December 16: Gavin Bieber reports from the Canopy Tower in Panama
Our short fall 2022 trip to the famous Panama Canopy Tower was packed with birds and several charismatic mammal species (an amazing 20 species) including almost daily visits to the tower from Geoffrey’s Tamarins, Kinkajous and a Western Lowland Olingo.
Around the tower we located well over two hundred species of birds, including gaudy and overtly tropical birds such as White-whiskered Puffbird, Blue Cotinga, a day-roosting Black-and-White Owl and Black-cheeked Woodpeckers, as well as a host of interesting non-avian things like this rather regal looking Spiny-tailed Iguana.
The day trip up to the (relative) highlands of Cerro Azul produced a wonderful female Yellow-eared Toucanet, a very responsive Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, and a great array of hummingbirds including handsome White-necked Jacobins and Blue-chested. Our other full day away from the tower explored the Atlantic slope on the west side of the canal, where, among over 100 species we found Spot-crowned Barbets to be particularly prevalent this year.
This tour continues to impress me, as the diversity and richness of the region, paired with ease of access and the comforts and uniqueness of the tower make for a truly wonderful experience.
Black and White Owl
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Blue Cotinga
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Kinkajou
Shiny Honeycreeper
Spot-crowned Barbet
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker
White-necked Jacobin
White-whiskered Puffbird
Yellow-eared Toucanet
Posted: December 16, 2022