Tinamú del Chocó
Choco Tinamou
Crypturellus kerriae
Song
Choco Tinamou
The Chocó Tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae). Read in Spanish
Appearance: The Chocó Tinamou is a medium-sized bird with a mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage in its dense humid forest habitat. It has a rounded body shape, short tail, strong reddish legs for running, and a small head with a short bill. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males generally being larger and more brightly colored than females.
Habitat: The Chocó Tinamou is primarily found in the rainforests the Chocó region in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador at 100-800 m. It inhabits dense undergrowth and forest floors within humid tropical forests, where it can forage for fruits, seeds, and small invertebrates. This species prefers areas with thick vegetation, including bamboo thickets and dense shrubbery.
Behavior: The Chocó Tinamou is a secretive and elusive bird that prefers to remain hidden in the undergrowth. It forages on the forest floor, using its strong legs to scratch the leaf litter in search of food. Chocó Tinamous are primarily active during the early morning and late afternoon, seeking cover during the heat of the day.
Breeding: Breeding behavior in Chocó Tinamous involves courtship displays, duetting between mates, and establishment of territories. Males may perform visual and vocal displays to attract females, and pairs males engage in duets to strengthen their bond. Females typically lay a small clutch of eggs in a concealed nest on the forest floor, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Conservation Status: The Chocó Tinamou is considered vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation and human activities.
Distribution
The Choco Tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) is a species of tinamou found in the Chocó region of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. In Colombia, the Chocó Tinamou is primarily distributed within the Chocó biogeographic region, which encompasses parts of the Pacific coast and western slopes of the Andes mountain range. Here are some specific regions in Colombia where the Chocó Tinamou can be found:
Chocó Department: The Chocó Tinamou is named after the Chocó Department in Colombia, where it is known to occur. This region is characterized by lush tropical rainforests, high levels of rainfall, and high biodiversity, providing suitable habitat for the tinamou species.
Valle del Cauca: Parts of the Valle del Cauca department in western Colombia also fall within the range of the Chocó Tinamou. This region includes diverse ecosystems such as tropical forests, montane cloud forests, and paramo habitats where the tinamou species can be found.
Cauca Department: The Cauca Department, located south of the Valle del Cauca department, is another area where the Chocó Tinamou is distributed. The varied topography and vegetation types in this region support populations of the tinamou species.
Nariño Department: In southern Colombia, the Nariño Department is another area where the Chocó Tinamou is present. The rugged terrain and diverse landscapes in Nariño provide suitable habitats for a variety of bird species, including the Chocó Tinamou.
Taxonomy
The Choco Tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Crypturellus
- Species: Crypturellus kerriae
Vocalization
The Chocó Tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae)
Whistled Calls: Chocó Tinamous are known for their distinctive whistled calls. These calls are typically high-pitched and melodious, with variations in pitch and rhythm. The whistles can be used for communication between individuals, establishing territory boundaries, and during courtship displays.
Advertising Calls: Male Chocó Tinamous use loud, repetitive calls to advertise their presence and attract mates. These calls are often heard during the breeding season and serve as a way for males to establish their territories and warn off potential rivals.
Duetting: Chocó Tinamous engage in duetting, where both males and females participate in coordinated vocalizations. Duetting can serve as a way for bonded pairs to strengthen their relationship, communicate within the pair, and defend their territory.
Drumming Sound: In addition to their vocalizations, Chocó Tinamous are known to produce a drumming sound by beating their wings against their bodies. This drumming display is often part of their courtship behavior and can be heard as a low, rhythmic sound.
