Red-winged tinamou

The red-winged tinamou is a medium-sized terrestrial bird found across central and eastern South America. Known by various names, including "perdiz grande" "rufous tinamou" and "ynambu" this species was first described by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in Brazil in 1815. Three subspecies of the red-winged tinamou are recognized.

As a member of the Tinamidae family, the red-winged tinamou stands out among ratites, a group of birds generally incapable of flight. Unlike most ratites, tinamous possess the ability to fly, albeit weakly. This bird is distinctive with its reddish-brown wing feathers and black crown and typically weighs around 830 grams.

Red-winged tinamous inhabit diverse environments such as marshy grasslands, forest edges, arid shrublands, pastures, and even grain fields in several South American countries. They are particularly noted for their vocal calls and tend to be most active during the hottest parts of the day.

Their diet is quite varied, including insects, small animals, fruits, shoots, tubers, and bulbs. Intriguingly, it is the male who courts the female by feeding her and subsequently takes on the responsibility of incubating the eggs and raising the chicks.

Despite being hunted by humans, the red-winged tinamou is currently not considered at risk. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, their population has declined in heavily populated human areas but has increased in regions where deforestation has created new habitats suitable for them.