White-throated Tinamou
The White-throated Tinamou, Tinamus guttatus is a species of bird native to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, northern Bolivia, southeastern Colombia, northeastern Ecuador, eastern Peru and southern Venezuela.
Taxonomy
All tinamous are part of the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also Ratites. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, to which Tinamous are the closest living relatives. The White-throated Tinamou is a monotypic species.
Description
The White-throated Tinamou has chestnut-brown upperparts with blackish streaking on lower back and small yellowish-white spots. It has paler underparts with wider, dark barring on flanks. It has a grey head and neck, with a white throat, brown eye, and brown bill. These birds measure between 32 and 36 cm (13 and 14 in) in length.
Behavior
Like other Tinamous, the White-throated Tinamou eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes, as well as invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots. The male incubates the eggs which may come from as many as four different females, and then will raise them until they are ready to be on their own, usually two to three weeks. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.
Range and habitat
They inhabit sub-tropical and tropical lowland forests at around 500 m (1,600 ft) or lower. They eat seeds, fruits and invertebrates. Along with other species of tinamous.
Conservation
It is a relatively abundant species in its habitat and the main threat to it is deforestation. The status of the White-throated tinamou is Least Concern, and has a range occurrence of 4,000,000 km² (1,500,000 sq mi) its eggs are prized posetions to some colectors.
