We were birding in an area known as La Mesa during the morning of December 24, 2009. Late in the morning, the sky cleared, and temperatures rose to the mid-80's. We were walking along a country road when we began to encounter foothill birds some of which are not found in the forests below or in the Canal Zone. This Southern Lapwing was one of the birds we photographed. Its wispy crest can be seen on the left side of the bird's head. The range of this species extends from Panama to Tierra del Fuego.