We return again and again to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge because it is a world-class and varied sportfishing destination, but even though we have tuna on the brain, we seem to spend an awful lot of time chasing birds. Whether they’re visible on the captains’ Simrad radar screens or to the naked eye, diving birds are signs of voracious feeding yellowfin.

I’ll admit, I usually care more about what the birds are chasing than what species they are. Once, I even accidentally clocked a passing boobie with a sardine-colored Yo-Zuri popper (he was fine; my pride wasn’t).

But the more I’ve learned, the more I’ve realized the Gulf of Chiriquí isn’t just about fishing — it’s also a world-renowned birding destination. Those same diving frigates and boobies that lead us to our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow are also part of what makes birdwatching in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí world-class.

That makes Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge a perfect destination not just for hardcore anglers, but also for birders and for spouses or friends who want the full experience. You’ll spot plenty of species right on Isla Parida, and if you’re serious about our avian friends, we can help arrange a dedicated birding tour before or after your offshore fishing adventure.

Birdwatching in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí

Again, I don’t claim to be a serious birdwatcher, but I do remember that on our 2016 trip to Africa, Hanna and I spent hours searching for new species, entering them in our bird books and trying to outdo each other with our pictures. It was thrilling and compelling and we didn’t notice the passage of time – which makes me thing that birdwatching in Chiriquí might be something to try if we stay longer on future trips.

Putting two and two together, I realize that it’s obvious great fishing and great bird watching often go together. We’ve come to take for granted the numerous bald eagles we see every time we go out on our home waters of the Potomac. We love the cara caras and chacalacas in Mexico. I recall eating dinner one time after fishing at Falcon Lake and running into a group of people who looked decidedly like they did not belong in deep south Texas – turned out they were there to knock some super-rare birds off their lists.

So it’s an angle that I’ve never considered before. Part of what I assume makes Chiriquí particularly good is the diversity of terrain, climate and microhabitats all adjacent to each other. We’ve seen it from the boat, but I’m guessing that if you go up the volcano, it’s a totally different set of birdwatching targets.

As Forbes Magazine recently wrote, Panama “offers a particularly diverse array of landscapes in spite of its small size. During a visit, guests can marvel at all sorts of colorful passerines alongside dazzling hummingbirds and soaring raptors—and to discover all three in one fell swoop, it’s best to head to Chiriquí.”

Birds crashing down around dolphins and commercial tuna boat Panama

From Frigates to Macaws: Bird Species Around Isla Parida and Chiriquí

So what bird species can you expect to see? As noted above, I’ve become very well acquainted (occasionally by accident) with the ones that hunt and corral the baitfish that the tuna also eat.

But it goes far beyond those. In the lowlands, there are species like the Coiba Spinetail and Yellow-billed Cotinga. In the highlands, dedicated eco-tourists see the endemic Yellow-green Finch and Yellow-throated Chlorospingus and venture into the breeding area of the three-wattled Bellbird. I was intrigued when I read about the Bare-necked Umbrellabird and Lanceolated Monklet. There are woodpeckers, hummingbirds and eagles, too.

Here's a short list or possible rare birds provided by Whitehawk Birding Tours:

Harpy Eagle
Crested Eagle
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Brown-backed Dove
Yellow-green Brushfinch
Coiba Spaintail
Azuero Parakeet
Bare-necked Umbrellabird
Spot-crowned Barbet
Yellow-green Tyrannulet
Yellow-billed Cotinga
Spiny-faced Antshrike
Violet-capped Hummingbird
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker
Orange-collared Manakin
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl
Resplendent Quetzal
Lattice-tailed Trogon
Baird’s Trogon
Sapayoa
Black-crowned Antpitta
Lanceolated Monklet
Great Green Macaw
Veraguan Mango
Lattice Trogon
Collared Trogon (Orange-bellied)
Dull-mantled Antbird

Given the variety we’ve seen just hanging out on the island, I can’t imagine what a paradise this must be for those who know what they’re doing – or get the proper instruction and guiding.

Things to Do in Chiriquí for Non-Anglers at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge

I think of Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge first and foremost as a fishing lodge for anglers who want to have an epic adventure, but now that I’ve started thinking of it as a “Panama eco-lodge” as well, it’s opened my eyes. We’ve certainly seen tons of dolphins and porpoises on our trips, and one group saw whales. There are sea turtles and we’re told that the occasional saltwater crocodile shows up, too.

If you take the time to enjoy it, this is effectively a waterborne safari. As we fish in the vicinity of Isla Coiba, a UNESCO world heritage site, it’s easy to imagine that you’re thousands of years back in time, when it was still wild – because it is!

So if you have someone in your life who is an occasional angler but a devoted naturalist, bring them with you – there are tons of things to do in Chiriquí for non-anglers, and many of them revolve around nature. There’s kayaking, snorkeling, diving and hiking, too, and it’s easy to get there, with direct flights from all over the US. It’s safe, they take dollars and it’s less touristy than several of its Central American neighbors.

Pair Your Fishing Adventure with a Panama Birding Tour

We’re not experts on birding by any stretch of the imagination, but fortunately if this is up your alley Panama’s Chiriquí region is a well-known destination for those serious about adding a lot of species to their life lists. While we can’t yet vouch for any of them, a quick Google search produced a long list of Panama birding tours in Chiriquí that would be the perfect add-on to a fishing trip, whether you want a half-day or a dedicated birding expedition

Panama Birding Literature and Charts

Because birders are every bit as obsessed (and possibly more literate) than serious anglers, it’s not surprising that there are a ton of resources that will help you gear up for your eco-tourism adventure in Chiriquí, whether you’ll just visit the island or you’ll be heading on a dedicated and life-changing birding adventure in addition to your tuna quest. Here are a few:

Whether you come for the yellowfin tuna or the scarlet macaws, you’ll find that the Gulf of Chiriquí is truly a paradise for anglers and birdwatchers in Panama. Join us at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge and experience both in one unforgettable trip. Shoot us an email today, get your binoculars out, and let’s make it happen.