The following list is of the bird species I saw on a short trip to Panama courtesy of Raul Arias de Para who invited me to stay at the wonderful Canopy Tower (T), on April 17 and April 18, the morning of April 21, and the Canopy Lodge (L), April 19 and April 20 (dates are linked to the blogs I wrote on the day). Birds marked with an * were life birds for myself.

Taxonomy follows Carlos Bethancourt’s “The Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge Checklist” (a must-have on trips like this) which is based primarily on the “Seventh Edition of the American Ornithologists Union’s ‘Checklist of the birds of North America 1998′ ” (including revisions up to and including the 48th Supplement in 2007)

The annotation in brackets after the scientific name, eg 3: T & L, refers to the number of days a species was seen on (ie Bird days) and the location (T= Canopy Tower, L= Canopy Lodge). Birds noted ‘Coast’ were seen en-route to the airport on the morning of April 21st only.

In total 219 species were seen well enough to be identified, either by myself or - more usually - by the guides (who are world-class) and then seen by myself. It’s perhaps interesting to note that in less than sixty hours of birding we saw all six species of Panama’s trogons, fourteen species of hummingbirds, seven species of wrens, eighteen tanagers (inc Euphonias), and that the total includes at least twenty North American migrants proving just how important protecting Central America’s forests are to North America’s birds. Four additional species are listed but were Heard only and are not included in the total.

1. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (1: coast)
2. Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus (1: coast)
3. Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens (3: T and coast)
4. Great Egret Egretta alba (3: T and coast)
5. Snowy Egret Egretta thula (3: T and coast)
6. Green Heron Butorides virescens (2: T)
7. Boat-billed Heron* Cochlearius cochlearia (2: T)
8. Rufescent Tiger Heron* Tigrisoma lineatum (1: T)
9. White Ibis Eudocimus albus (1: T)
10. Black-bellied Whistling-duck Dendrocygna autumnalis (2: T)
11. American Black Vulture Coragyps atratus (5: T& L)
12. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura (5: T & L)
13. Double-toothed Kite* Harpagus bidentatus (1: T)
14. Mississippi Kite* Ictinia mississippiensis* (1: T)
15. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris (2: L)
16. Short-tailed Hawk* Buteo brachyurus (3: T & L)
17. Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni (3: T)
18. Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima (1: T)
19. Laughing Falcon* Herpetotheres cachinnans (1: T)
20. Bat Falcon* Falco rufigularis (2: T)
21. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus (1: T)
22. Grey-headed Chachalaca* Ortalis cinereiceps (2: L)
23. Grey-necked Wood-rail* Aramides cajanea (1: T)
24. American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica (1:T)
25. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (2: T)
26. Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana (1: T)
27. Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis (1: L)
28. Laughing Gull Larus atricilla (1: coast)
29. Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis (2: T)
30. Scaled Pigeon* Columba speciosa (3: T)
31. Ruddy Ground-dove Columbina talpacoti (3: T & L)
32. Blue Ground-dove Claravis pretiosa (2: T)
33. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi (2: L)
34. Grey-chested Dove* Leptotila cassini (3: T)
35. Orange-chinned Parakeet* Brotogeris jugularis (4: T & L)
36. Brown-hooded Parrot* Pionopsitta haematotis (2: T)
37. Blue-headed Parrot* Pionus menstruus (4: T & L)
38. Red-lored Parrot* Amazona autumnalis (2: T)
39. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana (2: T)
40. Greater Ani* Crotophaga major (2: T)
41. Pheasant Cuckoo* Dromococcyx phasianellus (1: T)
42. Vermiculated* or Choco Screech-owl* Megascops guatemalae or M. chocoensis (1: T)
43. Mottled Owl* Ciccaba virgata (2: L)
44. Common Potoo* Nyctibius griseus (2: T & L)
45. Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor (1: T)
46. Pauraque* Nyctidromus albicollis (1: T)
47. Rufous Nightjar* Caprimulgus rufus (1: T)
48. Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica (3: T)
49. Short-tailed Swift* Chaetura brachyura (1: T)
50. Band-rumped Swift* Chaetura spinicaudus (1: T)
51. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift* Panyptila cayennensis (1: T)
52. Green Hermit* Phaethornis guy (1: L)
53. Long-billed Hemit* Phaethornis longirostris (1: T)
54. Stripe-throated Hermit* Phaethornis striigularis (1: T)
55. White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora (1: T)
56. Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis (2: T)
57. Garden Emerald* Chlorostilbon assimilis (2: T)
58. Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica (2: L)
59. Violet-bellied Hummingbird* Damophila julie (4: T & L)
60. Blue-chested Hummingbird* Polyerata amabilis (2: T)
61. Long-billed Starthroat* Heliomaster longirostris (1: L)
62. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird* Amazilia tzacatl (4: T & L)
63. Snowy-bellied Hummingbird* Amazilia edward (2: L)
64. White-vented Plumeleteer* Chalybura buffonii (2: T)
65. Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer* Chalybura urochrysia (1: L)
66. White-tailed Trogon* Trogon viridis (1: T)
67. Violaceous Trogon* Trogon violaceus (1: T)
68. Orange-bellied Trogon* [Endemic] Trogon aurantiiventris (1: L)
69. Black-throated Trogon* Trogon rufus (1: T)
70. Black-tailed Trogon* Trogon melanuru (1: T)
71. Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena (2: T)
72. Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus (1: T)
73. Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona (1: T)
74. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana (2: T)
75. Tody Motmot* Hylomanes momotula (1: L)
76. Blue-crowned Motmot* Momotus momota (2: T)
77. Rufous Motmot* Baryphthengus martii (2: L)
78. Broad-billed Motmot* Electron platyrhynchum (2: T)
79. Black-breasted Puffbird* Notharchus pectoralis (1: T)
80. White-whiskered Puffbird* Malacoptila panamensis (1: T)
81. Collared Aracari* Pteroglossus torquatus (3: T)
82. Keel-billed Toucan* Ramphastos sulfuratus (3: T)
83. Chestnut-mandibled Toucan* Ramphastos swainsonii (1: T)
84. Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus (4: T & L)
85. Cinnamon Woodpecker* Celeus loricatus (1: T)
86. Lineated Woodpecker* Dryocopus lineatus (1: L)
87. Crimson-crested Woodpecker* Campephilus melanoleucos (1: T)
88. Plain Xenops Xenops minutus (2: T & L)
89. Plain-brown Woodcreeper* Dendrocincla fuliginosa (2: T)
90. Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus (1: T)
91. Wedge-billed Woodcreeper*Glyphorynchus spirurus (1: L)
92. Northern Barred-woodcreeper* Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae (2: T)
93. Cocoa Woodcreeper* Xiphorhynchus susurrans (3: T)
94. Black-striped Woodcreeper* Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus (1: T)
95. Spotted Woodcreeper* Xiphorhynchus erythropygius (2: L)
96. Fasciated Antshrike* Cymbilaimus lineatus* (1: T)
97. Great Antshrike Taraba major (2: L)
98. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus (1: T)
99. Western Slaty Antshrike* Thamnophilus atrinucha (3: T & L)
100. Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis (1 L)
101. Spot-crowned Antvireo* Dysithamnus puncticeps (1: T)
102. Dot-winged Antwren* Microrhopias quixensis (1: T)
103. Dusky Antbird* Cercomacra tyrannina (2: T)
     (Jet Antbird Cercomacra nigricans (Heard: T))
104. White-bellied Antbird* Myrmeciza longipes (3: T & L)
105. Chestnut-backed Antbird* Myrmeciza exsul (2: T & L)
106. Bicolored Antbird* Gymnopithys leucaspis (1: T)
107. Spotted Antbird* Hylophylax naevioides (1: T)
108. Black-faced Antthrush* Formicarius analis (2: L)
109. Streak-chested Antpitta* Hylopezus perspicillatus (1: T)
110. Purple-throated Fruitcrow* Querula purpurata (1: T)
111. Golden-collared Manakin* Manacus vitellinus (3: T & L)
112. White-ruffed Manakin* Corapipo altera (1: L)
113. Lance-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia lanceolata (3: T & L)
114. Blue-crowned Manakin* Pipra coronata (1: T)
     (Thrushlike Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus (Heard: L))
115. Brown-capped Tyrannulet* Ornithion brunneicapillum (1: T)
116. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum (2: T)
117. Yellow Tyrannulet* Capsiempis flaveola (1: T)
118. Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster (2: L)
119. Lesser Elaenia* Elaenia chiriquensis (1: L)
120. Olive-striped Flycatcher* Mionectes olivaceus (1: L)
     (Yellow-green Tyrannulet [E] Phylloscartes flavovirens (Heard: T))
121. Paltry Tyrannulet* Zimmerius vilissimus (2: T)
122. Black-capped Pygmy-tyrant* Myiornis atricapillus (1: T)
123. Southern Bentbill* Oncostoma olivaceum (2: T)
124. Common Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum (2: T & L)
125. Black-headed Tody-flycatcher* Todirostrum nigriceps (1: T)
126. Eastern Wood-pewee Contopus virens (1: L)
127. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus (1: T)
128. Bran-coloured Flycatcher Myiobius fasciatus (1: L)
129. Bright-rumped Attila* Attila spadiceus (1: T)
130. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer (2: T)
131. Panama Flycatcher* Myiarchus panamensis (1: T)
132. Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor (2: T)
133. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus (3: T)
134. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua (3: T & L)
135. Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis (1: T)
136. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis (3: T)
137. Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus (1: T)
138. Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius (1: T)
139. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus (3: T)
140. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus (3: T)
141. Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana (2: T)
142. White-winged Becard* Pachyramphus polychopterus (1: T)
143. Masked Tityra* Tityra semifasciata (1: L)
144. Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea (2: T)
145. Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea (3: T)
146. Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis (3: T)
147. Sand Martin Riparia riparia (1: T)
148. Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota (3: T)
149. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (4: T & L)
150. Black-bellied Wren* Thryothorus fasciatoventris (3: T)
151. Rufous-breasted Wren* Thryothorus rutilus (2: L)
152. Bay Wren* Thryothorus nigricapillus (1: L)
153. Buff-breasted Wren* Thryothorus leucotis (2: L & T)
154. House Wren Troglodytes aedon (2: L)
155. White-breasted Wood-wren* Henicorhina leucosticta (1: T)
     (Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus (Heard: L))
156. Song Wren* Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus (1: T)
157. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus (1: T)
158. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus (3: T & L)
159. Clay-coloured Thrush Turdus grayi (5: T & L)
160. Tawny-faced Gnatwren* Microbates cinereiventris (1: L)
161. Long-billed Gnatwren* Ramphocaenus melanurus (1: T)
162. Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea (3: T & L)
163. Black-chested Jay* Cyanocorax affinis (2: L)
164. Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus (2: T)
165. Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis (2: T & L)
166. Golden-fronted Greenlet* Hylophilus aurantiifrons (1: T)
167. Lesser Greenlet* Hylophilus decurtatus (3: T)
168. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia (2: T & L)
169. Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica (1: T)
170. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina (1: T)
171. Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca (1: L)
172. Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea (2: T)
173. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis (4: T & L)
174. Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla (1: L)
175. Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis (2: L)
176. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons (3: T & L)
177. Bananaquit Coereba flaveola (2: L)
178. Common Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus (2: L)
179. Rosy Thrush-tanager* Rhodinocichla rosea (2: L)
180. Dusky-faced Tanager* Mitrospingus cassinii (2: L)
181. Grey-headed Tanager* Eucomotis penicillata (2: L)
182. Tawny-crested Tanager* Tachyphonus delatrii (2: L)
183. White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus (1: L)
184. Red-crowned Ant-tanager Habia rubica (3: T)
185. Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava (1: L)
186. Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea (2: T & L)
187. Crimson-backed Tanager * Ramphocelus dimidiatus (5: L)
188. Flame/Lemon-rumped Tanager* Ramphocelus flammigerus (2: L)
189. Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus (3: T & L)
190. Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum (2: T & L)
191. Yellow-crowned Euphonia* Euphonia luteicapilla (1: T)
192. Thick-billed Euphonia* Euphonia laniirostris (4: T & L)
193. Tawny-capped Euphonia* Euphonia anneae (1: L)
194. Silver-throated Tanager* Tangara icterocephala (2: L)
195. Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola (1: L)
196. Golden-hooded Tanager* Tangara larvata (3: T & L)
197. Scarlet-thighed Dacnis* Dacnis venusta (1: L)
198. Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana (5: T & L)
199. Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza (1: L)
200. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus (3: T & L)
201. Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina (2: T)
202. Variable Seedeater* Sporophila americana (2: T)
203. Yellow-bellied Seedeater* Sporophila nigricollis (1: L)
204. Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta (1: T)
205. Yellow-faced Grassquit* Tiaris olivacea (2: L)
206. Chestnut-capped Brush-finch Atlapetes brunneinucha (2: L)
207. Orange-billed Sparrow* Arremon aurantiirostris (2: T)
208. Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris (4: T & L)
209. Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus (2: T)
210. Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus (2: T)
211. Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides (1: T)
212. Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna (1: L)
213. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus (1: Coast)
214. Shiny Cowbird* Molothrus bonariensis (1: L)
215. Yellow-backed Oriole* Icterus chrysater (1: T)
216. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula (1: T)
217. Yellow-billed Cacique* Amblycercus holosericeus (1: L)
218. Yellow-rumped Cacique* Cacicus cela (2: T)
219. Scarlet-rumped Cacique* Cacicus uropygialis (3: T)
220. Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri (2: T)