The Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) belongs to the family of tinamous, the Tinamidae.
The Choco tinamou species is distributed in the extreme southeastern Panama and northwestern Colombia. These tinamou species are considered as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN. These tinamous are monotypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) is a small-sized tinamou, measuring 25 to 26 cm in length.The Choco tinamou has overall dark brown plumage. The upperparts are reddish brown and the underparts are paler and tawny brown. The crown, sides of the head and neck are blackish brown. The tail is short and the wings are rounded.
The bill is sharp, slightly down curved and dusky brown in color. The irises are pale brown. The legs and feet are reddish. The call of these Choco tinamou species is a low mournful tri-syllabic whistling sound.
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Origin, geographical range and distribution
These Choco tinamou species are distributed in extreme southeastern Panama (southern part of Darién province) and northwestern Colombia (Chocó department).The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these Choco tinamou species in Colombia are Parque Nacional Natural Ensenada de Utría and Parque Nacional Natural Los Katíos. The IBA in Panama is Darién National Park.
Ecosystem and habitat
These Choco tinamou species have high forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes from 0 to 1500 meters.The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, steep coastal forests, moist evergreen forests and humid premontane forests.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of these Choco tinamou species consists mainly of plant matter and invertebrates. A variety of seeds of wild plants, fallen fruits, flowers, buds and invertebrates are their primary food. They forage on the forest floor.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) species is not known. Their breeding habits are not known. The male appears to incubate eggs. They nest on the ground among thick bushes.Migration and movement patterns
These Choco tinamou species are non-migratory resident birds. The populations in the higher altitudes may move to lower levels in winter.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. Within their range they may make local movements for feeding and breeding.
Choco tinamou - Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Crypturellus kerriae
- Species author: (Chapman, 1915)
- Synonyms/Protonym: Crypturus kerriae Chapman, 1915
- Family: Tinamidae › Tinamiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Choco tinamou, Chinese: 乔科穴(共鸟), French: Tinamou de Kerr, German: Kerrtinamu, Spanish: Tinamú del Chocó, Russian: Криптуреллюс-чоко, Japanese: コシジマシギダチョウ
- Other names: Choco Tinamou, Chocó Tinamou, Kerr's Tinamou
- Distribution: Panama, Colombia
- Diet and feeding habits: fruits, flower buds, leaves, invertebrates
- IUCN status listing: Vulnerable (VU)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) is estimated to number about 3,500 to 15,000 individual birds. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be decreasing.In most of its range, this Choco tinamou species is reported as rare and widely scattered. The generation length is 6.8 years. Its distribution size is about 12,400 sq.km.
Habitat alteration, fragmentation and destruction, human intrusions and disturbance and deforestation are the main threats that are endangering the survival of these species.
IUCN and CITES status
The Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae) has approached the thresholds for being Vulnerable, under the range size criterion, under the population trend criterion and under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the Choco tinamou species and has listed it as "Vulnerable".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the Choco tinamou (Crypturellus kerriae).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Crypturellus kerriae | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Tinamiformes |
| Family: | Tinamidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Crypturellus |
| Species: | C. kerriae |
| Binomial name: | Crypturellus kerriae |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Vulnerable |
Current topic in Bird World: American birds - Choco tinamou - Crypturellus kerriae.