Tinamú Chico
Little Tinamou
Crypturellus soui
Song
Little Tinamou
Appearance: The Little Tinamou is a small bird, about 23-25 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 typically 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: In Colombia, the Little tinamou is considered relatively common in suitable habitats throughout its range. Due to its secretive behavior, specific population data may be limited. It is categorized as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not currently considered threatened with extinction.
Distribution
The Amazon Basin: Little Tinamous can be found in the lowland and foothill forests of the Amazon region in Colombia, 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: In Colombia, 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 typically loud, repetitive, and can be heard over long distances, signaling the male's presence and fitness to potential mates.
Alarm Calls: Little Tinamous use sharp and abrupt alarm calls to alert others of potential threats or predators in the vicinity. These alarm calls are crucial for survival, as they help warn other members of the group to take evasive action and remain vigilant.
Contact Calls: Little Tinamous emit soft contact calls to keep in touch with each other while foraging or moving through their forest habitat. These calls help members of the group stay together and maintain social cohesion, especially in dense vegetation where visual contact may be limited.
Agonistic Calls: During territorial disputes or confrontations with rival individuals, Little Tinamous may produce aggressive or antagonistic calls to assert dominance and defend their territory. These calls can be intense, rapid, and serve to deter intruders or competitors.
