Fall and winter diet and habitat preferences of the Andean Tinamou(Nothura pentlandii)in the northwest Argentina

The diet and habitat preferences of the Andean Tinamou Nothura pentlandii were examined in the northwest Argentina, during fall and winter 1986–87 by examining 110 crop samples. Fifty‐five plant foods were identified, 26 of which exceeded 1% by volume; these together comprised nearly 80% of all food. Another 11 items comprised less than 1% each, totalling an additional 4.6%. The principal genera were Paspalum, Bidens, Panicum, Setaria, Sida and Tagetes, weeds which invade stubbles or grow in farming border areas and roadsides. Twenty four animal foods were identified, 10 of which exceeded 0.1% by volume; these together comprised nearly 7.0% of all food. Stubble used for grazing provide high food availability in fall and winter. The Andean Tinamou is a generalist and opportunist forager and the data emphasize the need for mixed vegetative types in the habitat of this bird.