VENT. Panama: El Valle's Canopy Lodge 1/17/2026-1/24/2026

https://ebird.org/tripreport/469297

Every day of our Panama: El Valle's Canopy Lodge tour was filled with memorable birding experiences among wonderful scenery, with great food and delightful company. Our birding trip began right along the Panama Canal at our starting hotel!

While birding around the hotel grounds and along the canal, we found much to enjoy. We were initially greeted by Clay-colored Thrushes bouncing among the lawn as a Rusty-margined Flycatcher vocalized near a Social Flycatcher. Two Yellow-crowned Amazons flew past. While watching massive ships passing by, we locked our binoculars on Sandwich Terns and two uncommon Elegant Terns mixed in with them. Five Hudsonian Whimbrels zipped by over the canal just before we went inside to have breakfast and leave the big city. We observed 31 species just around the hotel grounds!

At the Canopy Lodge we were welcomed with smiles and the wonderful energy of Danilo, our skillful guide for the days to come. I have led many tours with him over the years, and it is always a joy to bird with him and to learn from him. Birdsong filled the air, and gentle water swept below us as we crossed the iconic red entrance bridge to the lodge. We took some moments to enjoy the renowned Canopy Lodge birdfeeders. Recently placed fruit welcomed Dusky-faced, Crimson-backed, and Palm tanagers, as well as Buff-throated Saltators. An ambitious Spot-crowned Barbet hopped over to feed with the commotion, as did two Keel-billed Toucans. Before a tasty onsite lunch, we enjoyed unbelievably cooperative views of a White-tipped Sicklebill that was resting, feeding, and preening directly behind our rooms. During our afternoon out we enjoyed views of a Purple-crowned Fairy and flyby Brown-hooded and Blue-headed parrots. The bulk of the afternoon was spent at a new, offsite bird feeding station just moments away. We had great views of Red-crowned Ant-Tanagers and Flame-rumped Tanagers, as well as four different species of hummingbirds and a wintering Black-billed Cuckoo!

Canopy Lodge, our home-sweet-home for this exciting tour © Erik Bruhnke

The next morning we set our sights on sampling some cloud forest birding in the Las Minas area. The corridor of trees welcomed many birds, including great views of a Collared Trogon, Chestnut-capped Warbler, gorgeous Silver-throated Tanagers, and a Golden-collared Manakin. A sneaky Golden-winged Warbler scooched by through the canopy at one point. White-breasted Wood-Wrens charmed the woods with their songs. Before lunch we enjoyed views of two sleepy Tropical Screech-Owls! In the afternoon we birded just on the other side of town in Las Mosas. A little intermittent rain was no match for us—we had a great time. We enjoyed not one, not two, but three Spectacled Owls there, in addition to a fairly close-feeding Lineated Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanagers, and both a Blue Dacnis and some Red-legged Honeycreepers in nearby trees.

Juvenile Spectacled Owl, one of three Spectacled Owls we saw! © Erik Bruhnke

The next day we set our sights on the magnificent and vast reaches of Altos Del Maria, the highest-elevation regions of the tour. Before we had even left the lodge, word got out that the White-tipped Sicklebill was visiting behind our rooms, and we took some time to relish this stunning and distinct hummingbird. The steep and meandering roads led us to our birding wonderland for the day. Earlier in the day we enjoyed views of a large Great Black Hawk, Olive-striped Flycatcher, and Tawny-capped Euphonia among so many special moments. A wintering Black-throated Green Warbler fed in front of us at one point. A little later in the morning we enjoyed views of a striking Green Hermit feeding on small blossoming flowers, a flock of canopy-feeding Black-and-yellow Tanagers (one of the many cloud forest specialists), and we even got to see a Northern Emerald-Toucanet (another big target). Adorable Plain Antvireos chattered nearby among vines and thin branches. We had a picnic lunch near the Biodiversity Trail, and what a special experience it was; in the afternoon we enjoyed sightings of a White Hawk soaring overhead and both Blackburnian and Canada warblers, in addition to a beautiful Spotted Woodcreeper. And among all this throughout the day were gorgeous trees, vines, mosses, and orchids. So much greenery!

This White-tipped Sicklebill was a show-stealer © Erik Bruhnke

Northern Emerald-Toucanet, one of the many sought-after charms of birding the cloud forest © Erik Bruhnke

The next day we headed to the lowlands, where vast fields blended into coastal environments. While making our way down the outer slopes of El Valle, we saw fabulous birds like a Lesson’s Motmot (scoped through layers of branches), two Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls, Yellow-Green Vireos, both Tennessee and Bay-breasted warblers, and more. We could feel the temperature rising as we entered a new ecoregion/climate of the tour . . . the birding was getting hot, too! With careful scanning we got to see one of the big targets of the morning, Brown-throated Parakeets. It was a joy to see them from a distance, and at one point they flew in a little closer to feed in trees very close to us. A mid-morning gas station break brought the only chance of the tour to see House Sparrow (yes, House Sparrow), and our sharp-eyed efforts located the little family of sparrows just before we headed back into the field. Birding the lowlands of the Juan Hombron area was next on our list. The birds in this area are exceptional. We enjoyed views of two Savanna Hawks, a Pearl Kite, several Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures, many wading birds, and also tiny birds like Mouse-colored Tyrannulet and Sapphire-throated Hummingbird. A sassy Rufous-browed Peppershrike added to the excitement while we enjoyed a snack in the cool shade. Lunchtime beach birding included birds like Willet, incredibly close Magnificent Frigatebirds, Brown Pelicans, and three scoped Cocos Boobies! Two tiny, range-restricted Garden Emeralds were seen before we made our way back home. What a day!

We had great looks at Brown-throated Parakeets © Erik Bruhnke

A second day of birding Altos Del Maria was in the works. With a little patience we saw the dark and dapper Dull-mantled Antbird in the early morning. Schnazzy birds like Common Chlorospingus, Boat-billed Flycatcher, and even a Scarlet-thighed Dacnis were seen (the dacnis is very uncommon for the trip). Despite being the dry season, these birds were appreciated well through some rain. As the day progressed in the high elevation, we scored nice moments with Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, White-ruffed Manakin, Tawny-crested Tanagers, Broad-winged Hawks and others. The shy Snowcap made an appearance just before lunch, as did an incredible Two-barred Flasher. An Olive-striped Flycatcher complemented extra views of a Northern Emerald-Toucanet. A Scaly-breasted Wren gave his high-pitched, thin little song from the deepest green abyss before we headed home. It was a joy to spend some time after dinner with Raúl Arias de Para (founder of Canopy Family) and his wife, Denise. They are such fabulous people, and after dinner they invited our group to watch a special video put together to commemorate the recent 25^th anniversary of the Canopy Family.

Two-barred Flasher. What a dapper butterfly! © Erik Bruhnke

Our last morning always comes too soon. On this “cleanup” morning of local birding, we first enjoyed much wildlife at the birdfeeders at the Canopy Lodge before making our way into the field. We spent some wonderful moments with two handsome Rufous-crested Coquettes perched out in the open! Another big target of the morning was Tody Motmot, and with some patience we focused our binoculars and scopes on one of these rare little charmers while another called in the distance. Upon seeing the Tody Motmot, we had observed four different motmot species during the tour! An obligatory visit to the market in town offered an array of vibrant, handmade colorful goods for sale. As we entered the lodge one more time, we were greeted by a Green Kingfisher flying by and a kaleidoscope of beautiful butterflies before saying goodbye.

A special thanks goes out to Danilo for sharing his expertise and joy with us every day. It was a thrill to bird with him again. Also, a special thank you goes out to the kind lodging staff who took great care of us during our stay, the kitchen staff who made many delicious meals, the drivers who made our travels possible, and to Raúl and Denise for joining us for some time together. The entire experience was so memorable. And thank you to all who joined this exciting tour. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Canopy Lodge tour!

A complete list of the birds recorded on our tour can be found at https://ebird.org/tripreport/469297

Photo gallery.

Description for the next departure of this tour.

Erik Bruhnke's upcoming tour schedule.