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 small head with a short, pointed crest and thin neck. It is overall brown above, each feather edged in white, and creamy white below with a band of brownish spotting across buffy chest. It has a narrow, whitish postocular stripe and a chestnut-rufous cap. Its tail is long, wide and graduated, the upper tail coverts are greatly elongated, adding fullness and a “bushiness” to the tail. The tail is brown with a white tip on each feather, adding to its elegance. It has a very muscular body, especially in the tail region. Legs are thin and weak. Pheasant Cuckoos inhabit lowland tropical forest, and can be found in dense thickets, secondary growth forest and borders up to 1200 meters. Rarely seen, they are vocal and are often heard. Their call is similar to that of Striped Cuckoo, two clear notes followed by a quavering third note or sequence of two or three quick short notes. They call ventriloquially from branches in the lower and middle levels of the forest, in dense cover, and are often difficult to detect. In Panama, they call most frequently from mid-April to July, during the onset of the wet season. Pheasant Cuckoos also have some other interesting behaviors. Males are territorial, and in response to singing males, they will raise their head and crest, puff out their breast feathers, partially extend their wings and arch their tail coverts. Even more interesting, the Pheasant Cuckoo has a unique, stylized foraging behavior.

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 often near water. They associate in pairs or small groups, usually near the ground. This species was formerly known as the Lemon-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus icteronotus), and due to its bright yellow rump, this seems to be a more appropriate name for this bird in Panama. However, there are two subspecies of Flame-rumped Tanager—In Panama, subspecies R. f. icteronotus has a yellow rump. Further south in western Colombia, subspecies R. f. flammigerus has a flaming scarlet rump. The two subspecies hybridize where ranges overlap in western Colombia. It is also possible that the Flame-rumped Tanager hybridizes with Passerini’s Tanager in Bocas del Toro. The Flame-rumped Tanager ranges from western Panama to western Ecuador. In Panama, they are found along the entire Caribbean slope lowlands, Canal area and in Darién. They are common around the gardens of the Canopy Lodge and Canopy Camp where they visit the fruit feeders, and can be found locally in Gamboa near the Canopy Tower and Canopy B&B. Female Flame-rumped Tanager, by David Tipling

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 also very vocal – its whistled three-note “peer-peer-peer” song, similar to the song of the Tufted Titmouse, seemingly saying “can’t-see-me,” reflects well the fact that the Green Shrike-Vireo is much more often heard than seen. But with some patience, we get good views of this fantastic bird at the Canopy Tower. The Green Shrike-Vireo at 14 cm in length is a large member of the vireo family. Affectionately known around the Canopy Tower as a “little parrot,” this canopy dweller is heavy-headed with bright green upperparts, has a distinct bright yellow throat and yellowish-green underparts, and an inconspicuous blue nape. Contrasting with its bright plumage, it has a black eye and heavy black bill, hooked at the tip. Sexes are similar. There are four recognized subspecies of the Green Shrike-Vireo throughout its range, which differ in plumage and vocalizations. Green Shrike-Vireos can be found in the forest canopy of humid evergreen forests and secondary growth woodlands, in the lowlands and foothills to 1000 meters in elevation. They can tolerate a degree of habitat change and degradation. They are usually found singly or in pairs, and occasionally join mixed flocks in the forest mid-story and canopy. Green Shrike-Vireos are insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of arthropods including caterpillars, and also feed on small fruits and seeds. There is little known about their reproduction and life history. Green Shrike-Vireos range from southeast Mexico to eastern Panama. In Panama, they are found along the Caribbean slope, and

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. The Blue Cotinga is approximately the size of a thrush, 19 cm in length. It is plump and dove-like, with a short bill and tail. The male is brilliant blue with deep purple-black throat and belly patches. The black patch around its eye distinguishes it from other “blue” cotingas in Panama. Its wings and tail are edged with black. The female is brown overall, with buffy edges on the feathers producing a scalloped or scaly appearance. The Blue Cotinga is found in the forest canopy of lowland tropical forest, as well as woodlands and open areas. It lives high in the canopy of the trees, and most often sits exposed, often remaining in one spot for extended periods of time. It is usually solitary, but occasionally feeds in small groups of up to 10 individuals at fruiting trees. Fruit is plucked in flight, and it will hover briefly. Blue Cotingas are generally silent, but males can make a whirring sound with their wings. In Panama, Blue Cotingas are uncommon along the western Caribbean slope and fairly common throughout eastern Panama. They are found in lowlands up to 900 meters (have been recorded up to 1400 meters in Colombia). With a small range from central Panama to northwestern Venezuela and Ecuador, Panama is one of the best places to encounter this fantastic bird. Blue Cotingas can be seen feeding in the fruiting trees around the Canopy Tower, and are most common around Canopy Camp Darien. Female