Yellow-legged Tinamou
Crypturellus noctivagus
A very shy and hard to see tinamou, endemic to Brazil. If views allow, note the heavily barred back and vent, rufous belly and throat, yellow legs, dark gray breast, and a pale well-marked eyebrow. Found in forest, scrub, and savanna. The voice is a series of mournful deep hoots: “woo wuh wuh wuh.”
Identification
The yellow-legged tinamou is approximately 28 to 31 cm (11.0–12.2 in) in length. Its upperparts are grey, its lower back and wings are barred black, its neck and upper breast are greyish, its lower breast is rufous and its belly is whitish. It has a blackish cap and a buffy supercilium. The supercilium is broadest and most prominent in the race zabele, which also is paler overall, has a whiter (less rufescent) throat and brighter yellow legs than the nominate race.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Crypturellus noctivagus
- Authority
- (Wied-Neuwied, M, 1820)
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Crypturellus
Range and habitat
Its preferred habitat is humid forest, but the subspecies zabele also occurs in drier wooded habitats, such as savanna-woodland and Caatinga. It can be found at elevation of 700 m (2,300 ft) or less.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other tinamous, the yellow-legged tinamou 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 yellow-legged tinamou suffers from widespread and continuing habitat destruction and hunting pressure. Overall, although its numbers are decreasing they are not critical and therefore listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. It has an occurrence range of 1,470,000 km2 (570,000 sq mi). There are no recent records from parts of its range, and it appears to have been extirpated from Rio de Janeiro.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sumatran Leafbird
Chloropsis media
Uncommon and declining Sumatran endemic, restricted to foothill forest at 600-1000 meters. A typical leafbird, with a predominantly bright green body in both sexes. Male has a dark “half-mask” and throat, as well as a dark purplish-blue malar stripe. Female has a faint sky-blue malar stripe, but otherwise lacks dark coloration on her face. Both sexes have a yellow forecrown and a blue shoulder patch. Juvenile is unmarked green all over, with a faint yellow eyering. Compare with Greater Green Leafbird, Lesser Green Leafbird, and Blue-winged Leafbird, none of which have a yellow forecrown. Loud, musical song incorporates mimicry.
Morotai White-eye
Zosterops dehaani
A tiny warbler-like songbird with a pale eye-ring, endemic to Morotai. Note black head, a broad white eye-ring, a pale forehead line, a pale patch between bill and eye, a gray back, and no yellow below. Singles, pairs, or groups inhabit forest, edge, and cultivated areas in lowlands and hills. Gives a high-pitched twittering song, characteristic of white-eyes.
White-winged Potoo
Nyctibius leucopterus
Uncommon, rarely seen potoo, active only at night. If found during the day, large white wing patches are key to identification. Occurs in tall forest, especially in hilly regions and those with sandy soils; absent from coastal and savanna areas. Roosts on branches, compressing plumage to mimic part of the tree, like other potoos. In spotlight beam, some Common Potoos may appear to have white wing patches; those of White-winged are larger and brighter. Unusual call is a long, thin, falling whistle, which does not carry far.
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