TINAMOU: Constancy

When the Incas looked into their sky, they saw the Coal Sack near the Southern Cross as Yutu, the Tinamou. From September to April, Yutu warned the farmers of the coming of the Tinamou to their fields. Resembling a small partridge, Tinamou is a voracious eater who vacuummed up their planted seeds.

Not really a Pheasant, Tinamou is actually a Ratite that can fly (only for short distances). His closet relatives are Cassowary, Emu, and Kiwi of Australasia. (Rhea, the other South American Ratite, is only a distant cousin, and is more closely related to Ostrich of Africa.) Tinamou, who has no keel on his sternum, is a member of the most of ancient groups of living Birds. Ratites make up the Palaeognathae (“Old Jaws”) family of Birds. (The rest of the Birds belong to the Neognathae (“New Jaws”).)

Unlike many other Birds, both Male and Female Tinamou have many mates. After Male Tinamou makes a bowl-shaped nest beneath the bushes, Female Tinamou signals her coming with a sharp whistle. After She lays her eggs, She goes off looking for another Male Tinamou. Meanwhile, Male Tinamou remains behind to incubate the clutch and raise their young. He also waits for other Females to wander by to mate with.

This ancient Bird is still with us. In the rainforest, we hear Him booming with his foghorn voice. We see Tinamou in the sky at night, reminding us of eternity. He offers us a vision of that eternity in the changing seasons. Furthermore, He shows us constancy that lies in the past, present and future. Embrace Tinamou’s message of finding constancy in change.