The Tinochorus is found in the whole of southern South America, wherever there are sterile plains, or open dry pasture land.

It frequents in pairs or small flocks the most desolate places, where scarcely another living creature can exist.

Upon being approached they squat close, and then are very difficult to be distinguished from the ground.

When feeding they walk rather slowly, with their legs wide apart.

They dust themselves in roads and sandy places, and frequent particular spots, where they may be found day after day: like partridges, they take wing in a flock.