Undulated Tinamou
Crypturellus undulatus
This tinamou is medium-sized with a dark gray body and white throat. It is variably barred above and below. These “undulations” vary in intensity among subspecies. Like other tinamous, shy and difficult to see. Found in both wet and dry forests, preferring areas near rivers, but most often seen crossing roads or trails. Easily recognized by its voice, a far-carrying melancholic “whoo-who-whooo” repeated for long periods mostly in the early mornings and late afternoon.
Identification
The undulated tinamou is about 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in) in length, and weighs around 300 g (0.66 lb). Depending on subspecies, it is overall brownish tinged grey to various extents, and has a strong, black, barred to faint vermiculated pattern on the back and neck (for example, while C. u. undulatus is relatively rich brown and strongly barred, C. u. yapura is darker, more grey-tinged, and only has faint vermiculations). It has a whitish throat, and the remainders of its underparts are olive-grey to buff with dark vermiculation on its lower flanks and vent. Its bill is black above and grey below. The legs and feet are grey, dull yellow, or greenish.
Taxonomy
All tinamous are from the family Tinamidae, so 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>The exact distribution limits of some of the subspecies, though, are unclear. Notably, the population between the Madeira and Purús Rivers (between generally reported range of C. u. adspersus and C. u. yapura) and the population between the Tapajós and Araguaia Rivers (between generally reported range of C. u. adspersus and C. u. vermiculatus) appear not to have been assigned to subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Crypturellus undulatus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1815)
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Crypturellus
Range and habitat
The undulated tinamou occurs at altitudes of up to 900 m (3,000 ft). It occurs in a wide range of wooded habitats, ranging from dense, humid Amazonian forests, to dry, relatively open savanna-woodland. Although most of the range of the undulated tinamou is in the Amazon Basin, significant parts are in drier habitats such as the Cerrado (most of the range of C. u. vermiculatus is in the Cerrado region). Though generally considered resident, minor seasonal movements between habitats do occur locally.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The nest of the undulated tinamou consists of a depression on the ground, where the female lays around three glossy vinaceous, pink or light-grey eggs. The incubation time is 17 days in captivity. It feeds on small fruits, seeds, and insects.<p>As other tinamous, the undulated tinamou is secretive, and more frequently heard than seen. The song, commonly given throughout the day, consists of a deep, three- or four-noted whistle, which has been described by the onomatopoetic com-pra pan ("buy bread" in Spanish) or Eu sou jaó ("I am undulated tinamou" in Portuguese).
Conservation
Though heavily hunted in some regions, the undulated tinamou remains common in most parts of its range. The IUCN classifies it as least concern, and its range of occurrence has been estimated to 8,600,000 km2 (3,300,000 sq mi).
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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