see text Tinamus is a genus of birds in the tinamou family Tinamidae.

This genus comprises some of the larger members of this South American family.

The genus Tinamus was introduced in 1783 by the French naturalist Johann Hermann.

[3][4] Hermann based his name on "Les Tinamous" used by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux.

The word "Tinamú" in the Carib language of French Guiana was used for the tinamous.