With over 1,000 recorded species of birds, Panama is birders paradise. Unfortunately, they are one of the most trafficked animals in the country. Many birders, when visiting Latin America like to frequent what are referred to as birding gardens. In these gardens they will have a posts with fruits nailed to them and feeders spread out throughout out the garden to try and attract as many birds as possible, to one spot for, the benefit of tourists and photographers.

While many see this as harmless, it is anything but. Not only does it alter their behavior in a number of ways that can prove harmful to the ecology of many species, the greatest threat is that it habituates them to human presence and they learn to associate people with food. This leads them to directly approach humans and be easily enticed when offered more food. You may not have bad intentions, the next person may. Cases of animals that are being regularly fed by locals and tourists a like, becoming victims in trafficking, abuse, and death is well documented in Central and South America.

Here at En La Naturaleza we rely on years of knowledge of nesting sites, natural feeding grounds, sounds and above all patience. We do not use calls to lure birds from nesting sites, we do not intentionally disturb nests, we do not over crowd or chase. Here it is all about a natural and organic experience. We put in the work, instead of looking for an easy and potentially harmful shortcut.