Black Tinamou

Taxobox
name = Black Tinamou
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Tinamiformes
familia = Tinamidae
genus = "Tinamus"
species = "T. osgoodi"
binomial = "Tinamus osgoodi"
binomial_authority = Conover, 1949

The Black Tinamou "Tinamus osgoodi" is a type of ground bird found in premontane humid forest up to 1,500 to 2,100 m altitude. This species has two subspecies:
* "T. o. hershkovitzi"
* "T. o. osgoodi"

One of the subspecies "T. o. hershkovitzi" is observed at San José de Fragua on the east slope of the East Andes, Huila and northern Central Andes of Antioquia, Colombia at 1,400 to 2,100 m altitude. The nominate form is native to the east slope of the Andes in Cuzco, Puno and Madre de Dios, south-east Peru at 600 to 1,400 m altitude. A sizeable population is being conserved in Manú National Park.

Characteristics

Black Tinamou is approximately 40-46 cm long. This species is large in size, and is a blackish tinamou. Females are slightly larger. All parts of its body are black in color except its sooty brown belly and rufescent, barred black undertail. It has a mournful voice with a tremulous and descending whistle lasting about one second.

Threats

Black Tinamou is currently threatened by the ongoing deforestation caused by human settlement expansion, agricultural expansion (mainly used for Coca plantations), associated road-building in Huila, and oil exploration in Peru.

Conservation measures

Black Tinamou is currently being conserved in Manú National Park (in Peru) and Cueva de los Guácharos National Park (in Huila). It was proposed to make the Tavara-Candamo area into Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Meanwhile, restrict the tourists from disturbing the Black Tinamou's habitat in the foothills of south-east Peru. It was also proposed to implement conservation education programmes to create awareness among the public to stop their ongoing deforestation.

References

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=13&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]