Berlepsch's Tinamou
Crypturellus berlepschi
A very dark, chicken-like bird found in lowland rainforest in northwestern Ecuador and western Colombia. Plumage is dark gray, but can appear almost black in the shady rainforest understory. Legs, eye, and base of bill are reddish. No other tinamou in range has uniformly dark plumage. Shy and hard to see as it walks quietly on the ground inside the rainforest. Heard far more often than seen; its song is a short, high-pitched, descending whistle repeated every 10-15 seconds.
Identification
Berlepsch's tinamou is a medium-sized bird, about 29.6–32 centimetres (11.7–12.6 in), with the male weighing 430–537 grams (15.2–18.9 oz) and the female weighing 512–615 grams (18.1–21.7 oz). The plumage of this bird varies somewhat; however there are some features that can be quantified, such as, in general the color is a brownish black to a deep sooty brown. Also, the head and throat tend to be darker than the rest of the body, with a reddish tinge to its crown and nape. The legs and feet are pink and the bill has a dark upper mandible and a pinkish lower mandible. Its bill is longer and heavier than that of the cinereous tinamou. Finally, its iris is red.<p>The juvenile form of the bird is similar in coloring to the adult; however it does have barring on its under-parts and also on its wings with a cinnamon tinge to them.
Taxonomy
The Berlepsch's tinamou is a monotypic species. All tinamou 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. Until the mid 20th century, this species was considered a sub-species of the cinereous tinamou, but due to its bill size, its ratio of toe and tarsus length and the fact that its plumage has conspicuous differences from that of the cinereous tinamou created enough of a question for the new species to be named.
- Scientific name
- Crypturellus berlepschi
- Authority
- (Rothschild, 1897)
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Crypturellus
Range and habitat
Its range is extreme northern coastal Ecuador north into coastal Colombia, as far north as Utria National Park (Bahia de Capica). This tinamou lives in lowland moist forest in sub-tropical to tropical regions, and will also choose to live in a mature secondary forest. It has also proven that it can survive in forests that have been logged. In Colombia it will choose the coastal lowlands and hills up to 500 metres (1,600 ft), although it has been found as high as 900 metres (3,000 ft).<p>The only 2 documented sightings are at Playa de oro reserva de los tigrillos, which is in Ecuador about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve and at Milipe Bird Sanctuary about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Maquipucuna, also in Ecuador.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Berlepsch's tinamou is considered a sedentary bird.<p>There is little species specific information on Berlepsch's tinamou, so scientists believe that like other members of Crypturellus its diet focus is on fleshy fruit, which it prefers to eat off the ground, but will pick it off lower hanging branches. Like other tinamous, the Berlepsch's also eat small amounts of invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots.<p>They breed in February in Colombia. As a forest species, they would choose the months of plentiful food and that would mean the summer.<p>The male, like other tinamou, incubates the eggs which may come from as many as 4 different females, and then will raise them until they are ready to be on their own, usually 2–3 weeks. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.
Conservation
The IUCN classifies the Berlepshch's tinamou as Least Concern, and it has an occurrence range of 60,000 km2 (23,000 sq mi).
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Grass Wren
Cistothorus platensis
Tiny, bubbly, buffy-colored wren of dense grassy or shrubby habitats. Fairly common but locally distributed from central Mexico to the southernmost tip of South America; surely comprises multiple species. Occurs from open grasslands and marshes at sea level up to paramo in the high Andes. Generally secretive, but perches up when singing. Generally pale brownish with complex patterning on upperparts; compare with much plainer House Wren. Variable voice, usually including harsh chips, buzzes, and trills.
Plain Gerygone
Gerygone inornata
A tiny, warbler-shaped songbird confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Upperparts gray-brown; underparts clean, unmarked white. Note subtle white mark between bill and eye, and beady-eyed appearance. Juveniles washed yellow below. Inhabits forest, edge, mangroves, and scrub from coast to mountains. Sits high in the understory, singly or in pairs. Unmistakable, as the only tiny gray-and-white warbler-like bird in range. Warbling song comprises a series of high-pitched, descending whistled phrases such as “pee-pee-ooo-ooo-pee-ooo-ooo”. Calls often and for prolonged periods.
Chestnut-tailed Antbird
Sciaphylax hemimelaena
Small, common antbird of lowland rainforest, well-named for its reddish-brown tail. Male has a dark gray head and breast with a white belly. Female is reddish-brown overall. Both sexes have white wing spots. Skulks close to the ground alone or in pairs. Inhabits dense growth in a variety of habitats including secondary growth, bamboo, and understory of mature forest.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.