The highland tinamou or Bonaparte's tinamou is a type of ground bird found in montane moist forest typically over 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude.
Region
Central America and Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Found from the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama south through the Andean slopes of Colombia and Ecuador, reaching into northern Peru. It inhabits montane moist and cloud forests, often in areas with dense understory such as bamboo (Chusquea) thickets and mossy ravines. The species uses mature forest but will also occur in well-developed secondary forest where cover remains intact. It stays near the forest floor, favoring steep slopes and ridge trails with ample leaf litter. Local presence is often patchy, corresponding to intact forest tracts.
Altitude Range
1500–3400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The highland tinamou, also called Bonaparte's tinamou, is a shy ground-dweller of cloud forests that prefers to run rather than fly, flushing only in short, whirring bursts. Like other tinamous, the male performs most of the parental duties, incubating eggs and caring for the chicks. Its low, mournful whistles carry far through the montane forest at dawn and dusk. Despite a broad range, it is sensitive to habitat degradation and hunting.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with explosive flush; low, direct flight
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally in small family groups. Nests are simple ground scrapes concealed in dense cover. As in many tinamous, males incubate and rear the brood, sometimes from a clutch laid by multiple females. Chicks are precocial and follow the male shortly after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A low, mournful series of clear whistles, often 3–5 notes, that carry far in still mountain air. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and can be ventriloquial, making the bird hard to locate.
