Brushland Tinamou

Overview

The brushland tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in high-altitude dry shrubland in subtropical and tropical regions of southern South America. It belongs to the family Tinamidae and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Approximately 31.5 cm in length, with grey to olive-brown upper parts barred with black and streaked with white.
• Black crown, white sides of the head and throat, with a lower throat barred black.
• Grey breast spotted with white and a whitish belly; legs are dark grey.
• Distinctive call consists of seven to ten clear whistled notes that carry well.

Habitat

This species prefers dry shrubland up to 1,000 m in altitude, but can be found regularly as high as 2,000 m. It also inhabits dry savanna, dry grassland, seasonally flooded grassland, pastureland, and farmland. Its range includes southeastern Bolivia, northwestern Paraguay, and northwestern and central Argentina.

Diet

The brushland tinamou feeds on insects, small animals, and some fruit. The sources do not specify detailed foraging techniques beyond this dietary composition.

Did you know?

Males attract two to four females and supervise their egg-laying, after which the females leave to find other males; the male is then solely responsible for incubating the eggs and raising the chicks.