Lesser Nothura
Nothura minor
Sandy-colored tinamou that usually holds an upright posture. Has a brown crown and a heavily streaked back and throat. Occurs in grassland areas with scrub. The song is a series of metallic whistles: “peee peeeeee-peeep peeep peeep peeeeee.” The similar Spotted Nothura is larger and more rufescent and prefers areas with shorter grasses.
Identification
The lesser nothura is approximately 18 to 20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) in length. The lesser nothura is rufescent with a chestnut crown and yellow mottling. Its face is buff, shades of yellow on its throat and dark brown spots turning to streaks at its breast. Its flanks have brown markings and its underparts are chestnut with rufous barring, its wings are rufous with dusky barring. Its legs are yellow, and its bill is black, and it has brown irises.
Taxonomy
This 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.
- Scientific name
- Nothura minor
- Authority
- (Spix, 1825)
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Nothura
Range and habitat
The lesser nothura is found in parts of southeastern Brazil and recently in one location in east-central Paraguay. It has been found in Brasilia National Park, IBGE Roncador Biological Reserve, and Taguatinga in the Federal District, Emas National Park and Luziânia in Goiás and Serra da Canastra National Park and Serra do Cipó National Park in Minas Gerais, Itapetininga Experimental Station and Itirapina Experimental Station in São Paulo, and at Laguna Blanca, San Pedro department.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Its voice consists of long, high-pitched whistles. It probably breeds between October and February.
Conservation
The IUCN has classified this species as vulnerable due to the fragmentation of its population and the loss of its primary habitat. It has an occurrence range of 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi) and a 2000 estimate of adult birds placed it at around 9000, which may be a little liberal.<p>The habitats inhabited by lesser nothura are being rapidly destroyed by mechanised agriculture, intensive cattle-ranching, afforestation, invasive grasses, excessive use of pesticides and annual burning. By 1993, two-thirds of the Cerrado region had been heavily or moderately altered, with most of the destruction having occurred since 1950. Farming, ranching, fires, and pesticide are the practices that have the most impact on this species.<p>The lesser nothura is protected under Brazilian law, and conserved in Brasília National Park, Emas National Park and Serra da Canastra National Park, IBGE Roncador Biological Reserve, Itapetininga Experimental Station and Itirapina Experimental Station. It has been proposed to survey suitable habitat in Serra do Cipó National Park and Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, using tape-playback. It was also proposed to identify other unprotected areas of suitable habitat in north-eastern Paraguay, north and west Minas Gerais, and Goiás.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mountain Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus trivirgatus
Small leaf warbler of montane rainforests throughout Sundaland. Strongly contrasting head pattern with black eye-stripe, pale eyebrow and black stripes either side of the central pale crown stripe. Note the lack of wing bar. In most areas, birds are yellowish green above and brighter yellow below; birds on Mount Kinabalu are gray-green above and off-white below. Forages actively in upper levels of forest, often in mixed flocks. Compare with migratory leaf warblers. Song is a rolling series of high-pitched warbling notes.
White-crowned Lapwing
Vanellus albiceps
This striking lapwing is best identified by its long yellow wattles, white belly, and gray head split down the center by a broad white crown stripe. In flight, the distinctive wings are almost entirely white with black tips. It prefers breeding and foraging on large permanent rivers with extensive sand banks but will also wander to smaller streams and pans. It utters a loud “kriiip” call when alarmed or defending its territory. The similar Wattled Lapwing differs from White-headed Lapwing by having a dark belly and red-based wattles.
Cape Starling
Lamprotornis nitens
A medium-sized iridescent blue-green glossy starling that lacks dark ear-patches and has greenish flanks and belly, giving it a more uniform appearance than the “blue-eared” starlings. Pairs and small groups occupy high-altitude grassland, Karoo, and savanna, including drier habitats than other glossy starlings. The species feeds on the ground and in trees on fruit and insects; often it scavenges from people. It gives a rolling “turrreaau” flight call and harsh “karrr” alarm notes. Similar “blue-eared” starlings differ from Cape Starling by being smaller and having blue-magenta flanks and belly that give them a less uniform appearance.
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