The
Pale-browed Tinamou Crypturellus
transfasciatus is a type of Tinamou
found in tropical dry forests in Peru
and Ecuador
.
Etymology
Crypturellus is formed from three
Latin or
Greek words.
kruptos meaning
covered or
hidden,
oura meaning
tail, and
ellus meaning
diminutive. Therefore
Crypturellus means
small hidden tail.
Taxonomy
All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme
are also
Ratites. Unlike other Ratites,
Tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers.
All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and Tinamous are
the closest living relative of these birds.
Description
The Pale-browed Tinamou is approximately in length. It is
recognized by its greyish-brown upper coat which is finely
vermiculated with black, and a white throat, with the remainder of
its underparts greyish to buffy. Its flanks are barred, and it has
a brown crown, and a prominent white supercilium. Finally, its legs
are pink.
Behavior
Like other Tinamous, the Pale-browed Tinamou eats fruit off the
ground or low-lying bushes, and small amounts of
invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves,
seeds, and roots. The male incubates the eggs which may come from
as many as 4 different females, and then will raise them until they
are ready to be on their own. The nest is located on the ground in
dense brush or between raised root buttresses.
Range and habitat
The Pale-browed Tinamou is found in subtropical and tropical arid
forests up to altitude.
This species is native to western Ecuador; southern
Manabí, Guayas,
coastal and extreme westernEl Oro, and
extreme northwestern Loja, and northwestern
Peru; Tumbes and western (except
coastal) Piura
.
Conservation
The
IUCN classifies the Pale-browed Tinamou as
Near Threatened,as their numbers are
decreasing. It is currently threatened by widespread
deforestation and habitat degradation caused
by livestock overgrazing, and also logging. This species is also
threatened by people hunting it for food. It also is suffering
losses due to farming, however this is the least of the threats.
The occurrence range of this species is .
Footnotes
- Clements, J (2007)
- Gotch, A. F. (1195)
- Davies, S. J. J. F. (2003)
- BirdLife International (2008)(a)
References
External links
Wikis
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