The White-throated Tinamou, Tinamus guttatus is a species of bird native to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, northern Bolivia, southeastern Colombia, northeastern Ecuador, eastern Peru and southern Venezuela.

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.

Etymology

Tinamus guttatus comes from two different languages. Tinamus is what the native tribe, Galibi, call tinamous, and guttatus means speckled from Latin.

Description

These birds measure between 32 and 36 cm (13 and 14 in) in length.

Behavior

Like other Tinamous, the Bartlett's eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes. They also eat 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, usually 2-3 weeks. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.

Range and habitat

They inhabit sub-tropical and tropical lowland forests at around 500 m (1,600 ft) or lower. They eat seeds, fruits and invertebrates. Along with other species of tinamous.

Conservationn

It is a relatively abundant species in its habitat and the main threat to it is deforestation. The status of the White-throated tinamou is Least Concern, and has a range occurrence of 4,000,000 km2 (1,500,000 sq mi)