Description: Tinamous (Order Tinamiformes) are ground dwelling birds. They are generally well camouflaged birds, with patterned plumage that ranges from light to dark brown or gray. They tire easily when flying or running, so their plumage helps them to blend into their surroundings to avoid predators such as humans, skunks, foxes, and armadillos.
Tinamous range in size up to about 50 cm in length and reach weights of about 2 kg. They roost on the ground and lay up to about a dozen eggs per clutch. Females occasionally share the same nest.
Habitat: Neotropics. Tropical rain forests, grasslands, semiarid regions.
Diet: Seeds, insects, termintes, occasionally small vertibrates such as lizards or mice.
References:
- Burnie, D. and D.E. Wilson. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. London. 2001.
- Order Tinamiformes. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology's Animal Diversity Web.
Members of Order Tinamiformese: The Order Tinamiformese comprises one family:
- Tinamous owls (Family Tinamidae)
