Highland Tinamou vs Grey Tinamou
Nothocercus bonapartei compared with Tinamus tao
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Highland Tinamou | Grey Tinamou |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nothocercus bonapartei | Tinamus tao |
| Order | Tinamiformes | Tinamiformes |
| Family | Tinamidae | Tinamidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.4 cm (16.7 in) | 55.7 cm (21.9 in) |
| Weight | 712.25 g (25.12 oz) | 1674.5 g (59.07 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds, berries, and insects form the diet of this Brazilian cerrado tinamou; forages quietly on … | Herbivorous tinamou feeding on seeds, fruits, and tender leaves in Andean foothills; occasionally takes insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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.
Grey Tinamou
Tropical and subtropical humid montane forest from Venezuela and Colombia south to Bolivia and northern Brazil at 200–1,800 m. Favors dense undergrowth near forest streams. Nests on the ground among leaf litter.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Grey Tinamou
A series of haunting, flute-like hollow whistles 'whooo-wooo' delivered at dawn and dusk from within humid forest. Mournful, far-carrying quality typical of large forest tinamous.
Geographic Range & Migration
Highland Tinamou
Found in dense forests and thickets from Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina. Sedentary; locally common in humid lowland forests.
Grey Tinamou
Found in open habitats across South America from Colombia and Venezuela to Chile and Argentina. Sedentary; some local altitudinal shifts.
Conservation Status
Highland Tinamou
Grey Tinamou
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
Grey Tinamou
Uniform dark slate-gray upperparts finely vermiculated with black. Throat whitish; breast pale gray. Flanks barred with dark brown. Sexes similar; cryptic plumage suits humid forest floor.
About These Birds
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.
Grey Tinamou
A large tinamou with uniform grey-brown plumage, barred flanks, and a long pale bill. Terrestrial and cryptic, moving silently through undergrowth. Found in Andean foothills and montane forests. Males incubate brilliantly colored turquoise-green eggs alone. Often detected by its haunting flute-like call at dawn.