Rio Canandé

Trachyboa boulengeri Photo by James H. Muchmore Jr.

A recent biological survey of Jocotoco's Rio Canandé Reserve has unveiled many new species of reptiles and amphibians never before documented on the reserve. These new findings make the reserve “the most herpetologically diverse area in the world outside of the Amazon" says Rainforest Trust who supported the expeditions. It is also another example of why we must work to protect what is left. Great work by Fundacion Jocotoco, Tropical Herping, and Rainforest Trust.

 To learn more goo.gl/5nquKy

Chocó Birds

Birding in the Chocó is some of the most challenging. It's remote, really wet, muddy, and always misting. Silhouettes are common. But with the challenges come rewards. Here are some of the more common birds you'll see on the forest edge.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Rose-faced Parrot (Pyrilia pulchra)

Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster)

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)

Choco Tyrannulet (Zimmerius albigularis)

Rufous-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis erythroptera)

Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis)

Little Devil

One of my favorite species of amphibians in the Chocó is Oophaga Sylvatica or commonly referred to as diablito, little devil. The genus Oophaga is made up of nine species and translates to "egg eater".  The name is referring to the tadpole’s diet. The female will deposit an unfertilized egg into the water for her tadpole to eat. It's always fun to find O. Sylvatica because their color morphs differ from site to site. Here are some of the variations I've been able to photograph in the wild.

Habitat