Grey Tinamou
Tinamus tao
The Grey Tinamou (Tinamus tao) is a rare tinamou found in 6 countries, weighing about 1.6 kg. The grey tinamou is a type of ground bird native to South America.










About the Grey Tinamou
The grey tinamou is a type of ground bird native to South America. Four subspecies are recognised.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The gray tinamou is believed to be the largest species among the tinamous. Reported total length is from 41.5 to 49 cm (16.3 to 19.3 in) and possibly as much as 53 cm (21 in). In body mass, males may scale from 1,325 to 1,863 g (2.921 to 4.107 lb), averaging 1,565 g (3.450 lb), and females can weigh from 1,430 to 2,080 g (3.15 to 4.59 lb), averaging 1,636 g (3.607 lb) and possibly weighing as much as 2,300 g (5.1 lb). As suggested by its name, it is mostly grey. The back and head are barred blackish, and its vent is cinnamon. White spotting extends along the head and down the neck.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Grey Tinamou can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey Tinamou?
- The gray tinamou is believed to be the largest species among the tinamous. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey Tinamou?
- The Grey Tinamou is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.6 kg.
- Where can you see a Grey Tinamou?
- The Grey Tinamou occurs in 6 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia.
- What birds look similar to a Grey Tinamou?
- The Grey Tinamou is most easily confused with the White-throated Tinamou, the Solitary Tinamou and the Black Tinamou.
- Is the Grey Tinamou endangered?
- The Grey Tinamou is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey Tinamou for real
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