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One of my target species of my May 2006 trip to central Panama was Crested Bobwhite, which has
been found to be regular in the Pacific lowland scrub near
El Chirú. I was not disappointed; several birds were heard calling throughout the area,
and (my Panamanian companions) Tino, Armodio, and I waited for almost 15 minutes for a good look
at a bobwhite that remained remarkably invisible in a small patch of grass. We eventually saw the bird briefly as it
slipped out the 'back door' at the far edge of the grassy patch. My second look was much more
satisfying; we were driving along the rice fields south of the Inter-Americana when we saw a small flock of
Crested Bobwhites scatter from the roadside just ahead. We used the car as a blind, and crept slowly closer,
until I was able to film the handsome male pictured at left. I was also lucky to collect some good audio of the bird; upon my return to the
States, I forwarded my recordings to a young doctoral student in Costa Rica
(click here for audio).
He is researching the "Spot-bellied" form of Crested Bobwhite found in Costa Rica, considered by
some to be a distinct species, colinus leucopogon.
This fellow's studies of vocalizations may help to clarify the classification of this taxon.
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