Bird of the Month: Hudsonian Godwit

The Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) is an elegant wader of long legs and upturned long bill that breeds locally in subarctic Alaska and Canada (east to Hudson Bay) and winters in southern South America on both coast, but mainly along the Atlantic coast.  Their migration routes not usually include Central America nor Panama; that is why they are extremely rare here.

Hudsonian Godwit

So far, there are only two published records: a basic-plumaged bird at the Caribbean side of former Canal Area in October, 1983 (photographed) and three birds seen at flight (from an airplane) on the coast 20 km east of Panama City in September, 1997.  A more recent unconfirmed report (January 2010) of a basic-plumaged individual appears in Xenornis by my friend Venicio Wilson.  This season, two juveniles were found by Euclides Campos on October 25th, 2016 in Finca Bayano, a rice farm 40 km east of Panama City.  So far, they have been re-located on October 29th and today, November 1st, at the same site (and where I took all the photos shown in this post).

Hudsonian Godwit showing tail pattern

These birds were actively feeding by probing the mud with their long bills in typical habitat.  In other parts, these birds are found in mudflats and coastal areas as well.  The scaled back and warm tones of these birds make them juveniles; adults in basic plumage are grayer overall.  However, at all ages these birds exhibit black tails with white rumps (as seen in the preening bird above) and dark wing linings and narrow white wing stripe in flight, as seen in the blurry bird below.

Hudsonian Godwits (notice under wing pattern)

Despite its delicate appearance, these birds are powerful creatures that make nonstop flights over the open sea for several days in order to reach their wintering grounds.  Having a pair refueling in Panama to continue its journey is a special event... one that nobody knows when it will repeat.  For these, and many other reasons is why we chose the Hudsonian Godwit as our Bird of the Month!

Hudsonian Godwits

Literature consulted:

1.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press: 1989.

2.  Angehr G, Engleman D, Engleman L. Where to find birds in Panama. Editora Novo Art, 2006.

3.  Angehr G, Dean R. The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical: 2010.

4. Van Gils J, Wiersma P, Kirwan GM. Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica). In: Del Hoyo J, Elliot A, Sargatal J, et al (editors). Handbook of the birds of the world alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Bird of the Month: Oilbird

The Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis) is probably one of the most interesting and weird bird species of the Neotropic.  It is so distinctive that is the sole member of the Steatornithidae family, the only frugivorous night bird and one of the few that uses echolocation while flying in the dark (sharing this characteristic with some Aerodramus swifts).  The common name refers to the nestlings, that deposit fat reserves and can be 50% heavier than adults before fledging.  In fact, Steatornis literally means "oil bird"; caripensis, refers to the Caripe region in Venezuela, where Alexander von Humboldt first described it in 1799.

Oilbird.  Photo by Osvaldo Quintero (used with permission)

Better known from South America, there are several records of Oilbirds from Panama and Costa Rica as well.  No colonies have been found so far in these countries, but the possibility of a cave full of "Guácharos" -the common Spanish name- somewhere in eastern Panama is fascinating.  Here in Panama, most of the records are from the Chagres river basin (where the above photo was taken), Panama City (where I took the photo below) and eastern Darien province (three records).  It is still considered a vagrant in our country, but there are more and more reports, now in an annual basis.  For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the Oilbird as our Bird of the Month!

Oilbird at Panama City

Literature consulted:

1. Del Risco A, Echeverri A. Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), Neotropical Birds Online (T.S. Schulenberg, Ed). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology: 2011.

2.  Angehr G, Dean R. The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical: 2010.

3.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press: 1989.

Bird of the Month: Red-billed Tropicbird

The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) is a widespread resident of the east Pacific, east and south Atlantic, Caribbean and the northwestern corner of the Indigo Oceans, where it is quite sedentary close to its nesting islands.  Few birds equal in beauty and elegance the tropicbird in flight, and a flock of these birds circling close to their nesting islands is an amazing event!

Red-billed Tropicbird

In Panama, it is regularly found around the Swan Cay (off Colon Island, Bocas del Toro province), where it breeds.  In fact, all the photos of this post are from that colony.  Is very rare elsewhere in Panamanian waters.

Cay off Colon Island, Bocas del Toro (Panama)

The first time we saw this bird, my wife and I were in the islands for our honeymoon.  We took a quick boat trip around Colon Island making several stops in the way, including the Swan Cays, where she took the next photo with her point-and-shoot camera.

Red-billed Tropicbird

Eight years it took to return to see these spectacular birds; this time both of us (plus our daughter and nephew) were able to see them in detail... including their coral-red bills, bicolored feet, bandit-like mask and, of course, the long central tail feathers.

Red-billed Tropicbird

They are powerful flyers, and feed by plunge-diving on flying fish and squids.  The birds that we saw were chasing each other and approaching the cliff edges where other birds were already resting.  They share the cays with Brown Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebird; although doesn't compete directly for nesting sites.

Red-billed Tropicbird

For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the Red-billed Tropicbird as our Bird of the Month!

Literature consulted:
1. Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A guide to the birds of Panama. Princeton Univerity Press 1989.
2. Angehr G, Dean R. The birds of Panama. A field guide. Zona Tropical 2010.
3. Orta, J., Jutglar, F., Bonan, A., Garcia, E.F.J., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2016). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2014). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/52607 on 1 January 2016).

Bird of the Month: Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel

The Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma tethys) is a relatively small member of the Hidrobatidae family (the Northern Storm-Petrels) that breeds on the Galapagos islands (nominate tethys) and on islets off the central coast of Peru (ssp. kelsalli).  This is the commonest storm-petrel species in Panamanian waters, present year-round, but commoner from May to November.

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (Panama Gulf)

It is sooty brown overall (sooty black when fresh), with darker flight feathers and tail and pale upperwing panel and conspicuous white uppertail coverts.  There are slight differences among the two different subspecies, with kelsalli being smaller, shorter winged, shorter tailed, with smaller white "rump", slighter bill and with relatively long tail projection and more forked tail than nominate tethys.

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (Panama Gulf)

Like other storm-petrels species, it have a steep forehead due to the large olfactory bulbs that facilitates a keen sense of smell, which is very important to locate food and for social interaction at its colonies.  Also like many other storm-petrels species, it can be seen pattering its feet on the waves while fluttering over the water.  This behavior is why it is call "Paíño Danzarín" in spanish (meaning "Dancing Storm-Petrel").

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (off western Azuero Peninsula)

They are usually seen as small and dark little birds flying swiftly over the water among the waves, but they can be attracted by chumming to a boat, where you can have nice and prolonged views of these feathered marvels.

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (Panama Gulf)

About specific ID to subspecies, more studies are needed to separate both subspecies in the field.  Presumably, all the photos in this post pertain to the kelsalli subspecies.  Notice the short arm, long tail projection beyond the white uppertail coverts, the forked tails and the small size noticed at sea.  We can not be 100% about the IDs, since both subspecies have been recorded in Panama and all these noted differences depend on wear, shape, angle of sighting, light and so on; however, some references indicate that the form found closer to shore is kelsalli, while nominate tethys seems to be more pelagic in general (more than 100 km from shore).  For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel as our Bird of the Month!

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (off western Azuero Peninsula)

Literature consulted:

1. Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press 1989.

2. Angehr G, Dean R. The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical 2010.

3. Howell SNG. Petrels, Albatrosses and Storm-Petrels of North America.  Princeton University Press 2012.

4. Carboneras, C., Jutglar, F. & Kirwan, G.M. (2014). Wedge-rumped Storm-petrel (Hydrobates tethys). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2014). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/52591 on 1 September 2015).

Bird of the Month: White-rumped Sandpiper

The White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) is a small to medium-sized shorebird, one of the largest peep species, that occurs rarely in Panama during its fantastic migrations.  Think about it... a bird that barely reach a length of 7 inches, a weight of 2 ounces and that breeds in Artic Canada and Alaska flies 15,000 km every year TWICE to and from its wintering grounds in Tierra del Fuego.

White-rumped Sandpiper

After leaving their breeding grounds, these birds fly out above the Atlantic Ocean to northern South America, where they start a trans-Amazonian journey to their wintering grounds.  During the northbound passage, they reach central North America via the Caribbean.  That's why they are so rare in Panama, which is not on their usual migration route.

White-rumped Sandpiper

The slender profile is due to the elongated wings, an adaptation to their long-distance migrations.  The slightly larger size and longer legs compared to other peeps sandpipers make them easily spottable  when mixed with other species while feeding or resting.

Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated and White-rumped Sandpipers

Among the peeps, it is the only one with white upper tail coverts (the "rump"... in fact, it is dark-rumped), a field mark mostly visible when the birds flies, but sometimes while feeding or preening.  Is particularly useful if you inspect a tight flock of peeps in flight.

White-rumped Sandpiper flying

For these, and many other reasons is why we chose the White-rumped Sandpiper as our Bird of the Month!As I mentioned earlier, it is a rare transient migrant throughout Panama, always in small numbers.  It has been recorded in both coasts along the Canal Area and western Bocas del Toro.  During this last spring passage, it was recorded in the Pacific side of the Panama Canal (where I took all these photos) and Bocas del Toro... a remarkable set of reports for this species in Panama (we saw at least 15 different individuals in one site).

At least five White-rumped Sandpipers in this shot

For these, and many other reasons is why we chose the White-rumped Sandpiper as our Bird of the Month!

White-rumped Sandpipers

Literature consulted:

1.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Pres 1989.

2.  Angehr G, Dean R.  The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical 2010

3.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds.  At http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-rumped_Sandpiper/id

Bird of the Month: Crested Owl

The Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata) is a widespread, strictly nocturnal species found inside humid forests from southern Mexico to Amazonian South America.  Within its distribution, is unlikely to be confused with other species due to its long and pale ear-tufts.

Crested Owl

Its deep growl is a distinctive sound at night in the forest of the Caribbean slope of the former Canal Area in central Panama (where I took these photos).  However, localizing them at night is extremely difficult; this species like to call from the mid to upper level of the trees and always seems to be hidden.

Its diet consist mainly in big insects; however, it can include small mammals as well, like rodents.  That's probably the case with this individual, photographed behind the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center this cloudy morning.

Crested Owl

There are three recognized subspecies, of which two occur in Panama.  The one supposedly found in central and eastern Panama (and northern South America), wedeli, differs from Amazonian nominate in its yellow eyes according to one reference; however, I do not know if this can be evaluated in daylight, but these photos (and many other from central Panama, in daylight as well) show no yellow at all.  The subspecies stricklandi, found from western Panama to southern Mexico, differs in darker head coloration, yellow eyes and vocalizations.

Crested Owl

This species generally roosts by day in tangled thickets, sometimes very low or along streams, and nest in tree holes.  It is always a treat to find a day-roosting owl, and this was not the exception.  For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the Crested Owl as our Bird of the Month!

Crested Owl

Literature consulted:  

1.  Angehr G, Dean R.  The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical 2010.

2.  Mikkola H. Owls of the World: a Photographic Guide. Second edition 2012.

3.  Holt, W., Berkley, R., Deppe, C., Enríquez Rocha, P., Petersen, J.L., Rangel Salazar, J.L., Segars, K.P., Wood, K.L. & Kirwan, G.M. (2015). Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2015). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/55052 on 1 March 2015).

Bird of the Month: American White Pelican

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchus) is a heavy-bodied bird with characteristic long bill that supports the unmistakable large bare throat pouch.  This species is a typical member of the Pelecanidae: large, mostly white with black flight feathers and with preferences for freshwater habitats.  At this point, you may notice that this description does not fit our usual species in Panama and Latin America, the Brown Pelican (nor the Peruvian Pelican, sometimes considered conspecific).  But the truth is that, worldwide, most pelican species fit very well the above description.

American White Pelican

In Panama, the American White Pelican is a very rare vagrant.  With only three confirmed previous sightings, the appearance of one mature individual right here at the Panama City waterfront two weeks ago was huge news.  Since then, many local and visiting birders have seen the magnificent beast almost daily, making this sighting the most documented in Panama so far.

American White Pelicans

At first glance, the difference are quite obvious.  This species is appreciable larger than the common Brown Pelicans, and the obvious different plumage and soft-parts colors make it to glow!  Other differences are less obvious.  This species does not feed by plunge-diving; rather, they feed cooperatively driving the school of fish to swallow water, where they scoop-them easily...  It makes me wonder about the fate of a single individual; however, the Panamanian bird have been seen feeding alone, scooping little preys along the surf.

American White Pelican

In their usual range, these are freshwater birds; in Panama, all the records have been in the coast or very close to it (as seen in the photo of the two birds seen in Punta Chame -central Panama- in 2011).  There is no clear pattern of vagrancy for this species in Panama... we are quite far from their usual winter distribution, so we must seize every opportunity to see this bird in our country!  For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the American White Pelican as our Bird of the Month!

American White Pelican

Literature consulted:

1.  Angehr G, Dean R. The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical 2010.

2. Family Pelecanidae. In: del Hoyo J, Elliot A, Sargatal J, Christie DA & de Juana E (eds.) (2014). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Editions, Barcelona (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/ on 01/01/2015.

Bird of the Month: American Avocet

The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is an elegant wading bird beautifully patterned in black and white that breeds in North America and winters principally in western North America, Mexico and the Caribbean.  In Panama, it is considered a vagrant... recorded only in few winters.  It has an unmistakable profile, with its long legs and upturned bill.

American Avocet in almost full alternate plumage

During the breeding season, they get a cinnamon color to the neck and head.  As fas as I know, this plumage has been seen only once in Panama, back in 2012 when a group of these birds stayed long enough to molt into it right here (the photo above was taken in Costa del Este, Panama City in May 2012).  However, the basic plumaged birds are quite attractive too.

American Avocet in basic plumage

The American Avocet belongs to the Recurvirostridae family, which consists of three genera and only seven to nine species depending on how many Stilts do you recognize as full species.  Avocets and stilts share the same elegant profile of slim bodies and long legs and are found often together exploiting the same habitat in spite of the different shape of their beaks.

American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt

This season, a pair of these delicate birds is wintering in Panama Viejo (Panama City), and I invite anyone still needing it for its life or country life list to visit them.  For these, and many other reasons is why we chose the American Avocet as our Bird of the Month!

American Avocet

Literature consulted:

1.  Angehr G, Dean R. The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona Tropical 2010.

2.  Family Recurvirostridae. In: del Hoyo J, Elliot A, Sargatal J, Christie DA & de Juana E (eds.) (2014). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Editions, Barcelona (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/ on 01/12/2014. 

Bird of the Month: Nazca Booby

The Nazca Booby (Sula granti) is a highly pelagic species of the eastern Pacific and endemic breeder to the Nazca plate, hence the name.  Formerly considered a subspecies of the more widespread Masked Booby, they were split based on physical, ecological and genetic differences.

Nazca Booby

This is a large and elegant species that usually nest in cliffs and steep slopes in remote islands and atolls.  At sea, it feed by plunge-dives from various heights.  As all the boobies and gannets, it has specialized reinforced skulls and air sacs at neck and shoulders to cushion the impact.

Nazca Booby

It is less prone than other boobies to follow ships; instead, they will circle the ship once to then follow its path.  However, this behaviour is enough to get good chances for photos!

Nazca Booby

In Panama, it is rarely (if ever) seen from shore or inside the Panama Gulf.  You need to venture out of the Continental Shelf to see this beautiful sea bird.  For these, and many other reasons, is why wew chose the Nazca Booby as our Bird of the Month!

Nazca Booby

Literature consulted:

1.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press 1989.

2.  Angehr G, Dean R.  The Birds of Panama. A Field Guide. Zona tropical 2010.

Bird of the Month: Peruvian Booby

The Peruvian Booby (Sula variegata) is endemic of the cold current along the west coast of South America, from Ecuador to Chile.  However, under abnormal conditions, they wander north, up to Panama.  In fact, we are experiencing an "invasion" of this species at our country.

Peruvian Boobies in Peñón de San José, august 9th

Everything started last june 22nd, when one individual was found weakened in Panama City's Amador causeway.  This bird was taken to the Summit Gardens where a veterinarian examined it; however, the bird died the next day.  This report passed unnoticed until it was published in this article.  More than one month later, Panama Audubon's Society (PAS) Executive Director, Rosabel Miró, received an intriguing email from a 13 years-old girl with photos attached showing a Peruvian Booby.  The girl took the photos from the balcony of her apartment in an exclusive development in Panama City.  The next day, august 2nd, Rosabel and other PAS members visited the site, finding the Peruvian Booby (photo in this Xenornis report).  Another PAS member, Rafael Lau, managed to visit the actual balcony where the booby was found.  This individual appeared in june 22nd (thus matching the date of the first record) and was sleeping in the site each night since then.  The owner of the balcony refers that she fed the bird the first weeks because it looked "sick", accepting water and bred until it got better (report with photos here).

Peruvian Booby over Peñón de San José, august 9th

Rosabel insistence paid off when, while scoping the rocky islet Peñón de San José, 1600 meters away of Flamenco island (linked to the city by the Amador's causeway) on august 3rd, she spotted a Peruvian Booby among dozens Blue-footed Boobies.  It was late in the afternoon and the next day a group of birders scoped no less than five Peruvian Boobies in the islet.  Since then, many observers have reported the Peruvian Boobies from the islet.  The highest count was made on august 9th, with no less than 38 adults counted from a boat circumnavigating the islet.  The last time I personally check this group of birds was on august 31st, when I spotted 4 of them from the ferry to the Pearl Islands.

Peruvian Booby in Pachequilla Island, august 31st

So far, the Peruvian Boobies were reported only from or near Panama City (Amador's causeway, Punta Pacífica in Panama City, Peñón de San José and unpublished sightings of birds feeding at sea in front of Costa del Este, in Panama City).  However, during my last trip to the Pearl Islands, we found 7 Peruvian Boobies resting in Pachequilla Island close to Contadora Island.  This is an important record since other observers found none in previous visits.  Also, we should remember that, during "El Niño" of 1983-84, the Peruvian Boobies were reported from the Pearl Islands as well in impressive numbers (3490 birds were counted in Pacheca Island on june 17th, 1983).

Peruvian Booby over Pachequilla Island, august 31st

There is only one report of a Peruvian Booby in Panamanian waters apart from these invasions, an individual resting at sea in front of Juan Hombrón beach, Coclé province by Carlos Bethancourth (report in Xenornis).  These invasions are quite rare, and we must make every effort to document them in detail.  There are few published papers about the 1983-84 invasion, and only one report in eBird of a Peruvian Booby in Bona Island (Upper Bay of Panama) by Chuck Aid on april 3rd, 1983.  For these, and many other reasons is why we chose the Peruvian Booby as our Bird of the Month!

Blue-footed and Peruvian Boobies in Peñón de San José, august 9th.  Can you tell them apart?

Literature consulted:
1.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press 1989.
2.  XENORNIS. At http://www.xenornis.com/

Bird of the Month: Vaux's Swift

The Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi) is a small species resident from northwestern North America to Panama.  Like many other swifts species, these birds are expert fliers, usually hard to identify unless you have excellent viewing conditions (prolonged close views in clear days with dark backgrounds).  To photograph them is even harder, so in this post you'll see essentially Vaux's Swifts silhouettes.

Two subspecies occur in Panama: richmondi, a common breeder of the western highlands; and ochropygia, which is the common small swift over forested area in central Panama (pictured above).  

I took the above photo in the Chiriqui lowlands.  The identity of the birds occurring in the western lowlands of the Pacific slope is still a mystery; however, the best candidate is richmondi coming down from the adjacent highlands (this is what happens in the rest of its Mesoamerican distribution).  The nominal vauxi, which breeds in North America is another possibility although there are no records of this migratory race south of Honduras.  In any case, the pale area restricted to the throat discards vauxi, in which it extends to the belly.

Some consider richmondi a good species.  The differences in rump patterns (less contrasting in richmondi than in ochropygia) could justify this split; however, more studies are needed.  The above photo, from the western highlands, shows the stubby shape, short tail and paddle-shaped, short wings.  In the next photo, the characteristic pale throat of this species is more evident.  For these, and many others reason is why we chose the Vaux's Swift as our Bird of the Month.

Literature consulted:

1.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J.  A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press. 1989.

2.  Chantler, P. (1999). Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2013). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved fromhttp://www.hbw.com/node/55311 on 1 July 2014).

Bird of the Month: American Oystercatcher

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is a relatively large wader, inhabitant of coastal habitats all over the Americas, except the western coast of North America where it is replaced by the Black Oystercatcher.

It is brightly colored, with intense orange/reddish bill (laterally compressed to open bivalves) and orbital ring, pale pink legs and black hood.  In flight, notice the clean white uppertail coverts and the white base to the first three or four primaries, making this birds members of the nominate subspecies which is resident in the Pacific coast of Central America, including Panama.

This species is a year-round resident at our Pacific coast, where it prefers sandy beaches close to rocky areas.  Probably some northern migrants show up in Panama, explaining the few sightings at our Caribbean coast.  Many maps in the web doesn't show Panama as part of its breeding range.  However, breeding success has been recorded in the Azuero Peninsula, Panama Oeste province, Coiba island and the Pearl Islands (where I took the next picture showing an immature bird -notice the brown-tipped bill-).  It was considered rare and irregular in the former Canal Area.

However, a pair or two are regularly recorded in the coasts of the former Canal Area's west bank; an area that has experienced a tourism boom, with several mega hotels built recently.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my wife and I found a pair close to one of these resorts feeding a recently fledged young.

Notice the bill shape of this chick, not yet elongated.  As you can see, it was in a sand bar.  The adults flew to a nearby rocky shore exposed during the low tide.  It is interesting to see that they are doing well in these coasts.  For these, and many other reasons, is why we chose the American Oystercatcher as our Bird of the month!

Literarture consulted:

1.  Angehr G, Dean R.  The birds of Panama. A field guide. Zona Tropical 2010.

2.  Ridgely R, Gwynne J.  A guide to the birds of Panama. Princeton University Press 1989.

3. American Oystercatcher Working Group -Systematics-.  At http://amoywg.org/american-oystercatcher/systematics/