Huayco Tinamou
Rhynchotus maculicollis
Large, streaky tinamou of upper elevations of the east side of the Andes. The highland version of Red-winged Tinamou, similar in voice and habits. Fairly rare and local in tall grass in the high Andes from NW Argentina to the La Paz area in Bolivia. Prefers steep hillsides and slopes, largely absent from the altiplano. From other montane tinamous by characteristic plaintive, two part whistled song, for which it is named (“HUAY-co”). Shy and retiring, can be quite difficult to see, most often found by voice.
Identification
The huayco tinamou has a black streaked and spotted head and neck.
Taxonomy
All tinamous are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. Unlike other ratites, tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds.<p>Previously, it was considered a subspecies of the red-winged tinamou, but it has a different song, and its head and neck are streaked and spotted black. The SACC split this into a monotypic species and the IUCN followed suit in 2006.
- Scientific name
- Rhynchotus maculicollis
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1867
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Rhynchotus
Range and habitat
The huayco tinamou lives in the Andes of northwestern Argentina and Bolivia from 1,000 to 3,000 m (3,300–9,800 ft). It prefers semi-arid scrub and cereal fields.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other tinamous, the huayco tinamou eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes. They also eat small amounts of invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots. The male incubates the eggs which may come from different females, and then will raise them until they are ready to be on their own. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.
Conservation
The IUCN classifies this tinamou as Least Concern, with an occurrence range of 114,000 km2 (44,000 sq mi).
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Golden Babbler
Cyanoderma chrysaeum
Splendid small babbler; apart from a dark-streaked crown and small black mask, this bird is bright golden yellow all over. Inhabits hilly and montane forests with dense undergrowth, as well as bushy second growth. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Song is a distinctive short series of whistles on the same pitch with a slight pause after the first note; quality usually soft and slightly hooting, but occasionally harder and more metallic. Calls include wet, ticking trills and rapidly-repeated fluty whistles.
Barratt's Warbler
Bradypterus barratti
A skulky, dull brown warbler with a long and graduated tail, a pale grayish eyebrow, and a throat that is lightly streaked. It creeps around mouse-like in thick undergrowth and tangles in forest and forest edge. It is also found in isolated pockets of scrub, often adjacent to streams, and is frequently detected and identified by its song, mostly delivered between September and December: 2-3 sweet “tsiit” notes followed by a loud trill of 15-20 harsh “tchui” notes. It also has a strident chipping alarm call “tddd-ddr-ddr-ddr-ddr-tt.” The similar Knysna Warbler differs from Barratt’s Warbler by its shorter tail, darker underparts, less pronounced throat streaking, and different song.
Black-belted Flowerpecker
Dicaeum haematostictum
A small bird of forest and fairly open woodland from the lowlands to lower elevations in the mountains. Black above, glossed blue, with white underparts marked by a red patch from the chest to the belly, bordered with black around the top. Note the fairly long slender bill. Similar to Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, but has black above the red patch rather than below. Voice includes high-pitched piping as well as “chik!” notes more typical of a flowerpecker.
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