Fall at Panama's Canopy Tower: Oct 18—25, 2008

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Tour Leaders

Barry Zimmer

Barry Zimmer has been birding since the age of eight. His main areas of expertise lie in North and Central America, but his tra...

Victor Emanuel

Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 60 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, wit...

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Canopy Tower — Photo: Courtesy of Canopy Tower

Species-rich rainforest birding around the incredible Canopy Tower ecolodge with access to famous Pipeline Road, the Chagres River, and the wondrous Panama Canal.

Panama is simply one of the finest birding destinations in the Neotropics, with a rare combination of easy access to extensive tropical forest, fine accommodations, good food and water, and a wealth of wonderful birds to be seen. Whether you are a seasoned tropical birder or someone who has never ventured south of the Rio Grande, this tour will be a delight.

Our base of operations will be the exciting Canopy Tower, a former United States radar station elegantly converted into one of the most unique and enjoyable ecotourist lodges anywhere. Perched above Soberania National Park, the tower offers great birding literally right out your window, including the chance to view gems like Blue Cotinga and Green Shrike-Vireo, both of which can be quite difficult to see from ground level.

There are a number of terrific birding spots nearby, ranging from wetlands with Rufescent Tiger-Heron, White-throated Crake, and a profusion of orioles, tanagers, hummingbirds, and flycatchers to Parque Metropolitano, an amazingly rich tract of forest right on the edge of Panama City that hosts Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, and even the unpredictable Pheasant Cuckoo.

World-famous Pipeline and Achiote roads are also on our itinerary, of course. Here, one can find puffbirds (including the handsome Black-breasted), trogons, motmots, parrots, and many other flashy tropical species in abundance. This is also among the best places anywhere to locate an army ant swarm, with stunning looks at Bicolored, Spotted, and the spectacular Ocellated antbirds among the possible dividends.

Central Panama can also produce an excellent list of tropical mammals with brown-throated three-toed sloth, Hoffman's two-toed sloth, mantled howler monkey, white-faced capuchin, Geoffroy's tamarin, capybara, kinkajou, and northern tamandua among the possibilities.

This tour occurs during a prime time to observe hawk migration, when virtually the entire U.S. population of Broad-winged and Swainson's hawks, plus tens of thousands of Turkey Vultures, migrate to South America through Panama.

Good accommodations and food; all nights at one location; train ride along canal; easy to moderate walking on roads and trails; some midday breaks; two long days; warm and humid climate.

Our new PANAMA DVD features a mesmerizing tour of the Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge. Beautiful footage of some of Panama's most electrifying birds and commentary by Victor Emanuel highlight this 15-minute presentation. Please contact the VENT office to receive your free copy.

View Peter English's Panama's Canopy Tower photo gallery, and Barry Lyon's Panama's Canopy Tower photo gallery.

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