Panama: World-Class Birdwatching
The birds of Panama make up approximately 10% of the world’s known birds.
Most are permanent residents, observable throughout the year.
Some notable birds of Panama include:
- Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno)
- 8 Species of Toucan
- 5 Species of Macaw
- 61 species of Hummingbird
We wrote this free guide to the birds of Panama to help you plan your next birding expedition.
Birding Paradise
World-class birding locations lie within easy reach of Panama City.
Among these are Pipeline Road, the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, Soberania National Park, and Chagres National Park.
Away from Panama’s capital, other prime birdwatching locations include:
- La Amistad International Park
- Sendero de los Quetzales
- Darien National Park
Each of these destinations is home to a wide variety of the Birds of Panama, along with many other species of observable wildlife.
La Amistad International Park
Located on the border of Panama and Costa Rica, La Amistad protects 850 square miles of cloud forest, rainforest, and lowland habitat. La Amistad is home to many birds, tapirs, monkeys, and brilliantly colored frogs. Privately guided day hikes can be arranged to the La Cascada waterfall and panoramic lookout points.
Red-legged Honeycreeper
La Amistad Heritage Park is home to 219 of the birds of Panama. Located in the Chiriqui Province of Western Panama, many birders head to La Amistad in search of the Resplendent Quetzal.
Beyond the Resplendent Quetzal, birders in La Amistad can encounter a number of the other birds of Panama, including the:
- Flame-throated Warbler
- Sooty-capped Chlorospingus
- Red-headed Barbet
- Tufted and Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher
- Chiriqui Quail-Dove
- Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch
- White-fronted Tyrannulet
- Black-faced Solitaire
- Yellow-thighed Finch
- Golden-browed Chlorophonia
Getting to La Amistad typically requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The terrain here can be rough and guides are recommended.
Birding in Sendero de los Quetzales
The Sendero de los Quetzales—a six-mile trail from Boquete to Cerro Punta—is also located in the Chiriqui Province, on the northern slopes of the Baru Volcano.
Over 225 birds of Panama have been identified on this trail.
Some of the species found along this popular Panama birdwatching destination include:
- Prong-billed Barbet
- Scintillant Hummingbird
- Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
- Black and Yellow Silky-Flycatcher
- Yellow Flycatcher
- Slaty Spinetail
True to its name, Sendero de los Quetzales represents yet another region of Panama where lucky birders can spot the Resplendent Quetzal.
Birdwatching in Darien
In Panama’s far east, Darien National Park is both the largest national park in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Its territory covers over 2,200 square miles, protecting mangrove swamps, mountains, lowland rainforests and Pacific beaches. More than 450 of Panama’s avian species have been observed at Darien.
Birdwatchers visiting Darien can encounter a wide array of the birds of Panama there, including the:
- Golden-green Woodpecker
- Rufous-winged Antwren
- Bare-crowned Antbird
- Plumbeous Hawk
- Spectacled Owl
- Tody Motmot
- Crested Eagle
- Barred Puffbird
- Rufescent Tiger-heron
- Tawny-breasted Flycatcher
Darien can be accessed by air and river. Experienced guides are a necessity.
Want information on other great birding destinations? With 20 Islands and over 50 islets, the Galapagos Archipelago is home to 45 endemic bird species!
Find out more in our free Galapagos Islands guides here:
Galapagos Islands & Species
Galapagos Safari Camp
Galapagos Yacht Charters
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