Xenornis

On February 27 Mark Letzer and I did some birding beyond the Bayano bridge and on the lake. Amongst the birds seen were One-colored Becard (pair), White-eared Conebill, Black Antshrike and Red-billed Scythebill. The most birdy places were at and around the bridge 3-4 kms beyond the Bayano bridge, and in dried out stream beds which can be entered from the lake (Mateo, who hangs out on the boat ramp next to the Bayano bridge can take you around the lake). On the lake, Anhingas were everywhere. A Rufous-breasted Hermit was nesting in the most precarious circumstances, in a nest suspended from a split heliconia leaf over a trail which was being violently blown around by the wind. There were two white eggs. Contrary to the nesting habits mentioned in the book, this nest appeared to be on its own and not guarded by a male; nor was the nest over a stream. We also saw a group of Variable Seedeaters among which was one individual with a large white spot on the cheek. We are not going to claim i...

John Rowlett sent in the following report: On February 24, 2002, I and eight participants in a Field Guides tour group birding Metro Park in Panama City saw a male Hepatic Tanager near the entrance to the park. This bird, with which I am very familiar throughout its range in Latin America, was a representative of the testacea, or highland, group, showing a dark bill and dusky lores. The color was typical of Hepatic plumage, as well—a blood-red with no orange wash or element. Also, in keeping with testacea, our bird did not show any dark auricular patch. It seemed quite sedentary, sitting in one position for perhaps ten minutes. We were able to study it in the Leica scope I was carrying for exceptional viewing by every member of the group. I have seen Hepatic Tanagers many times in Panama, of course: in Chiriqui, in Darien, and on Cerro Jefe and Cerro Azul, the nearest foothill locations where this bird regularly occurs. However, this is the first time I have ever seen it in the ...

Guido Berguido spent ten days in the Fortuna/Chiriquí Grande area working on a Smithsonian course. The best sightings he reported were a Chestnut-colored Woodpecker and an adult Bicolored Hawk, both seen on the road to the Chiriquí Grande dump.