Nothoprocta cinerascens (Burmeister, 1860)

Taxonomy and Basic Size

The brushland tinamou, Nothoprocta cinerascens (Burmeister, 1860), is approximately 31.5 cm (12.4 in) long and weighs 540 g (1.19 lb).

Upper Body Plumage

Its upper parts range from grey to olive-brown, with black barring and prominent white streaking.

Head and Throat Markings

It has a black crown, white sides of the head and upper throat, and black barring on the lower throat.

Underbody and Leg Coloration

Its breast is grey with white spots, its belly is whitish, and its legs are dark grey.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females of this species are larger and darker than males.

Geographic Range

This species is native to South America, where it occurs in southeastern Bolivia, northwestern Paraguay, and northwestern and central Argentina.

Primary Habitat and Elevation

The brushland tinamou prefers dry shrubland habitats at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft), but it is regularly found as high as 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Additional Habitat Types

It also lives in dry savanna, dry grassland, seasonally flooded grassland, pastureland, and farmland.

Nesting Behavior

For reproduction, males attract two to four females and supervise the females laying eggs in a nest typically hidden in brush.

Incubation and Parental Care

After laying, females leave to find other males, and the male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks.