The tropics are like nowhere else on Earth. As shown by the table below, each country we visit features a large number of bird species in a relatively small area, and each country has its own quite different species mix. Some of the species are north temperate migrants passing through or spending the winter, while others are offshore pelagic species also found off U.S. coastlines. However, the majority are tropical or subtropical species not found north of Mexico. Unusual aquatic birds add many entries to every life list. Tropical hawks, eagles, and owls intrigue. Whole new families of birds await discovery by birders visiting the tropics for the first time. A plethora of parrots, jacamars, motmots, toucans, barbets, puffbirds, manakins, cotingas, and oropendolas thrill the most experienced birder. The incredible diversity of hummingbirds and tanagers amaze. A baffling array of antbirds, flycatchers, and woodcreepers challenge the best birders. The forests and waterways are alive with birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and untold numbers of exotic plants. The combination makes for an exciting vacation experience, and at the end one inevitably wants to return because there is always so much more yet to see.
