Small-billed tinamou

Small-billed tinamou
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Infraclass: Palaeognathae
Order: Tinamiformes
Family: Tinamidae
Genus: Crypturellus
Species:
C. parvirostris
Binomial name
Crypturellus parvirostris
(Wagler, 1827)

The small-billed tinamou (Crypturellus parvirostris) is a type of tinamou commonly found in dry savanna in Amazonian South America.[2]

Taxonomy

The small-billed tinamou was formally described in 1827 by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler based on a specimen collected in Brazil. Wagler coined the binomial name Crypturus parvirostris.[3][4] The specific epithet combines the Latin parvus meaning "small" with -rostris meaning "-billed".[5] The small-billed tinamou is now one of 21 species placed in the genus Crypturellus that was introduced in 1914 by the British ornithologists Baron Brabourne and Charles Chubb. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[6]

All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also ratites. Unlike other ratites, tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds.[7]

Description

The small-billed tinamou is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in) in length. Its upperparts are dark brown, with grey to brownish under parts and head. Its bill and legs are red.

Distribution and habitat

The small-billed tinamou prefers dry savanna, but will also reside in lowland shrubland.[8] Its range is Amazonian South America; Brazil except for the southeastern portion, northeastern Peru, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.[2][8]

Behavior

Like other tinamous, the small-billed eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes. They also eat small amounts of invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots. The male incubates the eggs which may come from as many as 4 different females, and then will raise them until they are ready to be on their own, usually 2–3 weeks. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.[7]

Domestication

The small billed tinamou has been considered an ideal candidate for domestication as the birds can raise 3-4 broods per year and are resistant to diseases that affect chickens

Conservation

The IUCN classifies this tinamou as Least Concern,[1] with an occurrence range of 6,700,000 km2 (2,600,000 sq mi).[8]

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Crypturellus parvirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22678232A92762648. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678232A92762648.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Clements, J (2007)
  3. ^ Wagler, Johann Georg (1827). Systema Avium (in Latin). Stuttgart: sumtibus J.G. Cottae. p. 295, Crypturus No. 13.
  4. ^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 34.
  5. ^ Jobling, James A. "parvirostris". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  6. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (February 2025). "Ratites: Ostriches to tinamous". IOC World Bird List Version 15.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b Davies, S. J. J. F. (2003)
  8. ^ a b c BirdLife International (2008)

References

  • BirdLife International (2008). "Bartlett's Tinamou - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Data Zone. Retrieved 9 Feb 2009.
  • Clements, James (2007). The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World (6th ed.). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. ISBN 978-0-8014-4501-9.
  • Davies, S.J.J.F. (2003). "Tinamous". In Hutchins, Michael (ed.). Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 8 Birds I Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. pp. 57–59. ISBN 0-7876-5784-0.
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