Xenornis

Joris Deruwe and I found at least 2 Least Bitterns at Ammo Dump on Sunday, August 23. The birds were constantly flying back and forth between the shoreline and the tall vegetation on the floating island. On Sunday, the wind had blown the island to the northeast corner of the pond, near the Ammo depot entrance gate, so it was pretty far away. Quality is not optimal due to the distance, but I would say this is the resident race. 

I just wanted to share this pic of American Pygmy-Kingfisher that was observed by me and a group of birders from Oregon. The interesting thing is that this beautiful bird was around for about an hour and constantly feeding, taking the food away and coming back to three different spots over the water at Ammo Ponds. I could say that it probably has a nest nearby, but I couldn't work a lot on this bird since there was a lot going on at Ammo ponds.... We also got great views of male and female Olivaceous Piculet , Yellow-tailed Oriole, Southern Lapwing, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Scrub Greenlet, Immature Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Great Blue Heron, Striated Heron, White-throated Crake etc... It was a nonstop birding afternoon...

Sunny Phillips sent us these photos taken in early September 2005 near the entrance of Pipeline Road. We are assuming it to be a Gray-breasted Crake until proven otherwise. It looks like a gray-breasted alright; maybe a non-adult because of the non-greenish bill. I can't find any description of juvenile gray-breasteds; birds of colombia says young white-throateds have gray sides of neck and breast, which doesn't sound as dramatic as these pictures. i don't know what young paint-billeds are like, either, but i'd imagine the chestnut nape rules out this species. Although there is also chestnut on the forecrown, which shouldn't be there on gray-breasted...Any thougths? Dr. Dodge Engleman chimes in: "Juvie rails are tough. Most likely demographically of course is a youngster White-throated that isn't brown on the breast yet. But with rails it's hard to go by demographics! It looks good for a Gray-breasted to me, either the young not having the dark side of ...

Ariel Aguirre reports a Common Yellowthroat seen at the Gamboa Ammo Dump.