Brushland tinamou

Scientific name: Nothoprocta cinerascens

Field notes

Appearance

Small, cryptically patterned tinamou with grey-brown plumage heavily streaked and spotted. Males typically darker than females; plain neck and face distinguish it from congeners.

Size and weight

Typical weight 140–180 g; body length 20–24 cm. Males average 5–10% heavier than females.

Habitat

Arid brushland and scrub grassland with scattered shrubs and low vegetation. Inhabits elevations between 1500–3500 m in the Andes mountains.

Distribution

Endemic to high-altitude dry scrubland of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. Sedentary species with restricted range.

Diet

Primarily small seeds from shrubs and herbaceous plants; supplements with insects and invertebrates gleaned from ground level.

Behaviour

Diurnal, most active at dawn and dusk. Solitary or in small family groups; terrestrial runner that prefers fleeing on foot over flight.

Hunting tips

Search for running tracks and scrape marks in loose soil and sand during early morning hours. Note feeding signs—scratched areas around seed-bearing shrubs. Approach slowly into low-scrub terrain with wind advantage; expect the bird to run rather than flush into flight.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

Current language: en

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.