Tinamiformes is the order of ground dwelling birds containing the tinamous, 46 species in the family Tinamidae found from Mexico through Central America into South America. Unlike other ratites, tinamous retain the ability to fly, though they generally prefer to escape danger on foot, and recent research places them within the ratite radiation as close relatives of the extinct moa, evidence that flightlessness evolved more than once in this bird group.
Facts
Classification
Living or Extinct Taxonomic Rank In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ12355980, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Tinamou
WikipediaIntroduction
Tinamous () are members of the order Tinamiformes (), and family Tinamidae (), divided into two distinct subfamilies, containing 46 species found in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
In Group: Palaeognath Bird Orders, Lead
Tinamous are the only living group of palaeognaths able to fly, and were traditionally regarded as the sister group of the flightless ratites, but recent work places them well within the ratite radiation as most closely related to the extinct moa of New Zealand, implying flightlessness emerged among ratites multiple times.
View the Source Wikidata: Tinamiformes
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