Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus

Found in Columbia, Venezuela and Panama, the Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus, prefers lowland forests and can be commonly found in disturbed areas. It is a gorgeous bird,one of the smaller tanager species, but with a wonderful plumage in the male of bright crimson back along with a white lower mandible. The female is a rich brown. They are often found in family groups.

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Panama Street Scene

Over the top? Yes, I admit it but sometimes its fun to just play with the color and graphics of an image.

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Panama Shopping

A Panama street scene from the old part of the city

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Panama City

The modern cityscape of Panama City is a contrast to the old part of the city in the foreground

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White-Nosed Coatimundi

Related to the Racoon family, White-Nosed Coatimundi, can be found from the southern U.S. to South America. They can often be seen in large groups. In Costa Rica,on a quiet back road, we came upon two dozen of them who ran to our car. They apparently had become used to human handouts

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Three-toed Sloth, Bradypus variegatus

One of the wonderful surprises you might run across in the forests of Panama and Costa Rica is the Three-toed Sloth, Bradypus variegatus. They can be quite common in places like Manuel Antonio Park in southern Costa Rica, and when you see one, you can be sure it will stay long enough for a good look.

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Gray-Capped Flycatcher

The Tyrant Flycatchers are the largest family of birds with more than 400 member species. They can be found from the southern parts of South America to the northern reaches of North America but reach their greatest numbers in the tropics.

The Gray-capped Flycatcher, Myiozetetes granadensis, ranges from Honduras in Central America to Bolivia in South America. It is somewhat similar to the Social Flycatcher, M. similis, which lacks the distinctive gray head of this species. It often nests near water where it hunts in typical flycatcher fashion, sallying forth from a favored perch to catch insects.

This bird was seen near Bouquette in the Chiriqui highland region of Panama.

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Ochraceous Wren

I am a big fan of the little wrens, they seem to have a bit of attitude for a such a small bird. The Ochraceous Wren, Troglodytes ochraceus, is endemic to the highlands of Panama and Costa Rica. It builds its nest in epiphytes about 15-20 feet high.

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Displaying male Blue-Black Grassquit

Although it is a very small bird, the Blue Black Grassquit has a big display for the plain brown female. Heleaps up from a favored perch and flutters straight back down, calling the whole time.

This species is part of the very large bunting family which includes familiar North American species like the Song Sparrow. It is found from Mexico down through all of the South American countries.

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Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher

One of the more spectacular of tropical birds, the Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher is found only in the highlands of Costa Rica and Panama. During the breeding season, they can be quite conspicuous. The female is similar to the male although somewhat duller and smaller.

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

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