Chagres National Park

Birds

Chagres National Park is home to an incredible diversity of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The park’s mix of dense rainforests, rivers, and open spaces provides habitats for both resident and migratory birds, including some of Central America’s most striking species.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
One of the most powerful eagles in the world, the harpy eagle is a top predator in the rainforest canopy. It preys on sloths, monkeys, and other arboreal animals. With its large talons and striking black-and-white plumage, this eagle is a symbol of Panama’s rich biodiversity.

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Known for its colorful, oversized beak, the keel-billed toucan is a fruit-eating bird often found in the park’s forests. It uses its long beak to reach fruits on high branches and plays a crucial role in seed dispersal.

Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus coeruliceps)
This striking bird has a bright blue crown, long tail feathers with racket-shaped tips, and a distinctive call. It is often found near forest edges and riverbanks, where it feeds on insects, small reptiles, and fruits.

Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus)
A highly endangered parrot species, the great green macaw is a large, vibrant bird that depends on the park’s old-growth forests for nesting. It primarily feeds on seeds, nuts, and fruits.

Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
This large raptor soars high above the canopy, scanning for prey such as small mammals, reptiles, and birds. It is known for its distinctive black plumage with bold white markings.

Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena)
A colorful forest bird, the slaty-tailed trogon has bright red underparts and a contrasting dark head and back. It is commonly seen perched quietly in the mid-canopy, feeding on fruits and insects.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
One of the most common hummingbirds in the region, this species is easily identified by its green body and reddish tail. It is highly territorial and can often be seen hovering around flowering plants.

White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)
This elegant, predominantly white raptor soars through the skies of Chagres National Park. It preys on small mammals, reptiles, and large insects, often hunting from a high perch before swooping down on its prey.

Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa)
A large and noisy parrot, the mealy parrot is often seen in flocks, flying over the forest canopy. It has a mostly green body with subtle blue and red markings on its wings and feeds on a variety of fruits and seeds.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow (Querula purpurata)
This social and vocal bird is known for its deep purple throat and black plumage. It lives in small groups and primarily feeds on fruits and insects in the forest canopy.

Chagres National Park is an essential refuge for wildlife, offering a glimpse into Panama’s rich natural heritage. From majestic jaguars and harpy eagles to colorful toucans and monkeys, the park is a must-visit for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts.

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Chagres National Park, located in Panama, is a vast and biodiverse area that protects the Chagres River watershed, a crucial water source for the Panama Canal. The park is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including large mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that thrive in its dense tropical forests and rivers.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
As the largest cat in the Americas, the jaguar is an apex predator in Chagres National Park. These elusive and powerful hunters roam the dense forests, preying on deer, capybaras, and smaller mammals. They are strong swimmers and often hunt near rivers and swamps.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
This medium-sized wild cat is known for its beautiful spotted coat. The ocelot is a nocturnal predator, hunting rodents, birds, and reptiles under the cover of darkness. It is highly adaptable and can be found in both lowland forests and mountainous regions.

Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii)
One of the largest land mammals in Central America, Baird’s tapir is a herbivore that plays a vital role in seed dispersal. It is mostly nocturnal and can often be found near rivers and swamps, feeding on leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants.

White-faced Capuchin Monkey (Cebus capucinus)
These intelligent and social primates are often seen in the treetops, moving in large groups. They have a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They are known for their problem-solving skills and tool use.

Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)
Easily recognized by their deep, echoing calls, howler monkeys are one of the loudest land animals. They live in family groups and feed primarily on leaves, fruits, and flowers. Their distinctive calls help establish territory and communicate with other troops.

Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
This playful and agile predator inhabits the rivers and streams of Chagres National Park. It preys on fish, amphibians, and crustaceans, using its sharp teeth and dexterous paws to capture prey. Otters are excellent swimmers and rely on clean waterways for survival.

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
Often mistaken for wild boars, collared peccaries are social animals that move in small herds. They forage for roots, fruits, and small animals, playing an essential role in shaping the forest ecosystem through their feeding habits.

Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)
This strikingly beautiful snake is known for its vibrant coloration and distinctive horn-like scales above its eyes. It is an ambush predator, waiting motionless for small birds, frogs, and rodents to pass by before striking with venomous fangs.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
A common sight in the trees and riverbanks, the green iguana is a large herbivorous lizard that thrives in the tropical climate. It spends much of its time basking in the sun and foraging for leaves and flowers.

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
Found in the park’s rivers and wetlands, the spectacled caiman is a small crocodilian species that preys on fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Its name comes from the bony ridge between its eyes that resembles spectacles.

Birds

Chagres National Park is home to an incredible diversity of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The park’s mix of dense rainforests, rivers, and open spaces provides habitats for both resident and migratory birds, including some of Central America’s most striking species.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
One of the most powerful eagles in the world, the harpy eagle is a top predator in the rainforest canopy. It preys on sloths, monkeys, and other arboreal animals. With its large talons and striking black-and-white plumage, this eagle is a symbol of Panama’s rich biodiversity.

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Known for its colorful, oversized beak, the keel-billed toucan is a fruit-eating bird often found in the park’s forests. It uses its long beak to reach fruits on high branches and plays a crucial role in seed dispersal.

Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus coeruliceps)
This striking bird has a bright blue crown, long tail feathers with racket-shaped tips, and a distinctive call. It is often found near forest edges and riverbanks, where it feeds on insects, small reptiles, and fruits.

Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus)
A highly endangered parrot species, the great green macaw is a large, vibrant bird that depends on the park’s old-growth forests for nesting. It primarily feeds on seeds, nuts, and fruits.

Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
This large raptor soars high above the canopy, scanning for prey such as small mammals, reptiles, and birds. It is known for its distinctive black plumage with bold white markings.

Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena)
A colorful forest bird, the slaty-tailed trogon has bright red underparts and a contrasting dark head and back. It is commonly seen perched quietly in the mid-canopy, feeding on fruits and insects.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
One of the most common hummingbirds in the region, this species is easily identified by its green body and reddish tail. It is highly territorial and can often be seen hovering around flowering plants.

White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)
This elegant, predominantly white raptor soars through the skies of Chagres National Park. It preys on small mammals, reptiles, and large insects, often hunting from a high perch before swooping down on its prey.

Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa)
A large and noisy parrot, the mealy parrot is often seen in flocks, flying over the forest canopy. It has a mostly green body with subtle blue and red markings on its wings and feeds on a variety of fruits and seeds.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow (Querula purpurata)
This social and vocal bird is known for its deep purple throat and black plumage. It lives in small groups and primarily feeds on fruits and insects in the forest canopy.

Chagres National Park is an essential refuge for wildlife, offering a glimpse into Panama’s rich natural heritage. From majestic jaguars and harpy eagles to colorful toucans and monkeys, the park is a must-visit for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts.