Thicket Tinamou

About this Species

The Thicket Tinamou (Crypturellus cinnamomeus) is a small, ground-dwelling bird species that is native to the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. It is known for its secretive habits, which make it difficult to study in the wild, but researchers have pieced together some information about its natural history.

The Thicket Tinamou is a member of the Tinamou family, which is unique among bird families in that its members are unable to fly for extended periods of time. Instead, they use their powerful legs to run quickly over short distances and their wings to help them navigate obstacles.

The Thicket Tinamou is found in dense undergrowth, including thorny scrub, mangroves, and other areas with thick vegetation. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, spending the rest of the day hiding and resting in the dense vegetation.

The diet of Thicket Tinamous is mostly made up of seeds, fruits, and insects, which they find by foraging on the ground. They have a distinctive, high-pitched whistle call, which they use to communicate with one another and to warn of potential predators.

Breeding season for the Thicket Tinamou occurs between March and August, with most nesting taking place in May and June. The female typically lays two to three eggs in a shallow nest on the ground, which she incubates for around three weeks. Both parents help care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately two weeks.

Due to their secretive nature and elusive habits, not much is known about the population status of the Thicket Tinamou. However, they are considered a fairly common species within their range and are not currently thought to be threatened. Conservation efforts have focused on protecting their habitat, as loss of thicket habitat due to agriculture and development poses a significant threat to the species.