Great Tinamou

The Great Tinamou (Tinamus major) is a shy, ground-dwelling bird of Ecuador’s lowland rainforests, known for its haunting, flute-like calls that echo through the understory. Though globally listed as Least Concern, its populations in Ecuador are declining due to deforestation and hunting, especially in western Chocó and Amazonian regions. It favors dense, humid forest habitats below 1,200 meters, where it forages for fruit and invertebrates and relies on camouflage to avoid detection. Despite its wide range, it remains elusive—more often heard than seen.