Why Bird Panama
A birder's guide to Panama
Why Panama is one of the easiest places in the tropics to see a lot of birds, the habitats you will bird in, and the hotspots we visit on our tours, written by local guides who have birded here since 1997.
The bird guide
Start here
Six reasons to bird Panama
Short drives from your hotel, about 1,000 species in a country smaller than South Carolina, and birds from both North and South America. Add many habitats in a single day, a local guide who knows where the birds are this week, and good birding in every month of the year.
Bird habitats
Panama packs many habitats into a small country: Pacific dry forest and mudflats, humid Caribbean rainforest, lakes and marshes along the Canal, and cool foothill and cloud forest. See which birds live in each, which national parks protect them, and which of our tours take you there.
Birding hotspots
Pipeline Road, Old Gamboa Road, Achiote Road, Metropolitan Nature Park, Cerro Azul, El Valle and the other places we bird, grouped by area. Most are within an hour or two of Panama City, and each one links to the tour that takes you there.
Panama bird list
Our checklist of the birds of central Panama, on our sister site Panama Bird Guide. Use it to plan your target birds before the trip and keep track of what you see. Each of our tour pages also lists the specialties of that site.
Good to know
Planning tips
Best time
Birding is good all year. December to April is the dry season; from about September to April North American migrants add many more species.
Start early
Birds are most active from dawn until late morning, so our morning tours pick you up at your hotel around 5:30 to 6:00 am.
Rain
In the rainy season (May to November) showers are usually short and come mostly in the afternoon. Bring a light rain jacket.
What to wear
Light, neutral-colored clothes, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Binoculars
Bring your own if you can. Your guide carries a spotting scope and a field guide.
Where to stay
Panama City is a good base for most of our day tours. We can also book lodges near the forest, in Gamboa or the highlands.
Plan your trip
Ready to plan your birding days?
Tell us your dates, your hotel and the birds you most want to see. We reply personally by WhatsApp or email.
Real birders on our tours