Gray Tinamou
Tinamus tao
Very large chicken-like bird, widespread across the Amazon basin, but nowhere common. Distinguished from other tinamous by entirely gray plumage with fine black barring on the upperparts and some white speckling on the head. Gray Tinamou is also larger than other large species such as Great and White-throated Tinamous. Favors areas of upland forest and is most often encountered by voice, a single, short hollow whistle given at long intervals.
Identification
The gray tinamou is believed to be the largest species among the tinamous. Reported total length is from 41.5 to 49 cm (16.3 to 19.3 in) and possibly as much as 53 cm (21 in). In body mass, males may scale from 1,325 to 1,863 g (2.921 to 4.107 lb), averaging 1,565 g (3.450 lb), and females can weigh from 1,430 to 2,080 g (3.15 to 4.59 lb), averaging 1,636 g (3.607 lb) and possibly weighing as much as 2,300 g (5.1 lb). As suggested by its name, it is mostly grey. The back and head are barred blackish, and its vent is cinnamon. White spotting extends along the head and down the neck.
Taxonomy
All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds.<p>The grey tinamou has several subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Tinamus tao
- Authority
- Temminck, 1815
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Tinamus
Range and habitat
The grey tinamou is found throughout western and northern Brazil, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, Colombia east of the Andes, northern Venezuela, northern Bolivia, and Guyana.<p>In most of its range it is essentially restricted to humid lowland forests, but in the northern and far western parts of its range it mainly occurs in montane forests. This tinamou has shown the ability to utilize forests that have been cleared by logging. As most other tinamous, its song is commonly heard, but it is shy and only infrequently seen.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other tinamous, the male incubates the eggs on the nest that is located in heavy brush on the ground. After incubation, the male will also raise them for the short period of time until they are ready. They eat fruit and seeds from the ground and bushes that are low to the ground.
Conservation
This species was previously considered by the IUCN to be a Least Concern status, and has a range occurrence of 3,600,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi) In 2012 it was uplisted to vulnerable.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sri Lanka Bay-Owl
Phodilus assimilis
Small owl with immense dark eyes. Uncommon, strictly nocturnal, and very rarely seen. Listen for its odd squeaky whistles, “weeYEWWaweew,” delivered in series. Unmistakable if seen well: note heart-shaped face, richly-colored warm brown upperparts, and relatively clean underparts. A species of dense wet forests with thick undergrowth from lowlands up into hilly and montane areas.
Jameson's Wattle-eye
Platysteira jamesoni
A tiny black-and-white rainforest wattle-eye. Both sexes have a chestnut patch on the side of the face and blue bare skin around the eye, though this eye wattle is larger in males. Found in the understory of rainforest. Somewhat similar to Chestnut Wattle-eye, but does not have a black chest band or extensive chestnut throat. Inconspicuous and difficult to observe; most readily detected by vocalizations. These are variable, but typically consist of piercing, high-pitched whistles which are repeated, sometimes for a long time.
African Emerald Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus
Small, slim, forest cuckoo. Male is a gorgeous emerald green with yellow on the belly. Female is much duller and heavily barred, with hints of green on the rufous back. Found in moist forest, from sea level up to fairly high elevations. Inconspicuous canopy-dwelling species that is usually located by call, a distinctive “pre-ty, geor-gio”. Separated from other small green cuckoos by its lack of a white eyebrow or throat.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.