In this write-up, a critical look is taken at the Elegant Crested Tinamou. Facts presented in this write-up have been painstakingly gathered so as to enhance the knowledge base of precious readers like you. Also known as Martineta Tinamou, the Elegant Crested Tinamou is medium-sized, and has Eudromia elegans as its scientific name. It can be found in southern Chile and Argentina in shrub-land.
The word Eudromia originates from two Greek words, eu which means well or nicely, and dromos which means a running escape. Together, these definitions mean nice running escape, and this refers to their habit of escaping predators by means of running. However, elegans, on the other hand, means neat or elegant. In fact, its elegant crest is reminiscent of a night heron’s crest.
The bird averages 39–41 cm (15–16 in) in length. The Elegant Crested Tinamou species is a dark or yellowish brown partridge-like bird. It has a short tail and wings, two white stripes on each side of its face and a long crest with an upward pointed tip. Interestingly, the feet of the Elegant Crested Tinamou have no hind toes and the bluish or grayish legs are short and strong, as they are highly ground bird. During winter, the Elegant Crested Tinamou loves to feed on seeds, leaves, fruit and insects. However, in summer, it mainly feeds on insects. Its nest is a hollow on the ground formed by both birds and situated close to a low bush. The male has a responsibility of incubating the eggs and raising the young. It would be realised that the young chicks, when they are born, are down-covered and can run. These chicks would leave the nest almost immediately.
It is been realised that the Elegant Crested Tinamou loves to flock, unlike other birds. Its flocking activities are very frequent during the winter. Interestingly, they give out a call which is always a loud sad whistle.