Highland tinamou

Highland tinamou

Bonaparte's tinamou

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Nothocercus bonapartei

The highland tinamou or Bonaparte's tinamou (Nothocercus bonapartei ) is a type of ground bird found in montane moist forest typically over 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude.

Animal name origin

The specific name bonapartei, a Latin genitive of the name Bonaparte, commemorates Charles Lucien Bonaparte.

Appearance

The highland tinamou averages 38.5 cm (15.2 in) long, and weighs 925 g (2.039 lb). Its plumage is mottled or barred with black and cinnamon on back and wings with a rufous throat.

Distribution

Geography

This tinamou is located in the Andes of Colombia, eastern Ecuador, northern Peru, western Venezuela, and the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.

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The highland tinamou frequents montane forest above 1,500 m (4,900 ft), liking damp areas, especially bamboo thickets, and ravines.

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Highland tinamou habitat map
Highland tinamou habitat map
Highland tinamou
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Habits and Lifestyle

The highland tinamou is a shy tinamou and usually solitary or in small groups of up to five. It likes to eat fruit from the ground or hanging from low plants, and will sometimes eat insects. Its call is a repetitive loud and hollow call by the male.

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During breeding season, the male will incubate the eggs which may be from more than one female and may consist of 4-12 eggs. After hatching the male will also take care of the chicks.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Population

Conservation

This species is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, and even though it is hunted for food, its population seems to be stable. It has an occurrence range of 140,000 km2 (54,000 sq mi).

References

1. Highland tinamou Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_tinamou
2. Highland tinamou on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678154/92758475
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/641695

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