The white-throated tinamou is a species of bird native to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, northern Bolivia, southeastern Colombia, northeastern Ecuador, eastern Peru and southern Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical rainforest across the Amazon Basin of Brazil, northern Bolivia, southeastern Colombia, northeastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and southern Venezuela. Prefers terra firme primary forest but also uses seasonally flooded várzea, tall secondary forest, and dense understory thickets. Typically keeps to the forest floor, especially in areas with heavy leaf litter and fruiting trees. Avoids open habitats and is rarely seen far from continuous canopy cover.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Tinamous are among the only paleognath birds capable of sustained (though short) flight. The white-throated tinamou is famously secretive, relying on leaf-litter camouflage on the forest floor. Males incubate clutches contributed by multiple females and care for the chicks. Their eggs are extremely glossy, a hallmark of tinamous.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, sometimes small loose groups when feeding at fruiting trees. Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, well-concealed in dense cover. Males incubate eggs from multiple females and lead precocial chicks soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives low, mournful, whistled notes that carry far through the forest, often in a slow series. Most vocal at dawn and dusk, with pauses between phrases that can make location difficult.
