a brief session near our accommodation produced sightings of Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Brown-throated Parakeet, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, and a different subspecies of Yellow-olive Flatbill [flavoolivaceus]. A pleasant dinner by the coast, accompanied by some beers, was the perfect way to celebrate our successful visit to Coiba Island.

Our last day of the Western Panama pre-tour extension began with our departure from Santa Catalina before dawn, followed by a technical stop in Santiago for breakfast, before continuing our journey to El Copé. At El Copé, we had another opportunity to see birds influenced by the Caribbean side. We observed some new species during our visit, such as Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, a pair of Yellow-eared Toucanets, Western Woodhaunter, and our first encounter with Black-crowned Antpitta, as well as Southern Nightingale-Wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Buff-rumped Warbler, and Black-and-yellow Tanager. After our session at El Copé NP, we continued our drive to Panama City, where we met the rest of our group for the main tour. Many thanks to Ito and his son Poto for all their help during these days in which we achieved a great selection of birds.

The main tour is focused on seeing the Darien specialties. In order to look for these, we have to visit areas where there is camping involved, some challenging hikes and a bit of a departure from overall luxury, but the birds are well worth it! The logistics of our expedition into Darien and Pirre Ridge worked out really well, and luckily the same with Cerro Chucanti! Our first day of the main tour began with breakfast at the hotel, after which we met Kilo, our superb local guide, and Agapito, our driver. That day, we made several stops en route from Bayano Lake all the way to Tortí, covering different types of habitats ranging from areas with secondary forest to agriculture and cattle farming. We saw many new species that we hadn’t seen during the pre-tour in just the first morning—not real specialties, but you could notice the stronger influence of South American species on the eastern side of the Panama Canal. Some of these species included Pale-bellied Hermit, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Wattled Jacana, Black-tailed Trogon, Barred Puffbird, Olivaceous and Cocoa Woodcreepers, Rusty-winged Antwren, One-coloured Becard, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Trilling Gnatwren, Red-breasted Meadowlark, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Carib Grackle and White-eared Conebill. Another highlight was a Great Potoo that Kilo spotted while we were driving on the gravel road. At the restaurant in Tortí, we observed various hummingbirds such as Black-throated Mango, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird and Long-billed Starthroat. After lunch, we birded in the areas around Tortí, where mixed agriculture and riparian woodland allowed us to see excellent species like Double-banded Greytail, Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Black Antshrike and Jet Antbird, to mention just a few of the highlights. Many other species also complemented our session, including Short-tailed Swift, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Striped Cuckoo, Green Ibis, Grey-lined, Swainson’s and Zone-tailed Hawks, Whooping Motmot, Aplomado Falcon, Pacific Antwren, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, White-winged Becard and Orange-crowned Oriole. We then continued our journey to Metetí, where we stayed the night at a nice hotel to rearrange our belongings for our upcoming trip to Darien National Park for the Pirre Ridge expedition.

Before going to Darien, we took a morning boat ride on the Río Chucunaque to search for Dusky-backed Jacamar. We jumped into a long, Indian-style canoe that took us into Native Indian Comarca land, accompanied by a local from the community who knew of a Jacamar territory in the area. Despite the rains in previous months, the river’s water level was low, so it took a little longer to reach the site. Finally, once at the location, we disembarked from the canoe and began our search for the jacamars. Minutes later, a pair of jacamars answered, and we managed to observe this restricted and localised species. Some other highlights seen on the Río Chucunaque included Black Oropendola and White-headed Wren. Other, more widespread species observed during our jacamar journey were Grey-headed Chachalacas, Band-rumped Swift, Greater Ani, Scaled Pigeon, Grey-cowled Wood Rail, Anhinga, Black Hawk-Eagle, Great Black Hawk, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Pied Puffbird, Spot-crowned Barbet, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Bat Falcon, Spectacled Parrotlet, Ochre-lored Flatbill, Lesser Kiskadee, Black-chested Jay, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Lemon-rumped and Crimson-backed Tanagers and Thick-billed Seed Finch. After finishing our boat ride on the Chucunaque, we continued to Yaviza, the town where the Pan-American Highway breaks. In Yaviza, we boarded a boat to El Real, where vehicles took us to the entrance trail of Darien National Park, which led us to Rancho Frio, the ranger station that served as our base camp for the following days. We loaded our food, camping equipment and larger bags onto horses, and then we hiked approximately 4 kilometres across flat terrain to reach Rancho Frio. During the hike, we observed some good birds; the highlight was spotting a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon. Another memorable moment was seeing Panamanian Night Monkeys at their roosting tree cavity. Our first views of Great Green Macaws were yet another highlight during the walk. Once at the base camp of Rancho Frio, we began to organise our camp and enjoyed our first dinner here.

The following morning, we visited an active Harpy Eagle nest, located less than a kilometre away from Rancho Frio. The nest contained a juvenile, so the visiting times of the parents was somewhat unreliable and unpredictable. Our intention was to arrive at the nest just before dawn to maximise our chances of a sighting. By the time we reached the nest, it was dark, and when daylight finally appeared, we saw no signs of an adult. We stayed in the area until 9:00 am, after which we went off to search for other birds. Some stayed with Anthony, our local guide who joined us for our visit to the nest, while the rest of the group continued birding. We observed several good species during the morning, including Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Speckled Mourner, Russet-winged Schiffornis, and Choco Elaenia. Around 11:00 am, the others returned with news regarding the Harpy Eagle. The female arrived after 10:00 am and stayed at the nest for no longer than ten minutes, inspecting some of the food that had already been left. After a few minutes, she flew away. The group then decided to stick to our plan to revisit the nest in the late afternoon to see if either of the adults would appear. Fortunately, this plan worked well, and we enjoyed a sighting of the female at the nest at the end of the day.

During the two full days that we explored the trails near Rancho Frio, we encountered an excellent selection of Choco specialties with other notable species typical of the humid lowlands of Darien National Park. The birding was challenging but very rewarding when you consider the quality of species we observed on these days. This included Crested Guan, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Grey-headed and Double-toothed Kite, Choco Screech Owl (roosting during the day), Spectacled Owl, White-tailed and Gartered Trogon, Black-breasted, Pied and White-whiskered Puffbirds, Cinnamon, Splendid and Crimson-crested Woodpeckers, Saffron-headed Parrot, Red-and-green Macaw, Little Long-tailed, Plain-brown, Northern Barred and Black-striped Woodcreepers, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Moustached, White-flanked and Rusty-winged Antwrens, Ocellated and Spotted Antbirds; Streak-chested and Black-crowned Antpittas, Brown-capped Tyrannulet, Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant, Western Olivaceous Flatbill, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Rufous Piha, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Striped-throated Wren, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, White-vented and Fulvous-vented Euphonias, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Bay-breasted Warbler, Purple and Shining Honeycreepers and Lemon-spectacled, Scarlet-browed, Yellow-backed and Rufous-winged Tanagers.

It was time to move our expedition to higher elevations, so we got ready for a challenging uphill hike while doing birding along the way. By early afternoon, we reached our new camp at Rancho Plastico, at an elevation of about 600m asl. If birding in the lower areas around Rancho Frio was challenging, then birding at Rancho Plastico was probably even more so, as most of the birds were secretive and the terrain was more irregular, with fewer clearings in the forest. Even so, we managed to see an excellent variety of species in the area. Our local staff set up our tents, including a plastic covert in case of rain (perhaps that’s why it is called Rancho Plastico?). Rancho Plastico served as the base camp for another hike further up to the camp at Pirre Ridge. Not all members of our group were able to do the hike to Pirre Ridge—it was the steepest hike of the tour, with some technical sections of the trail where you have to use your hands to climb the steep parts before reaching the upper camp at the top of Pirre Ridge. Half of our group did the hike with Kilo and stayed two nights at Pirre Ridge so that they could search for its specialties in a more relaxed manner. The other half of our group stayed four nights at Rancho Plastico with me, and we explored a different combination of birding routes during those days. Regarding the birds seen around Rancho Plastico, every member of the group eventually managed to see the Black-crowned Antpitta—not necessarily at the same time. The same was true for other special species such as Wing-banded Antbird and Sapayoa, which everyone got to see. Tawny-faced Quail was another major highlight of the area, although only those who stayed the four nights at Plastico saw it. On the third night at Rancho Plastico, the Tawny-faced Quails were vocalising at close range. It wasn’t easy at all to locate them, but eventually we found a pair roosting in dense vegetation. It took some time for everyone to get on them, but we all managed to get excellent views of the pair. Other species observed in the area around Rancho Plastico included Plumbeous Pigeon, Violaceous Quail-Dove, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, White Hawk, Mottled Owl, Slaty-tailed, Collared [heothinus] and Northern Black-throated Trogons, Tody Motmot, White-fronted Nunbird, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Slaty-winged (a localised species within its distribution range) and Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaners, Spot-crowned Antvireo, Dull-mantled, Ocellated and Bicoloured Antbirds, Russet Antshrike, Blue Cotinga, Sharpbill, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, as well as Lemon-spectacled, Black-and-yellow, and Speckled Tanagers.

During one of the days of our stay at Rancho Plastico, we did a hike to reach higher altitudes without tackling the steepest, most challenging section of the Pirre Ridge trail. We reached an elevation of 990 metres and the birding was very slow, but we managed to see the Pirre Chlorospingus (one individual, but with excellent views). We heard Russet-crowned Quail-Dove and Varied Solitaire, though they did not appear. Another good one was Choco Tapaculo; it wasn’t responsive at the highest section we reached, but luckily we obtained excellent views of another one around 860m asl, which was attending a group of army ants. Another highlight of this hike was Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, which gave us excellent views. Other species we saw included Russet Antshrike, Orange-bellied Euphonia and Emerald Tanager. It was perhaps too much effort for little reward, and although nothing guarantees you will see any of the higher elevation specialties, at least we did not return empty-handed.

The other half of the group, who went with Kilo to Pirre Ridge, fared very well as they saw most of the specialties— except Russet-crowned Quail-Dove (which they only heard), Beautiful Treerunner or Pirre Warbler, which now seems absent from this section of Pirre Ridge. They did, however, see all the other restricted endemics, including Pirre Hummingbird, Pirre Chlorospingus and Green-naped Tanager. They also observed other notable birds such as Black-eared Wood Quail, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Greenish Puffleg [galindoi], Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Blue-throated (Violet-throated) Toucanet [cognatus], Dusky Leaftosser, Lineated and Ruddy [saturatus] Foliage-gleaner, Slaty Antwren, Plain Antvireo, Zeledon’s Antbird, Choco Tapaculo, Olive-striped Flycatcher, White-throated Spadebill, Sooty-headed Wren, Varied Solitaire (another Darien specialty, though also seen at Chucanti), Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush [mirabilis], Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Scarlet-rumped Cacique (with over 80 individuals coming to roost on the ridge), Slate-throated Whitestart, Yellow-green Grosbeak and Grey-and-gold, Emerald and Silver-throated Tanagers. In the afternoon, after the Pirre crew returned to Rancho Plastico, some of us attempted to locate a Choco Tinamou. This is a very secretive tinamou, but luckily Charles managed to get a glimpse of it at one point, while I only saw it walking through the thermal camera. We also searched for Tawny-faced Quail on our last night at Rancho Plastico, but they were calling from a different, even steeper area, so we were unable to reach their location.

The following morning we went back to Rancho Frio. On the way down we connected with species such as Central American Pygmy Owl, Great Jacamar, Wing-banded Antbird, Black-crowned Antshrike, Choco Elaenia, Blue Cotinga, Speckled Mourner, and Scarlet-thighed and Blue Dacnis. The last section of the afternoon we hiked the entrance trail where the most outstanding sightings included Red-throated Caracara, Black-tailed Myiobius and Golden-collared Manakin.

During our last day in Darien NP, we spent the morning around Rancho Frio, and the hike by the entrance road where we would meet the vehicles. Some of the birds that we saw during our last day were Blue Ground Dove, Black Hawk-Eagle, Semiplumbeous Hawk, White-tailed Trogon, Whooping Motmot, Great Jacamar, Double-banded Greytail, Moustached Antwren, Chestnut-backed (Short-tailed) Antbird [cassini], Black-faced Antthrush, Southern Bentbill, Yellow-winged Flatbill, White-ringed Flycatcher, Choco Sirystes, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Black-bellied Wren and White-shouldered Tanager. On the drive to El Real we saw Yellow-backed Oriole, Rufescent Tiger Heron and closer views of Red-throated Caracara. The last hours of the afternoon were spent around Yaviza where we saw Bicolored Wren, a species that in recent years has been colonizing the region of Darien, from its distribution range in Colombia. Other species of interest that we saw around Yaviza were Spot-breasted Woodpecker and Lesser Goldfinch, among other common species. After that we continued our drive to Meteti, to enjoy some cold beers and a hot shower.

Metiti was left behind early the following morning and we enjoyed breakfast at Torti, following that, we visited the San Francisco Reserve. Our main target was the Panama (Yellow-green) Tyrannulet, which, at the time of writing, is still a Panamanian endemic. However, it occurs very close to the Colombian border, so it will probably only be a matter of time before it will be added to the Colombian list too. During the morning session we managed to see a pair of Panama Tyrannulets, as well other species like White-vented Plumeteer, Savanna Hawk, Barred Puffbird, Olivaceous Piculet, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Rusty-winged Antwren, Black and Fasciated Antshrikes, Forest Elaenia, Bright-rumped Attila, Red-capped and Golden-capped Manakins, Tropical Royal Flycatcher, One-coloured Becard, Bay Wren and Dusky-faced Tanager. After lunch in Torti, we went to the meeting point to take the 4×4 vehicles for our trip to Chucanti Reserve. After a steep drive to reach Chucanti, we hiked a short distance to reach the lower base camp of Chucanti Reserve. Accommodations with bathrooms ensuite, a dining room, with electricity to charge our electronic stuff and even with good Wi-Fi connection; it was a nice change from the camping! Not much birding was done that afternoon, but something that kept us entertained were the swifts flying above the view point. Most of the swifts were Band-rumped Swifts, but they were joined by a different species of swift. Initially called as Vaux’s Swifts, we soon realised that they were not Vaux’s Swift as they were too dark in the underparts and with a grey rump that converts the rump all the way down to the end of the tail, just like the pattern of the Chapman’s Swift, which is a species that is not well-known in Panama. We managed to get some photos and this confirmed the ID as Chapman’s Swift. We estimated around twenty individuals were present that afternoon. We saw them again the afternoon that we came back from the upper base camp, two days later, but fewer individuals that time with only about five individuals.

The night was very windy so we postposed the owling session to the following dawn. It was windy as well and the owls weren’t active. Activity was low in the early morning and we did not see much beside Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and Tooth-billed Tanager. Some of us saw a Brown-headed Spider Monkey; a new species for the mammal trip list. After breakfast we rearranged our stuff that we would take to Chucanti Upper Camp and we started our hike. At a slow pace we managed to get to the upper camp around 12:00 pm. Still, activity was low, and during the hike we didn’t see much but we managed to obtain our first views of Violet-capped Hummingbird and the always tricky Green Shrike-Vireo. Some managed to see Blue-throated (Violet-throated) Toucanet, and Charles saw the first Russet-crowned Quail-Dove just before we reached the upper base camp. After having lunch, we decided to try for the Chucanti specialties the same afternoon, by hiking the upper sections of the mountain, where the forest is a bit more humid. It is here that you stand the best chances of seeing the very restricted Beautiful Treerunner. The activity was quite low, and in order to find the treerunner our best chances were to connect with a mixed-species flock. We struggled finding Tacarcuna Chlorospingus, a leader of mixed-species flocks, but eventually we did see some, but only a few. We reached the highest section of the mountain and after spending some time around there we decided to return to our base camp. On the way back Kilo spotteda Beautiful Treerunner, but not everyone got to see it, as this species moves a lot in dense mosses and epiphyte plants, and the terrain was a bit steep, which didn’t help. The majority of us saw it, but for the ones that didn’t we would have the chance to try again the following morning. Other species that we saw included Broad-billed Motmot, Spotted Woodcreeper, Brown-billed Scythebill, Plain Antvireo, Olive-striped Flycatcher, White-ruffed Manakin, Ochraceous Wren, Grey-breasted Wood-Wren, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush [arcanus], Pale-vented Thrush, Slate-throated Whitestart and Black-and-yellow and Silver-throated Tanagers. We did a round with our thermals after dinner, but we didn’t find much besides a sleeping White-ruffed Manakin and a Mottled Owl.

We birded by the camp before breakfast the following morning. Good views of Blue-throated (Violet-throated) Toucanet were obtained besides more of the same from yesterday. The group was split up after breakfast, so that those who missed the Beautiful Treerunner could go back to the higher sections, while the rest stayed behind to look Russet-crowned Quail-Dove and Varied Solitaire. The people who came with me to search for Beautiful Treerunner had an encounter with a singing Russet-crowned Quail-Dove, that eventually popped up and sat on an open branch above us. We kept looking for Beautiful Treerunner but there were no signs of it, or any decent mixed-species flocks. We reached the highest section of the hill and walked a bit more on the other side of the hill. On the way back we got a good mix-species flock and in the flock was a Beautiful Treerunner, but unfortunately it only gave a brief look… It’s a tricky bird being very silent and secretive. It was around midday so we made our way back to the camp for lunch. After our lunch we hiked down to the lower base camp. The other half of the group who stayed with Kilo also saw Russet-crowned Quail-Dove, and they saw their other main target, the Varied Solitaire. Those who did not go up to Pirre Ridge caught up with this rarity here! They also saw Little Long-tailed Woodcreeper on the way down to the lower base camp, and some other species like Northern Plain Xenops, Russet Antshrike, Dot-winged and Slaty Antwrens and Carmiol’s Tanager. At the end of the we all enjoyed an Ornate Hawk-Eagle that eventually perched on a tree just behind our rooms; quite a show! We did another owling session where a Crested Owl was responsive, but it kept out of view, sadly.

During our last morning in Chucanti we birded the lower sections of the trail to the pick-up point for the 4×4 vehicles. Some of the bird repertoire included Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Blue-throated Sapphire, Plain-brown, Northern Barred and Black-striped Woodcreeper, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Bicolored and Spotted Antbirds, Slaty-capped and Acadian Flycatcher, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, Green Shrike-Vireo, White-breasted Wood Wren, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Canada Warbler and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. During the drive with the 4×4 vehicles some of us saw a Plain-breasted Ground Dove and others saw an American Kestrel. After some hilly driving we got to the point where Agapito was waiting for us and we continued our journey to Burbayar Lodge. En route we did look for Black-billed Flycatcher and this time we connected with an individual that performed really nicely. A very localized species and a nice highlight of the day. Once at Burbayar we did some relaxed birding around the grounds of the hotel and obtained excellent views of Sulphur-rumped Tanager, a near-endemic species that just occurs on the Caribbean side of Panama and the southern Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Other birds that were seen at the end of the afternoon included Long-billed Hermit, Crowned Woodnymph, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Short-billed Pigeon, Brown-hooded Parrot, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Red-capped Manakin (male), White-vented Euphonia, Bay-breasted Warbler and Carmiol’s, Tawny-crested Tanager and Plain-coloured Tanagers.

Our full day in the area began after an early breakfast when we went to the Nusagandi Reserve, an Indian territory within the Comarca Kuna Yala. Our main target thismorning was the rare and localised Speckled Antshrike, a member of its own genus Xenornis. This antshrike favours areas near ravines, which can be tricky to access due to steep and muddy trails. Fortunately, the conditions were manageable, though we had to hike some steep sections to reach the area where the bird was vocalising. Finally, everyone obtained excellent views of it, and it quickly became one of the tour’s favourite birds. For the remainder of the morning, we did some birding along the road, where we enjoyed good views through the telescope of a male Blue Cotinga. Other species worth mentioning were Broad-billed Motmot, Velvety Manakin, and both Carmiol’s and Rufous-winged Tanagers. In the afternoon, we tried a different, very quiet trail. Just before we were about to turn back, a Plumbeous Hawk started calling. Eventually, we managed to locate the hawk and enjoyed excellent close views. While observing the Plumbeous Hawk, a Black-crowned Antpitta began to sing. After we had properly seen the hawk, we attempted to locate the antpitta to see if it would cooperate. It appeared very briefly and sat on the trail—probably only Kilo and I noticed it—but once the bird realised our presence, it retreated into the forest and did not approach further. In the last section of the afternoon, along the road and from several viewpoints, we saw Purple-crowned Fairy, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Mealy Amazon, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Chestnut-headed Oropendola and both Black-and-yellow and Crimson-backed Tanagers. We finished our day with an owling session, during which we only heard Choco Screech Owl and a single call from a Mottled Owl.

For the intrepid ones, we undertook another expedition after the main tour to explore Cerro Hoya National Park. The purpose of this expedition was to search for the rare and little-known Glow-throated Hummingbird, along with some other undescribed endemic forms/subspecies of species in the area. We drove to Heliconias Lodge. We didn’t see much along the way, so it was essentially a driving day to the lodge. However, at the lodge itself we did observe a few birds, including Garden Emerald, Grey-cowled Wood Rail and Yellow-crowned Parrot.

The next day, after an early breakfast, we drove to the area where we would begin our hike to Cerro Hoya. At the start of the hike, we saw a pair of Great-Green Macaws, a group of Brown-throated Parakeets, and a pair of Yellow-backed Orioles. The hike was predominantly uphill, starting at 150m asl and finally reaching 1150m asl, where our camp was located. Although our main objective was to reach the camp, we encountered several birds along the way. Some of the best species of the morning were observed following an ant swarm of Army Ants, including at least five individuals of Ruddy Woodcreeper, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, and Grey-headed Tanager. Other species recorded during our hike were Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Black Hawk-Eagle, Lesson’s Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Slaty Antwren, Black-hooded Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-breasted Wren, Orange-billed Sparrow, Golden-crowned Warbler, and White-winged Tanager.

Just before we arrived at our camp, we checked a clearing that offered a chance to see Glow-throated Hummingbird. After waiting a few minutes, we noticed a male Glow-throated Hummingbird regularly perching on a leafless tree. We spent some time observing this male and tried to capture some photos. In this part of Cerro Hoya, Scintillant Hummingbird does not occur, so we did not have to worry about misidentifying it. The red-magenta colouration of the gorget was particularly striking when the bird adjusted its feathers at the right angle; at other times, the gorget could appear green or even orange-purple. Another notable feature was the length of its tail, which was certainly longer than that of other Selasphorus hummingbird species (such as Volcano or Scintillant). After enjoying this bird for a while, we continued to our base camp, which was very close to where we had seen the hummingbird.

After organising our gear a bit, we explored the area to see what else we could find. Some of the most remarkable species included the undescribed form of Purple-throated Mountaingem, where the males differ considerably from those of other subspecies. For now, it is considered an undescribed form, but it is suggested that it be named “Azuero Mountaingem”. Other interesting encounters were Scaly-throated Leaftosser and Northern Schiffornis, two species that are not very common across their distribution range. The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush has an isolated population in the hills of Cerro Hoya, presumably of the subspecies griseiceps, which indeed has a grey head. We also heard Rosy-thrush Tanager and saw other species, such as Lesser Greenlets, White-winged and Bay-headed Tanagers. At dusk, a Short-tailed Nighthawk was flying around the camp, although we couldn’t see it clearly as the trees obstructed the view.

We had a full day in the area to explore the upper hills of Cerro Hoya. We attempted to hike to higher altitudes where the forest changes and becomes moister than the areas near our base camp. On the way up, we heard a Rufous-necked Wood Rail—a very secretive bird— and only I managed to get a quick glimpse. Other species we found that day included Vaux’s Swift, several “Azuero” Purple-throated Mountaingems (including some males), a female Glow-throated Hummingbird, Scaled Pigeon, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Slaty Antwren, White-throated Spadebill, White-ruffed Manakin, Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens, Mountain and White-throated Thrush, White-vented Euphonia, White-naped Brushfinch (azuerensis), Tropical Parula, Blackburnian, Canada, Golden-crowned and Chestnut-capped Warblers, Tooth-billed Tanager, Bay-headed Tanagers, and Bananaquit. One of the highlights of the day was seeing the undescribed form of Black-cheeked Warbler, which is suggested to be named as “Azuero Warbler”. The last report of this species was in 2018! We heard only one bellbird calling in the higher sections. As for Painted Parakeets, we heard them not far from our main camp, but we did not see them. They called both mornings and on the second afternoon, but it was a challenge to locate them since there are only a few clearings along the ridge where the main trail runs. The highest section we reached on our full day at Cerro Hoya was 1450m asl.

The following morning we explored the areas around the camp, aiming to see the parakeets. Although we heard them quite close at one point, we did not manage to see them. We tried again for the Rufous-necked Wood Rail and saw it in the distance. Before we began our descent, we spent some time watching the male Glow-throated Hummingbird in the same area where we had seen it two days before. There wasn’t much birding on the way down, but at one point an Azuero Dove appeared at the lower elevations around 300m asl. After a successful expedition, we returned to the hotel where a cold beer was waiting for us. The next day we didn’t do much birding and essentially drove back to Panama City, where the tour ended. A very challenging tour, but one that was extremely successful. Many thanks to all the participants and to everyone who helped us in one way or another, as there were many logistical details involved in the tour’s success.

BIRDS OF THE PRE-TOUR EXTENSION

1^st Yellow-green Brushfinch

2^nd Maroon-chested Ground Dove

3^rd Coiba Spinetail

4^th Azuero Dove

5^th Wrenthrush

BIRDS OF THE MAIN TOUR

1^st Harpy Eagle

2^nd Speckled Antshrike

3^rd Black-crowned Antpitta

4^th Ornate Hawk-Eagle

5^th Dusky-backed Jacamar

BIRDS OF THE POST-TOUR EXTENSION

1^st Glow-throated Hummingbird

2^nd Black-cheeked (Azuero) Warbler

3^rd Purple-throated (Azuero) Mountaingem

4^th Scaly-throated Leaftosser

5^th Rufous-necked Wood Rail

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.2).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

Species only seen on the pre-tour extension to Western Panama & Coiba Island are marked (P).

BIRDS

Great Tinamou  Tinamus major  Heard only.

Little Tinamou  Crypturellus soui  Heard only.

Choco Tinamou ◊  Crypturellus kerriae  One afternoon Charles and I did a proper try for this species. Charles did see it at some moment when he got the right angle to see it with binoculars, in my case I just saw the shape of the tinamou on the thermal camera. One of the hardest species for the tour, at Rancho Plástico, Darien NP.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis 

Muscovy Duck  Cairina moschata   Seen at Las Lajas wetlands.

Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata  One individual at Panama City mudflats.

Grey-headed Chachalaca  Ortalis cinereiceps  Three individuals at Rio Chucunaque, Darien.

Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens

Black Guan  Chamaepetes unicolor  Seen by some at Fortuna Road.

Great Curassow  Crax rubra Heard only at Darien NP.

Marbled Wood Quail  Odontophorus gujanensis  Heard only at Darien NP.

Black-eared Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus melanotis  Seen at Pirre Ridge, Darien NP.

Spotted Wood Quail ◊ (P)  Odontophorus Heard only at Cerro Punta.

Tawny-faced Quail ◊  Rhynchortyx cinctus  A pair seen roosting at Darien NP. Heard only at Chucantí and Nusagandi.

Short-tailed Nighthawk  Lurocalis semitorquatus  Seen at Fortuna Road, Darien NP. Heard at Nusagani and Cerro Hoya.

Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis

Great Potoo  Nyctibius grandis

Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus Heard only.

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift  Chaetura cinereiventris  Seen at Fortuna Road. A write in for the tour.

Band-rumped Swift  Chaetura spinicaudus

Vaux’s Swift  Chaetura vauxi  Seen at Volcan and also at Cerro Hoya (post-tour extension).

Chapman’s Swift  Chaetura chapmani  One of the best sightings of the tour (for Panama mainly), where we managed to get decent photographic evidence during both afternoons at the lower base camp at Cerro Chucanti. Basically, a dark body Chaetura swift with a grey rump, grey colour from the lower back all the way down to the end of the tail. The first afternoon we estimated around 20 individuals were flying around with Band-rumped Swifts. Two days later, we saw them again but fewer individuals.

Short-tailed Swift  Chaetura brachyura  Seen on different localities in Darien region.

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift  Panyptila cayennensis  Seen at Cerro Chucanti.

White-necked Jacobin  Florisuga mellivora

Rufous-breasted Hermit (Hairy H)  Glaucis hirsutus  Seen at Bayano and Torti.

Band-tailed Barbthroat  Threnetes ruckeri  Best views were at Burbayar Lodge.

Stripe-throated Hermit  Phaethornis striigularis

Pale-bellied Hermit  Phaethornis anthophilus  Good views at Bayano, also at Torti.

Green Hermit  Phaethornis guy  First seen at Fortuna Road.  Also, good views at Pirre Ridge and Chucanti.

Long-billed Hermit  Phaethornis longirostris

Green-fronted Lancebill (P)  Doryfera ludovicae  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Brown Violetear  Colibri delphinae

Lesser Violetear (P)  Colibri cyanotus

Tooth-billed Hummingbird ◊  Androdon aequatorialis  Seen at Pirre Ridge.

Purple-crowned Fairy  Heliothryx barroti

Veraguan Mango ◊ (P)  Anthracothorax veraguensis  Good views at Querévalo Road.

Black-throated Mango  Anthracothorax nigricollis

Greenish Puffleg  Haplophaedia aureliae  Two different individuals at Pirre Ridge.

Green-crowned Brilliant ◊  Heliodoxa jacula

Talamanca Hummingbird ◊ (P)  Eugenes spectabilis

Fiery-throated Hummingbird ◊ (P)  Panterpe insignis  Nice views at feeders in Cerro Punta.

Long-billed Starthroat  Heliomaster longirostris

White-bellied Mountaingem ◊ (P)  Lampornis hemileucus  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Purple-throated Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis calolaemus  Seen at Fortuna Road and at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.  We also saw several individuals of the undescribed form at Cerro Hoya, the “Azuero Mountaingem”.

White-throated Mountaingem ◊ (P)  Lampornis castaneoventris  Great views at Cerro Punta. Currently, this is a Panama endemic! However, most likely, it does occur in Costa Rica as well, but the highlands near the Panama border haven’t been explored properly yet.

Magenta-throated Woodstar ◊ (P)  Philodice bryantae  One male seen at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.

Volcano Hummingbird ◊ (P)  Selasphorus flammula  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Scintillant Hummingbird ◊ (P)  Selasphorus scintilla  Seen at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.

Glow-throated Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus ardens  Excellent views of one male during the post-tour extension. We also saw one female during the post-tour extension briefly, but not such close views.

Garden Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon assimilis  One individual seen on Coiba Island.  Also seen at Heliconias Lodge during the Glow-throated Hummingbird post-tour extension.

Violet-headed Hummingbird  Klais guimeti

Violet Sabrewing ◊ (P)  Campylopterus hemileucurus  Seen at Volcan area.

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (P) (Red-footed P)  Chalybura urochrysia  Seen at El Copé.

White-vented Plumeleteer  Chalybura buffonii  Seen at San Francisco Reserve and Bayano Lake area.

Crowned Woodnymph  Thalurania colombica

White-tailed Emerald ◊ (P)  Microchera chionura  Seen at Volcan area, also seen at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.

Violet-capped Hummingbird ◊  Goldmania violiceps  Seen at the upper sections of Cerro Chucanti.

Pirre Hummingbird ◊  Goldmania bella  A very restricted Near-Endemic, seen at Pirre Ridge.

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird ◊ (P)  Eupherusa eximia  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird ◊  Phaeochroa cuvierii

Snowy-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia edward

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl

Sapphire-throated Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia coeruleogularis

Blue-chested Hummingbird  Polyerata amabilis

Blue-throated Sapphire ◊ (B-t Goldentail)  Chlorestes eliciae

Violet-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Chlorestes julie

Greater Ani  Crotophaga major

Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani

Groove-billed Ani (P)  Crotophaga sulcirostris   Seen at the base of Cerro Hoya at Finca Velazques.  Heard at El Copé.

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia Heard only.

Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana

Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral Pigeon)  Columba [livia] var domestica

Scaled Pigeon  Patagioenas speciosa  Seen at Volcan area, Rio Chucunaque (Darien) and best views at Cerro Hoya.

Band-tailed Pigeon (P)  Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis

Plumbeous Pigeon  Patagioenas plumbea  Good views at Rancho Plastico, Darien.

Ruddy Pigeon  Patagioenas subvinacea

Short-billed Pigeon  Patagioenas nigrirostris

Plain-breasted Ground Dove  Columbina minuta  Seen along the road to Cerro Chucanti, on the way down, by some members of the group who were in the first vehicle.

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove  Claravis pretiosa

Maroon-chested Ground Dove ◊ (P)  Paraclaravis mondetoura  Excellent views of one male and two females at Cerro Punta.

Violaceous Quail-Dove ◊  Geotrygon violacea  Seen at Darien NP.

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

Azuero Dove ◊ (P)  Leptotila battyi  Good views of the subspecies battyi on Coiba Island.  The subspecies malae was seen by leader, heard by participants at Cerro Hoya.

Grey-chested Dove  Leptotila cassinii  Heard only.

Russet-crowned Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon goldmani  Seen at Cerro Chucanti, and heard at Pirre Ridge.

Rufous-necked Wood Rail (G)  Aramides axillaris  One individual seen at Cerro Hoya, but two individuals where heard.

Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus  Seen on Coiba Island and Rio Chucunaque, Darien.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata  Seen on three different days (on the main tour and pre-tour extension).

American Coot (P)  Fulica americana  A pair seen at one lagoon on Volcan area.

Purple Gallinule  Porphyrio martinica 

Grey-breasted Crake  Laterallus exilis  Seen at Playa Lajas wetlands.

Least Grebe  Tachybaptus dominicus  Seen near Torti.

Pied-billed Grebe (P)  Podilymbus podiceps  Seen at lagoon on Volcan area.

Black-necked Stilt (P)  Himantopus mexicanus

Grey Plover (P) (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola  Panama City Muddflats.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis

Northern Jacana (P)  Jacana spinosa

Wattled Jacana  Jacana jacana

Hudsonian Whimbrel (P)  Numenius hudsonicus  Seen at Panama City mudflats.

Hudsonian Godwit (P)  Limosa haemastica

Short-billed Dowitcher (P)  Limnodromus griseus  Seen at Panama City mudflats.

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria  Seen at Querebalo Road.

Lesser Yellowlegs (P)  Tringa flavipes  Panama City Mudflats.

Willet (P) (Western W)  Tringa [semipalmata] inornata  Panama City Mudflats.

Greater Yellowlegs (P no star)  Tringa melanoleuca 

Red Knot  Calidris canutus  Several individuals (15+) seen at Panama City Mudflats.

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla  Seen at Querebalo Road.

Western Sandpiper (P)  Calidris mauri 

Semipalmated Sandpiper (P)  Calidris pusilla  Panama City Mudflats.

Gull-billed Tern (P)  Gelochelidon nilotica  One individual at Panama City Mudflats.

Cabot’s Tern (P)  Thalasseus acuflavidus  Panama City Mudflats.

Royal Tern (P)  Thalasseus maximus

Laughing Gull (P)  Leucophaeus atricilla  Panama City Mudflats.

Franklin’s Gull (P)  Leucophaeus pipixcan  Panama City Mudflats.

Wood Stork  Mycteria americana

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens

Cocos Booby (P)  Sula brewsteri  Seen on the way to Coiba Island.

Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

Green Ibis  Mesembrinibis cayennensis  Two individuals seen near Torti.

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus

Roseate Spoonbill (P)  Platalea ajaja

Rufescent Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma lineatum  Seen at El Real, also a juvenile at San Francisco Reserve.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea  Panama City Muddflats.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  Seen at Playa Lajas Wetlands. A write-in for the tour.

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron  Egretta tricolor

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Striated Heron  Butorides striata

Green Heron  Butorides virescens

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Great Blue Heron (P no stars)  Ardea herodias

Cocoi Heron (White-necked H)  Ardea cocoi

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis

King Vulture  Sarcoramphus papa

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (P)  Cathartes burrovianus  Seen at Querévalo Road, also en route to the Glow-throated Hummingbird post-tour extension.

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus  First seen on Coiba Island, also seen at Torti and Panama City.

White-tailed Kite (P)  Elanus leucurus  Seen at Querévalo Road.

Pearl Kite  Gampsonyx swainsonii  Seen at Querévalo Road.

Grey-headed Kite  Leptodon cayanensis  Seen at Fortuna Road, also at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.

Hook-billed Kite  Chondrohierax uncinatus  Seen at El Real, also an dark morph individual at the meeting point to go for Chucanti Reserve.

Swallow-tailed Kite  Elanoides forficatus

Harpy Eagle ◊  Harpia harpyja  An active nest at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.  The whole group enjoyed the juvenile, as well great views of the adult female, which also came to the nest.

Black Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus melanoleucus  Seen on different days in the Darien area.

Ornate Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus ornatus  Excellent views at Chucanti.

Double-toothed Kite  Harpagus bidentatus

Bicolored Hawk  Astur bicolor  Seen by leader and one participant around the Volcan area.

Plumbeous Kite  Ictinia plumbea

Plumbeous Hawk ◊  Cryptoleucopteryx plumbea  Excellent views of this Choco specialty at Nusagandi Reserve.

Common Black Hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus

Savanna Hawk  Buteogallus meridionalis

Great Black Hawk  Buteogallus urubitinga

Barred Hawk  Morphnarchus princeps

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

White Hawk  Pseudastur albicollis  Seen during 4 days of the tour, 3 sightings at Darien NP, one at Nusagandi Reserve.

Semiplumbeous Hawk ◊  Leucopternis semiplumbeus  Excellent views at Darien NP.

Grey-lined Hawk  Buteo nitidus

Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk (P)  Buteo brachyurus

Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus

Red-tailed Hawk (P)  Buteo jamaicensis  Seen at Cerro Punta, the resident subspecies “costaricensis”.

Central American Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium griseiceps

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (P)  Glaucidium brasilianum

Bare-shanked Screech Owl ◊  Megascops clarkii Heard only at Fortuna Road, just before dawn.  

Choco Screech Owl ◊  Megascops centralis  A pair seen roosting at Darien NP.

Spectacled Owl  Pulsatrix perspicillata  Seen at Darien NP.

Crested Owl  Lophostrix cristata Heard only.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata  Seen at Rancho Plastico, also at Cerro Chucanti upper base camp.

Resplendent Quetzal ◊ (P)  Pharomachrus mocinno  Good views at Los Quetzales Reserve, Cerro Punta.

Slaty-tailed Trogon  Trogon massena

Black-tailed Trogon  Trogon melanurus

White-tailed Trogon  Trogon chionurus  Good views a Darien.

Gartered Trogon  Trogon caligatus

Northern Black-throated Trogon ◊  Trogon tenellus

Collared Trogon ◊ Trogon [collaris] heothinus  Seen at Rancho Plastico and Pirre Ridge, Darien NP.

Collared Trogon ◊ (P) (Orange-bellied T)  Trogon [collaris] aurantiiventris  Good views at Fortuna Road.

Amazon Kingfisher  Chloroceryle amazona

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata

Tody Motmot ◊  Hylomanes momotula  Seen at Rancho Plastico.

Lesson’s Motmot ◊ (P)  Momotus lessonii

Whooping Motmot  Momotus subrufescens

Rufous Motmot  Baryphthengus martii

Broad-billed Motmot  Electron platyrhynchum

Dusky-backed Jacamar ◊  Brachygalba salmoni  Excellent views at Rio Turquesa, Darien. Possibly the rarest species of all the Jacamars in the world.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar  Galbula ruficauda

Great Jacamar  Jacamerops aureus  Good views at Darien NP.

White-necked Puffbird  Notharchus hyperrhynchus Heard only.

Black-breasted Puffbird ◊  Notharchus pectoralis

Pied Puffbird  Notharchus tectus

Barred Puffbird ◊  Nystalus radiatus

White-whiskered Puffbird  Malacoptila panamensis

Grey-cheeked Nunlet ◊  Nonnula frontalis  Excellent views at Torti.

White-fronted Nunbird  Monasa morphoeus  Seen by some at Rancho Plastico.

Spot-crowned Barbet ◊  Capito maculicoronatus

Red-headed Barbet  Eubucco bourcierii Heard only at Rancho Plastico; a female seen by leader also at Rancho Plastico.

Prong-billed Barbet ◊ (P)  Semnornis frantzii  Excellent views at Cerro Punta, also seen at Raton Road.

Blue-throated Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis  Two different subspecies were seen.  The nominate caeruleogularis (for IOC Taxonomy), and the subspecies cognatus (Violet-throated Toucanet) which was seen at Pirre Ridge and Cerro Chucanti.

Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus

Fiery-billed Aracari ◊ (P)  Pteroglossus frantzii Heard only.

Yellow-eared Toucanet ◊  Selenidera spectabilis  Seen at different localities, first at El Copé, then on different days at Darien NP, and Cerro Chucanti.

Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus

Yellow-throated Toucan  Ramphastos ambiguus

Olivaceous Piculet  Picumnus olivaceus  Seen at San Francisco Reserve.

Acorn Woodpecker (P)  Melanerpes formicivorus

Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani

Red-crowned Woodpecker  Melanerpes rubricapillus

Red-rumped Woodpecker  Veniliornis kirkii  Seen at Rio Chucunate, heard on Coiba Island.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker (P)  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  Seen at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.

Hairy Woodpecker (P)  Leuconotopicus villosus  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Rufous-winged Woodpecker ◊  Piculus simplex  Good views at Fortuna Road, a write-in for the tour. Not a common species in Panama.

Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker ◊  Piculus callopterus  Nearly a Panama Endemic, but is also in the borders with Colombia.  We got good views on the way to Rancho Plastico to Pirre Ridge, on different days.

Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus

Spot-breasted Woodpecker  Colaptes punctigula  Two individuals seen at Yaviza.

Cinnamon Woodpecker  Celeus loricatus  Seen at Darien NP.

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus

Splendid Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus splendens  Excellent views of this Choco specialty at Rancho Frio area, Darien NP.

Crimson-crested Woodpecker  Campephilus melanoleucos

Red-throated Caracara  Ibycter americanus  Seen at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.  Also seen at El Real.

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway

Yellow-headed Caracara  Milvago chimachima

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans

Barred Forest Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis  Seen by some, attending army ants on the way down from Pirre Ridge to Rancho Plastico.

Slaty-backed Forest Falcon ◊  Micrastur mirandollei  Fantastic views on the way in to Rancho Frio.

Collared Forest Falcon  Micrastur semitorquatus Heard only.

Aplomado Falcon  Falco femoralis  A pair seen at Torti.  A write-in for the tour.

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius  Seen near Torti, also for some on the way out of Cerro Chucanti.

Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Blue-fronted Parrotlet ◊  Touit dilectissimus  Heard only at Nusagandi.

Orange-chinned Parakeet  Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot ◊  Pyrilia haematotis

Saffron-headed Parrot ◊  Pyrilia pyrilia  Seen at Rancho Frio. Very challenging species to see…

Blue-headed Parrot  Pionus menstruus

White-crowned Parrot  Pionus senilis  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Red-lored Amazon (R-l Parrot)  Amazona autumnalis

Mealy Amazon (Southern M A)  Amazona [farinosa] farinosa

Spectacled Parrotlet ◊  Forpus conspicillatus  Seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Painted Parakeet ◊ (G) (Azuero P)  Pyrrhura [picta] eisenmanni Heard only at Cerro Hoya.

Sulphur-winged Parakeet ◊ (P)  Pyrrhura hoffmanni  A group of 8 individuals flew by at Cerro Punta.

Brown-throated Parakeet (P)  Eupsittula pertinax  Common in Western Panama.

Chestnut-fronted Macaw  Ara severus  Seen by some at Rancho Plastico. Heard by the rest of the group on our way into Rancho Frio.

Great Green Macaw ◊  Ara ambiguus  Several sightings at Darien NP, also at Cerro Hoya.

Scarlet Macaw (P)  Ara macao  Seen on Coiba Island.

Red-and-green Macaw  Ara chloropterus  Seen at Darien NP.

Finsch’s Parakeet ◊ (P)  Psittacara finschi  Just seen one day, on a restaurant stop en route near Santiago.

Sapayoa ◊  Sapayoa aenigma  Seen by every member of our group, at Darien NP.

Dusky Leaftosser  Sclerurus obscurior  Seen at Pirre Ridge, also seen by leader above Rancho Plastico.

Scaly-throated Leaftosser  Sclerurus guatemalensis  Seen at Darien NP. Also at Cerro Hoya, where there seems to be a very high density.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus  Seen at Bayano Lake area. Also at Cerro Hoya.

Little Long-tailed Woodcreeper ◊  Deconychura typica  Charles found one individual roosting at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.

Ruddy Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla homochroa  At least 5 individuals attending an ant swarm at Cerro Hoya.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper  Glyphorynchus spirurus

Northern Barred Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Cocoa Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Black-striped Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Spotted Woodcreeper ◊  Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Straight-billed Woodcreeper (P)  Dendroplex picus  Seen at the mangroves of Panama Este.

Red-billed Scythebill  Campylorhamphus trochilirostris  Heard only at Rio Chucunaque.

Brown-billed Scythebill ◊  Campylorhamphus pusillus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper ◊ (P)  Lepidocolaptes affinis

Northern Plain Xenops  Xenops mexicanus

Slaty-winged Foliage-gleaner ◊  Neophilydor fuscipenne  Seen at different times, joining mixed-species flocks at the foothills of Darien NP. Possibly the best place in the world to see this species which has become a bit rare in its distribution range.

Lineated Foliage-gleaner  Syndactyla subalaris

Ruddy Foliage-gleaner  Clibanornis rubiginosus  The subspecies saturatus, seen at Pirre Ridge.

Streak-breasted Treehunter ◊ (P)  Thripadectes rufobrunneus  Excellent views at Cerro Punta.

Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaner  Automolus ochrolaemus

Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner ◊ (P)  Automolus exsertus

Western Woodhaunter  Automolus virgatus

Spotted Barbtail  Premnoplex brunnescens

Beautiful Treerunner ◊  Margarornis bellulus 

Ruddy Treerunner ◊ (P)  Margarornis rubiginosus  Good views at Cerro Punta and Cerro Colorado.

Double-banded Greytail ◊  Xenerpestes minlosi  Excellent close views at Torti.

Coiba Spinetail ◊ (P)  Cranioleuca dissita  Several pairs were seen during our visit to Coiba Island.

Red-faced Spinetail (P)  Cranioleuca erythrops

Slaty Spinetail (P)  Synallaxis brachyura  Seen at Volcan.

Pale-breasted Spinetail (P)  Synallaxis albescens

Wing-banded Antbird ◊  Myrmornis torquata  Great views at Darien NP, also was a surprise to see a pair at Nusagandi (by some), while we were looking for the Speckled Antshrike.

Russet Antshrike  Thamnistes anabatinus

Dot-winged Antwren  Microrhopias quixensis

Checker-throated Stipplethroat ◊  Epinecrophylla fulviventris

Moustached Antwren  Myrmotherula ignota  Seen at Darien NP.

Pacific Antwren ◊  Myrmotherula pacifica  Good views at Torti.

White-flanked Antwren  Myrmotherula axillaris

Slaty Antwren  Myrmotherula schisticolor

Rusty-winged Antwren  Herpsilochmus frater  Good views at San Francisco and Bayano area.

Plain Antvireo  Dysithamnus mentalis

Spot-crowned Antvireo ◊  Dysithamnus puncticeps

Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus  The subspecies “eremnus” on Coiba Island.  Also the subspecies “nigrocristatus”  was seen at the mangroves at Panama City.

Black-hooded Antshrike (G)  Thamnophilus bridgesi  Seen at Cerro Hoya.

Black Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus nigriceps  Seen at Torti, also at San Francisco Reserve.

Black-crowned Antshrike  Thamnophilus atrinucha

Fasciated Antshrike  Cymbilaimus lineatus

Great Antshrike  Taraba major  Heard only.

Speckled Antshrike ◊ (Spiny-faced A)  Xenornis setifrons  Spectacular views at Nusagandi. A very localized species in a restricted distribution range in Eastern Panama and Choco Colombia .

Ocellated Antbird ◊  Phaenostictus mcleannani  Seen at Darien NP on different occasions, but not very cooperative individuals, with very shy and secretive behaviours.

Bicolored Antbird  Gymnopithys bicolor  Best views at Chucanti.

Dusky Antbird  Cercomacroides tyrannina Heard only, also seen by leader at Rio Mono Bridge, at Bayano area.

Jet Antbird  Cercomacra nigricans  Good views at Torti.

Spotted Antbird  Hylophylax naevioides

Chestnut-backed Antbird  Poliocrania [exsul] exsul  Seen at San Francisco Reserve.

Chestnut-backed Antbird (Short-tailed A)  Poliocrania [exsul] cassini  Seen at Darien NP.

Dull-mantled Antbird ◊ (P no star)  Sipia laemosticta  First seen at Fortuna Road, also seen at Darien NP at Rancho Plastico.

White-bellied Antbird  Myrmeciza longipes Heard only at Rio Chucunaque.

Bare-crowned Antbird ◊  Gymnocichla nudiceps  Heard only at Rio Chucunaque.

Zeledon’s Antbird ◊  Hafferia zeledoni  Seen at Pirre Ridge.

Black-faced Antthrush  Formicarius analis  Heard most of the times, but some managed to see it on the entrance track of Darien NP.

Streak-chested Antpitta ◊  Hylopezus perspicillatus  Seen at Darien NP.

Black-crowned Antpitta ◊  Pittasoma michleri  We had several encounters with the species in different places during the tour like El Copé, Darien, Rancho Plastico and Nusagandi. In the end every member of the group managed to see it!

Silvery-fronted Tapaculo ◊ (P)  Scytalopus argentifrons  Two different subspecies were seen.  The nominate argentifrons at Cerro Punta, and the endemic subspecies chiriquensis at Ratón Road, Cerro Colorado.

Choco Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus chocoensis  Seen at Pirre Ridge, also was recorded at the elevation of 950 meters below Pirre Ridge.

White-fronted Tyrannulet ◊ (Zeledon’s T)  Acrochordopus [zeledoni] zeledoni  Excellent views at Cerro Punta.

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet  Tyrannulus elatus

Forest Elaenia  Myiopagis gaimardii

Choco Elaenia ◊  Myiopagis parambae  Great views at Darien NP.  Seen on three different occasions, mainly around Rancho Frio.

Greenish Elaenia (P)  Myiopagis viridicata  Just seen once, on Coiba Island.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster

Lesser Elaenia  Elaenia chiriquensis  Seen at Volcan area.

Mountain Elaenia (P)  Elaenia frantzii  Seen at Volcan, Ratón Road and Cerro Hoya.

Brown-capped Tyrannulet  Ornithion brunneicapillus

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum

Northern Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (P)  Nesotriccus incomtus  Good views at Querevalo Road.

Yellow Tyrannulet  Capsiempis flaveola  Seen at Volcan area.

Mistletoe Tyrannulet  Zimmerius parvus

Panama Tyrannulet ◊ (Yellow-green T)  Phylloscartes flavovirens  A pair seen at San Francisco Reserve. Tecnically a Panamanian endemic, but it likely also occurs on the Colombian side.

Olive-striped Flycatcher  Mionectes galbinus  Seen at Pirre Ridge, also at Cerro Chucanti upper sections.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleagineus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon superciliaris  Seen at Rancho Plastico (Darien), also at Chucanti lower base camp.

Northern Scrub Flycatcher (P)  Sublegatus arenarum  Seen at the mangroves of Panama del Este.

Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant  Myiornis atricapillus  Seen at Darien NP.

Southern Bentbill  Oncostoma olivaceum  Good views at San Francisco Reserve and Burbayar Lodge.  Heard at Darien.

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant  Lophotriccus pileatus  Seen at Pirre Ridge and Cerro Chucanti. 

Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant (P)  Atalotriccus pilaris  Good views at Santa Catalina, also at the Glow-throated Hummingbird extension, in the lower elevations.

Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum nigriceps

Eye-ringed Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus brevirostris Heard only at Volcan area.

Western Olivaceous Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus aequinoctialis  Excellent views at Darien NP.

Yellow-olive Flatbill  Tolmomyias sulphurescens  Two different subspecies were seen on the tour.  First the subspecies cinereiceps at Volcan.  Later on, the flavolivaceous subspecies, at different locations from Santa Catalina to Torti area.  These two subspecies overlap in areas at the southwestern areas of Costa Rica. It is very likely that they are two different species.

Yellow-winged Flatbill (Y-margined F)  Tolmomyias flavotectus  Regular species at Darien.

Ochre-lored Flatbill  Tolmomyias flaviventris  Heard only at Rio Chucunaque and Yaviza.

White-throated Spadebill  Platyrinchus mystaceus  Seen at Fortuna Road, Pirre Ridge and Cerro Hoya.

Golden-crowned Spadebill  Platyrinchus coronatus  Great views at Darien NP.

Black-billed Flycatcher ◊  Aphanotriccus audax  A very localized species in Panama, our group had really good views at Bayano area. A write-in for the tour.

Dark Pewee ◊  Contopus lugubris  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Northern Tropical Pewee  Contopus bogotensis

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (P)  Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher  Empidonax virescens

White-throated Flycatcher ◊ (P)  Empidonax albigularis

Yellowish Flycatcher ◊ (P)  Empidonax flavescens

Long-tailed Tyrant  Colonia colonus

Cattle Tyrant  Machetornis rixosa  Good views at Costa del Este, Panama City.  A South American species which has colonized different areas in Panama in recent years.

Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius Heard only.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher  Myiozetetes cayanensis

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher  Myiozetetes granadensis

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Lesser Kiskadee  Philohydor lictor

White-ringed Flycatcher ◊  Conopias albovittatus

Golden-bellied Flycatcher (P)  Myiodynastes hemichrysus

Streaked Flycatcher  Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana

Rufous Mourner  Rhytipterna holerythra

Choco Sirystes ◊  Sirystes albogriseus

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer

Panama Flycatcher ◊ (P)  Myiarchus panamensis

Great Crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus crinitus

Bright-rumped Attila  Attila spadiceus

Purple-throated Fruitcrow  Querula purpurata

Rufous Piha  Lipaugus unirufus

Three-wattled Bellbird ◊ (G)  Procnias tricarunculatus Heard only once at Cerro Hoya.

Blue Cotinga ◊  Cotinga nattererii  Best views at Nusagandi. Also seen from viewpoints at Darien NP.

Black-tipped Cotinga ◊  Carpodectes hopkei  A distant view through the telescope at Darien NP.  Only seen by Kilo and one participant.

Lance-tailed Manakin (P)  Chiroxiphia lanceolata  Seen on Coiba Island, heard at Cerro Hoya.

White-ruffed Manakin  Corapipo altera  Good views at Pirre Ridge, Chucanti, and Cerro Hoya.

Velvety Manakin ◊  Lepidothrix velutina  Seen at Nusagandi.

Golden-collared Manakin ◊  Manacus vitellinus  Good views at Darien NP, also at San Francisco Reserve.

Orange-collared Manakin ◊ (P)  Manacus aurantiacus  Seen at Volcán area.

Red-capped Manakin  Ceratopipra mentalis  Seen at San Francisco Reserve and Nusagandi. Heard at Cerro Hoya.

Golden-headed Manakin  Ceratopipra erythrocephala  Seen at Darien NP, also at San Francisco Reserve where it overlaps with Red-capped Manakin.

Sharpbill  Oxyruncus cristatus  Seen by some at Rancho Plastico, Darien.

Tropical Royal Flycatcher ◊ (Northern R F)  Onychorhynchus [coronatus] mexicanus  Good views at San Francisco Reserve.

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius  Myiobius sulphureipygius  Seen at Darien and Cerro Chucanti.

Black-tailed Myiobius  Myiobius atricaudus  Seen at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher  Terenotriccus erythrurus

Black-crowned Tityra  Tityra inquisitor  Seen at Heliconias Lodge, on the Glow-throated Hummingbird extension.

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata

Northern Schiffornis ◊ (G)  Schiffornis veraepacis  Seen at Cerro Hoya.

Russet-winged Schiffornis ◊  Schiffornis stenorhyncha  Seen at Darien NP.

Speckled Mourner ◊  Laniocera rufescens  Good views at Darien NP.

Cinnamon Becard  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus

One-colored Becard  Pachyramphus homochrous  Best views at San Francisco Reserve, also seen en route to Torti from Bayano.

Rose-throated Becard (P)  Pachyramphus aglaiae  Seen at Volcan area.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike (P)  Cyclarhis gujanensis  Seen at Cerro Punta, Volcan area, Coiba Island and Cerro Hoya.

Green Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius pulchellus  Seen at Chucanti, heard at El Copé.

Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius eximius Heard only, below Rancho Plastico. 

Scrub Greenlet (P)  Hylophilus flavipes  First seen at Querevalo Road, also on Coiba Island and Panama del Este mangroves.

Tawny-crowned Greenlet  Tunchiornis ochraceiceps (LO)  Seen by leader at Chucanti.

Lesser Greenlet  Pachysylvia decurtata

Golden-fronted Greenlet  Pachysylvia aurantiifrons  Best views at Bayano, also at Torti and Panama del Este Mangroves.

Yellow-green Vireo (P no star)  Vireo flavoviridis  First seen on Coiba Island, also seen at other localities as Bayano and Nusagandi.

Philadelphia Vireo  Vireo philadelphicus

Brown-capped Vireo (P)  Vireo leucophrys  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Yellow-throated Vireo  Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-winged Vireo ◊ (P)  Vireo carmioli  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Brown Jay  Cyanocorax morio  Seen at Volcan area.

Black-chested Jay  Cyanocorax affinis  First seen at Volcan area, also at Chucunaque River and Darien.

Black-and-yellow Phainoptila ◊  Phainoptila melanoxantha  Great views at Fortuna Road.

Mangrove Swallow  Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow (P)  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca  Seen at Volcan area.

Barn Swallow (American B S)  Hirundo [rustica] erythrogaster  Seen at Querevalo Road.

White-headed Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus albobrunneus  Seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Band-backed Wren (P)  Campylorhynchus zonatus  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Bicolored Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus griseus  Good views at Yaviza. This species has been expanding its distribution range from South America in recent years. A write-in for the tour. 

Sooty-headed Wren ◊  Pheugopedius spadix  Seen at Pirre Ridge.

Black-bellied Wren ◊  Pheugopedius fasciatoventris  Seen at Rancho Frio Darien.

Rufous-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius rutilus  Seen at Volcan, also quite common at Cerro Hoya.

Rufous-and-white Wren (G)  Thryophilus rufalbus  Seen at Cerro Hoya.

Isthmian Wren ◊  Cantorchilus elutus  Seen at Volcan.

Buff-breasted Wren  Cantorchilus leucotis Heard only. 

Riverside Wren ◊ (P)  Cantorchilus semibadius  Seen on the way up to Volcan.

Bay Wren  Cantorchilus nigricapillus  Best views at San Francisco Reserve.

Stripe-throated Wren ◊  Cantorchilus leucopogon  Good views at Darien NP.

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus 

Ochraceous Wren ◊ (P no stars)  Troglodytes ochraceus

White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticta

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys

Southern Nightingale-Wren (Scaly-breasted W)  Microcerculus marginatus  Seen at different locations such as in the Volcan area, Torti, Yaviza and Panama del Este Mangroves.  We also saw the subspecies “carychrous” which is a recognized subspecies from Coiba Island with different features in the coloration and behaviour compared to subspecies “inquietus” which is the regular subspecies seen across the Panamanian isthmus.

Song Wren  Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus  Seen at the lower elevations of Fortuna Road.

Trilling Gnatwren  Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tawny-faced Gnatwren  Microbates cinereiventris

Slate-throated Gnatcatcher ◊  Polioptila schistaceigula

White-browed Gnatcatcher  Polioptila bilineata

Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus

Black-faced Solitaire ◊ (P)  Myadestes melanops

Varied Solitaire ◊  Myadestes coloratus

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (P)  Catharus aurantiirostris

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus fuscater  Three different subspecies were seen on the tour. The subspecies “hellmayri” at Fortuna Road, “mirabilis” at Cerro Pirre and “arcanus” at Cerro Chucanti.

Swainson’s Thrush  Catharus ustulatus  Seen on Coiba Island, also seen by leader at Chucanti.

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush ◊ (P)  Catharus gracilirostris  Seen at Cerro Punta, a near endemic species from the highlands of Costa Rica and Western Panama.

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush ◊ (P)  Catharus frantzii

Grey-cheeked Thrush  Catharus minimus (LO)  Seen by leader at Cerro Hoya.

Mountain Thrush ◊ (P)  Turdus plebejus

White-throated Thrush (P)  Turdus assimilis

Pale-vented Thrush  Turdus obsoletus  Seen at Cerro Chucanti and Cerro Pirre.

Clay-colored Thrush  Turdus grayi

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

Lesser Goldfinch  Spinus psaltria  Seen at Volcan area, also seen at Yaviza.

Yellow-bellied Siskin (P)  Spinus xanthogastrus  Seen at Volcan area, during the first afternoon.

Elegant Euphonia (P)  Chlorophonia elegantissima  Seen at Raton Road, Cerro Colorado.

Golden-browed Chlorophonia ◊ (P)  Chlorophonia callophrys Heard only at Fortuna Road.

Yellow-crowned Euphonia ◊  Euphonia luteicapilla

White-vented Euphonia (P)  Euphonia minuta  Seen at Darien, also at Nusagandi and Burbayar Lodge.

Thick-billed Euphonia  Euphonia laniirostris

Spot-crowned Euphonia ◊ (P)  Euphonia imitans  Heard only, on the way up to Volcan.

Olive-backed Euphonia (P)  Euphonia gouldi  Seen at the lower elevations of Fortuna Road.

Fulvous-vented Euphonia ◊  Euphonia fulvicrissa  Seen at Darien and Burbayar Lodge.

Tawny-capped Euphonia ◊ (P)  Euphonia anneae  Seen at Fortuna Road and Nusagandi.

Orange-bellied Euphonia  Euphonia xanthogaster  Seen at Pirre Ridge.

Rosy Thrush-tanager (G)  Rhodinocichla rosea  Fairly common (to hear at least) at Cerro Hoya, but we also got excellent views of a couple.

Sooty-capped Chlorospingus ◊ (P) (S-c Bush Tanager)  Chlorospingus pileatus  Seen at Ratón Road, Cerro Colorado.

Common Chlorospingus (P) (C Bush Tanager)  Chlorospingus flavopectus  Fairly common at Fortuna Road and Ratón Road.

Tacarcuna Chlorospingus ◊ (T Bush Tanager)  Chlorospingus tacarcunae  Seen at highest sections of Cerro Chucanti.  First afternoon we saw just a few individuals, but the next morning we managed to see several individuals (15+) joining a mixed-species flock.

Pirre Chlorospingus ◊ (P Bush Tanager)  Chlorospingus inornatus  Common at Cerro Pirre.

Black-striped Sparrow  Arremonops conirostris  Seen at Fortuna Road and Cerro Hoya area.  We also saw it on Coiba Island.

Costa Rican Brushfinch ◊ (P)  Arremon costaricensis  Seen at Volcan area.

Orange-billed Sparrow  Arremon aurantiirostris

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha  Fortuna Road, Pirre Ridge, Chucanti and Cerro Hoya (higher sections).

Sooty-faced Finch ◊ (P)  Arremon crassirostris Heard only, at Fortuna Road.

Rufous-collared Sparrow (P)  Zonotrichia capensis

Large-footed Finch ◊ (P)  Pezopetes capitalis

White-naped Brushfinch (P)  Atlapetes albinucha

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch ◊ (P)  Atlapetes tibialis

Yellow-green Brushfinch ◊ (P)  Atlapetes luteoviridis  With some persistence, we managed to get good views of a pair at Cerro Colorado. It was chosen as the bird of the pre-tour extension.

Wrenthrush ◊ (P)  Zeledonia coronata  Good views at Cerro Punta.  Monotypic family occuring only in Western Panama and Costa Rica highlands.

Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna  Seen at Torti.

Red-breasted Meadowlark (R-b Meadowlark)  Leistes militaris

Chestnut-headed Oropendola  Psarocolius wagleri

Crested Oropendola  Psarocolius decumanus

Montezuma Oropendola ◊ (P)  Psarocolius montezuma

Black Oropendola ◊  Psarocolius guatimozinus  Seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Yellow-rumped Cacique  Cacicus cela

Scarlet-rumped Cacique  Cacicus microrhynchus

Yellow-backed Oriole  Icterus chrysater  Seen on the journey from Darien NP to El Real.

Baltimore Oriole (P)  Icterus galbula

Yellow-tailed Oriole  Icterus mesomelas  Seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Orchard Oriole  Icterus spurius  Seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Orange-crowned Oriole  Icterus auricapillus  A pair seen at Torti.

Giant Cowbird  Molothrus oryzivorus

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis

Bronzed Cowbird (P)  Molothrus aeneus  Some flocks at Volcan area.

Melodious Blackbird (P)  Dives dives  Seen at Volcan.

Carib Grackle  Quiscalus lugubris  Several encounters along the road to Yaviza.

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus

Ovenbird  Seiurus arocapilla  Seen at Cerro Hoya, during the post tour extension.

Northern Waterthrush  Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged Warbler (P)  Vermivora chrysoptera  Seen at Volcan and Cerro Colorado.

Black-and-white Warbler  Mniotilta varia

Prothonotary Warbler  Protonotaria citrea  Seen at Torti and Rio Chucunaque.

Flame-throated Warbler ◊ (P)  Oreothlypis gutturalis  Excellent views at Cerro Punta.

Tennessee Warbler  Leiothlypis peregrina

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat (P)  Geothlypis poliocephala  Heard only, in the Volcan area.

Chiriqui Yellowthroat ◊ (P)  Geothlypis chiriquensis  Excellent views at Volcan area. Very restricted near-endemic species.

Mourning Warbler  Geothlypis philadelphia  Seen en route to Volcan.

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat (P)  Geothlypis semiflava  Good views at Fortuna Road.

American Redstart  Setophaga ruticilla

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi

Bay-breasted Warbler  Setophaga castanea  The most abundant North American warbler during the tour.

Blackburnian Warbler (P)  Setophaga fusca  Several sights during the pre-tour extension and the post-tour extension at Cerro Hoya.

American Yellow Warbler  Setophaga aestiva  Fairly common during the tour, except in mature forest areas.

Mangrove Warbler  Setophaga petechia  Seen during our visit to Panama City Mangroves and mudflats.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (P)  Setophaga pensylvanica

Myrtle Warbler (P)  Setophaga coronata  Only seen at Querevalo Road, three different individuals on the same area the first day of the tour.

Black-throated Green Warbler (P)  Setophaga virens  Seen at Cerro Punta.

Townsends Warbler  Setophaga townsendi  One male seen at Cerro Punta while we were searching for seeding Bamboo specialties. 

Buff-rumped Warbler  Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Chestnut-capped Warbler ◊ (P)  Basileuterus delattrii

Black-cheeked Warbler ◊ (P)  Basileuterus melanogenys  Our group got excellent views of the subspecies eximius, which is a different subspecies than the one that occurs in the highlands of Costa Rica.  During the post-tour extension, we also saw the undescribed form of Black-cheeked Warbler suggested to be “Azuero Warbler”.  It is good to report the presence of a pair during our full day at Cerro Hoya where we reached high altitude, from our base camp, of about 1380m asl. This ‘type’ the Black-cheeked Warbler is apparently not very common, as it hasn’t been reported since 2018 (Ebird).

Golden-crowned Warbler (P)  Basileuterus culicivorus  Seen at Cerro Colorado, Cerro Chucanti, and Cerro Hoya.

Black-eared Warbler ◊ (P) (Costa Rican W)  Basileuterus melanotis  Seen at the higher sections of Fortuna Road.

Canada Warbler  Cardellina canadensis  Seen at Cerro Chucanti, also at Cerro Hoya.

Wilson’s Warbler (P)  Cardellina pusilla

Slate-throated Whitestart  Myioborus miniatus

Collared Whitestart ◊ (P)  Myioborus torquatus  Great views at Cerro Punta.

Dusky-faced Tanager  Mitrospingus cassinii

Flame-colored Tanager ◊ (P)  Piranga bidentata  Great views at Cerro Colorado.

Tooth-billed Tanager  Piranga lutea

Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra

White-winged Tanager (P)  Piranga leucoptera

Red-crowned Ant Tanager (P)  Habia rubica

Carmiol’s Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis carmioli  Seen at Cerro Chucanti and Nusagandi.

Lemon-spectacled Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis olivacea  Good views on different days at Darien.

Black-thighed Grosbeak ◊ (P)  Pheucticus tibialis  Great views at the upper sections of Fortuna Road.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-faced Grosbeak (P)  Caryothraustes poliogaster  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Yellow-green Grosbeak  Caryothraustes canadensis  Seen at Pirre Ridge.

Blue-black Grosbeak  Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Green Honeycreeper  Chlorophanes spiza

Black-and-yellow Tanager ◊  Chrysothlypis chrysomelas  Excellent views at Nusagandi at eye level, also seen at Chucanti, Darien and El Copé.

Sulphur-rumped Tanager ◊  Heterospingus rubrifrons  Good views at Nusagandi.  This species has a restricted distribution range on the Caribbean side of Panama and areas in the South Caribbean side of Costa Rica (where it is not very common).

Scarlet-browed Tanager ◊  Heterospingus xanthopygius  Seen on several days at Darien.

Yellow-backed Tanager  Hemithraupis flavicollis  Good views at Darien.

Purple Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes caeruleus  Good views in the scope of a male and female at Darien NP.

Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus

Shining Honeycreeper ◊  Cyanerpes lucidus 

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis ◊  Dacnis venusta

Blue Dacnis  Dacnis cayana

Viridian Dacnis ◊  Dacnis viguieri (LO)  A female seen by Kilo. Sadly nobody else got to see it, as it flew out before others could see it. Possibly a male was around at the same moment, at Rancho Frio, Darien NP.

Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus

Slate-colored Grosbeak  Saltator grossus  Heard only, at Rancho Plastico.

Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus  We saw the widespread subspecies “pusillus” at Nusagandi area, and heard it at Cerro Punta. On Coiba Island we saw the island-endemic subspecies “ravidus”.

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager  Eucometis penicillata  Seen at Cerro Hoya following army ants.

White-shouldered Tanager  Loriotus luctuosus

Tawny-crested Tanager  Tachyphonus delatrii  Good views at Fortuna Road and Nusagandi.

White-lined Tanager  Tachyphonus rufus  Seen at Volcan and near Yaviza.

Lemon-rumped Tanager  Ramphocelus icteronotus  A pair seen at Rio Chucunaque.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (P) (Passerini’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] passerinii  Seen at the lower elevations of Fortuna Road.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (P) (Cherrie’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] costaricensis  Seen the first days of the extension at Volcan area and around David.

Crimson-backed Tanager  Ramphocelus dimidiatus  We saw the widespread subspecies “dimidiatus”, and the endemic subspecies of Coiba Island “arestus”.

Morelet’s Seedeater (P)  Sporophila morelleti

Variable Seedeater  Sporophila corvina

Yellow-bellied Seedeater  Sporophila nigricollis

Thick-billed Seed Finch  Sporophila funerea

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  Good views at Playa Loja Wetlands.

White-eared Conebill  Conirostrum leucogenys  Great views of a pair at Bayano Lake area.

Saffron Finch (P) (introduced)  Sicalis flaveola  Seen by some who arrived earlier on the first day of the tour at the hotel near the airport.

Slaty Flowerpiercer ◊ (P)  Diglossa plumbea  Good views at Cerro Punta.

Blue-and-gold Tanager ◊ (P)  Bangsia arcaei  Great views at Fortuna Road. 

Speckled Tanager  Ixothraupis guttata  Seen at Fortuna Road, also seen at Pirre Ridge.

Grey-and-gold Tanager ◊  Poecilostreptus palmeri  Three individuals seen at Pirre Ridge.

Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus

Palm Tanager  Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager  Stilpnia larvata

Spangle-cheeked Tanager ◊ (P)  Tangara dowii  Seen at Cerro Colorado.

Green-naped Tanager ◊  Tangara fucosa  One individual seen at Pirre Ridge. One of the major specialties of the Darien higher elevations.

Bay-headed Tanager  Tangara gyrola

Rufous-winged Tanager ◊  Tangara lavinia  Seen at Darien NP also at Nusagandi.

Emerald Tanager ◊  Tangara florida  Good views at Fortuna Road and Pirre Ridge.

Silver-throated Tanager  Tangara icterocephala  Seen at Volcan area, Fortuna Road, Pirre Ridge and Chucanti.

Plain-colored Tanager  Tangara inornata

MAMMALS

Derby’s Woolly Opossum (Central American W O)  Caluromys derbianus  Good views during one of the nights at Rancho Plastico.

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth  (B-t Sloth)  Bradypus variegatus  One male crossed the road en route from Rio Chucunaque to Yaviza.

White-nosed Coati  Nasua narica  Seen at Chucanti.

Kinkajou  Potos flavus  Good views at Rancho Plastico, Darien NP.

Mexican Red Brocket  Mazama temama  Good views for some at Burbayar Lodge.

Colombian White-faced Capuchin  Cebus capucinus  Seen at Darien NP and Cerro Chucanti.

Geoffroy’s Tamarin (Red-crested T)  Saguinus geoffroyi  Seen at Darien, also en route to Torti.

Panamanian Night Monkey  Aotus zonalis  Three individuals roosting inside a tree hole.

Mantled Howler  Alouatta palliata  Seen on route to Torti.

Brown-headed Spider Monkey (Black S M)  Ateles fusciceps  Seen at Chucanti.

Central American Agouti  Dasyprocta punctata  Seen at Burbayar Lodge.

Central American Dwarf Squirrel (P) (Alfaro’s Pygmy S)  Microsciurus alfari  Seen at Fortuna Road.

Western Dwarf Squirrel  Microsciurus mimulus  Seen at Rancho Plastico, Darien NP.

Variegated Squirrel (P)  Sciurus variegatoides  Seen at Querevalo Road, also at Azuero Peninsula.

Red-tailed Squirrel  Syntheosciurus granatensis  Seen at Cerro Punta and Rancho Plastico, Darien NP.