The overall hue in colour varies greatly over its range; in part caused by the differences in soil at the specific localities.

They are not well-distinguished and almost form a cline that varies north to south according to Gloger's and Bergmann's Rules.

It occurs in eastern and southern Brazil (excluding the Mata Atlântica and planalto uplands along the coast), Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

[3] It lives in dry savanna habitat up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft), and temperate grassland, as well as pasture land.

[4][7][8] The IUCN list this tinamou as Least Concern,[1] even though it is avidly hunted, due to its fast reproduction rate.