Birding Bocas del Torro

Posted byMichael CookPosted in2. International, Central America, PanamaTags:, , , , , ,
Shorebird wading in shallow water on a sandy beach, possibly in Bocas del Toro.

We have moved on to Panama and just had a week diving the wrecks and reefs here. But we also took a day out to go birding visiting three key locations by boat – Changuinola Canal, Boca del Rio Changuinola and Isla Pajaros (Bird Island). We had arranged a boat captain (Enrique) and guide (Stacey) with Bocas Biodiversity. Being out of season this had to be a private trip and we were going long distances on the boat which cost more fuel so all together this was quite expensive but we were keen to see some special birds in this part of Panama.

Contents hide
1 Changuinola Canal
2 Boca del Rio Changuinola
3 Isla Pajaros (Bird Island)
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Changuinola Canal

We set off from Bocas at 6.30am and had lovely views to the mainland including the highest point in Panama from where you can see the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans on a clear day. We saw many Magnificent Frigate Birds and Brown Boobies flying away from their roost on Bird Island with some resting on marker buoys offering a quick photo. Entering the mouth of the canal we saw numerous egrets and a close Black-Cheeked Woodpecker. Once in the canal the usual cast of kingfishers and herons offered close views. But a highlight for me was hearing (a lot) and seeing briefly the Golden-Collared Manakin. On the way out we dipped on the regional endemic Nicaraguan Seed-Finch but we were pleased to hear and then see it on the way back. This was our last chance to see this bird on our move south and east.

  • Snow bunting in snow, a highland birding find.
    Views to Volcano Baru (3,474m) Panama’s high point
  • Magnificent Frigatebird perched on a marker in Bocas del Toro.
    Magnificent Frigatebird
  • Juvenile Magnificent Frigatebird perches on a weathered post. Birding Bocas del Torro.
    Brown Booby
  • Green heron perched on a branch in Bocas del Torro. Birding in Panama.
    Green Heron
  • Ringed Kingfisher perched on a branch in Bocas del Toro.
    Green Kingfisher
  • Rufous-tailed jacamar perched on a branch, preening its feathers in Bocas del Toro.
  • Gray pigeon perched on a branch surrounded by green leaves in Bocas del Toro.
    White-Crowned Pigeon
  • Ringed Kingfisher perched on a branch in Bocas del Torro. Birding in Panama.
    Ringed Kingfisher
  • Sloth clinging to a tree branch amidst lush foliage in Bocas del Torro.
    Three Toed Sloth
  • Two birds soaring against a clear blue sky in Bocas del Torro.
    Mature and Juvenile Common Black Hawk
  • Two birds, possibly eagles, soaring against a clear blue sky in Bocas del Toro.
  • Immature eagle perched on a branch in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Birding in Panama.
    Immature Common Black Hawk
  • Green iguana swimming in water, reflection visible. Birding Bocas del Torro wildlife.
    Swimming Iguana
  • Iguana swimming in a pond in Bocas del Torro. Birding destination.
  • Black bird with a stout beak perched amongst green leaves against a blue sky, Birding Bocas del Torro.
    Nicaraguan Seed Finch

In addition to the seen birds we did hear several species including wrens (Bay, Canebrake and Black-throated), White-throated Crake and White-browed Gnatcatcher.

Boca del Rio Changuinola

We moved from the canal into the river proper and immediately saw a different mix of birds. Great-Blue and Little-Blue Herons, all three egrets (Great, Snowy and Cattle). But a hovering bird offered an early highlight a White-Tailed Kite. We also saw a migrating Osprey. At one point we left the boat to find Red-Breasted Meadowlark which my wife had seen and I had dipped on in Costa Rica (from a moving bus in my defence).

  • Great Blue Heron standing on a log in the water near Bocas del Torro.
    Great Blue Heron
  • White-tailed kite diving above lush trees in Bocas del Torro. Birding paradise.
    White-Tailed Kite
  • White-tailed kite in flight over Bocas del Toro foliage. Birding paradise.
  • Two black-bellied whistling ducks stand on a sandy bank in Bocas del Torro, near water and foliage.
    Black-Bellied Whisting Duck
  • Shorebird standing on a floating plant in Bocas del Torro.
    Collared Plover
  • Shorebird wades in shallow water at Bocas del Toro, Panama. Birding paradise.
  • Spotted sandpiper foraging on a Bocas del Toro beach near vegetation.
  • Spotted sandpiper at the water's edge in Bocas del Torro, Panama.
  • Shorebird on sand. Birding Bocas del Torro.
    Semi-Palmated Plover
  • Least Ringed Plover standing on a sandy beach near seaweed.
  • Ruddy turnstones foraging on a sandy beach in Bocas del Toro.
    Turnstone

Taking lunch at the river mouth we added several old and new birds. Familiar from home we added Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone. From elsewhere on our trip we added Spotted Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover and we were delighted to add the new lifer Collared Plover. Close views offered cementing of the ID differences.

Isla Pajaros (Bird Island)

Our trip to bird island was contingent on the winds not being too high but we were pleased the conditions allowed. These relatively small islands are the only place in Panama that the Red-billed Tropicbird breeds. This is a fantastically distinctive bird with red bill, white plumage and long streaming tail. It is rarely seen in sight of land. In addition to this star species we also saw numerous Brown Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds along with American Black Vultures and a few Grey Breasted Martins

  • Red-billed tropicbird in flight against a blue sky near lush greenery.
    Red-Billed Tropicbird
  • Red-billed tropicbird soaring in a clear blue sky, Birding Bocas del Torro.
  • Red-billed tropicbird in flight against a clear blue sky.
  • Red-billed tropicbird in flight against a clear blue sky in Bocas del Toro.
  • Red-billed tropicbird soaring in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
  • Red-billed tropicbird soars against a blue sky in Bocas del Toro.
  • Red-billed tropicbird nesting in a rock cave, Bocas del Toro.
    Red-Billed Tropicbird Nest
  • Red-billed tropicbird nesting in a rocky crevice in Bocas del Toro.
  • Brown booby bird flying over the ocean in Bocas del Torro.
    Brown Booby
  • Brown booby bird in flight over lush greenery in Bocas del Torro.
  • Brown booby bird in flight against a blue sky and palm trees in Bocas del Toro.
  • Brown booby bird in flight near rocky cliffs, Bocas del Toro.
  • Immature booby bird perched on a grassy, rocky outcrop in Bocas del Toro.
    Immature Brown Booby
  • Two Brown Booby birds perched in lush foliage, Bocas del Toro birding.
    Brown Boobies

Altogether we added 7 lifers (plus a slightly frustrating 5 lifers heard only) and 2 new birds for our trip which we knew well from home. This took our trip total to exactly 600 birds which is fantastic. Next up we move to Panama City and have a couple of mornings birding there. I wonder if we can get to 650 before we leave Panama?

Black bird in flight, "Wild Scot" text. Scottish Wildlife Photos.

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Published by Michael Cook

Wildlife Photographer based in Scotland

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