Gatun Lake, located in the Republic of Panama, is an artificial lake formed by the damming of the Chagres River as part of the Panama Canal. Spanning 168 square miles, it is an important habitat for a diverse array of bird species. Here is an overview of some of the most notable birds that can be found in and around Gatun Lake.
Wading Birds
Several species of long-legged wading birds frequent the shallow edges of Gatun Lake. Some of the most commonly spotted include:
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Tricolored Heron
- Little Blue Heron
- Cattle Egret
These birds stalk prey in the shallow water and along the muddy shorelines. Their long legs allow them to wade through the water while their long necks help them swiftly capture fish with their pointed bills.
Waterfowl
The expansive open waters of Gatun Lake attract an array of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. Look for these species floating on the lake:
- Blue-winged Teal
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck
- American Wigeon
- Lesser Scaup
- Ring-necked Duck
These birds often gather in large flocks on the lake. The whistling-ducks are distinguishable by their long legs that trail out behind them when swimming. The teal and other ducks dive below the surface in search of aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Seabirds
The connection between Gatun Lake and the Caribbean Sea via the Panama Canal attracts various seabirds to the lake. Here are some of the ocean-going species that frequent Gatun:
- Neotropic Cormorant
- Anhinga
- Brown Pelican
- Magnificent Frigatebird
These fish-eating birds are drawn to the abundant supply of prey in the canal and lake. The cormorants and anhingas pursue fish by diving underwater, while the pelicans and frigatebirds snatch prey from the surface while swimming.
Raptors
A number of birds of prey make their home around Gatun Lake, including:
- Osprey
- Snail Kite
- Crane Hawk
- Gray-lined Hawk
- Short-tailed Hawk
These raptors soar above the waterways in search of fish, waterbirds, and small mammals to prey upon. The Osprey is especially well-adapted for hunting fish, plunging feet-first to seize them from the water with its sharp talons.
Kingfishers
Gatun Lake hosts five species of exotic, colorful kingfishers:
- Ringed Kingfisher
- Amazon Kingfisher
- Green Kingfisher
- Green-and-rufous Kingfisher
- Pygmy Kingfisher
These birds occupy the forested areas along the edge of the lake. They hunt for fish, crustaceans, and insects by diving from low perches overhanging the water.
Other Waterbirds
Some other waterbirds to watch for on and around Gatun Lake include:
- Pied-billed Grebe
- American Coot
- Purple Gallinule
- Common Moorhen
- Limpkin
- Wattled Jacana
This assortment of swimming and shoreline birds utilize the aquatic habitats for feeding and nesting. The jacana has exceptionally long toes that enable it to walk on floating vegetation.
Aerial Insectivores
An abundance of flying insects attracts various species of aerial insectivores to hunt above the waters of Gatun Lake:
- Eastern Kingbird
- Fork-tailed Flycatcher
- Tropical Kingbird
- Gray Kingbird
- Great Kiskadee
- Social Flycatcher
These tyrannid flycatchers will be seen perched on branches, posts, or wires close to the water, darting out to snatch insects from the air.
Other Notable Species
Some other bird species to watch for in the environs of Gatun Lake include:
- Laughing Falcon
- Keel-billed Toucan
- Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
- Lineated Woodpecker
- Boat-billed Heron
- Russet-naped Wood-Rail
This mix of some of Panama’s quintessential rainforest birds can potentially be found along the forested lake shorelines and nearby woodlands.
Best Spots for Birding
Some top locations to search for the amazing diversity of birds around Gatun Lake include:
- Gamboa Rainforest Resort
- Pipeline Road
- Chagres River bridges near Gamboa
- Gatun Dam overlook
- Trinidad Bay on Gatun Lake
Positioning yourself with a view overlooking the water or shoreline habitats increases your chances of spotting many of these incredible bird species.
Conclusion
Gatun Lake provides critical aquatic habitat that supports a remarkable variety of resident and migratory birds located in central Panama. Wading birds, waterfowl, seabirds, raptors, and a host of other species all take advantage of the abundant food resources and nesting areas provided by the lake and surrounding forests. With a diversity of habitats bordering the lake, birders can search for everything from dazzling kingfishers to soaring hawk, making Gatun Lake a premier birding destination in Panama.