Birds
Chilean Tinamou
Nothoprocta perdicaria
Running rather than flying at the first sign of danger, a Chilean tinamou spends nearly all of its time on the ground across the grassland and scrubland of central Chile, its cryptic plumage doing most of the work in keeping it hidden.
Overview
The Chilean tinamou, Nothoprocta perdicaria, is a Least Concern bird native to grassland and desert habitat across central Chile. Its reliance on running rather than flying, its cryptic ground-blending plumage, and its distinct central Chilean range compared with more southerly tinamou relatives make it one of the more ground-committed birds found anywhere in South America.
A bird that would rather run
Taking flight only as an absolute last resort, the Chilean tinamou instead trusts its strong legs and camouflaged plumage to escape danger, a strategy that keeps it grounded for nearly its entire life.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable grassland and scrubland habitat throughout central Chile.
Chilean Tinamou: common questions
How does the Chilean tinamou avoid predators?
This species relies mainly on strong legs to run from danger, taking flight only reluctantly and over short distances when running is not enough to escape.
What does the Chilean tinamou look like?
This species has cryptic, mottled brown plumage that provides effective camouflage against the dry grassland and scrubland it inhabits across central Chile.
Is the Chilean tinamou the same as the Patagonian tinamou?
No, this species is distinct from other tinamou species found further south in Patagonia, occupying a more central Chilean range instead.
Can the Chilean tinamou fly well?
Not especially, this species has a relatively weak, low flight when finally flushed, quickly returning to the ground after only a short distance.