AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Nothocercus bonapartei
Highland Tinamou
(Gray, GR, 1867)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A large, plump, and short-tailed terrestrial bird of the mountain forests. It has a distinctive dark, sooty-blackish head and neck, contrasting with a rich olive-brown or rufous-brown back and wings that are finely vermiculated and heavily mottled with black dots and pale buff streaks. The underparts are warm cinnamon-buff to rufous. The bill is dark and relatively straight, and the legs are dull greyish-green.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Tinamiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Tinamidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Nothocercus
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Gray, GR, 1867)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Omnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits the dense understory of humid montane cloud forests, subtropical evergreen forests, and high-altitude woodlands in the Andes and adjacent mountain ranges. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 meters, closely associated with dense bamboo thickets, tree ferns, and deep leaf litter.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
A highly secretive, predominantly solitary terrestrial bird that is much more frequently heard than seen. It walks slowly through the dense understory, freezing or quietly slipping away into cover when threatened, taking flight only as a desperate, explosive last resort. Its song is a loud, resonant, hollow, and far-carrying multi-syllable whistling hoot, typically given at dawn, dusk, or during misty, overcast days to advertise territories.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Strictly solitary or occasionally observed in temporary pairs during the initial phases of the breeding period. They maintain strict territorial spatial separation and avoid close contact with conspecifics outside reproductive encounters.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Terrestrial forest-floor omnivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
An omnivorous ground feeder. Its diet consists largely of fallen fruits and seeds collected from the forest floor, supplemented heavily by small invertebrates such as insects (beetles, ants, roaches), snails, and earthworms extracted from damp leaf litter and topsoil. It acts as an important seed disperser in montane ecosystems. Predators include mountain cats, small carnivores, and large forest raptors.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Features an unusual sequential polygandrous breeding system. Multiple females visit and lay eggs in a single nest hosted by a male. The nest is a simple, shallow scrape on the ground, often hidden at the base of a tree or thick bamboo. The male takes full, exclusive responsibility for the incubation of the eggs and subsequent raising of the precocial, downy chicks.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
35.0 - 41.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
850 g - 1.10 kg
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.4 - 12
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
11 - 13 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
24 - 26
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 8 Years
Females4 - 8 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The male is slightly smaller than the female on average. His plumage features slightly less contrasting patterns, but he is structurally identical, marked by the same soot-black head, olive-brown back vermiculated with black, and rich cinnamon underparts.
Females Multi-lang
The female exhibits subtle inverse dimorphism, being marginally larger and heavier than the male. Her upperpart plumage, particularly on the wings and lower back, often shows more distinctly defined, prominent buff spots and bolder black bars to aid in species courtship signaling.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Highly cryptic plumage with complex, disruptive brown, black, and buff patterns that mimic fallen leaves and dappled forest light, providing superb camouflage against ground-dwelling predators.
Strong, muscular legs adapted for continuous walking, running, and scratching through deep moss and damp leaf litter to uncover hidden soil food, combined with a low, stocky center of gravity for dense brush movement.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Severe habitat fragmentation and loss caused by deforestation for agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and timber extraction in cloud forests, making their naturally low-density populations highly vulnerable to isolation.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Like other tinamous, the Highland Tinamou lays incredibly beautiful, glossy, porcelain-like eggs that feature an intense, brilliant dark green or bluish-green coloration, looking almost artificial.