Slaty-breasted Tinamou vs Highland Tinamou
Crypturellus boucardi compared with Nothocercus bonapartei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Slaty-breasted Tinamou | Highland Tinamou |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crypturellus boucardi | Nothocercus bonapartei |
| Order | Tinamiformes | Tinamiformes |
| Family | Tinamidae | Tinamidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 42.4 cm (16.7 in) |
| Weight | 433.875 g (15.30 oz) | 712.25 g (25.12 oz) |
| Diet | Ground-forager eating seeds, insects, and small fruits in open grasslands; diet shifts to seeds in … | Seeds, berries, and insects form the diet of this Brazilian cerrado tinamou; forages quietly on … |
| Clutch Size | 1-10 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
Humid lowland and foothill forest from sea level to 800 m, from southern Mexico through Central America to northwestern Panama. Prefers undisturbed primary forest interior with dense leaf litter.
Highland Tinamou
Humid montane and cloud forest at 1,000–2,500 m in the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia south to Bolivia. Favors dense undergrowth with mossy ground cover near streams. Makes slight downhill movements in winter.
Song & Call Comparison
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
A mournful, soft whistle, rarely heard and poorly documented due to its vulnerable status and secretive behavior in humid forest of Mexico and Central America.
Highland Tinamou
A series of clear, flute-like whistles at varying pitches. The call descends in scale, creating a melancholic phrase. Sings from dense Andean cloud forest understory.
Geographic Range & Migration
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
Found in a broad band across central South America from Bolivia and Brazil to northern Argentina. Sedentary in cerrado and dry forests.
Highland Tinamou
Found in dense forests and thickets from Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina. Sedentary; locally common in humid lowland forests.
Conservation Status
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
Highland Tinamou
How to Tell Them Apart
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
Brown upperparts barred blackish; crown and nape dark brown. Distinctive slate-gray breast contrasting with pale throat and buff belly. Red legs diagnostic. Threatened by habitat loss in Mesoamerica.
Highland Tinamou
Rufous-brown upperparts heavily vermiculated with black; crown dark brown. Throat whitish; breast and flanks rufous with dark brown barring. Belly pale buff. Sexes alike.
About These Birds
Slaty-breasted Tinamou
A medium-sized tinamou with slate-grey breast, brown upperparts, and a reddish bill. Found in humid lowland and foothill forest from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. Terrestrial and secretive; calls with a plaintive two-note whistle heard in shady forest interior.
Highland Tinamou
A medium-sized tinamou with dark brown upperparts, rufous-streaked breast, and a long slightly decurved bill. Inhabits Andean cloud forests. Its rich plaintive whistle is heard more often than the bird itself. Feeds on berries, seeds, and invertebrates on damp mossy forest floors.