Darwin’s Nothura

     The Darwin’s Nothura is a type of  Tinamous commonly found in high-altitude grassland in the southern Andes in South America. There are five subspecies for this bird that differ slightly from each other and inhabit different places of the species’ distribution range.

     The Darwin’s Nothura is similar to the Spotted Nothura but has more rufous with broader streaking below. Its upperparts are brown and streaked with buff, its lower parts are streaked with chestnut, and it’s black on the breast. The Darwin’s Nothura has also a black crown with buff streaks, and a white throat.

     The breeding season of the Darwin’s Nothura may differ from a place to another but it happens usually between October and March. Male birds constructs the nest, which is only a scrape on the ground lined with grass and feathers, sometimes with a few twigs as well. And Their clutch size varies from 3 to 9, with a mean of 6. Usually up to 3 females of the Darwin’s Nothura may lay their eggs in a single nest. But, only the male incubates the eggs for 16 – 18 days. The male Darwin’s Nothura also cares for the young after hatching, until the young become independent after three to four weeks.

1 3 - Darwin's Nothura
The Darwin's Nothura by Dominic Sherony
2 1 - Darwin's Nothura
The Darwin's Nothura by Dominic Sherony
Place of originPeru, Bolivia and Argentina
UseGame hunting and preservation
WeightMale: 214 – 250               female: 243 – 274 g
Egg colorChocolate brown