Tinamú Grande
Great Tinamou
Tinamus major
Song
Great Tinamou
Appearance: The Great Tinamou is a large, ground-dwelling bird with a body length of around 43-45& cm - 17 in). It has a dark plumage with black, brown, and reddish-brown coloring, and a prominent white throat. The bird has a rufescent head with no markings above, a short neck, and a long tail.
Habitat: Tinamous inhabit dense tropical forests, including humid lowland rainforests, montane forests, and forest edges from coast to 1500 m. They are found in areas with thick vegetation where they can forage for fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals on the forest floor.
Behavior: These birds are known for their secretive nature and are often heard more than seen due to their shy behavior. Great Tinamous are terrestrial, spending most of their time foraging on the forest floor. They are skilled runners and can move swiftly through the undergrowth to escape predators.
Breeding: Great Tinamous are monogamous and form pairs during the breeding season. The female constructs a well-hidden nest on the ground, where she lays a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after about three weeks. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are born in an advanced state and are able to move around shortly after hatching.
Conservation Status: The Great Tinamou is classified as a species of "Near Threatened Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
Andean Region: The Great Tinamou can be found in the Andean region including the eastern and western Andean slopes.They are known to inhabit the montane forests and cloud forests found in the Andean mountain range.
Amazon Region: The Amazon region is another important habitat for the Great Tinamou.These birds are found in the Amazon rainforest and its surrounding areas, where they forage on the forest floor and feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, and insects.
Chocó Region: The Chocó region on the Pacific coast is also a significant area where the Great Tinamou can be found. This region is characterized by lush tropical forests, which provide suitable habitat for these birds.
Orinoco Region: The Orinoco region, which includes parts of the eastern plains and lowlands, is another habitat for the Great Tinamou.They are known to occur in the savannas and forested areas of this region.
Other Regions: Great Tinamous may also occur in other forested areas, including the Magdalena Valley, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and other parts with suitable habitat. The Great Tinamou's distribution is closely tied to the presence of suitable forested habitats, as these birds prefer dense vegetation and forested areas where they can hide and forage on the ground.
Taxonomy
The Great Tinamou (Tinamus major)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Tinamus
- Species: Tinamus major
Vocalization
Booming Call: The most striking vocalization of the Great Tinamou is often described as a deep, resonant, and haunting booming call. This call is heard during the early morning or late evening and can carry for long distances through the dense forest. The booming call is used by males to establish territories and attract mates.Whistling
Calls: The Great Tinamous also produce a variety of whistling calls, including sharp whistles and bubbling or trilling sounds. These calls are used in different contexts, such as communication between pairs or family groups, signaling alarm, or expressing agitation.
Hooting Sounds: Great Tinamous may also make hooting sounds, akin to a series of deep hoots or grunts, which can vary in intensity and pitch. These hooting sounds are part of their vocal repertoire and serve various communication purposes within their social interactions.
Duetting: During the breeding season, Great Tinamous engage in vocal duetting, where males and females take turns calling to each other in synchronized patterns. This duetting behavior reinforces pair bonds and communication between mates.
Variability: It's worth noting that the vocalizations of Great Tinamous can vary among individuals and populations, with regional dialects and slight variations in calls observed across their range.
