The spotted nothura is a species of tinamou. This bird is native to grassy habitats in eastern and southern Brazil, Paraguay,Bolivia, Uruguay, and eastern and northern Argentina.
Region
Eastern and Southern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs across grassy habitats in eastern and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and eastern to northern Argentina. It favors open to semi-open environments such as pampas grasslands, campos, cerrado edges, pastures, and agricultural mosaics. It often uses tall grass or low shrub cover for concealment and nests on the ground in dense tufts. It avoids dense forests and very arid open deserts but readily persists in moderately modified farmland.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The spotted nothura is a small ground-dwelling tinamou that can fly short distances despite being related to ratites. Males incubate clutches that may include eggs from multiple females and then lead the precocial chicks. Its clear, whistled call carries far across grasslands, especially at dawn and dusk.
A small clutch of N. maculosa eggs
Nothura maculosa in the National Park of Serra da Canastra - Brasil
Temperament
shy and cryptic
Flight Pattern
explosive takeoff with short rapid wingbeats; low, fast dashes before dropping back to cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, sometimes small loose groups in non-breeding season. The nest is a simple ground scrape hidden in dense grass. Males incubate and rear the chicks, often from a clutch containing eggs laid by multiple females. Chicks are precocial and follow the male soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, plaintive series of whistled notes, often descending in pitch. Calls carry over long distances at dawn and dusk and may sound ventriloquial from within grass cover.
Plumage
Densely mottled and spotted with buff and black over a brown background; upperparts finely vermiculated, underparts paler with streaking and spotting. Plumage is cryptic and blends with dry grasses. Short tail and rounded wings typical of tinamous.
Diet
Eats seeds and green plant matter, fallen grains, and small fruits. Supplements with insects and other invertebrates such as beetles, ants, and termites, especially in the breeding season. Forages by walking and pecking at the ground, often under cover of grasses.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open grasslands, pastures, stubble fields, and along field margins where cover is nearby. Frequently uses ecotones between tall grass and more open patches to remain concealed while foraging.
