Taczanowski's tinamou is a type of ground bird found in the eastern Andes in Peru in the Junín, Cuzco, Apurímac, Ayacucho, and Puno Regions.
Region
Central and Southern Peruvian Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs on the eastern slopes and high intermontane valleys of the Andes in the regions of Junín, Cusco, Apurímac, Ayacucho, and Puno. It favors puna grasslands, shrubby slopes, rocky ravines, and edges of Polylepis and montane scrub. Birds often use steep, sparsely vegetated hillsides and tussock grass for cover. It may also venture into high-elevation agricultural mosaics and fallow fields when undisturbed.
Altitude Range
3000–4600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Taczanowski's tinamou is a cryptic ground-dwelling tinamou of the Peruvian Andes and a member of the ancient paleognath lineage that also includes ostriches and kiwis. Although capable of short, explosive flights, it prefers to run and rely on camouflage. As in many tinamous, males incubate the eggs and care for the young. Its mellow, carrying whistles are most often heard at dawn and dusk across high Andean slopes.
Temperament
shy and cryptic
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally in small family parties. Nests are simple ground scrapes hidden in dense grass or shrubs. Males incubate clutches—often from multiple females—and lead the downy chicks after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives mellow, far-carrying whistles, often a series of clear, plaintive notes spaced at regular intervals. Vocalizations are most frequent at dawn and dusk and can be heard over long distances in open highland terrain.
Plumage
Densely mottled and vermiculated brown and gray with fine barring that creates excellent camouflage against grass and rock. Underparts are paler with buffy and gray tones and barred flanks. The throat tends to be lighter and the crown and mantle show darker speckling.
Diet
Consumes a mix of seeds, tender shoots, and berries, supplemented with insects and other small invertebrates. Forages by walking slowly and picking items from the ground or low vegetation. Will probe among tussocks and leaf litter and may scratch lightly to uncover food.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in puna grasslands, shrubby hillsides, and along edges of Polylepis and montane scrub. Also uses field margins and fallow plots near highland settlements when undisturbed.
