Birdwatching in Panama

Check out these opportunities to bird Panama with a group led by the best birding guides in the country.

And remember - we can arrange a personalized tour for any number of people. Even with a small group of only four people you can have a birding specialist guide and all inclusive itinerary at an affordable price. So get together with a couple of friends and give us a call.

Why Birdwatch in Panama?

Panama is a true bridge between two continents.  Many North American species reach their southern limits here and mix with the northernmost representatives of some South American species.  It forms a natural 'funnel' for neotropical migrants that stream through by the millions in the spring and fall.  Many migrants spend their winters in Panama and you may see, for example, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in the same tree with Keel-billed Toucans.  In this small easily accessible country you will find a wide range of habitats from highland cloudforest to lowland rainforest and coastal estuaries. There are seven life zones to be discovered in Panama.

Panama is a paradise for the bird enthusiast. Though slightly smaller than the state of Maine, 896 species of birds have been documented within its borders, or nearly 100 more than have been recorded in all of the U.S. and Canada! Stretching west to east between Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama contains a wealth of diverse habitats each containing a unique and exciting avifauna. The isthmus of Panama is a land bridge where the faunas of North and South America meet and intermingle. 

Western Panama is the southern end of the Central American Subregion and its montane avifauna is practically identical with that of the Costa Rica highlands. Panama’s western highlands, with Volcan Baru reaching above 11,000 feet, are reminiscent of the Costa Rican cloud forest around Monteverde, but here highland specialties like Resplendent Quetzal and Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher can be found without fighting the crowds now so common at many places in Costa Rica.

In central Panama, protected rainforest around the Canal Zone watershed provides birders with an abundance of opportunities to explore humid rainforest on both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes within a short drive of Panama City. This area also offers visitors a chance to see the workings of the Panama Canal and get an overview of the history of this amazing engineering feat.

Eastern Panama, or the Darien, is the northern apex of the humid rain forest and its montane avifauna is a continuation of that of the western Andes of Colombia though considerable subspecific and even specific segregation has taken place. The roadless areas of the Darien are undeveloped and, from a birder’s perspective, the most exciting venue in the country. Darien National Park, a biosphere reserve and world heritage site, is home to dozens of endemic species and a place where rare birds like the Chestnut-fronted Macaw and Red-throated Caracara become commonplace. Since much of the Darien actually lies south of the northern coast of South America, many of the birds there have a distinct South American flavor. The presence of Swallow Tanager, Barred Puffbird, Black-tipped Cotinga and Dusky-backed Jacamar around Cana are the result of this surprising geography.

EcoVentures’ trips to Panama will give participants a chance to sample all of these regions. By spending several days in each area we will maximize our bird list as well as see the incredible array of landscapes that Panama has to offer. Participants on our previous tours recorded over 350 species. Whether you are a serious lister or take a more casual approach to birding, this trip is an excellent chance to increase your life list and experience the wonders of Panama. If you have a sense of adventure, a love of birds and an appreciation of tropical splendor, then read on and learn more about this chance of a lifetime !