Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.3, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # The Canopy Family The Canopy Family ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://canopytower.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [A Visitor from the Tower’s Old Life](https://canopytower.com/a-visitor-from-the-towers-old-life/) - Thirty-eight years after leaving Panama, Troy Lockes found himself driving up Semaphore Hill once again. As the road wound through the rainforest toward the Canopy Tower, memories of long nights, tropical wildlife, and a very different Panama began to return. What is now a world-renowned birding destination was once a place where Troy spent part - [Robert S. Ridgely and the Birth of the Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/robert-s-ridgely-and-the-birth-of-the-canopy-tower/) - By: Raúl Arias de Para When it appeared in 1976, the book The Birds of Panama by Robert S. Ridgely represented a turning point in the world of birding. Earlier works on birds had been written mainly for professional ornithologists. Ridgely’s guide was different. It was written for the growing community of amateur naturalists, people - [White-tipped Sicklebill](https://canopytower.com/white-tipped-sicklebill/) - White-tipped Sicklebill Eutoxeres aquila Photo by Danilo Rodríguez Jr. There are two species of sicklebill hummingbirds around the world: the Buff-tailed Sicklebill (E. condamini) and the White-tipped Sicklebill (E. aquila). The White-tipped Sicklebill can be found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It can be distinguished, as the name denotes, by the white tips - [Nearly 300,000 Migrating Raptors in a Single Day](https://canopytower.com/nearly-300000-migrating-raptors-in-a-single-day/) - By: Ryan Rodríguez Howdy y’all. My name is Ryan Rodríguez and I was honored and blessed with the opportunity to be the official hawk counter for the month of October, 2025 at the Canopy Tower. I had been to the Tower as a visitor in October 2023 and it was an unforgettable experience. The Tower - [A Young Birder’s Big Dream Comes True at Canopy Family](https://canopytower.com/a-young-birders-big-dream-comes-true-at-canopy-family/) - A few months ago, we at Canopy Family were delighted to receive a very special visit. Lucy Smith, an 11-year-old birder from Texas, joined us in Panama for an unforgettable adventure. Before her trip, Lucy had already seen about 300 bird species, an impressive achievement for someone her age. By the end of her time - [Pipeline Road: A Must for Birders](https://canopytower.com/pipeline-road-a-must-for-birders/) - Imagine walking beneath shadowing rainforest trees, with the calls of trogons, antbirds, and tinamous echoing all around you. Sunlight filters through the canopy, and with every step, the promise of a new bird sighting takes you deeper into the forest. This is Pipeline Road, a legendary name in the birding world and one of the - [Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher](https://canopytower.com/ruddy-tailed-flycatcher/) - Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus Photo by Rafael Lau A tiny flycatcher – only 10 cm in length and weighing only 7 grams – this teeny rainforest dweller is distinguished by its gray head and upper back, bright rufous breast, wings, rump and tail, and buffy lower belly. It has a short, stubby bill with prominent - [Panama Blonde Tarantula](https://canopytower.com/panama-blonde-tarantula/) - Panama Blonde Tarantula Psalmopoeus pulcher Photo by Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo. The Panama Blonde Tarantula is a striking arboreal spider native to the tropical forests of Panama. It is one of the 19 species of tarantulas present in Panama. This species stands out for its beautiful golden, beige and white colors, which lend it its common name. - [A Tribute To A Friend](https://canopytower.com/a-tribute-to-a-giant/) - Our executive vice-president Daniel Arias and his family, with Victor Emanuel and our Canopy Family president and founder Raúl Arias de Para and his wife Denise Barakat in October 2021 at Canopy Tower Text by Raúl Arias de Para As I write these words, I see a pair of Black-chested Jays flying overhead, and in - [Make The Most Of Your Trip With Panama Stopover](https://canopytower.com/make-the-most-of-your-trip-with-panama-stopover/) - Panama is considered the hub of the Americas. It sits at a unique geographic and cultural crossroads—a narrow isthmus where North and South America meet. For centuries, its strategic location has made it a vital point for trade and travel, connecting oceans and continents. Today, it remains a global gateway, home to the world-famous Panama - [Panama made it to the Global Big Day 2025 Worldwide Top 10!](https://canopytower.com/panama-made-it-to-the-global-big-day-2025-worldwide-top-10/) - On May 10, 2025, the world’s birding community joined forces for the annual Global Big Day, a 24‑hour birdwatching journey powered by eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Around 1.8 million participants identified birds using the Merlin app, and around 75,000 eBird users submitted more than 173,000 checklists, collectively spotting around 7,900 bird species - [The Canopy Lodge was featured in The New York Times!](https://canopytower.com/the-canopy-lodge-was-featured-in-the-new-york-times/) - On May 29, 2025, Canopy Lodge was featured in the New York Times! El Valle looks like something out of a fairy tale — wrote Jeffrey Gettleman, the author of the article. He described the Canopy Lodge as a cozy retreat, where he saw many special birds, interviewed Canopy Family's president and founder Raúl Arias - [Crested Eagle in Darién named "Mumamá", the Emberá word for "Protective Mother"](https://canopytower.com/crested-eagle-in-darien-named-mumama-the-embera-word-for-mother-nature/) - By Virginia Rettig With wonder and excitement, we embarked on a day-long journey to find the elusive Crested Eagle in the heart of the Darién. Our expert Canopy Family guide was Eliécer Rodriguez, whose knowledge and enthusiasm were astounding. Our day began with a delicious and filling pre-dawn breakfast at Canopy Camp. We had selected - [First Ever Guests Return to the Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/first-ever-guests-return-to-the-canopy-tower-25-years-later/) - In 1998, twenty-six years ago, Cheryl Farmer and Arlene Golembiewski were the very first guests to stay at the Canopy Tower. Back then, the tower was a work in progress—there was no kitchen, no cook, and only one bathroom shared with the construction staff. Yet, for these adventurous birdwatchers, the opportunity to be immersed in - [A Record-Breaking Birding Adventure with Canopy Family!](https://canopytower.com/a-record-breaking-birding-adventure-with-canopy-family/) - For the third consecutive year, we are thrilled to celebrate an incredible achievement—our dedicated visitors David and Tamara McQuade, have once again finished #1 in both the American Ornithological Union (AOU) region and North America as top birders on eBird! Their 2024 totals were outstanding, with 1,136 species recorded in the AOU region and - [Unprecedented Raptor Migration at Panama's Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/a-unique-phenomena-within-the-tropics/) - Text by Cameron Cox It was my privilege to be the last hawk counter in 2019 to count at Canopy Tower, before COVID changed the world. It was my great honor to be the hawk counter to revive the Canopy Tower/Semaphore Hill count in the fall of 2024. Canopy Tower is a special place and - [Birdwatching with Raul Arias De Para](https://canopytower.com/birdwatching-with-raul-arias-de-para/) - Birdwatching with Raul Arias de Para By Raul Arias de Para Businessman and Conservationist 28 June 1992 During the past five years or so, I have been dedicating a good part of my spare time to bird-watching. I never imagined that this peaceful and apparently useless activity could captivate me so thoroughly. I have discovered, - [“The transformation of the tower was hard, but it was fun!”](https://canopytower.com/the-reconstruction-of-the-tower-was-hard-but-it-was-fun/) - To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we’ve been sharing the inspiring story of how Raúl Arias de Para, Canopy Family’s president and founder, turned a vision into reality. In our previous Newsletter, we explored the challenges Raúl faced in finding the perfect location near the Panama Canal for an ecolodge. After much perseverance, he secured the - [An Idea That Became a Reality](https://canopytower.com/an-idea-that-became-a-real-challenge/) - Before opening the Canopy Tower, on January 1st, 1999, our president and founder Raúl Arias de Para was involved in many things. He was an international banker for 10 years, working in Panama, Bogotá, and Chicago. Upon his return to Panama he was active in local politics and was elected to the National Assembly for - [Raptor Migration in Panama featured in the magazine Peregrine](https://canopytower.com/raptor-migration-in-panama-featured-in-peregrine/) - Recently, we were featured in Peregrine Magazine! In this article, our friend Mike Dawson tells the story about his flight to Panama getting delayed because of the amazing raptor migration. Once in Panama, he got to it: hundreds of Black and Turkey Vultures, Broad-winged Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, and Mississippi Kites passing by Panama to spend the - [Canopy Camp Darién: Always great, now even better!](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp-darien-gets-significant-improvements/) - Canopy Camp Darién: Always great, now even better! Sometimes, Darién is regarded as a far-away paradise but with harsh and limited conditions. It does takes around five hours from Panama City to get there, but what about if we tell you that these are five hours of birding on the way, where you will have - [We can’t believe it’s been 25 incredible years!](https://canopytower.com/we-cant-believe-its-been-25-incredible-years/) - Back in 1999, the marvelous Canopy Tower began its second life as a birding lodge, representing the birth of the Canopy Family. It has certainly been a journey full of ups and downs, but ultimately, it was a dream brought to realization. Little did Raúl Arias de Para, our Canopy Family President and founder, know - [Capped Heron](https://canopytower.com/capped-heron/) - Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus Photo by Uwe Speck One of the most unique herons of the Neotropics! The Capped Heron truly stands out on its own, as no other combines a brilliant sky-blue face and bill with a black crown. It further has a thick, cream-colored neck and breast and whitish to light gray wings - [Blue-winged Helicopter Damselfly](https://canopytower.com/blue-winged-helicopter/) - Blue-winged Helicopter Damselfly Megaloprepus caerulatus Photo by Domiciano Alveo With a wingspan of up to 19 cm (nearly 8 in.), the Blue-winged Helicopter is the largest member of the dragonfly and damselfly order, Odonata. It is large, with a body length up to 13 cm (5 in.), and slender. In addition to its large size, - [1,000 birds by the age of 19!](https://canopytower.com/1000-birds-by-the-age-of-19/) - Imagine if you had started birdwatching when you were 6. Julien Amsellem is an enthusiastic 19-year-old New Yorker from Hastings-on-Hudson, who has been birding actually since he was 6 years old. The moment that defined that he wanted to be a birdwatcher was when an impressive Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), the largest extant woodpecker in - [Gaige's Rain Frog](https://canopytower.com/gaiges-rain-frog/) - Gaige's Rain Frog Pristimantis gaigei Photo by Rafael Lau Gaige's Rain Frog, also known as Fort Randolph Robber Frog and False Dart Frog, is a species of frog belonging to the family Craugastoridae. It is distributed from southwest Costa Rica to western Colombia. Interestingly, Gaige's Rain Frogs present color variation throughout their distribution. The populations - [Ruby-topaz Hummingbird](https://canopytower.com/ruby-topaz-hummingbird/) - Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus Photo by Carlos Bethancourt The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is an amazing hummingbird distributed mostly in South America. It can be found in Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname (which is the type locality—the geographical location where the specimen used to describe the species was originally found), the Guianas, Trinidad and Tobago and two other small - [Towels folded especially for you!](https://canopytower.com/towels-folded-especially-for-you/) - Denia was looking for a job, when her cousin, who worked with Canopy Family, told her there was an opening.And just like that, Denia started working as a housekeeper at the Canopy Tower in 2018, six years ago. One day, to spice her work up, she started folding the towels differently. The first shapes she - [Cookeina speciosa](https://canopytower.com/white-tipped-sicklebill-2/) - Cookeina speciosa Photo: Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo Cookeina speciosa is a cup-type fungus that grows throughout the tropics in both the new and the old world. In Panama, it is common in lowland rainforests. It belongs to the family Sarcoscyphaceae, and grows on fallen tree trunks, branches, or logs in decomposition found on the forest floor. It - [Panama outlaws open pit mining](https://canopytower.com/sin-lucha-no-hay-victoria-all-for-a-greener-panama/) - Recently, the rainforests of Panama faced a historically significant threat. Nevertheless, at present, the opportunity to appreciate them has never been greater, making a visit to Panama more worthwhile than ever, as never before have the Panamanian people been so aware of the importance of their conservation. A few weeks ago, Panama - [A small fieldtrip with a great value](https://canopytower.com/a-small-fieldtrip-with-a-great-value/) - Recently, Canopy Family supported a small fieldtrip with a great value: kids from Darién that belong to the Environmental Brigades, organized by Loira Castillo from the Ministry of Environment, visited Soberanía National Park and Summit Municipal Park, located on the outskirts of Panama City just a few minutes away from the Canopy Tower. The purpose of - [Pack for a Purpose Donations 2023](https://canopytower.com/pack-for-a-purpose-donations-2023/) - Pack for a Purpose provides travelers from all around the world with up-to-date information necessary for bringing requested supplies to community-based projects supported by lodgings and tour companies worldwide. Canopy Family has partnered with Pack for a Purpose since 2014 to assist various communities around the Canopy Camp in Darién. Recently, thanks to the work - [The Canopy Family proudly donates to different organizations](https://canopytower.com/the-canopy-family-proudly-donates-to-different-organizations/) - The Canopy Family proudly donates a portion of its profits to support birding clubs, conservation organizations, and other environmental initiatives, namely: ANCON (Asociacion para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza) Fundacion AVIFAUNA ADESVA (Asociacion para el Desarrollo Sostenible de El Valle de Anton San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, California Neotropical Bird Club, England Space Coast Birding - [Canopy Tower Family Invests in Planting Empowerment](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower-family-invests-in-planting-empowerment/) - Canopy Tower Family Invests in Planting Empowerment Planting Empowerment, a socially responsible forestry company working in Panama, announced today that the Canopy Tower Family, a renowned group of eco-lodges, has invested in Planting Empowerment. Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 27, 2012 Canopy Tower Family, a Panama-based ecotourism company, announced today that they have made a significant - [Sylvia’s Tree Frog](https://canopytower.com/sylvias-tree-frog/) - Sylvia's Tree Frog Cruziohyla sylviae Photo by Eliécer Rodríguez Probably the most interesting feature about this species is that adults assemble en masse to reproduce, where females lay their eggs on leaves overhanging small ponds or water-filled tree holes and several males compete to fertilize those eggs. Males also use leg-waving behavior to communicate visually - [White Hawk](https://canopytower.com/white-hawk/) - White Hawk Pseudastur albicollis Photo by Rafael Lau This large, forest-dwelling hawk is a beautiful sight, whether perched or soaring—its striking white plumage is like no other raptor throughout the Neotropics. It is white overall including its back, with varying amounts of black in the wings. The White Hawk is further distinguished by a black - [Birding provides innovative educational opportunities](https://canopytower.com/birding-provides-innovative-educational-opportunities/) - Tropics are the most biodiverse ecosystem in the world. The Neotropics, the tropical areas located in the American continent, encompass several developing countries, nations which have not experienced a substantial level of industrialization relative to other countries. However, in Panama, a developing Neotropical country, growth and industrialization are just around the - [A guide to the most common seabirds and shorebirds of the Pearl Islands](https://canopytower.com/the-ten-most-common-seabirds-of-the-pearl-islands-in-panama/) - Tropical islands are unique and valuable ecosystems characterized by high levels of endemism. In Panama, multiple groups of islands form important biodiversity and endemism hotspots, including the Pearl Islands archipelago, located around 48 km (~30 miles) from the mainland in the Gulf of Panama, in the Pacific Ocean. It is formed by 39 islands and - [White-eared Conebill](https://canopytower.com/white-eared-conebill/) - White-eared ConebillConirostrum leucogenys Photo by Rafael Lau Panama’s only conebill, the White-eared Conebill is a pint-sized member of the tanager family. Conebills are named for their thin, straight, conical bill characteristic of the genus. At only 8 cm in length, they are compact birds with a short tail. Males are distinguished by a black crown, - [Itys Leafwing](https://canopytower.com/wing-banded-antbird-2/) - Itys Leafwing Zaretys itys itys Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison This butterfly belongs to the largest family of butterflies, the Nymphalidae. All members of this family have six legs like all insects, however, they walk only on four legs, given that their front legs are small and retracted against the body. The family Nymphalidae - [Rusted Clearwing-Satyr](https://canopytower.com/rusted-clearwing-satyr/) - Rusted Clearwing-Satyr Cithaerias pireta Photo by Jenn Sinasac Also known as “Pink-tipped Satyr” and “Blushing Phantom”, this pretty, delicate butterfly is a member of the Nymphalidae family, the brushfoots. It is one of the many striking, beautiful butterflies of tropical America, ranging from Guatemala, throughout Central America and into South America. Its clear wings lack - [A newly described species of snake for Panama named after the Canopy Family! ](https://canopytower.com/three-newly-described-species-of-snakes-for-panamaand-one-is-named-after-the-canopy-family/) - By Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo The Ecuadorian-Venezuelan biologist and explorer Alejandro Arteaga and his team recently described three new species of snakes for Panama. In 2019, the Canopy Family invited Alejandro and his team to explore the herpetofauna of our three ecolodges, the Canopy Tower, the Canopy Lodge, and the Canopy Camp. The Canopy Family helped - [Giant Lizard of Guna Yala](https://canopytower.com/giant-lizard-of-guna-yala/) - Giant Lizard of Guna Yala Dactyloa kunayalae Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison This wonderful species of lizard was described as Anolis kunayalae in a paper published in the journal Phyllomedusa, in 2007. Its scientific name was changed to Dactyloa kunayalae in 2018. The second part of its scientific name (the specific epithet) honors the - [Robert Fuller, famous artist and wildlife filmmaker, visits the Canopy Family!](https://canopytower.com/robert-fuller-a-famous-artist-and-wildlife-filmmaker-visits-the-canopy-family/) - Daniel Arias Barakat, our Canopy Family Executive Vice President, and Carlos Bethancourt, our Canopy Family lead guide, were visiting the Global Bird Fair in the UK in July 2022 when they met Robert Fuller, a famous British wildlife artist and filmmaker. They got to talking and were struck by his astonishing work. One thing led to - [White-shouldered Tanager](https://canopytower.com/white-shouldered-tanager/) - White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctosus This handsome tanager is one that you are likely to encounter in mixed feeding flocks in the rainforests of Panama. It is one of Panama’s smaller tanager species, at 13 cm in length and weighing only up to 15 grams. The male is mostly black with a conspicuous white wing patch, - [Sensitive Plant](https://canopytower.com/sensitive-plant/) - Sensitive Plant Mimosa pudica The Sensitive Plant is a creeping herb in the Fabaceae family. It has long, prickly stems that can grow to 1.5 meters in length, and has compound, bipinnate leaves with 10-26 leaflets. The round, pale pink flowers arise from the leaf axils. The fruits are clusters of 2-8 pods, 1-2 cm - [Orion Cecropian](https://canopytower.com/orion-cecropian/) - Orion Cecropian Historis odious Photo by Tino Sánchez This captivating, large butterfly has a wingspan of 11 cm (4 in.) and calls attention with its bright orange upperparts when flying. However, at rest, they fold their wings up, revealing their leaf-like brown underside, even showing a vertical line reminiscent of the vein of a leaf, - [Yellow-tailed Oriole](https://canopytower.com/yellow-tailed-oriole/) - Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas The Yellow-tailed Oriole is a striking black and yellow bird of Panama’s swampy lowlands. It is easy to identify as it is the only oriole with prominent yellow in the tail. It is a medium-sized oriole (22 cm in length) with a relatively long tail. It has a golden yellow hood, - [Rush-like Flatsedge](https://canopytower.com/rush-like-flatsedge/) - Rush-like Flatsedge Cyperus luzulae Common in wetter areas around Panama, the Rush-like Flatsedge is a clump-forming, grass-like perennial member of the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It typically grows 20-50 cm tall, with the tallest plants reaching up to 1 meter in height. The main stem of the plant grows from short rhizomes (rootstalks). Leaves are linear, - [Common Tent-making Bat](https://canopytower.com/common-tent-making-bat/) - Common Tent-making Bat Uroderma bilobatum The Common Tent-making Bat is a common forest species of the lowlands of Central and South America. It is a member of the family Phyllostomidae, the New World leaf-nosed bats, a large family that includes vampire bats, fruit-eating bats, nectar bats and spear-nosed bats, although a majority of the species - [Mottled Owl](https://canopytower.com/mottled-owl/) - Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata Photo by Uwe Speck The Mottled Owl is a medium-sized owl of tropical America. It is dark overall, with a dark mottled brown and buff head, back and wings. It has a buffy belly and breast with heavy streaking, and vertical bars on the chest and throat. It has dark brown - [Scaly Tree Ferns](https://canopytower.com/scaly-tree-ferns/) - Scaly Tree Ferns Cyatheaceae Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Scaly Tree Ferns look like something out of Jurassic Park—in fact, they are ancient plants and originated in the late Jurassic. They are true ferns (Class Pteridopsida) that are rather tree-like in appearance, with trunk-like stems. The world’s tallest tree ferns are in this family, - [Yellow-headed Gecko](https://canopytower.com/yellow-headed-gecko/) - Yellow-headed Gecko Gonatodes albogularis Photo by Jenn Sinasac The attractive Yellow-headed Gecko is a diurnal, forest dwelling species of dwarf gecko native to the warm regions of Central and South America. It is small, only a mere 7-9 cm long. The Yellow-headed Gecko exhibits strong sexual dimorphism; the males have yellowish heads with brilliant blue - [On the trail of the sloth-eating eagles of Panama](https://canopytower.com/on-the-trail-of-the-sloth-eating-eagles-of-panama/) - Bald Eagle Photo credit: iStock By Mike Unwin It is mid-morning in Darién National Park, Panama, and I’m wilting in the rainforest heat. Three hours ago, with the ramshackle border town of Yaviza still asleep, we had boarded our motorised dugout and nudged out into the swift, dark current. Now the humid air hums with insects - [Northern Emerald-Toucanet](https://canopytower.com/northern-emerald-toucanet/) - Northern Emerald-Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus Photo by Rafael Lau The Northern Emerald-Toucanet is a small toucan found in the foothills forests of Central America from Mexico to far-eastern Panama. At only about a foot in length, it is our smallest toucan in Panama. Its bright green plumage gives this species its name, and this colorful plumage - [Tungara Frog](https://canopytower.com/tungara-frog/) - Tungara Frog Engystomops pustulosus Photo by Jenn Sinasac A common and well-studied frog in Panama, the Tungara Frog is best known by its unusual call “tun” followed often by “gara”, heard frequently from small forest puddles, pools, ditches and standing water bodies during the rainy season. They are medium-sized frogs; males and females are 3.3 - [Rainfall at the Canopy Family Lodges](https://canopytower.com/rainfall-at-the-canopy-family-lodges/) - Panama has two distinct seasons, and being in Tropical America, receives ample amounts of rain throughout the year. But, just how much does it rain at the Canopy Family Lodges? - [The new painting inside the Canopy Tower dome](https://canopytower.com/the-new-painting-inside-the-canopy-tower-dome/) - Joe Miller is the artist that accepted the challenge of painting the inside of the Canopy Tower dome. The result, a masterpiece you should come check out! - [Half a million raptors passed by the Canopy Tower!](https://canopytower.com/half-a-million-raptors-passed-by-the-canopy-tower/) - Cameron Cox is an experienced and enthusiastic birder. He has counted migrating raptors at several hawkwatches throughout the United States. Here is Cameron’s thoroughly engaging description of his experience counting for the first time in the Neotropics at the Canopy Tower, where he did an amazing work for which we are so - [Meet Carlos Pérez Naval: a 14-year-old photographer](https://canopytower.com/meet-carlos-perez-naval-a-14-year-old-photographer/) - Photographer Canopy Tower Award - [The Fruit Feeder Cam at the Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/the-fruit-feeder-cam-at-the-canopy-lodge/) - Fruit Feeder Canopy Lodge Live Cam Birds - [The Eagles of the Canopy Camp, Darién](https://canopytower.com/the-eagles-of-the-canopy-camp/) - Harpy Eagle Canopy Camp Crested Eagle Nest - [Fruit Feeder Cam: New Developments](https://canopytower.com/the-panama-fruit-feeder-cam-new-developments/) - The Panama Fruit Feeder Cam: New Developments Canopy Lodge Live Cam - [Mealy Parrot](https://canopytower.com/mealy-parrot/) - Mealy ParrotAmazona farinosa Photo by Jonathan Slifkin What’s “mealy” about the Mealy Parrot? The species was so named because the grayish suffusion to the bird’s nape and upper back was said by early naturalists to look like a dusting of flour, or “meal” (a resemblance also reflected in the species name farinosa, Latin for - [Rothschild's Porcupine](https://canopytower.com/rothschilds-porcupine/) - Rothschild's PorcupineCoendou rothschildi Photo by Danilo Rodriguez, Jr. The Rothschild’s Porcupine is a mysterious animal in many ways. An uncommon and nocturnal species, it has barely been studied in the field and its behavior and ecology remain poorly known. Its taxonomic status is also in dispute. Most interestingly for our purposes, the Rothschild’s Porcupine - [Gray-headed Chachalaca](https://canopytower.com/gray-headed-chachalaca/) - Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps Photo by Jonathan Slifkin Gray-headed Chachalacas are usually a conspicuous presence, moving through the trees in flocks and delivering a chorus of loud, raucous calls. They are also notable for their habit of periodically monopolizing the fruit feeders at the Canopy Lodge! The Gray-headed Chachalaca is the only Panamanian representative - [Panama Tree](https://canopytower.com/panama-tree/) - Panama Tree Sterculia apetala Photo by Raúl Arias de Para Declared the official National Tree of Panama in 1969, this species is a typical component of a wide range of forest habitats across Panama. In fact, one proposed (though perhaps apocryphal) etymology for the name “Panama” is that it derives from an indigenous word - [Agriculture at the Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/agriculture-at-the-canopy-lodge/) - One of the Canopy Family’s major projects while tourism remains on hold is our agricultural project near the Canopy Lodge. This project entails the reclamation of approximately one hectare of overgrown farmland, owned by the Canopy Family’s founder and president Raúl Arias de Para, for the planting of plantains, bananas, cassava, and a variety of - [La Observación de Aves como Negocio de Exportación](https://canopytower.com/la-observacion-de-aves-como-negocio-de-exportacion/) - La Observación de Aves como Negocio de Exportación Presentación del Lic. Raúl Arias de Para Conferencia Anual de Ejecutivos de Empresa CADE 2001, Panamá 28 de Abril del 2001 Voy hablarles sobre una actividad sobre la cual se sabe muy poco en Panamá, la observación de aves. Sin embargo, es una actividad en mi opinión - [La relación de los seres humanos con la naturaleza](https://canopytower.com/la-relacion-de-los-seres-humanos-con-la-naturaleza/) - La relación de los seres humanos con la naturaleza Palabras del Lic. Raúl Arias de Para en la conferencia La Importancia del Medio Ambiente y su Relación con el Cáncer de la Piel en Panamá Patrocinada por el Centro de Información de las Naciones Unidas en Panamá y la Fundación Pro-enfermos del Cáncer Panamá 30 de octubre - [Palabras de Raúl Arias de Para en la inauguración del Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/palabras-de-raul-arias-de-para-en-la-inauguracion-del-canopy-tower/) - Palabras de Raúl Arias de Para en la inauguración del Canopy Tower 13 de Abril de 1999 Señor Presidente, amigos todos: Sean mis primeras palabras de agradecimiento al Señor Presidente y a su distinguida familia por acompañarnos en esta ocasión. Gracias también al Dr. Barletta, a la Lic. Endara, y al Lic. Tribaldos y al Dr. - [Palabras de Raúl Arias de Para al asumir la Presidencia de la Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann](https://canopytower.com/palabras-de-raul-arias-de-para-al-asumir-la-presidencia-de-la-fundacion-avifauna-eugene-eisenmann/) - Palabras de Raúl Arias de Para al asumir la Presidencia de la Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann Panamá 22 de Julio de 2002 Gracias a todos por acompañarnos hoy en esta ocasión. El momento es propicia para reiterar los objetivos de la Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann y para reafirmar y renovar nuestro compromiso con ellos. Los - [Orange Nectar Bat](https://canopytower.com/orange-nectar-bat/) - Orange Nectar Bat Lonchophylla robusta Photo by David Tipling The Orange Nectar Bat is a common species of mid-elevation rainforests and a regular nighttime visitor to the Canopy Lodge hummingbird feeders! This species is a member of the extremely diverse leaf-nosed bat family (Phyllostomidae); it prominently features the “noseleaf” typical of its family and - [Cecropia](https://canopytower.com/cecropia/) - Cecropia Cecropia spp. Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Cecropias are some of the most conspicuous Neotropical trees, identifiable by their thin, pale trunks and large, lobed leaves. They are typical of secondary forest, as they are very fast-growing and adapted for colonizing forest clearings. The Cecropia genus, formerly placed in its own family - [Panama's Undescribed Moths](https://canopytower.com/panamas-undescribed-moths/) - The orders from the Panamanian health authorities in response to the pandemic have been a major impediment for business owners and others seeking outside pleasures, but in the foothills of Chagres NP east of Panama City, these inconveniences seem far away to Canopy Family field biologists Linda and Jerry Harrison, who have devoted their “isolation - [Bats of the Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/bats-of-the-canopy-lodge/) - Last November, biologist Mark Stanback of Davidson College, North Carolina contacted us about a research project that he and his students hoped to conduct, focusing on the behavior of the Orange Nectar Bats that visit the Canopy Lodge hummingbird feeders after dark. Thanks to our livestreaming Panama Fruit Feeder Cam (a joint project between the - [Lesser Capybara](https://canopytower.com/lesser-capybara/) - Lesser CapybaraHydrochoerus isthmius The semiaquatic Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) of South America is iconic as the world's largest species of rodent. Perhaps less familiar is the other species of capybara, the Lesser Capybara, which occurs here in Panama. In most physical and ecological details the two species are similar, except that the Lesser Capybara is noticeably - [Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo](https://canopytower.com/rufous-vented-ground-cuckoo/) - Rufous-vented Ground-CuckooNeomorphus geoffroyi Photo by Danilo Rodríguez Jr. The Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo is a beautiful but infrequently encountered bird. Like the other four species of ground-cuckoo in its genus, it is renowned for its scarcity and its highly elusive habits. In appearance, the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo might be described as an oversized colorful roadrunner—not incidentally, the Geococcyx - [Cannonball Tree](https://canopytower.com/cannonball-tree/) - Cannonball Tree Couroupita guianensis Photo by Jocelyne Pelletier. The “cannonball tree,” so called for the appearance of its large, round, woody fruits, is a member of the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae) native to Central and South America. This species has a mostly “peri-Amazonian” distribution, occurring in lowland forests on the periphery of the Amazon - [Monitoring Migratory Birds](https://canopytower.com/monitoring-migratory-birds/) - The Canopy Family has been proud to participate in the Motus Wildlife Tracking System since 2016. Motus, a program of Birds Canada, is a research network that uses radio telemetry to monitor migratory birds. Small radio transmitters placed on migratory birds (or sometimes bats or insects) allow the animals to be detected by a network - [Hourglass Tree Frog](https://canopytower.com/hourglass-tree-frog/) - Hourglass Tree FrogDendropsophus ebraccatus Photo by Eliecer Rodríguez. The Hourglass Tree Frog is a common and adaptable species of frog that has been the subject of much scientific attention due to several unusual features of its biology. So named for the brown, roughly hourglass-shaped patch on its back, it is also known as the “pantless” tree - [Dendrophthora fortis](https://canopytower.com/dendrophthora-fortis/) - Dendrophthora fortis Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison Although mistletoes are familiar to many for their significance in European cultures, from ancient Norse mythology to modern Christmas traditions, they reach by far their highest diversity in the tropics. Most of Europe is inhabited by only one mistletoe species (Viscum album), as is most of eastern - [Birding Cerro Pirre](https://canopytower.com/birding-cerro-pirre/) - The opening of the Canopy Camp in 2014 was a pioneering event for birding and ecotourism in Darién, the far eastern province of Panama. The humid lowlands of Darién play host to a wide variety of sought-after birds, from the near-endemic Gray-cheeked Nunlet and Dusky-backed Jacamar, to the South American Spot-breasted Woodpecker and Black-capped Donacobius, - [Rufous-crested Coquette](https://canopytower.com/rufous-crested-coquette/) - Rufous-crested CoquetteLophornis delattrei Photo by Carlos Bethancourt Even within the charismatic hummingbird family (Trochilidae), the tiny, rare, ornately plumaged Rufous-crested Coquette is a standout birders’ favorite. The male Rufous-crested Coquette is most easily recognized by its long rufous-orange crest, as well as its green gorget (throat patch) with rufous cheek tufts and white throat feathers, - [Birding Cerro Tacarcuna](https://canopytower.com/birding-cerro-tacarcuna/) - The isolated mountain ranges at the border of Panama and Colombia harbor some of Central (and South) America’s least accessible and least frequently observed birds. In a recent trip report from Cerro Pirre, I described my efforts to see some of these birds. But Pirre is far from the most remote birding destination in these - [Mud-nest Harvestman](https://canopytower.com/mud-nest-harvestman/) - Mud-nest Harvestman Quindina albomarginis Photo by Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo Mud-nest harvestmen are a group of harvestmen (also known as daddy long-legs) belonging to the genus Quindina (family Nomoclastidae), which has only been found in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. There are photographic records of two possible mud-nest harvestmen in Ecuador, but little is known about their - [Nesting Behavior of a Crested Eagle Observed for the First Time in Panama!](https://canopytower.com/nesting-behavior-of-a-crested-eagle-observed-for-the-first-time-in-panama/) - Nestling and dark-morph Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) female. By Alexandra Eastman Little is known about the behavior of the Crested Eagle. Although it is one of the largest eagles in the Americas, it is also one of the most difficult to see. Its scientific name, Morphnus guianensis, has the Spanish word for guide (“guía”) - [A Look at Life in the Lowland Rainforest](https://canopytower.com/a-look-at-life-in-the-lowland-rainforest/) - A look at Life in the Lowland Rainforest By Alexandra Eastman I was raised on jungle stories that my father would tell me before bed of his time spent in Panama before I was born: walking through dense vegetation with tarantulas clinging to his backpack, narrowly avoiding stepping on a huge Bushmaster snake, hearing the - [Ogre-faced Spider](https://canopytower.com/ogre-faced-spider/) - Ogre-faced Spider Deinopis sp. Photo by Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo Like many other spiders, Ogre-faced Spiders are nocturnal. However, they have a very peculiar feature that distinguishes them from other spiders: their median eyes are incredibly big. Also, Ogre-faced Spiders build small, square-shaped webs that they hold between their four front legs, and when they see or - [Eriophora fuliginea](https://canopytower.com/eriophora-fuliginea/) - Eriophora fuliginea Photo by Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo Eriophora fuliginea is a beautiful orb-weaving spider that belongs to the family Araneae. It is brown with a noticeable coat of thick short hairs. However, individuals vary in coloration: some have a straight white line on the dorsal part of the abdomen, some a set of small white spots or - [Black-throated Mango](https://canopytower.com/black-throated-mango/) - Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis Photo by Uwe Speck The Black-throated Mango is an attractive, distinctive hummingbird primarily found in South America but also ranging into western Panama. Both sexes have a slightly decurved black bill and a stunning maroon-colored tail with black edging and tips and black central feathers. The male has brilliant iridescent dark - [Nature Served from the Canopy Tower!](https://canopytower.com/nature-served-from-the-canopy-tower/) - Eusebio Sánchez has worked at the Canopy Tower for 18 years. At a very young age, his dad taught him how to bake bread, and baking is one of the reasons he now works at the Canopy Tower. He grew up in the Colón province located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, where coconut is - [Banded Peacock](https://canopytower.com/banded-peacock/) - Banded Peacock Anartia fatima Photo by Jonathan Slifkin The Banded Peacock is among Panama's most abundant butterflies. It is brown above with a bold cream-white to yellow band across each wing as well as smaller red patches on its hindwings. Its hindwing margins are undulated and feature a “bumplike” tail. The larva (i.e., caterpillar) of - [Plain-colored Tanager](https://canopytower.com/plain-colored-tanager/) - Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata Photo by Jonathan Slifkin One of the most common sights from the observation deck at the Canopy Tower is the Plain-colored Tanager. True to its name it is mostly gray, with black wings and a pale belly, but a careful look will also reveal a flash of bright blue at its - [Wing-banded Antbird](https://canopytower.com/wing-banded-antbird/) - Wing-banded Antbird Myrmornis torquata Photo by Tyler Ficker The rainforests of eastern Panama are perhaps the most important stronghold of the rare and distinctive Wing-banded Antbird. These antbirds can be recognized by their squat, nearly tailless appearance and their bright cinnamon-rufous wingbars (or "bands"). Males have an extensively black throat and breast, while females show - [Canopy Lizard](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lizard/) - Canopy Lizard Polychrus gutturosus Photo by Domiciano Alveo The Canopy Lizard is a diurnal, arboreal lizard of the lowlands and foothills of Central America and northwestern South America. It can be identified by its extremely long tail (up to three times the length of the rest of its body!), blunt snout, green coloration, and - [Veraguan Mango](https://canopytower.com/veraguan-mango/) - Veraguan Mango Anthracothorax veraguensis Photo by Danilo Rodriguez Jr. Named for the Panamanian province of Veraguas, the Veraguan Mango was long considered to be strictly endemic to Panama but in recent years has been documented as well in far southern Costa Rica, where it appears to be expanding its range northward. Nonetheless, this species remains - [Achiote](https://canopytower.com/achiote/) - Achiote Bixa orellana Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Achiote is a distinctive shrub or small tree in the family Bixaceae. The tree grows 6-10 meters tall and is identifiable by its bright white to pink flowers which form in clusters of five at the ends of branches, as well as by its fruits, clusters - [The Canopy Tower: Updates from Our First Year](https://canopytower.com/the-canopy-tower-updates-from-our-first-year/) - The Canopy Tower: Updates from Our First Year. February 1998 During this month we had quite a few important visitors. The top position must go to Dr. Robert S. Ridgely, the world-famous ornithologist and author of several books including The Birds of Panama and The Birds of South America in two volumes. Dr. Ridgely was in Panama leading - [The Isthmian: Raul's Canopy Tower Update](https://canopytower.com/rauls-canopy-tower-updates/) - The Isthmian: Raúl's Canopy Tower Update By Raul Arias de Para Businessman and Conservationist published in The Isthmian December 1997 As you may recall, in the last article I mentioned that because the tower was within Soberania National Park I had to submit an environmental impact assessment to the park authorities (INRENARE) and I was - [Geoffroy's Tamarin](https://canopytower.com/geoffroys-tamarin/) - Geoffroy's Tamarin Saguinus geoffroyi Photo by Doug Weschler Geoffroy's Tamarin, known locally in Panama as "mono tití," is Central America's only tamarin species and Panama's smallest monkey, around the size of a squirrel. It has a distinctive appearance, featuring white underparts, a rufous nape, a white tuft on its forehead, and a long, black, non-prehensile - [Swainson's Hawk](https://canopytower.com/swainsons-hawk/) - Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Photo by Jonathan Slifkin. Every October and November, and again in March and April, nearly every Swainson’s Hawk in the world traverses the isthmus of Panama, on its way between its breeding grounds in western temperate North America and its wintering grounds on the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay. Swainson's Hawks - [A Message from the Canopy Tower's Past](https://canopytower.com/a-message-from-the-canopy-towers-past/) - In January of 2003, I received an email from Stuart, an American radar technician who had worked at the Canopy Tower in its previous life as a US military installation. I was excited for this opportunity to learn more about the Tower's complex and fascinating history! Stuart was even able to send me some photographs - [A Harpy Eagle Story](https://canopytower.com/harpy-eagle-story/) - LV being released on Pipeline Road on March 9, 2009, photo by Jenn Sinasac In late 2008, a young Harpy Eagle was shot in Darién. Likely still in her nest tree, and being tended to by devoted parents who had spent over a year and a half feeding and nurturing the eaglet. With much luck, - [The World and I: A Tower in the Treetops](https://canopytower.com/the-world-and-i/) - The World and I: A Tower in the Treetops By Nancy Hanna. Published in The World & I, February 1999. A former U.S. military radar facility in the Panama Canal Zone is transformed into a unique wildlife observatory and lodge with an eye-level view of Panama's rich wildlife. Nancy Hanna, a freelance writer with twenty - [Cumbre Mundial del Ecoturismo](https://canopytower.com/cumbre-mundial-del-ecoturismo/) - World Ecotourism Summit Presentation by Mr. Raúl Arias de Para Representative of Panama, Central America and Mexico Québec, Canada May 18, 2002 More than 10 years ago, when I started in this fascinating world of ecotourism that has given me so much satisfaction, the first objective I had in mind was the conservation of the - [The Canopy Tower: A Pilot Project of the TCR Alliance](https://canopytower.com/the-canopy-tower-a-pilot-project/) - The Canopy Tower A Pilot Project of the TCR Alliance TCR Strategic Alliance: Tourism, Conservation, Research International Conference on Heritage Tourism for the Next Millenium Hotel Miramar, Panamá, December 2, 1998 Raúl Arias de Para I have a confession to make. On August 22, 1996 I fell in love with a building. It was not - [El Ecoturismo Como Actividad Empresarial](https://canopytower.com/el-ecoturismo-como-actividad-empresarial/) - El Ecoturismo Como Actividad Empresarial Presentación en la Conferencia Regional Centroamericana para el Año Internacional del Ecoturismo Hotel Fort George Ciudad de Belice, Belice 26-28 de Noviembre, 2001 Presentación de Raúl Arias de Para, Canopy Tower, Panamá 27 de Noviembre, 9:30 AM Buenos días a todos y muchas gracias a los organizadores de este evento - [Ecotourism Facilities as a Reality: Canopy Adventure](https://canopytower.com/ecotourism-facilities-as-a-reality-canopy-adventure/) - Ecotourism Facilities as a Reality: Canopy Adventure Presentation of Raul Arias de Para, President, The Canopy Tower for Conservation Panama's Panama Conservation and Ecotourism Workshop February 19, 1998 Good afternoon, I would like to share with you some ideas on ecotourism. Ecotourism for me is an instrument of conservation. It is not an end unto - [Ecotourism: An Instrument of Conservation](https://canopytower.com/ecotourism-an-instrument-of-conservation/) - Ecotourism: An Instrument of Conservation by Raúl Arias de Para, 1994 Ecotourism, an activity seemingly in vogue nowadays, is much more than sporadic visits to regions of extraordinary natural beauty. By the same token, to live the unforgettable experience of spending a night in the rainforest is only a superficial part of ecotourism. To understand - [Canopy Family | The Wall Street Journal Archives: Bases Become Hotels for Eco-Tourists](https://canopytower.com/bases-become-hotels-for-eco-tourists/) - January 11, 2000 Panama Plans to Turn Bases Into Hotels for Eco-Tourists By JOSE DE CORDOBA Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SEMAPHORE HILL, Panama -- Banker turned bird watcher Raul Arias de Para knows a thing or two about recycling. As a police official in the democratic government that took over after U.S. - [The Colors of the Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/colors-canopy-tower/) - Stories of the Canopy Tower The Colors of the Canopy Tower by Raúl Arias de Para One of my favorite stories about the Canopy Tower is how I picked the colors with which I painted it after completing its transformation from a US military radar tower into a birding lodge. At one point in this - [Ocellated Antbird](https://canopytower.com/ocellated-antbird/) - Ocellated Antbird Phaenostictus mcleannani Photo by Doug Weschler A flashy, most-desired member of the antbird family (Thamnophilidae), the Ocellated Antbird is a denizen of the understory of lowland rainforest, where it is almost exclusively found in the vicinity of large swarms of army ants. At 19 cm in length, it is a large antbird - [Audubon: A View With a Room](https://canopytower.com/a-view-with-a-room/) - A View With a Room Plus: the World's Ultimate Outposts By Alex Markels October 1999 Rainforest Canopy Tower, Panama The U.S. military once used this radar tower to track drug runners flying from neighboring Colombia. Overlooking the Panama Canal, the tower is a remarkable example of Panama's "peace dividend." In accordance with the Panama Canal - [Variegated Squirrel](https://canopytower.com/variegated-squirrel/) - Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides Photo by Uwe Speck A large and extremely variable species, the Variegated Squirrel is one of Central America’s well-known critters. This squirrel is well named, and comes in many color forms throughout its range. It is a typical tree squirrel—slender with a long, rather bushy tail edged in white or - [Darién y el Aguila Harpía](https://canopytower.com/darien-y-el-aguila-harpia/) - Darién y el Aguila Harpía Raúl Arias de Para, 1991 Todo en Darién es grande. Grandes son sus piragüas, las que se miden no en metros de longitud sino en la cantidad de plátanos que pueden transportar al mercado, según los ribereños la más grande puede llevar hasta 50,000 unidades. Las hay con nombres prosaicos, - [La Metamorfosis de una Torre de Radar Abandonada](https://canopytower.com/la-metamorfosis-de-una-torre-de-radar-abandonada/) - Historia del Canopy Tower La Metamorfosis de una Torre de Radar Abandonada Raúl Arias de Para, 2000 !Que entre la luz! Lo primero que hice, a finales de 1997, cuando la ANAM (entonces INRENARE) me dió el visto bueno final, fue abrir las ventanas. La torre no tenía ventanas, por lo tanto, antes de abrirlas - [Vanilla Orchid](https://canopytower.com/vanilla-orchid/) - Vanilla Orchid Vanilla spp. Photo by Diego Bogarin Well-known and very popular for its sweet aroma and flavoring, the Vanilla Orchid is the source of our commercial vanilla extract and perfumes used very commonly in our daily lives. The genus Vanilla consists of 110 species of orchids found throughout tropical regions globally. Two species, V. - [Panamanian Night Monkey](https://canopytower.com/panamanian-night-monkey/) - Panamanian Night Monkey Aotus zonalis Photo by Carlos Bethancourt The night monkeys, also known as owl monkeys or douroucoulis, are assigned to the genus Aotus. They are the only truly nocturnal monkeys. Though Aotus means "without ears," these monkeys possess tiny hard-to-see external ears. They are found in forests of Central and South America, from - [White-whiskered Puffbird](https://canopytower.com/white-whiskered-puffbird/) - White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis Photo by Doug Weschler A relative of kingfishers, puffbirds are well-named for their “puffy” appearance—large head and round body, short neck and tail and long, stout bill. The White-whiskered Puffbird is a common resident of the forest understory; however, due to its habit of perching silently for extended periods of time, - [Turnip-tailed Gecko](https://canopytower.com/turnip-tailed-gecko/) - Turnip-tailed Gecko Thecadactylus rapicauda Photo by Jenn Sinasac This interesting Neotropical gecko is immediately recognizable by its large size, with a body length of up to 12 cm, and its large, swollen tail, approximately the same length or slightly shorter than its body; females are larger and more robust than males. It has short, robust - [Tufted Flycatcher](https://canopytower.com/tufted-flycatcher/) - Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus Photo by David Tipling A small, plump flycatcher of the wooded foothills, the cute Tufted Flycatcher is olive-green above with 2 grayish-olive wing bars, an ochre-orange breast and distinct pointed crest. It perches on small branches in the mid-story of the forest, periodically making sallying flights for small insects, similar to - [Smoky Jungle Frog](https://canopytower.com/smoky-jungle-frog/) - Smoky Jungle Frog Leptodactylus savagei Photo by Jenn Sinasac One of our largest amphibians, the Smoky Jungle Frog, also known as Savage’s Thin-toed Frog and Central American Bullfrog, is a fascinating creature! Growing up to 18 cm in length, this large frog has brown to bronzy coloration on its back with reddish-brown spots, has brownish - [Slaty-tailed Trogon](https://canopytower.com/slaty-tailed-trogon/) - Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena Slaty-tailed Trogon from a Canopy Tower window, by Jenn Sinasac The Slaty-tailed Trogon is a large trogon, 32 cm in length. Males are metallic green on their head and chest, dark teal on wings with fine gray vermiculations, a dark tail with no white lines, and is distinguished from other trogons - [Shining Honeycreeper](https://canopytower.com/shining-honeycreeper/) - Shining Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus Photo by Rafael Lau The Shining Honeycreeper is a vibrant member of the tanager family. It is a small (10 cm), plump honeycreeper with a long, thin decurved bill and short tail. This spunky little bird lives up to its name—males are purplish-blue with black throat and chest patch, black wings - [Rufous Motmot](https://canopytower.com/rufous-motmot/) - Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii Photo by David Tipling Our largest motmot! The Rufous Motmot is a common bird found in the understory of the lowland and foothills forests of Panama. With a length of nearly half a meter, and its bright orange-rufous head, large black mask and green-blue back and tail, it is one impressive - [Northern Tamandua](https://canopytower.com/northern-tamandua/) - Northern Tamandua Tamandua mexicana Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Northern Tamandua, also known as the Lesser Anteater or Vested Anteater, is a medium-sized anteater found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Central America and northwestern South America. This muscular mammal has a total length of up to 130 cm, and its long, muscular prehensile - [Kinkajou](https://canopytower.com/kinkajou/) - Kinkajou Potos flavos A Kinkajou resting during the day, photo by Domiciano Alveo The Kinkajou is a medium-sized arboreal mammal of the lowland forests of Central and South America. It is 40-60 cm in length, and in addition to its body length, it has a long, prehensile tail the same length as its body. Its entire body - [Helmeted Basilisk](https://canopytower.com/helmeted-basilisk/) - Helmeted Basilisk Corytophanes cristatus Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Helmeted Basilisk, also known as the Helmeted Iguana, Casque-headed Lizard and Old Man Lizard, is a small, arboreal lizard found throughout Central America. It has a distinct, specialized head “casque,” well-developed in both sexes, with helmet-shaped raised ridges forming a serrated crest along the back of - [Giant Ceiba Borer](https://canopytower.com/giant-ceiba-borer/) - Giant Ceiba Borer Euchroma gigantea Photo by Jenn Sinasac This very distinctive beetle always captivates our guests—it’s one of the largest beetles around! In addition to its whopping size (5-8 cm), its robust, elongated body and hard elytra (outer wings) are an attractive metallic green with purplish and reddish tinges; however, often this shiny exterior - [Fleischmann's Glass Frog](https://canopytower.com/fleischmanns-glassfrog/) - Fleischmann's Glass Frog Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni Photo by Jenn Sinasac Glass frogs are appropriately named for the transparent skin on their belly, making their organs visible. Fleischmann’s Glass Frog, also known as the Northern Glass Frog, is a small, delicate frog, 2-3.2 cm in length, with light green skin with yellow spots and fine black flecks. - [Flame-rumped Tanager](https://canopytower.com/flame-rumped-tanager/) - Flame-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus flammigerus Photo by Arthur Morris A velvety-black tanager with a bright lemon-yellow rump, the male Flame-rumped Tanager stands out in a crowd! The female is less conspicuous, grayish-brown above with yellow rump, lower back and underparts. Both have a bluish silvery beak. Flame-rumped Tanagers are found in scrubby areas, clearings, gardens and - [Dot-winged Antwren](https://canopytower.com/dot-winged-antwren/) - Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis Photo by David Tipling This warbler-like, charismatic antwren is one of the most energetic birds in the rainforest! The Dot-winged Antwren is one of the most widespread and well-known members of the antbird family. Almost always found in pairs or small groups, males and females are very distinct from each other—males - [Blue Cotinga](https://canopytower.com/blue-cotinga/) - Blue Cotinga Cotinga nattererii Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Blue Cotinga is one of the most desired birds to be seen in Panama! Cotingas are a family of highly varied fruit-eating birds restricted to the Neotropics and contain such spectacular and unusual species as the “blue cotingas” group, Three-wattled Bellbird, Bare-necked Umbrellabird and Purple-throated Fruitcrow. - [Sobralia citrea](https://canopytower.com/sobralia-citrea/) - Sobralia citrea Photo by Jenn Sinasac Sobralia citrea is the most common large, white-yellow orchid found along the Caribbean slope from Costa Rica through central Panama. This distinctive orchid was just recently described by American botanist Robert Louis Dressler in 2005, and is most commonly known from Panama. The genus Sobralia is very diverse and - [Shingle Plant](https://canopytower.com/shingle-plant/) - Shingle Plant Monstera dubia Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Shingle Plant is an herbaceous creeping vine in the Arum family, Araceae. It gets its name from the “shingling” behavior exhibited by its young leaves, in which it lies flat against the surface of a tree. As it grows, it changes its leaf shape and growth - [Panama Hat Plant](https://canopytower.com/panama-hat-plant/) - Panama Hat Plant Carludovica palmata Often called the Panama Hat Palm for its palm-like appearance, this is actually not a true palm since it lacks a woody trunk. The soft, flexible, durable young leaves of Carludovica palmata are used to weave the famous Panama Hats—handmade brimmed straw hats—and other artisan items such as baskets - [Palo Santo](https://canopytower.com/palo-santo/) - Palo Santo Triplaris cumingiana Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Palo Santo tree is a medium-sized tree found along the forest edges of the Canal area and Pacific lowlands of Panama. Growing up to 20 meters in height, it has a straight trunk with small buttresses. Its creamy brown outer bark peels to leave patches of - [Machete](https://canopytower.com/erythrina-costaricensis/) - Machete Erythrina costaricensis Photo by Jenn Sinasac Also known as Poro and Palo Santo, the Machete plant is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae. This shrub or small tree grows 3-7 meters tall, and has a short, spined trunk with multiple branches. The leaves have three heart-shaped leaflets approximately 25 cm long each. The - [Jacaranda](https://canopytower.com/jacaranda/) - Jacaranda Jacaranda copaia Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison The Jacaranda is a tall, forest tree reaching 45 m in height, extending into the canopy of humid lowland rainforests. It is best known for its spectacular purple flowers that bloom in March & April. Its trunk has gray to yellowish bark with narrow vertical fissures, - [Blue Dacnis](https://canopytower.com/blue-dacnis/) - Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana Photo by Arthur Morris The bright and cheery Blue Dacnis is a welcome sight to visitors at all the Canopy Family lodges. At only 11 cm in length, the Blue Dacnis is one of the smaller members of the colorful tanager family. The male is a brilliant blue overall, ranging from - [Black Ctenosaur](https://canopytower.com/black-ctenosaur/) - Black Ctenosaur Ctenosaura similis Photo by Jenn Sinasac Also known as Black Spiny-tailed Lizard or Black Iguana, the Black Ctenosaur (pronounced “tina-sore”) is a large diurnal lizard of Central America. This lizard is distinguished from Green Iguanas by its gray or tan color with 4-12 dark dorsal bands. It has a crest of long comb-like - [Barred Puffbird](https://canopytower.com/barred-puffbird/) - Barred Puffbird Nystalus radiatus Photo by Uwe Speck Puffbirds are well-named for their puffy appearance. As relatives of kingfishers, they have big heads, short necks, large bodies, large bills for catching insects and relatively short, thin tails. Unlike most of Panama’s more common puffbirds that are primarily black and white, the Barred Puffbird is rich - [Aechmea setigera](https://canopytower.com/aechmea-setigera/) - Aechmea setigera Photo by Jerry and Linda Harrison Aechmea setigera is a large bromeliad native to tropical America. Like many bromeliads, it is epiphytic and usually found high in trees. It grows to 1.5 m tall, with leaves up to a meter long and 3.5 to 7 cm wide with black spines along the edges. - [Firebush](https://canopytower.com/firebush/) - Firebush Hamelia patens Photo by Jenn Sinasac This large shrub or small tree of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) stands out in the crowd—its bright red-orange tubular flowers give it many appropriate common names including Scarletbush, Hummingbird Bush, Redhead, and in Panama, Uvero, Canelito and Zorrillo Real. The flowers of the Firebush plant vary in length, - [Cabbage Bark](https://canopytower.com/andira-inermis/) - Cabbage Bark Andira inermis Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Named for the pungent odor given off by its bark, the Cabbage Bark Tree grows tall, up to 35 meters in height and up to 70 cm in diameter (on occasion larger to 1 meter or more), and is distinguished by its straight, cylindrical trunk, - [Expanded Lobster Claw](https://canopytower.com/heliconia-latispatha/) - Expanded Lobster Claw Heliconia latispatha Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Of all the thousands of tropical plants, Heliconia is one plant genus that many people visiting Panama recognize. Even determining species is not too difficult, in most cases! Heliconia latispatha is native and common from Mexico south through tropical South America. The relatively inconspicuous - [Columnea billbergiana](https://canopytower.com/columnea-billbergiana/) - Columnea billbergiana Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison A lovely epiphytic plant of the lowlands and foothills of central Panama, Columnea billbergiana is a member of the violet family, Gesneriaceae. It is recognized by its branched, brown stems, paired leaves 2-3 cm long, smooth and dark green above, pale below with short, fine bristles, and - [Bijao](https://canopytower.com/calathea-latifolia/) - Bijao Calathea latifolia Photo by Jenn Sinasac Locally known as “bijao,” Calathea latifolia is a distinct roadside plant of central Panama. Standing 1-2 meters tall, the Bijao plant is recognized by its large, thin, pleated heliconia-like leaves and purple inflorescences. It has flowers in pairs with as many as 13 pairs tended by a single - [Wild Cashew](https://canopytower.com/wild-cashew/) - Wild Cashew Anacardium excelsum Photo by Jenn Sinasac A close relative to the commercial Cashew tree, the Wild Cashew, locally known as Espavé, is a huge, common tree in the lowland humid forests of Central Panama. Standing up to 60 m tall and with a trunk up to 3 meters in diameter, this is no - [Gumbo Limbo Tree](https://canopytower.com/gumbo-limbo-tree/) - Gumbo Limbo Tree Bursera simaruba Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Gumbo Limbo tree is one of the most recognizable trees of the American tropics—often called the “tourist tree” because of its characteristic peeling red bark, reminiscent of a sunburnt tourist! This medium-sized tree grows to 30 meters tall and has a diameter of 1 meter - [Guacimo Colorado](https://canopytower.com/guacimo-colorado/) - Guacimo Colorado Leuhea seemannii Guacimo Colorado with Mantus Metalmark (Nymphidium mantus) feeding at flower, by Jenn Sinasac A tall canopy tree of the lowland and foothill rainforests of Panama, this tree can reach 30 m in height. It has a large trunk with irregular buttresses and irregular branching. Leaves are alternate and spaced regularly along - [Stinking Passion Flower](https://canopytower.com/passiflora-foetida/) - Stinking Passion FlowerPassiflora foetida Photo by Jenn Sinasac Passion flowers are some of nature’s most strikingly beautiful flowers, and this one is no exception! This herbaceous vine produces a beautiful white flower with bluish or purplish coronas and that is no doubt very attractive. Get a little closer, however, and you may be turned away - [Crimson Passion Flower](https://canopytower.com/crimson-passion-flower/) - Crimson Passion Flower Passiflora vitifolia Photo by Jenn Sinasac One of the large, conspicuous flowers of the forest understory, the Crimson Passion Flower is one of the most beautiful sights when blooming! This woody vine is distinguished by large (up to 15 cm in length), grape-like lobed leaves with two glands at the base and - [Prestonia trifida](https://canopytower.com/prestonia-trifida/) - Prestonia trifida Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Prestonia trifida (also known as P. obovata as a synonym) is a liana (woody vine) in the family Apocynaceae that is easily recognizable when flowering. The inflorescence consists of a cluster of several flowers, each tubular with a raised rim in the center with five yellowish appendages - [Yellow Dancing Lady Orchid](https://canopytower.com/yellow-dancing-lady-orchid/) - Yellow Dancing Lady Orchid Oncidium stipitatum Photo by Jenn Sinasac The genus Oncidium is a large, recognizable group of tropical orchids, containing approximately 330 species. This medium-sized, epiphytic orchid is found in the lowlands of Panama and possibly Colombia. The Yellow Dancing Lady has small cylindrical pseudo bulbs enveloped by 4-6 papery sheaths and a - [White-top Sedge](https://canopytower.com/white-top-sedge/) - White-top Sedge Rhynchospora nervosa Photo by Jenn Sinasac This short, grass-like plant is a member of the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is characterized by the presence of leaf-like bracts, which have a white basal portion, giving it a star-like appearance. The bracts surround the inflorescence, which sits on top of the plant. The inflorescences are called - [Wallis' Orchid](https://canopytower.com/epidendrum-wallisii/) - Wallis' Orchid Epidendrum wallisii Photo by Domiciano Alveo A beautiful orchid from the foothills of Central America, this species is blooming now in Panama! Epidendrum wallisii is one of several members of this genus that combine contrasting colors in a striking way. It produces elegant, thickish, waxy, fragrant flowers, often on short stems from nodes - [Tropical Milkweed](https://canopytower.com/asclepias-curassavica/) - Tropical Milkweed Asclepias curassavica Photo by Jenn Sinasac Commonly known as Tropical Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed and Blood Flower, this plant is a member of the family Apocynaceae, the dogbane family. The genus Asclepias (the milkweeds) are named after Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, for the many medicinal uses of the milkweed plants. As their - [Star-of-Bethlehem](https://canopytower.com/star-of-bethlehem/) - Star-of-Bethlehem Hippobroma longiflora Photo by Jenn Sinasac On the outside, this attractive perennial, with its long, snow-white, tubular flower and 5 petals arranged in the shape of a star against dark green leaves, is rather eye-catching. The thick, hairy leaves form a rosette, and are pinnately lobed. The fruit is a hairy green capsule containing - [Spanish Flag Orchid](https://canopytower.com/epidendrum-radicans/) - Spanish Flag Orchid Epidendrum radicans Photo by Jenn Sinasac A “weedy” orchid, common along the roadsides and fields of middle elevations in Central America, the Spanish Flag Orchid is rather eye-catching and distinct. This terrestrial orchid is recognized by its bold inflorescences of fiery reds, oranges and yellows, situated atop a long, cane-like stem up - [Salamo](https://canopytower.com/calycophyllum-candidissimum/) - Salamo Calycophyllum candidissimum Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Salamo is a striking, medium-sized tree of the Pacific dry forest and lower foothills premontane humid forests of Panama. It grows 5-18 m tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70 cm. Its multiple, straight fluted trunks with low branches and gray to reddish-brown bark - [Rough Ginger](https://canopytower.com/rough-ginger/) - Rough Ginger Costus scaber Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Rough Ginger, also known as Indian Head Ginger, is one of the “spiral-gingers” of the genus Costus, named for the way that the leaves wrap around the stem. This plant forms an orange cone on the top of the stem, and orange tubular-shaped flowers emerge - [Prestonia portobellensis](https://canopytower.com/prestonia-portobellensis/) - Prestonia portobellensis Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Prestonia portobellensis is a beautiful member of the Dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The genus Prestonia comprises approximately 60 species found in Central and South America and the West Indies. This widespread liana is characterized by oval leaves with a narrow tip, 9-20 cm long, arranged oppositely. Flowers are - [Mule's Ear Miconia](https://canopytower.com/miconia-impetiolaris/) - Mule's Ear Miconia Miconia impetiolaris Photo by Jerry & Linda Harrison Mule’s-ear Miconia, or “Oreja de Mula,” is a fairly common shrub or small tree belonging to a very diverse family, the melastomataceae, or melastomes. The genus Miconia is the largest in the family, with over 150 species in Mesoamerica alone. Miconia impetiolaris, like all - [Lady of the Night Orchid](https://canopytower.com/lady-of-the-night-orchid/) - Lady of the Night Orchid Brassavola nodosa Photo by Jenn Sinasac Named for its sweet citrus and gardenia-like fragrance which can be detected in the early evening, the Lady of the Night Orchid is a widespread and well-known orchid. This relatively small, epiphytic orchid has whitish-green flowers with a prominent flat lip spanning up to - [Hot Lips](https://canopytower.com/hot-lips/) - Hot Lips Psychotria poeppigiana Hot Lips is one of the characteristic shrubs of the Neoptropics, and one which visitors are always delighted to see. It is a member of the family Rubiaceae (coffee family) and belongs to a genus containing nearly two thousand species worldwide. The opposing bright red bracts of the flowering stalk look like - [Guayacan Trumpet Tree](https://canopytower.com/guayacan-trumpet-tree/) - Guayacan Trumpet Tree Tabebuia guayacan Photo by Jenn Sinasac Every March, the forestscape bursts with color as the Guayacan trees start to bloom, producing a full crown of golden, tubular-shaped flowers. It is believed by locals that the Yellow Tabebuia Tree presages the coming green season—they are said to bloom one month before the rains - [Giant Butterfly-Moth](https://canopytower.com/giant-butterfly-moth/) - Giant Butterfly-Moth Castniomera atymnius Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Giant Butterfly-Moth is one of the most intriguing of Panama's insects. This diurnal moth creates much confusion when it comes to identification—it is easily confused with butterflies, as it flies during the day and even has clubbed antennae! At close glance, the robust body is an - [Red Cracker](https://canopytower.com/red-cracker/) - Red Cracker Hamadryas amphinome Photo by Jenn Sinasac The Red Cracker is a truly flashy butterfly! Among some very interesting behaviors, the Red Cracker butterfly is strikingly beautiful – bright metallic blue and black calico coloration on the upperside, bold white stripe across its forewings, complimented by fiery red-orange on the underside of the hindwing. - [Rosenberg's Gladiator Tree Frog](https://canopytower.com/rosenbergs-gladiator-treefrog/) - Rosenberg's Gladiator Tree Frog Boana rosenbergi Photo by Jenn Sinasac Rosenberg’s Gladiator Tree Frog is one of Panama’s largest amphibians, 70-90 mm in length! It gets its name “gladiator” from the sharp spikes on its hands and combative behavior during reproduction. Rosenberg’s Gladiator Tree Frog is easily and quickly distinguished from other tree frogs by - [Neotropical River Otter](https://canopytower.com/neotropical-river-otter/) - Neotropical River Otter Lontra longicaudis Photo by David Tipling Similar in appearance to its close cousins, the Northern and Southern River Otters, the Neotropical River Otter is 90-150 cm in length—its long, tapered tail makes up one-third of its full length. The Neotropical River Otter has short, shiny, dark grayish-brown fur, lighter around its muzzle - [Golden-headed Manakin](https://canopytower.com/golden-headed-manakin/) - Golden-headed Manakin Ceratopipra erythrocephala Photo by Rafael Lau Male Golden-headed Manakins are immediately recognizable by their glossy black body and brilliant yellow head and white eye. Their yellow head may show a reddish rear border, and when displaying at a lek, males show off their red and white “pantaloons.” Females are greenish-olive in color. Like - [Yellow-eared Toucanet](https://canopytower.com/yellow-eared-toucanet/) - Yellow-eared Toucanet Selenidera spectabilis Photo by Rafael Lau The Yellow-eared Toucanet is a shy resident of the foothills of Central America and northwestern South America. This unique member of the toucan family has all black underparts, chestnut thighs and a red vent. Its back and wings are olive green, and like other toucans and toucanets, - [Dusky-backed Jacamar](https://canopytower.com/dusky-backed-jacamar/) - Dusky-backed Jacamar Brachygalba salmoni Photo by Uwe Speck The charming Dusky-backed Jacamar is one of our Darién specialties, found only in a tiny range on the border between Panama and Colombia. It is a small jacamar, only 17 cm in length, greenish-black above with glossy dark green on breast, a dark brown crown and white - [Rufous Tree Rat](https://canopytower.com/rufous-tree-rat/) - Rufous Tree Rat Diplomys labilis Photo by Jenn Sinasac The cute Rufous Tree Rat is a large species of spiny rat in the family Echimyidae, the Neotropical spiny rat family. It is known locally as “ratón espinoso”, meaning spiny rat, but despite this, this species lacks the spiny hairs on its back and rump of - [Robinson's Mouse Opossum](https://canopytower.com/robinsons-mouse-opossum/) - Robinson's Mouse Opossum Marmosa robinsoni A truly interesting mammal! The Robinson’s Mouse Opossum is one of the Neotropics marsupials—a primitive group of mammals found in the Americas and Australia. It is relatively large for a mouse opossum, with a body length of 11-20 cm and a tail up to 21 cm, approximately the length of - [Great Potoo](https://canopytower.com/great-potoo/) - Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis Photo by Carlos Bethancourt One of the more unusual birds of the Neotropics, the Great Potoo is a desired species on anyone’s list! The largest of the potoos, the Great Potoo is nearly half a meter long, with a large, round head, large brown eyes that reflect yellow-orange at night, and - [Crested Eagle](https://canopytower.com/crested-eagle/) - Crested Eagle Morphnus guianensis Photo by Carlos Bethancourt A very large forest eagle, similar in appearance to the even more massive Harpy Eagle, the Crested Eagle is one of the beautiful large raptors to grace the lowland tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America. Averaging around 84 cm in length, the Crested Eagle - [Black-and-white Owl](https://canopytower.com/black-and-white-owl/) - Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata Photo by Carlos Bethancourt The Black-and-white Owl is an impressive, large owl found throughout most of Central America from Mexico into northwest South America. Standing 35-40 cm tall, this owl can be distinguished by its blackish upperparts and white underparts with fine black bars. Its face and crown are black with - [Semiplumbeous Hawk](https://canopytower.com/semi-plumbeous-hawk/) - Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbeus Photo by Cedric Ng The Semiplumbeous Hawk is a medium-sized raptor about 15 to 16 inches tall. Its back is uniformly dark grey or “plumbeous,” meaning lead-colored. The throat, chest & belly are pure white on adult birds but, on immatures, the chest shows very fine grey streaking. The relatively short, dark - [Harpy Eagle](https://canopytower.com/harpy-eagle/) - Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja Photo by David Tipling Panama’s national bird—the Harpy Eagle—is the largest, most powerful eagle in the Americas. Found in the lowland rainforests of tropical America, this mighty forest eagle is on every birder’s wish list! It is easily identifiable by its massive size, which separates it from all other raptors in - [Rufescent Tiger-Heron](https://canopytower.com/rufescent-tiger-heron/) - Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum Photo by David Tipling The Rufescent Tiger-Heron is one of several beautiful and iconic herons of the Neotropics. At 68 cm tall, this fairly large heron has a bittern-like appearance, with a wide neck, heavy bill and short stubby tail. It is distinguished from the other species of tiger-herons by its - [Red-lored Parrot](https://canopytower.com/red-lored-parrot/) - Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis Photo by David Tipling One of our most charismatic birds, we think all would agree, is the Red-lored Parrot. Common throughout Panama, and at over a foot in length, this species is one of the largest parrots we encounter at the Canopy Family lodges. The Red-lored Parrot is well-named for its - [Canopy Family | BBC Science & Nature Article: The Rainforest Mammals of Panama](https://canopytower.com/the-rainforest-mammals-of-panama/) - The noted biologist Dr Thomas Lovejoy remarks in the foreword to the book Tropical Nature that rainforests aren't, on first appearances, the reservoirs of diverse and colourful life that they are sometimes made out to be. His first impression on going into a rainforest just outside Belem, in Brazil, was that it is very green, - [Canopy Family | A Week at Panama's Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/a-week-at-panamas-canopy-tower/) - The Canopy Tower Ecolodge in Soberania National Park, Panama, is the grand recycling project of Raul Arias de Para, businessman/politician turned ecotourist innkeeper. Built as a U.S. military radar installation in the 1960s, the tower has been transformed into a unique lodge, replete with comfortable guest rooms, dining area, library/living room, and, best of all, - [Canopy Family | Audubon Destination: Panama - The Route to Prosperity](https://canopytower.com/the-route-to-prosperity-excerpt/) - By McKenzie Funk/Photography by Brown W. Cannon III August 2004 That evening Phil and I stood on Canopy Tower's fourth-floor viewing platform and looked out over 360 degrees of jungle. Built in the 1960s to defend the canal against air raids, the radar installation's perch atop 900-foot Semaphore Hill is still commanding—though boutique rooms, an - [Canopy Family | ABC News.com: Going Wild In Panama](https://canopytower.com/going-wild-in-panama/) - Monkeys and Jaguars and Birds: Going Wild in Panama Although Panama has some of the most diverse wildlife in the Western Hemisphere, the country is largely undiscovered as an ecotourist destination. By Joe Rubin Special to ABCNEWS.com P A N A M A C I T Y, Panama -While its neighbor to the north, Costa - [Canopy Family | A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama Rises](https://canopytower.com/a-man-a-plan-a-canal/) - Smithsonian Magazine, March 2004 (excerpts) As Panama seeks to diversify and improve its economy, it is looking to use the resources of its rain forests and parks and develop eco-tourism. I got a glimpse of its potential one morning at a hotel called the Canopy Tower, about 20 miles outside of Panama City in a - [Canopy Family | Travel & Leisure: 25 Great Ecolodges](https://canopytower.com/25-great-ecolodges/) - From Alaska to the Australian outback, these innovative retreats are committed to conservation—with the added value of cultural sensitivity, isolation, and, of course, style. Being green has never been so appealing. From July, 2003 by David Hochman So much depends upon a red poison dart frog. We have been in Panama only a few days, - [Canopy Family | Tico Times: Canopy Tower Unique by Any Definition](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower-unique-by-any-definition/) - By Joy Rothke Special to The Tico Times Weekly Edition: Vol. VIII, No. 71 - San José, Costa Rica, June 20 - June 26, 2003 Glowing adjectives are bandied about with abandon when it comes to hotels and resorts. Every place, the PR mavens insist, is unique, incomparable - one-of-a-kind!! The truth is most places - [Canopy Family | The Guardian: Wings of Desire](https://canopytower.com/wings-of-desire/) - Sanjida O'Connell takes in the sights and sounds of the rain forest at a former US radio tower turned eco-lodge. Saturday March 29, 2003 The Guardian I staggered upstairs at seven in the morning, a good hour late and wondering why I was up so early when we were supposed to be on holiday. A - [Canopy Family | Hartford Courant: Panama Has A Place To Stay](https://canopytower.com/panama-has-a-place-to-stay/) - By SUSAN HOLMES and BESSY REYNA The Hartford Courant August 18, 2002 Choosing to travel to the beautiful small country of Panama is easy, but selecting where you will stay and what you'll do once on vacation there is another matter. Panama is a 30,000-square-mile strip of land, like a long arm uniting Central and - [Canopy Family | New York Times: In Panama, Nobody Here but 289 Birds](https://canopytower.com/nobody-here-but-289-birds/) - New York Times, Travel Section (excerpts) By Mary Tannen April 21, 2002 I NEVER thought I'd come face to face with an ocellated antbird. In fact, until the day before, I hadn't even known there was such a thing. But here it was, with its mate, scratching around in the leaves just a few feet away. - [Canopy Family | Denver Post: Panama's Canopy Tower provides a luxurious perch](https://canopytower.com/panama-canopy-tower-provides-a-luxurious-perch/) - In the treetops: Panama's Canopy Tower provides a luxurious perch By Reed Glenn Special to The Denver PostSunday, March 31, 2002 - SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK, Panama Sitting among the treetops high in the forest canopy, we sipped a good Chilean chardonnay and dined on savory curry with coconut rice. The evening sounds of the jungle - [Canopy Family | VENT Birdletter: Panama's Canopy Tower: A Wonder of the Birding World](https://canopytower.com/a-wonder-of-the-birding-world/) - July 2001 by Victor Emanuel Please note that all information is current only until the date of the newsletter. Even though I had seen Jeff Gordon's videotape and heard glowing reports about Panama's Canopy Tower, I was not prepared for the moment when I climbed the steps from the dining room that first night and - [Canopy Family | The Boston Globe: Panama: so much more than the canal](https://canopytower.com/panama-so-much-more-than-the-canal/) - By Andreae Downs, Globe Correspondent, 12/10/00 (excerpt) In a nature preserve just north of the city an entrepreneur named Raúl Arias de Para has converted an old US radar tower into a birder's paradise. We were allowed to visit, as long as we kept the children in check (the drop from the top, which has - [Canopy Family | Los Angeles Times: A Sea Change in Panama](https://canopytower.com/a-sea-change-in-panama/) - Dec 17, 2000 CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS (excerpt) ...Its owner, a former banker named Raúl Arias de Para, dubbed it the Canopy Tower and opened the lodging for business in 1999. Since then he has nudged prices up to $95 to $185 per person per day, which includes all meals and walking tours. It is a singular - [Canopy Family | CNN: Towering above Panama's rain forest](https://canopytower.com/towering-above-panamas-rain-forest/) - CNN Travel Now Insights Towering above Panama's rain forest From Jim Morelli CNN Travel Now Correspondent June 2, 2000 (CNN) -- Rising above the treetops of Panama's rain forest is Canopy Tower, an eco-lodge that offers the most unusual view of the jungle and the potential to see more than 200 species of birds. The - [Canopy Family | The Georgia Straight: War-on-drugs tower now a bird observatory](https://canopytower.com/war-on-drugs-tower-now-a-bird-observatory/) - Travel Notes By John Mitchell and Sue Kernaghan March 2000 War--on--drugs tower now a bird observatory Panama already offered some of the world's best birding opportunities, but they became even better with the January 1999 opening of the Canopy Tower near Panama City. This five--storey former radar installation-used until recently by the United States - [Canopy Family | Canopy Family Builds Relations with Summit Park](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower-family-builds-relations-with-summit-park/) - "Choco" the Harpy Eagle, a new arrival at Summit Park A special visit to see Panama’s national bird, the majestic Harpy Eagle It’s not every day an opportunity arises to meet a Harpy Eagle. One of the world’s most majestic raptors, this species has long been an iconic symbol of rainforest and tropical environments and - [Canopy Family | Black Hawk-Eagle released from Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/black-hawk-eagle-release/) - Black Hawk-Eagle by Michael Castro One of the great pleasures of anyone who has an appreciation for the natural world is watching an animal return back to its natural habitat. A sense of freedom and reunion with its community are instilled in both the animal and those involved in the release. From that point on, - [Canopy Family | Travel & Leisure: The Ultimate Army Surplus Panama City Radar Hotel](https://canopytower.com/the-ultimate-army-surplus-panama-city-radar-hotel/) - A former U.S. radar tower outside Panama City has become one of Latin America's most talked-about new places to stay By Kimberly Brown December 1999 It's Noriega's nightmare: I'm standing atop a former U.S. Air Force tower 30 minutes outside Panama City, high above the Panamanian jungle at 10:30 on a warm, windy night. The - [Canopy Family | San Antonio Express: Big Plans for Former Bases](https://canopytower.com/big-plans-for-former-bases/) - Published on Sunday, December 19, 1999 © 1999 San Antonio Express-News Susana Hayward, EXPRESS-NEWS MEXICO CITY BUREAU SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK, Panama - High up in the rainforest, amid the loud roars of howler monkeys and the sweet chirping of tropical birds, a strange yellow bubble rises from treetops. "U.S. Defense Site. Do not enter," - [Canopy Family | ABC News.com: Discovering Panama](https://canopytower.com/discovering-panama/) - By Joe Rubin Dense Jungles, Pristine Beaches, Exotic Wildlife Discovering Panama Already, Panama's forests and coastal areas are a dream destination for the more adventurous ecotourists. Among the highlights: In and Around Panama City The Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side of the canal are a fascinating place to watch giant ships traverse the canal - [Canopy Family | Ambassadair Travel Club: Panama's Wild Places](https://canopytower.com/wild-places/) - by Lorry Heverly September 1999 Every year, thousands of cruise passengers transit the Panama Canal. The eighth manmade wonder of the world holds a magical fascination for those who traverse the 50-mile waterway of intricate locks linking two oceans. But because few cruise ships stop in Panama, most never see the country’s enchanting rainforests, misty - [Canopy Family | NBC: Panama sees future in ecotourism](https://canopytower.com/panama-sees-future-in-ecotourism/) - By George Lewis NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT PANAMA CANAL ZONE, Sept. 4, 1999 — When the U.S. formally hands over control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanians this December, many of the Americans who run the canal will be departing. But as they make their plans to move elsewhere, Panama is looking for ways to - [Yellow-rumped Cacique](https://canopytower.com/yellow-rumped-cacique/) - Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela Photo by David Tipling The Yellow-rumped Cacique is a very attractive and gregarious bird—at nearly a foot in length, it is a large member of the blackbird family. Like other caciques, it has mainly black plumage and a large, pale bill; it shares the Scarlet-rumped Cacique's pale blue eyes. It has - [White-throated Crake](https://canopytower.com/white-throated-crake/) - White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis Photo by David Tipling A small, elusive rail of the swamps, marshes and wetlands of Panama, the White-throated Crake, like many rails, is much more often heard than seen. It is a slender rail, 14-16 cm in length. It has a rufous brown head, neck, back and wings, and is especially - [Veined Tree Frog](https://canopytower.com/veined-tree-frog/) - Veined Tree Frog Trachycephalus venulosus Photo by Jenn Sinasac This large tree frog has many interesting adaptations and is known by many different names! From its abilities to defend itself to its parachuting ability, this is one interesting amphibian! The Veined Tree Frog, a true tree frog in the family Hylidae, is characterized by its - [Spectacled Parrotlet](https://canopytower.com/spectacled-parrotlet/) - Spectacled Parrotlet Forpus conspicillatus Photo by Cindy Beckman A pint-sized parrot! The tiny Spectacled Parrotlet, about the size of a sparrow at only 12 cm long, is Panama’s smallest psittacine. In addition to its tiny size, the Spectacled Parrotlet is generally a dull green overall; the male has bright yellowish-green forehead, cheeks and throat, with - [Royal Flycatcher](https://canopytower.com/royal-flycatcher/) - Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus Photo by Rafael Lau This well-named, medium-sized forest flycatcher is a most-wanted bird on many of our guests' lists! It is known for its spectacular long, fanned, red and blue crest, which is almost always held down, giving the Royal Flycatcher a distinct hammerhead appearance. It is brown overall with a - [Rothschild's Giant Silkmoth](https://canopytower.com/rothschildia-triloba/) - Rothschild's Giant Silkmoth Rothschildia triloba Photo by Jenn Sinasac Rothschild’s Giant Silkmoths are among the largest and most beautiful of all moths. With a wide wingspan of 10-12 cm, they are approximately the size of a salad plate! Adult moths in the genus are distinguished by their large size, with transparent, triangular windows in each - [Regal Hairstreak](https://canopytower.com/regal-hairstreak/) - Regal Hairstreak Evenus regalis Photo by Jenn Sinasac From the observation deck of the Canopy Tower, you may be fortunate to see one of the most stunning butterflies of the Neotropics, the Regal Hairstreak. This flashy member of the family Lycaenidae is distinguished by its iridescent green and blue coloration. The dorsal side (upperside) is - [Pheasant Cuckoo](https://canopytower.com/pheasant-cuckoo/) - Pheasant Cuckoo Dromococcyx phasianellus Photo by Rafael Lau The Pheasant Cuckoo is one of Tropical America’s most intriguing birds, with its long, full, tapering tail, small head, distinct call and odd behaviors. Widespread in forest habitat in Central and South America, this medium-sized cuckoo, 40 cm in length, has a rather unusual profile with its - [Long-billed Hermit](https://canopytower.com/long-billed-hermit/) - Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris Photo by Arthur Morris The long bill and long tail of the Long-billed Hermit make it a “large” hummingbird, at 15 cm in length. This species is well-named, as the bill itself is nearly 4 cm long! The Long-billed Hermit has brown upperparts and pale underparts; its cinnamon rump distinguishes it - [Harlequin Beetle](https://canopytower.com/harlequin-beetle/) - Harlequin Beetle Acrocinus longimanus Photo by Jenn Sinasac One of the largest and most beautiful beetles of the Neotropics, the Harlequin Beetle is named for the ornate, colorful red, olive & black pattern on the elytra (hardened wings) of both the male and female. This beetle is a member of the longhorn beetle family, Cerambycidae; - [Green Shrike-Vireo](https://canopytower.com/green-shrike-vireo/) - Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus Photo by Rafael Lau A denizen of the tropical forest canopies of Central America, the Green Shrike-Vireo is one of the most sought-out species from the observation deck at the Canopy Tower. Its bright green coloration and infrequent movements help it to blend in perfectly with the leafy treetops. it is - [Great Eurybia](https://canopytower.com/great-eurybia/) - Great Eurybia Eurybia patrona persona Photo by Jenn Sinasac Also known as the Great Sheenmark, this is a large, recognizable member of the metalmark family, Riodinidae. At 30-35 mm, it is the largest of its genus in Panama. The Great Eurybia is distinguished by its large size and reddish hind wings. It has a reflective - [Glossy Daggerwing](https://canopytower.com/glossy-daggerwing/) - Glossy Daggerwing Marpesia furcula Photo by Jenn Sinasac Some of the most wanted butterflies to see in Panama are the daggerwings. Superficially looking like swallowtails, these beautiful butterflies belong to the large brushfoot family, Nymphalidae. Daggerwings are medium-sized butterflies recognized by their long pointed tails on the hindwings. Glossy Daggerwing is one of the most - [Northern Barred-Woodcreeper](https://canopytower.com/northern-barred-woodcreeper/) - Northern Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae Photo by Carlos Bethancourt The Northern Barred-Woodcreeper is one of our most impressive woodcreepers, rivaling all others in size at 26 cm in length. It is distinctly barred on its head, back and underparts, allowing it to be easily identified among this challenging group of Neotropical birds. Its tail is rufous - [Red-eyed Tree Frog](https://canopytower.com/red-eyed-tree-frog/) - Red-eyed Tree Frog Agalychnis callidryas One of the most iconic critters of tropical rainforests, just about everyone recognizes the Red-eyed Tree Frog – those bulging scarlet eyes can’t be missed! Common in the tropical rainforests of Central America, this ever-popular frog has a bright green body with blue-and-yellow-striped flanks, vibrant orange toe webbing with - [Central American Woolly Opossum](https://canopytower.com/central-american-woolly-opossum/) - Central American Woolly Opossum Caluromys derbianus Photo by Uwe Speck The Central American Woolly Opossum is a medium-sized marsupial of the rainforests of Central America and northwestern South America. In comparison to other opossums, it is rather cute, with a thick coat of fur, gray in color with extensive reddish or brownish patches and creamy - [Black-crowned Antshrike](https://canopytower.com/black-crowned-antshrike/) - Black-crowned Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha Photo by Lee Dalton Formerly known as Western Slaty-Antshrike, this medium-sized antbird is a common resident of the lowland forests of Panama. It is a true antbird in the family Thamnophilidae, a large and diverse family of Neotropical birds. The male is mostly gray in plumage with a black crown and - [Canopy Family - Sapayoa](https://canopytower.com/sapayoa/) - Sapayoa Sapayoa, photo by Carlos Bethancourt The Sapayoa (Sapayoa aenigma) is an elusive bird of the pristine forest streams of the foothills of eastern Panama. It is a small (14 cm, 5.5 in.) olive-yellow, flycatcher-like bird with a yellowish throat and crown patch. It has a broad bill which it uses to snatch up flying - [Bay Wren](https://canopytower.com/bay-wren/) - Bay Wren Cantorchilus nigricapillus Photo by Uwe Speck The Bay Wren is an attractive, medium-sized wren with a black crown and nape and a distinct white throat. It has a rich chestnut-colored back and underparts, and a rufous tail with black barring. Several races occur in Panama, with their underparts varying geographically in the extent - [Silky Anteater](https://canopytower.com/silky-anteater/) - Silky Anteater Cyclopes didactylus Photo by Domiciano Alveo Also known as the Pygmy Anteater, the Silky Anteater is the smallest anteater on Earth. It is truly tiny: only 20 cm in body length with a long, furred, prehensile tail up to 24 cm in length, and weighs in at under a pound. It is named - [](https://canopytower.com/rauls-family/) - [Canopy Family | UVA Alumni Magazine: The Birdman of Panama](https://canopytower.com/the-birdman-of-panama/) - Bob Cullen, Fall 2003 When Raúl Arias de Para (MS Economics '70) wants to show guests around his place, he puts on a floppy red bush hat that has faded to a soft pink. He cautions them to take a sock filled with powdered sulfur and swat it against their ankles to repel chiggers. He - [Canopy Family | Bob Cullen: Iraq and the Keel-billed Toucan](https://canopytower.com/bob-cullen-iraq-and-the-keel-billed-toucan/) - If you're looking for a refuge from live television coverage of the war in Iraq, I've got a suggestion. It's called the Canopy Tower Hotel, and it's about half an hour's drive from Panama City, Panama. On the third day of the Iraqi campaign, I awoke there, got my coffee, and watched the sun rise - [Canopy Family | Hollis Times: Robert DeMayo's Canopy Tower Trip](https://canopytower.com/robert-demayos-canopy-tower-trip/) - Article Twelve - Panama by Robert DeMayo published in Hollis Times June 2000 Far South of us, down by the equator, lie vast tracks of primary rainforest. Hot, sticky jungles filled with insects and exotic bird calls. In this world jaguars and pumas still rule the night. Everybody's heard of the Panama canal, but very - [A Man Sees Green](https://canopytower.com/a-man-sees-green/) - Translation of an article that appeared in Sueddeutsche Zeitung by Veit Elser 21 December 1999 Ornithologist and model hotel keeper Raul Arias de Para runs a hotel at the Panama canal in the rain forest: the Canopy Tower. Nothing stirs, everything is green. But Segundo Jimenez says he's seen an Iguana. With his finger he - [Outside Magazine: Destinations](https://canopytower.com/outside-magazine-destinations/) - Beyond the Zone As the United States prepares to hand over the canal, Panama's wild wonders are ripe for discovery. By Alex Markels Outside Magazine, September 1999 Nowhere else on earth do the wonders of man and nature collide so abruptly as they do near the banks of the Panama Canal. From my perch atop - [Saint Petersburg Times: In Panama, A Change Of Heart](https://canopytower.com/a-change-of-heart/) - Once one of the largest U.S. military bases along the Panama Canal, Fort Sherman will be the site of the 250-room Gamboa Tropical Rainforest Resort. As this gateway between the Americas prepares to divest itself of U.S. control, eco-tourism may become the next big thing, as more visitors immerse themselves in Panama's natural beauty. By - [Financial Times: Bird Watchers on a Path to Paradise](https://canopytower.com/bird-watchers-on-a-flight-path-to-paradise/) - James Wilson finds that the US withdrawal from Panama and the determination of an entrepreneur have been a boon to twitchers Financial Times ; 27-Feb-1999; 961 words ARCADIA Do not be deterred by the unwelcoming message at the gate of the Canopy Tower, one of Panama's most intriguing lodgings. "This is a US Military Defense - [ABC News.com: Finding Your Way](https://canopytower.com/finding-your-way/) - Tour Companies and Hotels in Panama Finding Your Way By Joe Rubin Special to ABCNEWS.com You won't see a five-star hotel on every corner, but you'll find a range of choices Although Panama is not, as yet, a major tourist destination, you'll find plenty of ways to explore and places to stay if you visit. ## Pages - [Home](https://canopytower.com/) - The Canopy Family shares the nature, history and culture of Panama. Come experience the natural world like never before on our guided nature and bird tours! - [Checklists](https://canopytower.com/resources/checklists/) - The Canopy Family gives you a spectacular opportunity to experience Panama's vast biodiversity. Learn more about all the animals you can see when you stay with the Canopy Family! - [Trip Reports](https://canopytower.com/insights/birding-trip-reports/) - The Canopy Family gives our guests once-in-a-lifetime experiences on a daily basis. Read some accounts of the adventures that our guests have had on our wildlife tours! - [Meet Our Team](https://canopytower.com/about-canopy-tower/meet-our-team/) - Meet the Canopy Family! Our bird watching guides will lead you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the Panama rainforest, aided by the rest of our incredible team. Book today! - [Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/) - The Canopy Lodge is located in El Valle de Antón, Panama, which means that you'll be in the heart of the jungle, and you'll have access to some of the most unique wildlife and birdwatching opportunities in the world. Book your visit to the Canopy Lodge today! - [Canopy Lodge Day Visit](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/canopy-lodge-activities/canopy-lodge-day-visit/) - In addition to our extensive variety of nature tours, the Canopy Lodge also has shorter day trips. Visit our site to see what's offered, and book today! - [Canopy Tower Day Visit](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/things-to-do/day-visits/) - In addition to our extensive variety of nature tours, the Canopy Family also has shorter day trips. Visit our site to see what's offered, and book today! - [Canopy Tower Activities](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/things-to-do/canopy-tower-activities/) - Explore all that the Canopy Tower has to offer by participating in one of our many unique bird, day, or non-birder activities. - [Things to do at Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/things-to-do/) - Canopy Tower is a nature lover's paradise. Check out our guided tours and other activities available when you book at the Tower. - [Canopy Tower Birding & Nature Tours](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/things-to-do/canopy-tower-birding-nature-tours/) - The Canopy Tower offers additional birding and nature tours to tantalize all your natural interests - from night drives to boat tours on the Panama Canal. - [Newsletter Archive](https://canopytower.com/resources/newsletter-archive/) - Every two months we publish a newsletter that features news from the Canopy Family, information about Panama’s fascinating wildlife, featured sightings, promotions and so much more! Sign up below to receive our newsletter by email—your portal to all things Canopy Family! Browse our most recent issues: February 2026 Nearly 300,000 Migrating Raptors in a Single - [Featured Sightings](https://canopytower.com/insights/recent-sightings/) - Because we're right in the heart of Panama's amazing natural habitat, we have a unique opportunity to see a huge number of animals every day. Check out our featured sightings! - [Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/) - The Canopy Tower is a world-renowned birding destination. Nature lovers will love with this unique ecotourism hotspot. Come stay at the Canopy Tower! - [Canopy Tower Features](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/features/) - The Canopy Tower has incredible features, such as The Observation Deck, Specialized Birding Vehicles and an extensive Birding Library. Book today! - [WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY](https://canopytower.com/landing/) - The Canopy Family and Team is made up of the Canopy Tower, Canopy Lodge, and the Canopy Camp. Learn about our vision and mission. Book today! - [Canopy Lodge Birding & Nature Tours](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/canopy-lodge-birding-nature-tours/) - The Canopy Lodge offers additional birding and nature tours to tantalize all your natural interests. - [Canopy Tower Accommodations](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/accommodations/) - We offer an assortment of rooms at the Canopy Tower ecolodge, from our single rooms on the ground floor to the coveted Blue Contiga Suite. Browse our rooms, and book today! - [Canopy Lodge Accommodations](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/accommodations/) - The Canopy Lodge has a number of comfortable rooms that bring the nature right to your window! Learn more about what to expect when you stay at our gorgeous Canopy Lodge. - [FAQs](https://canopytower.com/faqs/) - Have a question about the Canopy Family? Check out all the answers here, and come experience the natural wonders of Panama. Book today! - [Panama Fruit Feeder Cam](https://canopytower.com/fruit-feeder-cam/) - With our livestream of a fruit feeder in the Canopy Lodge, you can see a variety of birds from anywhere in the world. Check it out with the Canopy Family! - [Canopy Lodge Features](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/features/) - The Canopy Lodge has incredible features, such as an observation veranda, library and natural swimming pool. Book a stay with us today! - [Canopy Camp Accommodations](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/accommodations/) - The tent lodges at Canopy Camp Darién combine the magic and wonder of camping with the luxury of a high-end nature resort. Learn more about the accommodations at Camp Darién! - [Social Responsibility](https://canopytower.com/about-canopy-tower/social-responsibility/) - Being an ecotourism company, our whole livelihood relies on conserving the environment. Learn about the environmental initiatives that the Canopy Family supports! - [Our Tours](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/) - When you take one of our guided birding tours, you're bound to have the experience of a lifetime. Choose your Panama adventure with the Canopy Family! - [Reservas](https://canopytower.com/reservas/) - [bookly-form hide=”categories,staff_members”] - [Community Development](https://canopytower.com/about-canopy-tower/community-development/) - The Embera-Wounaan people call Darién their home. The Canopy Family helps to support and include the Embera community in our ecotourism. Learn more about our community development! - [Fidelino "Igua" Jiménez](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/fidelino-igua-jimenez/) - Igua was born in 1977 in Ipeti Kuna, a town in the Comarca Guna de Madungandí, one of the Guna indigenous territories in Panama. He got his bachelor’s degree from the Instituto Agropecuario Jesús Nazareno de Atalaya, situated in the province of Veraguas. Then, he traveled to study at the Mount Hood Community College, in - [Oscar Fría](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/oscar-fria/) - Oscar Fría, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Faustino “Tino” Sánchez](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/faustino-tino-sanchez/) - Faustino “Tino” Sanchez, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Meet Our Guides](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/) - Our incredible nature tours wouldn't be possible without our amazing guides. They're the ones who make sure your wildlife tours are unforgettable. - [Eliécer Rodríguez Madrid](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/eliecer-rodriguez-madrid/) - Eliecer Rodriguez Madrid, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Jorge Pineda](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/jorge-pineda/) - Jorge Pineda, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Danilo Rodríguez Jr.](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/danilo-rodriguez-jr/) - Danilo Rodriguez Jr., one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Alexis “Alex” Sánchez](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/alexis-alex-sanchez/) - Alexis “Alex” Sanchez, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Erick Rodríguez](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/harmodio-moyo-rodriguez/) - Harmodio “Moyo” Rodriguez, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Danilo Rodríguez](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/danilo-rodriguez/) - Danilo Rodriguez, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Carlos A. Bethancourt](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/carlos-a-bethancourt/) - Carlos A. Bethancourt, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Contact Us](https://canopytower.com/contact/) - The Canopy Family hosts unforgettable guided birding tours throughout the Panamanian rainforest. Contact the Canopy Family to book your wildlife tour today! - [Payment & Refund Policies](https://canopytower.com/payment-and-refund-policies/) - Before you book your stay at one of our award-winning Panama ecotourism lodges, please take the time to read through our payment and refund policy. - [History of the Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/tower-history/) - The Canopy Tower was built in 1960s by the U.S. military to guard the Panama Canal. Learn more about the Canopy Tower's rich history, and how it became a prime birding destination. - [Meet Raúl Arias de Para](https://canopytower.com/insights/meet-raul/) - The Canopy Tower Family share nature, history and culture of the Republic of Panama with passion and enthusiasm, guided by the principles of conservation and social responsibility - Visit us today! - [History of the Canopy Camp](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/camp-history/) - Canopy Camp Darién is located in the heart of some of the most gorgeous untouched natural environments in the world. Learn more about Canopy Camp Darién's rich history! - [History of the Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/lodge-history/) - The Canopy Lodge has a rich and illustrious history that's nearly a century in the making. Learn more about the Canopy Lodge and start planning your Panama birding trip today! - [Canopy Tower Tours](https://canopytower.com/canopy-tower/things-to-do/canopy-tower-tours/) - While staying at the Canopy Tower, book one of our fantastic birding tour packages. Call now to learn more! - [Things To Do at Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/) - Stay at the Canopy Lodge and enjoy a number of exciting Tours available. Book your stay today! - [Canopy Lodge Tours](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/canopy-lodge-tours/) - While staying at the Canopy Lodge there are a number of exciting Birding and Wildlife Tours available. Book your stay today! - [Canopy Camp Tours](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/things-to-do/canopy-camp-tours/) - Check out the exciting Birding and Wildlife Tours available at Canopy Camp Darién. Book a stay today! - [Articles](https://canopytower.com/insights/articles/) - Check out some articles about Panama ecotourism and the Canopy Family! Book today! - [Plant Database](https://canopytower.com/resources/plant-database/) - Panama is said to be home to more than 10,000 species of plant! Browse these accounts to learn more about some of the plant species that can be seen on your trip to Panama with the Canopy Family. - [Book List](https://canopytower.com/resources/book-list/) - Here is a list of suggested readings - useful books and resources with a wealth of information about Panama’s birds, wildlife and natural history. - [Meet Our Wildlife](https://canopytower.com/resources/wildlife-list/) - We see a great diversity of Panama's birds and other animals on our tours. Browse these accounts to learn more about Panama's incredible wildlife! - [eBird Recent Sightings](https://canopytower.com/insights/ebird-recent-sightings/) - View recent sightings around the Canopy Family lodges on eBird, an incredible tool developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Visit us today! - [Panama's Harpy and Crested Eagles](https://canopytower.com/panamas-harpy-and-crested-eagles/) - Two of the world's most magnificent forest eagles can be found nesting in eastern Panama, ask us how to see Harpy and Crested eagles on our tours. - [Canopy Camp](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/) - The Canopy Camp is located in the middle of Darién, Panama, one of the most wild corners of the world. At our camp, you'll be in one of the best possible places to see some of the most gorgeous and unique birds in the world. Book your trip to the Canopy Camp today! - [Environmental Initiatives](https://canopytower.com/about-canopy-tower/environmental-initiatives/) - At the Canopy Family, we value nature above all else, and we make efforts to conserve it for future generations to enjoy. Learn more about our commitment to sustainable tourism! - [Logos](https://canopytower.com/logos/) - [Recent sightings from the Canopy Family lodges](https://canopytower.com/recent-sightings-from-the-canopy-family-lodges/) - October - November 2019 - [Special Offers](https://canopytower.com/special-offers/) - Check out these special offers and promotions at the Canopy Family lodges. - [Canopy Camp Activities](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/things-to-do/canopy-camp-activities/) - If you're visiting Canopy Camp Darién and you're not into bird watching, there a number of activities you can still take part in. Learn more about tourist attractions in Darién! - [Canopy Lodge Non-Birder Activities](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/canopy-lodge-activities/canopy-lodge-non-birder-activities/) - In addition to our extensive variety of nature tours, the Canopy Lodge also has shorter day trips. Visit our site to see what's offered, and book today! - [Canopy Lodge Activities](https://canopytower.com/canopy-lodge/things-to-do/canopy-lodge-activities/) - Whether you are a birder or not, there are plenty of activities that can fuel excitement during your stay at the Canopy Lodge. - [Birding Ethics & Etiquette](https://canopytower.com/birding-ethics-and-etiquette/) - We cannot take wildlife for granted…it's our responsibility to care and show respect for the natural world when visiting the Canopy Family ecolodges. Book now! - [Photography](https://canopytower.com/photography/) - Find out what’s in store for photographers at the Canopy Family Ecolodges! Book a trip today! - [Book Your Trip!](https://canopytower.com/book-your-trip/) - Ready to book your exciting visit to one of Canopy Family's locations? Visit our site today to get started on your birding adventure! - [Gallery](https://canopytower.com/insights/gallery/) - Canopy Family Media Gallery There is so much to see around the Canopy Family lodges. Check out some of our best media here, from high-quality photos to beautiful videos of our natural paradise in Panama. Flickr Canopy Family Flickr Browse the spectacular diversity of birds, butterflies and wildlife. Check out albums with photos of our - [Insights](https://canopytower.com/insights/) - Discover resources you’ll need in learning all you can about life at Canopy Lodge, Tower, or Camp! Get in touch today! - [Canopy Family Videos](https://canopytower.com/canopy-family-videos/) - Enjoy videos of the Canopy Family lodges and Panama's natural beauty. - [Features of the Canopy Camp](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/features/) - The Canopy Camp has incredible features, such as your own personal observation deck right outside your tent! Book a stay with us today! - [About](https://canopytower.com/about-canopy-tower/) - The Canopy Family and Team is made up of the Canopy Tower, Canopy Lodge, and the Canopy Camp. Learn about our vision and mission. Book today! - [Tour Add-Ons](https://canopytower.com/add-ons/) - We offer a number of specialized tours for visitors who are interested in things other than birds. Visit our site to browse the add-ons available, and book today! - [Things To Do at Canopy Camp](https://canopytower.com/canopy-camp/things-to-do/) - Canopy Camp Darién offers a number of Birding and Wildlife Tours, as well as other exciting activities. Book a stay with us today! - [Domiciano “Domi” Alveo](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/domiciano-domi-alveo/) - Domiciano “Domi” Alveo, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Jenn Sinasac](https://canopytower.com/meet-our-guides/jenn-sinasac/) - Jenn Sinasac, one of Canopy Family's amazing wildlife tour guides. - [Privacy Policy](https://canopytower.com/privacy-policy/) - The Canopy Family is committed to protecting the privacy of our guests and of those who visit our website. Please read through our Privacy Policy here. - [Resources](https://canopytower.com/resources/) - Resources - [Trees](https://canopytower.com/resources/wildlife-list/trees/) - [Favorite Links](https://canopytower.com/resources/favorite-links/) - [Travel Maps](https://canopytower.com/resources/travel-maps/) ## Products - [Butterflies of Canopy Camp Darien](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/butterflies-of-canopy-camp-darien/) - 6-night, all-inclusive nature tour (first night at Riande Hotel) 2026 dates Butterflies of Canopy Camp Darien I: May 12th - 18th, 2026 (May 14th at Riande hotel) Butterflies of Canopy Camp Darien II: August 3rd – 9th, 2026 (August 3rd at Riande hotel) 2027 dates Butterflies of Canopy Camp Darien I: May 17th - 23th, - [Brilliant Butterflies of Panama](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/panamas-brilliant-butterflies-tour/) - 7-night, all-inclusive nature tour 2026 tour dates: Panama's Brilliant Butterflies May 18th – 25th, 2026 (beginning at CT). FULL TOUR Panama's Brilliant Butterflies August 9th – 16th , 2026 (beginning at CT) 2027 tour dates: Panama's Brilliant Butterflies May 23th – 30th, 2027 (beginning at CT) Panama's Brilliant Butterflies August 9th – 16th , 2027 - [Birds of the Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/the-birds-of-the-canopy-tower/) - This all-inclusive tour emphasizes the bird-rich lowland tropical forests of the Canal Zone. It features some of the best birding Central America has to offer! Our base of operations will be the world-famous Canopy Tower with unlimited access to our fabulous Observation Deck every morning, afternoon and evening, where you can enjoy "canopy birding" at - [Birds of the Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/the-birds-of-the-canopy-lodge/) - This 5-night or 7-night Panama birding tour explores the foothills and cloud forests of El Valle de Anton — the home of motmots, tanagers, hummingbirds, antpittas and the mythical Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo! We enjoy all accommodation at the award-winning Canopy Lodge, with exciting bird-filled trips to Altos del Maria, La Mesa, Cerro Gaital Natural Monument, Cara - [Birds of Central Panama & Darién Lowlands](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/the-birds-of-central-panama-darien-lowlands/) - Experience the lowlands of central Panama, the foothills of western Panama, and the remote stretches of eastern Panama, the land where Harpy Eagles and four species of macaw can still be found. This 20-night, comprehensive birding package focuses on the incredible avian diversity of Panama. Combining the exceptional birding at our signature lodges in central - [Birds of Central Panama](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/the-birds-of-central-panama/) - Our signature, comprehensive 14-night tour fully explores the best birding spots of Central Panama, with excursions to the lowland tropical forests of the Canal Zone, including Pipeline Road, Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and Metropolitan Park, to the foothill forests of Cerro Azul/Cerro Jefe, the cloud forests of El Valle de Anton & Altos del Maria, - [Birds of Canopy Camp Darien](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/the-birds-of-the-canopy-camp-darien/) - 7-night, all-inclusive birding package Darién, as this entire eastern-most region of Panama is called, is perhaps the most diverse and species-rich region of Central America. Long coveted by avid birders as an impenetrable haven for rare species, this region is now readily accessible by a highway extending through the spine of Panama right into the - [Canopy Tower's Birds and History](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/canopy-towers-birds-and-history/) - This is the tour for birders who love history and for history buffs who love birds! Panama is a country rich in both, and the Canopy Tower is the ideal base of operations! Panama City was the first city founded by Spaniards on the Pacific shore of the New World, the site of the first - [Tamarin Tour: Mammal & Birding Adventure](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/tamarin-tour-mammal-and-birding-adventure/) - An exciting 9-night tour specializing in mammals, but also featuring birds and more! Enjoy 7 nights lodging at the historic and world-famous Canopy Tower, with tours around the Canopy Tower and Semaphore Hill, Pipeline Road, Barro Colorado Island, a boat trip to Gatun Lake, Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, Metropolitan Nature Park and Fort San Lorenzo - [Herpetology at the Isthmus](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/herpetology-at-the-isthmus/) - Of all the animals to encounter in a tropical rainforest, amphibians and reptiles are often a favorite find. From showy lizards to leaf-like frogs, shy turtles to pencil-thin snakes, this group of animals fascinates many. In the lowlands and foothills of central Panama, dozens of species of frogs, lizards, snakes and other herpetofauna exhibit a - [Introduction to Tropical Biodiversity](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/introduction-to-tropical-biodiversity/) - Tropical environments and ecosystems are extremely diverse in comparison to their temperate counterparts. Panama encompasses many distinct biomes and ecosystems, teeming with plant and animal life. Location, elevation and climate influence these environments and the plants and animals within, all part of an intricate and delicate web of interactions. When you first step into a - [Panama's Hawk Migration Spectacular!](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/panamas-hawk-migration-spectacular/) - Join us for a birding adventure of a lifetime to witness one of the world's greatest hawk migration events when literally hundreds of thousands of raptors funnel through the narrow isthmus of Panama toward their wintering grounds in South America! This amazing hawk migration spectacle will be the centerpiece of a 7-night tour emphasizing the - [About Our Tours](https://canopytower.com/our-tours/about-our-tours/) - Our birding and nature tour packages offer the best experiences at the Canopy Family lodges! Click here for more information about our tours in general. ## FAQs - [What do I need to bring?](https://canopytower.com/faq/what-do-i-need-to-bring/) - Not much, remember our trips are all inclusive. We do suggest you bring appropriate clothing to fit the season and a day pack to carry extra snacks and water. - [What should I wear?](https://canopytower.com/faq/what-should-i-wear/) - Wear whatever is comfortable. It is recommended to have a sturdy pair of broken-in trail shoes, boots, or sneakers. It is preferable to dress in layers and wear clothing that will wick away perspiration and keep you dry and comfortable - [Do I have to make a reservation or can I just show up?](https://canopytower.com/faq/do-i-have-to-make-a-reservation-or-can-i-just-show-up/) - Yes. Reservations are required for guaranteed spots on all tours. Reservations help us determine the number of guides we need to ensure that our groups remain manageable and enjoyable, and they allow us to notify you of changes to the tour due to weather or anything that could disturb the tours. - [How much does it cost to do a private tour?](https://canopytower.com/faq/how-much-does-it-cost-to-do-a-private-tour/) - Please contact us to get the latest information on your desired trip. - [Should I print a receipt to show the tour guide?](https://canopytower.com/faq/should-i-print-a-receipt-to-show-the-tour-guide/) - We understand that you may not have a printer handy when you're traveling so it is not necessary to have a printed copy. However, we require that you show ID matching your reservation and also the Order # that is immediately emailed to you after you make your reservation. - [Are we going hiking even though it’s raining and windy?](https://canopytower.com/faq/are-we-going-hiking-even-though-its-raining-and-windy/) - We do hike in the rain, snow, wind and any other weather conditions that nature decides to throw at us. After all, we’re going on adventures! If the weather is unsafe for any reason, the trip will be changed or postponed. You will be notified the week of your trip if there are changes due - [What is your refund and cancellation policy?](https://canopytower.com/faq/what-is-your-refund-and-cancellation-policy/) - You must call 72 hours ahead of your scheduled tour for a full refund. Within 72 hours you will assess a $35 termination fee. There are no refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of your tour, or if you decide not to show up. - [Are there any extra fees that I will have to pay on top of the listed price?](https://canopytower.com/faq/are-there-any-extra-fees-that-i-will-have-to-pay-on-top-of-the-listed-price/) - No, we do not charge any extra fees or fuel surcharges. The listed price is the price you pay. Including tax. ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://canopytower.com/category/uncategorized/) - [Articles](https://canopytower.com/category/articles/) - Canopy Tower Articles - [Raul Arias de Para](https://canopytower.com/category/raul-arias-de-para/) - Articles by Raul - [Meet Our Wildlife](https://canopytower.com/category/wildlife-list/) - Wildlife Pages - [Plant Database](https://canopytower.com/category/plant-database/) - Plant Pages - [Social Responsability](https://canopytower.com/category/social-responsability/) ## Tags - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://canopytower.com/tag/reptiles-and-amphibians/) - [Birds](https://canopytower.com/tag/birds/) - [Plants](https://canopytower.com/tag/plants/) - [Mammals](https://canopytower.com/tag/mammals/) - [Insects](https://canopytower.com/tag/insects/) - [arachnids](https://canopytower.com/tag/arachnids/) - [spiders](https://canopytower.com/tag/spiders/) - [filmmaking](https://canopytower.com/tag/filmmaking/) - [videos](https://canopytower.com/tag/videos/) - [snakes](https://canopytower.com/tag/snakes/) - [serpents](https://canopytower.com/tag/serpents/) - [herpetology](https://canopytower.com/tag/herpetology/) - [new species](https://canopytower.com/tag/new-species/) - [lizards](https://canopytower.com/tag/lizards/) - [Social](https://canopytower.com/tag/social/) - [Social responsability](https://canopytower.com/tag/social-responsability/) ## Product categories - [Uncategorized](https://canopytower.com/product-category/uncategorized/) ## Tour Categories - [Destination](https://canopytower.com/tour-category/destination/) - [Canopy Tower](https://canopytower.com/tour-category/canopy-tower/) - [Canopy Lodge](https://canopytower.com/tour-category/canopy-lodge/) - [Canopy Camp](https://canopytower.com/tour-category/canopy-camp/)