The Variegated Tinamou (Crypturellus variegates) species was first identified from a specimen collected in French Guiana and is the larger cousin to the Little Tinamou. In general, the Varigated Tinamou ranges from southern and eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Amazonian Brazil, eastern Peru, eastern Ecuador and northern Bolivia.
The Variegated Tinamou is solitary and favours humid lowland forest with thick undergrowth; it prefers to be on the ground and flies when disturbed. Tinamous are earth coloured and are perfectly camouflaged with their environment.