Bird Watching in Tierras Altas

Endemic and Migratory Birds

According to experts, on a normal walk through the streets and forests of Tierras Altas, you can find up to 20 species.

Walk the longer or more remote trails, and your count will be much, much higher. 

Some of the endemic birds that you can find throughout the year are the highly sought-after resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), the fiery-throated hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) and the tricarunculate bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus).

In addition, during the migration months you’ll be able to see endangered species such as the golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) and the cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea), as well as wilson's warbler (Cardellina pusilla) and the green-backed warbler (Setophaga virens), to name but a few. 

Bird Watching Seasons

If you want to find as many species as possible, visit Tierras Altas between September and November.

In this season, migratory birds descend from the north to the south of the continent, and you’ll be able to see many species in large numbers.

From February to April there is a second migration season, when the birds return north. Although you will see fewer, as they return by different routes, this is the time for local birds. In these months, the rainy season begins and with it the breeding season. You’ll see their courtship displays, building nests and raising chicks.

If you can't visit us in any of these seasons, don't worry; in Tierras Altas, birders have incredible species records all year long.

Bird Watching Tours

Hike through the Talamanca Mountains in La Amistad International Park and Baru Volcano National Park to find species such as the three-wattled bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus), the bare-necked umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis) and the Talamanca hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis).

Visit the Volcan Lagoons to find the masked duck (Nomonyx dominicus), the northern jacana (Jacana spinosa) and the collared trogon (Trogon collaris). On your tours of Cerro Punta or the coffee and agritourism farms, make sure you look out for species such as the long-tailed silky-flycatcher (Ptiliogonys caudatus), the fiery-billed araçari (Pteroglossus frantzii) and the magenta-throated woodstar (Philodice bryantae), among many others. 

If you want to come bird watching in Panamá, we recommend you book bird watching tours. In Tierras Altas you’ll find all the support you need, including guides and shelters that will guide you so you can get that record of special species.

Venture deep into the cloud forest and rain forest on a quest to find all kinds of birds.