Brown Tinamou

Overview

The brown tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus) is a brownish ground bird native to humid lowland and montane forests in tropical and subtropical South America. Although embedded within the ratite group, it is capable of flight, albeit weakly, and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 25 to 30 cm in length and weighs between 350 and 550 g.
• Upperparts vary from dark sooty-brown to bright chestnut, while underparts are typically paler, ranging from chestnut to light ochraceous, with the griseiventris subspecies having pale buff-grey underparts.
• Distinguished from the similar little tinamou by its greyish, rather than whitish, throat.
• Song consists of loud, high-pitched whistles with variable structure and timbre.

Habitat

Found in northern Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, eastern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and extreme northeastern Argentina, with possible presence in Uruguay. It inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland and montane forests, generally preferring elevations between 1,300 and 2,900 m.

Diet

This shy, ground-dwelling species feeds on fruits, insects, and seeds.

Did you know?

The genus name Crypturellus translates to 'small hidden tail', derived from the Greek and Latin words for 'hidden' and 'diminutive'. Unlike other ratites such as ostriches and kiwis, tinamous retain the ability to fly, though they are not strong fliers.