‘Guide to the Birds of Panama’ by Robert S. Ridgely: Honored on the Book’s 50th Anniversary

The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center was the setting for a historic commemorative event: the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Guide to the Birds of Panama by Dr. Robert S. Ridgely, one of the most influential neo-tropical ornithologists in the world.  The event brought together members of the Audubon Society of Panama, strategic partners, environmental authorities, birdwatchers, and representatives from the tourism sector, who celebrated the legacy of a work that forever transformed the knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of Panamanian birds.  The Guide to the Birds of Panama, published in 1976 and translated into Spanish in 1993, marked a turning point in the country’s natural history.

For the first time, residents and visitors had access to a scientific, illustrated, and accessible tool that allowed them to identify and understand more than 800 species recorded at that time.  But Dr. Ridgely’s legacy extends far beyond the publication of a book. In 1968, he was a founding member of the Panama Natural History and Audubon Society, now known as the Audubon Society of Panama, an organization that has led the conservation of birds and their habitats in the country for over five decades.  “The guide not only taught us to identify birds; it taught us to look at them with respect and admiration. It was the spark that ignited a new generation of birdwatchers and conservationists in Panama,” said William Adsett, former president of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Panama, during the event. 

Thanks to this magnificent work, Panama went from having limited and inaccessible knowledge about its birds to becoming a regional leader in birdwatching and citizen science observation. Today, the country has recorded more than 1,030 species and ranks among the top countries in the world for initiatives such as the Global Big Day.  The impact is also reflected in the growth of environmental education programs, the strengthening of local communities trained in birdwatching, and the consolidation of conservation efforts in key biodiversity areas.

“If Panama is a leader in bird guides today, it is largely because someone had the vision to write the book we all needed and to help form, more than 50 years ago, the organization that would channel that collective enthusiasm,” the organization stated. 

During the event, the human dimension of Dr. Ridgely’s legacy was also recognized: his support for the translation of the guide into Spanish, his encouragement of the creation of the Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation, and his role in the development of the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, one of the emblematic sites for birdwatching in the region. 

The Audubon Society of Panama reiterated its gratitude to Dr. Ridgely and emphasized that his work remains an essential reference for scientists, students, tour guides, environmental planners, and nature lovers.  “Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Guide is celebrating the birth of a birdwatching culture in Panama. 

Dr. Ridgely not only documented our birds; he helped Panamanians recognize the value of our own natural heritage,” said Rosabel Miró, Executive Director of the Audubon Society of Panama.  The commemorative event included observation tours, a formal session in the Living Classroom, and a special recognition of Dr. Ridgely for his extraordinary contribution to the knowledge and protection of Panamanian biodiversity. 

As part of his visit to our country, Dr. Robert S. Ridgely also met with passionate bird enthusiasts and the general public at the Biomuseo to share his experience and reflect on the impact his work has had on the training of new generations of observers and conservationists.