Curve-billed Tinamou
Nothoprocta curvirostris
A terrestrial, chickenlike bird found only at very high elevations in the Andes. Inhabits grassy areas such as overgrown pastures and paramo;does not venture into dense forest. It has cinnamon underparts and dark brown upperparts that are heavily streaked with white; sometimes exhibits a small crest. Typical, but rarely heard call is a short, high-pitched whistle. Usually shy and hard to see, but occasionally comes out to feed in the open along quiet roads early in the morning.
Identification
A terrestrial, chickenlike bird found only at very high elevations in the Andes. Inhabits grassy areas such as overgrown pastures and paramo;does not venture into dense forest. It has cinnamon underparts and dark brown upperparts that are heavily streaked with white; sometimes exhibits a small crest. Typical, but rarely heard call is a short, high-pitched whistle. Usually shy and hard to see, but occasionally comes out to feed in the open along quiet roads early in the morning.
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.<p>The curve-billed tinamou has two subspecies as follows:<p>The curve-billed tinamou is approximately 28 cm (11 in) in length. Its upper parts are dark brown streaked with white and spotted with black. Its breast is rufous and spotted with white, its belly is tawny-buff and its crown is black, the sides of its head, and its throat and foreneck are white. Finally, its legs are brown in color.
- Scientific name
- Nothoprocta curvirostris
- Authority
- Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1873
- Order
- Tinamiformes
- Family
- Tinamidae
- Genus
- Nothoprocta
Range and habitat
This tinamou lives in the Andes of central and southern Colombia, through Ecuador and northern and central Peru. It prefers grassland at 2,800 to 3,700 m (9,200–12,100 ft) in altitude. It also can be found in high-altitude shrubland and pasture.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other tinamous, the curve-billed 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 IUCN list this species as Least Concern, with an occurrence range of 30,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi).
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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