About Tinamous

Overview

Tinamous (Tinamiformes) are a wholly New World order of 46 species confined to the forests, grasslands and scrub of Central and South America. Although related to the flightless ratites, tinamous can fly weakly and resemble gamebirds, with compact bodies and cryptic plumage. They are unique among living ratites in being able to fly, yet they share ratite-like palaeognathous features. Tinamous are largely terrestrial, ground-nesting and important as game birds throughout their range.

Classification

The order Tinamous (Latin: TINAMIFORMES) comprises 1 families and roughly 46 living species. It is one of 44 orders that make up the class Aves.

Diversity & Distribution

Tinamous (Tinamiformes) are a wholly New World order of 46 species confined to the forests, grasslands and scrub of Central and South America.

Notable Families

Tinamous and others.