Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spot Crowned Woodcreeper
Latin: Lepidocolaptes affinis
Other:
Family: Furnariidae • Woodcreepers
Range: E Mexico to western Panama

The Spot-crowned Woodcreeper looks similar to the Streak-headed Woodcreeper but lives at a higher altitude. These were seen above 2000 metres in the Chiriqui mountains of western Panama, which is the easternmost part of their range.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • El Valle, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spotted Woodcreeper
Latin: Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Other:
Family: Furnariidae • Woodcreepers
Range: Panama, S Mexico to SW Ecuador

Spotted Woodcreeper has spots, not streaks, underneath and on head and neck, light throat, not much marking on back of head. Seen here in El Valle de Anton, in west central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chagres River, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Chestnut Mandibled Toucan
Latin: Ramphastos swainsonii
Other: Tucán de pico castaño, Tucán de Swainson (Es) • split from R. ambiguus
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans
Range: Southest Honduras to western Ecuador
Similar: Choco Toucan (Ecuador and Colombia)

I saw just one Chestnut-mandibled Toucan while in Panama and this was it. It was with a group of other toucans near the Chagres River in the Canal zone of central Panama. Stunning.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blue Throated Toucanet
Latin: Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis
Other: Split from A. prasinus, Emerald Toucanet
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Toucanets
Range: Costa Rica to W Panama
Similar:

A beautiful bird to see first thing in the morning as you step out of the car in the highlands of El Valle de Anton in Panama. The only green toucan in Panama. Has blue throat.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Fiery Billed Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus frantzii
Other: Arasarí piquinaranja (Es)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: Costa Rica, Panama
Similar: Collared Aracari

The Fiery-billed Aracari is found in the west of Panama and in Costa Rica. These were perched atop a tall tree when we arrived at the Finca Hartmann (a lovely bird-friendly coffee farm - well worth buying a couple of bags of coffee to take home with you while you’re there).

The Fiery-billed Aracari looks similar to the Collared Aracari but the upper bill is all red and orange.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Collared Aracari
Latin: Pteroglossus torquatus
Other: Tucancillo collarejo (Es) • Arasarí acollarado (Br)
Family: Ramphastidae • Toucans, Aracaris
Range: Mexico to Venezuela
Similar:

The Collared Aracari was not at all rare at the Canopy Tower. In fact one could usually be seen every morning at the crack of dawn or just before, feeding at the cecropias and other fruiting trees that surround the hotel. But the conditions never seemed very good for photography.

Upper mandible mostly light off-white with black tip, lower mandible black.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Crowned Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes rubricapillus
Other: Carpintero habado (Es)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia to NW Venezuela

The Red-Crowned Woodpecker was the most visible of the woodpecker family on my visit to Panama in April. They came to fruit feeders at Canopy Lodge, were seen at Ammo Ponds in the Canal Zone and also in the Chiriqui highlands.

The male (directly below) has a red cap, the female (above) only has some pale red at the back of the head. Otherwise barred back and wings, the rest buffish. Indentifiable in Panama by pale cheeks.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Acorn Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes formicivorus
Other: Carpintero centroamericano, Carpintero cara negra (Es)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: NW USA, Central America to western Panama, Colombia

These Acorn Woodpeckers, seen in Panama, were very charismatic - they would all disappear into their hollow trunk in the blink of an eye, and then reappear just as quickly.

Acorn Woodpeckers have red caps, black backs, pale yellow faces with black-ringed eyes and bills, pale yellow irises. Female only nape red apparently (these would then be mostly males?) Underparts, chest especially, black and white vertical streaks.

In Panama, only found in the western highlands of Chiriqui.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Lineated Woodpecker
Latin: Dryocopus lineatus
Other: Pica-pau-de-banda-branca (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Widespread Latin America

The Lineated Woodpecker is found throughout most of South and Central America north of Argentina, including all of Brazil. Most of these were seen in Panama.

The Lineated Woodpecker has a red crest, and white face stripe which extends down neck, - red malar stripe on male, on female (above) dark - dark chest, horizontally barred belly in Brazilian race, darker belly in Panama.

The Lineated Woodpecker has two white vertical bands on its back - the Crimson Crested Woodpecker has narrow bands which meet in “v”.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crimson Crested Woodpecker
Latin: Campephilus melanoleucos
Other: Pica-pau-de-topete-vermelho (Br)
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Panama to northern Argentina

The Crimson-crested Woodpecker is a large woodpecker, similar-looking to the Lineated Woodpecker. One main difference is that the two white stripes on its back are narrow and converge in a v, unlike those of the Lineated Woodpecker which are widely spaced.

The Crimson-crested Woodpecker male (directly below in more photos) has a mostly red head, with a black and white “badge” on the ear coverts. The female (above) has a broad white stripe on face and black crown. Bill is black, back black, underside swirly stripes.

We saw these in the Canal zone of Central Panama.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Hairy Woodpecker
Latin: Picoides villosus
Other:
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: Widespread North America, Middle America to Panama.

In Panama, the Hairy Woodpecker is only found in the western highlands. It was not uncommon in the cloud forest above Los Quetzales Lodge in April but only seen feeding high in the trees.

They are mostly black with one white stripe down centre of back. They have white stripes above and below the eye and on nape, males have some red on nape or top of head. They are buffish underneath.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Cheeked Woodpecker
Latin: Melanerpes pucherani
Other:
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: S Mexico to W Ecuador

I had a brief view of this male Black-cheeked Woodpecker in the Canal Zone in central Panama. The male has a red cap with black band running down from eye to neck and cream coloured face and throat. Small white spot above eye. Blackish back with some white spots or bars. Belly lightly barred. Female only nape is red.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Cinnamon Woodpecker
Latin: Celeus loricatus
Other:
Family: Picidae • Woodpecker
Range: SE Guatemala, Nicaragua, Coast Rica, Panama, Colombia, SW Ecuador

Just a record shot of the Cinnamon Woodpecker. I blame the camera…More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: American Pygmy Kingfisher
Latin: Chloroceryle aenea
Other: Martín pescador americano chico (Es) • Martim-pescador-anão (Br)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: S Mexico to N Argentina
Similar:

This male American Pygmy Kingfisher (above right) caught a fish and then flew up from a lower a branch and presented it to the female (above left).

The female has a dark band across the chest, the male has a white patch on the lower belly. Otherwise both are rufous below and dark blue-green above.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Whooping Motmot
Latin: Momotus subrufescens
Other: Blue-Crowned Motmot • Momotus momota
Family: Momotidae • Motmots
Range: E Panama, N Colombia, N Venezuela, SE Ecuador, NW Peru
Similar:

The Whooping Motmot is the new name for the Blue-Crowned Motmot seen in Central Panama and southeast to Peru.

It has an electric blue crown, is cinnamon underneath and has green-blue upper parts.

As with other Motmots, it wags its tail back and forth like a metronome, perhaps when it sees a predator.

The penultimate parts of its two long tail feathers fall off over time, creating the two signature racquets.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Blue Diademed Motmot
Latin: Momotus lessoni
Other: Blue-Crowned Motmot • Momotus momota
Family: Momotidae • Motmots
Range: S Mexico to W Panama
Similar:

I’ve given this the relatively new IOC name of Blue-diademed Motmot, but most know this as the Blue Crowned Motmot - its former name before splitting. This complex are all readily identifiable by their distinctive blue crown, but within the complex the birds are separated mostly geographically. This one is found from Western Panama to Southern Mexico. Seen here in Chiriqui.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tody Motmot
Latin: Hylomanes momotula
Other:
Family: Momotidae • Motmots
Range: S Mexico to Panama to NW Colombia
Similar:

The Tody Motmot is the smallest of the Motmots and the least similar to the others. These were difficult to photograph hidden deep in the dark forest canopy.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Broad Billed Motmot
Latin: Electron platyrhynchum
Other: Momoto piquiancho (Es)
Family: Momotidae • Motmots
Range: E Honduras to Panama to SW Ecuador, W Amazonia
Similar: Rufous Motmot

The green on the lower belly of the Broad-billed Motmot rises up higher than on the Rufous Motmot. A greenish chin is sometimes visible. Otherwise similar, cinnamon head and chest, darker green-blue wings, black mask, and spot on chest.

Also seen in Mindo and Silanche in NW Ecuador.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufous Motmot
Latin: Baryphthengus martii
Other: Momoto rufo (Es)
Family: Momotidae • Motmots
Range: E Honduras to Panama to SW Ecuador, W Amazonia
Similar: Broad-billed Motmot

The Rufous Motmot is larger than the similar Broad Billed Motmot and less green below. Black mask, cinnamon head, chest and belly. The rest is emerald green-blue. Black spot on chest.

Also seen in Mindo and Silanche in NW Ecuador.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Resplendent Quetzal
Latin: Pharomachrus mocinno
Other: Quetzal or Quetzal mesoamericano (Es)
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons and Quetzals
Range: S Mexico to W Panama, montane cloud forest

The Resplendent Quetzal is a spectacular bird with superb iridescent colours and, in the male, long tail feathers. I saw these birds in May in Chiriqui, Western Panama, in the hills above Los Quetzales Lodge. Quetzales are fruit eaters, so can sometimes be found in groups feeding in certain fruiting trees.

The male has a superb red belly, white tail, long green tail feathers and upper parts, with yellow bill and green crest. The female is duller and lacks the long tail feathers and crest.

Classified Near-Threatened on the IUCN Red List, Respendent Quetzals are not always that easy to find in Panama - they are most common in the western Chiriqui highlands. They nest in tree holes.

The males are very beautiful in flight, their tails undulating through the air like snakes. The Resplendent Quetzal is the largest bird in the trogon family, the national bird of Mexico, and a sacred bird in Mayan culture.
More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Soberania Park, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Throated Trogon
Latin: Trogon rufus
Other: Surucuá amarillo (Es) • Surucuá-de-barriga-amarela (Br)
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: Panama, Honduras to Ecuador, Amazonia, N Argentina

Both male and female Black Throated Trogons have a blue eyering - the female has an outer white ring. Both sexes have a yellow belly and striped tail with two or three thick white bands. Males have green upperparts, black face, light grey shoulder and yellow bill. Females have brown head and chest and dark bill.

We saw several in central Panama, in Soberania National Park, Pipeline Road, Plantation Road and in the Metropolitan Park - so this was probably the most common type of Trogon we encountered.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Pipeline Rd, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black Tailed Trogon
Latin: Trogon melanurus
Other:
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: Panama to Venezuela, Amazonia

Here is a female Black-tailed Trogon seen in on the Pipeline Road in central Panama. Note predominantly dark tail, red belly, greyish upperparts, and yellow lower bill.

Bill colour differentiates Black-tailed Trogons from Slaty-Tailed Trogons, which have red bills.

Copyright: monacoeye • Canopy Tower, Panama, April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Slaty Tailed Trogon
Latin: Trogon massena
Other: Trogón grande (Es)
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: SE Mexico to NE Ecuador

The Slaty Tailed Trogon is identifiable by its orange-red bill and red belly with dark tail.

Males (above) have greenish head and top parts and red eye-ring, while females are slate grey. Males have light grey shoulders and upper wings. The female (directly below) tends to have a darkish upper bill and reddish lower bill. Bill and eye-ring colour is the best way to differentiate Slaty-tailed Trogons from Black-tailed Trogons.

We saw several in Soberania National Park, including on Pipeline Rd and from the observation deck of the Canopy Tower.

More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • El Valle, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Collared Trogon
Latin: Trogon collaris
Other: T. aurantiiventris
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: E Mexico through Amazonia, SE Brazil

Pictured here is the Orange Bellied Trogon, which is an orange-bellied colour morph of the Collared Trogon. The Orange-bellied Trogon was previously considered a separate species T. aurantiiventris, found in Costa Rica and Western Panama.

The more typical Collared Trogon has a red belly. Males have green head, white chest line and striped tail. Females have brown head white chest line and mostly white tail.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Central Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Gartered Trogon
Latin: Trogon caligatus
Other: T. violaceus, Northern Violaceous Trogon
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: E Mexico to NW South America

When I saw this bird earlier this year it was identified as a Violaceous Trogon, but since then this northern type has been split from Violaceous Trogon into a new species called Gartered Trogon. I.e. Trogon caligatus is split from Trogon violaceus, the latter is only found in Amazonia.

Gartered Trogon males have a yellow eye-ring, orange yellow belly, deep bluish head, barred tail with two or three large white bands. Females (above) have a slate grey head and chest and black central tail feathers on an otherwise barred tail. Bill not yellow.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • El Valle, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Orange Bellied Trogon
Latin: Trogon aurantiiventris
Other: Collared Trogon • T. aurantiirostris in Ridgely fieldguide
Family: Trogonidae • Trogons
Range: Costa Rica to Central Panama

Orange-Bellied Trogon is now recognised as a colour morph of Collared Trogon - see Collared Trogon for more details.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Violet Sabrewing
Latin: Campylopterus hemileucurus
Other:
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Southern Mexico to western Panama.

The Violet Sabrewing is a spectacular large hummingbird seen regularly in the Chiriqui highlands of western Panama, for example at the Los Quetzales Hotel feeders in May.

The male Violet Sabrewing is predominantly violet with green shoulders and terminal white outer tail feathers. It has a long curved bill, white spot behind eye, and is pretty unmistakeable in Panama.

The female (see below) is greenish above, whitish below, with purple throat only, but the same white in tail feathers as the male and white spot behind eye.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Green Violetear
Latin: Colibri thalassinus
Other:
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Mexico to western Panama. Also Venezuela and Bolivia.

The Green Violetear is a good looking hummingbird, dark green with a very characteristic violet ear patch, which is easy to see and easy to remember! Thanks Green Violetear! The female is similar but smaller than the male with a violet band on the chest. The tail has a broad, diffuse, violet subterminal band. The tail is otherwise a sort of emerald colour below.

The Green Violet-ear is fairly common in the western highlands of Chiriqui state in western Panama and was seen regularly at the Los Quetzales Hotel feeders in May.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Stripe Tailed Hummingbird
Latin: Eupherusa eximia
Other:
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Northeastern Mexico to western Panama.

The Stripe-tailed Hummingbird is identifiable by the copper wing patches below the shoulder. Otherwise mostly green, with bluish tail with white edges. Small white patch behind eye.

White-tailed Hummingbird and Blue-capped Hummingbird are sometimes considered subspecies of this species.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Chiriqui, Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Tailed Emerald
Latin: Elvira chionura
Other:
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range: Southwest Costa Rica to central Panama.

Not much in the way of distinguishing features for the White-Tailed Emerald. These photos, taken in Chiriqui, have been identified as probably female White Tailed Emeralds, but I’m not certain. The male is mostly green with white bordered tail - like Stripe Tailed Hummingbird but without the copper epaulettes. The female is whitish below, sometimes flecked with green.More photos...