Tinamú Cenizo
Cinereous Tinamou
Crypturellus cinereus
Song
Cinereous Tinamou
Appearance: The Cinereous Tinamou is a medium-sized bird measuring approximately 30 cm in length. It has a predominantly dark gray or cinereous plumage with mottled patterns. The bird has a short tail and a relatively long neck. Grayish legs. No other Amazonian tinamou is so dark as this one
Habitat: The Cinereous Tinamou typically inhabits lowland and montane forests, especially areas with dense undergrowth. Up to 500 m. It can also be found in secondary forests, plantations, and sometimes in shrublands. This species prefers areas with moist or humid conditions. Seldom emerges from cover.
Behavior: Cinereous Tinamous are known to be shy and elusive birds, often relying on their cryptic plumage for camouflage. They are primarily terrestrial, spending much of their time on the forest floor, where they forage for seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs, being most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
Breeding: The breeding habits of the Cinereous Tinamou are not extensively studied. Like other tinamou species, they likely engage in monogamous relationships during the breeding season. Their nests are usually simple scrapes on the ground, where the female lays a clutch of eggs which are then incubated by both parents.
Conservation Status The Cinereous Tinamou is classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN.
Distribution
Andes Region: The Cinereous Tinamou is present in the eastern Andes of Colombia, including regions like Boyacá, Santander, Norte de Santander, and Cundinamarca. Within the Andean region, these birds can be found in montane forests and cloud forests at elevations ranging from around 1,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level.
Amazon Region: In the Amazon region of Colombia, the Cinereous Tinamou inhabits the foothills and lower elevations of the Andean-Amazonian transition zone. This species can be found in dense tropical rainforests, wetlands, and other forested areas throughout the Amazon basin in Colombia.
Taxonomy
The Cinereous Tinamou (Crypturellus cinereus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Crypturellus
- Species: Crypturellus cinereus
Vocalization
Advertising Call: This call is often a loud, repeated whistle that serves to proclaim the presence of the bird and establish territory.
Contact Call: A softer, more melodic vocalization used for communication between mates or family members. It helps them stay in contact when they are separated.
Call: A sharp, high-pitched call that signals danger or alerts other individuals to a potential threat in the vicinity.
Territorial Call: A distinctive call used to demarcate territory boundaries and warn off other members of their species or potential threats.
Mating Call: During the breeding season, males may produce specific calls to attract females and announce their readiness to mate. These vocalizations are essential for social interaction, maintaining territories, mating, and predator avoidance in the wild. Each call has a distinct sound and rhythm that conveys specific messages to other Cinereous tinamous in the vicinity.
