Birding the Lowlands of Eastern Panama by Alex DeBear

The Eastern lowlands of Panama are a birder’s paradise. Home to over 700 species of birds, the region is renowned for its many endemic or specialty species, such as the Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, Black Oropendola, and the iconic Harpy Eagle. Coordinated by Alan Shapiro, Orange Audubon members and friends took an 11 day guided expedition with Holbrook Travel to discover the vast ecological beauty nested in the heart of the Central American tropics. Presenting on the trip is Alex DeBear, an Orange Audubon board member, college student, and local birding guide for Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours. He’s also a curatorial assistant volunteer for the Del-Rio lab of Ornithology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Alex coordinates and leads the Apopka Birding Park monthly bird survey and has been a field trip leader for the NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL since 2023. His past presentations include “Warblers! The Journey of a Lifetime” and “Florida Young Birders Club Takes Flight” 21 people online. Streak-chested Antpitta. Photo: Alex DeBear