The Patagonian Tinamou, a rare and primitive dweller of the southern steppes

Patagonian Tinamou, Tinamotis ingoufi / © Rodrigo Tapia, Far South Exp

A stocky, endemic Patagonian Tinamou, this species has a restricted range in the cold southern steppe from the coast of the Straits of Magellan to the windy plateaus of western Argentinean Patagonia. Very rare, it has nevertheless been recorded several times in the eastern Magallanes province in Chile and was recently confirmed as a breeding bird in the country after a nest was found in 2013. This finding and several records are summarized in a recently published paper that has four members of the far South Expeditions team among its co-authors, you can find this publication here.

Patagonian Tinamou, Tinamotis ingoufi / © Sebastián Saiter, Far South Exp

The Patagonian Tinamou inhabits the scrub grasslands, especially with presence of Lepidophyllum, Junellia, Berberis sp., and open wind-swept areas. It usually roams about in small groups and sometimes larger flocks of up to 40 individuals in non-breeding season during the southern winter, when it shelters from the snow in small caves. Alarm call is a characteristic whistle.

Patagonian Tinamou, Tinamotis ingoufi / © Rodrigo Tapia, Far South Exp

When feeling threatened it runs for cover fast, with its body in an upright position, and flies only in the presence of inminent danger, taking off with loud, heavy and strong wing-beats, and like with all tinamous, its natural shyness makes it very difficult to find and watch. Like with most Ratites, or flightless birds and their relatives, the male takes  care of the chicks.