Large tinamou measuring 38 to 42 cm. It presents an overall cinnamon-ochre coloration with the back heavily barred in black and cinnamon. The head and neck show characteristic black mottling and streaking. The breast is densely barred and the underparts are paler. The wings show rufous flight feathers visible during flight. It has a small erect dark crest and a relatively long bill, slightly curved downward, pinkish or brownish in coloration with a darker tip. Iris ranging from yellowish to bluish and legs yellowish to grayish. Sexes are similar and juveniles resemble adults. Throughout part of its distribution, it may share highland grasslands with other tinamous such as Serrano (Nothoprocta pentlandii), Silbón (Nothoprocta ornata), and Pálido (Nothura darwinii), although these differ in appearance and vocalizations. It differs from Colorada (Rhynchotus rufescens), a species previously considered conspecific, because Colorada has a uniform head and neck lacking black streaking, as well as distinct vocalizations and primarily inhabits grasslands and open lowland environments.
Geographic distribution: It inhabits central and southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, where it occurs in Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca provinces, mainly associated with mountain ranges and open environments linked to the Yungas. It is recorded approximately between 500 and 3,100 m a.s.l. and is considered resident, although it may perform local altitudinal movements.
Habitat: It inhabits natural montane and mountain grasslands, open slopes, ravines, and intermontane valleys. It occurs from foothill environments and ecotones with the Dry Chaco to high-elevation grasslands of the upper Yungas belt, such as in the Calchaquí Summits of Tucumán, where its characteristic song is unavoidable during spring and summer (personal obs.). It also uses areas with scattered shrubs, small mountain woodlands, and low-intensity rural areas.
Diet: Omnivorous. It searches for food while walking on the ground and scratching with its bill. It mainly consumes seeds, shoots, roots, and other plant materials, supplementing its diet with insects and various arthropods. It may also capture small vertebrates such as lizards, amphibians, or rodents.
Behavior: Solitary or in pairs. It moves by walking through dense grasslands and rarely exposes itself in open areas, making it very difficult to observe. Its elusive behavior and cryptic plumage allow it to easily go unnoticed among dry vegetation. When threatened, it usually remains motionless or moves walking through grasses before taking flight. During spring, males vocalize intensively from within dense grasslands, making it much easier to detect their presence by song rather than direct observation, since it can be heard over long distances (personal obs.). It emits a characteristic two-note whistle, short but powerful, often transcribed as “uai...po,” origin of its common name. This song consists of an initial modulated note followed by another flatter and descending one.
Nesting: Like other tinamous, it nests on the ground, generally sheltered by grasses or low shrubs. The nest consists of a simple depression lined with vegetation. The male incubates the eggs, which may originate from several females, and later takes care of raising the chicks until independence.
Conservation status: Considered Least Concern nationally and internationally due to its wide distribution and because it remains locally common in different areas. However, the species depends on the conservation of natural mountain grasslands, one of the most threatened environments in northwestern Argentina. Overgrazing by domestic livestock, inadequate grassland burning, and habitat transformation may locally affect populations, especially in sectors where natural grasslands are degraded or fragmented.
Authors of this compilation: María Belén Dri and Diego Carús – 06/05/2026