Panama is rich in bird-life, with more than 1,000 bird species so watching them is a rewarding occupation almost anywhere in the country and many hotels and resorts offer bird-watching tours.

Some places are worth special mention to the enthusiast: Pipeline Road, approximately 30 minutes from Panama City, has become a world renowned birding site. It is here that the Audubon Society of Panama conduct their annual bird count and this is where a new visitor's center, The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center has been built. It features a spectacular four- deck tower which rises over the forest canopy. The Center also has five graveled trails which lead to forest look-out platforms.

Also near Panama City is the Canopy Tower ecolodge and nature observatory, situated in the Soberania National Park which offers overnight accommodation and day tours. It was built in 1965 by the U.S. Airforce to house radar. In 1996 it was handed back to Panama as part of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The government in turn signed a long-term agreement with a private company to transform it, along with 35 acres of rainforest into a nature observatory. Hundreds of species can be spotted or heard here each day.

Los Quetzales Lodge and Spa in Guadalupe in the Chiriqui Highlands offers cabins situated in the Friendship National Park deep in the cloud forest which are ideal for bird-watching. The Resplendant Quetzal, which makes Chiriqui its southernmost abode, can be seen here in the right season.

The Panama Audubon Society ( www.panamaaudubon.org) is a great source of information for the bird-lover. Call 232-5977 or 224-4740. Ridgeway's book on Birds of Panama is another invaluable resource.