Crypturellus cinnamomeus (Lesson, 1842)

Taxonomy and Naming

The thicket tinamou, scientifically named Crypturellus cinnamomeus (Lesson, 1842), measures 27 to 29 cm (11–11 in) in length and weighs 440 g (16 oz).

Dorsal Coloration

Its upper parts are brown, with heavy blackish barring on the back, rump, and wings.

Ventral Coloration

Its underparts are pale brown: the breast is cinnamon, the belly is greyer, the undertail is whitish with dark barring.

Head Features

Its head is brown, with a prominent buff supercilium and a well-defined ear covert patch.

Beak and Leg Coloration

The bill is brownish, and the legs are red.

Core Distribution Range

This species ranges across two regions of Central America and Mexico: one is the coastal strip of Sinaloa in western Mexico extending south to Costa Rica, the other is eastern coastal Mexico from the United States border extending south into Belize.

Highland Occurrence

In the southern portion of its range, it also occurs in the highlands.

Primary Habitat Preferences

This species prefers moist lowland forest, gallery forest, deciduous forest, and secondary forest in subtropical and tropical regions.

Altitudinal Range and Secondary Habitats

It can also be found in shrubland and drier forests at altitudes up to 1,850 m (6,070 ft).

Nest Placement

Like most tinamous, it builds its nest on the ground next to raised roots.

Clutch Size

A clutch contains around three eggs, and can hold up to seven.

Egg Characteristics

The eggs are glossy and purple.

Hybridization

This species is known to produce hybrids with the slaty-breasted tinamou.