The family Tinamidae, belonging to the order Tinamiformes, comprises the tinamous, a group of ground-dwelling birds native to Central and South America. Tinamous are relatively small to medium-sized birds with rounded bodies, short wings, and strong legs, adapted for running rather than sustained flight. They are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals, and are known for their distinctive, often haunting vocalizations. Although they are capable of flight, tinamous are generally reluctant fliers and prefer to escape predators by running or hiding in dense vegetation. They are considered one of the most ancient lineages of modern birds, closely related to the flightless ratites, and play an important ecological role in seed dispersal and insect population control.