Birds
Solitary Tinamou
Tinamus solitarius · also called solitary tinamous
Calling out with a deep, resonant note from deep within the Atlantic Forest, a solitary tinamou lives up to its name, spending most of its life alone rather than in the flocks favoured by several of its smaller relatives.
Overview
The solitary tinamou, Tinamus solitarius, is a Near Threatened bird native to forest habitat across the Atlantic Forest region of eastern South America. Its large size among tinamou species, genuinely solitary lifestyle, and dependence on continuous humid forest make it one of the more ecologically vulnerable yet distinctive ground birds found anywhere in South America.
A bird known by its call, not its company
Rarely seen travelling with others of its own kind, the solitary tinamou moves through dense Atlantic Forest largely alone, its deep, carrying call often the only evidence that one is nearby at all.
Status
Near Threatened, having declined due to ongoing loss and fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest habitat the species depends on.
Solitary Tinamou: common questions
Why is it called the solitary tinamou?
This species lives up to its common name by spending most of its life alone, rarely forming the flocks or coveys seen in several other tinamou species.
How big is the solitary tinamou compared with other tinamous?
This species is one of the largest tinamou species, noticeably bigger than many of its smaller relatives found across South America.
What kind of habitat does the solitary tinamou need?
This species is restricted to dense, humid forest habitat, particularly the Atlantic Forest of eastern South America, rather than the open ground favoured by several other tinamou species.
Why is the solitary tinamou considered Near Threatened?
This species has declined due to ongoing loss and fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest habitat it depends on, since it needs large tracts of continuous forest to thrive.