About Tinamus tao Temminck, 1815
Taxonomy and size ranking
The gray tinamou (scientific name Tinamus tao Temminck, 1815) is thought to be the largest species in the tinamou group.
Body length
Reported total body length ranges from 41.5 to 49 cm (16.3 to 19.3 in), and may reach up to 53 cm (21 in).
Body mass
For body mass, males weigh between 1,325 and 1,863 g (2.921 to 4.107 lb) with an average weight of 1,565 g (3.450 lb); females weigh between 1,430 and 2,080 g (3.15 to 4.59 lb) with an average weight of 1,636 g (3.607 lb), and may reach as much as 2,300 g (5.1 lb).
Base coloration
As its common name suggests, the gray tinamou is mostly grey in color.
Markings and patterning
Its back and head have blackish barring, its vent is cinnamon-colored, and white spotting runs along its head and down its neck.
Geographic range
The gray tinamou is distributed across western and northern Brazil, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, Colombia east of the Andes, northern Venezuela, northern Bolivia, and Guyana.
Primary forest habitat
Across most of its range, it is primarily restricted to humid lowland forests, but in the northern and far western parts of its range, it mainly lives in montane forests.
Habitat tolerance
This species can use forests that have been cleared by logging.
Behavior
Like most other tinamous, its song can be heard commonly, but it is a shy bird that is only rarely seen.
