Crypturellus soui
The Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui) is a quintessential, yet often unseen, denizen of Neotropical forests. Measuring 18-24 cm (7.1-9.4 inches) in length and weighing 150-230 grams (5.3-8.1 ounces), this small, ground-dwelling bird possesses a plump, chicken-like body, a small head, and short, strong legs, often appearing tailless. Its plumage is cryptically colored, typically uniform brownish to olive-brown on the upperparts, with paler, sometimes grayish or buffy, underparts and a distinc...
Inhabits a wide variety of lowland tropical and subtropical forests, including secondary growth, dense scrub, plantations, and forest edges, from sea level up to 2000 meters.
Feeds primarily on fallen fruits and berries, seeds, and various invertebrates, including ants, termites, beetles, and spiders, foraging mainly on the forest floor.
Extremely shy and solitary, the Little Tinamou is primarily crepuscular, active during dawn and dusk, though it can forage throughout the day. It slowly walks on the forest floor, using its bill to probe leaf litter for food, rarely scratching. Males establish and defend territories, attracting m...
The Little Tinamou boasts an extensive range, spanning from extreme southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas) throughout Central America, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its distribution continues across a vast portion of northern and central South A...
Least Concern
- Often called the 'ghost of the forest' because its haunting calls are frequently heard, but the bird itself is rarely seen. - Male Little Tinamous shoulder all parental duties, from incubating the eggs to raising the precocial young. - Their eggs are incredibly beautiful, resembling polished po...