Red-winged tinamou

Scientific name: Rhynchotus rufescens

Field notes

Appearance

Reddish-brown plumage with distinctive red wing patches visible in flight. Compact, rounded body with a small head relative to body size. Females average larger than males.

Size and weight

Males weigh 240–320 g, females 260–400 g. Body length 25–27 cm.

Habitat

Open and semi-open grassland, scrubland, and low woodland in subtropical and tropical regions. Altitude range from lowland up to approximately 2000 meters.

Distribution

Found across South America from Colombia and Venezuela south to Argentina. Prefers open grasslands and scrub savanna in lowland and foothill regions.

Diet

Primarily grass and weed seeds, supplemented with insects, small snails, and other invertebrates; protein intake increases during breeding season.

Behaviour

Active at dawn and dusk. Ground-dwelling bird moving by walking and running; takes short, direct flights when flushed. Solitary or found in pairs.

Hunting tips

Scout for tracks in soft ground along grassland margins and scrub edges. Droppings are small and rounded, often found along well-used paths. Hunt at dawn or dusk when birds are active on the ground; use terrain folds and vegetation to approach within range.

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.