The Quebracho Crested Tinamou, Eudromia formosa, is a species of tinamou found in dry forest habitats in Paraguay and northern Argentina in South America.

Etymology

Eudromia comes from two Greek words, eu meaning well or nicely, and dromos meaning a running escape. These definitions together mean, nice running escape, which refers to their habit of escaping predators by running.

Taxonomy

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.

Sub-Species

There are two sub-species of this Tinamou:

• E. formosa formosa, the nominate race, occurs in the arid quebracho woodlands in northern Argentina.
• E. formosa mira occurs in the arid chaco of Paraguay and northwestern Argentina.

Description

The Quebracho Crested Tinamou is approximately 39 cm (15 in) in length. Its upper parts are greyish-brown to blackish with a few scattered small white spots. Its lower parts are pale buffish to whitish and heavily barred with black. Its head has a black crest that is long, thin, and straight. It has a dusky stripe behind eye, bordered above and below by white stripes.

Behavior

Like other Tinamous, the Ornate Tinamou eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes. They also eat small amounts of invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots. The male incubates the eggs which may come from as many as 4 different females, and then will raise them until they are ready to be on their own, usually 2-3 weeks. The nest is located on the ground in dense brush or between raised root buttresses.

Range and habitat

The Quebracho-crested Tinamou is found in dry forests up to 500 m (1,600 ft). It is also found in dry savanna,. Its range is northern Argentina and Paraguay.

Conservation

The IUCN list this species as Least Concern, with an occurrence range of 290,000 km2 (110,000 sq mi).