Product Description

Published in Association with the Panama Audubon Society, a BirdLife International Partner

A Bird-Finding Guide to Panama is an essential tool for anyone traveling in search of Panama's spectacular birds and natural attractions. With more than 970 species and a growing infrastructure of good roads, eco-lodges, and restaurants, Panama is a premier birding and nature tourism destination in the neotropics. The country's unique geography, small size, and varied habitats make it easy to see a vast diversity of birds within a short time. The isthmus is a crossroads for the hemisphere's birdlife--Panama's varied avifauna includes such Central American specialties as the Resplendent Quetzal in its western highlands, while in the east, in San Blas and the Darién, species more characteristic of South America such as the Blue-and-gold Macaw are found.

Divided into three geographic sections (Canal Area, Eastern Panama, and Western Panama), this bird-finding guide provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on Panama's best birding sites. Features include detailed site descriptions, directions, road and trail maps, and bird lists, as well as listings of birder-friendly hotels and restaurants. In addition to a comprehensive species list for the country, the book also contains information on where to find more than 360 species of special interest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #161486 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 391 pages

From the Back Cover
"Anyone reading this book will quickly realize just how easy it is to get around in Panama and how many of the most sought-after birds of the neotropics can be easily found within its borders. A Bird-Finding Guide to Panama is clearly written, the maps are easy to follow, the directions are succinct and accurate, and there are good sections on conservation."-Scott Robinson, Katharine Ordway Professor of Ecosystem Conservation, Florida Museum of Natural History

About the Author
George Angehr is a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. Dodge Engleman and Lorna Engleman are lifelong birders with decades of birding experience throughout all parts of Panama.

Customer Reviews

Not what I expected, however...
I am not a birder, first of all, but a biologist who is very interested in Panama. I thought this new release was a classic-type bird guide, so was rather shocked to open the book and see not one photo. What this is, is a guide to hiking trails and and other areas where you are likely to see birds and other wildlife. If only I had had this book on my last trip to Panama I could have saved myself much grief and actually have found the trails I was looking for. Panama is a beautiful country, but the trails are very difficult to locate without a guide. This book solves that problem. There are long species lists for folks who want that information. But you can skip those and you will find that most of the text is quite readable. If you are a nature-lover planning a trip to Panama, I would definately recommend this book. There is so much to see there that is not immediately obvious to the traveller. If you just want a book about birds, however, this is not for you.

A Wonderful Guide to a Wonderful Country...
As with most site sensitive bird finding guides, the content is only as good as it is current. It's great to read about a wonderful, virgin forest that is sure to produce such and such a bird, only to show up and you are in the middle of a newly created suburbia. The good news is that this book is a 2008 revision of a 2006 original printing. Both dates are not distant past enough to be rendered invalid for finding those wonderful exotics. The text is accompanied with excellent maps and directions for each area covered. Also, which I have not seen before is an individual species list for each area discussed. The content is clear, easily understood, and well organized. Also included are places to eat and overnight for each birding site. A feature that is useful for `planning' your trip to Panama as well as where to go when you get there. A very worthwhile purchase. Enjoy....

This book was exactly what I wanted and expected
I know these authors personally and was thrilled to buy their book. I knew exactly what type of book it was when I ordered it, so I was not disappointed in the lack of photographs, etc. The authors are extremely passionate about birding, which comes across in the detail with which the book is written. I recommend the book very highly to committed birders.