Soberanía National Park

🇵🇦 Panama

🐦 Pipeline Road Toucan Birding
🌍 #45 Global · 4.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #4 in Central America #14 in Tropical Forest
Canal Zone, Panama 1161 spp. recorded

Soberanía National Park protects 22,000 hectares of lowland tropical rainforest along the Panama Canal, just 45 minutes from Panama City. Its legendary Pipeline Road holds the world record for a Christmas Bird Count — 525+ bird species have been recorded in the park.

9.115° N   79.651° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Geoffroy’s Tamarin ★

Geoffroy’s Tamarin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saguinus geoffroyi

50–60% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan ★
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

70–80% · Very likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Brown-throated Sloth ★
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

70–80% · Very likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

60–70% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

60–70% · Likely
Forest Toad
LC

Forest Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhinella alata

60–70% · Likely
Red-lored Parrot
LC

Red-lored Parrot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazona autumnalis

50–60% · Likely
Cocoa Woodcreeper
LC

Cocoa Woodcreeper

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

50–60% · Likely
Palm Tanager

Palm Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis palmarum

50–60% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

50–60% · Likely
Slaty-tailed Trogon
LC

Slaty-tailed Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trogon massena

50–60% · Likely
Western Slaty-Antshrike
LC Endemic

Western Slaty-Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus atrinucha

50–60% · Likely
Orange-chinned Parakeet
LC

Orange-chinned Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Brotogeris jugularis

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Geoffroy’s Tamarin ★

Geoffroy’s Tamarin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saguinus geoffroyi

50–60% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Brown-throated Sloth ★
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

50–60% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

40–50% · Likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

30–40% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

30–40% · Possible
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

30–40% · Possible
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

20–30% · Possible
Lesser Capybara

Lesser Capybara

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Hydrochoerus isthmius

20–30% · Possible
Panamanian Night Monkey
NT

Panamanian Night Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Aotus zonalis

20–30% · Possible
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

20–30% · Possible
Kinkajou
LC

Kinkajou

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Potos flavus

10–20% · With luck
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Keel-billed Toucan ★
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

70–80% · Very likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

60–70% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

60–70% · Likely
Red-lored Parrot
LC

Red-lored Parrot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazona autumnalis

50–60% · Likely
Cocoa Woodcreeper
LC

Cocoa Woodcreeper

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

50–60% · Likely
Palm Tanager

Palm Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis palmarum

50–60% · Likely
Slaty-tailed Trogon
LC

Slaty-tailed Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trogon massena

50–60% · Likely
Western Slaty-Antshrike
LC Endemic

Western Slaty-Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus atrinucha

50–60% · Likely
Orange-chinned Parakeet
LC

Orange-chinned Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Brotogeris jugularis

50–60% · Likely
Wattled Jacana
LC

Wattled Jacana

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jacana jacana

50–60% · Likely
Crimson-backed Tanager
LC

Crimson-backed Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus dimidiatus

40–50% · Likely
Dot-winged Antwren
LC

Dot-winged Antwren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Microrhopias quixensis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

50–60% · Likely
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

50–60% · Likely
Common Caiman
LC

Common Caiman

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Caiman crocodilus

40–50% · Likely
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

40–50% · Likely
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

40–50% · Possible
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

30–40% · Possible
American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

30–40% · Possible
Panama City Anole
LC Endemic

Panama City Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis apletophallus

20–30% · Possible
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

20–30% · Possible
Mourning Gecko
LC

Mourning Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lepidodactylus lugubris

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Forest Toad
LC

Forest Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhinella alata

60–70% · Likely
Guayaquil Dwarf Frog
LC

Guayaquil Dwarf Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Engystomops pustulosus

40–50% · Possible
Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

30–40% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

30–40% · Possible
Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog
LC

Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boana rosenbergi

30–40% · Possible
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

30–40% · Possible
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

30–40% · Possible
Milk Frog

Milk Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Trachycephalus macrotis

20–30% · Possible
Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

20–30% · Possible
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

20–30% · Possible
Leaf Litter Toad
LC

Leaf Litter Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rhaebo haematiticus

10–20% · With luck
Rainforest Rocket Frog
LC

Rainforest Rocket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Silverstoneia flotator

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🐒

Geoffroy's Tamarin Breeding Season

JanFebMarApr

Barely bigger than a squirrel, the Geoffroy's Tamarin becomes especially animated during its breeding season, when family troops chase through the mid-story with high whistling calls. Look for these tiny black-and-white monkeys with pale crowns bounding between vines in tight, cooperative groups.

Geoffroy’s Tamarin

Geoffroy’s Tamarin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saguinus geoffroyi

50–60% · Likely
🦅

Fall Raptor Migration

OctNov

As the narrow isthmus funnels North America's raptors southward, immense swirling kettles of Turkey Vultures and Broad-winged Hawks pour overhead in living rivers of wings. Watch them spiral up on thermals and stream past in the tens of thousands over the forest canopy.

Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

60–70% · Likely
Broad-winged Hawk
LC

Broad-winged Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo platypterus

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Boreal Migrant Songbird Peak

JanFebMarOctNovDec

A wave of northern songbirds floods the forest, filling the canopy with the golden flash of Yellow Warblers, the rich red of Summer Tanagers, and the streaked flanks of Bay-breasted Warblers. Mixed feeding flocks make every branch flicker with restless, brightly colored migrants refueling on their long journey south.

Bay-breasted Warbler
LC

Bay-breasted Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga castanea

30–40% · Possible
Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

30–40% · Possible
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Geoffroy’s Tamarin
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Keel-billed Toucan
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Mantled Howler Monkey
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Brown-throated Sloth
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Black Vulture
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Turkey Vulture
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Central American Agouti
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
Tropical Kingbird
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Forest Toad
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
Red-lored Parrot
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
Cocoa Woodcreeper
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Palm Tanager
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
White-nosed Coati
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
Slaty-tailed Trogon
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
Western Slaty-Antshrike
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
Orange-chinned Parakeet
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🦅 Fall Raptor Migration
🐒 Geoffroy's Tamarin Breeding Season
🐦 Boreal Migrant Songbird Peak

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐦 Pipeline Road Toucan Birding

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
695
🐒 Mammals
216
🦎 Reptiles
157
🐸 Amphibians
93
1161 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
28 Threatened 60 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (326 species at ≥5% of 1161 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
28%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (7 bird, 4 mammal, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
72%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
216
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
27
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
40

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Soberanía National Park?

The most likely sightings are Black Vulture (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Keel-billed Toucan (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Turkey Vulture (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Central American Agouti (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Tropical Kingbird (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1161 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Soberanía National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Geoffroy’s Tamarin in Soberanía National Park?

Yes — about 55% of wildlife watchers report a Geoffroy’s Tamarin sighting in Soberanía National Park, based on 388 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Keel-billed Toucan in Soberanía National Park?

Yes — about 71% of wildlife watchers report a Keel-billed Toucan sighting in Soberanía National Park, based on 6,591 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mantled Howler Monkey in Soberanía National Park?

Yes — about 62% of wildlife watchers report a Mantled Howler Monkey sighting in Soberanía National Park, based on 519 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Brown-throated Sloth in Soberanía National Park?

Yes — about 45% of wildlife watchers report a Brown-throated Sloth sighting in Soberanía National Park, based on 260 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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