THE METROPOLITAN NATURE PARK 

LOCATION 
A guided birding tour five minutes from Panama City. The Metropolitan Park is on the Pacific side on the Panama Province, we are proud to have the only tropical forest park located within a major metropolitan area in Latin America. It is an excellent place to find local and migrant birds.
Excellent for birds of dry and second growth forest as well as the more widespread forest species of Central Panama (Panama Canal/ former Canal Zone).

PARK FEE
Entrance park fee for foreigners is us $5.00 per person.

TOUR DIFFICULTY

â–  Easy... to Moderate... to Hard

FITNESS 
Easy to moderate walking is required.
â–  Easy... to â–  Moderate... to Hard

WHAT TO EXPECT
With an early morning start, expect to see by noon 50 to 70 species. By the end of the day a final count of 90+ is common.

AREA DESCRIPTION 
Birding is done primarily on trails except around the visitor center (park offices) where the open areas are found and covered with cut grass. Five different trails are for good birding and are cover of dry and second growth forest as well as the more widespread forest species of Central Panama (Panama Canal/ former Canal Zone). It takes about 3 hours to cover that wonderful site by foot, at a birder pace.

WEATHER
The climate in Central Panama /Canal Zone is usually warm, with mornings in the 70s and afternoons in the 80s. Conditions at midday can be humid and very warm, with temperatures reaching into the lower 90s. Rainstorms may occur at any time of year, but are more likely during the rainy season, which runs from the summer months into early December. Generally, the weather in Central Panama is mild and pleasant, with our activities corresponding to the cooler parts of the day and heightened bird.

ACCOMODATIONS
None at the Park. But in Panama City, at about 5 minutes from the park, it is easy to find all the stars Hotels and Inns of preference. And near the city, you have a good array of Lodges, B&B and Hostels to choose from. For advance reservations or for reference click here, will be glad to help you.

EATING FACILITIES
In Panama City, you will find very good restaurants (and fast food) on every street corner and we can assure that every country of the world cuisine is well represented. The real true problem is to decide what and where..!.

CLOTHING 
Dress for tropical hot humid weather and be ready for rain. Light clothing is recommended: cotton shirts or t-shirts - earth colors preferable – long (preferable) and short pants, poncho, hiking shoes, hat, insect repellent and sun block. 

GEAR
Binoculars, scope (optional), field guide, notebook and camera (optional ). 

GUIDE BOOK RECOMMENDED
These two books are an example of hard work put into, and for the benefit, of conserving Panama´s birds: 
“The Birds of Panama, a field guide by George R Angehr and Robert Dean Can be described as the “bible” for Panama and some Costa Rica birds. First published 2010 .This excellent field guide is highly recommended as your primary reference book on the birds. 
“An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Panama” by Ernesto Ponce and Giselle Muschett, 2006, 1st Edition. It can described “a descriptive fieldwork tool” for fast information .

BIRDS TO LOOK FOR
This is a listing of some of the birds we have seen along the Metropolitan Nature Park and surrounding areas on different tours, and some additions from friends, guess and people who have collaborated sharing with us their sightings. The list is continuously on the move. Feel free to send your findings and comments toinfo@guidedbirdtours.com

Among the dry forest or Pacific slope, specialties found in the park are:      
Yellow-green Tyrannulet
Pheasant Cuckoo
Sepia -capped Flycatcher,
Lance-tailed Manakin
Rosy Thrush-Tanager
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager...


Also look for:
Spot-crowned Barbet,  Keel-billed Toucan,
Collared Aracari,  Red-crowned Woodpecker,  Lineated Woodpecker, Bare-crowned Antbird, Stripe-breasted Wren,  Gray Hawk, Pale-vented Pigeon, Short-billed Pigeon, Squirrel Cuckoo, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Barred Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antbird, White-necked Puffbird, Black-breasted Puffbird, Panama Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Southern Bentbill, Masked Tityra, Purple-throated Fruitcrow,
Golden-collared Manakin, Lance-tailed Manakin, Bay Wren, Black-bellied Wren, Northern Waterthrush, Thick-billed Euphonia, Flame-rumped Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Streaked Saltator, Buff-throated Saltator, Variable Seedeater, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Scarlet-rumped Cacique

home     tours    rates     checklist                 contact us