Unlike the ratites, to which they are most closely related, tinamous have a breastbone and can fly. Their flight however is not strong, and they are adept runners. Their main response to danger is to remain perfectly still allowing their cryptic colouration to protect them. Tinamous have either 3 or 4 toes and most, except the genus Tinamus , roost on the ground. Most species of Tinamous are surviving fairly well at present, though they are hunted for their meat which apparently tastes like strongly flavoured chicken.
Some species appear to have a breeding season while other seem to breed all year round.
Females are generally larger than males. Most species are polygamous to various degrees. Male Boneparte's Tinamou, Northocercus bonapartii , gather a harem of three females which each lay 3 eggs in the nest. In other species, females may lay in more than one nest. The known exception is the Ornate Tinamou, Northoprocta ornata , where only a single male and female pair off.