Brushland tinamou facts for kids
The brushland tinamou (Nothoprocta cinerascens) is a special type of bird found in dry, bushy areas in southern South America. It lives in places that are often high up, like mountainsides.
Quick facts for kids Brushland tinamou |
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Nothoprocta
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| Species: |
cinerascens
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N. c. cinerascens (Burmeister, 1860) |
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Contents
About Brushland Tinamous
All tinamous belong to the family Tinamidae. They are also part of a larger group of birds called ratites. Other ratites include ostriches and emus. Unlike most ratites, tinamous can fly, though they are not very strong fliers. Scientists believe that all ratites came from ancient flying birds. Tinamous are the closest living relatives to these prehistoric birds.
Discovering the Brushland Tinamou
A scientist named Hermann Burmeister first described the brushland tinamou. He found a specimen in Tucumán Province, Argentina, in 1860. More recently, a study in 2022 looked at how different tinamous are related. It found that the brushland tinamou is more closely related to some birds in the Rhynchotus group than to other birds in its own Nothoprocta group.
Types of Brushland Tinamous
The brushland tinamou has two main types, called subspecies:
- N. c. cinerascens: This type lives in southeastern Bolivia, northwestern Paraguay, and central Argentina.
- N. c. parvimaculata: This type is found in northwestern Argentina, specifically in eastern La Rioja Province.
What Does a Brushland Tinamou Look Like?
The brushland tinamou is about 31.5 centimeters (12.4 inches) long. It weighs around 540 grams (1.2 pounds). Its back and upper parts are grey or olive-brown with black stripes. It also has clear white streaks. The top of its head is black. The sides of its head and its throat are white. Its lower throat has black stripes. The bird's chest is grey with white spots, and its belly is whitish. Its legs are dark grey. Female brushland tinamous are usually a bit larger and darker in color than males.
Where Do Brushland Tinamous Live?
This bird is native to several parts of South America. You can find it in southeastern Bolivia, northwestern Paraguay, and in northwestern and central Argentina.
Brushland Tinamou Homes
Brushland tinamous prefer to live in dry, bushy areas. They are often found at altitudes up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). However, they can sometimes be seen as high as 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). They also live in dry savannas, dry grasslands, or grasslands that get flooded during certain seasons. Sometimes, they even live in pastureland and farmland.
How Brushland Tinamous Behave
The brushland tinamou makes a special call. It's a series of seven to ten clear, whistling notes that can be heard from far away. They use these calls to protect their territory, which can be about 50 acres (20 hectares) big. They mostly eat insects and small animals. They also enjoy some fruits.
Raising a Family
Male brushland tinamous attract two to four females. The females lay their eggs in a nest, which is usually hidden in thick bushes. After laying their eggs, the females often leave to find other males. The male tinamou then stays to incubate the eggs. He also takes care of the chicks once they hatch.
Protecting the Brushland Tinamou
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has classified the brushland tinamou as a species of Least Concern. This means that it is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. The area where they live covers about 1,200,000 square kilometers (460,000 square miles).
