Panama La Verde Birding Circuit! PIPELINE!

Male Dot-winged Antwren photographed by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

The middle of our press trip to Panama on the circuit included a day going out of Hotel Albrook heading off to the internationally renowned Gamboa/Pipeline roads. For all intensive purposes the birding was a bit below average as we encountered no antswarms at all. Furthermore, given the fact that the birding wasn't as usual it was still magnificent. Really tells you something about the place. These areas of lowland tropical rainforest host hundreds of species of birds not to mention amphibians, insects, and mammals. We had the chance to spend the morning at the newly built Panama Rainforest Discovery Center halfway down Pipeline Road. Morning birding yielded Blue Cotinga, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Southern Bentbill, Western Slaty-Antshrike, etc. There are four levels on the canopy tower they have and they adequately enable you to survey different stratified layers of the canopy which is essential for birding in the tropics. I really need to get back to this place for sure!

The photo up top of the male Dot-winged Antwren was taken adjacent to the headquarters. The females are very different and have a completely rufous coloring on the ventral side of the bird. There are many trails from which to explore and access to a lake where we were able to pick up birds like Fasciated Antshrike, Snail Kite, Green Heron, and Rusty-Margined Flycatcher to name a few.

Male Three-toed Sloth photographed by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

Of course there are a plethora of birds to see, but this Three-toed Sloth was trying to cross the road in midday. Luckily, the oncoming traffic stopped (as did we) for this guy! Moving at the speed of a sloth our guide Luis craftily grabbed the sloth under the armpits from the back (the textbook way to move a sloth out of the road) and placed him in the ditch to avoid tragedy. I was impressed and felt lucky to see this gorgeous creature so close in real life. I learned that Three-toed sloths are gentle and will allow necessary contact without attacking whereas the Two-toed Sloth will react vigorously.

Jeff Gordon (check his blog out) had noted to me that Two-toeds like the interior of the forest and have what I like to say gremlin look to them. They have a longer snout, meaner look, and a mohawk so-to-speak. Three-toeds like the periphery of the forest and often enough will be out in the open grasping a Cecropia tree.

Broad-billed Motmot photographed by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

Birding in a group is always a blast, but I also try to find some private moments in the forest. I find that staying completely silent allows life to come to you. Sure enough I broke free of the group for about 45 minutes and a pair of Broad-billed Motmots perched inquisitively in front of me allowing for photos. WOW! This is my type of birding.

Panama La Verde Birding Circuit! (Park Eden B&B)

This shot of one of the Park Eden accomodations was taken by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

The second stay during the circuit was a place called Park Eden B&B located in a area called, "El Valle." We had the chance to sit down with, Monica, the owner whom speaks Spanish and English fluently! This place is a very comfortable well-organized B&B which caters birders, honeymooners, weekend warriors, etc. The food served was very tasty and the garden is manicured to perfection.

The yard list is impressive and offers birds such as Barred Antshrike, White-lined Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Common-Black Hawk, White Hawk, etc. The canopy is open in adjacent areas and allows for great raptor viewing in the afternoons.

This shot of birders in action was taken by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

One of the traditional things to do here is sit on the patio (where meals are served) and watch the feeders for what is coming in. Here you can see the front three gentleman Bill Thompson III of Bird Watcher's Digest, Kees Van Berkel of Ecotourist Services, and Jeff Gordon whom is a freelance guide/speaker/writer. These gentleman were enjoying the view from the patio viewing some Variable Seedeaters that were coming to the feeders such as the beautiful male shown below.

This shot of a male Variable Seedeater was taken by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

Rufous-capped Warblers were rather common and tame at Park Eden. This one popped out for a nice little show. Notice the all yellow breast, brown auriculars with a gray border, and the concealed rufous cap (from this angle only).

Many different birds can be seen and the surrounding forests offer a plethora of biodiversity. Certainly a must see area for any birder in Panama and the hospitality of the staff here will soothe all your worries.

This shot of a Rufous-capped Warbler was taken by Mike Freiberg using Nikon equipment

Enjoying hybrids

Call me crazy but I really enjoy hybrid birds. Most birders react to the "H" with as much enthusiasm as a visit to the dentist. Hybrids, however, are interesting both biologically and from and identification standpoint. I will not try to tackle the intricacies of either in this post. Instead I have included some photos of various hybrids I have observed with some basic comments on each individual. I have not included any photos of hybrid gulls in this post, much to everyone's glee, but I will eventually do a post on nothing but hybrid gulls!

Hybrid Common X Barrow's Goldeneye (R) with a Barrow's Goldeneye (L). Digiscoped by Cameron Cox with a Coolpix P4 through an 82mm Fieldscope.

Waterfowl hybridize fairly frequently and often produce spectacular and exotic looking offspring. Hybridization between the two goldeneye is rare but regular and after years of searching, I final saw my first goldeneye hybrid (pictured above) last year. I was just as excited to see this bird as any lifebird. This individual is more like a Common Goldeneye with green head sheen and largely white flanks, but has an intermediate head shape, white oval on the face, and scapular pattern.


Hybrid Blue-winged X Cinnamon Teal with a female Blue-winged Teal. Digiscoped by Cameron Cox with a Coolpix P4 through an 82mm Fieldscope.

This striking individual looks more like a Cinnamon Teal with the overall rusty color and red eye, but is paler than a Cinnamon Teal and shows a hint of a white crescent on the face, barring on the flanks, some blue-green coloration behind the eye, and a smaller bill. This hybrid combination is fairly regular, not surprising given that Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal are virtually identical genetically despite their very different appearance. As with many hybrid ducks the male offspring are beautiful and distinctive but female hybrids would be very difficult to pick out.

Presumed Dunlin X White-rumped Sandpiper hybrid (L) with Dunlin (R). Digiscoped by Cameron Cox with a Coolpix P4 through an 82mm Fieldscope.

Hybridization among sandpipers is much less common than among waterfowl or gulls, so when I first laid eyes on this odd individual I was stunned. It was first sandpiper hybrid I had ever seen and it took me over half an hour of observation before I was confident I knew which parents produced this bird. Unlike waterfowl hybrids, where many hybrids are easily identified, shorebird hybrids almost always cause controversy. Compare the structure of this bird to the Dunlin next to it. They are very similar but the hybrid is a bit slimmer with a more balanced, less front-heavy appearance. The plumage, however, looks much like a White-rumped Sandpiper with heavily streaked chest and flanks and dull upperparts with black feather centers. The rump had a weak, smudgy line running down the center. This bird was hanging out on South Beach near Chatham, MA and returned this past summer. South Beach is one of my favorite places to bird. There is almost no place else I'd rather be in late summer than looking through flocks of shorebirds and terns on South Beach.

Hybrid White-crowned X Golden-crowned Sparrow. Digiscoped by Cameron Cox with a Coolpix P1 through an 82mm Fieldscope.

Except in a few cases, such as Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers, hybridization is fairly rare in passerines (perching birds). This was the second White-crowned X Golden-crowned Sparrow hybrid I ran across while living in Washington State. Unfortunately I was only able to take one quick photo before it disappeared back into the brush and wasn't able to get a good image. This bird seems to have the head patterns of both of it's parent superimposed over one another! It was also singing a song that seemed to borrow pieces from the songs of each of its parents. This seems odd since songs are typically learned by passerines, not inherited.

With every hybrid comes a series of interesting questions: What where the hybrids two parents? Why did they hybridize? Will this hybrid bird breed? If so, with what species and what will it's offspring look like? Every answered question seems to spawn more unanswered questions. I personally like the idea that there is always more to be learned and always things we will never known. A neat, organized world where all our questions are answered is not a place I would want to live. Embrace the instabilty that hybrids represent and ask some questions about the next hybrid you see before turning your nose up at it.

Good Birding!

Panama La Verde Birding Circuit!

Photo of a Los Quetzales typical meal taken by Mike Freiberg of Nikon Sport Optics

On Monday, I embarked on a journey through the finest birding destinations in Panama. I was invited down to the lovely country by the tour operators of Panama La Verde birding circuits. The circuit is run through RECONTUR out of Panama City. Thus far through the trip we have seen many birds and some of the accomodations thus far have been splendid. Los Quetzales Lodge and Spa was our first traditional stop in western Panama to visit the highlands of Chiriqui. This place is amazing birding, but also hosts activities for those of a non-birding nature. I know some of our participants endulged in the famous one-hour massages there. They came out and went to dinner as loose as they could be. Three full-course meals were served daily with homemade bread (HEAVENLY), jam, veggies, and meat all grown on site. The owner, Carlos Alfaro is a savoy/enjoyable person whom knows how to cater to the vacationers. There is plenty of room and they welcome backpackers with plenty of dorm space as well.

There are eight participants invloved with this tour. The two photographed above are Kees Van Berkel (tour operator) with Ecotourist Services and Liz Payne (writer/operator/guide). Both of which have been a blast to travel with and I look forward to the next few days to finish out the trip with them. I will be sure to introduce the rest of the group in posts to follow.

There are so many things to talk about, but the birds will be my focus. Check out these little ones below!

This Green Violet-Ear was photgraphed by Mike Freiberg at Los Quetzales using Nikon camera equipment

Green Violet-Ears are some of the most common birds in the garden along with Long-tailed Silky-Flycatchers, Slaty Flowerpiercers, and Silver-throated Tanagers. Notice the overall green irridescence with the purple eardrop pattern on the auriculars. Not much stands in the way with identification problems with these guys.

This male Slaty Flowerpiercer was photgraphed by Mike Freiberg at Los Quetzales using Nikon camera equipment

The Slaty Flowerpiercer is a common resident that will certainly greet you as you walk about the luxorious gardens. The male shown above is all slate-blue with a sharply hooked bill for which it impales the bottom of the flower to, "steal," the nectar. The female is a mix of dull brown and gray for which is used as a defense against predators as it incubates the nest. Got to stay hidden!

This male Fiery-throated Hummingbird was photgraphed by Mike Freiberg at Los Quetzales using Nikon camera equipment

As you move up in elevation to Volcan Baru National Park; you will encounter some exquisite rustic cabins from which to bird from, that Carlos Alfaro owns. He redefines the term, "rustic!" it is really a resort in the rainforest. You literally can have Resplendant Quetzals outside your window and the staff will deliver a catered service to your door to keep you birding around the clock with a full belly. Birds seen at these cabins included Large-footed Finch, Yellow-thighed Finchs, Slaty Finches, Zeledonia Wrenthrushes (the only one of its kind in the world), Prong-billed Barbets, etc.

The Fiery-throated Hummingbird pictured above is a local endemic and the bird really stands out. A beautiful array of colors on the gorget along with its size sets it aside from the rest. One of the cabins has a massive hummer collection that includes the beauty above, Violet Sabrewings, White-throated Mountain-Gems, Magnificent Hummingbird, Green-fronted Lancebill, Green-crowned Brilliant, etc. It was amazing that we saw these birds given the fact we were there in the heart of rainy season and believe me, it rained. In fact, it poured...all day! That was a true testiment to the birding wonders this place offers. I can't wait to see what it is like in good weather if the birding was this incredible during downpours and cold temperatures.

This male Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush was photgraphed by Mike Freiberg at Los Quetzales using Nikon camera equipment

This lovely thrush sang all around the cabins and certainly was one of the more common birds there. The flute-like conglomeration of notes that this bird rips off adds to the beauty of this high-elevation, mature rainforest. Every once and a while one pops out for a show....certainly I was the beneficiary. The Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (LOL.....what a great name) is principally gray below with gray auriculars and is rich rufous above all the way up the the cap. The throat is a lighter shade (sometimes white). They are secretive for the most part, but not impossible to see. The chorus of this guy is usually accompanied by others including Black-faced Solitaire, Resplendant Quetzals and Silvery-fronted Tapaculo. Trust me folks, these are just a few of the creatures you will see and hear there. Built by the hand of Mother Nature.

I really do not think that you could possibly be more comfortable while birding anywhere else in the world. To top all of these little tidbits off; the guides speak english (including Carlos the owner) and if you get Ito...your experience will be unforgettable. Get there if you can! We spent one and a half days there and it wasn't even close to being enough. Make resevations in advance, because they get booked quickly. Never having met Carlos or his staff before I was delighted to see the lodge uses Nikon optics for their adventures. We look forward to supplying optics to them in the future. Thanks for taking the time to read this first post of a few from my Panama adventures. Also, a huge thank you goes out to Yenia and Ana Maria at RECONTUR for inviting me to this hidden treasure they call Panama!

Dusky Grouse!

Female Dusky Grouse photographed by Mike Freiberg with a Nikon D200 and a 300mm F4 Nikkor lens

The Blue Grouse split has been an interesting one since I've been birding. These birds simply can be separated by location which makes the species' rather easy to differentiate. Dusky (interior west) Grouse inhabits mid-elevation habitats throughout the mountain west. Quaking Aspen stands are often the primary choice habitat always with a decent amount of understory which aspens usually provide. You will also notice open fields close to a sighting indicating they prefer edge habitats as well. Males will often boom giving their low, resonant hoom-hoom-hoom, from a rock or tree snag anywhere from 2-8 feet off of the ground. I have always found the females about 15-20 feet up in a tree while this display is going on.

From plumage, you can always distinguish the females by their extreme dorsal mottling above and their distinct gray belly patch. Males will be darker all over (including the belly) with less overall mottling.

Immature Dusky Grouse photographed by Mike Freiberg with a Nikon D200 and a 300mm F4 Nikkor lens

In the fall, after the clutch has hatched the female will descend the mountains in search of more food while the young are still dependent. The clutch involves 7-9 chicks which the mother looks after for a short period of time. When they descend in the fall they will most often be found in open fields. If flushed the birds will most certainly fly into a tree as much as 30 feet high.

Once the winter commences, these birds migrate back up the mountain to dense conifer forest, primarily spruce. This is where they will spend the winter feeding off of conifer cones.