Little tinamou

The little tinamou is a bird native to Central and South America, classified under the genus Crypturellus, which translates to "small hidden tail" in Latin and Greek. This bird is one of 21 species in its genus and belongs to the Tinamidae family—a group of birds capable of flight, though not particularly adept at it. Little tinamous can be found in various countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil.

These birds typically inhabit tropical lowland forests, river edges, and shrublands, residing at elevations up to 2,000 meters. Known for their secretive nature, they communicate with slow whistling calls and have a diet consisting of seeds, berries, and insects. From May to October, during their breeding season, the little tinamou lays dark purple eggs. Notably, it is the male that incubates them. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are up and mobile shortly after hatching.

The little tinamou is a shy and solitary bird, easily recognized by its small size, sooty-brown feathers without barring, and whitish throat. Females generally have a brighter rufous brown underside compared to males. Despite their reclusive behavior, the little tinamou is not considered to be at risk. According to the IUCN, it is listed as Least Concern, with a broad habitat range spanning approximately 9,500,000 square kilometers.