tinamou

Fowl-like bird of the family Tinamidae, in the South American order Tinamiformes, of which there are some 45 species. They are up to 40 cm/16 in long, and their drab colour provides good camouflage. They are excellent runners but poor flyers and are thought to be related to the ratites (flightless birds). Tinamous are mainly vegetarian, but sometimes eat insects. They escape predators by remaining still or by burrowing through dense cover.

Several females lay eggs in one nest; one hen may also lay eggs in nests guarded by different males. The males build the nests and incubate the eggs.