Tropical Bird Conservation Program

Learn to observe the rainforest differently.

Spend two weeks in Bocas del Toro, Panama learning how to identify tropical birds by sight and sound, use modern participatory-science tools, conduct standardized field surveys, and contribute to Ankay’s long-term bird monitoring efforts on Isla Solarte.Our Tropical Bird Conservation Program combines short theory sessions with hands-on field training. You’ll start by learning how tropical bird communities work, gradually build your identification skills, and finish the program participating in supervised bird-monitoring surveys.

No previous birding or conservation experience is required.

By the end of the program, you’ll understand how bird monitoring works, recognize a core group of Solarte’s tropical birds, use visual and acoustic identification tools responsibly, and participate in standardized surveys alongside the Ankay team.

Our goal isn’t simply to show you wildlife, it’s to give you the skills to participate in monitoring it.

Ankay is developing long-term bird monitoring on Isla Solarte using standardized survey stations and repeat observations.

Participants help collect the observations that allow this dataset to grow through time.

Validated bird observations may also be contributed to eBird, part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s global participatory-science ecosystem.

What's Included

Accommodation in a shared dorm (or private upgrade)
Home-cooked meals Monday to Saturday
Airport pick-up
Tropical bird ecology and identification training
Daily jungle walk field trainings
Monitoring training and supervised conservation surveys
Program field materials

What You'll Learn

Tropical bird ecology
Visual & auditory bird identification
Merlin bird ID as an identification aid
eBird participatory science
Scientific bird monitoring with standardized methodology

More Info

Program Itinerary

Week 1 — Learn the Birds

Your first week focuses on building the skills necessary to understand and identify Solarte’s bird community.

Short classroom sessions are followed by field practice in the rainforest.

Topics include:

Tropical Bird Ecology
Merlin & eBird in the Field
Bird Identification I
Bird Identification II
Bird Identification III

Birding sessions take place at different times of day so you can experience how tropical bird activity and detectability change from morning to afternoon.

Sunday is a free day to explore Bocas, relax at Ankay, or keep practicing independently.

Week 2 — Monitor the Birds

Once you’ve developed your identification skills, the focus shifts toward conservation monitoring.

You’ll complete an identification review before learning Ankay’s methodology and practicing at our permanent monitoring stations.

With the supervision of the Ankay team, you’ll then contribute bird surveys.

A Typical Day

Breakfast

Theoretical class
Approximately 45 minutes.

Field practice
Apply the day’s concepts on Solarte.

Lunch

Data entry, identification review or free time

Weather is part of field ecology. Activities may be rearranged to take advantage of the best monitoring conditions.

Duration & Pricing

Ankay’s Tropical Bird Conservation Program has a duration of two weeks for $1850 USD with ITMBS included.

The daily cost is less than $135 USD per day.

We can tailor-make an experience if you have less time. Enquire if you’d like upgrades or add-ons.

Birds You May Encounter

Solarte’s rainforest bird community includes parrots, parakeets, hummingbirds, tanagers, antbirds, flycatchers and many other tropical species.

Some specific species seen commonly:

Montezuma Oropendola
Red-lored Amazon
Mealy Amazon
Crimson-fronted Parakeet
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Blue-gray Tanager
Tawny-crested Tanager
Bananaquit
Chestnut-backed Antbird
Black-crowned Antshrike
Lesser Greenlet
Clay-colored Thrush