Taxonomy
The Variegated Tinamou is a monotypic species. All tinamou are from the family Tinamidae, and in the larger scheme are also Ratites. Unlike other Ratites, Tinamous can fly, although in general, they are not strong fliers. All ratites evolved from prehistoric flying birds, and Tinamous are the closest living relative of these birds.
Johann Friedrich Gmelin first identified the Variegated Tinamou from a specimen from Cayenne, French Guyana, in 1789.
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