Tinamú Patirrojo
Red-legged Tinamou
Crypturellus erythropus
Song
Red-legged Tinamou
Appearance: The Red-legged Tinamou (Crypturellus erythropus) is a medium-sized bird with a rounded body and small head. As the name suggests, it has striking red legs, contrasting with its predominantly brown plumage. Its chest may have a reddish tinge, and it has a short, rounded tail. Reddish legs. The sexes generally have similar appearances, with the males sometimes showing brighter colors.
Habitat: Red-legged Tinamous are primarily found in tropical and subtropical forests, including both humid and dry forests. They inhabit the forest understory, relying on dense vegetation for cover. These birds are often secretive and solitary in nature, making them challenging to spot despite their relatively common presence in suitable habitats.
Behavior: Red-legged Tinamous are predominantly ground-dwelling birds, foraging for fruits, seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates in the leaf litter. They are known for their terrestrial habits and their ability to freeze or hide when threatened, relying on their cryptic plumage to blend into their surroundings.
Breeding: During the breeding season, male Red-legged Tinamous may establish territories and display courtship behaviors to attract females. These birds build shallow, cup-shaped nests on the ground, where the female lays a clutch of eggs. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and caring for the young until they are able to fend for themselves.
Distribution
Andean Region: The Red-legged Tinamou can be found in the Andean region of Colombia, which includes areas along the eastern and western slopes of the Andes mountains. These birds are adapted to the montane forests and cloud forests found in this region.Amazon Region: In Colombia's Amazon region, the Red-legged Tinamou occurs in the tropical and subtropical rainforests of the Amazon basin. The dense and lush vegetation provides suitable habitats for these birds to thrive.
Pacific Coast: Along the Pacific coast of Colombia, the Red-legged Tinamou can be found in the coastal rainforests and lowland forests that line the western edge of the country. These coastal habitats offer a different ecological niche for the species.
Orinoco Region: The Red-legged Tinamou is also present in the Orinoco region of Colombia, which includes areas of savannas, wetlands, and gallery forests along the Orinoco River and its tributaries. These habitats provide a diverse range of ecosystems for the species to inhabit.
Taxonomy
The Red-legged Tinamou (Crypturellus erythropus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Crypturellus
- Species: Crypturellus erythropus
Vocalization
Whistled Calls: Red-legged Tinamous are known for their distinctive whistled calls that are often described as clear, melodious, and penetrating. These calls are used to establish territory boundaries and to communicate with other individuals in the area. The whistled calls can vary in pitch and duration depending on the context and the bird's emotional state.
Advertising Calls: Male Red-legged Tinamous often emit advertising calls during the breeding season to attract females and assert their presence in the territory. These calls are typically loud and repetitive, serving to signal the male's availability and vigor to potential mates.
Agonistic Calls: When threatened or agitated, Red-legged Tinamous may produce aggressive calls that signal distress or a warning to intruders. These calls are generally harsher and more urgent compared to their typical vocalizations, indicating a heightened state of alertness or alarm.
Drumming Sounds: In addition to vocalizations, male Red-legged Tinamous can also produce drumming sounds by rapidly beating their wings against their bodies. This drumming behavior is often associated with courtship displays and is intended to attract females by showcasing the male's physical prowess and vitality.
Soft Chirps: Outside of territorial and courtship contexts, Red-legged Tinamous may emit soft, gentle chirping sounds that serve as contact calls among group members or as low-intensity communication signals in non-threatening situations.
