Spotted nothura
Scientific name: Nothura maculosa
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Small ground-dwelling bird with speckled, greyish-brown plumage and distinctive dark spotting on the breast and body. Males are typically slightly smaller than females.
Size and weight
180–240 g; 18–22 cm body length.
Habitat
Open and semi-open grasslands, scrubland, and agricultural terrain in South America, typically from lowlands to around 2000 m elevation.
Distribution
Wide distribution across South America from Colombia south to Argentina, inhabiting open to semi-open grasslands and cultivated fields.
Diet
Grass and forb seeds, insects, and small invertebrates; insect intake increases during the breeding and growing season.
Behaviour
Diurnal and crepuscular, usually solitary or in pairs. Flushes explosively when disturbed, flying low and fast before dropping back into cover.
Hunting tips
Locate via small footprints and line-form droppings in grass. Hunt during daylight, focusing on dawn and dusk in open areas. Approach from the side or rear—the bird is alert and will flush readily when it detects danger.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 4 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.