Bird Watching in Panama: Included in Caravan’s Panama Tour
Birds inhabit every continent on Earth, from the poles to the equator. Of course, while you can find birds everywhere, they’re more abundant in certain areas. Panama, a country in Central America, is one of these places of abundance. It’s home to more than 1,000 bird species, including resident, migratory, endemic, and introduced birds.
So, if you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, you might want to add Panama to your bucket list. At Caravan, we offer a fully guided Panama Tropical Adventure tour perfect for avid birdwatchers. On this trip, there’s ample opportunity to spot Panama’s many bird species. There’s even a birdwatching cruise up the Chagres River!
Of course, birdwatching is just one of the many entertaining activities included in this tour. You’ll get a well-rounded experience covering all sorts of activities and sights, from touring Panama City and Old Panama to enjoying a birdwatching cruise and a Panama Canal boat ride. So, if you want to enjoy a Panama birding tour and more, book an excursion with Caravan today!
Panama’s Bird-Watching Scene
Panama is home to all sorts of birds, some common and easy to spot, others rare and elusive. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. Birds you might spot during your excursions include:
Harpy Eagle
The Harpy Eagle, Panama’s national bird, is one of the biggest and most powerful eagles in the world. This massive bird is an apex predator, boasting a wingspan of up to seven feet! It has remarkable hunting skills and can prey on animals as large as monkeys, sloths, and other mammals. It’s usually spotted in dense tropical rainforests, especially in the Darién region.
Watch for a massive bird with striking black feathers, white plumage, a feathered crown, and piercing talons. Spotting one is an incredible and unforgettable experience, especially if you’re an avid birdwatcher.
Resplendent Quetzal
The Resplendent Quetzal is, as the name implies, one of the prettiest birds in Panama. It has striking emerald green and red plumage and long, flowing tail feathers. It’s revered by many cultures and often viewed as a symbol of beauty and freedom.
It thrives in the cloud forests of western Panama, especially in places like Boquete. These birds are an endangered species, so you might not spot many of them, if any.
Keel-Billed Toucan
The Keel-billed Toucan is an easily recognizable bird thanks to its large, multicolored bill. Its bill boasts a rainbow of colors, including green, orange, and blue, making it easy to spot. This iconic bird is commonly found in the tropical forests of Panama, including Soberania National Park.
Its playful personality and frog-like calls, which blend with the cacophony of sound in the rainforests, make it a favorite among birdwatchers.
Blue-Crowned Motmot
The Blue-crowned Motmot is a stunning bird found in forests and gardens throughout Panama. This medium-sized bird boasts a striking turquoise crown and a characteristic racket-shaped tail. It’s easily recognizable, thanks to its vibrant colors and distinctive “whoop” calls.
While the colors are bright and beautiful, spotting these birds can be tricky. When people do spot them, they’re usually perched quietly in dense vegetation.
Rufous-Vented Ground Cuckoo
The Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo is a highly sought-after bird in the birdwatching community. It’s a rare and elusive bird that sticks to the undergrowth of dense tropical forests, where it forages for insects and small animals.
It has a long, slender tail and a unique iridescent greenish-blue sheen to its plumage. While their plumage is shiny, spotting these birds is remarkably tough, as they’re known for their incredible ability to stay hidden. While sightings are rare, you might be lucky enough to spot one in the Darién region, where they’re most commonly encountered.
Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw is one of the prettiest, most visually striking birds in Panama. It has vibrant red, blue, and yellow feathers and is quite large, making it easy to spot. They’re often spotted flying in pairs or small groups through the rainforest, especially in the tropical lowland forests of Darién National Park.
While they’re not rare or elusive and are easy to spot, seeing these majestic birds is a breathtaking experience.
Golden-Collared Manakin
The Golden-collared Manakin, a small bird known for its unique courtship dance, is often found in the forests of central Panama. The males have a distinctive yellow throat and collar that creates a striking contrast to their olive-green bodies. During the mating season, they put on a show, performing acrobatic displays of rapid wing beats and hops between branches in hopes of attracting a female.
Between these impressive displays and distinctive “snapping” sounds they make during courtship, these birds are captivating for birdwatchers.
Tiger Herons
Panama’s Tiger Herons are a striking group of birds known for their distinctive plumage that resembles a tiger’s markings (hence the name). Their unique pattern allows them to blend in with their natural habitats, which typically include wetlands, mangroves, and riverbanks across Central and South America.
The Bare-throated Tiger Heron, often seen in Panama, is the most notable of the bunch. It’s often seen stalking its prey near the water, waiting for the perfect moment to spear the unsuspecting creature with its long, sharp bill. Since they move slowly and deliberately, spotting them can be a challenge, but with a keen eye, you might be able to see one.
Whistling Ducks
The Whistling Duck is an intriguing group of waterfowl with a distinctive, high-pitched, almost musical whistle. They’re social birds, often seen in large flocks in wetlands, marshes, and lagoons.
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck, in particular, is a common sight in Panama. These ducks have a striking reddish bill, long legs, and a dark belly. Unlike many other ducks, these guys are often spotted perched in trees or elevated perches due to their relatively strong legs.
Cormorants
The Cormorant, a waterbird known for its exceptional diving abilities, is a common sight around the lakes, rivers, and coastal areas in Panama. They have dark, sleek feathers and long necks, giving them a somewhat reptilian appearance.
The Neotropic Cormorant is a common species found in Panama, often seen perched on rocks or branches with its wings flared to dry after diving for fish. These birds are incredible hunters, leveraging their webbed feet to propel themselves underwater as they hunt fish. Unlike most waterbirds, their feathers aren’t fully waterproof, which is why they’re often spotted sunning their wings.
A Tropical, Action-Packed Adventure: Caravan’s Panama Tour
Whether you want to visit Panama to observe the many bird species or enjoy the beautiful beaches, our Panama Tropical Adventure tour has you covered. The itinerary is full of entertaining activities and excursions, including:
- Day 1: Your trip starts when you fly into Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama. Make your way to your hotel in time for the welcome briefing at 8:00 p.m.
- Day 2: The second day jumpstarts your adventure with a morning visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), a drive along Panama City’s Bayfront, and a stop at the Canal’s Miraflores Locks.
- Day 3: The third day takes you to the heart of Panama’s rainforest, where you’ll visit an Embera tribal village before crossing the Bridge of the Atlantic. Explore the Fort San Lorenzo National Park, including the 16th-century fortress overlooking the Atlantic.
- Day 4: If birdwatching is what you’re here for, day four is sure to impress. You’ll take an early Panama bird-watching cruise on the Chagres River, home to all sorts of birds (among other critters). Later, visit a sloth rescue center and an orchid nursery.
- Day 5: On the fifth day, take a boat ride along the Panama Canal. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds, and other critters. After lunch, take a short rainforest hike before continuing to your beach resort for a two-night stay.
- Day 6: Day six is dedicated to whatever you’d like to do. Spend the day lounging on Playa Bonita, take advantage of the onsite spa at the beach resort, or take a leisurely stroll along the beach—it’s up to you!
- Day 7: On day seven, you’ll have the morning to spend as you wish. After lunch, you’ll return to Panama City, driving along the Amador Causeway and stopping at a Kuna tribal marketplace. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions.
- Day 8: Your journey ends on day eight after breakfast. Make your way to the airport for your flight home via Caravan’s departure transfers.
Enjoy Panama’s Bird-Watching Scene on a Guided Tour With Caravan
Ready to observe Panama’s many birds? Our guided tours offer ample opportunity for Panam birdwatching (and more). And since our Panama Tropical Paradise tour is fully guided, you won’t have to stress about the details! We’ll plan the finer details for you, from lodgings to transportation to meals. Simply book the flight and your excursion, and we’ll take care of the rest! Ready to book your trip? Call us at 1-800-CARAVAN or 1-312-321-9800.
