Black-capped Tinamou

About the Black-capped Tinamou

The black-capped tinamou (Crypturellus atrocapillus) is a type of tinamou commonly found in the moist forest lowlands in subtropical and tropical regions. 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.

The black-capped tinamou has two subspecies as follows: C. a. atrocapillus, nominate race, occurs in the lowlands of southeastern Peru. C. a. garleppi in the lowlands of northern Bolivia. 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.

The black-capped tinamou is approximately 28 to 30 cm (11–12 in) in length. Its upper-parts are brown, mottled and barred blackish, throat and neck are rufescent, breast is dark grey, and the remainder of underparts are cinnamon to buff. Its cap is blackish and legs could be pale red or bright red. The females are more... Wikipedia →