Colombia and Neotropical Biodiversity – Off topic

Hi All, The discussion about Colombia and biodiversity is interesting. I doubt many of us here in Australia can comprehend the sort of biodiversity that exists in the neotropics, and the birds are but one example. Colombia has the largest number of bird species of any country (although Peru and Brazil are snapping at its heels), primarily because of the Andes and the amount of speciation such a mountain range brings with it. Coupled with the fact the Andes splits into three separate ranges in Colombia, the outlying Santa Marta mountains with their own haul of endemics, and its extensive coastline, it is unsurprising Colombia has such a hefty bird list. To further make the point on neotropical biodiversity though, consider Ecuador. A small country about a quarter the size of Colombia and comparable in land area to Victoria, has a list of nearly 1700 species (and we complain about the size of some of the field guides here in Australia!). I spent a week in the Ecuadorian Amazon once, staying at a university research station with nothing but my binoculars, a telescope and a couple of mates. In seven days we recorded about 340 species within a 3km radius, an absolutely staggering number, when you consider we did nothing but walk. Looking at what some of our twitchathon teams must do to get over 200 species puts it in perspective. Think what you would need to do to get 340 species in a week in Australia! Is there anywhere in Australia you could see 340 species within a 3km radius over any amount of time? The other amazing thing that Denise has pointed out, is that many of the dark corners of these countries are very inaccessible and have been barely explored. New species are being discovered or their known ranges extended all the time. Merry Christmas and good birding. Nick