Tinamotis pentlandii
The Puna Tinamou (Tinamotis pentlandii) is a distinctive medium-sized ground bird, measuring approximately 39-43 cm (15-17 in) in length and weighing 600-900 g (1.3-2.0 lbs). Its plumage is predominantly sandy-buff to grayish-brown, finely barred with black on the upperparts, providing exceptional camouflage against its high-altitude rocky and grassy environments. A key identification mark is its striking, often erected, shaggy blackish crest, which contrasts with a pale face and throat. The ...
Exclusively found in the high-altitude Andean puna and altiplano, inhabiting dry grasslands, sparse scrub, rocky slopes, and barren plains, typically between 3,500 and 5,000 meters (11,500-16,400 ft) above sea level.
Primarily omnivorous, consuming a mix of plant matter including seeds, leaves, roots, and berries, supplemented by small invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, spiders, and mollusks, obtained by pecking and scratching the ground.
Puna Tinamous are primarily diurnal, active during daylight hours, often resting during the hottest or coldest parts of the day, seeking shelter behind rocks or vegetation. They are extremely cryptic, relying on their camouflage and an uncanny ability to freeze motionless or run swiftly to evade ...
The Puna Tinamou is a resident species distributed across the high Andes of western South America, primarily within the Puna ecoregion. Its range extends from central and southern Peru, through western Bolivia, into northeastern Chile (Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions), and northwestern Argentina...
Least Concern
- The Puna Tinamou is one of the highest-dwelling bird species, regularly found at elevations over 4,500 meters (14,760 feet) in the Andes. - Its family, Tinamidae, represents the oldest lineage of flying birds in South America, predating even many raptors and songbirds. - Despite having wings, t...