Tawny-breasted Tinamou
Nothocercus julius
Plump chickenlike bird found on the ground inside montane forest from extreme western Venezuela to extreme northern Peru. Dark brownish overall with a paler throat, messy vermiculation on the upperparts and flanks, and a warm tawny belly. Occurs from around 1,500m-3,200m, within forest. Very rarely seen. Listen for its song, a series of repeated querulous notes.
Identification
The tawny-breasted tinamou has brown upperparts barred with black, and its wings have buff spots. Below its bright chestnut head, it has a white throat. Its breast and flanks are olivaceous brown, while the rest of its underparts are bright rufous. This tinamou measures 35.5–38 cm (14.0–15.0 in) in length.
Taxonomy
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. The species is named after Jules Verreaux.
- Scientific name
- Nothocercus julius
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1854)
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Nothocercus
Range and habitat
The tawny-breasted tinamou is a type of ground bird found in montane moist forest up to 1,700 to 3,350 m (5,580–10,990 ft) altitude. This species is native to the Andes in far western Venezuela, central Colombia, Ecuador, and southern Peru.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other tinamous, the tawny-breasted 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 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 tawny-breasted tinamou is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 110,000 km2 (42,000 sq mi).
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-bellied Redstart
Luscinia phaenicuroides
A dark, medium-sized songbird with a long orange-sided tail, totally unlike any other redstart. Breeds in shrubby montane areas, particularly in the transition zone between forest and more open habitats; winters in similarly dense habitat at lower elevations. Male is predominantly grayish blue, with orange tail edges and a white belly. Female lacks the namesake white underparts and is instead brown overall with darker upperparts. Immature males have a blue head and chest, but are otherwise brown overall. Other redstarts in its range have a noticeably shorter-tailed profile. Song is an alternating series of clear, bell-like whistles and slurred whistles; most common call is a hard “tuktuk,” like stones knocking together.
Buff-breasted Sabrewing
Campylopterus duidae
Large green and buff-colored hummingbird of the remote tepui highlands of southern Venezuela and extreme northern Brazil. Note the green upperparts, whitish spot behind the eye, and buff tail and underparts. Sexes similar. Common in tepui highlands, in bushes, forest edges, and open areas with small trees. Territorial, often alone or in pairs close to flowers. Voice is a nasal “dui” note repeated many times.
Gabon Coucal
Centropus anselli
A large, reddish-bellied forest coucal of Central African forests, occasionally found in more open and disturbed habitats. Most often detected by its call, which is a long or short series of hollow loud hoots, the last few usually lower, sometimes given as a duet. Overlaps locally with Black-throated Coucal, which has a black throat and a cream-colored belly.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.