Tinamú Chico
Tinamú Chico
Crypturellus soui
Song
Little Tinamou
Appearance: The Little Tinamou is a small bird, about 23 cm in length, with a cryptic plumage that blends well with the forest floor. It has a brownish-gray overall coloration with fine barring on the wings and chest, helping it remain camouflaged in its habitat.
Habitat: The Little Tinamou inhabits dense tropical forests, including both primary and secondary forests, as well as forest edges and clearings. They prefer areas with thick undergrowth where they can find cover and forage for food. Found up to 2000 m.
Behavior: Little Tinamous are primarily ground-dwelling birds, rarely taking to the air, and prefer running or walking through the forest understory. They are known to be secretive and shy, often remaining hidden among the vegetation to avoid detection.
Breeding: Little Tinamous are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. Breeding occurs during the rainy season when food availability is higher. Females usually build shallow nest scrapes on the forest floor and incubate the eggs alone.
Conservation Status: The Little Tinamou is categorized as a species of Least oncern on the IUCN.
Distribution
The Amazon Basin: Little Tinamous can be found in the lowland and foothill forests of the Amazon region where they thrive in the dense vegetation and undergrowth.
Andean Region: These birds are also present in the forests of the Andes Mountains in Colombia. They may inhabit forested slopes and valleys within the Andean region.
Caribbean Coast: The Little Tinamou can be found in the forested areas along the Caribbean coast, where suitable habitat provides cover and resources for these birds.
Other Regions: Little Tinamous may also occur in other forested areas of Colombia, including departments such as Amazonas, Caquetá, Putumayo, Meta, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, and Chocó.
Taxonomy
The Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Crypturellus
- Species: Crypturellus soui
Vocalization
Whistled Calls: Little Tinamous are known for their mournful and haunting whistled calls, which are often described as melodious and flute-like. These calls are used for communication within their social group, maintaining contact with mates or family members, and establishing territory boundaries.
Advertising Calls: During the breeding season, male Little Tinamous may produce advertising calls to attract females. These calls are loud, repetitive, and can be heard over long distances, signaling the male's presence and fitness to potential mates.
