Panama's Canopy Tower
Annotated Checklist

Species	Latin Name	Comments
TINAMOUS	TINAMIDAE
Great Tinamou	Tinamus major	Resonant call heard on Pipeline Road on 3/17.
Little Tinamou	Crypturellus soui	Tremulous notes of this small tinamou heard on Old Gamboa Road at the ponds on both visits.
FRIGATEBIRDS	FREGATIDAE
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	One flew over the Canal on 3/15
PELICANS	PELICANIDAE
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	A group of 30 flew over the Canal on 3/17
DUCKS & GEESE	ANATIDAE
Muscovy Duck	Cairina moschata	A pair resting on a limb over the marsh at the Ammunition Ponds was a treat in addition to one that flew over later that morning.
HERONS & EGRETS	ARDEIDAE
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea	One immature coming to roost at the Police Academy Pond on both visits
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	Several coming to roost at the Police Academy Pond on both visits
Great Egret	Ardea alba	One on 3/17
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	One on 3/17
Green Heron	Butorides virescens	Individuals on 3/16 and 3/17
Boat-billed Heron	Cochlearius cochlearius	Several nesting at the Police Academy Pond on both visits.
Capped Heron	Pilerodius pileatus	Several (and up to possibly 4) at the end of Old Gamboa Road on both visits. This species is common in eastern Panama but is unusual in central Panama.
NEW WORLD VULTURES	CATHARTIDAE
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	Common
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	Common resident and migrant with up to 750 northbound migrants on 3/17
OSPREY	PANDIONIDAE
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	One seen on 3/15
KITES, EAGLES & HAWKS	ACCIPITERIDAE
Hook-billed Kite	Chondrohierax uncinatus	Several soaring birds on Pipeline Road on 3/17.
Mississippi Kite	Ictinia mississippiensis	At least three seen on 3/16 with one on 3/17.
White Hawk	Leucopternis albicollis	One flying very high on Pipeline on 3/17.
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	At least 75 migrants on 3/17. Also, one close bird perched over the creek on Plantation Road on 3/16.
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	328 migrants on 3/17 streaming north with the TVs over Old Gamboa Road. Probably 95% of their entire population migrates over Panama from mid-March to mid-April.
Zone-tailed Hawk	Buteo albonotatus	One flying below the level of the observation platform at the Canopy Tower gave a good chance to study it.
Black Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus	The top vote-getter, an amazing find when it flew off the road and landed on eye-level twigs 15 feet from our staring eyes. This is my fondest avian memory of the trip.
FALCONS & CARACARAS	FALCONIDAE
Bat Falcon	Falco rufigularis	One flying near Summit Gardens on 3/16
CURASSOWS & GUANS	CRACIDAE
Gray-headed Chachalaca	Ortalis cinereiceps	Seen on all three days including good looks from the observation deck at the Canopy Tower on 3/15.
RAILS, GALLINULES & COOTS	RALLIDAE
White-throated Crake	Laterallus albigularis	Heard at Ammunition Ponds but never coaxed into view.
Gray-necked Wood-Rail	Aramides cajanea	Two at one of the Police Academy Ponds on 3/16. A return trip failed to refind them.
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	Several on the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
JACANAS	JACANIDAE
Wattled Jacana	Jacana jacana	Many adults and immatures decorated the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17. This species becomes rarer in Western Panama and is replaced by Northern Jacana from western Panama to extreme southern Texas.
SANDPIPERS	SCOLOPACIDAE
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	Several of these winter residents were on the Police Academy Pond on 3/16.
Spotted Sandpiper	Tringa macularia	Also a winter resident, several on the Police Academy Ponds on both visits.
PIGEONS & DOVES	COLUMBIDAE
Scaled Pigeon	Columba speciosa	Well seen through the Kowa spotting scope from the observation deck at the Canopy Tower on all three days.
Pale-vented Pigeon	Columba cayennensis	Very common along Old Gamboa Road and at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/16 and 3/17.
Ruddy Ground-Dove	Columbina talpacoti	Common at Ammunition Ponds and several at Old Gamboa Road.
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi	Up to 12 seen on 3/16. This species was commonly seen on roadsides and flying across the road or trail.
MACAWS & PARROTS	PSITTACIDAE
Orange-chinned Parakeet	Brotogeris jugularis	High-pitched chattering was heard several times before we finally saw this cute species through the Kowa on Old Gamboa Road.
Blue-headed Parrot	Pionus menstruus	Recorded on 3/16 and 3/17 flying overhead. One of the ways to identify this species is the wings never rise above horizontal in flight.
Red-lored Parrot	Amazona autumnalis	This common amazona was seen from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge.
NEW WORLD CUCKOOS	COCCYZIDAE
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana	Seen foraging in the acacia at the observation deck at the Canopy Tower on 3/15. Heard and seen elsewhere.
ANIS	CROTOPHAGIDAE
Smooth-billed Ani	Crotophaga ani	One glimpsed on 3/17 near Summit Gardens.
NIGHTJARS	CAPRIMULGIDAE
Lesser Nighthawk	Chordeiles acutipennis	Several flying at dusk near Old Bamboa Road. These may have been North American migrants or residents.
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis	At least 5 seen by headlights along the roadsides near Ammunition Ponds and the entrance to Pipeline Road at dusk on 3/16.
SWIFTS	APODIDAE
Band-rumped Swift	Chaetura spinicauda	A confiding flock descended on the Police Academy Pond to feed on 3/16 offering a rare view of the dorsal side of this high flying swift.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift	Panyptila cayennensis	Several seen along Old Gamboa Road on 3/17. Easily separated by long forked tail and white throat and flank patch.
HUMMINGBIRDS	TROCHILIDAE
Long-tailed Hermit	Phaethornis superciliosus	Several seen along Pipeline Road on 3/17 and a probable one at a heliconia near the Lodge on 3/15.
Little Hermit	Phaethornis longuemareus	One at a heliconia along Pipeline Road on 3/17.
White-necked Jacobin	Florisuga mellivora	Several of this striking hummingbird seen on Old Gamboa Road on both visits. One of Anne's favorites!
Black-throated Mango	Anthracothorax nigricollis	One male seen on Old Gamboa Road on 3/17. This was a most difficult bird to identify but made itself known by the maroon/chestnut tail.
Garden Emerald	Chlorostilbon assimilis	Several seen along Old Gamboa Road on both visits.
Violet-bellied Hummingbird	Damophila julie	Several seen including one from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge on 3/15.
Blue-chested Hummingbird	Amazilia amabilis	One on 3/16.
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird	Amazilia edward	Although absent on our first visit, this striking hummingbird was common along Old Gamboa Road on our return visit.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl	Common on Old Gamboa Road.
QUETZALS & TROGONS	TROGONIDAE
Slaty-tailed Trogon	Trogon massena	One of 3/16 and one on 3/17 although heard on other occasions.
Violaceous Trogon	Trogon violaceus	Up to five seen on 3/15 along the driveway to the Lodge. Beautiful views through the Kowa. One from the observation deck at the Lodge on 3/16.
KINGFISHERS	ALCEDINIDAE
Ringed Kingfisher	Ceryle torquata	One fishing at the Police Academy Ponds on 3/16.
American Pygmy Kingfisher	Chloroceryle aenea	Another highlight of the trip, this uncommonly seen, diminutive species was very well seen at the Police Academy Ponds on 3/16. A video camera recorded it for posterity.
MOTMOTS	MOTMOTIDAE
Broad-billed Motmot	Electron platyrhynchum	At least four seen on our first two mornings including a confiding individual sitting in the sun as we finished our walk on Plantation Road on 3/16.
Rufous Motmot	Baryphthengus martii	One seen by Anne and Jim on our afternoon walk on Plantation Road on 3/16.
Blue-crowned Motmot	Momotus momota	One glimpsed as it flew across Old Gamboa Road on 3/17. A follow-up search failed to relocate it.
PUFFBIRDS	BUCCONIDAE
Black-breasted Puffbird	Notharchus pectoralis	One seen well in the bird flock on Plantation Road on 3/16.
White-whiskered Puffbird	Malacoptila panamensis	One surprise individual quietly perched low on Plantation Road on 3/16. The Kowa highlighted the whiskers.
TOUCANS	RAMPHASTIDAE
Collared Aracari	Pteroglossus torquatus	Two moving through the canopy on Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Keel-billed Toucan	Ramphastos sulfuratus	Although very common, this gaudy bird always demanded attention wherever it was and we always stopped to look.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan	Ramphastos swainsonii	Several seen from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge on both mornings.
WOODPECKERS	PICIDAE
Black-cheeked Woodpecker	Melanerpes pucherani	One pecking on a branch above the first stream crossing on Pipeline Road.
Red-crowned Woodpecker	Melanerpes rubricapillus	This conspicuous species was common along Old Gamboa Road.
Cinnamon Woodpecker	Celeus loricatus	One beautiful individual in the bird flock on Plantation Road on 3/16.
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus	We will not forget her leaning out of her hole on Old Gamboa Road on both visits. The Kowa gave us eyeball views!
WOODCREEPERS	DENDROCOLAPTIDAE
Plain-brown Woodcreeper	Dendrocincla fuliginosa	Common at the ant swarm on Pipeline on 3/17.
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper	Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae	One striking individual at the ant swarm along Pipeline Road on 3/17. It eventually lit on the ground and seemed to have first dibs at the fleeing insects.
Cocoa Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus guttatus	Several in the trees below the lodge on 3/15.
FURNARIDS	FURNARIIDAE
Plain Xenops	Xenops minutus	This small furnarid was common in the Plantation Road bird flock.
ANTBIRDS	FORMICARIIDAE
Fasciated Antshrike	Cymbilaimus lineatus	Two seen on both 3/16 and 3/17 including one male which came within 8 feet as we watched the ant swarm on Pipeline Road.
Barred Antshrike	Thamnophilus doliatus	One female observed at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17 although several were heard in the area.
Western Slaty Antshrike	Thamnophilus atrinucha	Commonly encountered in all areas including from the observation deck at the Lodge and along Pipeline Road.
Checker-throated Antwren	Myrmotherula fulviventris	One of the three common antwrens of the area, several were seen well on Plantation Road and Pipeline Road.
White-flanked Antwren	Myrmotherula axillaris	Recorded on Pipeline Road and on Plantation Road in the afternoon.
Dot-winged Antwren	Microrhopias quixensis	Most common antwren with both males and the chestnut bellied females seen well numerous times.
Dusky Antbird	Cercomacra tyrannina	Several seen near the entrance to Pipeline Road on 3/17 although Jim was the only one to see them.
Bicolored Antbird	Gymnopithys leucaspis	At least six seen at the ant swarm on Pipeline on 3/17. Easily recognized by the white underparts.
Spotted Antbird	Hylophylax naevioides	One male on Plantation Road in the afternoon by Anne and Jim.
Ocellated Antbird	Phaenostictus mcleannani	Four of these striking antbirds with the bright blue bare orbital patch seen at the ant swarm on 3/17. A highlight!
ANTTHRUSHES & ANTPITTAS	FORMICARIIDAE
Black-faced Antthrush	Formicarius analis	Heard on 3/16 and 3/17.
COTINGAS	CONTINGIDAE
Purple-throated Fruitcrow	Querula purpurata	Heard often and seen well at the first stream crossing on Pipeline Road including displaying males.
Blue Cotinga	Cotinga nattererii	Brilliant males seen from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge on 3/15 and 3/16.
MANAKINS	PIPRIDAE
Red-capped Manakin	Pipra mentalis	Recorded on all three days including 5 on 3/16. The unique long drawn rising call indicated how common this species is in the area.
Blue-crowned Manakin	Pipra coronata	Several on Plantation Road on 3/16.
Golden-collared Manakin	Manacus vitellinus	Snapping and buzzing indicated the presence of a lek near the beginning of Pipeline Road. A male was glimpsed and several females were also seen on Pipeline.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS	TYRANNIDAE
Common Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum cinereum	Most common at the Ammunition Ponds.
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet	Camptostoma obsoletum	The plainttive three note peer, peer, peer of this diminutive species gave away its location and its nest on Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia	Elaenia flavogaster	Several at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17. Best distinguished from the Lesser by the more yellow belly and larger size.
Lesser Elaenia	Elaenia chiriquensis	Smaller than the previous species, several at Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Southern Bentbill	Oncostoma olivaceum	Heard and finally seen on Pipeline Road on 3/17.
Olivaceous Flatbill	Rhynchocyclus olivaceus	Seen very well on Plantation Road and Pipeline Road with the antwren flocks.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher	Myiobius erythrurus	One seen in the Plantation Road flock on 3/16.
Bright-rumped Attila	Attila spadiceus	This often heard but rarely seen species was viewed in the Plantation Road flock on 3/16.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer	Seen from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge.
Panama Flycatcher	Myiarchus panamensis	Several seen on Old Gamboa Road. Best distinguished from other myiarchus flycatchers by the lack of rufous in the wings and tail.
Great Crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus crinitus	One heard on Pipeline on 3/17.
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus	Common throughout.
Eastern Kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus	One early migrant at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua	One on Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Streaked Flycatcher	Myiodynastes maculatus	Seen well on Old Gamboa Road and at the Ammunition Ponds.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher	Myiozetetes cayanensis	Several recorded on 3/17 at the Ammunition Ponds.
Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis	One on 3/16.
Piratic Flycatcher	Legatus leucophaius	Seen well at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Lesser Kiskadee	Philohydor lictor	Seen at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Masked Tityra	Tityra semifasciata	Several on 3/17 on Pipeline and on Old Gamboa Road.
VIREOS & ALLIES	VIREONIDAE
Green Shrike-Vireo	Vireolanius pulchellus	Almost always singing but never seen. Just listen for the Tufted Titmouse!
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus	Seen well from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge on 3/15.
Yellow-green Vireo	Vireo flavoviridis	Common along Old Gamboa Road. This species was split from Red-eyed Vireo about ten years ago.
Golden-fronted Greenlet	Hylophilus aurantiifrons	One at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Lesser Greenlet	Hylophilus decurtatus	Foraging in the trees near the Canopy Lodge on 3/15.
THRUSHES & ALLIES	TURDIDAE
Clay-colored Thrush	Turdus grayi	Very common on Old Gamboa Road.
MOCKINGBIRDS	MIMIDAE
Tropical Mockingbird	Mimus gilvus	One on the fence line at the end of Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
WRENS	TROGLODYTIDAE
Rufous-and-white Wren	Thryothorus rufalbus	Heard on Old Gamboa Road on 3/17.
Plain Wren	Thryothorus modestus	Heard at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	Seen at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
White-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucosticta	One seen in the afternoon on Plantation Road by Anne and Jim.
GNATCATCHERS & ALLIES	POLIOPTILIDAE
Tropical Gnatcatcher	Polioptila plumbea	Several foraging in the acacia at the Canopy Lodge on 3/16.
SWALLOWS	HIRUNDINIDAE
Mangrove Swallow	Tachycineta albilinea	Several flying low over the water near Gamboa on 3/17.
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea	Very common overhead with 50 seen on 3/17.
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis	Several recorded on 3/17.
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	Migrants seen on 3/16 and 3/17.
NEW WORLD WARBLERS	PARULIDAE
Tennessee Warbler	Vermivora peregrina	One recorded from the observation deck at the Canopy Tower on 3/15.
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia	Common at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Bay-breasted Warbler	Dendroica castanea	Several in varying plumages seen form the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge on 3/15 and 3/16.
Louisiana Waterthrush	Seiurus motacilla	One along the creek on Plantation Road. This is the first one I have seen in Panama!
Northern Waterthrush	Seiurus noveboracensis	Several near the Police Academy Ponds on 3/16 and 3/17.
TANAGERS, BUNTINGS & SPARROWS	EMBERIZIDAE
Gray-headed Tanager	Eucometis penicillata	Two graced the ant swarm on Pipeline Road although they mostly remained in the background.
White-shouldered Tanager	Tachyphonus luctuosus	Commonly seen, the female looks nothing like the striking black and white male.
White-lined Tanager	Tachyphonus rufus	One male recorded at the end of Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Red-throated Ant-Tanager	Habia fuscicauda	Common with up to 7 on Pipeline Road on 3/17. Very well seen at the ant swarm.
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	One spotted by Anne on Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Crimson-backed Tanager	Ramphocelus dimidiatus	This striking species was recorded on both visits to Old Gamboa Road.
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus	Common on Old Gamboa Road.
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum	Commonly seen including a pair that frequented the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge.
Yellow-crowned Euphonia	Euphonia luteicapilla	Seen on Old Gamboa Road and at the Ammunition Ponds.
Fulvous-vented Euphonia	Euphonia fulvicrissa	One male seen on the walk down from the Lodge on 3/15.
Plain-colored Tanager	Tangara inornata	Commonly seen from the observation deck at the Canopy Lodge.
Golden-hooded Tanager	Tangara larvata	A beautiful pair was seen form the Canopy Lodge on 3/15. Others were on Old Gamboa Road.
Blue Dacnis	Dacnis cayana	A beautiful pair seen well from the Canopy Lodge on all three days.
Green Honeycreeper	Chlorophanes spiza	A beautiful male remained in full view for some great Kowa memories.
Red-legged Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes cyaneus	Seen on Old Gamboa Road.
Black-striped Sparrow	Arremonops conirostris	Four at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17. This was Marilynn's only new sparrow for the trip.
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina	In the grasses near Ammunition Pond on 3/17.
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila americana	Common in the grasses near Ammunition Ponds and Old Gamboa Road.
Yellow-bellied Seedeater	Sporophila nigricollis	One seen along the roadside on Pipeline on 3/17.
Lesser/Thick-billed Seed-Finch	Oryzoborus angolensis	Three spotted by Marilynn in the roadside grasses along Old Gamboa on 3/17.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	Several in the trees on Old Gamboa on both visits.
Slate-colored Grosbeak	Saltator grossus	One from the observation deck and another below the Lodge were only seen by Jim but its rich song was heard by all.
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus	Several recorded on Pipeline Road on 3/17.
Streaked Saltator	Saltator striatipectus	Commonly seen along Old Gamboa Road and at the Ammunition Ponds.
ICTERIDS	ICTERIDAE
Chestnut-headed Oropendola	Psarocolius wagleri	Several near the Cacique colony at the end of Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Yellow-rumped Cacique	Cacicus cela	Common on Old Gamboa Road on 3/17.
Scarlet-rumped (Subtropical)Cacique	Cacicus uropygialis	Several recorded on 3/16 on Plantation Road including one obliging individual which showed off its red rump to Anne.
Yellow-billed Cacique	Amblycercus holosericeus	Two in a tree next to the road at the Ammunition Ponds on 3/17.
Yellow-backed Oriole	Icterus chrysater	One heard on Pipeline Road
Yellow-tailed Oriole	Icterus mesomelas	One seen at the Ammunition Ponds through the kowa.
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	Several were on Old Gamboa Road on both visits.
Orchard Oriole	Icterus spurius	Many at the end of Old Gamboa Road on 3/16.
Great-tailed Grackle	Quiscalus mexicanus	Of course they were seen but all of us tried to avoid them!