NEOTROPICAL
Rainforest

The rainforest of the Neotropics covers a huge geographical area, from southern Brazil north to southern Mexico. Within that area, it also varies in form and species composition as it grows from sea-level in the lowlands of the Amazon, to the cloud forest in the Andes, and the seasonally dry forest of Central America and the Caribbean islands.

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 At the very limit of rainforest growth in the mountains, the trees grow stunted. The higher altitude rainforest has a lot of lichens and moss covering the trees. The forest is misty and quiet. As one travels down in altitude, the trees grow taller, and the ease of birding peaks at the mid-altitude rainforest.  

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The most diverse family of plants in the world are the Orchids. with up to 35,000 species. Most tropical orchids are epiphytic (growing on other plants), with some being lithophytic (growing on rocks). The flowers of orchids are famous because they have varied colours, elaborate patterns and bizarre shapes. Part of their unusual shape is due to the uneven petal arrangement, which is known as zygomorphic, and there is frequently a twisting and elongation of the sepals and petals. The unusual flowers of many species have evolved specifically with particular species of insects, most commonly wasps. If pollinated, the flowers are followed by small, hard fruits that release lots of tiny seeds. In the tropical Americas, they seem to be easiest to see in the stunted high altitude cloud forest...

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The family Passifloraceae includes over 600 species, found mainly through the tropics of the world. They grow as trees and shrubs, but are most famous as vines. The leaves of most common species in this family are usually heart-shaped or lobed, and often have two glands at the base. A winding tendril is used to climb, and this sprouts from a bud at the base of the alternate leaves, a distinctive feature of the family. The flowers are both striking and unique, due to the many frilled ring. The fruits contain many seeds, which are surrounded by a pulpy aril.

There are over 370 species of Passifora passionfruit vines and they are found in Asia, the Pacific, but mostly in the tropical Americas. The flowers have the distinctive ring of frills indicative of this family, Three long styles that ride atop the central stalk, and 5 drooping stamens slightly below and from the same central stalk. These distinctive and elaborate flowers were named by Spanish missionaries for the passion of Christ; the stigma and anthers representing the nails and the wounds, and the frills representing the crown of thorns.

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The great range of moths in the Neotropical rainforests can be appreciated by checking out the lighter coloured walls that are lit up in lodges at night: or even better, hang up a white sheet and light it up... 

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There is also a huge diversity of beautiful species in the rainforests across the tropical Americas. The biggest and showiest butterflies are the Swallowtails of the family Papilionidae.

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The Hummingbirds are a huge family of over 335 species, with many different distinct genera. 

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 Toucans are medium to large sized birds, always with large bills and bright colours.

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The largest family of birds in the world is the Family Tyrannidae, the Tyrant Flycatchers.

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Species in the Thrush family the Turdidae are commonly seen.

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Tanagers are one of the most colourful and diverse group of birds in the Neotropical jungle. They are the second largest family of birds, with over 200 species. Many are colourful, and most are distinct enough to be easily recognisable. All the species in the Tanager are restricted to the Neotropics; many have small distributions.

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The smallest primates are the Marmosets and Tamarins. They scamper about in cooperative polyandrous groups, with one central reproductively active female, who breeds with multiple males. They are reported to produce mostly twins at birth. They are only found in the Neotropics of South and Central America.

Places to experience the tropical American rainforest

There are so many great places (and lodges) to explore the rainforest in the tropical Americas...

In Peru there is: Cock of the Rock Lodge. Machu Picchu, Manu National Park & Biosphere Reserve, Manu Paradise Lodge, Villa Carmen Lodge, and Wayqecha Lodge in the cloud forest,  

In Ecuador: Angel Paz bird reserve, Refugio Paz de Las Aves and Tandayapa Bird Lodge in the western Andes cloud forest, and Wildsumaco Lodge.

And in the biggest country in South America, Brazil, there is scenic Iguazu Falls.