Variegated Tinamou

Overview

The variegated tinamou (Crypturellus variegatus) is a tinamou found in moist forest lowlands across subtropical and tropical regions of northern South America. As a member of the family Tinamidae, it is a ratite capable of flight, though generally not a strong flier.

Identification

• Approximately 29.5 to 33 cm in length with a rufous upper back and a black crown and sides of the head.
• Black lower back and wings featuring conspicuous yellowish bands, alongside a white throat and bright rufous neck and upper breast.
• Flanks are tinged with cinnamon and dusky light barring, complemented by a yellow bill and greenish to yellowish-brown legs.
• Call consists of five tremulous, evenly pitched notes that may merge into a trill, with the first note always distinct and descending.

Habitat

It inhabits humid lowland forests with dense undergrowth in southern and eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Amazonian Brazil, eastern Peru, eastern Ecuador, and northern Bolivia. The species prefers altitudes ranging from 100 to 1,300 m.

Diet

It forages on the ground or from low-lying bushes, primarily eating fruit, but also consuming small amounts of invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots.

Did you know?

The male is solely responsible for incubating the eggs, which may originate from as many as four different females, and he raises the chicks until they are independent, usually after 2 to 3 weeks.