AMAZON BIRDS

The Amazon is a birdwatcher's paradise ­ and that is not tourist brochure hype. About 1,500 bird species are known from lowland Amazonia — about 15% of all known birds in 4% of the world's land area. They range from the world's most powerful bird of prey to some of the tiniest hummingbirds. Oddities such as the toucan, umbrella bird and hoatzin baffle you. Flying jewels such as trogons, parrots and hummingbirds dazzle you. Raucuous eerie calls of the horned screamer and screaming piha will impress you. Mere photos cannot do justice to the wonder of Amazon's bird life, but here's a few to give you a flavor.