Spanish Name
White-throated Tinamou
Tinamus guttatus
Song
White-throated Tinamou
Appearance: This tinamou has a cryptic plumage that provides excellent camouflage in its forested habitat. White spotted underparts are unique. It has a distinctive white throat, mottled brown and black upperparts, and reddish-brown underparts. Its legs are sturdy, adapted for ground-dwelling, and it has a relatively small head with a short, pointed bill.
Habitat and Behavior: White-throated Tinamous are typically found in lowland tropical forests, dense woodlands, and thick undergrowth in Central and South America, including Colombia. They are secretive and elusive birds that prefer to forage on the forest floor, using their well-developed legs to walk and run rather than fly. They feed on a variety of seeds, fallen fruits, insects, and small invertebrates. Fairly common.These birds are primarily active during the early morning and dusk, foraging for food and navigating through the dense vegetation. They are known for their melodious whistled songs, which they use for territorial defense, communication, and courtship.
Breeding: White-throated Tinamous are monogamous birds that form strong pair bonds during the breeding season. The female typically constructs a shallow nest on the ground, where she lays a clutch of eggs. Both parents share the incubation duties and care for the young chicks once they hatch.
Conservation Status: The White-throated Tinamou faces threats primarily from habitat loss due to deforestation, logging, and human encroachment. Additionally, hunting pressure and illegal capture for the pet trade pose additional risks to the species.The conservation status of the White-throated Tinamou in Colombia is categorized as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
The White-throated Tinamou (Tinamus guttatus) is another species of tinamou found in Colombia, although it has a different distribution compared to the Black Tinamou. In Colombia, the White-throated Tinamou is typically found in specific regions within the country, mainly in the following areas:
- Eastern Andes: The White-throated Tinamou can be found in parts of the eastern slopes of the Andes mountain range in Colombia, including regions of Meta, Caquetá, and Huila departments.
- Amazon Basin: This species also occurs in certain areas within the Colombian Amazon region, including parts of Putumayo and Amazonas departments.
- Eastern Plains: The White-throated Tinamou is known to inhabit areas in the eastern plains of Colombia, such as Meta and Vichada departments.
The White-throated Tinamou prefers dense tropical and subtropical forests, including both lowland rainforests and montane forests, within its distribution range in Colombia. These habitats provide the necessary cover and food resources for the species to thrive. Similar to the Black Tinamou, habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human activities pose significant threats to the White-throated Tinamou's populations in Colombia.
Taxonomy
The Name of Bird (Latin name)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Tinamiformes
- Family: Tinamidae
- Genus: Tinamus
- Species: Tinamus guttatus
Vocalization
The vocalization of the White-throated Tinamou is typically described as a series of whistles or flute-like calls. These birds are known to be relatively shy and elusive, so their vocalizations are often used by researchers and birdwatchers to locate them in dense forest habitats where they are commonly found.
The calls can vary in pitch and duration and may be used for communication between individuals, territorial displays, or in mating rituals. White-throated tinamous are known for their unique calls that add to the diversity and richness of tropical bird sounds in their native habitats.
