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GENUS SPOROPHILA (SEEDEATERS, SEEDFINCHES)
(8+ species): Small, stubby- and
stout-billed tanagers formerly considered as New World sparrows. Species often flock together, along
with other seed-eating birds such as grassquits, Passerina buntings. Several species nomadic.
MORELET’S [WHITE-COLLARED] SEEDEATER Sporophila [torqueola]
morelleti 10–11cm. Open grassy and weedy areas, roadsides, second growth,
marshes, seeding crop fields. Sings from fence, small bush or tree. Only seedeater
in Costa Rica with bold pale wingbars, but cf. Northern Ruddy-breasted
Seedeater. Male rump can fade whitish and wingbars wear away, cf. male Hick’s
Seedeater, which has black throat. SOUNDS: Downslurred, slightly plaintive
chieh, burrier nasal chreh. Song a varied medley of slurred whistles and rapid
sweet chips, often ends with slurred buzzes; mainly 2–10 secs. STATUS: Fairly
common to common on both slopes, to 1500m. (Mexico to w. Panama.)
*HICK’S [VARIABLE] SEEDEATER Sporophila [corvina] ophthalmica 11–
11.5cm. Second growth, forest edge, weedy thickets, roadsides; at times in adjacent
seeding fields. Usually in pairs or small groups, sometimes with other seedeaters.
Male distinctive, with black head and throat, cf. Morelet’s Seedeater. Female
duskier, more olive-toned than other female seedeaters. SOUNDS: Downslurred
nasal chyeh and variations. Song a fairly rapid-paced, jangling warble, at times
vaguely siskin-like; mainly 2–10 secs. STATUS: Fairly common to common on
Pacific slope, to 1500m. (Costa Rica to nw. Peru.)
SLATE-COLORED SEEDEATER Sporophila schistacea 11–11.5cm. Rare,
stout-billed seedeater of forest edge and clearings, swampy wooded thickets,
especially in areas with bamboo; also mature rice fields. In pairs or small groups,
sometimes with other seedeaters. Sings from mid-level perches, also in flight.
Male distinctive, with stout yellowish bill, slaty plumage; female from other
seedeaters by stout bill with some pale at base. SOUNDS: Buzzy nasal shih,
sometimes doubled; very high, slightly lisping siik. Song a varied, high, slightly
buzzy and tinny twittering warble, often starts with an upslurred whistle,
includes chipping trills; mainly 1–6 secs. STATUS: Scarce, local, and sporadic on
both slopes, especially Pacific; to 1200m. (Belize to S America.)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER Sporophila nigricollis 10.5–11cm. Open
grassy and weedy areas, roadsides, second growth, marshes, seeding crop fields.
Sings from fence, small shrub or tree. Male distinctive, with black face and
breast, pale bill. Female notably plain, slightly smaller-billed and buffier than
female Hick’s Seedeater; Ruddy-breasted Seedeater has orange-pink bill.
SOUNDS: Downslurred, nasal to slightly squeaky chíeh. Song a pleasant sweet
warble, fairly fast-paced and usually short, 1.5–2 secs. STATUS: Uncommon on
s. Pacific slope, spreading n. to Central Valley and locally to adjacent Caribbean
slope; to 1800m. (Costa Rica to S America.)
RUDDY-BREASTED SEEDEATER Sporophila minuta 9.5–10cm. Open grassy
and weedy areas, especially marshes, wetlands. Sings from taller grass stalk, fence,
small shrub. Male distinctive, other plumages told by small size, distinct pale wing
edgings, mostly orange-pink bill. Comprises 2 groups that may represent species:
Northern Ruddy-breasted Seedeater S. [m.] parva breeding male blue-gray
above, nonbr. male (Sep–Mar) like female but with white wing patch, rustier
rump, often some rusty blotches below. Female/imm. relatively pale, buffy-toned,
with distinct pale wing edgings. Southern Ruddy-breasted Seedeater S. [m.]
minuta male bright year-round, browner above than breeding male Northern,
especially in fresh plumage. Female/imm. more uniform overall than Northern. SOUNDS: Northern: quiet
nasal chih; song an unhurried, slightly jerky warble of nasal and sweet chips, 3–17 secs. Southern: down
slurred nasal chieh; song a variable, rather slow-paced warble, typically starts with unhurried sweet whistles,
2–4 secs; averages richer, slower-paced than jerkier, more chipping song of Northern. STATUS: Uncommon
to locally fairly common: Northern in nw. lowlands, Southern on s. Pacific slope, mainly interior valleys, to
1200m. (Mexico to S America.)
