Spotted Nothura

The most abundant tinamou of the Argentine Litoral region. A plump, compact body and cryptic plumage in finely mottled brown, cream and black tones that make it practically invisible among the dry grasses. Its neck is relatively long for its size. It cannot sustain flight but, when surprised, takes off explosively with a powerful, noisy wingbeat that often startles the unwary walker. It weighs between 200 and 300 g and measures 24 to 26 cm.

Behaviour

Strictly terrestrial. It walks among the grasses looking for seeds, tender shoots, insects and small invertebrates. The male incubates the eggs and raises the chicks alone, while several females may lay in the same nest. Its song, a series of descending flute-like whistles at dawn and dusk, is one of the most characteristic sounds of the Corrientes countryside.

How and when to see it

Year round. First detected by its song at the break of dawn. On slow vehicle drives along the park's internal tracks it is frequently seen crossing or standing still at the roadside.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where spotted nothura has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where spotted nothura lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

• Esteros Ñe’é
  Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0
• Gaucho Argentino
  Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0
• Jurassic Plant - Night Tour
  The only carnivorous-plant garden in Argentina and a pioneer in Latin America. A guided…★ 5.0
• Irupé Excursiones
  Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0

Species profile

• Common nameSpotted Nothura
• Scientific nameNothura maculosa
• GroupBird
• StatusNative

Other species of the Iberá

• 🦜 Red-and-green Macaw
• 🦤 Greater Rhea
• 🐦 Strange-tailed Tyrant
• 🦢 Southern Screamer
• 🦩 Jabiru
• 🦃 Bare-faced Curassow
• 🐦 Giant Wood-Rail
• 🦩 Wood Stork