The puna tinamou, also known as Pentland's tinamou, is a member of the tinamou family. This species is native to the Andes Mountains in South America. The binomial name of the species commemorates the Irish natural scientist Joseph Barclay Pentland (1797–1873) by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1837. The IUCN list this species as Least Concern, with an occurrence range of 590,000 km2 (230,000 sq mi).
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs across the high Andes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina. It favors open puna grasslands, shrub-steppe, and rocky slopes with scattered bunchgrasses and low shrubs. Birds use boulder fields and tussock grass for cover and nesting. It may forage at the edges of cultivated fields in highland communities. Water is scarce in much of its range, and the species obtains moisture from food.
Altitude Range
3500–5000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Pentland's tinamou, this ground-dwelling bird inhabits the high Andean puna grasslands. It relies on camouflage and freezes or sprints rather than taking sustained flight. Males perform most incubation and chick-rearing, a hallmark of tinamous. Despite living at high elevations, it is fairly widespread and currently not considered at risk.
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by low glides
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups that keep close to cover. Nests are shallow ground scrapes concealed among grasses or rocks. As in many tinamous, the male incubates and leads the downy, precocial chicks. Breeding coincides with wetter periods when food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives far-carrying, mellow whistles and mournful, flute-like notes that travel across open slopes. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and can sound ventriloquial in windy puna habitats.
