NEOTROPICAL
Choco-Darien Moist Forest

The rainforest of the Neotropics is vey diverse in species, but also in types of habitats. Even in the category of Neotropical lowland rainforest there are different regions. One of the most diverse is the rainforest found along the extreme west coast of Colombia and up to southern Panama.

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One of the most striking groups of birds in the Neotropical forest are the trogons. They seem to take it pretty easy, perched still for long periods of time. One of the species that represents the Choco-Darien region is the 'White-tailed Trogon' (image below).  

This rainforest is quite difficult to access. One of the reasons for this is the steepness of the terrain between the Andes and the west coast. It is also one of the highest rainfall areas in the world. There is apparently few roads down to the remote Choco coast of Colombia. The area is recognised as one of the least developed and poorest in the country. I have only visited the region on small expedition ships such as Noble Caledonia. One of the best spots is Utria National Park, where there is a boardwalk right on the coast that goes through the mangroves and along the edge of the rainforest. The forest around the Darien coast of Panama is also remote, and had an infamous reputation for being dangerous. Again, I have only visited this area with smaller expedition ships. 

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