Panama

Panama Flag - Photo by Ariel Aguirre

Official Name: Republic of Panama. Area: 75.517 sq. km
Population: est. 3.000.000.

Capital: Panama City.
Language: Spanish.
Currency: El Balboa (the U.S Dollar is use as a legal tender in since 1904)

Panama Coat of Arms

Independence Day: November 3rd, 1903.
Time Zone: GMT – 5 (U.S. Eastern Time)
Administrative Division: 9 Provinces, 5 Indigenous territories.
Borders: North: Caribbean Sea,  South: Pacific Ocean,
East: Republic of Colombia, West: Costa Rica.

The Republic of Panama, established in 1903, is a territory located in the middle of the Americas; it’s the link between  the two major parts of  the Continent. The country is known by its major assets: the Panama Canal, The International Financial Center and the Colon Free Zone.

But many ignore that Panama harbors a rich avifauna with 975 species recorded, from which 12 are endemics and 107 are regional endemic. The country geographic position allow it to be in the most of the Americas migratory routes’ way, Also one third of its surface is protected.

For the Birdwatcher, Panama is a paradise. Birding spots are accessible and close to major towns, roads are in good conditions compare to other countries in Central America .
From Panama City, the nation’s capital, some Protected Areas can be reached in less than an hour, even the closest one is just fifteen minutes away from downtown.

Red-legged Honeycreeper - Photo by Ariel Aguirre

A mountain range divides Panama in two slopes (Caribbean and Pacific), There are three major birding zones (Western, Central and Eastern.) where 88 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) and 5 Endemic Birds Areas (EBA’s) are found.

Panama habitats are so diverse that inside its narrow territory 12 different life zones are present. Lowland decidous forest, Mangroves and Savannas are regular on the dry Pacific slope; On the Atlantic slope is mostly Lowland evergreen forest while Cloud and Elfin forest are common in Foothills and Highlands

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White-whiskered Puffbird (female) - Photo by Ariel Aguirre

Bird Conservation efforts in the nation are led by Panama Audubon Society (PAS), This NGO has made possible the protection of  many differents birding areas, and it’s the source of important publications about the Panamanian Avifauna.
 PAS is the local partner for international conservation organizations; like:  Birdlife International, IUCN, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) and The Waterbird Conservation Council.

Design and Photos by Ariel Aguirre - Copyright 2007-2008 - www.arielbirding.com