Rhynchotus rufescens
The Red-winged Tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) is a striking, large-bodied game bird endemic to central and eastern South America, often described as a partridge-like creature. Averaging 40-44 cm (16-17 inches) in length and weighing between 700-1100 grams (1.5-2.4 lbs), its robust build is characterized by a stocky body, short tail, and a distinctly long, decurved bill. Its plumage is a mosaic of reddish-brown on the upperparts, with fine barring, contrasting with a paler, often buffy, unders...
Primarily inhabits open grasslands, savannas (Cerrado), agricultural fields, and open woodland edges, often preferring areas with dense grassy cover or scrub, sometimes near water sources. It is found at low to moderate elevations, typically below 1,500 meters.
An omnivorous species, its diet consists predominantly of seeds, fruits, leaves, and a variety of invertebrates such as ants, termites, and beetles. It forages by pecking and scratching at the ground.
This largely diurnal species is most active during the cooler parts of the day, particularly at dawn and dusk, when its characteristic calls are most frequently heard; it roosts on the ground within dense vegetation. Foraging involves slow, deliberate walking, scratching at the leaf litter, and p...
The Red-winged Tinamou has a broad distribution across central and eastern South America, encompassing substantial areas of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Its breeding range extends from central and northeastern Brazil, including the Cerrado and Pantanal regions, south through...
Least Concern
- The Red-winged Tinamou's eggs are famously glossy and colorful, often appearing in shades of iridescent blue, green, or purple, resembling polished porcelain. - Despite its ability to fly, it is more commonly heard than seen, with its melancholic, flute-like call being a hallmark sound of the S...