Nothoprocta | |
---|---|
Brushland tinamou (N. cinerascens) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Infraclass: | Palaeognathae |
Order: | Tinamiformes |
Family: | Tinamidae |
Subfamily: | Nothurinae |
Genus: | Nothoprocta Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1873 |
Type species | |
Crypturus perdicarius[1] von Kittlitz, 1830
| |
Species | |
Nothoprocta taczanowskii |
Nothoprocta is a genus of birds belonging to the tinamou family Tinamidae. They inhabit scrubland, grassland and open woodland in western South America, particularly in the Andes. They are poor fliers and spend most of their time on the ground. Their diet includes seeds and insects. They nest on the ground, laying large glossy eggs. The eggs are covered with feathers when a potential predator is nearby.
They are medium-sized tinamous, 26 to 36 cm (10–14 in) long. They have strong legs and fairly long, downcurved bills. The plumage is mostly grey-brown with intricate black, white and buff markings. The birds have loud, whistling calls.