Undulated tinamou

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Undulated tinamou
Crypturellus undulatus.JPG
C. undulatus vermiculatus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Infraclass: Palaeognathae
Order: Tinamiformes
Family: Tinamidae
Genus: Crypturellus
Species:
C. undulatus
Binomial name
Crypturellus undulatus
(Temminck, 1815) [2]
Subspecies [2]

C. u. undulatus(Temminck, 1815)
C. u. manapiare Phelps & Phelps, 1952
C. u. simplex(Salvadori, 1895)
C. u. adspersus(Temminck, 1815)
C. u. yapura(Spix, 1825)
C. u. vermiculatus(Temminck, 1815)

Contents

Crypturellus undulatus map.svg

The undulated tinamou (Crypturellus undulatus) is a species of ground bird found in a wide range of wooded habitats in eastern and northern South America. [3] [4]

Etymology

Its generic name Crypturellus is formed from three Latin or Greek words - kruptos meaning "covered" or "hidden", oura meaning "tail", and ellus meaning "diminutive". Therefore, Crypturellus means small, hidden tail. [5] The specific name undulatus originates from the Latin word unda, meaning "wave", and means "furnished with wave-like markings". [6]

Taxonomy

All tinamous are from the family Tinamidae, so 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]

Subspecies

The exact distribution limits of some of the subspecies, though, are unclear. Notably, the population between the Madeira and Purús Rivers (between generally reported range of C. u. adspersus and C. u. yapura) and the population between the Tapajós and Araguaia Rivers (between generally reported range of C. u. adspersus and C. u. vermiculatus) appear not to have been assigned to subspecies. [3] [10]

Description

The undulated tinamou is about 28–30 cm (11.0–11.8 in) in length, [12] and weighs around 300 g (0.66 lb). [10] Depending on subspecies, it is overall brownish tinged grey to various extents, and has a strong, black, barred to faint vermiculated pattern on the back and neck (for example, while C. u. undulatus is relatively rich brown and strongly barred, C. u. yapura is darker, more grey-tinged, and only has faint vermiculations). [4] [11] It has a whitish throat, and the remainders of its underparts are olive-grey to buff with dark vermiculation on its lower flanks and vent. Its bill is black above and grey below. [8] The legs and feet are grey, dull yellow, or greenish. [4] [8] [13]

Behavior

The nest of the undulated tinamou consists of a depression on the ground, where the female lays around three glossy vinaceous, pink or light-grey eggs. [11] [13] The incubation time is 17 days in captivity. [14] It feeds on small fruits, seeds, and insects. [14]

As other tinamous, the undulated tinamou is secretive, and more frequently heard than seen. The song, commonly given throughout the day, consists of a deep, three- or four-noted whistle, which has been described by the onomatopoetic com-pra pan ("buy bread" in Spanish) [11] or Eu sou jaó ("I am undulated tinamou" in Portuguese). [13]

Habitat

The undulated tinamou occurs at altitudes of up to 900 m (3,000 ft). It occurs in a wide range of wooded habitats, ranging from dense, humid Amazonian forests, to dry, relatively open savanna-woodland. [10] Although most of the range of the undulated tinamou is in the Amazon Basin, significant parts are in drier habitats such as the Cerrado (most of the range of C. u. vermiculatus is in the Cerrado region). [3] [10] Though generally considered resident, minor seasonal movements between habitats do occur locally. [11]

Conservation

Though heavily hunted in some regions, the undulated tinamou remains common in most parts of its range. [8] [10] The IUCN classifies it as least concern, [1] and its range of occurrence has been estimated to 8,600,000 km2 (3,300,000 sq mi). [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinamou</span> Family of birds

Tinamous form an order of birds called Tinamiformes, comprising a single family called Tinamidae, divided into two distinct subfamilies, containing 46 species found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. The word "tinamou" comes from the Galibi term for these birds, tinamu. Tinamous have traditionally been regarded as the sister group of the flightless ratites, but recent work places them well within the ratite radiation, implying basal ratites could fly. Tinamous first appear in the fossil record in the Miocene epoch. They are generally sedentary, ground-dwelling and, though not flightless, when possible avoid flight in favour of hiding or running away from danger. They are found in a variety of habitats, ranging from semi-arid alpine grasslands to tropical rainforests. The two subfamilies are broadly divided by habitat, with the Nothurinae referred to as steppe or open country tinamous, and the Tinaminae known as forest tinamous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little tinamou</span> Species of bird

The little tinamou is a species of tinamou. It is found in Central and South America, as well as on the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown tinamou</span> Species of bird

The brown tinamou is a brownish ground bird found in humid lowland and montane forest in tropical and subtropical South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-legged tinamou</span> Species of bird

The yellow-legged tinamou is a species of tinamou found in wooded and shrubby habitats in tropical and subtropical eastern Brazil. This superficially quail-like bird has a grey-brown plumage and two easily separated subspecies. It has declined due to human activities, and is therefore listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variegated tinamou</span> Species of bird

The variegated tinamou a type of tinamou commonly found in moist forest lowlands in subtropical and tropical regions of northern South America.

<i>Crypturellus</i> Genus of birds

Crypturellus is a genus of tinamous containing mostly forest species. However, there are the odd few that are grassland or steppe tinamous. The genus contains 21 species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-legged tinamou</span> Species of bird

The red-legged tinamou or red-footed tinamou, is a ground-dwelling bird found in the tropics and lower subtropics of northern South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinereous tinamou</span> Species of bird

The cinereous tinamou, also known as brushland tinamou, is a type of ground bird found in swamp and lowland forests in northern South America. They have some localized names that have been used by the indigenous people such as in Amazonas where they are called inambu-pixuna, and in Pará, Brazil where they are called nambu-sujo. Also, throughout their range they are called inhambu-preto. Cinereous tinamous have been around for many centuries. They are part of the oldest families of the world today and have fossils discovered dating back tens of millions of years. Their quick reflexes play a role in their ability to survive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian tinamou</span> Species of bird

The Brazilian tinamou is a type of tinamou found in tropical moist lowland forest in regions of Amazonian South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-legged tinamou</span> Species of bird

The grey-legged tinamou, alternatively, the gray-legged tinamou, is a small ground-dwelling bird endemic to the neotropics. It is a rarely seen bird due to its small size and discreet appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-capped tinamou</span> Species of bird

The black-capped tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in the moist forest lowlands in subtropical and tropical regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thicket tinamou</span> Species of bird

The thicket tinamou or rufescent tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in moist forests in subtropical and tropical central Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaty-breasted tinamou</span> Species of bird

The slaty-breasted tinamou or Boucard's tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in lowland moist forests of Mexico and Central America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choco tinamou</span> Species of bird

The Choco tinamou or Chocó tinamou is a type of tinamou found in lowland forest and montane forest in subtropical and tropical regions of Colombia and Panama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small-billed tinamou</span> Species of bird

The small-billed tinamou is a type of Tinamou commonly found in dry savanna in Amazonian South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tataupa tinamou</span> Species of bird

The Tataupa tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in dry forest in subtropical and tropical regions in southeastern South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brushland tinamou</span> Species of bird

The brushland tinamou is a type of tinamou commonly found in high-altitude dry shrubland in subtropical and tropical regions of southern South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinaminae</span> Subfamily of birds

Tinaminae, the forest tinamous, is one of two subfamilies of the family Tinamidae, the other being Nothurinae. Tinaminae has more species than the other subfamily, containing 29 species in three genera:

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Crypturellus undulatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22678182A92760164. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678182A92760164.en .
  2. 1 2 Brands, Sheila (14 August 2008). "Systema Naturae 2000 / Classification, Crypturellus undulatus". Project: The Taxonomicon. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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.
  4. 1 2 3 Mata, J. R. J.; Erize, F.; Rumboll, M. (2006). Birds of South America – Non-Passerines. London: Harper Collins. p. 56. ISBN   0-00-715084-9.
  5. ↑ Gotch, A. F. (1995) [1979]. "Tinamous". Latin Names Explained. A Guide to the Scientific Classifications of Reptiles, Birds & Mammals. New York, NY: Facts on File. p. 183. ISBN   0-8160-3377-3.
  6. ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, UK: Christopher Helm. p.  396. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  7. ↑ Davies, S. J. J. F. (2002). Ratites and Tinamous. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 106–109. ISBN   0-19-854996-2.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Hilty, S. L. (2003). Birds of Venezuela. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 183. ISBN   0-691-09250-8.
  9. 1 2 Restall, R.; Rodner, C.; Lentino, M. (2006). Birds of Northern South America, Vol. 1. London: Christopher Helm. p. 30. ISBN   0-7136-7242-0.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Schulenberg, T. S.; Stotz, D. F.; Lane, D. F.; O'Neill, J.P.; Parker III, T. A. (2007). Birds of Peru. London: Christopher Helm. p. 32. ISBN   978-0-7136-8673-9.
  12. ↑ Harrison, Colin; Greensmith, Alan (1993). "Non-Passerines". In Bunting, Edward (ed.). Birds of the World (First ed.). New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley. p.  43. ISBN   1-56458-295-7.
  13. 1 2 3 Sick, H. (1993). Birds in Brazil – A Natural History. Chichester, West Sussex: Princeton University Press. p. 103. ISBN   0-691-08569-2.
  14. 1 2 Cabot, J. (1992). "Undulated Tinamou". In J., de Hoyo; A., Elliott; J., Sargatal (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. p.  129. ISBN   84-87334-10-5.
  15. ↑ BirdLife International (2008a). "Undulated Tinamou – BirdLife Species Factsheet". Data Zone. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
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