Great Tinamou

The Great Tinamou, Tinamus major, is a ground-dwelling bird native to the lush forests of Central and South America. This species, despite its name, is not necessarily the largest tinamou, but it is comparable in size to a large pheasant or a small turkey. It measures approximately 38 to 46 cm in length and weighs between 700 to 1,142 grams in males and 945 to 1,249 grams in females. Its plumage ranges from light to dark olive-green, with a whitish throat and belly, flanks barred black, and an undertail of cinnamon hue. The crown and neck are rufous, while the occipital crest and supercilium are blackish. Its legs are a blue-grey color, and these features collectively provide excellent camouflage in the rainforest understory.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Great Tinamou, look for its olive-green coloration, whitish underparts, and the distinctive barring on the flanks. The rufous neck and blackish crest are also key features. Its blue-grey legs can be a helpful identifier if visible. The bird's size and shape may remind one of a pheasant or turkey, aiding in its identification.

Habitat

The Great Tinamou thrives in a variety of forest habitats, including subtropical and tropical rainforests, lowland evergreen forests, river-edge forests, swamp forests, and cloud forests. It is found at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across Central and South America, from southeast Mexico through Guatemala and Honduras, extending down to Bolivia and west Brazil.

Behaviour

The Great Tinamou is a solitary bird, except during mating when pairs stay together until the eggs are laid. It roams the dark understory alone, foraging for seeds, fruits, and small animals such as insects, spiders, frogs, and small lizards in the leaf litter. It is particularly fond of fruits from the Lauraceae, Annonaceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapotaceae families.

Song & Calls

The call of the Great Tinamou is a distinctive series of three short, tremulous but powerful piping notes, often heard in the early evenings within its rainforest habitat.

Breeding

This species exhibits polygynandrous behavior with exclusive male parental care. Females lay an average of four bright blue or violet eggs per clutch, which the male incubates and cares for the chicks for about three weeks. Females may start nests with multiple males throughout the breeding season.

Diet and Feeding

The Great Tinamou feeds on seeds, fruits, and small animals found in the leaf litter. It has a particular preference for fruits from certain plant families, including Lauraceae, Annonaceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapotaceae.

Conservation status

The Great Tinamou is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is widespread throughout its large range and is hunted without significant impact on its population.