Nothocercus bonapartei
The Highland Tinamou (*Nothocercus bonapartei*) is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird of the ancient Tinamidae family, typically measuring 35.5-38 cm (14-15 inches) in length and weighing between 700-920g. Its plumage is a masterclass in cryptic camouflage, generally dark and dull, featuring a distinctive blackish crown contrasting with greyish cheeks and rufous underparts, while its upperparts are olive-brown finely barred with black. These subtle markings, combined with its shy and secret...
Primarily found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, including cloud forests, at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,700 meters (5,000 to 12,000 feet).
Feeds primarily on fallen fruits, berries, and seeds, supplemented by insects such as beetles and ants, along with other small invertebrates found in the forest understory.
Highland Tinamous are exceedingly shy and secretive birds, typically active during crepuscular hours (dawn and dusk) but also foraging quietly during the day. They spend most of their lives on the forest floor, walking deliberately and scratching through leaf litter for food. When startled, they ...
The Highland Tinamou has a widespread but fragmented distribution across the high-elevation Andes Mountains of South America, primarily ranging through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northwestern Venezuela. It is a resident species, with no known migratory patterns. Five recognized subspecies inhab...
Least Concern
- Highland Tinamous belong to the ancient Tinamidae family, considered one of the oldest bird lineages, often called "paleognaths" alongside ratites. - Despite their ability to fly, they prefer to run or remain hidden, only flushing as a last resort with a characteristic whirring sound. - Their e...