Despite its small size, Panama boasts a remarkable avian diversity with over 1,000 species of birds, both native and migratory, making it a premier birdwatching destination in the region. In fact, Panama is home to an astonishing 10 percent of the world’s known bird species, making it a paradise for ornithology enthusiasts. Located within the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, Panama City is ideally situated near three parks that offer fantastic birdwatching opportunities, including the Metropolitan Natural Park, which houses over 200 bird species.

The Metropolitan Natural Park, a sanctuary nestled within the city, provides convenient access for travelers eager to spot incredible avian species. Here, birdwatchers can marvel at the sight of blue-crowned motmots, lance-tailed manakins, wrens, greenlets, trogons, flycatchers, woodpeckers, toucans, tanagers, and the collared aracari.

Panama’s strategic location also facilitates a significant bird migration from September to April, attracting a multitude of migratory birds alongside the native residents. Western and Semipalmated sandpipers, Black-bellied Plovers, Red Knots, and Marbled Godwits flock to Panama’s abundant food sources and diverse habitats, creating captivating birdwatching opportunities throughout the country.

For those seeking the vibrant spectacle of parrots and macaws in their natural habitat, the Camino de Cruces National Park and Soberania National Park are ideal destinations. Soberania’s famed Pipeline Road holds the world record for 24-hour bird counts and is a sanctuary for rare species like the crested eagle. Along the Panama Canal watershed, Barro Colorado Island, the most extensively studied tropical rainforest globally, hosts nearly 400 bird species, including toucans, antshrikes, and tropical mockingbirds.

Darien National Park, Panama’s largest national park, located near the Colombian border, offers lush rainforests and mangroves, providing refuge for treasures like the quetzal, oropendola, cotinga, and the harpy eagle, Panama’s national bird.

In the northern region near the Costa Rican border, La Amistad International Park (PILA) awaits adventurous birdwatchers. PILA is the largest and most remote nature preserve in Central America, accessible from Las Nubes. It safeguards the UNESCO-designated forest along the Central Mountain Range and boasts over 600 bird species, including the elusive bare-necked umbrellabird.

Panama’s rich biodiversity invites birdwatchers from around the world to savor the delights of observing avian wonders in its protected areas. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a novice enthusiast, Panama promises a captivating and unforgettable birdwatching experience.